Pour Minds Podcast — "All the Way" feat. Trinidad James

Date: September 12, 2025
Hosts: Drea & Lex P
Guest: Trinidad James (Rapper, songwriter, producer, creative director, fashion icon)

Episode Theme:

This episode centers on authenticity, creative evolution, relationships, boundaries, and the realities of success, all tied together by the hilarious and candid energy of Drea, Lex, and special guest Trinidad James. The group dives deep into personal growth, industry shifts in music and culture, modern dating, friendship, masculinity, and navigating public perception—all with their signature blend of wisdom, comedy, and realness.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Authenticity, Leadership & Boundaries

• Trinidad James on Leadership & Boundaries

  • "When a man is leading correctly, life is perfect ... whatever correctly means to both of you, life is grand. The big G, man." (03:10)
  • Discusses how setting boundaries and vision is key for both personal and collective success. He emphasizes the importance of not only being great individually but inspiring and elevating those around you.
  • "You are not the master of anything you don't have students in." (07:33, 34:34) — A mantra from James’ karate instructor about true mastery including uplifting others.

• Lex & Drea on Uplifting Friends

  • Lex expresses her joy and sense of duty in ensuring her circle feels comfortable and supported:
    • "I am so uncomfortable if the people around me are uncomfortable ... if I can connect the dot for you, I'm gonna connect them dots." (09:21)
  • Discussion about not wanting to be the central leader, but instead celebrating when friends surpass one another.

• Discernment and Emotional Maturity

  • "If they don't see that vision for themselves, ... you doing it to no end and you wasting your time." (13:02) — Drea
  • Trinidad highlights the importance of recognizing when your 'support' is actually harming or hindering, noting emotional maturity means sometimes stepping back.

2. Being Unapologetically Yourself — Fashion, Art, and Black Experience

• Style and Evolution

  • Trinidad reflects on the evolution of his unique style and the freedom from caring about criticism:
    • "I am a gun with no safety...there's no governor on me. I'm going 300 miles ... because I've done it." (20:25)
  • Connects his self-expression in art, nails, hair, and fashion to his personal journey and Black experience.
  • "This is my Black experience. I ain't never been able to change it." (22:06)

• Loneliness & Family

  • Talks openly about growing up effectively as an only child (despite having siblings) and balancing the desire for companionship and self-sufficiency.
  • Discusses dreams of fatherhood and only wanting the number of kids he can afford:
    • "Stop having more children than you can afford." (26:33)

3. Modern Relationships and Family Expectations

• Shifting Family Values

  • "The family dynamic is not what it used to be. Nobody values family no more." (29:42) — Lex
  • The group critiques how expectations and contracts of relationships need to catch up with the reality of modern life. Many people enter relationships and parenthood without understanding themselves or each other.

• Generational Suffering & Self-Preservation

  • Lex and Drea highlight previous generations' suffering to maintain families and the stigma today around putting personal happiness first.
    • "Our mothers suffered. Our fathers worked way too hard, and our mothers suffered. Nobody wants to hear that." (31:20) — Trinidad

• Jealousy & Competition Among Women

  • Trinidad, sharing from working with many women in music, observes the mix of support and cutthroat competition.
    • "I am trying to cut this bitch's throat." (12:22)

4. Masculinity, Sexuality, and Public Perception

• Challenging Stereotypes

  • Trinidad talks about embracing fashion choices (heels, nails), confronting assumptions about his sexuality, and the historical context of Black male performers dressing flamboyantly (Prince, Isley Brothers, pimps, etc):
    • "I've never kissed a man, been kissed by a man, had sex with a man ... If a man look good, he look good." (77:16)
  • Challenges men to do what feels authentic, not what they see others doing.
  • "Do not do what other men do. Do what is good for you." (76:19)

• Influence and Authenticity

  • "Because everybody is so influenced by influencers, ... that's what throws people off." (78:38)
  • Emphasizes that everything he does is intentional, not for clout but for self-expression and love of art.

5. The Music Industry — Going Viral vs. Genuine Artistry

• The Role of Social Media
  • Discussion on whether artists need to go viral to succeed:
    • "You have to have a social media presence, period....But if you know that your work ethic is trash, forget about it." (54:34)
  • Cautions on the trap of chasing attention and virality over substance and originality:
    • "People are lonely ... they're not investing into other people. They want to be valued through what the Internet thinks." (60:21)
  • Lex notes a drop in artist development and investment in real talent:
    • "Now ... artists are getting a one song record deal so they can push this song because they see it going up on TikTok." (57:04)
  • Trinidad comments on industry shifts:
    • "Corporate is not culture. Corporate is the bank for culture. Corporate uses culture in order to be rich, to stay rich." (57:36)

6. Conspiracy Theories & Multiverse Talk

• Playful Deep Dives
  • Lex’s theory: Pigeons are man-made ("I've never seen a baby pigeon" — 63:56)
  • Drea jokes about COVID as conspiracy.
  • Trinidad shares his "everyone has a double" theory, stemming from spotting a doppelgänger in NYC.
  • They discuss the 'multiverse' idea: with every life choice, a different “version” of us exists elsewhere.
    • "Which version of yourself would you like to meet ... ?" (72:07–73:10)

7. Music Recommendations ("The Bop")

• Lex: “La Roux” (self-titled album; 2009), especially "Bulletproof" and “Cover My Eyes.”
• Dre: Chris Brown & Bryson Tiller’s "It Depends" (sampling Usher’s "Nice and Slow")
• Trinidad James:
  • Loretta Lynn – “You Ain’t Woman Enough” ("Penmanship. Insane." 87:16)
  • Sly & The Family Stone – "Family Affair"
  • AMG Twins – "No Gimmicks" ("Turn up time" 88:31)
  • Also mentions Glass Animals' "Heat Waves" and excitement for The Clipse's new album.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Mastery and Leadership:
  • "You are not the master of anything you don't have students in." — Trinidad James (07:33, 34:34)
• On Family and Suffering:
  • "Our mothers suffered. Our fathers worked way too hard, and our mothers suffered. Nobody wants to hear that. Especially not people from that generation." — Trinidad James (31:20)
• On Boundaries in Relationships:
  • Lex: "Once we stop reacting and there's nothing. Oh, you're done." (19:28)
• On Being a True Leader:
  • "A great leader got his mama in check, his daddy in check, his girl in check." — Trinidad James (96:00)
• On Masculinity & Fashion:
  • "Do not do what other men do. Do what is good for you." — Trinidad James (76:19)
• On Women's Competition:
  • "I'm trying to cut this bitch's throat." — Trinidad James (12:22)
• On Industry Authenticity:
  • "Corporate is not culture. Corporate is the bank for culture." — Trinidad James (57:36)
• On Support:
  • "We all need somebody to lean on. Lean on me..." — Lex P (50:13)

Important Timestamps

• 03:10: Trinidad explains the importance of being a leader and setting boundaries.
• 09:21: Lex on her sense of responsibility for uplifting her friends.
• 13:17: Drea and Trinidad discuss emotional maturity.
• 20:25: Trinidad reflects on becoming unapologetically himself through struggle.
• 22:06–23:08: Discussion of loneliness, only-child syndrome, and intent to be a great father.
• 26:33: Trinidad on only having as many kids as one can afford, sparking a broader talk on responsibility.
• 29:42–31:20: Critique of shifting family values and generational sacrifice.
• 34:34: More on leadership: “You are not the master of anything you don't have students in.”
• 54:34: Trinidad on going viral versus traditional music success.
• 63:54: Conspiracy theory segment (baby pigeons, doubles, multiverse).
• 74:40: Transition to discussion about masculinity, style, and sexuality.
• 77:16: Trinidad: "I've never kissed a man ... If a man look good, he look good."
• 87:03–88:48: Music 'bop' segment with recommendations and lively banter.
• 95:18–101:28: "Pour Your Heart Out" Q&A: Love, boundaries, moving in, and what to expect from a partner.

Notable Culture, Language, and Tone

• Real, Unfiltered, and Laugh-Out-Loud: The whole podcast keeps a “drunk therapy with friends” energy, mixing deep insights with jokes, shade, and playful cussing.
• Empowering & Honest: Both hosts and guest push listeners toward honest self-reflection but also affirm authenticity and carving your own lane.
• Pop Culture References: Frequent shoutouts to artists and Black cultural icons, quick-witted callbacks, and inside jokes (e.g., “Magic City cheeks,” “French tip girl,” Prince).

Additional Highlights

• Support for Black-owned Businesses: James talks about Edmonds Honor rum, his sock line (DAD: Destroying All Doubt), and the importance of supporting Black entrepreneurship.
• Advice Column: Trinidad offers honest, sometimes brutally direct, perspectives on listeners' relationship dilemmas, emphasizing the importance of knowing who you are and accepting or walking away from partners whose behaviors don’t meet your needs.
• Closing: James previews upcoming projects: Atlanta Dream sports collaboration, new music, and a focus on inspiring and protecting culture.

For Listeners:

This episode is a masterclass in self-knowledge, refusing to conform, and building genuine connection. Expect both wild, laugh-out-loud banter and pearls of wisdom—from surviving in the music business to knowing when to walk away from both romantic partners and friendships. Trinidad James brings vulnerability, insight, and humor, making this an essential listen for anyone seeking to live "all the way"—and on their own terms.

For full effect, grab a glass of something "poured up" and get ready for an episode that’s as deep as it is hilarious, as real as it is refreshing.