What if the line between being “taken” and choosing to go isn’t as clean as we like to think? We open the floor to a charged, honest debate about love, loyalty, temptation, and the quiet influence of our everyday inputs—from social feeds to status, from timing to unsaid needs. We start with a simple pledge—victors, not victims—and then pull apart the stories we tell when relationships shift: was it a crack in the foundation, a force of personality, or the slow drip of algorithm-driven comparison turning contentment into restlessness?

We lay out the case for radical accountability: discipline over desire, vows over vibes, and the courage to say no even when the moment feels cinematic. Then we push back with the reality of influence: some offers bend the will, some people light up voids you didn’t know you had, and some environments prime you to mistake novelty for love. From Harlem Nights’ Sunshine to the Swiss Beatz and Alicia Keys debate, from “Paid in Full” one-liners to real talk about alienation of affection laws, we examine how culture frames being “taken” and why the story you choose shapes what happens next.

Threaded through the debate are practical questions we all face: How do you curate your algorithm so your heart isn’t coached by chaos? How do you repair cracks before someone else walks through the door? When career choices test loyalty and growth, where do you place your bet—and how do you own the cost? We don’t chase consensus. We model perspective, respect, and the kind of disagreement that sharpens everyone in the room. Plus, updates on our hospitality program, the October 6 vendor booth, and community projects worth your support.

If this conversation made you think, share it with someone who loves a good debate. Subscribe for more sharp, unfiltered talk, and leave a review with your verdict: can someone take you, or do you always choose?

What happens when fathers create spaces to be vulnerable, accountable, and authentic with each other? In this special Monday edition of Let Us Become Sharper/TNS Podcast, Dr. Corey Holmes joins us to discuss his book "Golf, Cigars, and Scotch: Balancing Fatherhood, Friendship, and Fine Living," offering profound insights into modern fatherhood and male community-building.

The conversation begins with a touching moment as CJ displays artwork gifted by Dr. Holmes' father twenty years prior—a testament to the enduring connections that shape our lives. Dr. Holmes, a former educator at NYU and Howard University with experience in national security and foreign policy, shares how becoming a father in his 40s led him to document their global adventures as his son experiences different cultures and perspectives.

We explore the brilliance of Dr. Holmes' "putter approach" to parenting—the idea that gentle guidance often achieves what force cannot. Just as a golfer uses different clubs for different situations, fathers must know when to apply discipline and when a softer touch is needed. Dr. Holmes credits his own father's strict intervention during his rebellious high school years as life-saving, showing how accountability shapes character.

Perhaps most compelling is the discussion of how shared experiences over scotch and cigars create safe spaces where men can be vulnerable without judgment. As Dr. Holmes beautifully puts it, over scotch "bad things become less staining and turn actually honorable"—creating environments where mistakes become learning opportunities rather than sources of shame. These gatherings in Santo Domingo, where Dr. Holmes currently lives, provide not just relaxation but essential community for navigating life's challenges.

Whether you're a father seeking balance, a son reflecting on fatherhood's impact, or simply someone who appreciates authentic conversation about life's complexities, this episode offers wisdom, humor, and perspective on living well while raising the next generation. Pick up Dr. Holmes' book wherever fine literature is sold, and join us for this remarkable journey through fatherhood, friendship, and finding joy in life's finer moments.

Ever noticed how strangers seem more generous with compliments than the people who see you every day? This strange paradox forms the heart of our latest thought-provoking conversation.

When one host received an elaborate edible arrangement for Father's Day, it sparked a deeper reflection about recognition and appreciation. Why do others around him seem "dry" in comparison? This observation led to the introduction of the "hospitality program" – a curriculum designed to help people show more meaningful recognition to those in their lives.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when we explore the psychology behind compliment patterns. One host candidly admits she rarely compliments her partner, not realizing this deficit until he expressed shock at receiving praise. "I thought you knew," she explains, highlighting how we often assume our loved ones understand our admiration without verbal affirmation.

Gender dynamics emerge as we debate whether men and women approach compliments differently. While some argue compliments should be freely given, others push back on the idea of "needing" external validation. "I sign my own autograph every night before bed," one host declares, while still acknowledging the power of genuine recognition from others.

Love languages enter the discussion as we recognize that people receive appreciation differently. Some thrive on verbal affirmation while others prefer different expressions of care. The group practices giving meaningful compliments to each other, revealing varying comfort levels with both giving and receiving praise.

We challenge you to examine your own compliment patterns. Are you more generous with praise to strangers than to those you love most? Perhaps it's time to "pour into your people" with the same enthusiasm you direct outward. After all, shouldn't those closest to us deserve at least as much recognition as those we barely know?

Join us for this revealing conversation that might just transform how you express appreciation to the important people in your life. And stay tuned for more details about the hospitality program – because sometimes, we all need a little more recognition than we're getting.