Beyond The Journal W/ Erin & Lawrence

In this episode our hosts discuss the unfortunate and dangerous incident that occurred at SpookyNook and what it means to the beloved NYC Basketball Community and youth sports. Are parents the problem... And since it has been a while, we got a chance to check in and see what’s been up with Erin, hearing all about her adventures in photography during the summer of 2021. Lawrence gives us the low down on a summer high — or lowlight that he almost goes viral for! Let’s just say, Erin’s summer is going much better! With nothing but love for our United States 2020 Olympic competitors/representatives, it seemed a no brainer for Erin and Lawrence to discuss Simone Bile’s decision to step away from Olympic competition for mental health reasons. Without holding back these two NBA fans share their opinions as a few teams, including NBA super team the Los Angeles Lakers, Lawrence’s Chicago Bulls, and the New York Knicks—(who are quickly becoming a league favorite for Erin) get a face lift early on in the free agency season! Carmelo Anthony finds his way onto the show’s list of topics once again; and speaking of which, Lawrence gives us another one of his unexpected opinions on a certain NBA superstar; let’s see who he’s hating on now? All this and even more on the next episode of Beyonnnnnd The Journalll (You read it, and heard it in your head didn’t you?)

E & L are coming in hot (& on time!) from the jump on this episode! They move quickly from the horrendous NYC traffic into the Post Season NBA Injury List that looks like an All Star roster. Trae Young and his hair come up. The WNBA is 99% vaccinated. Becky Hammon, Mia Hamm & Serena Williams are mentioned as well! Then Erin & Lawrence move onto the USA Men’s Olympic Basketball Team Roster, Greg Popovich, Jerry Colangelo, stats, analytics, and the NBA as a business. It’s summertime in the city so we have to show love to a few of the NYC Streetball tournaments and unfortunately discuss the gun violence that has infiltrated the streetball courts. And you know on this show we go deep so we dive into being seen, heard, how to tap into self love, your inner peace & power and random acts of kindness! E even shockingly shows L a lil love and mentions his book! All of this and of course so much more…Let’s lead with love and have a safe summer friends!

Lawrence & Erin finally learn what a City Councilperson is responsible for and capable of as our eager hosts have a conversation with Billy Council about the unheard and underrepresented citizens of New York’s District 9 in West Harlem. Billy shares his rough past and scary start and we are able to watch his evolution unfold as he lays out his plans for a better District 9. E & L discuss their own hopes and observations for a District in which they’ve spent quite some time and the ideas and solutions begin popping out of the frying pan! Before the inspirational trio can tackle all of the above, however, they discuss the fallen soldiers of the 2021 NBA’s Playoffs. Erin goes hard at Ben Simmons in defense of Joel Embid—“All roads lead to Kansas”—and the Philadelphia 76ers. And what size shoe was Kevin Durant wearing on his way out of the playoffs with the Brooklyn Nets’ double Overtime loss to Giannis and the Milwaukee Bucks? Find out all of that and much more, on the second installment of the “Solution Series”, found only on Beyond The Journal w/ Erin & Lawrence! Tune in. 

Erin & Lawrence return to the studio after experiencing “technical difficulties” to practice what they preach…A personal, difficult conversation! They share some of the challenges they are working through when it comes to communication while working together on Beyond the Journal and The Ballers Journal and how remaining respectful is key regardless of the differences in perspectives and opinions. Then they jump into the NBA Playoffs! LeBron and Curry are out and the young players in the league like Trey Young are making a big impact in their absence. We can’t seem to go an episode without mentioning the Knicks or L’s “love” for all things Melo. Moving on to Naomi Osaka, mental health, self care, meditation, vulnerability and more. We end with quotes from the amazing Brene Brown! We are back in the building, working on communicating through adversity and trusting the process. Join us for this honest, open, work in progress conversation!

Wow! Our esteemed guest, Officer T.J. Jones, was a gift from the universe for our beloved cohost Lawrence! Given the current climate and the widening gap between the police force and many of the minority and lower class communities that they police, Beyond The Journal hosts, Erin and Lawrence, work their way through an emotional and insightful conversation with Officer "J-Ones." Can the police do better than they have? Will they do better than they have? Do police officers care? Are there different rules for officers and civilians? How many guys does it take to arrest one man? The information that they receive in T.J.’s responses invokes an emotional response from Erin & confusion from Lawrence. And we even find a minute to throw in a little New York Knicks and L’s favorite player, Melo, into this deep conversation. Tune in ASAP. Trust us, this ain’t the one to miss!

This episode starts off normal enough: Erin & Lawrence discuss the playoff approaching, NBA Season that has been on fire! Chris Paul, Steph Curry, Julius Randle and the New York Knicks—of course this is an interesting topic for Lawrence! E & L also discuss, however, injuries and their impact on the game from a different perspective. College basketball finds its way into the discussion and our two hosts dive right into the transfer portal with new rules and new possibilities, oh what could be—! Then recent, national news becomes the focus, and the show takes a shift. What starts off as a conversation about Derek Chauvin, George Floyd, And Ma’Khia Bryant, quickly lands on Andrew Brown, Anthony Carter Jr., racial issues—and the police officers of the United States of America. Though clearly more emotional than he wished it to be, Lawrence’s reaction opens the door to a conversation, that needed to be started and is far from over. This episode will have you asking, how did we get here, and where do we go from here? That’s where Erin & Lawrence stand: Beyond the Journal.Tune in.

The legendary Ken Stevens, aka Mr. Dyckman, graced the Beyond the Journal studio with his presence, energy, wisdom and knowledge! We kick it off with Ken’s take on Myers Leonard's fine & suspension, Cancel Culture, the NBA logo and branding in general. He also weighs in on L’s favorite segment, Whose Kid Is This?, featuring Zach Lavine’s 4th Grade Teacher. Then its straight to all things Dyckman Basketball! It takes a LOT to make the summer street ball season happen safely. Ken walks us through all of it from the Dyckman team/family, the local community, the die hard fans, the vendors, the DJs, photographers, security, etc. Oh! And Summer 2021?!?! Well…you gotta listen to find out! Tune in now!

A not so warm welcome from Erin to Lawrence does not stop this show from heating up and staying hot! In typical Beyond the Journal fashion, this episode starts on the topic of inner city basketball and parenting child athletes with current and future covid protocols and gradually works its way to the NBA All-Star game! Erin and Lawrence discuss the Eastern and Western Conference rosters; NBA All-Star Roster selection processes; Snubs—including Lebron’s honest opinion and overall performances of NBA players thus far. Kyrie Irving is back in the conversation and while he may be balling out of control, E & L are much more interested in his comments off the court, his intentions, and the possible future of his perspective. Thanks to the unfortunate and untimely injury of Bronny James, the main topic of this episode lands on the idea of player injuries and the impact these injuries have on each player’s legacy and his relationship with the league and his team. In other news, New York governor, Andrew Cuomo troubles and poor reactions land him in the discussion in a way he may not be proud of. All that and more in this jam-packed not so welcome back episode for Lawrence!

Malachi Smith & his Father, Elliot Rosado, join Beyond The Journal in the studio to give you a glimpse inside Maliz World. We talk all things NYC basketball! From his start in AAU at Gauchos, to Saint Raymond’s, the PSA Cardinals, Nike’s NY vs NY and a BTJ favorite…Dyckman! Several NYC ballers and coaches are mentioned throughout the conversation, including friend and former guest Chris Williams, aka CWill. We discuss Mali’s workouts, work ethic, what inspires & motivates him, the recruiting process and how he handled the stressful decision of committing to the D1 program, Dayton University. Elliot also provides a parent’s perspective which is helpful for all parents navigating the basketball world with their young ballers. Take a trip with us inside Maliz World!

What started out as a gift to basketball moms and dads quickly became a gift for anyone listening and watching, including our hosts, Erin & Lawrence. Beyond the Journal was blessed with the company of award-winning, Writer, Film Director, T.V. & Film Producer, Active Sports Mom & doer of so much more, Crystal McCrary! Crystal joins via Skype and answers questions about what it takes to raise an NBA athlete like Cole Anthony or a College athlete like, daughter Ella Anthony; the impact of AAU on the child; the impact of business on AAU and youth sports; the difference between parenting in the early 2000’s versus parenting in the 2020’s and more! In addition she speaks on her honest and successful husband, Ray McGuire who is currently running to become NYC’s next mayor—apparently he’s already got Lawrence’s vote! He must be a part of Lawrence’s “fam” or whatever! Above all we find that Crystal is no different from other mothers who are attempting to raise children in a world that has become unstable and no less demanding of its youth! Tune in and hear our dynamic duo ask the kinds of questions parents don’t often get to ask one another at the park, in the bleachers, or out in the halls at Parent Teacher Conferences.  

Happy New Year and welcome to 2021! What do you do if the first time was already a charm? You do it again to make sure it wasn’t a fluke; and Coach C Will humbly proves his knowledge is plenty and his love for the game and development is even more! Before Erin and Lawrence jump back into C Will’s basketball mind, the trio discuss the NBA’s opening and Lawrence almost faints as the Knicks make their mark early in the season; the Milwaukee Bucks seem to be sending messages they don’t intend; the Dallas Mavs are making a huge statement to start the season; and you don’t want to miss L’s choice words about Giannis & Steph Curry —two words: Oh Boy! Though Coach C Will fit right into the podcast like a third cohost, the real story is in his responses to E & L’s questions. They three quickly cover ground on topics such as parents on the sideline; how to be a great trainer; what to look for in a trainer for your child-athletes; the difference between AAU & school coaches; the importance of a basketball I.Q.—and a high I.Q. In general, and the college recruiting process! E and L thought it would be important to start of the year with both love and guidance and Coach C Will doesn’t disappoint at all! Even if your child is not a star athletes, you don’t want to miss the gems he drops about child development! Tune in and start your year the way you should, by going Beyond the Journal with Erin & Lawrence! Happy New Year and may it be a year full of more life and more love! #theworkwillshow

In the final episode of 2020, the hosts are blessed with a mother’s love. Lawrence’s mother takes time out of her trip up North to visit with Erin and Lawrence, and it was exactly what the duo needed on their way out of a year full of tragedy and turmoil. Proving to be somewhat of a natural, before the two could pick Momma’s brain, she offered her opinion and furthered the discussion on topics like the NBA’s new Load Management and Marijuana testing policies; flared tempers in youth sports, Covid-19 vaccinations; Kyrie’s communication with the media, or lack thereof—oh, you don’t want to miss Erin’s opinion on Brooklyn Nets’ star Kyrie Irving—and more. Through a discussion that would bring all three near tears, Momma Susan offers insight that spans the course of her life as a child with 15 siblings, to a single-mother in New York through the 90’s and early 2000’s and her life as a grandparent during an epidemic. Her views and this discussion is sure to be a dose of what is needed on our way out of 2020. Speaking of which, even Trump was mentioned for what might be the last time on the show! Respectfully.

Erin & Lawrence have the privilege of sitting down with Coach Chris Williams (aka CWill) to talk all things basketball. Trust us, CWill is a wealth of experience and knowledge! He has had several opportunities throughout his training and development career to learn from coaching legends like Jim Calhoun, Larry Brown, Don Nelson, etc. as well as work alongside nationally recruited high school players and NBA stars. He currently coaches at St. Raymond’s in the Bronx while he continues to grow his own brand, Chris Williams Player Development. In this episode we dive into the NBA draft, rankings, trophies, reclassing, development, hard work, vulnerability, energy, social media and more. So many gems! Our only complaint is that we didn’t have enough time! You do not want to miss this one. Trust us! #theworkwillshow

It was a historic day and E & L were there for it! You can feel the electric energy in New York City and the studio as we talk about the election! Erin & Lawrence, well Erin anyway, takes a minute to feel the good vibes and celebrate a new beginning. The duo doesn’t agree on celebrating, but they can agree that this is just the beginning…The real works starts now and they are both committed to it! They move on to talk about political parties, Black men supporting Trump, abortion, how money rules the world, women in politics and so much more. Lawrence asks the question...Is it really a democracy if women were never involved in the political process from the beginning? We discuss the path women have taken to get into that "room" without an invitation and how it is changing the path for future generations of women. Lawrence shares his ideal definition and role of a politician. And it wouldn’t be Beyond The Journal without touching on the soul, systems, fear, love, connection, and control. E & L even take a few minutes to shoutout some of our friends in the NYC basketball community like Justin Bright of Humble Development, GuardFam, Riverside and Split Edit. We also share some upcoming plans for The Ballers Journal. Wow! This episode is a LOT. Check it out!

Erin & Lawrence jump right into the NBA playoffs and LeBron’s decision to walk off the court before the game ended. Is it right? Wrong? Does it have an impact on young fans? Does society hold LeBron to a higher standard than other athletes like Tom Brady who has done the same thing? Moving on to Jimmy Butler, E & L are big fans of his game, drive and genius, but does this Championship count due to a shorter season in the bubble? We share some of the DMs we received from listeners and look forward to seeing how we look back on 2020 ten or fifteen years from now. The NBA ratings are down and the hashtag #GoWokeGoBroke has the duo discussing the political climate, the election, Trump, COVID, the debates and all of the strategies used to avoid answering questions, #ProudBoys and so much more! We close out the show by expanding on the social media conversation from the last episode. And it wouldn’t be Beyond The Journal without discussing growth, so we challenge you to appreciate and be present in the moments you experience regardless of how many likes or comments they may receive! Oh and please VOTE! Check it out! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the wake of a legal decision that leaves some perplexed, some heartbroken & some nonplussed at all, our fearless duo attempts to tackle America’s toughest current events. How’s virtual learning going? What does virtual learning mean for our children’s futures? Then they switch gears to the fast approaching NBA championship. Erin & Lawrence discuss the playoffs from a mental and emotional perspective. How do you feel about Paul George? How do you feel about LeBron James as a leader of a superstar team? Murray and the Nuggets? Moving on to politics, Erin tells all about the time she met Trump. Breonna Taylor? Breonna Taylor. Breonna Taylor! The two flip the script and deep dive into the quote earlier than usual in the show. E & L even challenge you, the listener, on your own social media usage. Check it out! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This episode is a bit of a departure from the Beyond The Journal that you know and love.  With half of the dynamic duo under the weather, native New Yorker & 2008 National Champion Russell Robinson steps in to join Erin and share his basketball journey! Erin & Russell start way back with the infamous Gauchos, on to Rice High School, through the pressures of the D1 recruiting process and his eventual decision to attend the University of Kansas, a 12 year (and counting) career overseas, and so much more! Russell even takes time out to offer advice to Kyle Cuffe Jr, a tri-state area superstar who just received an offer from KU. Erin checks another KU fan girl dream offer her bucket list with this episode. Tune in! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the second installation of the “Can We Talk” series on communication, Erin and Lawrence are joined by guests, Chauncey Hawkins IV (Guard at Saint Francis Brooklyn) & Richard Oppong (Guard at Mansfield University)! The conversation starts off easily enough, as the four discuss the impact and recent deaths of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, Georgetown great, John Thompson, and the Portland Trailblazer’s own Clifford Robinson. The conversation quickly heats up as Erin and Lawrence get a fresh perspective from two young Black men on the polarized nation the UNITED STATES HAS BECOME! Erin and Lawrence get Rich & Chauncey’s opinion on whether or not their lives matter and if it makes any sense to try to raise children in this hostile climate. Though the conversation was serious, there were lots of laugh in true Beyond The Journal fashion. Our co-hosts were able to discuss as well as give the young men perspective on communication, partnerships, relationships and dating in the 21st century! This may not have been enough episode for a conversation so powerful! Tune in!! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The NBA Playoffs are back and Erin and Lawrence dive right into 1st round of 16 teams. The two weigh in on who they think will advance and why? Will it be the 76ers or the Celtics; the Nuggets or the Utah Jazz? Are the Milwaukee Bucks really a shoe in for the next round? How about those Lakers? Are Melo and Damien Lilliard enough to dethrone the King of L.A.? We know Melo alone is enough to dethrone our very own, self-proclaimed King of the Podcasts, let’s see what Lawrence has to say this time?  Of course, if you know our show, you know these two couldn’t stay on the court. They discuss how players are using the NBA Bubble space to make more connections both on and off of the court. School’s back in session, who better than our two opinionated and dedicated parents to weigh in on what Quarantine 20-21 looks like for our nation’s students! The Whose Kid is This segment is back and wait til you hear what the kid did now! Go vote, somehow some way—that’s both a topic and command!  Before and after you do, though, make sure to listen in to this episode, where Erin and Lawrence get into a heated discussion—once again—about communication styles. This is one communication conversation that you don’t want to miss, as it is only the start of what could only be an exciting, educational, and real talk! Only one place to get this kind of comedy and perspective from two people that are sort of like you and definitely not like one another! Beyond the Journal! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s All Ball and All Love when friends Jenna & Jarod from the 7Footers podcast join our BTJ hosts, Erin and Lawrence! The quartet discuss the NBA Bubble and the season that is already underway in Orlando, Florida. Erin wastes no time firing questions at our guests, as is the only way to go Beyond the Journal, and neither Jenna nor Jarod disappoint as they offer both knowledge and opinion on NBA Players in and out of The Bubble; Virtual Fans vs actual fans and the effect that either has on the performance level of the players; Hall of Fame Talk, seems Lawrence may be in the hot seat for some more of his Me7o comments; and of course, that good ole G.O.A.T. talk! As heated and passionate as the bball conversation gets, the four step even further in and discuss some of the more macro issues, such as NBA social justice vs. American politics (there may have been a president reference, but no names were called by Jarod—must go on the record); Colin Kaepernick’s gesture and the legacy that has been spread throughout professional sports; and of course COVID 19, BLM, and the overall polarized state the country is in. Despite the harshest of times, these four friends find a way to laugh, spread love, and flat out shock one another with opinions and statements that, if nothing else, make you think! P.S. you will not want to miss what is said about some of your all-time favorites (Duncan, Jordan, LBJ, Kareem,—oh and Kobe…come hear about Kobe) on BEYOND THE JOURNAL! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.