Joking Not Joking

Born Ricky D. Mitchell in Berkeley, CA in 1956, Imam Zaid Shakir converted to Islam in 1977 while serving in the United States Air Force. He studied the religion of Islam extensively, and today is popularly regarded as “America’s Imam,” and one of the most prominent Muslim preachers alive. Imam Zaid was Muhammad Ali’s spiritual leader, guide, and dear friend, and was whispering prayers into his ear in his hospital room when he passed away. Per Ali’s prior request, he led his funeral prayer and presided over his memorial service. Among other achievements and accolades, he is also the co-founder of Zaytuna College (a private Islamic liberal arts college). He publishes regularly on contemporary issues and matters of public interest and debate, both as a private scholar and public intellectual. This episode is a rare gem, full of wisdom, insight, and timeless advice for the sincere seeker of truth. Guest: Imam Zaid ShakirMore Info:Article: “The Greatest, At Rest,” by Tom JunodLink: https://www.espn.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/19409912/the-planning-muhammad-ali-funeral Websites:https://zaytuna.edu/academics/faculty/zaid-shakir https://www.newislamicdirections.com/new_nid/about/ ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALTExecutive Produced by Mo Amer, Azhar Usman, Noah Gersh, Jamie Schefman, Nick Panama, Kenzi WilburHead of Creative: Jordan Galvan Head of Production: Liz LeMayHead of Post Production: Robert AdlerProducers: Imran Ali Malik & Aaron Kennedy Supervising Producers: Allie Strobel & Alice BearnPost Production Supervisor: Aly HonoréPost Production Coordinator: Jax Raffle Edited by: Geoffrey Mutchnik and Aaron Kennedy Sound Design and Music by: Matthew ChilelliMixed by: Aaron Kennedy Recorded by Aaron Kennedy, Zack Djurich and Mario Borgatta Guest Booking by Drive Entertainment and Hager EldaasAdditional music courtesy of Extreme Music.Joking Not Joking is a Luminary Original, and a co-production between SALT, Legally Homeless, Inc., and Numinous Company, Inc.

Comedians Ahamed Weinberg and Paul Elia are back with Mo & AZ to discuss Clown School: how it’s affected Ahamed’s standup routine, and how it shaped his rise as a comedian in Los Angeles. Clown is fast emerging as a fourth genre of comedy (after standup, sketch, and improv). Also: a message for Bill Cosby (Spoiler: the disgraced legend may owe Mo a significant payment for alleged joke theft).Guests: Ahamed Weinberg, Paul EliaORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALTExecutive Produced by Mo Amer, Azhar Usman, Noah Gersh, Jamie Schefman, Nick Panama, Kenzi WilburHead of Creative: Jordan Galvan Head of Production: Liz LeMayHead of Post Production: Robert AdlerProducers: Imran Ali Malik & Aaron Kennedy Supervising Producers: Allie Strobel & Alice BearnPost Production Supervisor: Aly HonoréPost Production Coordinator: Jax Raffle Edited by: Geoffrey Mutchnik and Aaron Kennedy Sound Design and Music by: Matthew ChilelliMixed by: Aaron Kennedy Recorded by Aaron Kennedy, Zack Djurich and Mario Borgatta Guest Booking by Drive Entertainment and Hager EldaasAdditional music courtesy of Extreme Music.Joking Not Joking is a Luminary Original, and a co-production between SALT, Legally Homeless, Inc., and Numinous Company, Inc.

Mo and AZ are joined by Grammy-nominated rapper, singer, and actor Tobe Nwigwe and filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter Bassam Tariq to discuss Alief: what it was like growing up in a suburb of Houston, and its lasting impact on who they are today. Alief (aka “SWAT” - Southwest Alief Texas) also gave the world Beyoncé, Lizzo, and a bunch of other artists and entertainers. Is there something in the water?Guests: Tobe Nwigwe, Bassam TariqORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALTExecutive Produced by Mo Amer, Azhar Usman, Noah Gersh, Jamie Schefman, Nick Panama, Kenzi WilburHead of Creative: Jordan Galvan Head of Production: Liz LeMayHead of Post Production: Robert AdlerProducers: Imran Ali Malik & Aaron Kennedy Supervising Producers: Allie Strobel & Alice BearnPost Production Supervisor: Aly HonoréPost Production Coordinator: Jax Raffle Edited by: Geoffrey Mutchnik and Aaron Kennedy Sound Design and Music by: Matthew ChilelliMixed by: Aaron Kennedy Recorded by Aaron Kennedy, Zack Djurich and Mario Borgatta Guest Booking by Drive Entertainment and Hager EldaasAdditional music courtesy of Extreme Music.Joking Not Joking is a Luminary Original, and a co-production between SALT, Legally Homeless, Inc., and Numinous Company, Inc.

“Making it” in show biz is different for everyone. Mo shares the story behind his rise in the entertainment industry: from doing standup in high school to becoming a nationally, then internationally, touring comedian and award-winning actor/creator. AZ shares a bit about his own winding path–from lawyer to startup founder to comic–and the duo reminisce about their proverbial Come Up.ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALTExecutive Produced by Mo Amer, Azhar Usman, Noah Gersh, Jamie Schefman, Nick Panama, Kenzi WilburHead of Creative: Jordan Galvan Head of Production: Liz LeMayHead of Post Production: Robert AdlerProducers: Imran Ali Malik & Aaron Kennedy Supervising Producers: Allie Strobel & Alice BearnPost Production Supervisor: Aly HonoréPost Production Coordinator: Jax Raffle Edited by: Geoffrey Mutchnik and Aaron Kennedy Sound Design and Music by: Matthew ChilelliMixed by: Aaron Kennedy Recorded by Aaron Kennedy, Zack Djurich and Mario Borgatta Guest Booking by Drive Entertainment and Hager EldaasAdditional music courtesy of Extreme Music.Joking Not Joking is a Luminary Original, and a co-production between SALT, Legally Homeless, Inc., and Numinous Company, Inc.

Aristotle said: “It is the mark of an educated mind to entertain a thought without accepting it.” Mo and AZ discuss some known, and many lesser-known, conspiracies. But let’s be clear: AZ doesn’t believe in conspiracy theories; he believes in conspiracy facts. (For example, it turns out Aristotle never said that fake quote above. Seriously, Google it.)ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALTExecutive Produced by Mo Amer, Azhar Usman, Noah Gersh, Jamie Schefman, Nick Panama, Kenzi WilburHead of Creative: Jordan Galvan Head of Production: Liz LeMayHead of Post Production: Robert AdlerProducers: Imran Ali Malik & Aaron Kennedy Supervising Producers: Allie Strobel & Alice BearnPost Production Supervisor: Aly HonoréPost Production Coordinator: Jax Raffle Edited by: Geoffrey Mutchnik and Aaron Kennedy Sound Design and Music by: Matthew ChilelliMixed by: Aaron Kennedy Recorded by Aaron Kennedy, Zack Djurich and Mario Borgatta Guest Booking by Drive Entertainment and Hager EldaasAdditional music courtesy of Extreme Music.Joking Not Joking is a Luminary Original, and a co-production between SALT, Legally Homeless, Inc., and Numinous Company, Inc.

OOPSIE DOOPSIE! Seems like the U.S. Military might have accidentally, kinda, sorta maybe, allegedly misplaced trillions of dollars?! Comedian Amir K joins Mo and AZ, as they call up serial tech entrepreneur and Silicon Valley insider Furqan Rydhan (www.f.inc) to get the inside scoop on money: What does it really buy us (besides, like, nice cars and cool stuff)?Guests: Amir K, Furqan RydhanMore Info:Article: “U.S. Army Fudged Its Accounts by Trillions of Dollars, Auditor Finds,” by Scot J. PaltrowLink: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-audit-army/u-s-army-fudged-its-accounts-by-trillions-of-dollars-auditor-finds-idUSKCN10U1IGORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALTExecutive Produced by Mo Amer, Azhar Usman, Noah Gersh, Jamie Schefman, Nick Panama, Kenzi WilburHead of Creative: Jordan Galvan Head of Production: Liz LeMayHead of Post Production: Robert AdlerProducers: Imran Ali Malik & Aaron Kennedy Supervising Producers: Allie Strobel & Alice BearnPost Production Supervisor: Aly HonoréPost Production Coordinator: Jax Raffle Edited by: Geoffrey Mutchnik and Aaron Kennedy Sound Design and Music by: Matthew ChilelliMixed by: Aaron Kennedy Recorded by Aaron Kennedy, Zack Djurich and Mario Borgatta Guest Booking by Drive Entertainment and Hager EldaasAdditional music courtesy of Extreme Music.Joking Not Joking is a Luminary Original, and a co-production between SALT, Legally Homeless, Inc., and Numinous Company, Inc.

Mo and AZ discuss what’s happening to culture, as technology and interconnectedness continue to shrink the world. Also, we get a throwback to September 2001, when AZ felt the need to check Oprah as to whether America is a ‘melting pot’ or a ‘salad bowl’—on live TV. Finally, “Ozzie Patel” is concerned about his depressed dog and calls up psychic reader Donna.ORIGINAL AUDIO PRODUCTION, MUSIC & SOUND DESIGN BY SALTExecutive Produced by Mo Amer, Azhar Usman, Noah Gersh, Jamie Schefman, Nick Panama, Kenzi WilburHead of Creative: Jordan Galvan Head of Production: Liz LeMayHead of Post Production: Robert AdlerProducers: Imran Ali Malik & Aaron Kennedy Supervising Producers: Allie Strobel & Alice BearnPost Production Supervisor: Aly HonoréPost Production Coordinator: Jax Raffle Edited by: Geoffrey Mutchnik and Aaron Kennedy Sound Design and Music by: Matthew ChilelliMixed by: Aaron Kennedy Recorded by Aaron Kennedy, Zack Djurich and Mario Borgatta Guest Booking by Drive Entertainment and Hager EldaasAdditional music courtesy of Extreme Music.Joking Not Joking is a Luminary Original, and a co-production between SALT, Legally Homeless, Inc., and Numinous Company, Inc.

Relationship concerns? They got you. Time travel? Absolutely worth discussing. Aliens? Get ready for the hottest takes. Taped recently at a secret location in Houston, TX, this episode features Mo and AZ delivering incredible answers to the questions you didn't even know you had. [Originally recorded and published in September, 2023]Joking Not Joking is a Luminary Original, and a co-production between SALT, Legally Homeless, Inc., and Numinous Company, Inc.