In this episode, Jelani and Spencer are joined by global activist, father of three, and former pro athlete Lumumba—a man who lives at the intersection of truth, freedom, and fatherhood. What begins with lighthearted reflections on potty training setbacks and “Major Payne” parenting moments unfolds into a deeply layered conversation on identity, trauma, and generational healing.

Lumumba opens up about the spiritual and political journey of reclaiming his African name, growing up disconnected from his father and culture, and how becoming a parent called him deeper into his purpose. Together, the trio explores what it means to raise free Black children in a world still entangled with colonial systems—from language to legislation, education to emotional expression.

From rethinking the school-to-prison pipeline to confronting the myths around cannabis, this episode is part memoir, part masterclass. We talk presence. We talk purpose. We talk truth.

And we close, as always, with a moving Legacy Letter—this time from Lumumba to his three young sons, as he commits to breaking cycles and building memory with intention.

🔎 In This Episode:

• How trauma rewires the inner voice—and how coaching can sound like war
• Parenting with empathy instead of shame (even when you’re losing patience)
• Why reclaiming a name is deeper than semantics—it’s spiritual resistance
• How intergenerational absence fuels present-day purpose
• Dr. Bird’s insights on reading, language, and early development
• The quiet roots of the school-to-prison pipeline
• Why cannabis has been both medicine and weapon—and why that matters now
• Building a digital legacy our grandkids will feel
• Legacy Letter: Lumumba speaks to his sons about truth, presence, and love

💬 Quotes to Remember:

📍 Call to Action:

If this episode cracked something open in you—send it to a father, freedom-fighter, or educator in your life.

Got a Legacy Letter to share? Want to reflect on how you’re raising free kids in a complex world?

🎧 Drop us a voice note. We’d love to hear from you.

Send us a text

In this episode, Jelani and Spencer reflect on the meaning of Independence Day—from the literal fireworks in Inglewood to the symbolic ones lighting up in the culture, politics, and fatherhood. What starts as playful banter about neighborhood geography, backyard fireworks, and Beyoncé concerts evolves into a powerful conversation about legacy, displacement, and redefining what it means to be free.

Spencer opens up about the emotional process of losing the home his family had in escrow—what it meant to him as a father, husband, and steward of his community. Jelani honors the symbolism of this moment and explores how we lead with vulnerability while still protecting the spirit of our families.

From navigating gentrification in historic Black neighborhoods to raising children with critical consciousness in a complicated America, this episode doesn’t shy away from the real. The two also dive into Beyoncé’s cultural impact, the symbolism of the American flag, and the implications of the “big, beautiful bill” currently moving through legislation.

And to close? A heartfelt Legacy Letter from Spencer to his son Madden on his 6th birthday that’ll have you pausing and reflecting on your own legacy.

In This Episode:

• Reclaiming the American Flag as Black fathers
• Losing a dream home—and grieving with grace
• Fireworks in Inglewood vs. fireworks in the soul
• Mental shackles & the elephant analogy
• Beyoncé as the symbol of modern-day reclamation
• The symbolism vs. reality of the “Big Beautiful Bill”
• Gentrification, generational wealth, and who gets to stay
• Teaching kids how to question, honor, and redefine symbols
• Legacy Letter: Spencer honors his son Madden on his 6th birthday

Quotes to Remember:

Call to Action:

🎧 Got thoughts, questions, or a legacy letter of your own? Drop us a voice message. We’d love to hear from you.

If this episode resonated with you, text it to a fellow father, freedom-fighter, or Beyoncé stan.

Send us a text

It’s the first guest episode of Higher Valleys, and we had to kick things off with family—literally. Journalist, author, ESPN personality, and proud dad Justin Tinsley joins us to talk fatherhood, legacy, and what it means to try to figure it all out while building something bigger than yourself.

From vasectomy stories to navigating dad guilt, from the legacy of icons like Biggie, Nipsey, and Kobe to the little moments that actually define fatherhood—this conversation is real, reflective, and full of laughs. We swap stories about raising kids, chasing careers, managing marriages, and why two kids is the sweet spot for man-to-man defense (because three? That’s zone coverage, and it gets tricky).

We also get into Justin’s storytelling journey—from growing up without a father to building a career that centers Black culture, community, and stories that live beyond the headlines.

If you’re trying to show up for your kids, chase your purpose, and leave your mark on the world—this one’s for you.

Key Topics Covered:

✔️ The real reason Justin never played football (you’ll laugh)

✔️ Zone defense vs. man-to-man… in the house (parenting strategy breakdown)

✔️ The vasectomy convo every dad eventually faces

✔️ Dad guilt while chasing your purpose — how to deal with it

✔️ Growing up without a father & the lessons it taught Justin

✔️ Behind the scenes of Justin’s ESPN journey & King of Crenshaw

✔️ The legacy of Nipsey Hussle & Biggie — how it hits different as a dad

✔️ Storytelling as immortality — why our words outlive us

✔️ How to stay present with your kids, even when life pulls you away

✔️ Marriage maintenance: why parenting can’t come at the expense of your partnership

✔️ Leaving a timestamp for your kids to look back on — the power of conversations like this

Quotable Moments:

Connect with Justin:

• Instagram/Twitter: @JustinTinsley
• Written Work: Anscape
• Podcast: King of Crenshaw (available wherever you get your podcasts)
• Books: It Was All A Dream: Biggie and the World That Made Him

Want More Higher Valleys?

• Subscribe, rate, and review wherever you get your podcasts
• Follow us on Instagram: @highervalleyspodcast
• Have a question or a dad story? Leave us a voicemail at Speak Pipe

Honor the peaks. Learn from the valleys. We’ll catch you on the next climb.

Send us a text

We covered everything this week on Higher Valleys — from flag football to fallout shelters.

In this episode, Spencer & Jelani unpack what it means to raise confident, self-led kids while navigating the pressures of youth sports, legacy, and a world that feels more chaotic by the day.

From first football practices and childhood goggles to NIL deals, $8 million transfer offers, and the realities of a world on the brink of global conflict — it’s all on the table.

In This Episode:

• The hilarious reality of seeing your kid’s first football practice
• Spencer’s legendary sports goggles & Jelani’s neck roll confession
• Should we coach our own kids? The push-pull of being Dad vs. Coach
• The case for not playing tackle football until high school
• How karate & backyard wrestling shaped our athletic foundation
• Breaking down the $8 million NIL story out of South Carolina
• The hard truth about modern college sports & capitalism
• Preparing our kids for confidence—not just success
• When the world feels like it’s on fire: war, politics, and being present
• Why community & curiosity matter more than ever

Quotables:

“We don’t own our kids. Our job is to guide them.”

– Jelani

“It’s not mental errors… it’s mental elasticity.”

– Spencer

“You can teach key skills without ramming your child’s head into another child’s head.”

– Jelani

Join the Conversation:

We want your take. Your stories. Your laughter. Your disagreements.

Send us a voice message at speakpipe.com/highervalleys and your message might show up in a future episode. Whether it’s your youth sports hot takes, dad wins, or how you’re preparing for a wild world — let’s talk about it.

Listen now on:

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Amazon | RSS

Send us a text

Welcome to Higher Valleys — a podcast where fatherhood meets ambition, legacy meets curiosity, and two dads lean all the way into the mess and the magic of raising kids while chasing dreams.

In this debut episode, Spencer Paysinger and Jelani Jenkins—former NFL athletes, creative leaders, and present-day dads—pull back the curtain on why this podcast had to exist. Born out of backyard conversations, journal entries to their kids, and a shared desire to redefine what it means to be a present father, The Pilot lays the foundation for what Higher Valleys is all about.

This episode isn’t polished. It’s real. It’s full of laughs, storytelling, and hard-earned insights about parenting, partnership, ego, discipline, legacy, and the invisible emotional labor that comes with being a father in today’s world.

In this episode:

• Why we don’t believe in choosing between dreams and family
• The Kendrick Lamar lyric that inspired the name Higher Valleys
• How our childhoods shaped the way we show up for our kids
• The unspoken power of present fatherhood
• Letting go of the “stoic provider” model and choosing emotional presence
• How our wives keep us in check — and why that’s a good thing
• The daily mental chess of parenting children without losing your mind
• Why this podcast is part of a historical ledger we’re leaving behind

Quotables:

“We don’t have all the answers—but that’s not gonna stop us from looking.”

— Spencer

“You can build a legacy outside the home and inside the home at the same time.”

— Jelani

“We’re not raising kids… we’re raising their compass.”

— Jelani

Why Higher Valleys?

Inspired by a Kendrick Lamar lyric from Worldwide Steppers, the phrase “higher valleys” captures what this podcast is about: depth with elevation. We’re going beyond the surface. We’re digging into the hard stuff. But we’re also building something higher—for ourselves, our families, and the generations that follow.

Join the community:

We’re not just talking to fathers, we’re talking with them. This podcast is the start of a movement—and we want to hear from you.

Got a story, a lesson, a laugh, or a meltdown you learned from? Hit us up on IG, Substack, or Discord (coming soon).

Listen now on:

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Amazon | RSS

Send us a text