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Send us Fan Mail Black Wall Street is a phrase most people recognize, but few can describe the everyday Greenwood that existed before it was attacked. We start with the neighborhood as it was: a Black district in Tulsa with schools, professionals, workers, local businesses, and institutions built under the crushing limits of Jim Crow segregation. That context matters because it keeps us from turning human lives into a myth about wealth, and it forces us to see Greenwood as a full community that deserved safety and dignity. We then walk through the events surrounding 1921 with care and precision: the Dick Rowland and Sarah Page allegation, the role of rumor and racist coverage, and the ways public power shaped what happened next. The Tulsa Race Massacre was not just “violence in the streets.” It involved deputizing, looting, burning, mass displacement, and long-term harm after the flames were out, including detention, insurance claim denials, and city obstacles that made rebuilding harder than most people realize. One image stays with us: Buck Colbert Franklin, a Black attorney, working from a tent after his home and office were destroyed. His story shows what survival actually required and how legal knowledge became a tool for defending land, rights, and the chance to rebuild. We also connect Greenwood to present-day patterns of scapegoating, wealth inequality, and moral inconsistency, and we end with practical ways to preserve history in your own family and community while people can still tell it. Subscribe for more hard conversations, share this with someone who thinks they already know the story, and leave a review so more listeners can find it. What part of Greenwood’s history do you think we avoid telling, and why? Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...

Send us Fan Mail Stuck can feel like failure, especially when you’ve done the “right” things and life still won’t move. I’m talking about the kind of season where you relocate, change careers, apply everywhere, and still wake up wondering what you’re supposed to do next. If you’re trying to be a better man, a stronger husband, and a healthier leader while your plans keep stalling, this conversation is for you. I share what it’s like rebuilding in California, fighting the mental and spiritual battle of unemployment, and learning why consistency matters more than hype. We dig into faith and personal growth the practical kind, where reading the Bible and praying isn’t a performance, it’s how you stay grounded when your confidence gets tested. The goal is simple: keep moving forward even when your emotions swing from motivated to worn out. Then we go deeper with a picture that changed how I see waiting: the butterfly in the cocoon. The struggle is not random. It strengthens what you’ll need later, and if you rush the process you can lose the very power you’re asking for. We also get real about forgiveness and energy, using Ephesians 4:32 to confront pettiness, comparison, and the exhausting need to “get back” at people who overlooked you. If you’re searching for encouragement, resilience, men’s self improvement, and faith-based motivation that doesn’t sugarcoat the fight, press play. Subscribe, share this with a friend who’s in the waiting season, and leave a review so more people who feel stuck can find a way forward. Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...

Send us Fan Mail We break down how racist stereotypes get created, why they stick, and what history gets erased when a joke becomes “truth.” We connect the origins of food stereotypes, modern data on assistance and arrests, and the mental health pressure of having to prove you are the exception.  • tracing the watermelon stereotype to post-emancipation independence and racist propaganda  • explaining the waiter carrier history and how Black women used food sales to build livelihoods  • challenging the “lazy” label with examples of Black labor and ongoing barriers to opportunity  • unpacking media narratives in sports and how bias shapes who gets respect  • sharing a personal story of workplace promotion bias and what it does to motivation  • comparing SNAP, cash assistance, and housing assistance numbers to the welfare queen myth  • separating arrest data from convictions and questioning what makes the newsfeed  • linking stereotypes to men’s mental health and the pressure to shrink yourself  This week I want you to choose one stereotype you have heard and find its source. Read what the evidence actually says. And then share it with me on social media, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok. But then also share with somebody that matters to you. Maybe help them understand their history. Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. And for daily, motivational, and up-to-date content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Excellence Above Talent. Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...

Send us Fan Mail Silence can look like strength, but it often starts as fear. I’m back from a short reset with a new direction for Excellence Above Talent: one week we go deep on men’s mental health, accountability, and how we show up, and the next week we dig into Black American history that deserves more attention. We’re kicking that off with a theme I needed to learn the hard way: strong does not mean silent.  I tell a story from my time at a large oil field company, where I saw something disrespectful in a restroom and chose not to speak up because I didn’t know what it would cost me. Looking back, I wish I had used simple words that matched my values. That regret turns into a bigger question for every man listening: what response are you afraid of when you consider being honest, and what would a safe, respectful first step look like right now?  From there, we get practical about communication skills, emotional vulnerability, and real accountability. I share a moment where I was short with Yanni before a workout, then had to call back and own it. You’ll hear a clean apology script, why “I’m overwhelmed” isn’t an excuse to hurt people, and how to follow a pause with a real return time. We also talk men’s mental health warning signs highlighted by the National Institute of Mental Health, when to talk to a primary care provider or counselor, and how faith can sit alongside professional support.  If this helped, subscribe, share it with a man who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find these conversations. What’s the one honest sentence you need to say this week? Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...

Send us Fan Mail We wrestle with the fear that hits when a move or life transition makes us feel unseen, unneeded, and disconnected. We draw a hard line between healthy responsibility and the dangerous belief that our worth depends on being useful.  • why men need a place where our presence has weight  • the identity shock of moving from being known to being anonymous  • the danger of confusing being needed with being loved  • how usefulness can mask loneliness, burnout, and suicidal thinking  • why men connect better shoulder to shoulder while doing meaningful work  • what real brotherhood looks like in practice: accountability, consistency, showing up  • how to serve without becoming the savior or self-destructing  • the difference between providing for a family and being present with a family  • mentoring as a way to turn pain into purpose and build legacy  • the question to write down: where would someone notice if we disappeared  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. And for daily, motivational, and up-to-date content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at ExcellenceAbove Talent.  Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...

Send us Fan Mail Survival mode can keep us alive in one season and quietly steal our peace in the next. We unpack how hypervigilance forms, what it costs our relationships and identity, and how discernment helps us learn when the battle is truly over.  • redefining strength from constant readiness to grounded awareness  • childhood memories that shape hypervigilance and a trauma response  • racism and real-world danger without letting every room feel like a threat  • the “charity kid” wound and why money can represent safety  • the difference between stewardship and financial performance  • what happens when a soldier comes home but the nervous system stays deployed  • the price of survival mode in marriage, parenting, friendships, and rest  • separating what is happening now from what happened back then  • learning to receive help without shame or interpreting it as pity  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. For daily, motivational, and up-to-date content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at ExcellenceAboveTalent. And remember, keep moving forward, never give up, and you are never alone in this battle.  Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...

Send us Fan Mail We zoom in on what a man’s life can look like before anyone calls it a mental health problem and why we keep missing the buildup until it turns into a crisis. I challenge the idea that productivity equals peace, and I lay out the “check engine” signs that should push us toward honest talks, brotherhood, and real help. • functioning well while hurting and why competence can hide pain • overworking as identity and what it can cover up • the discomfort of quiet and what life changes reveal • anxiety that looks like being responsible • anger as a cover for depression, fear, grief, shame, and loneliness • isolation and why brotherhood means following up • substance misuse as an attempt to quiet the mind • empathy gaps around men’s suffering and the reality of suicide • redefining strength as awareness plus courage • practical self-check questions and when to talk to a professional Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. And for daily motivational and up-to-date content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at ExcellenceAboveTalent. Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...

Send us Fan Mail We get honest about what it feels like to be overlooked and how chasing recognition can quietly turn into a lifelong audition. I share how the move to California forced me to slow down, face old wounds, and choose excellence without handing my self-worth to other people.  • feeling like the second choice and how that story forms  • how “what’s wrong with me?” becomes a dangerous question  • childhood abandonment and the habit of pushing emotions down  • when achievement starts standing in for love and worth  • why civilian life isn’t a pure meritocracy after the military  • the difference between discipline and staying somewhere that no longer fits  • fear of what people think and the pressure to look “manly” during transition  • being tired of auditioning while still committed to growth and service  • practical questions to ask when rejection feels personal  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. And for daily, motivational and up-to-date content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Excellence Above Talent. And remember, keep moving forward, never give up, and you are never alone in this battle.  Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...

Send us Fan Mail I’m learning that when your life is built on dysfunction, peace can feel suspicious, even when nothing is wrong. I share my story, the move to California, and the hard questions I’m using to stop self-sabotage and let peace lead.  • growing up around chaos and carrying survival patterns into adulthood  • how big transitions trigger the urge to run back to familiarity  • why stability can feel boring and consistent love can feel unsafe  • what self-sabotage looks like in real life, from overthinking to picking fights  • the question that interrupts the spiral: danger or unfamiliar peace  • redefining peace as staying grounded during problems  • treating feelings as information, not instructions  • outgrowing survival skills that once protected us  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. And for daily motivational and up-to-date content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Excellence Above Talent.  Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...

Send us Fan Mail We finish the Men Behind The Mission series with Abishai, the kind of man who steps forward when nobody else does. We connect his story to men’s mental health and brotherhood, because isolation is not strength and even strong men need support.  • Abishai as the model of availability over talent  • David asking for a volunteer and Abishai saying “I’ll go with you”  • a modern picture of exhaustion and how one text can save a life  • why isolation feeds shame, addiction, and depression  • our personal reminder of suicide loss and why staying connected matters  • David growing tired in battle and needing another man to step in  • the danger of building identity around never needing help  • giving people the chance to show up instead of drowning quietly  • becoming an Abishai through calls, texts, visits, and real questions  • building a circle before crisis and not confusing followers with friends  • loyalty with wisdom, discipline, and accountability  • a three-part challenge: reach out, name your person, stay consistent  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode.  And for daily, motivational, and up-to-date content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at Excellence Above Talent.  Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...

Send us Fan Mail Everybody ran, and the “field” looked laughably small. That’s why Shamma’s story hits so hard. We’re talking about 2 Samuel 23:11–12, where one man stands in the middle of a field of lentils while the Philistines attack and the soldiers flee and God brings the victory. If you’ve ever wondered whether the quiet things you protect and maintain actually matter, this conversation is for you. I connect Shamma’s stand to real life for men today: showing up for your marriage when it’s tense, staying present with your kids when you’re tired, guarding your integrity when nobody’s watching, and taking your mental health seriously instead of masking anxiety, depression, grief, and exhaustion. We also go after the subtle way the enemy works, not always by saying you can’t win, but by whispering, “Is this battle worth it?” That’s how “just one” compromise turns into drift, whether it’s porn, DMs, alcohol, missed prayer, or choosing silence over a hard conversation. We draw a clear line between protection and control, because biblical leadership creates safety rather than fear. Sometimes defending your field means counseling, accountability, rest, boundaries, and confronting the unhealed behaviors that make you the danger inside your own home. You’ll walk away with three questions to identify what’s attacking your field and one practical action you can take today to stand your ground. If this challenges you, share it with a brother who needs it, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, and leave a review to help more men find the show. What field has God entrusted to you, and are you protecting it? Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...

Send us Fan Mail We talk about Eleazar, the overlooked warrior in 2 Samuel 23, and why his decision to stand when everyone else retreats is a model for perseverance and courage. We connect that ancient fight to modern struggles like anxiety, depression, loneliness, addiction, and the pressure men carry in silence, then challenge you to hold on to what God put in your hand.  • Eleazar’s story in two verses and the lesson of standing your ground  • The modern man’s battle with quiet fear, shame, and isolation  • Courage as staying put when quitting feels logical  • “What is your sword?” and naming what you refuse to let go of  • Why God leaves out the numbers and highlights character  • Faithfulness over outcomes, recognition, and public wins  • Strength as honesty, prayer, counseling, and asking for help  • Letting God own the outcome while we own obedience  • The unseen people who get better because you kept standing  Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. And for daily motivational and up-to-date content, follow us on Facebook and Instagram at ExcellenceAbove Talent.  Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...

Send us Fan Mail Most of us say we want to be “great,” but what we really want is to be seen. That’s why the men with a few lines in the Bible can teach us more than the celebrities we can name. We kick off a new series, The Men Behind the Mission, and start with Benaiah, a man who never becomes king, never writes a book of Scripture, and never chases a spotlight, yet shows up with the kind of courage and character that makes a kingdom steady. We walk through Benaiah’s defining moments: taking down two Moabite champions, chasing a lion into a pit on a snowy day, and fighting a giant while under-equipped, then using the enemy’s weapon to win. Each story becomes a practical lens for modern Christian men navigating fear, intimidation, insecurity, pornography, anger, anxiety, and shame. We talk about why “don’t fight reputation, fight reality” can change your decision-making, and why courage isn’t pretending you’re fine, it’s refusing to let fear lead your life. We also get real about men’s mental health and the quiet ways men suffer. Sometimes chasing your lion looks like scheduling counseling, calling a friend, talking to your wife, admitting you’re depressed or burnt out, and choosing integrity over image. If you’re tired of comparison and performative masculinity, this is a reminder that heaven celebrates obedience, and legacy is built through faithfulness when nobody’s watching. Subscribe, share this with a man who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...

Send us Fan Mail That “I’m not enough” feeling can show up on your best week, right when everything looks fine from the outside. We sit with that tension and name what a lot of men carry in silence: the fear that your success is fragile, that people are just being nice, and that one mistake will prove you never belonged. If you’ve wrestled with imposter syndrome, anxiety, or the pressure to constantly perform, this conversation is for you. We dig into how men are taught to attach identity to performance and why that’s a dangerous way to live when life inevitably fluctuates. We also talk about the mental loop where your mind keeps hunting for proof of an old story, then treats every delay, critique, or bad day as “evidence.” The goal isn’t to deny emotions or pretend you’re strong. Real strength is learning how to process emotions without letting them control your decisions, and we get practical about what that can look like. Faith is central here, especially the story of Moses. God calls Moses and Moses answers with excuses, which sounds a lot like how many of us respond to purpose when we’re scared to fail or be exposed. We also address shame and the question, “Why would God choose me?” and land on a freeing truth: God isn’t surprised by your past, and your history doesn’t disqualify you from being used for good. If this helped you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more men can find honest conversations about men’s mental health, self-worth, and identity in God. Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...

Send us Fan Mail Some of the most broken men you know look like the most reliable ones. I’m talking about the veteran who shows up, the coach who keeps encouraging others, the husband and leader who gets it done, and the friend who always says, “I’m good.” I’m also talking about what people don’t see: the internal battle, the pressure to perform strength, and the pain that gets carried alone. I share why men’s mental health became personal for me, including two low points that still shape how I speak, coach, and mentor today. One is my own season of not being okay, when I felt overwhelmed, trapped, and unseen. The other is losing a buddy I served with in Iraq, someone who brought light into a scary place but struggled hard after we got home. I offered help and even sent money, but I didn’t ask the question that mattered most: “Are you okay?” That loss is a permanent reminder that men can suffer silently until it’s too late. We talk about the lies men absorb early: asking for help is weakness, struggling means failure, real men don’t break. We also get real about how pain leaks out sideways through anger, isolation, addiction, emotional shutdown, depression, anxiety, and sometimes suicide. My core takeaway is simple: healing doesn’t begin when we get tougher, it begins when we get honest, then we build awareness, accountability, and growth from there. If you’re struggling, you don’t have to carry it alone. Listen, share this with a man you care about, and subscribe, rate, and review the show so more men hear they’re not alone. Support the show #excellenceabovetalent #EAT #dontgiveup #youdeservethebest #youareenough ...