Larger Than Yourself

Brian Sims is a man whose life has moved through reinvention with intention: from college and professional football, to a Baltimore City Council run in the middle of a pandemic, to work now at the intersection of healthcare and community. In this deeply personal conversation, Brian opens up about what he calls his midlife review, the choice to walk away from pro football tryouts in his twenties, and the years spent quietly wondering if he'd quit too soon.

He reflects on his father, a son of the Jim Crow South, and what it took to finally understand the weight his dad carried in silence for decades. We talk about the strange, tender work of parenting your kids while beginning to parent your aging parents, and about The Weight Room, the platform Brian built for men to redefine what strength actually means, including a breathwork experience we shared together that hit harder than either of us expected. This episode is honest, heavy in the best way, and carries Brian's big heart all the way through.

Ron Shapiro is the kind of man who has spent a lifetime turning influence into impact. In this deeply personal conversation, Ron reflects on the long arc of a life built around people — from the relationship with his father that quietly shaped everything, to the organizations and nonprofits he helped bring into the world, to what it means now to look back as a father and grandfather. We explore the through-line that has always been there: a boundless curiosity and a love that has never been transactional.

From the negotiating table to the philanthropic work that defines his legacy in Baltimore and beyond, Ron shares what he has learned about showing up for others, building with integrity, and staying rooted in what actually matters. This episode is about a life in full — and the reminder that when you lead with love and genuine curiosity, the work you leave behind becomes something larger than yourself.

Min Kim is the kind of human who turns a simple croissant into an act of care. In this deeply moving conversation, Min shares the long, winding road that led him from immigrating to the United States, to sleeping in his car as a teenager, to building one of Baltimore's most beloved hospitality spaces. We explore the heart behind Café Dear Leon—the small but mighty café that has become a cornerstone of community—and the philosophy that fuels it: presence, intention, and honoring the time people choose to spend together.

From mentorship and marriage to fatherhood, failure, and the discipline of showing up, Min reflects on what it means to live with intention and build something meaningful through service. This episode is about choosing presence over distraction, people over ego, and remembering that when work is rooted in care, even the smallest spaces can become something larger than yourself.

Quentin Vennie is the kind of human who turns a simple cup of matcha into a sacred act. In this deeply moving conversation, Quinten shares the long, winding road that led him from trauma, addiction, loss, and self-erasure to radical authenticity, purpose, and love. We explore the heart behind Equitea, the matcha studio that has quietly become one of Baltimore's most magnetic community spaces, and the philosophy that fuels it: human pace, intention, and nourishment far beyond transaction. From fatherhood and marriage to men's work, grief, faith, and the courage to remove the mask, Quinten reflects on what it means to build something Larger than yourself without losing your soul. This episode is about slowing down, choosing purpose over fear, and remembering that when work is rooted in love, people don't just show up. They belong.

Kory Bailey is one of those rare humans who makes you feel like the most important person in the world the moment you're with him. A master connector and a living example of pure consciousness, Kory shares about his upbringing in North Carolina, his early awareness of what made him different, and his pursuit of playing professional football in the NFL. The conversation explores the highs and lows that shaped him, and how those experiences ultimately led him into men's work and the co-creation of B3, the Baltimore Band of Brothers. Throughout, Kory brings the fullness of his big, beautiful heart, offering a powerful glimpse into the depth, honesty, and presence that define who he is.

Lola Manekin, my wife, my oracle, and one of the most powerful healers I know, joins me to share her experience of a multi-day dark room retreat—a modern vision quest spent in complete darkness. In this conversation, we explore what happens when all distraction, identity, and productivity are stripped away, forcing a direct encounter with worth, fear, and the body's deeper wisdom. Lola reflects on choosing nourishment over endurance, softness over strength, and presence over performance, and how the real transformation unfolded not in instant revelation, but through surrender, integration, and learning to come home to herself.

Ben Nichols is a third generation marine who epitomizes the concept of a humble servant leader. Whether leading troops in Afghanistan or running Harkins Builders here in America, Ben is committed to giving everyone a platform, a voice, and a seat at the table. At a time where building consensus and getting people on the same page can seem overwhelming, Ben helps us see that not only is it possible, but that it is critical to the success of the growth of the ideas that we work on and champion.

Sekwan Merritt is magic. His smile, his beautiful heart, and his hope are just a few of the things that separate him from the rest of us. Sekwan never let a 25 year prison sentence slow him down. If anything, it motivated him to dig deeper, find his freedom, and answer the calling to change the world for him and for everyone around him.

Victoria Thompson spent years hustling in the squeegee business, which has been one of the most polarizing topics that we've faced in Baltimore in a long time. Her recent leadership in the Squeegee Collaborative, where a group of Baltimore leaders and squeegee workers came together to listen to each other and map out a path forward that would be in the best interest of all those involved, has changed the landscape in our city, and is a beautiful reminder of the importance of listening deeply.

My friend Shelonda Stokes is the glue that is helping all of Baltimore stick. Her life's quest to blaze an equal trail for women and people of color has led her to a point in her career where the social capital that she possesses, used correctly, just might be the tipping point that Baltimore needs to thrive together.