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Dope Black Dads Podcast
Father's Day Special: Things I've Learned About Fatherhood
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In this special episode we talk to fathers David Gyasi and Nii Odarte Evans about the various stages of fatherhood - from the moment they found out to their experiences today. Join the conversation and tell us what you think.
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The Big 3: Who Ran Hip-Hop Every Year Since 1979
01:16:48|From Kool Herc’s Kingston-style block parties to Kendrick’s Grammy sweeps and Carti’s moshpit mayhem, who really ran rap every year since 1979? In this definitive timeline, we break down the Big 3 artists of each year, blending mainstream dominance, cultural impact, and lyrical integrity.Featuring heavyweights like LL Cool J, OutKast, Missy, Future, Nicki Minaj, and J. Cole, this episode challenges revisionist history and makes room for the artists who actually defined the sound, the streets, and the stats.Was Drake too dominant to leave off 2019? Should LL have been #1 in ’87? Did we underrate Future’s run? Is Kendrick now the GOAT closer? We’ve got facts, footnotes, and a lot of fire takes.Whether you’re an old-head, new-school, backpacker or trap loyalist, this episode is your hip-hop history cheat code.I Tried 21 Money Hacks With My Kids—We Saved £300 in 7 Days!
28:17|⚡ THE CHALLENGEI forced my household to try twenty one penny pinching moves in one week. No edits. No mercy. WHAT HAPPENED• Hack 3 sparked a shower time race • Hack 7 killed takeaway cravings • Hack 14 slashed our energy bill in thirty seconds • Hack 21 broke my Netflix habit and the kids survived FULL LIST1 Kill phantom power at bedtime 2 Daily smart meter checks … all the way to 21 Rotate streaming subs like a pro WHY LISTEN✔ Zero cost entry ✔ Kid approved fun ✔ Laugh out loud dad banterWe Asked the Health Secretary: What’s REALLY in the 10-Year Plan for Working-Class Families?
09:36|What does the government’s new health plan actually mean for your community?In this exclusive, no-holds-barred Q&A, Marvyn Harrison sits down with Wes Streeting, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to ask the questions that matter most to working-class and Black British families.We dive into:The postcode lottery in careWhy Black men aren’t trusting the NHSWhere the money’s really goingAnd how this plan could actually save lives—or just become another empty promiseThis is the conversation the government has to hear. And you need to hear it first.One Year In: Bridget Phillipson on Teachers, SEND and the Future of Education
10:31|What’s it really like being Education Secretary? In this powerful conversation, Bridget Phillipson marks her first year in post by speaking openly with Marvyn Harrison and young voices from Dope Black Dads. She reflects on the teacher who changed her life, discusses her priorities for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), and sets out her vision for mental health in every school. This episode goes beyond policy, it’s about care, culture and community.Topics covered:Why representation and personal connection matter in educationReforming SEND support for families and schoolsEmbedding mental health into the school dayCreating an inclusive education system that works for allThe Code of Clipse: Integrity, Manhood & Hip-Hop
36:13|Is there still honour in hip-hop? Can rap teach us how to be better men?In this episode, we take a deep dive into the extraordinary journey of Clipse—brothers Pusha T and No Malice—uncovering what their story reveals about masculinity, loyalty, and principled living. From “Grindin’” lunch tables to Louis Vuitton runways, we walk through their full timeline, pulling out the life lessons embedded in their rhymes, career moves, and public silence.We explore how No Malice left the rap game for a higher calling, why Pusha T confronted giants like Drake and Kanye, and how the Clipse reunion has become a masterclass in grown-man artistry. Beyond the beefs and bars lies a deeper philosophy: patience, boundaries, spiritual audit, and the refusal to compromise.This is more than a fan tribute. It’s a roadmap. For fathers, brothers, creatives, and thinkers. For anyone navigating manhood in a world that constantly tests your moral compass.Featuring critical moments:The legacy of Hell Hath No Fury and DaytonaThe Kanye fallout and GOOD Music exitThe calculated silence in response to Jim JonesThe rollout of Let God Sort ‘Em Out and what it says about ownershipDiaspora echoes through minimalist Neptunes beats and patois slangWhy Drake had him banned from Canada—and why that doesn’t matterClipse didn't just make music. They made a code. And it still holds.How Can I Love You Better?
18:30|In this episode, Marvyn Harrison asks a question that shifts the way we show up in our relationships: How can I love you better?This is a practical, vulnerable reflection on how love evolves over time, and why checking in with our partners, children, and friends matters more than ever.From the changing landscape of fatherhood to the emotional intelligence needed for deep connection, this is a must-listen for anyone who wants to love with intention and grow while doing it.🎧 Talking points include:– Why love must evolve with growth– How to ask the question without ego– Common responses and how to receive them– What to do when the answer challenges you– Building emotional fluency as Black men and fathersThis episode is your reminder that emotional leadership begins at home.What If Friends Was Black in 2025? A Cultural Reboot We Deserve
14:02|Imagine Friends… but Black.Not just a race-swap, but a complete cultural remix.In this episode, we explore what a modern-day, all-Black reboot of the iconic 90s sitcom could look like, set in Hackney, rooted in today’s Black culture, with characters that reflect our reality.We break down:The reimagined character archetypesThe new hangout spot (spoiler: it’s not Central Perk)The themes that would actually resonate today—gentle parenting, therapy bills, ghosting during Mercury retrogradeWhy this show would shift culture and go viral across every platformFrom the trap-jazz café to the Pan-African podcast host, this isn’t Friends.This is FAM.🎧 Tap in and tell us: would you watch this show?Learn more about Instagram Teen Accounts by visiting https://familycenter.meta.com/uk/our-products/instagram/I Tested 20 Sports-Day Hacks on My Kids—#7 Saved Us £50!
18:17|⏱️ THE CHALLENGEI put 20 parent-approved hacks to the ultimate test on live Sports Day—no retakes, no mercy. WHAT HAPPENED• Tip #3 nearly caused a water-fight 🤣 • Tip #7 saved £50 in 10 seconds • Tip #14 kept my son’s muscles warm like a pro sprinter FULL HACK LIST1. Balanced breakfast (slow-release carbs) 2. Pre-hydration strategy 3. Super-labelled bottle trick … all the way to 20. Capture memories, not just photos. WHY LISTEN✔ Zero-cost fixes ✔ Kid-approved fun ✔ Stress levels: obliterated CHALLENGE YOUTry three hacks, tag @DopeBlackDads with #SportsDayBoss, and I’ll shout-out the best video on next week’s show.Finding Peace With My Father: A Step-by-Step Guide for Healing the Father Wound
17:07|What if the key to your peace isn't reconciliation, but release?In this solo episode, Marvyn Harrison offers a detailed, compassionate guide for anyone navigating unresolved feelings toward an absent, distant, or emotionally unavailable father. You'll learn:Why closure matters (even without reconciliation)How to know if you're ready for contactA safety-first outreach planWord-for-word scripts for conversationAftercare tips for the 72-hour emotional falloutWays to navigate reluctant siblingsOne powerful mantra to carry with youWhether you're seeking answers or simply looking to lay old pain to rest, this episode gives you the tools, structure, and emotional protection to take your next step with courage.