"They Not Like Us: College Professors Squabble Up Over the Drake vs Kendrick Lamar ‘Diss’course"

Description:

In this episode of Put Em On The Couch, college professors Jason McCoy (psychology) and Nelson (political science and history) squabble up over the ongoing Drake vs Kendrick Lamar "Diss'course"—a year-long back-and-forth between two of the biggest icons in hip-hop. With nearly a dozen diss tracks thrown, Kendrick Lamar's anthem They Not Like Us has become the centerpiece of this highly charged feud.

In this lively and sometimes incendiary conversation, Jason and Nelson dissect the tension between these two artists, exploring everything from Drake's shifting genre versatility and his critics’ accusations of being a "culture vulture," to Kendrick’s status as a lyrical genius and a hip-hop icon whose music often offers a history lesson. As the discussion heats up, the professors debate the greater sociopolitical implications of their rivalry, touching on themes of class, power, and representation in modern music.

Whether you’re firmly in one camp or just curious about what all the fuss is about, this episode will leave you with a deeper appreciation for hip-hop, rap, and black culture. Tune in for an academic yet passionate exploration of the ultimate Diss'course.

Join the conversation! We’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode. Reach out via email at putemonthecouch@gmail.com, or leave a comment on Apple or Spotify to share your take on the Drake vs Kendrick debate.

Episode 80: The Price of the Ticket: Professor Lettie Gore on Confronting White Supremacy

In this eye-opening episode of Put 'Em on the Couch, Professor Lettie Gore joins host Jason McCoy to dive deep into the ongoing fight against white supremacy and the cost of racial injustice. Drawing from her powerful work in social justice, Professor Gore exposes the brutal realities Black Americans continue to face—being "hunted and murdered" simply for existing.

She reflects on what she calls the "Great White Awakening," the surge of awareness around racism and police brutality that many experienced during the pandemic. Yet, as Professor Gore points out, this awareness is far from enough, and she fears that the urgency of confronting systemic racism is fading.

With a nod to James Baldwin’s "The Price of the Ticket," she underscores the profound cost Black Americans pay just to survive, let alone thrive, in a society built on white supremacy. In this raw and honest conversation, Professor Gore challenges the very idea of a "Great America," asking: When was that, exactly?

Throughout the episode, Professor Gore urges all listeners—especially white Americans and so-called allies—to go beyond performative allyship and take tangible, sustained action in dismantling racial injustice.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the depth of racial injustice and the moral responsibility we all share in confronting it.

In this Episode, Professor McCoy delivers a classroom lecture on Social Psychology. Here, he traces the history - specifically the early research into human performance, social facilitation, attributions/judgements, impressions and decision making, and attitudes.