Getting Back Up Podcast: Finding Life After Death

Send us Fan MailEpisode 38: When Your Child Has an Emergency — Why It Hits Different After LossThere’s a moment every parent dreads—the call you weren’t expecting… the one that makes your heart drop before you even have the full story. In this episode, Jamal and David open up about their first real “emergency” moments with their daughters—times when they weren’t there, couldn’t get there fast enough, and had to sit in the space between fear and truth. From a kitchen fire scare to a child passing out in public, they unpack what it feels like to face that helplessness—and how quickly your mind jumps to the worst-case scenario.But for widowed parents, those moments hit differently. An emergency doesn’t just bring fear—it can reopen the emotional memory of the moment you first lost your spouse. The same helplessness. The same urgency. The same need to get there now. Jamal and David reflect on how these experiences resurface old trauma, the weight of being the only parent in the moment, and the quiet pressure of knowing everything now falls on you.This conversation also moves into preparation—how to teach kids awareness without fear, how to navigate public safety, and how to handle those moments when you simply can’t get to them right away. Because sometimes the lesson isn’t just in what happened… it’s in what it made you feel again—and how you respond moving forward.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Getting knocked down is part of life. Getting back up is how we live. Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Marlon JacksonMusic: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailEpisode 37: When Life Hits Again - Unemployed after lossWhat happens when life knocks you down… again?In this episode, Jamal and David step into something raw and unfiltered. Just weeks after being laid off, Jamal shares what it feels like to take another hit—after already navigating the loss of a spouse and rebuilding life once before. This isn’t a reflection episode. This is real time.There are no polished answers here—just honest conversation about identity, pressure, fatherhood, and the quiet weight of starting over when you thought you were already back on your feet. They talk about what grief taught them that still applies, what feels different this time, and what “getting back up” actually looks like when you don’t have clarity—only responsibility.If you’re in a season where life feels uncertain, heavy, or unfinished… this episode meets you right there.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Getting knocked down is part of life. Getting back up is how we live. Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Marlon JacksonMusic: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailEpisode 36: Finding Passion & Purpose AgainThere comes a moment in the journey where survival isn’t the question anymore… it’s now what?In this episode, Jamal and David dive into one of the hardest transitions after loss—moving from just getting through the day to actually building a life again. They explore what it means to rediscover purpose when the life you once knew no longer exists, and why so many widowers and widows feel stuck between honoring the past and wanting more from the future.Through personal reflection and real talk, they unpack how purpose doesn’t disappear—it gets disrupted. From finding small sparks of passion to rebuilding identity through action, community, and discipline, this episode offers a grounded path forward. If you’ve been asking yourself who you are now and what comes next… this conversation is for you.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Marlon JacksonMusic: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailEpisode 35: In-Laws or Out-Laws? — Dealing with Their Family After You Move OnMoving forward after loss isn’t just about you—it can shift every relationship connected to your past. In this episode, Jamal and David tackle one of the most complicated dynamics widowers face: navigating relationships with in-laws while building a new life.They share their personal experiences—from deep bonds that continue to grow, to relationships that have changed or become more distant—and unpack the emotional reality behind it all. Why does moving forward sometimes feel like betrayal? Why can new relationships trigger tension? And how do you honor your late spouse while still choosing happiness?This conversation dives into boundaries, family expectations, loyalty tests, and the quiet pressure that can come through children and new beginnings. Whether relationships with in-laws strengthen, shift, or fade, Jamal and David remind listeners that healing isn’t a group decision—it’s personal. And moving forward doesn’t erase the past… it means you’re still choosing to live.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Marlon JacksonMusic: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailEpisode 34: Bitter Sweet Sixteens — Navigating  Fatherhood Through MilestonesTurning sixteen is supposed to be a celebration — a moment where parents look at their daughters and realize childhood is slowly giving way to adulthood. But for widower fathers, milestones like a Sweet Sixteen can carry a different emotional weight.In this episode, Jamal and David reflect on their daughters’ sixteenth birthdays and the bittersweet mix of pride, preparation, and grief that comes with it. They share how they planned the celebrations, who helped make those moments special, and the quiet questions many widower dads ask themselves: Am I doing this right? Am I enough for her without her mom?From candle-lighting ceremonies to family gatherings and private reflections, this conversation explores how fathers honor the mothers who should be there, while guiding their daughters into the next chapter of life. It’s about showing up, building a circle of support, and recognizing that sometimes the most powerful thing a dad can offer isn’t perfection — it’s presence.  Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Marlon JacksonMusic: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailEpisode 33: Am I Depressed… or Am I Grieving?In this episode, Jamal and David take on a question many widowers wrestle with quietly: Am I depressed… or am I grieving? It’s a question that usually shows up late at night, in the quiet moments when the distractions fade and the weight of loss feels hardest to understand.Together, they unpack what grief often looks like in men — exhaustion, irritability, numbness, brain fog, and the pressure to keep functioning even when something inside feels off. They also explore the important differences between grief and depression, how the two can overlap, and why asking for help isn’t a sign that grief “failed.” It’s a sign you’re paying attention. This episode is an honest conversation about emotional limits, faith, strength, and why you’re not broken for feeling the way you do.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Marlon JacksonMusic: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailEpisode 32: Telling the Story With Heart — A Conversation with Dr. Nicole Clark In this episode, Jamal and David sit down with Dr. Nicole Clark, Emmy award-winning anchor and reporter for Spectrum News Texas — but before the newsroom, before the camera, there was nearly two decades in psychology.Nicole opens up about how her background as a Ph.D.-level psychotherapist shapes the way she tells stories today — especially the hard ones. From covering families in crisis to interviewing individuals turning pain into purpose, she shares how empathy, emotional intelligence, and credibility intersect in journalism.We talk about the stories that stay with you long after the mic is off. How to report on trauma without becoming detached. And what it means to use media not just to inform — but to humanize. Nicole reflects on why she does this work, what continues to inspire her, and how storytelling can create light even in the darkest moments.This conversation is about purpose, resilience, and the responsibility that comes with holding someone else’s story.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesGuest:  Jocelyn Barrera, Executive Director of The Christi CenterExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Marlon JacksonMusic: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailEpisode 31: Grief Beyond Death — A Conversation with Jocelyn Barrera of The Christi CenterIn this on-location episode in Austin, Jamal and David sit down with Jocelyn Barrera, Executive and Clinical Director of The Christi Center, to explore grief in all its forms — not just death, but displacement, illness, violence, and the quiet losses that reshape families.Jocelyn shares her journey from bilingual services coordinator to leading one of Austin’s most impactful grief support organizations. The conversation moves beyond textbook definitions of grief and into lived realities — supporting families navigating loss due to sickness, sudden violence, and even the emotional rupture caused by ICE raids and deportation. Together, they unpack how race, racism, culture, and community all shape how grief is experienced and expressed — and why peer-based support can be life-changing.This episode challenges the idea that grief is only about funerals. Sometimes grief looks like fear. Sometimes it looks like separation. Sometimes it looks like carrying a weight no one else can see. And in every case, connection matters.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesGuest:  Jocelyn Barrera, Executive Director of The Christi CenterExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Marlon JacksonMusic: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailEpisode 30: “If Only I Had…” — Living With the Loop of Regret (Part 2)In Part 2 of our conversation on regret, Jamal and David move from awareness to release. Many widowers quietly believe that suffering proves love — that carrying guilt forever somehow honors their wife. But what if that belief is the very thing keeping you stuck? In this episode, we challenge the idea that love requires lifelong punishment and offer a different frame: love asks for remembrance, integrity, and living forward well — not endless self-inflicted pain.We also share practical, grounded tools to interrupt the regret loop. Naming it out loud. Writing the letter you never got to finish. Separating what was truly in your control from what never was. And asking the anchoring question: If she could see me now, would she want me stuck here — or living? If Part 1 helped you recognize the loop, Part 2 helps you loosen it. You are not broken. You are grieving. And there is a difference.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Marlon JacksonMusic: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 29: “If Only I Had…” — Living With the Loop of Regret (Part 1)In Part 1 of this raw and reflective conversation, Jamal and David open up about one of the hardest truths many widowers face: regret. The kind that creeps in with the silence — “If only I had noticed sooner… said more… done it differently…” The kind that loops in your mind at night and whispers that you failed.They explore why regret feels so personal, how grief distorts memory, and why so many men confuse blame with responsibility. This episode lays the emotional groundwork — tackling the trap of the regret loop, how it disguises itself as virtue, and why forgiveness has to include you too. If you’ve been living with that one decision you replay over and over, this conversation may be the beginning of release. Part 2 continues next episode.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Marlon JacksonMusic: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 28: What Must Be Carried (Pt. 2 ) w/ Whitney Lyn AllenIn this second half of our conversation with grief coach and author Whitney Lyn Allen, we explore the deep complexities of what it means to truly move forward. Whitney opens up about the delicate balance she now lives — raising two young boys, coaching others through loss, writing, speaking publicly, and creating space for her own healing… all while building a new life after remarrying.We also dig into the tough questions. How do you open your heart again after a devastating loss? How do you hold space for what was and what is? Whitney shares the truth behind her second chapter — not as a replacement, but as a continuation of courage, connection, and choosing life again.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesGuest: Whitney Lyn AllenExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Chris GazzoMusic: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 27: What Must Be Carried (Pt. 1 ) w/ Whitney Lyn AllenIn this deeply personal conversation, we sit down with Whitney Lyn Allen—grief coach, attorney, author, and widow—to talk about the life she built with her late husband Ryan, and how she’s navigated life after his sudden passing from a rare reaction to a bee sting. In Part 1 of our two-part series, Whitney shares her early life influences, her path into law, and the love story that led to motherhood and devastating loss.We explore the raw emotional terrain of early grief—numbness, rage, tears—and why she believes you don’t “get over” grief, but learn to carry it differently over time. She offers powerful wisdom on identity, parenting through pain, and why healing is messy, non-linear, and uniquely your own. Whether you’re newly grieving or years down the road, Whitney’s honesty and heart offer hope, not as a destination—but as a companion on the journey.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesGuest: Whitney Lyn AllenExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Chris GazzoMusic: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 26: The Cost of the Craft with Russell HornsbyIn Part 2 of our powerful conversation with actor Russell Hornsby, we move from personal loss to professional sacrifice—and how they’re more connected than people think. Fresh off filming two back-to-back movies in Atlanta, Russell talks with Jamal and Dave about what it means to be away from your family for weeks at a time, over and over again, in the name of art, legacy, and livelihood.We dive into what he’s gained and lost by choosing this path, how the pressure has shifted from early hustle to seasoned purpose, and how starring in August Wilson’s American Century plays and ultimately the acclaimed movie, Fences, forced him to reckon with deeper questions around grief, identity, and creative mortality. Russell also opens up about the rise of AI in entertainment, what it means for working actors, and why—even now—he’s thinking hard about what legacy he wants to leave behind.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 25: Black Men, Cancer, and the Fight for Our LivesIn this special episode, Jamal and David head to Clark Atlanta University to sit down with researchers, doctors, and survivors at the frontlines of cancer care and advocacy. From pioneering lab discoveries to deeply personal stories of survival, this episode connects science with the soul.We talked to Dr. Jaideep Chaudhary and his team of faculty experts about why Black men face a higher risk for prostate cancer—and what can actually be done about it. They break down research, challenges in community trust, and how survivor voices are shaping the next generation of care. We also speak with survivors—like Dr. Henry Elonge, Mr. Tony Williams, and his wife Cecelia Williams—who share the raw truths of diagnosis, fear, love, advocacy, and brotherhood. If you’re a man, love a man, or know a man…this is an episode for you.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 24: A New Year.  A New You.It’s 2026—and for those of us navigating life after loss, the new year can feel less like a reset and more like a reckoning. In this episode, Jamal and Dave reflect on entering a fresh calendar year while still carrying the weight of grief, change, and growth. Together, they talk about what it really means to move forward, not move on.They share what’s worked for them: creating small rituals of self-care, staying connected to core community, assessing where healing still needs to happen, and giving yourself permission to grow without guilt. From letting go of traditional resolutions to defining what a good year really means after loss, this episode is a grounding and hopeful way to kick off the year.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winner (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Marlon JacksonMusic: - Grenada, "Treasure" - McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 23: When the Job Is Gone, Who Are You? with Degion CraddockIn this episode, Jamal and David sit down with marketing pro and former Dell colleague Degion Craddock—a talented, driven brother who found himself suddenly laid off and in unfamiliar territory. Degion opens up about what it’s been like to face rejection after rejection, redefine his value outside of a job title, and fight through the quiet mental toll of long-term unemployment.This isn’t just a conversation about work—it’s about identity, resilience, trust, and rebuilding. From navigating dating during a season of uncertainty, to learning how to let people support him when he’s used to being the strong one, Degion speaks with honesty, humor, and hard-won clarity about what it truly means to get back up when your confidence has been shaken.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winner (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Marlon JacksonMusic: - Grenada, "Treasure" - McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 22: For the People - A Conversation with our CommunityIn this episode, Jamal and Dave step back from the mic to reflect on the journey so far—and to respond to you, the Getting Back Up community. Since launching, we’ve received love, critique, DMs, and real talk from people across the country. And today, we’re talking about it all.What’s landed. What we missed. What surprised us. And why your feedback—every bit of it—means everything. This show was never meant to be perfect. It was meant to be honest. So in this episode, we say thank you for holding us accountable, lifting us up, and riding with us as we figure this out in real time.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winner (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Marlon JacksonMusic: - Grenada, "Treasure" - McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 21: A Son’s Reflection on Love, Loss, & Legacy with Russell Hornsby (Part 1) In this deeply personal conversation, Jamal and David sit down with acclaimed actor Russell Hornsby to talk about the kind of loss that doesn’t always make headlines—but leaves a lifelong imprint. Known for his roles in Fences, Grimm, The Hate U Give, BMF, and many more plays, movies, and tv shows, Russell opens up about him and his brother, Jonevan, losing their mother, Eva Redd Hornsby, to complications from dementia, and growing up in Oakland without a consistent father figure in their home.This episode isn’t about celebrity—it’s about sonship, memory, grief, and the quiet weight of family history. Russell reflects on his mother’s strength, her legacy, and the subtle grief of never fully knowing the woman behind the illness. He shares what he learned at her repast, the artifacts he discovered while clearing her home, and what he wants the world to know about Ms. Eva—both as his mother and as a woman with a story of her own.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winner (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Chris Gazzo (Reel Media)Music: - Grenada, "Treasure" - McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGoing into Thanksgiving and somewhat taking a break.   We are thankful to our fans and listeners and grateful for this community.   Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winner (Like A Gazelle Productions)Thank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 20: Children and Grief with Kelly Medvin (LPC)In this episode, Jamal and Dave sit down with Kelly Medvin, a licensed professional counselor from New Jersey whose work with grieving families began with her own story—losing her sister suddenly and stepping in to support her young nieces and nephews through unimaginable pain. That personal loss became the foundation for a career dedicated to helping children process grief in ways that are honest, age-appropriate, and rooted in emotional safety.Together, they explore the most common signs of grief in children, how adults can create safe spaces for hard conversations, and what it means to guide a child through loss without rushing their healing. Kelly shares powerful tips for parents, teachers, and loved ones—reminding us that children don’t always grieve out loud, but they’re always feeling. If you’ve ever wondered how to show up for a child who’s hurting, this episode offers both heart and how-to.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winner (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Chris Gazzo (Reel Media)Music: - Grenada, "Treasure" - McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 19: Life After Loss w/ Melody Rollins Downes (Part 2)In Part 2 of thier powerful conversation, Melody opens up about the final chapter of her husband’s life—the caregiving, the chaos, the clarity, and the quiet moments in between.This episode goes deeper into how they managed their marriage, family, and friendships while facing the unimaginable. David and Jamal accompany Melody as she shares what it meant to love him through his final days, how they navigated hard conversations, and how she created space for both grief and grace with their children.She also reflects on the emotional toll of being a caregiver, watching her children , grieve in their own unique ways, and moreThis is an episode about partnership, parenting, and perseverance in the face of loss. Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 18: Life After Loss w/ Melody Rollins Downes (Part 1)In this episode, Jamal and David sit down with Melody Rollins Downes, a close friend, mother, and widow, to explore the full story—not just the moment of loss, but the life that came before it. Melody opens up about her childhood, her marriage, and what it meant to love deeply—and then lose suddenly.She reflects on how grief shaped her—but didn’t define her—and what she’s learned about healing, parenting, and continuing to live when life doesn’t go as planned.Together, they explore the experiences that made Melody who she is. what marriage taught her—and what grief revealed, parenting through pain and presence, and finding identity again when life feels unrecognizable.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 17: The Holidays After LossFor anyone grieving, the holiday season doesn’t just bring lights and cheer—it brings shadows, silence, and reminders of what (and who) is missing. In this episode, Jamal and Dave get real about what it’s like to face your first holiday after losing someone you love—and every holiday after that.Through personal stories of their first holidays post-loss, from potlucks that kept grief company to traditions that found new life, they reflect on how rituals can be both anchors and lifelines. They talk about honoring those who’ve passed, blending old traditions with new love, helping kids feel safe and seen, and keeping the holidays simple, sacred, and human. Whether you're a solo parent lighting a candle, a widow decorating the same tree, or a friend wondering how to show up—this one’s for you.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 16.5: Time Out - Still Getting Back UpTen episodes later, we’ve gone from the first morning alone to parenting through pain, rediscovering purpose, and opening our hearts to what comes next.In this reflection episode, Jamal and Dave look back at where they’ve been—from telling the kids, facing funerals, and handling solo parenting, to navigating new love. They share the lessons that stuck, the moments that surprised them, and how they’re continuing to get back up—and where they are going next with the Getting Back Up Podcast.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 16: New Love On the HorizonFalling in love again after loss is layered. In this episode, Jamal and Dave reflect on what it means to move forward while still honoring the past. Jamal shares how his connection with Jordan grew organically—through friendship, life experiences, and timing—and how stepping into a new relationship challenged him to lead with honesty, emotional clarity, and self-awareness. Dave offers a different but equally real perspective—on choosing not to move forward in a relationship that didn’t align with the season he was in, especially as a solo father still navigating grief.Together, they explore the emotional reality of blending new love with old friendships, shifting family dynamics, and learning to date while parenting through loss. The key takeaways? Grieve first. Date when you’re ready—not when people think you should be. You don’t owe anyone explanations, but you do owe your future partner compassion and clarity. The right person will honor your past, not compete with it. The right harmony among your friends, family, and the proper connection to your children find balance in due time.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 15: The DadMom - Taking Over the SolosBeing a solo parent after loss isn’t just about logistics—it’s about stepping into the spotlight when the lead singer of the band is gone. In this episode, Jamal and Dave reflect on what it means to go from backup to front man when raising kids in the aftermath of losing their mothers. Then, in classic GBU fashion, they flip the script with the funny—and unexpectedly freeing—side of “Free Agent Parenting.”But it’s not all laughs. Jamal and Dave also reflect on the emotional labor, mental stamina, and evolving identity that comes with being a father, protector, grief companion, and bedtime DJ—all in one.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 14: Dating again: What we learned. What you should know.Dating after loss is a different kind of game—and the playbook isn’t exactly handed to you. You’ve changed. The world has changed. And when it comes to love after grief… nobody teaches you how to try again.In this episode, Jamal and David lay out the dating truths they learned the hard way, and the tips they wish someone had told them before stepping back into the world of romance. Whether you're curious, cautious, or already swiping, this one gives you both strategy and soul.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", otismusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 13: We were ready to date...Or were we?In this episode, Jamal and Dave talk about what it was like to start dating after months of loneliness.  After all, they were single fathers trying to focus on their kids, also realizing that there was something missing.  Besides the pressure to meet everyone else’s expectations, they had their own.  Episode 13 covers some of the dating experiences, what they were looking for (so they thought), and how the heck they were jumping back into the dating scene…after over a decade or more. Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 12: The Tough First Solo DecisionsFrom what to make for dinner… to how to fill out “Mother” on a school form—those first solo decisions hit harder than expected.In this episode, Jamal and Dave talk through the early choices that reminded them they were doing life without their partners. The fear, the guilt, the random breakdowns in grocery store aisles—it’s all on the table.This episode is for every single parent, every grieving spouse, and anyone who’s ever second-guessed themselves in the silence.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 11:  The Pressure to Move On...or Just MoveEveryone’s got opinions when you’re grieving—especially the folks who’ve never done it.In this episode, Jamal and Dave get real about the pressure to “move on” after losing a spouse. From advice that stings to silence that screams, they unpack what happens when society wants you to heal faster than you’re ready or slower than you need to.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 10:  When the Calls Stop Coming...It's just me.The food stops showing up. The texts stop buzzing. The people who promised to be there… vanish.In this episode, Jamal and Dave open up about the moment the crowd fades and the real loneliness begins. They share their own stories, call out the awkwardness, and break down what happens when grief and parenting becomes yours alone to carry.This one’s for anyone who’s ever felt forgotten in the middle of mourning or lost in the early days of single parenting.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 9:  Honoring A Life & Your Rite of PassageThe church was full. Or maybe it was nearly empty. Either way, you stood there—grieving, performing, surviving.In this episode, Jamal and Dave reflect on the surreal experience of the services held for their late wives. From family pressure to what they wish they’d done differently, they unpack one of the hardest days in any widower’s life.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 8:  How Do You Tell the Kids?There’s no blueprint for this. No playbook. Just a heart that’s breaking—and a child looking to you for answers.In this episode, Jamal and Dave revisit the most painful part of early grief: telling their kids (and family) that their wives were gone. They share the words they used, the ones they couldn’t say, and the moments that shattered them.If you’ve ever had to deliver devastating news—or are preparing to—this episode is for you.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 7:  The First Moments AloneWhat happens when the chaos quiets down and you’re left alone?  Just…you.  And the silence.  The first moments that you actually begin to process losing your spouse and flood of emotions, thoughts, and actions that follow.In this episode, Jamal and Dave talk through the most emotionally raw day of all—the first morning and moments after losing their wives. The sounds, the stillness, the surreal moments. This is the part of grief no one prepares you for.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 6.5:  Timeout: Let's Catch Our Breath In this special episode, Jamal and Dave reflect on the first six episodes of Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death. From their origin stories to the passing of their wives, the journey so far has been raw, emotional, and deeply personal.But before diving into what comes next—those quiet moments, the loneliness, the pressure to move on—they’re taking a timeout.  Behind-the-scenes stories, emotional surprises, laughs, and a look at what’s coming next.Whether you’re just tuning in or have been riding with us since day one, this is the perfect reset before we go deeper.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 6:  Til Death Do Us PartIn this episode, we talk about the final days—what we remember, how we coped, and the moments that made us laugh and cry. Honest, raw, and full of love.  This episode starts to tease the questions, "Is she really gone?" and "What the hell do I do next?" Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 5:  Putting In The 4th Quarter Team When it got real, who did we call? We talk about how we leaned on friends, family, and even professionals when things got dark—and the importance of building your own squad for the hard times.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 4:  Through Sickness & In Health - She Has Cancer. Now What?We open up about what it was like walking with our wives through their cancer journeys—holding on to hope, confronting fear, and staying present through it all.  Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 3:  Life With Her - Meet David & Jamal's Late WivesWe share how we met our wives, what made those relationships special, and how their love continues to shape us today. A tribute to love, legacy, and partnership.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 2:  Where Are We Now? Dave & Jamal Talk About Life TodayIn this episode of Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death, Dave & Jamal reflect on where they are now. What life looks like after loss, what’s changed, and how they are trying to move forward—one day at a time.  Its a quick glimpse of how their lives have progressed before getting into the details of what life was like in the past.Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David McClain and Jamal Jones met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David McClain and Jamal Jones met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast

Send us Fan MailGetting Back Up: Finding Life After Death  (Season 1)Episode 1:  What Is the Getting Back Up Podcast? Meet David & Jamal This is Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death.  We kick things off sharing how we met, why we started this podcast, and why every man needs a crew when life gets heavy. Brotherhood, honesty, and healing—it all starts here.  Getting Back Up: Finding Life After Death is a podcast that explores the raw, unfiltered reality of surviving profound personal loss—and finding a way forward.  The idea for the podcast was born after David and Jamal met in 2023. Both widowers, who had lost their wives to cancer, quickly found a deep connection through multiple conversations about pain, perseverance, and parenthood. They realized that while men often bond over music, sports, or TV, they rarely speak candidly about loss or emotional recovery. Getting Back Up was created to change that narrative—blending the everyday with the existential in a format that’s as relatable as it is real. Thank you for your support!Hosts: David McClain & Jamal JonesExecutive Directors: Marlon Jackson & Ted Winners (Like A Gazelle Productions)Editing: Steve Senisi (Reel Media)Music: Grenada, "Treasure" McDonald, Otis, "Phife for Life", http://www.otismacmusic.comThank you for listening! Follow us on Instagram/TikTok @getbackuppodcast and on X @GBUpodcast