Grown Man Game

Rod and Big Mike
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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. 5d ago

    Hood-Adjacent & Over 40: The Art of Building Our Own Spaces

    What does it really mean to navigate life as a grown man when your world is constantly shifting—from closing business chapters to figuring out where you actually belong? In this episode of Grown Man Game, Big Mike and Rod pull up to the mics for an unfiltered, soulful, and hilarious conversation about transitions, boundaries, and cultural connection. Rod drops some major life news: after a decade-long run, they are officially shutting down the gym after rent negotiations went sky-high. But instead of stressing, Rod breaks down the hidden blessing of reclaiming his time, focusing back on family, and pivoting training into his garage and digital spaces. From there, the fellas dive into the viral debate inspired by KevOnStage and Earn Your Leisure: sharing phone locations with your spouse and whether married couples should rock joint or separate bank accounts. Are joint accounts a no-brainer for unity, or do you still need your "Japanese whisky" fund kept on the side? Then the conversation gets real, soulful, and introspective. The brothers reflect on moving up into the suburbs and the complex reality of raising Black kids in predominantly white spaces. From dodging chaotic house parties as grown folk to the exhausting feeling of being on guard when you’re the only Black face in the room, Mike and Rod break down why community doesn't just happen anymore—you have to intentionally build it. In This Episode, We Chop Up: Big Business Pivots: Why Rod is closing the gym, turning down doubled rent, and choosing peace and family over burnout.Joint Accounts & Shared Locations: Transparency in marriage vs. the need for personal allowances and surprise gifts.The Over-Scheduled Kid Dilemma: Band practice, volleyball, golf, and unlearning the pressure of overcompensating as modern parents.The Suburbia Shift & "Hood-Adjacent" Energy: Navigating spaces where you're the only brown face and why peace at home hits different over 40.Building Intentional Community: Why Black spaces matter, teaching our kids their roots, and the unspoken power of "The Nod".Connect With The Show: Instagram:@grownmangamepodBig Mike:@maybenicemikeRod:@4fitfatherhoodEmail: thegrownmangamepodcast@gmail.comReview Us: If you're rocking with the show, leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts and drop a comment on YouTube!

  2. Oct 8

    Catch the Fade or Catch a Ride? The Art of Emotional Regulation

    If somebody disrespects your lady in public, what’s the move: do you jump straight out the whip ready to crash out, or do you tuck your pride, tell her to get in the car, and make sure everybody gets home alive? In this episode of Grown Man Game, Rod and Big Mike sit down on the couch for some real talk about masculinity, maturity, and the line between protecting your ego versus protecting your family. Inspired by a viral gas station showdown and an Instagram comedy skit, the fellas break down the difference between cheating and plain old disrespect, the gray areas of having a "work spouse," and why emotional regulation is the ultimate cheat code every man needs to develop. Before getting into the meat and potatoes, the brothers check in on life and milestones. Rod celebrates 19 years of marriage and talks about graduating his therapy sessions into regular routine maintenance. Meanwhile, Big Mike shares a heavy parenting moment—breaking old generational cycles to give his teenage daughter grace, emotional safety, and space instead of adding fuel to the fire. From navigating street codes and ancient ancestral trauma to realizing that winning the battle might cost you the war, this episode is packed with hard truths, belly laughs, and genuine game for grown folk. In This Episode, We Chop Up: Life Check-Ins & Real Milestones: 19 years of marriage, parenting breakthroughs, and leveling up in therapy.Disrespect vs. Cheating: Giving out your IG at the grocery store, work wives, and where healthy boundaries actually start.The Gas Station Dilemma: Surviving the ultimate boyfriend test when three dudes cross the line.Wisdom Over Reaction: Why crash-out culture is rooted in insecurity and how to choose long-term protection over short-term ego.Emotional Regulation as a Superpower: Breaking generational parenting habits and building self-control to lead your household.Connect With The Show: Instagram:@grownmangamepodBig Mike:@maybenicemikeRod:@4fitfatherhoodEmail: thegrownmangamepodcast@gmail.comYouTube: Don’t just lurk—hit that Subscribe button, like the video, and drop your take in the comments!

  3. Oct 1

    Upgrading Bro Code to Grown Man Code (Are You Still Running Old Software?)

    Look, “bros before hoes” might have kept you alive when you were 21, living on ramen, and arguing over Madden house rules, but if you’re still moving like that in your 30s and 40s? Brother, your code is expired. In this episode of Grown Man Game, Big Mike and Rod sit down for some real talk about what happens when brotherhood grows up. Inspired by a viral commentary from Julian Cross, the fellas break down the real reason men are burning out, isolating, and struggling: we’re trying to navigate grown-man reality on an outdated operating system. Real brotherhood isn’t about enabling bad choices or laughing off a brother’s depression; it’s holding him accountable, having his back when life deals a gut punch, and honoring his wife and family first. Before they dive deep, the brothers catch up on life’s plot twists. Big Mike drops the bittersweet news about his car engine giving up the ghost right as the ink dried on selling his condo (God’s timing is undefeated, even if it brings a Prius with a fresh engine). Meanwhile, Rod shocks the room by revealing he sold his beloved Corvette, traded the midlife toy for family priorities, garage space, and long-term peace of mind, and picked up a career promotion in the process. From knowing when to swap your “hardware” and “software” to embracing self-reflection without beating yourself up, this episode is equal parts hilarious, relatable, and healing. If you want to be a better husband, father, brother, and man, it’s time to upgrade to Grown Man Code (GMC). In This Episode, We Discuss: Life Gut Punches & Hidden Blessings: Mike’s engine swap saga, selling the condo, and Rod saying goodbye to the Corvette dream car.The Evolution of Loyalty: Moving from the reckless 20s bro code to mature, high-accountability Grown Man Code.Why Real Men Don’t Let Bros Slip: Checking your homie when he’s stepping out or down bad.Upgrading Your System: Moving from iPhone 6 energy and Windows XP to iPhone 17 capacity in marriage, fatherhood, and friendship.Breaking Isolation: Why emotional vulnerability, checking on your brothers, and having a safe circle saves lives.Connect With The Show: YouTube: Watch, like, share, and hit that subscribe button to join the conversation in the comments!Instagram / Socials: @grownmangamepodEmail Us: thegrownmangamepodcast@gmail.com

  4. Sep 17

    Do Women Need Men for Protection?

    In this episode of Grown Man Game, Rod Richard and Big Mike take on a sharp question: If men were gone, who would women need protection from? The conversation starts light with a debate over Denzel Washington and Will Smith. Does Denzel disappear into a role, or does every role become Denzel? From there, the guys talk about emotional regulation, therapy before a crisis, sharing pressure with your spouse, decision fatigue, and the small choices that can wear a man down. Then the episode turns to male privilege, women’s safety, and the threats many women have learned to plan around since they were teenagers. Rod and Big Mike get into: Does Denzel Washington play the same character in every movie?Why men should celebrate progress before reaching the finish lineStarting therapy when nothing appears to be brokenWhy carrying every burden alone may be weakness, not strengthDecision fatigue inside work, parenting, and marriageWhat it means when your wife says she can turn her brain off around youThe question behind male protection: protection from whom?The risks women notice that many men never have to considerHow men can change the way boys learn about girls, feelings, and rejectionWhy the “player” advice boys receive can damage their adult relationshipsHow social media can make conflict look more common than it isWhy young men still need real conversations with older men The standard is direct. Men can help create safer homes, relationships, and communities by examining our behavior, correcting other men, and giving boys better lessons before harmful patterns take hold. Pull up a seat. The game is always being played. Subscribe, share the episode, and tell us what real protection looks like to you. Connect with Grown Man Game Instagram: @thegrownmangamepodEmail: thegrownmangamepodcast@gmail.comRod: @4fitfatherhoodBig Mike: @maybenicemikeContent note: This episode contains adult language and discussion of violence and sexual violence.

  5. Sep 9

    Can Men and Women Really Be Just Friends?

    Can a man be a genuine friend to a woman he finds attractive, or is he waiting for his opportunity? In this episode of Grown Man Game, Rod Richard and Big Mike respond to a post claiming that attraction makes a man’s friendship performative. That opens a direct conversation about the difference between recognizing that someone is attractive and actively wanting them, the boundaries that keep friendships honest, and the self-control expected from a grown man. Rod and Big Mike get into: Can men and women have real platonic friendships?The difference between attractive and attractedWhen kindness becomes a hidden investmentWhy attraction never creates entitlementWhat women deal with when a man refuses to take no for an answerHow friendships with women can help men challenge bad relationship adviceWhy chasing someone else’s partner is a losing gameThe rules girl dads set when a male friend comes to the houseHow raising daughters can improve a man’s emotional intelligenceRod’s Washington trip to discuss social media safeguards for childrenWhy AI misinformation is getting harder for parents and kids to spotGiving men their flowers while they can hear themThe guys agree that attraction can complicate a friendship. They also agree on the adult standard: feelings may show up, but respect, boundaries, and behavior remain your responsibility. Pull up a seat. The game is always being played. Subscribe, share this with somebody who needs it, and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway. Connect with Grown Man GameInstagram: @thegrownmangamepodEmail: thegrownmangamepodcast@gmail.comRod: @4fitfatherhoodBig Mike: Maybe Nice Mike on Instagram

  6. Aug 27

    The Catch-Up: Travel, Marriage & What Men Need

    Season 2 of Grown Man Game starts with the catch-up Rod and Big Mike have been waiting to have. Rod shares stories from Qatar, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Greece, and Washington, DC. Mike recaps Singapore and Thailand. They compare cultures, talk about contentment, question America’s relationship with rules, and share a few vacation decisions they probably should not repeat. Then a viral marriage clip opens the real conversation: Are men actually simple, or have men been taught to stay quiet about what they need? Rod and Mike talk about encouragement, compliments, feeling wanted, communicating at home, therapy, and why fathers often feel overlooked. Mike also learns the hard way that cooking dinner does not guarantee anyone will save Dad a plate. What is one thing men need but rarely ask for? Let us know in the comments. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Season 2 starts with a missed alley-oop 01:13 Why the show took a break 02:28 Rod’s Qatar, Tanzania, Zanzibar and Greece recap 04:32 Poverty, comparison and joy in Zanzibar 06:25 “Why would I ever leave here?” 08:27 Life in 118-degree Qatar 11:42 Rod’s favorite stop and why he would not return 14:36 Mike’s Singapore and Thailand recap 16:04 Why Singapore stays so clean 17:57 Coming home to America 20:22 Trump, politics and voter regret 22:31 Washington, DC after July 4 25:59 Night safaris and questionable vacation choices 27:29 Cave swims, jellyfish and losing your Black card 29:53 Are men really simple? 31:10 Men need encouragement too 35:52 Communication is simple, but not easy 37:37 The shredded beef taco incident 40:56 Why nobody cares about Daddy 43:23 Giving men room to evolve 45:32 Therapy, masculinity and self-trust 48:23 The warm-up episode 49:46 Teacher Gang shoutout Content note: Adult language and political discussion. #GrownManGame #BlackPodcasts #MensMentalHealth #MarriageTalk #Fatherhood #RealConversations

  7. Jun 4

    Drake, Kendrick, Black Business & the Line Between Culture and Ego

    In this episode of Grown Man Game, Rod and Big Mike start off with jokes, health updates, family wins, and AI music before the conversation turns into a full debate about Drake, Kendrick Lamar, UMG, lawsuits, ego, and the business of hip-hop. What starts as a music conversation becomes something deeper. Is suing your label smart business or a sucker move? Can an artist lose a battle but still protect their money? Why does Black culture sometimes treat business moves like betrayal? And how do street culture, ownership, loyalty, and ego all get mixed together? Rod and Mike go back and forth on Drake’s lawsuit, Kendrick’s win, Black business support, crabs in a barrel, and the difference between handling things emotionally versus handling them strategically. This one feels like the barbershop, the group chat, and a business class all at once. Tap in, laugh with us, argue with us, and send this one to somebody who always has an opinion on Drake and Kendrick. Timestamps00:00 - Intro and Big Mike’s almost-perfect alliteration 01:05 - Accountability, cancel words, and growing up with old slang 04:37 - Big Mike’s daughter uses a wild new phrase 07:41 - Words kids can’t say in the house 10:58 - Big Mike’s health update and cholesterol win 12:02 - AI music, fake singers, and creating songs with prompts 14:49 - AI art, water usage, and social media backlash 17:02 - Capitalism, social media, and online hypocrisy 18:50 - Rod’s daughters promote to middle school and high school 20:51 - Rod’s daughters rack up academic awards 21:50 - Drake, Kendrick, Kanye, and old vs. new music 24:54 - Rod’s take on Drake’s Iceman album 25:54 - Big Mike explains why Drake lost him 31:10 - Did Drake need to address the industry turning on him? 32:10 - Streaming, lawsuits, and Drake’s business situation 35:29 - Is suing the label business or a sucker move? 37:33 - The White Men Can’t Jump comparison 40:05 - Everyone who came at Drake during the beef 41:45 - Who benefits from people knowing Drake sued? 44:12 - Black culture vs. street culture 45:33 - Black business, discounts, and supporting your people 48:42 - UMG, money, and why devaluing an artist could be strategy 52:39 - Frank Ocean, relevance, and music impact 54:29 - Rod explains the business side with a car analogy 58:22 - Big Mike says ego is still part of the lawsuit 01:02:09 - Can Kendrick win and Drake still have a business case? 01:04:46 - Culture, progress, and why capital matters 01:07:25 - If I eat, we eat 01:09:18 - Crabs in a barrel and the fight for control 01:10:54 - Why this debate turned into real Grown Man Game 01:13:21 - Drake’s future deal and what it could mean for artists 01:17:40 - Outro, social handles, and podcast shoutouts

  8. May 15

    The Internet Got Mad… But This Is the Real Grown Man Game

    The internet lost its mind over a conversation about men keeping their phones in their back pocket… but the real conversation went way deeper than that. In this episode, Rod and Big Mike break down the viral reaction, social media culture, emotional discipline, masculinity, growth, fatherhood, and why community matters now more than ever. They also discuss Dr. Umar’s comments about broken homes, masculine women, absent fathers, and what men can do to help rebuild stronger communities. If you’re trying to become a better man, better father, better husband, or just a more grounded human being, this episode is for you. Timestamps00:00 – Intro 00:39 – The viral phone pocket debate 02:14 – “This is just how men talk” 04:11 – Social media removed accountability 06:25 – Why online arguments get so personal 08:12 – Mike reflects on changing his mindset 10:45 – Rod’s biggest takeaway from the backlash 12:52 – Emotional discipline and self-confidence 14:01 – Knowing who you are as a man 16:09 – Rod talks ADHD, ideas, and writing a book 18:01 – The idea behind “Built For This” 21:24 – Mike on flexibility, growth, and health 24:57 – Why growth requires pruning old beliefs 28:30 – Group Chat segment begins 31:10 – Dr. Umar clip reaction 33:38 – Masculinity, survival, and broken homes 38:23 – Teaching daughters independence 40:48 – The role of community and mentorship 42:15 – Mike shares how childhood trauma shaped him 46:17 – Why men must step up for their communities 50:07 – Small actions build stronger neighborhoods 53:29 – Saluting fathers in public matters 56:22 – Why affirmation matters for men 57:40 – Final Grown Man Game message 59:55 – How listeners can support the podcast 🎙️ Grown Man Game Podcast Follow the podcast: Instagram: Grown Man Game Podcast Instagram Follow Rod: Instagram: 4 Fit Fatherhood Instagram Website: You Can Call Me Coach Listen to the podcast: 4 Fit Fatherhood Podcast Website

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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
    2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Rod and Big Mike