Cultural Development Podcast

Jerome Scurry Jr
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture

🎙️ Cultural Development Podcast — hosted by Jerome “Rome the Rula” Scurry Jr. is where culture meets discipline, leadership, and real-life experience. As a former law enforcement officer, U.S. military veteran, mentor, and coach, Rome brings raw, unfiltered conversations on personal growth, masculinity, relationships, leadership, and navigating today’s world with purpose. This podcast challenges perspectives, builds mindset, and equips listeners with the tools to lead themselves, their families, and their communities. Through real stories, guest interviews, and thought-provoking discussions, Cultural Development is more than talk—it’s a blueprint for evolution. Lead • Teach • Inspire.

  1. Oct 17

    Beyond the Campaign: Janet Byrnes on Housing, Safety & Community

    What does it really take to build a city where people can afford to live, work, and raise a family? Virginia Beach City Council District 4 candidate Janet Byrnes returns to the Culture Development Podcast for an open conversation about the issues affecting Virginia Beach residents and the future of our community. From the rising cost of living and affordable housing to public safety, youth mentorship, and supporting local businesses, Janet shares her perspective on the challenges facing the city and the priorities shaping her campaign. We also discuss the importance of strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the community, advocating for first responders, creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and making sure residents have a voice in the decisions that affect their everyday lives. In this episode, we discuss: Affordable housing and the cost of living in Virginia BeachPublic safety and community-police relationshipsYouth mentorship and community engagementEconomic development and supporting small businessesAdvocacy for first responders and city employeesLeadership, accountability, and community representationBeyond politics, this conversation is about understanding the needs of our communities and the role we all play in shaping their future. Join the conversation: What changes would you like to see in Virginia Beach? Share your thoughts in the comments. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share for more conversations that inform, challenge, and connect our community. #VirginiaBeach #JanetByrness #VirginiaBeachCityCouncil #District4 #CultureDevelopmentPodcast #CommunityLeadership #LocalPolitics

    Beyond the Campaign: Janet Byrnes on Housing, Safety & Community

  2. Oct 10

    Breaking the Cycle: Trauma, Mental Health & Finding Strength | Ralph Gil

    Cultural Development Podcast | Ralph Gill of Break the Cycle VA — Mental Health, Trauma & Brotherhood What happens when a life-changing tragedy affects not just the victim, but everyone who loves them? In this powerful episode of the Cultural Development Podcast, host Jerome “Rome the Rula” Scurry Jr. sits down with Ralph Gil, founder of Break the Cycle VA, for an emotional and honest conversation about mental health, trauma, brotherhood, family, and overcoming life’s toughest challenges. Ralph shares the heartbreaking story of his identical twin brother, Armando, who suffered devastating injuries in a 2023 car accident. From witnessing his brother’s painful recovery to battling his own emotional struggles, Ralph opens up about how the experience changed his perspective on life forever. Rome also gets personal, sharing his own battles with anxiety following his military deployment and career in law enforcement, and how his wife’s support and seeking professional help played an important role in his journey. In this episode, we discuss: Ralph’s twin brother’s devastating accident and recoveryThe mental health struggles that family members and caregivers often facePTSD, anxiety, depression, and the importance of seeking helpWhy men shouldn’t feel ashamed to express their emotionsThe power of brotherhood, family, and strong support systemsHow Break the Cycle VA is empowering youth throughout Hampton RoadsFatherhood, mentorship, and leaving a meaningful legacyThis episode is more than a conversation about mental health. It’s a reminder that even the strongest people need support, and nobody should have to suffer in silence. Connect with Break the Cycle VA: Facebook: Break the Cycle VA Website: www.breakthecycleva.org Support the Cultural Development Podcast: LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE & SUBSCRIBE for more real conversations about culture, community, leadership, mental health, and personal growth. Lead. Teach. Inspire. 👑 #CulturalDevelopmentPodcast #RalphGill #BreakTheCycleVA #RomeTheRula #MentalHealthAwareness #MensMentalHealth #PTSD #AnxietyAwareness #Brotherhood #FamilySupport #BreakTheStigma #VirginiaBeach #HamptonRoads #LeadTeachInspire

    Breaking the Cycle: Trauma, Mental Health & Finding Strength | Ralph Gil

  3. Sep 28

    Cultural Development Podcast ft. Travis May | From a Life Sentence to a Second Chance

    Cultural Development Podcast ft. Travis May | From a Life Sentence to a Second Chance What do you do when the system tells you that the rest of your life has already been decided? On this episode of the Cultural Development Podcast, Rome the Rula sits down with Travis May for a powerful conversation about incarceration, redemption, second chances, and rebuilding your life. Travis shares his journey through the criminal justice system, serving years behind bars under a life sentence, and eventually receiving a pardon in 2018. The conversation goes beyond prison—we talk about the choices and circumstances that shape young people, surviving incarceration, personal growth, accountability, and what it takes to come home and create a different future. This episode is about what it truly means to break a cycle when the odds are stacked against you. 🎙️ Hosted by: Jerome “Rome the Rula” Scurry Jr. 🎧 Cultural Development Podcast Topics: Criminal Justice • Incarceration • Redemption • Second Chances • Youth Mentorship • Accountability • Reentry • Breaking Cycles • Personal Growth Follow, subscribe, and share the episode. #CulturalDevelopmentPodcast #RomeTheRula #TravisMay #SecondChances #Redemption #CriminalJustice #Reentry #BreakingCycles #PersonalGrowth

    Cultural Development Podcast ft. Travis May | From a Life Sentence to a Second Chance

  4. Sep 28

    Cultural Development Podcast ft. Vickayla Pope | Building Wealth Beyond Money

    Cultural Development Podcast ft. Vickayla Pope | Building Wealth Beyond Money What does it really mean to prepare the next generation to build, own, and lead? On this episode of the Cultural Development Podcast, Rome the Rula sits down with Vickayla Pope, a 10-year Navy veteran, Managing Broker at Onyx Realty Professionals, and founder of Mini Millionaire Moguls. With nearly 27 years in real estate, Vickayla shares her journey from military service to entrepreneurship and explains why her mission goes far beyond simply teaching kids about money. We talk about financial literacy, homeownership, confidence, health, life skills, and exposing young people to opportunities they may not otherwise see. Vickayla also shares the powerful story of a teenager who helped change the direction of her life and ultimately influenced the work she does with young people today. This conversation is about breaking cycles, creating ownership, and giving the next generation the knowledge and confidence to build real wealth. 🎙️ Hosted by:Jerome “Rome the Rula” Scurry Jr. 🎧 Cultural Development Podcast** Topics: Youth Development • Financial Literacy • Real Estate • Entrepreneurship • Homeownership • Military Transition • Generational Wealth • Mentorship • Breaking Cycles Follow, subscribe, and share the episode. #CulturalDevelopmentPodcast #RomeTheRula #VickaylaPope #MiniMillionaireMoguls #GenerationalWealth #FinancialLiteracy #RealEstate #YouthDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #BreakTheCycle

    Cultural Development Podcast ft. Vickayla Pope | Building Wealth Beyond Money

  5. Sep 19

    Old School Meets New School: The 800M Runner’s Journey ft. Didi Drogba | Cultural Development Ep. 9

    What happens when an old-school 800-meter runner sits down with the new generation? 🏃🏾‍♂️💨 On Episode 9 of the Cultural Development Podcast, Rome the Rula sits down with Didi Drogba, a Norfolk State University 800-meter runner and cybersecurity major, for a conversation about track, discipline, HBCU athletics, personal growth, and building a brand as a student-athlete. Rome immediately saw a little of his younger self in Didi. Both ran the 400/800, both experienced the grind of collegiate track at Norfolk State, and both learned that the 800 might be one of the most brutal races in track and field. 😂 Didi breaks down his journey from being an average young runner to steadily dropping his times, overcoming injury, reaching the national level, and eventually earning the opportunity to compete at the Division I level. They get into the REAL side of being a college athlete—the early practices, balancing classes and training, learning discipline, dealing with races that don't go your way, and understanding that progress isn't always linear. But being an athlete today is about more than what happens on the track. Didi talks about intentionally building his social media presence, working with Cosign Media to develop his image as an HBCU athlete, and documenting his journey toward his next major goal. For young athletes watching, it's a reminder that your personal brand can become part of your athletic career. Rome and Didi also talk about: 🏃🏾‍♂️ How to actually run the 800 🏆 Going from average times to competing at a high level 🧠 The mentality behind chasing PRs 🤕 Injuries, setbacks & coming back stronger 🎓 Life as a Norfolk State student-athlete ⏰ Balancing school, practice and everyday life 🏅 HBCU track & field culture 📱 Social media and athlete branding 💻 Cybersecurity, technology & the future of AI 🔥 The new generation of athletes vs. the old school And one of the biggest lessons from Didi's journey? You don't have to start as the fastest person on the track to eventually become someone worth watching. The progress, discipline, setbacks and consistency are all part of the story. 🎙️ Cultural Development Podcast with Rome the Rula — Episode 9 If you're a young athlete, parent of an athlete, coach, former runner—or somebody who simply appreciates the grind behind becoming great—this conversation is for you. 💬 QUESTION OF THE EPISODE: What do you think is harder: the 400, 800, or mile? 👀 Drop your answer in the comments. 👍 LIKE 💬 COMMENT 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more conversations from the Cultural Development Podcast #CulturalDevelopmentPodcast #RomeTheRula #NorfolkState #NSU #HBCU #HBCUTrackAndField #TrackAndField #800Meter #StudentAthlete #CollegeAthlete #Running #AthleteBranding

    Old School Meets New School: The 800M Runner’s Journey ft. Didi Drogba | Cultural Development Ep. 9

  6. Aug 24

    Beyond the Badge: Leadership Starts With You | David Smith

    On this episode of the Cultural Development Podcast, Rome sits down with David Smith, a police lieutenant with 15 years of law enforcement experience, former SWAT team member, and Head Coach with Apogee Responders. We get into what leadership really looks like when you stop focusing on changing everybody else and start with the person in the mirror. David breaks down self-leadership, personal responsibility, resilience, first responder wellness, organizational culture, and building an identity beyond the badge. We also discuss why too many first responders sacrifice their health, relationships, and identity for the profession—and how intentional leadership can create healthier people, families, teams, and organizations. The conversation goes beyond law enforcement. It’s about becoming a stronger leader, spouse, parent, teammate, and person. Culture doesn’t change just because policies change. Culture changes when people change. And leadership starts with you. 🎙️ Cultural Development Podcast Hosted by Rome the Rula

    Beyond the Badge: Leadership Starts With You | David Smith

  7. Aug 14

    Community, Policing & Public Service with Janet Byrnes

    In this episode of the Cultural Development Podcast, Jerome Scurry Jr. sits down with Janet Byrnes for a real conversation about community, public safety, leadership, and service. Janet Byrnes is a retired law enforcement officer and candidate for Virginia Beach City Council District 4. Her platform highlights safe neighborhoods, strong schools, responsible economic growth, housing affordability, and listening to the needs of the community. This conversation goes beyond politics. Jerome and Janet talk about what it means to serve, how communities can build trust, and why public safety has to include both accountability and real connection with the people being served. They also discuss the importance of leadership, youth, families, schools, and creating a stronger future for Virginia Beach. Cultural Development Podcast is about real conversations that challenge people to think deeper about culture, community, and responsibility. This episode is for anyone who cares about where our city is headed and what it takes to lead with purpose.

    Community, Policing & Public Service with Janet Byrnes

  8. Aug 2

    Teenage Takeover: Crime or Culture? | Cultural Development Podcast

    Teenage Takeover: Crime or Culture? | Cultural Development Podcast Episode 7 In this episode of the Cultural Development Podcast, Rome the Rula and Nick “The Social Introvert” have an honest conversation about today’s youth, teenage violence, social media, broken family structures, and the systems that helped shape the culture we see today. Are teenagers simply committing crimes, or are they products of a trickle-down effect that started generations ago? We discuss how parents were shaped by government systems, family separation, mass incarceration, and the school-to-prison pipeline—and how those experiences continue to affect their children today. We also examine how social media amplifies violence, rewards negative attention, and pushes young people to do everything “for the gram.” This conversation is not about excusing bad behavior. It is about understanding where it comes from so families, mentors, schools, law enforcement, and communities can create real solutions. Watch the full episode and join the conversation: Is the teenage takeover a crime problem, a culture problem, or both? Like, comment, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who cares about the future of our youth. Lead. Teach. Inspire. #CulturalDevelopmentPodcast #TeenageTakeover #YouthViolence #Mentorship #RomeTheRula

    Teenage Takeover: Crime or Culture? | Cultural Development Podcast
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🎙️ Cultural Development Podcast — hosted by Jerome “Rome the Rula” Scurry Jr. is where culture meets discipline, leadership, and real-life experience. As a former law enforcement officer, U.S. military veteran, mentor, and coach, Rome brings raw, unfiltered conversations on personal growth, masculinity, relationships, leadership, and navigating today’s world with purpose. This podcast challenges perspectives, builds mindset, and equips listeners with the tools to lead themselves, their families, and their communities. Through real stories, guest interviews, and thought-provoking discussions, Cultural Development is more than talk—it’s a blueprint for evolution. Lead • Teach • Inspire.

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