Leave the Pile Higher, Grow Your Legacy
In 1983, my father, a hardworking blue-collar worker, made a life-altering decision for our family. Faced with the choice of my education, he chose to send me to a private Catholic high school, despite the financial challenges. His reason was simple yet profound: “My job is to leave the pile higher for you and your sister.” This statement, a guiding principle of his life, didn't fully resonate with me until after his untimely passing in 2018. It's this legacy of selflessness and commitment that birthed 'Leave the Pile Higher: Grow Your Legacy'.
On what would have been my father's 75th birthday, I launched this podcast as an extension of his “Why”. Here, we explore the intangible aspects of legacy that go beyond monetary or material wealth. Each episode delves into stories of resilience, creativity, and how breaking societal scripts can lead to profound impacts on others.
Join us for heart-to-heart conversations with diverse guests who share their journeys of setbacks, triumphs, and unwavering hope. We discuss how small acts and bold decisions can contribute to a lasting legacy, proving that anyone can make a difference, no matter their financial or social standing.
'Leave the Pile Higher: Grow Your Legacy' isn't just a podcast; it's a movement, a tribute to my father and to all those who strive to make life better for the next generation. It's about acknowledging that while we can't control the length of our lives, we can control its width and depth.
Subscribe now and be part of this journey. Let’s honor the philosophy of leaving the pile higher, not just for ourselves, but for those who follow. Let's build.
Leave the Pile Higher, Grow Your Legacy
Legacy Blueprint: The Weight We Carry (Part I)
This episode launches Legacy Blueprint, a new panel series within Leave the Pile Higher, Grow Your Legacy. Legacy Blueprint brings brothers together for honest, reflective conversations around leadership, healing, and legacy. Each Blueprint centers on a specific theme and may unfold as a single episode or a multi-part conversation, depending on how deep we chop it up.
In Part One: The Weight We Carry, I vibe with three brothers for an unfiltered dialog about manhood, mental health, fatherhood, leadership, and the emotional weight we've learned to carry in silence.
Though they’re meeting each other for the first time, I know each of them — and the conversation quickly becomes deep and uplifting. We laugh, we cry, and we’re vulnerable, sharing lessons learned, the growth we’ve experienced, and the road we’re still walking together as we handle the real business of being our brother’s keeper.
This episode ain't about having all the answers. But naming the weight, breaking the silence, and reminding ourselves that we don’t have to carry everything alone.
Part Two — The Work We Do continues this LB conversation, shifting the focus from naming the weight to how we do what we do.
Panel Participants
James Worthy — Fatherhood advocate, coach, speaker & business consultant.
Khalid B. Scott — Psychotherapist, author, life coach & 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 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
Ready to grow your legacy and make a lasting impact? Let’s connect.
Schedule a 15-minute Legacy Snapshot—a quick session to explore how Savage Family Office can help you protect, build, and expand what you’re creating.
Together, we’ll make sure what you build today stands strong for future generations.
Book your Legacy Snapshot today and take the first step toward leaving the pile higher.
Are you or someone you know doing the work of legacy-building?
We’re always looking for guests with stories that inspire growth, faith, and perseverance.
To be considered—or to ask a question about an episode—email leavethepilehigher@gmail.com
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