The Notorious D.A.D.s

Curt and Blake react to the George Floyd murder – the challenging process of explaining race-based killings to young children (3:23), the role of protest in democracy (5:27), tools and methods they’ve used to help them manage the mental and emotional fallout (8:29) and the need to explore contrasting emotions even through tragedy (14:25).

Plus, a shout out to Frankie Beverly, Cash Money and wedding anniversaries.

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LA County residents are eligible for a free subscription the meditation app Headspace. Link here.

As far as docuseries go, The Last Dance had it all -- nostalgic moments and memories, familiar faces, the soundtrack to many millennial childhoods. And yet, perhaps its biggest gift to us is the wisdom that comes in the form of the stories, perspectives and lessons of some of its key protagonists.

This week, Curt and Blake share their top 6 lessons to live by emerging from the hit series profiling the 1990s Chicago Bulls dynasty (starting 15:15).

Also, the two talk social distancing during Memorial Day (0:57) and what's behind Lana Del Rey's beef with Beyonce, Nicki Minaj and other female artists (2:47).

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Listen to our Graduation Season Playlist on Spotify.

In light of graduation season and Blake's wife earning her M.D. (5:58), Blake and Curt discuss the topic of transitions, including:

• their favorite graduation experiences (starting 16:27) and speeches (20:41)
• wisdom they ignored prior to a major life change (28:37)
• the piece of advice they'd wish they received (35:49)
• perspective for those graduating or transitioning to other life stages during COVID-19 (45:31)

Plus, they share thoughts on the soulful #Verzuz Queens, Jill and Erykah (1:38) and Blake's own 90s/2000s R&B Battle (2:52).

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Listen to our Graduation Season Playlist on Spotify.

Inspired by Season 4 of Insecure, Curt and Blake discuss the complicated task of building and maintaining friendship as an adult (starting 10:10), including:

• a breakdown of some of the things that strengthen or strain friendships in adulthood (19:55)
• tips on how they've sought to develop friends as adults and married men (31:20)
• advice on being a friend to your spouse (43:05), and
• perspectives on whether & how we should approach friendship with our children (50:20)

Plus, the fellas chat on the connection between No Limit and The Diplomats, and break down another Jay-Z verse in the outro.

Blake and Curt analyze the thinking behind their process of making decisions (starting 16:45). They discuss the paradox of choice and other common barriers to decision making, as well as how they counter them (25:21), recall some of their most ridiculous bad decisions (39:47) and share how they approach shaping their children’s ability to make decisions (42:49).

Plus, the two talk the new NFL Draft format and LA weather in New Orleans, and the joys of furnishing a home.

**** Follow The Notorious D.A.D.s on IG @thenotoriousd.a.d.s

Curt and Blake discuss the devaluation of Black life in light of the GA Governor's decision to re-open businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. They address some questions along the way (starting 11:53):

• Why is it easier to take risks that jeopardize the health of Black/poor people vs. others?
• What historical parallels can we draw?
• For parents, is there anything we can learn from this to share with our kids?

The two also recap highlights from the first episodes of The Last Dance, ESPN's documentary on the Chicago Bulls dynasty (3:50), and Curt calls lessons from Boyz N The Hood (48:07).

Inspired by IG's #Verzuz battles, Blake and Curt examine greatness – what it means, how we define it and how it shows up in various contexts (starts 15:53). Is individual greatness more impressive than team success? Should we measure impact based on achievement, or is there a better way? How do we recognize and appropriately value greatness day-to-day?

The fellas answer these questions and more, and provide a framework from legendary trainer Tim Grover, trainer to Michael Jordan, Kobe and D-Wade (38:38)

Curt and Blake dive into the life and legacy of Nipsey Hussle, one year after his passing -- the processing of grief, the fear of unrealized potential and what is needed to ensure the marathon continues.

The fellas also dispute the credibility of Mannie Fresh vs. Scott Storch, break down the nature of family visits during the Rona era, and reminisce on the greatness of The Wire.

Blake and Curt reflect on the potential fallout from the coronavirus. What might this pandemic and social distancing be trying to tell us about relationships with our families? Our work? Ourselves?

The two examine the current state of many of our systems, norms, and socialized behavior and what this means for the future - in between Jay references, Mayweather fight memories, and Hell Week analogies, of course (#iykyk).

Curt and Blake discuss Dwyane Wade’s support of his transgender daughter Zaya and analyze some of the reactions to the news and the topic in general (starting at 11:39). Plus, Blake recaps Mardi Gras (0:50) and the fellas assess the perils of the coronavirus (7:20).