Talk Show Ambitions

On the SEASON 2 FINALE of Talk Show Ambitions I'm talking about the Summer! Summer Summer Summer Tiiiiiime! And I'm doing it with my favorite yapper, Ms. Misti Whitley! That's right, Misti's back and we're catching up on what makes summer a special season. We revisit my 2026 In/Out List, break down our favorite moments from the WNBA All-Star Weekend, discuss the King's landing in Philly, Jay-Z in NYC and so much more. So pour up your favorite cold drink, find a little shade and join the conversation!

Show Notes/Links:

https://www.si.com/nba/76ers/lebron-james-contract-includes-notable-trade-clause

Roydell and Alvasteen's Granddaughter (LOL): https://www.ejspeaks.com/

Real Simple Reservation Article: https://www.realsimple.com/reservation-culture-12016751

You know the songs. "Dead Presidents." "Rain." "Take Me As I Am." What you might not know is that Jay-Z, Total, and Mary J. Blige were all kneeling in the same garden — a quiet three-minute piano piece by jazz great Lonnie Liston Smith. This episode traces one man's melody through a whole generation of bangers, from a gospel house in Richmond to the Bronx block parties that birthed hip-hop to the crates a young producer dug through in Miami. It's a story about lineage, credit, and the artists who make the music the music — the sources who rarely get their flowers in time. Come for the samples. Stay for the source.

Show Links/References:

https://youtu.be/gVHCYIdbLg4?si=zBc1lal_CjchhvDt

DP Original Video: https://youtu.be/hCKXOgHmWhQ?si=bGAz_p4zGC4DYgZ3

DPII Album Version: https://youtu.be/p3grvCbdONk?si=2IECKewMPFXzT1vJ

Nas The World id Yours: https://youtu.be/U_u6mqary2A?si=nKXGqNvAayeXNVg0

MJB Take Me As I Am: https://youtu.be/Xe3nyNHPsLY?si=z6TjKOpr8bUa2Wvd

Total Rain: https://youtu.be/HdlrX49KbsQ?si=Vcya0JL3-JfZxixE

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Harmonizing_Four

https://richmondmagazine.com/arts-entertainment/music/virginias-greatest-show-never/

https://wbssmedia.com/artists/detail/3273

https://jointzoftheday.substack.com/p/lonnie-liston-smith-born-december-28-1940-cosmic 

https://www.whosampled.com/news/2014/04/01/top-10-most-sampled-jazz-artists-of-all-time/

https://www.kickmag.net/2014/02/23/throwback-36/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stetsasonic

https://www.uvm.edu/~debate/dreadlibrary/constantinides2004.htm

https://www.jazzisdead.com/lonnielistonsmith

https://www.jazzapedia.com/artists/lonnie-liston-smith

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Presidents_(song)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Breakthrough

https://vancouverdrummer.blogspot.com/2019/02/g-c-coleman.html

https://www.nine.com.au/world-news/today-in-history-february-5-on-this-day-amen-break-20250205-p5rohd.html

https://15questions.net/interview/lonnie-liston-smith-about-improvisation/page-1/

https://djbooth.net/features/2018-08-14-unreleased-jay-z-album-ski-beatz-interview/

Hey Friends! I am beyond excited to back in front of you after about a month off! I am back...the WNBA is back and I'm here to completely overreact with some opinions on player performance, team chemistry and the association's accessibility...might the fans be doing too much? Let's talk about it! Hit the comments up and let's discuss!

https://www.wnba.com/news/sparks-to-honor-lisa-leslie-with-statue

https://www.statmuse.com/wnba

https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/wnba/2026/05/28/wnba-aja-wilson-opens-up-about-relationship-future-family-plans/90286529007/

https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/48505618/wings-stifle-questions-azzi-fudd-paige-bueckers-relationship

https://collegefootballnetwork.com/wnba/paige-bueckers-echoes-aja-wilsons-frustration-calls-obsession-with-players-personal-lives-annoying/

I really miss the days of movies having banging soundtracks to accompany them. Once upon a time, it seemed like the 2 went hand in hand. On this episode I tap into a few of my favorite and noteworthy soundtracks, what made them special to me and beg the question...what happened to them? Where have all the soundtracks gone? Press play and let's discuss.

Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Fly_(1972_film)

https://wynkcountry.iheart.com/featured/black-music-month/content/2022-05-26-20-best-soundtracks-from-classic-black-films/

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-movie-soundtracks-1235083518/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claudine_(film)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaft_(Isaac_Hayes_album)

https://cuetherecord.org/

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/bronny-lebron-james-connect-for-father-son-alley-oop-vs-rockets/ar-AA21GNsS

*SPECIAL EDITION* It's April 4, 2026. I wasn't even supposed to record today, but last night in the National Semifinals Game of the NCAAW Final Four, Geno Auriemma tried it. He tried Dawn Staley...and we don't play that! In under 30 minutes I'll break down some history between the 2, how we got here today and a few thoughts on tomorrow...for the culture. Press Play.

Show Links:

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-basketball/story/_/id/48390619/geno-irate-ridiculous-officiating-confronts-staley-sideline-loss

https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/sports/dog-house/geno-auriemma-apologizes-after-tense-exchange-with-dawn-staley-after-uconn-loss/3721869/

https://x.com/SNYUConn/status/1909363136295248179?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1909363136295248179%7Ctwgr%5E5d910b7f91278db52d5590e4a90e1bed479c7041%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.si.com%2Fonsi%2Fwomens-fastbreak%2Fnews%2Fdawn-staley-calls-geno-auriemma-out-for-a-ja-wilson-south-carolina-statue-comment-01jt48wwa4vq

https://www.si.com/onsi/womens-fastbreak/news/dawn-staley-calls-geno-auriemma-out-for-a-ja-wilson-south-carolina-statue-comment-01jt48wwa4vq

https://new.cbssports.com/womens-college-basketball/news/dawn-staley-pushes-back-on-geno-auriemmas-comments-about-south-carolinas-physicality-im-sick-of-it/

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7171312/2026/04/04/geno-auriemma-dawn-staley-rivalry/

This week felt like a cultural shift. From March Madness to the WNBA's historic new CBA to the Oscars to Shawn Carter's return to the stage, we're witnessing visibility, value and ownership align in real time. Have a listen and join the conversation.

Show Notes:

WNBA CBA -

https://www.theringer.com/2026/03/19/wnba/wnba-cba-players-salary-agreement-details

NBAPA Congrats the WNBA-

https://www.instagram.com/p/DWFaNAijaIe/?img_index=2

Grambling Gets Its G -

https://www.sportico.com/law/analysis/2026/grambling-state-g-trademark-packers-uga-uspto-1234886487/

Jay-Z Returns-

https://www.rocnation.com/

The Oscars-

https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2026

Dawn Staley the Class Act-

https://hbcugameday.com/2026/03/20/dawn-staley-gifts-hbcu-squad-ahead-of-matchup-with-south-carolina/

HBCUs go dancing -

https://www.si.com/college/hbcu/basketball/hbcu-basketball-making-a-financial-impact

On this episode of Talk Show Ambitions, we’re heading back to 1990 to revisit one of the most joyful, iconic, and culturally significant (Black) comedies of all time: House Party.

Joined by two of my dear friends (Tomecka and Nick!) who love the film as much as I do, we break the movie down into four “quarters” — from Kid getting grounded, to his chaotic journey to the party, to the unforgettable party itself, and finally the fallout that brings the story home.

Along the way, we talk about the film as a true time capsule of 90's Black culture — the fashion, the music, the humor, and the sense of community. We also dig into the “before they were stars” ensemble cast, the real-life inspiration behind the movie, and how its soundtrack, from Luther Vandross to Public Enemy (Enema) helps drive its energy and lasting impact.

We debate some very important questions (including who really won that legendary dance battle), share our own house party memories, and reflect on how the film has aged more than 35 years later , and why it now sits in the Criterion Collection alongside some of cinema’s most celebrated works.

Whether you grew up watching House Party , got sick of your kids watching House Party or are discovering it for the first time, this episode is a celebration of a movie that reminds us of something powerful: sometimes the most meaningful cultural stories are the ones rooted in flat out joy!

Don't Kid around...Press play and come join the conversation!

Show Links:

https://www.framerated.co.uk/house-party-1990/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/House_Party_(1990_film)

https://www.theringer.com/2020/03/09/movies/house-party-30th-anniversary-history-kid-play

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2026/feb/25/al-green-addresses-his-black-people-arent-apes-protest-against-trump-video

Today's guest is the incomparable, Ron David. Mr. Fabulosity himself! My cousin and your (new) favorite creative! We discuss his life's journey from being a stylist to a real estate agent to a retail owner and everything in between. Ron talks to us about what it means to be FABULOUS and how to walk that walk even when life gets a little too real. We had so much fun with this one. Hang in there with us as Ron puts his phone on DND multiple times because he's just too popular :)

Show Links Below:

https://www.instagram.com/mr.rondavid/

https://www.rondavidstudio.com/ (Shop it Up)

https://unionmarketdc.com/tenants/mr-ron-david-cafe/ (Drink it up)

https://unionmarketdc.com/tenants/ron-david-studio/

Grammy's Tribute to D'Angelo and Roberta Flack:

https://youtu.be/poWHqE1kpJM?si=unzdj3b_hmE5LI88

Grammy's Article:

https://variety.com/2026/music/news/grammys-dangelo-roberta-flack-in-memoriam-lauryn-hill-1236646801/

1 year into this talk show game and I’m feeling super grateful! Let’s take a look back at our 1st year together and of course ahead for what’s to come! Thank you all for your listener questions and for making this episode and show what it is…all love!

Show Links:

Talk Show Ambitions 2025 Wrapped:

https://wrappedforcreators.byspotify.com/en/?id=391699a57f3af5e7666740b2096020bf9f6ac2b01a067fa4a142097ded9922af

https://www.netflix.com/title/81094163

https://www.essence.com/entertainment/mary-j-blige-las-vegas-residency/

https://www.unrivaled.basketball/

Just a few thoughts to get 2026 going. We’re a year into this journey…can you believe it? I’d love to hear from you too! Hit me up with your questions and comments on Talk Show Ambitions. We’ll read them or answer them on the official 1 year birthday party episode!

email: [email protected]