Shows
Pops and Son ConversationsCelebrating A Year Of Podcasts While Owning The Hard Work Behind Creativity, Leadership, And Mental HealthSend us a textYear one wasn’t luck—it was repetition, accountability, and a stubborn belief that our voices matter. We celebrate the milestone and tell the truth about the work: the late edits, the topic droughts, and the decision to keep publishing when novelty wore off. That honesty sets the stage for what changed our pace—delegation, better systems, and a CEO mindset that puts mission and team above ego.We get specific about the craft. Acting sharpened discipline and feedback loops. Poetry moved from open mics to headlining sets with real audiences and hi...
2026-01-2233 minPops and Son ConversationsAccountability Over Blame: Choosing Growth After HeartbreakSend us a textThe hardest part isn’t the goodbye—it’s knowing when the relationship actually ended. We crack open the emotional mechanics of breakups, from the first “canon event” heartbreak many men face in their 20s to the subtle signals that a partnership has quietly expired. Along the way, we talk openly about accountability, effort, and why revenge cheating only deepens the wound you’re trying to close.We start with intention. If love is the game, practice matters: consistent communication, repair after conflict, respect in daily choices, and alignment on goals. Without thos...
2026-01-1541 minPops and Son ConversationsBuild Your Year On Patterns, Not HypeSend us a textNew Year energy is loud, but real progress is quiet and steady. We’re stepping into 2026 without a hard reset—just focused momentum, smarter habits, and a plan that respects time, health, and the people who keep us honest. If you’ve ever felt torn between announcing your goals and moving in silence, this conversation gives you a balanced way forward.We break down the habits that actually move the needle: using calendars and reminders to protect prime hours, replacing energy drinks with gentler focus, and carving out time to think so ide...
2026-01-0834 minPops and Son ConversationsDear Santa, Please Pay Off My Credit CardSend us a textThe lights are bright, the inbox is full of “limited time offers,” and the pressure to make magic can crush the joy right out of the season. We slow the pace to talk honestly about presence over presents, how to honor grief without dimming celebration, and why grace is the best gift you can give yourself and others. From the awkward New Year text that might reopen a door to the quiet courage it takes to accept an olive branch, we frame the holidays as a chance to reconnect with what matters....
2025-12-2535 minPops and Son ConversationsWhat If The Best Gift Is BoundariesSend us a textHoliday magic shouldn’t require a meltdown—or a maxed-out card. We open up about the pressure fathers feel to deliver a “big Christmas,” and how that weight can turn joy into anxiety if nobody sets the boundaries. From kids’ scroll-length wish lists to subtle guilt from comparison and social feeds, we dig into what drives December stress and how to redirect it into something healthier and more meaningful.We get practical fast. You’ll hear why choosing one standout gift beats chasing twenty forgettable ones, how to talk with kids about money...
2025-12-1833 minPops and Son ConversationsBlack Santa, Hot Girl Summer, And That Office Party You Should Probably SkipSend us a textDecember can turn a light vibe into a high‑stakes situation fast. We dive into the real dynamics of dating during the holidays—why the season pushes labels, how gift pressure skews judgment, and where family and office invites send signals you might not intend. From Pops’ mission-first “Santa season” schedule to Javen’s parent-first priorities, we map out sane boundaries you can borrow to keep your joy, your budget, and your peace.We get honest about the pre‑holiday breakup phenomenon and the expectation trap that follows when December arrives. You’ll hear pr...
2025-12-1141 minPops and Son ConversationsHoliday Pressure, Fatherly BalanceSend us a textThe holidays can feel like a high-wire act: keep the magic alive for the kids, honor family traditions, and somehow protect January from December’s receipts. We open our hearts about the pressure fathers carry this time of year and share the practical ways we stay grounded—so joy wins and debt doesn’t.We talk about the early hit of Black Friday, the second budget that sneaks in for Christmas, and how easy it is to blur wants and needs when the cart is full and the lights are bright. From d...
2025-12-0431 minPops and Son ConversationsFamily Day Over Feast DaySend us a textThe best memories don’t come from perfect pies; they come from people who feel seen. We take a fresh run at Thanksgiving by reframing it as Family Day—an open door for those who love the gathering but not the old narrative. That small shift brings big wins: earlier meals so no one is hangry by 4 pm, gratitude circles that ground the room, and traditions that respect elders while giving kids a clear rite of passage from the kid table to the grown-up side.We dig into fatherhood rituals that carr...
2025-11-2747 minPops and Son ConversationsGrandma Had A Better Wi‑Fi: It Was Family - Throwback ThursdaySend us a text Support the showPlease follow Pops and Son Conversations on the website, popsandsonconversations.com, and social media @popsandsonconversations
2025-11-2040 minPops and Son ConversationsWho Serves, Who Sacrifices, And What We OweSend us a textEver thank a living veteran on Memorial Day? We start by drawing a bright line between honoring the fallen and celebrating those still with us, then dive into what service really looks like beyond the holiday hashtags. From PTSD that ripples through families to the slow grind of the VA system, we keep it frank, respectful, and practical—because respect without access isn’t enough.We swap stories across generations: a draft-era Navy dad, an Air Force combat medic who learned to stabilize trauma and then pivoted into labor and delivery at 1...
2025-11-1351 minPops and Son ConversationsPoliticking With Pops And SonSend us a textPolitics can feel like noise until you realize the decisions shaping your block are made in rooms most of us never enter. We pull that door open and walk through what really moves change: local elections, the roles nobody explains, and the everyday actions that turn your vote into visible results on your street.We start by naming the discomfort around politics in Black communities and where it comes from—history, broken promises, and real barriers. Then we shift to power you can use: how city councils decide budgets, how mayors se...
2025-11-0533 minPops and Son ConversationsFrom Friendship To Love: Building Bonds That Last - Part 1 and Part 2Send us a textDating shouldn’t feel like guesswork, and reinvention doesn’t have to feel like failure. We unpack what it means to date with purpose beyond the usual destination of marriage—healing, confidence, and clarity count too—and why friendship first is the underrated foundation for honest love. You’ll hear how skipping the friendship stage fuels situationships, how to run progress checks in a relationship without turning it into a report card, and why identity work is the real glue that keeps two people moving in the same direction.From a father-son...
2025-10-301h 02Pops and Son ConversationsLibra Season, Family, And BalanceSend us a textWhat does balance really look like when life gets loud? We open October with birthdays, family energy, and a grounded nod to awareness month causes, then get honest about what 31 and 50 have taught us about growth, legacy, and being present. Jay frames his early 30s as a rediscovery—testing old beliefs, owning creativity as a public craft, and building a father’s toolkit that goes beyond money into mindset and resilience. Pops answers with gratitude and focus at 50: honoring a brilliant mind without scattering it, acting on vision before doubt creeps in, and prot...
2025-10-2342 minPops and Son ConversationsWhen Life Keeps Lifin': Finding Your Way Back to Your GoalsSend us a textThe world doesn't pause at the halfway mark of your journey. Goals don't care that we're only in July. But perhaps we should—because that mid-year checkpoint might be exactly what we need to realign, refocus, and rediscover our purpose.In this reflective solo episode, I take you through the importance of mid-year check-ins and why pausing to acknowledge both your progress and your process matters. When was the last time you asked yourself if you're still chasing the same dreams you set out for in January? Have your priorities shifted? Wh...
2025-08-1423 minPops and Son ConversationsReconnecting Generations: Family Bonds in Modern TimesSend us a textWhat happens when we disconnect from our family roots and lose the multi-generational wisdom that once flowed naturally through our households? In this heartfelt exploration of family dynamics, Rob "Sylvan Fox" Malloy and Javan "Check Three Times" dive deep into what it truly means to build a home that nurtures both individuals and communities.The conversation begins with a provocative comparison between role models and mentors. While today's youth have unlimited access to inspirational figures through social media, they often lack the personalized guidance that comes from dedicated mentorship. As Rob...
2025-08-0740 minPops and Son ConversationsCommunity Power: Why Your Vote Matters More Than You ThinkSend us a textThe struggle for voting rights in America forms the backbone of our democracy, yet many of us fail to exercise this hard-won privilege. In this eye-opening conversation, Rob and Jay examine why voting matters far beyond simply checking a box every four years.Have you ever noticed how affluent neighborhoods proudly display political yard signs while other communities keep their political leanings hidden? This striking contrast reveals a fundamental understanding about collective power - when communities visibly rally behind issues and candidates, they create pressure that demands attention from leaders. The...
2025-07-3143 minPops and Son ConversationsWhat They Didn't Teach Us About June 19, 1865Send us a textFreedom delayed is not freedom denied. This powerful truth lies at the heart of Juneteenth, a holiday that only recently gained federal recognition but carries centuries of profound significance for Black Americans and our shared national story.On this special solo episode, I dive deep into the complex history of Juneteenth, tracing its origins to that momentous day in 1865 when Union General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas with General Order Number Three—finally bringing freedom to enslaved people a full two-and-a-half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. This isn't just Black hi...
2025-06-2643 minPops and Son ConversationsThe Man in the Mirror: Finding Your Way When No One's LookingSend us a textEver felt like you're supposed to have it all figured out but secretly you're drowning in doubt and uncertainty? You're not alone. In this raw, unfiltered solo episode, Rob "Pops" Malloy steps up to deliver a message straight from the heart to men everywhere who are silently struggling. With his son taking the day off, Rob seizes this moment during Men's Health Awareness Month to speak directly to those carrying burdens they've never been taught to process."Dear Son, you're not lost, you're just becoming," he writes in a p...
2025-06-1926 minPops and Son ConversationsThe Silver Fox and the Poet: A Candid Conversation on Mental Wellness for Modern MenSend us a textWhat happens when you put health on the backburner? As Rob "Silver Fox" Malloy eloquently puts it: "If you don't make time for your body, your body will make time." This powerful statement anchors our Men's Health Awareness Month conversation, where we dive into the critical yet often overlooked aspects of male wellness.Remember when you could eat a whole pizza, wake up the next morning, and still have abs? Those days fade as we get "more seasoned," requiring us to adapt our health approaches. Beyond the physical changes, we explore...
2025-06-1241 minPops and Son ConversationsBros Before Emotional Silos: Why Men Need Each OtherSend us a textBrotherhood forms the cornerstone of men's health, extending far beyond biological relationships. During this Men's Health Month special episode, we explore what true brotherhood means - those relationships where accountability, vulnerability, and unwavering support create bonds sometimes stronger than blood.We share personal stories of our earliest brotherhood connections, from elementary school friendships that transcended racial and cultural boundaries to adult relationships that withstand life's transitions. These early bonds teach valuable lessons about acceptance, loyalty, and the joy of shared experiences that carry forward throughout life.What separates casual...
2025-06-0545 minPops and Son ConversationsSetting Boundaries Without Becoming the VillainSend us a textWe explore mental health within family dynamics, examining how emotional processing, boundary setting, and generational patterns affect our wellbeing.• Growing up without guidance on processing emotions leaves many of us ill-equipped to handle feelings• Many families, especially in communities of color, prioritized survival over emotional health• The "strong one" in every family often bears excessive emotional weight without proper support• Setting boundaries with family members is possible without being disrespectful• Taking mental health space from family is sometimes necessary and shouldn't cause guilt• Breaking generational patterns may create t...
2025-05-2947 minPops and Son ConversationsMental Health in Romantic RelationshipsSend us a textWhat happens when mental health challenges intersect with romantic relationships? In this candid conversation, Rob and Javan explore the delicate balance between vulnerability and self-protection when dating while managing mental health concerns.The father-son duo tackles one of the most challenging relationship questions: how much of your mental health history should you share with a new partner, and when should you share it? Through personal stories and thoughtful analysis, they examine the consequences of both disclosure and concealment, comparing withholding information about serious mental health issues to hiding an STD before...
2025-05-2244 minPops and Son ConversationsYour Mother's Love Is Your Blueprint for LifeSend us a textRob and Javan Malloy dedicate this special episode to celebrating mothers and exploring the intricate dynamics of mother-son relationships, examining how these foundational bonds shape men's identities and emotional development.• Discussion about reclaiming the term "mama's boy" from its negative connotation• Exploring how mothers teach sons to receive and give love• Examining how maternal relationships set the blueprint for future relationships• Analysis of how mothers instill emotional intelligence in their sons• The way mothers foster vulnerability and create safe spaces for expression• Reflections on how mothers influence th...
2025-05-0843 minPops and Son ConversationsMental Health: Breaking the SilenceSend us a textBreaking the silence around mental health starts with honesty. How often do we respond with "I'm blessed" when someone asks how we're doing, even while struggling inside? This automatic deflection prevents authentic connection and leaves many suffering alone behind carefully constructed facades.During Mental Health Awareness Month, we're tackling the persistent stigma surrounding mental health, particularly within the Black community. Growing up, these conversations were virtually non-existent—mental health challenges were disguised with vague terms like someone being "touched" or "different" without acknowledging the underlying issues.We explore the cr...
2025-05-0242 minPops and Son ConversationsBeyond the Paycheck: Is Your Money Working While You Sleep?Send us a textReady to break free from living paycheck to paycheck? Financial literacy isn't just about understanding money—it's about taking action to improve your financial situation through multiple income streams.During Financial Literacy Month, we're diving deep into three powerful strategies that can transform your financial future: investing, creating merchandise, and developing digital products. These approaches aren't just about making quick cash; they're about building sustainable wealth over time.Investing often intimidates people who don't understand the terminology or concepts. But here's the truth: you can start with just $20 in th...
2025-04-2429 min