The SIPmyTHOUGHTS Pod

It's 2025 and a new administration has recently entered the Oval Office. This particular administration once before pushed the "fake news" narrative, endangering journalists while also tarnishing the reputation of the media. As recent as this week, CNN recently announced layoffs at the company. The future of journalism is in limbo for a myriad of different reasons. How does the industry adjust to a former president who embedded media distrust among Americans?  Does the industry adapt? Will the industry reshape itself? I discuss those things in this episode. Tap in.

Young Thug is home and people were more than elated to see him freed from the shackles of the Fulton County Jail, along with a trial he participated in for a total of 154 days. In case you have been living under a rock for the last 2 years, Young Thug, whose real name is Jeffery Williams was arrested in May 2022 after he was indicted under the Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization Act. As someone who watched this trial from its early stages to now, I have learned three things that I can point to that I learned. Tap in to learn what those three things were. IG: SIPmyTHOUGHTS/thesipmythoughtsmg Facebook: SIPmyTHOUGHTS YouTube: SIPmyTHOUGHTS

The YSL Trial gets better and better everyday. I was struck by the testimony of Detective Tyrone Dennis who believes he is a gang expert because he's watched movies based out of South Central LA and listens to rap music. Black people are not a monolith. Watching movies and listening to rap music does not make you an expert, just like some white people liking raisins in their potato salad does not mean every white person does either. This trial continues to point out infractions with the witnesses the State continues to bring and the lengths they are going to trying to convict Young Thug and YSL. Give me your thoughts and opinions on this one. Twitter: SIPmyTHOUGHTS IG: sipmythoughts/thesipmythoughtsmg Email: sipmythoughts@gmail.com

Diddy. R. Kelly. Bill Cosby. Our greats have fallen from grace and we have had a front row seat to their demise.  While redemption may not be possible for the above mentioned, it may be for defendants in the YSL Trial. Looking at the interrogation interviews, some of the defendants were teenagers making foolish decisions. Is redemption possible? Maybe. In this episode, you will hear me discuss how being POME may have played a role in their decision-making and whether they deserve a second chance at a different life.

Life will humble you, so how do you move through it when you are challenged? You take L's? Black men need to proudly step through life with irrational confidence because when you're at your lowest, what do you have to fall back on? You must have an undying and unbelievable amount of irrational confidence to become who you ultimately want to be. Tap in.   Twitter/IG: sipmythoughts/thesipmythoughtsmg TikTok: sipmythoughts

I never thought I would live through two historical events in back-to-back weekends; an attempted assassination on a former president, and the following weekend, the current president decides not to run for reelection. As a journalist, these are memorable times in our lives that cannot be forgotten. On these two consecutive weekends, I was in a newsroom, working both events. My name is on this work, forever. This episode will discuss the feelings and sentiments and how we should never forget about where we were on the weekend of July 13 and July 20, 2024. Twitter/IG: SIPmyTHOUGHTS Podcast IG: thesipmythoughtsmg TikTok: sipmythoughts Facebook: sipmythoughts

As a journalist, I have seen my fair share of things people should never hear/see. It's time for black men to be honest about the things that are happening in our lives and the steps we need to take to become better individuals. It's time to have a come to Jesus meeting in our community because as the leaders, we need to change the cycles of things happening in our homes and communities.   IG/Twitter: sipmythoughts/thesipmythoughtsmg TikTok: sipmythoughts Email: sipmythoughts@gmail.com

Bronny James is getting ready to be drafted into the NBA. Where? Who knows, but why are people so mad about this? Caitlin Clark is the WNBA's newest lightning rod in good and bad ways depending on who you are. Atlanta drowned for 5 days. But there is a deeper conversation to be had here and its relation to where I am from, which is Mississippi.

This is gong to be a series of general conversation of things that are seen and unseen. Encouragement, and real-life situations that can lead you to a place of recognizing things that we take for granted on a daily basis. So we're going to go with the flow and see where that takes us.

The Drake v. Kendrick Lamar "beef" has officially concluded so I decided to peel back the layers of the heated conversations between the two emcees and discovered and uncovered very interesting and hypocritical perspectives from the person deemed the winner. Tap in and give me your thoughts. sipmythoughts@gmail.com SIPmyTHOUGHTS on all social media platforms

The college basketball season is over and there is much to discuss. The budding stars of the women's game, the superstardom of the women's game, ESPN's newest 'Big 4' and giving respect to women as the focal point of collegiate athletics and society as a whole.   IG: thesipmythoughtspod/sipmythoughts X/Twitter: SIPmyTHOUGHTS Facebook: sipmythoughts

Let's talk about "Access." Access, as we have seen over the last few weeks with entertainers and celebrities such as P. Diddy, Rashee Rice of the Kansas City Chiefs and Young Thug for example has left them in questionable situations amid circumstances aroung their alleged actions. Access when used properly can elevate you, your family and those around you. But when used negatively, that access can hire dire consequences as these celebrities/entertainers are learning. In this episode, I break down these alleged actions and instances and how free will can allow you to make decisions that might not hurt you today, but most certainly can and will tomorrow. IG: thesipmythoughtspod/sipmythoughts X/Twitter: SIPmyTHOUGHTS Facebook: sipmythoughts

I have been away for too long, but i'm back with a rebrand. More content, more podcasts, more everything. Thank you for rocking with me and I hope you continue to do so. IG: thesipmythoughtspod/sipmythoughts X/Twitter: SIPmyTHOUGHTS Facebook: sipmythoughts

I'm concerned. Our culture is continuing to be exploited, but what are we receiving in return? Also, why are we playing a part in giving our culture away, while also sullying one another for likes, views and shares? We are playing an active part in the degradation of our culture, but is the financial gain and faux popularity worth it? Should we be gatekeeping black culture? In this episode, I provide examples as I discuss the pros of affirmative action being overturned, Deion Sanders in the HBCU space and other real world examples where I pose real scenarios and pose real questions? Are we doing enough to preserve our culture? Tap in.   Twitter/ IG: SIPmyTHOUGHTS Podcast IG: thesipmythoughtspod

"Hey Mr. Carter (hello) 'tell me where you been' (you know)' 'they been asking, they been searching, they been wondering why.'" Man, there are no other words to explain my absence other than Life Been Lifin.' I'm back to share what I have been going through recently, conversations I had with my mama, and next steps. I'll be back really soon to share more.

While most conversations regarding the Women's National Championship are centered around Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, the poignant statement Dawn Staley gave after Friday's loss to Clark and Iowa exposed a bigger societal issue affecting black people with black women centered at the forefront. Research I conducted 10 years ago has arisen with Staley's statement and I discuss it in this episode.

The recent show of love shared by Jonathan Majors for Michael B. Jordan made me wonder if we are our brothers/sisters keeper? How can we better show and exude love for one another? I briefly discuss what we can do, the business model of mainstream news and why you don't see more of our stories broadcasted outside of sports, and how we can build our community.

After watching Wakanda Forever twice and even the original Black Panther bares symbolism to Historically Black Colleges and Universities. HBCUs is OUR Wakanda and in this episode, I will discusses scenes in the movie where I will show and define this characterization.

Deion Sanders is leaving Jackson State University for the University of Colorado. He came to JSU stating he wanted to "change the game" and "level the playing field" for HBCUs. His exodus, however, is leaving a bad taste in the mouths of Jacksonians. Those outside of the country say JSU fans should be "grateful" for Prime's presence. In this episode, you will learn JSU fans are not mad at Prime opting for upwards mobility, it is the way he went about it and the unfulfilled promises he made. 

Kanye West and Kyrie Irving have found themselves on the verge of losing all that they have worked for. One of these men believes slavery was a choice. The other man believes he is smarter than everyone else, but this man is actually getting the raw end of the deal by his franchise. These are my thoughts on the two.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities are in a period of Renaissance, sparked by the hiring of Deion Sanders at Jackson State University. Recruiting across HBCUs are improving, facility upgrades are happening and conversations about potential movement into the Power 5 is a real conversation now. But it's important how our universities handle this ‘rebirth' and even the promotion of the athletes as they chase their professional football dreams.

This episode is a culmination of things that has occurred over the last few weeks. I discuss as being God's favorite people, there is a certain standard we must carry ourselves with. I discuss stupid things that has been happening in our culture such as the shooting at a Atlanta Subway over too much mayo on a sandwich, effects of certain decisions, Roe v. Wade, and black women's celebration of the death of Kevin Samuels.

I'm officially an ATLien; I talk briefly about my journey, and get into some things that I have noticed across society and culture and how they are potentially society shifting moves, both media focused and musically focused. It's just a good time to be a creative and this is what this episode is comprised of.  This episode will discuss a power move I feel Draymond Green made that not enough people are discussing and obviously my initial reaction to Kendrick Lamar's "Mr. Morale and the Big Steppers" album. Tap in!

For the melanated community, you wake up everyday and when you look in the mirror, you see richness looking back at you. But everyday we step out the door, there has to be a reminder, whether it is in the form of a microaggression or SOMETHING or SOMEONE trying to remind you of your place in this world. This is what this series is about: When Did You Realize You Were Black? When did the World Show You You Were Black? Ep. 1 features Dr. Russell J. Ledet and Derek Francis, two men who you will hear express the seminal moments in their career fields where they realized they were black.

Transparency episode; I discuss my struggles during the pandemic, feelings and emotions. However, I also discuss blessings I overlooked, what I felt God was trying to show me and how He does things on His tine to show us He never forgets/forgot about us. Hopefully you can relate.

Antong Lucky's story is one that started with him creating the first chapter of the Dallas Bloods, narcotics and being sentenced to jail time. After being fearlessly respected, a prisoner who became his mentor shifted his perspective and instilled a mindset that allowed Lucky to see if he could lead others to do wrong, he had the same ability to influence them to do right. Today, Lucky is an author, philanthropist and a mentor to so many other black men he has encountered and is looking to impact more through a term he coined; redemptive activism.

By now, you have either seen or heard about millennial Pastor Mike Todd's antics in the pulpit during his recent sermon. I decided to host a Twitter Spaces where people such as pastors, young and old along with a first-hand account of a worshipper who has seen Mike Todd live give their opinion on his rubbing saliva on an individual's face and where do we go from here. My opinion or question is if or does our community elevate voices we should or shouldn't? Really interesting dialogue and discourse. Tap in.

This episode will discuss all things Jackson State football, new hires in the SWAC, draft prospects, and why Jim Nagy, Director of the Senior Bowl said no JSU football players received invited to the Senior Bowl. We also discuss "The Prime Effect" and how his presence causes everyone to raise their level of play and acumen.

After connecting via Twitter, me and Pastor Erik Vance have thought-evoking dialogue about a myriad of subjects including religion, the job Deion Sanders is doing at Jackson State, SWAC football, culture and much more. Twitter: https://twitter.com/PrayOrDie 

Deion Sanders aka Coach Prime is who he's always been. However, TCU is looking for a new coach and targeted Coach Prime. In articles posted in the Fort Worth Star Telegram however, it's clear that Sanders isn't what the Board of Trustees want, although it seems the players do. Prime has a mission to complete and in this episode, I lay out the reasons as to why his time in Jackson isn't up yet.

The former radio personality is more than what meets the eye. Her story is one that is unique with twists and turns, but she continues to topples adversity and rise to the top. In this episode, you will learn about her start in the media industry, going through homelessness and continuing to persevere and beat the odds. IG: lildonair  https://linktr.ee/SIPmyTHOUGHTS 

Comedienne Kyndra Crump is naturally hilarious and in this episode, you will hear a bunch of laughs spurred by her personality and real-life situations she's encountered.   You will learn that she just graduated from Clark Atlanta University, if you're passing through Hartsfield Jackson Airport, you just may bump into her and she may clown you too.   Really fun, episode and if you like laughing, this is the show for you!

This episode, I show love to an educator who is using music and rapping to make an impact on students lives. Cora Garner is the type of educator you want teaching your children and shows the type of care any parent would want their students to experience at school. She won Humanities Texas 2020 Outstanding Early Career Teaching Award, which recognizes exemplary K–12 Humanities teachers for her efforts preparing students for standardized testing. Click on this link to checkout Garner rapping with students. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wmjls0kMJto&t=3s  

Financial literacy; that's the name of the game for this episode. Greg Brumfield of Financial Knife & Fork joined the podcast to discuss his ascension in the financial space after bumping his head. In this episode, he drops hella game on the types of stocks to look for, broke down commonly heard terms in the financial space for listeners/viewers to understand and how he entered the financial space. We're not withholding game, we're providing it. Tap in!

David C. Williams is the Assistant Vice President of Business Customer Sales & Service for AT&T and created a way for 40,000 workers to continue to work from home during the pandemic since offices were closed.   Williams is one of the premier black faces in tech who is also a champion of diversity while looking to give back to those who look like him. 

I'm back with a lot to discuss. Jackson State QB Shedeur Sanders made waves at SWAC Media Day after some "controversial" comments. I discuss society trying to humble black men as well as black people taking up some imaginary authority in our attempts to humble one another. I also discuss a Clarion Ledger reporter expressing his white privilege by calling Primetime Deion Sanders by his first name and the disregard and lack of respect for black folks who have earned stature and it not being respected. Tap in!

Amir James does fashion the way he wants to: lowkey, with authenticity being the background of his brand. We talk fashion influences, life happening while building his brand, pitfalls, how to get off the mat after being knocked down, and countless other gems. Tap in! IG/Twitter: SIPmyTHOUGHTS IG: AmirJamesClothiers

George Floyd's killer was recently indicted on all three counts of second-degree murder. Today's episode features my bro Purvis Cornish, who eloquently discusses the Floyd trial, blackness in the midst of experiencing continuous death at the hands of police and how we in a certain semblance can embody Derek Chauvin's actions in our lives. Tap in.

Crabs in a Bucket mentality is an adage in the black community and on this episode, we breakdown how it relates to the hate Coach Prime aka Deion Sanders is getting from the fan base and fellow SWAC coaches. We also talk Jalon Jones entering the transfer portal, the effect Prime can enact on the City of Jackson if given the time, The "Prime Effect" with Eddie George becoming the next coach of Tennessee State Univ. and the future of black college football. Tap in.

Jordan Franklin is a Trademark and Intellectual Property Lawyer based out of Houston, Texas. In this episode, listeners will learn how to protect their assets as a business owner through trademarks, everyday branding secrets we see, but do not recognize and an expansive conversation on the precedent the Lil Nas X vs. Nike lawsuit is setting from a trademark standpoint. Really good free information here you can use! Tap in! Twitter/IG: jovant_garde https://medium.com/@franklin.b.jordan/the-counterfeiting-epidemic-and-valuable-ways-to-protect-your-brand-7728a6a5b2b3 

The coronavirus pandemic affected millions of Americans. People lost their jobs, homes, mental health among other things. No one is immune from the ills of life, however, in the midst of troubling times, Chef Michael Bennett rose above his circumstances. Bennett lost his job at Walgreens in March 2020, but had no idea he would give birth to a blessing through his creativity that would land him in the NBA Bubble last summer. Tune in to learn more about his story. IG: amorletaste  IG: SIPmyTHOUGHTS

Judas and The Black Messiah vaguely discusses the story of the relationship between informant William "Bill" O'Neal who infiltrated The Black Panther Party and leader Fred Hampton. Jessica and I discuss her review of the movie, I share my thoughts on her review and we discuss sentiments shared in the movie, related them to issues black folks are still experiencing today and what needs to change to improve our situation. We discuss the church and Christianity and how it relays, black people's lackadaisical approach to merely existing by chasing the bag and looking to create and build upon the legacy of Hampton and other black heroes. YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUA8c1X3cJW1qBJBjtX5djA  Twitter: jessicasimien IG: jessicasimienlofton

Bianca Knight is a Mississippian and 2012 Gold Medalist at the London Olympics. Knight is now a mother of 2 and married, but her story is much more than people know. From childhood to adulthood, Knight's humble spirit has carried her to heights most will never reach, but along her journey, she has faced adversity also. She has persevered and is looking to help the next generation of track stars. Tap in to learn more about this humble soul.

This episode is random, but necessary. Like any human being, you have thoughts and sometimes they stick with you, sometimes they don't. Lately, I have been thinking about the "American Dream" and how it was prescribed to us as a model of success. The model is broken. Financial freedom and independence is what we should be seeking. How can we be a part of changing the system? Independence. Buck the system and show love. Support art. Support creatives. IG/FB/Twitter: SIPmyTHOUGHTS Rate. Comment. Subscribe. Follow.

Tomorrow is not promised, so for me, it's been important for me to give flowers to those who have impacted my life. Moving to Dallas in 2019, Clarence E. Hill Jr., was one of the men who deserves flowers. Most sports journalists are white, so imagine being able to cover the most profitable and recognizable brand in the Dallas Cowboys for more than 20 years as a black journalist. It's damn near unheard of. In the last few weeks and year, black male journalists have been dying at an alarming rate so knowing that tomorrow isn't promised, I wanted to get CHill on the pod. We discuss our media colleagues who have passed recently, how he's been able to keep his job for 20 years, favorite Cowboys of all-time and more. Twitter/FB: clarencehilljr IG:CHillNFL Twitter/FB/IG: SIPmyTHOUGHTS

A true Mississippi OG and Hip-Hop pioneer, most would have stopped making music after starting a group, Crooked Lettaz with famed Hip-Hop rapper, mogul and icon David Banner, also from Jackson, Mississippi, however Kamikaze channeled his passion into recreating and reestablishing the hip-hop scene. Today, he manages artists, such as Dear Silas and others, while passing down game to the next generation of rappers in the city. Tap in to hear from one of the Godfathers of Hip-Hop in the South.

As an ode to The Color Purple, establishments, specifically the NFL and everyday corporations minimalize the black voice.   However, when scandal within the company, a black face usually materializes to save that company, or become its scapegoat.    We discuss Colin Kaepernick and his wrongful ousting, Drew Brees and the karmic stench that surrounds companies and billionaire brands who cannot escape their wrongdoings by mistreating black/brown bodies.   Code-switching; is it helpful or hurtful? Do we want a seat at the table or should we build our own? Or become The Spook Who Sat By The Door?

Al Steele is a significant voice on the campus of the University of Mississippi, but the journalism school is where her voice is the most important.   She is an award-winning photojournalist and author who has been recognized by Bishop T.D. Jakes, The New York Times, Mississippi Public Broadcasting, etc. Her book, Delta Jewels: In Search of My Grandmother's Wisdom gained notoriety after profiling church mothers throughout the Mississippi Delta.   Hailing from the Northeast, this episode discusses our first encounter as student and professor, her matriculation to the South, adjusting to Mississippi and its rigors, along with her introduction to Southern white students.   Visit her website and purchase a book: https://www.alysiasteele.com/delta-jewels-book 

I'm back! I took some time away after going so hard last year and obviously, life takes precedence also so I needed to exhale. 2021 is here and so is season 2 of the pod. I discuss where the pod is headed, the theme and what you can look forward to going forward. Be sure to rate, comment and subscribe! Guest/podcousin: @blackinthegarden

Ep. 21 features Colah B Tawkin, curator of popular Instagram page, @BlackInTheGarden. We talk the beginning of her horticulture journey and its unique mix with black culture. We also discuss the ancestral connection between our ancestors expertise in horticulture and how the newest generation of black folks can get back to growing our own crops and veggies. Tap in!

This new series will feature black men talking about any and everything that affects them or anything they want to get off of their chest. Ep. 1 of this series features returning guests AR Junior and Dr. Russell Ledet and we discuss specifically how black boys who become men enter the world at a handicap among other things. IG: alfredrashad/theguywithyes CashApp: $carterjt90