Its Up There Podcast

Shannon Sharpe. Diddy. N.O.R.E. Joe Budden. Stephen A. Smith. Cam Newton. Dr. Umar Johnson. ESPN First Take. In EP 310, Loon connects the headlines to the real strategy behind media moves: why Shannon Sharpe made the same mistake as Diddy by settling after the story caught fire, how N.O.R.E.’s “Only 3 Podcasts Matter / Top 3 Podcasts” narrative chokes discovery instead of building infrastructure, and what it actually takes to grow a platform without gatekeeping or clout by association. This is a playbook episode about PR pressure, timing, preserved tapes, TV visibility vs. podcast performance, and the discipline to keep your circle tight when everyone wants credit after you win. What you will hear today: Shannon Sharpe vs. PR math (Diddy parallel): why timing beats tactics in settlements; how “dismissed with prejudice” plus preserved tapes can invite copycat claims; and why paying after the press reads like a payout signal instead of narrative control. We also discuss ESPN/First