Send us a text

The Remember the Titans episode explores leadership themes, racial tensions, and community transformation through the lens of this iconic sports movie featuring Denzel Washington.

• Sports movies powerfully utilize the underdog narrative to touch on deeper social issues
• Coach Boone and Coach Yost represent different leadership styles—visionary versus pastoral
• Leaders can't divorce their identity from their leadership style and effectiveness
• Breaking down barriers between players required confronting historical roots of conflict
• True friendships develop when people allow themselves to be influenced before influencing others
• Winning created momentum that helped transform community attitudes about integration
• The true test of change came when the community united during moments of tragedy
• Changing systems requires first changing people—but not everyone, just the right people
• Your personal story can impact community transformation beyond your individual narrative

Share this episode, like, and subscribe to the UnlearnT Podcast! Come join our unlearning space as we continue to grow this community.

Send us a text

Ruth and Jaquetta dive into the cult classic "Love & Basketball" as they kick off their summer series examining movies they had to unlearn from, breaking down the film's problematic messages about relationships, identity, and success.

• Analyzing the movie in quarters, just like the film's structure
• Unlearning identity limitations - you don't have to choose between femininity and athleticism
• Character development matters more than talent when pursuing dreams
• Leaders look past gifts to character - "if your mentor don't get on your nerves, you ain't got a good mentor"
• Relationships rarely stay the way they started, and transitions require communication
• Soul ties keep you stuck - "reaching back to get something will always pull you backwards"
• The unrealistic portrayal of Monica getting Quincy back by playing for his heart two weeks before his wedding
• How aesthetics in the film reinforce gender expectations and identity shifts

Like, share, and subscribe to join our community! We want to hear your thoughts about Love & Basketball in the comments.

Send us a text

When emerging from crisis, we must reorient ourselves to new environments with new mindsets, as the habits and perspectives that sustained us during difficult times may not serve us in seasons of abundance.

• The storm truly ends when you change, not when your circumstances do
• True forgiveness is an ongoing practice, not a one-time event
• Crisis reveals what was truly rooted in your life versus what was surface-level
• Not everyone who was with you during your storm is meant to cross over with you
• After using resources from your "crisis preparedness kit," you must intentionally replenish them
• The purpose of your growth is to become a resource for others, not just for personal prosperity
• Physical health becomes increasingly important as millennials navigate major life transitions in their thirties
• Approaching your community from a place of service rather than need after they've supported you through difficulty

If this episode has been helpful to you in any way, please share it with someone who might be navigating their own post-crisis season. Let's keep unlearning together so we can experience more freedom.

Send us a text

The second part of our storm series focuses on what to do during moments of crisis, offering practical guidance for navigating through life's most challenging seasons. We share wisdom on how to maintain your sense of self and purpose when everything around you seems to be falling apart.

• Stop pretending about your situation and be honest about where you are
• Give yourself time and realize transformation is not a microwave process
• Embrace the Stockdale Principle - believe you'll win while facing current reality
• Avoid victim mentality as it kills creativity and blocks your progress
• Submit to the process of change and the transformation it brings
• Focus on serving others even in your struggle to gain perspective
• Understand that purpose is always tied to impact, not just personal growth

Like, share, and subscribe to join our community! Hit the notification bell so you can be part of the movement and receive updates when we drop new episodes. Let's keep unlearning together so we can experience more freedom.

Send us a text

We explore the essential components of a crisis toolkit for millennials and middle adults who are feeling squeezed by life's challenges and uncertainties.

• Community is foundational—know who's around you and be aware of what gifts they bring to your life
• Being rooted in the same values is different from simply being bonded to others
• Financial preparation requires doing things you don't want to do—budget, save, and possibly reduce your lifestyle
• The YOLO mindset emphasizes living for the moment rather than building for the future
• Spiritual grounding means staying current with God, not relying on childhood faith
• Establishing intentional faith routines anchors you before crisis hits
• Creating a safe place doesn't always mean being comfortable—safety and comfort are different
• Being out of your God-assigned position puts you out of safety
• Self-awareness means understanding your strengths and potential pitfalls
• Crisis and extreme success both reveal who you really are
• Process your thoughts through talking, journaling, or even using voice notes and AI tools

Take a moment to like, share, and subscribe to the podcast! Hit that notification bell so you know when we drop the next episode.

Send us a text

The Gardners join us to share their journey as a blended family, revealing how they built a strong foundation through commitment, communication, and adapting to unexpected changes. Ty and Ruth Abigail discuss how their relationship evolved from online dating to creating a unified family, demonstrating that love makes room for the unexpected.

• Meeting on Facebook and moving from text messages to real connection
• Being transparent about children from day one of dating
• Adapting when a temporary visit became permanent parenthood two days before their wedding
• Transitioning from "fun weekend parent" to full-time parenting
• Balancing personal dreams and careers with family responsibilities
• Challenging traditional role expectations in parenting
• Building genuine connection between stepparent and child
• Creating an environment where both partners can maintain their identities
• Understanding that commitment comes before plans in family building
• Recognizing that in blended families, you must want it to work

Like, share, and subscribe to the Unlearned Podcast. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to join the conversation and continue unlearning together to move forward towards freedom.

Send us a text

The whole Smith family gathers for an intimate, multigenerational discussion about parenting approaches, examining what needs to be preserved and what should be unlearned for the benefit of future generations.

• Jacqueline Smith (mother) shares how "more is caught than taught" when it comes to parenting
• Rev. Rufus Smith IV (father) reflects on giving his children what they wanted too easily, wishing he'd made them "earn it a little bit more"
• The family explores differing definitions of success across generations – from career achievements to family formation to spiritual growth
• Parental disappointment versus giving up on children is distinguished as the family openly discusses educational paths and life choices
• Technology's impact on modern parenting emerges as a crucial challenge that previous generations didn't face
• Individualizing parenting approaches for each child's unique personality and needs stands out as essential wisdom
• The importance of allowing children to experience challenging tasks is highlighted as building necessary brain development and life skills
• Balancing discipline with gentleness while maintaining consistent expectations emerges as timeless parenting wisdom

Don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to share your thoughts about this episode. We're looking forward to continuing to unlearn together as we move toward freedom.

Send us a text

We explore how what comes out of us under pressure directly reveals what we've been filling ourselves with, just as squeezing a lemon produces only lemon juice because that's what's inside it.

• Taking inventory of what we consume through our eyes, ears, and bodies determines what will come out when life squeezes us
• Our digital footprints provide a practical way to examine what we've been filling ourselves with
• Looking at streaming history, phone logs, and banking records from the past 90 days reveals our true consumption patterns
• Asking whether we'd be comfortable explaining our consumption choices to others helps evaluate their value
• The difference between "dessert" content that feels good temporarily versus nutritious content that builds character
• Changing what comes out of us when pressured requires changing what goes in regularly

Share this episode with someone who might benefit from this perspective on how our inputs shape our responses to life's challenges.