We’re looking forward to introducing you to Big Al & Goody Vee & Big Ty Ceaz & Jank. Check out our conversation below.
Big & Goody & Big & Jank, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What battle are you avoiding?
(Jank takes a deep breath, the mood in the room shifting to something heavier, more reflective)
“You know, that question right there… that’s the one we be tryna outrun. I think a lot of us are avoiding the battle with ourselves. The battle to be still. To sit in the quiet and actually deal with the pain, the anger, the fear… instead of just covering it with work, with women, with weed. We’re so busy fighting the world—the racism, the pressure, the expectations—that we ain’t fighting for our own peace. The world will consume you if you let it, but the real war is inside.”
(Big Al nods, his voice a low, urgent rumble)
“Facts. We avoiding the battle of vulnerability. We think strength is silence. But real strength is saying, ‘I’m hurt.’ ‘I need help.’ ‘I ain’t got it all together.’ We’d rather fight a whole system than have one honest conversation with our own people. We’re avoiding bein’ seen as ‘weak,’ but in avoidin’ that, we become weak—because we’re carrying everything alone. The world wants us isolated. Healing requires connection.”
(Big Ty Ceaz speaks calmly, but with weight)
“The battle we avoid is the one for our mind. We consume everything—the news, the social media, the negativity—and wonder why we’re anxious, why we’re angry. We’re not guarding our peace. We’re not choosing what we let in. The world is loud, and it’s designed to break you down. The battle is to protect your energy. To turn off the noise. To feed your spirit with truth, not trauma. That’s a daily fight we too often ignore.”
(Goody Vee closes, with a tone of resolve)
“And we avoid the battle for our legacy. We get so caught up in surviving today that we forget we’re building for tomorrow. We avoid the hard choices—the therapy session, the tough conversation with our sons, the financial discipline—because it’s easier to just… react. But the world doesn’t stop. It will consume you if you don’t consciously build something stronger. The battle isn’t just to survive the climate… it’s to thrive in spite of it. And that starts by not avoiding the mirror.”
In unison: “Time to face the smack.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Bring Da Smack Podcast is more than a show—it’s a movement and a safe haven for Black men, built on raw conversation, brotherhood, and transformative healing. We’re the voice that “smacks” the stigma around mental health, vulnerability, and personal growth, blending authentic storytelling with actionable wisdom. Through unfiltered dialogue, cultural relevance, and unapologetic love for our community, we empower men to break generational cycles, embrace emotional freedom, and build legacies rooted in strength, awareness, and unity. This isn’t just podcasting—it’s purpose.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
The part of us that believes our worth is tied to our hustle. The seriousness that mistakes stillness for weakness. The grind mentality that traded presence for pressure and called it ‘success.’ That version of us served a purpose—it helped us survive. But now… it’s time to release that version of us and to truly live and enjoy life. To breathe in the moment, to lead with joy, to define strength as balance, not burnout. That chapter is closed. This one’s for peace.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
To never stop believing.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
(Jank starts, his voice thoughtful and grounded)
“You know, on the surface, the crew might say it’s because we’re always talking about our kids’ latest wins, or showing pictures, or dipping early from the function to make it to a family thing. And that’s true. But it’s deeper than that. It’s because our entire conversation changed. The ‘smack’ we bring ain’t just about sports and chaos no more; it’s about legacy. It’s about what we’re building for them and what we’re healing from for them. Our friends hear that shift in us. They see the purpose.”
(Big Al jumps in, with his signature passionate energy)
“Facts! And they’d say it because they’ve seen us in the struggle. They remember when ‘success’ to us was a packed club or a new chain. Now, genuine happiness is a quiet Sunday with the family, a college acceptance letter, teaching my son how to change his oil—things that don’t get likes but fill the soul. Our circle sees that we finally measure our wealth in peace, not pieces. The chase is over. We’re building now.”
(Big Ty Ceaz adds, with a calm, reflective tone)
“They see the vulnerability now, too. We ain’t afraid to say, ‘I’m tired,’ or ‘I need to be with my family tonight.’ That’s a level of realness and security they wouldn’t have seen in us ten years ago. We’re not performing strength anymore; we’re living it. And that strength is rooted in knowing exactly who we are and why we get up every day—for those kids, for our partners. That clarity is what genuine happiness looks like on a man.”
(Goody Vee wraps it up, smooth and conclusive)
“At the end of the day, our closest friends are our mirrors. They’d say our families are what matter most because that’s the energy we give off. The pride isn’t just in the talk; it’s in the walk. It’s in the sacrifices we make without complaining because it’s for them. This stage ain’t about arriving; it’s about thriving in your purpose. And for all of us on this mic, our number one purpose is the well-being and joy of our families. That’s the greatest success story we could ever tell.”
In unison: “That’s the smack.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
(Jank leans into the mic, his voice low and earnest)
“Man, most people understand friendship as somebody to kick it with, somebody to have your back in a fight. And that’s cool, but that’s the surface level. What we understand is that real brotherhood is your first line of defense for your mental health. It’s the circle you can call at 3 a.m. and say, ‘I’m not okay,’ and they don’t judge you; they just come. Most men die with their pain locked inside because they never built that kind of trust. We built a fortress.”
(Big Al jumps in, snapping his fingers for emphasis)
“That’s it! People see the arguments, the disagreements—they think that’s a sign of a weak circle. Nah. What they don’t get is that true loyalty isn’t the absence of conflict; it’s the commitment to resolve it. We can ‘bring da smack’ to each other because the foundation is solid. We’ve seen each other at rock bottom, broke, heartbroken, lost… and we didn’t walk away. We built a blueprint. That’s how you build a legacy—with architects who know every crack in your foundation and still believe in the structure.”
(Big Ty Ceaz adds, his tone philosophical)
“Most people chase networks. We nurture a ecosystem. A network is about what you can get. An ecosystem is about what you can give and grow together. They don’t understand that these men aren’t just my friends; they’re the uncles to my children, the advisors to my dreams, the guardians of my sanity. Our legacy won’t be just individual success; it’ll be the businesses we started together, the non-profits we built, the sons and daughters we raised as a village. That depth? That’s priceless.”
(Goody Vee concludes, smooth and definitive)
“At the end of the day, what we truly understand is that loyalty is the ultimate investment. People invest in stocks, in crypto, in real estate. We invested in each other. And that ROI? That’s peace. It’s knowing that no matter how high you get or how low you fall, there’s a net made of brothers ready to catch you or celebrate with you. Most people are building ladders alone. We’re building a whole elevator together, and we’re all going up. That’s the secret. That’s the smack.”
In unison: “And that’s on legacy.
Contact Info:
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