Grits and Eggs Podcast Host: Deante’ Kyle
Guest: Jay Hill
Episode 133 – Jay Hill
Release Date: March 27, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Grits and Eggs features a raw, deep-dive conversation between Deante’ Kyle and guest Jay Hill—a podcaster and host of the "1% Better Podcast." The two reflect on personal growth, Black masculinity, media and culture, struggles with identity, cycles of trauma, and the evolving landscape of Black manhood. The episode is a candid and vulnerable exchange about real-life experiences, lessons learned, and aspirations for healing and progress in the community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Beginnings in Media and Podcasting

• [03:50] Jay Hill’s Origin Story: Jay discusses how he got his start in radio after initially hosting local events, eventually joining radio through a friend’s encouragement.
• [07:23] Persistence in Booking Guests: Jay credits his early success in media and podcasting to relentless outreach:

  "I was the one that was persistent... you could go three, four, five years, and I'm nonstop. Yo, what's up? What's up? What's up?" [07:23, Jay Hill]

• [09:11] Shift to Entrepreneurship: Jay describes moving to Atlanta and realizing the limitations of traditional radio, which led him to build his own platform as a podcaster.

The Evolution of Podcasting & Personal Voice

• [12:18] Developing the "1% Better Podcast": Jay explains moving away from focusing solely on guests to embracing his strengths as an interviewer and shifting back to his roots.

  "You just gotta embrace what you good at... don't go away from it. Just walk deeper into it." [12:44, Jay’s homie’s advice]

• [13:29] Building a Solo Voice: Deante’ highlights the importance of solo podcasts for building an authentic audience, referencing Joe Budden as a blueprint.

Realness, Success, and Trailblazing

• [15:26] The Cost of Authenticity: Deante’ and Jay discuss what it means to blaze new trails in the media world and the inevitable backlash from being different.

  "To blaze a trail in that way... bring a lot of like, hate from people that want to occupy the space and can't." [15:38, Deante’ Kyle]

Personal Growth, Self-Control & Manhood

• [21:13] Lessons from the Past: Jay reflects on self-sabotage and the painful but necessary journey towards self-control and self-mastery.

  "You change your mentality, you change your mind, you can change your life." [22:17, Jay Hill]

• [23:13] Rebranding Black Manhood: The discussion intensifies around the harmful narratives defining Black manhood, the influence of rap, fast food, promiscuity, and the manufactured "standards" in the hood.

  "The hood create a false standard, you live by that standard, then you get rewarded by living by that standard, whole time. The standard not even right." [24:46, Jay Hill]

Breaking Cycles of Trauma

• [58:14] Childhood Trauma and Healing: Jay shares his early exposure to sex and violence, how it shaped his adulthood, and the difficulty of finding intimacy and self-discipline.

  "I was introduced to sex early... even to now, it's like, bro, it's hard to be intimate." [59:10, Jay Hill]

• [67:05] Parenting and Vigilance: Deante' discusses the tension between healthy vigilance and overprotectiveness as a father, shaped by trauma and fear.

  "I try my hardest not to be a helicopter dad... but it took me a while because when my kids was young, it was like, no." [67:05, Deante’ Kyle]

Black Masculinity, Emotional Growth, and Community

• [53:58] True Manhood Re-examined: Jay and Deante’ call for redefining what it means to be a man, focusing on responsibility, honesty, self-control, and emotional intelligence.

  "A real value man is somebody, like, that's gonna keep his word, you know what I'm saying? That's somebody that can stand up straight under pressure. That's not gonna fold." [53:58, Jay Hill]

• [76:46] Cultural Shifts & New Standards: Both express hope that the community is moving toward healthier values—intelligence, patience, and emotional openness.

Male Friendship and Hypersexuality

• [84:29] Platonic Love Among Men: They explore why close male friendships are undervalued and hypersexualized, and how this impacts homophobia and emotional support among Black men.

  "Me even loving my friend is like, oh, you must be gay. You want to fuck that nigga? It's like, no, I love this." [85:34, Deante’ Kyle] "I always look to men as to what I can learn from them, what example they Set. Because in my most pivotal years, I didn't have a close relationship with my friends." [89:41, Deante’ Kyle]

• [88:04] Breaking Down Hypersexualization: They critique how society sexualizes all aspects of life and the limitations this poses for vulnerability and connection.

The Power of Communication

• [94:42] Communication as Power: Jay shares a moving story of a young student who identifies communication as the ultimate form of power.

  "A dude was like... a nigga's ability to communicate with people, like, effectively... that's power to me."[94:42-94:47, Jay Hill relaying a student quote]

• [95:49] Responsibility of Communicators: Both emphasize the importance of self-reflection and ongoing improvement as communicators, especially in podcasting.

Advice for Podcasters & Closing Thoughts

• [99:12] On Success and Staying Grounded: Jay provides wisdom for aspiring podcasters about not letting comparison breed insecurity, embracing others' success, and focusing on patience and self-belief.

  "When people are successful around you, it means that success is in the area... just because you shine a light on somebody else does not dim yours." [99:12, Jay Hill]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Persistence:

  "I got messages in Wallow DM going back to 2018. We just did the interview ... I’m non stop. Yo, what's up? What's up? What's up?" (07:23, Jay Hill)

• On Outgrowing Toxic Masculinity:

  "You change your mentality, you change your mind, you can change your life." (22:17, Jay Hill)

• On Rebranding Manhood:

  "The hood create a false standard ... when you abide by the standard, they reward you for it. So you keep making the same mistake, and then you learn that, oh, this ain't right. But by the time you learn, your life is fucked up." (24:46, Jay Hill)

• On Fatherhood and Hypervigilance:

  "I try my hardest not to be a helicopter dad ... but it took me a while because when my kids was young, it was like, no." (67:05, Deante’ Kyle)

• On Loving Platonic Male Friends:

  "Me even loving my friend is like, oh, you must be gay. You want to fuck that nigga? It's like, no, I love this." (85:34, Deante’ Kyle)

• On the Power of Communication:

  "A dude was like... a nigga's ability to communicate with people, like, effectively... that's power to me." (94:42, Jay Hill sharing a student's perspective)

• On Comparison and Podcaster Growth:

  "When people are successful around you, it means that success is in the area... just because you shine a light on somebody else does not dim yours." (99:12, Jay Hill)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Topic | |-----------|--------------| | 03:50 | Jay Hill’s media and radio journey begins | | 07:23 | Persistence in outreach and booking guests | | 09:11 | From radio jobs to podcast entrepreneurship | | 12:18 | "1% Better Podcast": On voice, focus, and format | | 21:13 | Growth, self-discipline, transforming pain into wisdom | | 23:13 | “Rebranding” Black manhood; false standards and reward systems | | 53:58 | Defining “real men” beyond stereotypes | | 58:14 | Dealing with trauma, sex, and childhood experiences | | 67:05 | Parenting, trauma, and hypervigilance | | 76:46 | Shifting standards in Black culture and masculinity | | 84:29 | Male friendship, intimacy, and hypersexualization | | 94:42 | Communication as power; lessons from Atlanta youth | | 99:12 | Advice for young podcasters, embracing others’ success |

Tone & Style

Reflecting Jay and Deante’s deep rapport, the conversation is candid, humorous, and sometimes provocative, but always rooted in care for each other's growth and their audience’s well-being. Both are unfiltered, introspective, and willing to show vulnerability, especially as Black men pushing back against harmful norms.

Conclusion

This episode is a masterclass in raw, real talk about male identity, trauma, healing, and personal growth. Jay Hill and Deante' Kyle offer wise, hard-earned insights for anyone navigating manhood, community roles, and self-betterment—delivered with wit, humility, and hope for collective progress.

Follow Jay Hill:
Instagram: @mrjhill
Podcast: One Percent Better Podcast

Host: Deante’ Kyle
Podcast: Grits and Eggs