Season 9, Episode 25 of PSA: The Mental Health Podcast dives head-first into one of the most polarizing questions in modern relationships: can men and women really be just friends? Izzy Baker sits down with Jessi Holley, host of Everybody Can’t Go Podcast and author of the book that started her brand, for a brutally honest breakdown of friendship, lust, and boundaries in the age of OnlyFans and DM culture.

What begins as a playful conversation about “the friend zone” quickly turns into a deeper discussion about lust, maturity, and blurred lines. Jesse opens up about having long-term platonic friendships with men — no flings, no past, no “almost.” Izzy challenges the notion that men and women can keep it that clean, pointing to how lust, trauma, and social conditioning make it hard to separate attraction from friendship.

Together, they unpack how sexual trauma and overexposure have rewired how this generation views connection, and why so many people can’t see friendship without filtering it through desire. The conversation gets raw as they debate the OnlyFans effect — how posting provocative content or monetizing sexuality affects how men perceive and approach women, and where accountability versus respect really starts.

Jessi brings fire and wisdom, explaining why confidence, not chaos, should define friendship. Izzy plays devil’s advocate, asking if some women set themselves up for blurred boundaries by ignoring red flags that always looked like Six Flags. The two go back and forth about trust, temptation, and emotional bleed — when friendships get too deep, too fast, and start to feel like mini-relationships.

By the end, they’re not just talking about male-female friendships — they’re dissecting how ego, insecurity, and emotional immaturity keep people from building anything real.

 If you’ve ever been accused of “doing too much” with a friend, or questioned whether your “bro” or “sis” might secretly want more — this one will hit home.

Listen. Reflect. And decide for yourself — can men and women really just be friends?

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Season 9, Episode 24 of PSA: The Mental Health Podcast is as real as it gets. For his first in-person episode of the season, Izzy Baker sits down with Paul Sweatpants, a Las Vegas-based vlogger and Air Force veteran who’s built a name for himself through storytelling, self-awareness, and sharp wit. What starts as a lighthearted chat about self-image and hygiene routines quickly unpacks a much deeper question: How did you raise your self-esteem? I

Izzy opens up about his personal transformation, from being overlooked in his early years to walking into rooms and turning heads. Paul shares how a single YouTube comment about his lack of structure shifted the entire trajectory of his content and his confidence. Together, they discuss how small changes, better hygiene, real accountability, and facing uncomfortable truths can snowball into major life shifts. The episode digs into how men often confuse ego with self-esteem, how hypersexuality sometimes masks deeper emotional wounds, and how military life impacted Paul’s mental health.

The two also tackle how social media pressures men to perform rather than heal, and how real brotherhood, not surface-level friendship, plays a critical role in building healthy self-worth. As the episode closes, Izzy and Paul get candid about the pain of childhood gaslighting, the struggle to express emotion, and the importance of creating a life that reflects who you really are — not who you were told to be. 

This one isn’t just a conversation about confidence it’s a blueprint for rebuilding yourself from the inside out. Tune in if you’ve ever struggled with self-worth, are learning to take feedback without folding, or are just trying to feel like somebody again. 

Listen. Reflect. And don’t be afraid to join the conversation.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

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🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

In this special solo edition of Mental Man Monday, Izzy returns to the mic with three hard-hitting, culturally relevant topics that challenge the way men think about faith, accountability, and generosity.

This episode is a bold reminder that silence isn’t always wisdom — and that being outspoken, when rooted in conviction, still has a place in the conversation. The episode opens with a powerful reflection on comedian Katt Williams’ recent appearance on the Sherri Shepherd Show. After making waves on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay earlier this year, Katt revealed that he is unashamed to call himself a follower of Jesus Christ — and he accepts the backlash that comes with that declaration. Izzy uses this moment to dig into what it means to truly stand for your beliefs in a world where going viral often means compromising your values. The conversation becomes a wake-up call for creatives, entertainers, and everyday men alike: are you being bold, or are you just being loud?

Next, Izzy addresses Funky Dineva’s strong public rebuke of Stephen A. Smith, following Smith’s controversial comments directed at Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett. While the headlines focused on the drama, Izzy leans into the deeper takeaway — what it looks like to defend Black women publicly, and why accountability and respect must coexist when we speak our minds. It’s a nuanced reflection on what happens when ego, opinion, and purpose collide on public platforms.

The final topic turns toward the church. Bishop Marvin Winans recently sparked backlash after telling a woman that her donation “wasn’t enough.” While social media labeled the moment as greedy and insensitive, Izzy invites listeners to go deeper. Sharing his own spiritual journey, he unpacks the difference between giving out of obligation and giving with understanding. What does it mean to sow into something bigger than yourself?

And how do we distinguish between manipulation and ministry in a world that often confuses the two? This episode blends personal testimony, cultural commentary, and spiritual insight — all wrapped in honesty and humor. Whether you're questioning your own convictions or seeking to strengthen your foundation, this one’s for men navigating life with integrity and faith under pressure.

Listen, reflect, and don’t be afraid to speak up.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

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🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

This week on Mental Man Monday, Izzy is joined by AMROCK, host of the HL Podcast, for a multi-layered conversation that challenges cultural norms, honors legacy, and calls men into deeper accountability. From the first minute, it’s clear this isn’t just another episode — it’s a necessary one. The two begin by continuing last week’s heated topic around trickin’. What’s the line between providing and performing? Is “trickin’” really about power, or is it about unhealed men seeking validation through material gestures?

Izzy and AMROCK don’t just ask these questions — they unpack them through personal experience and cultural critique. Midway through the conversation, the episode takes a more somber turn. The sudden and tragic death of R&B icon D’Angelo is discussed, not from a gossip angle, but through the lens of grief, masculinity, and preventative health. D’Angelo, who passed from pancreatic cancer, leaves behind a son who now joins the many men navigating life without both parents. This segment becomes a moment of real-life therapy, a call for Black men to take their health seriously, to grieve openly, and to talk about the pain we often suppress.

In the final portion of the episode, the conversation pivots again — this time toward faith, controversy, and cultural tension. Izzy and AMROCK react to a now-viral moment from Kirk Franklin’s podcast where rapper NLE Choppa shares a controversial opinion, calling Jesus “our brother, not our savior.” Actor Jonathan Majors, who was also present, immediately pushes back. While neither Kirk nor Majors appear in this episode, their interaction sparks a discussion that’s deeply relevant. The episode raises an honest question: what happens when our version of spirituality is built more on vibes than on truth? The name Charlie Kirk also comes up, not as a guest, but as a symbol of the ideological chaos and division that has even infiltrated the faith conversation.

 Together, AMROCK and Izzy reflect on how masculinity, media, mental health, and misguided theology all intersect. Whether you agree or disagree with everything said, one thing’s for sure: this episode forces men to confront their beliefs, their grief, and their need for authentic healing. It’s part podcast, part barbershop talk, and part altar call. Listen closely because these are the kinds of conversations that shift the culture.

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🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

Izzy is back with the PodPeeps — Jesse, Tevin, and JR — for one of the most honest and entertaining conversations of the season. Recorded live in Atlanta, this in-person episode dives deep into the world of “tricking”: what it is, what it isn’t, and why so many people pretend not to be doing it… while doing it. From sugar daddies to spontaneous gifts, this one unpacks the cultural, psychological, and spiritual sides of spending money to feel powerful, feel loved, or feel something at all.

The group explores why some men equate money with masculinity, using dollars to compensate for past bullying, insecurities, or rejection, and how the act of tricking becomes less about generosity and more about buying temporary validation. As JR explains, the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for fear, gets activated when people feel unattractive or unwanted, and tricking becomes a way to override that emotional pain. But is it worth it? 

The conversation doesn’t stop at men. The PodPeeps also explore the reality of women who trick, the blurred lines between providing and flexing, and how “generosity” can often be misread depending on your tax bracket. Jesse raises a powerful point about how true respect, the kind that’s rooted in character and consistency, can’t be bought. Tricking might get you tolerance, but it won’t get you love. 

Izzy adds a spiritual layer to the mix, asking: Would God be okay with you tricking? Pulling from Proverbs and Genesis, the episode challenges listeners to rethink how they use their resources not just in relationships, but in their purpose. Provision, as the Bible outlines, is about stewardship, love, and responsibility, not manipulation, performance, or flashy validation. Whether you’ve been a trick, been tricked on, or just like nice things, this episode forces you to ask the question: What are you really trying to buy?

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

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🎯 Level up your professional development influence with the TrustBuilder Package — a social media strategy designed to position you as a thought leader in your space. From authority-building content to engagement that actually converts, we make sure your message doesn’t just get seen… it gets respected. Perfect for personal brands looking to grow their presence and impact. Legacy Launchpad


🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

This week’s Mental Man Monday features a timely and powerful conversation between Izzy and Jaleel Wavey, creator and host of the Unconventional AF Podcast. The livestream opens by revisiting last week’s impactful episode with Jonathan Otto, where the conversation focused on men sleeping on their potential. This follow-up episode brings that discussion into real life, as Jaleel shares his personal experience living with a chronic illness and how Jonathan’s message gave him a deeper sense of peace.

Together, Izzy and Jaleel explore how men often carry silent battles while still being expected to perform and show up in the world. Although it wasn’t part of the plan, the topic of Diddy naturally came up during the stream. With Diddy now sentenced to 50 months in prison, Jaleel offers insight into the case, the role of power and accountability in public narratives, and how perception can shape justice. The conversation then shifts to the heartbreaking story of Kyren Lacy, the LSU football player who died by suicide after being falsely blamed for an accident.

New developments reveal that Kyren was innocent, and Izzy and Jaleel reflect on how quick judgment, isolation, and the absence of support systems can have devastating consequences. Toward the end of the episode, the discussion turns to actor Tyler Lepley, known for his roles in P-Valley, Harlem, and Ruth & Boaz. Tyler recently appeared on the Baby, This Is Keke Palmer podcast, where he shared a childhood experience of being called the N-word by a white friend in second grade. That moment sparks a deeper conversation on racism, identity, and what it means to grow up Black in predominantly white spaces.

This Mental Man Monday episode is a raw and unfiltered examination of perseverance, pain, and potential. It blends cultural critique with emotional truth, reminding listeners that healing isn’t about having everything figured out — it’s about showing up for yourself anyway. Tune in to hear a conversation that invites reflection, accountability, and hope.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

TrustBuilder Package
🎯 Level up your professional development influence with the TrustBuilder Package — a social media strategy designed to position you as a thought leader in your space. From authority-building content to engagement that actually converts, we make sure your message doesn’t just get seen… it gets respected. Perfect for personal brands looking to grow their presence and impact. Legacy Launchpad


🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

This week on PSA: The Mental Health Podcast, we’re diving deep into potential, purpose, and the fight to stay awake in a world full of numbing. In this raw and revealing conversation, Izzy is joined by investigative journalist, wellness advocate, and documentary filmmaker Jonathan Otto, whose work has reached millions globally. The two discuss everything from healing parasites and trauma to escaping the trap of performance-driven identity — especially for men. Jonathan opens up about being shaped by childhood wounds, the risk of chasing fame over faith, and why true healing can’t be outsourced.

 Izzy brings the convo full circle by reflecting on why this episode had to happen — especially now. Drawing inspiration from past critiques by names like Charlie Kirk, this episode doesn’t just call men to do better. It calls them to feel, to reflect, and to stop sleeping on their assignment. “You were never lazy,” Izzy says. “You were in survival mode.” And that survival is costing us potential, purpose, and even our peace.

Jonathan highlights the importance of red light therapy and how it helps combat disease, boost energy, and promote overall body health. This is especially for men of faith who’ve been taught to just “pray it away.” He talks about the power of holding space with people who can validate your pain while still holding you accountable. The conversation wrestles with the emotional consequences of never confronting your own story and the spiritual danger of not knowing your why. 

Together, they dig into self-sabotage, spiritual warfare, dietary healing, and why so many men use comfort as a cover-up. From letting go of bitterness to breaking cycles of delay and numbness, this episode is a necessary interruption for anyone who feels stuck, silenced, or sick of themselves.

You’ll hear conviction. You’ll feel the tension. But more than anything, you’ll be reminded that your potential isn’t gone — it’s just buried under habits, hurts, and the pressure to be perfect.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

TrustBuilder Package
🎯 Level up your professional development influence with the TrustBuilder Package — a social media strategy designed to position you as a thought leader in your space. From authority-building content to engagement that actually converts, we make sure your message doesn’t just get seen… it gets respected. Perfect for personal brands looking to grow their presence and impact. Legacy Launchpad


🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

Izzy returns for a solo edition of Mental Man Monday, and this one pulls no punches. The episode begins by reflecting on last week’s powerful conversation, “Is Ending Your Life Selfish?”, a follow-up to the original 2021 episode that many were too uncomfortable to face. But as Izzy explains, that silence is part of the problem. Men’s mental health is often the most neglected when it’s most needed — and this series refuses to let it stay in the shadows.

From there, Izzy dives deep into cultural controversy, starting with Young Thug’s bold new album released while behind bars and dressed in whiteface. The project sparked backlash for including the hard ER in the first track, followed by Young Thug claiming that “to go big, you have to be white.” Izzy breaks down the deeper meaning behind the outrage, what it says about the entertainment industry, and dares to ask the rawest question of all: What would Jesus do in this situation? 

Then the episode takes a sharp turn into conspiracy culture with Donald Trump reposting — then deleting a video about so-called “med beds” that supposedly heal disease and regrow limbs. What started as a fringe theory suddenly garnered presidential attention, and Izzy unpacks what it reveals about trust, belief, and the blurring of the line between politics, pseudoscience, and desperation in today’s culture.

This livestream blends cultural commentary with emotional honesty, serving up a raw and thought-provoking experience for young Black men, men of faith, and anyone navigating the blurred lines between identity, masculinity, mental health, and social pressure.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

TrustBuilder Package
🎯 Level up your professional development influence with the TrustBuilder Package — a social media strategy designed to position you as a thought leader in your space. From authority-building content to engagement that actually converts, we make sure your message doesn’t just get seen… it gets respected. Perfect for personal brands looking to grow their presence and impact. Legacy Launchpad


🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

This episode is not for clicks it’s for clarity, conviction, and compassion. In honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, Izzy revisits one of the most intense and necessary conversations from Season 5 this time with a sharper lens, deeper vulnerability, and real-world commentary on what’s changed (and what hasn’t) since that original question was first posed: Is suicide selfish?

Izzy opens up about his own past thoughts of unaliving, the pain of losing a close friend in 2021, and the quiet desperation that lives inside so many young men today. We explore Kevin Hines' powerful survival story after jumping from the Golden Gate Bridge and why so many people are silently begging to be seen, not saved by a sermon or a hot take, but seen in their struggle.

Throughout the episode, Izzy also unpacks how rejection, isolation, and financial pressure weigh heavily on Black men, even when there’s no diagnosed mental illness. When therapy feels inaccessible or "not for us," some brothers turn to AI like ChatGPT for answers, or worse, they retreat in silence. There is also an intense conversation about suicide pods and the financial stress that leads men to "hitting licks".  This episode challenges that.

With moments of honesty, comedy (because we need to breathe), and gut-punching truth, Izzy poses questions that demand soul-searching: Do we truly check in on the "strong" friends? Are we calling out for help without knowing it? Is our silence costing someone else their life? If you’ve ever wrestled with the thought, “Do I belong here?” — this episode is your reminder that you do. You’re not alone. And someone is still here, ready to answer the call.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

TrustBuilder Package
🎯 Level up your professional development influence with the TrustBuilder Package — a social media strategy designed to position you as a thought leader in your space. From authority-building content to engagement that actually converts, we make sure your message doesn’t just get seen… it gets respected. Perfect for personal brands looking to grow their presence and impact. Legacy Launchpad


🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

We live in a world where prayer, silence, and stillness feel unbearable — not because we’re lazy, but because we’re addicted. In this eye-opening episode of PSA: The Mental Health Podcast, Izzy is joined by Dr. Patrick Porter, founder of BrainTap and a global authority in neuroscience and cognitive health, to unpack how phone addiction has become the hidden pandemic for men.

They explore why most of us reach for our phones during moments of boredom, stress, or even spiritual practices — and how dopamine dependency, overstimulation, and silence anxiety are quietly robbing us of peace, clarity, and purpose. Dr. Porter breaks down the neuroscience behind addiction to short-form content, explaining how the brain’s reward system has been hijacked by platforms designed to keep us scrolling.

Meanwhile, Izzy shares raw personal reflections on his struggle with constant stimulation and the fear of sitting with his thoughts. Together, they challenge men to choose discipline over dopamine and question who they’re becoming in a world that values reaction over reflection.

From brainwave training to breathwork to the power of presence, this episode offers tools and truths for the man who feels like his mind is always racing — and just wants peace. Dr. Porter also shares insight from his latest book You’re to Die For Life, offering men a roadmap to regain control of their mental and spiritual health before burnout becomes their baseline.

If you’ve ever felt like your phone has more control over your day than your own thoughts — this one’s for you.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

TrustBuilder Package
🎯 Level up your professional development influence with the TrustBuilder Package — a social media strategy designed to position you as a thought leader in your space. From authority-building content to engagement that actually converts, we make sure your message doesn’t just get seen… it gets respected. Perfect for personal brands looking to grow their presence and impact. Legacy Launchpad


🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

On this week’s Mental Man Monday, Izzy is joined by a familiar voice and face: Paul Sweatpants. Broadcasting straight outta Minnesota by way of Vegas, Paul taps in to give his raw, real-time reaction to Izzy’s most recent episode featuring Karen Salmansohn. The two revisit the core message of that episode — why we need to outgrow the phrase “this is just how I am.” As Paul says, that excuse keeps too many people stagnant, unwilling to grow, and hiding behind comfort instead of confronting character. Izzy and Paul explore what it means to mature emotionally and take accountability, especially as men, when change is uncomfortable but necessary.

Then, the episode takes a sharp cultural turn, diving into the buzz around Charlie Sheen’s Netflix documentary. Charlie made headlines by admitting that during his addiction to crack, he had sexual experiences with men — a bold confession that he shared before anyone else could use it against him. Izzy and Paul dissect the power of taking control of your own story before the world can distort it. They challenge listeners to consider how many of us are still hiding behind secrets and shame — and how healing often begins with honesty, even when it's ugly.

Finally, the conversation pivots to Young Thug’s leaked jail phone calls to his girlfriend, Mariah the Scientist, where he was heard dissing Future, Gunna, and others — and got clowned online for “gossiping.” But Paul quickly defends him, breaking down a universal truth: if you’ve ever had a girlfriend, you already know — we all vent to the person we’re dating. It’s not gossip. It’s intimacy. It’s how real relationships work.

Izzy and Paul use this moment to expose how the internet loves to twist vulnerability into weakness, especially for Black men. This stream wasn’t about a performance. It was two men being real about growth, grief, love, trauma, and taking your power back.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

TrustBuilder Package
🎯 Level up your professional development influence with the TrustBuilder Package — a social media strategy designed to position you as a thought leader in your space. From authority-building content to engagement that actually converts, we make sure your message doesn’t just get seen… it gets respected. Perfect for personal brands looking to grow their presence and impact. Legacy Launchpad


🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

Labor Day might’ve pushed us to Tuesday, but the energy didn’t miss a beat. In this week's episode of PSA: The Mental Health Podcast, Izzy Baker teams up with JR, host of Real Sht Let’s Talk, to go deep on rejection, masculinity, and the invisible rules that Black men are forced to play by — even when we do everything “right.” From viral barbershop clips to viral job rejection letters, this episode exposes the emotional cost of showing up with credentials and still being seen as not enough.

 The convo opens with Drake’s viral BBL joke — and what might’ve seemed like a funny one-liner turns into a raw dialogue on male body image, deflection, and the way men, especially Black men, are trained to laugh off what hurts. Izzy and JR challenge the idea that men don’t struggle with appearance and ask what it means when jokes start masking deep insecurities.

Then it gets even deeper — we unpack the clip of Jim Jones, Fabolous, Maino, and Dave East sitting around debating Black privilege, struggle, and the unspoken hierarchy of pain. JR delivers a fiery perspective: when you're Black in America, even your “privilege” is questioned, and the pressure to prove your authenticity becomes a mental weight too many brothers silently carry.

Whether it's job applications, fake motivational quotes from parents, or “just wear a suit” advice, this episode pulls back the curtain on the gaslighting Black men face while trying to level up. This episode is for the man who’s tired of chasing validation from jobs, platforms, or people who don’t see his worth. For the one who’s constantly told he’s not “struggling enough” to be relatable. For the brother who’s been hiding pain under a personality.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

TrustBuilder Package
🎯 Level up your professional development influence with the TrustBuilder Package — a social media strategy designed to position you as a thought leader in your space. From authority-building content to engagement that actually converts, we make sure your message doesn’t just get seen… it gets respected. Perfect for personal brands looking to grow their presence and impact. Legacy Launchpad


🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

Season 9, Episode 19 of PSA: The Mental Health Podcast peels back the workings of a phrase many of us lean on: “That’s just how I am.” But what if that’s just trauma hiding in emotional armor?

Izzy sits down with bestselling author and leading Behavior Change Expert, Karen Salmansohn, the creative brain behind NotSalmon.com a former advertising creative director turned writer who’s sold over 2 million books and courses, and whose insights regularly appear on Oprah.com and Psychology Today  Her bold, irreverent style challenges emotional stagnation and invites transformation with tools grounded in psychology, humor, and spiritual insight.

In this conversation, they unpack how generational trauma often gets mistaken for personality, how men grow up being told that emotion is weakness, hardening their hearts in the process. Karen’s research-backed belief is clear: “Stubbornness is often just trauma in mask form.” And they tackle the flip side, how embracing healing over performance opens the door to real connection. 

They question: How long will we let unresolved pain dictate our habits? What if “strength” has kept us silent? And how do we dismantle these defaults when growth feels like betrayal?

Plus, Karen’s newest book, Your To‑Die‑For Life, is highlighted as a wake‑up call to live with meaning—pushing readers to write aspirational eulogies, build “to‑die‑lists,” and let mortality fuel clarity and purpose—not fear.

This is for the man who’s emotionally overworked, spiritually numb, or just plain tired of playing strong. You can’t outgrow what you won’t confront—but you can choose to heal. Press play. Then, start living.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

TrustBuilder Package
🎯 Level up your professional development influence with the TrustBuilder Package — a social media strategy designed to position you as a thought leader in your space. From authority-building content to engagement that actually converts, we make sure your message doesn’t just get seen… it gets respected. Perfect for personal brands looking to grow their presence and impact. Legacy Launchpad


🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

Season 9, Episode 18 of PSA: The Mental Health Podcast dives deep into the emotional burnout, job market frustration, and silent battles faced by young millennial men. Featuring Glenn Bradford, creator of the Tough Enough brand, this episode doesn’t sugarcoat the reality: sometimes it really feels like having the degrees, certifications, and all the “right” moves still isn’t enough to get a callback — and no, it’s not just you. Glenn and Izzy get real about what it's like to apply for over 500 jobs, rack up rejection emails in under 15 minutes, and feel like you’ve done everything right — from rewriting your resume for ATS scanners to writing the “white woman letters” that supposedly get attention — and still end up unemployed, underpaid, or undervalued. 

If you’ve ever felt like the system was rigged, especially as a Black man being told by your parents you “must be the problem,” this one’s for you. From beefing with Indeed (because who actually gets a job from there?) to facing job market stagnation where no raises, no promotions, and no opportunity feel like the new normal — Glenn shares how he’s navigating entrepreneurship, corporate letdowns, and keeping his mental peace in a season of waiting.

This episode is also about learning how to hold your head high when the world makes you feel disposable. It’s about keeping it real — admitting when you’re in a drought, but choosing to stay positive and keep tweaking your approach. Because corporate broke and entrepreneur broke are two different struggles, but both can lead to depression, disconnection, and a dangerous loss of self-worth if you're not careful.

 Glenn reminds us that “everything is an interview,” whether it's a free project or a content shoot for exposure. And sometimes, relationships — not résumés — open doors. Whether you're hustling for referrals on LinkedIn or trying to stack certifications just to feel employable, this episode is a raw, motivating look at surviving career limbo, choosing peace over panic, and staying tough enough to keep going.

Listen if you're tired of hearing "just network" when your phone stays dry, you're wondering if you're the only one overeducated and underemployed, you're trying to decide whether to keep applying or just build your own thing, or you need a laugh, a truth bomb, and a reminder that you're not crazy — this system is broken.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

TrustBuilder Package
🎯 Level up your professional development influence with the TrustBuilder Package — a social media strategy designed to position you as a thought leader in your space. From authority-building content to engagement that actually converts, we make sure your message doesn’t just get seen… it gets respected. Perfect for personal brands looking to grow their presence and impact. Legacy Launchpad


🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

After a few weeks off, Izzy returns with a new edition of Mental Man Monday — and this one gets straight to it. First, he owns the break: “I had to take some time off… I forgot how engaged y’all be, so I guess I can’t slack no more.” With that, he jumps into the latest episode recap and the culture-shaking moments that inspired it.

The conversation opens with the most viral line from the new PSA episode: “Fear is the real villain. Not your ex. Not your boss. Not your haters.” That line alone sets the tone for the live discussion. Drawing from Job 3:25 — “What I feared has come upon me…” — Izzy explores how fear can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, especially in men who claim they “just don’t care anymore.” From overachievement to avoidance, he asks: What if your fear is hiding behind your grind? 

But it doesn’t stop there. Charlamagne tha God pops up in the discussion too, specifically his viral comment at InvestFest about therapy being the best investment he ever made — more valuable than chains, houses, or success. That statement sparks a deeper reflection on what true healing costs and why men often treat therapy like luxury, not necessity. 

Then comes the chaos: Lil Nas X’s public meltdown, drug use, and recent arrest after fighting with the police. Izzy doesn’t excuse the behavior — but he does ask: What happens when a culture obsessed with visibility never gives you space to be invisible and heal? With no filters, he confronts the impact of spiritual warfare, fame, and misplaced identity.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

What if fear is the one running the show — not your ex, not your old job, not even the system? In this powerful conversation with trauma-informed therapist and neuroscience expert Dr. Vadim, we peel back the mask on fear and expose how it hides in plain sight. Whether it's overachievement, avoidance, or straight-up anger, fear knows how to disguise itself — and most of us don’t even see it coming.

From scary movies to silent breakdowns, this episode flips the script on what men are really afraid of. We unpack how fear can be a self-fulfilling prophecy, just like in the book of Job: “What I feared has come upon me.” So what’s manifesting in your life — and is fear behind it? If you’ve ever said, “I’m not scared, I just don’t care anymore,” this episode is for you. Dr. Vadim breaks down how that numbness is often trauma’s favorite coping strategy.

We ask hard questions: Are you ghosting your healing? Has fear been driving your hustle? What legacy are you building — and is it based on faith or fear? This one’s raw, real, and might just change the way you move. No cap — fear might be the reason you’re stuck. So we’re spilling the tea on all of it.

 Listen. Reflect. Face your villain


TrustBuilder Package
🎯 Level up your professional development influence with the TrustBuilder Package — a social media strategy designed to position you as a thought leader in your space. From authority-building content to engagement that actually converts, we make sure your message doesn’t just get seen… it gets respected. Perfect for personal brands looking to grow their presence and impact. Legacy Launchpad


🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

Let’s talk about it. This mic right here? It’s got men acting brand new. In Episode 16 of PSA: The Mental Health Podcast, we pick up right where we left off with Part 2 of our deep dive into the podcasting space—specifically, the rise of men who use podcasts not to heal, but to hurt. This ain't just about noise on the timeline—this is about spiritual warfare disguised as “content.” I sat down again with my brother Kijuan Amey—motivational speaker, youth mentor, and Blind advocate—to go further into the chaos. 

We unpack how so many men get on these mics and don’t realize they’ve become the very villains they claim to be warning women about. Is it really self-improvement… or are you just trying to get revenge on someone who hurt you? We talk about the Kevin Samuels effect, the obsession with telling women about themselves, and how "healing" has become another viral aesthetic instead of an intentional process. What’s the line between preaching purpose and just projecting pain? And if you don’t like what’s being said… why does it still resonate?

 But here’s the deeper question: What if God actually called you to speak? What if He anointed your voice, but your bitterness is distorting the message? We’re asking the hard stuff this time. Because whether you’re a content creator or just a consumer, you have to ask yourself—why does this stuff grab you so hard? What are you feeding your spirit? And if you lost your mic tomorrow, would your purpose still exist?

Listen. Reflect. Then check your mic.


TrustBuilder Package
🎯 Level up your professional development influence with the TrustBuilder Package — a social media strategy designed to position you as a thought leader in your space. From authority-building content to engagement that actually converts, we make sure your message doesn’t just get seen… it gets respected. Perfect for personal brands looking to grow their presence and impact. Legacy Launchpad


🚀 Build your podcast — and your influence — from the ground up with the Legacy Launchpad. We handle everything: strategy, branding, production, and promotion, so you can focus on delivering value. Designed for personal and professional development influencers who want their voice amplified, their brand elevated, and their legacy secured in the digital space.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

Izzy is back with a surprise solo drop and this one might ruffle a few feathers. Inspired by the viral “Stay Away from Men with Podcasts” meme trend, this episode flips the script: What if podcasting isn’t just a cringy trend... but a calling? In Part One of this deep dive, Izzy asks the uncomfortable questions nobody wants to answer. What happens when men hide behind microphones instead of healing in real life? Why do some men use the mic to chase clout, women, or validation and not freedom? And if you're constantly binging toxic clips from these platforms, are you really learning... or just feeding your ego? 

We’ve heard Tyler the Creator, say y’all need your mics taken away. We’ve seen the memes. We’ve rolled our eyes. But what if some men were actually sent to say something that matters? What if your podcast isn’t a red flag it’s your assignment? 

Izzy unpacks the difference between having a mic and having a message, confronting the truth that many men are just turning their bitterness into content. But he also challenges listeners to stop pretending podcasting is always the problem. Maybe it’s not the podcast. Maybe it’s you. 

Do you podcast to heal, or to hide? Are you creating content that leads people to the truth or just recycling trauma in 4K? And most of all… if your podcast disappeared tomorrow, would anybody’s life be changed because of it?

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

Nick Cannon said what a lot of men don’t want to admit — he wouldn’t want his daughters with a man like who he used to be. That clip went viral on The Shade Room via EXTRA, but it wasn’t just gossip. It hit something real. On this week’s Mental Man Monday, I’m solo again — and I’m tapping into that moment heavy. We’re not just talking about Nick Cannon’s regret; we’re talking about the weight of being a man in real time, especially when you finally see yourself through your child’s eyes. What do you do when your past starts speaking louder than your present? And then there’s Shannon Sharpe. He didn’t “step down” from ESPN.

He spoke on stepping down — on knowing when to move forward, even when it hurts. Whether you’re at a crossroads with your job, your brand, or just who you thought you were supposed to be — this one’s for you. Because truth is, most of us stay longer than we should… in relationships, in roles, in places we’ve outgrown. We also revisit the convo with Kijuan Amey — the man who lost his sight but found his vision. It connects. Whether you're a dad like Nick, a media giant like Shannon, or just a brother trying to figure it out, the question remains: What will be said about you when you're gone? Not your job title. Not your follower count. But your impact. Your integrity. Your transformation.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.

In this powerful new episode, Izzy sits down with Kijuan Amey, motivational speaker, resilience coach, and founder of No Sight, No Excuses, to unpack what it really means to lose your sight but gain a whole new vision. After a life-changing accident that left him blind, Kijuan didn’t just survive; he redefined his purpose. 

This conversation dives straight into the tension between cultural programming and spiritual clarity. Why do so many men walk around seeing everything but planning nothing? Why do we chase status and strength instead of vision and peace? Kijuan breaks down how trauma shaped his identity, what therapy taught him that motivation couldn’t, and why he no longer performs for approval. This is about vision that builds legacy, not just sight that chases clout. 

Izzy and Kijuan explore what it means to navigate dark days without pretending you’re okay, how spiritual discipline can sharpen your mental health, and why some of us keep repeating the same patterns because it’s all we know. There’s wisdom here for the man still mad about his story, the man still waiting on clarity, and the man who knows he can’t keep going in circles. If you’ve ever asked, “Am I building with vision or just surviving with sight?” this episode is for you. Because when God takes something from you, He often replaces it with something better — if you're willing to see it.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/p-s-a-the-mental-health-podcast--5520511/support.