The Broken Traditions Podcast with Leron Gaskins

Your Feed Wants You To Believe The Worst Of People

"The internet hides reality, but it amplifies the chaos." Why does your social media timeline always default to outrage, division, and toxicity? On this episode of Broken Traditions, Leron Gaskins (Big Ellie) exposes the psychological and corporate traps designed to warp how we view the world. Triggered by a recent family trip to a high school graduation on the south side of metro Atlanta—a school with a 90% Black student body—Leron contrasts the peaceful, high-class reality of the event with the chaotic viral moments our feeds have conditioned us to expect. Pulling back the curtain on the tech industry, Leron breaks down Negativity Bias—a primitive biological survival mechanism hardwired into our brains to look for danger. While our biology hasn't evolved to tell the difference between a real physical threat and a 60-second video looping on a smartphone, social media platforms ramp this glitch up a thousandfold for profit. Discover how modern algorithms turn toxic exceptions into cultural rules across all groups—from Black history to modern political wedges—and learn how to execute a 7-day digital audit to reclaim your sanity, your community, and your real-world relationships. 💎 JOIN THE COMMUNITY ON PATREON The Broken Traditions Podcast is community-powered. By joining our Patreon, you aren't just a listener—you're a partner. Get exclusive deep-dives, early episode access, and behind-the-scenes content. 🫶🏾 Support the mission: https://www.patreon.com/c/LeronGaskins [https://www.patreon.com/c/LeronGaskins] The Broken Traditions Podcast is the only space dedicated to exploring digital overconsumption through a Black perspective. We bridge the gap between tech habits and cultural traditions to help you live more intentionally. Affiliate Partners & Tools Bark: Comprehensive parental controls to monitor and manage your family's digital exposure to the "Three S's." https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page [https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page] Brick: A physical device that lets you "brick" your phone, removing addictive apps and helping you stay present. https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980 [https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980] STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: http://brokentraditions.com [http://brokentraditions.com] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/broken_traditions/ [https://www.instagram.com/broken_traditions/] ✉️ Business Inquiries: leron@brokentraditions.com [leron@brokentraditions.com]

From Rodney King to Jaden Pierre: Why We Only Record Now

Resources Mentioned "We became our own worst enemy through the guise of technology." On this episode of Broken Traditions, Leron Gaskins (Big Ellie) traces a devastating timeline of how the Black community became desensitized to its own demise. We begin in St. Albans, Queens, with the tragic killing of 15-year-old Jaden Pierre—a boy who was not in a gang, yet was sacrificed for "content" as bystanders recorded his final moments instead of calling for help. Leron explores the Digital Incarceration of our culture, moving from the horrific images of Lynching used to terrify us, to the Rodney King video that sparked a revolution, to the modern-day "numbness" where we view Black death as just another post in the feed. Ready to break the cycle? Grab your copy of "The Digital Release"—the essential digital workbook designed to help you regain control and protect your peace. ➡️ Download the Digital Release: https://brokentraditions.com/products/the-digital-release-7-day-guide-to-escape-the-digital-cell-and-reclaim-your-freedom [https://brokentraditions.com/products/the-digital-release-7-day-guide-to-escape-the-digital-cell-and-reclaim-your-freedom] Affiliate Partners & Tools Bark: Comprehensive parental controls to monitor and manage your family's digital exposure to the "Three S's." https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page [https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page] Brick: A physical device that lets you "brick" your phone, removing addictive apps and helping you stay present. https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980 [https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980] [Support the Show] If this episode helped you see your phone differently, please Follow the show and leave a 5-star review. Your support helps us reach more people suffering in digital incarceration. The Broken Traditions Podcast with Leron Gaskins. Stories, science, and solutions for a digital world. 💎 JOIN THE COMMUNITY ON PATREON The Broken Traditions Podcast is community-powered. By joining our Patreon, you aren't just a listener—you're a partner. Get exclusive deep-dives, early episode access, and behind-the-scenes content. 🫶🏾 Support the mission: https://www.patreon.com/c/LeronGaskins [https://www.patreon.com/c/LeronGaskins] STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: http://brokentraditions.com [http://brokentraditions.com] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/broken_traditions/ [https://www.instagram.com/broken_traditions/] ✉️ Business Inquiries: leron@brokentraditions.com [leron@brokentraditions.com]

Y'all Fell For It: The Megan Thee Stallion Trap & The Predictable Script *Live Stream Replay*

"I didn't come here to talk about Megan. I didn't come here to talk about Klay. I came here to talk about YOU." Broken Traditions, Leron Gaskins (Big Ellie) is holding a mirror to the culture. We aren't just looking at a celebrity breakup; we're breaking down a calculated Relatability Reset. From sports analysts to financial advisors, everyone in the feed fell into a predictable PR script designed to bank on our Digital Incarceration. In this bonus episode, we explore why Hip-Hop culture demands "Arrested Development" and why Megan had to be single again to save her business. We look at how this "trap" was set, how the internet played its part, and how these digital scripts are building a wedge between our people. OIN THE MOVEMENT (Livestream Schedule) Don't just listen to the replay—be part of the conversation! We go LIVE every 3rd Friday of the month at 7:00 PM EST. Join the "Cell" and talk back in real-time on: * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Broken_Traditions_Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@Broken_Traditions_Podcast] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brokentraditionstv [https://www.facebook.com/brokentraditionstv] * Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/LeronGaskins [https://www.patreon.com/c/LeronGaskins]

CANVA WARNING: The Secret Messenger Predators Use for Grooming

Most parents see their child on Canva and think "homework." But the recent arrest of Jackson Hull in Jacksonville has exposed a dangerous "hidden messenger" within the app that predators are using to bypass our trust. In this episode, Leron Gaskins (Big Ellie) reveals the "Canva Method"—a sneaky use of collaborative notes to create secret chat rooms. If this warning was helpful, please hit the HYPE or FOLLOW button on your podcast app! For every 5-star review we receive this week, I'll be sending out a "Log Off, Lock In" sticker pack to a random listener. In This Episode, We Discuss: * The Jackson Hull Case: Breaking down the 4th-grade teacher's arrest and the "News Gap" the media missed. * The "Canva Method": How predators weaponize collaborative notes and project bubbles. * Digital Incarceration: Why school-sanctioned apps are the newest blind spot for parents. * 5 Actionable Tips: From auditing the "Shared With You" folder to enforcing "Living Room Only" design. Resources & Links * 🛡️ SECURE YOUR HOME: Monitor hidden chats in Canva, Roblox, and Google Docs with Bark: https://www.bark.us/learn/aff-bark-parental-controls/ [https://www.bark.us/learn/aff-bark-parental-controls/?irclickid=Sv3X5JzSNxyKT2fRH5TSAyovUkuya4Q8EydEx80&irgwc=1&afsrc=1&ref=&rt=] * 📥 FREE WORKBOOK: Download the 7-Day Digital Release at brokentraditions.com [http://brokentraditions.com].

The OnlyFans Trap: How Social Media & Gaming Addiction Fueled a Billion-Dollar Empire

OnlyFans didn't become a billion-dollar empire by accident. It was the "Perfect Storm" created when a generation of girls chasing validation collided with a generation of boys chasing escapism. In this episode, Leron Gaskins (Big Ellie) uses the story of two childhood friends, Angela and Miles, to expose how digital addiction serves as the primary fuel for the OnlyFans trap. In This Episode, We Discuss: * The Main Ingredients: Why social media addiction in girls and video game addiction in boys created a "tornado" effect in the digital economy. * Angela's Path: From a 5th-grade comparison trap to the "high" of social media validation that led her to drop out of college. * Miles's Path: How 3:00 AM gaming habits and a lack of social skills turned a young boy into a virtual consumer. * Digital Incarceration: Why the "cell" phone is the tool keeping us locked in. * Human Connection: The high cost of trading real-world cues for digital transactions. [Resources & Links] * 📥 FREE WORKBOOK: Download the 7-Day Digital Release Workbook to break your digital cell at brokentraditions.com [http://brokentraditions.com]. * 🧢 SPECIAL THANKS: Shoutout to Chris Classic (owner of Savoir fragrances) for the "Only Fams" hat and to Poo Man for the episode inspiration. 🎁 THE CHALLENGE: Win a "Log Off, Lock In" Mug! I'm giving away the new Broken Traditions "Log Off, Lock In" mug to listeners who can spot the Easter Eggs! * The Task: Listen for the clues and guess why I named the characters Angela and Miles. * To Enter: Email your guess and your contact info to leron@brokentraditions.com [leron@brokentraditions.com]. 💎 JOIN THE COMMUNITY ON PATREON The Broken Traditions Podcast is community-powered. By joining our Patreon, you aren't just a listener—you're a partner. Get exclusive deep-dives, early episode access, and behind-the-scenes content. 🫶🏾 Support the mission: https://www.patreon.com/c/LeronGaskins [https://www.patreon.com/c/LeronGaskins] The Broken Traditions Podcast is the only space dedicated to exploring digital overconsumption through a Black perspective. We bridge the gap between tech habits and cultural traditions to help you live more intentionally. Affiliate Partners & Tools Bark: Comprehensive parental controls to monitor and manage your family's digital exposure to the "Three S's." https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page [https://barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/c/6687714/1430413/17000?adname=affiliate_home_page] Brick: A physical device that lets you "brick" your phone, removing addictive apps and helping you stay present. https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980 [https://getbrick.com/?snowball=LERON81980] STAY CONNECTED: 🌐 Website: http://brokentraditions.com [http://brokentraditions.com] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/broken_traditions/ [https://www.instagram.com/broken_traditions/] ✉️ Business Inquiries: leron@brokentraditions.com [leron@brokentraditions.com]