Leave the Pile Higher
"My job is to leave the pile higher for you and your sister."
That was my father's philosophy long before I understood it—and decades before I ever thought about launching a podcast. He never used the word legacy.
He simply lived it.
In 1983, faced with financial sacrifices and difficult choices, my father made a decision that changed the trajectory of my life. Rather than take the easier path, he chose to invest in my future. At the time, I didn't fully appreciate what that sacrifice meant. It wasn't until after his passing in 2018 that I truly understood the depth of his commitment and the legacy he was building.
On what would have been my father's 75th birthday, I launched Leave the Pile Higher as a way to honor his legacy and explore a question we all face:
What are we leaving behind for those who come after us?
Through honest conversations with guests from all walks of life, we explore leadership, faith, family, resilience, service, personal growth, and purpose.
While this podcast often speaks directly to Black men navigating fatherhood, leadership, purpose, and life's responsibilities with intention, the lessons shared here are universal. Legacy belongs to all of us.
Whether through guest interviews, Legacy Notes, or Legacy Blueprint panel discussions, every episode is designed to challenge, encourage, and inspire you to think differently about the impact you're making right now.
Because legacy isn't something you leave someday.
It's something you build every day.
One decision.
One sacrifice.
One conversation.
One rep at a time.
Let's Build.
Leave the Pile Higher
A Father Honored, A Son Becoming: Three Years Behind the Mic
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What does it mean to grow as a man when the blueprint wasn’t handed to you?
Today is December 4th — the day my father was born, my fraternity’s Founders Day, and the day this podcast turns three years old. In this special reflection I speak about the weight men carry, the healing I’m walking through as a father, and the stretching that marriage continues to bring. I open up about a moment that shaped me, the lessons I’m still learning, and the lifelong work of becoming the man God is calling me to be.
This podcast has always been about honoring my father and building legacy — but it’s also a space for us to grow out loud, especially for men of color who didn’t grow up with the language, the room, or the safety to feel, talk, or process. So part of my work here is opening the door for all men — but especially my brothers — to listen, lean in, and know you’re not walking this journey alone.
This episode also sets the stage for the upcoming Legacy Blueprint series — real, candid conversations with men who are navigating the same tension of becoming. Today is the reflection. Blueprint is the continuation. Stay locked in.
This isn’t a typical episode — it’s personal. It’s honest. It’s a moment to honor my father's life, acknowledge my growth, and remind every man listening: wherever you are on the journey, don’t stop. Someone’s counting on the man you’re becoming.
If this speaks to you, share it with your circle — you never know who might need a moment like this to get the strength or boost to keep going.
Stay Connected
If an episode encourages you, challenges you, or makes you think a little differently about legacy, share it with someone who needs to hear it, follow the show, and take a moment to rate and leave a review. Your support helps others discover these conversations and helps grow the community.
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Have a Story Worth Sharing?
I’m always interested in connecting with people whose experiences can add something meaningful to the conversation—stories of faith, family, resilience, leadership, service, personal growth, entrepreneurship, and legacy.
If you’re interested in being a guest—or simply want to share your thoughts about an episode—email leavethepilehigher@gmail.com
BUILD IT. LIVE IT. LEAVE IT.
Because legacy isn’t optional.
