Talk With Tay

In this episode, I sit down with Leah Easley who shares her experience of becoming the caregiver for both of her parents and the emotional weight that came with watching each of them pass away. She opens up about the challenges of caregiving, the reality of anticipatory grief, and what life looked like after losing the two people she spent so much time caring for. This is an honest conversation ab...

How many times have you told someone you're doing okay when you're really not? In this episode, I open up about the reality behind one of the most common responses we give when we're struggling. After loss, grief, heartbreak, depression, or simply carrying the weight of life, it becomes easier to tell people "I'm good" than to explain what we're actually feeling....

This episode is one of the most personal conversations I’ve ever had. I take you back to the last time I saw my mother alive, the moment I felt something shift, the moment I knew, without anyone saying it, that things were coming to an end. It’s a feeling that’s hard to explain, something deeper than logic, like your spirit recognizing what your mind isn’t ready to accept. I talk about what it was...

In this episode, I open up about a phase of grief that caught me off guard — bereavement dreams. The kind where it feels real, like you’re with them again for a moment… until you wake up and have to face that loss all over again. I share what it was like dreaming about my mom, the emotions that came with it, and how confusing that stage of grief can be. It’s a side of healing people don’t really t...

Season 2 of Talk With Tay begins with one of the most personal episodes I’ve ever recorded, where I share my experience finally joining a grief support group after years of anger, numbness, and feeling misunderstood following the loss of my mother. For a long time, I believed something was wrong with me because of how deeply I was hurting, but this experience helped me realize I wasn’t broken — I...

In this episode, I pause to reflect on what life has looked like in the four years since my mom passed away. So much of that time feels like a blur — like the world kept moving even when I didn’t feel ready to. I talk about how grief doesn’t disappear with time; instead, it reshapes you, follows you into new seasons, and teaches you about yourself in ways you never expected. This conversation isn’...

In this episode, I open up about a different kind of grief — the kind that comes when you walk away from the game you’ve built your life around. For me, that game was baseball. I share the emotional journey of letting go of my athlete identity, the pressure I put on myself to keep playing, and the complicated mix of relief and loss that followed. If you’ve ever had to close a chapter that once def...

A year ago I pressed record hoping to make sense of my grief; today I’m celebrating 12 months of raw conversations, late-night edits, and unexpected breakthroughs. In this anniversary episode I open up about the tug-of-war between struggling to find myself and finally recognizing the person I’ve become—3½ years after losing my mom and starting this healing journey. From the first shaky intro to no...

In this episode, I sit down with JB, a 17-year-old artist from St. Louis who shares a deeply moving story of love, loss, and resilience. At just 11 years old, JB lost his father, a moment that forever changed the course of his life. Now, six years later, he bravely opens up on the podcast for the first time, reflecting on the emotional weight of stepping into the role of "man of the house&quo...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Jared Hendryx — a Black man who, like me, experienced the deep, life-altering loss of his mother. What makes this conversation so important is not just the shared pain, but the mutual recognition that grief in Black men is often overlooked, misunderstood, or buried in silence. Jared shares what led him to open up — how seeing another Black man speak vulner...

In this deeply reflective episode, I stepped outside—literally and emotionally—to ask myself a question that’s been weighing heavy: Am I actually healing, or just finding ways to distract myself from the pain? Surrounded by nature, I recorded this one outdoors, in a space that felt peaceful but still carried the weight of everything I’ve been carrying inside. I talk about the isolation I’ve chosen...

Grief comes with so many emotions, but one of the hardest to navigate is regret the feeling of "I wish I Had More Time" In this episode, I open up about the weight of missed moments, the things left unsaid, and the pain of knowing I can’t get that time back with my mother. I reflect on my years away at school, avoiding home because of the difficult environment, not realizing that every b...

In this episode, I explore a stage of grief that rarely gets talked about, which is emotional numbness. What happens when the tears stop, but the pain remains? How do you cope with the guilt of not feeling outwardly sad or not crying for someone you love deeply? I share my personal experience of navigating this phase after losing my mom, 3 years later, and the conflicting feelings of healing, numb...

Why is it so hard for men to open up about their trauma? In this episode, we dive into the deep societal expectations that often silence men, making it difficult for them to express their pain and struggles. Using a real-life example of a widely discussed memoir that revealed personal details about a man's struggles after his passing, we explore the ethical questions surrounding privacy, cons...

Growth isn’t always glamorous, it’s painful, isolating, and often comes at the expense of relationships you once cherished. In this episode, I dive into the mental toll of separating from your original circle of friends and family while elevating your life. I’ll explore themes of jealousy, stagnant relationships, and why setting boundaries often makes you a target for resentment. We’ll talk about...

In this deep and raw episode of Talk With Tay, I sit down with Sam Basquiat, the mastermind behind the streetwear brand 'Sorry I was Trapping' Take a deep dive beyond the success of this brand, exploring the mental health battles Sam faced along the way. From giving up football and dropping out of college to his entrepreneurial lows and highs, including the creation of his first failed b...

In this heartfelt episode of Talk With Tay , I sit down with my good friend PJ Roberts, the youngest head baseball coach at an HBCU, who took on this incredible role at just 24 years old. Our genuine and open conversation dives into PJ's journey from Watts, California, to the baseball fields of St. Louis, where our paths crossed. We explore the profound impact his father had on shaping his li...

In this special episode of Talk With Tay , I sit down with Toni Harris, a trailblazer in the world of football and the first female college football player to earn a full scholarship as a non-specialist. Toni shares her inspiring journey from her upbringing in Detroit to breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport. We delve into the challenges she faced, the mental toughness it took to succeed, an...

The holidays are often described as the most wonderful time of the year, but for many, they bring a mix of joy and pain. In this heartfelt bonus episode of Talk With Tay, I open up about my personal experiences with holiday grief, reflecting on the loved ones I’ve lost—including my great aunt, great-grandmother, grandmother, and most recently, my mother. I discuss how these losses have shaped my h...

In this episode of Talk With Tay, I sit down with Detroit’s own Courtney Bell, an artist who defies labels and blends authenticity, spirituality, and raw storytelling into his music. We dive deep into his transformative journey, exploring how he balances his roots in the streets with a conscious, spiritual path. Courtney opens up about his experiences with grief, the loss of loved ones, and how th...

In this episode, I explore the delicate balance between the heartache of grief and the unexpected beauty that can emerge from loss. After losing my mother, I've experienced profound sadness, but also discovered a newfound sense of purpose, cherished memories, and personal growth. Join me as I discuss how we can find meaning in grief, the relief in no longer seeing our loved ones suffer, and t...

Losing a parent is an indescribable experience that reshapes our lives and relationships in profound and often painful ways. Reflecting on my own journey after my mom's passing just before my college graduation, this episode of "Just Talk with Tay" offers a raw and heartfelt exploration of grief's impact on personal relationships. From the overwhelming loneliness due to a lack...

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Sherman Morgan, an inspirational speaker and entrepreneur, to discuss his incredible journey or survival and transformation. Sherman shares the harrowing story of being shot while we were in college, his near-death experience, and the devastating loss of those close to him. We explore how these life-altering events shaped his mental health and led to him t...

In this heartfelt episode of Talk With Tay, I sit down with my former pro baseball teammate, Vic, to discuss our parallel journeys of grief. We share our powerful and personal stories of losing our mothers, how we coped while playing professional baseball, and the lasting impact on our lives and relationships. An inspiring conversation about resilience, healing, and the unexpected bonds that grief...

In this inaugural episode, Tay shares his personal journey of healing after the profound loss of his mother. He delves into the initial emotions and feelings, bringing listeners close into his life during the early stages of grief Support the show Follow us on all social platforms https://linktr.ee/talkwithtaypod