Let's Talk Bruh

This week we were joined by Paris Hatcher, founder and director, of Black Feminist Future.  In today's episode we talked to Paris about Patriarchal Violence as a framework, what divesting from patriarchy or as Paris puts it, "breaking up with patriarchy" looks like for her and Paris gives us something to all think about when it comes to conversations and taking theory into practice.   Check this out: What is Patriarchal Violence? A Working Definition from the Abolishing Patriarchal Violence Innovation Lab Black Feminist Future - Our Vision Keep up with Black Feminist Future Follow BFF on IG, Twitter, and FB Jubilee: A Black Feminist Homecoming "I don't care about manhood..." - Yolo Akili   Join the LTB Book Club as we discuss All Boys Aren't Blue on 6/16: http://bit.ly/LTBBookClub   This year our theme is, "Divesting from Patriarchy" so here's how you can get involved and have your opinion heard on the show:       1. Record a 30 second message of what divesting from patriarchy means to you       2. Send yo

In this conversation with storyteller, father, and recovering rapper, Joél Leon, we cover a little bit of everything.  We talk about what divesting from patriarchy looks like for him including: being mindful of the ways his privilege shows up as his platform grows, the frustrations associated with trying to reach Black men, and how early childhood experiences with porn shaped our conceptions of sex and sexuality.  We're grateful to have had Joel share his vulnerability and gifts with us on today's show. Tune in now and let us know what you think.    Let's Talk about Sex - Written by Joél Leon   Join the LTB Book Club as we discuss Sugar in Our Wounds on 6/2: http://bit.ly/LTBBookClub   This year our theme is, "Divesting from Patriarchy" so here's how you can get involved and have your opinion heard on the show:       1. Record a 30 second message of what divesting from patriarchy means to you       2. Send your message to letstalkbruh@gmail.com OR call 708-320-3126 to leave a voicemail OR send us a voice text

This week we talked to Marvin Toliver of Melanated Social Work and we continued Mental Health Awareness Month with a conversation about Marvin's work, what radical therapy looks like and we get into our crying in therapy bag a little bit near the end, inspired by an instagram post from Marvin. Tap in and let us know what you think.   Join the LTB Book Club as we discuss My Grandmother's Hands on 5/19: http://bit.ly/LTBBookClub   This year our theme is, "Divesting from Patriarchy" so here's how you can get involved and have your opinion heard on the show:       1. Record a 30 second message of what divesting from patriarchy means to you       2. Send your message to letstalkbruh@gmail.com OR call 708-320-3126 to leave a voicemail OR send us a voice text via Instagram DM       3. Tune in to hear your clip on the show.       Let's Talk Bruh is hiring! We're looking for a Business Development Strategist. Apply here.     Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram   Join our Men's Facebook Group here: Let's

This week we connected with Yolo Akili, the founder of BEAM (Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective).  As May is Mental Health Awareness Month we talked to Yolo about all things mental health, but it didn't stop there.  We dug into the radical framework, Social Justice Informed Mental Health Literacy, BEAM uses in their work and why this framework is important to the work they do in our communities.  We also talk about Yolo, his story, and how he tries to live in alignment. Press play, tune in, and take out your notepad for this one. You don't wanna miss the gems Yolo was dropping.  Lastly, big thanks to Demarco for sharing with us how he divests from patriarchy.    Join the LTB Book Club as we discuss My Grandmother's Hands on 5/19: http://bit.ly/LTBBookClub   This year our theme is, "Divesting from Patriarchy" so here's how you can get involved and have your opinion heard on the show:       1. Record a 30 second message of what divesting from patriarchy means to you       2. Send your message to letst

This week on Let's Talk Bruh we linked up with Josh Odam aka Healing While Black. In today's show, Josh shares with us what his healing journey has looked like, how his divestment from patriarchy journey included a little tour as a hotep in training, and the number of services and programs he offers/supports with his platform. Tune in now.  Follow him on IG to keep up with his work: @HealingWhileBlack   Correction: In the show intro we incorrectly stated that Josh hosts the Sunday Survivor Series.  The Sunday Survivor Series is actually hosted by Jewel the Gem and Jewel the Gem productions.  Josh is one of the facilitators of the event.    Josh is also one of the co-hosts of the Bearded Black Men Reading to You Before Bed along with Rukus, Veronzo, Darien, and Theo.    For more information on the Sunday Survivor series hosted by Jewel the Gem follow Jewel on IG @jewel_thegem and follow @beardedblackmenread for info on their upcoming events.   Join the LTB Book Club: http://bit.ly/LTBBookClub   We're looking f

It's official. Let's Talk Bruh is back. Did ya miss us?     Resources from today's show:   Patriarchal Violence Framework - Black Feminist Future Understanding Patriarchy - bell hooks Undoing Patriarchy - A Syllabus   Join the LTB Book Club: http://bit.ly/LTBBookClub   We're looking for Black men / Black male socialized people in the DC area for an upcoming in person panel series.  Interested? Follow this link: http://bit.ly/LTBCastingCall   This year our theme is, "Divesting from Patriarchy" so here's how you can get involved and have your opinion heard on the show:       1. Record a 30 second message of what divesting from patriarchy means to you       2. Send your message to letstalkbruh@gmail.com OR call 708-320-3126 to leave a voicemail OR send us a voice text via Instagram DM       3. Tune in to hear your clip on the show.       Let's Talk Bruh is hiring! We're looking for a Business Development Strategist. Apply here.     Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram   Join our Men's Facebook

Let's Talk Bruh is FINALLY back and we want to hear from you! This year our theme is, "Divesting from Patriarchy" so here's how you can get involved and have your opinion heard on the show:   1. Record a 30 second message of what divesting from patriarchy means to you   2. Send your message to letstalkbruh@gmail.com OR call 708-320-3126 to leave a voicemail OR send us a voice text via Instagram DM   3. Tune in next month to hear your clip on the show!     Let's Talk Bruh is hiring! We're looking for a Business Development Strategist. Apply here. Join the Let's Talk Bruh Book Club. Register here.  Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram Join our Men's group on Facebook: Let's Talk Bruh Facebook Group Subscribe to the Let's Talk Bruh YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsa2wXlKMWlpAER8v16zXZw

Not goodbye, just see ya later.   Resources from today's show:   Tricia Hersey on Rest as Resistance / 185 - For the Wild Podcast Undoing Patriarchy - A Syllabus relinquishing the patriarchy -  adrienne maree brown   Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic?   Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at letstalkbruh@gmail.com and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode.   Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram   Join our Men's Facebook Group here: Let's Talk Bruh Facebook Group   Subscribe to the Let's Talk Bruh YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsa2wXlKMWlpAER8v16zXZw

Black men, we are failing Black women.   RIP Oluwatoyin Salau J. Cole is perfect example of fragile masculinity in the presence of an intelligent Black woman  Dave Chappelle, please stop erasing Black women.  This week's resources:   Black man organizing or leading spaces to unlearn patriarchal violence and misogyny. - Thread by @awkward_duck The Safe Black Girls Checklist - @BlackAmazon   Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic?   Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at letstalkbruh@gmail.com and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode.   Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram   Join our Men's Facebook Group here: Let's Talk Bruh Facebook Group   Subscribe to the Let's Talk Bruh YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsa2wXlKMWlpAER8v16zXZw

During this time of lockdown, a lot of creativity can be possible.  Maybe you're on the verge of starting a new project or maybe you just have an idea. Let's dive into the creative process and how imagination can be used for healing with artist and photographer Expressions Untold.   And as it's important to talk about the creative process and knowing when you have a good idea, it's also important to acknowledge how terrifying it can be to release your creative project to the world. As Erykah once said, "Now keep in mind that I'm an artist and I'm sensitive about my shit."  Sharing our work is a very vulnerable moment especially when our work is tied to who we are.     Throughout our discussion we talked about the importance of identifying our purpose. The reason we do what we do and how our "why" keeps us grounded through all the vulnerability of releasing a project to the world. Creating can be a very vulnerable experience but it can be equally healing as our work has the power to heal us but also others in

We Real Cool by Gwendolyn Brooks We real cool. We Left school. We   Lurk late. We Strike straight. We   Sing sin. We Thin gin. We   Jazz June. We    Die soon.   “What’s cooler than being cool?” - Andre 3000   What does it mean to be cool? What does it mean to be you? They say the Black man is the coolest man on the planet. But how can we go from real cool to just real? What makes us enough? This episode we dive into a conversation on what's cool and Black manhood with Jason Rosario. We talk about about our "cool" heroes and interrogate if we still think they're cool or not.   This episode is heavily inspired by bell hook's book entitled, "we real cool" which shares the same name as the Gwendolyn Brooks poem. In "we real cool" bell suggests that real cool is...”defined by black males daring to self define rather than being defined by others.” Do you agree?   We also talk about how because of how Black men are positioned in media, is that level of coolness possible for all of us? Is cool available for just anyo

Quarantine got you looking like RGIII? Say no more. We'll talk about haircare and how to maintain your shape up right now with some quick and easy tips in this virtual tutorial provided by Eric "KleanKut" Dixon. He's a barber that also specializes in providing mental health services for his clients.       Watch this episode on our youtube channel: Quarantine Kuts with Eric "KleanKut" Dixon [Discussion + Virtual Shape Up Workshop]       Keep up with Eric by following him on IG and Facebook       Register to our virtual support group:   Creating Freedom in Confinement [Virtual Support Group - Black Men Only] w/ Jarrick the Floating Yogi - 5/28 @ 6PM EST   Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic?    Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at letstalkbruh@gmail.com and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode.    Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram   Join our Men's

Writing and journaling can be a very healing, therapeutic, and self-reflective process, but sometimes it's hard just staring at 2 blank pieces of paper in your notebook. We'll get you started with Howard University English professor Kyr Mack in this masculinity and manhood journaling discussion + workshop.   This week's show is a journaling workshop and throughout the episode we talk about the power of writing down our thoughts and processing our feelings through the exercise of journaling. What's the story you tell yourself about your life? Through journaling we're able to reflect on the past, meditate on the current, and create the future.    We discuss the following prompts: What are three major emotions that you’re carrying right now? What’s one thought that has been getting the best of you lately? How has it been influencing your behavior? What are some of the earliest messages you can recall receiving about masculinity? Who were/are some of the key influences in your understanding of masculinity? How d

If you're experiencing bouts of exhaustion, despair, stress, or anxiety during this pandemic you are not alone. We got you. We talk about maintaining mental health and self care during this pandemic with friend of the show Dr. Justin Hopkins.   In this week's show we discuss how to address the uncertainty of living during this pandemic.  The anxiety that arises due to the fear of contracting COVID 19, navigating an uncertain job market and the strain of less physical connection with the ones we love.     As men, we're groomed to always be in control, but right now that's simply not an option. That's something to be conscious of.  So we also discuss the importance of addressing our anxieties, fears, and feelings by being mindful about what our thoughts and body is telling us.  That and a little self care can go a long way.   Register to our Live Shows!   I Put My Lifetime In Between The Paper's Line's [Discussion + Intro to Journaling Workshop] w/ Kyr Mack - 5/14 @ 7PM EST Quarantine Kuts with Eric "KleanK

The Let's Talk Bruh Virtual Live Show is coming to a screen near you.  We’re switching it up this month with something a bit different...starting next week on Monday the 11th, yall can now join us for a few Zoom Live Shows and Workshops! Register Today: Can I Live: A Discussion on Mental Health w/ Dr. Justin Hopkins - 5/11 @ 7PM EST I Put My Lifetime In Between The Paper's Line's [Discussion + Intro to Journaling Workshop] w/ Kyr Mack - 5/14 @ 7PM EST Quarantine Kuts with Eric "KleanKut" Dixon [Discussion + Virtual Shape Up Workshop] - 5/18 @ 7PM EST From We Real Cool to We Just Real w/ Jason Rosario - 5/21 @ 7PM EST Creativity, Imagination, & Mental Health w/ Expressions Untold - 5/26 @ 7PM EST Creating Freedom in Confinement [Virtual Support Group - Black Men Only] w/ Jarrick the Floating Yogi - 5/28 @ 6PM EST Turn ya camera on (but leave ya mics on mute lol) as we as dive into the following topics & interactive workshops. We'll have some Q&A at the end of each episode so we can all

A few weeks ago (what is time at this point?) we did a series of Instagram Lives with friends of the podcast.  Today's episode is the audio from our conversation with Nalo. Nalo is a friend of the show who first appeared on LTB back in August of 2019.  We talked about everything from masculinity, the importance of asking questions and creating space for curiosity, allow folks to create themselves and her new podcast Black Water Rebellion (link below).  If there's one thing you should know about Nalo is that she's someone that will make you think. Listen with an open mind.  Follow Nalo on Instagram. Follow Black Girl Masculine on Instagram. Resources for you: Black Water Rebellion Podcast Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic?  Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at letstalkbruh@gmail.com and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode.  Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter &

"Yo, Am I Wildin?" This week's episode I catch up with Ben and Sam of Black Man Feel. Black Men Feel is a monthly support group in New York City for Black men.  In our discussion with Ben and Sam they both shared their individual stories leading to the foundation of Black Men Feel. We also talked about the challenge of creating a safe space for ALL Black men and what accountability looks like within their space.   Near the end of our conversation we dive into some things we've been doing to stay sane during Coronavirus social distancing.   Follow Black Men Feel on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook Resources for you: Black Men Feel Therapy Resource Page 17 Positive Affirmations for Men of Color Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic?  Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at letstalkbruh@gmail.com and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode.  Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter &

"We gotta re-imagine the way mental health is being done You gotta reach people where they're at. You gotta be personal." This is one the lines that stuck out during this episode.  I spoke to Lorenzo Lewis, founder of The Confess Project.  In our discussion, he talked about the importance of imagination and creativity when it comes to mental health services.  In order to reach our people we have to think outside the box. And Lorenzo is someone who knows from experience.  He spent 10 years working in the mental health before founding The Confess Project so he knows what he's talking about.   We also dive into what the Confess Project is, their work in barbershops, keeping folks accountable in the barbershop and their national State of Mind Tour with Gillette. Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic?  Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at letstalkbruh@gmail.com and we'll read and respond to your em

Someone you should know: Courtney Brame. He's the founder of the platform Something Positive for Positive People.  He's also open about his experience living with Herpes. So we dive in and talk about why herpes is still the butt of the all the jokes, what he felt after receiving his diagnosis, what successful disclosure looks like and the work he does to remove the stigma around STIs. Tune in now. Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic?  Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at letstalkbruh@gmail.com and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode.  Resources for you: Free std testing near me Vivent Health Follow Courtney on IG and Twitter Check out Something Positive for Positive People. Follow Let's Talk Bruh on Twitter & Instagram Join our Men's Facebook Group here: Let's Talk Bruh Facebook Group Subscribe to the Let's Talk Bruh YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/cha

This week we were joined by Lex Numan, the host of Numan Talks.  We discuss his platform and what it means to be "Trans Attracted".  He breaks down why it's important to distinguish between attraction and fetish.  Lex Numan is someone you should know because his platform creates a space for Black men to discuss sexuality and attraction in a way that doesn't put the emotional labor on Trans women. In our episode he also discusses how he came to realize his attraction to Trans women.  Tune in now.  Follow Lex Numan on IG on Twitter  Subscribe to the Numan Show on Youtube Do you have any questions for us? Did you learn something during today's episode? Did you change your mind about a particular topic?  Let us us know. Email us your questions/comments/feedback at letstalkbruh@gmail.com and we'll read and respond to your email on an upcoming episode.  For another take on the phrase trans attracted check out this article: Op-Ed: The Problem With Identifying As 'Trans Attracted' - Out.com Follow Let's Talk Bruh