In this episode of The HLS Podcast, the crew dives fork-first into one of Black culture’s most iconic metaphors: the cookout. But this time, we’re not debating real celebs—we're handing out imaginary plates to cartoon characters, Muppets, and talking animals. From Panthro to Garfield, Moana to Kermit, we explore who really belongs at the cookout… and who brought raisins in the potato salad.

We also break down ChatGPT’s takes on our personalities in animal form (spoiler: one of us is a crowned eagle), talk Sesame Street’s radical roots, and ask why the hell people are still inviting folks who don’t season their food. It’s messy, it’s cultural, and it’s hilarious.

If happiness had a price tag, would you even want to pay it? This week, the fellas are joined by the soulful storyteller BronxNotorious as they dig deep into what it really means to be happy. From billion-dollar hypotheticals to dopamine hits like chess with your kids and Overwatch victories, we unpack the ways happiness hides in plain sight. We talk love, money, parenting, anxiety, legacy, and that quiet terror of losing the good thing you’ve got. Is happiness about avoiding misery, or chasing euphoria? We don’t agree on the answer—but we all agree you should hit play.

Check BronxNotorious out at www.edgarruizjr.com and on IG @eggie79

In this episode, the squad dives face-first into chaos, contracts, and capes. Rebel’s out-of-office, Electrik’s in villain mode, and Scrota’s trading reps for beers. The convo spirals from botched business deals and rich friend etiquette to whether you should ever loan Superman money (spoiler: don’t). They argue over which superpower is the most abuse-worthy, whether origin stories should be banned, and why invincibility is just a trauma response. Also: does being “the oldies” generation hit different when you realize your childhood songs are 30+ years old? Come for the existential dread, stay for the spicy takes on DC vs Marvel, vacation philosophy, and why lending money might be more dangerous than laser vision.

Electric is feeling real conflicted after tallying up his Overwatch hours… while Scrota just shrugs and queues for another match. In this episode, the Line Steppers crack open gaming culture—talking about the shame, the joy, and the stereotypes that come with being a gamer in adulthood. Is gaming a waste of time or a legit form of connection, creativity, and stress relief? We talk parenting, mental health, rage quits, racism, and whether these virtual worlds are a coping mechanism or just plain fun. Plus: we ask the hard questions… like why is it always “gamers are lazy” but never “capitalism is draining”? 😤

Scrota's back from Nigeria and the boys are fully charged with stories, culture, and a little jetlag. From traditional Igbo ceremonies and goat head delicacies to the chaos of feeling "not Nigerian enough," this episode is a deep dive into diasporic identity, culture clashes, and homecoming truths. Electric opens up about his own multicultural upbringing, while Scrota relives the spicy aftermath of isi ewu and the rules of kola nut diplomacy. Whether you’ve ever been called “too American” by your cousins or just want to know why Nigeria has a four-day zodiac system, this one’s for you.

With Scrota off in the motherland mining vibranium, Electrik and Rebel lock in for a no-holds-barred convo on music, culture, and creativity. From blues legends to TikTok dance moves, they explore how artistry has evolved—and how AI might be stealing some of the soul. They share hilarious stories, debate the joys of eating vs cooking, and dive into everything from church roots to autotune abuse. This one’s deep, ridiculous, insightful, and full of love for the culture. Tap in.

So here’s the deal — we went out last night to celebrate Juneteenth like real ones, and... yeah, no episode from the crew today. But don’t worry, the show must go on. Filling in for us are two unlikely heroes: Brotha Knowledge (aka Brizzy B) and Sistah Soul (aka Ketty Wap) — two extremely Caucasian guests who stepped in last minute because, let’s be honest, all the real brothas and sistahs had the day off.

We told them, “Do it for the culture.” They hit us with “Bet.”

In this wild Juneteenth Special, they’re breaking down some of the most heated HLS debates, passing judgment on who was capping and who kept it solid. It’s chaotic. It’s heartfelt. It’s lowkey offensive. But it’s all love.

Happy Juneteenth, y’all. We’ll be back next week… probably still hungover.

We had to do it. In this one, we finally pull the mic up to one of the loudest topics out there: masculinity. What is it? What ain’t it? Who taught us what we know — and what should we be teaching the next ones up? In this episode, we’re breaking it all the way down: the pressure to be perfect, to be emotionless, to hold it all in until you break. We get vulnerable about what we were taught, what we’ve unlearned, and what healthy masculinity can actually look like. What’s strength? What’s toxic? What’s real leadership? And is it okay to shed a tear along the way? We’re exploring all of it — the weight, the walls, the breakthroughs — with honesty and heart. Pull up.