In The Know with Tony Reeves

Anthony Reeves

Hosted by former attorney and Judge Tony Reeves, this podcast delivers sharp insights, commentary, and real talk on law, leadership, public service, and the Black Gen X experience. Whether you’re navigating bureaucracy, seeking inspiration, or craving honest reflections from someone who’s lived it, ‘In The Know with Tony Reeves’ offers the wisdom and wit to keep you informed—and empower Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-know-with-tony-reeves--5596987/support.

  1. JAN 6

    What they didn’t tell us: Navigating Life as Black Gen X without a Blueprint

    What happens when you’re taught how to survive—but never shown how to build? As a member of Black Generation X, I grew up surrounded by people who did “everything right.” College degrees. Military service. Long careers inside structured systems. Success was modeled through discipline, resilience, and endurance—but no one ever explained how to navigate life outside those systems. In this episode, I reflect on what it meant to come of age as part of a bridge generation—one that benefited from the sacrifices of the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers, yet entered a world they had never experienced themselves. We were prepared for adversity, but often left without a blueprint for thriving in unstructured spaces like entrepreneurship, ownership, and self-creation.  I talk about: How generational influence quietly shaped expectationsWhy structure felt like safety—and how that became a limitationThe shock of leaving institutional systems later in lifeThe difference between survival skills and thriving skillsWhat I want younger generations to understand so they don’t have to “figure it out alone” This is not about blame. It’s about context, awareness, and legacy. If you’re Black Gen X—or a first-generation professional navigating unfamiliar territory—this conversation will resonate.What happens when you’re taught how to survive—but never shown how to build?  Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-know-with-tony-reeves--5596987/support.

    19 min
  2. 12/08/2025

    Why My 24-Hour Bus Ride Shocked My Friends

    In this episode, I dive into a powerful reminder that what’s normal for you isn’t always normal for everyone else. A recent conversation with a friend sparked this reflection on how people often become fascinated—or even stunned—when they witness the sacrifices you’ve made to reach a goal they can’t relate to. And for many of us who grew up Black Gen X, first-generation, or navigating worlds not built with us in mind, those sacrifices weren’t extraordinary… they were just our norm. I share the story of taking two of my college friends with me from Tampa, Florida to Pine Bluff, Arkansas on a 24-hour Greyhound bus ride—a journey filled with transfers, long stretches of silence, heavy luggage, and the determination of someone paying his own way through an affluent PWI. My friends were used to flying. They were used to comfort, ease, and speed.But for the first time, they saw what my reality looked like.They saw the cost of my dream.And they realized that my “normal” was something they had never even imagined. This episode is about travel—but it’s also about class, race, adaptation, resilience, and the invisible work so many of us put in to make our goals possible. If you’ve ever had to do whatever it took—even when others couldn’t understand why—you’ll feel this one. 📣 Call to Action If this story resonated with you, share your own “different norm” moment. And don’t forget to follow the show for more reflections, life lessons, and Gen X storytelling. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-know-with-tony-reeves--5596987/support.

    15 min

About

Hosted by former attorney and Judge Tony Reeves, this podcast delivers sharp insights, commentary, and real talk on law, leadership, public service, and the Black Gen X experience. Whether you’re navigating bureaucracy, seeking inspiration, or craving honest reflections from someone who’s lived it, ‘In The Know with Tony Reeves’ offers the wisdom and wit to keep you informed—and empower Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/in-the-know-with-tony-reeves--5596987/support.