This week on The OddPod, Marcus and Rashid take it back to where it all started — Black history, bold conversations, and the stories that almost got erased.

The episode opens with a powerful rediscovery: the 1908 Louisville Unions, an all-Black baseball powerhouse that dominated more than a decade before the Negro Leagues were formally organized. How did one of the best Black teams in the South nearly vanish from history? And what does that say about how our stories are preserved — or erased?

From there, the conversation expands.

The guys unpack the cultural shift from the activist-athlete era of Bill Russell, Kareem, and Jim Brown to the commercial dominance of Michael Jordan — and what was gained… and lost. They explore how politics, sports, entertainment, and government messaging intertwine, and whether modern culture has drifted away from its revolutionary roots.

Then comes the centerpiece: the philosophical clash between Jackie Robinson and Paul Robeson.

Robeson — the son of a formerly enslaved man — was an All-American athlete, Columbia-trained lawyer, actor, global singer, and outspoken activist who challenged American power structures worldwide. Robinson, baseball’s integration pioneer, took a different approach — navigating change from within the system.

Two legends. Two strategies. One larger question:

Do you challenge power from the outside — or change it from within?

Along the way, the episode touches on social media’s influence on relationships, reality TV’s impact on culture, celebrity politics, and even the strange evolution of government messaging in the modern era.

It’s history.
It’s sports.
It’s culture.
It’s the Odd perspective.

And once you hear it — you won’t unhear it.

In this episode of The OddPod, Marcus takes listeners on a full-court journey that starts right at home and stretches all the way to the national stage—because you always start with layups before you pull from deep. He opens with gratitude for the growing community and sets the tone: sports, culture, music, and history are never separate lanes here.

On the hardwood, Marcus breaks down Louisville men’s basketball with a critical but honest eye, praising the aggressive start, wing play, and improved shot selection while questioning consistency, defensive focus, and why this team still struggles to pull away when it has the advantage. He digs into individual performances, the importance of rebounding by committee, and how lineup health and intensity shape the Cardinals’ ceiling as a stretch of quad-one tests looms ahead.

The conversation moves to Louisville women’s basketball, where effort and toughness aren’t the issue—but slow starts continue to haunt a team capable of competing with anyone. Marcus reflects on growth moments, missed opportunities, and why the ceiling remains high despite frustrating losses.

From there, he shifts up I-64 to Lexington, unpacking Kentucky’s dramatic comeback win over Tennessee. Marcus calls out fan impatience, defends coaching adjustments, and challenges Big Blue Nation—and Louisville fans too—to rethink what real support looks like. Emotional intelligence, he argues, matters just as much as basketball IQ.

The episode widens its lens with takes on the NFL, Super Bowl storylines, coaching moves, prop bets, and rookie standouts, before sliding into global sports and culture—from the Winter Olympics to Lindsey Vonn’s injury and the symbolism behind Haiti’s riderless horse uniform.

The heart of the episode lands with Black History Month, as Marcus tells the nearly lost story of the Louisville Unions, a dominant Black baseball team from 1908 whose legacy predates the Negro Leagues and was rediscovered more than a century later. It’s a reminder of how much history lives right beneath our feet—and how easily it can disappear if nobody goes looking.

The episode closes the same way it begins: grounded in community, respect for the game, love for the city, and a call for fans to stay steady, stay thoughtful, and stay locked in—because this is bigger than wins and losses.

Embracing Originality in Music — Cash Monte

In this episode of The ODD POD, hosts Marcus and Pod Rashid sit down with Louisville artist Cash Monte for a thoughtful conversation about originality, patience, and purpose in today’s music industry. From the jump, Cash breaks down the roots of his name and brand, explaining how CashMob the Collective was born out of a close-knit group of friends in Little Kentucky who pushed each other creatively from a young age. That foundation of community continues to shape his approach to music and life.

A major theme of the episode centers on quality over quantity. Cash Monte speaks candidly about resisting the pressure to flood the market, choosing instead to craft music that feels intentional and lasting. He emphasizes that being different isn’t a liability—it’s the key to longevity, especially in an industry driven by trends. His perspective reinforces the idea that standing apart creatively creates staying power.

The conversation also highlights Cash Monte’s desire to create timeless music, particularly records rooted in pain, love, and lived experience—the kind of songs that remain relevant years down the line. Rounding out the episode, the group dives into the importance of collaboration within the local music scene, with Cash stressing that collective effort and mutual support can elevate everyone involved. The episode serves as a powerful reminder that authenticity, quality, and community are still the foundation of lasting impact in music.