In this episode of At the Table with Greg & Elliott, hosts Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper kick things off with a weekly check-in, talking travel, auditions, and what it feels like when the calendar is finally full of real work and not just busy work. From there, they slide into Culture Ketchup with a spotlight on Uncle Nearest whiskey and the legacy of Nathan “Nearest” Green—the formerly enslaved master distiller whose craft helped shape American whiskey and inspired the Black-owned Uncle Nearest brand that’s thriving today.
Since no episode at the table is complete without food, Greg introduces Detroit’s iconic Coney Island hot dog—beef dog, chili, mustard, onions—and explains how Greek immigrants helped shape that Motor City classic. While their guest eats Coney dogs from Detroit’s Motor City Grill, Greg and Elliott hold it down in Los Angeles with legendary Pink’s Hot Dogs, comparing LA-style chaos-in-a-bun with Detroit’s chili dog tradition.
The episode then shifts to family as they welcome their guest, attorney and mental health advocate Jade Mathis, joining virtually from Detroit. Elliott introduces her as a powerful speaker and justice reform champion, while Greg adds the big-sister roasting only siblings can get away with. In their “Be Honest, Don’t Hold Back” segment, they dive into what social media trends feel the most overrated, how performative online life impacts mental health, and why Jade blocks people “for their own good.”
Just as Greg begins to unpack Jade’s work in restorative justice and expungement, the conversation gets so rich they decide to split it into two parts. This episode sets the table; Part 2 dives deep into the legal and advocacy work that defines Jade’s mission.
Featuring:
Uncle Nearest, Nathan “Nearest” Green, Detroit Coney Island hot dogs, Pink’s Hot Dogs (Los Angeles), Motor City Grill (Detroit), Mathis Family Matters, Jade Mathis, mental health advocacy, restorative justice, expungement, social media and mental health.
