Billy Dees Podcast

Recorded live on Friday, September 19, 2025, at 8:00 PM EST, hosts Billy Dees and Cynthia Elliott dive into the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel’s dismissal from ABC. From there, the conversation expands into a deeper examination of free speech—both on the broadcast airwaves and in the broader public forum.

The airwaves are public property, leased by the government to private broadcasters under the expectation that they serve the common good. But what happens when programming delivers heavily slanted political commentary or outright misinformation? Is that really in service of the public?

This thought-provoking discussion explores multiple dimensions of free expression, responsibility, and the balance between profit and the public interest.

Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

Cynthia Elliott on X https://x.com/shamanisis

Our guest on this episode is Terry Whalin—a true insider in the publishing world who knows both sides of the editorial desk. As an editor and writer, Terry has worn many hats, shaping stories and guiding authors to success. His work has appeared in more than 50 publications, and he’s penned over 60 books spanning everything from children’s titles to biographies and collaborations.

Terry’s career includes time as a magazine editor, a book acquisitions editor for multiple publishers, and even a stint as a literary agent. Today, he serves as an acquisitions editor with Morgan James Publishing, continuing to champion great ideas and authors.

Over 20 years ago, Terry made headlines when he wrote a diet book, First Place by Carole Lewis, in just eleven days—selling more than 100,000 copies. His latest release, 10 Publishing Myths: Insights Every Author Needs to Succeed (Morgan James Publishing), offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the realities of the publishing world.

A sought-after speaker and teacher at writers’ conferences across the country, Terry is also an active member of the American Society of Journalists and Authors. He and his wife, Christine, make their home in Southern California. https://terrywhalin.blogspot.com/

You can follow Terry on X https://x.com/terrywhalin

You can follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

The nation is reeling after the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, conservative political activist and co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was killed after being shot at an event at Utah Valley University. His passing has sent shockwaves far beyond political lines, drawing an outpouring of grief and condemnation from leaders across the aisle. President Donald Trump called him “loved and admired by ALL, especially me,” and ordered flags to fly at half-staff in his honor.

In this heartfelt episode, hosts Billy Dees and Cynthia Elliott discuss the profound impact of this loss. Together, they reflect on Charlie Kirk’s legacy, the intensity of today’s political climate, and what moments like this mean for the future of public discourse in America.

Our guest this episode is Kay A. Oliver — a dynamic storyteller with decades of experience in Hollywood as a producer, writer, and director. With degrees in Radio/TV/Film and an MBA in Business, Kay built a successful career in entertainment before taking the leap into writing novels.

She’s known for creating strong, imperfect, and relatable women — often professionals like archaeologists and anthropologists — who face life’s challenges with humor and resilience. Her debut novel Disturbed Tombs kicked off the Dr. Kaili Worthy series, followed by Grave Disturbances and the upcoming Disturbing Remains. She’s also the author of Road to Elysium and the heartfelt Ice Cream Moments, which explores family dynamics in a deeply human way.

Recognized in Marquis’ Who’s Who in America 2024, Kay is passionate about telling stories that matter — stories that entertain, inspire, and highlight women’s voices in ways Hollywood too often overlooks.

Kay A. Oliver Website https://kayaoliver.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/authorkayaoliver

Our guest this episode is Dan Schaefer—a progressive political leader, engineer, and former candidate for the Missouri House of Representatives (District 97). His grassroots campaign focused on restoring reproductive rights, defending public education, and protecting the voice of working people.

Looking ahead to 2026, Dan plans to run again—either for State House District 97 or State Senate District 22. Known as a bold advocate for democratic principles, he has consistently spoken out against authoritarian overreach in state politics and efforts to undermine voter-driven initiatives.

Dan brings a rare blend of practical wisdom, policy expertise, and unwavering commitment to people over power. Whether he’s discussing union rights, economic justice, or civil liberties, he speaks with clarity, conviction, and compassion.

He is also the creator of Frontline Progressive, a newsletter spotlighting threats to democracy and uplifting grassroots action. With over 200 interviews from his past podcasting work, Dan continues to bring substance, energy, and insight to every conversation.

This interview was recorded on August 27, 2025.

You can find more about Dan on his website https://www.dan4mo.com/
Dan’s Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dan4mo  

You can find Billy Dees links here https://linktr.ee/BillyDees

This conversation explores emerging technologies that blur the line between human experience and artificial intelligence. On one hand, there’s excitement about innovations like Google’s emotional AI, smart skin, and AR memory glasses, which could transform healthcare, education, therapy, and even human connection. Similarly, advances such as Samsung’s dream monitoring and Meta’s mind-reading interface hold promise for diagnosing mental health conditions, restoring communication for the paralyzed, and deepening our understanding of the brain. Tools like Microsoft’s holographic teleportation and training robots such as Kaiwa’s pregnancy simulator also highlight the potential of technology to expand learning and accessibility.  

At the same time, the discussion raises deep ethical and societal concerns. Emotional AI and smart skin introduce risks of manipulation, surveillance, and commodification of intimacy. Technologies like AR glasses and dream monitoring threaten privacy at its most personal levels, while mind-reading interfaces raise questions about cognitive freedom. Even seemingly helpful innovations like pregnancy robots risk desensitization or erasing lived experiences.

Finally, the rise of sexualized robots and generative AI poses challenges around consent, objectification, addiction, and bias. Altogether, the conversation weighes the incredible opportunities of these tools against their potential to exploit, manipulate, or undermine core aspects of human dignity and trust. 

This program was produced live Saturday August 23, 2025, at 8:00pm EST.

You can find Cynthia Elliott on X https://x.com/shamanisis

Soul Tech Foundation https://soultechfoundation.org/ai-literacy-training

Billy Dees Online https://linktr.ee/BillyDees

Alan Katz has lived the wild ride of Hollywood—writing and producing films and shows like HBO’s legendary Tales From The Crypt. His career has taken him to the highest highs and darkest lows of showbiz, and he’s ready to spill every twisted story along the way.

Entertainment Weekly named the debut season of his How NOT To Make A Movie Podcast the “Best Film Podcast of 2022.” That’s when Alan realized he’d finally become what he always wanted to be when he grew up: a podcaster.

You can find Alan's podcast here: https://thedonorpodcast.com/

When reality wasn’t enough, J.F. Monroe built her own universe. In her Legacy of the Four trilogy, ancient powers walk among us, destinies shift, and courage rewrites fate.

Drawing inspiration from The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and even Christopher Nolan’s mind-bending plots, Monroe blends epic adventure with deeply personal journeys.

At the core of her stories is one truth: the greatest magic comes from human connection. 

Website https://www.jfmonroebookshelf.com/

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jf.monroe/

TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@jf.monroe?_t=ZP-8sbcQQzxU5u&_r=1

You can follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

Zafra Lerman has spent her life proving that science—infused with compassion and creativity—can bridge even the deepest divides. From her childhood in Israel to advising U.S. leaders at the White House, and from classrooms to conflict zones, she has brought together scientists from opposing nations, pioneered teaching chemistry through the arts, and championed science education as a basic human right. 

In her memoir, Human Rights and Peace: A Personal Odyssey, she shares the setbacks, triumphs, and inspiring moments that shaped her belief in science as a tool for peacebuilding—and offers lessons in courage, hope, and collaboration that the world urgently needs.

Zafra M. Lerman, Ph.D., FRSC
President, Malta Conferences Foundation
Distinguished Professor of Science and Public Policy (Emerita)
Columbia College Chicago  

Human Rights and Peace: A Personal Odyssey https://www.amazon.com/dp/9815129724?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TASNR2KYK5G2EK9P25DG&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TASNR2KYK5G2EK9P25DG&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_TASNR2KYK5G2EK9P25DG&bestFormat=true&csmig=1

MaltaConferencesFoundation.org https://www.maltaconferencesfoundation.org/

Zafra Lerman Website https://zafralerman.com/

Buckle up, because this episode goes completely off the rails—in the best way possible.

First up, we dive into the media’s favorite pastime: wildly speculating about suspects while the situation is still unfolding. (What could possibly go wrong?)

Then, things get tight—literally—as we unpack the bizarre internet uproar over Sydney Sweeney’s jeans. Are they just denim, or a coded message from the fashion-industrial complex? We explore the wild theories, questionable genetics talk, and somehow end up in a conversation no one saw coming.

Finally, we wrap things up with a look at NPR’s identity crisis and Tulsi Gabbard’s dramatic unveiling of “Operation Mockingbird.” Spoiler: it’s not a new Netflix thriller—yet. It’s smart, it’s snarky, and it might just be plain weird.

You can Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

And Cynthia Elliott on X https://x.com/shamanisis