In 2015, the American Enterprise Institute — a conservative think tank that researches government, politics, economics, and social welfare — hosted a panel discussion to explore the challenges and possible solutions of homelessness on the street. One speaker on the panel was law enforcement consultant and LAPD officer of over 24 years, Deon Joseph.
Joseph, who spent 22 of his years on the force in downtown Los Angeles’ Skid Row Community, discussed his experiences and what he believes the best approach is to help the homeless population, including how society can take better care of the mentally ill. Check out his impassioned discussion, below.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup brings out a wild streak in footie fans. For one fan though, his passion for the sport led him to pursue the ultimate piece of memorabilia for months. Then, it happened: to the envy of every FIFA fan, the fan was able to purchase a giant World Cup soccer ball.
Kevin Cronin, better known as Kickball Dad online, was excited to see an Adidas Trionda Jumbo soccer ball. The massive 31.5-inch ball was part of a store’s display.
“We need one of those,” said Cronin.
Upon seeing it, Cronin immediately asked if he could buy it. The store said it was for display only. The cost of the sold-out ball typically goes for $320.00, but would likely be higher in price since Cronin was lucky enough to find it in the secondary market. That didn’t stop him.
The store management was unprepared for Cronin’s determination and fandom. For months, he would come in and visit the store, asking again and again if he could buy the incredibly large soccer ball. He was told again and again that it wasn’t for sale.
Until it was.
He got the ball!
One day, Cronin found the right store manager willing to sell him the ball. Cronin excitedly checked out the ball at the cash register. In a video of the purchase, Cronin’s daughter Alyssa can be heard giggling the entire time as Cronin triumphantly lifts the ball into the air.
“I’m like Atlas,” said Cronin. “I got the World Cup on my shoulders!”
Buying the giant ball was one massive task, but soon came the next one: trying to fit the ball into Cronin’s small four-door car. This gave everyone, including Cronin, second thoughts. But Cronin’s will was strong.
“Why did we buy this?” asked Cronin’s son.
“Because we have W.C.F.,” Cronin replied. “World Cup Fever.”
Cronin was able to squeeze the massive soccer ball into the backseat and drive it home. He pried the ball out of the car and into his house, where his wife greeted him with laughter.
“We got it,” he said victoriously as he placed it on the kitchen counter.
Soccer fans and brands alike congratulated him
Cronin’s video went viral on Instagram with many soccer fans commenting on his determination:
“This is a triumph a man dreams about.”
“Never give up!!!!!!”
“It’s meant to be 💞”
Even major brands reached out to give their kudos:
“Some display pieces are just too awesome to leave behind.” said Lego.
“The look on your wife’s face = priceless. What’s next? 🤣” quipped Adidas Football.
This isn’t the first time Kevin Cronin/Kickball Dad has made waves online. Cronin has become an avid content creator known for his fandom of most sports—specifically his kids’ sports games and Miami Dolphins football. Fans see videos of him shopping at the grocery store, going to sporting events, sharing his sports takes, and even birding. His daughter Alyssa shoots and edits the videos, leading to a fun family side hustle as content creators.
As the 2026 World Cup starts, it’ll be fun to see fans all over the world show their enthusiasm whether it’s through loud cheers with their families or creating fun videos starring a hard-won giant soccer ball.
Mimi Fletcher has the prototypical origin of a successful working actor: moving out from the Midwest to Los Angeles to become a star. She got her start doing background gigs and now is doing recurring guest roles on television. However, one acting gig she’ll treasure forever was when she got to work with Harrison Ford.
Ford is a part of the main cast of Shrinking, an Apple+ show starring him and Jason Segel. The show is about a therapist (Segel) who, motivated by grief, takes a more proactive and candid approach with his patients. Ford plays Paul, a senior therapist at the practice who suffers from Parkinson’s disease.
When Fletcher met Ford
In 2023, Fletcher got to do scenes with Ford and Segel. It would be one of the biggest highlights of her career so far. However, recently on Threads, Fletcher shared that it was also a highlight of her life that she’ll never forget.
Fletcher shared that her father was a big fan of Harrison Ford. Her dad was also a big fan of his daughter and very encouraging of her acting dream. She shared how her father supported and believed in her, even when she made decisions that her dad wouldn’t approve of. Her dad passed away in 2005 before Fletcher truly “made it” as a Hollywood actor. She wishes she was able to make him proud.
Before going on set, Fletcher was waiting in the holding room with both Harrison Ford and Jason Segel. As they were all waiting, Fletcher thought of her father. She approached Ford and said:
“You know, Harrison, my Dad was a big fan of yours. I remember him taking me to see Witness when I was a little girl. I did some things that I know disappointed him, but he still supported me. He never got to see me do any professional acting, but I’d like to think that today, he’d be proud of me.”
Actor Harrison Ford encouraged graduates at Arizona State University to “build something that didn’t exist yesterday” in a rousing commencement speech on Monday, telling them to “go change the world.” “When opportunity presents, recognize it. This is your time. Own it.” #harrisonford#arizonastateuniversity
Fletcher tried to keep it professional, but the tears she was holding back spilled out. Immediately, Ford rushed to give her a hug.
“He wrapped me in his arms, and held me as I cried. He then kissed my forehead and said, ‘Your dad’s here, he sees you, and he’s proud of you.’”
In sharing the story, Fletcher expressed her gratitude to Ford and everyone on Shrinking. Fletcher felt compelled to tell this story since her father passed away over twenty years ago this June. And since June is also when we celebrate Father’s Day, he’s been on her mind. While Fletcher still mourns her loss, she treasures this happy memory.
Harrison Ford doesn’t need a whip or a blaster to prove he’s a hero. When he was presented the lifetime achievement award at The Actor Awards last night, Ford used his platform to share an incredibly beautiful, masculine, and humbling speech. Please take the time to watch these clips and learn from some of the lessons he tries to share. Han Solo and Indiana Jones ain’t got nothing on Harrison Ford.
Americans have this strange love of British accents—so much so that even when someone is speaking absolute gibberish, we find ourselves transfixed and absurdly trusting them.
Tawny Platis, a professional voice actor and content creator, expertly captured the phenomenon in her YouTube video, “Why Americans Love This Accent.” In the video, she analyzes why Americans find Billy Butcher’s voice so compelling despite the character’s violent and morally chaotic behavior on the TV show The Boys.
Americans trust and love rough, working-class British masculinity
“So Karl Urban is a New Zealander doing a Cockney, working-class, East End London accent,” Platis explained. Regardless of how well the actor nails the accent for his character, Butcher, Americans buy right into it anyway. “That’s because working-class English masculinity is coded in American media as authenticity,” she added.
She goes on to give examples to help substantiate her point: “Every Guy Ritchie movie, British gangster film, and working-class antihero from Michael Caine to Tom Hardy has trained American audiences to hear that voice as unfiltered and honest.”
A 2024 study published in SAGE Journals found that listeners unconsciously form social biases based on accents. People rapidly make assumptions about personality and identity.
A young businessman speaks into a microphone. Photo credit: Canva
Make ordinary information sound important
The accent becomes a shortcut the brain uses to make immediate decisions about intelligence, honesty, confidence, warmth, and even competence. When it comes to characters like Butcher, the key detail isn’t so much the “Britishness” itself—it’s the association.
“Butcher is using the working-class Brit voice to showcase honesty,” Platis said. “Butcher is a liar who manipulates Hughie, hides things from his team, and is willing to take out children. But the audience keeps forgiving him because his voice sounds like a man who’s earned the right to do all that, when he very much hasn’t.”
Psychologists believe part of this effect comes from something called “processing fluency.” A 2023 study published in Scientific Reports found that increased exposure to certain accents reduced listeners’ cognitive effort. As a result, people made more positive social judgments about the speaker.
Accents that feel familiar after years of movies, television, and media unconsciously influence people. Audiences automatically attach credibility and trustworthiness to them. Simply put, people mistake familiarity for truth.
A 2024 study found that Americans rate the standard British accent most positively, strongly associating it with traits like intelligence, status, and competence. The Northern English accent is viewed slightly less favorably. Scottish accents are considered strong and friendly. Meanwhile, the Welsh accent falls somewhere in the middle, depending on how well the listener recognizes it.
Blocks spell out the words “fact” and “fake.” Photo credit: Canva
Accent bias sways people’s opinions
The same instinct that makes one accent sound “trustworthy” can also make another sound “unreliable.” In real-world interactions, working-class accents can be perceived as less intelligent or less educated. This can affect hiring decisions and even workplace promotions.
A 2024 study focusing on “Americanness” found that accented speakers were perceived as “less American.” In simulated hiring scenarios, they were less likely to be hired, demonstrating that an accent can override other judgments.
When a person speaks, people instantly begin building a story about who they are. Many decide whether a voice sounds trustworthy long before consciously realizing it. Platis points out that a lifetime of exposure to social media, movies, and television has shaped that perspective.
“Butcher’s accent is the most effective because it’s the only one many viewers don’t even recognize as a performance,” Platis said. Which basically means somewhere out there right now, a confident British accent is talking nonsense that feels totally believable.
