In this deeply moving episode of WeTalking, we sit down with Dwayne, aka Bearded Breadfruit, the creator of Barbell Conversations, for an honest and unfiltered conversation about Black masculinity, mental health, and the unseen weight Caribbean men often carry.

Drawing from his personal journey, Dwayne shares how childhood pressures, athletic expectations, body image struggles, depression, job loss, and moments of violence shaped his understanding of manhood. He opens up about navigating emotional trauma in environments where vulnerability is discouraged, and how the lack of supportive spaces for men led him to create Breadfruit, a platform rooted in honesty, healing, and community.

Together, we explore the emotional and cultural burdens placed on Caribbean men, the ways internalised expectations shape self-worth, and the lifelong impact of early experiences and family dynamics. Dwayne also, reflects on what it means to ask for help, confront trauma, and break generational cycles, offering a rare and necessary insight into the realities many men face but rarely articulate.

This episode challenges stigma, redefines strength, and reminds us that healing begins the moment we choose to speak honestly about our pain. If you have ever questioned what masculinity means today, or how we create a world where men can finally breathe, this is an episode you cannot miss.