Topic: Stevie Wonder

A drive-in campaign event in Michigan featuring Stevie Wonder is described as having low attendance and inconsistent social distancing enforcement. During the event, Joe Biden referred to Stevie Wonder as a "generally" national treasure instead of "genuinely," a mistake categorized under "Dumb Shit Biden Says" (DSBS). The segment highlights the contrast between strict COVID-19 safety announcements and the actual behavior of attendees at the rally.

Following the death of Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder made comments linking various diseases and world problems to a lack of belief in global warming. The hosts mock the assertion that environmental issues contributed to Franklin's passing. They also note reports that Franklin died without a will, leading to a massive scheduled funeral.

A star-studded telethon titled "Hand in Hand" raises approximately $14 million for hurricane relief, with significant contributions coming from Apple and Merck. Stevie Wonder opened the event with a statement linking the recent natural disasters to global warming. Despite the celebrity presence, the hosts suggest the event had low viewership and lacked effective promotion.

The hosts discuss feedback from their recent newsletter, including a controversial image of Stevie Wonder purportedly promoting an Atari video game. Snopes later debunked the ad as a fake, though the hosts found the concept humorous regardless of its authenticity. A listener from Westfield, Indiana, is granted the title of Baron of Hamilton County following a significant donation.

The hosts critique the production of the Grammy Awards, including Adele's performance issues and Kendrick Lamar's set. A segment featuring Stevie Wonder leads to a discussion on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and "Section 508 trolls" who file predatory lawsuits against corporations over website accessibility. Curry argues against degrading the web experience for the "sight-abled" to satisfy frivolous legal demands.

Bob Heil explains how Joe Walsh prompted him to improve upon the standard SM58 microphone, leading to the development of the PR 35 large diaphragm dynamic microphone. He demonstrates the superior articulation and presence of his design compared to older models. Heil lists several high-profile artists, including Carrie Underwood and Idina Menzel, who use the PR 35 as their primary performance instrument.

A detailed account of a Stevie Wonder concert at the Frank Irwin Center in Austin, Texas, describes the "Songs in the Key of Life Experience" tour. The performance featured 30 musicians and a guest appearance by India.Arie. Technical details are provided for the Harpejji, a stringed instrument developed in 2007 by Tim Meeks that bridges the gap between guitar and piano layouts.

A discussion regarding recent Uber rides in Austin notes a lack of immigrant drivers compared to expectations. The conversation shifts to John C. Dvorak's birthday falling on Easter Sunday and his family's gift-giving traditions. An anecdote from the Stevie Wonder concert claims the artist joked on stage about his blindness and wanting to drive a Tesla.

An interview with a former Iranian ambassador on Democracy Now! outlines mutual grievances between the U.S. and Iran. The ambassador cites U.S. support for dictators like the Shah, Mubarak, and Ben Ali, as well as the invasion of Iraq, as sources of instability. The segment concludes with a quote from Stevie Wonder urging world leaders to "cut the bullshit."

A diplomatic conference in Marrakesh resulted in a treaty to facilitate access to published works for the visually impaired. Stevie Wonder supported the initiative, which addresses the fact that 95% of books are not available in accessible formats due to publisher fears of copyright infringement. The hosts argue that the podcast itself serves as a vital information source for the "print challenged" community.

Adam Curry examines the 2010 tax filings for the Robin Hood Foundation, revealing that Stevie Wonder was paid $500,000 for a performance. He lists several executives earning over $200,000 annually and notes the foundation's extensive investments in global stocks and bonds. The hosts argue that "100% of every dollar" claims are misleading when the money goes to other non-profits rather than individuals.