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We trace a viral baby monkey story to a larger conversation about belonging, then celebrate a historic leadership milestone at Johns Hopkins. From Colbert’s YouTube workaround to a courtroom grilling of Big Tech, we examine how platforms shape power, and why AI “companions” are a red flag for real connection. We close on the latest Prince Andrew developments and what institutional accountability should look like.

• Baby Punch’s rejection, social learning, and humane zoo intervention
• Why exotic pet buying spikes after viral moments
• Five Black surgical residents leading Halsted trauma at Johns Hopkins
• Representation as infrastructure for better care and ambition
• Colbert, equal‑time rules, and YouTube as a power lane
• Algorithms, teen harm, and the gap in platform accountability
• AI dating cafes versus the skills of human intimacy
• Prince Andrew, Epstein files, and the demand for daylight
• Upcoming live show details and listener feedback plans

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Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com.

Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com.

Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com.

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Hello, and thank you for listening to Thirsty Topics podcast! I'm Lawrence Elrod, and every week Meryl Klemow and I dive deep into the stories that matter, the conversations that shape our world."

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