If You Only Knew The Half

Hosts of the award-winning If You Only Knew the Half podcast interview Massachusetts licensed clinician Hannah Laflin about her work supporting people seeking substance-use treatment, especially young women facing trauma, trafficking, domestic violence, and barriers like limited resources for pregnant women. The conversation draws on the hosts’ lived experience with long-term homelessness and shel...

A discussion about survival, dignity, homelessness, and disability. The conversation is a reflection on the resilience required to survive extreme hardship, especially from someone who lived on the streets as a paraplegic.  #justice #homelessness #disability #veterans 

Soulja and Wild were born without voices. Through their music, they have found their voices, and lift others up in the process. Here's an instance of how they workshop music together during Soulja's Dawn Patrol. #music #podcast #justice #knowthehalf

A wild ride into 2026: Gratitude, belief, resilience, open-mindedness and understanding, in a world gone crazy. Born with so many strikes against them, Soulja and Wild, against all odds are still alive to tell their stories of hope and resilience.  00:00 Welcome 2026 00:55 Gratitude and Reflections 01:16 Beliefs and Respect 02:48 Navigating Conversations 05:17 Debating Guests and Conversations 07:...

Here is how Susie describes the episode: If you’ve ever struggled and wanted to quit, watch this. Nearly 2 decades ago, a 2’10” man from the projects in NYC’s Bronx, who sat in his wheelchair at the corner of 60th & Madison doing what he called work each day, asked me to coach him in a triathlon. He became the first quadruple amputee to attempt or complete a triathlon and we achieved it with a...

This episode features Tim Pena, a veteran, journalist, and advocate, who shares his personal story of serving, dealing with PTSD, and his journey through homelessness and recovery. Tim discusses the challenges veterans face in accessing mental health services and the bureaucratic obstacles that often set them up for failure. Both Tim, Soulja, and Wild share their experiences and the struggle for a...

n this episode the hosts discuss the creation of a new song, 'Legislation Masturbation.' The team also dive into deep discussions on faith, forgiveness, and perseverance in times of hardship. This episode offers a mix of humor, serious reflection, and inspiring conversations. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:10 Discussing the New Song 00:30 Political Commentary in Music 03:18 Creativ...

This episode of the 'If You Only Knew the Half' podcast features a conversation with award-winning poet Scott Hightower. The conversation touches upon personal stories of overcoming physical limitations, highlighting the resilience of humanity.  02:44 Storytelling and Trauma 05:45 Overcoming Challenges 07:04 Life Lessons and Reflections 10:51 Physical Limitations and Adaptations 17:07 Mu...

Here are highlights from our first 11 episodes. When we decided to undertake this journey, Soulja and Wild were determined to keep rollin, despite life's obstacles. Soulja is dealing with deaths in his family, while Wild is healing from a third-degree burn to his leg. Tomorrow Ain't Promised to You, so let's keep on rollin.

What keeps a person going when doctors say you’ll never walk again, when death seems to knock at your door, and when the weight of life feels too heavy to carry? In this powerful conversation, stories of survival, faith, and resilience take center stage. From battling cancer and enduring multiple hip surgeries to defying the odds after violent encounters, the speakers share raw and emotional testi...

What if your hardest moment could lead you to your greatest purpose? In this powerful episode, Valerie Hartman shares her journey from high-powered lawyer to mindset coach, runner, and advocate for differently-abled athletes. She shares how mindfulness, curiosity, gratitude, and compassion can help us keep moving forward.  Who is Valerie: Ms. Hartman is an iPEC Certified transformational coach, mo...

This is the kind of episode best viewed on Youtube: https://youtu.be/k21DURBPO8o Born without limbs, Soulja has spent his life smashing barriers and proving that circumstances don’t define destiny. Wild Child survived being stabbed 16 times, forever changing his body but never breaking his spirit. In this powerful compilation, we witness both men push past pain, prejudice, and impossible odds to c...

What makes someone stop, truly see another human, and say hello? In this moving episode, jazz singer and former model Pucci Amanda Jhones shares how a chance encounter on a New York City street turned into a deep friendship, and sparked a conversation about compassion, grit, and the unseen strength of people society often overlooks. From growing up tall and misunderstood to walking away from Holly...

What does it mean to truly see someone and to be seen in return? In this heartwarming episode, Mr. Spencer joins the show to reflect on 40 years of working with students with disabilities, coaching track, and mentoring youth. He shares how his journey began without formal training and how it transformed his views on patience, purpose, and human connection. Mr. Spencer opens up about the unseen str...

What does it mean to rebuild your life after a traumatic change? In this powerful episode, we open up about life in a wheelchair, brotherhood, relationships, regret, and growth. From hilarious moments with the fire department to deep talks about adapting after injury, they speak on the pain, the purpose, and the power of resilience. Through raw honesty, faith, humor, and real friendship, we remind...

What if hip-hop could change how you see yourself, and the world? In this episode, Wild Child, Soulja, and Bill Blass keep it all the way real. They talk about where hip-hop came from, how it’s bigger than music, and why it still hits different when it comes from the soul. From its roots in Africa to the streets of the Bronx, they break down how hip-hop helped folks survive, stay united, and speak...

What does freedom feel like after spending years behind bars? In this heartfelt episode, Calvin Everson shares the truth about life after incarceration, from adjusting to freedom to the daily struggle of staying on track. At 51, after serving two lengthy prison terms, Calvin opens up about the emotional toll, the broken prison system, and how important community, guidance, and real opportunities a...

What if the key to reaching today’s youth lies in the rhythm of a beat? In this inspiring episode, Val introduces the Quick Hitters Experience, a hip-hop-infused educational program changing lives in New York schools. Drawing from his own journey and his father’s legacy in hip-hop, Val shares how music became both a healing outlet and a powerful classroom tool. From a 7-year-old mastering DJ softw...

What happens when a former street hustler and an undercover narcotics cop come together to share truth, pain, and healing? In this raw and honest episode, real-life experiences collide in a conversation filled with heart and humanity. They were joined by Joe, a former cop, who reflects on the impact of losing family to addiction and shares why he became a cop after growing up in a Mafia-connected...

What if the world only saw half your story? In this powerful debut episode, Soulja and Wild Child open up about life as Black men in wheelchairs, what people assume, what they ignore, and what it takes to survive and inspire. From growing up in the chaos of the '90s to overcoming violence, poverty, and a system designed to hold them back, these two lifelong friends talk about fighting to be s...