Shake It Off with Mert & Lucas

Lucas A. Ferrara & Mert Roberts
  • 5.0 (1)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Tune in each week, as an established lawyer, and a self- proclaimed “man of the people,” debate some of the hottest issues impacting our city, state and nation. 

  1. 2D AGO

    Hour 2: The Santa Claus Paradox | Dr. Anthony Silard on Love and Suffering

    This second hour unpacks the enigma of Santa Claus—how a beloved childhood figure evolved into a global symbol shaped by commerce, culture, and social conditioning, with belief patterns, global traditions, and psychological impacts woven throughout. The hour continues with an examination of Santa’s origins, commercialization, and cultural influence, capped by a lighthearted trivia quiz that highlights both the charm and complexity of the myth. The show wraps with an interview featuring Dr. Anthony Silard, a leadership scholar and professor of public policy, whose new book Love and Suffering (2025) examines the emotional barriers that hold us back from love, leadership, and meaning. Website for the podcast: https://www.nfllp.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    50 min

  2. 2D AGO

    Hour 1: The Business of Being “Green” | S.A. Stolin on The Doc’s Christmas Miracle

    Episode 76 opens with a deep dive into the booming market for “green” products—and the rising consumer demand driving it, especially among Gen Z and Millennials. The hosts then expose how widespread greenwashing has become, breaking down the data, scandals, and regulatory crackdowns that show just how often companies mislead the public about their environmental impact. The hour closes with an interview featuring Dr. Stefanie Stolinsky, a forensic psychologist and trauma specialist who—writing as S.A. Stolin—introduces her new holiday novel The Doc’s Christmas Miracle (2025), a story of second chances, faith, and healing set in a snow‑covered mountain town. Website for the podcast: https://www.nfllp.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    54 min

  3. DEC 15

    Hour 2: Combatting Illegal Orders or Flirting with Sedition? | Darin Kinder’s 9/11 Survival Story

    The hosts explore the uproar over the video made by six Democratic lawmakers reminding U.S. service members of their duty to refuse unlawful orders—a message denounced by President Trump as “seditious.” They examine the clash between discipline and constitutional fidelity, the governing legal standards, and how public opinion reveals sharp partisan divides. The show concludes with an interview featuring Darin Kinder, retired U.S. Secret Service agent and author of Bury Me in a Dirty Suit (2025), his gripping account of surviving the South Tower collapse on 9/11 and reflections on courage, faith, and purpose. Website for the podcast: https://www.nfllp.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    50 min

  4. DEC 15

    Hour 1: The Olympics and Trans Athlete Eligibility | Rachel Corbett on Criminal Profiling

    Episode 75 examines how the Olympics and global federations have increasingly barred transgender women who experienced male puberty from competing in female categories, citing enduring biological advantages and safety concerns. It highlights the political and cultural divide, with most countries and U.S. states favoring restriction while California insists on inclusion, fueling a national clash over fairness versus civil rights. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Rachel Corbett, an American journalist and author whose latest book, The Monsters We Make: Murder, Obsession, and the Rise of Criminal Profiling (2025), traces the evolution of profiling from Victorian-era cases to modern predictive policing. Website for the podcast: https://www.nfllp.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    55 min

  5. DEC 8

    Hour 2: Reparations: Moral Repair & Financial Duty | Chris Najera on The Hard Truth!

    The hosts unpack the long‑running debate over reparations, tracing broken promises from “40 acres and a mule” to today’s wealth gaps affecting Black and Indigenous communities. It explores practical funding ideas — from government budgets and corporate accountability to philanthropy, universities, new industry taxes, and social bonds — while framing reparations as both moral repair and financial responsibility. The show wraps with an interview featuring Christopher J. Najera, a certified life coach, public speaker, and author of The Hard Truth! Stopping Alcohol, a candid guide to overcoming dependency.  Drawing on over 30 years of lived experience, he empowers others with raw honesty, practical tools, and a deep commitment to helping people reclaim their lives from alcohol. Website for the podcast: https://www.nfllp.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    50 min

  6. DEC 8

    Hour 1: Free Speech vs. Platform Power | Michael Bedenbaugh on Reviving Our Republic

    Episode 74 begins with a look at the battle between free speech and platform moderation, where the First Amendment protects against government censorship, but private platforms set their own rules. From Musk’s “hands-off” Twitter/X experiment to Europe’s Digital Services Act, the debate shows how moderation—whether by humans, AI, or governments—inevitably reflects politics, values, and power struggles over the digital public square.  The hour concludes with an interview featuring Michael Bedenbaugh, a leading voice in historic preservation and civic engagement. He is the author of Reviving Our Republic and host of the podcast of the same name, where he examines the intersection of history, governance, and community development. Website for the podcast: https://www.nfllp.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    55 min

  7. DEC 1

    Hour 2: Wall Street vs NYC Mayor: Stefanik’s Rise | Christopher Henze on Wise Women

    The hosts discuss a Washington, D.C. event where Wall Street’s elite bristled at Mayor‑elect Mamdani’s push for wealth taxes, rent freezes, and free transit—policies viewed as a direct threat to their power.  Into that tension stepped Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whose gubernatorial campaign quickly became the business community’s rallying point against the city’s leftward turn and Governor Hochul’s embattled leadership.  The show concludes with Christopher Henze, a filmmaker and cultural disruptor whose documentaries and dramas probe the collision of truth, pain, and power. His latest project, Wise Women: Humanity’s Untold Origins, reframes menopause as an evolutionary advantage that shaped human survival. Website for the podcast: https://www.nfllp.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    50 min

  8. DEC 1

    Hour 1: Inflation & Affordability: GOP’s Big Weak Spot | Kurt Warner Talks False Idols

    Episode 73 examines how inflation and affordability have become critical political liabilities for President Trump and the Republican Party, particularly in the wake of recent electoral defeats in key states. Drawing on consumer sentiment data, economic trends, and voter polling, the show highlights the widening gap between official messaging and Americans’ lived financial realities. The hour concludes with an interview featuring Kurt Warner, a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and author of False Idols: How Diversion is Destroying Democracy, which critiques how celebrity adoration and distraction erode civic engagement. Website for the podcast: https://www.nfllp.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    55 min
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Tune in each week, as an established lawyer, and a self- proclaimed “man of the people,” debate some of the hottest issues impacting our city, state and nation. 

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