In this powerful episode, the hosts take a deep dive into how today’s education system often fails young boys. They open with personal reflections on why they “take the stairs,” then move into a raw conversation about how schools are not designed to help boys thrive.

From outdated expectations of masculinity to the lack of male role models in classrooms, they explore how boys are taught to do rather than be, and how this conditioning shapes their confidence, emotions, and sense of worth. The group discusses everything from early childhood education to cultural stereotypes, pay gaps, and the need for more male presence and mentorship in schools.

It’s a deep, honest conversation about how we can better support our sons, students, and young men — not by lowering expectations, but by understanding how they learn best and creating environments where they can grow into strong, compassionate leaders.

Scripture: Proverbs 22:6 — “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”

Hosts Rachael, Liz, Junior, and Z
Website wetakethestairs.com

Welcome to the intro episode of We Take the Stairs. Meet your hosts Rachael, Liz, Junior, and Z as they share how the podcast began and what it truly means to take the stairs.

In this conversation they open up about their different journeys, faith backgrounds, and the shared mission that brought them together, choosing connection over division one step at a time. The group talks about why honest dialogue matters, how vulnerability builds strength, and what listeners can expect in the season ahead.

This episode sets the foundation for what We Take the Stairs is all about, real conversations rooted in faith, empathy, and growth.

Hosts Rachael, Liz, Junior, and Z
Website wetakethestairs.com

In this episode, Rachael, Liz, Junior, and Z dive into how social media shapes the way we see ourselves, our relationships, and especially masculinity. The hosts open up about their personal experiences online and how the constant noise of comparison, trends, and opinions affects mental health and identity.

They talk about the pressure men face to perform strength instead of expressing emotion, the labels that get attached too easily, and the deeper need for empathy and understanding in a world built on quick reactions. From fasting from social media to reflecting on how algorithms influence our thoughts, this conversation challenges all of us to slow down and listen.

The group reminds us that faith, accountability, and connection still matter in a digital age — and that taking the stairs means choosing growth over comfort, one step at a time.

Hosts: Rachael, Liz, Junior, and Z
Website: wetakethestairs.com