The Story Of The Week

The Story Of The Week

An unlikely source of weekly commentary produced by The Conversation Project, 'The Story Of The Week' allows the owner and curator of news articles for The Conversation Project a chance to take a deep dive into one of the more conversational news stories of the week. J Cleveland Payne chooses a story that was featured in the top ten stories of the week per data on engagement presented in "The Weekly Wrap-Up," offering his person view along with notes of how the story's coverage was received in the past week.

Episodes

Justin Timberlake Had A Pretty Bad Week (TSOTW - 2/3/2024)

February 3, 2024 • 19 mins
Last week, Britney Spears fans played a prank on Justin Timberlake by streaming her 2011 song "Selfish" after the of a new song under the same name by her former boyfriend. So we use that as the inspiration for this edition of “The Story of The Week,” which doesn’t bring sexy back, but does dig up dirt with Spears, a very ‘selfish’ interruption of Dakota Johnson, and even going way back to Janet Jackson’s wardrobe malfunction in 20...
Mark as Played

Matt Gaetz - The Story Of The Week For 1/26/2024

January 27, 2024 • 12 mins
This week, the House Ethics Committee investigating Rep. Matt Gaetz has reached out to Joel Greenberg, a one-time close friend of Gaetz who was sentenced to 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal charges. The Committee also reached out to other new witnesses, much to the disdain of Gaetz. My commentary goes into the basics of the probe, how the investigation may have had a hand in the ousting of Rep. Kevin McCarthy as ...
Mark as Played

Israel Floods Hamas Tunnels - The Story OfThe Week For 12/16/2023

December 16, 2023 • 23 mins
This week, the Israeli forces started testing flooding the Hamas tunnel network with seawater as a new attack tactic, knowing that the move could backfire in the long run as they don't know where the remaining hostages taken on October 7th are located. I am not the most significant resource on international armed conflict, but I am willing to put my signature on the words I put down in this episode.

Find more at http://thisistheconv...
Mark as Played

Julianna Margulies & Susan Sarandon - The Story Of The Week For 12/9/2023

December 9, 2023 • 25 mins
Julianna Margulies and Susan Sarandon issued apologies over their recent controversial comments sparked by Israel-Hamas war. They spoke from different sides of the conflict but quickly backed down from their original passionate speech after a quick crisis and backlash. This week's commentary doesn't quite stick to the point, but it gives some perspective on why the growing conflict over our opinions of this conflict is a big deal.

...
Mark as Played

Bobby Petrino - The Story Of The Week For 12/2/2023

December 2, 2023 • 20 mins
Bobby Petrino is headed back to the University of Arkansas football program as its new Offensive Coordinator, about a decade after leaving the school after a sex scandal that was just enough to overshadow his winning record (barely). This week, I go into the back story of Petrino and why this new edition seems like a problem just for me and not a single member of the actual Razorback fan base.

Find More @ http:/thisistheconversation...
Mark as Played

Jessica Alba - The Story Of The Week For 11/25/2023

November 26, 2023 • 22 mins
Jessica Alba made an appearance on Bobbi Althoff's The Really Good Podcast. This interview sent the internet a buzz with the statements on Bobbi being a "6," Jessica being a "9," and a 26-year-old 6, is more attractive than a 42-year-old "9." As a 49-year-old...whatever, I take 20 minutes to rant about the silliness of this statement, how I would have said the same things 20 years ago, and how 77-year-old Dolly Pardon in a Dallas C...
Mark as Played

Marianne Williamson - The Story Of The Week For 11/18/2023

November 18, 2023 • 35 mins
The title for this week's podcast is a swerve since I will discuss Marianne Williamson's viability to become the President of the United States in 2024. But I talk about all the people who have put their names and reputations on the line for the shot at the title of '47,' and none of them have a chance to shake off '46' or '45' (assuming '45' doesn't go to jail).
Mark as Played

TikTok User Alford Lewis - The Story Of The Week For 11/4/2023

November 4, 2023 • 32 mins
This week, I cover the thought process of allowing ‘boys to be boys’ per se in three different current news scenarios: a 19-year-old TikTok user named Alford Lewis who came under police investigation after getting caught punching random people at a local park for a social media stunt, an unnamed male high school student from New Jersey who used an artificial intelligence app to create pornographic images of his female classmates wi...
Mark as Played

The Problem With Jon Stewart - The Story Of The Week For 10/28/2023

October 28, 2023 • 24 mins
Apple TV Plus and Jon Stewart have reportedly parted ways over "creative differences" with the political talk show, 'The Problem With John Stewart.' Those creative differences were apparently the show's upcoming moves to cover topics on AI and China. I talk about what this is as a loss for all of us as media consumers, a loss for me as a media creator, and what the future of 'smart commentary' may look like.

Find more at http://this...
Mark as Played

Stephen Amell - The Story Of The Week For 8/5/2023

August 5, 2023 • 25 mins
Stephen Amell spent some time last weekend condemn the SAG-AFTRA strike at GalaxyCon in North Carolina. While he said he supports his union, the strike itself was limiting his ability to promote the second season of his current show Heels because actors are not permitted to promote "struck work". I don't exactly take Amell to task, but I do give my views on why the strike is valid and need for the actors and writers (even if it suc...
Mark as Played

Joe Rogan - The Story Of The Week For 7/29/2023

July 29, 2023 • 26 mins
Donald Trump is getting in as much media as possible to air his grievances and remind the nation that he is the leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination. Trump's people tell us he would love to spend time with Joe Rogan on his popular podcast, but Rogan ain't having none of that. This week, I go into detail about why Rogan doesn't need Trump (other than just not wanting Trump) and why I admire that.

Find more at ...
Mark as Played

Carlee Russell - The Story Of The Week For 7/22/2023

July 22, 2023 • 28 mins
I could not let go of the Carlee Russell story this week. At first, I was shocked and concerned. Then confused. Then angry. Then shocked and concerned again. I use my time for this week to detail my journey through this crazy story and offer what surprised me as some comfort towards the young woman, even if it was wrapped in contempt and anger.

Find More At http://thisistheconversationproject.com
Mark as Played

Bowen Yang - The Story Of The Week For 7/8/2023

July 8, 2023 • 33 mins
Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang is taking a break from the podcast he co-hosts with comedian Matt Rogers, Las Culturistas, due to what he says are "bad bouts of depersonalization." I take my time this week to explain what that term means and go off a tangent to emphasize working through mental health issues.
Mark as Played

Nahel Merzouk - The Story Of The Week For 7/1/2023

July 1, 2023 • 20 mins
Earlier this week,17-year-old Nahel Merzouk was shot by a police officer during a traffic stop in the Paris suburb of Nanterre. This scene is eerily similar to many played out over the last decade here in the United States. I am going to say a lot of names that we should not forget too quickly, and explain why Nahel Merzouk, despite living 4,775 miles (7,685 km) away, should be added to our list
Mark as Played

Moms For Liberty Jamie Foxx - The Story Of The Week For 6/24/2023

June 24, 2023 • 25 mins
This week, the Moms for Liberty chapter in Hamilton County, Indiana, published the first edition of their newsletter. What should have been the highlight was a local high school using $10,000 from the It Gets Better Project to produce community-wide Pride events. What caught local and then national attention was a quote highlighting the soul of their mission lifted from Adolf Hitler. I am using this blip in the news coverage world ...
Mark as Played

Jamie Foxx - The Story Of The Week For 6/17/2023

June 17, 2023 • 22 mins
This week, the people in Jamie Foxx's camp released a statement on the actor's health status. They wanted to set the record straight on the reasoning behind his recent hospitalization and that it was not the result of his recent Covid vaccination. Many are still not buying that as valid, mainly for their own selfish reasons. I talk about this issue from Foxx's standpoint and how there is a more significant issue on how information ...
Mark as Played

Dave Ramsey - The Story Of The Week For 6/10/2023

June 10, 2023 • 22 mins
Dave Ramsey is a controversial figure. He's a 'self-made' man using his God-given talent to help others save themselves from financial ruin, except when he isn't and is grabbing all the cash he can without considering the consequences of what he is selling to his loyal audience.
Mark as Played

The Little Mermaid – The Story Of The Week For 6/3/2023

June 3, 2023 • 24 mins
I took the family to see the new live-action remake of Disney's 'The Little Mermaid,' and I have thoughts and feelings on this movie's presentation of the story. It grossed $95.5 million over the Memorial Day Holiday weekend, and that headline allowed you, the followers of our stories, to rank it as the #4 most engaging story of the week. And that allows me to share my thoughts and feelings on the movie as 'The Story Of The Week.'
Mark as Played

Chuck Clark & 'Chuck' – The Story Of The Week For 5/27/2023

May 27, 2023 • 19 mins
This was a week of confusion, but we are not address the obvious stories. I've got a relatively short rant on social media being a cesspool of suck, using the mistaken identity issue on Twitter between NFL star Chuck Clark and a Baltimore Ravens fan named Chuck.
Mark as Played

Harry & Meghan – The Story Of The Week For 5/20/2023

May 20, 2023 • 24 mins
Harry & Meghan started off having a good week. Then a good night turned into a bad night, and a wild story was told. Then rebuffed. Here is my take on the love affair and the drama that surrounds the Sussexes.
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

    Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

    The Bobby Bones Show

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

    Crime Junkie

    Crime Junkie

    Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Mobile

Wearables

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.