Grown Man Game

Rod and Big Mike

Welcome to Grown Man Game. This ain’t just another podcast; it’s a kickback with your brothers Mike and Rod. We’re two Black fathers trading knowledge and wisdom on everything from navigating relationships to the music that shaped us. We’re talking money, mindset, and the unspoken truths of manhood. If you want to laugh, learn, and level up without the fluff—you’re in the right place. Let’s build.

  1. 4 DAYS AGO

    AI, Street Culture & Fatherhood Discussion | Grown Man Game Podcast Ep. 15

    AI is changing careers faster than schools can adapt. In this episode of the Grown Man Game Podcast, Rod and Big Mike talk about AI, street culture, celebrity obsession, fatherhood, and the future men are trying to prepare their families for. The conversation moves from funny stories and internet culture into serious discussions about survival, responsibility, masculinity, and what it means to build a better future for the next generation. They also break down: Why AI is changing careers faster than schools can adaptThe danger of glorifying street cultureWhy celebrity drama dominates timelinesThe difference between black culture and street cultureWhy the people around you matter as a grown manReal stories about road rage, reckless behavior, and maturityParenting daughters in a changing worldThis episode is honest, funny, uncomfortable at times, and full of grown man game. If this conversation hit home, share it with another man who needs it. Subscribe so you never miss an episode. 00:00 – Intro 00:45 – Rod forgets his podcast uniform 02:00 – Joking about moving to Thailand 03:00 – Living cheap in Panama discussion 05:00 – Fear about the future for young adults 06:10 – AI replacing careers and degrees becoming outdated 08:00 – Their daughters’ future careers and AI 09:30 – AI in healthcare and doctor visits 10:45 – AI hallucinations and mistakes 12:00 – AI learning from humans in real time 14:00 – Terminator, Matrix and future fears 19:00 – Celebrity culture and internet obsession 20:00 – Gucci Mane, snitching and street culture discussion 22:00 – Klay Thompson & Megan Thee Stallion breakup talk 24:00 – Why people worship celebrities 25:00 – Growing up between suburbs and the hood 27:00 – Parents sacrificing for a better life 29:00 – Respecting real struggle without glorifying it 31:00 – Gang culture becoming entertainment online 33:00 – “You don’t want your kids growing up like that” 34:30 – Exploiting trauma and gang culture for content 36:00 – “Street culture and black culture are not the same” 38:00 – What real snitching actually is 41:00 – Why who you ride with matters 43:00 – The danger of being around reckless people 45:00 – Why grown men must protect their peace 47:00 – Road rage stories and survival mindset 49:00 – Final thoughts on culture and responsibility 50:15 – “Be careful who you surround yourself with” 50:45 – Outro #GrownManGame #Fatherhood #AI #BlackCulture #Masculinity #Podcast #Men #StreetCulture #SelfImprovement #FatherhoodPodcast #MentalHealth #Relationships #LifeAdvice #CurrentEvents

    51 min

  2. 1 MAY

    Why Men Joke Through Pain + Akon’s Fatherhood Take Is Off

    This episode of the Grown Man Game Podcast hits real conversations men don’t always say out loud. We break down why men joke through everything… even pain, even loss. From roasting your boys at a funeral to turning serious moments into laughs, we unpack what’s really going on under the surface. Then we get into Akon’s take on fatherhood and why it doesn’t sit right. Is providing money enough? Or does presence matter more than we admit? We also touch on: Getting older and losing your memory (it’s happening 😅)The reality of rising costs and financial pressureLearning how to invest and make your money workWhy you can’t take life advice from every celebrityThis one is honest, funny, and real. Just two men figuring it out in real time. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Intro + getting the episode started 01:00 – HOA story + saving money the hard way 06:30 – Life getting expensive + real pressure on men 11:30 – Investing, options, and learning how money really works 15:45 – Forgetting everything… is this just getting older? 19:30 – Why men joke about EVERYTHING (even at funerals) 24:30 – Humor vs emotional intelligence in men 29:00 – Judging men (phone in the back pocket debate 😂) 36:15 – Akon’s take on fatherhood 42:00 – Providing vs being present as a father 45:00 – Why you can’t take advice from every celebrity 49:45 – Outro + where to find us 🎯 KEY TAKEAWAYSMen use humor as a coping tool, not just entertainmentPresence matters just as much as provision in fatherhoodNot every successful person is someone you should take life advice fromMoney problems are real, but so is the opportunity to learn how it worksGetting older is undefeated… memory included 📲 CONNECT WITH US🎙 Podcast: Grown Man Game Podcast 📧 Email: grownmangamepodcast@gmail.com 👤 Rod (Host): Instagram: @4fitfatherhood 👤 Big Mike (Co-Host): Instagram: @maybenicemike 📺 Watch & Subscribe: YouTube: @grownmangamepod 📢 STAY LOCKED INIf this episode hit, make sure you: ✔ Like the video ✔ Drop a comment ✔ Subscribe to the channel ✔ Share this with another man who needs it

    51 min

  3. 23 APR

    Black Identity, Code Switching & The Pressure Black Men Face | Grown Man Game Podcast Ep. 13

    What does it mean to be Black in America… and feel like you’re carrying the weight of representing an entire culture? In this episode of the Grown Man Game Podcast, Rod and Big Mike have a real conversation about Black identity, stereotypes, code-switching, racism, and the pressure Black men often feel in different spaces. The conversation starts with viral social media creator “Big Groove” and the debate around entertainment vs harmful stereotypes. From there, Rod and Mike dive into personal experiences growing up Black in white spaces, attending predominantly white schools, navigating comments like “you talk white,” and learning to embrace who they truly are. They also discuss HBCUs vs PWIs, the importance of representation, raising Black daughters with confidence, and why social media shapes how the world sees Black culture. This episode is funny, deep, honest, and necessary. If you’ve ever felt too Black in one room… and not Black enough in another… this conversation is for you. 🎧 Listen, subscribe, and share with someone who needs this conversation. 👇 Drop your thoughts in the comments: Have you ever felt pressure to represent more than just yourself? #GrownManGame #BlackCulture #CodeSwitching #BlackMen #Podcast #Fatherhood #Culture #Identity #Manhood #RaceInAmerica TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Intro / Fried chicken, watermelon jokes & setting the tone 00:50 Big Groove conversation begins 03:40 Black caricatures and stereotypes discussion 08:10 Responsibility to the culture 11:00 Tyler Perry / Madea conversation 15:15 Social media comments and criticism 18:00 Boys vs girls viral video comments 22:20 Male leadership and boys discussion 27:50 Black spaces / BSU / HBCU conversation 31:00 Racism experiences in white spaces 36:00 Raising daughters with confidence and culture 40:00 Social media shaping perception of Black people 43:00 Feeling pressure to represent the culture 46:00 Code-switching and “talking white” 52:50 Grown Man Game lesson of the episode Follow / Listen / Subscribe: 📺 YouTube: Grown Man Game Podcast 🎙 Spotify: Grown Man Game Podcast 📸 Instagram: @grownmangamepod 📩 Email: grownmangamepodcast@gmail.com

    56 min

  4. 17 APR

    Why Most Men Are Overwhelmed (And What Actually Works)

    What’s better… structure or freedom? In this episode of the Grown Man Game Podcast, Rod and Mike break down the real reason men feel overwhelmed. It starts with a conversation about schedules but quickly turns into something deeper—pressure, responsibility, fatherhood, and how men are trying to do too much. They talk through: Why schedules work for some men and not othersThe difference between being busy and being effectiveHow society conditions men to overload their livesWhat real balance actually looks likeA powerful moment about injury, humility, and leaning on familyAnd a question that will make you think… would you live differently if you knew when you’d die?This one is real, unfiltered, and relatable. 👇 Tap in, share with another man, and subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode. Follow the Podcast: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grownmangamepod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com Contact: grownmangamepodcast@gmail.com ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS00:00 – Intro + podcast banter 01:18 – Social media growth vs losing followers 04:04 – Mike talks work, podcast return, and life updates 06:43 – Do schedules actually help or hurt? 07:20 – “Schedules are like crutches” analogy 09:27 – Rod’s perspective: structure creates presence 12:21 – Are we doing too much as men and families? 13:30 – Finding balance vs extremes 16:54 – “You’ll do what you really want to do” 19:26 – Boundaries, family, and respecting your time 23:16 – Cruise recap + family vacation dynamics 28:59 – Men vs women behavior differences (kids example) 31:20 – Nature vs nurture conversation 34:43 – Middle school vs adult behavior shift 35:37 – Men vs women survival experiment breakdown 38:41 – Society vs survival skills 39:42 – Apocalypse scenario + real talk 43:42 – When survival turns into ego (Lord of the Flies idea) 47:29 – Would you rather know HOW or WHEN you die? 50:09 – Living differently if you knew your timeline 55:05 – “What’s stopping you from living like that now?” 1:00:17 – Congratulations segment starts 1:01:33 – Building a life you actually want 1:03:10 – Mike opens up about injury + family support 1:07:17 – Reflection on relationships and support 1:10:17 – Outro + where to find the podcast

    1hr 12min

  5. 27 MAR

    Masculinity, Vulnerability, and Brotherhood | Grown Man Game Ep. 11

    What does masculinity really look like today? In this episode of Grown Man Game, Rod and Big Mike unpack the made-up rules men are expected to follow and why so many of those rules fall apart under real life. From funny examples about headphones in the gym, massages, and manicures to deeper conversations around vulnerability, emotional safety, and brotherhood, this episode covers a lot. Big Mike shares a personal moment about going through a hard family situation and what it meant to have someone he could trust enough to open up to. Rod talks about why so many men struggle to be vulnerable, why brotherhood matters, and why men need spaces where they can be honest without feeling judged. Rod also shares a major announcement about Baseline Performance, his new supplement brand built for fathers who want to train with purpose, stay consistent, and get back to their baseline. This episode is funny, honest, and real. If you are a man trying to lead well, grow, and stay grounded, this one is for you. Subscribe, share this with somebody who needs it, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway. Follow Grown Man Game Instagram: @thegrownmangamepod Email: thegrownmangamepodcast@gmail.com Timestamps 0:00 Intro 3:03 Masculinity and the made-up rules men follow 5:55 What men call “soft” and why that mindset is broken 12:28 Loneliness, disconnection, and the need to belong 18:05 Would you go back to being 12 with what you know now? 26:20 Would you go 10 years into the future? 29:07 Congratulations, Brother 29:20 Mike opens up about a hard family situation 31:58 Why vulnerability is hard for men 34:51 Rod shares his big win 37:05 Baseline Performance revealed 37:50 “I had to get back to my baseline” 42:40 Ideas are cool, but action changes things 47:53 Outro

    50 min

  6. 19 MAR

    Why Grown Men Need Checkups and Better Birthday Gifts | Grown Man Game Ep. 10

    In this one, Mike and Rod talk about what it looks like to get older as men and actually take your health seriously. They get into doctor visits, bloodwork, hydration, stretching, recovery, and why too many men wait too long to handle their health. They also get into a funny but real debate about relationships and gifts, including why sex should not be the only birthday, Valentine’s Day, or Father’s Day gift. The conversation turns into a bigger talk about effort, thoughtfulness, helping at home, and what men actually want when it comes to feeling appreciated. They wrap up with talk about consistency, content creation, better daily habits, and giving your family a broader experience through travel. Timestamps 0:00 Intro 2:28 Doctor visit and bloodwork 10:44 Why men need regular checkups 12:34 Prostate concerns and staying ahead 14:26 Aging, soreness, and recovery 17:22 Young habits and old-school knowledge 23:08 Maturity gaps in dating 29:20 Sex as a gift debate 40:52 What thoughtful gifts for men can look like 44:08 How helping at home changes relationships 46:22 Congratulations Brother 48:05 Mike on taking health seriously 49:04 Small changes matter 50:49 Family trips and perspective Instagram: @grownmangamepod Rod: @4fitfatherhood Mike: @maybenicemike Email: thegrownmangamepodcast@gmail.com

    59 min

  7. 12 MAR

    From Jive Turkey to No Cap: How Language, Love, and Manhood Changed

    Language always changes. Slang comes and goes. Some words die fast. Some stick around for decades. In this episode, Rod and Mike talk about the evolution of slang, regional language, Black culture’s impact on the way people talk, and why certain phrases last while others disappear. But the conversation does not stop there. What starts with “jive turkey,” “off the heezy,” and “no cap” turns into a deeper talk about generations, race, relationships, emotional intelligence, and how men communicate when life gets heavy. From Bay Area slang to hard conversations about love, accountability, and what men bring home to their families, this episode covers a lot in a real way. If you enjoy honest conversations about culture, manhood, relationships, and the way we live, this one is for you. Follow Grown Man Game Instagram: @grownmangamepod Email: grownmangamepodcast@gmail.com Support the show If you’re enjoying the podcast, leave a 5-star rating and a review. Send us a DM or email with topics you want us to cover next. Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:33 The evolution of slang 07:33 Regional slang and culture 11:22 Religion, identity, and perspective 15:00 Group chat topics 15:35 Podcast consistency and congratulations 18:04 Clifton Powell and generational love 25:51 Jim Crow and emotional development 32:08 Race and understanding other perspectives 39:46 Nikki Giovanni, James Baldwin, and relationships 42:04 Why men bring the worst home 46:27 Parenting daughters and safe spaces 49:28 Emotional processing and communication 53:35 Self-development and final thoughts

    58 min

  8. 4 MAR

    Code Switching, Commitment, and Black Culture | Grown Man Game Ep. 8

    In Episode 8 of Grown Man Game, Rod and Big Mike get into current events, Black culture, parenting, aging, health, and what commitment really looks like in a relationship. They open with the Kane Velasquez case and the emotional weight behind it, then move into Kevin Gates, trauma, code switching, and how Black men often have to adjust depending on the room they are in. Later in the episode, the conversation shifts to health, getting older, colonoscopies, Black culture, and a real discussion about attraction and boundaries in marriage. This one is honest, funny, and full of the kind of conversation men need more of. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome back / current events 00:22 Kane Velasquez and why Rod says “free Kane” 03:01 Kevin Gates, trauma, and protecting children 08:54 Code switching and moving between worlds 11:57 Job interviews, names, and being taken seriously 15:31 White privilege, stress, and never having to switch 17:02 Parenting, language, and generational differences 27:14 Congratulations Brother 27:27 Rod on turning 43 and feeling good 29:50 Big Mike on health and getting a colonoscopy 35:55 Black culture, double dutch, and what gets left behind 40:20 Group chat: how married men handle attraction 56:26 Closing thoughts and the grown man game takeaway Follow the show on Instagram: @grownmangamepod Follow Rod: @4fitfatherhood Follow Big Mike: @maybe_nice_mike Share this episode with a man who needs this conversation.

    59 min
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About

Welcome to Grown Man Game. This ain’t just another podcast; it’s a kickback with your brothers Mike and Rod. We’re two Black fathers trading knowledge and wisdom on everything from navigating relationships to the music that shaped us. We’re talking money, mindset, and the unspoken truths of manhood. If you want to laugh, learn, and level up without the fluff—you’re in the right place. Let’s build.

Information

  • Creator
    Rod and Big Mike
  • Years Active
    2k
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rod and Big Mike