The Higher Valleys Podcast

Empty Tank

EPISODE SUMMARY Spencer just walked across the stage for his master's, in addition to the victory lap, the room got honest. This week is about what celebration actually feels like when you're running on empty — and what burnout, support systems, and family legacy have to do with the same conversation. Jelani brings the systemic lens: athlete activism without infrastructure, comedy as cultural pressure valve, and what it means to support people structurally instead of symbolically. Two hosts, one milestone, and a real conversation about how to honor a moment without skipping past the cost of getting there. TOPICS * Spencer's graduation moment — walking the stage for his master's while honoring his grandparents' legacy, and why being present at milestones is its own discipline * The burnout underneath the achievement — juggling school, work, family, and community, and what it costs to sit with that instead of sprinting past it * Support systems as infrastructure — why family, friends, and community aren't a nice-to-have, they're the actual scaffolding underneath every "individual" win * Athletes, activism, and the systems behind them — what real structural support for athletes looks like vs. what gets called support * The role of comedy right now — boundaries, free expression, and why satire matters in a moment that wants everyone in line * Drake's Iceman and the post-beef era — the triple-album drop, what it signals about losing a round but winning a cycle, and how the culture decides who "won" when the receipts are streams vs. moments * Legacy letters — Spencer's letter to his daughter, and why writing one is a discipline more than a sentiment * Self-care that isn't performative — listening to the body, setting real boundaries, leaving room for softness * Collective action vs. individual heroics — boycotts, advocacy, and why the systemic move always beats the lone hero move Where to Find Us Instagram: @highervalleyspodcast TikTok: @highervalleys Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2511850/fan_mail/new]

PAC: Alexys Feaster

Episode Summary Jelani and Spencer open up about Mother’s Day, fatherhood, and what it really means to build legacy as a dad—beyond one holiday or one “perfect” gesture. They swap stories about kids’ performances, community events, and the quiet moments that remind you why showing up matters. The episode then zooms out to culture and Hollywood: the British vs. American actor debate, the specific lane for Black American performers, and how public opinion can reshape an athlete’s entire narrative, using Stefon Diggs as a case study. Things culminate in a powerful sit-down with producer Alexys Feaster, who bridges sports and entertainment, champions athlete storytelling, and helps unpack gender dynamics, accountability, and collaboration in both work and relationships. Topics Covered * Mother’s Day as a simple but meaningful space to honor moms and model love for kids * The contrast between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day expectations and narratives * Emotional impact of children’s performances and why those moments hit so deeply * Community events and movement initiatives as tools for health and connection * Cultural representation in media and the British vs. American actor debate * How Black American actors are positioned in Hollywood and what roles they are (and aren’t) offered * British actors studying the Black American experience from a distance * The idea that there are forces and structures in Hollywood shaping which stories and faces lead * The pretrial process vs. trial outcomes and how public opinion can become a permanent label * Personal reflections on Stefon Diggs and how athletes get framed by narrative * Why accountability and self-reflection matter in personal relationships * Alexys Feaster’s work bridging sports and entertainment and advocating for athlete storytelling * Collaboration and ownership of one’s story as keys to impactful projects and personal growth * Closing reflections on gender dynamics, care in conversation, and what it means to support mothers well Highlight Quotes * “The pretrial process can be more damaging than the verdict, because public opinion becomes the sentence.” * “Owning your story is not optional—it’s the only way you keep other people from writing it for you.” Where to Find Us Instagram: @highervalleyspodcast TikTok: @highervalleys Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2511850/fan_mail/new]

PAC: SOUL Cole

Episode Summary Jelani and Spencer sit down for a live Higher Valleys conversation with mindfulness leader and former NFL player Soul Cole, recorded at the Pro Athlete Community Accelerate conference in Phoenix. They open with real-life updates—ten-year anniversaries, LA proximity to fame, and what it means to be “in the mix” without being starstruck—before shifting into the deeper work of presence and grounding. From self-talk in the mirror to breathwork, storytelling, and emotional intelligence for underserved youth, the episode explores how to help high-performing athletes regulate, reconnect to their source, and carry those tools back into their families and communities. Topics Covered * Ten-year anniversaries, simple family-centered celebrations, and building rituals at home * Growing up in LA, proximity to celebrity, and how “just more reps” changes what feels normal * First live Higher Valleys recording: context from the Pro Athlete Community conference in Phoenix * Who Soul Cole is: former NFL player, coach, author, breathwork and mindfulness facilitator * Soul Impact: his nonprofit work bringing mindfulness and emotional intelligence to underserved youth * Children’s storytelling and Mighty Soul Adventures as an entry point into mindfulness for kids * Being a “father figure” and role model even before becoming a parent * Supporting high-performing athletes who are always in motion, performance mode, and comparison * Using breathwork and grounding practices to reconnect athletes to their source * How Soul Cole's approach began: talking to himself in the mirror with intention and authority * Bringing that same intentional self-talk and presence into peer-to-peer work with other athletes Highlight Quotes * “We just have more reps than most people—it’s the concept of proximity.” * “This podcast is about fatherhood, and even though you’re not a father yet, you’re a father figure for so many.” * “My approach started with me literally talking to myself in the mirror with intention and authority—now I’m saying that to my peers the same way.” Tap in with SOUL https://soulimpactfoundation.org/ [https://soulimpactfoundation.org/] https://www.soulcolethebrand.com/ [https://www.soulcolethebrand.com/] https://www.instagram.com/b_cole16 [https://www.instagram.com/b_cole16?igsh=MTRzaWdkeG9nZHo3OA==] https://www.linkedin.com/in/soulcole [https://www.linkedin.com/in/soulcole?utm_source=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=member_ios] Where to Find Us Instagram: @highervalleyspodcast TikTok: @highervalleys Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2511850/fan_mail/new]

Thriller

Episode Summary Jelani and Spencer unpack what it looks like to parent with both strength and softness—especially inside youth sports, where pride, pressure, and old wounds can show up fast. From spring-break chaos to sideline coaching, they talk discipline as trust-building, how to protect a kid’s joy, and why confidence has to be owned from the inside. The conversation widens into legacy and culture: the NFL Draft as a living metaphor for dreams and community, the challenge of telling honest stories about icons like Michael Jackson, and the urgent need to treat athlete trauma (Michael Beasley) with real care—not content, not spectacle. Topics Covered * Spring break rhythms + parenting in real time * Coaching your kid vs. controlling your kid (sideline boundaries) * Letting kids enjoy the game and learn through experience * Resilience without “legacy obsession” (LeBron + sons as a lens) * Confidence + identity (milestones, goggles, internal goals) * The NFL Draft: pressure, decisions, and community behind the scenes * Biopic storytelling: what gets omitted, and why it matters (Michael Jackson) * Joe Jackson, genius, and the cost of extraordinary circumstances * Trauma as a trap vs. a source of resilience—nervous system realities * Athlete mental health (Michael Beasley): media narratives vs. specialized help * The “too many tabs open” metaphor for unresolved trauma * Modeling vulnerability, accountability, honesty, apology, and growth at home Highlight Quotes * “Don’t turn their childhood into your legacy.” * “The goal isn’t control—it’s confidence.” * “Trauma is like having too many tabs open—you’re still running everything, even when you think you’re fine.” Where to Find Us Instagram: @highervalleyspodcast TikTok: @highervalleys  Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2511850/fan_mail/new]

Guilty Pleasure

Episode Summary Spencer and Jelani wrestle with the tension of loving art created by complicated people—using Kanye as the mirror. They move through mental health, accountability, and the weight of cultural influence, while grounding the conversation in real life: festivals, performance, fatherhood, legacy, and what it means to teach the next generation how to hold truth with compassion. Topics Covered * Supporting the art vs. supporting the artist * Kanye’s music, controversy, and cultural imprint * Mental health in public discourse + where accountability begins * Nostalgia, ethical consumption, and the reality of “cancel culture” * Live performance: stage presence, craft, and why it matters (Coachella) * Talking to kids about death and life’s cycles * Fatherhood: discipline, coaching, and emotional support * Legacy, ancestors, altars, and cultural ritual * Career transitions and growing through new seasons * Community, presence, and living the whole story Highlight Quotes * “It’s not a zero sum game when it comes to supporting art and artists with complicated lives.” * “The energy of a performance can inspire or haunt us—it’s the art that touches our core.” * “Supporting someone includes embracing all their flaws, their highs and lows—it’s complex, but human.” Where to Find Us Instagram: @highervalleyspodcast TikTok: @highervalleys Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2511850/fan_mail/new]