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The Kalaj Dame Podcast

The Kalaj Dame Podcast

Written by: Kalaj Dame
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 On the Kalaj Dame Podcast, we bridge the gap between the block and the boardroom. Join me and my play cousins for real, one-on-one conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, organizers, and professionals from all walks of life—people building, leading, and figuring it out in real time. We talk through the wins and the growing pains, pulling back the layers on what it actually looks like to build something meaningful in today’s fast-moving world. From music and business to money, careers, and upward mobility, each conversation is rooted in lived experience and shared perspective. If you’re looking to learn, reflect, and connect, The Kalaj Dame Podcast is for you.2026 Point Black LLC Careers Economics Personal Success Self-Help Social Sciences Success
Episodes
  • The Realities of a Conservative Single Black Father | Karlin Stanton (E004)

    The Realities of a Conservative Single Black Father | Karlin Stanton (E004)
    Feb 2 2026
    "There are no redos."

    What if life, as you know it, crumbled in just one day? What if you became a single father over night? How would your life suddenly change?

    In this heavy-hitting episode of the Kalaj Dame Podcast, we go from the block to the boardroom to deconstruct the hard truths of Black Fatherhood, mental health, and the Pittsburgh experience.

    Host Kalaj Dame sits down with Karlin Stanton—widower, single father, and conservative—to discuss the systemic impact of removing men from the household and the roadmap for personal development. If you’re a man tired of hitting "walls" and ready to "stand straight up," this conversation will give you a whole new perspective on legacy building.


    In this episode, we breakdown the truths on:

    🔥 Ego vs. Leadership: Why you cannot lead a family — or a team — while serving your own ego. Why it’s also important to learn to filter unsolicited advice and focus on the mission.

    🔥 The Systemic Fight Against Fatherhood: The removal of fathers from the home, the impact of government programs, and breaking the cycle of dependency.

    🔥 Mental Health & Therapy: Breaking the stigma of therapy for Black men. How to face your fears, overcome triggers, and find genuine peace.

    🔥 Financial Literacy for the Next Generation: Why money management and emergency funds are mandatory survival tools for our children… and our legacy.

    🔥 Navigating Grief & Single Parenting: Karlin shares his journey of losing a wife and raising a daughter with intention in a modern world.

    🔥 The Pittsburgh Mindset: Shifting from "living to survive" to "living to build" within the Steel City and beyond.

    "We [Men] have never been more important than we are now… We gotta get it together." Stop letting a detour derail your life. It’s your movie—own the script. Whether you're focused on financial freedom, better parenting, or overcoming trauma, this episode is the reality check you need.

    Join Me and My Play Cousins — From the Block to the Boardroom!This isn’t motivational talk. This is a reality check.

    Support the Movement:
    📸Instagram: @KalajDamePodcast 📸Guest: @LuckyLito412

    DISCLAIMER: For educational and entertainment purposes only. This is not financial or legal advice.

    Join Me and My Play Cousins — From the Block to the Boardroom!
    This isn’t motivational talk. This is the playbook.

    Support the movement:
    FOLLOW THE KALAJ DAME PODCAST

    Facebook & IG: @KalajDamePodcast


    Visit us on the web:
    https://thekalajdamepodcast.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/kalajdamepodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/kalajdamepodcastThreads: https://threads.net/kalajdamepodcastX.com:
    https://x.com/kalajdamepodLinkedIn:
    https://linkedin.com/in/kalajdamepodcast
    Show More Show Less
    2 hrs and 9 mins
  • Is Hustle Culture Dead? Street Hustles to Day Trading | Ray Jones (E003)

    Is Hustle Culture Dead? Street Hustles to Day Trading | Ray Jones (E003)
    Feb 1 2026
    In the modern economy, the ability to pivot isn’t just a skill—it’s the ultimate requirement of survival.In the latest episode of The Kalaj Dame Podcast, I’m joined by a master of the pivot: Ray Jones (famously known as @RayTryshard). Starting IHateSneakers and IHateVintage from the ground up, Ray proved to the city that he is the living personification of the "Pittsburgh Hustle."Ray’s personal story illustrates the realities of entrepreneurship and the potential for vertical growth by staying ahead of the trend. He didn't start in a boardroom; he started on the block, selling incense, oils, and bootleg movies. But, he didn't just stay there. Instead, he scaled his own operation, dominated the sneaker culture, and took on retail arbitrage, as if his life depended on it. And when the last hustle faded away, he quickly transitioned into high-level Day Trading and Real Estate Development, where he's actively scaling a $6K day trading account to $100K, publicly documenting every trade he makes!If you’ve ever wondered how to transition from a side hustle to a legitimate, scalable business, this episode is your chance to step up your game and really make some change.🔍 Strategy & Execution: What’s Inside? We break down the mechanics of wealth building and the psychology of the "come up," including: The Art of the Pivot: How to recognize market exhaustion and successfully transition into the next high-growth sector.Retail Arbitrage & Strategic Sourcing: Ray breaks down his "undervalued-to-overvalued" pipeline—finding undervalued products and flipping them for massive margins and profits.Day Trading & Market Analysis: An inside look at Ray’s journey to scale a $6K account to $100K, where he discusses a strategy using Technical Analysis and Breaking News Alerts to find an edge in a market now dominated by AI and automated trading bots.The Psychology of Power: How we apply the principles of Robert Greene (48 Laws of Power, Mastery) to bridge the gap between street-level grit and corporate success.Economics of Scarcity: Lessons from the sneaker game on how to manipulate supply and demand in order to drive value.The "Internet" Advantage: Ray stands firm on his philosophy that "If you have the internet, you have no excuse."💡 The Entrepreneurial Mindset: This conversation isn't just about money; it's about the mindset required to sustain success. We explore:Structure & Sustainability: Why "grinding" without a plan is just a recipe for burnout.Personal Branding: Understanding that you are the product. In a digital world, marketing is the engine of your business.Time vs. Equity: Moving away from trading hours for dollars and toward building assets that generate revenue while you sleep.Legacy & Mentorship: The vital role of fatherhood, guidance, and staying humble enough to keep learning.🌆 The Pittsburgh PerspectiveWe also take a hard look at our home base: Are we doing enough for Pittsburgh? We discuss Black Pittsburgh, the necessity of code-switching, and the differences between survival and true financial peace.Are you just working, or are you building? Stop trading your time for a paycheck and start trading your skills for freedom. Whether you are a retail enthusiast, an aspiring trader, or a seasoned business owner, this episode will challenge your definition of what it means to "hustle" and whether dedication is enough to make it in today’s economy.SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT: 📸 Instagram: @KalajDamePodcast | 📸 Guest: @RayTryshardDISCLAIMER: The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only. It does not constitute financial or legal advice. Always conduct your own due diligence before making investment decisions.#Entrepreneurship #DayTrading #RetailArbitrage #HustleCulture #FinancialFreedom #PittsburghBusiness #MindsetShiftJoin Me and My Play Cousins — From the Block to the Boardroom!This isn’t motivational talk. This is the playbook.Support the movement:FOLLOW THE KALAJ DAME PODCASTFacebook & IG: @KalajDamePodcastVisit us on the web: https://thekalajdamepodcast.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/kalajdamepodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/kalajdamepodcastThreads: https://threads.net/kalajdamepodcastX.com: https://x.com/kalajdamepodLinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/kalajdamepodcast
    Show More Show Less
    3 hrs and 3 mins
  • Marriage, Mental Health & Spirituality | Melanie Dickerson, RN (E002)

    Marriage, Mental Health & Spirituality | Melanie Dickerson, RN (E002)
    Feb 1 2026
    In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, few voices resonate with the clarity and professional depth of Melanie Dickerson. As a Mental Health Registered Nurse (RN) based in Pittsburgh with over 11 years of clinical experience, Melanie joins The Kalaj Dame Podcast to “bridge the gap” between high-level nursing leadership and the raw, human element of being a mom and wife while providing critical patient care in a busy healthcare environment.


    Holding a Master’s in Nursing and her PMH-BC (Psychiatric-Mental Health Board Certified) credential, Melanie is a true thought leader in behavioral health and nursing. And while her journey—transitioning from a Home Health Aide and CNA to a Registered Nurse and nurse educator— are inspirational for those seeking advice on nursing career development, she provides the audience with an onslaught of invaluable gems on life, love, marriage, and spirituality.


    In this episode, we tackle the critical issues facing healthcare professionals today: nurse burnout, the nursing shortage, and the necessity of civility and support in the workplace.

    Whether you are a new grad nurse navigating nursing school, a nurse practitioner seeking clinical insight, or just a very busy executive focused on wellness and mindfulness, this conversation should be considered a prerequisite for professionalism and personal growth.

    What We Explore:

    🩺 The Nursing Career Path: From nursing student hacks to mastering the NCLEX, we discuss the differences between a Home Aid Provider, LPN, CNA, RN, and Mental Health Registered Nurse.

    🩺 Mental Health & Brain Science: A deep dive into anxiety, neurodivergence (ADHD/Autism), pharmacology, and the cortisol-driven effects of stress on the body.

    🩺 Spirituality in Healthcare: Melanie challenges the medical system by integrating faith, prayer, and God into the healing process. "Some problems are spiritual, not medical."

    🩺 Work-Life Balance for Nurses: Strategies for self-care, setting boundaries, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle while raising a family.

    🩺 Modern Relationship Dynamics: A candid look at modern love, communication, and the shift from independence to dependence to interdependence in marriage.

    Join Me and My Play Cousins — From the Block to the Boardroom!
    This isn’t motivational talk. This is the playbook.

    Support the movement:
    FOLLOW THE KALAJ DAME PODCAST

    Facebook & IG: @KalajDamePodcast


    Visit us on the web:
    https://thekalajdamepodcast.comFacebook: https://facebook.com/kalajdamepodcastInstagram: https://instagram.com/kalajdamepodcastThreads: https://threads.net/kalajdamepodcastX.com:
    https://x.com/kalajdamepodLinkedIn:
    https://linkedin.com/in/kalajdamepodcast
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 53 mins
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