Conversate with Akeem D. Earle

Sometimes rejection isn't somebody explicitly telling you no. Sometimes it's a shorter text. Different energy. An invitation you didn't receive. A person taking a little longer to respond.

And sometimes, nothing has actually happened yet.

On this episode of Say More with LaToya, LaToya explores rejection sensitivity, the difference between facts and the stories we create around them, and the ways we sometimes reject ourselves first to avoid somebody else doing it.

She gets into friendships, dating, people pleasing, perfectionism, wanting to be chosen, and the singing opportunity she never pursued because she'd already decided she wasn't good enough.

Plus, after the episode, Akeem joins LaToya for a bonus conversation about realizing he'd done the exact same thing with a fantasy football league—and LaToya reveals that fear of rejection almost kept her from reaching back out about joining Conversate.

00:00 Tiny rejection
02:24 When the energy feels “off”
04:49 Fact or story?
06:56 Rejecting yourself first
09:18 “I didn't want it anyway”
11:44 Pulling away before they can
14:11 Sitting with uncertainty
16:27 Do I even want to be chosen?
20:45 Letting yourself want things
22:55 Rejection doesn't change who you are
23:45 Akeem joins the conversation
26:14 LaToya almost didn't reach back out
27:21 The stories both sides were creating

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Akeem and Shak react to the conversation between Stephen A. Smith, Cari Champion and Jemele Hill and debate mentorship, criticism, loyalty and whether helping someone early in their career creates an obligation years later.

But the conversation quickly becomes bigger than ESPN.

What does somebody really owe the person who opened a door for them? Does acknowledging help diminish your own hard work? How long should you endure a difficult season before deciding something isn't for you? And how do you balance changing a system with learning how to navigate the one that exists?

A conversation about opportunity, endurance, gratitude and owning what you earned.

evenaftermedia.com

Say More with LaToya returns with a deeply personal question: Are you proud of yourself, or are you waiting for someone else to be proud of you first?

After ending a four-and-a-half-year relationship, LaToya expected her therapist to recognize just how difficult the decision had been. When that emotional standing ovation never came, it forced her to confront something deeper: had she actually given herself permission to be proud of what she'd done?

LaToya reflects on choosing herself while still grieving, returning to dating, prioritizing her health, paying off debt, spending a month living in Paris, and learning to recognize her own growth without immediately minimizing it or moving on to the next goal.

Because sometimes choosing yourself doesn't feel empowering. Sometimes it hurts. And you can still be proud of yourself anyway.

The question for this episode:
What are you proud of yourself for?

00:00 Intro
04:17 Welcome to Say More with LaToya
05:58 Are You Proud of Yourself?
06:37 Ending a Four-and-a-Half-Year Relationship
07:45 Waiting for My Therapist to Say “I'm Proud of You”
09:35 Was I Actually Proud of Myself?
11:03 Choosing Yourself Can Still Hurt
12:18 Missing Someone Doesn't Mean You Should Go Back
14:09 Wanting Recognition Isn't Wrong
15:43 What Else Am I Proud Of?
16:39 Weight Loss, Discipline and Health
17:07 Dating Again After a Long Relationship
18:09 Spending a Month in Paris
18:58 Choosing the Life I Want
19:54 Stop Rushing Past Your Accomplishments
20:42 Progress Doesn't Have to Be Complete
21:54 Finish This Sentence: “I'm Proud of Myself Because…”
22:45 Your Voice Needs to Be the Soloist
24:04 Are You Still Waiting for Someone Else?

Akeem is joined by Conversate cohosts LaToya Archibald and Tonee Earle for a double feature discussion of The Odyssey and Spider Man.

First, the crew heads to Ithaca to debate one deceptively difficult question: Is Odysseus actually a hero?

They unpack Odysseus' leadership, ego and responsibility for the men who followed him, Christopher Nolan's decision not to physically depict the gods, the line between fate and the consequences of our own choices, Penelope's nearly two decades of waiting, and whether any of them would have continued following Odysseus after everything went wrong.

Then it's time for Spider Man.

The conversation turns to where the latest film ranks among Tom Holland's Spider Man movies, whether introducing this version of Peter Parker through Iron Man and the Avengers ultimately hurt his development, Jean Grey's arrival, Sadie Sink's performance and Peter Parker's continued struggle to accept responsibility, loss and adulthood.

Plus: Would Spider Man survive the Power universe? Did Peter Parker need therapy more than another villain? And if you could only watch The Odyssey or Spider Man for the rest of your life, which are you choosing?

SPOILER WARNING: This episode contains full spoilers for both movies.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome to Conversate
01:49 Ithaca or MCU New York?
05:24 Rating The Odyssey
10:40 The IMAX experience
14:20 Rating Spider Man
18:10 Reading The Odyssey before watching
21:04 Is Odysseus actually a hero?
25:56 Nolan's depiction of the gods
31:50 Would you follow Odysseus?
34:31 Would you wait 20 years for your husband?
38:36 Penelope, Telemachus and the throne
43:18 Agamemnon's unforgivable decision
44:45 Best scenes and performances in The Odyssey
51:17 Let's talk Spider Man
51:35 Ranking Tom Holland's Spider Man movies
53:38 Has Marvel failed Tom Holland's Spider Man?
56:19 Spider Man enters the Power universe
57:48 Jean Grey and Sadie Sink
01:01:40 Peter Parker's pain and loss
01:04:17 Why hasn't Peter Parker matured?
01:06:37 Peter Parker needs therapy
01:08:37 Best Spider Man scenes and performances
01:12:12 Which movie could you watch forever?
01:14:11 Was Travis Scott the right choice?
01:17:25 Final thoughts

What happens when Christian music starts looking more like the music business? Is 50 Cent creating the modern version of Tyler Perry's storytelling? And how much of the way we interpret people comes from wisdom versus trauma?

This week on Conversate, Akeem and LaToya unpack the rise and controversy surrounding Maverick City Music, debate whether 50 Cent deserves the comparison to Tyler Perry, reflect on their personal weight loss journeys, and discuss how life experiences shape the way we hear everyday conversations.

• The Maverick City Music controversy
• Christian music and the business behind worship
• Is 50 Cent the Tyler Perry of TV?
• Fitness, food, and sustainable weight loss
• Why our brains automatically translate certain phrases
• Rapid Fire This or That

00:00 Welcome & Introduction
08:35 The Rise and Fall of Maverick City Music
24:45 Is 50 Cent the Tyler Perry of Television?
34:45 Our Weight Loss Journeys & Changing Our Relationship with Food
56:15 Things My Brain Immediately Translates
1:15:35 This or That Rapid Fire
1:24:30 Final Thoughts

Welcome to the very first episode of Say More with Latoya, a new recurring segment on Conversate.

In this debut conversation, Latoya explores a simple but powerful question:

Are we actually conversating, or are we just waiting to talk?

From dating and friendships to work and family, she reflects on why curiosity, active listening, and thoughtful questions create deeper relationships. Through personal stories, humor, and honest observations, she challenges us to move beyond hot takes and performative conversations and rediscover what it means to truly connect.

If you've ever felt unheard—or wondered if you're really listening—this episode is for you.

00:00 Welcome to a New Chapter of Conversate

01:25 Introducing Say More with Latoya

03:15 Are We Actually Conversating?

07:00 The Problem with Hot Take Culture

08:40 Dating Isn't an Interview

16:25 Listening for the Door

18:30 Adding to a Conversation Instead of Dominating It

20:35 Vulnerability Creates Better Conversations

22:40 Friendship, Family, and Growing Through Dialogue

24:30 Why Conversate Exists

26:30 Better Questions Create Better Relationships

28:45 Final Thoughts

What if aliens finally revealed themselves... would anything actually change?

In this episode of Conversate, AE and Tonee Earle review Steven Spielberg's Disclosure Day and go beyond a typical movie review. We break down the film's storytelling, performances, cinematography, and deeper themes surrounding faith, government secrecy, human nature, and whether the truth about extraterrestrial life would actually change the way we live.

Was the payoff worth the buildup? Did the film ask the right questions? And if humanity learned we weren't alone... would it matter?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Did Disclosure Day live up to the hype?

👍 Like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy thoughtful conversations about movies, culture, and the ideas behind them.

Timestamps
00:00 – First Impressions & Expectations
02:45 – Character Development & Performances
06:33 – Trust, Secrecy & Human Desensitization
10:31 – Breaking Down the Alien Design
14:18 – Faith, Religion & Spiritual Themes
18:33 – The Ending Explained & Open Questions
23:22 – Cinematography, Action & Pacing
27:23 – Final Ratings & Overall Review

#Conversate #DisclosureDay #MovieReview #StevenSpielberg #SciFi

Investigative journalist Sidnee King Pineda joins Conversate for an honest conversation about journalism, ethics, government accountability, and the real-world impact of reporting on communities.

From conflicts of interest and source relationships to the displacement concerns surrounding Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood and the Obama Presidential Center, Sidnee shares what it takes to pursue truth in a world increasingly shaped by politics, technology, and public distrust.

We discuss the challenges facing modern journalism, how reporters build trust with communities, the role of investigative reporting in holding institutions accountable, and whether journalism can still create meaningful change.

• How journalists navigate ethics, objectivity, and conflicts of interest

• The realities of building relationships with sources

• Challenges facing women and minorities in journalism

• Community displacement and development in Chicago's Woodlawn neighborhood

• Government accountability and systemic transparency

• The rise of solutions-focused journalism

• How investigative reporting impacts policy and public awareness

• The future of journalism in the age of AI and influencers

00:00 – Introduction to Sidnee King Pineda and Investigative Journalism

00:20 – Ethics, Conflicts of Interest, and Public Trust

02:55 – Diana Russini, Relationships, and Journalism Boundaries

07:13 – Objectivity vs. Bias in Reporting

11:22 – Journalism Without Licensure or Formal Standards

12:57 – Navigating Relationships with Sources

13:52 – Challenges for Women and Minorities in Journalism

16:23 – Systemic Racism, Development, and Community Displacement

20:36 – Solutions Journalism and Community Impact

25:53 – The Art and Challenge of Sourcing Information

28:36 – What Fuels Sidnee's Passion for Accountability Reporting

35:07 – Chicago's Woodlawn Neighborhood and the Obama Center

39:38 – Community Engagement and Policy Follow-Through

44:10 – Celebrating Progress While Addressing Displacement

50:22 – Real-World Impact of Investigative Journalism

54:35 – Universities, Development, and Systemic Inequality

57:50 – AI, Influencers, and the Future of Journalism

1:07:36 – The Ongoing Fight for Accountability and Change

• Illinois Answers Project

• Solutions Journalism Network

• Howard University

• PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records)

• Medill School of Journalism

• The 19th

If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone interested in journalism, public policy, and community impact.

#Conversate #Journalism #InvestigativeJournalism #GovernmentAccountability #MediaEthics #CommunityImpact #PublicPolicy #SidneeKingPineda

What happens when hip-hop's biggest legends and basketball's most passionate fanbases collide?

In this episode of Conversate, the crew breaks down Jay-Z's viral Roots Picnic freestyle, what it means for his legacy, and whether it was a warning shot to critics—or the beginning of a new chapter. We also dive into Drake's place in hip-hop after a turbulent year, discussing how artists respond to pressure, criticism, and shifting public perception.

On the sports side, we take a deep look at the NBA playoffs, analyzing key matchups, coaching adjustments, player fatigue, and the impact of stars like Jalen Brunson and Victor Wembanyama. The conversation explores what separates good teams from championship teams, why physicality still matters in today's NBA, and whether the New York Knicks are finally positioned to make a historic run.

From rap battles and legacy building to playoff basketball and city pride, this episode is a conversation about competition, greatness, and what it takes to stay on top when the spotlight is brightest.

Topics include:
• Jay-Z's Roots Picnic freestyle and album speculation
• Drake's legacy and response strategy
• The art of rap battles and competitive respect
• Knicks playoff outlook and championship hopes
• Wembanyama's impact on the modern NBA
• Coaching adjustments and playoff psychology
• Fan culture, media narratives, and legacy building
• Predictions for the future of hip-hop and basketball

Subscribe for real conversations about sports, music, culture, and the stories shaping our world.

On Episode 1 of Conversate with Akeem D. Earle, Akeem is joined by Shak Taylor, Latoya Archibald, and DJ SolQuest for an in depth breakdown of Drake’s ambitious three album run: Iceman, Habibti, and Made of Honor.

The panel dives into Drake’s artistic evolution, genre versatility, emotional storytelling, production choices, and the cultural impact of releasing three distinct projects at once. From beat switches and features to legacy conversations and Grammy potential, the group explores whether Drake is creatively expanding his sound or refining the formula that made him one of the most influential artists of his generation.

The conversation also touches on fame, vulnerability, friendship, competition in hip hop, and what fans truly want from Drake at this stage of his career.

Real conversations. Different perspectives. Music, culture, and honesty at the center of it all.

Hosted by attorney and creative entrepreneur Akeem D. Earle.

#Drake #HipHop #AlbumReview #MusicPodcast #RapCulture #Conversate #MusicDiscussion #DrakeReview #RNB #Podcast