Lunchbreak Podcast

Stew and Zan sit down together at Sparq Studios to talk about fertility, recent guys' trip misadventures, the circle of life, and more.  

This pod is bookended by the boys discussing their viewing habits on very different sides of the media spectrum. It’s good to the last drop 🧃

We must warn you, this one has a wee bit of raunch to it. Minimal raunch for maximal laughs. 

Topics

00:54 — “Filth Flarn Filth”
Hotel-room rental question and media consumption setup

02:57 — “Shoot The Cup Up”
Fertility journey story begins with Zan’s sample experience

13:20 — “Strange Bedfellows”
Super Bowl barracks incident setup and headline reveal

31:28 — “One Yourself”
Langston turning one and reflections on parenting year one

48:24 — “The Learning Channel”
Cultural reality TV discussion leading into 90 Day Fiancé

Word of the day:
Senesce - To grow old

Wardrobe: 

Zan's Hat

The only thing constant is change. Stew and Zan sit down to reflect on the nine months since their last pod and how rapid change is reshaping the way they see themselves, fatherhood, marriage, and the world around them. 

In between the heavy, you’ll also get the bachelor party + Detroit wedding recap, an almost-too-vivid doctor’s office story, sobriety talk, catcalling from both men and women, and even a Russian bathhouse adventure. 

We had a lot to cover. Pull back the covers, grab your beverage of choice, and join us unfiltered 🧃 this is Lunchbreak After Dark. 

Ok fine, it’s the same brown-bag Lunchbreak you know and love. “Peanut butter and jelly, again?! Gee thanks! 🥹” 

📍 Topics

• (00:00) — Sloppy Seconds & New Beginnings
  Back in the studio after 9 months, why the episode title is clickbait, and how life’s been lifing.
• (19:26) — Detroit Weddings & Russian Bathhouses
  From bachelor party brotherhood to spa adventures — Detroit gave the guys stories for days.
• (25:30) — The “All-Man Orgy” Accusation
  When you turn down a wild proposition in Detroit, and suddenly your whole crew gets labeled.
• (30:36) — Fatherhood = Beautiful Chaos
  Stew reflects on paternity leave, bonding with Langston, and learning to balance being a husband and a dad.
• (42:48) — Sobriety & Identity Shifts
  Zan talks quitting drinking, spiritual growth, and learning to love the new version of himself.
• (51:37) — Vulnerability & Hotel Intruders
  The bathroom gets ambushed mid-scroll — a too-real reminder to always latch the door.

Words of the Day:

• Petrichor — that earthy, fresh smell after rain when water hits soil and releases natural oils.
• Eleemosynary — related to charity or giving; being generous for the sake of others.
• Avuncular — like an uncle; friendly, kind, or supportive in that “wise uncle” way.

Intro Song: Common Man - David Ruffin
Outro Song:  Changes - Charles Bradley

Ahead of the holidays, Stew and Zan discuss the male loneliness epidemic and being there for your friends in the context of a purported “friendship recession” over the last 30 years. 

This is where we’d put a hotline number if this was the end of a 90s ABC sitcom that just aired an episode with a serious slant. 

This episode IS serious although it starts very unserious. We just don’t know who you should call besides Stew, Ghostbusters, or the Lord. 

Enjoy responsibly and PLEASE take care of yourselves. You don’t have to suffer in silence. 
🧃🫂

Topics

• 2:55 - Bushel of American
• 11:25 - No Condom for the Heart
• 16:09 - Dude Compliments
• 34:27 - Silent Suffering
• 50:57 - Pallbearers v Emergency Contacts

Word of the day - Perfunctory

Intro Song: You Got a Friend in Me - Randy Newman
Outro Song:  Lean on Me - Bill Withers

Wardrobe
Zan's  "Don't Rest on Riches" Half-Zip Sweater

You know how some episodes of your favorite TV show aren’t as robust as others but it bridges the storyline? This is one of those perhaps. We recap 2 events over the last 4 weeks, celebrating 15 years of adulthood, in one hour. 

Next episode will be like the second to last episode of a “Game of Thrones” season. Just watch! 

Topics

• 2:00 - Radical Acts 
• 17:20 - Convos with Crazy Legs 
• 38:04 - Word of the Day
• 41:00 - Put Hands on Em 
• 59:00 - Trickin on Treats 

Word of the day - Sesquipedalian

Intro Song: Homecoming (ft. Chris Martin) - Ye
Outro Song:  I Keep Forgettin' - Michael McDonald

Wardrobe
Zan's Hoodie

Shoutouts
Rohan Barrett Photography

“You’re born looking like your parents but you die looking like your decisions.”

Recorded live from Decatur, GA, Stew and Zan talk about dapping people with wet hands, the value of mentoring, balancing your emotional checkbook, the role of a father, old and young Black men who look alike, finding your purpose, dimensions of identity and lace front wigs on 20 year olds.

None of these topics make sense separately but together they make for a great lunch break 🧃

Bonus points if you can guess the answer to the question in the final minute of the pod without cheating 🐊

Word of the day - Bequeathed

Special shoutout to Phil (@ovo_pj) from @blkmenneedhugs!

Topics

• 6:39 Lashes, Leave-outs, and Locs, Oh My!
• 18:30 Baby Bottle Pop
• 21:03 Conceiving Cold Cuts
• 34:00 Who’s Who?
• 43:09 Accidentally on Purpose 
• 55:53 Black Men Needs Hugs 

Intro song: “I Wonder”- Kanye West
Outro song: “Sara Smile”- Hall & Oates

Wardrobe
Zan's Quarter Zip -  https://shop.truluckcharms.com/products/dont-rest-on-riches-quarter-zip-sweater

In 2019, Stewart was interviewed by the New York Times and in the interview, he talked about his concept of time. In 2024 we travel back to the future and revisit it for the first time.

Time is a construct. In NY, Timbs are called “Constructs”.

That has nothing to do with anything but who has time to write cohesive copy while trying to construct walls around our pain?

Lunchtime won’t heal all wounds but maybe it’s enough time to hear about a few of ours and how we’ve been spending our hours since the last pod.

Enjoy responsibly, this one is a trip🧃

Words of the day - Panacea

Topics:

• 4:02 - Stewlyweds
• 27:51 - Before the Streetlight Science
• 50:45 - Throw That Time in a Circle (Reincarnation)
• 69:25 - Stop Bringing up the Past (Corporate Time Travel)
• 83:37 - Healium Balloons

Intro -  “Time” - Snoh Aalegra
Outro - “One More Time” - Daft Punk


Wardrobe
Zan's Shirt - https://shop.truluckcharms.com/products/bart-freedman

Zan’s former work bestie turned real-life buddy, Rene, joins live from Dallas to talk travel stories, corporate activism, multiculturalism, Sopranos, and best/worst eats. 

Including real-life stories about a high school lunchroom in Poland. 

Honestly, the episode is all over the place in the best ways, and you just need to listen. 

You’ll also need to have an opinion on alligator’s place in the pescatarian food pyramid. 🐊 

Have a nice lunch! 

Topics:

• 3:15  - Joe Goomars 
• 15:20 - Happy Wife, Expensive Life 
• 25:25 - International Lunchbreaks/Mayonnaise Travels
• 30:05 - Truluck-Macklemore Scam
• 48:41 - Valet Victories & Victims 

Words of the day - Comare (Goomar) and Gastropod.

Intro -  Man of the Year - Schoolboy Q
Outro - Eye Know - De La Soul

Wardrobe
Zan's sweatshirt - https://shop.truluckcharms.com/collections/frontpage

10 episodes ago we turned the lunchroom into the visitation room as Riyan joined us via phone from a Maryland state correctional facility, ahead of his release from prison. 

Now we pick up the conversation during Riyan’s first visit to Zan’s home in Dallas. 

Look at this as an expansion of episode 12. After all, everything is bigger in Texas. Except Zantoine. He’s undersized in that state. 

Topics:

• “The Feds” - 0:45
• Newport News - 13:43
• Royal with Riyan and Randy - 28:00 
• Travel Goals - 51:49 
• Prison Palate: The Cookbook - 62:00 

Words of the day: Commodious and Itinerant 

Season 2 kicks off with our new format and our first woman guest, Candace P., affectionately known as Turmeric (1/2 of the Spice Rack). 

The Lunchbreakers sit with Candace and draft the stage play to the wildest musical you’ve ever seen as they revisit their recent trip to Detroit. We talk Detroit community policing, old player Detroit fashion, and Zan’s baby shower. 

This season is all about our travels with friends and family. What better way than to start with our most recent trip. Think of it like Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, and our first stop is Motor City. 

Pack your lunch and juice box we’re on the road this season! 🧃

Topics:

• Detroit vs. Everybody - 4:55
• Motor City Madness - 18:39
• Metal Detectors Can't Detect Vibranium - 21:40
• Couple Pairs of Girbauds (Detroit Fashion Pt 2) - 24:59
• The Buffs - 59:13

Word of the day - Anachronistic

Intro - Welcome 2 Detroit - J. Dilla
Outro - Funkin' For Jamaica - Tom Browne


Wardrobe
Zan's Shirt - https://shop.truluckcharms.com/collections/frontpage

Stew's Hat - https://www.godspeednewyork.com/products/godspeed-x-the-lox?_pos=1&_sid=a306aa9e5&_ss=r

The Lunchbreakers swipe their meal plan for the final time this season. 

Today’s table topic is all about examples of fatherhood they’ve seen in their lives. Surrogates, absentees, and stand-ins. The whole gamut is covered.

This episode was originally entitled “The Parent ‘Hood with Robert De Niro and Robert Townsend.” You’ll understand that by the end of your juice box. 🧃 

It’s been a blast making season 1. See you next semester, Juice Crü.

Topics: 

• Fiancé(e)  - 3:00
• The Parent ‘Hood - 17:19 
• Husbandry - 33:50
• Tender Dads & Tough Moms - 48:39 
• Aura’s Dad - 56:02

Word of the day - Husbandry

Intro - Is This The End - New Edition
Outro - I Don't Want To Wait - Paula Cole

Wardrobe

Zan's Jacket - https://shop.truluckcharms.com/collections/frontpage