594 episodes

Are you tired of being told what the top news stories are by the media that gets to write and report them? The Weekly Wrap-Up Show presented by The Conversation Project gives you the power to tell the world what stories you really want to talk about based on your interaction with our branded social media. New episodes of the tops stories of the week as determined by you go live every Saturday at ThisIsTheConversation.com and just about everywhere your favorite pods are cast.

Things You Might Not Have Heard J Cleveland Payne

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.8 • 10 Ratings

Are you tired of being told what the top news stories are by the media that gets to write and report them? The Weekly Wrap-Up Show presented by The Conversation Project gives you the power to tell the world what stories you really want to talk about based on your interaction with our branded social media. New episodes of the tops stories of the week as determined by you go live every Saturday at ThisIsTheConversation.com and just about everywhere your favorite pods are cast.

    Protester Pushback, Hunter Biden, Emmanuel Acho & More - 5/1/2024

    Protester Pushback, Hunter Biden, Emmanuel Acho & More - 5/1/2024

    Today's Sponsor: Blinkist
    http://thisistheconversationproject.com/blinkist
      
    Today's Rundown:
    Protesters take over Columbia University's Hamilton Hall in escalation of anti-war demonstrations
    https://www.yahoo.com/news/colleges-across-us-seek-clear-041304333.html
     
    Lakers open to drafting Bronny James with LeBron's future in L.A. uncertain, per report
    https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/lakers-open-to-drafting-bronny-james-with-lebrons-future-in-la-uncertain-per-report/#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17144968510426&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&ampshare=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cbssports.com%2Fnba%2Fnews%2Flakers-open-to-drafting-bronny-james-with-lebrons-future-in-la-uncertain-per-report%2F
     
    Judge fines Trump $9,000, threatens jail for contempt in hush money trial
    https://www.reuters.com/world/us/trump-nyc-hush-money-trial-resume-with-bankers-testimony-2024-04-30/
     
    Hunter Biden demands that Fox News remove ‘intimate’ images from its platforms
    https://www.yahoo.com/news/hunter-biden-demands-fox-news-160134096.html
     
    Tesla to lay off everyone working on Superchargers, new vehicles
    https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/04/tesla-to-lay-off-everyone-working-on-superchargers-new-vehicles/
     
    Tennessee governor signs bill allowing teachers and staff to be armed on campus
    https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/27/us/tennessee-governor-signs-school-guns-bill/index.html
     
    US DEA will reclassify marijuana, ease restrictions
    https://apnews.com/article/marijuana-biden-dea-criminal-justice-pot-f833a8dae6ceb31a8658a5d65832a3b8
     
    Emmanuel Acho co-authors book on antisemitism
    https://awfulannouncing.com/books/emmanuel-acho-co-authored-uncomfortable-conversations-jew.html
     
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    ONE DAY OLDER ON MAY 1:
    Paul Teutul Sr. (75)
    Tim McGraw (57)
    Wes Anderson (55)
      
    WHAT HAPPENED TODAY:
    1939: In the May issues of Detective Comics #27, which appeared on newsstands on this day, a new crime fighter, the “Batman,” debuted.
    2003: In what became known as the “Mission Accomplished” speech, U.S. President George W. Bush declared “major combat operations in Iraq have ended” on board USS Abraham Lincoln off the coast of California. He added that “difficult work” remained ahead.
    2011: President Barack Obama announced the death of terrorist Osama bin Laden. (It was May 1 in the U.S. when bin Laden died, May 2 where he died.)
      
    WORD OF THE DAY: squeamish / [ skwee-mish ]
    easily disturbed or disgusted by unpleasant things
    https://thebigwordsproject.morebettermediacompany.com/?p=210
     
    PLUS, TODAY WE CELEBRATE: Mother Goose Day
    https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-mother-goose-day-may-1#:~:text=National%20Mother%20Goose%20Day%20on,rhymes%20we%20loved%20as%20children.
          
     

    • 23 min
    Zendaya, Amanda Seales, ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ & More - 4/29/2024

    Zendaya, Amanda Seales, ‘Mr. Irrelevant’ & More - 4/29/2024

    Today's Sponsor: Blinkist
    http://thisistheconversationproject.com/blinkist
      
    Today's Rundown:
    Chants of ‘shame on you’ greet guests arriving for the annual White House correspondents’ dinner
    https://apnews.com/article/biden-white-house-correspondents-dinner-colin-jost-5843271c1d3a868d700cfc525ddc7f8d
     
    Zendaya tennis movie ‘Challengers’ scores at weekend box office
    https://apnews.com/article/challengers-movie-zendaya-box-office-a05571e3e3537630301cebe2f081013a
     
    Britney Spears settles long-running legal dispute with estranged father, finally bringing ultimate end to conservatorship
    https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/27/entertainment/britney-spears-settles-conservatorship-legal-dispute/index.html
     
    Amanda Seales says Shannon Sharpe “already committed to undermining” after interview
    https://www.revolt.tv/article/amanda-seales-critiques-shannon-sharpes-line-in-questioning-after-club-shay-shay-interview
     
    Black Twitter shuts down Jasmine Guy slander in viral tweet
    https://www.revolt.tv/article/black-twitter-gives-jasmine-guy-her-flowers-following-viral-prince-mix-up
     
    King Charles III will resume public duties next week after cancer treatment, palace says
    https://www.wbaltv.com/article/king-charles-iii-public-duties-resume-after-cancer-treatment/60619832#:~:text=King%20Charles%20III%20will%20resume%20his%20public%20duties%20next%20week,public%20visit%20to%20a%20cancer
     
    Iraqi TikTok star Umm Fahad shot dead in Baghdad
    https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/27/middleeast/iraq-tiktok-star-umm-fahad-killed-intl/index.html
     
    Per new book, Miss USA Cheslie Kryst's mother said police informed the media about her daughter's death before her own family
    https://www.businessinsider.com/miss-usa-cheslie-kryst-mother-police-media-daughter-death-2024-4
     
    Rebel Wilson's memoir allegation against Sacha Baron Cohen redacted in UK edition
    https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/books/2024/04/25/rebel-wilson-memoir-sacha-baron-cohen-allegation/73458522007/?tbref=hp
     
    ‘Mr. Irrelevant’: Alabama’s Jaylen Key is final pick of 2024 NFL Draft, goes to New York Jets
    https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2024/04/mr-irrelevant-alabamas-jaylen-key-is-final-pick-of-2024-nfl-draft-goes-to-new-york-jets.html
      
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    ONE DAY OLDER ON APRIL 29:
    Willie Nelson (91)
    Michelle Pfeiffer (66)
    Eve Plumb (66)
     
    WHAT HAPPENED TODAY:
    1967: After refusing induction into the United States Army the day before (citing religious reasons), Muhammad Ali was stripped of his boxing title.
    1990: A wrecking crane began tearing down the Berlin Wall at the historic Brandenberg Gate. The Wall had divided East and West Berlin since August 1961.
    2004: Oldsmobile built its final car, ending 107 years of production.
     
    WORD OF THE DAY: misanthrope / [ mis-uhn-throhp, miz- ]
    a person who hates, dislikes, or distrusts most others; an antisocial, cynical, or unfriendly person
    https://thebigwordsproject.morebettermediacompany.com/?p=205
       
    PLUS, TODAY WE CELEBRATE: Zipper Day
    https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-zipper-day-april-29#:~:text=National%20Zipper%20Day%20commemorates%20April,may%20automatically%20take%20for%20granted.
      

    • 22 min
    Harvey Weinstein, Rudy Giuliani, Mona Lisa & More - 4/26/2024

    Harvey Weinstein, Rudy Giuliani, Mona Lisa & More - 4/26/2024

    Today's Sponsor: YouTube TV
    http://thisistheconversationproject.com/youtubetv
      
    Today's Rundown:
    New York appeals court overturns Harvey Weinstein’s 2020 rape conviction from landmark #MeToo trial
    https://apnews.com/article/weinstein-metoo-appeal-ed29faeec862abf0c071e8bd3574c4a3
     
    Arizona grand jury indicts Meadows, Giuliani, other Trump allies for 2020 election interference
    https://www.politico.com/news/2024/04/24/arizona-election-indictments-giuliani-meadows-trump-00154241
     
    Federal judge denies Trump's bid for new trial in E. Jean Carroll case
    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-e-jean-carroll-case-new-trial-denied/
     
    Brooke Shields Announces Candidacy For President Of Actors’ Equity Association
    https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/hollywood/it-was-my-responsibility-brooke-shields-announces-candidacy-for-president-of-actors-equity-association-1298842
     
    Bears draft QB Caleb Williams with No. 1 pick in 2024 NFL Draft
    https://www.chicagobears.com/news/caleb-williams-bears-quarterback-number-1-pick-2024-nfl-draft-usc
     
    LAPD arrests 93 people at USC amid Israel-Hamas war protests
    https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/tensions-rise-at-usc-as-pro-palestine-protesters-clash-with-police/3396426/
      
    Mona Lisa should be moved to improve 'worst viewing experience', Louvre proposes
    https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/04/23/mona-lisa-moved-improve-worst-viewing-experience-louvre/
     
    Idris Elba Can Neither Confirm Nor Deny That Keanu Reeves Is In ‘Sonic 3’ (But He Would Like Him To Be)
    https://uproxx.com/movies/keanu-reeves-sonic-shadow-idris-elba/
     
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    ONE DAY OLDER ON APRIL 26:
    Carol Burnett (91)
    Melania Trump (54)
    Tom Welling (47)
     
    WHAT HAPPENED TODAY:
    1993: Conan O’Brien was named to succeed David Letterman as host of NBC’s “Late Night” program.
    2018: Bill Cosby was found guilty of sexual assault in Pennsylvania.
    2019: “No religion” tops a survey of American religious identity for the first time at 23.1 percent, edging out Catholics 23 percent and evangelicals 22.5 percent.
      
    WORD OF THE DAY: remunerate / [ ri-myoo-nuh-reyt ]
    to pay, recompense, or reward for work, trouble, etc.
    https://thebigwordsproject.morebettermediacompany.com/?p=199
     
    PLUS, TODAY WE CELEBRATE: Static Cling Day
    https://nationaltoday.com/national-static-cling-day/
         

    • 23 min
    TikTok, Columbia University, ‘Club Shay Shay’ & More - 4/25/2024

    TikTok, Columbia University, ‘Club Shay Shay’ & More - 4/25/2024

    Today's Sponsor: YouTube TV
    http://thisistheconversationproject.com/youtubetv
      
    Today's Rundown:
    Congress passes TikTok sell-or-ban bill, but legal battles loom
    https://www.yahoo.com/news/congress-passes-tiktok-sell-ban-014549012.html
     
    House speaker to visit Columbia University, call for president's resignation amid ongoing protests
    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-speaker-mike-johnson-columbia-university-visit/
     
    Michelle Obama, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, ‘Club Shay Shay’ and Kara Swisher Among 2024 Webby Awards Winners
    https://www.thewrap.com/webby-awards-2024-winners-list/
    Katt Williams interview close to breaking YouTube record
    https://hip-hopvibe.com/news/katt-williams-interview-close-to-breaking-youtube-record/
     
    Texas A&M laying off athletic department staff in response to 'existing and emerging threats to our business model'
    https://www.on3.com/college/texas-am-aggies/news/texas-am-laying-off-athletic-department-staff-in-response-to-existing-and-emerging-threats-to-our-business-model-per-trev-alberts/
     
    Reggie Bush to have Heisman Trophy returned
    https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/40014492/reggie-bush-heisman-trophy-returned
     
    Dolphin dead after being repeatedly shot in Louisiana, $20,000 reward offered for information
    https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/dolphin-dead-repeatedly-shot-louisiana-20000-reward-offered-info-rcna149216
     
    U.S. orders cow testing for bird flu after grocery milk tests positive
    https://www.cbsnews.com/news/milk-bird-flu-cow-testing/
      
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    ONE DAY OLDER ON APRIL 25:
    Al Pacino (84)
    Gina Torres (55)
    Renee Zellweger (55)
      
    WHAT HAPPENED TODAY:
    1950: In the NBA draft, the Boston Celtics used their second-round pick to select Chuck Cooper. That fall, Cooper would become the first African-American to play in the NBA.
    1988: Sonny Bono was elected mayor of Palm Springs, California. In 1994 he was elected to Congress. He died in a skiing accident in 1997.
    2019: Microsoft became the third U.S. company to be listed with a market worth of $1 trillion, after Apple and Amazon.
     
    WORD OF THE DAY: poetize / [ poh-i-tahyz ]
    to express poetically
    https://thebigwordsproject.morebettermediacompany.com/?p=197
     
    PLUS, TODAY WE CELEBRATE: It’s eight months until Christmas!
      

    • 22 min
    Truth Social, Candice Owens, Elon Musk & More - 4/24/2024

    Truth Social, Candice Owens, Elon Musk & More - 4/24/2024

    Today's Sponsor: YouTube TV
    http://thisistheconversationproject.com/youtubetv
      
    Today's Rundown:
    Top recruit de-commits from Kentucky to follow John Calipari to Arkansas
    https://nypost.com/2024/04/23/sports/karter-knox-decommits-from-kentucky-to-follow-john-calipari-to-arkansas/
     
    Trump poised to clinch $1.3 billion social media company stock award
    https://www.reuters.com/technology/trump-poised-clinch-13-billion-social-media-company-stock-award-2024-04-23/
     
    George Santos ends congressional bid for New York’s 1st District
    https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/23/politics/george-santos-ends-independent-bid-new-york-1/index.html
     
    Candace Owens Becomes Catholic
    https://www.newsweek.com/candace-owens-becomes-catholic-1893076
     
    UnitedHealth paid ransom to bad actors, says patient data was compromised in Change Healthcare cyberattack
    https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/22/unitedhealth-paid-ransom-to-bad-actors-says-patient-data-was-compromised-in-change-healthcare-cyberattack.html
     
    Australian PM calls Elon Musk an 'arrogant billionaire' in row over attack footage
    https://www.yahoo.com/news/australian-pm-calls-elon-musk-034254247.html
     
    Arkansas State Police turn over findings of investigation into ATF shooting of Little Rock airport executive
    https://www.yahoo.com/news/arkansas-state-police-turn-over-233526461.html
     
    Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
    https://apnews.com/article/megan-thee-stallion-photographer-lawsuit-56fa11e5c1e7423086fd2f0660d1b391
     
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    ONE DAY OLDER ON APRIL 24:
    Barbra Streisand (82)
    Kelly Clarkson (42)
    Joe Keery (32)
     
    WHAT HAPPENED TODAY:
    1704: The first regular newspaper in the United States, the Boston, Massachusetts New-Letter, was first published.
    1800: The United States Library of Congress was established when President John Adams signed legislation to appropriate $5,000 to purchase “such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress”.
    1969: Singer Paul McCartney announced that there was no truth to the widespread rumor he was dead.
      
    WORD OF THE DAY: biblioklept / [ bib-lee-uh-klept ]
    a person who steals books
    https://thebigwordsproject.morebettermediacompany.com/?p=195
      
    PLUS, TODAY WE CELEBRATE: New Kids on the Block Day
    https://nationaltoday.com/new-kids-on-the-block-day/

    • 21 min
    Robert Kraft, Nicki Minaj, Mark Driscoll & More - 4/23/2024

    Robert Kraft, Nicki Minaj, Mark Driscoll & More - 4/23/2024

    A Morning News Update That Takes Into Account The News Stories You Deem 'Highly Conversational'
     
    Today's Sponsor: YouTube TV
    thisistheconversationproject.com/youtubetv
      
    Today's Rundown:
    Trump’s $175 million bond in New York civil fraud judgment case is settled with cash promise
    https://apnews.com/article/trump-civil-fraud-trial-appeal-bond-9c727602732c683fde6edd64879611e7
     
    Patriots owner pulls funding for Columbia University over pro-Palestine protests
    https://justthenews.com/politics-policy/finance/robert-kraft-pulls-his-funding-columbia-university-over-pro-palestine
     
    Supreme Court declines to hear Kari Lake voting machine lawsuit
    https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4611220-supreme-court-declines-to-hear-kari-lake-voting-machine-lawsuit/
     
    Nicki Minaj Nearly Gets Hit by Flying Object During Detroit Concert, Throws It Back Into Crowd
    https://www.complex.com/music/a/alex-ocho/nicki-minaj-nearly-gets-hit-by-flying-object-concert?d_id=7567953&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook&utm_campaign=complexmag&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3LbC_sgJa-Lj-527rKOfBJvzyDkQpPhMBoi9BBjiZ_hV8HAXFX7UsFk3I_aem_AU7WaLHnTVujyXwTtHPXvl5Aia0evQC6sB2lQFmP0MDza3Rbjg_kCU6a3EvjYDV5LulTljaB7SmaNWHin6TeL4_2
     
    Michael Jordan Is Finally Finding Success as a Team Owner - In NASCAR
    https://frontofficesports.com/michael-jordan-is-finally-finding-success-as-a-team-owner/
     
    Republican Rep Roasts Matt Gaetz: ‘I Serve With Some Real Scumbags’
    https://www.thewrap.com/tony-gonzales-matt-gaetz-scumbags/
     
    David Beckham Sues Mark Wahlberg's F45 Fitness Company For 10 Million
    https://www.tmz.com/2024/04/21/david-beckham-sues-mark-wahlberg-f45-fitness-deal/
     
    Pastor John Lindell apologizes for inviting Alex Magala, Mark Driscoll to men’s conference
    https://www.christianpost.com/news/john-lindell-apologizes-for-inviting-alex-magala-mark-driscoll.html
      
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    #yournewssidepiece #coffeechat #morningnews
     
    ONE DAY OLDER ON APRIL 23:
    John Cena (47)
    John Oliver (47)
    Kal Penn (47)
     
    WHAT HAPPENED TODAY:
    1985: Coca-Cola changed its formula and released New Coke. The response was overwhelmingly negative, and the original formula was back on the market in less than 3 months.
    1988: Pink Floyd’s album Dark Side of the Moon, after spending the record total of 741 consecutive weeks (over 14 years) on the Billboard 200, left the charts for its first time ever.
    2020: Donald Trump suggested COVID-19 might be treated by injecting disinfectant or UV lights into a human body at a White House press briefing.
     
    WORD OF THE DAY: superfluous / [ soo-pur-floo-uhs ]
    being more than is sufficient or required; excessive
    https://thebigwordsproject.morebettermediacompany.com/?p=188
     
    PLUS, TODAY WE CELEBRATE: Talk Like Shakespeare Day
    https://www.nationaldaycalendar.com/national-day/national-talk-like-shakespeare-day-april-23#:~:text=In%202011%2C%20Illinois%20Governor%20Pat,day%20by%20the%20United%20Nations.
       
     

    • 22 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
10 Ratings

10 Ratings

MartyMar22 ,

Great news!

Love the take on news!! Love how you let us pick the top stories! Great online interaction; also like how you explain how the stories become top stories. Great way to get your quick recap of the weekly news!

Erkman27 ,

Topical and engaging

J really puts a great beat on the news with his smooth voice and direct approach. I really enjoyed the bit in the 3/17 episode speaking on Martin Schrecke as J offered some really funny moments in his serious update on the affair of which we are all familiar.

Emily S. Reviews ,

Straightforward & Insightful Weekly News Catch Up

#ThisIsTheConversation gives a great informative recap of top weekly news stories, a nice jumping point to get a quick glimpse into the weekly news and then from there be able to decide which stories you'd like to explore further if you wish. I didn't fully follow the stats/bracket breakdowns but host J Cleveland Payne's pacing was just fast enough for me to not to get hung up on that. I really enjoyed his short but sweet insight and thoughts on the societal impacts and issues at play with each story - gets you thinking! Also loved the shout outs to engaged listeners/fans at the end. The interview segment was fantastic as well, great questions for the guest (excited to check out the guest's podcast now) and presented in a nice straightforward fashion. Will definitely tune in again!

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