The Ebone Zone

Ethan Rivers
  • 5.0 (13)
  • COMEDY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to The Ebone Zone, make yourself at home among the Zoner community. Whether you're binge-listening, you're a casual fan or you're here for the first time, you'll love what goes on. Stay connected on Twitter @OfficialEBZ and Facebook @ebonezonepodcast New episodes are released Friday nights at 9:00 pm.

  1. 4D AGO

    A Different Kind of Mayor

    In a city known for keeping things weird, one neighborhood took civic engagement to a whole new level—by electing a dog as mayor. This week on The Ebone Zone, we head to Austin, Texas, where the iconic 37th Street Lights tradition collided with local politics in the most unexpected way. Residents cast more than 12,000 votes in a pet mayoral race that crowned Mo Bamba, a pug-Chihuahua mix rescue, as the neighborhood’s newest leader.  What started as a quirky stunt to boost voter turnout has evolved into a full-blown community event—complete with campaign strategies, smear ads, and a peaceful transfer of power between animals.  But beneath the humor is something deeper: a creative response to political disengagement, a reflection of community identity, and a reminder that sometimes the most unconventional ideas bring people together. Is this just a joke… or a model for rethinking civic participation?     This Week’s Featured Hashtag #WhatICantSayNoTo Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com  Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!

    9 min

  2. APR 25

    The Business of Selling Life in its Smallest Form

    When you think of wildlife trafficking, you probably picture ivory, exotic animals, or illegal poaching rings—not thousands of live ants packed into test tubes. But that’s exactly what landed one man in a Kenyan courtroom. In this episode of The Ebone Zone, Ethan dives into the bizarre yet eye-opening case of a Chinese national caught attempting to smuggle over 2,000 live ants out of Kenya—an operation that exposes a growing underground market for insects and a shift in global wildlife trafficking trends.      This Week’s Featured Hashtag #LyricsHallofFameNominees Other Interesting Things Where Does Maple Syrup Come From?  Quebec Maple Syrup Producers Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com  Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!

    13 min

  3. APR 18

    What Happened to the Taste?

    When a candy empire gets called out by its own legacy, people pay attention. This week on The Ebone Zone, we break down the controversy surrounding The Hershey Company and its iconic Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups after the grandson of the original inventor accused the company of quietly cutting corners. Are your favorite sweets really the same as they used to be—or have corporate decisions changed the taste without you noticing? Hershey denies altering the core recipe of its flagship product, insisting the classic peanut butter and milk chocolate formula remains intact. But the company admits that some variations across its expanding product line use different ingredients, sparking debate about quality, transparency, and what consumers are actually buying.  From rising cocoa costs to evolving product lines, this episode explores the tension between innovation and tradition—and asks the bigger question: at what point does a brand lose what made it iconic? If you’ve ever thought something tasted “off” but couldn’t prove it… this one’s for you. This Week’s Featured Hashtag #AWalkOnTheWildSideMeans Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com  Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!

    11 min

  4. APR 11

    Teleportation, FEMA, and a Story That Sounds Impossible

    A story straight out of science fiction has landed in the middle of American politics—and it involves disaster response, a diner chain, and a claim that’s left a lot of people scratching their heads. A story straight out of science fiction has landed in the middle of American politics—and it involves disaster response, a diner chain, and a claim that’s left a lot of people scratching their heads. In this episode of The Ebone Zone, Ethan dives into the bizarre controversy surrounding FEMA official Gregg Phillips, who once claimed he experienced a supernatural event that transported him roughly 50 miles to a Waffle House in Rome, Georgia. The claim surfaced from a past podcast interview and has since sparked scrutiny, jokes online, and serious questions about leadership in federal disaster response. According to reporting highlighted by The New York Times, Phillips described the experience as a sudden and frightening moment where he and his car were mysteriously transported without explanation. But when reporters went looking for answers, employees and regulars at the Rome locations of the diner chain said they had never seen him—and none reported anything remotely supernatural happening that day.  Phillips has framed the experience in religious terms and has said some of the comments came during a period when he was undergoing treatment for cancer and believed he might be dying. Meanwhile, critics have questioned whether such claims raise concerns about credibility for someone overseeing major disaster response operations.    This Week’s Featured Hashtag #DiscardedFightClubRules Other Interesting Things Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Post on Facebook Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com  Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!

    11 min

  5. APR 4

    The Price of Being There

    In this episode, Ethan dives into the story of a soccer superfan willing to make a massive personal sacrifice for the love of the game. One devoted England supporter is putting his second home on the market so he can afford to follow his team across North America during the 2026 World Cup.  The retired teacher plans to spend roughly seven weeks traveling across the United States, Mexico, and Canada to attend as many matches as possible, starting with England’s opener in Dallas.  But the story raises bigger questions than just fandom. With travel, lodging, and ticket prices climbing into the thousands, following a team through the tournament has become an expensive commitment that many fans simply can’t afford.  So where’s the line between passion and excess? Is this the ultimate example of dedication… or proof that the cost of global sports is spiraling out of control? This Week’s Featured Hashtag #ImNotAGoodActorBut Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com  Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!

    12 min

  6. MAR 28

    EBZ Interviews: Aaron Swain | Part Two

    Part two continues last week's conversation with Aaron Swain, shifting into the experiences that have come along the way. From favorite songs that have left a lasting impact to stories from the road, Aaron gives insight into life as a traveling Gospel singer. The conversation blends reflection and real-life moments, offering a look at the highs, challenges, and unforgettable encounters that come with the journey. Listen to Part One  CONNECT WITH JUSTIFIED QT. Facebook Instagram Website   SOUTHERN GOSPEL FORWARD YouTube Website  Facebook Aaron’s First Episode   OTHER RESOURCES Absolutely Gospel Singing News  Gospel Music Showcase  Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com  Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!

    48 min

  7. MAR 21

    EBZ Interviews: Aaron Swain | Part One

    In part one of this two-part conversation, Aaron Swain of The Justified Quartet goes beyond the music and into what defines him at his core. From his beginnings in Gospel music to the moments that shaped his calling, Aaron shares how his path has been guided by faith from the very start. He opens up about his personal relationship with Christ and delivers a powerful testimony that reveals the foundation behind both his life and his voice. This episode sets the stage with honesty, purpose, and the deeper meaning behind the music.  CONNECT WITH JUSTIFIED QT. Facebook Instagram Website ARTISTS AND SONGS THAT WERE MENTIONED Right on Time - McKameys I Stand Redeemed - Ron and Shelly Hamilton Trust Me – Wilds Christian Camp I Am the Water – The Perrys   The Longest Time – Billy Joel Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com  Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!

    56 min

  8. MAR 14

    A Robbery Lost in Translation

    In this episode of The Ebone Zone, Ethan dives into one of the strangest crime stories making headlines this year — a robbery attempt that relied on an unlikely accomplice: a translation app. Police say a man walked into an Ecuadorian restaurant in Newark, New Jersey, ordered a cup of coffee, then used Google Translate on his phone to announce a robbery and threaten the cashier. When the employee ran away from the register, the suspect reportedly tried to pull the entire register out himself — but failed — before throwing his coffee and fleeing the scene.  What followed was a bizarre mix of technology, assumptions, and human error. The suspect allegedly translated his demand from English to Spanish, apparently assuming the restaurant staff wouldn’t understand him otherwise — even though the cashier spoke English.  In this episode, Ethan breaks down the story, how a translation app became part of a crime attempt, and what it says about the increasingly strange ways technology intersects with everyday life — even when things go completely wrong. From digital tools in the real world to criminals who clearly didn’t think their plan through, this episode explores a moment where modern technology and human judgment collided in the most awkward way possible.   This Week’s Featured Hashtag #OddThingsToPutInAPie Send a text to The Ebone Zone! Support the show If you have questions or comments email ebonezonepodcast@yahoo.com  Follow the Ebone Zone on Twitter: https://twitter.com/OfficialEBZ Like the Ebone Zone on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebonezoneofficial/ Visit www.ebonezone.com for more content!

    11 min
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Trailers

5
out of 5
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About

Welcome to The Ebone Zone, make yourself at home among the Zoner community. Whether you're binge-listening, you're a casual fan or you're here for the first time, you'll love what goes on. Stay connected on Twitter @OfficialEBZ and Facebook @ebonezonepodcast New episodes are released Friday nights at 9:00 pm.

Information

  • Creator
    Ethan Rivers
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2026
  • Episodes
    492
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Timber Rapids Audio
  • Show Website
    The Ebone Zone