This episode is a simulcast among the Shades of Jade and Billy Dees Podcast. 

In this episode, host Sam reunites with filmmaker Sara Alessandrini and longtime podcaster Billy Dees for a wide-ranging conversation about the lasting fallout from COVID-era decisions and the growing crisis of public trust. They examine Anthony Fauci’s recent testimony, the controversy surrounding the handling of scientific dissent, and how differing lockdown experiences—from Italy and Los Angeles to Ohio and Iowa—shaped public perceptions.

The conversation also explores the erosion of trust in health officials, the media, and public figures, along with the broader consequences of pandemic-era policies and messaging. From there, the discussion turns to Joe Biden’s cognitive decline, how his final campaign was presented to the public, speculation surrounding Hunter Biden’s political future, and the often-complicated relationship between politicians’ personal lives, public image, and actual records in office.

You can find Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

Shades of Jade on X https://x.com/ShadesofJadePod

and sara Alessandrini on X https://x.com/diswhatnyerssay

Billy Dees Podcast: Joel Rakow on Free Speech, Censorship, the Constitution, and Life in Woke America

Billy Dees talks with author Joel Rakow about his novel Life in Woke America: A Family’s Story of Truth and Betrayal Under Fire, a work of fiction inspired by real events. Their wide-ranging conversation examines free speech, censorship, political polarization, institutional power, the COVID-19 era, and the importance of pursuing truth in a society where competing narratives increasingly collide.

Rakow explains how real-world events, including the discovery of a Chinese biological laboratory in California and the subsequent congressional investigation, helped inspire his story. He also discusses what he describes as efforts to suppress or limit the visibility of his book and the broader implications of what is commonly called shadow banning.

The conversation moves into a discussion of the U.S. Constitution and whether constitutional principles can provide a framework for evaluating political leaders, institutions, and public policy beyond traditional partisan arguments. Rakow also shares his concept for the Liberty Scorecard, an AI-powered tool intended to evaluate political actions and candidates through a constitutional lens.

This is a thoughtful and sometimes provocative conversation about free expression, political movements, censorship, artificial intelligence, and the ongoing struggle to determine what is true in an increasingly fragmented information environment. As always, Billy Dees focuses on conversation rather than confrontation, giving the audience an opportunity to hear Rakow's perspective and consider the larger questions for themselves.

Joel Rakow Website: https://www.lifeinwokeamerica.com/

Film history, Hollywood, streaming, and the future of cinema take center stage in this fascinating conversation with filmmaker Mike Scalere.

Billy Dees welcomes Mike Scalere, a cinema studies graduate from NYU and former HBO and History Channel producer, for an engaging discussion about the evolution of movies and television.

From Hollywood's Golden Age and the rise of television to blockbuster classics like Jaws, Star Wars, and The Godfather, they explore how technology has continually reshaped the film industry. The conversation also examines VHS vs. Beta, streaming services, IMAX, practical effects, Christopher Nolan, Steven Spielberg, Tom Cruise, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence on filmmaking.

Along the way, they discuss why storytelling, craftsmanship, and the shared movie-going experience remain essential despite rapid technological change. Whether you're a filmmaker, movie buff, or simply love great conversations about cinema, this episode offers thoughtful insights into where Hollywood has been—and where it's headed next.

Find Mike on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@Scalerious

and TikTok @Scalerious 

Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

Discover why the most successful entrepreneurs plan their exit before they ever launch their business.

In this episode, Billy Dees sits down with attorney, business strategist, and Play Big Faster host Scherrie L. Prince to discuss business succession planning, estate planning, entrepreneurship, and long-term business success. Scherrie explains why every business owner needs a strategy for ownership, governance, partnership agreements, and protecting both their family and their company from unexpected challenges. 

The conversation also explores sustainable business growth, founder mindset, artificial intelligence in business, common legal mistakes entrepreneurs make, and how to build a business that creates lasting value.

Whether you're starting a side hustle, scaling a growing company, or preparing for retirement, this episode offers practical insights to help you make smarter decisions and avoid costly pitfalls. Tune in for actionable advice on building a resilient business, protecting your legacy, and thinking like a true entrepreneur from day one.

Scherrie L. Prince Website: https://scherrieprince.com/

Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

Discover the remarkable journey of author, filmmaker, and producer Angela Page on this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast. Angela discusses her latest historical fiction novel, Enrico G., inspired by the extraordinary life of her great-grandfather during some of Italy's most turbulent moments, including World War II, Mussolini's regime, and the country's political transformation. She shares how extensive historical research and family stories became the foundation for both her novel and an upcoming film project.

Billy and Angela also explore the rise of historical fiction, the importance of preserving history through storytelling, the changing landscape of Hollywood, artificial intelligence's impact on writers and filmmakers, and what it takes to reinvent yourself after a successful corporate career. Whether you're passionate about history, writing, filmmaking, or pursuing your creative dreams later in life, this engaging conversation offers inspiration, practical advice, and fascinating insights into the power of storytelling across generations.

Find out more about Angela here https://angelapage.net/

Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

On this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy sits down with Army veteran, resilience coach, and New Normal Big Life Podcast host Antoinette Berrafato for an inspiring conversation about overcoming trauma, rebuilding health, and creating a life filled with purpose.

After suffering a traumatic brain injury, spinal damage, and severe PTSD, Antoinette transformed her life from relying on a walker and caregiver to becoming an adventure athlete and wellness advocate.

Together, they discuss recovery from trauma, functional health, chronic illness, healthy aging, caregiving, mental resilience, and the importance of taking an active role in your own well-being.
Antoinette shares practical insights on reducing inflammation, improving lifestyle habits, building emotional strength, and embracing a "new normal" after life's biggest challenges.

Whether you're seeking motivation, better health, or inspiration to overcome adversity, this powerful episode offers valuable perspectives on resilience, healing, and living a stronger, more intentional life.

You can find out more about Antoinette Berrafato on her website and podcast:
https://nnbl.blog/wellness-podcast/

You can follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

On this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy welcomes Stacy Rogers, Republican candidate for Governor of Kansas, for a wide-ranging conversation about the issues shaping the future of Kansas and the nation. Topics include the rapid expansion of AI-driven data centers, property taxes, education reform, government transparency, economic development, and the challenges facing rural communities.

Rogers shares why she entered the gubernatorial race, discusses her grassroots campaign that has taken her to nearly every county in Kansas, and explains why she believes voters are looking for servant leadership over career politics. Billy also explores the national impact of artificial intelligence, infrastructure demands, housing affordability, and the importance of preparing students for the future.

Whether you're interested in state politics, public policy, AI, or the changing political landscape in America, this thoughtful, long-form interview offers insight into the ideas and debates influencing communities across the country.

You can follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

Discover the surprising story behind one of America's oldest—and most misunderstood—forms of entertainment. Billy Dees welcomes author, comedian, actress, and professional ventriloquist April Brucker to discuss her new book, 250 Years of American Ventriloquism: How Ventriloquism Influenced American Culture. Together they explore how ventriloquism shaped radio, television, comedy, politics, and pop culture while uncovering fascinating stories about legendary performers and forgotten pioneers.

The conversation also dives into the future of the art form, examining artificial intelligence, digital avatars, and why live performance continues to resonate with audiences. Plus, April's hilarious puppet Mae Wilson joins the fun, proving that a wisecracking dummy can still steal the show. Whether you're interested in entertainment history, comedy, or the evolution of media, this episode delivers plenty of laughs and surprising insights.

April Brucker official website http://aprilbrucker.tv/

Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

On this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy welcomes author and retired aerospace engineer Jeff Kildow for a fascinating conversation about World War II aviation, military history, and the art of writing historical fiction. Drawing on his career with Lockheed Martin and his passion for preserving history, Kildow shares insights into the remarkable engineering breakthroughs of the era and the inspiration behind his Joel Knight Menace series.

The discussion explores iconic wartime aircraft, alternate history, the challenges of accurately portraying the technology of the 1940s, and thoughtful perspectives on some of World War II's most debated events. Whether you're interested in aviation, military history, engineering, or compelling historical thrillers, this episode offers an engaging and thought-provoking conversation.

You can find Jeff Kildow on his Amazon Author Page. Jeff's website https://www.jeffkildow.com/

More about the episode and links to Jeff on our website. https://perfectmediaprods.com/

You can follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

In this engaging episode, Billy Dees joins host Samantha Wooldrik for a wide-ranging conversation about the evolution of podcasting, the changing media landscape, and the growing challenges facing public discourse. Drawing on decades of experience in audio production, broadcasting, and podcasting, Billy shares his journey from the era of reel-to-reel tape machines and radio commercials to becoming the creator and host of the long-running Billy Dees Podcast.

The discussion explores how podcasting transformed from a niche hobby embraced by early internet enthusiasts into one of the most influential forms of modern media. Billy reflects on the rise of independent creators, the arrival of major media personalities in the podcast space, and the opportunities and challenges that came with podcasting's explosive growth. He also emphasizes the importance of production quality, noting that strong audio remains essential as audiences increasingly consume content through high-quality home and automobile sound systems.

As the conversation shifts to current events, Billy and Samantha examine the role of podcasting and alternative media in shaping public opinion. They discuss political commentary, media bias, audience fragmentation, and the growing tendency for people to consume information that reinforces their existing beliefs. The pair explore how social media algorithms, partisan news outlets, and online communities have contributed to a culture where individuals often operate within separate realities, making productive dialogue increasingly difficult.

The episode also tackles several timely topics, including the Iran conflict, changing dynamics within legacy media organizations, the future of late-night television, and the ongoing decline of traditional broadcast influence. Throughout the discussion, Billy advocates for independent thinking, media literacy, and a willingness to engage with differing viewpoints rather than retreating into ideological camps.

This thought-provoking conversation offers listeners a behind-the-scenes look at the podcasting industry while also examining larger questions about trust, journalism, free expression, and the future of public discourse in an increasingly fragmented media environment.

This episode is available on both the Billy Dees Podcast and the Shades of Jade Podcast.

You can find Samantha Wooldrik on X https://x.com/ShadesofJadePod

and Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

Documentary filmmaker Andrew Linn joins Billy Dees to discuss his film Church and State: Roger Williams and the Founding of Freedom of Religion.

The conversation explores the often-misunderstood concept of separation of church and state, the remarkable legacy of Roger Williams, and the historical roots of religious liberty in America. Billy and Andrew also examine the role of faith in public life, the beliefs of the Founding Fathers, free speech, cancel culture, and the challenges of civil discourse in today's polarized society.

A thought-provoking discussion on history, religion, and the principles that continue to shape the American experience.

This is the link to the Church and State Documentary Website where people can find several different ways to stream the Documentary and learn more info about the film.

https://churchandstatedoc.com/

You can find Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees and Substack https://substack.com/@billydees