Ep 11 - "Raising the Next Generation" Fatherhood, Mentorship & Building Boys Into Leaders

In this powerful episode of the Fathers Making Progress Podcast, host Terron Edwards sits down with Victor Barnett, founder of Running Rebels, and Lanelle Ramey, Executive Director of MENTOR Greater Milwaukee, for an honest conversation about mentorship, community leadership, fatherlessness, healing, collaboration, and what it takes to raise the next generation of leaders.From gang prevention and youth development to the importance of vulnerability, therapy, fatherhood, and saying “I love you,” this episode is packed with wisdom for fathers, mentors, coaches, educators, and anyone who wants to make a difference in a young person's life.Key TakeawaysEvery young person needs more than one mentor.You don't have to be perfect to mentor someone.The strongest leaders ask for help.Fatherlessness often creates hidden emotional wounds.Healing yourself is part of helping others.Collaboration beats competition in community work.Young people need adults who listen before they lecture.Every mentor needs support, accountability, and community.Saying "I love you" can change lives.No one succeeds alone.Key Moments:01:04 - Meet Milwaukee Mentorship Leaders01:52 - Who Is Linnell Rainey?02:34 - Who Is Victor Barnett?03:16 - Why Running Rebels Was Created04:08 - Growing Up During Civil Unrest04:26 - Keeping 50 Young Men Out of Gangs05:12 - How Mentoring Became Linnell’s Mission06:06 - Finding Purpose Through Youth Work06:27 - The Power of Family-Centered Mentorship07:15 - Building Leaders by Building Others07:49 - Why Running Rebels Feels Like Family08:42 - Terron’s Running Rebels Story10:22 - How Community Organizations Should Work Together11:25 - Why Every Young Person Belongs to the Village12:35 - Breaking Down Organizational Silos14:09 - How MENTOR Greater Milwaukee Works15:42 - Can Anyone Become a Mentor?16:42 - Everybody Has a Story Worth Sharing17:40 - What Young People Have Taught Them18:18 - The Hidden Pain Many Boys Carry19:03 - Why Today’s Youth Are So Resilient20:20 - The Danger of Judging Young People21:24 - Why Accountability Requires Compassion22:29 - Stop Trying to Know Everything23:35 - The Myth of the Self-Made Man24:34 - Trust Is Earned, Not Given25:35 - Facts or Cap: Mentorship Edition26:04 - Do Kids with Good Parents Need Mentors?26:52 - Do Mentors Need Mentors?27:10 - Who Supports the Helpers?28:17 - Trauma Comes in Many Forms29:43 - Why Mentors Must Heal Themselves30:16 - Do Young Men Still Listen to Elders?31:39 - The Love Blueprint Begins32:01 - The Support System Behind Great Leaders33:27 - Finding Purpose Through Community Work34:22 - How Fatherhood Shapes Mentorship35:18 - You Can’t Save Everyone36:06 - When Tough Love Becomes Necessary37:27 - Repairing Broken Relationships38:13 - Why Fathers Need to Apologize39:36 - The Power of Saying “I Love You”40:51 - Final Advice for Future Mentors41:32 - Milwaukee’s Future Depends on Collaboration42:12 - Why Every Child Needs a Village42:58 - Stay Present, Stay Positive & Keep Making ProgressIf this episode spoke to you, share it with another father, brother, or man who needs to hear this message because no matter where you are in life…You’re still making progress! Stay Connected: Facebook (Milwaukee Fatherhood Movement) Instagram (Fathers Making Progress)