Welcome to the first episode of The Getting Older Podcast in 2026—a special conversation that hits different. Host Ivory reunites with longtime friends Brandon Baker and Steven Brito for a full-circle moment, reflecting on how much life shifted in 2025 and what they're carrying—or leaving—into this new year.

If you've ever found yourself reevaluating friendships, setting boundaries, grieving old versions of yourself, or simply trying to figure out how to show up more honestly in your relationships, this episode will land with you. It’s honest. It’s healing. And it’s the kind of talk we rarely get to hear from men—especially men approaching 30, navigating adulthood, community, and identity with open hearts.

Ivory, Brandon, and Steven dig deep into how their past year unfolded—from internal growth to external changes. They get vulnerable about losing loved ones, navigating career pivots, finding their peace, and practicing presence through both discipline and discomfort. The conversation flows naturally from memories and milestones to moments of stillness, grief, and gratitude.

You’ll hear what they’re still quietly grieving, what boundaries they’re finally standing on, and what they’re no longer forcing. There’s a lot of honesty, a few hard-won lessons, and some surprisingly funny stories (like Ivory’s infamous boat moment in Colombia). But at the heart of it all is a shared commitment to becoming better men—not just for the world, but for themselves.

Key themes in this episode include:

• Letting go of old identities and unhealthy attachments

• Learning to say no without overexplaining

• Redefining what masculinity and friendship look like in adulthood

• Personal discipline through sobriety, fitness, and stillness

• Navigating grief after the loss of a parent

• Finding peace in patience—and discomfort in growth

• Reconnecting with community and protecting your energy

You’ll also hear how Steven is preparing for marriage, what Brandon is doing to reclaim his peace (and maybe his lover boy era), and why Ivory feels more grounded than he ever has—even while learning to accept praise, rest, and real connection.

As the trio looks back at where they started in 2025—especially that first episode, Break the Cycle—you’ll see the emotional and spiritual growth they’ve earned. It’s not just a recap. It’s a time capsule of transformation. Each of them gets real about the mental shifts, emotional pivots, and lifestyle changes that helped them navigate the past 12 months with more grace, even when it wasn’t always pretty.

They also open up about the pressures of being “the strong one” in their families and communities, and how that weight often goes unnoticed. From family estrangement to choosing yourself, they name what many feel but rarely say out loud.

Before wrapping, they each share:

• Their peak, pit, and plot twist of 2025

• One boundary they’re still working to protect

• What their 20-year-old self would say about the man they are now

• What kind of love—and life—they’re manifesting in 2026

Whether you're deep in your healing journey, trying to figure out your next move, or simply here for a real convo between friends, this episode brings warmth, depth, and clarity for anyone “getting older” and growing through it.

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Let this episode be your gentle reminder: You don’t have to be perfect to be growing. And you’re not alone in figuring it out.

In this heartfelt and unfiltered Friendsgiving special of the Getting Older Podcast, Ivory brings together two of his longtime friends, Rai and Javier, for an open, hilarious, and deeply personal conversation about growth, healing, and the bonds that keep them grounded. What begins as a lighthearted Friendsgiving reunion quickly unfolds into an honest reflection on the highs, lows, and lessons that come with getting older and truly understanding oneself.

From the chaos of wild nights in Buffalo to the quiet moments of self-realization, this episode captures the balance between laughter and vulnerability. The three friends share how they’ve evolved—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually—since their younger days, revealing how the meaning of friendship has transformed into something much deeper than shared memories or inside jokes. Each story becomes a reminder of how resilience and empathy are born through shared struggle.

Throughout their talk, Ivory, Rai, and Javier revisit pivotal moments in their journeys—from career shifts and mental health challenges to personal relationships that forced them to grow. Together, they unpack themes like healing from trauma, forgiving oneself, and redefining masculinity through compassion and openness. It’s a raw, real, and sometimes chaotic dialogue that reflects the beautiful messiness of life in your twenties and beyond.

Listeners will find themselves laughing one moment and deeply reflecting the next. The Friendsgiving theme adds a warm layer of gratitude and nostalgia as they celebrate how far they’ve come—individually and collectively—while acknowledging how much further they still have to go. Their chemistry and candor make the conversation feel less like an interview and more like a seat at the table with three people who’ve seen each other through everything from heartbreaks to healing.

This episode stands out for its authenticity and relatability. Whether it’s discussing the struggle to let go of pride, the courage to seek therapy, or the power of patience in love and friendship, every moment offers an insight that lingers. They also explore how societal expectations—about success, masculinity, or timing—often create unnecessary pressure, and why letting go of perfectionism is an act of liberation.

Highlights from this episode include:

• Honest reflections on mental health, hospitalization, and recovery—and what true support looks like between friends.

• Personal stories of embarrassment and redemption, proving that humor can coexist with healing.

• Deep dives into forgiveness, growth, and learning to set boundaries after toxic relationships or unhealthy dynamics.

• Conversations about validation, purpose, and redefining what it means to “have it all together” as an adult.

• Insights on patience, communication, and emotional maturity in both friendships and romantic relationships.

By weaving humor with introspection, this Friendsgiving episode of Getting Older becomes a reminder that growing up doesn’t mean having it all figured out—it means learning to keep showing up, for yourself and for those who matter most. It’s a story about brotherhood, faith, and finding clarity in the chaos. The energy is warm and familiar, like an evening spent with old friends where the laughter is loud, the truths are raw, and the lessons hit home long after the conversation ends.

If you’ve ever questioned where you’re headed, struggled with self-doubt, or needed reassurance that healing is not linear, this conversation will resonate deeply. It’s an episode that honors imperfection, celebrates vulnerability, and reminds listeners that getting older isn’t about losing your spark—it’s about learning to love yourself through every version of who you’ve been.

Because at the end of the day, getting older isn’t about age—it’s about awakening, laughter, and learning to embrace the journey together.

In this powerful episode of the Getting Older Podcast, host Ivory Young sits down with Joel Plummer—a celebrated educator, author, journalist, and photographer—whose influence has transformed generations of students in Plainfield, New Jersey, and beyond. With over two decades in the classroom and a career built on truth-telling and cultural empowerment, Plummer opens up about his purpose, his teaching philosophy, and the lifelong impact of helping others discover who they are.

From his early years in Plainfield to teaching at Plainfield High School and Rutgers University, Joel Plummer has built a legacy centered on identity, education, and authenticity. He shares the defining moment that led him to teaching—a simple algebra lesson that sparked a lifetime of purpose. That experience revealed his mission: to educate not just through information, but through connection and empowerment.

Listeners will hear Plummer unpack the challenges of his first year in education, a time he describes as one of the hardest years of his life. He reflects on the mentors who shaped him, including those who taught him that you can’t teach strangers—you have to know your students. His wisdom on classroom dynamics, comparing teaching to the rhythm and flow of an emcee, captures what great educators truly do: inspire engagement, trust, and curiosity.

Throughout this intimate conversation, Ivory and Joel explore themes of race, purpose, and healing. Plummer recounts how his own schooling—despite being led by Black educators—taught him almost nothing about Black history. That realization fueled his dedication to teaching African American Studies and Latino History, where he helps students rediscover the narratives that history books have ignored. He describes his mission as that of a historical optometrist—helping people see their past, present, and future clearly through the lens of truth.

A major part of this episode dives into Plummer’s powerful book “Black Kid, White School: What They Don’t Teach Your Black Child.” Inspired by his own children, the book exposes the hidden lessons and erased stories that shape the Black experience in America. Plummer shares how he wrote the book as a legacy—something his children and future generations could hold onto if he weren’t here to teach them directly. The conversation explores how storytelling, identity, and education intersect to build confidence and cultural pride.

Listeners will also discover another side of Plummer—the artist. As a professional photographer, he views art as resistance and storytelling as liberation. His camera becomes a tool for justice, capturing overlooked moments and elevating unseen voices. His reflections on art, culture, and representation reveal how creativity continues his lifelong mission of empowerment.

Key highlights from this episode include:

• Joel Plummer’s origin story and how mentorship shaped his purpose.

• His most difficult teaching years and what they taught him about perseverance.

• The creation and message behind “Black Kid, White School.”

• How art and education unite as forces for truth and change.

• Insightful lessons on mental health, balance, and boundaries in education.

• The importance of representation, legacy, and knowing your “why.”

By the end of this conversation, listeners will be reminded that teaching is more than a job—it’s a calling rooted in compassion, patience, and truth. Plummer’s story embodies what it means to lead with heart, educate with purpose, and build bridges between generations through honesty and love.

If you’ve ever searched for meaning, struggled with burnout, or needed encouragement to stay true to your purpose, this episode will resonate deeply. It’s a testament to how one person’s dedication can ripple outward and change countless lives.

To connect with Joel Plummer, visit joelplummer.com or follow him on Instagram at @profplummer. His book “Black Kid, White School” is available at Sindell’s Bookstore and Amazon.