

Ratchet & Respectable
Demetria L. Lucas & Studio71
It's a kiki for the culture!!! Journalist and author Demetria L. Lucas brings the group chat to life on her weekly podcast where she-- and the occasional guest-- muses on pop culture shenanigans, global galavanting, political insanity, everything worth watching on any size screen, her favorite reads, dating/marriage/divorce chronicles and whatever else has captivated the zeitgeist AND her inner circle.Ratchet & Respectable is published EVERY WEDNESDAY. Listen wherever popular podcasts are heard. #ratchetandrespectableFor advertising opportunities please email PodcastPartnerships@Studio71us.com We wanna make the podcast even better, help us learn how we can: https://bit.ly/2EcYbu4 Privacy Policy: https://www.studio71.com/us/terms-and-conditions-use/#Privacy%20Policy
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 13, 2025 • 1h 11min
Ample Means: The Gilded Age, Martha’s Vineyard and Black Excellence
Demi on the island; the Martha’s Vineyard controversy; Lawsuits: Uncle Nearest + Candace Owens; a comprehensive review of The Gilded Age finale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 6, 2025 • 47min
In Those Jeans/Genes
Demi in Martha’s Vineyard (on Appleton Estate); Shannon Shape is more than just a dirty old man; Mad Black people just got re-married; And Just Like That (Finally) Cancelled; Mad Spoilers for The Gilded Age; Beyoncé joins the jeans/genes controversy.
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Jul 31, 2025 • 59min
Divorced Sistas (feat. LeToya Luckett)
Demi x LeToya Luckett chat about divorce TV as therapy, deciding to divorce in real life, dating after divorce, “keeping” a man... and more.
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Jul 23, 2025 • 48min
The Best Man: Unfinished Business (ie, The Book) **NO SPOILERS**
Demi chats with Best Man creator Malcolm D Lee and book co-author Jayne Allen about the latest drama with our beloved (fictional) besties, including why we’re so obsessed with these people after 26 years, why Harper won't stop Harper-ing, why Robyn is so damn complicated; why life going left can be a good thing; and how all this makes readers want to throw the book (in a good way).
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Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 5min
Carrie is a Cat Lady, Essence vs “Africans” and Poor, Poor Gladys
Glynn Turman's well-deserved recognition highlights the impact of seasoned artists in the entertainment industry. A new album release from Clispe adds excitement to the music scene. The hosts dive into character developments in 'The Gilded Age,' emphasizing Gladys's tough choices and Peggy's struggle against societal racism. Recent controversies surrounding the Essence Festival spark discussions on accountability and representation. Lastly, critiques of 'And Just Like That' focus on character arcs, particularly the notable introduction of Lisa Todd Wexley.

Jul 9, 2025 • 41min
ESSENCE Fest: Sorting thru the Rumors, Allegations and Straight Up Lies! (Oh, and taking accountability too.)
ESSENCE’s Chief Events Officer, Michael Barclay, addresses the *ahem* online feedback re: this year’s festival, including that open letter from Stephanie Mills, accepting Target checks, the alleged “Africans” taking over, and who is actually running this festival (SPOILER: a Black American.)
ABOUT ME: http://www.demetrialucas.com/about/
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Jul 4, 2025 • 51min
Diddy Trial: The Aftermath (feat. former Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx)
The Diddy Verdict is in, but what happened and what comes next? Attorney Kim Foxx answers our pressing questions: What does this outcome mean for the victims and witnesses? What can we expect for sentencing? What message does this send to survivors? Did the Jury drop the ball? Did the Feds fumble? (Both?) And what’s up with the Judge: friend or foe? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 2, 2025 • 42min
Diddy Trial: The Verdict is In (+ Other Topics)
Demi “moves” to Nork; Drake’s new abs; Halle Bailey’s new beau; Ursher plays The Black Friend at that Bezos wedding; Nelly throws Private Citizen Kamala Harris under the bus (and refuses to change diapers); Zohran Mamdani inspires an across the-aisle crash out; the Diddy verdict is in.
Thanks to our sponsors:
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Jun 26, 2025 • 1h 43min
Magical Negroes, Science Experiments on Black... OMG! The Feds Are Dropping Diddy Charges?!?! (and so, so much more)
Details of Nephew Jalen Hurts second wedding (still no pics); Audra McDonald stuns at the Tonys; The Grammys change the rules; Adriana Smith, used as a human incubator, has finally been allowed to die; Andrew Cuomo is out; Realities and legalities of Portia’s divorce settlement; R. Kelly ODs in prison; Diddy’s employees were texting about a(n) (alleged) criminal conspiracy; Barack Obama is minding his Black business;
PLUS: Former Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx returns to explain these “dropped” charges against Diddy.
Thanks to our sponsor:
This year, skip breaking a sweat AND breaking the bank. Get this new customer offer and your 3-month Unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com/ratchet. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jun 23, 2025 • 1h 7min
BONUS EPISODE: The Diddy Trial- Inside the Courthouse, Secret Co-Consprirators (Uh, KK?!?), and Buying B*ssy on an AmEx
Our Legal Bestie Attorney Symone Redwine takes us inside the Diddy courtroom (it’s like watching a Black movie at a Black theatre opening weekend), helps us understand Jane’s scarcity-survival mode and why it's ok (legally) that Diddy is paying for her lawyer, and explains why the Defense is scheduled to rest after just two days.
Ooh, oh, also(!): the high stakes (production nightmare) of that Tyler Perry lawsuit and how Cassie’s lawsuit against Diddy set the stage for it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices