Lunchbreak Podcast

Lunchbreak Podcast

Join the congenial pragmatist (Stew) and the misanthropic altruist bestie (Zan) as they sit together at lunch to discuss life as “successful” educated Black men on the other side of free and reduced lunch…and the softer side of 30.

Episodes

September 29, 2025 60 mins

The only thing constant is change. Stew and Zan sit down to reflect on the nine months since their last pod and how rapid change is reshaping the way they see themselves, fatherhood, marriage, and the world around them. 

In between the heavy, you’ll also get the bachelor party + Detroit wedding recap, an almost-too-vivid doctor’s office story, sobriety talk, catcalling from both men and women, and even a Russian bathhouse adventure....

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Ahead of the holidays, Stew and Zan discuss the male loneliness epidemic and being there for your friends in the context of a purported “friendship recession” over the last 30 years. 

This is where we’d put a hotline number if this was the end of a 90s ABC sitcom that just aired an episode with a serious slant. 

This episode IS serious although it starts very unserious. We just don’t know who you should call besid...

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November 4, 2024 64 mins

You know how some episodes of your favorite TV show aren’t as robust as others but it bridges the storyline? This is one of those perhaps. We recap 2 events over the last 4 weeks, celebrating 15 years of adulthood, in one hour. 

Next episode will be like the second to last episode of a “Game of Thrones” season. Just watch! 

Topics

  • 2:00 - Radical Acts 
  • 17:20 - Convos with Crazy Legs 
  • 38:04 - Word of the Day
  • 41:00 - Put Hands on Em 
  • 59:...
Mark as Played
September 23, 2024 62 mins

“You’re born looking like your parents but you die looking like your decisions.”

Recorded live from Decatur, GA, Stew and Zan talk about dapping people with wet hands, the value of mentoring, balancing your emotional checkbook, the role of a father, old and young Black men who look alike, finding your purpose, dimensions of identity and lace front wigs on 20 year olds.

None of these topics make sense separately ...

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In 2019, Stewart was interviewed by the New York Times and in the interview, he talked about his concept of time. In 2024 we travel back to the future and revisit it for the first time.

Time is a construct. In NY, Timbs are called “Constructs”.

That has nothing to do with anything but who has time to write cohesive copy while trying to construct walls around our pain?

Lunchtime won’t heal all wounds bu...

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January 29, 2024 55 mins

Zan’s former work bestie turned real-life buddy, Rene, joins live from Dallas to talk travel stories, corporate activism, multiculturalism, Sopranos, and best/worst eats. 

Including real-life stories about a high school lunchroom in Poland. 


Honestly, the episode is all over the place in the best ways, and you just need to listen. 

You’ll also need to have an opinion on alligator’s place in the pescatarian food pyramid....

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January 15, 2024 65 mins

10 episodes ago we turned the lunchroom into the visitation room as Riyan joined us via phone from a Maryland state correctional facility, ahead of his release from prison. 

Now we pick up the conversation during Riyan’s first visit to Zan’s home in Dallas. 

Look at this as an expansion of episode 12. After all, everything is bigger in Texas. Except Zantoine. He’s undersized in that state. 

Topics:

  • “The Feds” - 0:45
  • Newpor...
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July 10, 2023 68 mins

Season 2 kicks off with our new format and our first woman guest, Candace P., affectionately known as Turmeric (1/2 of the Spice Rack). 

The Lunchbreakers sit with Candace and draft the stage play to the wildest musical you’ve ever seen as they revisit their recent trip to Detroit. We talk Detroit community policing, old player Detroit fashion, and Zan’s baby shower. 

This season is all about our travels with frie...

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May 15, 2023 65 mins

The Lunchbreakers swipe their meal plan for the final time this season. 

Today’s table topic is all about examples of fatherhood they’ve seen in their lives. Surrogates, absentees, and stand-ins. The whole gamut is covered.

This episode was originally entitled “The Parent ‘Hood with Robert De Niro and Robert Townsend.” You’ll understand that by the end of your juice box. 🧃 

It’s been a blast making season 1. See you next se...

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May 8, 2023 65 mins

Welcome to Sunday brunch with Stew and Zan. It’s the after-church meal.

Some of you may have grown up eating it in the church basement. Some of you may have had it at Shoney’s. Some of you may know nothing about Black church, and this episode is your introduction…


The Lunchbreakers talk all things religion and faith globally and how their explorations informed how they see God today…you know, the scary topics. 

This epi...

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May 1, 2023 61 mins

The Lunchbreakers talk about where, when, how and from whom they learned to market a product to a customer.

Spoiler alert: New York plays a major part, and so does Corporate America. 

Zan cried on air, and there's lots of Jay-Z (with the hyphen) talk.

We'll either get sued or invited to do a Roc Nation "Brunchbreak Podcast"…wish us luck. 🧃

Topics

  • Pie O My at Aqueduct - 8:...
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April 24, 2023 57 mins

The Lunchbreakers take it back to their roots, by going to lunch with their grandmas (metaphorically).  They talk about how their walk was shaped by the footsteps laid two generations above them. This one is a blast from the past, shaping our impact in future. Oh… and there’s lots of crazy stories. 

This one is for the grandmas boys. 🧃


Topics

  • Cabana Boy - 4:52
  • Lobster With Pops - 19:04
  • I’m a Little Piss Pot - 27:30
  • Grandma’s Ab...
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The Lunchbreakers are in night school, taking Corporate as a Second Language (CSL) classes. This episode was recorded at the end of the work day on a Monday. Everyone hates Mondays. Imagine what it’s like to enter a Monday and know you have to tuck your culture in until Friday.

You don’t have to… we’re telling you in this Master Class. Not to be confused with Master Cleanse 🧃

In today’s class, you’ll learn how t...

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April 10, 2023 69 mins

The Lunchbreakers fire up the Lunchroom Time Machine and revisit their high school days, connecting the experiences of adolescence to the behaviors of their adulthood…with a couple of pit stops at points of awkward embarrassment along the way. 

Sip your juice box slowly today, folks. Make sure you check the date. It’s been around a long time 🧃

Topics

  • The Reunion Show - 12:00
  • 14-Year-Old Virgin - 19:03
  • 20 Inches,...
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March 27, 2023 62 mins

There’s lots of paraffin wax and zero Bigen.

The Lunchbreakers take you from the LunchRoom to the meditation room and then eventually to the barbershop. It’s like you’re joining us for a spa day  🧘🏾‍♂️💆🏾‍♂️💈

We always said we’d say it all on the right track.

Take care 🧃 


Topics

  • Eau du Durag 100mL - 1:45
  • Empathy Sharpens Iron - 16:10
  • S-Curls and 360 Waves - 23:43
  • The Cost of Male Beauty - 35:30
  • Self Care Sa...
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Two only children walk into a pod and come out as bestest bros.

The Lunchbreakers give an update on Riyan, transitioning into a discussion about growing up as an only child and how it has framed friendship and brotherhood for them as adults. 

Only child bonus: There’s always more juice for you 🧃

Topics

  • Tambourine Jams  - 1:43
  • My Morehouse Brother & Me - 28:05
  • Across the Sands of Solitude - 39:00
  • Friday Night Streetlight...
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“It was like God sent me that letter.”

-Riyan at the 26:09 mark. 


The Lunchroom officially became the visitation room as the guys sat down with Riyan to discuss the last 17 years he’s spent in a max security state penitentiary. 

On the date of this episode releasing (3/13/23), Riyan will go before the parole board. The Lunchbreakers, the Juice Crü, and our entire extended community are sending positive energy and collec...

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March 6, 2023 65 mins

The Lunchbreakers take the audience from the lunchroom to the visitation room.
At the time of recording the guys were awaiting a call in from a guest who is currently incarcerated. Unfortunately, he was unable to make the call because he was in study hall for his college algebra class. He will join next week. The ensuing discussion evolved while awaiting his arrival.

Have a nice lunch. Savor the taste of your freedom. ...

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February 27, 2023 65 mins

Money Mike (@paprika_papi) joins us at the lunch table as The Lunchbreakers talk about taking care of your chicken after growing up and realizing fear-based mindsets were for the birds. 

From free lunch to free game. 🧃🧃🧃

Topics

  • Golden Eggs and Duck Liver - 6:18
  • Lettuce Get Some Green - 15:13
  • Paprika’s Way: Who All Doing the Scamming? - 28:45
  • Money Streaming in 100K+ on All Platforms - 38:12
  • The 9 Black Dollar Commandments...
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February 20, 2023 61 mins

Did you know Stew was African? 🇬🇭

The Lunchbreakers talk about Stew’s heritage/culture and how it’s been woven into their friendship. 

Give me a Diet Diaspora on the rocks. Make it a double 🧃🧃

Topics

  • Yacht Rock It, Don’t Stop It - 0:01
  • Taxi Cab Confessions - 9:26
  • Kwame Saturday, First of His Name - 20:01
  • Afrivengers: Jollof Wars - 31:15
  • Party Boat Back to Africa - 49:01

Word of the Day - Demonym

Mark as Played

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