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The age-old question of how to raise our children echoes through every generation, but the answers seem to shift with each passing decade. In this deeply reflective conversation, we bring together a fascinating mix of perspectives – a 45-year-old military veteran father, a 27-year-old dad navigating early parenthood, and a young mother of twins alongside her own father.

Through their candid exchanges, we explore one of parenting's most fundamental tensions: how do we balance preparing our children for a harsh world while giving them the love and tenderness they need? The military dad puts it starkly: "I see it as I'm preparing him for the world. The world's a rough place... He's got to learn to fight lions, tigers and bears and slay dragons." Meanwhile, his co-parent sees this approach as unnecessarily hard on their son – a disagreement many parents will recognize.

We dive into the evolution of discipline across generations, from the "because I said so" era to today's more communicative approaches. Should children be allowed to question or correct their parents? Does fear have a place in healthy parent-child relationships? And perhaps most provocatively – do we, should we, treat our sons and daughters differently when it comes to independence, protection, and expectations?

The conversation takes a particularly raw turn when discussing co-parenting challenges after separation. One young father's frustration is palpable as he describes trying to parent alongside someone who seems determined to disagree with every decision. The advice shared – about remaining neutral, documenting everything in writing, and refusing to provide the emotional reactions an ex-partner might be seeking – represents hard-won wisdom.

Whether you're a seasoned parent, new to the journey, or contemplating parenthood, this episode offers both practical insights and emotional resonance. Because while parenting styles may evolve, the fundamental challenge remains the same: raising human beings who are both loved and prepared for the world that awaits them.

After the episode, stay tuned for a heartfelt message from Nailah to her girls. 

🎂HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLEO & CALI 💕

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Host: StéphaneAlexandre
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Have you ever considered what a relationship truly means, beyond the obvious trappings of romance and attraction? The answer might surprise you, challenge you, and ultimately transform how you approach your partnerships.

In this eye-opening conversation, we dive deep with an author who's about to release his provocative book, "Who Took My Manhood and Left Me All Alone With Her." Drawing from his extensive background in holistic psychology and behavioral science, he breaks down what's happening in Black relationships today and why so many partnerships fail despite good intentions.

The distinction between a relationship and companionship forms the heart of this discussion. A true relationship, our guest explains, requires mutual commitment to MENTAL, PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL, SEXUAL, and FINANCIAL growth – not just someone to spend time with or enjoy experiences alongside. This ***FIVE-POINT PRINCIPLE*** creates the foundation for meaningful partnerships that transcend superficial connections.

Most thought-provoking is his perspective on wants versus needs. This insight invites listeners to reconsider their own criteria for selecting partners.

We also explore why America stands as one of the few countries without a universal understanding of marriage, how historical trauma continues to affect Black relationships, and what it means to operate from a place of knowledge rather than uncertainty and fear.

Whether you're struggling in your current relationship, questioning your approach to dating, or simply curious about deeper human connections, this conversation offers wisdom that cuts through cultural noise to reveal timeless principles that might just save your next – or current – relationship.

Contact David at [email protected] for more information about his upcoming book, with a tentative release in September 2025.

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Inside the buzzing atmosphere of I Heart Barbershop, we drop in with the 100 Black Men of South Metro Atlanta for authentic conversations that cut deeper than any clipper. Three Black men open up about masculinity, mental health, and challenging the toxic expectations society places on men today.

• Mental health in the barbershop - how barbers create safe spaces by opening up first
• Finding therapists who reflect your experiences and understand your cultural context
• The true definition of manhood beyond financial expectations
• Powerful statement: "A man is who you are and nobody can take that from you"
• Unpacking the lies told to men growing up: "men don't cry" and "more women equals more manhood"
• The GOAT debate between Jordan, Kobe, and LeBron and what their legacies teach us
• Building personal legacies through financial responsibility and proper planning
• What we hope people will say about us when we're gone

Support us by sharing this episode with friends and leaving an honest review on Apple Podcasts. It helps the show grow and keeps these essential conversations going.

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David moved to Sharpsburg, Georgia seeking a peaceful life for his family just 30 minutes from Atlanta. What he found instead was a campaign of harassment that feels ripped from America's darkest past.

From the moment David purchased his home—discovering the white seller had tried charging him $60,000 more than what he accepted from David’s attorney—the stage was set for conflict. Neighbors weaponized local authorities with repeated false reports about his dogs and business. They installed cameras aimed at his property, set up karaoke machines to broadcast racist songs, and even purchased dogs seemingly to intimidate his family.

The situation escalated to life-threatening proportions when, following a verbal confrontation, one neighbor fired a gun at David as he walked away. The other neighbor physically assaulted him, resulting in both neighbors being arrested and temporarily banned from returning home.

Throughout the ordeal, David demonstrates remarkable restraint, even expressing gratitude that he wasn't carrying his own weapon during the confrontation: "That's the one thing that plays in my mind...I thank God I was not put in a position where I was forced to take a life."

The conversation takes an emotional turn when hosts share their own experiences with racism, revealing generational trauma still affecting Black Americans today. One host recounts being forbidden by his father to defend himself against racist bullying, while another shares his father's harrowing escape from potential lynching in 1940s Georgia.

This powerful episode serves as a stark reminder that despite progress, the reality for many Black Americans still includes fighting for dignity and safety in spaces others believe they don't belong. Subscribe to hear more crucial conversations that challenge, inspire, and illuminate the ongoing journey toward true equality.

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What does it really take to transform a struggling marriage into a thriving partnership? In this powerful, emotionally raw episode, Willie and Patrice Nash open up about the journey of their 17-year marriage alongside host Stéphane and his wife Zola. They reveal the pivotal conversation that changed everything seven years into their relationship.

"Before we were fighting against each other, but the last 10 years I can say we have fought every fight TOGETHER," Patrice shares, pinpointing the moment their marriage truly began to flourish. The couples explore how relocating from Memphis to Atlanta forced Willie and Patrice to rely solely on each other, creating both immense strain and unexpected healing.

Willie courageously discusses his period of grief following his mother's death—how he coped through substance abuse, emotional distance, and missed family moments. Meanwhile, Patrice reveals the loneliness she experienced while raising their children essentially alone during those difficult years. Their unfiltered honesty provides a roadmap for couples facing similar challenges.

The conversation explores how financial transparency, intentional communication, and shared decision-making became the foundation for rebuilding trust. Both couples reflect on marriage as a daily choice to elevate one another rather than simply coexist. As Willie poignantly states, "Marriage is two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other."

Whether you're newly married, contemplating marriage, or weathering relationship storms, this conversation offers profound insights on fighting for your partnership rather than against each other. The vulnerability and wisdom shared here remind us that even the strongest marriages aren't built on perfection, but on the willingness to grow through difficulty together.

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Three stories of survival that will leave you questioning what it truly means to love someone "in sickness and in health." 

Willie and Patrice Nash, along with Stanley Jean, share unfiltered accounts of their brushes with death and the profound love that pulled them through. From Patrice's harrowing post-hysterectomy complications where toxins silently poisoned her body, to Willie's misdiagnosed blood clots that nearly took his life, to Stanley's seven-hour brain surgery that left him unable to remember his children's names – each story reveals what happens when mortality stares you in the face.

What makes these stories so powerful isn't just the medical drama, but the extraordinary acts of devotion that followed. Spouses who refused to leave hospital rooms, who made life-or-death decisions together, who cleaned bodily fluids without hesitation, who held space for fears too terrifying to name aloud. "That love is about as strong as it's ever gonna be," one survivor reflects, capturing the transformation that occurs when relationships are tested by crisis.

Beyond the immediate danger, these experiences triggered profound life changes. Priorities shifted dramatically - from partying to parenting, from neglecting health to vigilant self-care, from taking loved ones for granted to answering every call. As Stanley puts it, "It's a new me... This is a whole different spirit." These aren't just stories about surviving; they're testaments to how facing death can fundamentally change how we choose to live.

Whether you're married, single, or somewhere in between, these intimate conversations will make you reconsider what it means to truly have someone in your corner. Who would fight for your life when you couldn't? Who would you fight for? Subscribe now for more raw, honest discussions about the experiences that shape our lives and relationships.

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Two accomplished Black women pull back the curtain on what it really means to navigate corporate America while carrying the DOUBLE burden of race and gender. This conversation explores the exhausting mental gymnastics required to succeed in spaces not designed for them.

Our guests share powerful stories about the necessity of code-switching – that daily performance where tone, expression, and even greeting style must be carefully calibrated to avoid triggering stereotypes. "I can't just show up and be me," one guest explains. "I have to outperform and do that dance just to be accepted." The mental toll becomes clear as they describe returning home completely drained from maintaining these performances all day.

Perhaps most revealing are the discussions about communication strategy. Black women must approach problem-solving differently than their white counterparts, sandwiching critiques between praise to avoid being labeled as "aggressive." Even more disturbing are the stories of credit theft, including another guest who was asked to write a recommendation letter for a white male colleague who received an award for her work.

The conversation takes a personal turn when discussing how these professional challenges affect relationships. Both guests explore the tension between independence developed through workplace battles and vulnerability needed in partnerships. "I had to let my guard down,"  one guest shares about her marriage. "If you love this man enough to say he's your husband, allow him to show up as your husband."

While acknowledging harsh realities about ongoing workplace bias, our guests offer valuable insights for young Black women entering professional spaces. Their wisdom serves as both warning and preparation for those following in their footsteps.

What emerges is a MASTERCLASS IN RESILIENCE, strategic thinking, and the unspoken tax Black women pay in pursuit of professional success. Listen now for a conversation that will change how you understand workplace dynamics forever.

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When a child lacks positive role models, they'll find their own path—shaped by whatever influences surround them. But what if we could change that trajectory through intentional mentorship?

Leon Cohen, a dedicated member of the 100 Black Men of DeKalb County, joins us to reveal how this remarkable organization has been transforming young lives since 1963. Founded by luminaries including Jackie Robinson and former NYC Mayor David Dinkins, the group operates on a powerful principle: "What they see is what they'll be."

Through their Leadership Academy, they're cultivating tomorrow's leaders with practical skills often missing from traditional education—financial literacy, public speaking, conflict resolution, and even formal etiquette. Unlike one-on-one mentoring programs, their group approach reaches more youth while creating meaningful connections that last a lifetime.

The conversation takes an emotional turn when discussing teen violence and the urgent need for positive male influences. As Leon explains, "Standing in the gap" means providing guidance when fathers are absent or overwhelmed, showing young men possibilities beyond what popular culture offers them. The results speak volumes—from shy, directionless teens to confident young adults with clear educational and career goals.

Whether you're already mentoring or feeling called to make a difference, this episode delivers profound insights on meeting young people where they are, speaking their language, and modeling the behavior that creates lasting change. Because in the end, we're not just building better individuals—we're cultivating the next generation of leaders who will lift entire communities.

RESOURCES:

IG: @100BlackMenOfDekalb   @100BlackMen   @JustinTheMentor   @StephaneAlexandreOfficial   @LeonCohen

100BMOD: https://100bmod.org/

Joshua Byrd: https://alumni.gsu.edu/40under40-profile/joshua-byrd/

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Education isn't one-size-fits-all, and the traditional path through college may not be the best option for everyone in today's rapidly changing technological landscape.

• College degrees are still necessary for specialized fields like medicine and law
• Trade schools offer direct paths to high-paying careers with less debt
• Content creation becoming oversaturated like professional sports—not everyone can make it
• AI replacing service jobs and changing employment landscape
• Self-education through books, mentorships crucial regardless of formal education
• Focus on your desired lifestyle first, then choose the right vehicle to get there
• Your twenties are the time to take risks, work hard, and try everything
• Mentorship especially needed in the Black community to guide youth through career decisions

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Finding the elusive balance between career aspirations, family responsibilities, and personal well-being remains one of modern manhood's greatest challenges. In this thought-provoking conversation, we explore whether true "balance" even exists or if life naturally flows through seasons that require different priorities.

We dive into the powerful jar analogy - where golf balls represent your most crucial priorities (family, children, close relationships), pebbles symbolize career and ambitions, and sand fills in as everything else. The lesson becomes crystal clear: if you don't put the golf balls in first, you'll never fit them in later. This metaphor beautifully illustrates why so many men struggle when they prioritize work above all else, only to discover what they've lost along the way.

The discussion takes a particularly meaningful turn when we explore how to maintain important relationships while pursuing success. Rather than assuming what your loved ones need from you, we recommend a simple but profound approach: ask them directly what being "present" means to them. Each person in your life values different forms of connection - some need quality time, others need small, consistent check-ins. By tailoring your approach to each relationship, you create more meaningful connections without burning yourself out.

We don't shy away from the tough realities of maintaining friendships as adult men, handling toxic workplace relationships, and finding small windows for self-care when life feels overwhelming. Through it all, one message remains constant - intentionality is everything. Whether it's scheduling ten minutes for a workout before dawn or planning regular check-ins with friends, the calendar becomes your most powerful tool for creating the life you actually want rather than simply reacting to whatever comes your way.

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Host: StéphaneAlexandre
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(833) 878-3323