This Is The Thing

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Two friends opening up and sharing personal experiences through conversation. Tearing down the misconception that black men and just men in general can't be vulnerable. Oh yeah, we talk sports too! *New Episodes every Tuesday #ThisisTheThingPodcast #BlackMenPodding

This Is The Thing


    • Jul 16, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 54m AVG DURATION
    • 163 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from This Is The Thing

    This Is The Thing Ep. 190 - "Austin, Here I Come"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2023 51:31


    On this episode, Nick and Justin discuss music artists that use "mystique" as their brand. This is also the last episode before Justin moves to Austin, Texas. The two talk about the move. #FridayJoint : Kenyon Dixon - Lucky

    This Is The Thing Ep. 189 - "Slow Burn Recap"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 3, 2023 55:23


    On this episode, Nick and Justin have a conversation/recap surrounding Slate's Slow Burn podcastt: Becoming Justice Thomas. The 4 part series chronicles Clarence Thomas' early life through his confirmation to the United States Supreme Court. #FridayJoint : Tone Stith - Girls Like You

    This Is The Thing Ep. 188 - "Halfway Point"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2023 45:58


    We are halfway through 2023! On this episode, Nick and Justin talk about goals and their mentality going into the second half of the year. #FridayJoint : Danniella Dee - Stutter

    This Is The Thing Ep. 187 - "The Big Move"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 12, 2023 41:37


    On this episode, Nick and Justin talk about the next chapter in Justin's life. They discuss the excitement and anxiety when it comes to making a big move. #FridayJoint : Full Crate - Text Me When You Get Home

    This Is The Thing Ep. 186 - "COE"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2023 59:23


    On this episode, Nick and Justin talk about their comfort levels when it comes to creating content. They break down why not everything is "Content Over Everything." In the #SportsBag , the discuss the players they think have stood out so far in the NBA Playoffs. #FridayJoint : Marie Dahlstrom - Make It Up To You

    This Is The Thing Ep. 185 - "Life Be Lifein"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2023 48:19


    On this episode, Nick and Justin about keeping it together when life gets hectic. In the #SportsBag , they debate if recently retired NBA player Carmelo Anthony is a Hall of Famer or not. #FridayJoint : Belly - Loyalty v. Royalty

    This Is The Thing Ep. 184 - "Role Modelz"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2023 47:26


    On this episode, in light of the situation involving NBA star Ja Morant, Nick and Justin discuss the complexities of being a role model.

    This Is The Thing Ep. 183 - "Ma Dukes"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2023 43:32


    On this episode, Nick and Justin break down who would win Verzuz battle between two legendary R&B/Pop Stars. They also talk about their relationships with their mother's and how it has evolved. In the #SportsBag , they discuss how we take for granted how great some athletes are. #FridayJoint : Reggie Becton - Sway

    verzuz ma dukes
    This Is The Thing Ep. 182 - "Dear Mama"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2023 54:14


    On this episode, Nick discusses the new documentary on Tupac and Afeni Shakur, "Dear Mama." Off that discussion he and Justin talk about what legacies they would like to leave behind. #FridayJoint : Enny - Charge It

    tupac dear mama afeni shakur
    This Is The Thing Ep. 181 - "Playlist"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2023 52:56


    On this latest episode, Nick & Justin list the songs that wouldn't typically be on their playlist. In the #SportsBag , they breakdown Jalen Hurts new contract and what this could mean for Lamar Jackson. #FridayJoint : Winny - Operation

    This Is The Thing Ep. 180 - "Do For Love"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2023 44:59


    In this latest episode, Nick & Justin give another Love is Blind recap. They also talk about the lengths they would go to find love. In the #SportsBag , they discuss if the addition of OBJ will do anything to move the needle in the Lamar Jackson contract situation. #FridayJoint : They. ft. Yung Bleu - In the Mood

    This Is The Thing Ep. 179 - "Nothing Nowhere All At Once"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2023 49:04


    Coming off Dreamville Fest, Nick and Justin reflect on how the older they get the less FOMO they have. In the #SportsBag , they list their biggest NFL Draft pick disappointments and who could be those guys in this year's draft. #FridayJoint : Larry June, Alchemist, Wiz Khalifa - What Happened to the World?

    world nfl draft fomo alchemists dreamville fest nothing nowhere
    This Is The Thing Ep. 178 - "Nostalgia"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2023 49:19


    In this episode, Nick and Justin go down memory lane and reminisce about certain times in their lives. They about what they miss and don't about those times. In the #SportsBag , they discuss Lamar Jackson's battle for new contract. #FridayJoint Mac Ayres - & We'll Feel Better

    This Is The Thing Ep. 177 - "Recap"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2023 49:43


    Nick and Justin are back after a week off. On this episode, Nick recaps his birthday trip. He also talks about his goals for 32. In the #SportsBag , they discuss Cam Newton's possible return to the NFL. #FridayJoint : Alice Auer, Conor Albert - Uknown

    This is the Thing Ep. 176 - "Magic Year"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 9, 2023 35:36


    On this episode, Nick and Justin celebrate Nick's birthday. #FridayJoint : Kali Uchis, Don Toliver - Fantasy

    This Is The Thing Ep. 175 - "In A Tizzy"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2023 56:33


    On this episode, Nick and Justin talk about masculinity and how they define it. In the #SportsBag , they break down their mock drafts for the 2023 NFL Draft. #FridayJoint : Braxton Cook, Masego - 90s

    This Is The Thing Ep. 174 - "The Interview"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2023 49:34


    On this episode, Nick and Justin list their dream guests for the show. In the #SportsBag , they share their thoughts on what should happen moving forward with the NBA All-Star Weekend. #FridayJoint : Brianna Castro - U N Me

    This Is The Thing Ep. 173 - "Hold On, We're Going To Pod"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2023 51:36


    On this episode, Nick and Justin do a quick new year check in on their goals. They also relive the moments in their lives, music and culture from 2013. In the #SportsBag , they do their Super Bowl recap. #FridayJoint : Brainorchestra - Water, Yeast, Flour

    This Is The Thing Ep. 172 - "Get Rich Or Pod Tryin"

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2023 56:45


    On this episode, Nick and Justin relive 2003 and talk about biggest songs, artists and TV shows/movies from that era. In the #SportsBag , they discuss the continued lack of diversity among NFL head coaches. #FridayJoint : Cordae, Anderson .Paak - Two Tens

    This Is The Thing Ep. 171 - "They Not Us"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 29, 2023 49:00


    On this episode, Nick & Justin discuss some of the cultural things they grew up learning but realized when they got older that it was really asinine. In the #SportsBag , the give their reaction to the situation involving Pro Football Hall of Famer Ed Reed and Bethune Cookman University. #FridayJoint : Joyce Wrice - Bittersweet Goodbyes

    This Is The Thing Ep. 170 - "Old Friends"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2023 49:28


    In this episode, Nick & Justin discuss managing long-time friendships. They talk about how distance and time play a role in maintaining those relationships. In the #SportsBag , they reflect back on the week since Bills Safety Damar Hamlin was seriously injured. #FridayJoint : muva of Earth - High

    This Is The Thing Ep. 169 - "New Year, New Pod"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2023 41:52


    On this episode, Nick and Justin start the new year with answering some important questions about their lives. The two also give a quick breakdown of the Best Man Final Chapter series.

    This Is The Thing Ep. 168 - "Top Five"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 24, 2022 66:15


    On this episode, Nick & Justin run through their favorite Hip-Hop and R&B albums of the year. In the #SportsBag , they recap the Celebration Bowl and Justin gives his thoughts on Deion Sanders.

    This Is The Thing Ep. 167 - "Phases"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 16, 2022 49:24


    On this episode, Nick and Justin try to imagine what the next phase of their lives looks like and why it's more than difficult now than when they were younger. In the #SportsBag , they discuss from a fan perspective, would you rather see your team have a decade of winning seasons and come up short for championships OR see your team win one championship and watch your team struggle for next 10 years. #FridayJoint : Emotional Oranges - Petty

    This Is The Thing Ep. 166 - "Look At Us Grieve"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2022 46:09


    On this episode, Nick and Justin talk about some of the toughest things they deal with during the holidays. From grief to setting new goals to a feeling of not making the most of the year. In the #SportsBag , they discuss if tanking is worth it? And if any of the potential QBs in the 2023 NFL Draft are worth taking? #FridayJoint : Lew Sid - Chadwick

    This Is The Thing Ep. 165 - "Body Positivity"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 25, 2022 43:27


    On this latest episode, Nick & Justin discuss embracing their physical appearance as men. They talk about their insecurities over the years with their bodies and how they both continue to work through it. In the #SportsBag , they discuss the starting QBs NFL teams should lose hope in. #FridayJoint : Sault - Wildfires

    This Is The Thing Ep. 164 - "Comfort Zone"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2022 51:39


    On this latest episode, Nick & Justin discuss the line between being supportive of your partner/spouse and being comfortable yourself. They also talk about the line of stepping outside your comfort zone. In the #SportsBag , they redraft the first 10 picks of the 2021 NFL Draft. #FridayJoint : DRAM - Let Me See Your Phone

    This Is The Thing Ep. 163 - "Setbacks"

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2022 52:57


    On this episode, Nick & Justin talk about overcoming certain setbacks in their lives either professionally and personally and how they were able to push through. In the #SportBag , they discuss the responsibility of athletes knowing who they are and the platforms they have. #FridayJoint : Leven Kali - Tears of Joy

    This Is The Thing Ep. 162 - "Digging In The Crates"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 29, 2022 70:30


    On this episode, Nick and Justin revisit a couple of topics from early episodes. You a get a chance to listen to how their relationships with their moms and dads have impacted them as men. In the #SportsBag , they discuss which Russell can bounce back? Wilson or Westbrook? #FridayJoint : Sonder - Break You Off

    This Is The Thing Ep. 161 - "Soundtrack To My Life"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2022 36:47


    On this episode, Nick and Justin talk about the artists, songs and albums that have defined their lives so far. The two curate a soundtrack based on their experiences. In the #SportsBag , Nick and Justin talk all things NBA ahead of the season opener. #FridayJoint : Freddie Gibbs - Blackest in the Room

    This Is The Thing Ep. 160 - "Tell Me What You Want"

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2022 47:26


    On this latest episode, Nick and Justin discuss the value they placed on being wanted and needed in their lives. Also, with the year winding down they talk about goals they want to hit before 2023. In the #SportsBag , they give their NBA hot takes and list/discuss the NFL teams with the biggest QB issues. #FridayJoint : Kenny Mason - HALOS

    This Is The Thing Ep. 159 - "DangerRuss"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2022 48:46


    In this latest episode, Nick and Justin discuss the difference between being perceived as corny vs. inauthentic. They also talk about the difficulties of being authentically themselves in different spaces as a black man. In the #SportsBag they list their ALMOST Hall of Fame class. #FridayJoint Jessie Reyez, 6lack - Forever

    This Is The Thing Ep. 158 - "Pursuit Of Happiness"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2022 33:59


    In this episode, Nick and Justin have an in-depth discussion about what makes them happy. They also talk about their struggles to find happiness and how they still work on channeling it in their every day lives. #FridayJoint : Joss Ryan, Laura Roy - Keep It

    This Is The Thing Ep. 157 - "Buzz Words"

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 9, 2022 43:07


    On this latest episode, Nick & Justin discuss their emotional intelligence. They talk about where they are with it now vs. when they were in their early 20's. In the #SportsBag , They make their week 1 NFL predictions. #FridayJoint : Kenny Beats - Rotten

    This Is The Thing Ep. 156 - "Got To See It Through"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2022 43:23


    On this episode, Nick & Justin talk about dealing with self doubt and when they deal with it the most. In the #SportsBag , they discuss Kevin Durant staying put in Brooklyn. #FridayJoint : Mikhala Jene' - Human Nature

    This Is The Thing Ep. 155 - "Paul Pierce Performance"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2022 43:13


    On this latest episode, @nick_sturdivant & @jpar4 discuss keeping it real versus revealing too much when it comes podcasting. In the #SportsBag , they list their “sleeper” teams going into the NFL season. #FridayJoint : Chris Patrick - Scared

    This Is The Thing Ep, 154 - "Segue Kings"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2022 46:38


    On this episode, Nick & Justin breakdown friend group dynamics as a young adult and if there's a such thing as a "leader" among a group of friends. In the #SportsBag , in light of the recent announcement from Serena Williams retiring they reflect back on her impact on culture and tennis career. #FridayJoint : THEY. ft. Bino Rideaux - Lonely

    This Is The Thing Ep. 153 - "New Chapter"

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2022 50:17


    On this latest episode, @nick_sturdivant & @jpar4 define this chapter in their lives. They also discuss what they are learning/unlearning. In the #SportsBag , they honor the late Bill Russell. They also talk about the wildest nicknames from their time on different teams. #FridayJoint : Traetwothree, DW Flame - 710

    This Is The Thing Ep. 152 - "Do You Want A Revolution?"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2022 43:52


    On this latest episode, Nick & Justin talk about their relationship with God and how it has changed over the years. In the #SportsBag , they discuss if it's worth trading Jaylen Brown for Kevin Durant

    This Is The Thing Ep. 151 - "Big Friend Energy"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2022 43:25


    On this episode, Nick & Justin recap another “friends reunion” weekend. They reflect on their current friend circles as adults and the value they place on them. In the #SportsBag , they breakdown Baker Mayfield to the Carolina Panthers. #FridayJoint : Rahky - Talk to Me

    This Is The Thing Ep 150 The Big Cappers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2022 59:54


    On this latest episode, Nick & Justin talk about knowing when it's time to move on. In the #SportsBag , they breakdown where they think Kevin Durant & Kyrie Irving will land next season. #FridayJoint : Nakkia Gold ft. Jeremih - Sober

    This Is The Thing Ep. 149 - "One Wish"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2022 43:07


    R&B fans were disappointed last week after some of the performances from the Mario/Omarion @verzuztv However, adulting and just life can be just as disappointing. On this latest episode, Nick & Justin talk about some of the things in their lives that didn't live up to the hype. In the #SportsBag , they breakdown who's in the best position to win next season: Nets or Lakers

    This Is The Thing Ep. 148 - "Catching Up"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2022 55:52


    After two weeks off, Nick & Justin are back! They catch up on everything from family vacation, Drake's new album, health scares and more! #FridayJoint : Ambre, Jvck James - I'm Baby

    This Is The Thing Ep. 147 - "Pow Pow"

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2022 53:52


    On this episode, Nick & Justin talk about creating healthy boundaries & communication when they're in relationships. They talk about their struggles with it and what they want to do differently. In the #SportsBag , in light of the incident involving Chicago White Sox Shortstop, Tim Anderson, they discuss the disconnect when it comes to baseball. #FridayJoint : Jydn Hill - 3am

    This Is The Thing Ep. 146 - "The Art Of Storytelling"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2022 41:29


    Singer/Songwriter @jnicole.music returns to talk new music, her style/inspiration & to have a deep dive about favorite albums & what makes an artist interesting? #FridayJoint : Tank and the Bangas - Communion in my Cup Check out J.Nicole's new song, "Feelings." Out now!

    This Is The Thing Ep. 145 - "Sicker Than Your Average"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2022 37:38


    On this latest episode, Nick & Justin discuss being black men in the podcast. They talk about what drives them to do it along with the stereotypes when it comes to podcasting. In the #SportsBag , In light of Rudy Gobert calling out Shaq…they match up current NBA stars against retired NBA legends. #FridayJoint : Col3trane - Lights Out

    This Is The Thing Ep. 144 - "It's Okay To Cry"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2022 30:09


    Nick & Justin follow up their conversation from the previous episode and discuss being vulnerable. Why is it tough for men, specifically black men, to cry and embrace their emotions? In the #SportsBag , they break down their winners/losers of the NFL Draft. #FridayJoint : PJ Morton, Jill Scott, Alex Isley - Still Believe

    This Is The Thing Ep. 143 - "We Got Y'all"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2022 58:57


    On this latest episode, Nick & Justin talk about their share their experiences with therapy. They share the ups, the downs and realizations when it comes to therapy. In the #SportsBag , they discuss NBA playoffs and in the Ben Simmons controversy…the time they or a teammate quit on the team? #FridayJoint : Eli Derby - Gaslight

    This Is The Thing Ep. 142 - "Couldn't Be Me"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2022 57:04


    Do you ever look back at your early 20's and think WT#*@& was I thinking? Do you think you were ready for real responsibilities like marriage or owning a home? Nick & Justin discuss it all! In the #SportsBag , they try to figure out what's next for the Lakers? Also, discuss which teams we are sleeping on heading into the playoffs? #FridayJoint : Mack Keane, ESTA., Joyce Wrice - Thought of You

    This Is The Thing Ep. 141 - "Black Excellence"

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 6, 2022 55:33


    Nick & Justin breakdown season 1 of Bel-Air. Did it live up to the hype or fall short? In the #SportsBag , they discuss UNC losing in the National Championship game AND why Justin thinks King James is the corniest pro athlete of all-time

    This Is The Thing Ep. 140 - "See It Through"

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2022 43:38


    On this episode, Nick & Justin discuss questioning your passion/career choices. Sometimes the passion doesn't align with your pockets or whatever else life throws at you. Nick & Justin share what keeps them going. In the #SportsBag , they breakdown the UNC/Duke Final Four matchup. #FridayJoint : Phife Dawg ft. Rapsody - Fallback

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