The Black & Raww Podcast

Javel Watt arrived in the UK at age 3. By 12, the identity he'd been given had collapsed — he found out via Facebook that the man he called his father wasn't his biological dad, and an internal voice started telling him nobody wants you. By 16 he'd been stabbed — knife through his lung, diaphragm, liver, and intestines, one centimetre from his heart. He went to prison three times. Afte...

Everyone was happy he was gone. I wasn't sure I was. In this episode, I'm sitting in my garden just thinking out loud about Keir Starmer — what he actually did that nobody gave him credit for, why he couldn't sell it, and what it means that Andy Burnham is almost certainly next. This isn't a defence of Keir. It's an honest look at a man who could execute but couldn't communicate. And in politics,...

This one is personal. For Father's Day, Tino sits down with his own dad and asks him the questions most sons never get to ask. What does it mean to be a biblical father? What is servant leadership when you're the one who has to hold the house together? And what happens when you get it wrong? They go into the reality that our grandparents were learning just as our parents were learning, and our par...

Three men in my guest's life died alone last year. People were around them. Nobody knew for days. This is the conversation about silence we've been avoiding. In this episode, I sit down with Ajani Kingdom — educator, author, founder of Brunch Brothers, and one of the most important voices on Black men's mental health in the UK. We talk about the mask, the cost of silence, what it actua...

The allure of the manosphere is real and that's exactly what makes it so dangerous. After watching Louis Theroux's Netflix documentary, I had to talk about it. In this episode, I break down the 4-step funnel that traps young men: from self-improvement bait, to identity formation, to finding a villain, to having your pain monetised by men who don't actually care about you. I also talk a...

Here are my raw thoughts about the new documentary on the manosphere. I thought it was so interesting to see these men express all their emotions. I say that because they don't share what has happened to them or how it made them feel. Their actions say it all. I'll do a longer podcast about this. However, for today, I thought let me show you the rambling thinking my brain sometimes does. T...

What if the reason you're struggling financially isn't because you don't make enough money—it's because nobody taught you what to do with what you have? In this powerful episode, Tino sits down with Dr. Paris Woods , bestselling author of The Black Girl's Guide to Financial Freedom (120,000+ copies sold) and the upcoming The Student's Guide to Financial Freedom . Dr. Woods...

It's December. Cuffing season. Everyone's talking about Christmas markets and Netflix with their person. But what about the rest of us? In this raw and honest episode, I open up about my three-year journey as a single person, the reality of modern dating, and why so many young men are struggling right now. From the economics of dating apps designed to keep you single, to the fear of approa...

Tino is joined by senior social worker and author Ephraim Garwe for a real conversation about vulnerability, Ubuntu, and identity in the diaspora. From frontline work in South Africa to child protection and UASC in the UK, Ephraim breaks down cultural differences in social work, the current climate around migration, and why community still saves lives. He shares how writing six books became both t...

At 100 episodes, we turn the mic toward home. Tino sits down with his mum, Rumbi Bvunzawabaya, to talk about migration at 22, building belonging from scratch, faith as a rock, the rewards and costs of community work, parenting the “experiment child,” health wake‑ups at 50, and what legacy really means. From Dorchester birthday memories to breaking family food habits and writing for future generati...

Tony Weaver Jr. joins Tino to discuss Weirdo, the Nerds for Literacy initiative, and how to cultivate a culture of reading that genuinely benefits kids. They delve into phones, algorithms, canon vs. representation, and why embracing the cringe is a superpower for self-discovery. Practical ways parents, teachers, and young people can take the first step today. In this conversation, writer and Forbe...

Zimbabwean history in three acts — before colonisation, during colonisation, and after. We explore trade networks, culture, resistance, and the legacies shaping life today. We didn’t cover the UK side this time, but we’ll be back soon to connect Zimbabwe x Black Britain in a follow‑up episode.

Is Superman still the blueprint for modern manhood? We unpack the new Superman movie through the lens of healthy masculinity, vulnerability, representation, and mental health. What you’ll hear Strength, compassion, and responsibility in the film Vulnerability as a superpower Balancing purpose, relationships, and mental health

In this episode of the Black & Raww Podcast, I share the powerful metaphor that struck me when my car broke down on a Welsh countryside road. What started as a simple, ignored warning about a worn tire became a wake-up call about how I've been treating my body, mind, and goals. Join me as I explore:- The pattern of ignoring warning signs in our lives- How breakdowns can become breakthroughs- M...

I’m your host, Tino, and today we’re diving into the theme of change . I’ll be opening up about my personal journey through some big life transitions—from navigating weight loss struggles to the exciting news that I’ve recently been accepted for a new job role! Although I haven’t started yet, I’ll be sharing how I’m mentally and physically preparing for this next chapter. We’ll talk about building...

Welcome back to the Black and Raww Podcast! In this episode, host Tino sits down with serial entrepreneur Marcel Clark. Marcel shares his inspiring journey from growing up in Philadelphia, experiencing both highs and lows, to becoming a successful entrepreneur and author of the book 'Hiding in Plain View.' Marcel and Tino dive deep into topics such as Marcel's relationship with his par...

Tune in as two cousins dive deep into the pivotal 2024 U.S. elections, bringing a unique blend of candid conversation, cultural insights, and an unfiltered Black perspective on the political landscape From analyzing the candidates’ promises to breaking down policies impacting Black communities, these cousins bring a raw, relatable, and sometimes humorous take on what’s at stake for America’s futur...

In this gripping episode of Black & Raww Podcast, we sit down with Keeper Catran-Whitney as he unveils his poignant journey from growing up in extreme poverty in 1970s Los Angeles to almost signing with Motown Records. Keeper shares intimate details of how his family struggled to make ends meet, singing together to earn extra money, and catching the attention of Michael Jackson. But just as su...

In this powerful episode of the Black and Raww Podcast, we sit down with Dorsey Nunn, a man whose journey from incarceration to advocacy is nothing short of inspiring. Dorsey opens up about his awakening in prison, where he first noticed the stark racial disparities in the criminal justice system. He shares his struggles with literacy and how transformative literature helped shape his worldview an...

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Dr. Donna Nicol, a distinguished professor at California State University Long Beach, renowned for her expertise in African-American studies and women's and gender studies. Dr. Nicol takes us on a journey through her remarkable career, highlighting her role as the first woman of color to achieve tenure and promotion in various capacities within the...

In this enlightening episode of Black & Raww Podcast, we sit down with Leke Asong, a dedicated expert in nutrition and functional medicine, to uncover the transformative power of gut health. 🌿🧠 Leke shares his personal 25-year struggle with gut issues, including chronic fatigue, digestive problems, and unexplained pins and needles. Frustrated by the lack of answers from conventional medicine...

In this episode, we're honored to host Quinn, a multimedia writer and spoken word artist whose journey as a black man in the arts is both a testament to resilience and an inspiration to others. Join us as we delve into Quinn's personal odyssey, exploring the trials and triumphs of navigating free black thought and self-expression in a world that often demands conformity. From his innovativ...

Join us for a captivating episode of The Black & Raww Podcast where we will be exploring the profound impact of the crack epidemic, trauma, and toxic masculinity on communities with the insightful K-Rahn Vallatine. Growing up amidst the chaos of the crack epidemic, K-Rahn experienced firsthand the inversion of generational roles and the erosion of communal bonds. In this thought-provoking conv...

Embark on a captivating journey through the realms of media careers and personal development with Simon, a seasoned artist, actor, and certified life coach. In this thought-provoking podcast, Simon delves into his rich 25-year career in the media industry, exploring how his experiences as an artist and actor have shaped his perspective on identity, race, and the human condition. Through intimate c...

In this powerful episode of the Black and Raww podcast, host Tino sits down with Anthony to explore the transformative journey he embarked on after losing his father. From the depths of grief and anger to the allure of gang life and incarceration as a young teen, Anthony's story is a testament to resilience and the human spirit's capacity for redemption. Through candid discussion, Anthony...