🎙 Joining Christopher is returning guest and sports commentator Eric Rivera, producer of Life and Whatever Else, and former WABC-TV Sports Department contributor.

In this episode, host Christopher dives deep with Eric, a lover of all things hoops, and together they unpack the wild journeys of professional athletes who made millions, spent even more, and somehow ended up back where they started: think Sebastian Telfair, Antoine Walker, Allen Iverson, and more.

Also on topic: from Trump’s new “Patriot Games” for high school athletes, to Dwight Howard debating mandatory military service, to Dennis Rodman reflecting on identity, masculinity, and being out and proud in the NBA, this episode explores the strange, hilarious, and sometimes heartbreaking intersections of sports, money, and culture.

Recorded at P&T Knitwear, Manhattan’s cozy bookstore and podcast cafe, this episode blends commentary, laughter, and real talk about life after the spotlight.

Grab something sweet to snack on, because lots of junk is about to get unpacked.

Hosted by storyteller and broadcaster Christopher Albert De La Roa, this episode blends cultural commentary, politics, sports, and humor.

https://www.christopheralbert.info/

Millions earned, millions lost. In this episode of The Junk and Jam Experience, we explore the all-too-common story of professional athletes who go from super-stardom dreams to a broke reality. Along the way, we dive into athletes wild and financial pitfalls, unfortunate personal setbacks, Dennis Rodman’s outrageous stories, and the hot garbage that is Trump’s announcement of a Patriot Games.

Sweet jam, sweeter laughs, and unfiltered conversation featuring chaos, culture, and cash gone sideways.

www.JunkandJam.com

In this powerful and inspiring episode of The Junk and Jam Experience, storyteller and host Christopher Albert De La Roa sits down with the remarkable Caron Tate — actress, writer, producer, playwright, and educator — whose fearless storytelling continues to shape and challenge the world of American theater.

Caron first made waves with her 1987 underground hit “Bumps!”, a raw and honest play inspired by her own experience as a topless dancer in Washington, D.C. Caron also shares what it was like performing in August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom at Studio Theatre in 1986, with August Wilson himself in the audience, and how portraying Dussie Mae deepened her understanding of women’s power and vulnerability.Caron joyously reflects on her early acting work in the PBS series Gettin' to Know Me, where her son Malik played her son, and how it has become a Black cult classic. She also discusses her acclaimed play “Power Points”, set at Howard University in 1968, exploring race, gender, and activism during a pivotal time for Black women in America.

Along the way, Caron shares deeply personal stories about growing up Black in the U.S., including painful encounters with racism and exclusion.Together, we explore the true meaning and power of storytelling — how it connects, heals, and empowers. And to close, we celebrate legendary Black actresses with a fun segment: Ebony Heroine Screen Queens!

Official Trailer — The Junk and Jam Experience presents an intimate and inspiring conversation with Caron Tate, the fearless writer, producer, playwright, and educator whose groundbreaking work has redefined storytelling for Black women in the arts.From her 1987 hit underground play “Bumps!”, born from her real-life experiences in D.C.’s performance scene, to her award-winning USC play “Power Points,” Caron Tate’s creative journey is one of truth, perseverance, and transformation.In this episode, Caron opens up about her early encounters with racism and discrimination, her rise through the world of theater and television, and the enduring power of art to heal, connect, and ignite change.

This special of The Junk and Jam Experience is all about trying to make sense of the madness, because the junk of the world could use a lot more sweet jam.

Host, storyteller, and broadcaster Christopher Albert De La Roa is joined by producer and sportscaster Eric Rivera who brings his own spicy commentary to the conversation.

💥 On Topic:

📍Torpedo BatsWhat are these MLB-inspired bowling pin-shaped bats? Innovation or marketing mania?

📍LED Glass Basketball CourtsA German company wants to replace traditional hardwood basketball court flooring with LED-glass floors. Better visuals, more ads... but is it safe?

📍NYC's Beloved Bodega CatsState regulations say no cats in food stores, but New Yorkers don’t seem to mind. Neither does Eric - and he is allergic!

📍Monsters Under the Bed are RealA Kansas babysitter finds a grown man hiding under a child's bed. We also share our own “WTF was that under the bed?” stories.

📍ANY CAR BUT A TESLABecause maybe it’s time we stop feeding Elon’s empire.

📍Erasing Harriet Tubman & Banning WordsOur current government has gone bananas. Why did the National Park Service scrub Tubman from Underground Railroad pages? Why is “Native American” banned from official language? Why is satire our only way to cope?

✸ Hit follow, subscribe, and share if you believe in calling out the absurd with heart, humor, and just the right amount of rage.

📌 More at: https://junkandjam.com/

This special of The Junk and Jam Experience is all about trying to make sense of the madness, because the junk of the world could use a lot more sweet jam. Host, storyteller, and broadcaster Christopher Albert De La Roa is joined by producer and sportscaster Eric Rivera, who brings his own spicy commentary to the conversation.

On this episode of The Junk and Jam Experience, Christopher Albert sits down with the brilliant and bold Anees — activist, community organizer, abolitionist, and lifelong learner — to talk about building safer, more just futures through collective care, protest, and healing.

Anees opens up about their journey from academia to street-level activism, shares insights on prison abolition, protest safety, and reflects on identity, family, and cultural belonging. From Pro-Palestinian demonstrations, to abolition and overpolicing, the Land back Movement, and spiritual herbalism — this convo is as empowering as it is expansive.

🎤 Featuring:

• Community safety & abolitionist organizing

• Personal stories of resilience, healing, and joy

• Equitable education and resources in a changing political landscape

• Protest, poetry, Taekwondo, and tender truth bombs

📣 Plus: A hilarious game of “Who’s THEY IS, HUH?” — because modesty looks better on men anyway.

Entertainment with a 🖤.

#TheJunkAndJamExperience #Anees #PrisonAbolition #CommunityCare #ProtestSafety #SpiritualHerbalism #Identity #StorytellingAsActivism #PalestineSolidarity #AfroLatino #DiasporaVoices #HealingJustice #ChristopherAlbert

On this upcoming episode of The Junk and Jam Experience, Christopher Albert sits down with the brilliant and bold Anees — activist, community organizer, abolitionist, and lifelong learner — to talk about building safer, more just futures through collective care, protest, and healing.

The Junk and Jam ExperienceEntertainment with a 🖤

#TheJunkAndJamExperience #Anees #PrisonAbolition #CommunityCare #ProtestSafety #SpiritualHerbalism #Identity #StorytellingAsActivism #PalestineSolidarity #AfroLatino #DiasporaVoices #HealingJustice #ChristopherAlbert

Producer, Broadcaster, Host and Commentator, Eric Rivera joins host Christopher Albert to talk about his love and journey in sports, including his early participation in indoor track and Taekwondo - both of which he was not so great at, to his study of Mass Communications and an affinity for sports play-by-plays. 

They do touch on social issues, including the topic of Transgender athletes who currently face increasing discrimination and inequality in sports participation, and take some time to celebrate Black athletes, including Simone Biles, Steph Curry, and Black Puerto Rican athletes Roberto Clemente, and Jasmine Camacho-Quinn.

For fun, they delve into some research to find out exactly how many other Eric Rivera’s there are in the world - including a football player, and a football player’s murderer. Yikes! Eric also partakes in a game that tests his knowledge of sporting venues - stadiums and arenas. 

The show closes with some heartfelt advice for anyone struggling with the grief of losing a loved one. 

www.JunkandJam.com

Coming Up Next

Producer, Broadcaster, Host and Commentator, Eric Rivera joins host Christopher Albert for a sit down interview.

On Topic: Transgender Athletes, The Celebration of Black Athletes, and Sports Venues

www.JunkandJam.com