Episodes

  • Gucci Mane Opened the Door — Now We’re Talking About Mental Health for Real

    Gucci Mane Opened the Door — Now We’re Talking About Mental Health for Real
    Oct 30 2025
    Welcome back to the Gemstone Podcast, where real talk meets raw truth. In this explosive episode, LP, Chy, and Zack dive deep into the heart of mental health in the Black community. What starts as a robust conversation about Gucci Mane’s brave revelation about living with schizophrenia quickly spirals into a thought-provoking roundtable on stigma, healing, and the courage to speak your truth. This isn’t just another podcast; it’s a movement, a moment of vulnerability. A mirror held up to our culture. Don’t just hear it, feel it. Tap in now and join the conversation that everyone will be talking about.
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    37 mins
  • Triggered by Trust: When God’s Process Doesn’t Make Sense

    Triggered by Trust: When God’s Process Doesn’t Make Sense
    Oct 23 2025
    Seven Steps to Trusting GodA Reflective Devotional by Dr. Lance Parker, EdDStep 1: Surrender ControlScripture: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." — Proverbs 3:5Reflection: Surrender is not a sign of weakness but a declaration of faith. Trusting God begins when we release the illusion of control and invite Him to direct our steps. It means acknowledging that divine wisdom surpasses human logic. When you surrender, you shift from anxiety to assurance, knowing that God's plan is sovereign, even when the path is unclear.Journal Prompts:What areas of my life am I still trying to control?How would my mindset change if I truly trusted God with these areas?What might God be teaching me through this season of surrender?Step 2: Seek God Through PrayerScripture: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." — Philippians 4:6Reflection: Prayer is the sacred space where fear transforms into faith. When we communicate with God regularly, we begin to sense His presence in both peace and pain. Trust grows when prayer becomes not just a reaction to crisis but a rhythm of daily communion.Journal Prompts:How often do I bring my worries to God before trying to solve them myself?What does consistent, honest prayer look like in my current season?Write a short prayer of release and gratitude.Step 3: Anchor Yourself in ScriptureScripture: "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." — Psalm 119:105Reflection: God's Word is the anchor that steadies us when emotions sway. Scripture realigns our perspective, reminding us of His promises and character. When you study His Word, you gain clarity not from circumstance, but from covenant truth.Journal Prompts:What verse or passage reminds me of God's faithfulness?How can I incorporate Scripture into my daily decision-making?Which biblical story mirrors my current journey of trust?Step 4: Reflect on God's Past FaithfulnessScripture: "Remember the wonders He has done." — 1 Chronicles 16:12Reflection: Reflection transforms fear into faith. When we remember how God has already shown up — healed, provided, protected — we begin to see a pattern of divine consistency. God's track record builds confidence for tomorrow's uncertainties.Journal Prompts:When has God shown up for me in ways I didn't expect?What lesson did I learn from a past season of waiting?How can remembering His faithfulness strengthen me today?Step 5: Walk in ObedienceScripture: "If you love Me, keep My commandments." — John 14:15Reflection: Obedience is the ultimate expression of trust. Even when the "why" is unclear, walking in obedience says, "God, I believe You know what's best for me." Every act of faith-based obedience leads to transformation, maturity, and alignment with divine purpose.Journal Prompts:What is God calling me to do that requires faith over fear?How can I respond in obedience today, not tomorrow?What would trusting obedience look like in my relationships, work, or ministry?Step 6: Wait with Patience and ExpectationScripture: "The Lord is good to those who wait for Him." — Lamentations 3:25Reflection: Waiting is never wasted. In God's timing, patience becomes preparation. Every delay refines character, strengthens endurance, and reveals the depth of your trust. Expectation is not about controlling outcomes — it's about believing in God's faithfulness before the manifestation.Journal Prompts:What emotions arise when I have to wait?How can I shift from frustration to faith during the waiting process?What is God cultivating in me while I wait?Step 7: Praise Through the ProcessScripture: "I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth." — Psalm 34:1Reflection: Praise is trust in action. When you worship through uncertainty, you declare that God is worthy not because of what He's done, but because of who He is. Praise invites His presence into your situation and transforms your heart posture from worry to worship.Journal Prompts:What blessings can I thank God for right now?How can I make praise a part of my daily rhythm?Write a short declaration of gratitude for what God is doing, even if you can't see it yet.
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Broken Beneath the Spotlight: The Hidden Toll of Being a Student-Athlete

    Broken Beneath the Spotlight: The Hidden Toll of Being a Student-Athlete
    Oct 16 2025
    Welcome back to the GemStone Podcast, where honest conversations cut deep. In this episode, LP and Zack dive headfirst into one of the most gut-wrenching realities of modern college athletics: the tragic story of a former LSU student-athlete who took their own life. What went wrong? Who failed them? And could this tragedy have been prevented? What unfolds next isn’t your typical sports talk; it’s raw, unfiltered truth. LP and Zack pull from their own lived experiences as former student-athletes, exposing the mental health crisis, performance culture, and silent battles that so many young athletes face behind closed doors. 💬 Expect heated moments. 💥 Expect vulnerability. 🔥 Expect to question everything you thought you knew about “mental toughness.” This isn’t just a podcast, it’s a wake-up call. Tune in now and join the conversation that everyone’s afraid to have, but desperately needs to hear.
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    48 mins
  • Part 2: When Passion Meets Accountability – The HBCU Debate Continues

    Part 2: When Passion Meets Accountability – The HBCU Debate Continues
    Oct 9 2025
    💥 The conversation gets even more polarizing as LP challenges the role of HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), calling for greater accountability in financial stewardship and community advocacy. LP argues that while HBCUs should lead in Black representation and political mobilization, many institutions struggle with financial transparency and mismanagement. 🎯 Chy and Zack fire back, accusing LP of “sounding like a white nationalist apologist,” sparking a raw, unfiltered, and emotionally charged debate that pushes everyone to confront their truths. 🎧 In Part 2, the trio gets deeply personal, sharing real experiences, challenges, and complex questions about race, representation, education, and accountability. 💬 This is the episode that shook podcasting. Don’t miss this must-listen roundtable for educators, activists, HBCU alums, and thought leaders seeking honest dialogue about the future of Black excellence and leadership.
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    42 mins
  • White Nationalism or Tough Love? The Explosive HBCU Roundtable Debate

    White Nationalism or Tough Love? The Explosive HBCU Roundtable Debate
    Oct 3 2025

    In this powerful new segment, the trio tackles one of the most contentious conversations to date, the recent passing of Charlie Kirk, a polarizing American right-wing political figure. But the real heat begins when LP challenges the role of HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), calling for greater accountability in financial stewardship and community advocacy.

    💥 LP argues that while HBCUs should be at the forefront of Black representation and political mobilization, many institutions struggle with financial mismanagement and lack transparency in funding. Chy and Zack fire back, accusing LP of sounding like a white nationalist apologist, and what follows is a raw, unfiltered, and emotionally charged debate.

    🎧 Don’t miss Part 1 of this two-part roundtable series, where tension, truth, and transformation collide in real time. This episode is a must-listen for educators, activists, alums, and thought leaders navigating the intersections of race, representation, education, and accountability.
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    36 mins
  • Section 8 Shake-Up: The Debate Over Housing Justice

    Section 8 Shake-Up: The Debate Over Housing Justice
    Sep 25 2025
    Welcome back to the GEMSTONE Podcast with LP and Chy! In this fiery and thought-provoking segment, the cast dives deep into the new administration's proposed overhaul of the Section 8 housing program. Sparks fly as passionate viewpoints collide; some cast members support innovation and reform, while others voice strong concerns about how the new standards could impact vulnerable communities. From lived experiences to policy analysis, this conversation gets real. Whether you're a housing advocate, community leader, or just trying to stay informed, you won't want to miss this episode. 👂 Tune in for bold opinions, sharp disagreements, and a critical look at what restructuring" really means for low-income families across America.
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    47 mins
  • Cutting Care: How Government Insurance Changes Threaten Our Hospitals

    Cutting Care: How Government Insurance Changes Threaten Our Hospitals
    Sep 18 2025
    Welcome back to the Gemstone Podcast, where real conversations meet real issues. In this powerful episode, your hosts LP and Chy dive into a critical discussion on the current administration’s actions against government-funded insurance programs. From Medicaid restrictions to proposed Medicare overhauls, LP and Chy break down how these policy shifts are affecting everyday Americans. The conversation intensifies as the duo turns the focus to the devastating ripple effects on county hospitals and rural healthcare systems. How will these cuts disrupt emergency care access, overburden safety-net providers, and deepen health disparities? Please tune in for bold opinions, evidence-based insights, and a no-holds-barred take on one of the most pressing healthcare crises of our time.
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    33 mins
  • Queen Talk: Beyoncé, Legacy, and the Weight of Black Artistry

    Queen Talk: Beyoncé, Legacy, and the Weight of Black Artistry
    Sep 10 2025
    This episode takes a deep dive as Chy explores Beyoncé's era-defining triple album run, breaking down artistry, vision, and legacy with unfiltered precision. But hold on tight... tensions flare as the crew debates Queen B's impact on Black America, solo artistry, and the weight of cultural symbolism. 💥 Expect raw truths. Bold takes. Music history like you've never heard it before. 🎧 Don't miss it — hit play and join the conversation.
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    35 mins