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.

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Let’s go. Let’s grow. Let’s get it.