How Gaming Chats Turn Into Real Crime

A teenager logs onto a gaming site for fun, and a stranger starts grooming them for something much darker. We open with a tough but necessary conversation about reports of criminal groups recruiting kids through gaming platforms and online chats, and what that means for parents heading into summer. We talk about supervision, age-appropriate games, online conversations, and the dangerous lie that being underage means there are no serious consequences when real crimes or violence are involved.

Then we shift to perseverance, teamwork, and what it looks like when patience finally pays off. The New York Knicks end a 53-year championship drought, and we pull lessons from their composure, resilience, and refusal to quit when the pressure was high. We ask whether this is a new era for the Knicks, where this title ranks in NBA history, and what this team can teach us about staying locked in.

The mood turns serious again with the tragic bridge-jump death in Brazil, leading to a conversation about adventure tourism, safety procedures, waivers, and knowing when a risk simply is not worth it. We close with two powerful cultural moments: Serena and Venus Williams reuniting for doubles at Wimbledon, and the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, a legacy project connected to community, jobs, representation, and civic engagement.

Listen, share this episode with someone who needs it, and leave a review to help Thirsty Topics keep growing. What part hit you the most, and what should we dig into next?

Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com.

Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com.

Tired of surface-level inspiration? This raw, transformative documentary digs deep into turning pain into purpose. Mainstream platforms wouldn't touch these powerful stories of resilience, but you can access them now on elrodvnetwork.com.

Transcript

Welcome And Father’s Day Check-In

SPEAKER_00 1:18

Hello everyone. Welcome to this week's episode of Thirsty Topics. Hey, how's it going, Wander?

SPEAKER_03 1:25

Man, it's going, my brother. It's going so well that I got to slow it down. It's been such a beautiful, beautiful day today. What about you?

SPEAKER_00 1:36

You know what? Everything's doing great as well. I cannot complain. A little bit cooler than I wanted to be, but still a nice day outside. No rain today.

SPEAKER_03 1:44

Hey, I guess we're gonna get that this weekend, you suppose?

SPEAKER_00 1:48

Unfortunately, they said there's a chance of it, but I'm hoping that uh it doesn't come through. So we'll see.

SPEAKER_03 1:54

I I'm I'm with you. I I hope not as well, you know, that we don't get it. But you know, Father's Day is coming up. Are you ready for Father's Day?

SPEAKER_00 2:02

Yes, I am. Uh, I got the best Father's Day gift in the world. I got a wonderful wife, and my son's in town visiting me.

SPEAKER_03 2:08

So oh, because he's in college, correct?

SPEAKER_00 2:12

Actually, he just graduated.

SPEAKER_03 2:13

He just graduated. Oh my goodness. Okay, and he didn't he didn't come back home, huh?

SPEAKER_00 2:19

Yeah, he just came back home to visit. Uh, I can't see him coming back here to the burbs. So you know how that is with uh with youngsters these days.

SPEAKER_03 2:26

So of course, of course, of course. But yeah, I tell you what, the weather's just been great, and it was great for one of our topics we're gonna talk about a little bit later. Everything is just wonderful. The atmosphere was really, really blessed today, at least in my life.

SPEAKER_00 2:43

Yes. Well, it's blessed for all of us.

SPEAKER_02 2:45

Oh, yes, oh yes, oh, for sure, for sure.

SPEAKER_00 2:49

So we're gonna start off with uh first topic. Not the greatest topic in the world, but we definitely need to address it. But um it seems to be going on that teens are being recruited on gaming sites to commit crimes. So an ABC News investigation warns parents about criminal criminal gangs using gaming sites to recruit children as young as 13 years old to commit real-world crimes with deadly consequences. Um, looking into this story, Wander, uh, some of the things that was um discovered was kids committing, you know, taking people's lives, um, committing, you know, mass theft. It's it's really a big problem overseas, but I guess authority legal authorities are starting to see that drift over here

Teens Recruited Through Gaming Sites

SPEAKER_00 3:46

into the United States. So I just um I mean we've seen this before with criminal organizations, you know, preying on young children, you know, making them think that, hey, you know, you're not gonna face any real time, which we know that if the if the crime is is is bad enough, that's not true. So what do you think about that, Wanda?

SPEAKER_03 4:08

You know, it it that's scary. That's a real scary uh thought when we see uh and and we know that parents have to be more attentive to their children. It's the summertime, uh, it's it's so easy, you know. Everybody wants to enjoy you know life and stuff like that, but you have to keep an eye on your children, and and it and it goes back to uh uh being able to supervise what it is that they're watching, what they're doing, because as you say, there there are so many dangers for our children when they're not supervised. And it's selfish for the adults to whatever's going on in your life that you don't have the time to to watch what your children are doing because of course we just had the teen takeovers, you know that that that that's that's part of all this, but to target people to kill them, that's not fun, that's a crime, you know.

SPEAKER_00 5:12

And you know, the other thing, Wanda, is I don't know how you know, as adults we're gonna do it, but we need to really sit home with these kids that this whole idea that well, you're underage, you know, you're not gonna get much time, that's not totally true. You know, if you do a misdemeanor like you steal a piece of candy or whatever, that's one thing. You go out and take someone's life or use a gun, guess what? They're charging you as an adult. And they don't get that rude awakening. Yes, yes. I mean, I've seen stories of kids getting 10, 20, 30 years in prison for stupid stuff they have no business doing. And I I think it's it's more than one issue that needs to be dealt with. Obviously on the child level, but I think, and I've said this before, one of the big problems is we have grandparents that are 30 something years old now. That's a problem. So if they're not able to take care of themselves and raise themselves, they can't raise their children. It's not that they don't want to, they literally don't have the tools necessary to do so because they can't do it for themselves.

SPEAKER_03 6:26

And you know what, just even uh thinking about this this topic, gaming should be fun. Yes, it shouldn't be something that's deadly. And I can remember I was living in Nashville at the time, and I I stopped by. It was uh we were getting clients because it was before the stadium was built, and we were getting the African-American uh uh contractors to uh be a part of the the Titans, and I went by one gentleman's house, and I'm while I'm waiting on him to sign these papers, I'm waiting in the living room, and this little kid is on this gaming called Oh God, it it was back in the 2000s, but it was machine guns. I'm I'm like, oh my god.

SPEAKER_00 7:10

Now ask the guy Call of Duty.

SPEAKER_03 7:13

No, it's it's one of the it was in the 2000s or early 2000s. Was it Grand Theft Auto? Grand Theft Auto. And I'm going as a guy said, uh, oh my god, you know, I said, This little kid is parmi how old was the kid, he maybe seven, eight years old. And so I said, Oh my god, I said to the guy, this kid, did you see the game he's playing? I said, He's trying, he said, Oh, we gotta we gotta keep the generation going. I hurried up and got what I need and got up out of there, but it was just really a shame to see that these gamings are manipulating vulnerable minds, and and and these kids they're thinking that this is the way of living.

SPEAKER_00 8:02

But you know, it takes it a step further. The reason why I'm very shocked at that Pacific game, Grand Theft Auto, um without getting too deep into it, that game says that game involves taking people's lives. Yeah, there's sex involved in there, there's gambling drugs. That's why I looked at you like, Oh, who's this kid? Oh no, yeah, this he was yeah, yeah. That's that's not a game for a child.

SPEAKER_03 8:34

And he's chopping people, and I'm going like, is that I don't like to see blood. I'm going like, oh my God, get me out of here, Lord. You get me out of here. I promise, you know, because and then for and then his his response, his response was wasn't something I was looking for. But you know, it's really heartbreaking. It's really heartbreaking to see that our young people uh are out here now gaming, murdering people. There's there's nothing good that's gonna come out of that. They're gonna ruin their lives. The parents are gonna, you know, uh should be held accountable if if they're minors. I'll tell you what, a solution is it's called the ticket program. David Page created, uh, and you need definitely to have him on your show. The ticket program, it's an accountability program, and it's designed for the home. There's a home version, there is a school ride version, and then there's a classroom version for teachers that are having issues trying to teach other people's children, and they have to sign a contract. Uh, it's a rewards at the end of the week if they don't have uh so many tickets, zero, three, I think three do so many tickets, I don't want to mess the program up. But it's a rewards program and it makes them accountable because it's easy to blame somebody else. So a parent, even if you're a single parent, it works as if it's a husband or a wife in the house because it makes them accountable. Don't just give them things, make them earn it. The churches can use them. When I saw in Chicago this team take over, there were at least five mega pastors that said those are our kids. I haven't seen them talk about it anymore or be on the news about it anymore. But the churches can benefit from this program. The world needs this program, every city, every household. It brings them back to being respectful and don't just give them anything.

SPEAKER_00 10:42

That's actually an excellent idea.

SPEAKER_03 10:44

You need to talk to David Page, yes.

SPEAKER_00 10:47

Yeah, I think that's a great idea because something needs to be done.

SPEAKER_03 10:51

Absolutely. Absolutely. Because you have to look around, you know, when you see a kid now, kids are supposed to be vulnerable. So now you got to start looking around, uh, looking, looking up, watching everything you do, being paranoid when you see children.

SPEAKER_02 11:06

Okay, but anyway, I'm out my soapbox.

SPEAKER_00 11:10

Well, I tell you what, we're gonna do we're gonna talk about something that's gonna put a smile on everyone's face.

SPEAKER_01 11:14

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 11:15

Now, I have to admit, when it comes to basketball, I'm a Chicago Bulls fan.

SPEAKER_01 11:19

Okay.

SPEAKER_00 11:20

I do want to give props to the New York Knicks, who has just won the NBA championship after a 53-year drought. Wow. So I have to give kudos to them and say congratulations to him. It was it was great for them to do that.

SPEAKER_03 11:39

And you know, I was so excited for them. Uh San Antonio, those guys, they they they are something to be reckoned with in the future. But because of everything you just said, 53 years, oh my goodness. And then they had a little jinky moment, and they came back from that jinky moment, and they they they they took it. So I am very, very, very much uh proud, and I say to them, congratulations, you know,

Knicks Championship And Team Mindset

SPEAKER_03 12:07

because you know, practice, as I say, uh that there's proof that that there was a lot of practice in this, you know, perseverance pays off, and they were very perseverant.

SPEAKER_00 12:17

Oh, yeah. The one thing I really want to tip my hat off too is pretty much for almost all the games, the Spurs have started off with the lead, and sometimes gigantic leads. And the New York Nists kept their composure, they stayed tight as a unit, yeah, and they never gave up, regardless of what that scoreboard said, they never gave up. And a lot of people can learn from that. You know, no matter how hard times get, yeah, once you give up mentally, it's over, it's over, and they understand. And I have I I really tip my hat off total for that.

SPEAKER_03 12:53

And you save that particular comment because that fits right into this networking that we talked, that uh I sent you a text message that's about to go down. So stay tuned, guys. But that that it goes to show that timing matters. Sometimes the wait is long, but the victory, man, is worth it. It's worth it, it's worth you know, waiting for this. I mean, two million people showed up for a parade today, and then it ended up somebody shooting, you know, uh, somewhere around there. But two million people showed up in the beginning and they celebrated because we we're just in a time right now, uh Lawrence, that there's so much negativity around us. This is I I told you something about this day was big was so prophetic that it was so powerful from it from the from things in the news. There was some bad things, but a lot of good things in the news, including this parade, you know, to see that people, you know, were unifying because that's what it's about. Man, it's time for us to start unifying.

SPEAKER_00 14:04

Yes, definitely. And even after winning the championship, I was really impressed at how poised, relaxed, and calm even the star players were where they didn't let it go into their head. You know, they understood how important this moment was, but they were very appreciative. And whenever, whenever you ask them, even the MVP, you know, what made you do it? How'd you get through this? It's always us, our team. You know, it's always us. We did this, we did it. It wasn't no I there. And that's what the team is built on, because it goes back to you can have the greatest player of all time, and we've seen this in the past, where they could go out and score 60, 70 points a game, but still lose the game because the other team shuts down everybody else. Yeah, so no matter how great you are, you have to have that team around you. It has to be the right thing because it's like making a cake where one slight ingredient, because I actually cook, so one slight ingredient literally changes the texture and the taste of that cake. Same thing when you're playing sports, and same thing in life, too.

SPEAKER_03 15:13

Yeah, yeah. But do you I I want to ask our audience uh uh do you guys think that this starts a new destiny, or is it just a one-time run? What do you guys think about that? And where does the championship rank in the NBA history? So, do you all think this is a one and done?

SPEAKER_00 15:35

I would love to find out what our fans think. Uh, I really would because I they are very vocal, let me tell you.

SPEAKER_03 15:42

So and and look, and one of the biggest things is do we think um Jalen Bronson now is one of the greatest Knicks ever? How many 60? He scored 60 points.

SPEAKER_00 15:59

I want to say this it was close to if it wasn't, it was very close to it.

SPEAKER_03 16:02

Yeah, close to yeah, that was a lot. I I believe I saw 60. I went, what? I I remember hearing a six something, so maybe yeah. I said one person scored all of that, so yeah. So I I just I just enjoyed, I'm so happy uh for New York. Uh and New York just needs it because New York gets a gets a bad rap. And and I I saw the different interviews uh with all the people were friendly, even the people from New York were saying that all the people uh were friendly to one another because you know New York is known to be cold, people just walk past you, but everybody came together and it was really, really a great thing. Legends, legends were born, you know.

SPEAKER_00 16:43

Yeah, and and actually the MVP has a strong tie to the Chicagoland area. He's actually from the Chicagoland area. I forgot what school he went to, but yeah, he's he's from the Chicagoland area.

SPEAKER_03 16:58

Okay, awesome. Okay, so we got that connection. So we're all connected, you know. Uh we all connected some some way, some shape, somehow, you know. Yes, um kudos to the to the Knicks, yes.

SPEAKER_00 17:11

Now, I'm quite sure someone's gonna ask us online. Do you think, and this is a what if, do you think the Bulls in their prime would be able to go against this this Knicks team right now?

SPEAKER_03 17:28

Say that one time, say that again.

SPEAKER_00 17:30

The Chicago Bulls, you remember back in the the Jordan days? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. In their prime, do you think they'd be better than the Knicks are today?

SPEAKER_03 17:42

Uh, that's that's you know, that's a is the glass half empty or half full. It's yeah, I guess it's it's someone's perspective on how they look at that because the bulls, man, that that that that that time, that era, man. Oh my god. Uh not terrain on the Knicks or whatever, but you know, yeah, go do Bulls. I don't know. I don't know. I think if they continue to play the way they they're playing, no eye in the team, no eye in the team. I I think they can they can go some places, but I'm never gonna put the Spurs down either now.

SPEAKER_00 18:15

Sorry, Spurs. Now, of course, I do have a bias since I am a Chicago Bulls fan, yeah, but it would be kind of fun to see though.

SPEAKER_03 18:24

It would be, it'll be it'll be great to see. Yeah, so we'll see. Put a pen in it, as they say, put a pen in it.

SPEAKER_00 18:30

Oh, yeah, because you know someone's gonna ask that question, it's only a matter of time.

SPEAKER_03 18:34

Okay, yeah, uh uh, of course, and we'll we'll get to talking about that again as well.

SPEAKER_00 18:41

Um well, unfortunately, um, I do have to bring this up. Um a 21-year-old dies after a bridge jump without attached safety rope in Brazil. So the 21-year-old, her name was Maria Eduardo Rodriguez A. Feritas, was participating in a guided rope jumping excursion in Sao Paulo, Brazil, when she was pushed from the Panto dos Esquito or Skeleton Bridge, according to no local news reports. So after she was thrown off the bridge, a witness filming the incident shouted in Portuguese, guys, the rope. So what happened was they had her in here because I actually saw the video, and they literally

Bridge Jump Death And Safety Neglect

SPEAKER_00 19:38

threw her off the bridge, and there was no safety rope there. Whoa. So they literally threw her to her death.

SPEAKER_02 19:52

Oh my god.

SPEAKER_00 19:54

Yeah.

SPEAKER_02 19:55

I'm just making sure I got to that one. Oh my god, Lawrence.

SPEAKER_00 19:59

Yeah, I I I wish that this was a typo or whatever. But this is crazy. I personally, even if this hadn't happened, I don't believe in bungee jumps. I think it's crazy personally. I would never jump off a bridge or a high altitude, anything, have someone testing my legs. I'm not doing that. But I don't know, Wanda, would you would you ever bungee jump before this incident?

SPEAKER_03 20:23

Negative, negative, negative, nada, no way, no, no, no, no. It's been a long, it was when I got on a roller coaster, what they used to call it back in the the, I think it's it's a beast now. No way. Um, and and and more importantly, who you're going with? See, it goes back to the lady that was fishing in uh was it Jamaica, now it was it the Bahamas, wherever it was, a few weeks ago, and she was on trap of her boat, and all of a sudden she fell off the boat. No, it's about you being mindful who you're hanging with. Who are you hanging with? But that there's no did you say that that was on purpose?

SPEAKER_00 21:06

Well, yeah. What happened was the whole idea is like a bungee jump. So they have the rope or bungee core, whatever tied to her, and when they throw her off, then the rope or the bungee core or whatever, you know, stops her from falling. You know, people do this for a thrill. Yeah, I know better ways I can get a thrill.

SPEAKER_03 21:26

Come on now, the thrill is gone. Oh, the thrill is gone, baby. Oh my god.

SPEAKER_00 21:32

But again, when they threw her off, a witness looked and was like, oh my god, the rope is not attached. So they literally watched this woman fall to her death.

SPEAKER_03 21:45

Oh, I couldn't believe that. And in this day and age, again, it just goes back, Lawrence, to the atmosphere that we are in. And the heart of the people, it's turning. People there there are so much evil people in the world, but I'm I'm so grateful to know that that there's a few of us around here that have a heart. We have a heart for for people, for God's people. And I mean, for someone to be that cruel, what did she do to make them so angry or whatever?

SPEAKER_00 22:19

What actually it wasn't anger. I hate to say it like this, it was just stupidity. They literally forgot to attach the rope to her.

SPEAKER_03 22:28

See, I just I told you I looked at things both sides. Did they really?

SPEAKER_00 22:33

Just like when you go zip lining, again, another thing that I would never do. There's a safety harness there. So if something happens, the safety harness catches you. On some of those zip lines, they don't have safety harness. Again, something I would not personally do. Now, there are some consequences to what happened um with this young lady.

SPEAKER_03 23:53

You know what? You're gonna hear some more about that story. I'm sorry, go ahead.

SPEAKER_00 23:57

The the three men in the video were arrested and charged on Sunday with homicide with eventual intent per local reports. So even though it was an accident, I don't I believe it was an accident as well. I think it was just a stupid mistake. There are consequences to that stupid mistake.

SPEAKER_03 24:20

Oh, I mean, before you see, see, see, see, see, see, I I I gotta get past that. Because before the person jump off, do you and it's like ready, get set, and that don't you at least get that? Oh, you just push.

SPEAKER_00 24:38

See, I don't know because again, I would never do that. So I honestly don't know what the procedure is.

SPEAKER_03 24:46

You know what? You need to get the people need to get the memo before they start going out there doing something because there's no way in the world that you're gonna be doing zip lining, uh bungee jumping as this uh young lady did, and the people that was around her, see, I'm telling you, uh that there's two sides, and I and I always look at that at both sides, and something is funny about that story because how are you gonna push somebody out without first making sure are you ready? And I can't get to it.

SPEAKER_00 25:20

They they threw her off, they held her and she was laying on top of them, and they literally tossed her over.

SPEAKER_03 25:28

So, how could that be a mistake? That maybe I need I haven't seen the video, maybe I need to see the video because that makes no common sense.

SPEAKER_00 25:37

To me, the what the other thing that's surprising, and maybe she was just excited, is she didn't say, hey guys, aren't you gonna attach the safety rope to me or something? I mean, maybe she was so excited she didn't think about it or whatever, but I I just I'm I'm I'm one to say that I believe in having fun. You know, there's nothing wrong with a thrill, but I think these days it's going to the extreme. I used to love getting on roller coasters. I don't get on roller coasters anymore because the roller coasters now they want to have them go as high as the serious top. Now, I I'm old school, I still call it serious tower, even though people say it's the Willow's time. But but you know, you need to be that I I don't want to be scared to death to have a good time. That's not fun to me.

SPEAKER_03 26:24

But that's why I said don't scare me to death. That's that's that's uh you you you said it. I mean, because that that is just I can't get past that, and I get I almost feel I can feel it in my bones. We will be coming back to this subject. Uh, not that I told you so, but because they arrested them and then they they they charged them with uh murder.

SPEAKER_00 26:48

You said the charge, they charged with yeah, so um the way they worded it was they said um they were charged on Sunday with homicide with event eventual intent. So basically, and again, I'm not a lawyer, but basically I think what they're saying is they're responsible for her death, but it's not like a first-degree murder where you know you plan it out to try and and and take someone out. That didn't happen.

SPEAKER_03 27:19

How do we know that, Lawrence? Allegedly, how do we know that? Was she kicking it with one of them? You know, wasn't something? I'm telling you, I'm uh but I'm like you, that wouldn't be the way for me because I just wouldn't. Oh no, no, no. So anyway, I just I'm just being the devil's advocate when I say that. Uh, and for some reason, and then the the police aren't always correct, you know, because people get arrested don't mean that they would well, but they were charged. So, yeah, so that that's something to think about. So you better think about your playtime, how you want to play.

SPEAKER_00 27:59

Yeah, that's true, and also think about your activities too. You know, yeah, is the worst that can happen with this activity, you can lose your life. Maybe you shouldn't do that.

SPEAKER_03 28:10

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. I I I totally agree. But we're gonna put a pin in that one too, because I tell you what, I guarantee we we're gonna be coming back to that one to talk again.

SPEAKER_00 28:21

Oh, yeah, and I feel sorry for her family because that's a heck of a way to to to die.

SPEAKER_03 28:27

How old was she?

SPEAKER_00 28:29

She was only 21, she was young.

SPEAKER_03 28:30

21. Oh, yeah, it goes back to the immaturity, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 28:37

And I'm quite sure her family, some of her family may not have been happy with her taking this particular activity, but um I just don't understand it personally. To me, there's nothing fun about being thrown off of a bridge.

SPEAKER_03 28:52

To me, it's not fun, not at all. And and I'm I'm glad that we we have the platform that we could talk about that. And for anybody that's watching this um this uh this episode, they need to really understand that if you're planning, because I know my girlfriend just came back from Jamaica, so they they they she I think she did the zip lining when they were when they were there, so really in another country doing that stuff. Wow. So people do all this when they go on vacation. Uh you like the lady we were talking about on the boat. They got a picture of her on this little bitty boat, you know. You know, don't tip the boat over. You taking a picture, and next thing you know, was it uh was it uh over with after you took that picture? I don't know. No, some stuff is a little bit too scary for the kid, you know.

SPEAKER_00 29:36

And you know, the other thing too, Wonder is a lot of people don't understand you sign a waiver before they even let you attempt that. Yeah, so which means if that's your life and you're it nine times out of ten, there is no legal recourse you can take against the company.

SPEAKER_03 29:53

Yeah, they they could they cover themselves, yeah. So you do it at your own risk, as they say, you know. I hate to hear that about this young lady man that still had a full life ahead of her, you know. And those young, the the the boy, the young men that did it, you know, their life is over as as well. So you think about their life, and it goes back to what you said in on so many episodes. Have you ever thought about the ones you're gonna leave behind? Your choices, your free will choices.

SPEAKER_00 30:21

Yeah, that is so true. Yeah, well, I'm gonna pivot to something that's actually a good thing, okay. So Serena and Venus Williams are going to be playing doubles at Wimbledon. Okay, so Wimbledon will host the Williams Sisters reunion later this month. Venice and Serena Williams, two of the biggest stars in tennis history, will play doubles together at the British tournament after receiving a wild card entry on Tuesday. Okay. Now the two have won six doubles, uh titles together, and the last coming a decade ago, back in 2016, Serena 44, recently announced a return to competitive tennis, while Venus, who turns 46, uh, actually she turned 46 yesterday, began playing again last year. Neither is slated

Williams Sisters Return To Wimbledon

SPEAKER_00 31:27

to play singles, though one wild card entry remains unfilled, which means one of them couldn't get that couple. So, what do you think? How do you feel about uh the Venus sisters back together again?

SPEAKER_03 31:39

Oh my god, that's legendary. That that that that's legendary uh for Wilmelton uh to excite us like this, to excite, oh my god, that that's that's that's legendary, man. And you know, those sisters changed the game. They they changed the game, and to be able to see them performing together, that is huge. That's the what was the Michael Jackson uh reunion tour, uh all the different big name people coming back together, that is legendary. I am going to be excited to watch that, and it's probably gonna break the internet.

SPEAKER_00 32:18

Oh, absolutely, absolutely. And here's the reality both of the V Both of the Williams sisters are in excellent shape. So just because they're not competing, don't mean they still wasn't on the tennis court.

SPEAKER_03 32:31

Yes, yes, yes. And you know, you you're talking about greatness never fails, and they're gonna prove that greatness never fails, and we're gonna be able to see that to watch these two together is legendary.

SPEAKER_00 32:45

Now, do you think that by them being back on the tennis court together that that's gonna kind of uh maybe um re-energize them for the for the taste of competition where they may get back to the dual singles again?

SPEAKER_03 32:59

Well, you know what? I I I'm do I'm into a lot of sports, and I see a lot of guys there in the they have like 60 and over. This these are guys like 70. We went to Vegas, they have a a baseball team, 90 and over. It is a hoot to watch them. So when you see someone that loves the sports that they're in, they you know maybe they should get a uh uh a competition close to their age because there's a lot of people that were into sports as children, teenagers in their 20s, and now as you say, they're not sitting back, it would be nice to see uh what's their name? Uh what's the tennis? Uh some of the the great tennis players come back together and play because it's in their field. So they can open up a they can open up something like that. Because to see some of these uh men in their uh 50s, 60s, and 70s playing softball, and I'm talking about can throw a ball like a bullet, the rules changes a lot. Oh my god, I guess it's age appropriate. Like what? I can't follow the rules, and I miss the number one fan a lot of times. But I I think that this would be uh an awesome and maybe an awesome move for them to think about getting people in their own age bracket to come back and show some competition to show that, you know, and and then they're in the arena to do that.

SPEAKER_00 34:20

Yes, it's true, that's very true. I think it's great because I think a lot of people miss that competition. They miss the the the Williams sisters, you know, they they've overcome a lot, yes, you know, from how they got into tennis, being taught by by their father, who actually never played the sport, but learned the sport and taught it to them, and how they've overcome, you know, the competition, the racist things that they've had to overcome.

SPEAKER_02 34:50

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 34:51

And you know, now they're both household names. I mean, their greatness that people can look up to.

SPEAKER_03 34:57

And you know what? It's great timing. You know, it's a blessing delayed, it's not a blessing denied. So the the timing is perfect, and it's a blessing, as we would say, to see these sisters reunite on such a huge platform. It's just awesome to see that. I'm excited. Uh, have they given a date uh when they are looking at doing this?

SPEAKER_00 35:22

Um, I'm about to take a look, but it is later this month.

SPEAKER_03 35:25

Okay, well, and we'll be back talking about it again. Like making sure people are tuning in to watch it and make sure I put on my DVR. I definitely want to see it.

SPEAKER_00 35:35

The one one of the things that I think that we don't talk about enough is what the Williams Sisters did, too, is I've seen a lot more African-American black tennis players playing than I've ever seen in my life. I mean, we we've had Arthur Ash and we've had other players in the past, but to have this many at one time, now granted, it's still not where we want to see it, but the amount that we've seen now is is very inspiring and it's very much needed because it's hard to tell a young boy or young girl, you can do this, you know, you can do this. There's nothing stopping you, but it's hard for them to believe it if they don't see it. When they see someone that looks like them, they look at themselves and go, Yeah, I can do that. Yes, I I can be that. I can't be my own person, I can't do what that person's doing. That's why representation is so important.

SPEAKER_03 36:33

I was getting ready, I was getting ready to go there. And you you just said we just segue right into that one because that's why it's important for uh for especially African Americans. I think for all uh athletes or uh entertainers or whatever, you have a platform that people are watching you, then you are you you it it is your duty because you're at a level that people are watching what you're doing. So yeah, they they want to be everybody wanna be like Mike, you know. So as a as a some of you, I'm not a role model, I'm not this, but whether you are willingly or unwillingly, what you do on that platform when millions of people, is including children, are watching your moves, yeah, you are a role model by fault.

SPEAKER_00 37:22

That is true. So I I I tip my hat off. I I thought it was great. I think thought it was really, really great. So well, I would like to pivot to something now. I think most people are gonna be happy about this. Some people may have an attitude about it. You know, teach his own, everyone has their free will. Yeah, but I do want to spend a little extra time talking about the Obama Presidential Center grand opening that took place today.

SPEAKER_02 37:51

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 37:53

So the Obama Center, which is on the south side of Chicago. Um, I grew up born and raised in Chicago. Opened today, and it was amazing. It was absolutely amazing. Didn't have the chance to be there because you know I'm not important, but that's okay. I did I did watch uh most of it on TV. Yeah, I did record it, so I'm able to rewatch and watch the whole thing, but defending some highlights, there were some great performances there. Uh some of the performances that took place. Uh you had Stevie Wonder, you had Giant Legend, you had Common, Jennifer Hudson, Jennifer Hudson.

Obama Presidential Center Opens In Chicago

SPEAKER_02 38:39

Oh my god. Uh Bruce Gray thing was there.

SPEAKER_00 38:44

It was so many people that, and then also all four of the previous presidents and their wives were there. Yes. That's something you don't see a lot. No, that's a lot.

SPEAKER_03 38:59

You know, I that's what that was part of my giddiness today when we first got on. It was part it with me starting my branding uh with Laura today and her motivating me, and uh, because I missed it as well. But to come home to see the highlights, and hopefully they'll they'll play it again. But to come home to see the highlights, man, this is positive, it's inspirational because we have been living the last year and a half in such negativity, and to just like with New York, we talked about the Knicks and them coming together with unity. Today, Chicago got another big city, came together with a mega event, is this um uh presidential center. And you know, it's more than just a building, it's a legacy, hope, relationship communities coming home to Chicago. And one thing, when I was living in Nashville, and I remember Obama announcing that he was gonna be running for senator, and he came from where I grew up in Roseland. I grew up in Roseland. So being in Nashville to hear about Roseland, all the way in Nashville, he was a community organizer. And when he finally won the presidency, I'm I'm scanning through the T the TV network, and there was my cousin, God rest his soul, my cousin Poochie. And I'm in Nashville seeing people from Chicago that I knew. So to see that he has come full circle to put this platform, he was always about organizing. The Obama inspired me to do my organization rock, restore our communities. He inspired people like myself to to come together and let your voices be heard. This was phenomenal.

SPEAKER_00 41:00

Yes, it was. Yes, it was. The performances were off the chain.

SPEAKER_01 41:06

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 41:08

I think my favorite moment was when Michelle Obama got up and spoke. And she was very tender. It was it was very touching. I I you know, I felt myself starting to tear up a little bit. Yes, yeah, Obama did too. And you know, to have your spouse be able to say good things about you, it touches while you're alive. While you're alive, while you're alive, it touches you in a different way. Now, we all know the great things he's done as president, but your wife sees you when maybe you're not even sure of yourself. Your wife sees you at your lowest points that everybody else don't see you. Your wife sees what you have to go through, but you still push forward, you still make it happen. And the way that he lives his life, yeah, yeah. I think personally that the Obama Center, there was only one location, it could be in Chicago. Now, yes, it could have been in Hawaii because that's where he was born, in Hawaii. But he has so much roots, grassroots in Chicago. Yes, yes, and the one thing I love about it is throughout it between the young performers, up and coming artists, and stuff like that, he made the South Side part of it. Come on, brother, yeah. Just about him. Yes, and Chicago to me has gotten a bad rap over the years. Now, yes, there are knuckleheads in Chicago, but I think that Chicago gets a bad rap because you see this handful of knuckleheads doing these things, and you get the impression that everyone in Chicago is like that. That's not true. When I tell people I was born and raised in Chicago from the West Side, I had I had a couple people make an ignorant comment to me. Well, you don't look like you're from the West Side. Well, what the hell is that supposed to mean? Well, what am I supposed to look like then? You know, just ignorant, you know?

SPEAKER_01 43:20

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 43:21

So he embodied the the impression of being his own man, standing on morals, not letting anything knock him down. Because when he was president, and we all forget this, the Republican Party tried everything in their and their power to break him. And he wouldn't let that happen. And he stood strong. That's power, that's perseverance, that's being able to withstand everything that's being thrown at you.

SPEAKER_03 43:57

Absolutely, brother. But you know what? No matter your politics, this is history in the making. This is history in the making, and Chicago South Side, I too came from the South Side, and I too had a comment back in the 80s. I was in school with my girlfriend who called Lauren today. We were in school, and when the young lady she said, Where do you live? I told her because at this time we we had moved from Roseland and we live and we call like the 30s, 39 in that area. Uh, I said, Well, we live on the low end. The low end, you look like you're a boy, you look like you live in the 80s, like Chatham. And I looked at her, it's the same difference. How do you look like you live in a certain place? You know, but I'm just so grateful that Obama was coming. You mentioned, look at the the four different presidents. There were whites, blacks, there were uh uh LGBTQ, there were all kinds of people represented today. And I said to myself, that's what America looks like, that's what America was founded on.

SPEAKER_00 45:08

Yes, and you know the thing that impressed me the most, Wander, was they interviewed people that came to the event that was in Jackson Park because the actual event itself was invitation only. So what they did is they set up um screens and other locations where they can watch it. But what impressed me the most was people not only coming from suburbs, there were people coming from out of state to come watch this. Wow. There were goosebumps. There were white, black, young, old, Hispanic. It didn't matter. It was like a melting pot that was sitting there in the grass. That's what America's about.

SPEAKER_02 45:55

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 45:56

And that really, really put a big smile on my face. And what it told me is that no matter how much this crazy BS that's going on, America is still a great country and we'll get through this. That'll be easy, but we can get through this.

SPEAKER_03 46:12

And you know what? And to go back to give uh to where uh uh uh President Obama came from, you know, this Chicago gave him his roots. You said that. Chicago gave him his roots. And for him to have a day such as today in the midst of the turmoil that we live in, it there are a lot of people that can see. I saw a video, it was some months ago, but with everything that was happening, because I think everybody was being okay do you remember when uh when Martin Lawrence did that show? He he fought against I think a Hearns, it was that he had all these lumps on his head. You know, that's the way the world felt like we've been getting lumps with our heads, getting beat down. And then somebody just found the humor and did this uh this this video, and you know, Obama got this real cool walk, real swagger to his walk, right? He had this nice walk, and they had the song, Baby Come Back. You can blame it. Oh me, I was wrong. They want him to come back, and it was just so cool how they did that, and and in all of that hurtfulness that we were going through and that we are going through. That was man, that that was a soft moment, man, to see that, and it made you reflect. That was months ago, but today gave the world and whomever wanted to watch it, to see what America used to be, what it was once like, and what it can be again. So, this was a powerful message today, and as they say, it's more than just a library, it's more than just a center, it's bringing history, it's true, and empowering empowering the people.

SPEAKER_00 47:58

That is true. Now, from the highlights that you've seen, what was your favorite part?

SPEAKER_03 48:03

Oh man, all of them. I I don't I mean, every time I oh, that's I just got excited over all of it. It was just great seeing all of the the the celebrities coming together because we know the celebrities wouldn't come together for other people, but the celebrities came together in numbers. Stevie Wonder, like I said, John Legend and the common when they did that um uh glory. Oh my god, that that was just so heartfelt. Jennifer Hudson, oh my god, Bruce Springsteen looking good. Oh, Bruce was looking good, man. So oh my god, everybody, the the people in the audience watching from the screens, it was just so you, I don't think you could compare a moment there. The it was it's like it's like the team. It was it was a team effort. The whole it was just a team from the celebrities from the polit from the polit uh the the politicians to the the the average people that came out about their seats. And it for me, I could I can't I can't even pick a moment. I just I wasn't there.

SPEAKER_00 49:12

Now, one thing that I love about his his his Obama Center is that yes, there's a library there, but it's like a gift to the community. Yes, and what I mean by that is you have a replica of his office, his Oval Office when he was in the White House in the center. Okay, there's a full NBA regulation size court in there to play basketball. There's gardens and stuff out there, there's a restaurant on site, there's artwork in there. So it's actually for the whole community. It's not just a remembrance or a dedication to Obama, but also to where he comes from, his roots, and a celebration of Chicago. And it's something that can be enjoyed for all year long, whether it's residents in the neighborhood, people coming in from out of state. Plus, the other thing he did too, you know, we we don't talk about it that much, but all that construction and planning and stuff brought jobs to the Southside too. Yes, so it helped out in so so many different ways.

SPEAKER_03 50:22

This is brother, this is huge on so many levels because it lets you know from whence he's come, because they took out the picture when he had black hair, and he looked so young. The girls were the girls didn't look like women like they look gorgeous women they are today. And it's something that I have said on my talk shows at Nashville, my talk shows here when my husband was alive and we he had his talk show. We always talked about being self-sufficient. There's no reason why you have to beg and plead for other people to give you what you need. There's enough of us as African Americans who have made it that we could put our pool our resources together. And again, it goes back to rock, restore our communities. And so to see that he has not only is talking about it through his speeches, but to actually have a tangible site to bring people together and to motivate people because it's sad to see no the the Walgreens. Uh, there are no there are no Walmarts in the area. I couldn't believe all the looting that some of the people have done. So this is bringing hope to a community, not just African Americans, because where he is a high park, it's mixed, it's always been a mixed area. So, and then, like you said, in the different people coming in, we want everybody to feel welcome. So he just inspired us on so many levels. Inspired us, Father's Day is coming up. Man, he is one of the greatest inspirations of a father, and happy father's day to you too, my brother. Thank you, and to all of the fathers who are listening and who will listen to this. Happy Father's Day. So he's an inspiration, he's an example to follow. A father, a great husband. My god. People tried to put dirt on him, they they tried to send him the Obama girls. Y'all remember that? They tried to taint him with that. He is just the epitome of a good man, good father, a good leader. My goodness.

SPEAKER_00 52:31

You know, it reminds me of a funny moment that I saw. I don't remember what his exact title was, but he's a member of the executive team that was on the board for the Obama Center. But I forgot what his name is, so I don't I don't want to misspeak. But he wore a tan suit and he said, Well, I'm just imitating someone who made this suit look good. I'm kind of paraphrasing. And what he was talking about, for some people that don't know, when President Obama was in office, they made a big deal by him wearing a tan suit. You would have thought that he blew up a whole city, so it was ridiculous because he wore a tan suit.

SPEAKER_02 53:11

Oh my god.

SPEAKER_00 53:12

So he was kind of teasing on that a little bit. And I kind of laugh at it because it's like when you think about it, it was stupid. Like, really? This is all you have to go on.

SPEAKER_02 53:25

That's what you said.

SPEAKER_00 53:28

They wanted to they wanted to make his life a living hell when he was president, and he didn't allow them to do that. He held his head high, absolutely, and he kept moving forward, even though he was throwing mud at him, he just brushed it off and just kept moving forward.

SPEAKER_03 53:42

And you know what? And like I said, there are many examples because we we would laugh and uh in our private times talking to people like you know, uh, he was anointed for that position because I don't know if anyone else could have done that with the the grace and the poise, the wisdom, because he had lots of wisdom, and and he didn't let the emotions get to him, even when they tried to boo him, they were looking for stuff, trying to set him up on things. So, as you just said, man, he he was just a he was just a great example, he is a great example, and I pray that people would pick up on that, whatever, because you know, I always start my show off. What is your purpose? Everybody has a purpose. He tried to give that message as he was exiting the White House for people to sign up, and just like you know, we got this other guy, we'll probably talk about him too. Uh, that just won in um was it Boston, Baltimore? I was a Boston or Baltimore, one of the the guy he looks like uh Yosemite Sam. I said, Who's he wrapped me up? But you know, but he cheated on his wife, but he was tired of what was happening.

SPEAKER_00 54:58

Now I know who you're talking about.

SPEAKER_03 54:59

Yes, yeah, he was just a regular and he had and see when you went to politics, man, people would dig up stuff if they can't, they would plant stuff and dig it up, right? And so this guy came at because he was sick and tired of what was happening where he lived, you know, and so he thought that it was a great uh uh way to just do and he's he's ready for the scrutiny, and boy, were they giving him and so I think some more things may come out on that. So we would definitely be talking about him. But the thing about it, well, what Obama was encouraging people, man, get up and get out, man, do something. My my grandson was 17 years old, and because he'll be 18 before November, so he was able to vote in the primary. I recorded it, and I want people to know that while you're sitting back forfeiting your right to vote, some folk have never voted, that's true, not realizing the history behind voting. My grandson did it because guess what? The the the the the powers that be are trying to set up something right now that you will never vote again.

SPEAKER_01 56:07

Yep.

SPEAKER_03 56:09

So I got my grandson at 17 years old voting, you know. Yeah, so yeah, thank you, President Obama. Thank you, thank you for all you've done and all that you're gonna do.

SPEAKER_00 56:20

Absolutely. This is a great way to end our show. A great, great way to end our show. Yes, I want to thank everyone for watching us, supporting us. Please continue to support us and also tell people to watch us on you can watch us on YouTube, you can watch us on Facebook, on all social media, on every podcast streaming network we're on. So help us help us grow because I want to bring some new projects out too. And I need some some help from you guys in order to do that.

SPEAKER_01 56:54

All right.

SPEAKER_00 56:56

Again, great show. Yeah, thank you for people watching us on the live.

SPEAKER_03 57:01

I'm Lawrence Elbright, and I'm Wander P and peace out.

SPEAKER_00 57:06

Hi, everyone.