North-south avenue in Manhattan, New York
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Sprawling, beautiful Central Park must be part of your New York City explorations. When checking out Gapstow Bridge or the Balto Statue and an I've-been-walking-all-day hunger strikes, know there are some GREAT food options right in the park.Let's check out the best restaurants in Central Park! We'll dive into some cheap(er) options, a couple of fancy places, and even a great sandwich spot to bring into the park for a picnic.Let's do it.
For the latest Whisper in the Wings from Stage Whisper, we continue our coverage of the 2025 Next Step Festival. Once again we welcomed on four new works and the artists bringing them to the city. So be sure you tune in and turn out for this great event!2025 Next Step FestivalMay 27th- June 8th@ Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre at ART/NYTickets and more information are available at nextsteptheatrefest.comAnd be sure to follow our guests to stay up to date on all their upcoming projects and productions:Next Big Hit written by Austin Foster (he/him) and directed Justin Guarini May 30thnextbighitmusical.com@nextbighitmusicalThe Guest at Central Park West produced by John Ewing IIIJune 5th and 6thjohn@vendettafilmworks.comjonique33@yahool.comlevyleesimon.com@soulchoicetheatreOcean in a Teacup, composed, co-lyricist, and written by Joel Krantz June 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 8thoceaninateacup.comStowaway to Paradise composed and written by Gregory NissenMay 29th artscircle@hotmail.com@gregorynissen
JOEL ROSS “NUBLUES” c. 2023Evidence, Central Park West, What am I waiting for ?, ChantGabrielle Garo (fl) Immanuel Wilkins (as) Joel Ross (vib) Jeremy Corren (p) Kanoa Mendenhall (b) Jeremy Dutton (d) PATRICIA BARBER “VERSE” Chicago, IL, February 10-14, 2002Clues (1,2), I could eat your words (2), Dansons la gigue (2)Patricia Barber (vcl,p,el-p) acc by Dave Douglas (tp) Neal Alger (g) unidentified (strings-1), Michael Arnopol (b) Joey Baron (d-2) ADAM SCHROEDER & MARK MASTERS “CELEBRATE CLARK TERRY !” c. Continue reading Puro Jazz 06 de marzo, 2025 at PuroJazz.
JOEL ROSS “NUBLUES” c. 2023Evidence, Central Park West, What am I waiting for ?, ChantGabrielle Garo (fl) Immanuel Wilkins (as) Joel Ross (vib) Jeremy Corren (p) Kanoa Mendenhall (b) Jeremy Dutton (d) PATRICIA BARBER “VERSE” Chicago, IL, February 10-14, 2002Clues (1,2), I could eat your words (2), Dansons la gigue (2)Patricia Barber (vcl,p,el-p) acc by Dave Douglas (tp) Neal Alger (g) unidentified (strings-1), Michael Arnopol (b) Joey Baron (d-2) ADAM SCHROEDER & MARK MASTERS “CELEBRATE CLARK TERRY !” c. Continue reading Puro Jazz 06 de marzo, 2025 at PuroJazz.
While Midtown Manhattan has many negative stereotypes among New Yorkers, the neighborhood is full of top-notch restaurants, vibrant bars, and phenomenal activities!In this article, we'll focus on what we're calling 'Upper Midtown,' or the area from 50th Street to Central Park and 8th Avenue to 5th Avenue.Top 4 Things to Do in Upper Midtown Central Park MoMa Radio City Carnegie HallTop 4 Restaurants in Upper Midtown Sugarfish - Get one of the omakase options; we usually get the Trust Me Quality Italian - Must try their homemade sambuca, Lobster alla vodka, and Whipped ricotta Kin Ramen Bengal TigerTop 4 Coffee Shops in Upper Midtown Blue Bottle Zibetto Espresso Ground Central Coffee Company Flavor Taste BodegaThis Episode's You'll Have to Check It Out Segment - The RibbonThe Ribbon is a cozy spot near Central Park West on the Upper West Side, with friendly staff, a phenomenal happy hour, and plenty of TVs with sports. They offer delicious drinks & their top-notch chicken tenders are probably our favorites in NYC.Their happy hour, daily from 4-7 pm, includes $7-$13 bites (including the chicken tenders) and $6 beer, $10 well drinks & wine, and $12 specialty cocktails, including a margarita, old fashioned, and pineapple mule.Check out The Ribbon on 72nd Street here.Top 4 Bars in Upper Midtown Valhalla Tanner Smith's - Brunch bottomless cocktails - $35 with the purchase of an entree for 90 minutes Haswell Green's - Named after Andrew Haswell Green, an influential city planner for NYC. Green was responsible for Central Park, the New York Public Library, the Bronx Zoo, the American Museum of Natural History, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and also participated in or led significant projects, such as Riverside Drive, Morningside Park, Fort Washington Park, and protecting the Hudson River Palisades from destruction. Faces & Names - Great trivia set up every Tuesday night, solid food options include mini tacos, burgers, and pretzel bitesTop 4 Places to Shop Upper Midtown 5th Ave/Rockefeller Center Nordstrom Columbus Circle Tj Maxx on 57th street & 8th avenueDownload the full NYC Navigation & Transportation Guide here + join our newsletter here: https://rebrand.ly/nyc-navigation-guideGet the NYC Basic Tips & Etiquette book here:https://amzn.to/4fo5TRj
His debut novel, CENTRAL PARK WEST, was a runaway success. Now the former FBI Director and Attorney General is back with another great legal thriller, WESTPORT! James Comey visited The Thoughtful Bro to talk with fellow author Mark Cecil about how his time in the nation's most newsworthy legal corridors has influenced and inspired his fiction. Hosted by Trisha Blanchet
''The parade is a wonderful holiday gift to the 3.5 million people who witness it firsthand, as well as the 30 million television viewers worldwide. I feel so lucky that I get to be 'inside' the parade each year, that my dream of living along the route came true.'' - E.A. KAHANE For over 25 years, New Yorker E.A. KAHANE has photographed the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from her third-floor apartment window on Central Park West at 64th Street. From this special vantage point, Kahane is able to capture with her camera an unrestricted view of the parade as it passes by her window. Her bold and beautiful images document every aspect of the festivities, including the clowns, Broadway stars, floats, marching bands, cheerleaders, cheering spectators, and the biggest stars of them all - the larger-than-life balloons of our favorite characters from TV and film. This fall, just in time for the holidays, Kahane's joyous photographs will be published in book form in Come Join the Parade! (October 15, 2024). She describes the exquisitely designed book as her very own "Miracle on 64th Street" and a book for all ages." Starting on the Upper West Side at 77th and Central Park West, the legendary parade travels down to 6th Ave and 34th Street entertaining a televised and real time audience for the 2.5-mile journey. Come Join the Parade! is Kahane's singular vision of this beloved annual event, and her passion and unbridled enthusiasm is revealed with every page turn. In her essay for the book, Kahane gives insight into her process, sharing, "I never check the parade lineup in advance. I prefer to be surprised. Every year it feels like I'm experiencing the parade for the first time." Placed throughout the book are fun DID YOU KNOW? facts about the parade. One such fact is about Tony Sarg, a German immigrant, Macy's employee, and master puppeteer, who helped design the first Macy's parade. Sarg created the first feline balloon, Felix the Cat, which was produced by Goodyear Tire & Rubber, and collaborated with a young Walt Disney in 1934 to create the first Mickey Mouse balloon. Big balloons became an integral part of the parade in 1927 in partnership with Goodyear and have since become pop-culture icons. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-unplugged-totally-uncut--994165/support.
''The parade is a wonderful holiday gift to the 3.5 million people who witness it firsthand, as well as the 30 million television viewers worldwide. I feel so lucky that I get to be 'inside' the parade each year, that my dream of living along the route came true.'' - E.A. KAHANE For over 25 years, New Yorker E.A. KAHANE has photographed the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade from her third-floor apartment window on Central Park West at 64th Street. From this special vantage point, Kahane is able to capture with her camera an unrestricted view of the parade as it passes by her window. Her bold and beautiful images document every aspect of the festivities, including the clowns, Broadway stars, floats, marching bands, cheerleaders, cheering spectators, and the biggest stars of them all - the larger-than-life balloons of our favorite characters from TV and film. This fall, just in time for the holidays, Kahane's joyous photographs will be published in book form in Come Join the Parade! (October 15, 2024). She describes the exquisitely designed book as her very own "Miracle on 64th Street" and a book for all ages." Starting on the Upper West Side at 77th and Central Park West, the legendary parade travels down to 6th Ave and 34th Street entertaining a televised and real time audience for the 2.5-mile journey. Come Join the Parade! is Kahane's singular vision of this beloved annual event, and her passion and unbridled enthusiasm is revealed with every page turn. In her essay for the book, Kahane gives insight into her process, sharing, "I never check the parade lineup in advance. I prefer to be surprised. Every year it feels like I'm experiencing the parade for the first time."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/arroe-collins-like-it-s-live--4113802/support.
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Info 2024 The annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City draws massive crowds, well over 1,000,000 people yearly. So, getting the correct info and knowing where to go can make all the difference between a positive and poor experience. Here's what you need to know.
Hola Gerardo aquí en otro episodio de Simplemente Yo; La selección de esta semana es Rosemary's Baby, es una película de terror psicológico de 1968 escrita y dirigida por Roman Polanski, basada en la novela de Ira Levin de 1967. Plot: Una pareja joven que intenta tener un bebé se muda a un antiguo edificio de apartamentos en Central Park West, donde se encuentran rodeados de vecinos peculiares. Espero que lo disfruten ;) Información adicional del podcast: Enlace del website official de Filmic Notion Podcast: https://filmicnotionpod.com/ Enlace a nuestra página de Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/446nl
James Comey, former director of the FBI and author of non-fiction, including A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership, and the crime novels Central Park West (2023) and his latest, Westport (Mysterious Press, 2024), talks about his new career as a crime novelist and offers his take on the Trump trial.
We got to speak with former FBI director James Comey last year just as his first novel — Central Park West — was released. It introduced readers to federal prosecutor Nora Carleton, who was working to convict organized crime figures in New York. The book was a terrific read; even though it was a fictional work, Comey packed it full of real world details that could only come from someone who had himself actually prosecuted mobsters. A year later, Comey — and Nora — are back. In his new book, Westport, Nora finds herself in some new situations. Not only is she now working in corporate law but she is also suspected of the murder of a colleague.In this conversation, we speak with James Comey about the new book, white collar crimes, corporate law, and the challenge of finding people who will tell you when you suck.Support The Murder Sheet by buying a t-shirt here: https://www.murdersheetshop.com/Send tips to murdersheet@gmail.com.The Murder Sheet is a production of Mystery Sheet LLC.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Exploring Central Park should be on your NYC bucket list. In this article, we're gonna simplify the best ways to get around Central Park so you can see all the sights efficiently. Pedicabs/Horse-Drawn Carriage On Central Park's website: pedicab tours are $150/hr and this is the discounted price. Usually cost $3-7 per minute. I've seen as high as $10/min. This is so expensive and no one on these tours ever looks like they are actually enjoying it. You'll miss most of the most famous spots just because the pedicabs can't go to the best places. Horse-drawn carriage on Central Park's website-$120 for a 30 min ride. $160 for 45 min ride. This does not include tip! Walk up prices will be much more expensive. Bike/Scooter Rental Bike rentals as low as $11/hr/person. Scooter rental is around $20-25/hr/person. Citi Bike: Day pass for $19/day. Free unlocks + 30 minute of free riding on a standard bike or $0.30/minute on an eBike Normal unlock: $4.79 for 30 minutes on a standard bike or $0.30/minute on an eBike Rollerblading or Skateboarding Rollerblade rental- $25 for 24-hour rental. Comes with helmet and pads. Would not recommend this option unless you are a very good rollerblader. The central park roads are sometimes uneven and the loop can get crowded. Would be fun if you are good but could easily be miserable if you are a novice. Skateboarding-- Same deal. You should be good at this. Probably best if you already live here and have one. This Episode's You'll Have to Check It Out Segment - Turnstyle Underground Market Located in the Columbus Circle subway station, right under the Shops at Columbus Circle. This market has a wide variety of food spots, shops, and dessert/drink places. Some include: Doughnuttery - Small, unique donuts Criollas - Empanadas Down Under Coffee - Coffee shops Lisa's Dumplings - Dumplings Panda Bubble Tea - Bubble teas and drinks Dog shop, barbershop, clothing boutiques Bike/Scooter Tours Bike tour, around $50/person for 2 hour tour. Scooter Tour, around $95/person for 2 hour tour. Walking Can use the free central park audio guide and choose your own adventure. Check out our Central Park Audio Guide Podcast Episode! Price: Free Subway + Walking On West side of the park: B/C subway runs along Central Park West. 72nd street stop drops you off by The Lake, Bethesda Terrace, Bow Bridge, Strawberry Fields, The Ramble. 10 min walk to Bethesda Terrace. 81st St Museum of Natural History B/C drops you off by Belvedere Castle, the Great Lawn, Turtle Pond, The Ramble. Price: Subway costs $2.90/swipe. Enjoy Central Park!
This March, it's all about YOU, our fantastic listeners! You asked, and we're delivering with a lineup of movies requested by YOU. To kick things off, Eryka and Jackie are delving into the eerie world of the 1968 classic "Rosemary's Baby"! And this was requested by Debbie. This spine-chilling tale, follows a young couple's unsettling journey as they move into an aging, ornate apartment building on Central Park West. But things take a sinister turn when they find themselves surrounded by peculiar neighbors and ominous occurrences. Don't miss out on this hair-raising episode! Tune in now to catch all the chills! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/horror-cafe/support
JOEL ROSS NUBLUES c. 2023Evidence, Central Park West, What am I waiting for ?, ChantGabrielle Garo (fl) Immanuel Wilkins (as) Joel Ross (vib) Jeremy Corren (p) Kanoa Mendenhall (b) Jeremy Dutton (d) PATRICIA BARBER VERSE Chicago, IL, February 10-14, 2002Lost In This Love, Clues (1,2), I could eat your words (2), Dansons la gigue (2)Patricia Barber (vcl,p,el-p) acc by Dave Douglas (tp) Neal Alger (g) unidentified (strings-1), Michael Arnopol (b) Joey Baron (d-2) ADAM SCHROEDER MARK MASTERS – CT ! Continue reading Puro Jazz 13 marzo 2024 at PuroJazz.
Tony Award-nominee Robert Westenberg was my guest in The Locher Room to look back at his lengthy career that included work on and Off-Broadway, in regional theatres, national tours, film and television. He made his Broadway debut 41 years ago in Zorba, for which he received a Theatre World Award.Robert is now focusing his career on teaching, directing and playwriting. He is perhaps best remembered for his roles in the original Broadway casts of Into the Woods as the Wolf and Prince, for which he received a Tony nomination and Drama Desk Award, Secret Garden as Neville Craven, and Sunday in the Park with George, where he replaced Mandy Patinkin in the title role. He also performed the role of Javert in the Broadway production of Les Miserables. Other Broadway credits include leading roles in 1776, Company, Abe Lincoln in Illinois, and A Christmas Carol. Robert's film and television credits include The Ice Storm, Before and After, The Stars Fell on Henrietta, Mr. and Mrs. Bridge, Swift Justice, Central Park West, and Law and Order: SVU.Hear from this talented actor and educator in The Locher Room and don't miss a surprise appearance from Michael Park.
What's harder: Being a federal prosecutor and FBI Director, or being an author? James Comey is one of the few people in the world who can answer that question. And he does, right here at A Mighty Blaze! James sat down with fellow author Mark Cecil on The Thoughtful Bro show to talk about the hazards, surprises, and recollections of his many and varied careers, and about his debut fiction release, CENTRAL PARK WEST. Hosted by Trisha Blanchet
America's institutions are not perfect, but they are essential to the functioning of the rule of law. James Comey shares his experience working to improve the Justice Department through honesty, oversight, and transparency. He also discusses the criminal charges against former president and current presidential candidate Donald Trump. James Comey has been a prosecutor, defense lawyer, general counsel, teacher, writer, and leader. He most recently served in government as Director of the FBI. Since leaving that role in 2017, he has written three best-selling books. Two are memoirs of his time in government: A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership (2018) and Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency, and Trust (2021). His most recent book is a fictional legal thriller: Central Park West (2023). He also serves as a senior fellow for the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. Links: https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250192455/ahigherloyalty https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250799128/savingjustice https://penzlerpublishers.com/product/central-park-west/
Mariel Hemingway, the granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway, Academy Award nominee for Woody Allen's film "Manhattan", as well as the star of "Star 80" and the television series "Civil Wars" chats with John like an open book into her life's successes and struggles with mental illness that led to the suicides of Ernest Hemingway and her sister, Margaux Hemingway. Mariel talks about being 18 years old and how difficult it was to grasp what it meant to be nominated for an Academy award, her time working with Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, her struggles growing up with alcoholic parents, and the advantages and disadvantages of being Ernest Hemingway's granddaughter. She also discusses both of her TV series "Civil Wars" and "Central Park West" and the health and wellness lifestyle she has created and shares in her podcast, plus her book "Out came the Sun". It is a fascinating interview with so many wonderful stories! Enjoy! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/john-cato/support
Wayne Cabot and Paul Murnane have the morning's top stories from the WCBS 880 newsrooom.
The Upper West Side (UWS) is a quintessential neighborhood in New York City for many reasons! There are a host of bars, restaurants, and things to do in this bustling neighborhood that you won't want to miss. In this Upper West Side Neighborhood Guide, we'll dive into everything you need to know about exploring this popular section of Manhattan. Where is the Upper West Side in NYC? UWS bars UWS restaurants Things to do on the Upper West Side Where is the Upper West Side in NYC? The Upper West Side is from Central Park West to Riverside Park, from 59th Street to 110th Street. UWS Bars Gebhard's Beer Culture e's Bar - Wine Wednesday & happy hour burger Gin Mill Jake's Dilemma Blondie's Bodega 88 Crossbar Nobody Told Me Dive 106 Amsterdam Ale House The Hoptimist Dublin House The Dead Poet UWS Restaurants Jacob's Pickles - Guest appearance by BJ Chick Chick Maison Pickle Saiguette - Guest appearance by T Tiki Chick 7th Street Burger Pier i Cafe Kissaki Sushi Made in New York Pizza Playa Betty's Tap NYC Emack & Bolio's Chama Mama UWS Flame Things to Do on the Upper West Side Zabar's Museum of Natural History Beacon Theater Riverside Park Pier i Cafe TKTS Booth The Dakota - John Lennon lived and was killed outside here Jerry Seinfeld & Cosmo Kramer Apartment Metropolitan Opera House Don't miss out on exploring the Upper West Side neighborhood! Be sure to check out our website for a full write-up of this episode. And, subscribe to our newsletter to get all the updates! https://rebrand.ly/newsletter-bth
Do we really remember the original Ghostbusters from 1984 or have we let pop culture airbrush its cringier edges? Either way, we take you back to a time when a music professor could afford a corner penthouse apartment on Central Park West. Pay no mind to the demon living in the fridge... Follow us: @liveuppod on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook Visit the Live UP podcast blog
This podcast episode marks a new chapter as we step into the world of video for the very first time! My producer convinced me that the possibilities with video are endless, so here we are! Today, I'm embracing a cozy vibe with my favorite Monday T-shirt and my hair freshly washed and left to its natural curls instead of the meticulous look you might be used to. Feel free to check out our YouTube channel for the video experience rather than the audio version. If there are any unexpected quirks or if I need to clarify things differently, it is all part of this exciting transition. Today, I want to share what has been happening with the podcast. Finding Direction for the Podcast Since taking a break over the summer, we have been figuring out our path forward. We began in January 2020 as Conversations with Cristie, where I discussed topics I could not address in my psychotherapy practice. Therapy is about not giving advice, and this podcast gave me a chance to offer some guidance mixed with personal anecdotes. Now, as Ask Your Mother, we aim to answer all the questions you might want to ask a parent or mentor but don't feel comfortable asking. Tuning In to Your Inner Self One of the core questions we explore today is, How do I know what I want? Many people grapple with that when facing life transitions or evaluating their choices. We often follow societal expectations or external pressures without tuning in to our desires and values. To address that, I have developed a process I call tuning in to help individuals pay attention to their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in everyday moments. Tuning in is a practical way to begin understanding ourselves better and find answers to life's questions. Concrete Exercises for Self-Discovery We have also incorporated concrete exercises to help individuals to figure out what they want. One such exercise is the Circle of Life, a visual representation of life satisfaction in various areas. This exercise allows individuals to assess their current situation and decide where to focus their energy. Another tool is a Values Sort, which helps individuals identify their core values and align their choices with those. My Journey of Career Changes I have experienced significant career changes, transitioning from teaching to various roles while continuously tuning in to my instincts. Those changes have not always been easy, and I had to balance my passions with practical considerations. My journey highlights the importance of trusting your gut instinct and using the tuning-in process to guide your life decisions. Recognizing Privilege in Our Journeys I acknowledge that my journey and ability to tune in to my inner self came with privilege. I had the support of a partner with stable employment, allowing me the flexibility to explore different career paths. I know others may not have that privilege, so I recognize and address systemic barriers that often limit people's choices. My Career Journey In the early stages of my career, I had the luxury of not being financially dependent on any specific job. That freedom allowed me to take my time in making informed decisions about my career path while exploring roles and industries that did not offer high pay but intrigued me. Private Practice Several years later, I knew I wanted to establish a private practice. From the moment I began graduate school, I had that goal. I had briefly considered working in hospitals before realizing it was not the best fit for me. My age brought me the clarity to know my true calling was private practice. Working Online I spent a decade working online, from blogging to social influencing, before it became a recognized field. When I earned a certificate as a holistic health coach, I learned how to leverage social media to grow my business. The Pitfall of Comparison My internet-focused background had an unexpected impact on my perception of success. After opening a private practice, I found myself comparing my journey to the standards set by the internet. I felt like a failure because I did not have a book deal, hundreds of thousands of TikTok followers, or any local news appearances. I had bought into the idea that success had a predetermined definition and felt I was falling short of it. Rediscovering My Passion After spending significant resources on coaches and self-help programs, I finally reached a breaking point and began questioning what I truly wanted. The Power of Self-Reflection It dawned on me that I had allowed external influences to dictate my perception of success. I had a thriving private practice I loved, yet my focus on external markers of achievement had overshadowed my contentment. By reconnecting with my values and desires, I regained clarity and purpose. Tuning In Tuning into our inner selves should be a daily practice. We must ask questions like, How am I feeling?, and, What do I want more or less of? We should also engage in more extensive exercises of re-evaluation periodically, especially when feeling stuck or overwhelmed. Those exercises help us reconnect with our goals and values, erase external noise, and focus on what truly matters. The Art of Knowing Oneself Knowing what you want begins with knowing who you are and understanding what feels right. Once you know who you are, what you want, and what is important to you, you can navigate toward more of what resonates with you and less of what does not. The Journey Continues Discovering what you want is an ongoing journey that requires regular self-reflection and the courage to tune out external expectations. It is ultimately about finding fulfillment on your unique path rather than conforming to predefined notions of success. What I am Noticing? Our discussion is relatively light this week as we focus on tuning in. Remember that turning your attention inward and exploring your thoughts and feelings is more important than seeking external fulfillment. A delightful recent discovery in my life is mint cream coffee, introduced to me by my daughter when we stayed at a friend's house in the Catskill Mountains some time ago. Just muddle some mint leaves, soak them in half-and-half overnight, and strain for a deliciously creamy minty coffee experience! An interesting read I came across recently is a new James Comey book, Central Park West. Comey, known as the former FBI director and for his involvement in various high-profile cases, has now ventured into fiction. Central Park West is a murder mystery that offers a unique perspective on his experience in the New York District Attorney's office. That's what I have noticed this week. I hope you enjoy my recommendations! Till next time! Links and resources: Women of Wonder (W.o.W) Founding Members Information for Women of Wonder (W.o.W) Community W.o.W Landing Page Central Park West: A Crime Novel Hardcover by James Comey
Week of 7/23/23 at the Library - Local Merchant Shout-Out - "Central Park West" | Hosts Dylan Posa and Barb Leitschuh go over upcoming events, visit Lebanon's local merchants, and lastly, return to 'Barb the Bookie' to recommend "Central Park West" by James Comey.
This is an excerpt from the episode "The Stories and Politics of the FBI: With James Comey."Former FBI Director James Comey joins The Michael Steele Podcast. He speaks with Michael about his new crime novel, "Central Park West," and the real life people and events that inspired the book. The pair also discuss the politics of the FBI, Comey's time as FBI Director under President Trump, Hillary Clinton and the outcome of the 2016 election.If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or tell a friend!Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Central-Park-West-Crime-Novel/dp/1613164033Follow James Comey @ComeyFollow Michael @MichaelSteeleFollow the Podcast @steele_podcast This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3668522/advertisement
This week, we explore a broad spectrum of intriguing topics, starting with an unusual interaction between Donald Trump and Joe Rogan at a recent UFC event. We also discuss the implications of the Marine Corps operating without a confirmed leader for the first time in over 164 years. Together, we share sentiments on the abhorrent case of Dr. Larry Nassar and his well-deserved fate, review the highly anticipated film "The Sound of Freedom", and raise eyebrows at news stations' questionable reactions to it. We also delve into recent developments in the world of beauty pageants, with the crowning of a trans woman as Mr. Netherlands, and delve deep into explosive allegations from a whistleblower against the Biden family. Join us as we venture into the fascinating world of aliens and exo biospheric organisms, secrets unearthed in a Reddit thread. Stay with us as we navigate through these absorbing subjects and delve deeper into even more riveting stories. The longer you stay, the deeper we go into the rabbit hole of truth. So hit that subscribe button, leave a review, and join us on this enlightening journey as we uncover what's truly happening behind the headlines. In The Adams Archive, knowledge is power and you're bound to acquire plenty of it. Join us and let's dive in! All links: https://linktr.ee/theaustinjadams Apparel: Https://antielite.club Newsletter: https://austinadams.substack.com ----more---- Full Transcription The Adams archive. Hello, you beautiful people and welcome to the Adams Archive. My name is Austin Adams and thank you so much for listening. Today on today's agenda is a ton of different topics that are out there from the last week. The first one being Donald Trump was at the U F C event over the weekend, which was probably one of the biggest cards of the year, and he had an interesting interaction with Joe Rogan, which we will attempt to break down. Although I'm not very good at reading lips, I will give it my best. After that, we are going to take a look at an article that's coming from Fox News which is that the Marine Corps is going without a confirmed leader for the first time in over 164 years, and we'll talk about what that means. Then we're going to look at the disgrace. Dr. Larry Nassar, who if you recall, was the disgusting gymnastics coach of the US Olympic team and sexually assaulted. Like, I'm pretty sure it was like hundreds of girls. So he got stabbed and we will celebrate that. And then moving on, we will talk about the movie, the Sound of Freedom. So we discussed that I think two, two or so episodes ago. We, we went into the trailer of that. Now that it has been released, there's been all this hype around it and some news companies throwing a bunch of shade which is a, a kind of a weird thing to do to something raising such positive awareness to such a horrific thing. But we'll talk about who those news stations were. It may be why they were doing that, cuz it might start to make a little bit more sense. Other things in the news is that miss Netherlands was now Mr. Netherlands because it was crowning a trans woman, Ricky, Valerie Coley. So we'll look at that potentially if we get to it. And then one of the breaking events that has been going on here is that the Biden, department of Justin, department of Justin. I wonder if there's a guy named Justin in the Department of Justice Biden's, department of Justice indicts, a whistleblower who alleged alleged that the Biden family was involved in bribery schemes. Could you imagine that? And then, We will go into the video that surfaced about that individual. And last but not least, the longer you're here, the deeper we get. Rogan posted a Reddit thread from the Reddit aliens sub Reddit, which has the title of, from the late two thousands to the mid 2000 and tens. I worked as a molecular biologist for a national security contractor in a program to study exo biospheric organisms or ebos. I will share with you a lot of information on the subject. Feel free to ask questions or ask for clarification. We're talking about aliens, folks, so this is a very long thread. I don't know if we'll read all of it, but I will get it summarized for you and maybe just maybe, depending on how interesting it is, we will but pretty wild. So all of that and more. So stick around again. The longer you stick around, the deeper we go. All right, so let's go ahead and the first thing I need you to do is go ahead and hit that subscribe button. Leave a five star review, head over to the ck We did send out this week's podcast companion from last episode. So head over there, Austin Adams dot sub stack.com. You get all the links, all the videos, all the articles that we're discussing here. And yeah, you can keep up to date with me and what, what's going on. So Austin Adams dot sub stack.com. Leave a five star review, hit the subscribe button and let's jump into it. The Adams archive. All right, the very first app article on today's episode. It's going to be that Donald Trump made an appearance at UFC two 90 in Las Vegas, and the arena went absolutely wild. And we'll see if we can get some audio on this clip here for you guys, because as soon as he walks out now, something that I've discussed on this, right? I threaded through Instagram's threads instead of Tweeted. It doesn't sound as good as Tweeted to be honest. But something I threaded was that it's pretty wild that meanwhile, while Joe Biden is fumbling around a beach, not knowing which way is to the water we have Donald Trump at a U F C event, cage side, getting, you know, high fives from almost every single fighter that won their fights getting praises from the entire audience, going wild when he's out there. It's pretty crazy to see, but what, if not the single best PR for any president ever is being ringside at every UFC event. Like, could you imagine? People would, people would say, Ooh, there we go. What people would say if Vladimir Putin was at all the MMA fights, like, that is a power move, son. So here it is. Let's go ahead and listen to this clip of him walking up. We'll see if it's, if it's too loud, we'll cut it, but here we go. This is Donald Trump walking out to the U F C F. Two Kid Rock. That's amazing. American Badass. Oh my gosh, that's incredible. High fiving everybody in the audience. Blue suit, red tie, yellow hair coming in and just everybody goes Wild Z and ZZ Top. All right, there you go. There's his walkup song if probably one of the most fitting walkup songs in the UFC and he walks out with Dana White here as we'll. See. Oh, we got the man's here. As you might expect for International Fight Week, a lot of people are in the building. But no one needs more security. From the former president of the United States, obviously a really good friend of Dana White. Oh my word. I mean, listen, he's a massive, massive fight fighter, and that just shows how big this event is. Donald Trump has loved the fights for a long time. He's often at Madison Square Garden for the International Fight Week. He has to show up, show his support he has done from since day one. It's good to see him here. Dall, oh, it's no surprise that this man is here because this is the only thing that stayed open in all of sports during some of the darkest times. Glad he's here. All right, let's go. Listen to how excited they all are, and imagine if that was Joe Biden just, you know, randomly walking through the crowd, not knowing which seat was his. Meanwhile he's getting a shout out from literally everybody. And then he had a peculiar interaction with Joe Rogan, so Donald Trump at the UFC event over the weekend. Lock's eyes with Joe Rogan shakes his hand in what must have been one of the most intense handshakes ever between these guys who just shook hands for about 25 seconds and exchange some words. So I'm gonna give you my best idea of what's being said here. Now, we don't know exactly what was said. Now hopefully there's somebody who can read some lips that can actually figure it out. But here's what I got for you. Donald Trump walks up to him and goes to shake his hand. Now, when the video comes in, as it starts to play here, All right. So Donald Trump goes up, it's mid handshake. Donald Trump's, you know, going, you're the man. It seems like, you know, you're doing great stuff, you know, and it seems like he's saying something about how they should do something together. Like, I should get on your podcast. We should have a conversation. Somebody that I saw said that they believe that he said that we should have a conversation, just not, just doesn't even have to be on the podcast, just together. And so could we have a Joe Rogan Donald Trump podcast? It seems more likely now than ever after Donald Trump was at the U F C event, shaking hands with Joe Rogan and having this interaction. Pretty cool. Hopefully that happens because that would be the world's most watched podcast of all time. Could you imagine Joe, Joe Biden getting on Joe Rogan's podcast? Like that would be the most boring ass conversation you could ever imagine. Literally, everybody who watches Joe Rogan's podcast would probably boycott the episode because it would be so irritating, annoying, and, and, and like just sad to watch if Donald, if Donald Trump went on Joe Rogan, it would be the single most watched episode in history of any podcast ever for now and the future. Very likely. So anyways, that was pretty cool. Thought that was awesome. What a power move by Donald Trump and his PR team and you know, hopefully we see a Donald Trump, Joe Rogan podcast as they just had this respectful interaction where neither seemed to want to let go of the handshake first. It was pretty cool to see. All right, moving on now, the next article that we're gonna talk about here, and we'll touch on this briefly, it says, the Marine Corps is without confirmed leadership for the first time in 164 years. And this comes from Fox News, where it says that the US Marine Corps does not have a confirmed leader for the first time in 164 years. Following Marine Corps's Commandant, general David Berger's relinquish of Command Ceremony held Monday and Berger's. Or Berger's private retirement ceremony at the relinquish of command ceremony at the Marine Corpse Barracks in Washington, DC General. Eric Smith, the assistant Commandant of the Marine Corpse, took over as acting commandant. President Biden had nominated Smith to lead the service in May, and Smith is expected to serve as the acting commandant, but also stay in his role as Assistant Commandant. How does that work without a second? Com in command due to the hold. The last time the Marines were without a confirmed leader was 1859. Following the death of Commandant Archibald Henderson Senator Tuberville, Republican from Alabama is blocking more than a two 50. 250 fast tracked military promotions in the Senate over the Pentagon's post OBS abortion policy established early the earlier this year. The Pentagon's new policy pays for the travel and time off of service members that they must take to receive abortions if the state where they are stationed does not allow the procedure. What. How about No. How about take one of your 30 days of fricking paid time off buddy, or don't and don't kill your baby defense secretary Lloyd Austin. The Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Mark Milley have both called Tuberville hold a national security concern without calling Tuberville. Oh, you mean to kill Americans? Just like all the babies. Without calling Tuberville out directly, Austin said his hold is becoming a readiness issue and called on the Senate to confirm these military leaders smooth and timely, timely transitions of confirmed leadership are central to the defense of the United States and the full strength of the powerful fighting force in hi the most powerful fighting force in history. Berger agreed saying in his remarks, we need the Senate to do their job so we can have a sitting commandant that's appointed and confirmed now. I'm not for abortion in any way, shape, or form. I absolutely do not think that there's any reason at all the military should pay for you to go on leave, to go get an abortion, or for your wife to go get an abortion or for the stripper that you met, you know, right outside of base to go get an abortion. I don't think that we should pay for that. I think that you should pay for that. Then you definitely shouldn't get extra leave for it. But I also don't think that that should hold up somebody getting put into the highest position of command in the Marine Corps. That seems a little bit crazy that those two things are intertwined. Interesting, but definitely don't agree with that and definitely don't agree with them paying for that. But it seems like there should be some sort of, you know, other way of making that statement. But who am I? Especially when we're in one of the most contentious time periods in history. Tuberville placed a hold on approving these denominations by unanimous consent this past February. If Secretary Austin wants to change the law, she should go through Congress. Tuberville told Fox News Digital Tuberville had a 10 minute phone call with Austin back in March, according to the Senator's office. Yeah, kind of crazy. See what people have to say? His finest. Finally, Congress is taking back some of its authority. We have legal proceedings in place that should be followed and not worked around or set aside for convenience or fast tracking. If a law is wrong or needs to be changed, Congress is the branch of government that has the power to do it. Interesting. That's the first comment and most liked comment. Somebody else said, Hmm, nah, nothing good there. All right. Let's see. Says this administration is not following the law. The senator is using a legal means to hold them accountable. Follow the law Biden. Hmm. Interesting. Doesn't make sense to me. Anyways, moving on in probably the most positive news of this week, because there's all this negative news going around. What I would say is the, the most positive news of this week that I've heard of personally, is that Dr. Larry Nassar was stabbed several times, and I think that's the most positive news of the week because he's a gross, sexually abusive pedophile who deserves to get stabbed because he was the one who sexually abused hundreds, if I'm recalling correctly, the amount, hundreds of U s A gymnastics gymnasts through over 300 female gymnasts at the club that he was sexually assaulting up to 300 of them at Michigan State University and at his home in Holton, Michigan. Yeah. Something worse should have happened to him other than just stabbing him. Unfortunately, he's alive. Larry Nassar. It says this is coming from the post-millennial, says, Larry Nassar has reportedly suffered multiple stab wounds after an altercation broke out in a federal prison in Florida. Two people familiar with the incident said Nasser had been stabbed in the back and the chest, but that he was in stable condition. Unfortunately, according to the associate press in 2018, Nassar was sentenced up to 175 years in federal prison after being found guilty of sexually abusing up to 300 female gymnasts at John Gutter's, twin Stars USA Gymnastics Club, Michigan State University, and at his home in Holt, Michigan. The attack apparently happened Sunday at the United States Penitentiary Coleman in Florida. Nassar had relocated to Florida after being assaulted in Tucson, Arizona, where he had previously been being held. Nasser admitted to sexually assaulting athletes when he was employed at Michigan State University and U USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians. Additionally, Nassar, who pleaded guilty to, he also pleaded guilty to possessing child pornography when victims were giving impact statements in 2018. Several claims that he told that they had told adults around them what kind of abuse they were experiencing, including coaches and athletic trainers, but the complaints went unreported. The report noted that over a hundred women, including Olympic gold medalists, Simone Biles, had collectively attempted to get 1 billion from the government after it was revealed. The F b I had failed to do anything about Nassar when the allegations were initially brought to light in 2015. It was not until a year later in 2016 that the Michigan State University police arrested him. Michigan State was accused of missing opportunities to stop Nassar, which resulted in the university agreeing to pay 500 million to more than 300 women and girls who were assaulted by the sports doctor. Additionally, U USA Gymnastics and the Olympic US. Paraplegic committee or paralympic committee, sorry, agreed to that, to a 380 million settlement. There are more than 150 victims who spoke or submitted statements during the seven day hearing. More than four years ago, there were even a father, and there was even a fa, a father to good Lord. What's wrong with my eyes? There was even a father upon having the opportunity to speak, attempted to attack Nassar in the courtroom. Now, if you remember this, this guy walked up to the stand and goes, judge May, may you just give me five minutes in the locker room with this guy. Deja goes, no. How about one minute he says, and the judge says No, and then he runs after this guy with no plan of attack whatsoever and gets tackled by a bunch of police. Here we go. I would ask you to, as part of this sentencing, to grant me five minutes in a locked room in this demon. I would you do that? I that is not yes or no? No, sir. Would you gimme one minute, you know that I can't do that. That's not how I, well, I'm gonna have to stay, stay, stay. Stop. Good Lord, I want that. One of these cops should took the opportunity to accidentally shoot Nassar. Give one minute. Had to be quicker. Dad. Gotta be quicker. Gotta have a plan of attack too. Relax, relax. Take it easy. You know, good show of you know, emotion. Sure it's crystal clear, I'm sure, and I'm sure the, you cannot behave like this. Two, two days that he probably spent in there be before, before being let go. You know, every father ever probably wishes that they would, you know, have that opportunity who ran into something like that. So I just, just can't imagine what that man is going through. And the, you know, when you're the dad and you're, you are, is to protect your child. You know, the lengths that you would go to and the things that you would do are probably unbelievable. So, you know, a good showing of, of emotion there. At least maybe not the right attempt, maybe not the right approach. Maybe sit and wait for them to take him outside after, you know, or between sessions or, you know, at least be a little bit quicker to the draw there. Cuz he was pretty slow, not not getting past the, the police there. And there you have it so that, that. Is the first round of what is happening to Naar Nassar. And hopefully there's a second round. I guess he got beat up in the other prison, so maybe third round. We'll, we'll finish it. Cuz what a disgusting man this person is and, and it, we're finding this more consistently where it is. Doctors in sports medicine. Who are taking advantage of underage athletes. There was a physician in Michigan who was responsible for a similar situation to a bunch of underage hockey players that I actually, you know am familiar with the teams and, and stuff that this guy was involved with. And he, he was indicted on, I believe almost, it was at least 80, 80 or so, it was 18 or 81, 1 of the two. Vast difference, but doesn't make him much of a difference that cuz you're just as big of a piece of shit and deserve to get, you know, what this guy had coming to him. All right, moving on. There's your positive news for the weak folks and in other news cnn Now, if you recall, the sound of freedom, right? The sound of freedom being the, the movie. That was done by Tim Baard, who owns Operation Underground Railroad and Operation Underground Railroad is a nonprofit organization which goes and saves children from underground sex trafficking. There's been over 2000 children that have been saved by Operation Underground Freedom or Underground Railroad. And the Sound of Freedom is a retelling of the story of how Tim Ballard got into saving these children. Now, I, I personally have not been able to get to the theater yet. I have three children. So sometimes it's difficult to go sit in a theater and watch something that isn't animated. So but my plan is to go watch this for sure. 100%. You should go see it. If you know somebody take 'em with you may, especially if they, you know, are, are skeptical about the entire, you know, trafficking of children thing or this really will shed light on it. I've, I've spoke to several people who have gone and seen it. They said that it's one of the most impactful, if not the most impactful movies that I've ever seen. It's supposedly pretty dark, but how is it not, you know, it, it's a dark world and this is one of the darkest parts of it. And so to see that somebody, anybody is shedding light on this. And so there, there was some, some conversations. Now I had several people reach out to me after the last podcast cause I posted about it. I've posted about the sound of freedom. And there was some skepticism around Tim Ballard, which might be an, an interesting episode in and of itself. But there was some skepticism around Tim Ballard where there was allegations that Tim Ballard had, you know, in, in his operations, been accused of inappropriate behavior, which these guys are going undercover to do these things. And generally in, in order to get in the club to save these children, probably have to say some things that you wouldn't normally say unless you're in character trying to get into one of these places. So that was one of the allegations is he like to touch some girl's waist or butt or something inappropriately when he was trying to convince people that he was a part of. You know, it was part of their crowd and trying to get in there so he can actually save these people. Some of the other allegations were that he was taking some of the, a lot of the money that he was getting in from Operation Underground Railroad and it wasn't going to the right things. And that he was making a lot of money and that he was using it as a, you know, to help promote the Latter Day Saints, which I guess he's a part of. And so there's a, there's some little, there's some murkiness to this. However, I would say in light of anything and everything that I've seen on this, and I've dove deep, I've talked to people that I know that were a part of some of these, you know, organizations and, and have some little bit of know, know within the community. And I tend to agree with what they said, with, which was essentially that if, if anything that Tim Ballard did that made him seem somewhat dishonorable, cannot be overshadowed by the outcome of his honorable actions, right? So even if, let's say he's making a lot of money off of this, even if he is. Had to put himself in precarious situations and act out of character to get into these places, to save these children. I would take that all day in order for these children to be saved. Right? In 2000 is nothing, but it's something, right? Compared to the 2 million that he claims are, are out there right now that need to be saved. It's a drop in the bucket, but it's a drop in that bucket. So that's my thoughts on that. So do your own digging, do your own research. There was a lot of people that came out against him, Ballard, and I just didn't see anything credible enough to overshadow the credibility of the positive things that he was doing. So there's my thoughts on that. Now, what is dishonorable? Is that c n. And I believe it was, let's see, there was, there was three different news networks that came out and spoke out against the Sound of Freedom, calling it a Q Anon conspiracy, telling people they had worms in their brain if they liked this movie or if they thought this was real, or, you know, you, and then CNN came out and had a clip that said Hollywood, let's see, Hollywood Q Anon promoters promoters, Hollywood Q Anon promoters movie is hit at box office. That is not a full sentence, guys. So CNN had Mike Rothchild, nonetheless, a part of the Rothchild family on here to tell us that, oh, these people are just conspiracy theorists. Don't worry about what my family's doing in the background here of the, these, you know, shadow organizations that are very well proven to be true. So here's a clip of C Nnn. And you seem pretty familiar with him because he doesn't really hide his association with this real wild plot that that involves, you know, drinking the blood of children and things like that. No, he doesn't hide it at all. And you have a lot of people who are in this world of QAN who say, oh, they don't know what that is. They've never heard of it. They're just asking questions. With somebody like Jim Cavel, he is openly embracing it. He's openly using its catchphrases and its concepts. He's speaking at QAN conventions. And this film is being marketed to either specific Q Anon believers or to people who believe all of the same tenets as Q Anon, but claim they don't know what it is. And the Sound of freedom does focus on a real issue of sex trafficking. But that theme, it, it's sort of like that kernel of truth that feeds the Q Anon conspiracy theory. Tell us how those two things work together. Sure. And the most durable and the most believable conspiracy theories are not entirely false. There's something in them that is true, and the rest of it is false. But the believers point to the one true thing and they say, oh, you don't believe that this particular thing is true in terms of child trafficking. We know trafficking is real. We know it has real victims. No one is denying that. But these films are created out of moral panics. They're created out of bogus statistics. They're created out of. Fear. And with something like Sound of Freedom, it specifically is looking at QID on concepts of these child trafficking rings that are run by the high level elites and only people like Tim Ballard and only people like Jim Veel, and by extension only people like the ticket buyer can help bring these trafficking rings down. So there's a very participatory element. You're not just going to see a movie, you're just killing two hours on a hot day. You are helping bring down these, these pedophile rings and save children. Now it's not true. But it's a very comforting, and it's a very warm feeling to have. So I want you to listen to how they are programming this, because if you want an example of text book Abusive gaslighting, here it is, c n n coming out and saying that anybody who believes that high level people are are sex trafficking children or involved in adrenal chrome processing or anything to do with adrenal chrome. But really, let's just focus on the trafficking portion to believe that anybody is involved in, at a high level, these billionaires who, who have an appetite for sex trafficking and children to believe that you must be a qan conspiracy theorist. How stupid are they? Well, isn't this the same C n N who was reporting on Jeffrey Epstein less than three years ago? You know, the billionaire involved in high level trafficking that visited the White House 17 times, along with plenty of people, including Bill Gates, including almost a, a, an entire roster of celebrities from Hollywood that flew to his island, that he had children trafficked to the same cnn Who reported on that? Oh, you wanna know what else? The same CNN who had not won, but two c Nnn producers who were involved in and brought to justice over pedophilia. Jeff Zucker being one of them, who convinced a mother to fly her child out and abuse her with him, fly her child to him, and just reading the text messages that that man sent to this mother. Makes your skin crawl. Meanwhile, CNN wants to gaslight you and tell you that you're stupid, tell you you're a conspiracy theorist and, and muddy the waters with this Q Anon term that they haven't brought up Now in a year or two until it's convenient, right? Just like he said here. Oh, that there's, oh, what a, what a silly idea that there's celebrities out there and billionaires who would sex traffic children. How stupid are these people? Bogus statistics. They're created out of fear. And with something like Sound of Freedom, it specifically is looking at QID on concepts of these child trafficking rings that are run by the high level elites. And only people like Tim Ballard and only people like that are buddies, high level elites, and only people like the ticket buyer can save them. Buddy, this is real. We all agree that this is real. Now the last person that you could have come on to CNN to convince me that child human trafficking isn't real is a Rothchild, but that's what CNN brought on air to try to convince you that anybody who liked this movie or that liked the idea that was shedding light on one of the grossest, the most disgusting, most egregious things in human history that's being done today, right now is fake, isn't real. Oh, it's a conspiracy. Oh, maybe he has a kernel of truth in there, but there's not high level elites who are trafficking children. You mean like the guy who died in jail, who is a billionaire who was connected with probably half of this guy's family and buddies and all of Hollywood and at the White House 17 times who Bill Clinton flew to his house on an island where he trafficked children to. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. That's, that's the one. That's the conspiracy that everybody's stupid for believing in. Thank you so much, Mike Rothschild. Now on another positive note. This is absolutely shedding light on child human trafficking. It is one of the, the top box office movies that there's been this year, and people are, are choking up about this. People want to do something about it. People are becoming aware of this, and the sound of freedom has now triggered people to have more awareness on the disgusting people that are out there, that are predators towards children. And this video I'm about to show you is a perfect example of it. There was a mom, Who is at the mall and it says, stop what you're doing and make this Petto famous. This brave girl just done just got done watching the Sound of Freedom, and the next day while at the mall, noticed a predator taking pictures of two young girls bent over at the mall. She then confronts the pedophile while video recording him and makes him delete the photos on his phone. These people are everywhere. He could have just been a petto or he could have just been scoping out his next sex trafficking victim, and he's absolutely right. Here's the video. Yesterday I posted that I went to go see the movie Sound of Freedom, and it was an amazing movie. I recommend everybody go watch that. It really, really opens your eyes about what really goes on behind the scenes and something that is so prevalent here in the us, but definitely recommend you go see it. But today something happened that I really just did not expect at all and it. Relates to this movie. Today I went to the mall to go pick up something to eat. Me and my mom, we went over there really quick to do some shopping and we went to Auntie Ann's and my mom already got outta the wine. She already paid, and I stayed back to grab some napkins and some straws and things like that. And as I grabbed it and I was walking there was a man that was behind the line and he was taking out his phone to take a picture. And I noticed he had his flash on and it was pointed towards this bench where these two young girls were at. And I decided, so I noticed that his flash was on, so I stood right in front of the camera and I was like, you know what? I don't know if he's ignoring me or seeing me. So I went, I decided to go behind him and he looked towards my mom. He's like, oh no, it's my daughter. It's my daughter. So he sticks out his phone again and starts taking a picture of this young girl. The girl was with her friend and she was laying her head down on her friend's lap, and her behind was sticking out. So her body was, her face was towards the seat or the bench. And so her whole behind was out and she was in a short black, she was in a short black dress. Let's see if we can get to the part we were just at towards this bench where these two young girls were at, and I just was, was on. So I stood right in front of the camera and I was like, you know what? I don't know if he's ignoring me. You're seeing me. So I went, I decided to go behind him and he looked towards my mom. He's like, oh no, it's my daughter. It's my daughter. So he sticks out his phone again and starts taking a picture of this young girl. The girl was with her friend, and she was laying her head down on her friend's lap, and her behind was sticking out. So her body was, her face was towards the seat or the bench. And so her whole behind was out, and she was in a short black skirt. And this girl, I would say she's in between the ages of probably like 13, 15, she looked super young and he kept saying like, oh, that's my daughter now that's my daughter. So I was like, okay, I'm not gonna say anything yet because I don't know what the situation is. So, so what ends up happening is she confronts this man at the mall, makes the man pull out his phone. I go and I go up to these young girls that got after confirming that this man was not their father, in fact, and then goes to the man, confronts him about what he was doing, which she then videotapes and then makes the man delete the photos. Now this woman is a badass. If we had more people like this woman out there, there would be far less predators out there because they are pre predatory on children for a reason, and they're scared of getting confronted with people who are as as big as them, as old as them, as mature as them. They're cowards, they're pieces of trash, and they know it. And if enough people have their eyes out, not only for their children, but for other people's children like this woman did, then this would happen less often because people know that they would be confronted by people. Let's continue. Anyway, I go up to the young girl and I'm like, Hey, is that guy right there? Really? I try to like make it not as big of a deal, but like I was saying, I didn't wear on a makeup big deal of it because you know, this girl might be scared. I don't know what it is, but I'm like, Hey, is that guy your dad? And she's like, no, why? And so she confronts this man. And now as we go to that portion of the video, I'll talk you through it a little bit, but it's taken a second to buffer here. So give it one moment, but good on this girl. She can't be over 30. She looks like she's probably like 26, 27. And for her to confront this man in the way that she did is amazing. And like I said, if we have more people doing this type of thing, less people would be proud that there is against children because they know that the microscope is on them. And that's what this movie does. The Sound of Freedom brings awareness to this brings awareness to the fact that there are real predators out there, brings awareness to the trafficking is real. And you should absolutely be keeping that in mind around your own children, around other people's children. I've seen videos of this woman who was like working a stand that looked like in like Mexico or Brazil and this young child was being targeted by this guy on a scooter. And she goes into this little shop and the woman is very nice and starts talking to the girl and realizes what's about to happen as she sees this guy kind of walking around and prevents the child from being trafficked. 100%. This man was there to steal this child and. Cannot imagine the horrific things that it would've happened. But if we just need more eyes on this, guys, the more eyes we have on it, the less, the less things like this will happen, right? There will be immediate friction, there will be immediate repercussions to these people acting in the, this egregious manner. So again, good on this lady, good on her. This woman good on her for confronting this person. We need more people like her and the video still will not buffer. So I don't know what's going on with Twitter, but in the spirit of that, let's move on. The Netherlands, crowned Miss Netherlands to someone who is not a miss, but a Mister Misses Netherlands crowns trans woman Ricky, Valerie Coley. In other words, a man to be. Miss Netherlands and what is absolutely the most disgusting virtue signal ever, like literally a, and she is. There's other people around this man who are far better looking, far better looking. It goes on, it says, coli of Dutch and indigenous malen descent is from the city of Breta. Between Rotter Dam and Antwerp. Thank you for that very specific outline. She said she wants to be a voice and a male, or a, a male, a, a role model for young women and queer people. As someone who didn't feel supported after coming out as transgender at a young age, she said she wants to leave those stories of suffering in the past. Coley won't be the first trans woman to compete for the Miss Universe. Crown Angela Ponce became the pageant's first trans contestant when she represented Spain in 2018. The 71 year old competition first began allowing transgender contestants in 2012. Well, weren't you ahead of the curve? More trans women have been competing in the preliminary pageants in recent years. In 2021, miss Nevada Cata, Luna Enriquez became the first trans contestant at a Miss u s A pageant. Transwomen and activist Daniela Oroyo Gonzalez will compete for this year's Miss Universe, Puerto Rico. Title next month, Thai Business Mogul. Annie Jra Jupa, no idea how to say that name. A trans activist who is also transgender, bought the Miss Universe organization last year. She has said that she's, he has said that she's committed to advancing the organization as an inclusive platform and wants to transform the brand for the next generation of non women. For Miss Universe, you idiot. I call it a women's empowerment competition, but really it's just de-legitimizing femininity and what women are in general by allowing men with penises to beat the women at their own event. Which is just unbelievable. Like how, how far do we take this, right? Like, of course a man's gonna whoop some woman's ass in the swimming competition if they both train. That's just how that works. But now we've gotten into this contorted, weird secondary universe where men think they, they can actually compete with women. When it comes to feminine beauty, like, I'm sorry, not gonna happen. You are a man. You will always be a man, regardless of how much makeup you put on, regardless of how much chicken cutlets you put in your bra, regardless of how much YouTube contouring classes that you watch, you will always be a man. Until you invert your penis and then have it shut on you. Like that's one of the most horrible things. And, and okay, every time we touch on the trans stuff, I feel the need to talk about this cuz I don't want to be a hateful person. I'm not trying to be hateful, but I think is hateful, is this egregious act of acting like men taking over women's spaces is good for women. There's a reason, there's the W N B A, there's a reason that there is Miss Universe, right? There is Mr. Olympia. You want to go be in a male beauty pageant, start running a hundred fucking grams of trend and get huge like, like the rest of the, the guys out there competing for male beauty pageants. Like this is not the way. And I, I believe that the people that are trans, that believe that they are the other opposite sex are mentally. Ill and, and should be treated as such. And I don't think treated as such as like, oh, you're a bad person. No, I think treated as such as if you are dealing with something on the inside that I can't even fathom. Now that's a portion of it, right? A portion of them are mentally ill. Now a portion of them are seeking attention and that's the Dylan Mulvaney of the world, right? But there are some, I'm sure, very good, very kind, very nice be beautifully beautiful hearts that are trans. But when you try to overtake women's spaces, when you try to treat, make me use your pronouns as if I have to act out your mental illness for you to make you feel okay in the world. I'm just not gonna do it. And I think that anybody who, who is in that world, I. Should seek help. And I hope they get the help that they need because I'm sorry, but you're never gonna be a woman or you're never gonna be a woman who turns into a man or a man that turns into a woman. That's just not gonna happen. And that's the way the universe dealt you. Your cards, and I'm sorry you don't like them, but a lot of poor people who grew up poor wished they could have grown up as the child of Donald Trump. But it's not gonna happen either, no matter how much you pretend it, right? So it's like you should address the thing that is causing you the mental anguish. Don't mask it with fake boobs and lip injections and address like eventually that's gonna lead to heartache and eventually it's gonna lead to you getting all of these surgeries that we don't know the implications of that are eventually going to harm you long-term physically, like getting on hormone replacement therapy, you know, getting estrogen injections, when you should be getting testosterone replacement therapy. It's like we don't know the implications of this, and I'm sorry that you're going through that, but that that is not my burden to bear your mental illness through my speech. And that's, that's what we saw too. More recently, Michigan in, in probably the craziest attempt at passing a law, which has now passed the House of Michigan, Michigan has has imp, has started to push the process along, which again has passed the house. This isn't just like one person trying to act like this is normal. This has passed The house, which is a bill in Michigan, is now saying that if you misgender somebody that you're gonna get a $10,000 fine and a felony. Well, what I would have to say to that Gretchen Whitmer, sir, is that you cannot police speech. You cannot tell me who I any sounds that has to come out of my mouth. You don't get that opportunity. And if I want to call you a man, which in certain lighting you look like, or I wanna call some random trans person knocking down all the shelves in the blockbuster or, or the GameStop, if you remember that video, sir, because you are a sir, then I will do so. You're not gonna find anybody for speech. And if this $10,000 fine from Michigan goes to the Supreme Court, just like all of the other bullshit laws that they've tried to pass and eventually get overturned just like Roe v. Wade, that will get overturned too. I'll be the first person to step up and immediately go to a city hall meeting and call Gretchen Whitmore Mann and watch the police try to arrest me for it. Cuz that is the most ridiculous bullshit law with no fundamental founding in their constitution. That is completely against the first amendment that, that, you know, this is exactly what Jordan Peterson fought against, was the, the implementation of laws to strong arm and bully you into utilizing speech that is not accurate for the feelings of other people. Because if we start there, where does it end? Because that's just the beginning. Then where do we go? Right? You get into this, this news speak era, right? You go back to the Orwellian 1984 type control of language that was involved in authoritarianism, the diminishing of words, you're not allowed to say certain things. And that's where it starts. And this is the, this is the Trojan horse, right? And all the people that are like, equality and d, diversity and like, I hear you, but what you don't see is where this is going. What you don't see is that you are a pawn in the game and eventually, like I've said before, the pendulum swings back and eventually it's coming for you, right? You can only divide the masses so many times until eventually you are on the side that you don't like where your speech is being hindered by governing laws. This law is unbelievably crazy and nobody is talking about it. I posted something the other day and, and very little traction that has come of it. Now, I got a good amount of, you know, attention on it from, from my post, but, It needs to become a common topic because this is the first law that I'm aware of that is being implemented in this way in the United States, where we are founded on the freedom of speech founded on the right to say what we want when we want founded on the freedom of press. If I want to write an article for the Detroit Free Press and call Governor Whitmer a man, I will do it because that is my constitutional right. Just watch me if this goes into effect. Crazy. And that's the world where we've gotten to where somebody's going to win a Miss M I s S pageant with a penis between their legs. This world just gets crazier and crazier and crazier. All right, so I don't even feel like reading the article. Maybe I'll have somebody else read it for you. Here you go. Netherlands Crowns. Its first trans. Oh, two year old Dutch model will be the second openly trans. Whoa. That's going fast for you guys, huh? All right. Yeah, let's move on. So the next article that we're gonna talk about here is that the Biden's Department of Justice Indicts a whistleblower, indicts a whistleblower who alleged that the Biden family was involved in bribery schemes. Could you imagine the Department of Justice being weaponized against biden's enemies? No way. Former Israeli army officer and co-director of a Maryland think tank is under federal indictment Tonight, gal Luft is charged with acting as an unregistered foreign agent, trafficking in arms violating US sanctions against Iran. No man. Twitter's having a hard time today, huh? And making false statements to federal agents. So this man came out and alleged that there was a bribery scheme conducted by the Biden family. Now this in the middle of several, several legal actions that are happening between several different entities at this point. He says he was arrested in Cyprus to stop, to stop him from speaking out him from testifying before Congressional Committee. Yep. Crazy. All right, so this man is guilty. This man is guilty. He's guilty of telling the truth, which is that the Biden family is corrupt. The Biden family is in the pocket of foreign entities like China, like Barisma and Ukraine. These, the Ukrainian energy companies, like all of these organizations that came out from the laptop of Hunter Biden, absolutely. This man is guilty of telling the truth. And, and here's the thing, when these things happen, all it does is draw attention to it regarding bribery allegations against the Biden family. Most frustrating about it is that again, you see how powerful the entities that are in power are because of how quickly and easily they shove these things under the rug. There's never been a president ever who's had as many scandals as Joe Biden, and there's also never been such an effort from every government organization at all. That's. Within the government to cover up so many illegal activities by a presidential family in the history of the United States. Name one name, another president that's sitting that has had so many scandals than Joe Biden, including the video that just came out of Joe Biden, a, a wild video of Joe Biden going up to some foreign looking lady at some meeting saying, don't, don't what did he do? Let me, let me tell you something. Let me tell you something. And he goes, smells her, sniffs her on camera and then goes, don't tell your mama what I told you. Like what? You are the creepiest of creepy old men. And I can't imagine just the what type of things that he, this, that Joe. Biden was doing, especially when his own son called him Petto Pete, within his phone, see if we can get this clip to finish out. Lou makes those allegations in a video obtained exclusively by the New York Post I, who volunteered to inform the US government about potential security breach and about compromising information about a man vying to be the next president. I'm now being hunted by the very same PE I think in my life. I ever had such a hard time with Twitter videos, people whom I informed and may have to. He says, I may have to be on the run for the rest of my life for the allegations that I've made. And we see this with what happened to what happened to the We see this every single time. There's a whistleblower with the Biden administration, right? Every single time there's, there's the, the person in the who, they were trying to s like the, the laptop store owner. There's the you know, e every single time the Biden administration finds themself in hot water, they, they weaponize every single piece of the justice system that they have access to, including the very recent text message that we discussed a couple weeks ago, which was that, you know, hunter Biden literally threatening the Chinese company before there was a $5 million. 5 million put into their shell accounts from a Chinese corporation after he's or from a Ukrainian organization after he strong armed the head of Barisma, who then said he had 17 recordings of them. Interesting. So here's the article on that, which says that the Department of Justice has announced multiple indictments against Dr. Gao Luft, the Israeli American co-head of a Maryland think tank who gained notoriety as the missing witness in the investigation of Joe's Biden's corruption. The New York Post recently shared a video of left wherein he broke down the allegations made against Biden, and claimed that he had been arrested to prevent him from testifying to the House Oversight Committee with damning evidence against the first family. Now, long after coming outta the whistleblower left himself has been charged by the Department of Justice for allegedly engaging in multiple serious schemes in involving the Chinese and Iranians, alongside a former high ranking US government official. The charges, including numerous offenses, including failing to register under the Foreign Agent's Registration Act, arms trafficking, Iranian sanctions violations, and making false statements to federal agents while what a reach. The agency explained that Luft had allegedly conspired with others to advance the interest of the People's Republic of China. Oh. Who would've done that as agents of Chinese based principles without registering as foreign agents as required under US law. He supposedly used his position as co-director of the Think tank to recruit and pay the aforementioned government official at the behest of Chinese bosses to publicly support certain policies with respect to China. Hmm. Very interesting. Let's see if we can get the New York Post video if it's not gonna be so shaky for the full thing there. Here's the video. Good day. My name is Dr. Gal Loft. For the past 20 years, I have been the co-director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security, a Washington based think tank focused on energy security. For the past 15 years, I've been a resident of Israel. For four years, I was senior advisor to the China Energy Company, cfc at the same time of its dealings with the Biden family. Under normal circumstances, I would be testifying before Congress about my experience with C F C. Sadly, due to circumstances I shall describe here in this video I am forced to tell you this story via video. My ordeal goes back to a fatal decision I made in March of 2019 to share with the US government my knowledge about the Biden family's relations with cfc. As I said, it was in March of 2019, in a two day session at the US Embassy in Brussels. I insisted that the meeting. Take place in March because at the time there were rumors that Joe Biden was planning to run for president. I saw it as my civic duty to alert the government beforehand and give it enough time to probe the issue. I wanna be clear. I'm not a Republican. I'm not a Democrat. I have no political motive or agenda. I did it out of deep concern that if the Bidens were to come to power, the country would be facing the same traumatic Russia collusion scandal. Only this time it was China. Sadly, because of the DOJs coverup. This is exactly what happened. The d o J sent to Brussels, a delegation of six people, two prosecutors from the sudden District of New York, by the names of Daniel Reichental and Catherine Goche. Four F FBI agents. One of them was special agent Joshua Wilson from the Baltimore Field Office, which also happens to cover the state of Delaware. My man's dropping names. You asked yourself why did the government dispatch to Europe? So many people, why six, why not two? The answer is that they knew very well that I'm a credible witness, and that I have insider knowledge about the group and the individuals that be the she the family. Over an intensive two year, two day meeting. I shared my information about the Biden family's financial transactions with CFC, including specific dollar figures. This is a 13 minute video that you can go see. Was name Rob Walker the New York Post YouTube channel. Yet as we now as titled this Missing Biden Corruption case Witness, Dr. Galbo doj, the Whole 21 Details, allegations against President's Family Talk to Walker. But perhaps the most alarming information I revealed was of a MO within the d OJ who shared classified information with Hunter Biden and his Chinese partners. I told the d OJ that Hunter was closely associated with a very senior, retired, retired FBI official who had distinct physical characteristic. He had one eye. One of the FBI agents at the time even told me, you know, that would be very easy for us to find. There aren't that many one-eyed people in the bureau. The information I provided the FBI in March of 2019 was fully corroborated. Nine months later when the famous laptop belonging to Hunter Biden, which contained all the emails and receipts, was handed to the fbi. And guess who seized the laptop from the computer repair shop? It was special agent Joshua Wilson, who was with me in Brussels earlier. In other words, the FBI knew about from me about the Biden CFC deals before they got hold of the laptop, way before they had enough time to investigate the issue, but they didn't. After Brussels, I never heard back from the doj, but instead of showing appreciation for my whistle blowing, I became public enemy number one. Over the past four years, that followed me, my family, my friends, my associates. We were all harassed, intimidated, and finally I was prosecuted. Despite all that on the eve of the 2020 elections, I sent my lawyer to Washington to meet with then acting Deputy Attorney General Mr. Richard Donahue, to ensure he was informed about the information I had given his department in Brussels 19 month earlier. And also to warn him that there may still be a mole within the D O J. Mr. Donahue confirmed to my lawyer that he was aware of my claims, but now we learn from the I R S whistleblower that it was Rich Donahue himself who suspended the investigation. Few weeks earlier on September 4th, 2020, on the ground that it was quote too close to the elections. Finally, in February of this year, I was arrested in Cyprus on an extradition request from the Southern District of New York. Very soon. All right. I'll let you watch that video yourself. If you wanna go find it, I'll put it in the CK Austin Adams do sub stack.com, which will come out late tomorrow after the podcast comes out. But here's an article that kind of outlines what he's talking about with that was looking up while you were listening to that, the one eye F b I agent. And this comes from the New York Post where it says, hunter Biden used FBI Mole named one Eye to tip him off the China probes. It says, hunter Biden has an F B I mole named One Eye who tipped off his Chinese business partners that they were under investigation. According to the Israeli energy expert arrested in Cyprus last month on gun running charges. The House Oversight Committee is investigating the explosive claims that Dr. Gal Ga left the guy. We were just listening to a former Israeli Defense Forces Lieutenant Colonel with deep intelligence ties in Washington and Beijing, who says that he was arrested to stop him from revealing what he knows about the Biden family and FBI corruption details. He told the Department of Justice in 2019. Which he said was ignored. He first made the claims on February 18th on Twitter after being detained at a Cyprus airport as he prepared to board the plane to Israel. I've been arrested in Cyprus and politically motivated extradition request by the us, the US claiming that I'm an arms dealer. It would be funny if it weren't tragic. I've never been an arms dealer. Department of Justice is trying to bury me to protect Joe, Jim and Hunter Biden goes on to say that Luft remains in jail awaiting extradition, which is now just surfaced this or surfaced with this video after all this. This article was in March through his American lawyer, Robert Hanoch. Luft said that he tried four years ago to form the de Depart or to inform the Department of Justice of Chinese State controlled energy company c e, or C E F C, that had paid a hundred thousand dollars a month to President Biden's son Hunter in $65,000 to Joe's brother Jim in exchange for their FBI connections and use of the Biden name to promote China's belt or. Yeah. Belt and Road Initiative around the world. Left. Learned the scheme through his own relationship with hunter's, Chinese business partners, Patrick Ho and yay Ja Ming, chairman of C E F C. From 28 15 to 2018, left organized International Energy conferences in partnership with HO'S Think Tank, the nonprofit Chinese Energy Fund committee, C E F C, a front organization for Y's, C E F C Y confided to left that Hunter had an informant in the FBI or formerly of the Bureau, extremely well-placed, who had paid lots of money to provide sealed law enforcement information. The FBI mole was called One Eye. One Eye told ye that the Southern District of New York has, was investigating him or ho in late 2017, that an Asian and African and a Jewish guy were named on a sealed indictment. Said Heno. Soon after the Tipoff, ye offered Hunter 1 million to be his private counsel and flew to China. Leaving his wife, daughter, son, mother and nanny in his 50 million penthouse in 15 Central 15 Central Park West. He was detained in Shanghai three months later and disappeared. And that's where this all started. All right, so that article that I was just reading again, came from the New York Post and was titled hunter Biden used FBI Mole named One Eye to tip him off to Chinese probes, which was March 22nd, 2023. And now this guy is just resurfacing. And this just broke today. This is breaking news. There's really not a ton of information that came out from this interview. Go listen to it. Go check it out. And just again, like I said, Joe Biden and the h the Biden family are the single largest crime organization to ever hold the White House. So, Bar none. And we're seeing that with back to back to back to back. Things that are coming out from the text message of, of Hunter Biden's strong arming people to the laptop with legitimate claims of him being a pedophile with his own niece. All of the things that have come out with Joe Biden being called Petto Pete by his son. Could you imagine the field day that people would've had if that was Don Jr. Saying that about Donald Trump? Like in all of it's covered up by every news, media corporation, every one of the, the organizations within the government, including the fbi. It's disgusting. All right, now last but not least, last but not least second to last, but not least, let's go with last but not least, let's get into the deep dark side. Of aliens. It says, from 2000, from the late two thousands to the mid 2000 tens. I worked as a molecular biologist for a national security contractor in a program to study exo biospheric organisms. I will share with you a lot of information on the subject. Feel free to ask questions or ask for clarification. This was posted on Reddit five days ago, reposted by Joe Rogan, and then this guy deleted his account. Now it says that it seems like all of my comments are being deleted. I will post answers at the end of the message. I'm gonna move my computer closer to me here so I can actually read it for you guys without the stuttering, like you know, Joe Biden or Feder Fedderman. From the late two thousands to the mid 2000 tens, I worked as a molecular biologist for the National Security Council contractor in program to study exo biospheric organisms or ebos. The aim of the program was to el elucidate the genome and proteome basis for these organisms. Although the study of OBCs has been going on for decades and other programs, the new high throughput DNA sequencing technologies of the late nineties unblocked, stagnant research in this area, since then, several breakthroughs have led to significant advances in our understanding of the genome and protein of these beings. What we've learned so far has enabled us to outline some dis. Disconcerting perspectives about the place of our place in the universe. Briefly, we've discovered that the Ebo genome is a chimera of genomes from our biosphere and from an unknown one. They are artificial, ephemeral, and disposable organisms created for a purpose that still particularly alludes us. I'll be substantiating my statements after a brief introduction. The reason for disclosing these secrets is quite simple. I believe that every human being has the right to know the truth, and that to progress humanity needs to divest itself to a certain or divest itself of certain institutions and organizations that will probably not survive these revelations in the long term. I'm aware that I've had very little impact in this regard, but I still believe the small leaks are necessary to break the dam of misinformation on the subject. When the governments will eventually reveal these secrets, there will be undoubtedly be a societal upheaval, but in my opinion, the longer we wait, the worse it will be. I choose to divulge what I know anonymously out of selfishness for the wellbeing of myself and my family. I'm aware that this diminishes the reach and credibility of my message, but it's the furthest I'm willing to go. I chose this forum because it offers a good compromise between anon, an anonymy and an an anonymy. Like what is it? Defining NEMO anonymity, non anonymity in popularity. In order to protect my anonymity, I will be purposefully vague or even contradictory about the information that could identify me, date education role, et cetera. I'll even introduce red hearings. In this respect, I want to make it clear that any information related to the subject of the research will not be treated in this way. Before going any further, please excuse me if you find it difficult to understand what I'm explaining. Some parts of my text are very technical. It's difficult to understand the right balance between vulgarization and scientific explanation. I continue by talking about myself. What's the point of talking about me and knowing that the information will necessarily be misleading. I simply want to introduce a perspective of the type of people who work there. Normal scientists, I have a PhD in molecular biology. I didn't actively seek to become a part of the program. Rather, there was a stroke of luck that introduced me to one of the senior scientists. I met this person at a conference where I was presenting a poster on my PhD research. When I think back, I don't believe he was impressed by what I was presenting because it was quite frankly, a project that wasn't going anywhere. I think he was rather the most important aspect of a professional life, the attitude and the ease in which you make connections. Shortly afterwards, I graduated and received a call from the person offering me a position. At the time, everything pointed to me working in a regular laboratory. I did a series of three increasingly suspicious interviews and in a different location where my scientific background and knowledge became less and less relevant. The first was was with two of the senior scientists, the second and third with people who I've never seen again and who obviously not interested in science. Sometime after the interview, I was asked to go to a fourth location where that, where what seems like a corporate lawyer presented me with an nda. He made sure not only to explain every detail, but also that I understand the consequences of not respecting it. The first employment weeks were far by far the most memorable, although I spent most of the time in the depressing archive room. It consists almost exclusively of reading about the subject of study and to get us up to speed. There's no secret Wikipedia or even a reference guide. There are only dry reports, memos, presentations, procedures, and standard operating procedures. SOPs. These documents are almost exclusively about the biology of Ebos and there are also a few that deal with other subjects such as
This week Dangilo's good friend Ian Cunningham is on the pod to recap And Just Like That (MAX) Season 2 Episode 3 aka "Chapter Three". They get into Carrie's "No Autographs Please"-type energy, Anthony taking all Samantha's lines, Charlotte's overdue for a slapstick moment and Che and Miranda having the most interesting storyline. Dangilo's fear of Androids. Ian introduces Dangilo to Central Park West and Drag Race All Star thoughts, plus Binge Recommendations and Nouns of the Week.Meet Ian on IG: @Ian_SanDIegoFind The Chubette Bakery POP UP and Dangilo in person at SUPER SUCIA SUNDAY: HIP HOP & LATIN TEA DANCE featuring MEATBALL and GRACE TOWERS on Sunday, July 16, 2023 | 3-8PM at THE RAIL San Diego | $15 PRESALEwww.supersuciasdpride.rsvpify.comTickets for BearNight San Diego Presents: FURRAGEOUS https://linktr.ee/baldandbingeable Find Dangilo on Instagram and twitter @dangilogogo
If you've kept up with current affairs or politics over the past decade, James Comey is likely a familiar name. Between 2013 and 2017, Comey served as the seventh director of the FBI and has been at the center of headlines about the Clinton email controversy, the Russian interference hearing, and his dismissal by former president Trump. Yet before the headlines and prior to his time with the FBI, James Comey had already led a uniquely extensive career, holding positions as a prosecutor, defense lawyer, general counsel, teacher, and author. Now Comey is entering the world of literary fiction with the release of his debut crime novel, Central Park West. Drawing on his career in Federal Law Enforcement as well as his time prosecuting members of the mob, Comey grounds his narrative in a level of realism that can only be achieved through insider knowledge and lived experience. The story begins as a multi-year case against a powerful mobster finally cracks and an unimpeachable witness takes the stand. But just when it seems like the defendant can be put away for good, a note containing information on a high-profile murder blows the case back open. The result is an investigation riddled with conspiracy, corruption, and danger. Join James Comey at Town Hall as he discusses Central Park West, named the “Most Anticipated Read of 2023” by Reader's Digest and Newsweek. James Comey has been a prosecutor, defense lawyer, general counsel, teacher, writer, and leader. He most recently served in government as Director of the FBI. His best-selling book, A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership was published in 2018 and made into a 2020 television limited-series. His second book, Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency, and Trust, also a New York Times bestseller, was published in 2021. Jim, as he is known to family and friends, and his wife, Patrice, live in Virginia and are the parents of five and grandparents (so far) of three. Steve Scher is a podcaster and interviewer and has been a teacher at the University of Washington since 2009. He worked in Seattle public radio for almost 30 years and was Senior Correspondent for Town Hall Seattle's In The Moment podcast. Central Park West: A Crime Novel Third Place Books
We can't tell the story of hip-hop without mentioning Diddy and the record label he started. Bad Boy took off in 1993 after Puff was fired from Uptown Records. He brought TheNotorious B.I.G. with him from Uptown Record, and signed a 50-50 deal with Clive Davis's Arista Records, and it was off to the races.Bad Boy survived the tragic fallout of the East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry, and reached even bigger heights after Biggie's death. Puff began to rise as a solo artist, but did the rest of the artists suffer as a result?Friend of the pod, Zack O'Malley Greenburg, joins me on this episode to cover 30 years of Bad Boy Entertainment. Here's what we hit on:0:35 Sean Combs come-up story5:16 Diddy breaks in with Uptown Records8:22 Starting Bad Boy Records14:11 What sets Diddy apart21:04 How Diddy controlled the narrative23:58 Bad Boy's formula for success 29:00 East Coast vs. West Coast rivalry30:39 Bad Boy's historic 1997-98 run45:42 Bad Boy curse?48:44 Diddy's reputation compared to Cash Money54:50 Best signing? 55:19 Best business move?57:19 Best dark horse move?1:00:19 Missed opportunity?1:08:52 Possibility of biopic?Listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | SoundCloud | Stitcher | Overcast | Amazon | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | RSSHost: Dan Runcie, @RuncieDan, trapital.coGuests: Zack O'Malley Greenburg, @zogblogThis episode is sponsored by DICE. Learn more about why artists, venues, and promoters love to partner with DICE for their ticketing needs. Visit dice.fmEnjoy this podcast? Rate and review the podcast here! ratethispodcast.com/trapitalTrapital is home for the business of music, media and culture. Learn more by reading Trapital's free memo.TRANSCRIPT[00:00:00] Zack Greenburg: Diddy's ability to sort of walk the line and step back, you know, I think that's what ultimately kept Bad Boy in the position that, you know, that stayed and kept him in the position that he continued to be in.[00:00:09] Dan Runcie Outro Audio: Hey, welcome to the Trapital Podcast. I'm your host and the founder of Trapital, Dan Runcie. This podcast is your place to gain insights from the executives in music, media, entertainment, and more who are taking hip hop culture to the next level.[00:00:35] Dan Runcie Guest Intro: Today's episode is another case study style breakdown, and this time we chose to dive deep on the one, the only Bad Boy Entertainment when it comes to branding and when it comes to marketing. I don't know if there's another record label that has as identifiable as a sound of vibe as bad Boy, you knew what that vibe was.Puff said it himself, they take hits from the eighties, but do it sound so crazy? And that was the formula, and it worked time and time again. What Puff did was smart, it was a modern approach to how Berry Gordy approached the record business with Motown. But then he put his own spin on it, interning with Andre Harrell at Uptown Records, learning from him and then putting his own spin on it even more, making it relevant for the 90s and truly becoming the icon that was synonymous with shiny suits with that Bad Boy flavor.And so much of the success of one of the best MCs ever, the Notorious BIG, some of the most iconic R&B groups at the time, and singers such as Faith Evans, 112 and many more. And plenty of artists that unfortunately also had plenty of challenges and issues when it came to payment, drama, legal disputes and more.And we dive into all of that. I'm joined again by Zack O'Malley Greenburg. He wrote a book called Three Kings, where he dived deep into Diddy, as well as Dr. Dre and Jay-Z in this book, so he's well-versed and shared a bunch of great stories in this one. So let's dive in, really excited for this one. Hope you enjoy it.[00:02:06] Dan Runcie: We are back to talk about the wondrous world that Sean Combs built himself Bad Boy entertainment and joined by the one and only Zach Greenburg. Welcome back[00:02:15] Zack Greenburg: Oh, thanks for having me, Dan.[00:02:17] Dan Runcie: Bad Boy is so fascinating because Puff is someone who has in many ways been this larger than life character even before people knew him externally as that.And he has really stayed true with that throughout his time in hip hop and even before then. And most people know the origin story starting back in his days at Howard. But I think based on the research you've done, I know you have some backstory with some of the lessons and some of the things he did even before that.So walk us back. Who was puff in the early days before the world? Got to know him.[00:02:52] Zack Greenburg: Yeah, I mean, you know, I think the funny part is that, that puffy was always puffy and, you know, it just took a while for a little while for the world to kind of figure it out. But you know, there are these kind of consistent themes when you go back through his youth and you, kind of get a sense of who he was.And, you know, I remember writing my book Three Kings, you know, Diddy being one of these kings, talking to people who grew up around him. He really was that same guy from the very beginning. So even when he was a kid, you know, he spent his very earliest years in Harlem, but then moved to Mount Vernon, kind of a suburban neighborhood.you know, just north of the city limits. And you know, he had not just one paper route, he had multiple paper routes and on every, you know, every route. He had this philosophy of like, he wasn't just gonna take the paper and fling it into the family's yard. He was gonna get up and he was gonna go, you know, open the screen door and put the paper in between the screen door and the main door so that people didn't have to go up and do so like he was, you know, that dedicated, that hardworking from the very beginning. you know, I think another story I learned from his youth, Puffy was like, there was some, Some debate, you know, some kid had a pool party and, Puffy wasn't invited. there may have been some racism at play, we don't know. But anyway, Puffy's solution was to convince his mom to build a pool in their backyard and then start his own pool parties and, you know, I mean, it's like the most puffy move ever, right? So he just ended up finding, you know, wealthier and wealthier backers to build the proverbial pool as the years went on.[00:04:23] Dan Runcie: That is the perfect story to encapsulate him because I feel like I could imagine other people having white parties. He doesn't get invited to the white party, so he's like, all right, bet I'm gonna go start my own white party. And now it's this annual thing, however many years running.[00:04:37] Zack Greenburg: Exactly. I mean, and you know, you know, as you kind of trace his evolution, you know, in between it was the same thing. So, you know, we all know the Howard Days, he was taking the Amtrak up, sometimes hiding in the bathroom, so they didn't have to pay for the tickets. He didn't have any money but, you know, he would go up back up to New York on the weekends, he would plan these parties.He started to build a name for himself. and it was exactly that, you know, so from the pool parties, in Mount Vernon to the parties that he was throwing, you know, his colleges to the White party, you get that through line of Puffy that, you know, kind of continues all the way through, through the Ciroc era, you know, I think, which really makes this sort of art celebration, ethos, you know, all the more credible, right.[00:05:16] Dan Runcie: Right, and you mentioning him taking Amtrak. Of course, that's him going from DC to New York to go to Uptown Records where he pushes and fights to get his unpaid internship. Working with Andre Harrell, who was on the Ascension himself. He had started that record label in the mid to late eighties. He then sees the rise.He's early on, new Jack Swing has so many of the early folks making that sound there. And then Puff comes in, he sees a opportunity to elevate and position that brand because the whole thing that Uptown was about, they were trying to push Ghetto Fabulous. They wanted to show that there was a opportunity for people who grew up with nothing to feel like they had that release.And Andre Harrell, he since passed away a few years ago, but he spoken about this a few times and you can see how Puff at the time adapted a lot of that. He worked with Jodeci. He was so integral with how he styled them and making sure they had the right jackets. And at the time, Jodeci was very much seen as this alternative to Boys to Men, Boys to Men was a bit more buttoned up.They made music that was G-rated that you could play everywhere. And Jodeci definitely leaned into the sex appeal, which is something that we saw continue play through with. Bad Boy records of Bad Boy Entertainment in the future. He did similar with Mary J. Blige, taking her from just being a R&B singer to giving her more of a hip hop Ben, and doing a bit more of that crossover vibe, which is something that we saw again with Bad Boy too.And as Puff continued to show his influence, things started to clash because the intern then becomes VP of A and R, and that VP in A and R starts to butt heads and really challenge Andre Harrell on a number of things.[00:07:06] Zack Greenburg: Yeah. And, you know, I think, you know, like you said, Puff really had an idea of what Uptown could be that was, you know, a little bit different from Andre. But it really worked, right? It was the idea that it was, it had a little bit more of an edge to it. you know, like Jodeci had a little more edge than boys to men.you know, that every artist that was gonna be out on Bad Boy would have like, you know, would have that level of class, but also would have kind of like, you know, kind of like a street smart edge. And so, right, it was like the Tims and the backwards hat, but, you know, maybe you had like a nice jacket.It was that kind of mix. And it was very much like in line with Puffy himself. and I think, you know, it's a theme that you kind of started to see. as kind of, he moved on, you know, whether it was Bad Boy or Roc or whatever it was, the thing was synonymous with Puffy. Puffy was synonymous with the thing. But as he began to later on build these assets, you know, he could sell the businesses in a way that he couldn't sort of sell his own image and likeness necessarily. So, that started with, Uptown for sure, it was Andre's thing, but it started to feel like it was Puffy's thing.And I think there was some thought that, you know, that there sort of couldn't be two kings in the castle. And Andre eventually pushed him out and, you know, that kind of left it, the Diddy, you know, in his early twenties kind of figuring out like, Hey, you know, what am I gonna do next? How am I gonna really start my own thing here?[00:08:22] Dan Runcie: And I have this quote from Andre. This was from a documentary a few years later. He says, when Puff got fired, he was on payroll and his artists were on payroll. He's still recording his artists, but he was able to find the best deal, so we never fired him to hurt him. But he fired him to basically make him rich.I will say that quote is much nicer than certain things that Andre said immediately after that firing, especially in the 90s. But it was cool to see the two of them find opportunities to continue to work together after that. But I think the key thing from his time in Uptown is that he was able to find and work with art is that eventually he started working with on Bad Boy.That's when he first works and discovers Big. That's when he first works and really begins to hone in on that sound. And then he officially launched Bad Boy in 1991, but it really wasn't until 1993. He starts working with Big, he starts working with Craig Mack and then it all leads up to this deal that he ends up signing with Arista records to officially do this joint venture with Arista.Arista, of course, was run by Clive Owen, legendary music executive, and they do their 50 50 split. And as the story goes, Clive was on the fence. At first he wanted to hear more, but then Puff Plays flavor in your ear. Craig Max first single, and he was like, all right, I need to be part of this, whatever it is.So that was the song that took things off and made it happen.[00:09:50] Zack Greenburg: Yeah, I mean, Clive Davis, of course, you know, legendary, record men, you know, discovered Janice Joplin, Whitney Houston, Puffy, like you could say, he discovered all these people. they were, they were kind of there already, and, I sort of suspect they would've had their success even if it were not for Clive Davis.But, you know, that, we could debate that. But, know, Clive Davis certainly had an eye for talent, one way or the other. So, I mean, I think what's really fascinating too is, you know, you got think where Puffy was at that point in his life before he got that deal. He was shopping Bad Boy around right?To a bunch of different labels and it says so much about him and his whole ethos, the way he approached it, and this was another anecdote that I found in my reporting, by one of the founders of The Fader who happened to work at EMI at the time. He was in the room when Puffy brought the Bad Boy deal, to the folks at e Emmi and, you know, so like, just to refresh, here's Puff early twenties, just been fired.Just had his first kid, I think. And also, you know, he'd been a part of, this charity basketball tournament at City College where a bunch of people got, crushed in a stampede. He was ultimately found, you know, not guilty of any kind of criminal charges or anything, but his name was all over the papers.Like there's a lot of negative press around him. He was kind of, you know, almost radioactive at this point, or at least one might have thought that turned out he wasn't. But, so anyway, he goes into this meeting with e Emmi and, you know, Their big thing was, Vanilla Ice. And he sort of goes into this meeting and he's like, that dude's corny.Like, I have no interest in anything having to do with Vanilla Ice. Let me tell you how to run your business. And, you know, so he proceeds to like, give them this vision. And then at the end of it, I mean, and I'll read the quote cause it's just so good. he says, when you guys get in a room with all them suits and you're gonna decide what you're gonna pay Puff, just when you get to a number that you think is gonna make Puff happy, I love how he was referring to himself the third person, right?He says, get crazy on top of that. And then when you're there, I want whipped cream and a cherry on top. and this is the best part, he goes, I don't even want to think about the money. That shouldn't even be an issue. Don't be coming at me with no n-word money. Goodbye. And like that was vintage puff.Like that was billionaire Puffy. Before he was billionaire, before he even had. Like before we had a company. So, you know, I think there's just such a great lesson in there, which is kind of like, you know, the sort of, if you can pull off the, fake it till you make it, if you can have that kind of swagger. And to be fair, not available to everybody and like, you know, don't try this at home, kind of if you don't have it.But man, if you can pull that off, if you have that kind of confidence in yourself, you can accomplish some pretty incredible things. He didn't even, you know, end up going with EMI but I think he made a similar pitch at Arista and, you know, and that ultimately got him the deal, that created Bad Boy and, you know, that was really the engine for so much of, what he ended up achieving as the years went on.[00:12:46] Dan Runcie: That story is one of the reasons why he has lived on to become meed and in many ways become a bit of a gift himself. Whether you look at the Chappelle Show skit where, Dave Chappelle is making fun of making the band, and he has that whole sketch about, I want you to get me some Cambodian milk from a goat, or whatever it is.And it's something that sounds completely absurd, but one, it sounded like a lot of the shit that he would say in that MTV show make in the band. And it sounds exactly like that quote that you just shared from that story. The difference is he did this, whether it was for pure entertainment on a show like making the band or when there was really things at stake, like he was at this point when there wasn't a deal in place, he was recently fired.But regardless of whether he's up or down, trying to get it still the same guy.[00:13:39] Zack Greenburg: Absolutely. You know, and I think it just kind of goes to the point like, did he creates brands. He is the brand. He imbued the brand with his essence. And then the brand becomes that much more valuable, whether it's a brand that he can sell, you know, for some huge gain, or whether it's a brand that is compensating him, you know, handsomely for his association or in some cases both. That's kind of the formula and, you know, not everybody can pull it off because not everybody has a brand that is that clear.[00:14:11] Dan Runcie: And let's dig into this because I think this is one of the things that does set him apart. Denny used to be a club promoter as well. And this is a persona that we've seen oftentimes in music where the club promoter or the party promoter works their way up to then become the executive. You see it now with Scooter Braun, someone who's a billionaire now, or close to it in his own right.And he was a party promoter in Atlanta. You saw with Desiree Perez who now runs Roc Nation. She was a party and a club promoter before as well. And you've seen it plenty of times before and I think there's a few things there. There's a hustle and a relentlessness that you need to have to make that work.You need to create momentum around some of that isn't there. You need to understand and be tapped into what people want to hear and what people wanna do and how people wanna feel entertained and how they wanna leave from something feeling like, damn, I had a good time. We need to go do that again. And that is a lifestyle and what Puff did was aligned himself by building businesses that allowed him to do that. Some of those businesses worked better than others, but I think that is the key through line there. On the flip side, I do think that some of these operators and business leaders can often struggle with the bigger picture because there's so many more elements to building companies outside of the marketing brand promotion and those things, and I think we can get into some of that here because I think we saw some of those dynamics play out with Bad Boy as well.[00:15:39] Zack Greenburg: Yeah, for sure. And you know, I mean, I think one of the things about Bad Boy is it wasn't like this was the first record label to develop an ethos and kind of build a lifestyle around it. And, almost like, assembly line, right? I mean, Puffy was doing that himself at Uptown before he just took that same idea and, Pufified it even more.But, you know, I would kind of almost liken it to Motown. I mean, if you look at, Berry Gordy's role, I mean, you see Berry Gordy, credited as a producer on so many, of those songs and, you know, he wasn't like the only person in the room, producing right? he was putting together the right songwriters, the right musicians, everybody to be in the same place. And he was tying it all together with this kind of Motown ethos. And when, you know, when you had a Motown record coming out, you knew what it was. And I think that's why people in the old days used to be fan people would be fans of like, specific labels, right? They're like, I like the stuff that this label puts out, you know, I trust them. It's almost like, you know, I don't know, you know, Coachella sells out, even before the artists are announced because you know what you're gonna get if you like Coachella and you just trust that that's what's gonna happen. That's what it was like, Motown, that's what it's like with Bad Boy.So I think Diddy really followed that model that he was going to be the person, you know, sort of putting things together, you know, maybe he was going to, do a guest verse here and there. Maybe he was gonna be more involved in the production of this play of this song or another song. but it was really more in the vision and the ethos of the brand, the Bad Boy brand, what that looked like, what success looked like, you know, the Diddy version of success looked like maybe a little different from the Uptown Andre Herrell version. And, you know, it was like, like a little more swagger, like, you know, like a little more edge to it. And he was really able to kind of like, make that tangible. So, you know, I would keep going back to that as like something that sets him apart, you know, following the footsteps of the likes of Berry Gordy and[00:17:34] Dan Runcie: The Motown example is good because they also were able to maximize the most from the broader roster they had from the hits that they had Berry Gordy, of course, was famous for one artist on his record, has a huge deal. Okay, we're gonna get another artist on that record on that label to then do it again.You saw that with Aint' No Mountain High Enough. Marvin Gaye has his version that goes through the roof. Okay, let's get Diana Ross to do her own version, her own spin on it. That becomes a song in its own right. And you saw, did he do this to some extent with remixes? How one artist had the remix that worked out well.Okay, or one artist had the original song that worked out well, okay, let's get the remix now. Let's get the whole Bad Boy crew on this remix to go do their own verse and do this thing. They did that time and time again, and then in the early two thousands he had that album. We invented the remix, and there's plenty of debate on whether or not they actually did invent the remix, but that remix that they did of Flava in Ya Ear with, Craig Mack, and they had Biggie on that one as well. That is one of the more classic iconic remixes that people do go back to. And I think the other way that they're , similar too is some of the disputes that artists have had about pavements and things like that, which we can get into eventually.But that's always been the model. I think there in many ways, you're right, it's more like Motown than it is like uptown.[00:18:58] Zack Greenburg: for sure. And you know, on the Biggie point, I mean, people forget sometimes, but Biggie was originally signed to Uptown and Puffy had to go and get him back, and I think they were able to negotiate his release or his transfer of his deal from Uptown to Bad Boy for something like half a million dollars, which, you know, turned out to be, a pretty good deal all the way around.So, you know, he knew that sometimes he would have to shell out and, you know, he did from time to time. That certainly didn't stop there from being disputes, as time went on. But, you know, I think one of the other fascinating things is sort of this interplay, you know, he really walked this line, of sort of like, you know, the corner in the corner office, right?you know, the boardroom, and the street, and, he played up this sort of like lineage that he had of the Harlem gangster world like his dad, Melvin was an associate of Frank Lucas from, you know, the subject of American gangster. And you know, like his dad was known in Harlem. I think they called him, pretty Melvin.Like he was very flashy, you know, he always had the best suits and, you know, and all that kind of thing. But, you know, he definitely came from that sort of like grand gangster era. you know, Frank Lucas and Nick Barnes and all those guys. I mean, that was sort of Puffs lineage.And he definitely played up and he certainly played up, you know, sort of different sort of, street edge, you know, when things got heated in the Bad Boy Death Row situation. But at the same time, he never really wanted to go too deep into it.And I talked to somebody who sort of grew up around him, and he called him Jimmy Clean Hands, you know, because he didn't really want to get like, like he used the association. When it was sort of convenient, but also he didn't want to get too deeply associated, with that side of things.So, to me it's, a really fascinating tightrope walk, how he pulled it off. And, if he'd gone further, toward that side of things, I don't think that would've ended well for him. And if he hadn't gone quite as far as he might not have had, you know, a certain credibility or an edge that, you know, that contributed to so much of the success of Bad Boy, especially in those days.[00:21:04] Dan Runcie: And he did it at a time in the 90s when it was easier for hip hop stars to be able to control the narrative and push what they wanna push and not have other things cover or not have other things be uncovered, or all these internet rabbit holes. I could imagine him trying to do this 10, 15 years later, and it could be a situation like Rick Ross where all of a sudden there's photos of you as a correctional officer popping up on the internet and people are like, bro, what the hell's going on here?I thought every day you were hustling. I could have seen something like that happening the same way that Diddy, but by the time that plenty of people have had those debates about, oh, well, you know, Diddy was actually a kid that grew up in the suburbs and went to college and X, Y, Z, and there's plenty of ways that you could flip that story, but by the time that even became a discussion point, at least in circles where I heard him growing up, he was already an established star.So there was really nothing else that you could do at that point.[00:21:58] Zack Greenburg: yeah. And I guess he could walk that line because he really did kind of embody both, right? Like he was the son of a, you know, a Harlem gangster. he was born in Harlem. His dad was killed, you know, on I think Central Park West and 108th Street or something, you know, in a dispute a case of I think mistaken identity.I mean, so there were real, you know, tough things that, he was born into. And at the same time, he was also, you know, like the college dropout. Like you know, he went to school, he did his thing like, you know, you could say he was like a proto backpack rapper in some ways, like if you wanted to spin it that way.And he kind of embodied both of these worlds, but I think that really, if he hadn't actually lived both those lives, it would've been harder to sort of embody them simultaneously as he did.[00:22:47] Dan Runcie: And even in him, in his own right, there were many incidents that he had that people felt could have supported this narrative that he wanted to, for better or worse, whether it was the 1990 Club nightclub, the 1999 nightclub shooting after the Nas Hate Me Now Music video, him and his team going into Steve Stout's office and then, you know, assaulting him.And then everything that came up after that, or even as recently as within the past 10 years, the incident at UCLA with the coach yelling at his son. There's been plenty of things that have came up that show, you know, that the relentless, the temperament that could often work against his advantage as well.[00:23:26] Zack Greenburg: Yeah. I mean, you know, didn't he bash Steve Stout over the head with a champagne bottle or something? I mean, you know, but what's that line? We back friends like Puffy and Steve Stout, you know, like it, 50 cent had that line. I think he has a remarkable ability to, you know, to end up being sort of friendly with, people who he had these disputes with in the past.So, you know, whether, Steve Stout or, Shine or whoever, like, he finds, various ways to, sort of bridge divides in the end. I don't know how it turned out with the coach from, was it UCLA, or USC. But I suspect that's fine too. but yeah, he does find a way of patching things up.[00:23:59] Dan Runcie: No, he definitely has and we could talk a little bit more about some of the disputes that came with some of the artists, but I do wanna talk a bit about the business of Bad Boy itself and how it went about things. And one of the things that we saw from successful record labels, of course, Zach and I have done past conversations on Cash money, and Roc-A-Fella, and they'll always find innovative ways to work within their constraints or find ways to make things work even when you don't have all of the resources in the world.And one of the things that Bad Boy did was they really leaned into sampling and sampling hits from the eighties and making them the most successful things they could be. What's that line from that May song Making, taking hits from the eighties make 'em soundso Make it sound so crazy. Yeah.so they have their in-house production as well with hit men who then do most of the production, and they give you that Bad Boy sound that you can identify when you hear it immediately on a song, whether it's a total song or it's a one 12 song.And they were able to do that and that formula worked so well because you had this generation that grew up listening to those songs because their parents heard all those songs as well. These are black music classics and then they were able to repurpose them and because of the time and things weren't quite as oversaturated, it sounded quite authentic in a way where I think even some samples now can feel almost a bit forced because you can be like, okay, they're really trying to work that artist.And who knows? I might be also looking at this now, someone in my thirties as opposed to in the 90s, looking at it as someone that's growing up experiencing this. But still, I do think that there was a bit of like a authenticity and a vibe that they were able to create with each of those sample tracks.And plenty people tried to do it. Of course they didn't invent it. I know that Death Row and NWA, Dr. Dre had done it successfully before Diddy, but Diddy and Bad Boy were definitely able to put their own unique spin on making that as effective as it was.[00:25:57] Zack Greenburg: Yeah, definitely. I think, you know, I mean, I think to your point, but it, like it really opened up this sort of aspect of mainstream hip hop when, you know, maybe there were some radio stations that weren't gonna play some of these songs, but, you know, like a puffy song or a biggie song ordinarily, but, you know, if you have like, Oh, that's David Bowie in the background.Like I'm familiar with this. then, you might be sort of like more inclined to put it on the radio if you were a certain kind of dj, which then might reach a certain kind of listener who didn't, you know, ordinarily listen in hip hop and, you know, and you kind of have this, kind of snowball effect.you know, sure.[00:26:32] Dan Runcie: And then from a personal perspective, I'll be the first to admit the amount of songs that I had heard the first time as Bad Boy Version. And then growing up, you then later hear the original one that they sampled from the eighties or seventies, whatever Disco tracker, soul Tracker was, and you're like, oh, that's what that song was from.It's happened endless times and it continues to still happen.[00:26:54] Zack Greenburg: Yeah. I must confess, I heard I'll be missing you before, I heard I'll be watching you, so, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. you know, so yeah, and I think a lot of that narrative around the sort of peak Bad Boy sampling era, you know, I think it gets unfairly criticized as sort of being uncreative and like, you know, essentially just being cover and, not adding much to it.But, I disagree entirely, and I think that in addition to creating a different song with a different vibe and everything, you know, th those songs did introduce a whole generation of people, to eighties music that, you know, they may not have been alive to have heard, you know, from, you know, let's say I was born 85, some of these songs came out before I was born.So, yeah, I think that does get missed sometimes.[00:27:35] Dan Runcie: Yeah, and I'm in the same boat. I knew Juicy before. I knew the original Juicy Fruit. I knew Mase Bad Boy before I knew Hollywood Swinging, and I could go on and on with all the songs that they were able to help in introduce and connect the dots there. Another thing that I think Bad Boy did at this time that was a continuation of Uptown was how intentional and borderline maniacal Puff was about continuing that image.So, they had the Can't Stop Boat Stop documentary that came out a couple years ago. And the artist from one 12, which was the main male R&B group that Puff had signed to the record label at the time, they said that they were styled, dressed and personified to be an image of Puff themselves, to essentially be Puff as R&B singers, which was really interesting.And then on the more controversial side, which I don't think would ever fly in the same way today, Faith Evans, who was married to Biggie at the time, she was sent by Puff to go to tanning salons cuz she a light-skinned black woman. They sent her to tanning salons so that her skin can be darker because he wanted to be able to sell her as a certain image that would never fly again the same way today.But that's how Puff was. He was so maniacal, even things down to the nail color and things like that for women. He wanted to make sure that people looked a certain way.[00:29:01] Zack Greenburg: Yeah, and I think what's, you know, especially interesting when you, kind of zoom back on the 90s and that, that era of Bad Boys, you know, given the level of control he had over, you know, that level of detail, you know, the whole east coast, west coast thing, the whole Bad Boy Death Row thing obviously got way out of control.and, you know, culminating in, the desert of big and pop and you know, obviously we don't know exactly who was behind each of those things, but it's, you know, still kind of debate to this day. But, the fact is that, you know, got kind of wrapped up in this kind of, know, sort of thing, like the fact that Puffy could bring Bad Boy back from that, and kind of like continue to have the same brand, you know, after everything that went down, you know, I think is another testament to like the identity of the brand, right? I mean, you know, cuz I remember in that period of time hip hop was really under fire from, you know, so, you know, like the Tipper Gores of the world and the parental advisories and all that, and there was this narrative of like, oh, this music is dangerous.And there was a whole period of time, you know, after everything that went down, in the mid to late 90s, like there were questions like, is hip hop? You know, really a viable commercial genre? Are brands really gonna want to be attached to this? you know, because of the violence that happened, you know, really publicly there.And I think, you know, whether you love him or hate him, like, I think he deserves some credit for pulling things back from the brink. you know, regardless of whatever role he played in getting them, to the brink, but he really did kind of pull things back from the brink and show that hip hop could be this, you know, commercial force.you know, that would be like a mainstream success sort of thing. And really pretty quickly, after all this went down,[00:30:39] Dan Runcie: If you go back to winter 96, the height of this beef, you have that infamous vibe cover with Tupac, Dr. Dre Snoop, and Suge Knight. They're there, the Beef and Bad Boy and, Biggie as well. Were on respective vibe covers as well. If you asked people, okay, five, 10 years from now, which of these two record labels will be in the stronger position, you probably would've put your money on Death Row.To be frank, they had the better artists just from like a roster perspective. With those four, the leadership seemed in many ways quite as strong and there were similarities there as well. You had these two relentless, large and life figures. Granted, Suge and Puff are very different in a lot of ways, but that's where you would've taken things.But then two years later, it's a completely different story. Death Row is imploding and bad Boy had the biggest year that any record label has ever had. If you look back at that 1997 to 1998 stretch, and this is after the death of the biggest rapper as well, they end up releasing Biggie's second album, Life After Death, ironically, 16 days after he passed away.And then Puff himself becomes this larger than life icon. He releases his own album, Puffy, P uff Daddy, the Family, No Way Out. And they continue to go on this run. And in many ways, as other heads and other figures in hip hop have faded and necessarily taken their own path, he continued to stay on that.It really is a remarkable journey when you look at each of those steps in it, because I probably would've put my money on Death Row if I didn't know better.[00:32:21] Zack Greenburg: Yeah, Yeah, I mean, it sure felt that way, right? I mean, but if you kinda, if you compare the leadership, if you compare Puffy to Suge, you know, I think that so much of, you know, the back and forth between Bad Boy and Death Row, you know, it was a case of like, these guys were playing a role, right?I mean, they were, it is funny in some of my reporting, people say like, both Puffy and Suge, especially Suge, were sort of, it was like they were acting in their own bad gangster movie. And I think the main difference was, you know, Suge really came to believe it and live it in a way, that Diddy, didn't quite do it you know, as we were saying before, Diddy kind of walked that line.but Suge just kind of got deeper and deeper into it, and that was kind of who he was, you know, all the time. So, you know, that there's not really like, kind of like a way to, back out, you know, to kind of come up for air when you, when you've kind of like gotten that deep into it like Suge did. I think that was the main difference, you know? I mean, I think he became just completely, you know, is like possessed by this image that he created for himself. And he started to live it, you know, all the time and Diddy's ability to sort of walk the line and step back, you know, I think that's what ultimately kept Bad Boy in the position that, you know, that stayed and kept him in the position that he continued to be in.in[00:33:42] Dan Runcie: And everything that went down to that 1995 Source Awards is a perfect example about how they dealt with this whole thing. Suge and Death Row, famously win Best soundtrack for Above the Rim. He goes up, accepts the award, and he makes the infamous line. If you wanna sign with the label, you don't wanna have your executive producer all on the record, all on the video dancing come to Death Row, and then you see.Puff is there just looking, not saying anything, but everyone knows who he's talking about. But then later on the night Puff goes and is on the mic, he doesn't go necessarily take a shot back at Suge, but he just makes some type of more global statement, Hey, we're all in this together. I forget Puff's exact quote, but that's a perfect example of this, right?Of knowing that line cuz as we know, puff had a temper. Puff wasn't afraid to throw down in the moments, right? But he knew that in that stage, in that setting, especially even on his home turf, this was all the West Coast guys coming there because, you know, there was that famous scene of Snoop Dogg standing up being like, East Coast ain't got no love for Dr. Dre and Snoop.That's my horrible Snoop dog voice there. But Puff was cool, calm, collected during all of that, and as you put it, the difference behind the difference between the two of them is more than puff deciding to be all the video and should not be in, the video. The same way it was everything that you explained it more.And that is one of the biggest reasons, I think for that difference. And what helped Bad Boys essentially be even stronger, unfortunately. So after Big's death,[00:35:21] Zack Greenburg: yeah, totally. And you know, I think with Puff, he ultimately. He had that calm, cool, collected side to him that came out, you know, I think at, helpful points, but he was ultimately about, you know, protecting the bag, right? Like Diddy is a business, he is the business. And he, knows that he has to kind of keep that in mind.And I think, you know, Suge on the other hand just kind of like got too deep in his own narrative and couldn't kind of like poke his head up over the clouds and see the view from, you know, 35,000 feet or whatever. So, I think Diddy's business sense, you know, I think ultimately helped keep him, keep him, you know, just above the fray.So, still super remarkable when you look at it. He threw that first white party in 1998. That was really, that was what, like a year, a year after Biggie was killed. And, you know, just to give you an idea of the kind of stuff that was going down. I mean, he bought this house in East Hampton, and he decided that he was gonna throw the most exclusive party people just to give the background.I did some reporting on this too, but like, it apparently if you got invited to the white party and Puffy's White party, you could not get in If you wore like a cream suit, they'd throw you out. If you had, like a blue stripe on your white shirt, they would throw you out.So you had like grown men running home to get like an all white proper shirt to go to these parties. And you know, like pretty quickly you had Martha Stewart and Howard Stern and Donna Koran and like, Donald Trump used to go to these parties, you know, with his daughter everything. So, it was kind of like a who's who of like a certain type of celebrity in the late 90s.And to go from, you know, from the depths of the East coast, West coast thing to that, in like a year. I think it just shows how Puffy's able to kind of flip things around and that's what he was able to do with Bad Boy. He pivoted the whole narrative and suddenly it was about Puff Daddy, the family.It was about, you know, Godzilla soundtrack and, you know, doing the thing with an orchestra and Jimmy Page and whatever. And, you know, singing, he's able to like recreate himself and also these brands like Bad Boy that's created in his image. you know, like in a remarkably quick timeframe, I think.[00:37:38] Dan Runcie: And to share some numbers on this era. This is peak Bad Boy. I would say this whole 97 to 1999 stretch. 1999, they sold 130 million worth of records. And for some context there, that was more than Madonna's Maverick label had that year. And this was, or Madonna, during that whole Ray of Light era, if I'm remembering the timeline, and Beautiful Stranger, if I remember the timeline correctly and more than Def Jam had at its peak that year, and this was, we did the Def Jam pod recently.This was around the same time that Lyor was trying to get X and Jay-Z to release those albums in the same year, and Bad Boy was still doing its thing then they're Puff Daddy and the Family Tour. They went on their own arena tour, they made 15 million that year, and Puff was starting to extend himself in the same way that we saw other moguls do the same.We talked in the Roc-A-Fella episode about, this was the time that Dame Dash had started to have different partnerships in film and district and sports and things like that. We saw Master P as well in the late 90s get his hand involved with a number of things. And one of the things that stuck out from this era is that Sean, is that, did he actually made a partnership with Johnny Cochran at the time, who was his attorney during all of the drama that he had in the late 90s after that nightclub shooting. And they started a management business that was gonna be focused on NBA players. And this just gives you an idea of all of the things that he was interested at the time.So it really is remarkable. And a lot of it came because Diddy himself was putting himself out there. He became the brand, it was him putting it on, and he really became the most successful artist on this label. But around this time, if you start talking to some of the other artists on the label, they start to get a bit frustrated because they feel it's no longer about their development.It is now about Puff building and doing everything for himself.[00:39:36] Zack Greenburg: Yeah, and I think that's when you know, he really starts to have all these brand extensions and, you know, you can see there's actually, I think the first Forbes cover on a hip hop artist was Puffy in 1999. And, it was a celebrity issue. And they had, Puffy and Jerry Seinfeld on the cover together, which always cracks me up.But, you know, Seinfeld's wearing this suit and Puffy's got this like Sean John denim t-shirt on. you know, just like a walking advertisement on the front of this magazine, which is just brilliant. And, you know, so he is got that going. He's like opening restaurants, you know, and like really kind of like realizing that, he could be not only the sort of the straw that stirs the drink and like the producer and whoever behind the scenes, but also the, you know, the main artist.And you know, I can imagine that being another artist on Bad Boy at this point, could start to get a little frustrating.[00:40:28] Dan Runcie: Right. And I think he had a quote around the time he wanted to be David Geffen. He wanted to be bigger than David Geffen. And of course this was Pete Geffen making moves with Dreamworks and everything else. Still being, in many ways, music's prominent mogul. That was due his thing there. And this was around the same time that we have another quote from, Andre Harrell.And I remember if you mentioned earlier, or if I mentioned earlier, there were some other quotes at the time that were less favorable than Diddy, than the ones that Harrell ended up having later. This was one of them. He said, and this was in a New York Times 1999 interview. He, Puff, gotta separate the young man thing from the business thing.If there's an incident where the situation is going in a way that he feels slighted or disrespected, the only way for him to handle it is as if he was a 45 year old IBM, CEO, which is a very interesting way. But he's essentially saying, Hey, you gotta change your act based on where you're going and where things are.And this is, that trending the line that we're talking about that I think that Diddy was eventually able to get to. But there was still some question marks about that and the trajectory in 1999. But to some extent, I think that kind of played to as factor. There was something about, especially some of those celebrities you mentioned, these are some more buttoned up, you know, white celebrities that never really did much on a, anything that was risky.So someone that has the image of Puff at that time, it's like, Ooh, I'm doing this risky thing. It's almost like the person in high school that wants to date the Bad Boy literally called his label bad voice. So they're leading into that whole persona, and I think it worked a bit to his advantage there as well.[00:42:07] Zack Greenburg: Yeah, totally. And you know, another thing people talk about, you know, I think that this time, and a lot of times I think there's a lot of jealousy going around and, you know, Puffy does this, puffy does that. But, know, one of the things that I, that I've always heard is that, Like, yeah, he's the last one at the club and you know, he's always out and, doing whatever, but he's also the, first one in, like, he outworks everybody and you know, he's somehow manages on, you know, like a couple hours of sleep at night or something.I mean, this is another thing you sometimes hear about fantastically successful people. I hear about this, about like Richard Branson and other people too, that they just can operate on four hours of sleep or something like that. And man, you know, I mean, if you think about it, if you have that much confidence and you're that brilliant, and then also you get an extra four hours a day, you know, you get another, was it, 28 hours a week, you get like an extra day every week basically to just like do shit.that's pretty hard to, contend with. I mean, like an extra day, like two extra waking days, to get things done. I mean, that, that's a pretty big advantage.[00:43:13] Dan Runcie: That was a whole 90s mentality from, overall, from people that were successful. Now that I'm thinking about it, cuz of course Richard Branson, that the 90s was a transformational decade for him. You are Bill Clinton, especially when he was president, talk about getting four or five hours of sleep at night, still being able to operate and do his thing.Even folks like Madeline Albright, who worked for him and in his cabinet were doing the same thing. And even someone like Kobe Bryant, there's that memorable. A piece of the Redeem Team documentary that came out on Netflix last year, where the younger guys at the time, LeBron, Bosh, Wade, were all going out to the club.Were all gonna go out for the night because that Olympics was in Beijing and they're coming back from the club and Kobe's on his way to the gym in the morning. And then Kobe spoke about this himself as well. He is like, no, I'm gonna do another practice to wake up earlier than everyone else. So you think about how this compounds over time, and that's what you're saying about how that essentially gives you two, three extra days a week.You do that time and time again, and just how much better you get. Granted the fact that those people can still do that while not requiring that much sleep. I know. I mean, I couldn't do that myself. I need those hours of sleep, but I commend those people that can.[00:44:25] Zack Greenburg: Yeah. I mean, and who knows, you know, from a health perspective, how it affects you, you know, sort of like later in life and whatever. And, you know, do you lose more years of your life on the tail end because you didn't sleep more earlier? I mean, I guess we'll never really know, and it's hard to kind of pull out the factors and really test that. But in any case, you know, it does give a decided advantage, at least in the, present tense. And, he really kind of like worked with that. but you know, I mean, and then just when you thought that he was kind of out of the woods, with the specter of violence, you know, again, 1999, there's the whole thing in the club, a gun goes off, you know, there's this whole like, situation, Diddy and Shine are in the club. There's this dispute, whatever, and you know, who knows what really happened, but at the end of it, Shine went off to go to jail. And, you know, and Diddy ended up, you know, without really any kind of anything other than like, a little bit of reputational hit.So, I think that, you know, he continued to walk that line, right? And there were just these instances kept popping up. But once again, he always managed to sort of, you know, avoid any really serious repercussions and then, you know, go on to some even bigger and better commercial thing, shortly thereafter, you know, which he did eventually with Ciroc and, what have you.But, you know, it didn't really seem to hurt anything with Bad Boy. Although I think around that time, you know, his career as a solo artist started faltering a little bit to be sure[00:45:42] Dan Runcie: And I think this is a good time to talk about the proverbial Bad Boy curse that's been discussed. There are a number of artists that have had their issues with Bad Boys, specifically with Diddy in terms of whether they feel like they were fairly compensated for things. And it's artists like Faith Evans 112, Mark Curry, and the Locks as well as most recently as a couple years ago, Mase famously people that have publicly claimed to try to get what's theirs called out Diddy for not doing certain things.And then on the flip side, you have people that surrounded themselves with Diddy, and Diddy was the one that came out, scott free, and they were the ones that ended up in challenges and some of that Diddy benefited from by associating himself with them, but they didn't necessarily work outta that same way.You of course mentioned Shine, who, his career never really took off after he had that brief moment where that Bad Boy song came out. I think that was in 2000. They had sampled that, the Barrington Levee reggae song and then had him on that. But you had a few instances like that. I look back on one of my favorite songs from The Bad Boy era.let's Get It with G. Dep and Black Rob. And the sad part about that song is that you have G. Dep, the first person that was. Or essentially his lead single, he's saying that he's saying, or he did special delivery as well. G. Dep eventually ended up being locked up for a murder that he had done in the 90s, but then it had some run-ins after that Black Rob unfortunately passed away a few years ago, and I don't think was ever really able to capture that momentum after Whoa. And a few of the other songs he had with Bad Boy had come out. And then of course you had Diddy who, you know, is still thriving doing his thing.And I think that's true as well. You look at an artist like Lone who l kind of had his moment where they were trying to make lone really be a thing, especially with the, I need a girl, part one and part two, but then Loon as well, ends up getting locked up. I think there was a heroin charge or something like that.So all of these folks that were around Diddy in some way ended up having their challenges. Not all of them, but some of them.[00:47:50] Zack Greenburg: For sure. And I think, you know, probably around this time, you know, the sort of like the turn of the millennium was, you know, the moment, when did he kind of realize that he had to, he did have to start figuring out his next step. And if it wasn't gonna be him, as an artist, you know, and it wasn't gonna be somebody else on his roster, it was gonna have to be something else. And so I think this is sort of like when you think about the Bad Boy era, you know, I don't know, I think about it as sort of like early 90s to late to, you know, to really the end of the decade. And although, you know, of course it went on and it continues to stay at different, you know, sort of capacities.It's like that was sort of the prime era. And, I think once the fortunes of the label became too closely intertwined with Diddy's as a solo artist, then when he stopped being such a big deal as a solo artist, the prospects of the of Bad Boy itself were a little bit more limited.[00:48:45] Dan Runcie: Agreed. Question for you. Do you think that, well, lemme take a step back. In the Cash Money episode that we talked about not just the disputes people have had with Birdman and Slim over the years, over disputes, but also the notorious reputation that they've built up. Do you feel like the reputation with Puff is similar in that way?And if it's different, why do you think so?[00:49:09] Zack Greenburg: So you mean Puff like the Cash Money sort of similarly having trouble paying people?[00:49:13] Dan Runcie: Yeah, Yeah, and whether that reputation has stuck with Puff the same way that it's clearly stuck with Bert and Slim.[00:49:21] Zack Greenburg: I think they both have, you know, or rather the three of them, I think it does follow them around, but in different ways. I mean, I think, I think with cash money, there's some element of it that's like, well, you know, I think their response to a lot of it is this stuff began when, you know, the things weren't properly papered up and, you know, nobody really knew how these things worked and blah, blah, blah.And you know, you can sort of agree with that or not, right? Or maybe you could say it is to some extent your responsibility to make sure things are paid up, you know, once you become that successful. but, you know, I think that Puff was sort of like, you know, Bad Boy was, done through Clive through real estate.It was done through a major label, sort of from the beginning. And, you know, I think you could argue actually that that's why Cash Money was ultimately worth more, like, was like a bigger source of the Williams Brothers wealth than Bad Boy ever was, for Diddy. And he had to go, you know, do these other things. But you know, like it wasn't as though there were no lawyers involved. It wasn't as though there wasn't some big record label apparatus. There absolutely was. And you know, so I, think that excuse sort of like, doesn't fly quite as much. it's probably not leveled quite as much with him either, but, you know, but it's definitely there and, it's sort of like, it's hard to look past it in some regards.[00:50:41] Dan Runcie: Yeah. I think that one of the reasons why I think the public image of it is different is because of the businesses that the two are involved in. Bird man's a music man almost in the same way that Clive Davis is a music man. That's what we know him as even in the conversation you had shared last time where you were doing this extensive feature profile with them on Forbes and you were gonna have another follow-up conversation with him that night, and he's like, no, no.Bird Man's still in the studio. He's doing his thing like that's what he wants to do versus Puff has his interest in all these other areas, beverages, spirits, sports, entertainment, now with Revolt or Sean John, or whatever it is. So there's so many more things we know him as, or he's running the New York City marathon, he's trying to launch this thing, and all of those things can broaden your image of him.So if you hear a complaint about the one particular aspect of this business, that's one area of what he's doing, as opposed to us knowing Bird and Slim as. The owners of this record label, and now there's a dispute with the one thing that we know them for.[00:51:49] Zack Greenburg: Yeah. Okay. I see what you mean. So it's sort of like, in a way it's less central like the music is less central to his identity, therefore we hear less about the disputes because we just hear less about the music side overall.[00:52:01] Dan Runcie: Right.[00:52:02] Zack Greenburg: Yeah, that makes a lot of sense. I mean, and then, when you look at what happened to Bad Boy, you know, even just from a corporate perspective, it was a 2005, he sold 50% of it to Warner for 30 million bucks, something like that.So, obviously that, means, you know, by those numbers it was worth 60 million. At the time there was probably just the recorded music side and there was publishing as well, which is separate. I think you did some other publishing deals too, but you know, that number in 2005, I mean, I'm sure that's lower than.Cash money was valued at in 2005. But, you know, he just kind of made the decision to pull some money off the table, right? And I think that says some, something about his priorities too, that he wasn't that focused on the music side of things. So, you know, like, let's make this deal and then move on, to the next thing.And I think a couple years after that was when he launched Ciroc or, you know, came on with Ciroc and launched his Ciroc campaign presence, whatever you wanna call it. you know, partnership thing. So, I think ultimately for Bad Boy, you know, I think it had a peak that was as high as really, you know, any label, in hip hop did.But its fortunes became so wrapped up with Puffy that once, once he moved away from music, it's like, how are you ever really gonna come back from that?[00:53:15] Dan Runcie: Right. It really wasn't a business it was a business, but almost in the same way that a lot of people that are creators now and trying to do things, there's this ongoing discussion or debate they have about whether are you trying to build a business with a roster around you, or is this more so a soul entity?And I think Bad Boy definitely saw both of those things, but you normally seen in the flip side where you start with the lead person being known as the thing, and then they add the roster around them. But Bad Boy was kind of the opposite, where you had this roster and then it becomes the lead person becoming more known for the thing.[00:53:48] Zack Greenburg: And I think it moved away from that assembly line idea, you know, the Motown thing, the Coachella thing, whatever, you know, you're gonna, buy the tickets for, you know, who's there. It just became all about Puff and, you know, I think in a way he realized it was more lucrative that way, right? N o matter how involved he was in however many different pro projects as sort of the, the Berry Gordy, he could make more, you know, for himself being Puff. And in a way, when you look at Ciroc, it's like, you know, it's the same thing, right? Like he's selling the Art of celebration. He's selling his brand of success. He just doesn't have to sign other artists to it, you know? So I see has Ciroc Boys, you know, that's, I mean, it is almost like a record label to some extent, you know, if you like an extension of, Bad Boy. If you think about, you know, the different artists who are kind of like involved on some level, you know, over the years with that brand, it just, you don't have to get involved in like publishing and, you know, licensing and mechanical royalties and all of that fun stuff.[00:54:50] Dan Runcie: Right. And I think with that it's a good chance to talk about some of these categories we have here. So what do you think is the best signing that Bad Boy did?[00:54:59] Zack Greenburg: I think a hundred percent, you gotta go with Biggie, no doubt. I mean, you know, if you're calling the signing $500,000 to get him over from uptown, you know, plus whatever they ended up paying him. I mean, you think about the success of Life after Death and all the other albums and, you know, the albums that, were sort of in the hopper after he died.I mean, I think hard to top that.[00:55:19] Dan Runcie: Agreed. Yeah, No debates there. That was the same one. What do you think is the best business move to come from Bad Boy?[00:55:26] Zack Greenburg: I would, I would argue that, I would argue Sean John because, you know, in creating the Bad Boy image, that was, you know, really bankrolled like all those videos, obviously Bankrolled by Arista, bankrolled by, you know, the, parent company, you know, Puffy created this aura around himself, which was very fashion oriented.And then he was able to parlay that into creating, you know, an actual fashion brand that he owned, or at least, you know, partially owned and himself, which then generated hundreds of billions of dollars. And then he sold and got, you know, whatever it was, a hundred million dollars and he bought it back.but anyway, he did really well for himself. I think with the help of this shine that was kind of like given or enabled at least, by a Bad Boy.[00:56:13] Dan Runcie: Yeah, I think that's a good one. The other thing that I wanna give some love to, that we haven't talked about much yet, but was the Bad Boy Street team and how they went about promoting and pushing their records all over the major cities. A lot of people may think that Bad Boy invented to the street team.I think I still do give loud of records credit for that, but Bad Boy did take things to another level, and this goes back to Puff and his strength as a promoter. This is what Club promoters do. This is how you push and get the word out there. So he's able to replicate himself. He's able to empower the people to feel like they're part of Bad Boy himself and making sure that they're styled in the same way, to be able to help sell that same image that Puff wants to sell himself.And you saw him replicate this as well with Ciroc Boys and things like that. And shout out to Sean Perez, who worked with Puff at Bad Boy and on Ciroc on this same strategy.[00:57:07] Zack Greenburg: Yeah. Although, you know, it was a great one, and a great strategy, but it didn't always work. What's the line? I felt like Bad Boys Street team, I couldn't work. the locks.True.[00:57:19] Dan Runcie: Yeah. Usually worked. But yeah, they just needed to see the vision as they said. what's the best dark horse move? You have a good one for this.[00:57:27] Zack Greenburg: Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Okay. maybe a little controversial. I don't know. I'm gonna go shine. Because if Paul hadn't signed Shine, I mean, I don't know, you know, I'm not a lawyer or anything, but, all I know is that something went down in that
Former FBI Director James Comey is one of the most revered, controversial, and consequential figures in American law enforcement history. He's also a great writer. We had an open, fascinating, and frankly quite entertaining conversation regarding the publication of debut novel Central Park West. Also covered: the Mar-a-Lago indictment, Trump's legal woes, and the one adjective he'd use to describe Dick Cheney. All episodes of The Thoughtful Bro aired live originally on A Mighty Blaze. The Thoughtful Bro is proudly sponsored by Libro.fm.
Since he was fired by Trump for refusing to bend the knee, the former FBI director James Comey has become one of the most insightful and authoritative defenders of American democracy and the institutions of American justice. James has just released a new novel inspired his experience prosecuting the mafia in new york: Central Park West. It's a wild ride, sizzling with crime, corruption, and conspiracy. He joined us in London at the Conduit for a conversation with the club's founder, Paul van Zyl. He talked to Paul about his new calling as a novelist following a long career in the pursuit of justice, and shared his insights into the state of america today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Former FBI Director James Comey talks to Cheryl Akle about his extensive time in law enforcement, and the real-life mob trial that inspired his debut novel, Central Park West, which is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Former FBI Director James Comey joins The Michael Steele Podcast. He speaks with Michael about his new crime novel, "Central Park West," and the real life people and events that inspired the book. The pair also discuss the politics of the FBI, Comey's time as FBI Director under President Trump and the news of Trump's indictment.If you enjoyed this podcast, be sure to leave a review or tell a friend!Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Central-Park-West-Crime-Novel/dp/1613164033Follow James Comey @ComeyFollow Michael @MichaelSteeleFollow the Podcast @steele_podcastThis show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/3668522/advertisement
My guest on this week's Book Club podcast is the former FBI director James Comey, who is making his debut as a thriller writer with an engrossing police procedural, Central Park West. Jim tells me how he mined his own early career as a prosecutor in the southern district of New York to produce this world of hard-bitten investigators and murderous mafiosi (and how he was able to bring it up to date because it's a world his daughter now inhabits). And, as the investigator at the centre of the Scooter Libby and Hillary Clinton email cases – among many others involving classified intelligence – he gives me his take on what Donald Trump's indictment means and where it's likely to lead.
My guest on this week's Book Club podcast is the former FBI director James Comey, who is making his debut as a thriller writer with an engrossing police procedural, Central Park West. Jim tells me how he mined his own early career as a prosecutor in the southern district of New York to produce this world of hard-bitten investigators and murderous mafiosi (and how he was able to bring it up to date because it's a world his daughter now inhabits). And, as the investigator at the centre of the Scooter Libby and Hillary Clinton email cases – among many others involving classified intelligence – he gives me his take on what Donald Trump's indictment means and where it's likely to lead.
Today's episode features interviews with two very high-profile officials who have written thrillers. First, voting rights activist and former Georgia state representative Stacey Abrams speaks with NPR's Michel Martin about her new thriller, Rogue Justice, which follows Supreme Court clerk Avery Keene as she uncovers how surveillance, blackmail and a murder reveal concerning truths about America's "secret court." Then, former FBI director James Comey discusses his novel Central Park West, which details how government officials and the mafia are entangled with one another.
Former FBI Director James Comey discussed his legal thriller "Central Park West" and why he decided to start writing novels. About Books also reported on the latest publishing industry news and current non-fiction books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
James Comey served as the seventh Director of the FBI, from 2013 until 2017, when he was fired by then-president Donald Trump. He is also the author of the new crime novel "Central Park West."In this episode of the podcast, Comey discusses his time as FBI Director, including the controversial investigations into Hillary Clinton's handling of official State Department emails, and Russian meddling in the 2016 elections. Comey also addresses his critics, gives his assessment on the current state of the FBI, and discusses his novel and transition into a writer of fiction books.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Three months before saboteurs bombed the Nord Stream natural gas pipeline, the Biden administration learned from a close ally that the Ukrainian military had planned a covert attack on the undersea network, using a small team of divers who reported directly to the commander in chief of the Ukrainian armed forces. A major dam was destroyed early Tuesday morning local time in Russian-occupied territory in southern Ukraine. Lawyers for Ukraine told the United Nations' top court Tuesday that Russia bankrolled a “campaign of intimidation and terror” by rebels in eastern Ukraine starting in 2014 and sought to replace Crimea's multiethnic community with “discriminatory Russian nationalism” after its occupation and annexation of the region. An Arkansas judge has ordered Hunter Biden to appear in court in person in July to face possible contempt proceedings and even potential jail time for allegedly concealing his finances in the child support battle against the mother of one of his children. Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna (FL) alleged Monday the FBI fears an informant accusing President Joe Biden of a criminal bribery scheme “will be killed.” Fired FBI Director James Comey has been out and about promoting his third work of fiction, Central Park West, a novel the Washington Post described as a “flaccid thriller.” His previous flights of fancy, A Higher Loyalty and Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency, and Trust, were released in 2018 and 2021, respectively.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Donny is joined by writer and former director of the FBI, James Comey. Comey, who recently released a new crime novel, "Central Park West", joins Donny to discuss his love of writing and the inspiration for writing this book. Comey also takes us on a deep dive into his years as the seventh director of the FBI, when he first met Donald Trump, how he was dismissed from his position, and what he learned from the process.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In conversation with George Anastasia The director of the FBI from 2013 to 2017, James Comey captured international attention for his investigations into Hillary Clinton's emails, Russian interference into the 2016 presidential election, and Donald Trump, the last of which ultimately led to his dismissal. He is a former prosecutor, defense lawyer, general counsel, law teacher, and the author of two bestselling books, Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency, and Trust and A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership, which was adapted into a popular Showtime series. Central Park West, Comey's first work of fiction, draws upon the author's many decades in federal law enforcement as it follows a federal prosecutor's efforts to solve a disgraced former New York governor's murder amidst shocking revelations of high-powered politicians' ties to the mob. ''One of the most respected crime reporters in the country'' (60 Minutes), George Anastasia was a long-time writer for The Inquirer, where he earned two Pulitzer Prize nominations (and a hit contract from then-Philly crime boss John Stanfa) for his searing mafia exposés. He is the author of six crime books, including The Last Gangster, Blood and Honor, The Summer Wind, and Gotti's Rules. Anastasia's work has appeared in Playboy and The Village Voice, and he has been an organized crime consultant on projects for ABC and the History Channel, among others. (recorded 5/31/2023)
Former FBI director James Comey spent part of the late eighties and early nineties prosecuting the mafia. Those experiences inform his new novel, Central Park West . It's a terrific, gripping read that we really enjoyed.In this conversation, James Comey shares some stories about mob figures he prosecuted-- and even gives listeners some of the protective tips the FBI gave to his family.Click here Central Park West to order James Comey's novel from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Central-Park-West-Crime-Novel-ebook/dp/B0BGCPC4D2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=14W6AW6HCJQAU&keywords=central+park+west+james+comey&qid=1684022981&sprefix=central+park%252Caps%252C174&sr=8-1&_encoding=UTF8&tag=murdersheet-20&linkCode=ur2&linkId=d49d71870e9590cb32511d68cc3e9f3b&camp=1789&creative=9325If you're curious about that first interview Áine did with James Comey back in her college days, you can find it athttps://flathatnews.com/2014/11/17/fbi-director-james-comey-reflects-on-his-time-at-the-college/The Murder Sheet participates in the Amazon Associate program and earns money from qualifying purchases. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Special thanks to our sponsor HelloFresh! They're America's #1 meal kit for a reason. You'll get the convenience of pre-portioned ingredients delivered to your door. This food is healthy and nutritious, with so many farm-fresh ingredients. Plus, it's been fun to try out new meals … it takes all the anxiety out of trying to research recipes and get it right on the first go. We've really enjoyed getting to cook together, and try out all sorts of fresh, delicious meals!Hello Fresh features all sorts of meal plans, including Fit & Wholesome and Pescetarian, so you can find a great match for your preferences and lifestyle, along with plenty of options to mix and match proteins and sides. We're all about saving time, so we also love their Fast and Fresh meals, which take just 15 minutes to put together. It's all the convenience of takeout, without having to rush out and spend a fortune. HelloFresh is actually 25% cheaper than takeout, and also less pricy than running to the grocery store. If you're thinking of trying out Hello Fresh, we'd strongly recommend it. Plus, now's a great time to test it out – Murder Sheet listeners get a special discount! Go to HelloFresh dot com slash msheet16 and use code msheet16 for 16 free meals plus free shipping!Send tips to murdersheet@gmail.com.The Murder Sheet is a production of Mystery Sheet LLC .See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Author: James Comey Book: CENTRAL PARK WEST: A Crime Novel Publishing: Mysterious Press (May 30, 2023) Synopsis (from the Publisher): A Newsweek and Reader's Digest most-anticipated read of 2023. In the thrilling first crime novel from the former director of the FBI, a murder investigation reveals deadly connections between high-ranking politicians and the mafia. The gripping […] The post JAMES COMEY – CENTRAL PARK WEST: A Crime Novel appeared first on KSCJ 1360.
Our principal guest this week is James Comey. Yes, that James Comey. Ex-FBI Director James Comey. Some of Hillary Clinton's supporters think he may have cost her the election in 2016. Comey says that Donald Trump, once president, invited him to dinner and asked for a pledge of loyalty. Comey refused. Trump eventually fired him but his administration denied the president ever made the ask. That, in short, is part of the story of Jim Comey who, after being a U-S Attorney and then head of the FBI, found himself out of a job in 2017 and a controversial figure. What did he decide to do? Well, Jim Comey decided he'd like to spend the rest of his life being a novelist. His first book - a mystery, a legal thriller, and a novel demonstrating his inside knowledge of America's justice system is “Central Park West.” It's a good one - not just for a first effort, but a good one, period. He's a good story teller - he's a good conversationalist. “Central Park West” will be in book stores May 30th - he talked with us just before publication and he is very much worth a listen just as his book is worth your time. Our friend Otto Penzler of The Mysterious Bookshop in New York published the Comey novel. He joined us as well. Books mentioned in this podcast: Central Park West: A Crime Novel by James Comey Saving Justice: Truth, Transparency and Trust by James Comey A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies and Leadership by James Comey Moral Man and Immoral Society by Reinhold Niebuhr Desert Star by Michael Connelly I Will Find You by Harlan Coben A Heart Full of Headstones by Ian Rankin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today's guest is Ariel Okin, founder of Ariel Okin Interiors. Ariel's New York-based, full-service interior design firm specializes in luxury residential, commercial, and hospitality projects across the country. Ariel's signature style can be interpreted as “traditional with a twist” – warm, livable, and elegant spaces, with an edited, contemporary and practical approach. A deft use of color, emphasis on clean lines, and mix of bespoke and antique items are hallmarks of her aesthetic, yet no two projects are alike. Ariel established her firm in 2016 and has since been featured and profiled in Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House Beautiful, Domino, Vogue, The Wall Street Journal, and New York Magazine, among others. In 2022, she was recognized as one of House Beautiful's Next Wave Designers, an exclusive list of the top interior design talent in the country. In 2021, she was named a House & Garden Gold List Designer, and Elle Decor declared “Okin's impeccable design efforts are striking.” In 2019, Ariel's work for Lena Dunham's West Village home graced the cover of the Fall issue of Domino; Ariel also designed the New York Headquarters for Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop that same year. Ariel has launched multiple capsule collections – in Spring 2022; she debuted a wallpaper line with The Mural Source at High Point Market; in 2021, an accessory collection with One Kings Lane; in 2020, a wallpaper collection with Chasing Paper. A lighting and rug collection and her first book are in the works for 2022/23. Separate from her design work, Ariel also helms her editorial and e-commerce site, Fenimore Lane, a menagerie of interior design inspiration, interviews, and a shop focused on all things home and lifestyle. In addition to designing, Ariel is a contributing writer to Vogue.com, Architectural Digest, and Domino. Current residential projects range across the country, from Park Avenue and Central Park West to Locust Valley, NY, and Greenwich, CT. Ariel lives in Westchester, NY with her husband, two daughters, and dog, Charlie. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/howdshedothat/support
Today I sit down with architect and former senior interior designer for Spivak Architects, Camilia Crazut. Camilia and I discuss her Central Park West project located in the Upper West Side of Manhattan, the benefits and challenges of projects in a cooperative structure, and the good & bad of client and designer relationships. Located in an upper class residential area, the Central Park West building is a pre-war, 11 storey building in a family-oriented neighborhood. Camilia goes into detail about how the scope of the renovation is centered around its relation to Central Park and how they incorporate millwork throughout the design. This particular project is located inside of a cooperative structure, which brings its own challenges for architects and designers. Camilia talks us through the challenges she faced when renovating in this space, as well as the benefits to working with family-owned vs. commercial residences. Lastly, Camilia discusses how a budget affects the outcome of a project and the importance of designers and clients working together to form a relationship of trust and respect in order to accomplish the goals of each project. Tune in to this episode to learn more about cooperative structures and find out what qualities you should seek in your next designer. About the Guest:Camila is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Pratt Institute and former Senior Interior Designer at Spivak Architects in New York City. Previously, she worked at TPG Architecture and McGinley Design. Her experience as a designer is concentrated in residential and hotel projects, but she has also worked on fascinating public projects like the Islamic Cultural Center near the World Trade Center site. Topics Covered:Camilia's background in architecture and interior designWho makes up the neighborhood of Central Park West An apartment walk through in Central Park West How to renovate inside cooperative structures The qualities of good designers and good clients Renovations on a small budget About Your HostAtif Qadir is the Founder of Commonplace, a company dedicated to tackling one of the biggest barriers to more inclusive, affordable, and sustainable development: improving access to capital. Commonplace helps impact-driven developers and capital providers with shared values discover and connect with each other.Connect with Camilia Crazut: Connect with Camila on LinkedInFollow Spivak Architects on LinkedInLearn more on the Spivak Architects Website Follow Us: Grab our exclusive guide: How Eight Developers & Designers Are Responding to the Housing CrisisLearn more on the American Building websiteFollow us on InstagramConnect with Atif Qadir on LinkedInLearn more about Michael GravesLearn more about
Join us for a jaunt down memory lane – a.k.a., Central Park West – as we take a trip to see the nicest apartments ever to be rented by supposedly down-and-out New Yorkers. That's right, we're visiting Monica, Joey, Chandler, Ross, Phoebe, and, of course, Rachel. And if there's one thing that endeared viewers to Jennifer Aniston's waitress-turned-fashion executive, on top of her sarcasm and “will-they-won't-they-okay-yes-they-will” dynamic with Ross, it's her season one hairstyle that took every salon in the country by storm.Rob teaches Ray about the iconic “Rachel” haircut, including the designers responsible for the layering and colors that made it so sought after; Jennifer Aniston's mixed feelings on her dramatic 'do; what “balayage” is; other famous follicle fandoms from past TV shows; and how the “Rachel” always seems to be making a comeback, despite only being on Friends for less than a season.If you like what we are doing, please support us on Patreon.TEAMRay HebelRobert W. SchneiderMark SchroederBilly RecceDaniel SchwartzbergGabe CrawfordNatalie DeSaviaARTICLESEPISODE CLIPSJennifer Aniston, “Friends” Reunion, and Her Iconic Hairdo - The Graham Norton Show on BBC AmericaADDITIONAL MUSIC & SOUND EFFECTS“Happy Bee”• Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)• Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0• http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Additional Sound Effects from Final Cut Pro, iLife, and Logic Pro
Episode 248: In New York City on the 8th of December, 1980, the world was rocked by the murder of influential rock and roll icon, artist, sometimes controversial activist and dad John Lennon. After an evening recording session at the Record Plant, John Lennon and his wife, artist Yoko Ono returned to their Central Park West apartment building, The Dakota. As John and Yoko approached the entrance to the building, they passed a man for whom, only hours earlier, Lennon had signed an autograph. The man, Mark David Chapman, 25, watched the couple walk by and then pulled a .38 special from his coat and unloaded on John Lennon, shooting him in the back four times. The deadly hollow point bullets tore through the former Beatle, mortally wounding him. He was pronounced dead at Roosevelt Hospital later. When police arrived, they found Chapman patiently reading his book, Catcher in the Rye. Sources: JOHN LENNON. GIMME SOME TRUTH. The Beatles This Is: The Beatles | Spotify Playlist This is: John Lennon | Spotify Playlist John Lennon's “bigger than Jesus” quote | Slate 23 December 1969: John Lennon and Yoko Ono meet Canadian prime minister Pierre Trudeau | The Beatles Bible The Catcher in the Rye | Summary, Analysis, Reception, & Facts | Britannica Two Marks — Mark David Chapman, the man who killed John Lennon — Crime Library BBC NEWS | Entertainment | John Lennon killer ‘wanted fame' BBC ON THIS DAY | 8 | 1980: John Lennon shot dead Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices