Breaking the Barrier with TAJ & Will

The podcast's one hundredth episode! Much love and appreciation for our listeners and viewers, whether you were part of the convo since Episode One, Episode 50, or just recently --- thank you all for rocking with us! On this milestone episode, TAJ & Will tackle the podcast’s most heralded topic: separating the art from the artist. Can you enjoy R. Kelly’s music while knowing he was found guilty of charges that include sexual exploitation of a child and sex trafficking? Did you rush to hear Kanye’s Donda album despite everything he was saying just a couple years ago? And how do we determine if someone linked to an artist is “guilty by association”? Do you tune into NFL every week with knowledge of how Colin Kaepernick was silenced? A lot of layers to this topic, and the both of them get into all of it. Then, as promised, they have a special announcement on the podcast’s one hundredth! Rock with us! 

Subscribe on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0qneYn1sQUikJknAXVjKjA  

IG: @breakbarrierpod, @ryals____  

Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals  

Email: breakbarrierpod@gmail.com

In this packed episode, TAJ & Will start with some light talk about the “speak now” wedding tradition. Then (7:00), they get into their past experiences in US history class, Juneteenth becoming a federal holiday while schools are being banned from teaching about it, critical race theory, a recent Jersey City school history assignment comparing police killings to lynchings, whether saying “Stop Asian Hate” is problematic, Pride Month and the Stonewall Riots, a recent Euro football incident as another example of not valuing mental health of athletes, and much more! Yes, in our bag. 

Available on all podcast streaming platforms! 

IG: @breakbarrierpod, @ryals____ 

Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals 

Email: breakbarrierpod@gmail.com

TAJ & Will start the episode with some brief mourning for the Lakers, they discuss whether the NBA really cares about the health of the players, and they compare expectations of young LeBron to young MJ. Then, they give their initial thoughts on the new season of Showtime's The Chi, the show's Black joy, and their mention of "defunding the police" (18:30). Afterward, they talk about Naomi Osaka withdrawing from the French Open while revealing mental health struggles, sports addressing (or not addressing) mental health, and how society views celebrities citing mental health issues (32:30). Rock w/ us as we cover all that and more in this episode! 

Available on all podcast streaming platforms! 

IG: @breakbarrierpod, @ryals____ 

Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals 

Email: breakbarrierpod@gmail.com

TAJ & Will start the episode with their thoughts on the latest episode of HBO's The Shop, which was blessed with gems from Jay-Z. Then, they talk about the 1st Round of the NBA Playoffs, surprising teams, NBA's top five players today, comparing Damian Lillard and Stephen Curry, and more. This leads to a debate about the recent incidents of disrespectful NBA fan behavior, protecting the players, and more. 

Available on all podcast streaming platforms! 

IG: @breakbarrierpod, @ryals____ 

Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals 

Email: breakbarrierpod@gmail.com

And we back! TAJ & Will talk about the recent CDC and Biden updates on no longer wearing masks, the NBA playoffs, DC sending mental health crisis teams to some 911 calls, Gigi Bryant’s purpose, the WNBA, Showtime’s "The Chi" returns with a new season, and more. Other topics include J. Cole, "Two Distant Strangers", racism being political, and the Ellen Degeneres Show coming to an end. Rock w/ us as we run through all these topics! 

Available on all podcast streaming platforms! 

IG: @breakbarrierpod, @ryals____ 

Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals 

Email: breakbarrierpod@gmail.com

TAJ & Will talk about street dining during covid, some of the barrier-breaking moments of the Oscars, representation in the film industry, finding out that "Parasite" had no acting nominations, Joe Rogan VS Fauci: who are you taking health advice from, vaccine privilege in America while countries continue to struggle with shortages of crucial supplies for survival, Dr. Umar saying that Naomi Osaka should not represent Japan in the Olympics, Naomi Osaka speaking out for Black Lives Matter, and much more. 

Available on all podcast streaming platforms!

IG: @breakbarrierpod, @ryals____

Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals

Email: breakbarrierpod@gmail.com

TAJ & Will start the podcast by showing love to DMX and talking about what made him so unique and transcend hip-hop. They also talk about celebrating legends and barrier breakers while they're here, spirituality, and assumptions about addiction. Then, they discuss the attention-seekers of social media and the desire to be "first to report" clashing with integrity and ethics in journalism (28:20). TAJ & Will also veer into an honest conversation about self-empowerment (47:30) and a common mistake people make when getting into relationships (54:00). Then, they wonder if there should be a day of "no social media access" each year (58:00). They conclude this episode with appreciation for Earth, Wind & Fire and the Isley Brothers after their incredible Verzuz battle (1:02:30). Rest In Peace, Earl Simmons! 

Available on all podcast streaming platforms! 

IG: @breakbarrierpod, @ryals____ 

Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals 

Email: breakbarrierpod@gmail.com 

One of the best episodes yet. TAJ & Will are joined by their good friend Kenny of “Conversations with YourMomsFavorite”, who calls in for this special episode. They start with some quick pro-vax talk, and then they discuss the film: Judas and the Black Messiah (7:50). Their breakdown touches on pros and cons of casting the same people for the underrepresented, and also whether films portraying the Black plight are traumatizing for Black viewers (15:45). They talk about Meghan McCain’s comments on “identity politics”, her qualifications, and representation after posting her support for #StopAsianHate (29:05). Then, TAJ & Will get into a heated discussion about whether Asian people are doing enough to lead the #StopAsianHate movement and TAJ gets into the stark reality of Asian people not being seen, heard, or checked on (37:25). The unfiltered back-and-forth continues with a discussion about Asian representation, anti-Blackness, and the root cause of societal divide (50:15). Super packed episode. Rock with us. 

Want to hear us tackle a certain topic/story? Email breakbarrierpod@gmail.com or slide in the DMs with suggestions, and we’ll cover it on the pod and give you a shoutout! 

Subscribe on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0qneYn1sQUikJknAXVjKjA 

Available on all podcast streaming platforms! 

IG: @breakbarrierpod, @ryals____ @yourmomsfavpodcast 

Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals @yurmomsfavorite 

In this episode, TAJ & Will start with a discussion about New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and whether he should resign amid allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior. Then, they talk about racism within the Royal family, media coverage contrast of Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton, and the interview with Oprah. They also talk about NBA player Meyers Leonard uttering an anti-Semitic slur, Papa John spending months to remove the n-word from his vocabulary, anti-Asian hate crimes, and more. 

Want to hear us tackle a certain topic/story? Email breakbarrierpod@gmail.com or slide in the DMs with suggestions, and we’ll cover it on the pod and give you a shoutout! 

Subscribe on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0qneYn1sQUikJknAXVjKjA 

Available on all podcast streaming platforms! 

IG: @breakbarrierpod, @ryals____ 

Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals

TAJ & Will's good friend Dennis calls in, and they talk about the WNBA sparking movements for positive change, new Atlanta Dream ownership, and whether Maya Moore should return to the WNBA. Then, they discuss the NBA season, Kyrie Irving's thoughts on Kobe Bryant becoming the new logo, football player Zlatan Ibrahimovic criticizing LeBron James, and more. [This episode, they also gave their All-Star weekend predictions, which turned out to be strong and wrong lol] 

Want to hear us tackle a certain topic/story? Email breakbarrierpod@gmail.com or slide in the DMs with suggestions, and we’ll cover it on the pod and give you a shoutout! 

Find us on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, Google, etc. 

IG: @breakbarrierpod, @ryals____ 

Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals

Happy birthday to Will, a young king! Cash app this man, $WilliamJamesRyals! 

For this episode, now that the dust seems to have settled (or nah), TAJ & Will talk about Gamestop, Robinhood, and good ol' capitalism. They also acknowledge the recent loss of some historical barrier breakers, including Cicely Tyson. Then, they discuss churches making political stances, plus much more!

Want to hear us tackle a certain topic/story? Email breakbarrierpod@gmail.com or slide in the DMs with suggestions, and we’ll cover it on the pod and give you a shoutout!

Subscribe on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0qneYn1sQUikJknAXVjKjA

Available on all podcast streaming platforms!

IG: @breakbarrierpod, @ryals____

Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals

Salute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In this episode, TAJ & Will talk about the side of Dr. King that wasn't taught in their elementary schools. They also revisit the "Get Out" theory from Episode 58 of this podcast and wonder how the present will be viewed in history books 50 years from now. Other topics include censorship, freedom of speech, the Nets, LeBron VS Jordan, and much more! 

Want to hear us tackle a certain topic/story? Email breakbarrierpod@gmail.com or slide in the DMs with suggestions, and we’ll cover it on the pod and give you a shoutout!

Subscribe on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0qneYn1sQUikJknAXVjKjA 

Available on all podcast streaming platforms! 

IG: @breakbarrierpod, @ryals____ 

Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals

Recorded this the night before Joe Biden was declared the winner, but some people have not yet let go. TAJ and Will are back to discuss the election, electoral college, historic turnout of voters, people realizing the importance of their vote, swing states, the "cool and lazy" take on politics and government, why are religion and politics mixed together so often, the NBA rushing into the next season, and more. 

Want to hear us tackle a certain topic/story? Email breakbarrierpod@gmail.com or slide in the DMs with suggestions, and we’ll cover it on the pod and give you a shoutout! 

Available on all major streaming platforms! YouTube too?! Stay tuned! 


IG: @thebreakbarrierpod, @ryals____ 

Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals

TAJ and Will start with some exciting news to share about the podcast! Then, since school is back (for now), they talk about schools reopening. Then, TAJ presents a pyramid scheme that he feels everyone would love to join and speaks out against the “crabs in a bucket” mentality (9:35). Back with another Switch Up (until they hilariously fail and abandon it mid-segment): TAJ and Will tackle the mention of White privilege after Steve Nash becomes the Nets head coach (16:45). Then, they celebrate some of today’s Barrier Breakers, including Naomi Osaka for winning the US Open while honoring Black victims of racial injustice (39:25), Dak Prescott for opening up about depression and anxiety (46:30), and NFL players locking arms for unity during the national anthem and being met with boos (54:20). Then, TAJ and Will address “All Buildings Matter” and share their experiences on September 11, 2001 (57:00). Will brings up the issue of this country’s fixation on trauma (1:02:35), and TAJ talks about news coverage and society’s infatuation with sensationalism and negativity (1:06:20).

Want to hear us tackle a certain topic/story? Email breakbarrierpod@gmail.com or slide in the DMs with suggestions, and we’ll try to cover it on the pod and give you a shoutout!

Available on all major streaming platforms!

IG: @thebreakbarrierpod, @ryals____

Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals 

TAJ and Will dedicate the podcast to King Chadwick Boseman and start the podcast by reflecting on his influence, life purpose, and his ability to wear the hero cape in real life. Then, the two of them have a vulnerable conversation about their takes on everything that’s come with 2020 (18:20). Then, friendly banter ensues to lighten the mood, including the fate of TAJ’s beard potential and Will on gray hair (23:12). Then, they talk about the Jacob Blake shooting (23:00) and the raw responses of the WNBA, NBA and sports world (46:00), the NBA resuming the season with a plan of action for addressing social issues (57:00), and more! 

Also mentioned in this episode: disability bias, representation matters, not giving good people their flowers while they’re here, misconceptions of politicians, athletes not shutting up and dribbling, and more. 

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IG: @thebreakbarrierpod, @ryals____
Twitter: @breakbarrierpod, @tajfcruz, @therealryals