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
332 episodes
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...
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...