The Iron Table

"Cancel Culture," as defined by Merriam-Webster, is the practice or tendency of engaging in mass canceling to express disapproval and exert social pressure. Cancel Culture first hit the mainstream in the late 2010s, becoming the norm in the early 2020s. It happens when a person states an opinion or viewpoint that goes against the norm. It may even offend a group that uses its influence to reduce t...

As men, we have been conditioned to "tough it out" or "suck it up." However, is that a healthy way to communicate our needs? Are we even communicating our needs at all if we stay silent? This episode discusses the subtle and not-so-subtle ways men ask for help. This is only the beginning. The hardest step is the first! Also, if you need an excellent resource for counseling and mental health, pleas...

What is the definition of manhood? Is it a definition derived from personal experiences? Is it something observed or passed down? Can manhood be taught in adulthood? What are some of the characteristics a man should have if they are to be considered a man? How should a man, who possesses traits of manhood, treat a woman and allow themselves to be treated? In this episode, we discuss the definition...

In the 80s a rap group named Whodini released a track called "Friends". It had me thinking about who are my friends and how rare is it that I still have the same friends from grade school. Double that by including friends from grade school, that I talk to on a regular basis. Regular being at times multiple times a week.  In this episode, I brought in my closest friends. Interesting point, this gro...

Dating in the 20th Century... No, wait, this is the 21st Century. Let's just say dating that way; this is relevant to yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Now, as I was saying, dating, many of us have been there, done that, and will likely do it again. It is a necessary activity that one must do if they are heading in the direction of marriage. Those whose culture practices arranged marriage are exclud...

Statistics say that over 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. Yet life doesn't stop at divorce. Over time, a person may desire to get back into the dating scene. But is that too soon? Has enough time passed that the heart has had a chance to heal? For men, how do we process life after divorce? How do we approach dating after such an experience? In this episode, we quickly dive into life after d...

Recently the world witnessed a shocking event. At the Oscars, the world watched a comedian make a joke and the resulting action.  Initially, the world reacted two ways. Some said Chris deserved to get slapped, and others said Will was wrong. This goes deeper than right or wrong. We witnessed two Black men, or brothers,  experiencing a traumatic event in different ways.  Initially, we did not want...

There are plenty of games in life. We all have our favorites, card games, board games, and video games. They all have rules and instructions that come in the box. Yet the game of life seems to have so many restrictions and modifications. Yet how can you win when the directions are not in the box? Here we talk about the loan game. We try to level the playing field and give tips on playing the game...

Culture it's a multilayered word. For some, it could mean their ethnicity. For others, their identity. Our cultural upbringing shapes us all. Whether it is stories and activities passed down or observing individuals who look similar to us, we all are influenced by our culture. Through triumphs and struggles, we have achieved great things. However, one has to wonder, if the playing field was level,...

The Iron Table is on the road! We set up shop inside the MECCA of Black men communication - The Barbershop. The barbershop where men talk about all things life. It could be relationships, child raising\rearing, work habits, culture, and current events. This episode starts a new series where the Iron Table will go into the Barbershop to chop it up with people within the community. We wanted to allo...

The saying goes, "Married people should continue to date," but what does that mean? What activities fall under actions while "dating," and what activities fall under the category of "courting"? Our hosts look at this statement from two different lenses in this episode. Is there a right or wrong answer? Should married couples change the way they look at outings after marriage? If single, how do you...

Podcast experts say that you do not get into your groove until the 20-25th episode range. This is Season 2, Episode 1. In this episode, our hosts reconnect for the 1st time in 2022. So much has happened individually since the last episode of 2021, and we take a moment to reconnect and catch up. This is a more personal look at your host, and we've added some new segments we know will catch on. So p...

Its been about 20 months since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This pandemic has affected our families, the healthcare system, the industry, supply chains, and many other facets of life. But rarely does anyone talk about the Education system. Sure we are focused on our children having to wear masks or someone not wanting them to wear masks. But what about the teachers, social workers, school p...

Music is the universal language. The beat with the words can take us from incredible highs (Rock, Classical, Hip Hop, and R&B) to significant lows (Blues, Country, Instrumentals). If I said the title, some songs would take you back to when life could have been simpler. Maybe it's a first kiss, family cookout, the birth of a child, etc. But those same songs can have a subliminal effect. In this...

Recently the verdict of the Rittenhouse trial had us thinking. Would he have had the same considerations as the shooter if he was a Black man? If he was a Black man who shot and killed two White men and injured another, would the trial have taken this long? Regardless of his age, the facts state that he secured an AR-15 rifle, was driven crossed state lines by his mother and used a weapon on three...

This episode is different. First, we've taken The Iron Table on the road. During the getaway weekend, there was an opportunity to share experiences in dating and put in perspective topics, including:     ·        Dating with Kids ·        Responsibilities and Roles in Dating ·        Dating after Divorce ·        Following His plan for your dating life ·        Dating While Recovering from Persona...

Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu's book "Countering The Conspiracy to Destroy Black Boys" talks about making a concerted and deliberate effort to break the cycle of black boys being labeled - disruptive, challenging, and developmentally delayed. In the school systems, our black boys are labeled as having ADHD or ADDD and being placed in special classes to drive their love for education further away, leaving no...

Whether it’s the hand, switch, belt, or even vacuum cleaner cord, we've all had stories of being disciplined by our parents, aunts & uncles, and grandparents. I even remember when you could get a spanking in school and a whoopin' at home! We all know the sheer fear of hearing our parents come home and KNOWING it was about to go down. We'd hide anywhere, inside, outside, and not sure who you ar...

Top 5's in anything is always debatable. Whether it’s sports players, cars, iconic personalities, or even basic cereal, they are often used as conversation starters and harmless fun. Well, today's episode is just that. Your two hosts talk about their Top 5 R&B love songs of all times and why. Now feel free to talk back to us with your Top 5 (too bad we can't hear you) but still share! 

Roommates. Most of us have had one. For some, it started at home with siblings. For others, it began in high school and college. We've all had to join financial forces to survive, or maybe we didn't want to be alone. In this episode, we discuss the joys and sorrows of roommate life. Somehow, the conversations shape into growing and nurturing a relationship in this digital social media age.

Why is it that Mother's Day gets all the attention and effort? Moms get flowers, fancy dinners, gift cards to actual stores, and just about anything with numbers in front of the decimal place. Yet when it comes to Father's Day, it’s a chore. Dad has to get up and start the grill for his day. He gets ties (we've been a pandemic, so when will he wear them?), homemade cards, and coupons that, while t...

We've all been down this road. We've all had exes. Whether you’re in your teens or approaching a century, you've had a relationship end. Sometimes the breakup is smooth, and you both can be cordial when you see each other. Sometimes you break up, and your paths may never cross again. But what if you can't have a peaceful breakup? OR what if you still have strings attached (kids). How can you navig...

In this episode, the hosts close out on a previously discussed topic, navigating touchy relationships. The conversation then shifts, and we get into the core of why the Iron Table came to be. If you want to know why The Iron Table came to be, you don't want to miss this episode.

Student Loans... When many hear those two words, their mood instantly changes. Many have had to sign on the dotted line, to be able to stay within the school and, once done, face the reality of repayment. It’s almost a necessary evil. Here we discuss the impact student loans have on the economy and the current & future workforce. 

2020 is the "Year of Streaming" with so many options from Netflix, Hulu, Disney +, etc., there is plenty to watch. Today's episode focuses on what's currently on our watchlist and what types of movies\tv shows we don't care for. Also, one of our hosts finally confronts the guest about something they did to them over 20+ years ago that left a lasting mark...