The Iron Table

Would you know how to navigate the choppy waters if a family member's private life suddenly became very public on a platform like OnlyFans? Join us at the Iron Table, where Bryant, Keith, Danny, and Steve dissect the entangled web of family dynamics and the digital age's adult content platforms. We're not just talking about the shock and the why; we’re peeling back layers on the societal shifts th...

On April 10, 2024, Orenthal James Simpson (OJ) died after dealing with cancer. His achievements in life, Hiesman, NFL, TV, film, all took a backseat as the world watched in horror as be was being charged with the killing of his ex-wife and another man. His slow-speed chase even preempted the NBA Playoffs that year.    I can remember as I sat riveted watching the O.J. Simpson verdict unfold, the co...

When the everyday chaos of fatherhood meets the ironclad bonds of brotherhood, you know you're in for a treat. Join the brothers, minus our beloved Danny, for a heartwarming and occasionally side-splitting romp through the potholes and triumphs of parenting, the costs of daycare that leave us with lighter wallets and heavier hearts, and the quest to maintain our essence within the whirlwind of fam...

Have you ever found yourself yearning for the simpler times when relationships unfolded in the analog world? Together with my brothers Keith, Danny, and Steve, we're pulling up a chair at the iron table to dissect the convoluted ways social media has redefined our connections with one another. From the haunting grip of past relationships that refuse to fade into the digital ether to the voyeuristi...

Have you ever stood at the crossroads of patriotism and cultural identity and wondered where you fit in? That's the heart of our Black History Month episode, where we, Bryant, Keith, Danny, and Steve, gather at the Iron Table to stir up a rich dialogue blend, celebrating black men's resilience and diversity. Anchoring our conversation in personal experiences and the nuances of our identities, we d...

Ever caught yourself chuckling over your own botched New Year's resolution? You're in good company at The Iron Table, where we swap tales of resolutions gone awry and the comical trials we endure. Imagine navigating the temptations of Facebook Marketplace or the siren call of pepperoni pizza while trying to stay true to our healthier ambitions. We've been there, and in this episode, we're baring i...

Who decides how our culture should be? And why is it that wealth has become more important than cultural identity in our society? This is the kind of introspective discussion we, your hosts Bryant, Keith, Danny, and Steve, will have in today's episode. Exploring our personal experiences -  we'll share how these encounters have reshaped our perspectives, leading us to question the societal shift in...

In this episode of The Iron Table, we talk about roles within marriage and how it's easy to get into specific roles and gender norms.  A man typically is to provide and protect, but what if the woman is putting herself in harm's way time and time again? Just as a woman is typically the nurturing caregiver, what if her man tends to ignore suggestions and keeps getting sick? We discuss gender norms...

Recently, a video spread on social media about a woman and a man who ran into a problem on their first date. They approached a restaurant, and the woman felt she was above said restaurant based on her appearance and who she was. The gentleman explained that he had other plans that fell through because of her timeliness in getting ready. This was their first date. This was all over social media, an...

When you think of teams, what comes to mind?  We tend to think about sports and how a team comprises more than one individual. Team sports include Tennis, Basketball, Baseball, Football, Soccer, etc.  The common theme is there is more than one person involved. Do teammates always get along all day, every day... No. Do they get on each other's nerves from time-to-time...yes! Yet, throughout the hig...

Today, young boys are bombarded with the media, portraying them as threats as early as the 3rd grade.  Society has shown them few alternatives outside of prison and the grave.  The media has such a hold on them that when someone who cares approaches them with concern, they instantly get aggressive and defensive.  For some, they are doomed from the start.  What is missing?  What is needed to stop t...

Why is it that when a person of color makes a mistake, it's like we all made it? When we take one step forward and are "Almost There," something happens, and we are back at the starting line. Why is it that other groups who do that don't get ridiculed or scrutinized like us? The previous week there was an incident where some claimed to have been abducted and were missing for a couple of days, only...

This is an Iron Table Short, a nugget of truth for everyday use. Dating has changed from the days of drive-in movies, walks in the park, skating, and going to a house party. The activities have morphed into expensive meals costing $50 a plate, concert tickets, and lavish activities. Often, men have to do this on the first date! Yet what does it get you? Men are now diminishing themselves and their...

Fighting. We've all fought or seen a fight at school, on the playground, and, unfortunately, sometimes at home. Usually, fights are the result of miscommunication. It would be nice if fights were only on TV; however, that is not life. Miscommunication has its roots. It goes back further than your relationship, your parent's relationship, and your parents-parents' relationship. In this brief episod...

Recently, I started to look into the option of going solar for energy use. There are a lot of benefits to going solar, the effects on the environment, potential utility savings, etc. There are also negatives to going solar. It may not be for everyone.  In doing the research, sitting through presentations, and going through the facts and figures, I realized that there was a life lesson learned in t...

The great Scottish Poet Robert Burns once said, "The best-laid plans of mice and men sometimes go awry." So did one of our frequent guests of The Iron Table. In this episode, Bryant & Keith try to cheer up their friend Danny, who is stuck at the airport (he flew Spirit), with a random conversation about Top 5s. Will their tactics work? Will Danny "eventually" get to his destination? For those...

When was the last time you heard or felt that you were enough? Do you think that your value is only in what you offer? Do you have a community that pours into you? Do you have someone that is pulling for you? Do you have someone that is pushing you in the right direction?  It's hard sometimes to feel that you are worthy of love, that you deserve someone's love. It's easy to think that your only va...

We've come to the last episode of 2022. It's been an incredible year. We are grateful that you have stood with us for two years. This episode brings to the table two women who have stood by our sides and supported this venture. It's interesting who this is Season 2, Episode 14.  2/14, or February 14th, is recognized as Valentine's Day, the day the world recognizes love. However, we wanted to end t...

A friend once told me that back in the day, boys were told to avoid two things: Girls and Guns. We weren't told why and now look at society. Men are running around with a lack of information on girls, and they are running around with little to no information on guns. We are left to fend for ourselves from the types of firearms, ways to obtain guns, gun safety, and local laws legally. How good has...

"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...