Most men master the “front stage,” the image, the grind, the success.

But the real breakthrough happens backstage, where the inner work lives.

In this episode of Black Dad Unfiltered, Coach Rod sits down with Dr. Johnny Parker, CEO of The Parker Group, to unpack the difference between the persona we project and the private inner world we often keep hidden. Dr. Parker shares how what’s happening behind the curtain shapes everything in front of it: your marriage, your parenting, your leadership, and your mental health. You’ll hear why “what you don’t talk out, you act out,” and how ignoring your inner life can eventually show up as burnout, anxiety, broken relationships, or feeling stuck even when you’re “successful.”

Together, they explore why so many men hit a wall in midlife, how emotional healing impacts professional growth, and what it looks like to build safe spaces where vulnerability is earned, not forced. If you’ve ever felt like you’re carrying the weight of the world while hiding what’s really going on inside, this conversation will challenge and equip you.

Produced by Black Dad Unfiltered Media, this episode is part of our mission to change the narrative of Black men and fathers through authentic conversations that support healing, restoration, and stronger families.

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

Let’s go. Let’s grow. Let’s get it.

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.

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.

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