Apologies Accepted

Race Relations: A Picture is Worth a Thousand Sorries

Welcome to another episode of Apologies Accepted where hosts Theo and Juliette delve into the world of public apologies, examining the impactful stories behind them. In this episode, they explore the iconic photograph of Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine, facing a jeering Hazel Bryan. Hazel's journey from being an emblem of racial hostility to seeking redemption and reconciliation with Elizabeth unfolds.

Decades later, as Elizabeth and Hazel attempt to foster a friendship, the complexities of true forgiveness and the unresolved shadows of past traumas come to light, highlighting their very different perspectives on not only the incident but what true forgiveness means.

Nike: Running on Empty

Nike issued an apology in April 2025 for their use of the Holocaust remembrance slogan "Never Again" in an advertising campaign for the London Marathon.  Nike had billboards along the marathon route of "often quoted" runner complaints, like "why did I do this?" and "how many more miles to go?" and "Definitely taking up yoga instead of running".  Apparently "Never again" is something Nike believed runners said a lot and so they put up the quote and congratulated themselves on a campaign well run (haha).

People noticed and pointed out to Nike that using the phrase "Never again" might be a touch inconsiderate.  Nike was quick to issue an apology and we are here to rate and review it!

Holland: Not Heroic

This week we are leaving America behind and going to Amsterdam!  Mayor Femke Halsema, Mayor of Amsterdam since 2018, offered a public apology in April 2025 for the city's capitulation to the Nazi's in World War 2.

“The Amsterdam government, when it came down to it, was not heroic, not determined and not merciful. And it let its Jewish residents down terribly,” Halsema said. “On behalf of the city government, I offer my apologies for this"

She issued the apology at an event marking Israel’s Holocaust Remembrance Day.  The Mayor went on to say that civil servants in Amsterdam played an active role in the murder of thousands of Jewish citizens.

From a population of 80,000 citizens, only 20,000 survived the war.  Lost among the tens of thousands was Anne Frank, whose diary spoke of the horrors of the Holocaust.

What parallels exist between the political situation in the US today and the political situation of Holland 80 years ago?  Is history doomed to repeat itself (or at the very least rhyme)?  Good news and bad news on that question!

 

 

 

Haley Joel Osment: I See Drunk People

Hi Everyone!  We are back from vacation so word to the skippers, the first 30 minutes is gossip and catching up.  But if you skip you will miss all the hot news on running out of gas in Big Bend National Park and Juliette's display of bravery during a turbulent flight across the US!

This week we look at Haley Joel Osment, famous as a child actor for his role in "The Sixth Sense" ("I see dead people") and a surprising amount of work as an adult actor.  He claims to have escaped the curse of the child actors, but reports of drunk and disorderly behavior, cocaine possession, and American Airlines front desk staff calling the police on him at Las Vegas International Airport might give one reason to doubt his claims of not being another tragic child actor.  Pretty much only Jodi Foster, Drew Barrymore, and the girl who played "Blossom" in the 80s (has a doctorate in neuroscience from UCLA) are known to have escaped the curse of the child actor.

Haley was up at Mammoth Mountain in early April 2025 and was daytime drunk trying to get onto the ski lift without skis or a snowboard.  The police arrived and arrested him.  Haley let them know what he thought about them and how sorry they were going to be for wrongfully arresting him!  He hurled a slur used against jewish people at one of the cops and also called the same cop a Nazi.  The bodycam footage was released and so was the public apology, which we are here, finally back, to rate and review for you!

That 70's Show: Ashton and Mila's Apology Video

That 70's show was a 90's hit!  The stars of the show went on to other projects and continued working - a sometimes rarity for many stars of big hit TV shows.  Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were two of the stars who not only had careers after the TV series ended, but married each other IRL.  Another star of the show was convicted to 30 years to life for sexual assault.  Ashton and Mila were asked to write character letters for their former co-star, and they did!  Then the backlash began  after their character letters supporting a a convicted rapist were made public. Their public apology brought even more backlash and then followed the conspiracy theories - P. Diddy and Sciencetology and money all pave the sideroads you will follow in this episode of Apologies Accepted! 

Fiery Words and Feuds: Tahoe's Apology Drama

Parker Alexander, CEO of Tahoe Heartbeat said some things online about undocumented people - referring to their children as "illegally bred" and a harm to good decent American society. Of course this was on Facebook and quickly went viral through the Tahoe community.  Stores took Tahoe Heartbeat products off their shelves - including the Tahoe Airport. Parker didn't care, he claimed he made $10,000 in sales that day and everyone could get over themselves.  He held that stance for 5 minutes as more and more retailers canceled orders.  Suddenly he was very sorry and "loves" undocumented people - some of this best friends are undocumented!  How could everyone have misunderstood his heart - he's a good man that makes a great American product and he wants everyone's understanding (and money).

Parker learned the hard way that free speech does not mean "free of consequences."

Sky-High Scandals: A Collision of Politics and Aviation

Apologies Accepted dives into the intriguing intersection of public apologies and significant historical events. This episode explores the political landscape and public reaction following a tragic mid-air collision at the Potomac River. Hosts Theo and Juliette discuss the politics behind apologies, focusing on a notable apology issued by Bakari Sellers after inappropriate timing of his comments linking the crash to staffing issues within the FAA.

Amid the political analysis, the episode also covers general travel anxieties and the broader implications of such aviation incidents on public sentiment. A look at Trump's response and public discourse surrounding it offers a critical perspective on how politics can overshadow tragedies. Join us for this eye-opening discussion that questions the necessity of certain public apologies while highlighting the systemic issues that loom beneath.

The Bishop and the Beast: A Tale of Mercy and Defiance

In this episode of Apologies Accepted, hosts Theo and Juliette dive into the powerful sermon delivered by Bishop Mary Ann Edgar-Buddy at President Trump's inauguration. As the first woman bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C., Bishop Buddy made headlines with her plea for mercy towards marginalized groups, sparking controversy and a demand for an apology from Trump.

The hosts explore Bishop Buddy's unwavering commitment to justice and compassion, as she stands firm against criticism and refuses to apologize for her message of unity. They analyze the lack of apology and the implications of such a stance, giving Bishop Buddy a perfect score for her courage and conviction.

Shifting gears, the episode also covers Elon Musk's tumultuous handling of Twitter, highlighting his recent admission of the platform's struggles under his ownership. The hosts discuss the broader implications of Musk's actions and the world of social media in flux.

With insightful commentary and a mix of humor, Theo and Juliette provide listeners with an engaging narrative of current events, blending the serious with the light-hearted. Join them for a thought-provoking journey through apologies and accountability in today's world.

Football Fan Fallout: Fired for Foulness

TikTok was banned for 14 hours and the nation remained standing!  But that isn't true for one Philadelphia Eagles fan who let his mouth and his anger get the better of him at a game when he called a woman the C-word (and we don't mean Christian Conservative).  For some dumb reason, even though his team was winning, he got mad at a woman sitting a few seats away for being a fan of the opposing team and used some very foul language.  He was filmed and the clip garnered 31 million views in just a few days.  He lost his job and issued a public apology.

The kicker (that's an expression and a football pun - you're welcome!) is he worked at an advisory company that focused on DEI (Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion) and they pretty much are against men calling women c*nts.  He was fired and perhaps most tragic of all, banned from attending any and all events held at the Lincoln Financial Field (that's where his favorite team plays their home games).

So much for sportsmanship in the 21st Century - but maybe there is a silver lining in all of this?

 

Teenage Unwed Mother: The Problem With Christian Charity

Join Theo and Juliette in this thought-provoking episode of "Apologies Accepted," where they delve into the controversial public apology made by a teenage girl at a church in Hampton, Virginia. The episode explores the societal and religious implications of such shaming events and the profound impact on the individuals involved. With a mix of personal stories and passionate debate, this episode promises to challenge your views on accountability and forgiveness within religious communities.

Alongside the main story, enjoy engaging banter about the hosts' personal travel stories, the shifting landscape of social media news consumption, and the continued impact of social and political figures like Anita Bryant. Stay for the laughs, stay for the learning, and be part of a sincere discussion on what it means to apologize and be forgiven in today's world.