Should fathers stay in a marriage for the sake of their children, or is leaving sometimes the better choice?

In this episode of Black Dad Unfiltered, we explore one of the most complex and emotionally charged decisions a father can face. Through honest dialogue and personal experiences, this conversation highlights the tension between maintaining family structure and protecting one’s mental and emotional well-being.

We discuss the impact of father presence in the home, the potential consequences of exposing children to unhealthy relationship dynamics, and the long-term effects of separation. This episode also sheds light on the internal struggles many men face balancing responsibility, identity, and the desire to do what’s best for their children.

Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all answer, this conversation presents multiple perspectives to help listeners think more deeply about their own situations. It emphasizes the importance of intentional decision-making and prioritizing the well-being of the children above all else.

If you’re navigating marriage, separation, or fatherhood decisions, this episode offers insight and perspective to guide your thinking.

If this episode resonates, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit from this conversation.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

Are you parenting your children from a place of fear or from a place of faith?

In this episode of Black Dad Unfiltered, we explore one of the most important mindset shifts in parenting: moving from fear-based decision-making to faith-driven guidance. This conversation highlights how love, fear, and protection are deeply connected and how easily parents can slip into raising children based on anxiety rather than empowerment.

Through an honest dialogue between a father and a mother, we examine the challenges of raising children, especially in environments where the stakes feel higher and the consequences feel more severe. We discuss how fear can influence decisions about relationships, safety, and independence, and why it’s important to equip children with tools, awareness, and confidence rather than trying to control every outcome.

This episode also emphasizes the role of communication, modeling behavior, and helping children develop their own internal guidance system so they can make better decisions when parents are no longer present.

If you’re striving to raise strong, confident, and prepared children, this episode offers valuable insight and perspective.

If this conversation resonates, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another parent who needs to hear it.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

Are boys and girls really raised the same when it comes to relationships and dating?

In this episode of Black Dad Unfiltered, we explore how parents approach raising sons versus daughters, especially during the teenage years when emotions, relationships, and boundaries begin to take shape.

Through an honest and unfiltered conversation between a father and a mother, this episode highlights the tension between protecting children and preparing them for the real world. We discuss how fear often drives parenting decisions, particularly around dating, and why communication and guidance may be more effective than control.

You’ll hear perspectives on teaching boys respect, helping girls navigate attention and intentions, and why many young people are unprepared for relationships later in life. This episode also challenges the pressure placed on teenagers to behave like adults in relationships without the emotional tools to support it.

Whether you’re raising sons, daughters, or both, this conversation offers valuable insights into building healthier communication, stronger boundaries, and more intentional parenting strategies.

If this episode resonates, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with another parent who needs this conversation.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

When is the right time to introduce a new partner to your children?

In this episode of Black Dad Unfiltered, we explore one of the most important and often overlooked conversations in parenting after divorce: how to navigate dating while protecting your children’s emotional well-being.

Through an honest dialogue between a father and a mother, this episode breaks down the complexities of introducing a new relationship into a child’s life. We discuss the importance of timing, emotional readiness, and how to evaluate whether a partner is truly aligned with your family values.

You’ll hear insights on co-parenting dynamics, setting healthy boundaries, and why taking a gradual, intentional approach can make all the difference. This conversation also highlights how children process change and why parents must first rebuild stability before adding new layers to the family structure.

Whether you’re a single parent dating again or considering blending families, this episode offers practical guidance and real perspectives to help you make thoughtful decisions.

If this episode resonates with you, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone navigating a similar journey.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

What does it really take for a man to approach relationships differently after divorce?

In this episode of Black Dad Unfiltered, we explore the realities of dating, healing, and rebuilding as black men navigating life after a failed relationship. This conversation goes beyond surface-level advice and dives into the deeper work required for emotional growth, vulnerability, communication, and self-awareness.

We discuss the importance of understanding what you truly need in a partner versus what you want, how to develop stronger relationship boundaries, and why accountability plays a critical role in long-term success. The episode also highlights the challenges men face with vulnerability and how creating safe emotional spaces can transform relationships.

Whether you’re considering a second marriage, actively dating, or simply working on becoming a better partner and father, this episode offers practical insights and honest perspectives to guide your journey.

If this conversation resonates with you, be sure to follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

What does it really take to go from putting on plays in a Brooklyn basement to seeing your work on the big screen at AMC Theaters?

In this episode of The Playbook with Coach Rod, Coach Rod sits down with Eden Marryshow, a Brooklyn-based award-winning writer, director, and actor, to talk about the journey behind the dream. This conversation goes beyond success headlines and gets into the real story: family influence, self-doubt, creative risk, community, consistency, and the mindset it takes to keep building when the vision is bigger than your current reality.

Eden shares how his father’s basement theater productions planted the seed, how he found his voice through storytelling, and how a $2,500 project turned into a film career with real momentum. They also dive into what it means to create before you feel fully ready, why community matters in every stage of the journey, and how representation shapes what we believe is possible for ourselves and our children.

If you’re a Black man or woman chasing a dream, building something from the ground up, or trying to stay consistent while fighting self-doubt, this episode will speak directly to you.

Produced by Black Dad Unfiltered Media, this episode is about ownership, identity, vision, and what happens when you keep moving long enough for the world to catch up.

🎧 If this conversation added value, follow the podcast, like this episode, and leave us a 5-star review.

📲 Share this episode with someone who needs the reminder that humble beginnings do not limit big outcomes.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

Most people quit right before the breakthrough. And the difference between good and great is rarely talent; it’s the mental game.

In this episode of The Playbook with Coach Rod, we sit down with Keith Smart, 3-time Olympian and Olympic Silver Medalist in saber fencing, to unpack what it really takes to stay locked in when the pressure is loud and the stakes are high. Keith takes us behind the curtain of Olympic competition, where expectations are heavy, the spotlight is unforgiving, and one point can separate heartbreak from history.

If you’re a man or woman who’s building something big, a career, a family, a business, or a legacy, this conversation will sharpen your mindset. We talk about resilience after setbacks, the discipline of preparation, handling public criticism, and why confidence isn’t pretending you’re fearless… It’s being willing to be vulnerable, ask for help, and keep showing up anyway.

If this conversation resonated with you, follow the podcast, like this episode, and leave us a 5-star review. It helps more people find these conversations.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

How do you know what love really is, and how do you know when it isn’t?

For many of us, love has been defined by feelings, emotions, or past experiences, but that often leaves us confused and misled.

In this solo episode of Carlos V. Spencer Speaks, Carlos breaks down how love can be understood in two powerful ways: by experiencing what love truly is and by learning from experiences where love was absent. Drawing on real-life examples, personal reflection, and timeless principles, this conversation challenges the notion that love is merely a feeling and invites listeners to view it as rooted in patience, kindness, consistency, and choice.

Carlos explores how a clear definition of love provides a point of reference, allowing you to recognize healthy love when it appears and discern unhealthy patterns when it doesn’t. This episode is especially relevant for Black men and women navigating relationships, healing from past experiences, and seeking clarity on how love should feel, look, and function in their lives.

Produced by Black Dad Unfiltered Media, this episode encourages intentional growth, emotional awareness, and deeper understanding in relationships of all kinds.

If this conversation resonated with you, follow the podcast, like this episode, and leave us a 5-star review. Your support helps more people discover these conversations and grow with us.

Let’s go. Let’s grow. Let’s get it.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

What does it really take to lead at a high level when you’re often the only one in the room?

In this episode, we unpack what it means to be “beyond reproach” and stay rooted in your identity while navigating leadership as a person of color.

On The Playbook with Coach Rod, Coach Rod sits down with Albert Thompson, a marketing technologist and cultural strategist, to discuss credibility, perception, and a real-world framework for thriving in underrepresented spaces without compromising who you are. Albert shares why professionals must understand what they’re up against, how to disarm rooms with self-awareness, and why “world building” and getting reps through diverse experiences are career advantages most people overlook.

They also get into what it means to treat your work as a craft, stay in continuous development, and build a personal brand that makes people see you the way you want to be seen—before assumptions write your story for you.

Produced by Black Dad Unfiltered Media, this conversation is for leaders, creators, and professionals who want to grow with integrity, expand their range, and elevate their impact.

If this episode added value, follow the show, like this episode, and leave us a 5-star review. Your support helps more people find these conversations and grow with us.

Let’s go. Let’s grow. Let’s get it.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

Fear isn’t always protecting you.

Sometimes, it’s preventing you.

In this episode of Carlos V. Spencer Speaks, Carlos breaks down what fear really is and why most of it is false evidence appearing real.

Your brain is wired for safety, not success. That means the very discomfort you feel when stepping into something new isn’t a warning sign; it may be a doorway.

Carlos challenges you to ask better questions:

• Why am I actually afraid of this?
• What is this fear keeping me from?
• Is this danger… or is this growth?

From fight-or-flight instincts to self-sabotaging thought patterns, this episode unpacks how fear disguises itself as logic, how it limits your potential, and how stepping beyond it may unlock the breakthrough you’ve been waiting for.

If 90% of what you fear will never happen, what would you attempt if you stopped believing the lie?

Let’s go. Let’s grow. Let’s get it. 💪

🎧 If this episode challenged you, share it with someone who needs to hear it.

⭐ Follow the podcast and leave a 5-star review to help us reach more people.

📲 Tag @blackdadunfiltered and tell us: What fear are you stepping beyond this week?

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

Imagine waking up one day and finding out you no longer own your home, even though you never missed a mortgage payment. This episode of The Playbook with Coach exposes deed theft, one of the most devastating and least understood forms of fraud impacting homeowners across the U.S., especially in Black and Brown communities.

Coach Rod sits down with estate planning attorney Sabine Franco to break down how deed theft actually works, why senior citizens and inherited properties are most vulnerable, and how public records can be used against unsuspecting families. They unpack the hidden risks of heir property, adding children to deeds, vacant homes, and why this crime often flies under the radar for years.

If you’re a Black man or woman who owns property, inherited a home, or plans to build generational wealth, this conversation is critical. You’ll learn practical warning signs to watch for, simple steps to protect your property now, and how proper estate planning can act as a powerful defense against wealth stripping.

This episode isn’t about fear; it’s about awareness, protection, and keeping what you’ve worked so hard to build.

If this conversation resonated with you, follow the podcast, like this episode, and leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review. It helps more people find these conversations.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

When is it time to make yourself a priority?

For many of us, especially those responsible for others, the answer feels complicated, but the truth is simpler than we think.

In this solo episode of Carlos V. Spencer Speaks, Carlos breaks down why self-care isn’t selfish; it’s foundational. From real-life analogies to powerful lessons about burnout, leadership, and responsibility, this conversation challenges the idea that taking care of yourself comes last. If you’re constantly pouring into others but neglecting your own well-being, this episode will help you rethink what it truly means to show up for the people who depend on you.

Recorded from the gym and grounded in lived experience, Carlos explains why making yourself a priority allows everything else in your life to function better: your family, your work, your health, and your peace. This message is especially relevant for Black men and women navigating pressure, expectations, and the weight of always being “the strong one.”

This episode is produced by Black Dad Unfiltered Media and speaks directly to those who are ready to stop running on empty and start leading from a place of wholeness.

If this conversation resonated with you, follow the podcast, like this episode, and leave us a 5-star review. Your support helps more people find these conversations and grow with us.

Let’s go. Let’s grow. Let’s get it.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

Forgiveness isn’t about letting someone else off the hook—it’s about finally setting yourself free.

In this episode of Carlos V Spencer Speaks, Carlos V. Spencer delivers a powerful and motivating conversation on the true meaning of forgiveness and why holding onto resentment, anger, and unforgiveness quietly keeps you stuck. With a coaching-style approach and real-life insight, Carlos explains how unforgiveness harms your emotional wellness, mental health, and personal growth, often more than the original offense ever did.

Carlos challenges the common misunderstanding that forgiveness means excusing what happened or reopening doors to harmful relationships. Instead, he reframes forgiveness as a personal decision to release emotional weight and reclaim your freedom. Through practical tools and mindset shifts, listeners learn how to let go of resentment, ask better questions, and begin a genuine healing journey.

This episode also explores why forgiveness is a process, not a moment, and how using the right tools, such as reflection, writing exercises, mentorship, and therapy, can help you move forward with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re healing from past pain or seeking emotional freedom, this conversation will help you stop reliving the past and start growing into what’s next.

👉 Subscribe to Black Dad Unfiltered and leave a review to support the show and help others discover conversations that inspire healing, growth, and emotional freedom.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

Is pride a strength or can it quietly become your biggest obstacle?

In this episode of Carlos V. Spencer Speaks, Carlos V. Spencer explores the fine line between healthy pride and harmful pride, and how understanding that difference can impact your growth, confidence, and long-term success.

Carlos challenges the idea that pride is always negative, explaining how confidence rooted in hard work and self-belief can be a powerful motivator. At the same time, he unpacks how pride can turn destructive when it becomes entitlement, closes us off from feedback, or keeps us from learning and growing.

Through relatable examples and reflective insight, Carlos emphasizes the importance of staying open to counsel, remaining coachable, and balancing confidence with humility. Subtly woven throughout the conversation is the reminder that humility doesn’t cancel confidence; it refines it.

If you’ve ever questioned whether your pride is pushing you forward or quietly holding you back, this episode offers clarity, wisdom, and a mindset shift worth sitting with.

🎙️ Carlos V. Spencer Speaks is a podcast about growth, perspective, and becoming better through honest self-reflection.

👉 Follow the show to stay connected.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

How do you know if you’re making the right decision—and what if waiting to decide is actually the biggest mistake?

In this episode of Carlos V. Spencer Speaks, Carlos V. Spencer tackles the fear that keeps so many people stuck: the fear of making the wrong choice. He explains why indecision is a decision in itself and how trying to avoid mistakes often costs us more than making them.

Through relatable stories and practical wisdom, Carlos reframes mistakes as powerful learning tools rather than failures. He shares the idea that decisions aren’t always final destinations; they’re often stepping stones that lead to clarity, growth, and new opportunities. Even when a choice doesn’t turn out the way you hoped, it can still move you forward.

Carlos also breaks down the importance of taking calculated risks rather than reckless action or paralyzing inaction, and he offers perspective on why most of what we fear never actually happens and why the rest is often out of our control anyway.

If you’ve been overthinking, second-guessing yourself, or waiting for certainty before taking action, this episode will help you shift your mindset, make decisions with confidence, and keep progressing.

🎙️ Carlos V. Spencer Speaks is a motivational podcast focused on mindset, growth, and navigating life with clarity and purpose.

👉 Follow the show so you don’t miss future episodes.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

Why do so many people quit right before they’re about to break through?

In this episode of Carlos V. Spencer Speaks, Carlos challenges the way we think about failure and success. Instead of viewing setbacks as proof that something isn’t working, he reframes failure as a necessary and valuable part of growth. The real problem, he explains, isn’t failure itself; it’s how we interpret it.

Drawing on powerful stories and insights from thought leaders like Bob Proctor, Earl Nightingale, and Les Brown, Carlos explores the idea that success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. From persistence in podcasting to real-world examples of resilience, this conversation highlights why persistence, especially when results aren’t immediate, separates those who succeed from those who stop.

If you’ve ever felt discouraged by setbacks, questioned your progress, or wondered whether you’re failing, this episode will help you shift your mindset, regain enthusiasm, and keep moving forward with clarity and purpose.

🎙️ Carlos V. Spencer Speaks is a motivational podcast focused on mindset, resilience, and personal growth designed to help you think differently and stay committed to your journey.

👉 Follow the podcast and never miss an episode.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

Doubt has a quiet way of showing up—through fear, worry, and the stories we tell ourselves before we even try. In this episode of Carlos V Spencer Speaks, Carlos V. Spencer breaks down how doubt operates in the mind and why it keeps so many people from stepping into their full potential.

Carlos explores the surprising truth that nearly 90% of what we worry about never actually happens, while the rest is often outside of our control. Yet doubt convinces us to pause, hesitate, or quit before we begin. When left unchecked, it turns the mind from a place of creativity and freedom into a space dominated by negative self-talk.

Through practical insight and real-life perspective, Carlos challenges listeners to rethink doubt—not as a weakness, but as a signal. A signal that points to missing information, preparation, or belief. He introduces a powerful mindset shift by asking one simple question: “What if this works?” That question alone can unlock confidence, creativity, and forward movement.

Drawing on timeless wisdom, including a quote from Confucius, this episode reminds us that belief plays a critical role in shaping our outcomes. Whether you’re facing uncertainty, fear, or self-doubt, this conversation will help you stop second-guessing yourself and start growing with intention.

👉 Subscribe to Carlos V Spencer Speaks and leave a review to support the show and help more people step beyond doubt and into growth.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

Dreaming is powerful—but dreaming alone won’t move your life forward. In this episode of Carlos V Spencer Speaks, we break down the real difference between having a dream and carrying a vision that creates action, clarity, and results.

Using timeless examples and faith-centered insight, Carlos explains why dreams spark possibility, but visions build momentum. Writing the vision turns hope into direction and gives purpose a structure others can see, support, and help bring to life.

This conversation speaks directly to leaders, creatives, and change-makers in communities of color who are navigating purpose, resilience, and responsibility. It’s about mindset, belief, and stepping fully into the work you were called to do—without staying stuck in inspiration alone.

If you’re ready to move from imagining what could be to building what will be, this episode will challenge and encourage you.

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If you enjoyed this episode, follow the show, drop a 5-star review, leave a comment, and share it with a friend who would benefit from this conversation!

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

What if your future success hinges on the decisions you make today? In this eye-opening episode of Carlos V. Spencer Speaks, Carlos explores how everyday actions—no matter how small—carry the power to define the next 20 years of your life.

Drawing from real conversations with high achievers and timeless biblical wisdom, Carlos delivers a relatable, motivating message about the importance of vision, self-discipline, and taking immediate action. You’ll learn why clarity creates momentum, how to break free from procrastination using the 12-week year method, and how creating passive income streams can free your time and build long-term freedom.

More than inspiration, this episode offers practical tools for goal setting, building better habits, and aligning your daily life with your deepest purpose. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, creative, or simply someone tired of delaying your dreams, this conversation is your wake-up call.

✅ Learn how to:

• Apply the 12-week year to set focused, achievable goals
• Turn your vision into action with discipline and purpose
• Create passive income through books, courses, or content
• Replace comfort-seeking with clarity-driven living

Carlos reminds us: the best way to honor your future is to act in the present. If you’re ready to shift from wishful thinking to intentional living, this episode is for you.

🎧 Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who’s ready to take control of their future.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month

You work hard. You sacrifice. You climb. But what if the ladder you’ve been climbing is leaning against the wrong wall? In this episode of Black Dad Unfiltered, Carlos V Spencer exposes the cost of chasing goals that don’t align with your true purpose.

Through personal testimony and hard-hitting insight, Carlos shows why security without vision leaves you unfulfilled, why fear keeps people stuck, and why urgency is non-negotiable in today’s uncertain world. He proves that real success is not about money, but about living a purpose-driven life that leaves no room for regret.

This is an unfiltered call to stop waiting, stop hiding, and start living your vision.

Follow Black Dad Unfiltered on YouTube and Instagram. Be sure to follow the podcast, leave us a 5-star rating, and share this episode with a friend ready to pursue their purpose.

New episode every second and fourth Thursday of the Month