Outta Pocket with RG3

Episode: Michael Evans Behling: Why Telling Mixed Kids They Aren’t Black Enough Has to Stop

Date: May 14, 2025
Host: Robert Griffin III (RG3) & Grete Griffin
Guest: Michael Evans Behling (All American, actor, mental health advocate)

Main Theme

This episode delves into the complexities of racial identity and belonging for mixed-race individuals, particularly focusing on the pressures and invalidations mixed kids face within Black communities. Michael Evans Behling—actor, social media personality, and star of All American—opens up about his personal journey as a biracial adoptee and public figure. The conversation also covers the intersections of race, opportunity, representation on and off screen, and mental health.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Opportunity/Success Debate

[03:04 – 07:35]

• Discussion on Anthony Mackie’s quote: "Success is not earned, it’s actually given."
• Michael shares his casting journey for All American and the role of “being chosen” versus just hard work.
• Michael: “Everything’s subjective. That casting director had to look at my headshot and…say, you know what? I think he might fit this role.” [05:00]
• RG3 parallels this with football and the NFL draft: Talent matters, but opportunity is decided by gatekeepers.

2. Identity Struggles Growing Up Mixed-Race

[08:01 – 10:43]

• Michael recounts being called “Oreo” and "not Black enough" by other kids.
• Connection between his own experiences and those of his on-screen character, Jordan Baker.
• Michael: “I’m not up to your standard as of being Black enough…That was the whole thing.” [09:00]
• Importance of representation and tackling these themes on All American.

3. Navigating Mixed Identity at Home

[11:19 – 13:00]

• Michael’s white mother was proactive in educating him about how society would see him as a Black child.
• Gave him “the talk” and taught him he’d be seen differently than his white siblings.
• Michael: “My mom did a really beautiful job of just giving me that understanding of I’m not like my classmates that are all white…So I gotta give her the biggest thank you for being self-aware.” [12:00]

4. Community Policing and Being “Black Enough”

[14:22 – 16:37]

• RG3 and Michael discuss intra-community policing—how dating outside the race, cultural interests, or “proper English” spark accusations of not being “down.”
• RG3’s perspective: “Being Black is not a monolith…Why look down on any Black man or Black woman for being different? Doesn’t make any sense to me.” [16:26]

5. The Harm of Denying Mixed-Race Identity

[22:47 – 24:56]

• Michael explains the emotional and psychological toll for mixed children when their Blackness is diminished or questioned.
• Michael: “It just makes you feel lost…like you don’t know where you belong. Your sense of identity is just escaped.” [23:00]
• RG3 validates Michael’s experience: “Your Black experience, even being adopted and raised by a white family, is still a Black experience.” [25:13]

6. Relationships and Public Scrutiny

[17:14 – 21:02]

• Michael reflects on his dating life, why he’s been single, and the challenges of intimacy and trust in Hollywood.
• Shares about past short-lived marriage and how being public makes things messy when things go wrong.
• Insights on choosing work and self-growth over forced relationships.

7. The Reality of All American’s Football Scenes

[31:08 – 34:58]

• Honest commentary on the sometimes unrealistic football choreography in early seasons.
• Michael reveals how actors with limited football backgrounds affected authenticity, but also how things improved over time.
• Memorable: “There’s a lot of times some of our writers who weren’t football fans would write specific things…and you and me watching would be like, ‘We would never do that in a game.’” [32:54]

8. Preparation and On-Set Stunts

[37:48 – 41:00]

• Michael’s sports background helped him, and he worked with a quarterback coach; some co-stars started from scratch.
• Tells a story of dislocating his shoulder while filming a critical game scene for season 6.
• Michael (on the injury): “I pushed myself up with my right arm…I could feel my shoulder just go clink.” [41:01]

9. All American’s Social Impact

[43:18 – 45:19]

• Michael praises how All American weaves real-world issues—race, police, mental health—into authentic character arcs.
• Highlighted the impact of seeing characters face struggles, grow, and thrive as a powerful message for the audience.

10. Career Dreams Beyond All American

[46:57 – 49:57]

• Michael wants to work with production companies like A24, appreciates their boundary-pushing films.
• Dreams of playing a villain, inspired by Heath Ledger’s Joker: “Villains can capture audiences a little bit more than superheroes sometimes.” [48:36]
• Would consider superhero roles, but is fascinated by powerful, captivating antagonists.

11. Light-Hearted Segments & Rapid Fire

[51:28 – 54:46]

• Fun “this or that” segment (LA vs. Ohio, football vs. basketball, memories vs. new experiences, etc.)
• Playful reflection on the All American cast’s zombie apocalypse survivability and dating preferences.

12. Motivational Speech to Mixed Kids

[55:47 – 57:21]

• Michael, directly:
  “Anything is possible. You put your mind to it, you work hard, you put in the hours—you can do anything you set your mind to. Don’t allow people…outside your life tell you that you’re not something you know you are…Use it as fuel. Love yourself, believe in yourself, and keep on digging. You’ll find gold eventually, baby.” [55:47]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• RG3: “Being Black is not a monolith…Love knows no color and why would it?” [16:25]
• Michael Evans Behling: “It just makes you feel like you’re in purgatory…people love mixed babies, they love the way we look, but they don’t want to claim you on either side.” [25:04]
• On mothers: “My mom did a really beautiful job of just giving me that understanding of I’m not like my classmates that are all white.” [12:00]
• On adversity: “Life will continue to knock you down. Keep swinging for the fence because someday you may just connect and hit that home run and find yourself living your dream.” [56:00]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Success: Earned or Given? – 03:04 – 07:35
• Mixed Identity & Adolescence – 08:01 – 10:43
• Parental Support & Racial Conversations – 11:19 – 13:00
• Intra-Community Policing – 14:22 – 16:37
• Impact of Denying Mixed Kids' Blackness – 22:47 – 24:56
• Dating, Hollywood, Public Pressure – 17:14 – 21:02
• All American Realism & Football Scenes – 31:08 – 34:58
• On-Set Stories & Injuries – 37:48 – 41:00
• All American’s Cultural Impact – 43:18 – 45:19
• Dream Roles & The Power of Villains – 46:57 – 49:57
• Fun Segments (Zombie Apocalypse, This or That) – 51:28 – 54:46
• Motivational Speech for Mixed Kids – 55:47 – 57:21

Final Take

This episode offers an authentic, emotional, and at times humorous exploration of biracial identity, validation, and mental health. Michael’s candor about growing up mixed, his gratitude for self-aware parenting, and his reflections on success, representation, and growth on and off set deliver encouragement for anyone feeling torn between worlds. The show’s relaxed, supportive, and honest environment allows for nuanced conversations that challenge stereotypes and inspire listeners of all backgrounds.

For those seeking inspiration, validation, or just an honest look behind the scenes of a beloved series, this is an episode you can’t miss.