Call It Like I See It
352 episodes - English - Latest episode: 20 days ago - ★★★★★ - 10 ratingsCall It Like I See It proves that news and social commentary does not have to be manipulative or sensationalist to be interesting, so join hosts James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana as they take a weekly look at notable news stories, opinion pieces, or products of our culture and break down what they see.
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Episodes
Demagoguery Credibility and the Coronavirus
March 03, 2020 15:00 - 52 minutes - 119 MBAs the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues to spread across the globe and begins to make its prescence felt in the United States, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana look at the response in the United States, including how it seems that some in the leadership seem more concerned with deflecting blame than understanding and dealing with the problem (01:06) and whether the loss of credibility in the executive branch of the government makes the new gag rule on scientists look shady (20:10). ...
Real Danger Brought By Virtual Connections
February 27, 2020 14:00 - 43 minutes - 99.1 MBUnderstanding that the Internet can overload you with what you want to see, and also make it impossible to avoid things you don’t want to see, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the role the Internet research played in a tragic story of an attempted ‘freebirth’ that went wrong (01:11), the role trolling on the Internet played in the death of one of the UK’s most famous TV stars (18:54), and singer Billie Eilish’s claim that social media was ruining her life (24:32). We also consider wheth...
Real Danger Brought By Virtual Connections
February 27, 2020 14:00 - 43 minutes - 99.1 MBUnderstanding that the Internet can overload you with what you want to see, and also make it impossible to avoid things you don’t want to see, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the role the Internet research played in a tragic story of an attempted ‘freebirth’ that went wrong (01:11), the role trolling on the Internet played in the death of one of the UK’s most famous TV stars (18:54), and singer Billie Eilish’s claim that social media was ruining her life (24:32). We also consi...
Culture Series: The 48 Laws of Power, a Book by Robert Greene
February 25, 2020 13:00 - 53 minutes - 121 MBAs there are power dynamics in most human interactions, we explore Robert Greene's masterpiece, 48 Laws of Power. James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss how many of the individual laws seem to tie into some broader concepts, noting particular laws that seem to relate to changing minds (01:48), avoiding trouble (11:19), moving crowds (26:47), and making moves (40:13).
Growing and Developing Our Way to Green
February 20, 2020 14:15 - 54 minutes - 126 MBJames Keys and Tunde Ogunlana look at how societal will and innovation has allowed driven progress in the environmental movement alongside continued growth in a way that was seemingly unimaginable 50 years ago (01:09) and consider in this light whether our current climate concerns are overblown (14:11). We also discuss what we see in the efforts of some cisgender females to keep transgender competitors out of women’s track competitions (19:01) and what the identification of another ancient h...
Is Bloomberg a Solution to or a Result of a Flawed Primary Process?
February 18, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 139 MBNow that voting has begun for the Democratic Party’s Presidential Primary, James Keys, Tunde Ogunlana, and Rob Richardson discuss what we has stood out so far (01:33) and whether the primary process, which has some visible flaws, can deliver a viable candidate (11:22). We also consider whether Michael Bloomberg is making a mockery of the process by jumping in so late and spending so much (27:57) and debate whether we think the threat posed by the Trump Administration to the Constitution and ...
Tipping the Scales Toward Sustainability
February 13, 2020 15:30 - 43 minutes - 99.5 MBWith Georgetown University's decision divest from fossil fuel investments, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss what we see with the massive amounts of carbon that is and has been released from the burning of fossil fuels (:48) and wonder whether it's too late to prevent catastrophe (10:38). We also take a look at Clearview AI's building and selling of a massive facial recognition database from online pictures and data (26:54) and big tech's demands to Clearview AI to get its hands off "thei...
From the New Deal to the Raw Deal
February 11, 2020 13:00 - 46 minutes - 106 MBJames Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss what we see generally with the cost of living squeeze being felt by many American families (0:55), looking first at some of the factors which may be influencing the excessive rise in housing costs (7:22). We also touch on what may be going on with the increase in other common costs, such as student loan debt and child care (19:44), try to reconcile the perceived strength of the economy in general with the struggles of the workers (30:10), and consider ho...
2019 Coronavirus and Primal Fear Reflected In the Market
February 04, 2020 15:30 - 1 hour - 145 MBJames Keys and Tunde Ogunlana take a look at how societal events can reveal the extent that human psychology influences short term stock market activity (00:52) and how people's subjective thoughts about leaders can also have substantial effect on the market and their perception of the economy (17:55). We also discuss the coronavirus and reasons why it has dominated our consciousness even though the flu may be a bigger risk (34:54) and Alan Dershowitz’s dangerous advocacy for an omnipotent p...
EP:20 - Maybe This Is What LeBron Was Worried About
January 30, 2020 13:00 - 49 minutes - 113 MBWe look at the jailing of a University of Minnesota student from China for political tweets (00:53), how this may be the type of thing LeBron James was worried about during the NBA and China controversy (04:02), and wonder if the government’s legal retaliation against CNN and AT&T puts us on a slippery slope towards this (07:30). We also discuss Robert Downey Jr.’s recent comments on the use of blackface in Tropic Thunder (9:40), the presence of “forever” chemicals in the water supply of man...
Maybe This Is What LeBron Was Worried About
January 30, 2020 13:00 - 49 minutes - 113 MBJames Keys and Tunde Ogunlana look at the jailing of a University of Minnesota student from China for political tweets (00:53), how this may be the type of thing LeBron James was worried about during the NBA and China controversy (04:02), and wonder if the government’s legal retaliation against CNN and AT&T puts us on a slippery slope towards this (07:30). We also discuss Robert Downey Jr.’s recent comments on the use of blackface in Tropic Thunder (9:40), the presence of “forever” chemicals...
Impeachment is a Self Defense Mechanism For Our System
January 28, 2020 15:45 - 51 minutes - 117 MBJames Keys and Tunde Ogunlana get into how impeachment works generally as a mechanism of our republic and why we have it (01:27), what we think about the actual charges that have been brought (12:08) and whether removal from office is warranted (27:00). We also analyze at some of the narratives being told and strategic plays being made (33:09) and compare aspects of the impeachment trial to the OJ Simpson trial (43:30).
EP:19 - Impeachment is a Self Defense Mechanism For Our System
January 28, 2020 15:45 - 51 minutes - 117 MBWe get into how impeachment works generally as a mechanism of our republic and why we have it (01:27), what we think about the actual charges that have been brought (12:08) and whether removal from office is warranted (27:00). We also analyze at some of the narratives being told and strategic plays being made (33:09) and compare aspects of the impeachment trial to the OJ Simpson trial (43:30).
Old Fashioned Fights and New Age Problems
January 23, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 140 MBJames Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the “old fashioned” fight over student loan forgiveness between the Secretary of Education and the House or Representatives (01:26) and the potential cancelling of the Worldwide Threat Assessment for a problematic reason (18:48), the revelation that screen time may be stunting the brain development of our youth (32:23), and issues around Hank Azaria’s refusal to continue to voice the Simpson’s character Apu (42:19).
EP:18 - Old Fashioned Fights and New Age Problems
January 23, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 140 MBWe discuss the “old fashioned” fight over student loan forgiveness between the Secretary of Education and the House or Representatives (01:26) and the potential cancelling of the Worldwide Threat Assessment for a problematic reason (18:48), the revelation that screen time may be stunting the brain development of our youth (32:23), and issues around Hank Azaria’s refusal to continue to voice the Simpson’s character Apu (42:19).
EP:17 - Culture Series: Dr. King's Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community
January 20, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 140 MBWe discuss Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s fourth book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community (00:57), including our reactions to concepts he discussed such as racism being a dominant ideology in America and the backlash that follows progress (07:13). We also discuss what we saw in Dr. King's analysis on the effect centuries of racism has had on blacks and on whites (28:43) and a couple of Dr. King's thoughts on things we need to get to a better place (47:20).
Culture Series: Dr. King's Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community
January 20, 2020 13:00 - 1 hour - 140 MBJames Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s fourth book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community (00:57), including our reactions to concepts he discussed such as racism being a dominant ideology in America and the backlash that follows progress (07:13). We also discuss what we saw in Dr. King's analysis on the effect centuries of racism has had on blacks and on whites (28:43) and a couple of Dr. King's thoughts on things we need to get to a better place (47:20).
Megxit, Microplastics, Location Tracking, and Thug References in the NBA
January 16, 2020 14:00 - 57 minutes - 132 MBJames Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss our reaction to the revelation that micro plastics are accumulating in our bodies (00:56) and that our cell phones are being used to track our locations whether we know it or not (14:48). We also weigh in on the controversy surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers coach referring to his players as thugs (26:12) and offer our thoughts on Megxit as a surprising and unconventional response to the unfair scrutiny that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been subj...
EP:16 - Megxit, Microplastics, Location Tracking, and Thug References in the NBA
January 16, 2020 14:00 - 57 minutes - 132 MBWe discuss our reaction to the revelation that micro plastics are accumulating in our bodies (00:56) and that our cell phones are being used to track our locations whether we know it or not (14:48). We also weigh in on the controversy surrounding the Cleveland Cavaliers coach referring to his players as thugs (26:12) and offer our thoughts on Megxit as a surprising and unconventional response to the unfair scrutiny that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have been subjected to (39:32), including...
EP:15 - Does Record Growth in the Markets Mean the System Is Working
January 14, 2020 17:30 - 52 minutes - 120 MBIn this episode, we look at economic performance in the U.S. from multiple angles, including what we see in the incredible growth of the stock market over the last twenty years (01:25), why the workers are not feeling much of that growth (7:12), how much automation and technology affects outcomes (21:12), whether our larger economic system itself is the problem, the solution, or both (32:48), and how government policy plays a large role in how economic spoils are distributed (41:36).
Does Record Growth in the Markets Mean the System Is Working
January 14, 2020 17:30 - 52 minutes - 120 MBIn this episode, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana look at economic performance in the U.S. from multiple angles, including what we see in the incredible growth of the stock market over the last twenty years (01:25), why the workers are not feeling much of that growth (7:12), how much automation and technology affects outcomes (21:12), whether our larger economic system itself is the problem, the solution, or both (32:48), and how government policy plays a large role in how economic spoils are di...
EP:14 - Simmering Tensions in a Christian Sect, a Planet on Fire, and Fasting Apps
January 09, 2020 15:00 - 57 minutes - 131 MBIn this episode, we discuss what we see in the proposed split of the United Methodist Church and the inevitable tensions between religious beliefs, religious doctrine, and personal and group sensibilities (00:45), what we make of the Australian fires and how climate change may now begin to change nature in ways that more directly affect our lives (16:58), what we see in the controversy surrounding the dofasting app (31:41), and our thoughts on fasting in general (38:14). Listen to your body ...
Simmering Tensions in a Christian Sect, a Planet on Fire, and Fasting Apps
January 09, 2020 15:00 - 57 minutes - 131 MBIn this episode, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss what we see in the proposed split of the United Methodist Church and the inevitable tensions between religious beliefs, religious doctrine, and personal and group sensibilities (00:45), what we make of the Australian fires and how climate change may now begin to change nature in ways that more directly affect our lives (16:58), what we see in the controversy surrounding the dofasting app (31:41), and our thoughts on fasting in general (38...
EP:13 - Making Sense of the US Strike on an Iranian Leader
January 07, 2020 15:00 - 39 minutes - 90.8 MBIn this episode, we look at the U.S. strike which took out Iranian General Soleimani and discuss whether the decision to act right now made any sense (00:48), whether U.S. leadership is entitled to the benefit of the doubt as to their decision making and motivations (7:31), what we should be doing in the middle east (23:43), and whether Americans have the want to and the leadership to meet challenges that come with being a nation and a superpower (32:48).
Making Sense of the US Strike on an Iranian Leader
January 07, 2020 15:00 - 39 minutes - 90.8 MBIn this episode, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana look at the U.S. strike which took out Iranian General Soleimani and discuss whether the decision to act right now made any sense (00:48), whether U.S. leadership is entitled to the benefit of the doubt as to their decision making and motivations (7:31), what we should be doing in the middle east (23:43), and whether Americans have the want to and the leadership to meet challenges that come with being a nation and a superpower (32:48).
EP:12 - December 2019 Roundup, Part 2 (Christianity Today v Trump)
January 02, 2020 16:00 - 31 minutes - 71 MBIn part two of our December 2019 roundup, we discuss whether it was a big deal for Christianity Today's to call for the removal of President Trump (0:52), how that has exposed an apparent rift between Christians as an interest group and as a moral institution (8:00), and how evangelicals were actually against Trump before they were for him (23:09).
December 2019 Roundup, Part 2 (Christianity Today v Trump)
January 02, 2020 16:00 - 31 minutes - 71 MBIn part two of our December 2019 roundup, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss whether it was a big deal for Christianity Today's to call for the removal of President Trump (0:52), how that has exposed an apparent rift between Christians as an interest group and as a moral institution (8:00), and how evangelicals were actually against Trump before they were for him (23:09).
December 2019 Roundup, Part 1 (Modesty Swimwear, Iran, Eddie Murphy)
December 31, 2019 16:00 - 39 minutes - 89.8 MBIn part one of our December 2019 roundup, James Keys and Tunde Ogunlana discuss the lack of controversy surrounding Nike's release of a modesty swimwear line (1:32), the implications of Iran beginning joint naval drills with America's biggest rivals on the world stage (15:22), and Eddie Murphy's return to SNL and the fallout from that (27:40).
EP:11 - December 2019 Roundup, Part 1 (Modesty Swimwear, Iran, Eddie Murphy)
December 31, 2019 16:00 - 39 minutes - 89.8 MBIn part one of our December 2019 roundup, we discuss the lack of controversy surrounding Nike's release of a modesty swimwear line (1:32), the implications of Iran beginning joint naval drills with America's biggest rivals on the world stage (15:22), and Eddie Murphy's return to SNL and the fallout from that (27:40).
Most Notable Occurrences and Trends in the 2010s
December 26, 2019 15:00 - 1 hour - 158 MBWhat was the science story of the 2010 decade (1:20)? What entertainment story defined the 2010 decade (10:09)? What was the biggest international news story in the 2010 decade (16:50)? What about the most notable trend in domestic news (27:44)? What will we remember as being significant about social media in the 2010 decade (34:50)? What technology defined the 2010s (47:49)? How about honorable mentions (57:43)? Our predictions for 2020s (1:05:40)?
EP:10 - Most Notable Occurrences and Trends in the 2010s
December 26, 2019 15:00 - 1 hour - 158 MBWhat was the science story of the 2010 decade (1:20)? What entertainment story defined the 2010 decade (10:09)? What was the biggest international news story in the 2010 decade (16:50)? What about the most notable trend in domestic news (27:44)? What will we remember as being significant about social media in the 2010 decade (34:50)? What technology defined the 2010s (47:49)? How about honorable mentions (57:43)? Our predictions for 2020s (1:05:40)?
EP:9 - Culture Series: Outliers, a Book by Malcom Gladwell
December 19, 2019 17:00 - 1 hour - 139 MBAre mastery, and opportunity to obtain mastery, overlooked in understanding what makes successful people successful (1:56)? Exceptional analytical intelligence does not itself make an outlier, part 1 (9:16). Exceptional analytical intelligence does not itself make an outlier, part 2 (16:28). How can adversity and timing lead to opportunity (36:54)? How do cultural legacies influence our approach to and interaction with the world (48:11)?
Culture Series: Outliers, a Book by Malcom Gladwell
December 19, 2019 17:00 - 1 hour - 139 MBAre mastery, and opportunity to obtain mastery, overlooked in understanding what makes successful people successful (1:56)? Exceptional analytical intelligence does not itself make an outlier, part 1 (9:16). Exceptional analytical intelligence does not itself make an outlier, part 2 (16:28). How can adversity and timing lead to opportunity (36:54)? How do cultural legacies influence our approach to and interaction with the world (48:11)?
Tribalism Through Political and Ideological Labels
December 12, 2019 15:00 - 56 minutes - 129 MBDo people generally use ideological labels to describe their belief system or their club (0:49)? Is this phenomenon getting worse, or do things like social media just show what’s already there (16:25)? Is the United States particularly vulnerable to tribalism and can our system survive it (28:51)? What needs to happen to bring us together (43:09)?
EP:8 - Tribalism Through Political and Ideological Labels
December 12, 2019 15:00 - 56 minutes - 129 MBDo people generally use ideological labels to describe their belief system or their club (0:49)? Is this phenomenon getting worse, or do things like social media just show what’s already there (16:25)? Is the United States particularly vulnerable to tribalism and can our system survive it (28:51)? What needs to happen to bring us together (43:09)?
Making Sense of the Streaming Wars
December 05, 2019 15:00 - 52 minutes - 120 MBWhat makes streaming different and what does it mean to me (0:47)? What is in it for the media companies (9:40)? What makes a streaming service worth it (15:41)? Is streaming an example of technology making things better for all stakeholders (24:39)? Are there potential problems (38:23)? Is streaming a good deal for consumers (44:10)?
EP:7 - Making Sense of the Streaming Wars
December 05, 2019 15:00 - 52 minutes - 120 MBWhat makes streaming different and what does it mean to me (0:47)? What is in it for the media companies (9:40)? What makes a streaming service worth it (15:41)? Is streaming an example of technology making things better for all stakeholders (24:39)? Are there potential problems (38:23)? Is streaming a good deal for consumers (44:10)?
EP:6 - Do Bernie’s Policies and His Movement Transcend Identity? [Bernie Double Dose]
November 22, 2019 16:05 - 36 minutes - 82.8 MBAre identity politics dead or can they still serve a purpose (0:38)? Is there an obligation to support politicians that look like us, or can beliefs transcend identity (10:43)? Are Bernie’s policies viable (14:49)? Could his movement get him elected and save our economy (18:25)? What’s with the insistence on self identifying as a socialist, and will it cost him (28:34)?
Do Bernie’s Policies and His Movement Transcend Identity?
November 22, 2019 16:05 - 36 minutes - 82.8 MBAre identity politics dead or can they still serve a purpose (0:38)? Is there an obligation to support politicians that look like us, or can beliefs transcend identity (10:43)? Are Bernie’s policies viable (14:49)? Could his movement get him elected and save our economy (18:25)? What’s with the insistence on self identifying as a socialist, and will it cost him (28:34)?
EP:5 - Can Bernie Sanders Save Black Lives? [Bernie Double Dose]
November 22, 2019 16:00 - 32 minutes - 74.8 MBCan Bernie Sanders tell you how not to get shot by the police (0:41)? Would you rather be offered honest advice or empathy, and would rather agitate the system or take control of it (3:23)? Is there room for compromise and understanding in the fight for progress (19:02)? What about introspection (27:32)?
Can Bernie Sanders Save Black Lives?
November 22, 2019 16:00 - 32 minutes - 74.8 MBCan Bernie Sanders tell you how not to get shot by the police (0:41)? Would you rather be offered honest advice or empathy, and would rather agitate the system or take control of it (3:23)? Is there room for compromise and understanding in the fight for progress (19:02)? What about introspection (27:32)?
Ep 4 - The Culture Series: The New Golden Age, a Book by Ravi Batra
November 15, 2019 16:00 - 59 minutes - 136 MBCan all humans be classified into one of four classes (1:00)? Can the law of social cycles explain what is going on and anticipate what is coming next (11:46)? What do you make of the final year syndrome (25:11)? Is deceiving and being deceived about things that affect our societies part of our human condition (32:49)? Are we approaching a new golden age or will our humanity hold us back (48:43)?
EP:4 - The Culture Series: The New Golden Age, a Book by Ravi Batra
November 15, 2019 16:00 - 59 minutes - 136 MBCan all humans be classified into one of four classes (1:00)? Can the law of social cycles explain what is going on and anticipate what is coming next (11:46)? What do you make of the final year syndrome (25:11)? Is deceiving and being deceived about things that affect our societies part of our human condition (32:49)? Are we approaching a new golden age or will our humanity hold us back (48:43)?
Culture Series: The New Golden Age, a Book by Ravi Batra
November 15, 2019 16:00 - 59 minutes - 136 MBTHE NEW GOLDEN AGE - The Coming Revolution against Political Corruption and Economic Chaos by Ravi Batra https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781466886452
EP:4 - Culture Series: The New Golden Age, a Book by Ravi Batra
November 15, 2019 16:00 - 59 minutes - 136 MBCan all humans be classified into one of four classes (1:00)? Can the law of social cycles explain what is going on and anticipate what is coming next (11:46)? What do you make of the final year syndrome (25:11)? Is deceiving and being deceived about things that affect our societies part of our human condition (32:49)? Are we approaching a new golden age or will our humanity hold us back (48:43)?
Why Do Americans Seem to Hate Each Other and Love Fake News?
November 08, 2019 16:00 - 58 minutes - 134 MBWhat about our politics makes Americans hate each other (0:57)? Regardless of the reason, the extreme political polarization is serving the interests of our rivals (24:15). Fake news is driven by demand, but the ability to effectively deliver the supply has made all the difference (33:01). Be careful what you wish for asking Facebook to be the arbiter of truth for political advertisements (47:48).
Ep 3 - Why Do Americans Seem to Hate Each Other and Love Fake News?
November 08, 2019 16:00 - 58 minutes - 134 MBWhat about our politics makes Americans hate each other (0:57)? Regardless of the reason, the extreme political polarization is serving the interests of our rivals (24:15). Fake news is driven by demand, but the ability to effectively deliver the supply has made all the difference (33:01). Be careful what you wish for asking Facebook to be the arbiter of truth for political advertisements (47:48).
EP:3 - Why Do Americans Seem to Hate Each Other and Love Fake News?
November 08, 2019 16:00 - 58 minutes - 134 MBWhat about our politics makes Americans hate each other (0:57)? Regardless of the reason, the extreme political polarization is serving the interests of our rivals (24:15). Fake news is driven by demand, but the ability to effectively deliver the supply has made all the difference (33:01). Be careful what you wish for asking Facebook to be the arbiter of truth for political advertisements (47:48).
China Buys LeBron's Silence?
October 24, 2019 22:00 - 50 minutes - 115 MBEven in the face of controversy, LeBron James has never backed down when standing against injustice. Does his unwillingness to discuss the issues in Hong Kong signal a change in approach? Or does the size of the Chinese market, or its distance from the U.S., justify a different approach? (50:01)
EP:2 - China Buys LeBron's Silence?
October 24, 2019 22:00 - 50 minutes - 115 MBEven in the face of controversy, LeBron James has never backed down when standing against injustice. Does his unwillingness to discuss the issues in Hong Kong signal a change in approach? Or does the size of the Chinese market, or its distance from the U.S., justify a different approach? (50:01)