"It took me 5 years to try therapy. A year to actually show up. But when I did… everything changed."

Beauty and the Beast is back with a powerful, emotional, and deeply honest conversation with guest Doug Kelly — a high-powered corporate executive, devoted father, and proud Jamaican-American with a story that breaks the mold.

In this raw and revealing episode, Doug opens up for the very first time about his personal journey — from growing up in a Jamaican household in Miami, to becoming one of the only Black men in the C-suite of a major corporation. From childhood lessons learned on a Miami farm to sharing the silent burdens of being “the only one in the room,” Doug holds nothing back.

This episode dives into:

-The immigrant hustle and the cost of generational sacrifice

-The burden of high achievement and breaking free from shame

-Black fatherhood, therapy, and redefining masculinity

-Navigating imposter syndrome and thriving in elite spaces

-The story behind Chocolate City and going to FAMU with Will Packer

Whether you're a Black man who has been misunderstood, a child of immigrants carrying silent expectations, or someone searching for purpose in your own path — this episode is your reminder that you're not alone.

PLUS: Doug’s wife and son surprise him in a way that leaves the whole room in tears. You don’t want to miss this.

If this conversation moved you, share it. Like. Subscribe.

“I wore the mask so well, I almost forgot who I really was.”

Kyle Vaughn grew up in the heart of Carol City, Miami — a neighborhood that taught him how to survive, adapt, and succeed. But in this powerful episode, we go deeper than the accolades and corporate promotions to unpack what it really cost to keep up the act.

From narrowly escaping street violence to climbing the corporate ladder with a mask stitched together by expectations, Kyle’s story is one of duality, determination, and ultimately, self-reclamation.

He got a full ride to college… and a full dose of impostor syndrome.

He broke into corporate America… and nearly broke down trying to stay there.

He achieved the “dream”… and learned the hard way that it meant nothing if he wasn’t whole inside.

Through raw storytelling and honest reflections, Kyle opens up about:

• The survival mindset that shaped his “tough” persona.

• Code-switching and identity as a Black man navigating white spaces.

• The silent toll of success and the power of stepping back to heal.

• The love, faith, and therapy that helped him remove the mask — for good

This isn’t just about climbing. It’s about healing while holding it all together.

If you’ve ever questioned who you are beneath the surface — this conversation is for you.

What happens when Black men finally have the space to be real — not perform, not protect, but truly open up?

Welcome to Beauty and the Beast, where truth isn't just told — it's honored.

In this powerful episode, hosts Maliik Baraka and Kyle Vaughn begin a conversation that many have avoided for too long. Through raw, unfiltered storytelling, Maliik takes us deep into his life — from growing up in Miami’s projects to navigating the emotional weight of fatherlessness, addiction, and the pressure to be “the strong one.” This isn't just about surviving — it’s about breaking generational patterns and learning how to feel again.

This episode explores:

Childhood Trauma & Emotional Survival — What it means to grow up without a father and still carry the weight of being “the man.”

Community, Code-Switching & Kindness — How street love and street rules both protected and confined him.

The Mask of Fatherhood — How becoming a dad was both healing and a hiding place.

Therapy & Breaking Through — The pivotal moment Maliik stopped running from his pain and started facing it — with help.

Identity Beyond the Resume — From English degrees to navigating corporate life as a Black man — what it really means to show up emotionally whole.

This isn’t a podcast for performance. It’s a safe haven — a space where men can breathe, process, and be heard without judgment. And for anyone who’s ever felt alone in their journey — this one’s for you.

Subscribe, share, and join us as we dismantle stereotypes and build a culture of truth, vulnerability, and power.

#BlackMenSpeak #EmotionalIntelligence #BreakingGenerationalTrauma #TherapyForBlackMen #FatherhoodJourney #BlackMaleHealing #VulnerabilityIsStrength #MentalHealthAwareness #SafeSpacesForMen #MalikBaraka #singlemotherhood #Fatherhood #Trauma #Therapy

“You don’t grow in comfort — and Michael Quigley is proof of that.”

In this powerful debut episode, The Bridge is Over, we sit down with Michael Quigley — investment banker, leader, and storyteller — to talk about what it really takes to overcome the odds when life doesn’t hand you a blueprint.

From bouncing around the world as a kid, to navigating the pressure of being one of the only Black professionals in high finance and media, Michael gets real about pain, growth, identity, and faith. This isn’t just about business — it’s about what happens when you decide to stop surviving and start showing up.

In This Episode:

The Weight of Moving and Belonging: How constant change shaped his ability to connect or protect — and the toll it took.

Finding His Place in Business: No connections, no safety net — just hustle, faith, and the grind to prove he belonged.

Faith Over Religion: Leaning into a real relationship with God during his loneliest moments in NYC.

Community Over Clout: Why the people around you either elevate your purpose or block your blessings.

Leadership with Empathy: What he learned from leaders like Dick Parsons that changed how he shows up — not just in business, but in life.

This conversation is for anyone who’s been the only one in the room. Anyone trying to grow through what they’re going through. And anyone who’s ready to build something meaningful without leaving who they are behind.

#TheBridgeIsOver #motivation #BlackExcellence #AuthenticLeadership #podcast #mentalhealthawareness #WallStreetVoices #BreakingBarriers #EmotionalSuccess #PurposeDrivenLife #codeswitching #careeradvice #healingthroughfaith #representationmatters #SuccessWithoutSilence #BeautyintheBeast #therapy