Honesty On The Table

If you are not competitive in life, you are bound to fail. Simple. The moment you do not feel you should have to compete for anything worth having, you will fail because that is not reality. Whether you are dating, seeking better career opportunities, or finding ways to empower and nurture your emotional and personal wellbeing, just know that you are not alone. You will be challenged to be better, to rise to the occasion, due to competition. For this season finale, the Gentlemen of HOTT unpack the nature of staying competitive in their daily lives and helpful keys on how you can do the same. Stay tuned for more content next month!

It is necessary to prioritize self care because without it, you are bound to fail. Rather, success is always achieved when optimal self preservation is applied. From hygiene, manscaping, therapy, and more, the Gentlemen of HOTT pulled no punches in telling how they keep their mind, bodies, and spirits aligned. It is a episode full of self care gems and laughs.

When you know your worth, you do not compromise. Further, you do not apologize for knowing your worth. Rather, communicate fluidly with the people you are in relationships with (intimate, familial, professional) who you are, your principles & rationale, and how you both can align your intentions and actions for a mutual benefit. The goal within a relationship is establish how you all can be the best that you are, together and as individuals. This episode is about how to establish clear boundaries and understanding on the basis of respect, honesty, discipline, and communication/effective listening.

There is tension in the culture in regards to there being a lack of accountability. Whether it is among Black Women, Black Men, the System, whomever or whatever, there has been a call for people to step up and take responsibility for their actions; however, that cannot and will not happen if people lack emotional intelligence. If they do not understand and seek to master that, they will not take accountability. Let's discuss how to do so, by outlining and applying emotional intelligence.

You are dating, getting to know someone, but you do not want to be pressed or come off as too aggressive or thirsty? Be consistently inconsistent. It is important to establish a healthy balance of engagement and wonder throughout the duration of your relationships to keep yourself and the person as honest and committed as possible, to determine whether it is something you both want. Plus, when people do not act accordingly while dating and getting to know, you can assess them and award them their respective flag (ranging from 'Green' it's a Go to 'Black' send your ass back, to the streets!). Let's have fun and talk about it, shall we?

Now that we have reviewed the stages of dating leading to a fruitful relationship in the season premiere, let's go back to the first stage then build, dating. When you are dating, you are getting to know someone to gauge their attractiveness, competence, and healthiness beyond the surface. How do we achieve that? We do so with the CCU: Consistency, Communication, & Understanding. If you don't know what the hell we mean, or how to achieve it, tune in and found out.

We apologize for the 9 month lag, but we had to birth something new. We made a slight pivot with our content focus to discuss Lifestyle, Relationships, and Self Improvement, so we begin this first episode of Season III discussing, clarifying one of the biggest topics we all struggle with at times, relationships. What are the stages leading to a fulfilling relationship? What is dating? What is courtship? What are the rules in regards to both? How do you know you are ready for a relationship? How do you know you are in a toxic one? How important is communication and reciprocity when getting to know someone? We dive into it, with more to come with the content this season! So, be sure to enjoy, like, share, comment, and subscribe.

The Season Recap is here! In Episode 18, we will discuss all that we left off the table throughout the season, notably our Top 5s! As brothers of Honesty On The Table, we thank you for sticking beside us. We know we have a lot to build upon and even more to learn from these past two seasons. We are not satisfied yet grateful for the journey traveled thus far. We will see you in May!

'Comin' from where I'm from' is the Season II Finale that pays homage to all of the lessons we learned in the last thirty years of life and what we hope to accomplish in the next thirty. With the whole world of opportunity in front of us, we had to reflect and understand where we came from to appreciate where we are going. We hope you enjoyed this season as much as we enjoyed you. Stay tuned for the Season Recap!

As a podcast and brand, one of our goals were to implement community service and engagement into the fold. As an episode or an off the record practice, we wanted to connect with young Black men who may need our guidance, as much as we seek understanding and wisdom from them, to learn how we can best fortify a community of innovators, leaders, and upstanding Black men. Thus, we visited Booker T. Washington High School on the West Side of Atlanta to create that foundation.

Black Progress...and Regress. We're in 2023 and there's a lot to be thankful for. We have made it to another year, another opportunity of continuance but we cannot proceed in our evolution without admitting the faults, flaws, and bad habits that could stunt it. As "The Accountability Podcast" and as Black Men, let's have the conversation. Are we, as a Black community, as fulfilled, progressive, collaborative, and loving as we aspire to be or is it just smoke and mirrors? Let's get into it.

Self preservation is key. This is a statement we have to embody to able to exemplify our best selves, no matter how much we are challenged or things that are not in alignment with what we expect. Maintaining our peace, understanding, and mental health are paramount. According to the CDC, 'Mental Health' is someone's social, psychological, and emotional wellbeing. So, when we refer to mental health, it applies to every facet of our lives that affects our wellbeing. In this episode, we unpack how we are managing our overall wellbeing and if we are honoring our own mantra, "Self Preservation is Key".

The FIVE Can Kill A Man! What the hell are The FIVE?! Fear. Insecurities. Vices. Ego. Men hesitate unpacking these four themes in thinking that it could demean their sense of value, self-esteem, and control in life yet, there is nothing more liberating, strengthening, and affirming than to express how fear, insecurities, vices, and ego takes shape in one's life. One of the keys of self-mastery is being vulnerable enough to acknowledge the daily battles with managing these pillars and the Brothers were phenomenal in putting their Honesty On The Table when it comes to The FIVE. Will you be able to meet them halfway and share your truth?

Black Fathers Are Irreplaceable. Regardless of where we were and stood in our young adult life with our fathers, we longed, valued, and cherished having a healthy, open, and restorative relationship with them. The humorous aspect of being someone's child is that no matter where we are in the world and where we stand with them, we still hope for them to be there in our corner. We still have to acknowledge how their subtle characteristics mirror ours. No matter how independent and self-actualized we are, we still respect, marvel, and look at them as our superhero, our mentor, our protector, our father. Enjoy this episode and tell your father, however you define them to be and wherever they are, you love them.

"If I didn't have the music, I don't know where I would be". "I cannot live without music". "I love classic 80s, 90s R&B to Kings of Leon. There's no limits. If it is good, I'll rock with it". Music is the topic of discussion on this episode, if you can't already tell. The HOTT boys unpack the songs we all love to sing in the shower and the songs we sing while we cuddle the pillow, in a fetal position at night, after a breakup. Who's on your ATL Mt. Rushmore (Rap)? What's a song you'll sing that you think no one would know you love? The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Season Two Episode 11, is here.

It would have been foolish to close out our first season without a season recap episode. Thus, we reviewed the highs and lows of the season, covered topics that were left uncovered, and delved deeper into areas that, in some aspects, we wish could have investigated sooner, personally and as a collective. Nonetheless, this was a celebratory event. Bottles were popped, we came sharply dressed for the occasion, and most importantly, no crumbs were left on the table. We hope you have enjoyed us as much as we have enjoyed producing this for you. Season Two on the way!

Who don't love Black Women?! We certainly do! “It's the essence of Black woman that I love. From the way you walk, talk, smell, act, everything!” “Black women are the cheat code. I wouldn't be where I am today, literally, figuratively, personally, if it weren't for a Black woman”. “At times of my deepest or lowest point, she always made sure I felt safe and was encouraged”. “I love the way Black women hold us accountable, because usually they are always right. I appreciate them for that”. Everything we discussed, from situationships to the meaning of Black Love, was welcomed and shared with respect, understanding, and straightforward honesty so we're excited for y'all to tune in. “Black Women, We Love You”, Season Two premiere, Episode 10, is here. A special shout out and appreciation to the lovely Black Queens who accompanied us on this episode, Josephanie, Tomeka, Aaliyah, and Victoria.

family. name. wealth. longevity. immorality. Legacy. What does legacy mean to you? Who are your "legacy influencers", those you admire and aspire to duplicate in principles and actions to cultivate your own legacy? What are some things you learned from your family history that influence your present, your future? What are generational positives you will keep? What are generational curses you will discard?From outlining their legacy blueprint to highlighting their life's mission, the Gentlemen of HOTT conclude their inaugural season with Episode VIII: 'Legacy'.

What is success? What does it mean to be successful? Is it in the milestones, the recognition, the financial gains, the assets? Everyone wants everlasting success but what is also housed in every success story are sacrifices, doubt, failure, and questions. Questions of whether success benefits those around them as well as themselves, whether success would have arrived sooner if chosen another path, or whether the success experienced is even success at all.How would you define success when you are hailed as being one in your community? Is that something to celebrate or reason to feel some guilt because you represent the few and not the many? When you are successful, you willingly donate your expertise, time, and money to friends and loved ones without expecting anything in return, is that a cost or a benefit? Can it be both?Can success extend life expectancies? Does life get any easier? Does it worsen? Is it more tiresome being Black and successful? This is Episode VII and these are the ‘Trials with Triumph'.

It was inevitable that this conversation arrived at our table. "What it means to be Black in America? Is it any easier, or more progressive, as a Black millennial today?" You tell us.

In Episode V, the gentlemen of HOTT unpack the power and influence of education in the United States. Among the minority and low income communities across the country, acquiring a formal education is generally marketed to be one of the most effective, legal tracks to generational wealth. However, is that true? Presently, in hopes of gratifying this “wealth theory”, students are registering for majors and professions that lack personal interest, amassing educational loan debt–which briefly or severely stunts their wealth potential–coupled with regretful feelings of taking on such a commitment.If many of the notable Top 10% U.S. earners were dropouts or barely finished with a bachelor's degree, how does that reflect the validity of post-secondary education granting students their highest earning–and personal fulfillment–potential? What is required to establish generational wealth if higher education is no longer suitable? This curiosity empowered the men to ask such questions, share their thoughts, and key facts that are alarming as well as unsurprising.

After the consensual engagements between the sheets of beds, couches, and Tulum BnBs, Life inevitably throws a situational curveball that physical intimacy brings--questions of commitment and if the sexual partner could be "The One". As tension mounts one ponders, "Where will this go?" "Outside of sex, how much do I care about this person?" "Do I like them? Even worse, am I fond of them enough to envision a future with them?!"In other cases, some do not encounter these questions because they have been hurt and are healing, witnessed how love can hurt and remain hesitant or noncommittal, and/or did not cross the sexual threshold at all. Overall, in many respects, people do not practice nor comprehend what genuine love and intimacy can be for them due to their intricate, personal experiences. Thus, episode four addresses and unpacks these common themes. From first love testimonies to lessons learned from heartbreak, the gentlemen of HOTT unveil what love, and those experiential moments, have taught them.

Following an identity, manhood conversation, it is only necessary and provocative to discuss one of the ways we use and embrace our manhood, through sex. Please be advised, we are NOT going to be explicit about positions, partner preferences, or body counts. We're going to go deeper than that. Despite this description being succinct, we assure you that the episode will satisfy and exceed expectations.

As we dive into the season, we acknowledge that marriage, or any lifetime commitment, is worthless without personal investment and mastering self-awareness. Thus, we must ask, "How did we become the man, woman, non-binary person we are today?" "Who, and under what circumstances, has assisted us in establishing this identity and are we more true to ourselves or to an ideal?"As black boys, our first image of a man was our father or a male figure of stature and intrigue. On HOTT, we address our relationship with our fathers, its significance in how we established our identity, and how it influenced our external relationships-professional, intimate, etc.-as we matured, or not, as men. Topics as such are pivotal to identity formation and the ways in which we practice and normalize "masculinity", "black maleness", and what it means to be a "man". These terms are quoted to emphasize the need to challenge and exercise them subjectively and fluidly. Moreover, it is to encourage men to think, act, and live autonomously and no longer feel compelled to exert toxic, self-degrading actions in an effort to preserve their "manhood".

Prior to delivering this first entrée of social thought and brotherly banter to your listening and viewing tables, we provided samplers to some of our trusted people. A popular reaction would be, "What do you know about marriage and you're not married?". Our reply was, “Why wait to experience and learn on the fly when you can be proactive? The preparation is just as important, if not more, than the execution”. Hence, while you're in a committed relationship, situationship, or single, why not begin to ask yourself the tough questions to foster healthy habits and ideals if marriage is a goal? Also, we think it is pivotal to share these thoughts—and trepidations, with reliable, honest folks such as your friends and loved ones to not only normalize having these conversations, but to build an understanding of what it is you want in a marriage or if marriage is for you at all. If we cannot take accountability now as individuals then what good will we be as partners in a coveted union?