This week on A Pod Named Kickback, me and Jacq kicked things off with her Jamaican getaway—specifically, our fascination with why Jamaica’s KFC is hyped as the best in the world. From crispy chicken to secret seasoning theories, we had questions.

We then dove deep into the difference between eudaimonic happiness—that purpose-driven, soul-aligned fulfillment—and hedonic happiness, those quick bursts of pleasure from a drink, smoke, or night out. We broke down why the first one lasts longer and how we can all do a better job chasing it.

From there, we got real about Trump’s plan to charge D.C. youth as adults starting at 14. While violent crime in my hometown is undeniably up, I questioned what federal control over D.C. would mean for our future—and for the rest of the country.

We also took a moment to honor Robert T. Hood, who was tragically killed in Atlanta, sending love to his family while steering clear of the rumor mill.

Finally, we gave y’all a peek at what’s next—relaunching the Patreon, bringing back Kickback Sports, new segments like That’s That with Jacq, and collaborations with other creators. The vibe’s different now that it’s me and Jack—and the Kickbackers seem to be loving it.

Special Note: The audio you’re hearing is just a snapshot. To watch the full episode, you gotta hit the YouTube channel: No Brakes Nu.
https://www.youtube.com/live/PiWpSk08OiM?si=QAN7BkrD6uoZhH3V

On this episode, No Brakes Nu and Jacq pay tribute to the late, great Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who tragically passed in a drowning accident in Costa Rica. Nu opens up about his own near-death experience on a capsized boat during his recent trip—and the blessing of surviving when someone so impactful didn’t. The crew reflects on Warner’s legacy as a good man, a quiet cultural icon, and why real ones deserve to be mourned loudly, publicly, and with love.

Then the convo shifts to the opposite—figures like Hulk Hogan and Neon, who used their platforms to demean Black people and now seek sympathy or silence. Nu keeps it real: if you were a piece of shit in life, don’t expect sainthood in death. Just because you shaped a childhood doesn’t mean you get a pass. Racism doesn’t come with a redemption tour over time—we don’t mourn you the same, and we don’t forget.

Jacq also breaks down the controversial “T-App,” a platform where women anonymously share dating info on men. We call out the corny, the lazy, and the dangerous, and talk accountability on all sides. Plus: heat check on the latest fire music from Chris Brown, Benny the Butcher, and Alfredo 2 by Alchemist x Freddie Gibbs—heavy contenders for album of the year.

It’s a full-circle conversation on who we honor, who we hold accountable, and who we just keep it movin’ on from. Real talk. Real mourning. Real music. Real kickback.

#Kickbackers, tap in.

On this emotionally unfiltered episode of A Pod Named Kickback, No Brakes Nu’ delivers his most vulnerable session to date. Inspired by the haunting chorus from Clipse’s new track “Birds Don’t Sing”—“they scream in pain”—Nu confronts some of his deepest wounds in real time, shedding real tears on camera for the first time in the podcast’s history.

From the heartbreak of being kept from JB’s kids to the lifelong fracture with his own father, this one isn’t clean or polished—it’s raw, it’s jagged, and it’s real. The Clipse reunion album opens wounds about loss, love, and grief, reminding Nu of losing Aunt Joyce, his mother, and the emotional debris they left behind.

The episode also dives into the biggest stories of the week, including Trump reportedly destroying $97 million in contraceptives, new music from Raekwon, Benny the Butcher, Giveon, and Justin Bieber, plus thoughts on Love Analytics and the latest episode of BMF—with the usual BMF jokes about co-host Jacq, of course.

This is an episode where the birds didn’t sing—they screamed. And so did the truth