Up In The Mix

This week on Up in the Mix, the boys start by trying to settle an important question: what’s the greatest rom-com of all time? From Love & Basketball and Hitch to Crazy Rich Asians and You’ve Got Mail, they eventually build their Rom-Com Mount Rushmore. Then it’s into the news: the Hawk Fire and its impact on Reno, the wild Penn State fraternity cocaine distribution case, Arizona State’s new influencer degree, and another round of tariffs on Canada. For the Random Lesson in Social Studies, Cesar catches Shaughn completely off guard with a question inspired by Blade Runner: If we ever create truly conscious AI, will humans inevitably discriminate against it—and would AI discriminate against us? Plus, For All Mankind and House of the Dragon get the Binge or Skip treatment, road trips battle flying, and the Deep Dive looks at how Sears went from one of the most powerful companies in America to bankruptcy—and what its downfall tells us about financialization, corporate incentives, and capitalism. Finally, Shaughn’s Final Word asks a simple question for adults who complain that kids today don’t know how to do anything: Who was supposed to teach them? Another week, another mix. 🎙️

School is back, summer is winding down… or is it? This week on Up in the Mix, the boys debate when summer actually ends in Reno and whether the more iconic young-adult experience is a huge house party or a long night of bar hopping with friends. They also get into the latest sports and news stories, including the Lakers’ latest sale, FIFA and private equity, the continuing Kawhi Leonard/Clippers drama, and questions surrounding Trumpito's health. For the Deep Dive, they take a look at the decline of literacy in America. Why are both adult and student literacy rates falling? We talk about changes in education policy, the reading instruction controversy highlighted in Sold a Story, the effects of phones and short-form media, and what AI could mean for the future of reading and writing. Plus: The Pitt, Spider-Man, relegation in American sports, X-Men vs. Avengers, and a Final Word on climate change, hotter summers, and why climate policy matters. Lastly, Shaughn unveils his plan to fix College Football. Another week, another mix. 🎙️

This week on the show, the boys are joined by Daniel Vargas from Reno City Guide to talk about the city we call home. They get into how Reno City Guide got started, Daniel’s connection to the community, his favorite places around town, and some of the people, businesses, and experiences that make the Biggest Little City unique. They also talk about how Reno has changed, what’s happening around town, and what makes this such an interesting time to be here. Whether you’ve lived in Reno your whole life or you’re still discovering the city, this is a conversation about getting to know the place we call home.

This week on Up in the Mix, Shaughn and Cesar sit down with Reno photographer and Half Lit founder Rachel Dickson for a conversation about photography, creativity, and building an artistic community. Rachel shares how she got her start behind the camera, the first camera she ever owned, the photographers who have inspired her work, and the styles of photography she's most passionate about. We also take a deep dive into Half Lit, her independently produced photography zine, discussing what inspired her to create it, the challenges of publishing an independent magazine, and some of the unexpected lessons she's learned along the way. Whether you're a photographer, an artist, or simply someone who appreciates creative storytelling, this episode offers an inside look at the passion and dedication behind documenting the world through a lens. 🎧 Listen, subscribe, leave a review, and help us keep sharing the artists, creatives, politicians, and others who are helping to improve our community and world. Follow Up in the Mix for new episodes, and catch our radio show every Friday at 9 PM on 97.7 KWNK FM.

This week on Up In The Mix, the boys break down who actually wins when the public's resources get handed over for private gain. From right here in Nevada to all across the country, they take a look at what the Public is actually getting from these private subsidies. Also in this episode: They dissect the US Men’s overall World Cup performance. Are we building a soccer powerhouse, or just spinning our wheels on the world stage? The News: Lindsey Graham’s passing, Mitch McConnell’s future, and the active corporate threats to Utah's stunning National Parks. The Deep Dive: Corporate tax breaks are the ultimate shell game. They explain why "incentivizing business" is actually a multi-billion-dollar scam on the taxpayer. Take It or Leave It: No more "hot take culture". Plus, a hard look at how extreme capitalism is actively eroding our public spaces and peace of mind. The Final Word: No. More. Remakes. Unless a piece of media is at least 75 years old and mostly forgotten, let it lie. We need original human ideas more than ever—especially with the current trajectory of AI. All of this, plus a random social studies lesson, a quick look at the racism storm surrounding Argentina, and Binge or Skip picks for X-Men '97, Sleeping with Other People, and Supergirl. Up In The Mix is an independent, corporate-free podcast. If you love the show, hit that follow button on wherever you get the podcast, leave us a 5-star rating, and share this episode with a friend.