Old School Thoughts

On this episode, Martha and I opened by answering the question about what makes us feel up and down about managing this podcast. Our passion, for the podcast, is so serious because we embrace the responsibility to leave a legacy behind to prevent a gap generation. If you can recall, we define the gap generation as that generation that doesn't seem to care about old traditions and mores that we...

Martha and I decided to pause from continuing another full discussion on "A Cup Of Sugar" in order to speak on an another topic that questions what's it gonna take for the community to become educated on issues to properly defend nonsense. We thank you for listening to us and providing feedback because our hearts are in the right place to engender old school thoughts and to preserve...

In my world, growing up, mothers sharing ingredients with their neighbors was a tradition - a custom of old school activities. I can recall neighbors either calling or sending one of the children to the house or apartment to retrieve that cup of sugar, egg(s), vanilla, flour, or some other ingredient(s). As I was reflecting about that period, I was wondering if this is still going on and posed it...

Today, Martha and I decided to move the scene of our conversation vicariously to the front porch like our ancestors would do. Though we never pick one topic and or rehearse a specific topic, we wanted to present this particular discussion as a means of exhaling or shooting the breeze. We have also discussed meeting on the front porch once a month. Thank you for your comments. We enjoy reading what...

This episode kicks off our series to discuss the need for a 50-year plan when it comes to uplifting our communities, churches, organizations, businesses, and more. Martha and I agree on the fact that we fail to plan beyond the immediate to five years. Our affluent society plan for generations while most of us plan for our individual lifetime. We have to change the way we speak and communicate. A p...

In this episode, Martha and I are discussing the "Cloak of Silence" that is happening concerning the future of "Super Prisons" scheduled for Alabama, Georgia, and Nebraska. Are you aware of these super projects? You don't build larger facilities to maintain the same or less population. You do it to increase the number of prisoners. Let's explore this topic together and...

Martha and I spend a lot of time conversating and reflecting on what made us Old School. What I mean by that is that we spend a lot of time attempting to understand the history of our ancestors and how their struggles and triumphs are/were understood by those that followed up to today. I remember singing the titled song, as a little boy, without understanding the message and the amount of degradat...

Martha and I were blessed to have Rudy, as a first time guest, to talk about his journey through discovering family members during his research. As he stated, he talked about his ancestry journey, shame, surprise, and sovereignty.

How often do you catch yourself doing or saying something that reminds you of your parent, aunt, uncle, or other adult person? That is what this episode is about. I was happy to have Martha join me in this discussion. Again, thank you for your support. Be good!!

Influences/influencers come into our lives in so many forms. They can be negative or positive. They can build you up and they can delay your growth. Martha and I are leaving a conversation that talks about avoiding influences. I am blessed to have had God in my life to protect me from the influences of no return. Martha reflects on the influences that came from her mother. I hope you enjoy this Ol...

What are your expectations of how you will be cared for when you reach the cycle of losing your independence? This is what Martha and I have agreed to talk about as we become our parents. We tried to present the seriousness of the conversation along with some humor. We would love to read or hear your comments. Thank you for your encouraging words. How should we show our elders that they significan...

Martha and I have spent the last six weeks talking about the purpose, scope, brick walls, and relationships associated with starting and refining your family tree. We really thank all of you for your incredible support. This episode focuses on the present and future challenges to prepare for. We hope you enjoy the episode and that you share it with others. What are your thoughts?

This episode is focused on how we, as family members, sometime dismiss cousins based on their degree of kinship. We place a number on cousins that eventually leads to extraction from the family. Martha and I are asking you to consider our thoughts and share your opinions. Thank you for your support.

During one of our conversations, Martha posed a question/statement about family that made a lot of sense. She wondered if Africans, throughout the diaspora, fully understand what a family is? The question also became a statement as we assessed the question and realized that the slave trade and other migratory events always put us in the side of division and loss. What are your thoughts?

This is our third episode of the Family Tree series. Martha and I used this time to share how starting our family tree impacted our views and personal lives. Though Martha and I approached our research from a different perspective, the research lead us to discover our own relationship as cousins. What are your thoughts?

Working on genealogy require that researchers constantly check for sources to validate what they know or what they think they know to be true. Blurred truths can lead to inaccurate information - that leads to assigning the wrong people as relatives. Martha and I are committed to this podcast and this series because they are worth our time and pursuit of leaving a valuable legacy. Let us know what...

Martha and I approached this episode attempting to get our audience to focus on the truth. One must become prepared to accept the truth about relatives and the effectiveness of the “Village.” When you decide to pursue your ancestral history, we all must realize that our family is not ours to own. We are branches to a larger tree that was planted many years and generations ago. Let us know what you...

Martha and I have agreed to stay on task to talk about starting a family tree. This episode is also based on a request from Martha’s niece. This is our opening to the topic. We hope you find the information interesting enough to start or improve your research. Let us know what you think.

I have really enjoyed this two-part conversation with Martha about the PBS documentary: Talking Black In America - Riots. We made an effort to draw in previous episodes to keep our listeners reminded of previous thoughts/assessments. We have to pay attention to languages, cultures, and ethnicities. We are one, but we get distracted. I hope you enjoy this episode. Give us your thoughts. Until next...

This episode is basically an introduction into our next topic: Black While Talking. Martha and I would like to get us to think about how our African culture and languages faded and are fading with each generation. We have also given up and abandoned communication that once created solidarity. Today, some Africans in America are okay with friends of other ethnicities calling them by derogatory name...

This episode concludes Martha’s three-part series on “We’re Not Merchants!” This episode has a lot to do with the importance of marketing and knowing your product well enough to accurately pitch it. These are two pitfalls to transforming an idea or dream into a sustainable business. We love you and be good. Please pass it on.

Last week, Martha led our conversation with her knowledge and description of a “Merchant Class or Society” as it pertains to African American communities. This is Part 2 of the same topic. We opened this episode with a short discussion about what should we take away from the observance/celebration of Juneteenth. Let us know your thoughts.

Martha and I had the distinct pleasure of meeting with Dr. LaTasha Jones Adams to learn about her initiative to start a charter school in Columbus, Georgia. The proposed name for the school is Dominion Purpose Academy. Though she is at the early stages of the process, Martha and I invited Dr. Adams to the podcast to share with all of us her purpose behind the initiative and other considerations. I...

Welcome to another episode of Old School Thoughts! Thank you for all of your support. Like always, I really enjoyed recording this episode with Martha. We’re Not Merchants has to do with strengths and weaknesses to survive as a business class. I hope you enjoy this episode and pass it on to friends and family.

In this episode, Martha is leading us through a series of thought provoking situations that we should analyze beneath the surface. She used bugs and slugs, metaphorically, at one point, to get her message across. Please pass this episode on to others.