As a nation, we find ourselves careening toward a certain reckoning, an undeniable state of egregious political affairs and social ills that have been generations in the making. Yet, as a nation, we by and large choose to compartmentalize these ills, as if their the sole result of today's largely turbulent and often times acrimonious digital vortex.

BUT we all know these things didn't just happen out of nowhere, don't we? And surely we understand our social fabric didn't start fraying with the ascendency of Donald J. Trump to the presidency of these United States, don't we? Of course we do.

Consider this: The first thing a physician does when seeking to faciitate a proper diagnosis is to inquire after the patients medical HISTORY. The first step in resolving current medical ills is to understand the history of how those ills formed in the first place.

And so it is with America. While we are undoubtedly the most economically powerful and military capable nation on earth, we are nonetheless fractured and unwell. We are that family at the reunion who is uncomfortable because no one wants to be honest about the ugliness that happened to us years ago. But if we are to ever reach our promise and full potential, we must be honest about how our ills began. And our ills, America, began at this nation's very inception and are written in blood on its founding document.

This is OUR AMERICA. It's a Black, White, Latino, Asian, Muslim, LGTBQ and every religion and creed you can think of America. But if we ever hope to heal our America, we need to be honest about OUR AMERICA. Thanks for listening.

Charles Malik Whitfield is a man that really needs no introduction. He's portrayed icons like Otis Williams of The Temptations and acted opposite legends like Gene Hackman in Behind Enemy Lines. He's risen through the ranks and starred in hit franchises like NCIS, American Horror Story and Fox's recent smash, Empire . For all his success, he still marvels that he gets to work with innovators like Tasha Smith and that he's presently working alongside industry titan Tyler Perry for Oprah's OWN TV show, "If Loving You Is Wrong."

But what was great about our conversation is that Malik has an abiding empathy and connection to the underdog, those striving hard to make it. He remembers when he was in that position and he opens up to us in great detail about those tough days at the dawn of his stellar career. His heart is full of encouragement, wisdom and kindness. He believes in the success of others and you will hear him uplift his friends mightily while down playng his own accomplishments. This was my second time speaking with Malik, this veritable Future Legend, and he's still grounded, still maintains the outlook that he's just a kid from the Bronx doing his best to make it for himself as well as with a strong emphasis on helping others along in the process. Salute.

The fact that Dr. Anita Cal wrote the TBS family comedies Tyler Perry's House of Payne and Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns isn't all that makes her exceptional. In our opinion, what really makes this award-winning author, Pepperdine graduate and business mogul so irresistibly dynamic is her ability to empower others, to kindly and empathetically wrap the fullness of her soul around both the issues and individuals she cares so deeply about and just let her light shine. During our conversation, Dr. Cal speaks with us in candid and refreshing detail about her unlikely rise in the entertainment industry-she didn't even plan on it. Her take on frienemies-you have to hear this. The incredibly moving advice she would give to her twentysomething year old self-prepare to be inspired.

Dr. Cal is currently on location in Los Angeles filming the upcoming television series, Beyond the Badge, which will give viewers a much needed and compassionate window of insight into the everyday lives of members of the law enforcement community. The production will star friend to the show, Don Wallace, his wife and Bosch and General Hospital actor Daya Vaidya, Alice Amter from Big Bang Theory and a host of other exceptional talent that's she's brought together for the show.

Do yourself a solid and listen to what this incredible individual has to say about her journey as I'm certain you will find inspiration in it for your own. Trust me, you'll thank yourself later.

To those in the ill-informed majority, the idea of an angry black man is seen as a sign of incivility, lack of control or a precursor to some sort of violent act. Even many in the minority, including African-Americans, fear that an angry black man will make them look bad, encroach upon their acceptance in their respective power structure or somehow compromise or besmirch their social standing ... Relax, white America. Stop running for cover, black America. Anger is simply an emotion. A natural response in the face of gross injustice. Chief among said injustice is the fact that cops are getting away with the murder of young African American men. Anger in the face of such egregiousness warrants no apology or shame. It warrants a strong and unyielding multiplicity of voices. It warrants strategic mobilization. It warrants landscape-changing fury.

In this episode, not only is the case for black anger in America made, but we also analyze in meticulous and historical-based detail why said anger is countered with irritation, dismissiveness, slander and condescension. And what is said here will not be well-recieved. Buckle the fuck up.

The presidency of the United States of America has devolved from a position that was once the pinnacle of public service to an office that has become the emodiment of a sense entitlement and dictatorialism reminisdcent of medieval kingships. And it didn't just start with Donald Trump; these false gods have steered the direction of our nation for quite some time.

Day 102ish of the trainwreck that is the #presidency of Donald J. Trump. He lies without cause, he's petulant beyond belief, geo-politically inept, clueless as far as domestic policy is concerened and he's flip-flopped on more positions than a $2 prostitute at a sales convention. Oh, and to top all that off, the wünderkind that is the leader of the free world in an epic display of cowardice, recently stated that "being president is harder than I thought" and that he "missed" his "old life." Probably the best words he's ever uttered as commander-in-chief as we wish he would would simply get on his jet and go home like the spoiled ass he is.

He reached the top of the boxing world and at one point was the terror of weight class. His fight against Prince Naseem Hamed in Madison Square Garden has been rated one of the top 100 sporting moments of all time. He finished his stellar career with a more than respectable 72 fights, 60 wins and 39 by KO. Boxing great Kevin "The Flushing Flash" Kelley blessed the booth this week and reveals never before told thoughts on the historic Prince Hamed fight, who his greatest opponent was and how, amazingly enough, he never even intended to become a boxer--you won't believe what he actually wanted to be--but nontheless ascended twice to the championship of the world. Thank you for listening.

White Supremacist Dylann Roof. Black Nationalist Kori Ali Muhammed. Facebook Kiler Steve Stephens. Aurora Colorado Theater Mass Murderer Jonathan Holmes ... Their acts are sensationalized by the media. The response to their heinous acts is, without fail, one of unified disgust, horror and outrage. Yet for all of our collective indignation, we rarely get to the REAL STORY surrounding these tragic events in our national discourse and continue to settle for reactive and rhetorical condemnation of these acts rather than work toward a solid and proactive legislative strategy to prevent, or at least largely mitigate them.

Fact is, these killers don't see the world as the rest of us ... for while their bodies may function as the living they are morally, mentally and emotionally dead. Therefore, it is upon us who consider ourselves of intact moral compass, to do all we can to insure that the dead who walk among us do not wreak havoc among our ranks. Is the answer universal background checks? Is it more intense psyhological evals of those who seek to own firearms? Whatever the solution we need it fast. Mere words will not cut it any longer. For when dead men die, when they lash out with their final, hateful and oftentimes murderous gasp, it is the living who stand helplessly by and pay the most woeful of prices. Question is, how much more are we willing to pay?

Follow Angela!

+ Twitter: @matemotjaFilms

+ Feature film: www.elevatefilm.com

+ Podcast: www.indiefilmtribe.com

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Some individuals just have a unique and special light about them. And such is definitely the case with Angela Matemotja. With all grace, clarity and candor the award-winning independant film actor, producer, director and writer speaks with us this week regarding her upcoming feature film 'Elevate' and just how her culturally diverse upbringing at the hands of her Russian mother and South African father shaped both her passion for and voice within the dramatic arts. Her journey is a unique and wholly inspiring one. How exactly does one go from growing up in places like the former Soviet Union and East Africa only to end up in America and working with industry titans like Tyler Perry? Motivation is here, inspiration is here ... and her name is Angela Matemotja. Thanks for listening.

Follow Derek!

+ Twitter: @AnathemaTheFilm

+ Facebook.com/DerekVitatoe

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This week we speak with feature film director Derek Vitatoe whose debut effort, 'Anathema', stars industry veterans Angie Everhart, David Andrews as well as the unique talents and star power of fellow director, actor and friend to the show, Don Wallace. Derek speaks clearly and concisely regarding his journey from writing the script for 'Anathema' to bringing its startling and deliciously horrific vision to the big screen. He also offered inspiring, uplifting and informative words for those who aspire to walk the path he considers himself both fortunate and blessed to. Derek's intelligence is ferocious yet his spirit is humble. He has the confidence of one who's been in the industry a lifetime yet is wise enough to remain open to the experience of those assembled around him. He confided in us that this was his very first interview as a director, let alone one that would afford him national exposure. We found this incredibly hard to believe as he handled himself like a seasoned pro. Rest assured, this will not be the last time the world will hear from Derek Vitatoe nor will this be the only platform to give way to his charismatic and empathetic voice. Listen to this episode and we are certain you will agree.