MUC: He Promoted Parties but now…
In a powerful episode of The Man Up Club Presents, host Mr. Dean sits down with 25-year-old Emmanuel Smith for an honest conversation about manhood, healing, discipline, and the journey toward purpose. Their dialogue offers a rare window into the inner world of a young Black man navigating ambition, heartbreak, faith, and the weight of becoming who God created him to be.
From the moment the episode begins, Emmanuel brings a refreshing level of transparency about his life. He shares openly about working full-time as a hospital security officer, developing a passion for serving his community, and stepping away from the fast-paced nightlife scene in order to mature, refocus, and heal. “Sometimes you gotta say no,” he admits—a truth many young men struggle to practice in a culture that demands constant presence and performance. muc-12-5-trascript
One of the most moving moments in the conversation comes when Emmanuel reflects on losing his mother in late 2023. Despite appearing composed when he first met the Man Up Club team, he confesses he was grieving deeply. His mother had been his best friend, and her passing pushed him into a season of spiritual reckoning. “If I didn’t have my faith, I don’t know where I’d be,” he reveals. His vulnerability becomes a testament to the sustaining strength of God in the midst of unimaginable pain. muc-12-5-trascript
But Emmanuel’s story is not just about loss—it’s also about resilience. He discusses his football journey, from having zero college offers to receiving over fifty after junior college. He recalls the excitement of nearly attending Morehouse College and then pivoting due to COVID-19, a series of events that tested his character, discipline, and emotional endurance. These experiences taught him to adapt when life changes direction, a message Dean reinforces through wisdom about audibles, pivots, and perseverance. muc-12-5-trascript
The episode goes deeper as Emmanuel talks about the lifestyle he wants for himself—family, stability, marriage, and meaningful achievement. Though he once lived for parties and events, he now focuses on building something lasting: his own entertainment company, The Motivation Entertainment, designed to inspire creatives through music, sports, and arts. He shares a desire not just to succeed personally but to pour into others, honoring the legacy of parents who always gave sacrificially. muc-12-5-trascript
Another major theme is fatherhood. Emmanuel speaks with gratitude about his relationship with his dad—something many young men inside the Man Up Club don’t have. He celebrates the discipline, guidance, and love his father instilled in him, acknowledging how rare and powerful it is to have both parents deeply involved in his life. Dean affirms how transformative a present father can be, especially in a culture where fatherlessness is widespread. muc-12-5-trascript
The conversation closes with both men reflecting on faith. Emmanuel’s consistency in posting Scripture online, seeking wisdom, reading, and surrounding himself with mentors demonstrates a maturity that has blossomed from struggle. Dean reminds listeners of the difference between knowledge, understanding, and wisdom—and the necessity of praying for wisdom as young men build their futures. muc-12-5-trascript
This episode is more than an interview—it is a blueprint for young men striving to rise above circumstance and pursue purpose with discipline, clarity, and God at the center. Emmanuel’s story embodies what The Man Up Club exists to cultivate: strong, thoughtful, spiritually grounded young Black men who are learning to lead themselves well so they can lead others.
Holy Culture Radio is operated by The Corelink Solution, a non-profit organization that aims to create a safe space for healing, foster unity in our communities and empower the next generation of creatives and leaders through spreading the gospel.
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TIMESTAMPS
00:00 — What are you doing to develop yourself?
00:46 — Emmanuel shares his job and passion for helping others
01:08 — Introduction to The Man Up Club Presents
02:20 — How Emmanuel first got connected to the Man Up Club
03:24 — Impact of mentorship and community on young men
04:45 — Meeting through DJ and the importance of positive influence
05:20 — Emmanuel’s personal growth and new mindset
06:26 — Choosing to “stay out the way” and focus on purpose
07:17 — Working, reading, and learning from successful people
08:30 — Why self-development matters now
09:02 — Learning to say no and prioritize goals
10:30 — Being a first-generation college student
11:40 — The lifestyle he wants and staying grounded
12:55 — Growing up in poverty and wanting the other side of life
14:33 — How background shapes ambition
16:00 — Childhood on the East Side of St. Paul
17:02 — Trusting God’s hand in life’s changes
18:15 — The painful pivot during his football career
20:08 — From zero offers to 50: Emmanuel’s recruiting journey
21:30 — COVID’s impact and transferring schools
22:30 — How hardship shaped him
23:06 — Football positions and size
23:50 — Losing his mother
24:08 — Grieving while trying to live life
25:50 — Emmanuel reflects on healing and God’s strength
27:30 — Understanding grief and timing
30:33 — Throwing events and building an entertainment company
32:47 — Launching Motivation Entertainment
35:14 — Having big vision despite criticism
38:00 — The importance of tuning out the noise
39:50 — How his father influenced his discipline
41:49 — The impact of having both parents involved
44:07 — What the next 2–3 years look like
45:35 — Learning from mentors and seeking wisdom
47:23 — Knowledge, understanding, and praying for wisdom
48:33 — How faith shapes his daily life
50:15 — Closing reflections on purpose and growth
51:26 — Final words from Mr. Dean and how to support Man Up Club
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