Show Notes
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.
Leave a 5-star review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ if you found value in this episode or a previous episode!
BOOK US FOR SPEAKING + BRAND DEALS: ———————————— Explore our diverse collaboration opportunities as the leading and fastest-growing Black men's mental health platform on social media. Let's create something dope for your brand/company.
Take the first step by filling out the form on our website: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/speaking-brand-deals
HOW TO FIND A DOPE, BLACK THERAPIST: ———————————— We are teaching a FREE webinar on how to find a dope, Black therapist – sign up for the next session here: https://event.webinarjam.com/channel/black-therapist
All webinar attendees will have the opportunity to be paired with a Black mental health professional in Safe Haven. We have had 5K+ people sign up for this webinar in the past. Don’t miss out. Slots are limited.
SAFE HAVEN: ———————————— 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.
Join Safe Haven Now: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven
SUPPORT THE PLATFORM: ———————————— Safe Haven: https://www.expressyourselfblackman.com/safe-haven Monthly Donation: https://buy.stripe.com/eVa5o0fhw1q3guYaEE Merchandise: https://shop.expressyourselfblackman.com
FOLLOW US: ———————————— TikTok: @expressyourselfblackman (https://www.tiktok.com/@expressyourselfblackman) Instagram: Host: @expressyourselfblackman (https://www.instagram.com/expressyourselfblackman) Guest: @billycouncilharlem (https://www.instagram.com/billycouncilharlem/) YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ExpressYourselfBlackMan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/expressyourselfblackman
More from Express Yourself Black Man
If you want to listen to the full episode (XYBM 167) from this clip, search for the title: "Ep. 167: Why Black Men Struggle to Let Go of Control with Jean Messeroux" — it was released on October 12, 2026.
If you want to listen to the full episode (XYBM 167) from this clip, search for the title: "Ep. 167: Why Black Men Struggle to Let Go of Control with Jean Messeroux" — it was released on October 12, 2026.
If you want to listen to the full episode (XYBM 167) from this clip, search for the title: "Ep. 167: Why Black Men Struggle to Let Go of Control with Jean Messeroux" — it was released on October 12, 2026.
In XYBM 167, we sit down with Jean, therapist and returning guest, for an unscripted conversation on fatherhood, privacy, and functional depression.
If you want to listen to the full episode (XYBM 166) from this clip, search for the title: "Ep. 166: The Expectations Keeping Black Men From Being Themselves with Cito Blanko" — it was released on September 28, 2026.