Épisodes

  • The Idea Of… Culture, Conspiracy, & Cancelled Icons (Part 1)
    Jul 2 2025

    Summary

    In this conversation (Part 1 of 2), Bassey and Mike explore the intersections of culture, creativity, and the evolving landscape of podcasting and hip hop. They discuss the rise of Deante Kyle, the impact of Taxstone on the podcasting scene, and the dynamics of male-female interactions in media. The conversation delves into Kendrick Lamar's legacy, the future of hip hop, and the controversial influence of Drake on the genre, highlighting the complexities of authenticity and commercial success in music.

    Keywords

    podcasting, culture, creativity, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, hip hop, Deante Kyle, Taxstone, Joe Budden, music industry


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Culture and Creativity

    01:59 The Importance of Engagement in Podcasting

    03:56 The Rise of Deontay Kyle and Podcasting Evolution

    09:43 The Impact of Joe Budden's Podcasting Success

    13:47 Conversations on Gender Dynamics in Podcasting

    19:57 Kendrick Lamar's Legacy and Hip Hop's Future

    29:48 The State of Hip Hop and Emerging Artists

    39:06 The Evolution of Drake's Music

    41:15 Authenticity and Image in Hip Hop

    45:23 The Impact of Social Media on Music Careers

    49:43 Cultural Significance of Music in Black Identity

    53:38 The Role of Record Labels in Shaping Artists


    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h et 1 min
  • The Idea of... Grown Too Soon
    Jun 25 2025

    This week on The Idea Of…, Bassey and Mike explore what they’re calling “parental puberty”—that strange, emotional, confusing phase when your kids are almost adults but still deeply need guidance... and groceries.

    From kettlebell-induced back pain to why Black boys laughing triggers white authority figures, this episode dives into how we’re raising our kids, what age-appropriate really means, and why both Black girls and boys are being rushed into adulthood by culture, media, and misguided grown folks.

    We also touch on:

    • How generational trauma shapes parenting styles

    • Why parents feel guilty for giving boundaries

    • The disappearing middle ground between childhood and adulthood

    • Shoutouts to Wu-Tang, Tyler the Creator, and the teenage logic behind crop tops


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to the Conversation

    02:32 Physical Challenges and Personal Growth

    05:16 Listener Engagement and Community Connection

    08:00 Cultural Commentary on Podcasting

    10:36 The Evolution of Tyler, the Creator

    13:08 Black Boyhood and Black Girlhood

    15:41 The Pressure on Young Girls

    18:20 Perceptions of Age and Youth

    20:29 The Impact of Media on Youth

    23:07 Navigating Age-Appropriate Content

    29:13 Evolving Parenting Styles

    35:19 Navigating the Transition to Independence

    40:18 Understanding Teen Behavior and Communication

    43:32 The Challenges of Trust and Responsibility

    47:20 The Evolution of Hip Hop and Aging Artists


    Voir plus Voir moins
    58 min
  • The Idea Of... Bassey
    Jun 18 2025

    This week, Bassey holds it down solo for an episode that’s raw, reflective, and relentlessly real. After battling nerves, tech fails, and perfectionism, she hits record—and lets it all out.

    From the butterfly effect that took her from Baltimore to Brooklyn, to the quiet unraveling of confidence over the years, Bassey explores what it means to forget who you are—and what it takes to remember. She dives into self-worth, fear, visibility, the myth of “being past your prime,” and the silent damage of showing up for everyone but yourself.

    It’s part memoir, part reckoning, and all heart. If you’ve ever felt like you left pieces of yourself behind… this one’s for you.

    Also: TikTok reflections, surgery scars, Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic, and a metaphor about yogurt that almost lands.


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Technical Struggles

    06:02 Confidence as a Portal

    10:52 The Journey of Self-Discovery

    15:46 The Impact of Self-Talk

    20:49 Promises to Oneself

    27:01 Body Image and Acceptance

    32:41 Facing the Past and Moving Forward



    Voir plus Voir moins
    36 min
  • The Idea of… Audacity, Anxiety, and Birkenstocks
    Jun 11 2025

    In this wide-ranging episode, Mike and Bassey spiral—in the best way possible—through everything from getting older and noticing your face change overnight, to what it means to have style in a copy-paste TikTok world. They discuss parenting college-aged Black sons at PWIs, avoiding the dreaded cargo short uncle aesthetic, and the anxiety of legacy, culture, and generational gaps. It’s funny, tender, brutally honest—and yes, we read our first hate comment out loud. Welcome to nuance…


    Chapters:


    00:00 – Welcome to the Noise

    03:00 – The Comment Section is Wild

    06:30 – Promoting Yourself is Weird

    10:00 – Gray Hair, Laugh Lines, and Looking 50 Overnight

    14:30 – Uncle Fashion & Capsule Wardrobes Ain’t It

    20:45 – TikTok is Anti-Style (and Anti-Black?)

    30:00 – Parenting in Public (and Private)

    37:30 – Black Parenting at PWIs: A Cautionary Tale

    47:00 – Generational Fear & Love in Translation

    54:30 – Style is Spiritual

    59:00 – Black Legacy Contracts (Two Full Black Kids Minimum)

    1:06:30 – Wait… What Were We Supposed to Talk About?


    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h et 4 min
  • The Idea Of... Deante Kyle
    Jun 4 2025

    In this episode, Mike and Bassey pick up where they left off; with the conversations that too often get cut short.

    We’re talking loneliness, manhood, growth, and the real cost of disconnection. From weighted vests and busted knees to what happens when Black men finally start talking to each other—with honesty, humility, and without the pressure of being performative.

    We explore:

    • The isolation Black men carry and how it shows up in our health, our silence, and our relationships

    • How COVID disrupted community spaces—and why we’re still recovering

    • The danger of mistaking accountability for attack

    • Why the "let Black men talk" moment is bigger than one creator, but why voices like Deante Kyle’s matter

    • The difference between holding space and policing pain

    • Whether Black men are actually the “weak link”—and what it would mean to ask that question without shame

    This episode is layered. It’s personal. It’s political. And it’s full of the nuance we created The Idea Of… for in the first place.


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates

    02:47 Fitness Journey and Challenges

    05:30 Engagement with Listeners and Podcast Growth

    08:31 Discussion on Social Media Dynamics

    11:06 Micro vs. Macro Perspectives in Conversations

    14:04 Accountability and Community Conversations

    16:46 The Evolution of Black Men and Women Conversations

    19:25 Collective Growth and Understanding

    22:27 Navigating Vulnerability and Loneliness

    25:03 Conclusion and Future Directions

    31:41 Understanding Communication and Conflict Resolution

    33:39 The Loneliness Epidemic and Community Connection

    36:16 Gender Dynamics and the Red Pill Community

    37:09 The Role of Social Media in Community Building

    40:50 The Perception of Black Men in Society

    45:40 The Importance of Male Bonding and Connection

    47:16 Recreating Community Spaces in a Post-COVID World

    51:09 The Impact of COVID on Social Interaction

    55:40 Navigating Extroversion and Social Norms

    58:42 The Need for Nuanced Conversations

    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h et 1 min
  • The Idea Of... Mike, Durand, and Beyoncé
    May 28 2025

    This week, it's just Mike on the mic—flying solo, but grounded in reflection. In this raw and vulnerable episode, Mike shares his personal evolution as a straight Black man navigating proximity to LGBTQ+ community spaces—from a Durand Bernard concert to Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter tour—and how those moments sparked deeper reflection on masculinity, homophobia, and what Black liberation really requires.

    Mike gets honest about his past discomfort and growth, and unpacks the responsibility of straight Black men to stand up, listen more deeply, and love more intentionally. This episode isn’t about being performative. It’s about "doing the work", honoring proximity, and embracing the full spectrum of Black identity in the pursuit of collective liberation.

    Voir plus Voir moins
    40 min
  • The Idea of Prom, Pain, and the Problem with Perspective
    May 21 2025

    In this layered, expansive episode of The Idea Of..., Bassey and Mike start with glitter tuxes, Maybach rentals, and the ever-evolving Black prom aesthetic—but quickly dive into deeper territory. What begins as nostalgia and cultural reflection unfolds into a nuanced conversation about heartbreak, socialization, masculinity, regional hip hop beef, and why some men are still defending the indefensible.

    Mike opens up about a personal moment with his son that leads to an exploration of how early emotional wounds calcify into lifelong perspectives—especially for Black men. Bassey brings fire and clarity, questioning the roots of behavior that turns disappointment into misogyny and heartbreak into internet hot takes.

    The duo also takes stock of the current rap battles lighting up the culture, critiques the weaponization of regional sound, and a bunch more. Tune in fam and hit us up via e-mail wearetheideapod@gmail.com - Twitter & IG, @wearetheideapod

    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome to the Idea of Podcast

    02:11 Reflections on Time and Growing Up

    04:41 The Evolution of Prom Culture

    12:18 Changing Dynamics of High School Relationships

    21:59 The Impact of Media on Youth Experiences

    25:15 Nostalgia for Classic Shows

    25:39 The Current State of Hip-Hop

    27:08 Battle Rap and Its Icons

    27:34 The Impact of Stan Culture

    28:29 Analyzing Recent Rap Battles

    29:48 The Role of Regional Identity in Rap

    31:46 The Evolution of East Coast vs. West Coast

    33:52 Authenticity in Modern Rap

    37:13 The Challenge of Regional Flows

    39:22 The Legacy of Influential Rappers

    43:19 The Future of Hip-Hop and New Artists

    47:51 The Controversial World of Battle Rap

    49:54 The Ethics of Personal Attacks in Rap

    51:55 The Art of Response in Hip-Hop

    53:37 Media Sensationalism and Public Attention

    55:18 Men's Voices in Conversations about Gender Issues

    58:19 The Impact of Early Heartbreak on Men

    01:05:18 Navigating Emotional Vulnerability in Relationships

    01:11:14 The Socialization of Boys and Girls in Relationships

    01:20:41 Navigating Masculinity and Socialization

    01:24:02 Understanding Relationship Dynamics and Emotional Pain

    01:27:28 The Impact of Gender on Perception and Behavior

    01:31:26 Reflections on Identity and Socialization

    01:44:06 The Intersection of Gender, Power, and Public Perception


    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h et 50 min
  • The Idea of... Creative Sinners
    May 14 2025

    In this conversation, Bassey and Mike delve into the intricacies of creativity, mental health, and the importance of cultural representation in art. They explore personal growth through creative practices, the impact of community and performance, and the significance of protecting one's creative gifts. The discussion also touches on the influence of prominent black artists and the evolving landscape of black creativity in contemporary society.


    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Creativity and Culture

    01:10 Exploring the Artist's Way

    03:08 The Impact of Morning Pages on Mental Health

    05:50 The Challenge of Daily Creativity

    08:20 The Relationship Between Creativity and Mental Health

    10:51 The Struggle of Finding a Creative Outlet

    12:54 The Importance of Performance and Expression

    15:05 Personal Growth and Identity

    18:46 The Need for Authentic Black Representation

    21:21 The Power of Black Creativity

    24:22 The Importance of Niche Storytelling

    27:23 Self-Funding and Creative Freedom

    31:07 Redefining Black Expression

    34:29 The Power of Community in Black Liberation

    37:55 Reflections on 'Sinners' and Black Representation

    43:09 The Importance of Presentation in Art

    47:54 The Resilience of Black Children in the Arts

    51:34 Fatherhood and Protection in Black Narratives

    56:54 The Impact of the Music Industry on Black Artists


    Voir plus Voir moins
    56 min