I am a believer in Tyrese Haliburton! The man's got ice in is veins! I was wrong!
Happy Monday! Hope you and your family are doing well. We had another busy weekend in our world. Big shoutout to CMI for another great performance in Washington, DC this weekend (also, congratulations to my lovely bride, Ashley!). Shout out to Stir Crazy RVA for the hospitality this weekend too.
Very busy weekend on Earth. Thinking of the Biden family as we learned about his prostate cancer diagnosis. Busy weekend for Ukraine & Russia. Then, of course, the infamous Angel Reese vs. Caitlin Clark battle.
Oh, man. This may ruffle your feathers.
Welcome to episode 187! Sorry I missed you last week. We were in Chicago celebrating the wedding and I got stuck doing station work when we got back. No excuses though.
Hope you've been well! What a busy Monday in our little world. We cover the Newark Airport fiasco, China Trade War, and Trump's latest immigration tactics. Then, let's get ready for this Diddy trial. We've got some exclusive information about how his defense team is planning to approach this case. It's worth diving in.
Thanks for joining us for another episode. Send me a DM on Instagram @brianjames.us and let me know that you were tapped in! God bless.
A busy weekend was anchored by the NFL draft storylines. Most of them were centered around Shedeur Sanders. Will he be a starter in the NFL? Was all the chatter about him (and his family) valid? I think so.
Also, we've got a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine. Sounds like a new Pope will be selected soon, too. Let's chat!
We will look back on this SINNERS film release as one of the greatest in film history. Ryan Coogler proved his genius once again. Also, Deion retired those kids' jerseys too early, man.
It's election season and yes, it's "unprecedented". This is the first time we've had a candidate enter the race as late as Kamala Harris. We've also never had a candidate as polarizing as Donald Trump.
This pivotal election is dowsed in commentary from media pundits and personalities. Their bias leads their conversation, even when they don't realize it. The idea of "traditional" non-partisan media has become a lost art. It feels as though these major news outlets give off the impression that they're delivering the non-partisan facts but they're actually just offering their commentary and opinion.
It's dangerous. Researchers suggest that the hidden-partisan antics of today's American media traps viewers into a 'partisan echo chamber'. A place where left, or right-wing voters are radicalized to lean even more into their bias.
This election season has already been filled with bias. Be on the look out as you step into the voting booth. Today on Brian's World, let's explore these 'partisan echo chambers' and how we can be the most ready for this upcoming election.
P.S: Are you registered to vote?
Last week, I replied to a post on X that ruffled some feathers. It was about sex appeal. Now I'm wondering if we've lost the art of sex appeal? Have we forgotten about the science of attraction?
As Dr. Wendy L. Patrick wrote in Psychology Today, "many people are intrigued by the proverbial mysterious stranger." Even the headline is titled How Intrigue Sparks Attraction. After receiving backlash for my reply to that post, I'm not sure that society believes in sex appeal anymore.
My response appreciated the mystery of sex appeal and how it awakens the imagination. Isn't that at the core of attraction? Imagination?
Better Help's staff shared an article on the science of attraction and highlighted how the mind comes alive when we encounter a beautiful mystery. In a society of weirdos and defensiveness, have we forgotten that attraction is about science? Are we uncomfortable with sex appeal?
It's true - about 26% of users on Twitter are black. That's a heavy portion of the popular social media app's user base. Research shows that it's one of the most diverse platforms available.
"Black Twitter" has become a thing. It was bound to happen. With such a heavy concentration of black-culture activity on the app, surely a community was going to be formed. It's filled with all sorts of conversation and relative commentary to the 'black experience'.
But, what happens when we don't allow this space to be open to new ideas? Is there more than one 'black experience'? Let's explore inside of Brian’s World.
CTZNS Culture-Chief, Jay Julien believes the key to developing impactful brands begins with attunement-based leadership and community development. His vision asks leaders and their teams to take a look inside themselves to discover what would really bring them together; asking the why and the who before the what.
During an interview earlier this year, Julien shared, “Attunement is the process of being patient and present enough to know who someone is and where they are in their life so that you can produce more harmonious relationships.”
He continued with CTZNS, “Attunement helps love last and empowers tribes to thrive. It allows us to ensure that we build win/win relationships.”
Hear how he plans to build the CTZNS community and his tips on how other leaders can empower their vision with attunement.
Sean "Diddy" Combs was arrested on federal charges, Monday, September 16. The shamed music-mogul is alleged to have orchestrated a sex trafficking operation, acts of non-consensual sexual violence, racketeering, and prostitution. Federal raids also uncovered drugs and weapons at his property.
It's unclear as to when the Feds began investigating Diddy. From our perspective, it all began when his ex-girlfriend (and urban culture sweetheart) Cassie Ventura filed a bombshell lawsuit against him in 2023.
Others began to emerge and it became clear that among all that Diddy had accomplished, his main talent was master manipulation.
On today's episode, we'll explore the thinking of master manipulators and how to spot them in your life. We'll go over some research about how to deal with these psychopaths and why you deserve to be respected and treated better.
Tools for today's episode:
Happy fall, family. Excited to try some new things with Brian's World. It's been a journey! One that I've enjoyed. I want to serve.
Hip hop legend Beanie Sigel stopped by the show on the way to AFRAM in Baltimore. The Philly-native is well-versed in what the culture needs at this pivotal time in society. He shared about what him and his team are cooking up to create impactful change in the community and how service is the true power of the music and entertainment industry.
The WNBA is having a historic year. The Sports Business Journal reports that the league is experiencing a tremendous surge in viewership, up an average around 200% across ESPN broadcasted games. They've also seen a 146% rise in League Pass purchases.
Clearly, the league has exploded in 2024.
Many call it the 'Caitlin Clark Effect'. I don't think that's an incorrect assessment. This conversation has birthed tense debates about race as many personalities point to Clark's race (and appeal) as the reason she garners so much attention.
I believe it's her talent. Let's talk race-war appetizers and women's basketball inside.
The interview heard (and seen) all around the world:
Hip-hop star and media personality, Cam'ron was a guest on CNN's News Night with Abby Phillip. He was invited to discuss the shocking footage of Diddy physically abusing his ex-girlfriend and singer, Cassie.
Cam'ron's interview was pure chaos. It provided unforgettable soundbites and has sparked a convoluted debate about who was at fault for the catastrophe. We believe both parties made a bad decision.
We are down to the final four teams of the 2023-24 NBA season. The postseason competition has been electric as we get clearer views of tomorrow’s stars and their superpowers. There’s also a lot of chatter in the bleachers concerning quite a few NBA story-lines that are unfolding. One of the heaviest: LeBron’s legacy, his retirement, and his near-future.
We’re joined today by Amber Wright-Burnett, NBA Analyst and Founder of ‘Not One of the Guys’. Our conversation explores “LeBron’s NBA” and analyzes his contributions to the game. Is the NBA better today because of his leadership? Is he still a top 5 talent in the league? How much longer will he play and what more can we expect from him? This off-season is slated to be one of the most active in seasons as teams and stars realign for success. Where will that leave “The King?”
Hear Amber’s analysis and more inside.
Last Tuesday, Baltimore witnessed an unthinkable tragedy as the Key Bridge collapsed following a collision with a cargo ship. Built in 1977, the landmark was considered to be in 'fair' condition at the time of its collapse. Many experts argue that no bridge could withstand the force of such a massive ship collision, while others contend that the lack of key preventative measures, like 'concrete dolphins,' contributed to the disaster. The bridge was 47 years old, nearing its typical lifespan of 50 years.
This prompts the question: was it time to upgrade this bridge?
We are what we eat! It's one of those cliché' statements that are both overused and true. That's why a recent study by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences caught so much attention across American media. It's a study that explored the correlation between fried foods and common mental health illnesses, like anxiety and depression.
The study found that people who consume high amounts of fried foods are at a 7% higher risk of depression, and a 12% higher risk of anxiety. It was a population-based study of 140, 728 participants over 11.3 years. "After excluding participants diagnosed with depression within the first two years, a total of 8,294 cases of anxiety and 12,735 cases of depression were found in those that consumed fried food, while specifically fried potatoes were found to have a 2% increase in risk of depression over fried white meat," writes Taylor Nicioli of CNN. "The study had also found that the participants consuming more than one serving of fried food regularly were more likely to be younger men."
Researchers pinpointed a known contaminant, Acrylamide, as the culprit. In fact, the World Health Organization has recognized Acrylamide as a human health concern. The Food and Drug Administration details the contaminant as, "a chemical that can form in some foods during high-temperature cooking processes, such as frying, roasting, and baking. Acrylamide in food forms from sugars and an amino acid that are naturally present in food; it does not come from food packaging or the environment." It's one big (or tiny) explosion of chemicals in our foods, including some of our favorites like French Fries.
"When high carbohydrate foods such as potatoes are cooked at these temperatures, their natural sugars and the amino acid asparagine, undergo a chemical change that producing the compound acrylamide," writes Devon Mendez of The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Dr. Walter Willett of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health shared, "potatoes are a concern for possible effects of mood because they can cause large surges in blood sugar and then hormonal responses to these surges. However, these surges are partly blunted by fat, which would be provided by the fat from frying.” It's also found in other favorites like coffee (ouch), potato chips, bread, cereal, and more. Experts suggest that a heavily green diet will help combat the dangers of acrylamide. The FDA suggests a diet that, "emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fat-free or low-fat milk and milk products; includes lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and limits saturated fats, trans fats, cholesterol, salt (sodium) and added sugars." That a lot more realistic than trying to avoid the contaminant all together.
But, is the depression/anxiety the result of the diet? Or, is the diet the result of the mental illnesses? It's common practice for real-world coping to real-world (outside the realms of the study) problems to involve infamous 'comfort foods'. “Unhealthy foods are detrimental to the microbiome and can exacerbate depressive symptoms, but at the same time those experiencing low mood tend to be more inclined to reach for ‘comfort’ foods such as fried foods and desserts,” says Dr. Uma Naidoo, Harvard University-trained nutritional psychiatrist and author of “This is Your Brain on Food.”
Dr. David Katz had similar thoughts, "however, the causal pathway could just as readily go the other way: people with anxiety/depression turn to ‘comfort food’ with increasing frequency for some semblance of relief.” Katz is the founder of the nonprofit True Health Initiative, a global coalition of experts dedicated to evidence-based lifestyle medicine.
Let's go deeper than the headlines were offering and devise a healthier and brighter life. This is episode 180. Leave notes and comments on the show's Instagram. Feel free to reach out to me directly on my Instagram and Twitter.
We're a long way from the sandbox. Smiling takes a little effort from this distance. We were born into innocence without the slightest clue of race or class. We probably stared at ourselves in a mirror (as babies - maybe we were carried into the bathroom and mum was washing her hands with us in her arms) and didn't even recognize ourselves. Those days are long gone. Now, not only are we critical of our own reflections, but we've got opinions about those around us too. We've grown into full blown adults, completely aware of our fears, concerns, inhibitions, complaints, and everything else that comes with the daily life of adulthood. For some of us, the journey from childhood to adulthood curls us up into pessimistic, skeptical, fearful, and isolated adults whose growth buds like an ingrown hair.
According to World Counts, 385,000 babies are born across the world each day. There's poetry there - 385,000 new stories begin across the world each day. Stories that are complete with failure, triumph, pain, loss, and other emotional climaxes. You can guarantee that each of those newborns will experience some of that in their life. Some could be born right in the middle of poverty or war and wouldn't know a thing. The National Institutes of Health says that the newborn infant is only conscious at a minimal level. Phillip David Zelazo of the University of Toronto says that children's growth of consciousness happens in 4 stages, leading to a "complex processing of higher-order and subordination". He also says that adults go through similar phases as they continue in life. The days pass on, some cloudy and others bright, and we continue to learn how to process it all. It's all part of the process of shedding the innocence of childhood. We get some bumps and bruises along the way and according to Medicine Today, some people become cynical, emotional, and behavioral crippling as they shed their innocence. Some develop gradual, or sudden, dangerous skepticism. The "gauntlet" of life is the painful bombardment of responsibility.
In fact, I've found that "The Gauntlet Theory" reveals a fork in the road (or, many of them) to the grave that points to adverse reactions to some of life's tough choices. The heartbreak that turned a romantic's heart cold, the thief who stole the soul of the generous, etc. The Psalmist Hayley Williams of Paramore sings about how tough this period can be in their song, Ain't It Fun. Losing that childhood (and even adolescent) innocence is a hard process. Life begins to happen and there's no one else to carry our burdens. We begin to experience social, spiritual, romantic, financial, health, and career pain along with an unspoken illusion of expectation of dealing with it all - perfectly.
Today's episode explores this journey to understand how skeptic adults are made. The dark cloud of adulthood is watching people who used to love to smile forget its power. We'll explore how The Gauntlet Theory takes a toll on our souls and creates two emotional responses based on research from Better Help. Then we'll analyze the science of defensiveness and discover the cure to it all, based on research from Science Daily. Our goal is to improve our connections with each other and seek other solutions to coping with adulthood instead of diving into a pool of skepticism, isolation, and fear. Those traits are not conducive to empowerment.
Connect with me on Twitter and stay connected with the show on Instagram. Visit our website for more.
Buffalo Bills S Damar Hamlin's collapse from cardiac arrest is a sports moment that we'll never forget. The National Institute of Health says, "cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly and unexpectedly stops pumping. If this happens, blood stops flowing to the brain and other vital organs. Cardiac arrests are caused by certain types of arrhythmias that prevent the heart from pumping blood." Less than 12% of patients survive the ordeal, according to heart.org. I would argue that Hamlin's survival rate was higher given the speed and quality of care he was given on the field.
According to CNN, medical staff from both sidelines was on the field and administering CPR to Hamlin within 10 seconds. The ambulance was on the field within 5 minutes. We couldn't see what was happening but the looks on other players's faces told the story. It left us asking questions and trying to process the initial shock of what we had just witnessed. Victimsupport.org says that the rollercoaster of emotions we all were feeling is typical responses from anyone who would witness such a tragedy. We definitely didn't want to watch the rest of the game and apparently league officials felt the same way. The NFL's VP of Football Operations Troy Vincent was very vocal in his response to the tragedy, highlighting how the league had no intention of continuing play. He maintains that the only concern was Hamlin's health. It was a rough night in Cincinnati but it only took a few days for the sun to shine.
Hamlin woke up from a medically induced coma on Jan. 5th and was able to breathe on his own again, just 24 hours later. He was then transferred to Buffalo General Hospital to be released on Jan. 11th. That's a less than two week recovery! Remarkable. Recent reports indicate that he's still got a fairly convoluted road to recovery ahead but Buffalo Bills Head Coach Sean McDermott says that Hamlin has been looking (and feeling) great. "It's limited, just overall, but he comes in, and I know he just started today or yesterday, just trying to get back to a little bit of a routine and just get himself acclimated again," McDermott said. "And taking it one step, one baby step, at a time." He says that Hamlin has been in the practice facility almost daily.
Things are looking up! But what's the light at the end of the tunnel? Could Damar Hamlin be on track to return to playing the game he loves? Let's explore what life looks like for cardiac arrest survivors and compare it to Damar Hamlin's case. We believe that we could discover a roadmap to his return to football. We'll also explore Brian's proposed solution to lowering cardiac arrest fatality numbers, high prices for AEDs and more.
Connect with the show on Instagram, Brian on Twitter, and BrianJamesLive.com.
I'm not quite sure who is remotely interested in purchasing one, but the reports of a deadly VR headset being made are true. It's a (genius) piece of technology designed by the founder of Oculus, Palmer Luckey. He sold the company to Facebook for $2 Billion in 2014 and they now use his designs and virtual reality research as the base of its 'Metaverse'.
His announcement of his latest work -- the deadly VR headset -- dominated headlines as many were in disbelief. “The idea of tying your real life to your virtual avatar has always fascinated me – you instantly raise the stakes to the maximum level and force people to fundamentally rethink how they interact with the virtual world and the players inside it,” Luckey wrote in his now-viral blog post. “Only the threat of serious consequences can make a game feel real to you and every other person in the game”.
It certainly does raise the stakes. There's no denying that. But, the question is, does it raise them 'too high'? Even he has concerns. “There are a huge variety of failures that could occur and kill the user at the wrong time,” he wrote. “This is why I have not worked up the balls to actually use it myself”. An article from ARS Technica points to similar ideas in gaming-tech but nothing like this - nothing deadly, you know? This thing basically triggers an explosive charge once you die in a game. Luckey shares that it's got a ways to go before it's ready. It currently just sits on his desk.
“The bad news is that so far, I have only figured out the half that kills you,” he wrote. “The perfect-VR half of the equation is still many years out”. He shares that it uses “three explosive charge modules” which are tied to a “narrow-band photosensor that can detect when the screen flashes red at a specific frequency”.
“When an appropriate game-over screen is displayed, the charges fire, instantly destroying the brain of the user,” he said. Is it legal? Will it be available? We've done some digging to get some answers on episode 176.