Who showed up for you when they didn’t have to? We dive into what real mentorship looks like, why it’s essential—not optional—for young people, and how to close the access gap that leaves many boys of color without consistent guidance. Drawing from research and lived experience, we unpack the difference between lecturing and translating life, and why presence beats perfection every time.

We get specific about the mentor gap: nearly one in three young people in the U.S. lack a mentor outside their family, and the deficit hits Black and Latino youth hardest. We talk through what mentors actually do—listen more than talk, tell the truth with compassion, model emotional regulation, and set healthy boundaries. Then we offer five practical anchors for new mentors: lead with presence, learn before you lead, don’t rush outcomes, affirm effort over achievement, and know when to refer. These aren’t theories; they’re habits that build trust and protect both mentor and mentee.

You’ll also hear personal stories that bring the principles to life—from entrepreneurship programs and mini-bikes to outdoor adventures and spiritual formation—showing how a steady adult expands a young person’s map of possibility. We spotlight on-ramps like Big Brothers Big Sisters, My Brother’s Keeper, Boys & Girls Clubs, the YMCA, and local faith or school-based groups so you can plug in with confidence.

If someone poured into you, say thank you today. Then pay it forward by becoming the mentor you once needed. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who’d make a great mentor, and leave a review with your “so what” takeaway—we’d love to hear what lesson from a mentor stuck with you.

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It starts in Kansas City—with two young brothers, a bold idea, a prayer for help, and a supervisor who saw leadership and potential in two young Black men.

Her name is Lyde “Miss D” Doston. Ninety-one years young. Still ready to help others in need. In this episode, we honor her legacy of service, community leadership, and the faith that anchored her life.

She gave us one non-negotiable: stay in school.

That wasn’t just about degrees. It was about direction. That single condition anchored a path of service. What began as a job became a relationship—one that grew from employee into something more profound; it became sonship.

We invite you to listen to a conversation between two generations—reminiscing, receiving nuggets of wisdom, and offering a tribute to a dear friend who turned 91 years old on December 27, 2025.

If this episode stirred something in you, share it with the person who believed in you first. Follow the conversation. Leave a review with the best advice your mentor ever gave you.

Because your story might be the spark someone else needs to keep going.

The conversations that should’ve been recorded finally are. We opened the vault on decades of late-night calls—two brothers in two cities—turning private truth into a public space where men can breathe, speak, and be seen without judgment. From the first minute, we ground the show in an origin story of chosen family, spiritual kinship, and a thirty-year habit of checking in that kept our bond strong across state lines.

We set the mission with clarity: build a podcast for men, especially Black men, to process life without the mask. Real talk isn’t a slogan here—it’s a standard. We break down our R.E.A. L. framework—Responsible, Empower, Authentic, Loving—as the compass for every topic we’ll tackle. Responsibility means owning our choices and showing up for family and community. Empower is purpose over ego, leading with conviction. Authentic is showing up flawed and faithful. Loving is strength through compassion and connection. Along the way, we lean into accountability—the iron-sharpens-iron kind that calls a brother higher while standing beside him.

The conversation expands into the season ahead: faith, fatherhood, mental health, financial literacy, brotherhood, money, legacy, purpose, and transformation. We name the quiet battles men face and offer a lens we call healing the hustle—addressing burnout, pressure, and the myth that strength means silence. Our promise is to sustain this work, not just start it, and bring in fathers, leaders, unsung sheroes, and everyday builders who model growth in real time. The heartbeat is simple and bold: stop hiding behind strength and start living in truth.

If you value honest talk that transforms and a community that keeps showing up, hit follow, share this with a brother who needs it, and leave a review so more men can find the space to heal and grow with us.