Apex Ascend podcast

24:02

🧠 Episode Description : In this episode of Apex Ascend , Rodney LaBruce dives into the bizarre true story of McArthur Wheeler—the man who robbed banks with lemon juice on his face—and how it inspired one of the most important psychological discoveries of our time: the Dunning-Kruger Effect. We explore how this cognitive bias explains why the least informed often sound the most confident, how it warps political discourse in the social media age, and why humility is the real path to competence. If you've ever wondered why misinformation spreads so quickly—or if you might unknowingly be part of the problem—this episode is for you. Rodney ends with a challenge for self-reflection and an invitation to join the Unified Advocacy and Leadership Coalition (UALC), a movement committed to truth, humility, and smarter civic engagement. ✅ Listen if you’re tired of the noise. ✅ Share if you believe in humility over hype. ✅ Join the UALC at labruceforcongress.org…

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Apex Ascend Episode 7 - The Knife Is Still There 25:21

13 days ago25:21

25:21

Subtitle: From Medical Exploitation to Historical Revisionism, Why America Still Resists Equity In this episode, Rodney LaBruce continues building the case for reparations for African American descendants of slaves. Through stories of unconsented medical experimentation, historic backlash against Black advancement, and the slow, stubborn pace of cultural change, Rodney exposes a pattern: America’s deepest wounds have not healed — because many refuse to even admit the knife is still there. We confront the painful legacy of figures like J. Marion Sims, the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, and the medical abuse of children in the 1990s. We unpack how progress for Black Americans has historically been met with fierce resistance — from the Black Codes to mass incarceration. And we challenge the whitewashed myths we learned as children, from the Alamo to the Civil War. This isn’t just about the past. It’s about the living systems that still demand truth, accountability, and real repair. If change takes three to five generations, we are the third. This is our shot. Topics Covered: The exploitation of Black bodies in American medical history Fear-driven backlash against minority progress The long cultural delay between legal change and real justice The hidden truth behind the Texas Revolution and "Remember the Alamo" Why reparations are about more than money — they’re about dignity and healing Quote to Carry With You: “The progress is healing the wound that the blow made. And they haven't even pulled the knife out, much less healed the wound. They won't even admit the knife is there.” — Malcolm X…

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Apex Ascend — Episode 6: Torn from the Land: The Story of Robert Gleed and the Theft of Black Prosperity 20:23

20 days ago20:23

20:23

In this episode of Apex Ascend , Rodney LaBruce uncovers one of the most brutal and under-told stories of American history: the systematic dispossession of Black-owned land. We begin with the incredible life of Robert Gleed—a formerly enslaved man who rose to become a successful businessman and Mississippi state senator, only to be violently exiled and stripped of everything he owned. Then we zoom out, drawing from Torn from the Land , a landmark investigation by the Associated Press and The Seattle Times that revealed how more than 24,000 acres of Black land were stolen through violence, intimidation, and legal manipulation. This isn’t just a history lesson—it’s a call to action. Gleed’s story is a case study in how wealth was taken, how justice was denied, and how the fight for reparations is not just about the past—it's about restoring what was wrongfully taken. 🔗 Read the full Torn from the Land article: Seattle Times Archive 🎧 Subscribe. Share. And let’s keep rising. #ReparationsNow #BlackLandMatters #ApexAscend #LaBruceForCongress…

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Apex Ascend Episode 5 - The Tariff in Chief 31:57

27 days ago31:57

31:57

🎙️ Episode Title: Tariffs, Tantrums, and Turmoil: What Trump Doesn’t Get About Trade Description: In this episode of Apex Ascend , we break down one of the most misunderstood weapons in America’s economic toolbox— tariffs . You’ve heard the talking points, but what’s the truth behind Trump’s trade war and his latest round of tariff threats? We’ll unpack: What tariffs actually are—and who really pays for them. How Trump used tariffs like a wrecking ball in his first term and why the markets panicked. The legal tools he’s using (or abusing) to bypass Congress and slap tariffs on allies. Why low-income Americans end up footing the biggest part of the bill. And how China, cool and calculated, has been playing the long game while the U.S. creates chaos. This episode is part education, part call to awareness—and a whole lot of clarity in a noisy political moment. Tune in, share widely, and don’t forget: The tariff isn’t just a policy—it’s a price tag. And someone’s paying it. #ApexAscend #LaBruceForCongress #TradeWars #EconomicJustice #TariffsExplained…

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Apex Ascend — Episode 4: “The Southern Strategy: Still Echoing Today” 33:02

5 weeks ago33:02

33:02

In this powerful episode, host Rodney LaBruce unpacks the Southern Strategy—its origins during the Civil Rights era, its calculated use of racial coding, and the lasting harm it continues to inflict on our political system and communities today. With clarity and conviction, Rodney confronts the false comparisons used to justify injustice—like the claim that Clinton and Trump policies are equivalent—and exposes how historical context is stripped away to maintain a status quo of division and deflection. From coded political language to the weaponization of poverty narratives, he connects the dots between past strategies and present realities, urging us not to excuse harm just because it came from both sides. Drawing wisdom from figures like Goethe, Maya Angelou, and Rosemary Brown, Rodney issues a bold call to action: destroy the cage, don’t just escape it. Because true liberation doesn’t come from individual comfort—it comes from collective freedom. 📖 Read the full blog at LaBruceForCongress.com 📢 Then share it, question it, and join the conversation. 🎧 Tune in, rise up, and let’s rewrite the playbook. #LaBruceForCongress #ApexAscend #SouthernStrategy #PoliticalHistory #RiseAndRoar…

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Apex Ascend Episode 3 - Signal, Silence, and the Narcissist-in-Chief 35:02

6 weeks ago35:02

35:02

In this episode of Apex Ascend , Rodney LaBruce unpacks the chaos surrounding the now-infamous Signalgate scandal—where top U.S. officials plotted military strikes in a Signal group chat and accidentally added a journalist. Meanwhile, four American soldiers died in Lithuania, and the Commander-in-Chief claimed he hadn't been briefed. What does this say about leadership at the highest level? From miscommunication to moral failure, we connect the dots and ask the uncomfortable question: Is narcissism at the core of the dysfunction? Tune in as we break down the facts, the fallout, and the frightening implications for our democracy, national security, and the lives that hang in the balance. #Signalgate #LaBruceForCongress #ApexAscend #LeadershipMatters…

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The Bootstrap Lie Episode 2 18:02

7 weeks ago18:02

18:02

We’ve all heard the story: If you work hard, stay focused, and pull yourself up by your bootstraps, you’ll succeed. But what if you never had boots to begin with? In this episode, Rodney LaBruce dismantles the comforting myth of the American Dream—that success is solely the result of hustle. He breaks down the historical and systemic barriers that have kept wealth and opportunity out of reach for millions, especially in Black and marginalized communities. From government policies like the Homestead Act to modern-day hiring bias and unequal access to capital, Rodney reveals why hard work alone isn't enough—and never has been. This isn’t about blaming the system without offering hope. It’s about telling the truth, reframing success, and calling for the kind of collective support and structural change that allows everyone to rise—and roar.…

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Apex Ascend Episode 1 29:32

8 weeks ago29:32