Advertise on podcast: The XX Files

This week on The XX Files, we’re mixing horror, nostalgia, and controversy! From Memphis’ proposed data center restrictions and the return of Carrie to debating Candyman vs. Mr. Simms, we’re getting into it all. We settle the ultimate sitcom debate: Martin vs. The Jamie Foxx Show, and ask whether Jason Voorhees could survive growing up in Memphis. Plus, hilarious Interrogation Questions and a Final Thought about questioning the things society has learned to accept. Support the show

This week on The XX Files, we’re diving headfirst into a world where reality is somehow stranger than fiction! From antibiotic-resistant sexually transmitted infections and disturbing reports surrounding a deadly laboratory accident in Russia to the controversial discussion of capital punishment and the cultural obsession with Freddy Krueger, we’re unpacking another wild week of headlines. Support the show

This week on The XX Files, Grammy-nominated producer Hitkidd pulls up for a conversation about music, Memphis, and creating a sound that can turn into a movement. We get into his transition from football to producing, his love for the crunk era and vintage ’90s fashion, the producers who influenced him, and the mindset behind his unmistakable sound. We also put Hitkidd through the XX Files treatment—from choosing the one beat he’d save if everything disappeared, to picking the perfect song to explain Memphis to an alien. Plus, we ask why so many Black Memphians have never been to Graceland, debate whether people should still be punished for offensive things they said 10–15 years ago, and talk about what producers deserve from the music industry. Support the show

We get into the latest claims surrounding the possible resting place of Noah’s Ark, a disturbing fraternity hazing case involving 30 men, and why sometimes you have to stop getting consumed by local gossip and start thinking bigger about your career and your future. Then we build our Mount Rushmore of weed flavors. For Controversy of the Week, we discuss lawsuits alleging Ozempic users suffered serious vision problems, including blindness. And for Conspiracy of the Week, we investigate something that’s been bothering us for way too long: why do all the berry-flavored Minute Maid drinks taste different?! Then it’s Interrogation time: talking animals, surprise million-dollar slaps, discontinued fast food, household-object hands, and Avengers powers based on your worst personality trait. Support the show

This week we get into Converse catching backlash over a controversial sneaker ad, Nashville becoming the new Hollywood, the U.S. military putting weapons in space, and Ed Sheeran apologizing after Macklemore gets booted from tour. Then we’re asking the important questions: If we could draft ONE person into Black culture, who gets the call? Why are we so fascinated with turning tragedy and disturbing real-life stories into entertainment? And if aliens asked us to explain Black people with ONE piece of media… what are we showing them? Support the show

After a month away, PreauXX and Rudy kick off Season 3 with creative personality and digital presence Bxrbie for a conversation about fashion, individuality, content creation, and what it really takes to build an identity online. Bxrbie talks about breaking away from the old-school style she grew up with and becoming a fashion girlie, while also opening up about the darker side of being a content creator and the parts of the process people rarely see. Plus, we get into some classic XX Files hypotheticals, Hot Topics, Controversy of the Week, Conspiracy of the Week, and of course, the Interrogation. Support the show

Born in New Orleans and raised in Memphis after Hurricane Katrina, Bleu Levees is a recording artist and creative director redefining what Southern artistry can look and feel like. Blending music, film, and visual storytelling, Bleu has built a cinematic universe where every song feels like a scene and every project invites listeners into an entirely new world. Following the release of his debut album, The Way of the Cat, Bleu returns with his highly anticipated sophomore project, Not the Normal SOUTHEAUX, an ambitious body of work that challenges expectations of Southern music through immersive storytelling, bold visuals, and fearless creativity. This week on The XX Files, we dive into the inspiration behind his latest project, the influence of New Orleans and Memphis on his artistic identity, the importance of originality in today’s music industry, and why creating an experience matters just as much as creating a song. From anime and A24 films to live performances and creative risks, this conversation explores what it truly means to build a world instead of just making music. Support the show

Episode 50 is all about the power of comedy and the conversations it can create. This week, we’re joined by Memphis creative duo That’s A Peelto talk about their debut album Laugh, 304!!, going viral through skits, acting, and why mental health remains a major part of their mission. We also dive into a bizarre Taco Bell conspiracy, react to a disturbing headline that’s sparked nationwide debate, and put our guests through another round of The XX Files Interrogation. Sometimes laughter is entertainment—and sometimes it’s the doorway to a much bigger conversation. Support the show

This week we’re joined by a hit-making producer TP808s for a conversation about what really happens behind the studio doors, the biggest misconceptions about working with artists, and the obstacles that come with building a career in music. Support the show

This week on The XX Files, we’re separating headlines from hysteria. From a White House press secretary calling Gen Z lazy, to India Arie’s comments on “Spend Dat,” an outrageous demand involving Beyoncé, and influencers turning engagement into content, nothing is off limits. We also unpack the tragic National Guard shooting in downtown Memphis during the July 4th celebration, ask why every heavy rain now seems to flood our cities, and finish with interrogation questions that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew. Support the show

This week on The XX Files, we’re asking the questions nobody else wants to touch. From Terry Crews’ surprising confession and a pastor throwing hands, to Love Island controversy, superhero debates, and the internet’s obsession with scam culture—we’re separating entertainment from reality. Plus, we tackle this week’s Controversy of the Week: Why are we praising scam culture? And for our Conspiracy of the Week, we build the ultimate superhero squad and decide which hero would actually survive Memphis. Support the show

This week on The XX Files, PreauXX sits down with Memphis photojournalist, filmmaker, adventurer, and storyteller Malik The Martian. Known for documenting culture through a unique lens, Malik has built a reputation for going beyond the expected—from the streets of South Memphis to mountain peaks, wilderness expeditions, and unforgettable encounters in the wild. The conversation dives into his powerful documentary “Outside Ain’t Free,” the influence of Memphis on his worldview, and how photography became a vehicle for purpose, exploration, and inspiration. Support the show

This week, the crew dives into major verdicts making national headlines, the New York Knicks finally bringing a championship back to the city, the possibility of UFC fights at the White House, and the internet’s reaction to Haha Davis opening up about his marriage. We also unpack a viral volcano incident that has everyone questioning the lengths people will go for attention and ask whether the growing gap between billionaires and everyday Americans is proof of success or proof the system was never built for everybody. Support the show

The American Dream, is it still alive, or has it become a luxury item? This week on The XX Files, the crew dives into the reality of chasing success in today’s economy, debating whether content creation has become a more lucrative path than the traditional 9-to-5. We also break down Offset confronting a driver for allegedly manhandling a woman, the viral Kool-Aid Pineapple craze taking over social media, Knicks and Spurs fans bringing playoff energy to the streets, and which YouTube personality deserves an invite to the Memphis BBQ. Support the show

This week on The XX Files, we sit down with filmmaker, storyteller, and 38109 Village founder Matt Robinson. We discuss the power of community, the importance of mental health awareness, and why meaningful conversations can change lives. We also debate whether society has become too emotionally fragile, break down a bizarre Florida traffic stop, and ask the questions nobody else is asking during The Interrogation. Topics include Memphis culture, mental health, community building, emotional resilience, conspiracy theories, and the role storytelling plays in shaping a better future. Support the show