Nobody is using their platform to educate, challenge, and inspire quite like Vic Mensa. From viral orange-tree monologues to fearless conversations about politics, identity, and culture, Vic joins ALL THE SMOKE for one of our most wide-ranging and thought-provoking interviews yet. Vic breaks down how he uses social media as a tool for activism, the realities of Venezuelan immigration in Chicago, and how redlining and systemic violence continue to shape the city. He reflects on growing up biracial, his powerful ayahuasca experience, and the role music plays in influencing today’s youth. We also dive deep into Chicago’s legendary music scene, including unforgettable stories about coming up with Chance The Rapper, being in the room while Kanye West recorded “30 Hours,” and the moment Vic’s own career began to take off. Plus, he talks acting on The Chi, sheds light on today’s activists making a real difference, and shares what it was like filming Still With Smoke entirely on an iPhone in Senegal. This one is equal parts history lesson, cultural deep dive, and raw personal reflection.

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Jay Bilas and Seth Greenberg join Matt Barnes for a deep, unfiltered conversation on what’s actually broken in college basketball.

From NIL and the transfer portal to year-to-year free agency and growing age gaps, Bilas and Greenberg explain why the NCAA is purposefully struggling to keep up, and what that means for the future of the sport.

Later, the conversation shifts to the generational 2026 NBA Draft class, including Jay’s thoughts on Darryn Peterson’s Kobe Bryant comparisons, AJ Dybantsa, and Cam Boozer.

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NBA super-agent Rich Paul is stepping into a new lane, and it’s turning heads across the league.

Matt Barnes reacts to Rich Paul’s recent "Game Over" podcast comments and explains why publicly discussing player movement, trades, and locker-room dynamics can have serious ripple effects inside NBA organizations, ESPECIALLY when stars like LeBron James and the Lakers are involved.

Plus, Matt reacts to the Jimmy Butler injury and its consequences for the Golden State Warriors. I

s this transparency fans want... or is Rich Paul playing with fire in a profession built on trust and relationships?

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In this powerful episode, Matt Barnes sits down with Senator Raphael Warnock for an unfiltered conversation about faith, politics, and the America’s division in dark times. Warnock speaks on Renee Good, community resistance, and why hope requires action and not hashtags. He calls out the weaponization of Christianity, breaks down the real stakes around healthcare and choice, and explains how culture and sports can shift political power. This is an urgent and honest dialogue about using your voice, protecting your neighbors, and showing up for the next generation.

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Ben Affleck joins Matt and Stak for a wide-ranging conversation about creativity, control, and staying grounded in an industry that rarely allows for it. He talks about building Artists Equity with Matt Damon, why ownership matters more to him now than ever, and how their friendship has survived fame, failure, and everything in between. B

en reflects on choosing when to step in front of the camera and when to stay behind it, why he’s never felt the pull of social media, and what it takes to be comfortable being misunderstood. He also shares stories from directing Air, working closely with Michael Jordan, and the sports movie he still hopes to make one day.

The conversation moves through defining moments like Good Will Hunting and The Town, lessons learned from Rob Reiner, handling paparazzi at the height of fame, and his respect for filmmakers like Ryan Coogler. Ben also gives his honest take on artificial intelligence in entertainment and what to look out for in his new Netflix film, The Rip.

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Fred VanVleet pulls up to ALL THE SMOKE Unplugged and keeps it 💯

From Kevin Durant’s viral moment to the REAL version of Dillon Brooks, Fred sounds off on everything fans don’t get to hear: ACL rehab, mental battles, grief, veteran leadership, and why today’s NBA is missing something real.

PLUS: Coach Ime Udoka’s leadership (“Popovich energy”)

Why the NBA needs vets more than ever

His most infamous ejection and the real-life context behind it

Quick hitters: toughest covers, MJ/Kobe/Bron, road trip cities & more

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A Jaguars reporter showed emotion after a playoff moment... and legacy media LOST ITS MIND.

Matt Barnes breaks down why the backlash to Lynn Jones Turpin's postgame interaction with Liam Coen missed the point, how athletes see moments like this differently, and why letting someone show love for 30 seconds shouldn’t be controversial.

If you’ve ever wondered who actually understands the pressure of playoff sports, players or pundits, this one’s for you.

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Scramblin’ Randall was the original dual-threat quarterback and one of the most electric players the game has ever seen. Matt and Stak sit down with Randall Cunningham, now Pastor Cunningham, to trace his journey from UNLV to the Philadelphia Eagles and beyond. Cunningham shares his thoughts on today’s stars like Lamar Jackson and Shedeur Sanders, reflects on playing alongside Randy Moss and Cris Carter, and tells unforgettable stories from his life on and off the field. From college football days with Suge Knight, to hearing his name dropped in Jay-Z’s Heart of the City, to dating Whitney Houston, this episode is packed with moments you don’t want to miss. Buckle up. This one sets the tone perfectly for the NFL playoffs.

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Mad Max returns to the first Unplugged of 2026 with both Matt and Stak! The crew debates whether the Warriors dynasty is officially OVER, breaks down the viral Draymond-Kerr sideline confrontation, and plays Push or Pivot on trade deadline targets like Anthony Davis, Trae Young, and Ja Morant.

Plus, Stak goes OFF on Joel Embiid playing basketball with NO SOCKS, the guys debate if Jaylen Brown is the best two-way player in the NBA, discuss LeBron's potential All-Star snub, and dive deep into Jokic's MVP case vs. the 65-game rule. Then it's NFL Wild Card Weekend picks and a thoughtful conversation about Drake's post-Kendrick beef comeback with the Iceman album.

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ALL THE SMOKE is where real beef gets talked about, not talked around. Over the years, our guests have been unfiltered about their biggest conflicts and the moments where they refused to back down. Whether it was tension with a coach, the media, a league, or a teammate, this compilation brings it all together. We cover Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf standing up to the NBA, the Will Smith and Chris Rock incident, Isiah Thomas on his issues with Michael Jordan and Karl Malone, Dwight Howard’s struggles with Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant, and Terrell Owens’s unrecoverable beef with Stephen A. Smith, and more. Matt and Stak even get personal, breaking down their own beefs with Byron Scott and Doc Rivers. One of the special things about ALL THE SMOKE is that guests let it all fly. No filters. No rewriting history. This might be one of the juiciest compilations we’ve dropped to date.

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ALL THE SMOKE Unplugged sits down with legendary radio executive Damion “Damizza” Young for a conversation that connects the real history of hip-hop to the future of media, AI, and ownership 💨 From connecting Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre, helping Eminem, 50 Cent, and Jay-Z get heard, and witnessing Pac, Biggie, and Death Row up close, Damian shares the untold stories behind the moments that changed music forever.

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