In XYBM 166, we sit down with Cito Blanko, musician, poet, and educator, for a return visit that goes deeper than the first. Fresh off tour, Cito gets real about what it means to actually feel your feelings instead of just surviving through them, the version of yourself that broke the inner child’s crayons just to make it through the world, and why being wack again, starting over and sitting through the awkward middle, might be one of the hardest things you can do.

He also opens up about depression, losing friends to suicide, and how boxing taught him to breathe between punches. He talks about a relationship built on a deep friendship, and having a partner who advocates for him when he starts talking to himself in ways he never should.

This is for any Black man who has learned how to push through everything without ever really feeling it, and anyone trying to understand whether the version of you that helped you survive is still serving you today.

Tune in on all podcast streaming platforms, including YouTube.
         
Leave a 5-star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you found value in this episode or a previous episode!

BOOK US FOR SPEAKING + BRAND DEALS:
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Explore our diverse collaboration opportunities as the leading and fastest-growing Black men's mental health platform on social media. Let's create something dope for your brand/company.

Take the first step by filling out the form on our website: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/speaking-brand-deals

SAFE HAVEN:
————————————
Safe Haven is a holistic healing platform built for Black men by Black men. In Safe Haven, you will be connected with a Black mental health professional, so you can finally heal from the things you find it difficult to talk about AND you will receive support from like-minded Black men that are all on their healing journey, so you don’t have to heal alone.

Join Safe Haven Now: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven 

SUPPORT THE PLATFORM:
 ————————————
Safe Haven: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven
Monthly Donation: https://buy.stripe.com/eVa5o0fhw1q3guYaEE 
Merchandise: https://shop.expressyourselfblackman.com 

FOLLOW US:
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TikTok: @expressyourselfblackman (https://www.tiktok.com/@expressyourselfblackman) Instagram:
Host: @expressyourselfblackman
(https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfblackman)
Guest: @citoblanko (https://www.instagram.com/citoblanko)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ExpressYourselfBlackMan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expressyourselfblackman

In XYBM 165, we sit down with Tahoe, host and storyteller, for an intensely honest conversation about grief, fatherhood, emotional intimacy, and the ways our own childhood experiences can shape how we love and connect with the people closest to us. Just days after the murder of someone he considered family, Tahoe opens up about the guilt of wondering whether he could have done more, his own history of street life, and the painful realization that sometimes we can only make the best decisions we can with the information and resources we have at the time.

This is a must-watch for men struggling with grief, fatherhood, relationships, or the weight of feeling like they should have done more. It’s a powerful reminder that accountability and self-forgiveness can exist at the same time—and that becoming a better man often starts with having the courage to understand your wounds, communicate what you need, and give yourself grace along the way.

Tune in on all podcast streaming platforms, including YouTube.
         
Leave a 5-star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you found value in this episode or a previous episode!

BOOK US FOR SPEAKING + BRAND DEALS:
————————————
Explore our diverse collaboration opportunities as the leading and fastest-growing Black men's mental health platform on social media. Let's create something dope for your brand/company.

Take the first step by filling out the form on our website: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/speaking-brand-deals

SAFE HAVEN:
————————————
Safe Haven is a holistic healing platform built for Black men by Black men. In Safe Haven, you will be connected with a Black mental health professional, so you can finally heal from the things you find it difficult to talk about AND you will receive support from like-minded Black men that are all on their healing journey, so you don’t have to heal alone.

Join Safe Haven Now: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven 

SUPPORT THE PLATFORM:
 ————————————
Safe Haven: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven
Monthly Donation: https://buy.stripe.com/eVa5o0fhw1q3guYaEE 
Merchandise: https://shop.expressyourselfblackman.com 

FOLLOW US:
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TikTok: @expressyourselfblackman (https://www.tiktok.com/@expressyourselfblackman) Instagram:
Host: @expressyourselfblackman
(https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfblackman)
Guest: @tahoe_tv (https://www.instagram.com/tahoe_tv)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ExpressYourselfBlackMan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expressyourselfblackman

In XYBM 164, we sit down with Norense Odiase, former pro basketball player, corporate account executive, and viral storyteller — for a deeply candid conversation about navigating grief, identity, and the pursuit of peace beyond performance. Norris breaks down his path through the NBA G-League and Amazon, unpacks the hidden weight of sudden loss and childhood trauma, and explores the five core questions every man must answer to know who he truly is. He also opens up about the emptiness that comes with reaching the top of your career, the difference between empathy and compassion, and how an NYU cinematography course helped him turn raw, unscripted vulnerability into a movement.

This is a must-watch for anyone who has achieved everything they thought they wanted only to still feel empty inside — and for anyone ready to step out of survival mode, redefine success, and find purpose beyond the noise.

BOOK US FOR SPEAKING + BRAND DEALS:
————————————
Explore our diverse collaboration opportunities as the leading and fastest-growing Black men's mental health platform on social media. Let's create something dope for your brand/company.

Take the first step by filling out the form on our website: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/speaking-brand-deals

SAFE HAVEN:
————————————
Safe Haven is a holistic healing platform built for Black men by Black men. In Safe Haven, you will be connected with a Black mental health professional, so you can finally heal from the things you find it difficult to talk about AND you will receive support from like-minded Black men that are all on their healing journey, so you don’t have to heal alone.

Join Safe Haven Now: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven 

SUPPORT THE PLATFORM:
 ————————————
Safe Haven: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven
Monthly Donation: https://buy.stripe.com/eVa5o0fhw1q3guYaEE 
Merchandise: https://shop.expressyourselfblackman.com 

FOLLOW US:
————————————
TikTok: @expressyourselfblackman (https://www.tiktok.com/@expressyourselfblackman) Instagram:
Host: @expressyourselfblackman
(https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfblackman)
Guest: @kingno_ (https://www.instagram.com/kingno_)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ExpressYourselfBlackMan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expressyourselfblackman

In XYBM 163, we sit down with Governor Wes Moore for a walk-and-talk at Sandy Point Park to discuss what Maryland is actually doing to help Black men and boys win. From the state’s first-ever paid service year option for high school grads to the largest mass pardon in U.S. history — over 175,000 cannabis convictions cleared — Governor Moore breaks down real, tangible policy in plain language.

He also gets personal: sharing his own story of having handcuffs on his wrists at 11 years old, and why that makes young men and boys his most personal priority in office.

This is a must-watch for any young Black man in Maryland who feels like the system wasn’t built for him — and for anyone who wants to hear a governor speak about affordability, homeownership, and opportunity in a way that actually sounds like he’s been there.
Tune in on all podcast streaming platforms, including YouTube.
         
Leave a 5-star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you found value in this episode or a previous episode!

BOOK US FOR SPEAKING + BRAND DEALS:
————————————
Explore our diverse collaboration opportunities as the leading and fastest-growing Black men's mental health platform on social media. Let's create something dope for your brand/company.

Take the first step by filling out the form on our website: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/speaking-brand-deals

SAFE HAVEN:
————————————
Safe Haven is a holistic healing platform built for Black men by Black men. In Safe Haven, you will be connected with a Black mental health professional, so you can finally heal from the things you find it difficult to talk about AND you will receive support from like-minded Black men that are all on their healing journey, so you don’t have to heal alone.

Join Safe Haven Now: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven 

SUPPORT THE PLATFORM:
 ————————————
Safe Haven: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven
Monthly Donation: https://buy.stripe.com/eVa5o0fhw1q3guYaEE 
Merchandise: https://shop.expressyourselfblackman.com 

FOLLOW US:
————————————
TikTok: @expressyourselfblackman (https://www.tiktok.com/@expressyourselfblackman) Instagram:
Host: @expressyourselfblackman
(https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfblackman)
Guest: @iamwesmoore (https://www.instagram.com/iamwesmoore)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ExpressYourselfBlackMan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expressyourselfblackman

If you want to listen to the full episode (XYBM 162) from this clip, search for the title: "Ep. 162: The Business of Intimacy with Joél Leon" — it was released on August 3, 2026.

In XYBM 162, we sit down with Joél Leon — writer, poet, speaker, and community builder — for a conversation about the one thing Black men don’t practice enough: emotional intimacy with each other. We break down the male loneliness epidemic from the inside out, reframe love languages as something we owe our friends and brothers, not just our partners, and draw a direct line between the depth of our friendships and the success of our business relationships.

This is a must-watch for any Black man who has a group chat that only comes alive during the NBA/NFL season and goes quiet the rest of the year — and for anyone ready to understand why the intimacy you’re avoiding with your friends is the same intimacy holding back your business, your relationships, and your mental health. 

Tune in on all podcast streaming platforms, including YouTube.

Leave a 5-star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you found value in this episode or a previous episode!

BOOK US FOR SPEAKING + BRAND DEALS:
————————————
Explore our diverse collaboration opportunities as the leading and fastest-growing Black men's mental health platform on social media. Let's create something dope for your brand/company.

Take the first step by filling out the form on our website: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/speaking-brand-deals

SAFE HAVEN:
————————————
Safe Haven is a holistic healing platform built for Black men by Black men. In Safe Haven, you will be connected with a Black mental health professional, so you can finally heal from the things you find it difficult to talk about AND you will receive support from like-minded Black men that are all on their healing journey, so you don’t have to heal alone.

Join Safe Haven Now: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven 

SUPPORT THE PLATFORM:
 ————————————
Safe Haven: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven
Monthly Donation: https://buy.stripe.com/eVa5o0fhw1q3guYaEE 
Merchandise: https://shop.expressyourselfblackman.com 

FOLLOW US:
————————————
TikTok: @expressyourselfblackman (https://www.tiktok.com/@expressyourselfblackman) Instagram:
Host: @expressyourselfblackman
(https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfblackman)
Guest: @iamjoelleon https://www.instagram.com/iamjoelleon
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ExpressYourselfBlackMan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expressyourselfblackman

If you want to listen to the full episode (XYBM 162) from this clip, search for the title: "Ep. 162: The Business of Intimacy with Joél Leon" — it was released on August 3, 2026.

In XYBM 162, we sit down with Joél Leon — writer, poet, speaker, and community builder — for a conversation about the one thing Black men don’t practice enough: emotional intimacy with each other. We break down the male loneliness epidemic from the inside out, reframe love languages as something we owe our friends and brothers, not just our partners, and draw a direct line between the depth of our friendships and the success of our business relationships.

This is a must-watch for any Black man who has a group chat that only comes alive during the NBA/NFL season and goes quiet the rest of the year — and for anyone ready to understand why the intimacy you’re avoiding with your friends is the same intimacy holding back your business, your relationships, and your mental health. 

Tune in on all podcast streaming platforms, including YouTube.

Leave a 5-star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you found value in this episode or a previous episode!

BOOK US FOR SPEAKING + BRAND DEALS:
————————————
Explore our diverse collaboration opportunities as the leading and fastest-growing Black men's mental health platform on social media. Let's create something dope for your brand/company.

Take the first step by filling out the form on our website: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/speaking-brand-deals

SAFE HAVEN:
————————————
Safe Haven is a holistic healing platform built for Black men by Black men. In Safe Haven, you will be connected with a Black mental health professional, so you can finally heal from the things you find it difficult to talk about AND you will receive support from like-minded Black men that are all on their healing journey, so you don’t have to heal alone.

Join Safe Haven Now: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven 

SUPPORT THE PLATFORM:
 ————————————
Safe Haven: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven
Monthly Donation: https://buy.stripe.com/eVa5o0fhw1q3guYaEE 
Merchandise: https://shop.expressyourselfblackman.com 

FOLLOW US:
————————————
TikTok: @expressyourselfblackman (https://www.tiktok.com/@expressyourselfblackman) Instagram:
Host: @expressyourselfblackman
(https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfblackman)
Guest: @iamjoelleon https://www.instagram.com/iamjoelleon
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ExpressYourselfBlackMan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expressyourselfblackman

If you want to listen to the full episode (XYBM 162) from this clip, search for the title: "Ep. 162: The Business of Intimacy with Joél Leon" — it was released on August 3, 2026.

In XYBM 162, we sit down with Joél Leon — writer, poet, speaker, and community builder — for a conversation about the one thing Black men don’t practice enough: emotional intimacy with each other. We break down the male loneliness epidemic from the inside out, reframe love languages as something we owe our friends and brothers, not just our partners, and draw a direct line between the depth of our friendships and the success of our business relationships.

This is a must-watch for any Black man who has a group chat that only comes alive during the NBA/NFL season and goes quiet the rest of the year — and for anyone ready to understand why the intimacy you’re avoiding with your friends is the same intimacy holding back your business, your relationships, and your mental health. 

Tune in on all podcast streaming platforms, including YouTube.

Leave a 5-star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you found value in this episode or a previous episode!

BOOK US FOR SPEAKING + BRAND DEALS:
————————————
Explore our diverse collaboration opportunities as the leading and fastest-growing Black men's mental health platform on social media. Let's create something dope for your brand/company.

Take the first step by filling out the form on our website: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/speaking-brand-deals

SAFE HAVEN:
————————————
Safe Haven is a holistic healing platform built for Black men by Black men. In Safe Haven, you will be connected with a Black mental health professional, so you can finally heal from the things you find it difficult to talk about AND you will receive support from like-minded Black men that are all on their healing journey, so you don’t have to heal alone.

Join Safe Haven Now: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven 

SUPPORT THE PLATFORM:
 ————————————
Safe Haven: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven
Monthly Donation: https://buy.stripe.com/eVa5o0fhw1q3guYaEE 
Merchandise: https://shop.expressyourselfblackman.com 

FOLLOW US:
————————————
TikTok: @expressyourselfblackman (https://www.tiktok.com/@expressyourselfblackman) Instagram:
Host: @expressyourselfblackman
(https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfblackman)
Guest: @iamjoelleon https://www.instagram.com/iamjoelleon
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ExpressYourselfBlackMan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expressyourselfblackman

In XYBM 162, we sit down with Joél Leon — writer, poet, speaker, and community builder — for a conversation about the one thing Black men don’t practice enough: emotional intimacy with each other. We break down the male loneliness epidemic from the inside out, reframe love languages as something we owe our friends and brothers, not just our partners, and draw a direct line between the depth of our friendships and the success of our business relationships.

This is a must-watch for any Black man who has a group chat that only comes alive during the NBA/NFL season and goes quiet the rest of the year — and for anyone ready to understand why the intimacy you’re avoiding with your friends is the same intimacy holding back your business, your relationships, and your mental health. 

Tune in on all podcast streaming platforms, including YouTube.

Leave a 5-star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you found value in this episode or a previous episode!

BOOK US FOR SPEAKING + BRAND DEALS:
————————————
Explore our diverse collaboration opportunities as the leading and fastest-growing Black men's mental health platform on social media. Let's create something dope for your brand/company.

Take the first step by filling out the form on our website: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/speaking-brand-deals

SAFE HAVEN:
————————————
Safe Haven is a holistic healing platform built for Black men by Black men. In Safe Haven, you will be connected with a Black mental health professional, so you can finally heal from the things you find it difficult to talk about AND you will receive support from like-minded Black men that are all on their healing journey, so you don’t have to heal alone.

Join Safe Haven Now: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven 

SUPPORT THE PLATFORM:
 ————————————
Safe Haven: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven
Monthly Donation: https://buy.stripe.com/eVa5o0fhw1q3guYaEE 
Merchandise: https://shop.expressyourselfblackman.com 

FOLLOW US:
————————————
TikTok: @expressyourselfblackman (https://www.tiktok.com/@expressyourselfblackman) Instagram:
Host: @expressyourselfblackman
(https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfblackman)
Guest: @iamjoelleon https://www.instagram.com/iamjoelleon
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ExpressYourselfBlackMan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expressyourselfblackman

If you want to listen to the full episode (XYBM 161) from this clip, search for the title: "Ep. 161: The Freedom Black Men Are Really Looking For with Londrelle" — it was released on July 20, 2026. 

In XYBM 161, we sit down with Londrelle — musician, poet, author, and meditation teacher — for one of the most spiritually rich and introspective conversations in the show’s history. Londrelle breaks down what true freedom really means, why self-inquiry and journaling are essential tools for any man trying to heal, and how surrender to God is not weakness but the most powerful decision a man can make. He also opens up about heartbreak, promiscuity, and his near-death experience — that became the turning point in his journey back to himself.

This is a must-watch for any Black man who feels disconnected from himself, stuck on autopilot, or searching for a deeper relationship with God — and for anyone ready to stop running from their healing and start returning home to who they really are.

Tune in on all podcast streaming platforms, including YouTube.

Leave a 5-star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you found value in this episode or a previous episode!

BOOK US FOR SPEAKING + BRAND DEALS:
————————————
Explore our diverse collaboration opportunities as the leading and fastest-growing Black men's mental health platform on social media. Let's create something dope for your brand/company.

Take the first step by filling out the form on our website: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/speaking-brand-deals

SAFE HAVEN:
————————————
Safe Haven is a holistic healing platform built for Black men by Black men. In Safe Haven, you will be connected with a Black mental health professional, so you can finally heal from the things you find it difficult to talk about AND you will receive support from like-minded Black men that are all on their healing journey, so you don’t have to heal alone.

Join Safe Haven Now: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven 

SUPPORT THE PLATFORM:
 ————————————
Safe Haven: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven
Monthly Donation: https://buy.stripe.com/eVa5o0fhw1q3guYaEE 
Merchandise: https://shop.expressyourselfblackman.com 

FOLLOW US:
————————————
TikTok: @expressyourselfblackman (https://www.tiktok.com/@expressyourselfblackman) Instagram:
Host: @expressyourselfblackman
(https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfblackman)
Guest: @londrelle (https://www.instagram.com/londrelle)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ExpressYourselfBlackMan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expressyourselfblackman

If you want to listen to the full episode (XYBM 161) from this clip, search for the title: "Ep. 161: The Freedom Black Men Are Really Looking For with Londrelle" — it was released on July 20, 2026. 

In XYBM 161, we sit down with Londrelle — musician, poet, author, and meditation teacher — for one of the most spiritually rich and introspective conversations in the show’s history. Londrelle breaks down what true freedom really means, why self-inquiry and journaling are essential tools for any man trying to heal, and how surrender to God is not weakness but the most powerful decision a man can make. He also opens up about heartbreak, promiscuity, and his near-death experience — that became the turning point in his journey back to himself.

This is a must-watch for any Black man who feels disconnected from himself, stuck on autopilot, or searching for a deeper relationship with God — and for anyone ready to stop running from their healing and start returning home to who they really are.

Tune in on all podcast streaming platforms, including YouTube.

Leave a 5-star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you found value in this episode or a previous episode!

BOOK US FOR SPEAKING + BRAND DEALS:
————————————
Explore our diverse collaboration opportunities as the leading and fastest-growing Black men's mental health platform on social media. Let's create something dope for your brand/company.

Take the first step by filling out the form on our website: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/speaking-brand-deals

SAFE HAVEN:
————————————
Safe Haven is a holistic healing platform built for Black men by Black men. In Safe Haven, you will be connected with a Black mental health professional, so you can finally heal from the things you find it difficult to talk about AND you will receive support from like-minded Black men that are all on their healing journey, so you don’t have to heal alone.

Join Safe Haven Now: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven 

SUPPORT THE PLATFORM:
 ————————————
Safe Haven: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven
Monthly Donation: https://buy.stripe.com/eVa5o0fhw1q3guYaEE 
Merchandise: https://shop.expressyourselfblackman.com 

FOLLOW US:
————————————
TikTok: @expressyourselfblackman (https://www.tiktok.com/@expressyourselfblackman) Instagram:
Host: @expressyourselfblackman
(https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfblackman)
Guest: @londrelle (https://www.instagram.com/londrelle)
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ExpressYourselfBlackMan
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expressyourselfblackman