If you want to listen to the full episode (XYBM 153) from this clip, search for the title: "Ep. 153: How to Build Trust with Young Black Men with Billy Council" — it was released on March 23, 2026.

In XYBM 153, we sit down with Billy Council, a dedicated advocate for social justice, equity, and community empowerment. Billy reflects on realizing he needed healing at 49 after losing a Harlem City Council race—an experience that resurfaced unprocessed trauma from childhood, his mother’s addiction, and surviving being shot six times at 19.

He also shares how coaching basketball became a pathway to mentorship and purpose, how becoming a father while losing his own father forced him to grow up, and offers insight on co-parenting, emotional presence, and the importance of creating meaningful traditions with your children.

Tune in on all podcast streaming platforms, including YouTube.

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Safe Haven is a holistic healing platform built for Black men by Black men. In Safe Haven, you will be connected with a Black mental health professional, so you can finally heal from the things you find it difficult to talk about AND you will receive support from like-minded Black men that are all on their healing journey, so you don’t have to heal alone.

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BEST MOMENTS of Ep. 153 with Billy Council