Culture wars don’t just trend, they shape how power moves. We dig into a week where celebrity influence and political spin collided: Nicki Minaj’s embrace of a hard-right stage that actively undermines Black and LGBTQ communities, JD Vance’s “stop apologizing for being white” applause line, and a devastating Hollywood family tragedy that shows how money can’t mend untreated pain. The connective tissue is influence and accountability, who wields it, who gets harmed, and what it takes to repair trust.

I talk through Nicki’s long relationship with the fans who fueled her rise and why this sharp pivot feels like betrayal, not evolution. We revisit the pattern of courting crossover success, then denouncing it when backlash hits, and the choice to praise figures who’ve mocked the very people who once championed her. Accountability isn’t about punishing art; it’s about honoring the communities that built the stage in the first place. When leaders double down instead of showing contrition, they tell us exactly where their loyalties lie.

Then we break down JD Vance’s soundbite as a classic dog whistle, confusing empathy with guilt and reframing equity as persecution. No one asked for apologies for being white; people asked for fairness, accurate history, and equal protection. That nuance gets lost because outrage is more clickable than honesty. Finally, we turn to the Nick Reiner case to confront the limits of wealth against addiction and mental illness. Allowances, access, and best intentions can still enable dysfunction without structure, evidence‑based treatment, and boundaries. The lesson is hard but necessary: resources matter, but accountability and care plans matter more.

If this conversation sparks a reaction, good —add your voice. Follow the show, share the episode with a friend who cares about culture and truth, and leave a review with your take. Your perspective helps shape where we go next.

Watch the video of this podcast HERE.

What happens when real friendship shows up on camera; bold, protective, and tender, and the internet can’t decide whether to cheer or sneer? We take you inside the public bond between Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, from warm interview moments to a tense red carpet scare that sparked headlines, memes, and a tidal wave of comments. The story becomes a mirror: a culture that says women should support each other, then punishes the sight of that support when it looks unapologetically close.

We unpack why visible affection between women draws suspicion, how maturity gets confused with emotional distance, and why a split-second act of protection can expose our own unmet needs. Along the way, we explore the difference between romantic safety and the distinct strength of platonic loyalty, the kind of ally who moves first without waiting for permission. You’ll hear a candid look at hypocrisy online, the role of envy in our reactions, and the power of modeling solidarity in public without turning it into performance.

If you’ve ever longed for a friend who reads your mind, finishes your thought, or stands in front when life surges, this conversation offers both language and a roadmap. We challenge the snark economy, argue for tenderness as a form of courage, and invite you to practice the gestures you want to receive: the check-in text, the steady hand, the quick defense when it counts. Listen, reflect, and share this one with the person who would leap for you, or the person you’d leap for. If the message resonates, follow the show, leave a rating, and tell me: what does real support look like in your life?

*Watch the video of this podcast on Youtube

The headlines felt like a punch, but what followed needed space: a careful look at Rob Reiner’s legacy across film, television, and public life. We start with the shock, then move into the work that defined him—how a sitcom son became a director who shaped modern storytelling and a citizen who put his name, time, and money behind causes that change lives.

I revisit the run that still towers over studio filmmaking: the dry genius of This Is Spinal Tap, the tenderness of Stand By Me, the fairy tale nerve of The Princess Bride, the chemistry clinic of When Harry Met Sally, and the taut moral showdowns of Misery and A Few Good Men. Along the way, sharing details that made the craft feel human, like an iconic line delivered by his mother, and why those choices reveal a director obsessed with timing, character, and truth. Advocacy is also a big part of Reiner's legacy: early childhood education, healthcare initiatives, marriage equality, reproductive rights, and the legal muscle built through the American Foundation for Equal Rights.

As breaking reports swirl speculations swell, we talk openly about addiction, homelessness, and possible serious mental illness not to sensationalize, but to argue for compassion and due process while investigators do their work. The goal is simple: honor the art, learn from the activism, and resist the urge to flatten complex lives into easy narratives.

If this episode resonates, I invite you to follow the show, share it with a friend who loves film history, and leave a review with your favorite Rob Reiner moment. Your notes help others find thoughtful, humane conversations when they’re needed most. Watch the video of this podcast here.

#UPDATE: LAPD has taken The Reiner's son Nick Reiner into custody in connection with his parents' death.

As a longtime collaborator with the legendary Barry Manilow, Sussman's success as a songwriter includes not only pop music juggernauts but also a litany of major animated film theme songs, musical books, and his most recent passion project and Broadway success, Harmony, A New Musical.

Harmony is a compelling collaboration between the renowned Sussman and Manilow. It’s been captivating audiences with a true story and real-life characters most of us know nothing about. The celebrated song-writing duo hopes to change that with an emotional stage experience that will finally grant the show's protagonists their rightful place in entertainment history.

I had the pleasure of discussing this new endeavor with Sussman. He shared that it took years to complete, and for him, as a proud Jewish American, it was so much more than just another musical.

A special thank you to Bruce for also allowing me a totally frivolous fanboy moment as I could not resist asking him about his iconic co-written Barry Manilow hit "Copacabana!"

Follow Harmony, A New Musical on Instagram

Misterb&b, like many great start-up concepts, was born out of necessity. Founder and entrepreneur Matthieu Jost sat down with me for an interview and revealed the upsetting homophobic incident that spurred the idea for his company.

In a nutshell, a few years back, Jost and his partner applied as guests at a short-term rental in Barcelona during a trip to Spain. However, they were quickly turned down after the owner realized they were gay.

They found new lodging in the Catalan capital, but the experience was still painful and disappointing. It got him thinking about what he could do to ensure LGBTQ travelers could find welcoming accommodations all around the world despite their sexual orientation.

The ordeal led him to carve out a long-overdue category in the travel industry with his brand emerging as one of the top travel resources for the LGBTQ community.

Have a listen to my discussion with Matthieu/ Read the interview at Instinct Magazine and book your next great Gaycation through Misterbandb!

Yuval David is an American actor, filmmaker and activist. His impressive resume includes notable roles such as Matvey Sokolov in the television series Madam Secretary, The Michael J. Fox Show, Disney's Beauty and The Beast, a regular on What Would You Do? and more.

Among Yuval's most acclaimed and socially conscious work however is One Actor Short — a guerrilla film-making project which he started in the streets of New York City and in production in Washington, D.C. aimed at uniting the world in a time of rising divisiveness.

To kick off the new year Yuval joins Corey Andrew in a special, inspirational 2 part episode of Core Issues. In their discussion on a range of important topics, Yuval explains the mission of One Actor Short which assembles a diverse cross-section of unsuspecting people - all of them strangers - cast as actors in impromptu pop-up film productions.

Learn more about Yuval:

• www.YuvalDavid.com
• YouTube.com/YuvalDavid
• Instagram.com/Yuval_David_
• Facebook.com/YuvalDavid
• Twitter.com/YuvalDavid
• IMDB.me/YuvalDavid

Tennessee-Born drag star Eureka became a season 9 and 10 fan favorite on the hit show RuPaul’s Drag Race. Her popularity put her on the map as one of the most beloved drag artists on the national drag performance circuit, and today she co-stars with fellow drag superstars Shangela and Bob The Drag Queen on the HBO Max documentary-series, 'We’re Here."

Previously, I had the pleasure of interviewing Eureka for leading LGBTQ site Instinct Magazine. We discussed the then-upcoming debut of "We're Here" and it's a pleasure to share that fun conversation.

So, chill, have a listen and learn more about the small town boy, David Huggard who is known today as the larger-than life Eureka, standing at 6 feet, 4 inches tall — WITHOUT HEELS!

Follow Eureka on Instagram and visit her website for more shenanigans!

Simone Gordon aka The Black Fairy Godmother, has made major headlines for her use of social media to provide emergency services for people in need.

Today, Simone is followed by major celebrity contributors, and she’s been featured in People, Parade, The Kelly Clarkson Show and Good Morning America to name a few. Simone and I spoke recently, and the Black Fairy Godmother explained the inspiration and motivation behind her incredible philanthropy.

Learn more. Follow Simone aka 'The Black Ferry Godmother' on Instagram and Facebook.