Best Stuart Willis Podcasts (2024)

1
Is Taxing Millionaires and the “Buffett Rule” a Solution the Runaway US National Debt? Also Remembering the Past Failures of Race Pseudoscience as it Tries to Sneak Back In 1:01:20

25m ago1:01:20

1:01:20

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana react to some recent comments by JP Morgan Chase CEO Jaime Dimon about the looming national debt crisis and whether the rich need to pay more taxes (1:14). The guys also weigh in on what many have said is a recent uptick of people in right wing circles trying to mainstream race pseudoscience (33:24). Jamie Dimon wants …

1
Culture Series: “It Was All a Lie,” a Book by Stuart Stevens 35:44

4h ago35:44

35:44

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss “It Was All a Lie: How the Republican Party Became Donald Trump,” the 2020 New York Times Bestseller written by longtime Republican political consultant and strategist Stuart Stevens which looks the lies the modern Republican Party built itself on and how that led to the party’s complete submission to former pr…

1
Is Elon Musk’s X Corp. Weaponizing the Government Against Advertisers Who Left Twitter? Also Reconciling NWA Nostalgia with Ice Cube’s Move Away From His Signature Demeanor 41:50

13d ago41:50

41:50

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss X Corp.’s recently filed lawsuit against advertisers for what it calls an illegal boycott relative to what its owner, Elon Musk, says he’s about (1:04). The guys also discuss Ice Cube’s flirtation with figures like Donald Trump and Tucker Carlson, particularly in light of his particular legacy in hip hop music …

1
Project 2025 Reveals the Radicals in Conservatives’ Clothing; Reaction to Olympic Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif Exposes Society’s Gender Classification Confusion; and Checking In on the Latest Scientific ... 1:00:35

22d ago1:00:35

1:00:35

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at Project 2025, what it represents, and why Republican nominee Donald Trump has started distancing himself from it (1:15). The guys also react to the gender controversy involving Algerian boxer Imane Khelif at the Olympics (32:04) and discuss a recent story on technological advancements in cloud seeding an…

1
DZ-112: Breaking the 4th wall 1:52:16

13d ago1:52:16

1:52:16

DZ-112: Breaking the 4th wall How is the effect of breaking the 4th wall different to VoiceOver? As part of our series on how filmmakers can directly communicate to the audience, we finally examine the most blatant tool of them all: when character look directly down the barrel of the camera… and thus look directly at us, the viewer. Chas, Stu and M…

1
California’s $20 Minimum Wage May Not Be the End of The World - Murder of Sonya Massey Reveals the Disconnect in Police Hiring - Living Life in a Black Hole 52:16

14d ago52:16

52:16

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss California’s move to raise the minimum wage to $20/hour for workers at large fast food chains and the hollow predictions of doom and gloom (1:17). The guys also discuss the lack of negative incentives in police hiring in America in light of the murder of Sonya Massey (20:20) and react to the theory that has bee…

1
Culture Series: “Amusing Ourselves to Death,” a Book by Neil Postman 41:00

23d ago41:00

41:00

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss Neil Postman’s “Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business,” the 1985 book that looks at how various mediums of communication used by societies influence the messages people receive in the society and details the way television, which presents all content as entertainment, handicap…

1
Trump Assassination Attempt Leads to Conspiracy Theory Bonanza; Also, AT&T Data Breaches Illustrate the Death of Privacy and Heat Domes Showing Our Desensitization 1:06:51

1M ago1:06:51

1:06:51

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider the rush to conspiracy theories following the assassination attempt of Donald Trump (1:34). The guys also discuss the death of privacy and whether companies should be allowed to keep archives of so much data about us after a second huge data breach from AT&T (27:55) and react to the record breaking heat being …

1
For Joe Biden the Presidential Candidate, Age is More Than Just a Number; Also, What’s Behind the Effort to Claim the Civil War was Not About Slavery and the Overreaction to Bronny James NBA Draft Position ... 57:16

1M ago57:16

57:16

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana weigh in on the age issue surrounding President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign and whether he is being selfish, or selfless, in refusing to drop out of the race (1:34). The guys also consider what is behind the effort to convince people the Civil War was about things other than slavery (25:24) and the problem many hav…

1
The US Supreme Court Decides Against the Supremacy of the Law; Also, Why Diversity in Leadership Can Correlate to Increased Profits and the Concern of Falling Birth Rates 1:05:01

1M ago1:05:01

1:05:01

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana a recent decision from the U.S. Supreme Court which places presidents above the law and other decisions which reshape American society in important ways (1:36). The guys also react to recent criticism of a McKinsey study from 2015 which showed an association between companies with diverse leadership and profits (28:09)…

1
DZ-111: Unreliable Narrators and Fight Club 55:26

2M ago55:26

55:26

How does the unreliability of a narrator impact the way a story is told? In this episode, Stu and Mel (sans Chas!) take a deep dive into FIGHT CLUB and its use of the unreliable narrator. This is a bridging episode between our previous episode on VOICEOVER and our forthcoming episode on TALKING TO CAMERA as Fight Club does both. We dissect the film…

1
Social Media Platforms May Already Be Too Powerful for Warning Labels to Matter; Also, Louisiana Starts Another Ten Commandments Fight and Willie Mays and the Legacy of Baseball Integration 55:39

2M ago55:39

55:39

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the U.S. Surgeon General’s recent push to get warning labels on social media platforms and the chances that it has any legs (2:03). The guys also react to Louisiana’s new effort to require the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms despite similar efforts being deemed unconstitutional in the past (21:29) …

1
Is Tesla's Billion-dollar Pay Package For Elon Musk a Sign Of Success Or Trouble Ahead? Also, Texas School Board Fights and the Missing Indoctrination and the New Research that Says Alcohol is Not Good ... 58:46

2M ago58:46

58:46

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider whether Tesla's shareholders voting to reinstate a pay package presently worth over $40+ billion to Elon Musk is indicative of things are going right, or wrong at Tesla, and in our society in general (1:41). The guys also react to the story of the Texas republican who won a school board seat to fight indoctrin…

1
Culture Series: “Technofeudalism,” a Book by Yanis Varoufakis 36:24

2M ago36:24

36:24

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss Yanis Varoufakis’s 2023 book “Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism,” a book that lays out the evolution of capitalism over the 20th century and how following the Great Financial Crisis, factors like the monetary policy of major central banks and the enclosure of the Internet and information technology has le…

1
The Court of Law Remains an Obstacle in Donald Trump’s Effort to Bend Reality to His Will; Also, Debating Seinfeld’s Call Back to an “Agreed-Upon Hierarchy” and Whether Misogyny Enlivens Rap Music or Makes ... 58:48

2M ago58:48

58:48

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss how quickly followers of Donald Trump were to attack the pillars of the American system like courts and a jury following Trump’s conviction and the almost religious manner in which Trump defines reality for his followers (1:24). The guys also consider Jerry Seinfeld’s “agreed-upon hierarchy” comments and whethe…

1
DZ-110: Voiceover 1:41:23

3M ago1:41:23

1:41:23

How can you use Voiceover without it feeling like a cheat? In this episode, we finally delve into the world of VOICEOVERS (as part of our larger series exploring craft tools that allow characters & storytellers to talk directly to the audience). Chas, Stu and Mel deep dive into the VERONICA MARS pilot, Disney’s THE EMPEROR’S NEW GROOVE, and the Mic…

1
Justice Alito’s Flag Display Turns Supreme Court Legitimacy Upside Down; Also, NCAA Revenue Sharing, Evidence We Live in a Simulation, and Finding Addiction Everywhere We Look 56:58

3M ago56:58

56:58

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider the extent to which Justice Samuel Alito’s flag flying controversy undermines the Supreme Court as an institution and whether that may be the point (1:16). The guys also discuss the NCAA’s history settlement that will result in revenue sharing with college sports players (16:00), react to the claim from one sc…

1
America’s Persistent Culture of Illiberalism and the Blind Eye Many Turn to It; Also, Fluoride in Tap Water a Danger to Fetuses & Protesting Imperialism in New Caledonia 55:13

3M ago55:13

55:13

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss illiberalism, which is the opposite of the liberalism ideal that forms the philosophical basis of the American constitutional setup, and some recent articles that suggest that home grown illiberalism has been a central feature and not a periodic diversion in American culture (1:31). The guys also take a look at…

1
Lauren Southern's “Tradwife” Reversal and the Difficulty of Living Out Ideological Abstractions; Also, Appreciating Freedom of Speech in Light of Iranian Rapper’s (Literal) Death Sentence 55:43

4M ago55:43

55:43

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the story of Lauren Southern, the right wing influencer whose life experiences now have her publicly questioning the “tradwife” mindset she once was a big promoter of (1:25). The guys also react to the death sentence given to Iranian hip hop hero Toomaj Salehi for his music and criticism of Iran’s controlling r…

1
Trump’s Effort to Bend America’s Legal and Electoral System to His Will; Also, Is Entropy Responsible for Human Consciousness 52:06

4M ago52:06

52:06

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss what appears to be a transparent and ongoing attempt by former president Donald Trump to exert dominion over American legal and electoral system (1:19). The guys also consider whether human consciousness may be a byproduct of entropy (40:27). Judge Cites Trump for Contempt, and Says He Is Attacking the Rule of …

1
DZ-109: Talking DIRECTLY to your audience 1:20:28

4M ago1:20:28

1:20:28

What are the different ways a filmmaker can ask something of the audience? Chas and Stu are joined by recurring guest Mel in this prelude episode to upcoming episodes on Voice Over and Breaking the Fourth Wall. In this episode, we attempt to taxonomise the different ways filmmakers can ask something directly of their audience. To this end, we ident…

1
Discussing “The Joy Strategist” with Author Grace Harry; Also, Is Seinfeld Right to Blame the “Extreme Left” for TV Comedy Failings? 59:58

4M ago59:58

59:58

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana are joined by Grace Harry, author of the 2023 book “The Joy Strategist,” and discuss notable items from the book and what’s next for her (1:39). The James, Tunde, and Grace also react to Jerry Seinfeld’s recent assertions that the “extreme left” and PC crap” are responsible for the demise of TV comedy sitcoms (34:09). …

1
Campus Anti War Protests Illustrate Both American Values and Perils of Painting with a Broad Brush; Also, Caitlin Clark’s WNBA Salary is Unfair, but Not Sexist 1:02:00

4M ago1:02:00

1:02:00

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at what's going on at Columbia University and other college campuses where so called peaceful protests on campuses over Israel’s actions in Gaza are creating quite a stir on campus (1:22). The guys also weigh in on whether the slotted salary for former Iowa Hawkeye star and recent #1 draft pick Caitlin Clar…

1
Scientists’ Fear of Backlash Chills the Study of Transgender Medicine; Also, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and the Lost High Profile Rap Beef 46:26

4M ago46:26

46:26

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at the “culture of fear” that many scientists are saying has developed around gender medicine research (1:32). The guys also react to the rap beef involving Drake, Kendrick Lamar and other heavyweights that recently exploded and consider why it seems we do not see high profile rap beefs like in the past (31…

1
The Explosion of Sports Gambling Will Force Society to Adapt; Also, Ultra Processed Foods Work by Changing Our Brains 1:00:23

4M ago1:00:23

1:00:23

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at the explosion of sports gambling in society and how it has changed both the business of and culture around sports (1:16). The guys also react to recent revelations on how ultra processed food changes the way our brains work (34:41). America Made a Huge Bet on Sports Gambling. The Backlash Is Here. (The W…

1
Does the Threat to Kids Posed by Social Media Justify Florida’s Heavy Handed Ban? Also, What the Outrage over Trans Visibility Day Says About Our Leadership 1:03:25

5M ago1:03:25

1:03:25

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at Florida’s recent law which, among other things, operates to ban kids under 14 from social media, and in light of the dangers posed by social media, react to the criticism that has called the ban unconstitutional and/or hypocritical (1:16). The guys also weigh in on President Biden’s issuance of a stateme…

1
DZ-108: The Emotional Event with Judith Weston 1:37:03

5M ago1:37:03

1:37:03

How and why should every scene have an emotional event? For the first episode of our tenth anniversary year, we are joined by Judith Weston to talk about Emotional Events. What is an emotional event? Well, it’s a way of thinking about scenes through relationships rather than plot. Instead of asking how a scene moves the plot forward, ask how the sc…

1
The Apple Antitrust Lawsuit May Signal that Regulators are Starting to Catch Up with Big Tech; Also, the (Astrophysics) Revolution Will Be Seen Through the James Webb Space Telescope 56:26

5M ago56:26

56:26

Following the recent antitrust lawsuit filed against Apple in the US, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider the ongoing efforts in the US and in Europe to attack several of Apple’s business practices in in today’s view of the historical context of antitrust enforcement (1:21). The guys also explain why it is a good thing that some of the findings …

1
Kate Middleton Family Photo Reaction Previews a World Where You Can’t Trust Your Eyes; Also, Are Dating Apps Just Trying to Get you Hooked on Them? 58:16

5M ago58:16

58:16

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider the extent to which the various reactions of people to the release of the manipulated Kate Middleton photo demonstrates what it may look like to live in a world where reality and synthetic realities may be impossible to distinguish (1:24). The guys also discuss the evolution of dating apps in light of the rece…

1
A TikTok Ban Still Leaves Americans Open to Manipulation and Exploitation; Also, Sheryl Swoopes, Caitlin Clark and Getting Defensive Off the Court 58:52

5M ago58:52

58:52

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look the potential ban of TikTok that is working through the US Congress and consider whether this is more about data privacy and algorithmic manipulation or playing on American’s fear of China (1:07). The guys also discuss the controversy over Sheryl Swoopes comments about Caitlin Clark and also Swoopes’ though…

1
The Supreme Court Confirms the U.S. is Presently a Nation of Men, Not Laws; Also, Overcoming a Brain Wired to Avoid Exercise 58:44

6M ago58:44

58:44

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss some key takeaways from the U.S Supreme Court’s decision to forbid states from taking Donald Trump, or any other “oathbreaking insurrectionist,” off the ballot under the disqualification clause of the 14th amendment (1:08). The guys also consider the idea that human brains are wired to avoid exercise and what c…

1
DZ-107: Establishing Tone Through Character 1:54:19

6M ago1:54:19

1:54:19

How can we use dramatisation to create tone? In this episode, Chas and Stu continue their deep dive into how to write tone by examining films with “light” (we use the phrase loosely) tones: LADY BIRD, EMILY THE CRIMINAL, THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS, and SPONTANEOUS. We also talk a surprising amount about DUNE and CRAZY STUPID LOVE. We focus on the…

1
Exploding Dynastic Wealth is a Threat to America’s Economic and Governmental System; Also, Understanding and Appreciating Free Speech Following Navalny’s Demise in Russia 54:01

6M ago54:01

54:01

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider the extent to which America’s extreme and increasingly sticky concentration of wealth in its billionaire class may put its market economy and representative democracy in peril (1:23). The guys also discuss the concept of freedom of speech in the US in light of the tragic story of Alexei Navalny in Russia (42:0…

1
Rick Wilson, Barbara McQuade & Carlos Lozada 57:36

6M ago57:36

57:36

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson examines how the Republicans are shooting themselves in the foot by targeting IVF. Former US Attorney Barbara McQuade details her new book, ‘Attack from Within: How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America.’ The New York Times’ Carlos Lozada details his new book, ‘The Washington Book: How to Read Politics and Politicia…

1
Stuart Stevens, Mary Pat Hector & Dr. Uche Blackstock 50:39

6M ago50:39

50:39

The Lincoln Project’s Stuart Stevens examines the divisions in the Democratic Party from an outside view. Rise’s Mary Pat Hector tells us how to get out the Gen Z vote for Dems in the 2024 election. Dr. Uche Blackstock details her new book, ‘LEGACY: A Black Physician Reckons with Racism in Medicine. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy informati…

1
Sen. Debbie Stabenow, Rep. Colin Allred & Catherine Rampell 55:16

6M ago55:16

55:16

Senator Debbie Stabenow examines the complexities of Michigan politics as their presidential primary looms. Rep. Colin Allred updates us on his run against Sen. Lyin’ Ted Cruz in Texas on the three-year anniversary of the senator’s trip to Cancun. The Washington Post columnist Catherine Rampell makes the argument for why immigration is good for the…

1
Is Russia’s Psyop to Divide Americans Paying Off? Also, Concerns Over Making Victimhood Too Central to Black Americans’ Identity 1:01:24

6M ago1:01:24

1:01:24

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana consider whether Russia’s goals in dividing and undermining the US have been achieved in light of what appears to be an increasing one way love affair with Russia coming out of at least a part of America’s political right (1:19). The guys also take a look at whether society tends to overemphasize messages of victimhood…

1
Rick Wilson, Michael Tomasky & Jonathan Blitzer 53:53

6M ago53:53

53:53

The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson dismantles the idea of “swapping out” President Biden. The New Republic’s Michael Tomasky critiques the media coverage of the 2024 election. The New Yorker’s Jonathan Blitzer outlines his new book “Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here: The United States, Central America, and the Making of a Crisis.” See omnystudio.com/list…

1
Dan Nathan, Jay Willis & Rachel Bade 56:58

6M ago56:58

56:58

Balls & Strikes editor Jay Willis details the latest legal maneuvers that will determine Trump’s legal jeopardy. On The Tape host Dan Nathan examines where the perceptions of our economy meet the statistics. Politico’s Rachel Bade updates us on the never-ending chaos in Congress. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. The post Dan Nat…

1
Tim Miller, Andrew Weissmann & Theda Skocpol 55:53

6M ago55:53

55:53

The Bulwark’s Tim Miller gives an inside look at the RNC shakeup. MSNBC legal analyst Andrew Weissmann details Robert Hur’s significant strides in his job qualifications. Harvard professor Theda Skocpol examines how the right wing is mutating. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. The post Tim Miller, Andrew Weissmann & Theda Skocpol…

1
Viewing James Baldwin and the U.S. Through “I Am Not Your Negro;” Also, the Devaluing of Stay At Home Parents 1:01:06

6M ago1:01:06

1:01:06

James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at Raoul Peck’s 2016 documentary “I Am Not Your Negro,” which features the commentary and work of one of America’s intellectual giants, James Baldwin (1:24). The guys also discuss how stay at home parenting is devalued by America’s institutions even though many often suggesting it is good for society (44:39…

1
Mika Brzezinski, Rick Wilson & Adam Carlson 53:25

6M ago53:25

53:25

MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski tells us about her journey to help women believe in themselves as well as her journey as a mentor. The Lincoln Project’s Rick Wilson assails Robert Hur’s assessment of President Biden in his report on the president’s handling of classified documents. Pollster Adam Carlson talks to us about the flaws in polling for the 2024 e…

1
Sen. Chris Murphy, Dahlia Lithwick & Matt Fuller 52:23

7M ago52:23

52:23

Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy details the silver linings to the GOP sinking the border bill. The Daily Beast’s Washington Bureau Chief Matt Fuller surveys the chaos in the House under Speaker MAGA Mike Johnson’s rule. Slate’s Dahlia Lithwick reads between the lines of today’s Supreme Court hearing on Trump’s ballot eligibility.” See omnystudio.c…

1
Charlie Sykes, Michael Isikoff, Daniel Klaidman & Emily Atkin 51:54

6M ago51:54

51:54

The Bulwark’s Charlie Sykes discusses the GOP’s mind-bending flip-flop on their own border bill. Michael Isikoff and Daniel Klaidman detail their new book, ‘Find Me the Votes: A Hard-Charging Georgia Prosecutor, a Rogue President, and the Plot to Steal an American Election.’ HEATED editor Emily Atkin examines the misinformation surrounding Biden’s …

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Stuart Willis Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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