The Semi-Social Life of a Black Introvert

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Aaron Whitfield, a noted community educator and motivational speaker, takes you on a journey into experiences, perspectives, and lessons that you can only experience from a semi-social Black male in America. Unfiltered and brutally honest, each episode i

Aaron Whitfield


    • Sep 8, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 31m AVG DURATION
    • 215 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Semi-Social Life of a Black Introvert

    Podcast Extras: Tears For Brandon Lowe

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2023 16:17


    The Central State University alumni family is grieving the loss of Brandon Lowe, who passed away unexpectedly this past week. Listen as I pay tribute to Brandon's tremendous faith and love for others. For God. For Central. For State.

    Podcast Extras: Tears for Aunt "Peggy" Clark

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2023 16:53


    The world lost a great one this past week. Rest in peace, Aunt Peggy. Thank you for your heart, lessons, and teachable moments.

    Food For Thought: Volume 108: Keke & Darius Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2023 30:30


    Alright...I'm finally going to address the Keke Palmer and Darius Jackson turmoil, Let's talk about relationship drama, what to wear if you're a momma, and the reasons people on your team may be cheering for your downfall.

    Food For Thought: Volume 107

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2023 19:46


    The last episode had y'all talking, so let's continue the conversation. Let's talk about the uproar over fake racism, "black magic" gone wrong, and how I got fired for talking to my Black "family".

    Episode 129: Working While Black (Chapter 4): Black Magic & White Refusal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 19, 2023 33:03


    Let's dive a little deeper into the "Working While Black" series, and discuss "cocoa butter" magic, tips for getting Black tips, and the reasons why workplace silence can be used as a deadly weapon.

    Food For Thought: Volume 106

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 13:26


    As we venture more into the "Working While Black" series, let's discuss the culture of workplace employee devaluation ,  the difference between preparation and luck, and the why putting people in positions to succeed helps everybody win.  

    Episode 128: Working While Black (Chapter 3): Leaving the Coop

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2023 39:04


    Sometimes, quitting is conquering.  In this episode, let's talk about aggressive interview questions, the peril of the unprotected, and the reasons why the fight you're in may no longer be yours.  

    Episode 127: Working While Black (Chapter 2): Black Synergy

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2023 41:17


    This episode is dedicated to all the folks who made me smile at work.  Let's discuss the importance of BIPOCs being seen, heard, acknowledged, and protected in the workplace.

    Food For Thought: Volume 105

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2023 25:45


    I'm back!  Let's discuss the lessons of community and connections that I have experienced during this four-month podcast hiatus.  

    Podcast Extras: Tears For Tyre Nichols

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2023 22:03


    This one hit differently.  All skin folk ain't kinfolk, especially when a police badge is involved.   Rest In Power, Tyre.  

    Podcast Extras: A Fan of Damar Hamlin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2023 23:31


    With recent good news involving the health of Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin, let's examine team fandom, job positions, and the purpose of big-picture destinations.  

    Food For Thought: Volume 104

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2022 25:45


    Before releasing the next chapter of the "Working While Black" series, let's discuss the power of proximity, redefining patriotism, and why being late to the party is better than not showing up. 

    Podcast Extras: Clintonville, you have a problem...

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2022 29:11


    In an attempt to unpack this past Saturday's demonstration of hate courtesy of the Proud Boys, let's discuss the dangers of being passive-progressive, the sleight-of-hand of hate groups, and why Clintonville, Ohio is the perfect place to recruit the next Proud Boy.  

    Food For Thought: Volume 103

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2022 22:13


    As a follow-up to the last week's episode, "Chapter One: The Good Neighbor," part of the "Work While Black" series, let's discuss the pressures of performance, the dangers of white tolerance, and how I found the courage to confront workplace norms in my 30s from the experiences of my adolescence.  

    Episode 126: Working While Black Series (Chapter 1): The Good Neighbor)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2022 41:24


    For the first chapter of the "Working While Black" series, let's talk about workplace microaggressions, finding the courage to say YES, and the reasons why a salary should never cost you you. 

    Food For Thought: Volume 102

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2022 14:00


    Before we embark on the "Working While Black" series, let's talk about the significance of cultural trailblazers and the systemic challenges that many BIPOCs endure each day.    

    Episode 125: Working While Black/I Am My Brother's Keeper

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2022 29:31


    This episode is the first part of a series that discusses stereotypes, discrimination, and racism that can exist within predominately white workspaces, providing valuable strategies for BIPOCs to thrive both personally and professionally.    

    Episode 124: Tears For Takeoff

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 4, 2022 23:48


    RIP Kirshnik Khari Ball, aka Takeoff, one-third of the hip-hop group Migos.  

    Food For Thought: Volume 101

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 17:06


    Let's wrap up this Kanye fiasco and discuss freedom of speech, the price of consequences, and why it's necessary to bring water instead of gasoline when something is on fire.  

    Episode 123: The Yin & Yang of Ye

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 23, 2022 39:25


    Kanye, Kanye, Kanye! Let's talk about the dramatics of Ye's past couple of weeks and the teachable and unspeakable moments of a billionaire that can't buy peace of mind.  

    Food For Thought, Volume 100: She Matters

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2022 18:01


    God,  She matters.   Amen.   

    Food For Thought: Volume 99

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2022 20:19


    Wrapping up the previous episode, "Reflections of Home", let's talk about time spent, time granted, and time-honored. 

    Episode 122: Reflections Of Home

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2022 30:31


    Motherland, I honor you.  Let's talk about the power of a Mother's embrace, finding kinship in unexpected places, and the reasons why home is truly where your heart is. 

    Food For Thought: Volume 98

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2022 18:37


    Let's break down last week's episode on the murder of PNB Rock and discuss why the music industry stays radio silent when Black blood is spilled.  

    Episode 121: Hate the Game, Not the Player

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 36:45


    RIP PNB Rock.  After this week's senseless murder of  hip-hop star Rakim Allen, aka PNB Rock, let's talk about the monetization of Black pain in the music industry,  America's bloody hand in Black America, and the reasons that why dead rappers get better promotion. 

    Food For Thought: Volume 97:

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2022 13:38


    My babies arent babies anymore, yall.  Let's talk about the ego's affect on parenting, the importance of letting go, and finding faith amongst fear.  

    Episode 120: Raising Black Kids:#Girldad

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2022 62:16


    To my daughter,  I am proud of you.  Your heart is as beautiful as your spirit.  Continue to shine your warmth upon this Earth.  I believe in you. Love,  Dad

    Episode 119: Raising Black Kids: Son + Shine

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2022 62:16


    Son,  I am proud of the man you are.  Thank you for teaching me love, showing me grace, and extending your hand during times of uncertainty.  I hear you, son, and I believe in you.  Believe in yourself.... Love,  Dad

    Episode 118: Raising Black Kids: The Prelude

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2022 19:20


    It's summer break y'all and I'm tired.  Let's talk about the experience of Black parenthood, from the joyous smiles to the emotional trials.  This parenting thing isn't easy…

    Food For Thought: Volume 96

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2022 21:05


    Y'all, why are these summer months moving by so quickly?  Let's talk about the importance of recognizing the seasons of life, the power of reconnecting with loved ones, and the lessons taught when you run your race through the finish line.  

    Podcast Extras: Tears For Nate Miller

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2022 13:32


    Rest easy, Nate Miller, Springfield hoop legend, community leader, father, and friend.  

    Food For Thought: Volume 95

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2022 32:36


    Happy Father's Day!  Let's discuss the neighborhood connections, challenges with pandemic relationships, and the true essence of fatherhood.  

    Episode 117: An Ode To Northland

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2022 33:18


    Let's make ourselves right at home and discuss: The power of embracing self with an open heart Community impact, Northland community, and jollof rice

    14 Daze: A Tale of Two Weeks

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2022 29:59


    After a brief two-week "break", let's discuss: The fears and faith of moving to new place in life My bout with 'rona, and the lessons that I learned through body chills A call-to-action for the brave in response to the mass school shooting in Texas

    Episode 115: Moving Day

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2022 18:50


    Moving day is tomorrow...and I'm both tired and excited.  Let's talk about chasing out wildest dreams, the importance of embracing faith over fear, and reasons to find peace while moving up the steps.  

    Food For Thought: Volume 94

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2022 28:01


    In light of Saturday's mass shooting in Buffalo, New York, let's discuss the significance of embracing life, the importance of listening to your "gut", and the reasons why love will always conquer hate.  

    Podcast Extras: Tears For Rob G.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2022 16:26


    Brief moments of impact create lasting memories.  Thank you, Robert "Robbie" Gueth III, and may you find the type of peace in the afterlife you were searching for on Earth.  

    Episode 114: Finishing The Long Run

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2022 51:35


    Episode Topics: Inspired by the classic movie "Coming to America", let's discuss the reasons that you should always let your "soul glow". Goal setting and staying motivated when facing the "long runs" moments of life.  "The little light of mine...I'm going to let it shine..."

    Episode 113: A Eulogy For Young Simba

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2022 40:38


    Let's discuss the life, lessons, and legacy of Dwayne Haskins, former NFL quarterback, who tragically passed away on April 9, 2022.  

    Food For Thought: Volume 93

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2022 29:08


    In light of the untimely passing of NFL quarterback Dwayne Haskins, I honor one of my students, Thaddeus Laurol, whose charisma, empathy, character, and smile were taken from this earth too soon.  

    Episode 112: Lessons From The Ugly Middle

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2022 54:01


    Episode Topics: Reclaiming "winning time", motivation to finish life's "4th quarter" moments. Discovering the purpose and pain of the "ugly middle", ways to embrace the process within the purpose.

    Podcast Extras: It's More Than A Game

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 13:20


    Thank you to all of the women athletes out there competing as champions, inspiring generations, and breaking down the barriers that you face both on and off the playing field.  You're more than an athlete.  You're a trailblazer, creating HERstory with every move.  

    Food For Thought: Volume 92

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 40:34


    Let's wrap up all of this drama from The Oscars.  Episode Topics: Being purposeful in creating quality time, face-to-face communication, and healthy human connections. Discussing Chris Rock and Jada Pinkett-Smith, self-pride, and the need for protection. The importance of elders in our communities, sharing wisdom and being the "cool" in host situations.  

    Episode 111: Refresh: Thoughts on Will Smith & #Blacklove

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2022 71:47


    Episode Topics: Aaron discusses his personal struggles with trauma, revenge, why it doesn't always feel good to do "right". Discussing the triggers of trauma and defining the conflict of being "right" vs. "right now". Issues with respectability politics, Black masculinity, perceive purity at the Oscars, and the pressures to be the token negro.   Highlighting the examples of #blacklove in the midst of the Oscars situation.    

    Food for Thought: Volume 91

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2022 27:04


    R.I.P. Aunt Gail Episode Topics:  Reflecting on the life, love, and lessons of my Aunt Gail, who passed away late last year Discussing the power of vision, seeing people at their best when they are going through their worst moments. Concluding our three-part Kanye series and the reasons why Aunt Gail would have fed his soul a hearty helping of love and support.  

    Podcast Extras: Yeah. That Just Happened. Let me Explain

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2022 14:08


    Episode Topics: Breaking down the dynamic between Will and Jada vs Chris Rock Discussing the imperfections of #blacklove and the fight for marriage The purpose of protecting at all costs.

    Episode 110: Finding Kanye West

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2022 53:10


    Episode Topics:   Pursuing purpose (and not perfection) when "living your best life". Breaking down the first episode of the Kanye West "Jeen-Yuhs" documentary and highlighting the importance of faith, family, and healthy friendships.  

    Episode 109: Buying Yeezy (Side B)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 17, 2022 43:28


    Episode Topics: The art of storytelling and the power(and choice) of voice. I examine the music industry's production and Kanye's pitfalls surrounding the introduction of "Yeezy" into the mainstream. The perspective of seeing individuals as people and not products.  

    Food For Thought: Volume 90

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2022 14:22


    Episode Topics: The importance of looking forward and creating the experience of a "new normal". Life perspectives from existing in the "gray" of life and embracing the nuance, hypocrisy, and contradictions of the human experience. Revisiting Kanye West and the reasons why his story is provides many with not only great lessons but also common ground.  

    Food for Thought: Volume 89...The Interlude

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2022 29:07


    Episode Topics: The importance of creative spaces and communities that embrace inclusivity, inspiration, and introspection. Kanye's "Jeen-Yuhs" documentary, side-eyes, fake smiles, and why all laughs aren't created equal. Reasons why we all have a "Ye" personality, designed to protect the person by projecting performance.

    Episode 108: Kanye vs. Con 'Ye (Side A)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2022 55:48


    "It seems we living the American dream/ But the people highest up got the lowest self esteem/ The prettiest people do the ugliest things/ For the road to riches and diamond rings..."- Kanye West (All Falls Down)   In the first installment of this new series featuring Kanye West, let's talk about music industry exploitation, the manipulation of genius, and the reasons why Kanye should be seen as a person and not a product.  

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