Mateen Stewart is a Detroit native and Los Angeles local. He can be seen on season 9 of Comedy Dynamics' "Coming to the Stage" and in the upcoming film "The Devil Runs Kansas City." Mateen has been featured onscreen with Ben Stiller and Andy Daly and hosts "Late for Work" Sundays at the Hollywood Improv. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and is a proud graduate of Florida A&M University.

Recorded before our Kanye ep a few weeks back, this Black in the Middle is an off-the-cuff conversation about leadership, motivation, fatherhood and the duality of man.

One comment that really made us think involved White Adjacency, or the idea that POC in white spaces enjoy life advantages based solely on a proximity to whiteness. Do we think that's true? Is it unavoidable in the middle? And does it explain why we've always felt stuck in between? Listen up and find out.

Derrick Hoard is a licensed marriage and family therapist, avid gamer, and adult survivor of childhood abuse and neglect. He's also The Situational Therapist, a social media persona he uses to straight talk complex psychological issues and remove the stigma of experiencing childhood abuse. Derrick's sometimes challenging but always engaging videos have amassed over 900K followers on TikTok. 

We do not own the rights to any of the music mentioned. All rights belong to the respective owners. No Copyright Infringement Intended.

Herm wants you to know that Glenn’s views are his own as we discuss the differences between High Value Men and High Value Women, why there’s so much friction when you choose the wrong kind of partner and how successful men can avoid relationship failure in a modern world.

This week's Black in the Middle answers these questions and more... very carefully. Nobody wants to sleep on the couch.

This week the Black in the Middle crew debunks the myth of the Alpha Male (and gives the Beta his come up) while trying to answer the age-old question, 'What kind of man are you?'

Then we cap things off with a discussion of Legacy, Comeback Stories and the founding of Rally Gin.

We also argue Cryptocurrency, which Travis still thinks is dumb.

Your boys are back discuss how disturbing blind devotion can be in a world overrun with lies, and whether our own strongly-held beliefs might deserve a closer look.

However, when looking at this drastic move through a political lens, the Black in the Middle crew has pinpointed a conservative strategy for this country's return to states rights. That's what this episode is about and it's a rollercoaster of a ride. Hang on friends.

Turning Point USA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2012 by Charlie Kirk. The organization says its "mission is to identify, educate, train, and organize students to promote the principles of freedom, free markets, and limited government. Turning Point USA believes that every young person can be enlightened to true free market values."

Kyle Rittenhouse was a keynote speaker at a Turning Point event in 2021. The group seems to be Pro-Trump on most issues with other notable associated people and brands include Sebastian Gorka (ties to Vitezi Rend) far- right anti-semitic org, Alan West and Mike Lindell - My Pillow guy.

Tune into this episode and get ready for what happens next.

We’ll talk about the politicization that always happens, again, nothing has changed. Have you heard some of the ridiculous solutions being proposed by your elected officials? Yes, one door. Well we have some out of the box thinking for you today. 

Also, why is it always dudes? This is an episode talking about the things we should actually be talking about. And at the end of the day, at the very end of the day…we think it's just the culture. Tune in and stay tuned in. 

Oh yeah and we went live on Facebook for some strange reason. So there's that.

Enjoy!

On the heels of our last episode around Will smith; figured it would be a good time to expand on what the world witnessed:

It was confidence that allowed him to go on stage, but unpacking it gave off major vibes of insecurity.

Let’s go!

What did Will Smith Reaffirm in the minds of “other races” with his actions? Did he effectively send a message for future jokes about his wife or do you think the most hilarious comedy special is in the works?

Would he have hit a white comedian? Female? Will said “Love will make you do crazy things”, but was that actually love that we witnessed?

Tune in for answers to these questions in more on the latest Black in the Middle Podcast episode. 

How are you living your life different with so much uncertainty in the near future?

When you look around, everything is moving along very normal, but were all are probably thinking the same thing, when is the other shoe going to drop and what brand is said shoe?

The crew ponders these questions and many more in this episode of Black in the Middle podcast.

Join the crew as we explore the question, if we died untimely, what do we have in place for our son's to have a strong, male influence to get the support he needs that momma may not be able to provide.

What does that look like? What can we expect of others? What do we need to do now? All that and more from your favorite Kansas City based podcast crew, Tim, Travis and Herman.

• Who is Theodis Watson?
• The differences in banks
• Relationships with your banker
• The importance of financial literacy
• Bridging the wealth gap
• Teaching our kids early
• Banking myth-busters
• All banks are not created equal
• Managing finances as a couple
• The effects of the pandemic

This episode is jam packed with personal budgeting tips (especially those households with an Amazon obsession) AND business financial guidance for the entrepreneur in you. Check out this special guest interview that is full of tips, jokes, stories and TONS of resources to help you get your money right. 

Enjoy!

Tune in for this and more topics in politics, pop culture, business, personal and more like: A Las Vegas Pro Bowl, NFL hiring practices in question, The Brian Flores lawsuit, Is anyone watching the Olympics?, A McDonalds surf and turf, The rise of subscription prices, Too much of Nelly, What to do about Joe Rogan and Black History Month

This episode breaks down what we love about our country; things like diversity, opportunity, education k-12, civil liberties, the Super Bowl, etc. And what we dislike or hate; things like our healthcare system, political system, legal system and every other racist framework this country thrives on.

Join in and maybe we'll change how you feel...or maybe not.

With school age kids and a couple of big decisions ahead, the crew unpacks this age old debate. This episode will explore learning how to learn at an early age, the parent factor when it comes to which type of school, community issues, or lack thereof, outcomes, classroom size, taxes, programming, testing, curriculum, teachers networking and of course cost. Let's go, time to take ya'll to school.

Victim Mentality is defined as an acquired personality trait in which a person tends to recognize or consider themselves as a victim of the negative actions of others, and to behave as if this were the case in the face of contrary evidence of such circumstances

Are we victims and if so of what? Oh, and let’s not forget to talk about white victimhood and its surge during the 2016 Presidential election as well as most recently with Kyle Rittenhouse.

It's time to demystify these terms and phrases a lot of us find ourselves saying and even living by on a daily basis.

But wait, there's more! The crew questions the Death Penalty, assisted suicide, churches and taxes and short detours from these mainstream, controversial concepts.

Enjoy!

Is there a benefit to lying, being frugal, flat out stunting?  Were you ever stunting? What was it for? Have you ever been cautious about stunting? How honest are you about money with your kids? 

Get answers to these questions and more from the midwestern black middle class perspective by pressing play!

Staying friends with your exes can be fine and healthy, right?

Is marriage is no longer necessary?

Are you a better husband or a better father? Can you be both at the same time?

The BITM crew answers these and other questions that challenge the status quo of what it is supposed to mean to be a man and a women in todays world.

The crew unpacks this question and many others in this episode.

How black is your home? Do you feel like your sexual/life partner selection makes you need to justify your blackness?

Tim says that once you mix and mingle cultures your blackness erodes. With that said, does that exude in your everyday life? What about if the roles are reversed?

When did you start dating outside your race & why? What race was she/he?

How much of an issue was it at home?

Were you accepted?

How much did you think about race?

Can you support diversity and be against mixed race relationships?

And many more questions!

Take it away, Karen.

This is the food episode so stick with BITM as the journeys through life's lessons, challenges and experiences through the lens of mastication.

The crew answers questions about their most important personal possessions, true motivation, areas they've made progress in, areas they lack in, greatest struggles that taught the greatest lessons and things they need to let go of...among others.

Listen to the crew as they unpack the similarities between the pandemic that covid-19 has put us all in and a midlife crisis.

Wait...what happens if you're going through both at the same time? Fuuuhhhh....

This episode is not all doom and gloom. The crew comes up with solutions on how to get ahead of a midlife crisis" as well as how to deal with one.

How has the aging process affected you aesthetically, physically and mentally?

And the big question, how has your maturity kept up with your age? Are the two connected? And what factors impact them? The crew shares their middle aged perspective on middle age, looking back on life and looking forward into the future.

Two defining and different approaches to life: Moral Absolutism is an ethical view that all actions are intrinsically right or wrong, while Consequentialism is when the morality of an act depends on the consequences or context of the act. 

What IS an employer's responsibility when it comes the mental wellness of its employees? When work colleagues or your employees are going through it…how do you balance the want to help versus the need to drive performance?

All this and more in another mental health focused episode. 

You're welcome.

Black people have been observing and celebrating this day for years and it just hit the radar of mainstream America last year. Fast forward to 2021 and now everybody gets an invite to the cookout.

The crew discusses how much pandering is really going on here and what can we do to get the most out of it. Is this an opportunity to create and share a new experience? How will you celebrate Juneteenth? Let's talk about it.

Critical race theory (CRT) is an academic movement of civil rights scholars and activists in the United States who seek to critically examine the law as it intersects with issues of race and to challenge mainstream liberal approaches to racial justice.

Things have evolved over time. The church was a staple of our community and now the perception has changed. On the cusp of Easter Sunday…what a better time than now to have this conversation.

The crew talks about the importance of church in their childhood, how the church factored into their maturation into adulthood and what their perception is now.

Has Black Lives Matter replaced the Black Church?

The episode does hit on a few dark topics like voter suppression, mass killings and the death of George Floyd.

So, bring on the war stories, horror stories but most importantly those comeback stories. This is the "When you ain't got shit" episode.

Do you ever look at your parents and see yourself in them. What's their reaction when you do something that reminds them of you? In this episode of Black in the Middle, the crew recalls times when they had an epiphany that a behavior of theirs was genetic, when saw something in their children that resembled themselves and really dive into what they think is caused by nature and not nurture, and vice versa.

Finally they discuss family curses and the myth and the truth behind them.

The crew walks through the importance of EQ in their personal lives and business lives as well as how to instill it in others at work and at home. This is definitely a learn some sh!t episode!

Are you presented with too many options in life?

Do you truly believe the choices you make are your own or could they be a part of a man-made construct built to lead you down a path?

Welcome to the matrix and the customization of life. Blue pill or red pill? It's time to decide just how meta you ready to go over the next 40 minutes.

Buckle up. 

UFOs? Yes or no

Covid: man-made Chinese lab-bat or Mother nature scorned?

We ask and answer all of these questions in this not-so-supernatural episode. Tune in bro.

Josh Hawley, (not)Antifa, white privilege, Chewbacca bathing suits, pragmatism, Pelosi's chair, death, memes and more in this season finale of Black in the Middle podcast.

This episode runs the gamut of topics from redevelopment of historically black neighborhoods like Wheatley Provident Hospital in 18th & Vine, the importance of having foresight, the importance of "being in the room", channeling your passion, what the hell is a 1031, fractional investing and and some bad story about how Tim fractionally tackled Ladell Betts as a freshman in high school. TF?

Oh yeah, and Herman almost gets furloughed from the podcast. 

Chitterlings, football, Zoom, philanthropy, covid, travel, great grandmas giving the stiff arm, old and new traditions and details on Hermans season pullout game...are wrapped up in this holiday season episode.

This episode dives into what it means to be good husband and how to get there, marriage role models growing up and how they may not fit the mold you see on TV and so many more topics like kids, goals, mistakes and the rollercoaster of events, milestones and emotions that we call love.

It’s the long awaited relationship episode and it’s coming in several parts so dial in for stories of love, joy, embarrassment, accomplishment, inspiration, growth, sex, babies and more.

Along the way, the crew realizes they are the same age Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr was while changing the world (what you doing with your life). They reflect on other Super Negros like Barack Hussein Obama.

The lack of political strategy from Ice Cube’s camp comes up and they discuss fallen idols like Bill Clinton, Cosby and others. #cancelculture

Travis talks about putting his face on a billboard, retaining talent and other nuances to growing a thriving workforce. Herman connects the times we are going through to what he experienced down in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Tune in for some interview hacks, hiring tips and the importance of follow up and follow through.

There will be name calling.

There will be jokes.

There will be quotables.  

Enjoy!

There's a lot more packed in this episode so give it a listen and give us some feedback!

Our convo takes many turns: The Champagne Sip, fraternities of life, the power of your network (social and IRL), online personas, company layoffs, susus, investment clubs, different types of racism found around the country and more.

The fellas reflect on how a little idea has turned into a continuous conversation of race relations, personal and professional development and so much more.

Herman gets vulnerable and discovers something about himself.

Tim brings up a couple pitfalls and challenges BITM has overcome.

Travis exclaims his vision for the podcast and how having conversations like these help you evolve.

Lots of jokes, lots of stories and lots of quotables and the beginnings of a #VERZUZ battle in this episode!

The crew answers this, talks about their experiences and offers up solutions to keeping your mental wellness strong in a world full of judgement. 

But oh well, Fu$& it! Listen to 3 Dope Dads talk about being father's and having one too!