He was 10 when his father died. That trauma should’ve broken him — instead, it became his fuel.

In this powerful episode of Beauty in the Beast, Shawn Cole opens up about losing his father as a child, navigating manhood without a manual, and becoming a high-level corporate executive against all odds. What you’ll hear isn’t just inspiration — it’s instruction.

From grief to growth, from fear to leadership — this is the real story behind the titles, success, and pressure that Black men carry but rarely speak about.

Inside This Conversation:

-The real emotional toll of father loss

-Turning childhood trauma into leadership clarity

-How to lead a family when you never saw it modeled

-Corporate success without losing yourself

-The 4 rules Shawn uses to win in life and work

-Why most men are silently stuck — and how to break through

If you’ve ever asked, “Why did this happen to me?”… this episode will change the way you answer that question.

“I didn’t fail — I just stopped pretending I was okay chasing something that no longer fed me.” - Cedric Castille

Cedric had it all lined up:

-All-American athlete turned rap artist

-Touring with Juvenile

-Walking with purpose, passion and profit

The music. The money. The moment. He had it. But somewhere between the studio sessions and the 4AM drives back to work, it fell apart. What happens when what you love becomes something you don’t recognize?

In this revealing episode of Beauty in the Beast, Cedric shares how he gave everything to the culture - only to watch love turn to loss. From battling imposter syndrome to leaving the studio behind, Cedric opens up about:

-Growing up in a house full of love… but still battling self-doubt

-How writing rhymes became therapy

-The moment he knew hip hop changed — and left him behind

-How he rebuilt his identity without the mic

-How a funeral became the mirror he didn’t know he needed

-And how becoming a father gave him his real voice

This is a love letter. A breakup story. A resurrection. If you've ever felt stuck between who you’ve been and who you’re becoming, this episode will meet you there.

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