What does it really take to build a city where people can afford to live, work, and raise a family?

Virginia Beach City Council District 4 candidate Janet Byrnes returns to the Culture Development Podcast for an open conversation about the issues affecting Virginia Beach residents and the future of our community.

From the rising cost of living and affordable housing to public safety, youth mentorship, and supporting local businesses, Janet shares her perspective on the challenges facing the city and the priorities shaping her campaign.

We also discuss the importance of strengthening relationships between law enforcement and the community, advocating for first responders, creating opportunities for local entrepreneurs, and making sure residents have a voice in the decisions that affect their everyday lives.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Affordable housing and the cost of living in Virginia Beach
• Public safety and community-police relationships
• Youth mentorship and community engagement
• Economic development and supporting small businesses
• Advocacy for first responders and city employees
• Leadership, accountability, and community representation

Beyond politics, this conversation is about understanding the needs of our communities and the role we all play in shaping their future.

Join the conversation: What changes would you like to see in Virginia Beach? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share for more conversations that inform, challenge, and connect our community.

#VirginiaBeach #JanetByrness #VirginiaBeachCityCouncil #District4 #CultureDevelopmentPodcast #CommunityLeadership #LocalPolitics

Cultural Development Podcast | Ralph Gill of Break the Cycle VA — Mental Health, Trauma & Brotherhood

What happens when a life-changing tragedy affects not just the victim, but everyone who loves them?

In this powerful episode of the Cultural Development Podcast, host Jerome “Rome the Rula” Scurry Jr. sits down with Ralph Gil, founder of Break the Cycle VA, for an emotional and honest conversation about mental health, trauma, brotherhood, family, and overcoming life’s toughest challenges.

Ralph shares the heartbreaking story of his identical twin brother, Armando, who suffered devastating injuries in a 2023 car accident. From witnessing his brother’s painful recovery to battling his own emotional struggles, Ralph opens up about how the experience changed his perspective on life forever.

Rome also gets personal, sharing his own battles with anxiety following his military deployment and career in law enforcement, and how his wife’s support and seeking professional help played an important role in his journey.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Ralph’s twin brother’s devastating accident and recovery
• The mental health struggles that family members and caregivers often face
• PTSD, anxiety, depression, and the importance of seeking help
• Why men shouldn’t feel ashamed to express their emotions
• The power of brotherhood, family, and strong support systems
• How Break the Cycle VA is empowering youth throughout Hampton Roads
• Fatherhood, mentorship, and leaving a meaningful legacy

This episode is more than a conversation about mental health. It’s a reminder that even the strongest people need support, and nobody should have to suffer in silence.

Connect with Break the Cycle VA: Facebook: Break the Cycle VA

Website: www.breakthecycleva.org

Support the Cultural Development Podcast:

LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE & SUBSCRIBE for more real conversations about culture, community, leadership, mental health, and personal growth.

Lead. Teach. Inspire. 👑

#CulturalDevelopmentPodcast #RalphGill #BreakTheCycleVA #RomeTheRula #MentalHealthAwareness #MensMentalHealth #PTSD #AnxietyAwareness #Brotherhood #FamilySupport #BreakTheStigma #VirginiaBeach #HamptonRoads #LeadTeachInspire

What happens when an old-school 800-meter runner sits down with the new generation? 🏃🏾‍♂️💨

On Episode 9 of the Cultural Development Podcast, Rome the Rula sits down with Didi Drogba, a Norfolk State University 800-meter runner and cybersecurity major, for a conversation about track, discipline, HBCU athletics, personal growth, and building a brand as a student-athlete.

Rome immediately saw a little of his younger self in Didi. Both ran the 400/800, both experienced the grind of collegiate track at Norfolk State, and both learned that the 800 might be one of the most brutal races in track and field. 😂

Didi breaks down his journey from being an average young runner to steadily dropping his times, overcoming injury, reaching the national level, and eventually earning the opportunity to compete at the Division I level.

They get into the REAL side of being a college athlete—the early practices, balancing classes and training, learning discipline, dealing with races that don't go your way, and understanding that progress isn't always linear.

But being an athlete today is about more than what happens on the track.

Didi talks about intentionally building his social media presence, working with Cosign Media to develop his image as an HBCU athlete, and documenting his journey toward his next major goal. For young athletes watching, it's a reminder that your personal brand can become part of your athletic career.

Rome and Didi also talk about:

🏃🏾‍♂️ How to actually run the 800 🏆 Going from average times to competing at a high level 🧠 The mentality behind chasing PRs 🤕 Injuries, setbacks & coming back stronger 🎓 Life as a Norfolk State student-athlete ⏰ Balancing school, practice and everyday life 🏅 HBCU track & field culture 📱 Social media and athlete branding 💻 Cybersecurity, technology & the future of AI 🔥 The new generation of athletes vs. the old school

And one of the biggest lessons from Didi's journey?

You don't have to start as the fastest person on the track to eventually become someone worth watching.

The progress, discipline, setbacks and consistency are all part of the story.

🎙️ Cultural Development Podcast with Rome the Rula — Episode 9

If you're a young athlete, parent of an athlete, coach, former runner—or somebody who simply appreciates the grind behind becoming great—this conversation is for you.

💬 QUESTION OF THE EPISODE: What do you think is harder: the 400, 800, or mile? 👀

Drop your answer in the comments.

👍 LIKE 💬 COMMENT 🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more conversations from the Cultural Development Podcast

#CulturalDevelopmentPodcast #RomeTheRula #NorfolkState #NSU #HBCU #HBCUTrackAndField #TrackAndField #800Meter #StudentAthlete #CollegeAthlete #Running #AthleteBranding

In this powerful episode of the Cultural Development Podcast, we sit down with Jyron Pinckney, a survivor connected to one of the darkest moments in modern American history — the 2015 mass shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Jyron shares his story from inside the church, the weight of surviving, the impact of racial hatred, and how a moment meant to destroy a community became a testimony of strength, faith, survival, and purpose.

This conversation is not just about tragedy. It is about memory, healing, truth, and what our communities must learn from the pain people carry in silence.

On Cultural Development Podcast, we believe real stories create real understanding. This episode gives space to a survivor’s voice, honors those who lost their lives, and challenges us to think deeper about hate, forgiveness, trauma, faith, and the responsibility we all have to build better communities.

Watch, listen, reflect, and share this conversation with someone who needs to hear it.

Guest: Jyron Pinckney Host: Jerome Scurry Jr. / Rome the Rula Podcast: Cultural Development Podcast

#CulturalDevelopmentPodcast #JyronPinckney #MotherEmanuel #CharlestonStrong #RealConversations

A stronger YouTube title could be: Surviving the Charleston Church Shooting: Jyron Pinckney Tells His Story.

Cultural Development Podcast ft. Travis May | From a Life Sentence to a Second Chance

What do you do when the system tells you that the rest of your life has already been decided?

On this episode of the Cultural Development Podcast, Rome the Rula sits down with Travis May for a powerful conversation about incarceration, redemption, second chances, and rebuilding your life.

Travis shares his journey through the criminal justice system, serving years behind bars under a life sentence, and eventually receiving a pardon in 2018. The conversation goes beyond prison—we talk about the choices and circumstances that shape young people, surviving incarceration, personal growth, accountability, and what it takes to come home and create a different future.

This episode is about what it truly means to break a cycle when the odds are stacked against you.

🎙️ Hosted by: Jerome “Rome the Rula” Scurry Jr. 🎧 Cultural Development Podcast

Topics: Criminal Justice • Incarceration • Redemption • Second Chances • Youth Mentorship • Accountability • Reentry • Breaking Cycles • Personal Growth

Follow, subscribe, and share the episode.

#CulturalDevelopmentPodcast #RomeTheRula #TravisMay #SecondChances #Redemption #CriminalJustice #Reentry #BreakingCycles #PersonalGrowth

Cultural Development Podcast ft. Vickayla Pope | Building Wealth Beyond Money What does it really mean to prepare the next generation to build, own, and lead? On this episode of the Cultural Development Podcast, Rome the Rula sits down with Vickayla Pope, a 10-year Navy veteran, Managing Broker at Onyx Realty Professionals, and founder of Mini Millionaire Moguls. With nearly 27 years in real estate, Vickayla shares her journey from military service to entrepreneurship and explains why her mission goes far beyond simply teaching kids about money. We talk about financial literacy, homeownership, confidence, health, life skills, and exposing young people to opportunities they may not otherwise see. Vickayla also shares the powerful story of a teenager who helped change the direction of her life and ultimately influenced the work she does with young people today. This conversation is about breaking cycles, creating ownership, and giving the next generation the knowledge and confidence to build real wealth. 🎙️ Hosted by:Jerome “Rome the Rula” Scurry Jr. 🎧 Cultural Development Podcast** Topics: Youth Development • Financial Literacy • Real Estate • Entrepreneurship • Homeownership • Military Transition • Generational Wealth • Mentorship • Breaking Cycles Follow, subscribe, and share the episode. #CulturalDevelopmentPodcast #RomeTheRula #VickaylaPope #MiniMillionaireMoguls #GenerationalWealth #FinancialLiteracy #RealEstate #YouthDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #BreakTheCycle

On this episode of the Cultural Development Podcast, Rome sits down with David Smith, a police lieutenant with 15 years of law enforcement experience, former SWAT team member, and Head Coach with Apogee Responders.

We get into what leadership really looks like when you stop focusing on changing everybody else and start with the person in the mirror.

David breaks down self-leadership, personal responsibility, resilience, first responder wellness, organizational culture, and building an identity beyond the badge. We also discuss why too many first responders sacrifice their health, relationships, and identity for the profession—and how intentional leadership can create healthier people, families, teams, and organizations.

The conversation goes beyond law enforcement. It’s about becoming a stronger leader, spouse, parent, teammate, and person.

Culture doesn’t change just because policies change. Culture changes when people change. And leadership starts with you.

🎙️ Cultural Development Podcast Hosted by Rome the Rula

Rome the Rula sits down with Attorney Dante Wright for a powerful conversation about adversity, mentorship, and transformation.

Growing up in poverty and instability while spending part of his childhood in foster care, Dante faced challenges that could have easily defined his future. Instead, through resilience, guidance, and determination, he changed the trajectory of his life and became a respected attorney.

This episode explores leadership, masculinity, discipline, second chances, personal growth, and what it truly takes to overcome your environment and build a meaningful life.

Presented by Cultural Development Podcast.