Black and White Advice Podcast Episode Summary

Title: Lee Valentin: Black History Month Begins!

Hosts: Turner Sparks and Phil Duckett
Guest: Lee Valentin
Release Date: February 4, 2025

Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:00 - 01:40)

In the opening moments of the episode, hosts Phil Duckett and Turner Sparks introduce their special guest, Lee Valentin, marking the celebration of Black History Month. Phil humorously remarks on Lee’s unemotional introduction:

Phil Duckett (00:55): "He was like, lee Valentin. And he said it with no emotion. So you know we got a real one in the studio."

The hosts express their excitement about featuring Lee Valentin and setting the tone for a discussion centered around Black History Month.

Promoting Patreon and Upcoming Shows (01:40 - 04:24)

Turner and Phil shift focus to their Patreon campaign, aiming to reach their first goal of 250 subscribers to unlock special rewards, such as attending Phil's first punk rock concert and joining him in the mosh pit. They discuss strategies to engage their audience and promote upcoming events:

Turner Sparks (02:09): "Once we hit our first goal, which is 250 bucks a month and Patreon subscribers, we're taking Phil to his first punk rock concert and put me in the mosh pit."

Lee Valentin adds humor with thoughts on crowd surfing:

Lee Valentin (02:15): "You can't be the only brother with brass knuckles."

Guest Spotlight: Lee Valentin’s New Business (07:40 - 10:44)

Lee Valentin introduces his new venture, Hammer Nails, a grooming shop tailored exclusively for men. He describes it as a "man cave" where men can enjoy services like manicures and pedicures in a comfortable, stigma-free environment:

Lee Valentin (07:40): "We're barbershop, manicure, pedicure, all guys. Man cave. Guys come in, they get their little drink, they get their own TV with their own Bose headphones, and they get to enjoy the games while they get their service."

The hosts and Lee discuss the predominantly white demographic of the clientele and the importance of creating spaces that challenge traditional gender norms around grooming.

Listener Questions Segment (21:47 - 38:23)

After a brief break, the podcast transitions to answering listener-submitted questions, maintaining the comedic and candid tone of the show.

Question 1: Prioritizing Donations to Homeless Individuals by Race (22:06 - 25:55)

Listener: Jackson from Washington Heights asks:

"I'm a 38 year old white guy. I don't usually give money to homeless people on the subway, but if I did, I think I would give money to migrant families first. Then probably black or brown people. And then at the bottom would definitely be white people."

Phil Duckett (22:41): "White people are at the bottom of my totem pole when it comes to homeless money. Because when I see white homelessness, it irritates me because I'm like, what a waste of good skin. You had every opportunity to make something of yourself, and you're out here."

Lee Valentin (23:11): "I would go to the white people first because they have an opportunity to do something with that money."

The discussion highlights the hosts' perspectives on racial dynamics within homelessness, interspersed with satirical humor and exaggerated stereotypes.

Question 2: Social Behavior in Predominantly Black vs. White Bars (30:18 - 33:28)

Listener: Drew from Detroit inquires:

"I'm a huge introvert and wife. I have noticed that when white people go out, they tend to drink their craft beer and only converse with the people they came to the bar with. On the other hand, when I go out with a few friends to a bar that is predominantly black, I notice that everyone is talking to everyone, and people who are strangers get into long conversations. What tips do you have that can help me be more outgoing and relaxed in these situations?"

Phil Duckett (30:27): "Do you bring the white boy? You didn't bring."

Lee Valentin (31:08): "He's definitely the fed."

The hosts humorously suggest that social interactions in predominantly black bars may be influenced by underlying tensions and stereotypes, offering tongue-in-cheek advice on navigating such environments.

Question 3: Racial Bias in Sports Announcing (33:28 - 35:00)

Listener: Mark from Phoenix asks:

"I got a sports question. I'm white. And I've noticed whenever announcers in football call someone a possession receiver or a good route runner, they are talking about a white guy. It doesn't make me mad, but it just is predictable. What are the code words they use for black players? And does that annoy any of you guys?"

Phil Duckett (33:51): "Extremely athletic."

Lee Valentin (34:02): "He's such a lockdown, because he can."

The conversation delves into the nuanced language used by sports announcers, reflecting on how racial biases manifest in commentary and the broader implications for how athletes are perceived and described.

Question 4: Audiobooks vs. Traditional Reading (36:18 - 38:23)

Listener: Charlie from El Paso, Texas, states:

"My friend claims he reads a lot, but it turns out it's all audiobooks. I don't know if you said that on here, not on the air. He goes, I told him that audiobooks don't count as reading. And he said, I'm ableist for saying that. Please settle this for me and my friend, we're both listeners to your show."

Lee Valentin (37:40): "Listening to books. That's not reading."

Phil Duckett (37:46): "So you don't think your brain gets as much workout doing."

The hosts debate the merits of audiobooks versus traditional reading, emphasizing the cognitive differences and maintaining their comedic edge by playfully dismissing audiobooks as less legitimate forms of reading.

White Lies and Dark Truths: Cultural Stereotypes (38:54 - 41:00)

In the final segment, guest Joe the Muscle Russell contributes to the discussion by addressing cultural stereotypes, particularly the absence of Asian homelessness. He humorously claims:

Joe the Muscle Russell (39:14): "The reason there's no Asian homeless is because they can magically turn soda cans into money."

This leads to a playful exploration of cultural practices, such as the collection of soda cans, and the hosts continue to blend humor with exaggerated stereotypes to critique societal perceptions.

Conclusion and Final Remarks (41:00 - End)

The episode wraps up with Turner Sparks and Phil Duckett reiterating their Patreon campaign, encouraging listeners to subscribe for exclusive content and shout-outs:

Phil Duckett (41:45): "They ain't always nice, but you can't think twice and give it black and white advice. Black and white advice."

Despite the comedic and often controversial discussions, the hosts aim to blend humor with social commentary, inviting listeners to engage with the show’s content and support their ongoing projects.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Phil Duckett (00:00): "White people are at the bottom of my totem pole when it comes to homeless money."
• Lee Valentin (07:40): "There's no stigma of dudes getting their nails done and stuff like that."
• Phil Duckett (22:41): "When I see white homelessness, it irritates me because I'm like, what a waste of good skin."
• Turner Sparks (23:43): "Happy Black History."
• Lee Valentin (34:02): "He's just so tactical, right? He has a high iq."
• Phil Duckett (37:46): "So you don't think your brain gets as much workout doing."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Black and White Advice masterfully intertwines humor with provocative discussions on race, social behavior, and cultural stereotypes. Through candid conversations and sharp wit, Turner Sparks, Phil Duckett, and their guest Lee Valentin offer listeners both entertainment and a platform for reflecting on complex societal issues. The inclusion of real-time listener questions adds depth, allowing for a dynamic exploration of perspectives on race and interaction in various contexts.