Offline Thoughts

Charlie Sheen's Netflix documentary "aka Charlie Sheen" chronicles the actor's extreme highs (no pun intended) and lows. It is supposed to be an unflinching dive into all the things he has been through as well the sins of his past. For this podcaster, it feels like he should have kept those curtains closed - this will not be the redemptive and humanising documentary he hoped it would be. Charlie ignores the obvious - that he was a neppo baby born with a silver spoon in his mouth and willing to shamelessly yield his soft power to get access to women, job opportunities and every vice in his repertoire. What the docuseries reveals despite his attempts to redirect our attention is that - he has hurt a lot of people, he has been incredibly selfish, and it is not clear that he is truly contrite. Oh and on his " big reveal" that he sleeps with men too - it feels rather small in the context of having lost hundreds of millions of dollars, been to rehab dozens of times, had countless public meltdowns, reportedly slept with over 45,000 women and been diagnosed with HIV, What is more notable about the revelation is that he lacks such introspection and honesty that he implies it is drugs that turned him bisexual. Given that he is accused of allegedly having sex with a 13 year old boy when he was 19 - this seems incredibly implausible. Please share your thoughts and comments at offlinethoughts.podcast@gmail.com.

Kirk in life was an extremist who believed all kinds of things about women, people of colour and religion. His killing at the hands of Tyler Robinson has unleashed a divide between those who believe it is disrespectful to speak ill of the dead, and those who believe accountability goes beyond the grave. This episode looks at both those sides. Send me your thoughts and comments at offlinethoughts.podcast@gmail.com.Key words: Charlie Kirk, speaking ill of the dead, male violence, gun violence

The sprinkle sprinkle lady is as entertaining as she is notorious. Her wit, her comedic timing and her branding have made her prolific on TikTok. What she brings to the table is the kind of advice broken-hearted women would have appreciated had they known what lay ahead - particularly those women who are prone to choosing poor dating mates. The thing is, though, when you drill into what Shera's core message is and who her core audience must be - it is clear that what she is offering is not new. It is rebranded prostitution - or "sugaring". Even worse than that, it is advice that she - a married woman living in suburbia with two children - doesn't seem to follow. Tune into the episode to hear my theory. I'd love to get your feedback and hear your thoughts and comments at offlinethoughts.podcast@gmail.com.Key words: Sprinkle sprinkle, sugar baby,

If there is one thing that will define the last few years it's the slow march to a recession. All the red flags are there - 260,000 people lost their jobs in the first four months of this year, the government is seeking to eliminate tens of thousands more, big tech companies like Microsoft, Tesla and Meta are reducing their headcount on levels not seen since the financial crisis of 2008 and this just the beginning. To top it all off - we are also living through a period of high inflation, high interest rates and low economic growth. The writings on the wall are clear - we as works need to start making plans to protect ourselves against the worst. Tune into this episode to listen to steps to take to survive this economy. Key words: Work advice, economy, recession, mass layoffs, tech jobs, retail sector Resources Kelly, J., 2025. Big layoffs are hitting these sectors the hardest. [online] Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackkelly/2025/05/10/big-layoffs-are-hitting-these-sectors-the-hardest/ [Accessed 20 Jul. 2025].Raymond, N., 2025. US agencies shrink layoff plans after mass staff exodus. [online] Reuters. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/us-agencies-shrink-layoff-plans-after-mass-staff-exodus-2025-07-15/ [Accessed 20 Jul. 2025].Quilantan, J., 2025. Supreme Court clears Education Department to fire nearly half its staff. [online] Politico. Available at: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/14/supreme-court-education-department-ruling-00452134 [Accessed 20 Jul. 2025].

Articles and resources:New York Post, 2024. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ record labels marked by murder, death, prison. [online] Available at: https://nypost.com/2024/03/31/us-news/sean-diddy-combs-record-labels-marked-by-murder-death-prison/ [Accessed 3 June 2025].The New York Times, 1973. Ten found guilty of heroin charge; convicted of taking part in drug ring. [online] Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/1973/02/24/archives/ten-found-guilty-of-heroin-charge-convicted-of-taking-part-in.html[Accessed 3 June 2025].Revolt, 2019. Can’t stop, won’t stop: A timeline of Diddy’s vast career and accomplishments. [online] Available at: https://www.revolt.tv/article/2019-11-02/84365/cant-stop-wont-stop-a-timeline-of-diddys-vast-career-and-accomplishments [Accessed 3 June 2025].CNN. (2025) 'Diddy trial: Live updates', CNN, 13 May. Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-13-25 (Accessed: 3 June 2025).Gonzalez, S. and Wagmeister, E. (2025) 'Sean "Diddy" Combs seen physically assaulting Cassie Ventura in 2016 surveillance video obtained by CNN', CNN, 17 May. Available at: https://edition.cnn.com/entertainment/live-news/diddy-sean-combs-trial-05-19-25 (Accessed: 3 June 2025).Griffith, I. (2024). What Was the Real Relationship Between Clive Davis and P. Diddy? MSN. Available at: https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/what-was-the-real-relationship-between-clive-davis-and-p-diddy/ar-AA1rI7nV?ocid=BingNewsSerp [Accessed 3 Jun. 2025].Gibson, P. (2024). What happened to Sean 'Diddy' Combs' father? Inside the tragic story. The List. Available at: https://www.thelist.com/1559260/what-happened-to-sean-diddy-combs-father/ [Accessed 3 Jun. 2025].Daily Mail. (2024). Diddy's mom Janice Combs turns heads in bold outfit at son's court hearing. [online] Available at: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-13947779/diddy-mom-janice-combs-outfit-glasses-court.html [Accessed 3 Jun 2025].Ottawa Police Service (2024) 'Strangulation is a significant indicator that domestic abuse will turn deadly, experts say', Ottawa Police Service, 26 March. Available at: https://www.ottawapolice.ca/en/news/strangulation-is-a-significant-indicator-that-domestic-abuse-will-turn-deadly-experts-say.aspx (Accessed: 3 June 2025).

The worst happens - a happy pregnancy turns into a nightmare when untreated severe headaches result in catastrophic brain clots that result in being declared legally brain dead. When a Georgia hospital decides to keep the pregnant woman on life support for a further 23 weeks in order to deliver the child with a chance of survival the story quickly becomes a political volleyball between the political left and right. What is left out of the conversation (as always) is the gender and race bias at the heart of this case.Key words: abortion laws, women's rights, Adriana Smith, racism in medicine Articles and resourcesSmith, A. & Bero, T., 2025. The tragedy of Georgia’s Adriana Smith is the price of a cruel anti-abortion agenda. The Guardian, [online] 24 May. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/24/adriana-smith-georgia-tayo-bero [Accessed 13 May 2025].Anonymous, 2025. Georgia woman brain dead but forced to carry pregnancy. USA Today, [online] 25 May. Available at: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnists/2025/05/25/georgia-woman-brain-dead-pregnant-adriana-smith/83751213007/ [Accessed 13 May 2025].Bero, T., 2014. Dead Irish woman used as body incubator: Abortion law’s grim logic. The Guardian, [online] 19 December. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/dec/19/dead-irish-woman-body-incubator-abortion [Accessed 13 May 2025].Eckholm, E., 2014. Pregnant and forced to stay on life support. The New York Times, [online] 7 January. Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/08/us/pregnant-and-forced-to-stay-on-life-support.html [Accessed 13 May 2025].

Sinners is breaking records everywhere you look and it has instantly become a classic. It is easy to see why. Against a background of 1932 Mississippi and its accompanying Jim Crow, the film somehow manages to make us think about heavy themes whilst not being a film about black suffering. The film has love, community and dreaming big at its heart whilst also being a classic horror film with vampires, wooden stakes, garlic and even a Rambo-style massacre scene. Sensational from beginning to end.

One of the inevitabilities of interracial friendships are that sooner or later - there will be microagressions. When those moments arise, is it worthwhile to teach the person how to be better or is it a red flag that necessitates immediate dumping?

The UK Supreme Court's ruling on the definitions of "woman", "man" and "sex" in the Equality Act 2010 on biological terms was for some controversial, but for many a welcome decision. The aftermath of the ruling has perhaps been the most interesting - many organisations have swiftly revised their positions on including trans women in single sex spaces. Amongst these have been governing sports bodies such as the Football Association, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), the Ultimate Pool Group (UPG), World Athletics, and many more. This ruling and these reversal in trans policies reflects the wider backlash against the trans movement and trans ideology. This episodes looks at the 10 arguments used by the trans movement that got us here. Resources and Articles:Sky Sports (2025) ‘Gender policy in sport: What are the rules in football, cricket, boxing, netball and others after Supreme Court ruling?’, Sky Sports, 2 May. Available at: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/13358660/gender-policy-in-sport-what-are-the-rules-in-football-cricket-boxing-netball-and-others-after-supreme-court-ruling (Accessed: 5 May 2025)MSN (2025) ‘Snooker’s transgender inclusion policy to be reviewed after Supreme Court ruling’, MSN News, 2 May. Available at: https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/snooker-s-transgender-inclusion-policy-to-be-reviewed-after-supreme-court-ruling/ar-AA1DLvDi (Accessed: 5 May 2025).Syal, R. (2025) ‘British Transport Police amends strip-searching policy after supreme court gender ruling’, The Guardian, 17 April. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/apr/17/trans-women-uk-railways-strip-searched-male-officers (Accessed: 5 May 2025).

On 16 April 2025, the UK Supreme Court ruled that "sex," "woman," and "man" as defined in the Equality Act 2010 referred to biological sex. Consequently, trans women and trans men holding Gender Recognition Certificates are recognised under the Act according to their biological sex. This decision carries significant implications for single-sex spaces, including sports, schools, hospital wards, prisons, and public facilities such as toilets and changing rooms.In response, the Equality and Human Rights Commission issued immediate interim guidance, marking a dramatic shift. Employers, public bodies, and certain service providers are now legally required to ensure the availability of single-sex spaces based on biological sex, failing which they risk being found in violation of anti-discrimination laws concerning women.Tune in to explore the context behind the hearing and the arguments advanced by both sides, Send me your thoughts and comments at offlinethoughts.podcast@gmail.com.Key words: Women's rights, UK supreme courts, trans rights, Gender Recognition CertificateArticles and resources:UK Supreme Court. (2025). For Women Scotland Ltd (Appellant) v The Scottish Ministers (Respondent). [2025] UKSC 16. Judgment delivered on 16 April 2025. Available at: https://supremecourt.uk/uploads/uksc_2024_0042_judgment_aea6c48cee.pdf [Accessed 28 Apr. 2025].Equality and Human Rights Commission (2025) An interim update on the practical implications of the UK Supreme Court judgment. [online] Equality and Human Rights Commission. Available at: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre/interim-update-practical-implications-uk-supreme-court-judgment[Accessed 28 Apr. 2025].Government Equalities Office and HM Courts & Tribunals Service (2022) Gender Recognition Certificate: applications and outcomes. [online] GOV.UK. Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/gender-recognition-certificate-applications-and-outcomes/gender-recognition-certificate-applications-and-outcomes [Accessed 28 Apr. 2025].Hanson, N. (2004). The long fight against sexual discrimination. Law Society Gazette. Available at: https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/news/the-long-fight-against-sexual-discrimination/42125.articlePress for Change (_____________), Case Law - UK Court Cases: Legal Gender Recognition: http://www.pfc.org.uk/caselegalgender.html#:~:text=R%20v.,had%20been%20recognised%20as%20female.Lee, G., 2018. FactCheck: How many trans people murdered UK. Channel 4 News. Available at: https://www.channel4.com/news/factcheck/factcheck-how-many-trans-people-murdered-uk [Accessed 28 Apr. 2025].

Every black woman will have horror stories of their experiences in black hair salons and at the hands of black hair stylists. From lateness, to rudeness, to low hygiene, to hair damage - we've experienced it all. This episode focuses on why this negative experience is universal. Key words: regulating black salons, lack of access to capital, beauty schools, internalised anti-blackness and racism. I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments at offlinethoughts.podcast@gmail.com.

Articles and resourcesAmzat, J., Kanmodi, K. K., Ismail, A., & Egbedina, E. A. (2023). Euthanasia in Africa: A scoping review of empirical evidence. Health science reports, 6(5), e1239. https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.1239 Riley, L. and Hehir, D. (2021), Last Resort: The hidden truth about how dying people take their own lives in the UK, published by Campaign for Dignity in Dying: https://cdn.dignityindying.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/Last-Resort-Dignity-in-Dying-Oct-2021.pdf ABC News, Death Drugs Cause Uproar in Oregon (2008): https://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=5517492&page=1 The Guadian (2024), Gosport hospital opioid deaths: police identify 24 suspects: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/oct/10/police-pass-files-to-cps-over-deaths-at-gosport-war-memorial-hospital Gosport War Memorial Hospital: The Report of the Gosport Independent Panel (2018): https://www.gosportpanel.independent.gov.uk/media/documents/070618_CCS207_CCS03183220761_Gosport_Inquiry_Whole_Document.pdf

At some point in our work careers we will quit jobs. That is inevitable. But there is an art to quitting well and in a way that doesn't compromise your reputation, financial security or future prospects. Timing is also important and one of the pitfalls we fall under is allowing ourselves to be deceived by the lie that we owe our workplaces loyalty. Believing this lie sometimes mean we leave on their terms, rather than ours.Key words: Quitting jobs, work advice and hacks, failing companies, stagnating at work.I'd love to hear your thoughts and comments at offlinethoughts.podcast@gmail.com.

Against a backdrop of nosediving car sales across Europe, China and the US, political activism that has seen its dealers set ablaze and in some cases shot at, and most recently the beginnings of institutional investors on Wall Street turning away from Tesla - retail investors continue to buy the stock at unprecedented levels. The question is... why?Key words: Tesla, retail investors, Elon Musk, GameStop, financial fraud, meme stocks, cult of personalities Articles: The Independent (2025), Tesla’s year keeps getting worse - now short sellers have made $16bn from Musk’s firm: https://www.independent.co.uk/business/tesla-share-price-elon-musk-criticism-b2717107.html The Economic Times (2025), 'I mean...': Elon Musk almost 'close to tears' in interview when asked about Tesla struggles: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/global-trends/us-news-elon-musk-tesla-shares-tank-i-mean-elon-musk-almost-close-to-tears-in-interview-when-asked-about-tesla-struggles-watch-video/articleshow/118896998.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign= The Financial Times (2025), $1.4bn is a lot to fall through the cracks, even for Tesla: https://www.ft.com/content/62df8d8d-31f2-445e-bfa2-c171ac43db6e The Graduate Press (2025), Saying Goodbye to Twitter Trust:https://thegraduatepress.org/2022/11/21/saying-goodbye-to-twitter-trust/ Graphic News (2025), Meddling Musk sees Tesla sales crash and burn in Europe: https://www.graphicnews.com/en/pages/46754/business-tesla-sales-crash-and-burn-in-europe

In a world where money is worshipped, one of the worst positions to find yourself in is having none. Or so we're told. In fact, there is a much worse fate - the fate of having all the money in the world, but never feeling enough. Key words: status symbols, consumer behaviour, low self-worth, mindless consumption Please send your thoughts and questions to offlinethoughts.podcast@gmail.com.

Church is supposed to be the spiritual house we flock to for spiritual and psychological nourishing. However, modern congregations have become increasingly loathe to attend mass on a regular basis. What accounts for this? It is likely the language of the "inherent" sinful nature of human beings and other language that condemns us. It is also other glaring issues - a church with a large proportion of gay priests and lesbian nuns but a decidedly anti-gay stance. A church with limited participation of women in positions of leadership. Iconography that is white supremacist in its depiction of all-white angels and religious figures. The commodification of many aspects of worshipping. Unless these issues are resolved, the great exodus from church will continue. Key words: modernising the church, faith and shame, inclusive Christianity, religion and self-worth, church reform ideasPlease send your thoughts and questions to offlinethoughts.podcast@gmail.com.

Citigroup's DEI initiatives has lasted for a shorter period of time than the company's invasion and occupation of Haiti. Beginning in the 1910s Citigroup, then known as the National City Bank of New York persuaded the US government to invade Haiti. Citigroup understood that by taking control of the country and of its central bank, it could make hundreds of millions of dollars by seizing the island nation's wealth for its own use. In 1915, Citigroup got its wish and the results were better than their wildest imagination could have conceived. Today, Citigroup stands as one of the largest bank in the US by assets. Are we to believe a few decades of appropriating hundred of millions of dollars from the Haitian people had nothing to do with it? Apparently so. Against this background it is no wonder the firm was never truly committed to DEI initiatives.Key words: Citigroup, Haiti, DEI, corporate exploitation, Lehman Brothers, VolkswagenPlease send your thoughts and questions to offlinethoughts.podcast@gmail.com.Articles and resources:Banking Dive (2025), Citi tosses diversity goals, DEI label:https://www.bankingdive.com/news/citi-tosses-diversity-goals-dei-label-fraser-trump/740627/Banking on Solidarity (_____), Citibank and Haitians: A Violent Historyhttps://www.bankingonsolidarity.org/citibank-and-haitians-a-violent-history/Debt Justice Haiti (_____),: Free from slavery, not yet free from debt: https://debtjustice.org.uk/countries-in-crisis/haiti-free-slavery-not-yet-free-debtHatian Times (2024), Citibank, a longtime player in Haiti’s finances, leaves the country: https://haitiantimes.com/2024/07/11/citibank-haiti/The Nation (1920), Self-Determining Haiti: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/35025/35025-h/35025-h.htm

The speed with which many corporations have aborted DEI initiatives that they were "committed to" only two months ago tells us two things: (1) they have no scruples and (2) they were never truly committed to DEI. If we are honest with ourselves, we could tell from their haphazard initiatives that often focused on virtue signalling over substance and at times, resulted in marginalised people caught in the crosshairs of their ill thought out DEI campaigns. Key words: DEI, Trump Executive Order, corporate retreat from DEI programs, Target, Bud Light, affirmative action in higher education, Asian Americans, African AmericansPlease send your thoughts and questions to offlinethoughts.podcast@gmail.com.***Correction - Target no longer sells guns. Articles and resources:MSN (2025), Target put DEI on the chopping block. Then fewer customers showed up:https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/target-put-dei-on-the-chopping-block-then-fewer-customers-showed-up/ar-AA1zHjbgThe guardian (2025), McDonald’s rolls back DEI programs, ending push for greater diversity: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/jan/06/mcdonalds-diversity-programsThe Guardian (2023), Asian Americans spent decades seeking fair education. Then the right stole the narrative: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/apr/13/affirmative-action-asian-americans-us-universitiesNBC (2024), Asian Americans see mixed results in enrollment after end of affirmative action:https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/affirmative-action-enrollment-asian-americans-rcna170716Los Angeles Times (2023), Opinion: Affirmative action isn’t hurting Asian Americans. Here’s why that myth survives:https://www.latimes.com/opinion/story/2023-06-14/affirmative-action-supreme-court-harvard-case-asian-americansVox (2016), White women benefit most from affirmative action — and are among its fiercest opponents: https://www.vox.com/2016/5/25/11682950/fisher-supreme-court-white-women-affirmative-actionUSA TODAY, (____), White women benefit most from affirmative action. So why do they oppose it?: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/money/2023/06/29/affirmative-action-who-benefits-white-women/70371219007/ TIME (2013), Affirmative Action Has Helped White Women More Than Anyone: https://time.com/4884132/affirmative-action-civil-rights-white-women/

Workplaces operate on unspoken rules that can make or break a career. This episode looks at the realities of office life: the critical importance of first impressions, the silent consequences of breaking social norms, and why hard work alone doesn’t guarantee promotions.From navigating office politics to avoiding the pitfalls of workplace relationships, this "survival" guide breaks down how to succeed in any workplace.Key words: unwritten rules, workplace politics, career progression, first impressions, corporate culture, workplace relationships, career advice

Karma is another form of believing in cosmic justice - the idea that bad people will be punished for their misdeeds. And whilst that may make us feel good and prevent us from taking revenge into our own hands, it also means believing an ugly implication. That implication, no matter how you look at it, is that the poor, the sick and the misfortunate deserve their fate, Key words: karma, poor people, sick people, misfortune, Catholic Church, politics, justice, activismPlease send your thoughts and questions to offlinethoughts.podcast@gmail.com.Articles and resources:Theodosiadi, M. and Vavouras, E. (2023), Religion as a Means of Political Conformity and Obedience: From Critias to Thomas Hobbes, MDPI:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1444/14/9/1180#metricsBritannica (____), Karma: https://www.britannica.com/topic/karmaUniversity of Manchester (2022), Corporations vs. Consumers: Who is really to blame for climate change?:https://sites.manchester.ac.uk/global-social-challenges/2022/07/07/corporations-vs-consumers-who-is-really-to-blame-for-climate-change/United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (____):https://www.usich.gov/guidance-reports-data/data-trendsThe Guardian (2020), Barclays, HSBC and Lloyds among UK banks that had links to slavery:https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jun/18/barclays-hsbc-and-lloyds-among-uk-banks-that-had-links-to-slavery