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
320 episodes
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...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 19: AOC vs. MTG, Predicting Philly’s Congressional Race, Drake of Neverland
In this “you never know” episode, Ernest unpacks the internal fight regarding leftists on Gaza, Byron Allen’s media domination, “Dr?” Cheyenne Bryant, some Philly Congressional campaign shake-ups, saying farewell to Love & Hip Hop, about Dr...
Ernestly Speaking! Special Edition: PHRC Executive Director Tells All On His "Targeted" Ousting from PA Gov. Josh Shapiro's Administration
In this special edition, Ernest interviews Chad Dion Lassiter, Executive Director for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission on his abrupt resignation and the media backlash that followed. In this exclusive tell-all, he gives his uncensore...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 18: Gerrymandering Wars, Philly School Funding Exposed, the Delusion of Chris Brown Stans
In this “pay up or shut up” episode, Ernest unpacks the recent harmful effects of gerrymandering on Black districts across the nation, early measuring the two GOP presidential frontrunners, a messy political feud involving Pennsylvania Gov. Jos...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 17: SCOTUS Guts Voting Rights Act, Massive Philly School Closings, “Devil Wears Prada 2” Reviewed
In this “that's all” episode, Ernest unpacks the deep recent betrayal of the U.S. Supreme Court, the not-so-surprising decline of Black Republicans in Congress, how progressives are electorally cutting their nose to spite their face, Philly Cit...
Ernestly Speaking! Special Edition: Former Employee for Philly Congressional Candidate Dr. Ala Stanford Whistleblows Her "Toxic" Workplace Experience
In this special edition, Ernest interviews Tori Owens, a former employee for Dr. Ala Stanford's Black Doctors COVID Consortium on her "toxic" work experience that at times she described as a "cult." In this exclusive tell-all, she describes how...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 16: Another Trump Assassination Attempt, Philly School Funding Drama, “Michael” Film Reviewed
In this “my plan, my plan, my plan” episode, Ernest dives deep into the debauchery of the White House Press Correspondents Dinner, how the Democrats are navigating fresh resignations and infighting, who’s lying in the Philly school funding deba...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 15: Trump vs. The Pope, Philly's Congressional Big 3 Candidates, Madonna is Back
In this “one for the books” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s religious backlash, how the resignations rocking Congress, a major shift in the competitive Philly Congressional race, about the misguided discourse around Justin Fairfax, the ...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 14: Melania Trump Speaks Out, Philly Mayor vs. Trashing Chester, Cancelling Usher
In this “you the birthday” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s ceasefire with Iran, how the Democrats got a new scandal with Congressman Eric Swalwell, the Philly ride share tax war, about Usher & Chris Brown’s new trash tour, the blund...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 13: Trump vs. SCOTUS (again), Gov. Josh Shapiro’s $10 Million Campaign, About Zendaya’s “The Drama”
In this “please be for real” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s latest cabinet firing, what Cory Booker, Josh Shapiro, and AOC have in common right now, how Penn’s capitulation has come back to bite them, cancelling Wanya Morris, about the...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 12: Another No Kings Protest, Philly Mayor Taxes Us Again, Black Celebs Gone MAGA
In this “no Kings or Queens” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s MAGA fissures at the Conservative Political Action Conference, why progressives AOC and Bernie Sanders are wisely stopping data centers, Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker’s disastr...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 11: Trump vs. TSA, Roots Picnic Returns to Philly, Cancelling the Bachelorette
In this “no beards allowed” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s latest social media debauchery, why Illinois Democrats are in shambles, Cory Booker’s new book, the cancellation of Cesar Chavez, about that Roots Picnic line-up, investigating...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 10: Trump vs. Joe Rogan, a Philly Deputy Mayor Resigns, What a Historic Oscars
In this “show me the dark money” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s major miss with Joe Rogan, the messiness of the Target boycott, an epic corporate media takeover, the end of the Philly Mayor’s Big 3, why Jack Harlow thinks he “got black...
Ernestly Speaking! Special Edition: Unpacking the Highs & Lows of Philly's New Budget
In this special edition episode, Ernest breaks down all the new taxes Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker is asking for us to pay -- and how such good intentions speak to a lack of an overall economic plan for the city.
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 9: Trump Fires ICE Barbie, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Policy Crisis, Final Oscar Predictions
In this “here comes the hurricane, b*tch” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s unpopular war, the messiness of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s funeral, how AI data centers are going to ruin Pennsylvania, about Philly City Council’s latest beef with lan...
Ernestly Speaking! Special Edition: Why Jasmine Crockett Lost and James Talarico Won in Texas
In this special edition episode, Ernest finally breaks down the controversial Texas Democratic primary that everyone's talking about.
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 8: Trump Declares War, Philly City Council Doesn’t Want to Resign to Run, the Redundant Return of Bruno Mars
In this “accept what you expect” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s terrible SOTU address, the Clintons finally testify on Epstein, an even messier Democratic Senate primary in Texas, a controversial bill hits Philadelphia City Council, ab...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 7: Trump’s SCOTUS Setback, Philly Mayor’s Performative Outstage, Reviewing America’s Next Top Model Docuseries
In this “put your ones down” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s tariff fallout with the Supreme Court, a royal arrest in the UK, an even messier Democratic Senate primary in Texas, why Philly’s Mayor might have betrayed us on ICE, about Ty...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 6: Trump’s Ongoing Epstein Problem, Philly Congressional Campaign Scandals, Cardi B is Little Miss Drama
In this “love is in the air” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s unshakable Epstein drama, the mass exodus of Congress, why Philly’s City Council President changed his tune on ICE, Cardi B’s epic tour premiere, in defense of Wuthering Heigh...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 5: Trump of the Jungle, Philly Mayor vs. DC33 (Again), Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Takeover
In this “miss me with the B.S.” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s latest racism online, how Gov. Josh Shapiro’s double standards are glaring, why the Philly Mayor’s latest spat with DC33 is very telling, about that Super Bowl performance,...
Ernestly Speaking! S10, Episode 4: Nicki Minaj Publicly Stans Trump, Philly Mayor Finally Speaks (Still Not On ICE), About That Melania Doc
In this “ICE Out” episode, Ernest dives deep into Trump’s latest controversies with ICE in Minnesota, how Gov. Josh Shapiro's beef with Krasner exposes his hypocrisy, about Philly City Council's ICE Out legislation, re-evaluating Chingy's caree...