Black men are dying of cancer in silence. So we took a room full of dads, sons and survivors and built the most honest conversation they’ve ever had.

This episode was recorded at Macmillan’s Open House, a home built to feel like the houses that raised us: soft light, old portraits, kettle on the stove, carpet holding the memories of every step. Into that house we brought a live conversation on men, fatherhood and grief.

Marvyn Harrison is joined by:

– Ibrahim Kamara, whose dad died of cancer on his birthday while he was locked alone in a Covid hotel

– Paul Campbell, who was denied treatment, diagnosed in the same year as his brother and sister, and watched his father die from prostate cancer

– Host and facilitator Ruben Christian, unpacking identity, masculinity and the cost of being “the strong one”

Inside this episode:

– The Black dad who had to fight his GP just to get tested

– Why three siblings were all diagnosed with cancer in the same year

– How a father hid his diagnosis from ten children and made one son carry the secret alone

– Men explaining what grief actually feels like inside the body

– The quiet ways race, culture and masculinity shape how we ignore symptoms

– What good men actually need from their partners, friends and community

– Why checkups aren’t a verdict, they’re a lifeline and a second chance

The episode closes with “White Smiles”, an original song written about a dream of a father who finally returns smiling, with new teeth and no pain. Listen grounded, eyes closed if you can.

If you love a Black man, live with one, are raising one or are one, this is the episode you send.

Welcome to The Marvyn Harrison Podcast — a story-driven conversation exploring identity, fatherhood, masculinity, relationships, culture, politics, sport, and modern life.

In each episode, Marvyn Harrison sits down with leading thinkers, creatives, athletes, policymakers, and cultural voices to unpack the defining moments that shaped them. Through image prompts, structured storytelling, and revealing game segments, guests explore pivotal memories, career turning points, personal struggles, and the beliefs that guide their decisions today.

Expect honest discussions on mental health, family dynamics, leadership, equity, ambition, resilience, and the realities of navigating success in Britain and beyond.

This is a podcast about clarity, where lived experience meets sharp cultural insight.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 513 - Everything's Broken w/ Mike Peditto