Of Men & Fathers

The men round out the discussion by looking at the lessons that can be learned from dealing with fights that happen in familial relationships, and beyond. The men also talk about how money changes the dynamic in an adversarial and problematic situation.   Ready for war: Garrett, Craig, Mark, Thyrone, Schaane

The men pick up where they left off and continue the discussion of fights within the family, by talking about how they can potentially be resolved. The men talk also talk about how disputes among siblings are resolved, from the viewpoint of the sibling, and the viewpoint of the parent. Ready for war: Thyrone, Schaane, Craig, Garrett

In this episode the men explore the dynamic of fights and disagreements that take place among family members, as opposed to friends or co-workers. The men discuss whether or not pride is the reason for the most severe family disputes, and they also discuss the consequences of fights within family. Ready for war: Garrett, Schaane, Mark, Thyrone,  Craig

Closing out this discussion the men talk conflict resolution and how a lot of conflicts arise from a lack of acceptance. They also talk about the importance of showing interest in someone and giving them respect. Finally, the group discusses the power of establishing good relationships with people, and the effect this has on conflict resolution and opportunity. Coming to you live: Schaane, Craig, Garrett

The men continue to talk about their experiences with resolving conflicts. The men also talk about conflict resolution and how it relates to black men in particular. To leave no stone unturned they go into detail about de-escalating and disarming people and rapidly building positive relationships. And finally the group also discusses how to bridge gaps between different people. Coming to you live: Craig, Garrett, Schaane, Thyrone

The Of Men & Fathers crew take some time to introduce themselves to the audience again. The men talk about conflict resolution and the factors that lead to high risk conflicts and crises that spiral out of control. The men also discuss conflict resolution strategies including taking a measured and appropriate response to a conflict. One that is determined by the person and the conflict and the uniqueness of the situation.  Coming to you live: Garrett, Schaane, Thyrone, Mark, Craig

In the final installment of this conversation the men discuss the legacy and history of their family with a nice history lesson courtesy of Schaane. They talk money and character and how it has impacted the family in the past and how it'll impact the family going forward. Making dollars and sense: Mark, Garrett, Schaane, Thyrone, Craig, & Sylvester

The men pick up from the last discussion and talk about how money equals power and how much power a man needs (or feels he has to have) in order to create a bond with the woman of his dreams. The discussion continues as the group talks about money & power, and the leverage it creates in a relationship. Not just that, but the things that having it allows one to do. The motivations behind a man's pursuit of capital continues a lengthy discussion.   Making dollars and sense: Schaane, Craig Sylvester,

This discussion starts off by talking about how much a man should expect to make on a monthly basis and the factors that contribute to this expectation. The men discuss what amount of money makes a man a respectable earner particularly in the black community but in North American society at large, and the things that factor into this: such as being able to effectively provide for others. The discussion leads into money and how it factors in to maintaining a relationship or selecting a partner. And not to be left out, the group also discuss how having children factors into how much a man needs to make. Making dollars and sense: Schaane, Mark, Garrett, Thyrone, Craig

This conversation picks up with the group talking about adult men who are battling with internal barriers preventing them from excelling in life and creating amicable relationships with others. In the Gauntlet: Garrett, Schaane, Thyrone, & Mark 

In this discussion the men talk about some barriers to exchanging different viewpoints and perspectives in a healthy and productive fashion. The men discuss winning as opposed to being right. The men also discuss the consequences of the previous conversation and how to move on when opposing parties are unable to reach a compromise. In the Gauntlet: Schaane, Thyrone, Garrett, & Mark

In the final installment of the conversation the men conclude their thoughts about masculinity and what it means to be a man. The men also discuss whether or not expectations placed on women to behave more like traditional men are adding to the increase of negative masculinity in society. Finally the men discuss how marriage and religion factor into unions with clearly defined and agreed upon expectations. Hitting you with barz: Craig, Schaane, Garrett, Duane, Thyrone, Mark

Picking up in the middle of the discussion on masculinity, the fathers in the group discuss how their own masculinity will factor into the way their children develop. The men also discuss the gender expectations that start in the home and whether they are correct or lead to problems down the road. Things get a little bit heated as the men debate whether or not the man is the leader in a relationship and family, and if this idea is an embodiment of toxic masculinity. Naturally, the group talks about whether biblical expectations of men and their role in the family unit are healthy or not. The men also discuss what happens if men aren't physically or mentally built to fulfill the criteria of what it means to be a man. And sticking with the theme of the discussion the group tries to navigate the nebulous definition of toxic masculinity, and whether or not chauvinism and chivalry are different sides of the same coin. On the microphone: Duane, Schaane, Craig, Sylvester, Mark, Garrett, and Thyrone

This episode starts off with Duane, Schaane and Garrett talking about Duane's company Vitex. They start talking about building businesses and community only to get drawn into a fairly heated argument about their new group fitness challenge and point system when Sylvester and Craig join the discussion. The two competitors inexplicably start working out on the call in order to score more points for the newly created fitness challenge. Eventually the men start a discussion about what it means to be a man. They also talk about what it actually means to protect and provide, and if protecting involves a willingness or ability to fight should the circumstance require it. The group takes a deep dive into gender role stereotypes and biases, as they attempt to figure out what these things mean for masculinity. Ensuring that no stone is left unturned, the men also discuss how gender fluidity, toxic masculinity, and expectations of men by society all intersect. Freestyling off the dome: Duane, Schaane, Garrett, Craig, and Sylvester

Lots to unpack in this one. The group continues to talk about Kevin Samuels setting the benchmark for success. The group also discusses the authentic self and how it factors into 'adapting to get along' and 'keeping it real'. The group also discusses how socio-economic evolution as a species, in an industrial society, factors into polygamy aka having multiple partners. Asking questions and gaining perspective: Garrett, Craig, Mark, Schaane, Sylvester, Thyrone

This episode starts with third installment of the conversation in progress. The group is asked about life after Covid and if there will be an 'after Covid'. The group collectively wonders things like "How long will masks be a thing" and "Will people even meet up in groups"? The group does their check ins and discusses 'High Value' men, Kevin Samuels, and choosing the right person. The men speaking up in this one: Garrett, Craig, Mark, Schaane, Sylvester, Thyrone

With the conversation already in progress additional contributors join giving his their take on arguments and disputes in a relationship Chiming in: Garett, Craig, Mark, Schaane, Sylvester

The episode starts already in progress with the men talking about dealing with a dispute in a relationship. Spitting Facts: Garrett, Craig, Mark, Schaane

This episode picks up right in the middle of the discussion about male and female physicality and the continuum/escalation of violence. The men talk about whether or not every single situation between a man and a woman, where there is some degree of anger and physicality, can in fact be labelled as 'violence' or 'abuse'. The men also highlight the fact that domestic violence exists across all cultures, ethnicities, religions, and socio-economic backgrounds and whether or not men have a responsibility to intervene. The men also talked about whether using violence to discourage violence is something that should be practiced or a counter productive continuation of the cycle of violence. Contributing to the sharing circle: Thyrone, Garrett, Mark, Duane, Craig, Schaane, Sylvester

In this episode the men discuss the recently leaked elevator footage of an incident between hip-hop celebrities, and recording artists, Quavo and Saweetie who recently decided to called an end to their relationship. This is an important discussion as the men dive deep into the topic of domestic violence. They talk about: aggression, incidental contact, physicality, violence, abuse and whether or not they are different, closely related, or the same thing. The men also discuss whether or not we live in a culture that is becoming increasingly desensitized to physicality carried out by men towards women and whether or not Quavo did anything wrong at all. The issue of whether or not the seriousness of violence against women is easier to highlight with a Black male as opposed to another male demographic was also approached as the men look at whether or not implicit bias played a role in perception of the event, and even discuss the Harvard IAT (Implicit Association Test) https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/selectatest.html Finally the men share whether or not they've been in violent relationships themselves.  In the sharing circle: Garrett, Craig, Thyrone, Schaane, Mark

The third installment of this conversation already in progress. The men start off start this segment off by talking about a collaborative mindset vs a competitive one for black men and women. The group also discussed Bobby Shrumda and the gang mentality/identity. To reign things in the men speak about taking action vs talking. The group also discuss opportunity and how available it is to everyone: From starting a business, to navigating various spheres of power and influence. Making their voices heard: Garrett, Craig, Mark, Thyrone, Schaane

This conversation gets going with then men talking about infidelity in marriage and what leads to it. The group then discusses the nature of marriage itself, as well as pair bonding and how it impacts as a species down to our genetic peer groups. As the conversation deepens the group also discuss the implications of interracial relations with pair bonding. The group does this by taking an analytical approach to the power structure(s) that governs society and how pair boding and kin selection are involved in its preservation and/or dismantling. The group discuss black history month coming to a close.   Adding their $0.02: Craig, Mark, Garrett, Schaane, Sylvester

This one starts with conversation already taking place about how fatherhood has helped fill the void in a man and changes him. The group ends up getting a bit distracted by a live police chase that interrupts the regularly scheduled conversation. The group does their check ins and then discuss being a proud parent and loving your kids unconditionally, as well as the joys of being a father and a husband and how it affects the relationship. Talking in this one: Garrett, Mark, Sylvester, Craig, Schaane, Thyrone

In the final installment in the conversation the men end up going down the rabbit hole of the root of education and self-development. The men took a good hard investigative look at where the influences come from, and how best to navigate a world full of influences (especially the 'not-so-good' ones) in order to bring about the best possible results for your child. The men weighed both sides of the conundrum trying to decide if the problem of unhealthy influences and expectations are fixable or too far gone. Taking part in the festivities: Garrett, Duane, Craig, Schaane, Mark, Sylvester

The men dive right into a conversation about women and beauty and the best way men can empower the women around them, especially their daughters. They look at the latest Beyoncé video in an attempt to deconstruct the image of beauty that the women in their lives may feel pressured to live up too. The men talk about how important and vital men are in their daughter's lives and what this responsibility entails, especially when it comes to the fact that the world will do its best to tear them down. The men also discussed the duty of Men & Fathers to build and protect their loved ones and what that means when it comes to equipping their loved ones with an empowering self image and perspective that will enable them to succeed in life, including but not limited to: the role of educators in the building and molding of their children. Taking part in the conversation: Garrett, Duane, Mark, Schaane, Sean, Craig, Sylvester

In this episode the men talk about the beauty standards for women, how they see relationships, raising daughters, and encouraging a sense of self worth and self confidence in them. They also ask about the influences and motivations that inform a woman's beauty standards and ideals. There's a pleasant surprise this day as a special guest joins the men from Jamaica: cousin Sean. The men look into the dark depths of where one can go trying to seek validation from others, and how to handle this as a parent. Also discussed is what it is like to raise and care for a black woman, and how different it is for women & daughters in general to live up to the ideals placed on them by society. Not left off the table was the powerful influence of music when it comes to: beauty standards, goals, and behavior in general. The men even do their check ins. In the discussion: Duane, Sylvester, Mark, Sean, Craig, Thyrone, Schaane

The group talks about tradition, traditional gender roles, and things that may have changed in 2021. For example: how much a man needs to make to start a family, particularly with a stay at home mother. The group discusses the modern expectations of men and whether or not they are fantastical in nature. Not to be left out of the conversation: dating in your 30's (and beyond), and the cost of breaking up in modern society. Making contributions: Duane, Craig, Mark, Garrett, Thyrone

This conversation starts already in progress picking up on the last segment about mothers in commencement of international women's month. The group also talks about expectations from women and how one's relationship with his mother affects that. Dropping Gems: Garrett, Thyrone, Mark, Craig, Duane

In commencement of international women's month the group talks about how their mothers impacted their lives, and what their thoughts were on motherhood. The group also does their check ins and discuss David's 'water in car' situation. Sharing Perspective: Garrett, Thyrone, Mark, Craig, David, Duane

In the third installment of this unrestrained conversation the men start by asking if falling short in a relationship is an unavoidable and tragic component of the human condition. The men also discuss counter strategy for avoiding infidelity. They discuss whether or not divine intervention is the only thing that can prevent a man from cheating. The Of Men & Fathers clique also get some pointers from the married fathers in the group in regards to self-control and pornography.  In the discussion: Craig, Schaane, Duane, Mark, Sylvester

The conversation picks up right in the middle of the heated Derrick Jaxn debate. The men discuss cheating and whether or not the 'fall' of Derrick Jaxn makes his message illegitimate or if there is a redemptive quality in the fact that he has fallen and is trying to do right. It doesn't stop there, the men talk about taking an approach of humility when dealing with our faults as human beings, especially when it comes to relationships. They also take a closer look at marriage + relationships and what it means today against the backdrop of education, evolution, and experience.  In the discussion: Schaane, Sylvester, Garrett, Craig, Duane, and Mark.

The group starts off by jumping right into the Derrick Jaxn controversy and things get rowdy and charged as they discuss the issue of infidelity + relationship expectations in 2021. The men talk about dating, cheating, and the current standards & status quo of 'modern' relationships and whether or not Derrick Jaxn was selling a large audience of (primarily) women a pipe dream.  On the call: Garrett, Craig, Duane, Sylvester, Thyrone, Schaane, and Mark.