Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health

Waiting for the Beat to Drop: Smoldering Myeloma, Purpose & the Power of the Wait

What happens when you’re diagnosed with cancer—but instead of immediately starting treatment, you’re told to wait and be monitored?

For people living with smoldering multiple myeloma, that uncertainty can become part of everyday life.

In this episode of Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health, Oya Gilbert sits down with Eric Blackburn, a Gulf War veteran, husband, father and patient advocate living with smoldering multiple myeloma.

Eric gets real about the emotional weight of his diagnosis, depression, military culture, toxic exposures, learning to listen to his body and the decision to turn uncertainty into purpose.

He also takes us inside his recent journey to Iceland, where he participated in the International Myeloma Foundation’s Iceland Cycling Expedition in support of myeloma research.

Along the way, Eric shares a powerful perspective:

🔥 Waiting doesn’t have to mean standing still.

The conversation explores early detection, veteran health, mental health, patient advocacy, the evolving future of myeloma treatment and what happens when we stop looking at waiting as lost time—and start asking what we can do with the time we’ve been given.

In this episode:

• Living with smoldering multiple myeloma

Sometimes there is power in the wait.

Waiting does not mean standing still.

🎥 Watch the full episode on YouTube:

This episode is supported by Johnson & Johnson, Legend Biotech and Pfizer.

The Care Partner Cipher: We Take the Mic

Every patient has a story—but every care partner has one too.

On this episode of Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health, host Oya Gilbert passes the mic to three care partners from the multiple myeloma community: Michelle Ware Ivy, Diane Kennedy, and Chad Moore.

Together, they share what happened when multiple myeloma entered their families and how they suddenly found themselves becoming advocates, researchers, appointment partners, emotional anchors, and voices for the people they love.

The conversation explores the difficult moments that often happen outside the spotlight—from telling children and parents about a cancer diagnosis to questioning treatment decisions, managing fear, navigating grief, learning to be present, and finding ways to care for yourself while caring for someone else.

Michelle also shares how her promise to her late husband, Malcolm, continues through her advocacy and the Malcolm Orlando Ivy Foundation. Diane discusses becoming the “truth serum” during medical appointments and learning when to trust her instincts. Chad opens up about the “messy” reality of caregiving and realizing that care partners don't always have to know the answer or fix every problem.

Their message to other care partners is simple but powerful:

Be flexible. Lead with love. You don’t have to have all the answers.

In this cipher, the care partner’s light doesn’t dim when the patient enters the room.

This time, they take the mic.

▶️ Watch the episode on YouTube:

🎧 Listen to Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health on Podbean or wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Clinical trials have transformed the treatment of multiple myeloma—but myths, fear, and misinformation continue to keep many patients from considering them.

In this episode of Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin' Health, Oya Gilbert welcomes board-certified hematologist and multiple myeloma specialist Dr. Craig Cole for one of the most important conversations we've had on the podcast.

Dr. Cole shares the personal experience that led him into medicine, explains why patient empowerment is central to his work, and tackles some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding clinical trials.

During this episode, you'll learn:

Dr. Cole also explains why many barriers people assume exist—transportation, financial concerns, lodging, and support—often already have solutions built into clinical trial programs. The biggest barrier, he says, is that too many eligible patients are simply never asked.

This conversation is educational, honest, and empowering. Whether you're newly diagnosed, living with multiple myeloma, supporting a loved one, or working in healthcare, you'll leave with a better understanding of why clinical trials matter—not just for today's patients, but for future generations.

As Dr. Cole reminds us:

"There is no cure until everybody is cured."

Thank you for listening to Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin' Health, where we bridge the gap between healthcare and culture through real conversations that educate, inspire, and empower.

Special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Johnson & Johnson/Legend Biotech, and to Pfizer for their continued support of the Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin' Health Podcast.

In this episode of Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health, Oya Gilbert sits down with hip-hop legend Master Ace for an honest conversation about living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS).

Ace shares:

This episode is a powerful reminder that your condition doesn’t define you—your response does.

🎧 Tap in and be inspired.

#HealthHopeHipHop #HipHopeHoorayPodcast #MasterAce #MultipleSclerosis #MSAwareness

She Tricked Me Into the ER — Freeman & Susan Williams Keep It 💯 on Myeloma, Marriage & the Corporation

Ayo fam — pull up. 🎙️ This one right here? This one HITS different. 💥

Oya is in the building with two of the dopest people to ever grace this mic — Dr. Freeman Williams and his wife and care partner, Dr. Susan Williams. Freeman is a former school superintendent, NAACP leader, father, grandfather, community giant — AND a brother living with multiple myeloma since 2015. Susan? She's the Street Fighter 🥊 standing beside him every single step of the way.

But here's how it ALL started — Freeman was out here powering through like he always does, suits getting loose, body slowing down, kidneys flagging... and this man said "maybe next week" to the doctor. 😤 So what did Susan do? She called his doctor's nurse, put her on hold, called Freeman like "hey honey, somebody wants to talk to you" — and BAM. Three-way call. Nurse told him get to the ER NOW. He went after his workday. He never came back. 🏥

That's Day One of the Freeman Williams Corporation. 💼

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 — Oya sets it off: Meet Dr. Freeman Williams — father, grandfather, superintendent, NAACP leader, myeloma patient — and his Street Fighter wife Susan. Life BEFORE the diagnosis: retirement plans, traveling, yard work, walking together — they were LIVING 💃🏾🕺🏾

8:35 — THE THREE-WAY CALL 📲 How Susan tricked Freeman into talking to the doctor's nurse — and why he never came back from the ER that evening. Inside the hospital: "You need to get your house in order." 🏥😳

17:10 — Treatment time 💊 Chemo AND dialysis three times a week while still going to work full time. The insurance battle over stem cell coverage. Susan's hardest day — and the military mindset that kicked in when she couldn't afford to fall apart 🪖📋

25:45 — The Freeman Williams Corporation is BORN 💼 Why they never make split decisions, always go as a pair, push back on medical jargon, and come strapped with questions every single time. Plus: why Black men stay avoiding the doctor and what that pride is REALLY costing us 😤🧠

34:20 — Finding your real ones 💙 How their day-one people carried them through. How myeloma deepened a friendship-first marriage. THE POPEYES WINGS ERA 🍗😂 "Adapt and Adopt" — and Oya closes it out with Heavy D, Double Dutch Bus, and a message every brother needs to hear 🎵🙌🏾

In this episode we get into ALL of it:

No fluff. No scripts. Just two real people who been through the fire and came out the other side still standing — together. 🙏🏾

This for every brother avoiding that appointment. Every care partner running on fumes. Every family trying to figure out what comes next. TAP IN. 🎧

Resources mentioned:

What do you do when the doctor says cancer? For Mark Harris and Robert Ginyard, the answer was simple — survive, then serve.

In this episode of Hip. Hope. Hooray! Men Talkin' Health, host Oya Gilbert goes on location at the Healthevoices Conference in Jersey for a raw, unfiltered conversation with two prostate cancer survivors who turned their diagnoses into a lifelong mission to save other men's lives.

Mark was diagnosed at 58 — and just six days later became a caregiver when his son received his own cancer diagnosis. Robert was diagnosed at 48 after years of diligent annual checkups and a wife who held him accountable. Now both men are on the front lines of prostate cancer advocacy, and they're bringing everything to this conversation.

In this episode: — What the prostate is, what it does, and why Black men need to pay attention — PSA testing explained and why Black men should start screening at 40 — Navigating treatment decisions — surgery, radiation, active surveillance — The truth about sex, intimacy, and quality of life after treatment — Why keeping your diagnosis a secret is a generational health curse — The spiritual and mental health elements of surviving cancer — Building generational health, not just generational wealth

This is the conversation your doctor wishes you were already having with the men in your life. Listen, share, and take action.

🎧 New episodes drop regularly — subscribe so you never miss a beat.

#HipHopeHooray #HealthHopeHipHop #ProstateCancer #BlackMensHealth #KnowYourPSA #Healthevoices

Welcome back to Hip Hope Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health with your host Oya Gilbert (Grand G). In this episode, Oya sits down with hip-hop media legend Dr. Greg “Grouchy” Watkins, co-founder of AllHipHop.com, for a real and necessary conversation about alcoholism, sobriety, identity, and mental health.

Dr. Greg shares how hip-hop became his home and his purpose, while also opening up about how addiction ran through his family and how substance use was normalized early in life. Together, they unpack how the entertainment industry can make heavy habits feel “normal,” why recovery takes honesty and mental toughness, and how staying sober is a moment-by-moment decision.

If you or someone you love is struggling with alcoholism or substance use, free and confidential support is available 24/7 through the SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

#HipHopeHooray #HealthHopeHipHop #Sobriety #MentalHealthMatters #HipHopCulture

Host Oya Gilbert sits down with Richard Armstrong, a multiple myeloma patient, and Chad Moore, a long-time husband and care partner, for a powerful, unfiltered conversation about pain, perseverance, and partnership in the face of blood cancer. From months of unexplained back pain and collapsing spines to kidney failure, ER chaos during the height of COVID, and being dismissed or misdiagnosed, this episode shines a light on just how dangerous delayed diagnosis can be—especially for Black families.​

Richard shares how close he came to giving up when the pain felt unbearable, while Chad breaks down what it means to advocate fiercely for his wife when doctors don’t see the full picture and male caregivers are often overlooked. Together, they show the power of family, faith, and community when facing an “incurable but treatable” disease like multiple myeloma.​

You’ll hear about:

Early symptoms and red flags of multiple myeloma

Living with chronic pain and fearing the worst

The unique role and burden of male care partners

Why support systems and self-advocacy are critical for survival

Perfect for patients, care partners, clinicians, and anyone who cares about health equity and men’s health.

Stackin’ Moments with Myeloma: Trust the Process — Gary Lambert & Dr. Blue on CAR-T, Trials & Real Teamwork

In this powerful episode of Hip. Hope. Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health, host Oya Gilbert is joined by Dr. Brandon Blue, a multiple myeloma specialist at Moffitt Cancer Center, and Gary A. Lambert, who has been living with multiple myeloma since 2014.

Gary shares his journey from an active life as a runner and cyclist in Philadelphia to a Stage III myeloma diagnosis at age 38 after months of worsening back and hip pain. Dr. Blue explains what multiple myeloma is in clear, everyday language and breaks down advanced treatments like CAR-T cell therapy, clinical trials, and why trust and timing matter in care decisions.

Together, they discuss:

Why myeloma is often missed early, especially in Black men

How to think critically about clinical trials

The power of doctor–patient teamwork and care partner advocacy

How CAR-T changed Gary’s life and allowed him to focus on family and purpose

Why listening to your body and asking questions can save lives

This episode is a reminder that cancer doesn’t define the whole story — it’s just one chapter. The goal is to survive, thrive, and keep stacking moments.

#HipHopeHooray #HealthHopeHipHop #MenTalkinHealth #MultipleMyeloma #CART #ClinicalTrials #HealthEquity #PatientAdvocacy

Lupus. Love. Life. The Remix of Resilience.

Recorded live at HealtheVoices 2025, this episode of Hip Hop Hooray! Men Talkin’ Health is a powerful conversation about faith, mental strength, chronic illness, and the will to keep going.

Host Oya Gilbert sits down with Emmitt Henderson III and Shanell Matlock, lupus warriors and advocates whose journey together proves that resilience isn’t just about surviving—it’s about purpose.

Emmitt Henderson III, founder of Male Lupus Warriors, has lived with lupus for more than 30 years and is currently facing kidney failure while recovering from major back surgery. In this episode, Emmitt shares how prioritizing mental health, holding onto faith, and staying rooted in purpose have carried him through decades of physical challenges. He is also the author of The Power in Men, available on Amazon.

Shanell Matlock is a U.S. military veteran, co-author of Veterans Unchained, and creator of the 8 Second Campaign, a movement raising awareness for kidney donation and Emmitt’s urgent need for a living donor. Together, they discuss love, partnership, advocacy, and what it means to show up for one another through chronic illness.

This episode is a reminder that pain doesn’t have to silence you—and that your story can be someone else’s survival guide.

🎙️ “God kept me here, and His will with me is not done. The back will heal. The kidney will come.” – Emmitt Henderson III

What lupus is and how it affects the body

Living with chronic illness for decades

Mental health as a survival tool

Faith, resilience, and purpose

The mission behind Male Lupus Warriors

The story of the 8 Second Campaign

Turning pain into power through advocacy

🎧 Listen now on Podbean and all major podcast platforms.