Dope Black Dads

She trained as a social worker. Spent 15 years watching what happens when relationships destroy people. Built a community of 250,000 women on Instagram. Wrote a Sunday Times bestseller. And then sat across from me and said: "I don't know if this is working. Nothing's changing."This is Layla, Lalalaletmeexplain and this is not the conversation you're expecting.We go into:Her dad leaving her mum for the woman who lived opposite, and what it did to her at 7 years oldWhy she resented her mother for years and idolised the man who leftHow her self-worth was built entirely on whether men wanted her, and the expensive therapy it took to undo itDating apps losing 600,000 users and why in-person events aren't working eitherThe confidence gap: women buying out dating events in 10 minutes, men not showing upWhy men have stopped approaching women IRL — and why that's a misreading of what women actually asked forFamily courts: the myth that they favour mothers (she breaks this down with 15 years of evidence)The manosphere

Poppy Jay arrives with no prep. What follows is one of the rawest conversations on this channel.Director, writer, comedian, and co-host of the cult podcast Brown Girls Do It Too, Poppy walks me through ten photos from her life, and each one opens a door she wasn't planning to open.We talk about the forced marriage she gave in to as the eldest of six daughters in a strict Bengali Muslim household. The father who once ruled the home and now sends her photos of the prawns he cooks. The nickname "Pitbull Poppy" she earned on set, and the uniform she wears so men stop scrutinising her. The year 2025, when she didn't work for twelve months despite being on billboards and buses, and ended up frying chips at her brother-in-law's Philly cheesesteak shop on the way to award ceremonies she'd been nominated for.She got her ADHD diagnosis 24 hours before we recorded. She tells me why the NHS questionnaire didn't account for immigrant kids who weren't allowed to be disruptive. We get into the Bangladeshi heroin epidemic of

Sadiq Khan just announced £30 million to put a youth club in every single London borough. They're called Youth Lates — open evenings, open weekends, with food, mentoring, music, mental health support, all under one roof. The biggest investment in youth clubs by any Mayor. Ever.Marvyn grew up in Hackney at a time when youth clubs still existed. His youth worker was Justin Pickett — the actor who played Sean Ambrose in Desmond's. In this episode, Marvyn tells that story for the first time in full: what it meant to have a Black man show up for him at 15, what was lost when those spaces disappeared, and what this announcement means for a generation of young Londoners who've never had what he had.This one is personal.YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarvynHarrisonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/marvynharrisonpodcast/Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marvyn_harrisonLinkedin: linkedin.com/in/marvynharrison?originalSubdomain=ukWelcome to The Marvyn Harrison Podcast — a story-driven conversation exploring identit

The UK government opened the biggest consultation on children's digital safety ever attempted. Social media age bans. Overnight app curfews. Restrictions on infinite scroll. Controls on AI chatbots. They want to hear from parents directly. So when the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology invited me to the Black Prince Community Trust in Lambeth to sit down with Kanishka Narayan MP, the Minister for AI and Online Safety, I brought a few questions. Not from a journalist. From a dad.We covered:What to say to a parent who feels they've already lost the screen time battleWhat powers the government actually has to force platforms like TikTok, Snapchat and Instagram to changeWhether parents should be worried about children using AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude unsupervisedWhat a safer internet for children realistically looks like in two yearsWhether this consultation will lead to real, enforceable changeThe consultation is live now and closes 26 May 2026. It takes minutes. Your response direct

This man sent a Myspace message to N-Dubz after seeing them on Channel U. Within a month he was their agent. No business card. No corner office. Just conviction and speed. Billy Wood is one of those names in UK music that if you know, you know. 20 years. Three of the biggest talent agencies in the world — WME, UTA, CAA. Artists like Tinie Tempah, Tinchy Stryder, Wiley, Section Boyz, Run-DMC. Music Week 30 Under 30. Youngest agent in William Morris history at 24.But the story underneath those headlines is messier. More interesting. It's about losing the act that made you. About being a young man at the biggest talent agency in the world making decisions he wasn't always equipped to make. About managing Wiley for two years and what the unmanageable teaches you about people. About walking away from music entirely to go run a non-league football club in Hastings — and somehow that being the thing that brought him back.Now he's back with HAUS23, his own agency, five people deep, signing new acts and established na

The Health Secretary sat down with me. And he didn’t hold back. Wes Streeting the man responsible for the entire NHS talks about surviving cancer at 38, the crisis hiding inside Britain’s maternity wards, why Black women are still dying at catastrophic rates in childbirth, what’s really happening with the National Cancer Plan, and why he believes the silent majority needs to start calling out racism before it’s too late. This conversation covers:• His cancer diagnosis at 38 — found by accident, treated by the NHS• 100,000+ patients now diagnosed within 28 days (a stat you won’t see in the papers)• The first ever government strategy for men and boys• Why suicide is the biggest killer of young men — and what’s being done• The sickle cell ward that nearly closed — and what it signals• Black maternal mortality: “The excuses have run out”• “I was told: I assumed you were a strong Black woman” — racism in maternity care• Valerie Amos’s rapid national investigation into maternity (reporting June)• Why he’s

Childcare in this country just changed. Permanently. New government data shows that the cost of a full-time nursery place for a child under two has DROPPED by 52% in just two years — from £305/week to £149/week. Families are saving an average of £8,000 a year per child. Half a million households are now receiving 30 hours of funded childcare. And nearly a third of parents say they’ve been able to increase their working hours as a direct result. In this episode, Marvyn breaks down:• The exact numbers from the 2026 Coram Report• What “funded hours,” “term-time,” and “SENCO” actually mean for your family• The 4 structural moves government is making beyond the headline• Why childcare cost is a gatekeeping mechanism — and who it locks out• 5 questions every parent (and especially every dad) needs to sit with Whether you’re paying nursery fees right now, thinking about starting a family, or employing people who are — this one’s for you. Sources: DfE / Coram Family and Childcare Survey 2026 

In this episode of The Marvyn Harrison Podcast, three guests — Richie Brave, Manga St Hilaire, Nii Odarte and Rehema Muthamia sit down for one of the most wide-ranging conversations we've had. The BAFTA N-word incident is dissected by someone who was actually in the auditorium when it happened. Richard shares his experience of childhood racism as a seven-year-old child actor, beaten and called the hard-R by his own chaperones. Rehema, the first Black African woman to win Miss England, talks about the racist abuse that followed her title, from doorstep journalists to being called Miss KFC, and how surviving an abusive relationship at 21 led her to reclaim her story publicly. Manga opens up about becoming a father for the first time, his journey from Roll Deep to hosting Red Bull's Mike Flex, and why grime's open-door culture is both its greatest strength and its structural weakness. The conversation moves through code-switching, carnival lineage, boarding school in Kenya, the importance of male friendship circ

In this episode of The Marvyn Harrison Podcast, we unpack one uncomfortable question: is the internet killing love? From religion and existential doubt to seasonal depression, trauma bonding, toxic relationship dynamics, and the rise of online healing culture, this conversation goes deep into how modern life is reshaping intimacy.We explore:Why social media amplifies heartbreakThe difference between passion and trauma bondingWhether peace is the same as silenceThe mental health impact of winter and isolationWhy so many people feel disconnected despite being constantly onlineWhether faith still offers structure in a chaotic worldHow masculinity and femininity narratives are shiftingThis isn’t surface-level relationship advice. It’s a real conversation about connection, loneliness, identity, healing, and responsibility in modern culture.TIMESTAMPS00:00 — Do You Actually Believe in God? 05:12 — Leaving Religion Without Losing Meaning 12:40 — The Existential Void After Faith 18:03 — Who Do You Call When You’re No

Most people say they want love, then date like they’re configuring a device: height, income, politics, trauma level, texting cadence, therapy status, “emotional intelligence,” travel appetite—tick, tick, tick. It feels safe. It feels efficient. It feels like control. But love isn’t mechanical. People aren’t programmable. They have grey areas: prickly parts, warm parts, avoidant parts, tender parts, contradictions, history. A checklist can’t measure inner world alignment, truth-telling, repair ability, or whether two people can actually build safety together. I unpack how romantic idealism can make you naïve—especially when you grew up in warmth and assume everyone else did too. Then reality hits: people don’t always tell the truth, not always under pressure, and if you don’t interrogate someone’s inner world you end up in cycles that feel “mystical” but are actually predictable scripts. The shift is simple: keep your values, drop the robot requirements. Choose moment-to-moment evidence. Build t

This episode sets the rules of the room.This podcast is committed to protecting the dignity, safety, and wellbeing of anyone whose stories, experiences, or submissions may be referenced. We don’t publish allegations as fact without appropriate verification, context, or public record. We anonymise, change details, reframe, or decline stories to reduce harm—especially when other people didn’t choose public exposure. I also explain why listeners sometimes feel “that’s my story”: because many experiences are cyclical and universal—especially when you’re trying to be yourself inside a difficult environment. That doesn’t make the story “about you.” It makes it common. Then we widen out: Britain’s collapsing care reflex (a post office moment that says everything), why I refuse to “chat people’s business,” why men need to lead with repair when harm exists, and why I’m building a show that’s present and unscripted—without turning vulnerability into entertainment.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

An old workplace game brand went bust—not because people stopped gaming, but because retail changed: downloads replaced discs and the UK high street kept shrinking. The fix isn’t “sell more games.” The fix is rebuilding the purpose.In this episode I lay out the full turnaround blueprint:Accept traditional retail is over.Redesign stores around play: arcades, competitive setups, racing simulators, mini-arenas. Experience, not product.Build a national grassroots league through every location: after-school and after-work tournaments, city championships, national finals streamed online.Wrap it in a membership model: monthly access to play/compete/status, points and perks, predictable recurring revenue.Keep retail only where digital can’t compete: controllers, headsets, chairs, collectibles—physical identity, higher margin, real demand.Turn flagship locations into creator studios + live event spaces where UK talent is discovered and broadcast.Outcome: footfall returns for belonging, not shopping. Membersh

This is the no-padding weekly panel episode: 12 stories, 4 perspectives, rapid-fire pitches, and then we go in. Each contributor gets 30 seconds to make the case, then the table tests it—facts, incentives, hypocrisy, and what it means for real people.Today’s agenda (12):[Topic] — the 30-sec pitch that changes the framing[Topic] — why everyone’s missing the real incentive[Topic] — the uncomfortable trade-off nobody says out loud[Topic] — who wins, who pays, who gets blamed[Topic] — the headline vs the truth[Topic] — the policy angle in plain English[Topic] — the culture angle nobody wants to touch[Topic] — the numbers that expose the story[Topic] — the moral panic vs the actual risk[Topic] — the media game being played in real time[Topic] — the “this affects your life tomorrow” segment[Topic] — the clip everyone will argue aboutIf you want one weekly episode that gives you ammo, clarity, and context—this is it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode is different, and it had to be.As this podcast grows, so does the responsibility that comes with telling stories about real lives, real harm, and real people. In this episode, I explain why we’ve added a safeguarding and responsibility notice, what it means, and what this podcast will never become.We talk about:Why not every story deserves public exposureThe difference between truth and spectacleHow cycles repeat across generations and environmentsWhy protecting dignity matters more than outrageWhat it means to challenge power without exploiting painThis is not an apology.This is not a retreat.This is a line in the sand.Life is nuanced. Harm is real. Accountability matters.But so does care.SHOW NOTES⚠️ Why we added a safeguarding notice

This episode is a forensic breakdown of Sainsbury’s Local as a system, not a shop.What’s sold as convenience is friction. What’s sold as efficiency is unpaid labour. What’s sold as design is psychological manipulation that fails the moment you’re tired, parenting, or in a hurry.From hostile layouts and absent staff to self-checkout purgatory and inflated prices, this is a critique of how modern “local” supermarkets quietly disrespect time, dignity, and common sense.This isn’t nostalgia. It’s not brand hate.It’s a lived audit of consumer experience from the perspective of a father, a customer, and a human being who just wanted milk and left annoyed.Includes an explicit comparison with Aldi, and why Aldi consistently wins on clarity, flow, and respect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rickie Haywood-Williams sits down with Dope Black Dads to talk honestly about health, fatherhood, lifestyle changes and the NHS Healthy Choices Quiz. In this episode, Rickie breaks down what life really looks like behind the microphone and the Instagram posts. Late nights, early mornings, family responsibilities, Liverpool stress, and the quiet signals from his body and mind that something had to change.  The NHS Healthy Choices Quiz is a free, five-minute quiz you can take online. It asks simple questions about your eating, movement, smoking or vaping, drinking, mental health and sleep. At the end, you get a score out of 10 and a plan with links to free NHS apps, tools and advice to help you take the first step. Rickie shares his experience of taking the quiz, his reaction to seeing his results, the changes he has already started making, and why small, realistic shifts matter more than chasing perfection. Watch if you want a straight conversation about midlif

What does a welcome home really feel like? with  @MarvynHarrison  https://www.youcanadopt.co.uk/blackadoptersIn this special episode, we sit around the dinner table to talk honestly about adoption, family, culture, and belonging. Over food that reminds us of home, we explore what it means to create stability and love for Black and mixed-heritage children who are waiting the longest to be adopted in the UK.This conversation is part of the You Can Adopt campaign and features lived experiences from adoptive parents within the Black community. We talk about food, identity, family reactions, myths around adoption, and how a home is built through care, consistency, and culture — not perfection.This is not about having the perfect house.It’s about creating a home where a child feels seen, protected, and chosen.If you’ve ever quietly considered adoption, this conversation is an invitation to learn more.Find out more at:https://www.youcanadopt.co.uk/blackadopters Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo

This episode takes you inside 10 Downing Street for a rare, direct conversation on power, policy, and dignity at work.Marvyn Harrison meets Keir Starmer to unpack the Employment Rights Act 2025 (ERA 2025) — described as the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation.We break down what ERA 2025 actually delivers: Fire-and-rehire restrictions. The end of exploitative zero-hour contracts. Day-one sick pay. Day-one paternity, bereavement, and parental leave. New protections for pregnant women, new mothers, and families experiencing pregnancy loss.But this episode goes deeper than legislation. It asks who benefits, who is most exposed, and whether Black and working-class families will finally see real protection — or more policy without teeth.This is not spin. This is not press-release politics. This is a frontline conversation about labour, power, enforcement, and dignity.Key Themes • Employment Rights Act 2025 explained • Kier Starmer on workers’ rights • ERA 2025 impact on Black families • Working-class

This is a safeguarding episode, not a comfort episode. Children are not collateral damage for adult frustration. They are not background noise. They are not “tiny adults” who should just get over it. And they are not content. This episode pulls apart the most dangerous lie we repeat: “Kids are resilient.” There’s a difference between building strength and forcing a child to survive adult-made chaos, yelling, hitting, humiliation, neglect, manipulation, and constant instability. It also calls out the wider system: under-resourced schools, stripped youth services, safeguarding treated like paperwork, and a culture that frames children as problems to manage instead of humans to protect.If you’re raising kids, employing parents, building communities, or shaping policy, this is the line: protect children in advance, not after damage is done.8 things to consider:Children are not collateral damage for co-parent conflictKids are not background noise to adult lives“Resilience” vs forced survival: stop confus

Most New Year goals fail for the same reason: they’re fantasies, not systems.In this episode, Marvyn Harrison breaks down why “New Year, New Me” thinking collapses every time — and what actually creates change. This is not about motivation, manifestation, or vague intentions. It’s about identity redesign, constraint awareness, and building daily and weekly systems that survive real life.The conversation covers why outcomes don’t stick without identity, why willpower is overrated, how to design progress around limited time, energy, and money, and why evidence beats affirmation every time. Along the way, real life interrupts — parenting, noise, humour — reinforcing the point: growth has to work inside chaos, not in spite of it.This episode is a grounded framework for approaching 2026 without self-deception, self-punishment, or false optimism. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.