The Iron Table

The saying goes, "Married people should continue to date," but what does that mean? What activities fall under actions while "dating," and what activities fall under the category of "courting"? Our hosts look at this statement from two different lenses in this episode. Is there a right or wrong answer? Should married couples change the way they look at outings after marriage? If single, how do you know you're ready to enter into the courting phase? What exactly is courting, and does it exist or is it a term only used by Baby Boomers and older generations? In this episode, we dive into this topic and more!

Podcast experts say that you do not get into your groove until the 20-25th episode range. This is Season 2, Episode 1. In this episode, our hosts reconnect for the 1st time in 2022. So much has happened individually since the last episode of 2021, and we take a moment to reconnect and catch up. This is a more personal look at your host, and we've added some new segments we know will catch on. So pull up to the table, and let's talk and chill for a while... 

Its been about 20 months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic has affected our families, the healthcare system, the industry, supply chains, and many other facets of life. But rarely does anyone talk about the Education system. Sure we are focused on our children having to wear masks or someone not wanting them to wear masks. But what about the teachers, social workers, school psychologists, special education workers, and administrators? We rarely get to hear from them? Do we care? Do we realize they have families?

 In some cases, they are the teacher, nurse, 2nd parent, and maybe in some cases, the first parent. We here at The Iron Table care. We wanted to sit down with various players in the education system and get their take on life during the pandemic. There are some pluses and minuses. This is one episode that looks deeper than grades. Deeper than progress reports. It humanizes the education position, and just maybe, after hearing this, you might walk away with a different perspective.

Music is the universal language. The beat with the words can take us from incredible highs (Rock, Classical, Hip Hop, and R&B) to significant lows (Blues, Country, Instrumentals). If I said the title, some songs would take you back to when life could have been simpler. Maybe it's a first kiss, family cookout, the birth of a child, etc. But those same songs can have a subliminal effect. In this episode, we discuss some familiar songs known as all-time greats, but when you take away the bass, guitar, drums, cymbals and are left with the words, you see a different picture. Does it mean these songs should be "canceled"? Not necessarily; however, it does highlight the effect music can have on a subconscious. So pull up a chair, sit for a few, for the main course for tonight is TRUTH!

Recently the verdict of the Rittenhouse trial had us thinking. Would he have had the same considerations as the shooter if he was a Black man? If he was a Black man who shot and killed two White men and injured another, would the trial have taken this long? Regardless of his age, the facts state that he secured an AR-15 rifle, was driven crossed state lines by his mother and used a weapon on three individuals.  These facts resulted in a Not Guilty, sending shockwaves in the country but only from one view...
 
 How many times have we watched the scales of justice be so skewed that what no one could fathom happening happens and then is not a shock to one race of people? Does the blindfold need to come and the scales readjusted to no longer favor one race above another? We discuss this topic and share our opinions on the next steps for the Black community and those seeking justice and equity. 

This episode is different. First, we've taken The Iron Table on the road. During the getaway weekend, there was an opportunity to share experiences in dating and put in perspective topics, including:
 
 

·        Dating with Kids

·        Responsibilities and Roles in Dating

·        Dating after Divorce

·        Following His plan for your dating life

·        Dating While Recovering from Personal Pain

·        Loving You

 We have special guests this time. In this episode, I bring my family to the table, and we have a heart-to-heart and mind-to-mind talk. This is one episode you don't want to miss and is the foundation of why The Iron Table started and will continue to have a place setting for anyone who wants to take a seat!

Whether it’s the hand, switch, belt, or even vacuum cleaner cord, we've all had stories of being disciplined by our parents, aunts & uncles, and grandparents. I even remember when you could get a spanking in school and a whoopin' at home! We all know the sheer fear of hearing our parents come home and KNOWING it was about to go down. We'd hide anywhere, inside, outside, and not sure who you are, but I contemplated running away from home to escape one time. Regardless we've all had some form of discipline, from active (objects used) to passive (objects taken away). Today, we talk about discipline in the black home and why it is necessary, even when not appropriate. 

Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu's book "Countering The Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys" talks about making a concerted and deliberate effort to break the cycle of black boys being labeled - disruptive, challenging, and developmentally delayed. In the school systems, our black boys are labeled as having ADHD or ADDD and being placed in special classes to drive their love for education further away, leaving nothing but young men who hate education. Yet it doesn't stop at our school systems; there are other areas where black boys can easily be mislabeled. In this episode, we discuss one of those situations and talk about what we can do to stop the conspiracy. Also, we briefly talk about another system that has and can rob the Black community of self-pride and ambition if left unchecked.

Top 5's in anything is always debatable. Whether it’s sports players, cars, iconic personalities, or even basic cereal, they are often used as conversation starters and harmless fun. Well, today's episode is just that. Your two hosts talk about their Top 5 R&B love songs of all times and why. Now feel free to talk back to us with your Top 5 (too bad we can't hear you) but still share! 

Roommates. Most of us have had one. For some, it started at home with siblings. For others, it began in high school and college. We've all had to join financial forces to survive, or maybe we didn't want to be alone. In this episode, we discuss the joys and sorrows of roommate life. Somehow, the conversations shape into growing and nurturing a relationship in this digital social media age.