(Episode Summary)
A winding conversation about what we're losing and what we're holding onto. Jelani and Spencer move from Michael Irvin debates to D'Angelo's passing, from birthday party survival mode to the weight of rest. They wrestle with Black icon losses, the difference between stamina and greatness, and what happens when God sends a spiritual sign to slow down.
(Key Moments)
Michael Irvin: The 100% Guy
Spencer and Jelani debate whether Michael Irvin is off-limits from slander. He's the final boss of retired athletes — fully committed to the character at all times.
Birthday Party Survival
Jelani recounts crawling through indoor playground obstacle courses while his lower back screams for relief. The reality of fatherhood: you show up even when your body is begging to tap out.
D'Angelo and Cruisin'
Jelani shares how Cruisin' played the exact moment he and Steph walked into their hotel room after their New Orleans wedding. It wasn't planned — it was divine timing.
Movie Scores as Creative Fuel
Spencer breaks down his go-to soundtracks for deep work: Tenet, Black Klansman, If Beale Street Could Talk. The right music doesn't just set the mood — it shapes the work.
Icons, Longevity, and John Legend
They wrestle with the coming loss of Black icons and ask: who's next? John Legend's name comes up. Is it greatness or stamina? And what does it mean when the bar starts to lower?
The Spiritual Sign to Rest
Spencer recounts the moment an older Black woman at church told him: God says you need to rest. She had already predicted his house situation months earlier. Now she's back with another message.
The Mount Everest Simulation
Spencer shares a leadership exercise where he prioritized the group's mission over his own needs — and got helicoptered off the mountain. The lesson: if you don't advocate for your rest, you won't make it to the summit.
Talking to the Trees
Jelani describes lying under the trees in his backyard, feeling like they were introducing themselves. He brought his kids out to say hello. A moment of presence and connection to the land that holds them.
(Themes)
Where to Find Us
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