Cover of Tapped in with Tom Flies

Tapped in with Tom Flies

Tapped in with Tom Flies

By: Steven Michael
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The industry is loud, but only a few are truly Tapped In.

Hosted by Tom Flies, Tapped In is a raw, unfiltered deep dive into the business, the culture, and the personalities moving the needle in Philadelphia and beyond. From the behind-the-scenes realities of podcasting networks and the legendary Don’t Call Me White Girl era to the evolution of the independent music scene, Tom brings on the city's most influential creators to discuss ownership, legacy, and the grind it takes to reach the top.

This isn't just a talk show—it's the blueprint. Every week, we sit down with industry staples, rising artists, and cultural innovators to pull back the curtain on the "inner workings" of the game.

If you’re looking for the real stories behind the headlines and the street-level hustle that fuels high-level success, you're in the right place.

© 2026 Tapped in with Tom Flies Music Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Tapped In With Tom Flies Episode 9: Trust Issues, Toxic Stories & Going Through Phones

    Tapped In With Tom Flies Episode 9: Trust Issues, Toxic Stories & Going Through Phones
    14 Jul 2026

    On Episode 9 of Tapped In With Tom Flies, the crew dives into one of the internet's biggest relationship debates following the Big Tigger situation and asks: is going through your partner's phone ever justified?

    From trust issues and relationship boundaries to wild personal stories, the conversation takes plenty of unexpected turns. We also get into Ray J's viral story, double standards, and the craziest things we've done in relationships.

    As always, it's a room full of honest opinions, laughs, and conversations that probably shouldn't happen, but we're glad they did.

    In this episode, we dive into:

    • The Big Tigger Debate: Was the viral situation blown out of proportion, and where do we draw the line between protecting your privacy and demanding answers?
    • Going Through Phones: Is checking your partner's phone ever justified? The crew shares personal stories, hot takes, and plenty of questionable decisions.
    • Crazy Relationship Confessions: From pulling up unannounced to following exes and catching people in the act, everyone admits the wildest thing they've done for love.
    • Trust, Red Flags & Double Standards: We unpack relationship boundaries, cheating, jealousy, and why men and women often see the same situations differently.
    • Ray J's Viral Story: An honest conversation about attraction, honesty, and navigating uncomfortable situations in today's dating world.
    • Real Talk on Accountability: The episode closes with a conversation about domestic violence, toxic behavior, and why accountability should apply to everyone.

    From hilarious stories to serious conversations, Episode 9 is packed with laughs, debates, and moments that'll have you arguing with the crew from start to finish.

    Drop a comment below: Is going through your partner's phone ever justified, or is that an automatic deal breaker? Let us know where you stand.

    Episode Chapters

    00:00 – Welcome Back & Introducing the Crew
    Tom Flies welcomes everyone back, shouts out the previous episode, and introduces the guests for another unfiltered conversation.

    02:05 – Mental Health Check & What's New
    The crew checks in with each other, talks about life lately, getting money, and setting the tone for the episode.

    03:40 – Can Friends Borrow Money?
    A conversation about lending money to friends turns into a debate about trust, boundaries, and who's actually getting paid back.

    07:05 – The Big Tigger Situation
    Breaking down the viral Big Tigger incident and whether the headlines matched what was shown in the video.

    08:35 – Is Taking Your Partner's Phone Ever Justified?
    The room debates privacy, trust, and whether grabbing someone's phone crosses the line in a relationship.

    13:00 – Going Through Phones & Finding Receipts
    Everyone shares their experiences snooping through phones, searching messages, and discovering things they probably wish they hadn't.

    20:40 – The Craziest Things We've Done for Love
    From following partners to surprise pop-ups, the crew admits the lengths they've gone to in relationships.

    25:00 – Cheating, Hidden Clues & Relationship Red Flags
    Stories about finding suspicious items, catching partners slipping, and the subtle ways people expose themselves.

    31:00 – Ray J's Viral Story & Honest Conversations
    The panel reacts to Ray J's viral interview and discusses honesty, attraction, and uncomfortable relationship conversations.

    37:00 – Embarrassing Stories & Telling Your Friends
    How long do you keep an embarrassing relationship story to yourself before the group chat finds out?

    40:00 – Men Can Be Victims Too
    The conversation shifts to domestic violence, accountability, and why abuse against men deserves to be taken seriously.

    46:30 – Toxic Traits We Know We Have
    The crew reflects on their own relationship habits, self-awareness, and whether people really change.

    52:00 – Final Thoughts & Wrapping Up
    One last round of laughs before closing out another episode of Tapped In With Tom Flies.

    Support the show

    #TappedinwithTomFlies #BlackCloverStudios #TomFlies
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    1 hr and 24 min
  • Time Flies Ep. 8: Flipping the Script | From Street Life to Strategic Genius with Manny 215

    Time Flies Ep. 8: Flipping the Script | From Street Life to Strategic Genius with Manny 215
    9 Jul 2026
    Welcome back to another episode of Time Flies! This week, the full crew is reuniting on the couch, and the energy is unmatched as they welcome a powerhouse guest: entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and community leader Manny 215.The group kicks things off with a nostalgic dive into the latest in black culture, including reactions to the 2025 BET Awards and the legendary impact of Bow Wow vs. Rick Ross in a massive cultural icon debate. Things take a deeper, insightful turn as Manny 215 shares his profound journey of leaving the street life behind to fully embrace his intellect and build an empire.In this episode, we dive deep into:Rewriting the Narrative: Manny discusses his viral local job fair and how he's debunking the myth that the youth don't want to work.The "What I Wish I Knew" Foundation: A breakdown of his groundbreaking 5-step curriculum designed to turn youth skills into productive, long-term careers.The Blueprint of Success: Why our culture needs to transition from "acquiring wealth" to "producing value and opportunities" to achieve true longevity.Real Talk on Relationships & Pride: Why opening up to your true circle is crucial, why "prevention is the first step of protection," and how true friends show up when the cameras stop rolling.Philly Culture Check: A blunt conversation regarding the local music landscape and whether legendary freestyle artists have earned their spots on the city's biggest stages.Manny leaves the couch with some incredible wisdom on vulnerability and breaking the cycle of poverty. You don't want to miss a single second of this masterclass in mindset!Drop a comment below: Do you agree with the crew's take on the Rick Ross vs. Bow Wow debate? Let us know what you think!📌 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss a weekly drop from the Time Flies crew!Episode Chapters00:00 – Welcome Back & Crew Catch-Up The crew reunites, works on Bang's posture, and catches up on vacations. 03:00 – Weekend Recap & Black Culture Discussing new jobs, the Philadelphia boxing scene, and the 2025 BET Awards. 06:10 – The R&B Battle: B2K vs. Pretty Ricky A nostalgic debate over who made better music and dominated the Limewire era. 07:40 – Cultural Icon Debate: Bow Wow vs. Rick Ross The crew debates who has the bigger all-time legacy across music, movies, and culture. 11:15 – Welcoming Manny 215 & The Viral Job Fair Introducing Manny 215, who breaks down how 400+ youth showed up in a heatwave looking for work. 13:30 – Embracing the Intellect & Leaving the Streets Manny shares his journey of transitioning away from street life and stepping into his intelligence. 21:50 – Big Stages & The Eagles Field Experience Reflecting on major milestones, dealing with massive business losses, and standing on the Lincoln Financial Field with his son. 24:20 – The "Fuck the Streets" Campaign Advocating for a mindset shift and setting an example for the next generation of men. 26:50 – The Entrepreneur Mindset: Eat What You Kill Why true entrepreneurs build value and put the work in before expecting a dollar. 29:45 – Keeping Track of Your Own Score A hilarious middle school basketball story that highlights the importance of measuring your own success. 33:45 – The Vetting Process & Like-Minded Partnerships Manny explains how he protects his circle, handles seasonal friendships, and the breakdown of Jay-Z and Dame Dash. 37:30 – Birthday Politics & Instagram Frivolity The crew laughs over why people get offended by birthday posts (or lack thereof) on social media. 40:40 – Reassessing Success: Acquiring vs. Producing A deep dive into why the culture needs to move away from just stacking cash and focus on hiring and building enterprises. 44:20 – The "What I Wish I Knew" Foundation Blueprint Breaking down Manny's 5-step curriculum to identify youth skills and redirect "class clowns" into corporate success. 49:20 – The Power of Silence & Self-Education How to effectively use a 365-day reset to learn marketing, branding, and escape street cycles. 54:30 – The Reality of Protection & Prevention Redefining what it actually means to protect and provide as a man in the community. 01:01:15 – The Lifespan of Black Businesses & Leadership Analyzing why many small businesses fail within 5 years and prioritizing professional scaling over luxury items. 01:04:45 – Mentorship & Learning the Corporate Language Manny credits the younger mentors who taught him the vocabulary to land corporate contracts. 01:09:00 – Navigating Favors & Putting Your Name on Quality How to politely decline sub-par requests from friends to protect your personal brand. 01:13:00 – The Reading Journey & Honoring Legacy How a powerful prison reality check and the legacy of late Philly figure Kamara Rod sparked Manny’s love for reading. 01:18:00 – What True Success Looks Like At Home Manny names his biggest life accomplishment: teaching his kids what poverty is ...
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    1 hr and 32 min
  • Tapped In with Tom Flies - Ep. 7: Gatekeepers, Grief, Knicks Championship & Philly's Music Future

    Tapped In with Tom Flies - Ep. 7: Gatekeepers, Grief, Knicks Championship & Philly's Music Future
    23 Jun 2026
    In Episode 7 of Tapped In with Tom Flies, Tom and Bang return to the studio for one of their most honest conversations yet.The episode opens with reflections on the tragic passing of legendary producer Tay Keith, leading into a deeper discussion about grief, trauma, fatherhood, and how growing up in Philadelphia can shape the way people view life and loss.The guys also show love to Tierra Whack and discuss the importance of community, collaboration, and supporting artists who continue to push the culture forward.Later, Tom and Bang tackle gatekeeping in media and entertainment, debating who gets to control opportunities, why new voices deserve a chance, and how power can sometimes become a barrier to growth.They also break down the New York Knicks' championship run, Jalen Brunson's legacy, and the changing landscape of the NBA before closing with a passionate conversation about Philly's music scene, drill music, artist development, marketing, and what it really takes to build a lasting career.If you're an artist, creator, entrepreneur, or anyone chasing a dream, this episode is packed with gems.Make sure to like, comment, and stay Tapped In! ⏱️ Chapter Guide 00:00 - 02:12 | Welcome Back, Full Production & Remembering Tay KeithTom and Bang reunite with the full crew back in the studio before taking a moment to reflect on the tragic passing of legendary producer Tay Keith, discussing his impact on music and the reality of losing influential figures too young.02:13 - 06:29 | Death, Trauma & Appreciating LifeThe conversation turns personal as the guys discuss becoming desensitized to loss, how life experiences shape perspective, and why moments of tragedy often force people to appreciate life more deeply.06:30 - 10:50 | Knowing Your Neighbors & Growing Up DifferentA discussion about community, neighborhood culture, and how modern life has changed the way people interact with those around them compared to previous generations.10:51 - 14:35 | Fatherhood, Trauma & Lessons That Never Leave YouTom opens up about how becoming a father changed his outlook on life, while both hosts reflect on growing up in Philadelphia and carrying survival instincts long after leaving those environments.14:36 - 18:58 | Tierra Whack's Listening Party & Philly's Creative EnergyBang shares his experience at Tierra Whack's latest listening event, leading into a conversation about collaboration, creative spaces, and why Philadelphia's culture feels energized again.18:59 - 24:40 | Why Tierra Whack Deserves More FlowersThe crew gives flowers to Tierra Whack, discussing her artistry, support for fellow creatives, and the role she's played in uplifting Philadelphia's creative community.24:41 - 31:10 | Gatekeeping vs. Regulation: Who Gets to Decide?Tom and Bang debate whether gatekeeping serves a purpose in entertainment, discussing power, influence, opportunity, and why some people struggle to pass the torch to the next generation.31:11 - 36:42 | Fame, Ego & The Fear of Letting GoThe conversation expands into how power and recognition can become addictive, why some influential figures refuse to move aside, and the importance of creating opportunities for new voices.36:43 - 42:18 | Media Evolution, Streamers & Industry GatekeepersUsing examples from podcasting and journalism, the guys discuss how media continues to evolve, why traditional voices often clash with emerging creators, and the challenges of adapting to change.42:19 - 46:58 | Blocking Critics, Taking Feedback & Staying AuthenticA conversation about criticism, public perception, and why being open to opposing viewpoints is essential for anyone operating in media or entertainment.46:59 - 52:45 | The Knicks Win It All & New York Goes CrazyThe mood shifts to sports as Tom and Bang react to the New York Knicks winning a championship, the city's celebrations, and what the moment means for New York basketball fans.52:46 - 57:22 | Does Spike Lee Deserve a Championship Ring?A spirited debate breaks out over whether Spike Lee deserves an honorary championship ring after decades of supporting the Knicks through every high and low.57:23 - 01:02:48 | NBA Offseason Predictions & Giannis RumorsThe guys discuss potential NBA offseason moves, Giannis trade rumors, the future of several contenders, and which teams could dominate next season.01:02:49 - 01:09:14 | The State of Philadelphia Music in 2026The conversation shifts back to the city, examining where Philadelphia's music scene currently stands and what artists need to do to build sustainable careers.01:09:15 - 01:15:52 | Skrilla, Artist Development & The Next WaveTom and Bang discuss Skrilla's rise, what separates breakout artists from everyone else, and why building a complete brand matters just as much as making music.01:15:53 - 01:22:36 | Did Drill Music Really Help Philadelphia?The hosts reflect on the impact of Philadelphia's drill era, debating whether it created lasting opportunities or simply generated temporary attention.01:...
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    53 min
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