Built Through Pressure - The Weight of Becoming

The Father I Needed, The Man I’m Becoming

What happens when the father you needed wasn’t the father you had? On this special Father’s Day episode of Letter To A Black Man, host B. Vernardo sits down with Jarvus Jones for a raw and honest conversation about fatherhood, identity, healing, and manhood. Together, we explore the impact fathers have on our lives, whether they were present, absent, struggling, or doing the best they could with what they had. We discuss the lessons we learned, the wounds we carry, the cycles we’re trying to break, and the men we’re striving to become. This isn’t just a conversation about fathers. It’s a conversation about accountability, growth, legacy, and what it means to be a Black man navigating life while carrying both pain and purpose. If you’ve ever wrestled with questions about your father, your role as a father, or the man you’re becoming, this episode is for you. 🎙 Episode Title: The Father I Needed, The Man I Am Becoming 🎙 Guest: Jarvus Jones 📅 Premieres Sunday, June 21st, Father’s Day Don’t forget to Like, Comment, Subscribe, and share this conversation with someone who needs to hear it. #LetterToABlackMan #BlackMenMatter #Fatherhood #MentalHealthMatters #blackexcellence Got A Story? Want To Be A Guest? Reach Out To Us & Let's Chat! Host: B. Vernardo (@iAmBVernardo) Email: LTABlackManPodcast@gmail.com Facebook: Facebook.com/LTABIkman Instagram: Instagram.com/LetterToABIkMan YouTube:©/@lettertoablackmanpodcast Tiktok.com/LetterToABlackManPodcast

Watching Black Men Self-Destruct ft. Deana Drake

What happens when the people who love Black men the most are forced to watch them slowly self-destruct? In this powerful episode of Letter To A Black Man, we open an honest and necessary conversation about the quiet pain many people witness but rarely talk about, watching a Black man spiral while feeling powerless to stop it. This time, we hear it from a woman's perspective. Nashville native Deana S. Drake, mentor, author, and founder of Deana Shares, joins the conversation to share wisdom shaped by faith, life experience, and years of walking alongside others in their journeys. With authenticity, compassion, and clarity, she speaks about what it's like to love Black men who are hurting, the emotional weight women often carry, and the difficult balance between support, accountability, and self-preservation. Together, we explore: * What self-destruction can look like in the lives of Black men * The impact it has on the people closest to them * The role faith, community, and honest conversation play in healing * What it means to love someone who may not yet be ready to face their pain This episode is reflective, challenging, and deeply human. It invites Black men to pause and reflect, and it gives voice to perspectives that are often left unheard. If you care about the growth, healing, and well-being of Black men, this is a conversation you don't want to miss. About Letter To A Black Man: Letter To A Black Man is a thought-provoking podcast created to center the real, lived experiences of Black men. Through honest conversations, the show explores the challenges we face, the growth we pursue, and the victories we rarely pause to celebrate. Our mission is simple: Embrace, Equip, and Empower Black men to live whole, heard, and healed. Subscribe and join the conversation. #LetterToABlackMan #BlackMenHealing #BlackMensMentalHealth #BlackMenMatter #PodcastConversation

The Shift Black Men Avoid - Everything Changed

Some shifts don't happen because they're hard. They happen because we avoid them. This episode of Letter To A Black Man, I'm sitting down with Lance Richardson, aka Mr. Rich, for a real conversation about the moment everything changed. No shortcuts. No motivational fluff. Just honesty about accountability, discipline, identity, and what it really costs Black men to become whole. Lance Richardson (Mr. Rich) is a mindset-driven creator, father, and disciplined thinker focused on growth, accountability, and intentional living. He speaks from lived experience about rebuilding, self-mastery, and the decision to stop starting over and stand fully in who he is. This episode is for the Black men who feel the shift coming... and the ones still running from it. Instagram: Instagram.com/LetterToABikMan Host:Instagram.com/iAmBVernardo Facebook: Facebook.com/LetterToABlackMan YouTube:@lettertoablackmanpodcast Threads: Threads.com/@LetterToABlkMan TikTok: TikTok.com/@LetterToABlackManPodcast #lettertoablackman #dearblackman #healingoutloud #podcast #inspiration #blackmen #interview #realtalk

Built Through Pressure - The Weight of Becoming

On this episode I have the opportunity to catch up with an old friend. He just released his memoir & before his book tour, we are talking all things BECOMING! Jamal’s story is one of resilience, faith, and becoming. Raised on Chicago’s South Side and later relocating to Montgomery, Alabama, his life took an unexpected turn in his late teens, challenging him to confront fear, stigma, and uncertainty. Rather than being defined by his circumstances, Jamal chose to grow through them. Now a Property Management professional with over 13 years of experience, a Consultant with Lived Experience Advisors, and a committed community leader, Jamal uses his lived experience to advocate, educate, and uplift. Grounded in faith, he has held national leadership roles across multiple organizations and continues to lead with purpose. A Stage III anal cancer survivor, human rights activist, author, and emerging wardrobe stylist, Jamal embodies growth through pressure. In this episode, Jamal discusses his debut memoir, Becoming Jamal, a powerful mental health narrative exploring identity, chronic illness, resilience, and what it means to be seen beyond labels. Website: https://www.becomingjamal.com/ Instagram: @BecomingJamal Instagram: Instagram.com/LetterToABlkMan Host: Instagram.com/iAmBVernardo Facebook: Facebook.com/LetterToABlackMan YouTube: Youtube.com/@LetterToABlackManPodcast Threads: Threads.com/@LetterToABlkMan TikTok: TikTok.com/@LetterToABlackManPodcast

Mental Health Check-In, Healing Starts Now

I’m sitting down with my brother Rashad Young, Educator, Author, Podcast Host, and Therapist in Training, for an unfiltered conversation about everything 2025 tested us with and how Black men can move into 2026 protecting our peace, our minds, and our future.This isn’t surface level talk. We’re getting into accountability, emotional wellness, and what it really looks like to build a healthier mindset. No masks. No fluff. Just truth, tools, and growth.Pull up live. Add your voice. Take something back with you.Streaming live:Facebook.com/LetterToABlackManYouTube: @lettertoablackmanpodcast   [https://youtube.com/@lettertoablackmanpodcast] #LetterToABlackMan [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/lettertoablackman] #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/mentalhealthawarenessmonth] #TheMaskWeWear [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/themaskwewear] #BlackMenHeal [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/blackmenheal] #MentalHealthMatters [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/mentalhealthmatters] #TherapyIsDope [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/therapyisdope]Follow us on IG: @LetterToABlkMan @iAmBVernardo @RashadYoung_** I Apologize About The Technical Issues At The Beginning