A Song Called Life

In Episode #284, rapper Nickelus F sits down with Osi to discuss his latest album The Undisputed. They discuss the shift from pursuing recognition to embracing creative freedom, and how years of experience have shaped a quieter but more grounded confidence in Nickelus' work. Their conversation also touches on Richmond’s cultural imprint, the lasting influence of the blog era, and the balance between artistic independence, legacy, and the simple act of continuing to create.

In Episode #283, Yaya Bey sits down with Osi to discuss her latest album, Fidelity. Their conversation focuses on the emotional cost of chasing success, the importance of protecting your peace in an industry built on constant motion, and how vulnerability has become central to both Yaya’s life and music. They also discuss the making of Fidelity, from its blend of jazz, hip hop, soul, and dance music to the deeper questions of devotion, burnout, gratitude, and what it means to keep creating without losing yourself in the process.

In Episode #282, Tiwayo sits down with Osi to discuss their latest album, Outsider.Their conversation focuses on Tiwayo’s path from the Paris suburbs to a sound shaped by blues, gospel, and Memphis soul, as they discuss how loss, family history, and lived experience show up in his music. They also discuss his return to live instrumentation, the role of performance in soul, and what it means to make work that stays rooted in tradition while still feeling personal and current.

In Episode #281, Amy Gadiaga sits down with Osi to discuss her latest EP, BabyGoated. The conversation moves through her path from France to London, the shift from fitting into jazz tradition to defining her own lane, and her decision to center authenticity over expectation, as they discuss how her Afro-French background, teenage uncertainty, and experiences in male dominated spaces pushed her toward a more self defined, genre crossing sound.

In Episode #280, artist Hannah Lew joins Osi to discuss her latest album, Hannah Lew.They discuss her shift from years of collaboration into a solo identity, what it meant to finally release music under her own name, and how her background across music and visual art shapes the way she tells stories. They also discuss how success should be defined as an artist, choosing honesty and connection over metrics, and what it takes to stay true to yourself in an industry that often rewards the opposite.

In Episode 279, Edwin Raphael sits down with Osi to discuss his latest album, I Know A Garden. They touch on ideas of home and identity, unpacking how Edwin’s sense of belonging has shaped both his life and his music. Their conversation moves through instinct, environment, and creative growth, framing the album as a living space built from experience and continually evolving.

In Episode #278, Oakland based artist Sophia Yau-Weeks sits down with Osi to discuss her latest album Misty Mountain.They talk through her roots in Oakland, her time living in London, and the stretch of isolation and illness that influenced her music. The album unfolds as a series of personal stories about love, grief, and figuring herself out, with a songwriting process that moves between instinct and careful revision, and a growing sense of connection to others who have felt the same kind of distance.

In Episode 277, Berkley-based musician Joel Cherry Tree sits down with Osi to discuss his latest album, Jesus. Joel reflects on building a sound that feels close and unguarded, where songwriting becomes a way of exploring memory, love, and disconnection in real time. The conversation focuses on Joel's creative process, his DIY roots, and the environment that shaped the record, framing Jesus as an attempt to make something that feels less like a performance and more like a shared inner voice.

In Episode 276, Berlin-based music artist Claire Dickson sits down with Osi to discuss her latest album Balance. They focus on the intention behind the record and the choices that shaped its sound, with Claire reflecting on how her academic path and career decisions led her deeper into music. She also speaks to the influence of the cities she has lived in, and how her process leans on instinct, improvisation, and collaboration to bring each track to life.

In Episode #275, Atlanta-based artist Spencer Thomas sits down with Osi to discuss his latest album Cynical Vision. They talk through how he approaches writing about modern life without losing the feeling of the music, using humor and a light touch to say something real without overexplaining it. The conversation also touches on social media, the weight of constant visibility, and why taking a step back to grow as an artist is part of keeping the work honest.

In Episode #274, Argentinian-born artist and producer Malena Zavala sits down with Osi to discuss her latest album If This Life Could Start Again.She reflects on the space between her Argentine roots and life in the UK, and how that in-between feeling shapes both her identity and her music. Moving through questions of independence, creative rhythm, and performing on her own, the album comes into focus as a record of healing, where clarity begins to take shape after a period of change.Malena's music & tour dates: Malena Zavalamalenazavala.comhttps://www.malenazavala.com

In Episode #273, Antwerp-based multi-disciplinary artist Youniss sits down with Osi to unpack his latest album, Good Effort!. The conversation moves between artistic evolution and lived experience, touching on identity, community, and navigating music and life in Belgium, from its political and colonial history to the everyday realities of racism, and how environment shapes the work and the role of the artist.

In Episode #272, Nashville-based singer-songwriter Caleb Hearn joins Osi to talk about his latest album, LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND. They also discuss how early trauma and life’s hardships can shape a creative outlet, the challenge of staying authentic in an industry that often rewards persona, and more.

In Episode #271, Osi is joined by Icelandic singer-songwriter Ásgeir to talk music, particularly his latest album, Julia. They also discuss what it means to Ásgeir to be so deeply embraced by his home country, his past life as an athlete, his creative process, and more.

In Episode #270, Osi sits down with rapper ANoyd to discuss his latest album wtfip?, balancing fatherhood with a creative career, developing his unique style as an artist, honoring the craft, and more.ANoyd, born Dashorn Whitehead, is a prominent hip-hop artist from Bloomfield, Connecticut, known for his powerful storytelling and dynamic stage presence. Growing up with a reggae artist father, ANoyd was immersed in music from a young age, which greatly influenced his artistic journey.

In Episode #269, songwriter and recording artist William Jones joins Osi for a wide-ranging conversation about music and the music industry. They explore lessons learned from their experiences in the industry, whether art can truly be separated from the artist, how AI may shape the future of songwriting, and more.

In Episode #268, Osi sits down with musician Wormy to talk about his new album, Shark River. They discuss how writing songs about the people closest to you can affect real-life relationships, how humor fits into the songwriting process, and more.Wormy is the solo project of Noah Rauchwerk, a Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter and touring drummer for Samia. His new album, Shark River, is out now on all streaming platforms.

In Episode #267, Osi is joined by artist and producer, Khushi. They discuss the process behind his latest album Love Songs & Other Lies, dealing with perfectionism as an artist, the unique ways that being a producer makes you a better artist, and more.Khushi is a British-Indian artist and twice Grammy-nominated producer from London. His debut album Strange Seasons was described as a ‘mini masterpiece’ by The Sunday Times, ‘stunning’ by NPR, and ‘a work of unexpected depth and feeling’ by Q Magazine He has worked extensively with James Blake, contributing writing and production on his albums Friends That Break Your Heart, Assume Form and Playing Robots Into Heaven and opening for him on his US and European live tours. Blake has also contributed to Khushi’s work - mixing his first album and remixing his expansive and mind-bending track ‘This Is’. Khushi has produced for artists such as A$AP Rocky, Dave, Erick The Architect, Mount Kimbie, Monica Martin & Ruti amongst others He begins 2026 by releasing his sophomore album ‘Love Songs & Other Lies’

In Episode #266, Osi sits down with singer-songwriter Daphne Gale to talk about her latest album, Quietude. Their conversation covers the personal experiences that shaped the record’s concept, along with Daphne’s evolving musical journey.Daphne Gale is a singer, songwriter, and composer based between Brooklyn and Berlin. With a sound that feels both new and familiar, sophisticated and uncluttered, she seamlessly blends folk, jazz, and art song into intimate, stirring music. Her latest album, Quietude, was released on January 9, 2026.

In Episode #265, rapper and musician Travis Thompson sits down with Osi for a wide-ranging conversation about music and life. They talk about his latest album, LIFE IS THE SCARIEST MOVIE, the often-overlooked Pacific Northwest music scene, the lessons he’s picked up along the way in his career, and more.

In Episode #264, Osi sits down with investigative journalist and author Benjamin Wallace to talk about Satoshi Nakamoto, the mysterious creator of Bitcoin who seemingly vanished from society. They unpack Ben’s 15-year journey chasing the truth, what we actually know today, and why Satoshi Nakamoto’s anonymity still matters.

In Episode #263, Osi is joined by author and journalist Katherine Stewart to discuss her research into the increasingly visible and influential Christian nationalist movement in the United States. What dangers does this movement pose? Who is funding it? Who are the key players? They answer these questions and more.Katherine Stewart is an American journalist and author who writes extensively about the separation of church and state, the rise of religious nationalism, and global movements pushing back against liberal democracy. In her new book, Money, Lies, and God, she asks a troubling question: why have so many Americans turned against democracy? Drawing on deep, on-the-ground reporting, Stewart brings readers into conferences of conspiracy-mongers, closed-door strategy meetings, and services at extremist churches, while introducing us to the people working to tear the system down.

In Episode #262, Osi is joined by author Alexander Douglas for a philosophical conversation on identity. Why are we obsessed with “finding ourselves”? What happens when the identity we’ve built for ourselves starts to fall apart? Is identity actually getting in the way of love, peace, and connection? They tackle these questions and more.Link to Against Identity: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/456203/against-identity-by-douglas-alexander/9780241648216Alexander Douglas is a senior lecturer in philosophy in the School of Philosophical, Anthropological, and Film Studies at the University of St Andrews, and the author of the recent book Against Identity: The Wisdom of Escaping the Self. His teaching and broader academic work are detailed on his university staff page, reflecting his wide-ranging engagement with the field. Douglas’s research centers on the philosophy of the human sciences, with a particular focus on how philosophical ideas about identity shape and illuminate our social interactions.

In Episode #261, musician Mato Wayuhi returns to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation with Osi about music, creativity, and culture. They dissect Mato’s new album BYGONER, exploring the creative process behind it, discuss the importance of authentic Native representation in media, and more.Mato Wayuhi is an Oglala Lakota artist originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Alongside creating his own work, he also moves fluidly through film and television as an actor, producer, and musical composer. His latest album, BYGONER, is out now on all streaming platforms and at all major music retailers.

In Episode #260, Osi sits down with producer and beatmaker DJ L for a wide-ranging conversation about music’s past, present, and future. They discuss and acknowledge the architects of the Chicago drill sound, the producers who’ve shaped hip-hop the most, and whether AI represents the next natural evolution in music, or an existential threat to the art form.DJ L is a Chicago-based producer and beatmaker whose fingerprints are all over the sound of modern drill. A former marching-band percussionist, he blended that rhythmic foundation with the house and juke music he grew up hearing at Chicago parties, creating a style that helped define an entire movement. His credits stretch across the city and beyond, working with artists like Tink, Lil Jay, G Herbo, Lil Durk, RondoNumbaNine, FBG Duck, Lil Bibby, Lil Reese, DeJ Loaf, Kevin Gates, and many more.

In Episode #259, Osi is joined by international security specialist Steven Holland to discuss what it truly takes to operate and survive the most dangerous places on the planet. Steven shares how his military background shaped his path into private security, firsthand insight from his work in conflict zones such as Gaza and Ukraine, and more.Steven Holland is a security professional with extensive experience operating in some of the world’s most challenging environments. He began his career as an Infantry soldier, where he built the discipline and practical skills that would guide his transition into private security. After his military service, Steven entered the private sector, taking on diplomatic and oil-and-gas security contracts that brought him back to Iraq and Afghanistan. His steady judgment and reliability quickly earned him a reputation as someone who could be trusted to work in high-risk, high-pressure settings. His work has since taken him to conflict zones including Ukraine and Gaza, where he has provided protection for leading journalists covering critical stories on the ground. In addition to his security roles, Steven has supported humanitarian operations in Gaza, helping coordinate essential food supplies and resources for communities in need. Throughout his career, Steven has built a path defined by steadiness, adaptability, and a commitment to keeping people safe.

In Episode #258, rapper Drizzy Tae returns to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation with Osi about the artistic process. How do you find inspiration when you feel tapped out? How does a young artist navigate the industry without losing themselves? They dig into these questions and more.

In Episode #257, Osi is joined by humanitarian and firefighter Amanda Ainsworth to discuss her evolution from an everyday citizen into a frontline responder supporting major humanitarian crises across Europe. They discuss the experiences that compelled her to take action independently, her time in refugee camps and how it has profoundly changed her perspective, how the growing nationalist sentiment in the UK is fostering public apathy toward people seeking refuge from life-threatening situations, and more.Amanda Ainsworth is a dedicated humanitarian and firefighter whose work has supported several major European humanitarian crises. Her efforts began in 2014 during the refugee crisis, when she traveled to the Calais camp to assess conditions firsthand. Moved by the needs she encountered, she made multiple return trips, independently fundraising, collecting donations, and delivering essential supplies. In 2017, while completing her teaching degree, Amanda volunteered in Greece at the Olive Grove camp beside the Moria site, further expanding her field experience. Her ongoing commitment to crisis response later led her to join Children of Ukraine, founded by Steven Holland, where she now contributes to the organization’s fundraising and media initiatives.

In Episode #256, Osi sits down with visual artist and illustrator FRKO RICO for a wide-ranging conversation. What does getting your big break as an artist look like in real time? How do you balance creative freedom with family life? What does “selling out” actually mean? And is AI something artists should be worried about? Osi and FRKO tackle these questions and more.FRKO, also known as Freako Rico, is an Atlanta-based visual artist whose work bridges street culture, hip-hop, and fine art. His vivid, often irreverent illustrations have defined album covers for artists like Action Bronson and Gucci Mane, while his gallery shows and merch lines push his creative vision beyond music. He grew up in Atlanta during the 1990s, absorbing the city’s art, skate, and hip-hop scenes before studying painting and sculpture at Howard University. FRKO’s art feels like a visual mixtape: loud, funny, raw, and honest. He calls it “hysterical, belligerent art,” a reflection of life as he’s seen and lived it. His story is one of self-definition, building a career from pure originality and hustle without waiting for validation.

In Episode #255, Osi sits down with renowned epidemiologist Michael Osterholm to talk about why it’s so important to start preparing now for the next pandemic. How did politicians and the scientific community fall short during COVID 19, and what lessons do we need to take with us moving forward? When might the next pandemic happen? Osi and Michael dig into these questions and more.Link to The Big One - https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/michael-t-osterholm-phd-mph/the-big-one/9780316258340/Michael Thomas Osterholm is an American epidemiologist, Regents Professor at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, and director of the University’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy. He is the author of several books, including his latest, The Big One: How We Must Prepare for Future Deadly Pandemics (2025).

In Episode #254, Osi talks with philosopher Charlotte Blease about how artificial intelligence is disrupting and redefining the future of healthcare. They ask the questions everyone’s wondering about: Could AI eventually replace doctors? Are physicians already turning to tools like ChatGPT to help diagnose patients? And what ethical concerns come with relying on machines to make decisions about human health?Link to Dr. Bot -https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300247145/dr-bot/Charlotte Blease is a Northern Irish philosopher of medicine whose work explores the ethical, psychological, and social dimensions of healthcare innovation. Her research focuses on how digital and artificial intelligence technologies are reshaping clinical practice and the doctor–patient relationship. She is the author of Dr Bot: Why Doctors Can Fail Us and How AI Could Save Lives, a groundbreaking look at how artificial intelligence could transform the future of medicine.

In Episode #253, Osi sits down with journalist David J. Lynch to unpack how globalization reshaped the lives of American workers. They revisit the 1990s, a pivotal decade when policy decisions and global market shifts set the stage for today’s economic and cultural divides. Lynch explains how political missteps and a lack of support for displaced workers left entire communities struggling to adapt to a rapidly changing world.David J. Lynch is the global economics correspondent of the Washington Post. The recipient of the National Press Foundation's Hinrich Award for Distinguished Reporting on Trade in 2021, Lynch has reported from more than sixty countries for the Post and earlier in his career with the Financial Times of London, Bloomberg News, and USA Today. He lives in Vienna, Virginia. 

In Episode #252, Osi sits down with Gary Tyler, who shares his remarkable story of survival and hope after spending 41 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. They revisit the day everything changed, the shooting that led to Gary’s wrongful conviction, and the unbearable weight he carried as a 17-year-old sentenced to death. Gary also reflects on how he found purpose, forgiveness, and freedom after losing so much of his life.Link to Stitching Freedom - simonandschuster.com/books/Stitching-Freedom/Gary-Tyler/9781668097328Gary Tyler, born on July 19, 1958, in St. Rose, Louisiana, is an African American man who spent much of his life imprisoned for a crime he did not commit. At just 17 years old, he was convicted of the 1974 shooting death of a 13-year-old white boy during a day of racial unrest outside Destrehan High School in St. Charles Parish. Tried as an adult before an all-white jury, Gary was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to death, as required by state law at the time. When he arrived at the Louisiana State Prison in Angola, he became the youngest person on death row.

In Episode #251, Osi sits down with author and consultant Bree Groff for a wide ranging conversation about work culture in America. The discussion touches on generational differences in attitudes toward work between Boomers and Millennials, how corporate culture has shaped small businesses, how artificial intelligence is poised to transform the future of work, and more.Bree Groff is a workplace culture expert and author of “Today Was Fun: A Book About Work (Seriously).” She was a partner at SYParnters and previously CEO of NOBL Collective, and guided executives at companies including Microsoft, Pfizer, Calvin Klein, Google, Atlassian, and Hilton. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and holds an MS in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern University.

In Episode #250, Osi sits down with music mogul Jimmy Kang, one of the most influential executives in the hip hop and music industry. Jimmy shares his journey from his Korean roots to becoming a powerhouse in the entertainment business, offering unique insights into what it takes to succeed in today’s competitive music scene. He breaks down the realities that independent and up-and-coming artists face, the hard truths about the record label system, and the often unseen dark side of the music industry.Jimmy Kang is the CEO and founder of Str8Up Entertainment Group Inc., with more than 20 years of experience in the music industry. A respected hip hop music producer and artist manager, he currently serves as Vice President of Wu-Tang Management and oversees operations at Protect Ya Neck Records. Through Wu-Tang Management, Jimmy also leads Protect Ya Neck Distribution, Wu-World Radio, and the Wu-World DJ Coalition, expanding the legendary Wu-Tang brand across multiple platforms.Since then, Jimmy has managed and collaborated with a wide range of iconic and rising artists, including Junior Reid, Spliff Star, Young Dirty Bastard, KrumbSnatcha, Edo G, Slaine, Jaysaun, Rich Gates, and Breje. He is currently working with Cappadonna of the Wu-Tang Clan, CORE of 36 Chambers, Inspectah Deck, Kurupt, Roscoe, Onyx, Raz B, Big Nate Allstar, Scott Isbell, and PBS Skinz, further solidifying his influence in hip hop and entertainment.

In Episode #249, Akinola Pedro returns to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on music. They discuss the importance of having support at a young age to pursue a career in music, the recent decline in hip hop popularity, the challenges of being a multi-genre artist, and more.Akinola Pedro began his career in 2016. Born in Washington, D.C. to Nigerian parents, he carries a rich heritage of West African and Afro-Brazilian roots that shapes his artistry. In 2019, he released his demo album SURREALISM, and later that year was named one of ten winners of the inaugural 2K Beats Contest, created by Steve Stoute’s UnitedMasters. His breakout single Traffic.jam {BARGAIN} was hand-picked by Kevin Durant and Stoute for the NBA 2K20 soundtrack. In 2021, his debut album Children of Immigrants! earned him back-to-back placements with 2K Sports. Most recently, on February 10, 2025, Pedro released his sophomore album POMEGRANATE?, followed by a tour to bring the project to audiences across the country.

In Episode #248, cultural historian Tiffany Jenkins joins Osi to discuss the rise and fall of private life. As social media, surveillance, and the pressures of constant openness reshape our daily lives, Tiffany and Osi grapple with a timely question: Can private life survive the demands of the twenty-first century? They also discuss why it is crucial to recognize that privacy is a man made concept, and trace the long history of the constant battle between the state and the people over privacy, a struggle that began long before technology entered the picture.Dr Tiffany Jenkins is a writer and cultural historian. She is the author of the recently published Strangers and Intimates: The Rise and Fall of Private Life, reviewed in the Times Literary Supplement as a “magisterial intellectual history”. She is also the author of the acclaimed Keeping Their Marbles: How Treasures of the Past Ended Up in Museums and Why They Should Stay There, described in the Sunday Times as “an outstanding achievement, clear-headed, wide-ranging and incisive.” Her other works include Contesting Human Remains in Museum Collections: The Crisis of Cultural Authority, and she is the editor of Political Culture: Soft Interventions and Nation Building.

In Episode #247, historian Sophia Rosenfeld sits down with Osi to dig into one big question: Does having more choices really make us freer? They discuss how modern society’s obsession with choice can backfire, leading to decision fatigue, anxiety, and second-guessing. From politics to everyday life, this conversation unpacks the hidden costs of “more options” and what true freedom might really mean.The Age Of Choice -Press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691164717/the-age-of-choice?srsltid=AfmBOoo8uhqOrF--CQbXWiWXmfJeu6LIGdH94IfCpMncbAqTBEZACzOjSophia Rosenfeld is Walter H. Annenberg Professor of History and former chair of the Department of History at the University of Pennsylvania, where she teaches European and American intellectual and cultural history with a special emphasis on the Enlightenment, the trans-Atlantic Age of Revolutions, and the legacy of the eighteenth century for modern democracy. Her latest book is The Age of Choice: A History of Freedom in the Modern World (Princeton, 2025), which was recently named a New York Times Editors’ Choice and longlisted for the Cundill History Prize. It explores how, between the 17th century and the present, the idea and practice of making choices from menus of options came to shape so many aspects of our existences, from consumer culture to human rights, and with what consequences.

In Episode #246, whistleblower Reality Winner joins Osi to talk about her decision to leak a classified NSA document on Russian election interference. She reflects on the consequences of her actions, the prison sentence that followed, why she chose to write her memoir I Am Not Your Enemy, and new details that provide deeper context on her case and its lasting impact.Reality Leigh Winner is a former U.S. Air Force linguist and National Security Agency (NSA) contractor best known as the whistleblower who leaked a classified intelligence report in 2017 about Russian interference in the 2016 U.S. election. In 2018, Winner pleaded guilty to violating the Espionage Act and received a 63 month prison sentence, the longest ever imposed in federal court for an unauthorized media disclosure. Her case drew national attention to issues of government secrecy, press freedom, and election security.

In Episode #245, author and journalist Paul Vigna joins Osi to explore the world’s most widely practiced religion: Money. If money is not truly “real” but only functions because we believe in it, why have we allowed it to govern nearly every aspect of our lives? What happens when that belief falters and trust in the system breaks down? And why did ancient societies embrace debt forgiveness through jubilees, while modern ones resist it? Paul & Osi dive into these questions and more.The Almightier - https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250343284/thealmightier/Paul Vigna was a reporter for the Wall Street Journal and also contributes to the popular MoneyBeat blog. He is the author (with Michael J. Casey) of the critically acclaimed The Age of Cryptocurrency, The Almightier and The Truth Machine. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and son.

In Episode #244, author and journalist Tom Zeller Jr. joins Osi to shine a light on one of the most overlooked medical conditions: headaches. For many people, headaches are an occasional nuisance, but for others, migraines and cluster headaches can be utterly debilitating. Perhaps most frustrating of all, the medical community still struggles to provide real answers for those who suffer. Tom shares his own experiences with cluster headaches, explores why these conditions are so challenging to treat, and more.Link to The Headache - https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-headache-tom-zeller-jr?variant=43238054133794Thomas Zeller Jr. is an American journalist who has covered poverty, technology, energy policy and the environment, among other topics, for a variety of publications, including 12 years on staff as a writer and editor at The New York Times.

In Episode #243, law professor Joan C. Williams joins Osi to discuss how the widening gap between college graduates and non-college grads is reshaping American politics, and threatening democracy itself. How did the Democratic Party go from championing the working class to being seen as out-of-touch elites? And why has the right been so successful at tapping into the frustrations of working-class Americans? Joan and Osi unpack these questions and more.Class Bubble Quiz: https://www.classbubblequiz.com/Described as having “something approaching rock star status” in her field by The New York Times Magazine, Joan C. Williams is a scholar of social inequality and a prominent public intellectual. Williams is the author of 12 books and 116 academic articles in law, sociology, psychology, medical and management journals. She is the 11th most cited legal scholar both in critical theory and employment law. She is a Sullivan Professor and the Founding Director of the Equality Action Center at UC Law San Francisco, former Founding Director of the Center for WorkLife Law.

In Episode #242, Damizza joins Osi to unpack the ongoing fallout from the Epstein files scandal. There’s a growing hunger among Americans to uncover how the rich and powerful operate behind closed doors, and to hold them accountable when wrongdoing surfaces. In an age where major news stories are often buried under the weight of a relentless 24-hour cycle, the Epstein saga has proven unusually persistent. As speculation intensifies, questions loom: How will Trump navigate his base’s growing demand for answers about Jeffrey Epstein? And if the heat turns up, could we see J.D. Vance begin to quietly put distance between himself and Trump?Damion "Damizza" Young is a record producer, radio executive, and artist who has shaped the modern entertainment landscape. He's known for his work in underground hip-hop and collaborations with artists like Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Mariah Carey. Damizza's career spans decades and includes roles as a CEO, producer, and radio executive. He's credited with helping to popularize artists like Fiona Apple, Garbage, and Hootie & the Blowfish. 

In Episode #241, writer, podcast host, and author Chad Sanders joins Osi to discuss what it takes to break into the entertainment industry in 2025, especially for young artists. They also discuss AI and how it's reshaping the creative landscape, what the future of opportunity might look like in the next 5 to 10 years, and how emerging technologies are transforming the artistic process.Chad Sanders is the author of Black Magic: What Black Leaders Learned from Trauma and Triumph. He is the host of the Yearbook podcast on the Armchair Expert network and the Audible Originals podcast, Direct Deposit. Chad’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Time, Fortune, Forbes, Deadline, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, and other publications. Chad has also written for TV series on Max and Freeform. Chad was raised in Silver Spring, Maryland, and earned his BA in English at Morehouse College. He lives in New York City.

In Episode #240, Mark Lynas joins Osi to confront one of the most urgent and underdiscussed threats facing humanity today: nuclear war. They discuss why nuclear war poses a far more immediate danger than climate change, the troubling lack of public awareness and political will, and consider what actions can still be taken to pull us back from the brink.Six Minutes To Winter - Bloomsbury.com/us/six-minutes-to-winter-9781399410519/Mark Lynas is an environmental writer and campaigner whose books have drawn attention to the perils of global warming. He is Vice-Chair of the World Economic Forum's Global Agenda Council on Emerging Technologies, a Visiting Research Associate at Oxford University's School of Geography and the Environment, and was Climate Advisor to the President of the Maldives from 2009 to 2011. He has contributed extensively to global media, writing for the Guardian, New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal and numerous others. He is research lead at the Alliance for Science at the Boyce Thompson Institute, an affiliate of Cornell University, and has co-authored peer-reviewed papers on vaccines, climate and GMOs. He is co-founder of the pro-science environmental campaign network RePlanet, launched in 2021 and now active in 12 countries.

In Episode #239, historian and human rights lawyer Steve Swerdlow returns to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation on the Russia and Ukraine conflict, viewed through the lens of the rising "America First" movement.What role should the United States play on the global stage when it comes to foreign aid and intervention? Is America truly stronger when it focuses inward? Are Americans actually upset about helping other countries, or does the anger come from feeling ignored while others receive support? Steve and Osi do their best to honestly grapple with these questions.Steve Swerdlow, esq. is a human rights lawyer and Associate Professor of the Practice of Human Rights in the Department of Political and International Relations at the University of Southern California. An expert on the former Soviet region, Swerdlow teaches international human rights law, human rights research and advocacy, and human rights across Eurasia. Swerdlow has been a visiting professor at the American University of Central Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, Webster University in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the Kyiv School of Economics, and the University of San Diego. Swerdlow was Senior Central Asia researcher at Human Rights Watch from 2010-2019, heading the organization’s work on Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, also founding its Kyrgyzstan field office, and conducting field missions to Azerbaijan, Moldova, Russia, and Kazakhstan.

In Episode #238, comedian and political commentator Davidson Boswell returns to the podcast for a wide-ranging conversation. Who is Zohran Mamdani, and why does his political ascent matter not just for New Yorkers, but for the nation at large? Why do so many U.S. politicians appear to have an unrelenting appetite for war? And in a time overshadowed by uncertainty, what reasons do we have to hold onto hope? Osi and Davidson attempt to answer these questions and more.For more of Davidson's content, visit the following:Substack - DavidsonBoswell.substack.comPatreon - Patreon.com/TheDavidsonBoswellShowInstagram - Instagram.com/davidsonboswell/

In Episode #237, award-winning science journalist Chris Berdik joins Osi for a conversation about something we often overlook: noise. They discuss how the sounds that surround us every day, even the ones we barely notice, can disrupt sleep, increase stress, affect heart health, and slow childhood development. They also discuss how noise is transforming ecosystems, from busy city streets to the depths of the ocean.Link to read Clamor - Norton.com/books/9781324006992Follow Chris' Substack at - Substack.com/@chrisberdikChris Berdik is a journalist who covers science, health, technology, and education. He is the author of Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World—and How We Can Take It Back (W. W. Norton, 2025), which explores the power of noise and soundscapes, and Mind Over Mind: The Surprising Power of Expectations (Penguin, 2012), a deep dive into the placebo effect across medical and non-medical settings. His journalism career includes roles as a staff editor at The Atlantic, a research editor at Mother Jones, and a senior science and medicine writer for Boston University's news and alumni publication, Bostonia.

In Episode #236, historian Ian Kumekawa joins Osi to trace the hidden history of globalization through an unlikely protagonist: a barge. In his book Empty Vessel, Ian follows a single ship as it morphs from a barracks in the Falklands to a floating jail in New York to worker housing in Germany, changing names and nations with each new economic demand. The ship becomes a powerful symbol of a world shaped by neoliberalism, offshore economies, and market flexibility. They discuss how this unremarkable barge reveals the architecture of our modern global economy and the forces that continue to shape it.Link to Empty Vessel: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/741342/empty-vessel-by-ian-kumekawa/Ian Kumekawa is a historian at the Center for History and Economics at Harvard University. He is the author of Empty Vessel: The Story of the Global Economy in One Barge and The First Serious Optimist: A. C. Pigou and the Birth of Welfare Economics (2017). He has taught at Harvard and MIT. He hails from Clinton, CT and now lives in Boston.

In Episode #235, journalist and professor Alan Weisman sits down with Osi to talk about why it’s still worth holding on to hope even when the future feels uncertain. They cover issues like mass extinction, climate change, and food insecurity, and take a look at how the oil industry is fueling the crisis. But through it all, they arriive at one central question: Can we innovate our way out of these problems?Alan Weisman is an award-winning journalist whose reports have appeared in Harper’s, The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic Monthly, Discover, and on NPR, among others. A former contributing editor to The Los Angeles Times Magazine, he is a senior radio producer for Homelands Productions and teaches international journalism at the University of Arizona. His essay “Earth Without People” (Discover magazine, February 2005), on which The World Without Us expands, was selected for Best American Science Writing 2000 - 2007.Link for Hope Dies Last - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/624630/hope-dies-last-by-alan-weisman/