The Other Side of Midnight with Lionel

Lionel offers sharp commentary and deep dives into current events, including a detailed analysis of the latest mayoral debate but the show truly thrives on its unpredictable calls from listeners. In this episode, an 82-year-old breast cancer survivor shares her positive experience with surgery and great medical care, a conversation about unusual word pronunciation turns awkward, and the environment is discussed with a focus on systemic insecticides and their danger to bees. The hour culminates in a chilling and tense exchange with a caller who details a decade-long ideation about committing murder for perceived "justice" after losing in court, prompting Lionel to offer stern advice against ruining a life over a circulating fantasy. Never wonder "what the heck is going on here" again. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel dives deep into the post-debate landscape, dissecting what makes a moment "YouTube worthy", and marveling at the vital role of facial expression and tone in American Sign Language. We revisit legendary viral moments, like the BBC's "Wrong Guy" interview. The show also explores serious forensic questions surrounding high-profile cases, such as the Charlie Kirk autopsy and the evidence in the Epstein case, and delves into the surprising world of horrifying smells in surgery and at the medical examiner's office. Plus, Lionel rambles with callers on everything from Chicago bar pizza and the best parts of flying a Blackhawk helicopter to ridiculous tax laws and obscure legal charges. It’s Ventilation Friday—tune in to share your genius. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel tackles the "most fascinating subject": the perceived fixed nature of American politics and the deep connection felt by voters to candidate Curtis Sliwa. Lionel and his callers dissect a recent debate, deemed a "debacle" and a "televised insult to voters" Discussions range from the fear politicians have of a working-class populace connecting with the truth to opponent Zohran Mamdani's controversial proposals like "free buses" for driver safety and defunding the police. Listeners weigh in on what Curtis must do next to win—including wearing his signature red beret for a "YouTube viral moment", or even attacking the panel. It’s an entertaining and informative dive into political chaos, leaving you to wonder "what the heck is going on here". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Lionel as he eviscerates the concept of the American political "debate," rejecting the recent candidate event involving Curtis, Cuomo, and Z as a "weird passion play," "Kabuki theater," and "nonsense". Lionel argues that what viewers saw was merely a "scripted television event" and a "complete and total waste of absolute time". Lionel critiques the media, specifically Channel 4, for producing "lame nonsense" and being so "blatantly obvious" in their bias that they were "throwing everything behind Z". Along with callers, the conversation dives into the true motivations driving political races—ego, power, fame, and money—rather than altruism. Discover why even the most qualified candidates "cannot win everywhere" regardless of performance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel focuses heavily on the intersection of sports and politics, stressing the importance of accurate polling methodology through representative samples and demographic weighting. A significant portion of the episode involves a surgical critique of New York City politics, particularly the mayoral candidates like Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa, with Lionel characterizing an interview with Mamdani as journalistic "malpractice" for allowing him to avoid key issues. Lionel also analyzes Mamdani's controversial stances, particularly his views on Restorative Justice, which Lionel argues is dangerously "offender centered" and transforms justice into mere therapy. Furthermore, the episode explores historical anecdotes, such as Nixon's impulsive visit to protesters and Elvis Presley’s unexpected meeting with Nixon, alongside a discussion of Donald Trump's 1989 Central Park jogger ad and the Supreme Court battle over race-based redistricting. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel guides listeners through the "last hour of today", delving into the "dark seeming underbelly of a society" during his overnight gig. Lionel offers insights into politics, discussing presidential aspirations—including his own fantasy of abusing the White House kitchen for sandwiches and taking a tour of the White House plates. He also recounts bizarre historical anecdotes, such as the time Richard Nixon impulsively visited protesters at the Lincoln Memorial and the detailed story of Elvis Presley showing up unannounced with a gun to meet President Nixon and receiving a DEA badge. The episode features candid conversations with callers. Lionel explores the concept of what makes a "real honest to God man" and challenges listeners to discover "what the heck is going on here" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel sets the record straight on Donald Trump’s controversial 1989 Central Park jogger ad, contrasting the original plea for law enforcement with the "rewritten" narrative of "political storytelling". Then, a deep dive into the Supreme Court battle over race-based redistricting, dissecting the astonishing legal logic that compared racial gerrymandering to ADA ramps for the disabled. Plus, a look at NYC politics, the "juvenescent silly extremism" of a mayoral candidate, and a necessary detour into the latest bizarre YouTube health trend: the deep Asian squat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel dissects the infamous interview with Zohran MaMdani labeling the soft questioning as journalistic "malpractice" for allowing him to "slither away" from key issues. The episode eviscerates Mamdani’s controversial stances on arresting Netanyahu and his use of "blanket language about justice" while ducking direct responsibility. The host zeroes in on the dangers of "Restorative Justice," an idea that sounds noble in theory but, in practice, becomes "offender centered". Lionel argues that this system turns real justice into mere "therapy" and treats the criminal and the victim as equal participants in a shared tragedy. Plus, analysis of the chaotic New York political landscape, the debate dynamics involving Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel dives deep into the messy intersection of sports and politics, criticizing those who dismiss polling because they "don't believe in polls" or have never been called for one. Learn the "magic of stats" behind accurate polling methodology, covering representative samples, demographic weighting, and how these statistical snapshots reveal political reality. The show delivers a surgical critique of New York City politics, analyzing mayoral candidates, including Zohran Mamdani, Andrew Cuomo, and Curtis Sliwa. Hear Lionel's assessment of Mamdani’s recent cable news appearance, which he labels a "milktoast softball", and a detailed breakdown of how a proper, relentless interrogation should destroy an evasive politician. Also featured is a retrospective on the evolution of American political parties, from Dixiecrats to the modern conservative tent. Stop wondering what the heck is going on here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Warrior Wednesday, and host Lionel and Lynn Shaw are sounding the alarm on the urgent youth mental health crisis. They expose how social media devices are "an onboard computer and portal to predation", detailing the legislative fight for KOSA (Kids Online Safety Act) and the alarming dangers of AI chatbots linked to self-harm. Then, Lionel declares a global war on speech, passionately defending complete, unfettered free expression where "everything and anything goes". Hear his take on Australia banning conservative commentator Candace Owens because her ideas might cause "discomfort". Finally, the episode scrutinizes Dram Shop laws regarding bartender accountability, pivots to a deeply personal segment on addiction and recovery with remarkable sober callers, and dives deep into political failures, health conspiracies (beef tallow advocates!), and the truth the system keeps invisible regarding the JFK assassination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel kicks off the hour by scrutinizing Dram Shop legislation and litigation. Lionel questions the burden placed on bartenders and establishments, which can be held legally liable for damages if they over-serve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons or minors who later cause harm. The conversation then transitions to a fascinating and deeply personal segment on addiction and recovery. Lionel speaks with two remarkable callers: Kevin, a recovering addict 15 years sober, who discusses his downward spiral from an injury leading to oxycodone use, followed by heroin, arrests, and two DUIs. He and Lionel explore the chemical and physiological predispositions to addiction. Next, John, 42 years sober, shares his story of being a "wild child" addicted to various substances from the age of 12, his arrest under the Rockefeller law, and how he ultimately reached sobriety after a profound moment of self-reflection in a mirror. Throughout the hour, people debate the core question of whether addiction should be viewed as a medical problem rather than a crime, contrasting the accountability of bartenders with that of doctors who overprescribe opioids. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join Lionel as he rambles psychotically through the biggest mysteries and political failures of the day. This episode unpacks Vladimir Putin’s motives regarding Ukraine and his offer to release a 350-page document on the JFK assassination. Lionel argues that the system is designed like a "hall of mirrors", ensuring the truth behind the Kennedy killing—including the missing brain and the bullet hole in the windshield—remains permanently off-limits. Hear critiques of "crettonous" media figures like Piers Morgan, and deep dives into domestic issues, including the powerlessness of voters against Big Tech lobbyists, and the societal conditioning that has made curiosity embarrassing. Plus: What exactly is a "Republican strategist", and why are we worried about Ukraine instead of Antifa and potholes? Don't let them make the truth invisible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel declares there is a global war on speech, passionately arguing for complete and unfettered free expression where "everything and anything goes". This hour, Lionel slams Australia for using a "character test" to ban outspoken conservative commentator Candace Owens, arguing the move signals that free speech ends where offense begins. Hear the host dissect the ruling that banned Owens because her ideas might cause "discomfort" or stir up community discord, not violence or security threats. Lionel asserts that historical skepticism, poor taste, and revisionism should never be grounds for deportation or denial of entry, listing examples from Holocaust deniers to anti-vaxers. Plus: A deep dive into bizarre health conspiracies (we're looking at you, beef tallow advocates!), political "yesmen" in Washington, and the latest on the JFK files. Tune in to the show some have called the "realm of the condemned" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of "The Other Side of Midnight with Lionel" focuses on Warrior Wednesday as Lionel and his beloved wife, Lynn Shaw of Lynn's Warriors, tackle the urgent youth mental health crisis. Lynn Shaw sounds the alarm on the well-documented youth mental health crisis in the U.S., which coincides with the rise of social media among children. The discussion reveals that these devices are not mere phones but are "an onboard computer and portal to predation". Lynn highlights the crucial bipartisan legislative effort behind the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), which aims to impose a "duty of care" on Big Tech to protect children. The episode also uncovers the alarming dangers of AI chatbots (like Character AI), which learn vulnerabilities and are linked to self-harm and lawsuits. Finally, listeners will learn the four new norms necessary to reverse this course: no smartphone before high school, no social media before 16, phone-free schools, and encouraging real-world independence. This is a matter of life and death; parents must educate themselves and advocate for their children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel discusses the importance of critical thinking when discussing the Middle East, the untimely death of Mitt Romney's sister-and-law and the nature of conspiracies. Lionel later talks about political voting blocks and how they might play into the victor of the race for mayor of New York City. He also talks about switching subjects, laughter and more. Lionel starts the third hour talking about the death of Ellen Greenberg that was ruled a suicide despite multiple wounds. He also gets into the unravelling of American culture and the impact because of immigration. Lionel wraps up the show talking about demonic influence and Satanism. He talks about how religions view evil and to a priest about Catholicism in particular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel wraps up the show talking about demonic influence and Satanism. He talks about how religions view evil and to a priest about Catholicism in particular. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel starts the third hour talking about the death of Ellen Greenberg that was ruled a suicide despite multiple wounds. He later gets into the unravelling of American culture and the impact because of immigration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel talks about political voting blocks and how they might play into the victor of the race for mayor of New York City. He also talks about switching subjects, laughter and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lionel discusses the importance of critical thinking when discussing the Middle East, the untimely death of Mitt Romney's sister-and-law and the nature of conspiracies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of The Other Side of Midnight with Lionel , Lionel tackles a miserable and horrible Columbus Day—marked by a cancelled parade due to a nor'easter—by celebrating Italian culture, the contributions of immigrant grandparents, and the loving legacy of Sicilian "Nonnas". The show provides live updates on President Trump's "enormous" political and humane triumph, covering his arrival in Israel and the ongoing release of hostages from Hamas clutches. Commentary is also provided on the fragility of free speech in America, legal cases constituting "lawfare" (including the Comey, James, and Alex Jones cases), and the contentious New York City mayoral race. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices