Ep. 104 The Broken King - When Power Meets Pain
Black Men Speak Podcast
In this episode, we sit down with Michael Thomas, the acclaimed novelist behind Man Gone Down and winner of the International Dublin Literary Award, to discuss his powerful memoir The Broken King. In a raw and deeply personal conversation, Thomas reflects on fatherhood without the polish often found in parenting narratives, confronting the trauma, racism, and family history that shaped his upbringing in 1970s Boston and resurfaced as he tried to become a different kind of father to his own sons. Drawing inspiration from a line in Little Gidding, The Broken King explores the lives of the men...
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Ep. 103 Do Black Men Have To Be Twice As Polished? - The Unspoken Rules of Power and Presentation
Black Men Speak Podcast
With a recent tik-tok video about Black Men's appearance at a Ruth Chris Steakhouse going viral, it would be a perfect time to talk about Black Male etiquette. In a world where perception can open doors—or quietly close them—Black men often find themselves navigating an unspoken standard: be excellent, but also be exceptional. Be confident, but not intimidating. Be authentic, but not “too much.” So the question becomes: Are we required to be twice as polished just to receive half the opportunity? We will discuss this important topic with James B Wingo, author of “The Manners...
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Ep. 102 Grief Without A Roadmap_ When Strength is Expected But Support is Absent
Black Men Speak Podcast
In this episode of Black Men Speak, we sit with Ryan K Brown Jr., who confronted loss head-on—and discovered how unprepared our systems are to care for grieving families once the hospital lights dim. What began as a medical crisis exposed deeper emotional and systemic gaps, where strength was assumed, silence followed, and support was scarce. Through his grief, Ryan Brown Co-Founded , a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research, education, and compassionate support for families affected by pregnancy and infant loss. Ryan’s work is deeply shaped by personal experience. After...
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Ep. 101 Pinnacle of Color Series - Money Moves - Building Financial Literacy for Sustainable Entrepreneurship
Black Men Speak Podcast
In this episode of Black Men Speak, we sit down with Sylvester K. Johnson, Senior Capital Access Manager of , to unpack the real money moves Black entrepreneurs must master to build businesses that last. Sylvester brings a grounded, no-nonsense perspective on financial literacy — breaking down why so many entrepreneurs struggle not because they lack hustle, but because they lack financial systems, strategy, and clarity. From managing cash flow and understanding the true cost of running a business, to separating personal and business finances, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the...
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Ep. 100 Black Cherokee - The Untold Story of Black and Native Identity
Black Men Speak Podcast
In this powerful episode of Black Men Speak, we sit down with the author of Black Cherokee to unpack the rarely told story of Black and Indigenous identity in America. Through history, ancestral truth, and courageous storytelling, our guest explores what it means to exist at the intersection of Blackness and Cherokee heritage—while navigating belonging, erasure, and legacy. This conversation dives into hidden histories, the impact of enslavement within Native nations, and the emotional weight of claiming an identity that has often been questioned or denied. We also explore how generational...
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Ep. 99 Just Keep Shining: Bryce Savoy's Story of Music, Family, and Resilience
Black Men Speak Podcast
Bryce Savoy is an Oakland-born rapper, entrepreneur, and filmmaker whose work centers on authenticity, community, and resilience. As the founder of Neighborhood Diamonds, both a record label and lifestyle brand, Savoy is dedicated to discovering and elevating hidden talent—a philosophy inspired by his late father, affectionately known as Big Bryce. In a transformative ten-month period, Savoy experienced the profound loss of his father and the birth of his son, Zimri. This journey of grief and new life became the foundation for his deeply personal documentary "Big Bryce Son" and the...
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Ep. 98 Beyond the Little Blue Pill: What Your Doctor Isn't Telling You About ED
Black Men Speak Podcast
In this eye-opening conversation, Dr. Arthur L. Burnett, one of America's leading urologists and author of "The Manhood Rx," pulls back the curtain on men's sexual health and reveals why erectile dysfunction is far more than an embarrassing bedroom problem—it's often the first warning sign of serious cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other life-threatening conditions. Dr. Burnett dismantles the stigma surrounding men's sexual health, explaining how lifestyle choices, psychological factors, and underlying medical issues converge to impact male sexual function. From the overreliance on...
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Ep. 97 The Big Stepper: How Kwame Terra Walked 2 Million Steps to Revolutionize Black Health
Black Men Speak Podcast
In April 2025, Kwame Terra became known as when he set an unofficial world record by walking 2 million steps in 30 days—averaging 66,667 steps daily, or about 35 miles per day. This challenge was designed to raise awareness about health disparities in Black communities and raise $2 million to support the development of and related programs. Founded in 2021, is a platform dedicated to promoting healthy aging among Black Americans by offering medical, lifestyle, and social solutions.
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Ep. 96 Walter Mosley: National Book Award Winner on His Latest Mystery and Lifetime of Telling Our Stories
Black Men Speak Podcast
Legendary author Walter Mosley joins the podcast to discuss his latest Easy Rawlins mystery "Gray Dawn," the 17th installment in a series that has captivated readers for over three decades. We explore how Easy has evolved from post-war Los Angeles to present day, the moral complexities of his characters, and Mosley's unwavering commitment to telling stories that reflect the full humanity of Black men. From winning the National Book Award's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters to creating unforgettable detectives who navigate unjust systems, Mosley shares insights on his...
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Ep. 95 Beyond Survival: Trauma, and Healing The Cope and Chill Way.
Black Men Speak Podcast
In the episode, we discuss Black Male Trauma and how it can be reduced holistically with my guest Ron Martin. Ron Martin is the Founder and CEO of Cope and Chill. He is an Anxiety Relief and Mind-Body Balance Coach who helps high-functioning, healing people break free from anxious overthinking and finally feel safe in their own skin. Through his Inner Calm Mastery program, he guides them to calm their nervous system and rebuild inner safety through body-first practices—so they can show up in relationships with openness, confidence, and genuine connection.
info_outlineIn this episode, we sit down with Michael Thomas, the acclaimed novelist behind Man Gone Down and winner of the International Dublin Literary Award, to discuss his powerful memoir The Broken King.
In a raw and deeply personal conversation, Thomas reflects on fatherhood without the polish often found in parenting narratives, confronting the trauma, racism, and family history that shaped his upbringing in 1970s Boston and resurfaced as he tried to become a different kind of father to his own sons. Drawing inspiration from a line in Little Gidding, The Broken King explores the lives of the men who shaped him—his absent father, his estranged brother, his children, and ultimately himself—while reckoning with generational trauma, artistic struggle, and the difficult journey toward healing and self-understanding.
Michael Thomas is the author of the national bestseller Man Gone Down, winner of the International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award and a New York Times Top Ten Novel of the Year. His writing has appeared in A Public Space, the New Yorker, the New York Times, and in Ben George’s anthology The Book of Dads. He is a professor of English at Hunter College. He lives in Brooklyn.