2 Dope Boys & a Podcast

Leonard Dixon (ig:international_lenny) of Hypebeast.com joins us in studio this week to talk about what 'hypebeast' means, how a company retains 'cool', and the place of sneaker culture in political times.

Former basketball player and writer Paul Shirley (@PaulThenShirley) joins 2DB tonight to discuss his new book, 'Stories I Tell On Dates.' We also discuss misconceptions people have re: professional athletes, and why he wanted to produce a sitcom about NBA players that showed a *lack* of luxury in NBA lifestyles.

The return of Steve Lewis, nightlife correspondent for 2 Dope Boys, talking to us about his upcoming events with DJ Jonathan Peters at FREQ in NYC beginning December 1st. Why there are 'no clubs in Manhattan' currently. 'Cabaret Laws' and their effect on nightlife. De Blasio's governance of nightlife compared to prior NYC mayors.

Sydney Thomas (@sydneypaige10) investment associate at Precursor Ventures, joins us this week to discuss the turmoil in Silicon Valley. The importance of mentorships and personal relationships in private industry. How venture capital firms resemble minor fiefdoms. Why it’s becoming more apparent that utopian Silicon Valley rhetoric has departed from the actual reality.

Check out Sydney's list of black women in venture capital:

https://medium.com/@sydneythomas/the-list-of-black-women-in-vc-dff25e8d52dc

Strategist and designer Gitamba Saila-Ngita (@monumentsinking) joins us this week to discuss his approach to designing experiences and products. Further topics include the Boston experience and how to get corporations to think about what the next 150 years will look like.

This week, 2 Dope Boys returns with an On Point recorded in early August with Detavio Samuels (@Detavio), President of iONE Digital, to discuss how he set about building the company's stacked digital media division, which operates sites like CassiusLife.com, GlobalGrind.com, HelloBeautiful.com, NewsOne.com, Bossip.com, MadameNoire.com and HipHopWired.com. How Detavio was able to see branding and advertising from all important sides of the process. The importance of avoiding the 'Mushy Middle."

Creative and Marketer Kane Sarhan (@Kanes) joins us in studio this week to discuss his work with 1 Hotels.

Will people pay more to stay at, and be loyal to, a sustainable hotel? The importance of patience in creating something new, and the importance of long-term thinking. The “hustle and float” of creative enterprises. The nature of the competition between hotels and AirBnB.

Michael and Phil break down the infamous Google memo circulated by (since) fired James Damore.

Also, a note on a new phase for 2 Dope Boys.

https://www.recode.net/2017/8/11/16127992/google-engineer-memo-research-science-women-biology-tech-james-damore

Critical Mass’ Conor Brady (Chief Creative Officer) and Grant Owens (Chief Strategy Officer) joins us in studio this week to discuss design, particularly with sound interfaces.

@cbrady

@grantowens

www.criticalmass.com

Brand Eff Up:

“Hotel Industry Releases Attack Ad Accusing Airbnb Of Enabling Terrorists,” Gothamist

http://gothamist.com/2017/08/01/airbnb_terrorism_ad.php

What’s Up?

“Sen. Cory Booker just introduced a bill that could legalize marijuana nationwide,” Vox

(https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/8/1/16073124/cory-booker-marijuana-legalization)

What’s Next?

“‘Black America’: Amazon Alt-History Drama From Will Packer & Aaron McGruder Envisions Post-Reparations America,” Deadline

(http://deadline.com/2017/08/black-america-amazon-alt-history-drama-will-packer-aaron-mcgruder-envisions-post-reparations-america-1202139504/)

DitC:

P: Quincy Jones, ‘The Dude,’ Labelle, ‘Ladybirds’

G: “Four Laws of Prosperity,” by Edwene Gaines, Ryan Leslie, “I’ll Be Waiting.”

M: “The Experience of Insight,” by Joseph Goldstein