"If I Start Crying, I Won't Stop" — Mike de la Rocha on Grief, Brotherhood & Becoming

Rich in the Ways That Matter — Rich Pérez on Vulnerability, Trust & The Second Act

Rich Pérez — author, filmmaker, faith leader, and Washington Heights native — is in the middle of something. Not a crisis. A becoming. After nearly two decades as a pastor, Rich walked away from the pulpit, left New York, and moved his family to Atlanta to pursue work in film and TV. Five years in, he's still navigating what it means to rebuild an identity when the job market is unstable, the labor force is shifting, and the internal work of becoming is never quite finished. In this conversation, Rich and Jason explore what it means to be a man in motion — between vocations, between versions of himself, between what the culture handed him and what he's choosing to carry forward. They go deep on love as a decision, not a sentiment. On the difference between vulnerability (a disposition) and transparency (an act). On the moment Rich's wife handed him something she'd been carrying for years — something she was willing to take to her grave — and what he did with it. On the shame of leaving sacred work. On what it means to give your kids a different script. Rich brings the kind of honesty that makes you want to sit down and think. This one stays with you. Chapters: * 00:00Navigating Life's Challenges and Relationships * 02:45The Journey of Career Transitions * 06:03Understanding Love Beyond Romance * 10:03The Power of Vulnerability in Parenting * 17:09Distinguishing Vulnerability from Transparency * 31:08The Weight of Confession * 34:12The Risk of Love and Vulnerability * 37:31Navigating Change and Growth * 42:58Permission to Evolve * 51:39Faith and Control in Change * 54:38Living and Loving with Eyes Wide Open * 01:00:45Integrity and the Rewritten Script

"If I Start Crying, I Won't Stop" — Mike de la Rocha on Grief, Brotherhood & Becoming

Mike de la Rocha is rewriting what masculinity looks like—one conversation, one tear, one vulnerable moment at a time. A month sober. A USA Today bestselling author. A podcast host. A coffee shop owner creating jobs for formerly incarcerated men. But the hardest work Mike does? It's private. It's watching his mother lose her memory. Sitting with the grief of losing his Black brothers too soon. Learning to cry without stopping himself. In this conversation, Mike and I go deep into: * What it means to be a man when certainty stops being armor * The three phrases that unlock everything: "I love you. I need help. I am sorry." * Why the strongest men are the ones who cry * How sobriety, vulnerability, and ritual create brotherhood * Rewriting the scripts we were given about masculinity * The Six P's: Purpose, Presence, Power, Partnership, Protection, Play * Confronting mortality while choosing radical hope This isn't an interview about fixing men. It's a conversation about remembering who we've always been. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene 01:04 Personal Growth and Sobriety Journey 02:36 The Importance of Connection and Vulnerability 05:26 Men's Work and Its Societal Impact 08:06 Exploring Father-Son Relationships 09:55 The Journey of Writing and Healing 12:50 Overcoming Resistance and Embracing Authenticity 15:35 Creating Safe Spaces for Men 18:07 The Role of Community in Healing 21:10 Engaging Men on the Margins 23:49 Reflections on Younger Self and Emotional Expression 28:16 The Strength in Vulnerability 33:21 The Six Pillars of Life Philosophy 38:51 Redefining Masculinity and Vulnerability 52:29 Rewriting the Script of Manhood Keywords men's work, vulnerability, healing, brotherhood, emotional expression, community, masculinity, self-recovery, sacred lessons, personal growth

Haydee Rosario: I Raised 5 Kids Alone - This Is What I Taught My Son About Being a Man

Summary In this heartfelt conversation, Jason Rosario speaks with his mother, Haydee Rosario, about their journey through life, the challenges they faced, and the lessons learned along the way. They discuss the meaning of becoming the 'man of the house,' the importance of ambition, and the transformative power of education. Haydee shares her experiences as an immigrant, a mother, and a role model, emphasizing the values of responsibility, love, and resilience. Their dialogue highlights the complexities of family dynamics, the impact of tough love, and the significance of communication in nurturing relationships. Takeaways * This show is about the journey of becoming the versions of ourselves that we've always aspired to be. * The importance of having big dreams and aspirations for our children. * Navigating life in a new country can be a significant challenge. * Ambition is key to breaking the cycle of poverty. * Education can transform lives and open new opportunities. * Motherhood brings strength and the need for tough decisions. * Tough love can be a way to prepare children for the world. * Protecting children from harm is a mother's instinct. * Responsibility is crucial in relationships and life choices. * Building strong relationships requires communication and vulnerability. Chapters 00:00 The Journey of Becoming 00:52 Reflections on Motherhood and Aspirations 05:00 Life Chapters and Transformations 11:27 Ambition and Overcoming Challenges 15:49 Pursuing Education and Career Growth 22:38 Lessons in Responsibility and Faith 25:54 The Impact of Motherhood on Identity 26:45 Navigating Life's Transitions 27:17 Lessons from Tough Love 31:05 The Importance of Love and Respect 32:48 Protecting from Harm 33:46 Rapid Fire Insights 34:43 Defining Responsibility 37:38 Reflections on Fatherhood 39:18 Building Strong Relationships 44:44 Advice for Raising Sons