Brands of the Week: Star Wars 50th Anniversary, Bill Gates, Pumpkin Stylists, NBA and Peacock, Divorced Dad Rock, and more.

In this episode, Donny discusses various brands and their current standings, touching on political issues, youth perspectives on violence and free speech, the impact of AI on employment, and cultural reflections in Hollywood and music. The conversation also highlights alarming trends in literacy rates among American students and concludes with seasonal trends in pumpkin styling. Takeaways: The government shutdown reflects poorly on both parties. Younger Americans show surprising apathy towards political violence. AI is reshaping the job market, leading to layoffs. Hollywood is seeing a decline in female directors. Divorced dad rock is a rising music trend. Literacy rates among American students are declining. Bill Gates advocates for a shift in climate change focus. Pumpkin stylists are capitalizing on seasonal trends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices