The show opens with Ebro, Laura and Rosenberg reacting to President Donald Trump’s meeting with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani at Gracie Mansion, including Mamdani’s response when Trump defended barring several news organizations from the White House. They also discuss the president’s declining approval numbers and the unusual political relationship between Trump and Mamdani.

Laura then discusses the latest development in the Nolan Wells case after a Mississippi grand jury found insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges in the 18-year-old’s death. The crew questions what remains unresolved and whether additional information from Wells’ family or an independent examination could provide more answers.

The largest conversation centers on the White House press ban. Ebony McMorris joins from Washington to explain how CNN, MS NOW and Politico’s removal affected the television press pool, why other major networks stopped providing pool coverage in solidarity and how the dispute is now moving through federal court. The outlets argue that the ban violates First Amendment and due-process protections.

The discussion also turns to the White House’s launch of Trump TV and what government-controlled messaging means for independent media coverage. Ebony explains the difference between the TV and radio pools — including why her AURN White House access remains intact — before previewing what journalists are watching next in the court fight.

• (00:00:00) Rosh Hashanah, calendars and life after Europe
• (00:02:10) Trump and Mamdani meet at Gracie Mansion
• (00:03:10) Mamdani reacts as Trump defends the White House press ban
• (00:05:05) The crew breaks down Trump and Mamdani’s political relationship
• (00:06:45) What happens when the White House press pool disappears?
• (00:08:30) No criminal charges in the Nolan Wells case
• (00:10:35) White House launches Trump TV
• (00:11:20) Major networks unite over the press-access fight
• (00:12:35) Lisa Leslie receives a statue in Los Angeles
• (00:15:25) Ebony McMorris joins from the White House
• (00:16:15) How the White House television press pool actually works
• (00:18:35) Press ban heads to federal court
• (00:21:00) Trump TV and the fight over government-controlled messaging
• (00:25:10) UN General Assembly, China and global tensions
• (00:28:05) What the press fight means for Ebony and the radio pool

-----------------------------

Experience the Culture: Catch Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg, and the rest of the network 24/7 on the Amplified Voices TV app: amplifiedvoices.com/podcast-ebro/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ebro and Laura dig into the backlash surrounding a Converse campaign image that critics said evoked a KKK hood and lynching imagery. Converse removed the ad and apologized, but the conversation turns to a bigger question: how does an image like that make it through multiple layers of a major corporate marketing operation, and was outrage itself part of the strategy?

Later, Ed Sheeran addresses the controversy surrounding Macklemore’s removal from his tour. Sheeran apologizes for mistakes, says venues should not pre-approve performers’ content and speaks publicly about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel. Ebro and Laura discuss the professional consequences artists and athletes can face when they speak on politically sensitive issues.

The Rundown also covers the 2026 VMAs and the White House barring CNN, MS NOW and Politico journalists from the grounds, a move the three outlets are challenging in federal court.

• (00:00:00) Yom Kippur Monday in New York
• (00:01:00) UN General Assembly week brings traffic, security and protests
• (00:03:50) ELR finds a new audience online
• (00:06:35) The controversial Converse ad sparks backlash
• (00:09:15) Converse apologizes and removes the image
• (00:10:30) How did the ad make it through the approval process?
• (00:12:45) Racist imagery, rage bait and corporate marketing
• (00:16:35) Ed Sheeran addresses the Macklemore fallout
• (00:18:50) Sheeran speaks about Israel and Gaza
• (00:23:00) Why speaking out can come with major consequences
• (00:26:50) Snoop Dogg hosts the 2026 VMAs
• (00:29:20) White House bars CNN, MS NOW and Politico
• (00:31:50) September 21 and the Earth, Wind & Fire dilemma

-----------------------------

Experience the Culture: Catch Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg, and the rest of the network 24/7 on the Amplified Voices TV app: amplifiedvoices.com/podcast-ebro/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rapsody joins Ebro, Laura and Rosenberg for Family Friday to talk about the freedom she has found at this stage of her career. She opens up about the space she has carved out for herself, running a relatively small team and the moment she stopped measuring success by industry expectations — describing 2024 as her “surrender year” and this chapter as her “freedom season.”

She also gets into God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops, working with live instrumentation, the influence of Terrace Martin and Denaun, her upcoming unplugged shows — and casually reveals that Stevie Wonder calls her on special occasions.

Later, Rapsody weighs in on Jay-Z and Colin Kaepernick, explaining why she believes Black communities need both business power and activism rather than choosing between the two. The conversation expands into Harry Belafonte, private dialogue, criticism and accountability before turning to Stephen A. Smith and the importance of listening when longtime supporters push back.

Chapters:
00:00:00 — Rapsody Joins Family Friday
00:01:55 — How Rapsody Keeps Her Career Organized With a Small Team
00:03:20 — Rapsody’s Jewelry Collection and Supporting Artists Through Vinyl
00:04:45 — Introducing the Kids to Turntables and Hip-Hop
00:07:25 — Maya’s Surprisingly Hardcore Taste in Rap
00:09:20 — Stevie Wonder Calls Rapsody on Special Occasions
00:11:30 — Is Rapsody Happy With the Space She Has Carved Out?
00:12:10 — God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops and Finding Artistic Freedom
00:14:30 — Why the Music Business Stopped Being Fun
00:15:35 — Terrace Martin, Denaun and Building the Album With Live Instruments
00:16:10 — Rapsody Prepares for a Run of Unplugged Shows
00:16:50 — When Does a Live Band Make Hip-Hop Better?
00:21:10 — Rapsody on Jay-Z, Kaepernick and Two Forms of Activism
00:24:40 — Why Private Conversations Still Matter
00:29:40 — Criticism, Accountability and Refusing to Make Everything All-or-Nothing
00:35:35 — Rapsody on Stephen A. Smith and Listening to Criticism

-----------------------------

Experience the Culture: Catch Ebro, Laura, Rosenberg, and the rest of the network 24/7 on the Amplified Voices TV app: amplifiedvoices.com/podcast-ebro/

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.