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
Legacy Blueprint | The Weight We Carry (Part I)
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What happens when four Black men—strangers to one another, yet united by shared experiences—come together for an honest conversation about the emotional weight they've carried for years?
This episode launches Legacy Blueprint, a new panel series within Leave the Pile Higher. Each Blueprint brings together brothers for authentic conversations about leadership, healing, fatherhood, purpose, and the legacy we're building. Some conversations unfold in a single episode; others continue across multiple parts to fully explore the topic.
In Part One: The Weight We Carry, I sit down with three remarkable men for an unfiltered dialogue about manhood, mental health, fatherhood, leadership, and the emotional burdens we've often learned to carry in silence.
Although the panelists are meeting one another for the first time, I know each of them personally. That familiarity creates space for a conversation that quickly becomes honest, emotional, and uplifting. Together, we laugh, reflect, challenge one another, and speak openly about the lessons we've learned, the growth we've experienced, and the road we're still walking as we strive to become better husbands, fathers, leaders, and brothers.
This conversation isn't about having all the answers. It's about naming the weight, breaking the silence, and reminding one another that we don't have to carry everything alone.
Part Two — The Work We Do continues the conversation, shifting the focus from naming the weight to the work of leading, healing, serving, and showing up for the people who depend on us.
Panel Participants
James Worthy — Fatherhood advocate, coach, speaker, and business consultant.
Khalid B. Scott — Psychotherapist, author, life coach, and speaker.
Ferris Dean — Financial planner and insurance professional.
Topics Covered
- Generational legacy and emotional inheritance
- The pressure to "keep it together" as Black men
- Mental health, therapy, and overcoming resistance to vulnerability
- Identity, code-switching, and leadership under pressure
- Fatherhood, marriage, and showing up while carrying weight
- Depression, burnout, and suicide awareness
- Brotherhood, healing, and learning how to refill your cup
Music Credit
Music featured in this episode by — Robbie Cunningham.
Support & Resources
If this conversation brings something up for you, please know you don’t have to navigate it alone.
Immediate Support (U.S.):
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — Call or text 988 (24/7)
• Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741
Finding a Therapist or Counselor:
• Psychology Today
• Black Men's Health
• Black Men Heal
If you’re outside the U.S., visit https://findahelpline.com
to locate resources in your country.
Listener Note
This episode is for conversation, reflection, and awareness. Nothing shared here is medical, legal, or financial advice. If you’re struggling, please reach out to a qualified professional or one of the resources listed above.
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Looking to protect what you've built, strengthen your foundation, or create a plan for the future?
Whether you're a family focused on protecting what matters most or a business owner building something bigger than yourself, Savage Family Office can help you think through the risks, opportunities, and strategies that support your long-term goals.
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute Legacy Snapshot and let's explore ways to help you protect, build, and preserve the legacy you're creating for yourself, your family, your business, and future generations.
Book your Legacy Snapshot today and take another step toward leaving the pile higher.
Interested in being a guest on Leave the Pile Higher?
I'm always looking for individuals who are building, serving, leading, overcoming challenges, and making a difference in the lives of others.
If you have a story of faith, resilience, leadership, personal growth, entrepreneurship, or legacy-building, I'd welcome the opportunity to learn more about your journey and consider the possibility of featuring you on the podcast. Your story may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.
To be considered as a guest—or to ask a question about an episode—email: leavethepilehigher@gmail.com
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