On Sunday, August 30, SHAKE IT OFF WITH MERT & LUCAS, LIVE! digs into the real-world sticker shock of a $20 burrito, the high-stakes test of America’s oldest Pacific alliance, and the forgotten grievances that still define the American experiment.
Hour 1 — The $20 Burrito Debate & Second Wave
The hour opens with the viral debate over burritos that erupted after a college student told Turning Point USA a burrito shouldn’t cost that much—turning a simple complaint into a national symbol of inflation, delivery premiums, wage pressures, and everyday affordability in 2026. Real prices, official data, and surveys reveal how extras and apps can push a meal to $20 while homemade or basic options stay far cheaper.
Then Mike Lebowitz, former DOJ National Security Division attorney, Guantanamo Bay war-crimes prosecutor, Army combat veteran, and cyber-command legal advisor, joins the show to discuss Second Wave, his gripping account of al Qaeda’s post-9/11 plot to smuggle nuclear materials into U.S. ports and the secret American race to stop it.
Hour 2 — Trump Scales Back South Korea Exercises & Tyrants and Rogues
The second hour examines President Trump’s order to substantially reduce annual joint military exercises with South Korea, citing his relationship with Kim Jong Un, high U.S. costs, and Seoul’s refusal to join efforts against Iran. The decision sparked sharp bipartisan criticism, raised fresh questions about alliance reliability amid strong public support on both sides, and ignited debate over whether “America First” strengthens or undermines deterrence against North Korea.
The show closes with Prof. Robert Parkinson, Binghamton University historian specializing in the American Revolution, whose new book Tyrants and Rogues examines the 27 specific grievances in the Declaration of Independence and the British figures behind them on the document’s 250th anniversary.
About the Hosts
Lucas A. Ferrara — New York attorney, law professor, award-winning film producer, and editorial strategist. Lucas brings legal precision and narrative muscle to every exchange, cutting through spin to reach substance.
Mert Roberts — A seasoned commentator whose wit and grounded analysis keep every conversation unpredictable, alive, and unmistakably human.
Tune In
LIVE on AM970 Radio or the AM970 mobile app
Sunday, August 30 | 7–9 PM Eastern
Replays stream everywhere: Apple, Amazon, iHeart, Spotify, and more.
More info: shakeitofflive.com
Some shows chase the noise. This one follows the fault lines that still shape the country.
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You can also find the show playing here:
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To view a list of some of Lucas's other projects, click here: https://linktr.ee/lucasaferrara
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