Ernestly Speaking! with Ernest Owens
If it's making headlines, Ernest has something to say about it.
Ernestly Speaking! is a politics and culture podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Ernest Owens, delivering sharp, unfiltered commentary on national politics, race, LGBTQ issues, pop culture, and the local political scene that the mainstream won't touch.
Direct. Opinionated. Always on the record.
Episodes
340 episodes
Ernestly Speaking! S11, Episode 13: Trump’s Latino Voter Problem, Philly’s Political “Spend Dat” Era, The Return of Tom Cruise
In this “better have money” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s midterm voter woes, the "Main Street millionaires" within the Dems donor base, about the coverage on Cornell, Philly Mayor’s lack of practical economics, reviewing the Digger f...
Ernestly Speaking! S11, Episode 12: Trump vs. Bad Polls, Philly’s Land Grab Crisis, Taylor Swift Industrial Complex
In this “we just won a big award” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s midterm prediction woes, why the Dems and progressives struggle with coalition building, about “the article,” how developers are taking over Philly, reviewing the 2026 VM...
Ernestly Speaking! S11, Episode 11: Trump vs. Free Press, Philly’s Data Center Risk, Cancelling “Apolitical” Ed Sheeran
In this “task force to B.S. pipeline” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s press war, why CBC weekend felt cheap, about the messy return of Philadelphia City Council, why everyone is over A.I., about the Palestinian Rachel Dolezal, the fatig...
Ernestly Speaking! S11, Episode 10: Trump-a-palooza, Philly Mayor’s First Challenger, Revisiting the Pink’s Problematic Past
In this “no $5,000 checks are coming” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s ridiculous dividend, why it’s time for Senator John Fetterman to resign, about that first challenger to run against Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker, the war against AI i...
Ernestly Speaking! S11, Episode 9: Trump’s War on Mail-in Voting, A Federal Probe Rocking Philly Politics, the Return of Miley Cyrus
In this “Raven Baxter was Black” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s mail-in voting dispute, the anti-Blackness problem with the Dems political spectrum, a major bombshell in the Feds probe into Philly Mayor's campaign, about that mistrial ...
Ernestly Speaking! S11, Episode 8: Trump’s Failing Playbook, Philly Sheriff vs. Philadelphia Inquirer, Remembering Elder Celebs
In this “paid and productive” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s tariff war with Canada, why no Democrat wants to be Speaker of the House (except Hakeem Jeffries), about that interview with the Mayor of Media, big tech finally paying billi...
Ernestly Speaking! S11, Episode 7: Trump’s Devout Assistant, PA Gov. Shapiro Data Center Drama, Justice for R&B Music
In this “let them eat crumb cake” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s assistant Natalie Harp, the Democratic Party’s nonstop primary ping-pong, the cancellation of Dîner en Blanc, Philly Mayor’s new Welcome America appointment, about that N...
Ernestly Speaking! Special Edition: Whistleblower Alleges Retaliation and Funding Cover-Ups at Philadelphia School District
In this special edition episode, Ernest interviews Dominique Medley, the President of CAPA Phans, on why she’s speaking out against the Principal of the High School For Creative & Performing Arts and the Philadelphia School District’s lack ...
Ernestly Speaking! S11, Episode 6: Trump’s Staff Cuts, Philly Mayor’s Fed Probe, the Return of Darius Crooks
In this “Woke 1 wasn’t crazy” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s press secretary exit, the Democratic Party’s liberal vs. leftist beef, the untimely death of Jason Arday, the latest on a Federal probe into the Philly Mayor’s campaign, the ...
Ernestly Speaking! S11, Episode 5: Political Civil War for Left & Right, Philly’s Political Propaganda Exposed, Justice for Ms. Rachel
In this “sip and observe” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s ballroom disaster, the Democratic Party’s primary shake-up, unpacking the rise in anti-intellectualism, on straight “gay baiting,” the latest Philly Mayor admin blow-up in City H...
Ernestly Speaking! Special Edition: The Uncensored Guide to Martha's Vineyard for Young Black Professionals
In this special edition episode recorded in Oak Bluffs, Ernest breaks down how Black professionals under 40 (who's not nepo babies, trust fund kids, and old money) can joyfully vacation in one of the hottest destinations in America.
Ernestly Speaking! S11, Episode 4: Rising Democratic Socialism, Philly’s Chaotic Political Summer, the Complicated Return of Ariana Grande
In this “taking spinach vibes” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s latest appointment setback, the Democratic Party’s DSA problem, unpacking the recent HBCU culture wars, the recent legal and fiscal woes in Philly, about Ariana Grande’s def...
Ernestly Speaking! Special Edition: Philadelphia's Chief Articulator of the Problem Unpacks a Bombshell in Parker Administration
In this special edition episode, Ernest, head of the Office of the Chief Articulator of the Problem (CAOP), breaks down the latest resignations from Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker's administration and major bombshell lawsuit that could shake-up C...
Ernestly Speaking! S11, Episode 3: Trump's Disastrous Correspondence Dinner, LeBron James Chooses Philly, A New Black Panther
In this “choices were made” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s latest clash with the free press, the Democratic National Committee’s money problem, the strange return of Cheyanne Bryant, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s centrist proble...
Ernestly Speaking! S11, Episode 2: Trump's Primetime Flop, Philly’s Environmental Racism, Reviewing The Odyssey
In this “quiet on the creek” episode, Ernest shares his Disney World vacation, dives deep into another televised Trump blunder, how Israel is dividing the Democratic Party, the bizarre appeal of Streamer University, unpacking the pros & con...
Ernestly Speaking! S11, Season Premiere: The Audacious Season 11 Premiere!
In this “let them NOT eat cake” season premiere, Ernest returns with some exciting major life updates, dives deep into the GOP’s denial of Mitch McConnell, the sudden passing of Sen. Lindsey Graham, the cancelling of Graham Platner, declaring j...
Ernestly Speaking! Special Edition: Unpacking the $15.5 Million "One Philly Unity Concert for America”
In this special edition episode, Ernest breaks down how ego, audacity, and chaos shaped one of the most ambitious (and priciest) concerts the City of Philadelphia has ever thrown for itself in modern history.
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Season Finale: The Shameless Season 10 Finale!
In this “unDROPpable” season finale, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s flop of a Great American State Fair, those bizarre SCOTUS rulings, the DSA Kingmaker aka NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, about the DROP scandal rocking Philly, reviewing the 2026 BET...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 24: Democratic Socialists Rising, Philly’s FIFA World Cup Hype Machine, Jay Z’s Target Disappointment
In this “summer, summertime” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s latest algae-filled disaster, the rise of Democratic Socialists in elected politics, about the FIFA World Cup in Philly, reviewing Toy Story 5, the predictability of Jay Z, an...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 23: Trump’s Name Drop (Literally), Philly’s Epic Budget Deal Switcheroo, Happy Pride Boosie
In this “one Philly, a united silly” episode, Ernest unpacks Trump’s latest embarrassment, Democratic Party problems for Debbie Wasserman Schultz, about that spicy lawsuit against Essence, a chaotic last-minute budget deal for Philly schools, r...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 22: GOP Rebukes Trump, Philly City Council Axes Mayor’s New Taxes, Reviewing 2026 Tony Awards
In this “no new taxes” episode, Ernest unpacks the latest hits to the Trump administration, unraveling the Democratic Party's Graham Platner problem, how AI is already backfiring for big tech, one major budget item Philly City Council and Mayor...
Ernestly Speaking! Special Edition: The Breakdown of Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker's Failed Tax Proposals
In this special edition episode, Ernest, a critically-acclaimed "expert articulator of the problem," breaks down the performative outrage that led to Philadelphia City Council axing not one, not two, but three controversial taxes proposed by Ma...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 21: Trump’s Primary Dreams & Nightmares, Philly Mayor Turns Concert Producer, the Return of the Roots Picnic
In this “Happy Pride” episode, Ernest unpacks the predictable flop of Trump's upcoming "Great American State Fair," reviewing former First Lady Jill Biden's bitter new memoir, about PA Josh Shapiro's pizza-eating interview, justice for Comics U...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 20: Trump’s Slush Fund, Larry Krasner vs. Philly Dems Chair Bob Brady, Cancelling Kevin Hart
In this “rumble in the jungle” episode, Ernest unpacks the ongoing safety woes at Trump’s White House, about that DNC autopsy, endorsement drama for Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett, the death of late night TV, beef for the Philly Democratic esta...
Ernestly Speaking! Special Edition: How Chris Rabb Beat the Philly Democratic Establishment and Won Congress
In this special edition episode, Ernest breaks down how State Representative Chris Rabb crushed State Senator Sharif Street and Dr. Ala Stanford in one of the most hotly contested congressional races in Philadelphia history. He also predicts wh...