Dear Son,

Dear Son, I couldn’t coach my way out of this one. Sports is a way of life for many children and adults alike. Many have the love, but not the skill. Then there are those that have both, and a few of them mature into coaching once their playing days are done. George Massenburg’s journey was a pleasure to unpack. As the son of a military father, he knew early on the importance of discipline and reliability. Both are critical traits of any successful athlete, and he credits his father for setting these expectations, not just for sports, but for life. After playing for the greatest high school and arguably one of the greatest high school football team’s ever, the 1996 Hampton Crabbers (Hampton, VA), George went on to play at Virginia State University, and later became a football coach at his former high school and later served as the head coach for Heritage High School (Newport News, VA).

His life experiences on and off the field gave him the tools to be a successful coach. He was able to relate through his struggles with the scholastic and athletic demands of a college athlete, challenges post college as he entered the ‘real world,’ and the humility of having to start over when life didn’t work out as planned. George lets us in on some of the lower points in his life and how therapy helped him manage and, ultimately, overcome those dark phases. It’s beautiful. 

Today, as a public school administrator, he revels in his passion for education and desire to impact students. His proudest accomplishment by far; however, is the relationship he has with his 13-year-old daughter. I mean, he couldn’t hide the joy in his face or tone when speaking about her. His best friend, as she is credited, is his biggest supporter, encourager, and source of purpose. George has so many layers and I’m grateful that he gave us a peek into a few of them during this conversation. Grab a snack and enjoy this one. I’ll meet you in the comment section and/or on any of the DSP social media platforms below.

Be sure to follow George: https://instagram.com/1_lovechasers and his fiancé https://instagram.com/OshiCouture

The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com

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The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

1. Reveal trauma 

2. Heal from trauma

3. Help through telling stories of it all

“Better Man. Better Father.”

Dear Son, be emotionally fit above all. Sure, we've progressed a bit in recent years by 'allowing' men to feel their feelings, but that isn't enough. Today's guest, Rod, is no stranger to the gym, and has a passion for physical fitness. He has literally dedicated this phase of his life to helping and encouraging men to invest in their physical health and appearance. His approach is not exactly the norm, at least in my experience. He invests more time and energy into transforming the way and what his clients think about themselves. Through this empowering approach, many men credit Coach Rod with the collateral benefit of weight loss. He has the receipts.

His fatherhood story; however, wasn't comprised of all high fives and celebratory fist bumps. As a Bay Area native (Richmond, CA to be exact), he experienced various traumas that shaped his childhood. Just outside of his doorstep awaited gangs, drug dealers and users, drive-by shootings, and inside his home he experienced the heartache of his parents' divorce. His mom ensured he was rooted in faith and kept him in church most days of the week. Rod became an athlete very early in his childhood, ultimately excelling in baseball and football, which afforded him a full college scholarship.

I could write several more paragraphs about this phenomenal man, but that's what the podcast is for. Grab a snack. This is gonna be a great one!

ROD'S OFFERING THE DSP FAMILY AN EARLY BIIRD SPECIAL!

Click the link below for details on how to register and receive your FAST ACTION BONUS with crazy incentives! The challenge starts on January 31, 2022.

https://potential4performance.mypthub.net/3/p/162214

Missed the challenge? Checkout https://4fitfatherhood.com to see his current offerings and also find his podcast.

You can find the rest of Rod's offerings via the link below:

https://linktr.ee/ucancallmecoach

The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors: 

https://tatewhalun.com -- Discount Code: THEDSP

Johns & Co Apparel: https://johnsandcompany.co 

Love Kisha J Studios: https://etsy.com/shop/LoveKishaJStudios 

Let’s connect socially: 

https://instagram.com/thedearsonpodcast 

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https://facebook.com/thedearsonpodcast

The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

1. Reveal trauma 

2. Heal from trauma

3. Help through telling stories of it all

“Better Man. Better Father.”

Dear Son, I need you back in my life. Many relationships begin with the best of intentions. The air smells sweeter, the flowers are bloom-ier, and all  seems right with the world. Then, as with any relationship, problems arise and character is revealed. Add children to the mix and it becomes more than some can or prefer to handle. James has experienced the hurt as a child and as an adult, and the impact at each stage is damaging. 

In this episode, we conversed about his humble beginnings as a child growing up in Shreveport, LA. Though he will forever regard it as his home with fondness, there were several memories that were painful to replay from his life there. Primarily raised by his mother and aunt, he recalls the financial hardships, constant moves, and the resulting school fights because he was the new guy. In middle school, he lost his big brother, who was his best friend, and essentially his identity. Anything big bro did, he wanted to do, and they spent everyday together until his big brother's untimely death. Compound these challenges with a pervasive gang culture right outside of his front door, and you'd potentially have.a recipe for disaster. 

Fortunately, James' story is one of overcoming. He survived the streets and navigated his way through early adulthood by way of college and the military. A tumultuous relationship yielded heartache and distrust, but also blessed the parents with three beautiful children. He later found love again with his current wife and was blessed with three more children. Life still hurts at times because he longs to have a relationship with his oldest son from the first marriage. He manages to wear a smile through that pain, and channels his energy into mentoring boys and young men to help them cope with and make better decisions in life. As he referenced, "he's lived 31 lives," and I'm grateful that he stopped by to share a few highlights with us.  Be blessed, Fam. I'll see you in the comments.

https://thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors: 

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Let’s connect socially: 

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The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

1. Reveal trauma 

2. Heal from trauma

3. Help through telling stories of it all

“Better Man. Better Father.”

Dear Son, you were just too different to love. Imagine being the youngest child and watching your siblings receiving love from the family differently. No explanations given, just different treatment. Compound that with being called ‘weird’ or worse, just because as a young boy you prefer to be in the band vice being an all-star athlete. This is sadly the case for many children, and it is especially painful for your young boys who want nothing more than to be validated by their fathers. Conversely, many fathers from generations past weren’t equipped with a high level of emotional intelligence or provided an example of fatherhood beyond being a provider. It’s easy to stand on one side and cast blame on the other, but that’s not what this platform is about. 

In this episode, Anvalon shares with us how similar circumstances impacted his life at an early age, and later played out negatively in his adult years. The story doesn’t end there, thankfully. He has learned to turn those painful years and negative behaviors into an uncanny level of self-awareness and desire to help others through sharing his journey. I’m grateful that he chose this platform as part of that process. I urge you to listen attentively as I’m sure there will be at least one truth that will resonate with you. If only we all could walk in truth daily. Be blessed, Fam. I'll see you in the comments.

#fatherhood #blackmenheal #fatherandson

Dear Son, you were just too different to love.

I'll see you in the comments. 

Follow Anvalon to keep up with his story:

https://instagram.com/iamanvalon

https://twitter.com/iamanvalon

https://facebook.com/anvalonelliott

#blackmenheal #overcomingtrauma

https://thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors: 

https://tatewhalun.com -- Discount Code: THEDSP

Johns & Co Apparel: https://johnsandcompany.co 

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Let’s connect socially: 

https://instagram.com/thedearsonpodcast 

https://twitter.com/dearsonpodcast 

www.facebook.com/thedearsonpodcast

The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

1. Reveal trauma 

2. Heal from trauma

3. Help through telling stories of it all

“Better Man. Better Father.”

Support the pod by supporting our sponsors: 

https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch

Johns & Co Apparel: https://johnsandcompany.co 

Love Kisha J Studios: https://etsy.com/shop/LoveKishaJStudios 

Let’s connect socially: 

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Dear Son, I woke up on a park bench. What would be a humbling, better yet humiliating experience for most didn't brake Jaraud's spirit. At one of his lowest moments, he found himself taking shelter on a park bench in the Algiers area of New Orleans. Not sure where he'd find his next meal, he found the courage to will (and work) his way out of those circumstances. Not once did he blame others or feel sorry for himself. He simply "figured it out." This became a them throughout the phases of his life that he shared during this conversation. When life gets hard, he finds.a way. Now that he is a father, Jaraud has some very tough decisions manage. He is extremely passionate about changing the world and mapped out plans to do so. Then he became a father unexpectedly. Of course this changes everything, but does that mean he has to abandon his goals and purpose? There's one sure way to find out. Grab a snack and enjoy.

Follow Jaraud to keep up with his story:

https://instagram.com/iam_kingmac7

https://instagram.com/royalknowledgepodcast

#blackmenheal #overcomingtrauma

https://thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the pod by supporting our sponsors:

Johns & Co Apparel: https://johnsandcompany.co

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Let’s connect socially:

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https://twitter.com/dearsonpodcast

www.facebook.com/thedearsonpodcast

The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

1. Reveal trauma

2. Heal from trauma

3. Help through telling stories of it all

“Better Man. Better Father.”

Dear Son, prison walls can’t separate us. Imagine being separated from your father at the age of two…for any reason. For some, this could be the start of a miserable life filled with anger, sadness, and regret (and understandably so). That’s not at all how this story plays out. Although he certainly felt the pain of his father not being around physically, Derrin was consumed with love from his family that eased the pain. Most notably, his mother poured into him beyond measure, and protected…no, promoted the relationship between him and his incarcerated father. They both waited patiently, believing daily that the family be would physically be reunited. After serving 27 years, Derrin’s father was released from prison, and they picked up continued the relationship he’d longed for his entire life.

Derrin is a mild-mannered, respectful man, husband, and father. He made a conscious choice throughout his life to focus on the good. Even when presented with examples of what his character shouldn’t be, he chose to find the lesson in what not to do. He is mature beyond his years and revels in the joy of fatherhood. “I just want to be a great father,” he confessed during our conversation. I think he’s closer to greatness that he even knows. Give this one your full attention and let me know your thoughts in the comments (YouTube) or via social media if you prefer. There’s also an option to leave a voice note (link below), if you really want your voice heard. Be sure to follow him on social media and buy his merch if you’re also 2Stubborn2Fail.

#fatherhood #blackmenheal #fatherandson

Derrin’s Info:

https://2stubborn2fail.com

https://instagram.com/2stubborn2fail

Support the pod by supporting our sponsors:

https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch

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Let’s connect socially:

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Dear Son, let that rage out! I had the pleasure of catching up with one of the legends from my hometown, Hampton, VA (757). Ahmad put on a show every time he touched the football field. His sports highlights can easily be found with a quick Google search, and would keep you glued to the screen for hours upon hours even if you’re not a football fan. What won’t be so obvious in the search results are the trials and challenges that riddled his life from a very young age. He opens up about his relationship with his father, [literally] fighting through life in elementary and middle schools, being envious of the spotlight in high school, making tough mental adjustments in college. See, his father and big cousin, Sean Hamlet instilled the discipline and toughness he needed to be great on the field, but he struggled with anger and managing his emotions off the field. It isn’t all doom and gloom though. The story pivots beautifully, and we get to know the mature professional athlete, loving husband, devoted and caring father, and community enthusiast that answered the call to inspire greatness through running the streets of Charlottesville, VA. While I’m not qualified to summarize his life in just a few paragraphs, I can say that I walked away from this conversation inspired. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below via the social media platforms below.   

#UVA #wahoo #HamptonHigh #ColoradoCrush 

Web site: https://ahmadhawkins.com

IG: https://instagram.com/iamballhawk

shop: https://sthujuice.com

Dear Son, I'm afraid to heal. This was a very sobering topic for me to address. I had to admit that not only was I broken in many ways, but I was comfortable in that state because I was afraid of what healing required from me. Selfish? Most certainly. However, I don't think that I'm the only man that has some aversion to the healing process. I do not like the unknown. I do not like not being in control. I do not like changing while it feels like the world is watching. But change, I must. Do you embrace change in general? More specifically, how eager are you to heal when it requires some uncomfortable work to get there? These are my top 10 reasons why I'm afraid to heal. I'd love to know if any of them resonate with you. Feel free to leave a voice note via the link below, or comment on a related IG post (see below).  #blackmenheal 

Top 10 Reasons Why I'm Afraid To Heal:

1.  Healing requires me to be honest about parts of me that I’ve tried to hide from myself.

2.  Healing exposes feelings that I’m not currently equipped to manage. Sometimes those feelings weren’t nurtured as a child.

3.  Healing makes me uncomfortable.

4.  Healing removes excuses that once allowed me to operate at my lowest frequency (lower self).

5.  Healing hurts those around me.

6.  Healing looks silly to others, and I’d rather be cool than be complete.

7.  Healing takes a commitment that has no specific duration (

8.  Healing requires me to surrender control.

9.  Healing brings clarity, and I may not like what I see.

https://thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the pod by supporting our sponsors:

Johns & Co Apparel: https://johnsandcompany.co

Love Kisha J Studios: https://etsy.com/shop/LoveKishaJStudios

Let’s connect socially:

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The three pillars of the DSP Community?

1.  Reveal trauma

2.  Heal from trauma

3.  Help through stories

“Better Man. Better Father.”

Dear Son, time heals nothing. This perspective contradicts what most of us have been fed our entire lives, “time heals all wounds.” While there is merit to being sensitive to the timing of the necessary actions, the actions are necessary. Today’s conversation with Dr. Yardan Shabazz prompted me to take an inventory of my relationships and how I value them based on my actions. I realized how good I was at leaving things to chance. Sure, if there is a financial outcome or professional recognition attached, I’ve historically been more attentive to these things. Relationships though…I could take or leave some of them because my pride was bigger than my heart.

This conversation with Dr. Shabazz is riveting to say the least. As his name may suggest (to some) his family has a very rich, deep history with several iconic figures that shaped this nation’s history. His life what not a cakewalk by any stretch, and he provides insight to the economic, social, and political challenges that his family endured. His fatherhood story is riddled with tough love, rejection, and pain, all of which fueled him to be a successful educator, author, business owner, husband, and father.

This conversation was a joy, and it was also heavy. Dr. Shabazz and I had meaningful revelations that prompted us to take actions after. For him, the action was to engage with his father as their communication had deteriorated over the years. It proved to be a very timely engagement as his father passed away a few days later. He agreed to move forward with airing this episode as it is part of the testimony (his and this platform’s) and may help someone as God designs. Time heals nothing. Action does.

My condolences are extended to the Shabazz family. May Minister James Shabazz rest in peace.

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dr.shabazz/

www.thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the pod by supporting our sponsors:

Johns & Co Apparel: www.johnsandcompany.co

Love Kisha J Studios: www.etsy.com/shop/LoveKishaJStudios

Let’s connect socially:

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Dear Son, I've had one too many. Can you imagine having to explain that to your oldest son (or any family member for that matter)? Rudy's story is riddled with highs and lows, and his transparency is sure to help someone. Ultimately, he beat the odds and has reclaimed his greatness through overcoming alcoholism, restoring family relationships, and ultimately becoming the man he and his family can celebrate with pride. This is a must listen for anyone who has struggled with, seen, or simply is compassionate toward that struggle with addictions. I was truly blessed by this conversation, and I pray that you will gain something from it as well. 

www.thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the pod by supporting our sponsors:

Johns & Co Apparel: www.johnsandcompany.co

Love Kisha J Studios: www.etsy.com/shop/LoveKishaJStudios

Let’s connect socially:

www.instagram.com/thedearsonpodcast

www.twitter.com/dearsonpodcast

www.facebook.com/thedearsonpodcast