Best Reality Check N Podcasts (2025)

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The First Time I heard the N-word: A Black Gen X Reality Check 11:20

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26d ago11:20

11:20

For many of us in the Black Gen X generation, the N-word wasn’t something we were supposed to hear anymore. We were told that the world had changed—that the battles of our parents and grandparents had been fought and won. But all it took was one word to remind us that the past was never really gone. In this episode, I share a deeply personal story—…

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First Generation in Affluent Spaces: The Untold Black Gen X Experience 20:30

1d ago20:30

20:30

What does it really mean to be first generation?Not the version we celebrate on paper — but the hidden reality behind stepping into a world your family has never seen. In this episode, I share my personal journey entering an affluent private PWI in 1987 as a Black Gen Xer. From culture shock and resource gaps to the weight of being “the only one,” …

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I Bet On Myself: The Day I Walked Away From Everything Safe. 18:43

12d ago18:43

18:43

WHat does it really feel like to walk away from everything safe?In this episode, I share one of the most pivotal moments of my life — the day I resigned my commission in the U.S. Navy, packed my entire world into a car, and drove toward a future I couldn’t predict. Most people call transitions like this “starting over,” but that’s not the truth.You…

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When the Club No Longer Fits — Becoming a Young Black Professional and Finding Your Space 26:50

15d ago26:50

26:50

When you turn 21, the club feels like arrival. It’s the symbol of adulthood, freedom, identity, and validation. But at some point, the music, the crowd, and the performance stop aligning with who you’re becoming — and that’s where the real journey starts. In this episode, Anthony Reeves, Esq. breaks down the unspoken transition many young Black pro…

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The confusing part of Racism for Black Gen X: Navigating a New World with Old Landmines 17:57

19d ago17:57

17:57

In this episode, I break down one of the most overlooked realities of growing up Black as a member of Generation X — the confusing part of racism. Not because racism itself is confusing, but because the presentation of racism changed between our parents’ world and ours. Our parents and grandparents grew up with laws, signs, institutions, and cultur…

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NOW YOU KNOW: The Untold Burden of Gen X — Racism, Family, and the “Sign of the Times 22:40

21d ago22:40

22:40

This 20-minute audio reflection pulls back the curtain on my IN THE KNOW video “Sign of the Times.” I share personal insights about the realities Gen X faced growing up between parents divided by the Jim Crow experience. For many White Gen Xers, that meant dealing with relatives whose biases still lingered. For Black Gen Xers, it meant hearing stor…

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Sign of the Times: What Black and White Gen X Learned from Our Parents 13:33

22d ago13:33

13:33

In this episode, I take a hard look at what we mean when we say something was just a “sign of the times.” For generations, that phrase has been used to excuse racism, discrimination, and hate — as if time alone could justify injustice. As a member of Black Generation X, I reflect on growing up surrounded by family members who lived through segregat…

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Living History: When the Past Still Lives Among Us 13:36

29d ago13:36

13:36

Have you ever walked past a building and felt its history? For many of us in Black Gen X, we live among reminders of what our parents and grandparents endured. The homes, parks, schools, and even restaurants we move through every day are living witnesses to segregation, struggle, and change. In this episode, I reflect on how the past is still prese…

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Kindergarten Is Where It Began for Black Gen X: The First Lessons in Change 10:54

1M ago10:54

10:54

In this episode, Tony Reeves reflects on how a simple kindergarten classroom in 1974 became the backdrop for one of the most profound social transformations in American history. Born in 1969 and starting school just two decades after Brown v. Board of Education, Tony shares what it was like to begin his education during the final waves of school de…

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A Whole New World for Black Gen X: Born Between Hope and Trauma 11:36

1M ago11:36

11:36

In this episode of IN THE KNOW with Anthony Reeves, we take a deep look at what it meant to be Black Generation X — the first generation to grow up in a multicultural America while still carrying the emotional weight of segregation, loss, and social transformation. Anthony reflects on how his generation was shaped by the trauma and triumphs of thei…

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Lessons from the Past: Why Black Travelers still move differently 10:06

1M ago10:06

10:06

(00:00:00) Lessons from the Past: Why Black Travelers still move differently (00:00:08) Intro: Moving Differently for a Reason (00:00:32) The Myth That Time Erases Danger (00:02:00) The Generational Warning System (00:03:37) From Emmett Till to Interstate 10 (00:05:51) It’s not about fear. It’s about Focus (00:07:29) Closing: Blueprints, not baggag…

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The 80-Mile Hitchhike: When Freedom Met Foolishness (Part of the “Traveling While Black Gen X” series) 18:25

1M ago18:25

18:25

In 1987, I was just 18 — a college freshman at the University of Tampa and a brand-new Army Reservist trying to earn a $4,000 bonus. What should’ve been a routine weekend drill turned into one of the wildest, most dangerous journeys of my life. No car. No money. No phone. Just a uniform, a highway, and the belief that I could walk 80 miles from Orl…

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The Grand Dragon Warning: Traveling While Black Gen X in Polk County 10:58

2M ago10:58

10:58

In 2008, I had just started my own law firm in Central Florida and was commuting daily through the quiet backroads of Polk County. One day, a young woman in my mentor’s office pulled me aside and said, “Be careful driving through that town — the Grand Dragon of the Ku Klux Klan lives there.” That moment stopped me cold. Not because I feared what mi…

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Pulled Over at Night: A Young Black Officer’s Lesson in Survival 12:00

2M ago12:00

12:00

In 1996, I was a 27-year-old Black naval officer stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. One late night, I was driving home from Jacksonville along a dark, two-lane rural road — no lights, no traffic, just me and the sound of my tires against the pavement. Then I saw it — headlights, brake lights, and the unmistakable turn of a police cruiser ma…

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When the Laws Changed but the People Didn’t: The Gen X Reality After Desegregation 14:57

2M ago14:57

14:57

In this episode, Tony Reeves takes listeners beyond the viral video “Beware of the Klan County” to unpack what it truly meant for Black Generation X to grow up after the fall of legal segregation. The Civil Rights victories of the 1950s and 1960s—Brown v. Board of Education, the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, and the Fair Housing Act—chan…

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Be Careful of the Klan County What a Quiet Warning in 1995 Taught Me About Awareness and Survival 7:01

2M ago7:01

7:01

By Anthony Reeves

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Commentary on the Comments: Black Gen X and the Stories History Forgot 12:14

2M ago12:14

12:14

In this special Commentary on the Comments episode of IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves, I’m responding to a viewer who asked a simple but powerful question: “Why do you keep talking about Black Generation X?” My answer goes far beyond nostalgia. Black Gen X stands at the crossroads of history — the first generation to grow up in a legally desegregated …

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When Welcome Turns to Unwelcome: A Black Gen X Childhood Reality 8:32

2M ago8:32

8:32

At 7 years old, I thought I found the perfect friend. We played, laughed, and shared childhood joy—until one day, he told me we couldn’t play anymore because I was Black. That moment of rejection was my first real encounter with how quickly a welcoming space could become unwelcome. In this episode, I reflect on the innocence lost that day and how i…

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Did We Get It Right? Generation X, Racism, and Learning Without a Roadmap 6:54

2M ago6:54

6:54

In this episode, I reflect on what it meant to be a Black Gen Xer navigating college life, cultural misunderstandings, and the loneliness of being “the only one” in spaces where I didn’t always feel welcome. From being told that HBCUs weren’t “the real world,” to living four years as the only Black student on my dorm floor, I share the raw lessons …

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My First Encounter with Racism: A Childhood Story in the 1970s South 8:50

2M ago8:50

8:50

In this episode, I share my very first experience of being exposed to racism as a child growing up in the rural South during the 1970s. At just eight years old, an innocent invitation to play on a trampoline turned into a painful lesson about exclusion, bigotry, and the way prejudice is passed down through generations. But this story is also about …

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Traveling While Black & Gen X: Surviving the Road before GPS 14:06

2M ago14:06

14:06

What was it like to hit the road in the late ’80s and early ’90s without cell phones, GPS, or streaming music? In this episode, I take you back to my days as a Black Gen Xer making 14-hour road trips from Pine Bluff, Arkansas to Tampa, Florida. From glovebox maps and pay phones to dodging sundown towns and planning gas stops, traveling was more tha…

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Black Gen X at the Crossroads: Living Between Two Realities 6:26

3M ago6:26

6:26

In this episode, I reflect on the unique reality of being part of Black Gen X—caught between two worlds that often felt at odds. Our parents, mostly Baby Boomers, grew up under segregation and faced open hostility, while we were the first generation to come of age in a fully desegregated society. I share my story of growing up in Pine Bluff, Arkans…

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Professions – The Journey of Black Gen X in the Workplace 7:16

3M ago7:16

7:16

IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves dives deep into the intersections of law, life, and lived experience. Hosted by Administrative Law Judge and storyteller Tony Reeves, this podcast explores the realities of navigating professional spaces, surviving systemic barriers, and finding your voice in a world that often overlooks it. From reflections on growing …

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From Invisible to Seen: How Black Gen X Found Ourselves in the Arts 9:51

3M ago9:51

9:51

Black Gen X grew up with no blueprint. Mainstream TV and movies didn’t reflect our lives—until the arts began to open the door. From The Cosby Show to Hip Hop, from BET to School Daze, representation transformed how we saw ourselves and how others saw us. 📖 For more insights, check out my book Black Gen X in the Middle, where I share how our genera…

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Black Gen X: Raised without a Blue Print for a New World 10:39

3M ago10:39

10:39

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, our lives changed overnight. Schools shut down, graduations moved to front lawns, and families were thrown into a reality no one had prepared for. Even after two years, many were left traumatized by the sudden shift. But what if we take that same lens and look back further? Imagine living under 90 years of Ji…

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Georgia vs. Jamaica: Fear, Freedom, and the Weight of History 9:07

3M ago9:07

9:07

In this episode, I revisit a powerful college conversation that revealed how deeply history shapes our everyday choices. Two young women — one from Jamaica, one from Georgia — faced the same situation: walking into a space known for hostility toward people of color. The Jamaican friend walked in without hesitation. The Georgia friend held back, cau…

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My Aunt Never Ate at McDonald’s: Segregation, Memory, and the Black Gen X Story 9:24

3M ago9:24

9:24

McDonald’s was a cultural staple for me—growing up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, hanging out after games, and later during college nights in Tampa. But I discovered something that changed my perspective forever: my great aunt lived her entire life without ever stepping foot into a McDonald’s. The reason? She remembered when McDonald’s was segregated and…

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Built for the Crossroad: How I rebuilt my career at 40 8:15

3M ago8:15

8:15

Have you ever thought you landed your dream job—only to realize it was just comfortable? In this episode, I open up about what it’s really like to hit a career crossroads at 40. I share my personal journey of thinking I had my “forever” job, only to be forced into an unexpected pivot. That moment became the shock I needed to leave my old firm, buil…

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Soft Bigotry: When “Helpful” Words Hurt the Most 7:05

3M ago7:05

7:05

What happens when words meant to be supportive actually cut the deepest? In this episode, I explore the subtle layers of racism, bigotry, and discrimination, and why so many people miss the nuanced forms that persist today. I share a personal story of someone saying it was “good I didn’t go to an HBCU because it wasn’t the real world”—a statement p…

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Making Sense of Racism in a world that pretends it doesn’t exist 8:15

3M ago8:15

8:15

In this episode, I dive into the hard truth: racism didn’t disappear just because society decided to stop acknowledging it. Too often, we hear “that doesn’t happen anymore” or “we’ve moved past that,” while real people still face systemic barriers, microaggressions, and cultural denial. This conversation unpacks how racism continues to exist in hid…

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Unseen and Unheard: My First Big Purchase and the Questions That Still Haunt Me 7:31

5M ago7:31

7:31

In this personal story, I recount my first major purchase after college—a simple furniture buy that turned into a moment of deep internal conflict. Was I being profiled? Was I invisible because I was young… or Black… or both? This isn’t just about a trip to Sears in 1992—it’s about what it means to exist in a space where you’re supposed to belong b…

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My HBCU Dreams, My PWI Reality: A Gen X Story 22:10

5M ago22:10

22:10

In this deeply personal episode, I reflect on my experience as a Black Generation Xer attending a predominantly white university in the years after the civil rights movement. While my dreams were shaped by stories of HBCUs, my reality landed me in a space where I was one of the few — constantly navigating identity, isolation, and subtle forms of ex…

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Why Generation X Wasn’t Ready for Change — But Adapted Anyway 19:10

5M ago19:10

19:10

Generation X was raised to believe that military service, skilled trades, or a college degree would guarantee stability and success. But by the time we entered adulthood, the world had already changed—and no one gave us a new map. In this episode of IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves, I break down why Generation X wasn’t truly prepared for the shifting e…

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Friends After 40: Why Your Circle Shrinks But Grows Deep 13:58

6M ago13:58

13:58

In this episode of IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves, we dive into the quiet truth of adult friendships—how they evolve, why they thin out, and what makes the few that remain even more powerful. Tony explores the emotional and practical changes in how we bond after 40, offering personal stories, relatable insights, and a reminder that deeper often means…

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Gen X in the Middle – Raised in the Fallout, Bridging the Divide 10:23

6M ago10:23

10:23

Generation X is often called “the forgotten generation,” but we are far from irrelevant. We are the gateway—raised in the aftermath of powerful revolutions, yet coming of age just as the digital world exploded. In this podcast, I share raw and real reflections on what it means to grow up as a Gen Xer: self-sufficient, media-grounded, trauma-aware, …

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When 40 Changed Everything: Health, Brotherhood, and the Wake-Up Call 18:58

6M ago18:58

18:58

“When 40 Changed Everything” is a personal reflection on the moment I realized my health had to take center stage. In this powerful episode, I share how a routine doctor’s visit in my early 40s — and the words of a culturally aware physician — opened my eyes to the importance of proactive care, especially for men of color. As friends around me star…

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When 40 Hits Different: The Moment I Knew There Was No Going BacK 12:03

6M ago12:03

12:03

Turning 40 wasn’t just another birthday — it was a turning point. In this episode, I open up about the moment I realized I was living a life I hadn’t planned: running my own law firm, carrying the full weight of responsibility, and redefining success on my own terms. If you’re in your 40s — or approaching them — and wondering what it all means, thi…

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Surviving and Being Raised After Jim Crow as Generation X 9:21

7M ago9:21

9:21

In this powerful follow-up to “What They Didn’t Teach Us,” Anthony Reeves reflects on the unique experience of being raised as a Generation X child in a newly desegregated America. Guided by Baby Boomer parents who grew up in the thick of segregation, Gen X kids were thrust into a world of new laws but old attitudes. This episode explores the commu…

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What they didn’t teach us: Lessons Gen X Black Kids had to learn on their own 12:10

7M ago12:10

12:10

In this episode, I explore the lessons Gen X Black kids weren’t taught in school—but learned through life, family, and experience. From forgotten Black high schools to KKK terror parades, and from the strength of the Black church to quiet legacies of integration, I reflect on the stories we inherited and the importance of capturing them while we st…

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Growing Up Right After Jim Crow – A Gen X Perspective 15:02

8M ago15:02

15:02

In this episode, I reflect on what it meant to grow up as a Black Gen X kid in the American South, just years after the Jim Crow era officially ended. This personal narrative explores the generational trauma, family stories, and cultural survival skills passed down from those who lived through segregation. Support my work and access exclusive conte…

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Online vs. In-Person College: Which One is Right for You? 7:51

9M ago7:51

7:51

A former adjunct professor shares insider insights on the differences between online and in-person college experiences. Whether you’re deciding between the two or just curious about what each option offers, this episode provides the key questions you should ask before making your choice. Hashtags: #CollegeDecision #OnlineLearning #HigherEd #College…

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When was the last time your reviewed your resume? What value do you put on your past skills? 5:53

9M ago5:53

5:53

Have you ever looked at your resume and looked at the skills you have acquired from your past jobs? Have you ever thought about the value people would pay you for the things you used to do? In this episode, we talk about the importance your resume and the things you have done in the past. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com…

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Finding the Right College Fit: People, Purpose, and Passion 17:00

9M ago17:00

17:00

How do you know if the college you’re attending is truly the right fit for you? It’s not just about academics—it’s about connection and purpose. In this episode, we break down two key questions every student should ask: 1️⃣ Have you found a community of people you genuinely connect with? 2️⃣ Is your college experience fueling your purpose and passi…

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Turning 40 professionally 11:56

9M ago11:56

11:56

Turning 40 was more than just a milestone—it was a turning point in my professional journey. In this episode, I reflect on how I transitioned from maintaining physical law offices for appearances to fully embracing a virtual practice. The biggest lesson? Clients care about outcomes, not where you work. If you’ve ever found yourself clinging to outd…

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The hidden struggles of college 26:15

9M ago26:15

26:15

In this candid episode, we explore the hidden struggles and trauma that often go unnoticed in the college experience. Drawing from personal stories of financial hardship, cramped living conditions, and the subtle yet painful reminders of poverty, we discuss how the dream of higher education can become a battlefield of survival and resilience. Join …

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From Arkansas to Aruba: The friendship that changed my life 14:28

9M ago14:28

14:28

In this episode, Tony reflects on the transformative experiences of his sophomore year at the University of Tampa, where an unexpected encounter with a fellow student from Aruba opened the door to a rich tapestry of cultural exchange. He shares how stepping out of his comfort zone and building friendships with Caribbean, Central American, and South…

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Surviving day 0: Preparing to Open your Business 17:59

9M ago17:59

17:59

If you are ever going to start a business, the two most important days are Day 0 and Day 1. Day 0 isn’t a single day. It’s the entire process of preparation before you officially open your doors. In this episode, I take you through my personal experience of launching my own law firm, sharing the key decisions, challenges, and lessons I learned alon…

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Building my law firm from scratch 19:49

11M ago19:49

19:49

In this episode of IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves, I take you back to Day One of my journey into entrepreneurship. From leaving a secure corporate job to establishing my law firm in an unfamiliar town, this is the story of excitement, fear, and resilience. I share the challenges of starting from zero: navigating a new office, creating processes, and …

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Dream Job to Dream Life: Rethinking Your Aspirations 14:32

11M ago14:32

14:32

What does it really mean to have a “dream job”? In this episode of IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves, we challenge the traditional idea of tying your happiness and aspirations to a job. Tony shares personal stories—like his journey to becoming a naval officer—and explores why many of us equate our dreams with working for someone else. Is it the job itse…

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From Courtrooms to Campaigns: My Journey into Politics 23:01

11M ago23:01

23:01

In this episode of IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves, I recount the summer of 2005, when I stepped into an entirely new world as campaign counsel for a Florida senator running for Congress. From specialized election law training to attending an exclusive political fundraiser on a private island, this experience reshaped my understanding of politics, law…