Ep. 61 When Life Gives You Lemons Make The Best Dirty Lemonade
Release Date: 07/30/2023
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.
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Ep. 94. The Rebuilders - How Katrina forged a New Generation of Entrepreneurs (Pinnacle of Color Series)
Black Men Speak Podcast
For the 20-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, we only focused on the broken levees and the broken lives as a result. What about the triumphs? In this episode, we will a new generation of dreamers, doers, and builders who refused to be defined by tragedy. Born and raised in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward, Spencer Davis is a proud native New Orleanian and graduate of the University of New Orleans, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Over the past two decades, he has led large-scale federal and infrastructure programs across the U.S., managing billions in capital...
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Ep. 93 Building What Didn’t Exist: The Legacy of Black Utopian Communities
Black Men Speak Podcast
Aaron Robertson who is a writer and translator from Italian. His nonfiction debut, The Black Utopians: Searching for Paradise and the Promised Land in America (FSG, 2024), was a finalist for the 2024 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for History and the 2025 Zora Award for Nonfiction. It was also named a best book of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, TIME, and elsewhere. His translation of Beyond Babylon by Igiaba Scego was shortlisted for the 2020 PEN Translation Prize and the National Translation Award. A recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts grant, he...
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Ep. 92 Breaking Generational Barriers: Rewriting the Narrative of Black Male Success
Black Men Speak Podcast
In our first Pinnacle of Color Series, I will be speaking with Al-Shakise Anderson, CEO of BWS Massage Concierge and Financial Services Leader. Too often, the story of Black male success has been limited, overlooked, or defined by others. In this episode of Black Men Speak, we tackle what it really means to break generational barriers — and how Black men are rewriting the playbook on wealth, leadership, and legacy. In our conversation, Al and I dive into the patterns we’ve had to unlearn, the challenges of being “the first” or “the only,” and the role entrepreneurship plays in...
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Ep. 91 From Resilience to Reform - Advancing Health Equity for Black Men
Black Men Speak Podcast
In this episode, we will talk with , a health policy executive, government relations leader, and scholar-activist whose work sits at the intersection of public health, advocacy, and equity. He is the author of his second forthcoming book which lays out a bold roadmap to improve health outcomes, strengthen families, and transform systems of care.
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Ep. 90 - ASCEND: "Truth. Transformation. The journey to your higher self."
Black Men Speak Podcast
In this episode, we speak with Kamal Ben Ali—author, legacy entrepreneur, and founder of the ASCEND movement. Kamal is the son of the founders of Ben’s Chili Bowl, the legendary D.C. landmark that’s nourished bodies and built community for more than six decades. After four decades of leadership in the family business, Kamal has written a transformational guide for a new kind of nourishment—ASCEND: The Black Man’s Guide to Elevation, Success, and Purpose. launching July 25, 2025. This book dives deep into the challenges, breakthroughs, and mindsets that shape our journey. From...
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Ep. 89 Legacy in Every Wire - The Impact of Spurlock and Son
Black Men Speak Podcast
In this episode, we talk with Terrell Spurlock Sr. and Terrell Spurlock Jr. of Founded in 1998, Spurlock & Son Inc. is a leading electrical contracting firm in Chicago, IL. We will discuss the firm's commitment to service, community, and inspiring future generations.
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Ep. 88 How Do We Fix The Job Crisis For Black Men? It's Much Worse Than We Realize.?
Black Men Speak Podcast
In this episode, we will discuss the low rate of employment in , especially Black Men. One of the three major labor market challenges facing this population and on using subsidized employment as a tool to address this problem. has conducted research and writing on issues of race and racial inequality for over 20 years. Austin has a PhD in sociology from Northwestern University, and he taught sociology as a faculty member at Wesleyan University. He has held positions at the Economic Policy Institute, the Center for Global Policy Solutions, Dēmos, and the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He has...
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Ep. 87 A Peculiar Legacy - Book Discussion with author Rashid Darden
Black Men Speak Podcast
In this episode, we will discuss "A Peculiar Legacy" with novelist Rashid Darden. A Peculiar Legacy is part contemporary fiction and historical fiction. It's the story of a Black community in the District of Columbia called Slope that gathers in silence every Sunday, without the presence of a Pastor, in silent prayer, with occasional vocal ministry from among themselves. Rashid Darden is an award-winning, best-selling novelist of the urban LGBT experience, a seasoned leader of Black fraternal movements and nonprofit organizations, and a professional educator in alternative schools. He is local...
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