The Black Fathers' Pulse Podcast

Episodes

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  JoJo Simmons: Therapy, Hip Hop, and Healing 12.10.2026 31m

  From MTV's "Run's House" to championing mental health advocacy, Joseph "JoJo" Simmons Jr. is changing the narrative for Black men. Discover his inspiring journey of healing and teaching strength through vulnerability in the latest episode of Black Fathers Pulse. You won't want to miss it! 🖤 #VulnerabilityIsStrength #BlackFathers #HipHop #Podcast
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  The Power of Presence: How Fathers Shape the Future Through Love and Healing 05.10.2026 45m

  🎧 Dive into a powerful episode of #TheBlackFathersPulse with Mike de la Rocha and Dr. Alvin Thomas! Discover the transformative journey of fatherhood, vulnerability, and emotional healing. Join this heartfelt conversation and explore how love and presence shape the future generations. Don't miss the wisdom shared about breaking cycles and fostering genuine connections. 🌟 #FatherhoodReimagined #EmotionalHealing #PodcastLife #BlackFathersPulse
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  Love, Legacy, and Leadership: Charles Johnson on Transforming Chicago's Future 07.09.2026 55m

  Join us for an inspiring journey with Charles E. Johnson, a true changemaker who transformed his Englewood upbringing into a platform for community empowerment. In the latest episode of #BlackFathersPulse, Dr. Alvin Thomas unpacks Charles's story of resilience and purpose. Discover how his leadership at SodexoMagic isn't just about business success but fostering real change through economic empowerment and youth mentorship in Chicago. Charles and Dr. Thomas reflect on the power of love, discipline, and the critical role of Black fathers in shaping future generations. Their conversation dives deep into personal responsibility, community building, and redefining success. Don't miss this episode—it's a call to action and a blueprint for impactful change. Tune in! #CommunityLeadership #Fatherhood #BlackExcellence #ChicagoSeries    https://thedifferenceengine.asu.edu/team/charles-johnson https://www.instagram.com/p/DFYEBMTRX3m/ https://www.essence.com/news/money-career/charles-johnson-marketing-mastermind/  
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  Painting the Future: Chicago's Young Heroes by Richard McNeil 24.08.2026 46m

  🎨 Explore the journey of Richard McNeil, Chicago's inspiring storyteller through art. On The Black Fathers Pulse podcast, we discuss how his murals are beacons of hope and heroism. Don't miss this powerful conversation! #CommunityArt #HeroesWithin #BlackArt Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riche_rich_arts/ https://ndigo.com/2020/01/04/up-and-coming-artist-richard-mcneal/  
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  Mentorship & Yoga: Jason Campbell's Journey and Impact 10.08.2026 38m

  Experience the powerful story of Jason Campbell today on Black Fathers Pulse! From hosting transformative Father's Flow Yoga sessions at the Obama Presidential Center to mentoring future leaders, Jason's mission is clear: build community, heal families, and create impact. 🌟 Hear how he's leveraging Brand B Sports to guide athletes in making meaningful connections. 🎙️ Get ready to be moved by his passion and dedication. Tune in now.  #YogaWithFathers #EmpowerYouth #BrandBSports #ChicagoSeries #CommunityFirst   Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-campbell-ba24535/ BrandB Sports: https://brandbsports.com/about-us/ Canvas Rebel article: https://canvasrebel.com/meet-jason-campbell/  
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  Beyond the Finish Line: Bernard Lyles' Impact on Chicago's Youth 27.07.2026 51m

  🌟 What happens when a mentor believes in YOU? Bernard Lyles shares his 40-year legacy of building futures and breaking barriers in Chicago. Hear the impact on #BlackFathersPulse podcast. Don't miss this inspirational conversation! 🎙️ #Inspiration #ChicagoLegacy  https://www.tri-masters.net/ https://www.triathlete.com/culture/people/trispo-bernard-lyles-is-changing-young-lives-through-triathlon/ https://tribeginnersluck.podbean.com/e/creating-opportunities-to-tri-with-bernard-lyles/  
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  Jahkil Jackson is Changing the World: Don't Wait To Be Great 13.07.2026 1h

  New Episode Alert This is probably the most fun and laughter I have had on an episode. I think you will enjoy this too. On the Black Fathers Pulse podcast, Dr. Alvin Thomas interviews Chicago father-son duo Jahmeel and 18-year-old Jahkil Jackson about their bond and the impact of Jahkil's nonprofit Project I Am, founded after he saw homelessness at age five and began distributing "blessing bags" at eight. They discuss how Jahmeel and Jahkil's mother, Naté, nurtured his compassion into a global movement that has distributed 300,000+ blessing bags, raised nearly $1 million, mobilized 3,000 youth in 80 cities, and expanded internationally. The conversation covers discipline learned through sports, staying grounded amid accolades, family modeling of service and entrepreneurship, and the importance of fathers being present, supportive, understanding, and communicative. In rapid fire, they share advice, superpowers, and Father's Day messages, plus where to follow Project I Am. #Fatherhood #Changemakers #ProjectIAm #FatherhoodMatters Learn about and follow Jahkil's movement through these links: Personal Website: https://weareprojectiam.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jahkiljackson/?hl=en https://truestarmedia.org/ https://www.forbes.com/sites/robynshulman/2018/03/28/meet-the-10-year-old-social-entrepreneur-helping-the-homeless-across-the-nation/    
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  Rise Above: From Teen Dad to Community Beacon 29.06.2026 44m

  🎙️ New Episode Alert! He became a father at just 15 — and turned that early test into a lifelong mission. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Alvin Thomas sits down with Dr. Clinton Boyd Jr., Executive Director of Fathers, Families & Healthy Communities and researcher at Chapin Hall, to talk about the weight and the wonder of teen fatherhood, the myths surrounding Black dads, and how he turned his story into a movement reshaping family work across Chicago. From couch-surfing fathers to City Hall policy rooms — this is a story about redemption, resilience, and rewriting the narrative on Black fatherhood. 🔥 🎧 Tune in now. 🔗 Learn more about Dr. Boyd's work: Fathers, Families & Healthy Communities: www.ffhc.org Chapin Hall research profile: chapinhall.org/person/clinton-boyd-jr Essence op-ed, "Want Stronger Black Families? Invest in Black Fathers": essence.com/op-ed/op-ed-invest-in-black-fatherhood #BlackFatherhoodMatters #FromTeenDadToTrailblazer #RewriteTheNarrative #VoicesFromTheSecondCity
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  Gullah Gullah Island to Now: Ron Daise on Cultural Legacy 11.05.2026 54m

  Rediscover childhood memories with #RonDaise on @BlackFathersPulse! 🎉 Join the conversation on how #GullahGullahIsland connects to today's challenges in #BlackHistory education and fatherhood. 🌟 #GullahGeechee #PodcastEpisode 📚
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  Part 2 - Henry Mason Jr. on Legacy & Empathy: Navigating Black Fatherhood 27.04.2026 34m

  Empathy meets empowerment on The Black Father's Pulse podcast! Join Dr. Alvin Thomas and guest Henry Mason Jr. as they navigate the intersection of fatherhood, culture, and healthcare. Learn, laugh, and reflect. 🎧✨ Listen in as Henry Mason shares profound insights on what it means to thrive as a Black father. It's not just about overcoming hurdles, it's about setting a legacy. Ever wondered about the impact of empathy in Black healthcare? Catch the latest from The Black Father's Pulse podcast. #BlackVoices #LegacyBuilding #BlackHealthcare #Fatherhood #BlackExcellence #Empathy #PodcastTalks #CulturalUnderstanding
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  Beyond Spanking: Black Fatherhood and The New Era of Discipline 13.04.2026 1h 3m

   "How does spanking impact a child's brain? Is spanking truly part of our tradition? Join Dr. Alvin Thomas in this eye-opening episode of The Black Father's Pulse as we delve into the science, cultural roots, and alternatives to corporal punishment. Rainbow Project experts Eric Crawford and founder/executive director Cheryl Cato discuss how common spanking is in Black communities, why parents use corporal punishment (respect, compliance, control, high expectations, and preparing children for bias), and how fear for children's safety in a racist world shapes discipline. They explain trauma-informed perspectives on the origins and impact of corporal punishment, citing research linking spanking to higher stress sensitivity, negative behavioral outcomes, strained parent-child relationships, and reduced IQ points. The guests offer alternatives centered on attachment, developmentally appropriate strategies, play, emotion coaching, repair after mistakes, and building "home place" as refuge, plus ways to navigate community pushback and information about Rainbow Project services and resources. 
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  Part 1 - Henry Mason, Jr.: Breaking Barriers in Healthcare: A Black Man's Story 30.03.2026 45m

  From Deep Pain to Purpose: Henry Mason Jr. on Building Precious Hospice and Telling the Truth About End-of-Life Care   Dr. Alvin Thomas interviews Henry Mason Jr., CEO and founder of Precious Hospice, about how his mother's second cancer diagnosis in 2013 led them to start a hospice company while she endured chemotherapy. Mason describes learning the behind the scenes of hospice, being pushed by his mother and grandfather to build the business, facing delayed payment, and racism toward young minority owners. He explains how hospice and palliative care differ, why many families fear hospice, and how industry incentives and misinformation shaped that fear. Mason shares caring for his mother through illness, the importance of honest end-of-life conversations and respecting patient dignity, and why families should discuss wills and care preferences early.
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  Soul of a Father: Elevating Black Manhood with Brian Heat 16.03.2026 56m

  🚀 Listen to Brian Heat's journey from educator to transformational speaker on "The Black Father's Pulse" podcast. Discover how intentional parenting and personal growth can redefine healthy manhood. A discussion you won't want to miss! 🌟 #PurposefulParenting #BlackFatherhood
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  Financial Wisdom: Lessons from The Riser Brothers - Pt1 16.03.2026 31m

  In this episode of The Black Father's Pulse, Dr. Alvin Thomas welcomes twin brothers Quinlan and Quentin Riser to delve into the early financial lessons they learned and their significance in their lives. They discuss key concepts like frugality and the importance of saving, as taught by their mother, and share their journey in authoring a children's book designed to teach financial literacy to young audiences. Quinlan, a chartered life underwriter and financial consultant, and Quentin, an assistant professor specializing in children's cognitive and social-emotional development, bring diverse perspectives on financial legacy, parental responsibilities, and the power of early learning about money. They further elaborate on the book's focus on financial education, from disability insurance to responsible credit card use, and emphasize the need to prepare children for future financial independence.
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  From Participation to Power: Dr. Okey Enyia on Civic Influence, Health Equity, and the John Henry Trap 02.03.2026 1h 8m

  This is an extended episode in commemoration of the 100th celebration of Black History Month in the USA. In this Black Father's Pulse Podcast episode during Black History Month, host Dr. Thomas talks with Dr. Okey Enyia, health policy expert and founder of Enyia Strategies, about why high civic participation in Black communities still fails to translate into policy power and equitable budgets. Dr. Enyia connects today's power gaps to historical cycles of progress and backlash, arguing for a long-game "chess" approach to governance that goes beyond voting to building durable civic infrastructure, tracking budgets, and playing the inside-outside strategy. We discuss Reconstruction-era political power, the John Henry legend and John Henryism as a metaphor for overwork and chronic stress, and how policy shapes biology and life expectancy. We close by sharing practical strategies for building civic power, emphasizing strategic rest and self-care.
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  Financial Wisdom: Lessons from the Riser Brothers Pt2 23.02.2026 40m

  Curious about how financial literacy can reshape #BlackCommunities? Join Dr. Thomas and the Riser brothers in this enlightening episode of The Black Father's Pulse as they explore creating legacies and empowering future generations. Listen today! 💡 #BlackFathers #Podcast"
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  Guardians of Innocence: Empowering Fathers to Protect 26.01.2026 58m

   🎙️ Tune in to the latest episode of Black Father's Pulse with Dr. Alvin Thomas as we dive deep into the brave journey of Jeremy Indika. From designing luxury cars to advocating for child safety, hear his transformative story that reminds us of the power of vulnerability and the importance of protecting our children. 🔗Listen now! #BlackFathersPulse #ChildAdvocacy Resources: 📍  📍 R-A-I-N-N. That is the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1 800 6 5 6. Hope that is 4 6 7 3. The National Child Abuse Hotline at 1 804 a child. That's 1-800-422-4 4 5 3 or the Crisis text line. Text home to 7 4 1 7 4 1. If you are in the United Kingdom, the National Association for People Abused in Childhood and A PAC helpline at 0 8 0 8 8 0 1. 0 3 3 1. The National Society for The Prevention of Cruelty to Children N-S-P-C-C helpline at 0 8 0 8 800 5,000, or the Survivor's Trust at 0 8 0 8 8 0 1 0 8 1 8. All of these resources are available in our show notes. And remember, you are not alone.    
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  Rebuilding the Village: Delano Squires on Restoring the Black Family 12.01.2026 1h 8m

  Don't miss this eye-opening episode with Delano Squires on The Black Father's Pulse Podcast! Discover how shifting narratives around fatherhood can bring profound change. Engage in the crucial conversations that matter for our families' future. Subscribe and join the movement for a vibrant village rebuild! 🖤💪 #FatherhoodMatters.
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  Year End 2025 15.12.2025 1m

  Thanks to all our supporters. We do this for you and could not do it without you.
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  Navigating Trauma: Black Youth and Community Resilience 01.12.2025 38m

  Join Dr. Alvin Thomas on 'The Black Father's Pulse' as he sits down with Dr. Noni Gaylord-Harden to delve into the profound impact of trauma within black communities. Discover how disinvestment and community violence uniquely affect black adolescents, and uncover the powerful methods of healing and resilience that lie within. In this enlightening episode, learn why it's vital to reframe our conversations about trauma and embrace the journey toward healing. Don't miss this emotionally charged and eye-opening discussion.