Billy Dees Podcast

Talking About the Mix of Politics and Media with Filmmaker - Sara Alessandrini

In this episode of The Billy Dees Podcast, Billy sits down with Italian filmmaker and social commentator Sara Alessandrini, creator of the docu-series This Is What New Yorkers Say.Sara discusses her deep dive into the Andrew Cuomo media saga and how legacy media, public outrage, and social movements shape — and sometimes distort — public perception.Drawing from her experience living in both Europe and the United States, Sarah offers a unique perspective on due process, the limits of movements like #MeToo, political polarization, immigration, and the growing inability to have nuanced conversations in today’s culture. Together, Billy and Sara explore how narratives are formed, why critical thinking matters more than ever, and what happens when society replaces facts with feelings.A thoughtful and challenging conversation about media power, politics, and the future of public discourse.Find out more about Sara's docu-series here https://www.thisiswhatnewyorkerssay.com/Follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

At the Crossroads - Lessons from 2025 and the Uncertain Path to 2026

Billy Dees with Guest CoHost Cynthia ElliottIn this episode, the conversation ranged widely across some of the biggest cultural, technological, and political shifts shaping our moment. Billy and Cynthia explored the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and what it could mean for jobs, human purpose, and the future of work, while also touching on broader concerns about the planet and the possibility of major technological and energy breakthroughs that could reshape civilization. The discussion expanded into questions of consciousness—whether emerging technologies might change how we understand the human mind itself—and how a new space race is reigniting global competition, innovation, and ambition beyond Earth.On the cultural front, the program examined the growing divide between so-called “red pill” toxic masculinity and a healthier model of men grounded in emotional intelligence, accountability, and balance. The toll of social media was another major theme, with burnout, privacy erosion, and digital overload raising serious questions about how connected society should be.Politically, the discussion took a critical look at the Democratic Party’s current state of disarray and messaging struggles. The episode wrapped with an analysis of Hollywood and celebrity culture, questioning whether stars still hold the influence they once did as audiences grow increasingly skeptical, fragmented, and disengaged.You can follow Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDeesand Cynthia Elliott on X https://x.com/shamanisis 

Andrea LeDew - "Polemics - Political Poems and Prose"

Andrea LeDew is a Jacksonville, Florida–based writer and poet who has spent more than thirty years immersed in literature, language, law, and homeschooling. She is the author of Polemics: Political Poems & Prose, a ten-year collection covering major events in American politics from 2016 through early 2025. Her website For Random Learning Comes has been active for a decade, and her poetry has appeared in multiple literary magazines. She has also participated in regional literary events such as Jax by Jax and the St. Augustine Poet Fest. Beyond poetry, she is currently working on a novel featuring a disabled main character, drawing from her experiences as a caregiver.During the podcast, Andrea discussed how Polemics is organized and what inspired its structure—each piece is paired with a brief introduction explaining the political moment that sparked it. She talked about the various hot-button issues the collection addresses and why she felt compelled to include them. Andrea also explained who she believes would benefit most from reading the book, such as people interested in recent political history or those seeking to reflect on America’s turbulent past decade. Finally, she shared how her own political beliefs have evolved over the years and how that evolution is reflected throughout the collection.More information Andrea LeDew's book https://books2read.com/polemicsAndrea LeDew's website https://frlcnews.com/Billy Dees on X https://x.com/BillyDees

Analysis of the Mark Kelly and Democrats’ “Illegal Orders” Message – What Was the Purpose?

In this episode, we break down the controversial statement released by six Democratic lawmakers warning that U.S. service members are not obligated to follow illegal orders—a point already well-established in military training. Critics on the right have labeled them the “seditious six,” arguing the message was unnecessary and inflammatory. We explore why this statement was made, what it implies, and how it has heightened public tension and speculation about what might unfold in the near future.We also shift to a broader discussion about America’s growing frustration with violent crime. As many citizens feel that the justice system is failing them, new proposals aimed at holding judges more accountable are gaining attention. We examine what this means for communities and for the direction of public policy moving forward.You can find Billy Dees on X @BillyDees https://x.com/BillyDees

Five Reasons Why the Hollywood Box Office is Losing its Glamour

In this episode, we dive into the real reasons behind Hollywood’s declining box office and why audiences aren’t showing up to theaters the way they used to. We break down how streaming services have fundamentally reshaped viewing habits, making at-home premieres the new normal and erasing the urgency of opening weekends. We also discuss how shorter theatrical windows and fragmented marketing have weakened the impact of traditional promotion.The commentary touches on how celebrity activism sometimes affects audience perception, and we take a hard look at the rising cost of moviegoing—tickets, concessions, and premium formats—which pushes many families toward cheaper streaming alternatives.Finally, we explore franchise fatigue, the lack of compelling original content, and even the growing frustration with low-quality CGI. All of these factors paint a clear picture of why the industry is struggling and what might need to change moving forward.