Let's Talk Bruh

We Real Cool by Gwendolyn Brooks

We real cool. We

Left school. We

 

Lurk late. We

Strike straight. We

 

Sing sin. We

Thin gin. We

 

Jazz June. We   

Die soon.

 

“What’s cooler than being cool?” - Andre 3000

 

What does it mean to be cool? What does it mean to be you? They say the Black man is the coolest man on the planet. But how can we go from real cool to just real? What makes us enough? This episode we dive into a conversation on what's cool and Black manhood with Jason Rosario. We talk about about our "cool" heroes and interrogate if we still think they're cool or not.

 

This episode is heavily inspired by bell hook's book entitled, "we real cool" which shares the same name as the Gwendolyn Brooks poem. In "we real cool" bell suggests that real cool is...”defined by black males daring to self define rather than being defined by others.” Do you agree?

 

We also talk about how because of how Black men are positioned in media, is that level of coolness possible for all of us? Is cool available for just anyone? What does cool even mean? Tune in and then tell us what you think.

 

Watch this episode on our youtube channel: From We Real Cool to We Just Real | What Makes Us Enough as Black Men?

 

Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic?

 

Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at [email protected] and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode.

 

Resources for you:

• we real cool - bell hooks
• Andre 3000 on being cool: “Even just the origin of the word hip-hop; first you have to be hip. The older you get, you get further away from the hipness.”
• Black People: Naturally Cool? - NPR
• Mental Health Resources for Black Men - Let's Talk Bruh
• Mental Health Tips Right now - Let's Talk Bruh
• Taking Action Following the Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, Tony McDade and more protests - Let's Talk Bruh

 

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Quarantine got you looking like RGIII? Say no more. We'll talk about haircare and how to maintain your shape up right now with some quick and easy tips in this virtual tutorial provided by Eric "KleanKut" Dixon. He's a barber that also specializes in providing mental health services for his clients.       Watch this episode on our youtube channel: Quarantine Kuts with Eric "KleanKut" Dixon [Discussion + Virtual Shape Up Workshop]       Keep up with Eric by following him on IG and Facebook       Register to our virtual support group:  

• Creating Freedom in Confinement [Virtual Support Group - Black Men Only] w/ Jarrick the Floating Yogi - 5/28 @ 6PM EST

 

Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic? 

 

Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at [email protected] and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode. 

 

Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram

 

Join our Men's Facebook Group here: Let's Talk Bruh Facebook Group

 

Subscribe to the Let's Talk Bruh YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsa2wXlKMWlpAER8v16zXZw

Writing and journaling can be a very healing, therapeutic, and self-reflective process, but sometimes it's hard just staring at 2 blank pieces of paper in your notebook. We'll get you started with Howard University English professor Kyr Mack in this masculinity and manhood journaling discussion + workshop.

 

This week's show is a journaling workshop and throughout the episode we talk about the power of writing down our thoughts and processing our feelings through the exercise of journaling. What's the story you tell yourself about your life? Through journaling we're able to reflect on the past, meditate on the current, and create the future. 

 

We discuss the following prompts:

• What are three major emotions that you’re carrying right now?
• What’s one thought that has been getting the best of you lately? How has it been influencing your behavior?
• What are some of the earliest messages you can recall receiving about masculinity? Who were/are some of the key influences in your understanding of masculinity?
• How did these messages impact you? Do you still believe in these messages? Why or why not?
• What are you grateful for at this moment?
• What do you love most about yourself?

 

So get your pen and pad out, your phone's note app or use a word document and join us in today's workshop. 

 

Watch this episode on our youtube channel: I Put My Lifetime in Between the Paper's Line's Journaling Workshop (YouTube)

 

Register to the rest of our Live Shows!

 

• From We Real Cool to We Just Real w/ Jason Rosario - 5/21 @ 7PM EST
• Creativity, Imagination, & Mental Health w/ Expressions Untold - 5/26 @ 7PM EST
• Creating Freedom in Confinement [Virtual Support Group - Black Men Only] w/ Jarrick the Floating Yogi - 5/28 @ 6PM EST

 

Resources for today's episode:

• Kyr's Journaling Advice from This Session
• My Son Keeps a Daily Gratitude Journal — Maybe We All Should - Level Mag
• James Baldwin’s Advice on Writing
• Audre Lorde Questionnaire to Oneself
• What’s All This About Journaling? - NYTimes
• May is Mental Health Awareness Month 💚 Journaling is cool. Prompts for those who want to start. 
• When Men Should Keep a Journal

 

Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic? 

 

Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at [email protected] and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode. 

 

Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram

 

Join our Men's Facebook Group here: Let's Talk Bruh Facebook Group

Subscribe to the Let's Talk Bruh YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsa2wXlKMWlpAER8v16zXZw

 

If you're experiencing bouts of exhaustion, despair, stress, or anxiety during this pandemic you are not alone. We got you. We talk about maintaining mental health and self care during this pandemic with friend of the show Dr. Justin Hopkins.

 

In this week's show we discuss how to address the uncertainty of living during this pandemic.  The anxiety that arises due to the fear of contracting COVID 19, navigating an uncertain job market and the strain of less physical connection with the ones we love.  

 

As men, we're groomed to always be in control, but right now that's simply not an option. That's something to be conscious of.  So we also discuss the importance of addressing our anxieties, fears, and feelings by being mindful about what our thoughts and body is telling us.  That and a little self care can go a long way.

 

Register to our Live Shows!

 

• I Put My Lifetime In Between The Paper's Line's [Discussion + Intro to Journaling Workshop] w/ Kyr Mack - 5/14 @ 7PM EST
• Quarantine Kuts with Eric "KleanKut" Dixon [Discussion + Virtual Shape Up Workshop] - 5/18 @ 7PM EST
• From We Real Cool to We Just Real w/ Jason Rosario - 5/21 @ 7PM EST
• Creativity, Imagination, & Mental Health w/ Expressions Untold - 5/26 @ 7PM EST
• Creating Freedom in Confinement [Virtual Support Group - Black Men Only] w/ Jarrick the Floating Yogi - 5/28 @ 6PM EST

 

Resources for today's episode:

 

• Let’s Talk Bruh’s Rona Mental Health Survival Guide
• Let the Pandemic Be a Wake-Up Call — and Take Control of Your Health - Level Mag
• Just When We Think We're Adjusting, We're Hit By A Coronavirus Dip Day - Huff Post UK
• Protecting your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic - John Hopkins
• Stress and Coping - CDC
• 5 signs your coronavirus anxiety has turned serious, threatening your mental health, and what to do about it - CNN
• Marriage Wasn’t Built to Survive Quarantine - Level
• The coronavirus pandemic is pushing America into a mental-health crisis - Washington Post
• What One Doctor’s Suicide Taught Us - NY Times
• Open Collective - Affordable Therapy Options
• Text 'TEAM' to 741741 for free mental health support - NBA Cares

Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic? 

 

Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at [email protected] and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode. 

 

Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram

 

Join our Men's Facebook Group here: Let's Talk Bruh Facebook Group

Subscribe to the Let's Talk Bruh YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsa2wXlKMWlpAER8v16zXZw

The Let's Talk Bruh Virtual Live Show is coming to a screen near you.  We’re switching it up this month with something a bit different...starting next week on Monday the 11th, yall can now join us for a few Zoom Live Shows and Workshops!

Register Today:

• Can I Live: A Discussion on Mental Health w/ Dr. Justin Hopkins - 5/11 @ 7PM EST
• I Put My Lifetime In Between The Paper's Line's [Discussion + Intro to Journaling Workshop] w/ Kyr Mack - 5/14 @ 7PM EST
• Quarantine Kuts with Eric "KleanKut" Dixon [Discussion + Virtual Shape Up Workshop] - 5/18 @ 7PM EST
• From We Real Cool to We Just Real w/ Jason Rosario - 5/21 @ 7PM EST
• Creativity, Imagination, & Mental Health w/ Expressions Untold - 5/26 @ 7PM EST
• Creating Freedom in Confinement [Virtual Support Group - Black Men Only] w/ Jarrick the Floating Yogi - 5/28 @ 6PM EST

Turn ya camera on (but leave ya mics on mute lol) as we as dive into the following topics & interactive workshops.

We'll have some Q&A at the end of each episode so we can all be part of the conversation together.

Same show. New format. Hope to see yall there. 

Today's episode is the audio from our conversation with Dil of Redefining Black Masculinity. We recap the episode he joined us for on Interracial Dating back in February and we talked about how Black masculinity is represented in media.

Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic? 

Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at [email protected] and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode. 

Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram

Join our Men's Facebook Group here: Let's Talk Bruh Facebook Group

Subscribe to the Let's Talk Bruh YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsa2wXlKMWlpAER8v16zXZw

A few weeks ago (what is time at this point?) we did a series of Instagram Lives with friends of the podcast.  Today's episode is the audio from our conversation with Nalo. Nalo is a friend of the show who first appeared on LTB back in August of 2019.  We talked about everything from masculinity, the importance of asking questions and creating space for curiosity, allow folks to create themselves and her new podcast Black Water Rebellion (link below).  If there's one thing you should know about Nalo is that she's someone that will make you think. Listen with an open mind. 

Follow Nalo on Instagram.

Follow Black Girl Masculine on Instagram.

Resources for you:

• Black Water Rebellion Podcast

Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic? 

Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at [email protected] and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode. 

Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram

Join our Men's Facebook Group here: Let's Talk Bruh Facebook Group

Subscribe to the Let's Talk Bruh YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsa2wXlKMWlpAER8v16zXZw

"Yo, Am I Wildin?"

This week's episode I catch up with Ben and Sam of Black Man Feel. Black Men Feel is a monthly support group in New York City for Black men.  In our discussion with Ben and Sam they both shared their individual stories leading to the foundation of Black Men Feel. We also talked about the challenge of creating a safe space for ALL Black men and what accountability looks like within their space.   Near the end of our conversation we dive into some things we've been doing to stay sane during Coronavirus social distancing.  

Follow Black Men Feel on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook

Resources for you:

• Black Men Feel Therapy Resource Page
• 17 Positive Affirmations for Men of Color

Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic? 

Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at [email protected] and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode. 

Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram

Join our Men's Facebook Group here: Let's Talk Bruh Facebook Group

Subscribe to the Let's Talk Bruh YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsa2wXlKMWlpAER8v16zXZw

"We gotta re-imagine the way mental health is being done You gotta reach people where they're at. You gotta be personal."

This is one the lines that stuck out during this episode.  I spoke to Lorenzo Lewis, founder of The Confess Project.  In our discussion, he talked about the importance of imagination and creativity when it comes to mental health services.  In order to reach our people we have to think outside the box. And Lorenzo is someone who knows from experience.  He spent 10 years working in the mental health before founding The Confess Project so he knows what he's talking about.  

We also dive into what the Confess Project is, their work in barbershops, keeping folks accountable in the barbershop and their national State of Mind Tour with Gillette.

Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic? 

Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at [email protected] and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode. 

Follow The Confess Project on IG and Twitter

Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram

Join our Men's Facebook Group here: Let's Talk Bruh Facebook Group

Subscribe to the Let's Talk Bruh YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsa2wXlKMWlpAER8v16zXZw

Someone you should know: Courtney Brame. He's the founder of the platform Something Positive for Positive People.  He's also open about his experience living with Herpes. So we dive in and talk about why herpes is still the butt of the all the jokes, what he felt after receiving his diagnosis, what successful disclosure looks like and the work he does to remove the stigma around STIs. Tune in now.

Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic? 

Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at [email protected] and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode. 

Resources for you:

• Free std testing near me
• Vivent Health

Follow Courtney on IG and Twitter

Check out Something Positive for Positive People.

Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram

Join our Men's Facebook Group here: Let's Talk Bruh Facebook Group

Subscribe to the Let's Talk Bruh YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsa2wXlKMWlpAER8v16zXZw

This week we were joined by Lex Numan, the host of Numan Talks.  We discuss his platform and what it means to be "Trans Attracted".  He breaks down why it's important to distinguish between attraction and fetish.  Lex Numan is someone you should know because his platform creates a space for Black men to discuss sexuality and attraction in a way that doesn't put the emotional labor on Trans women. In our episode he also discusses how he came to realize his attraction to Trans women.  Tune in now. 

Follow Lex Numan on IG on Twitter 

Subscribe to the Numan Show on Youtube

Do you have any questions for us?

Did you learn something during today's episode?

Did you change your mind about a particular topic? 

Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at [email protected] and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode. 

For another take on the phrase trans attracted check out this article:

• Op-Ed: The Problem With Identifying As 'Trans Attracted' - Out.com

Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram

Join our Men's Facebook Group here: Let's Talk Bruh Facebook Group

Subscribe to the Let's Talk Bruh YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsa2wXlKMWlpAER8v16zXZw