The Rithm (formerly The BlacLife Pod)

After a recap of Bryan's Thanksgiving debacle and a brief debate over apple pie, we get into the latest (stupid) cryptocurrency to cause people financial hardship, the reaction to an insurance CEO being killed, Drake's latest questionable career decision, a brief review of Kendrick Lamar's latest album and we make plans to hold one another accountable for our goals for 2025. All of that plus Alex'...

On today's raucous episode, the holidays are upon us! We begin with Alex's Black Friday shopping dilemma before discussing if and how to shop Black Friday deals, why Santa Clause skips some kids' houses, if clutter causes stress, and we compare and contrast our childhood to that of our spoiled kids. All of that plus Markus can't make popcorn, Bryan's elf conspiracy theory and a breakdown of the sp...

We got together Wednesday evening to  give our unfiltered thoughts on the outcome of the election. Listen at your own risk.

After one final call of action, the election talk ceases and the fun commences. The best live performances we've seen, the qualities needed to see a movie twice in theaters, being late to events, Michael Jackson's patent, Bryan's umbrella mishap, Alex's perfection, Markus' failures, how Bryan became Mr. Wonderful and so many laughs to quell you anxieties about democracy!

With one week to go, we discuss only the issues important to us and compare and contrast whose plans will better serve our needs. All of that plus Alex's precise grocery shopping schedule, Markus loves his wife, and Bryan opens up about the frustrations in caring for elderly folks.

With the election rapidly approaching, we discuss Trump's latest lies and how they are impacting people in hurricane ravaged states. The conversation continues about appealing to people's fear, how we began paying attention to politics, how we decide who to vote for and the dangers of political rhetoric. 

America avoided a prolonged Longshoreman strike last week with side coming to a tentative agreement. We ponder what we would've bought in bulk to avoid an inconveniences as well as the weird impulse purchases we've made in the past. Gen Z doesn't care about condoms. Are they stupid? We discuss the reported (silly) reasons why. All of that plus a major music streaming fraud case, disdain for free s...

We begin with the latest online credit card scams, the best and worst financial tips we've received, and the times we've been scammed. We have incredible updates on a couple of news items from last week, and wonder why Diddy does not have better lawyers. All of that plus Alex explains why nothing is timeless or prophetic, Bryan loses thousands of dollars, big calf energy and surprises living in ou...

It doesn't have to be this way or A Fact of Life

After recapping their shared Olympics experience, the guys delve into Markus health milestone, continue their breakdown of the connections between Project 2025 and Don, and the correct way to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. All of that plus the age that aging actually occurs, what we couldn't discuss and Alex swears by organic bananas.

Donald Trump takes questions from Black journalists and proceeds to tell us exactly who he is. We break down how his answers resonated with us as voters, explain why Trump is (or isn't) the greatest president for Black people since Abraham Lincoln and the power of forgiveness. All of that plus Simone Biles is the goat, how Bryan released resentment and Alex delivers a warning to anyone who dares t...

After deciding how to proceed with the assassination attempt in light of how the victim is proceeding, we get to the latest internet craze for young men: Jaw Gum. After discussing what it is and how we would handle social pressures and beauty standards if we were teenagers today, we move on to the Heritage foundation's connections to the Republican party as well as our frustrations over political...

A 20 year old man tried to kill former President Donald Trump.

Courtrooms were all the rage this week! A man's courtroom Zoom meeting goes viral, American Airlines gets sued for allegedly removing Black men from a flight because they were... Black, and a prominent real estate developer is found guilty of falsifying business records. But the case is a little more serious than that. Alex breaks down the details while Bryan tells stories of when he was discrimin...

The release of a violent video has Alex wondering about our infatuation with seeing other people's pain.  It also leads to hilarious discussion about getting caught doing stupid stuff on video, the heyday of portable cameras and Bryan's theater days. The guys reveal the good that happened to them this week and another CEO is out of touch regarding work-life balance. All of that plus Bryan's Money...

There’s a new study about energy drinks and guess what? They’re bad for you. We discuss our consumption habits and whether or not our experiences mirror the study’s findings. Billionaires are paying a lower tax rate than most of us and Bryan thinks its bullsh*t… kinda. And we wrap up the Drake/Kendrick Lamar battle. All of that plus mother’s who didn’t deserve Mother’s Day, self checkout issues, u...

Bryan's algorithms have left him in the dark. In lieu of the episode we had planned, the fellas make an executive decision to update Bryan (and you) on everything going on between Kendrick Lamar and Drake.  They focus on the music and breakdown the best lyrics, explain metaphors and punchlines, dissect the timeline of releases, discuss who they think won and if the battle is over. If you haven't b...

Everything costs too much. Target has hacked the brains of its shoppers with the "Target Effect." Markus won't share his bonus from work. If your spouse wants to try a new recipe but can't cook, do you support them? And Alex has a run in with a homeless person, creating an interesting moral dilemma.

Why do people like Taylor Swift's music? Gen Z would prefer segregated gyms? Larry Fink says we should retire later, but why?  Do you believe in anything enough to light yourself on fire? All of that plus Carl Jung's five pillars of a good life, Alex's gym has a drumline, Bryan's new love of simplicity, Markus might have been a broke boy, crazy news headlines, and plenty of inappropriate jokes.

On today’s jam packed show, J. Cole’s unprecedented apology leads us to examine what disturbs our peace and how to move on your own accord, OJ Simpson’s complicated life leads to an honest discussion regarding dying alone or dying surrounded by loved ones and we discuss the potential benefits and drawbacks of a four day work week. All of that plus Bryan’s jump roping skills, Alex’s warning to peop...

Alex recaps the long list of lurid accusations against Sean Combs which lead to his homes being raided by Homeland Security, before the fellas discuss how money and power can corrupt people and if wealth would have similar effects on themselves. The fellas get the beehive buzzing while reviewing Beyonce's new album "Cowboy Carter," which leads to hilarious revelations about something each would li...