Shows / In The Know with Tony Reeves
In The Know with Tony Reeves
Hosted by former attorney and Judge Tony Reeves, this podcast delivers sharp insights, commentary, and real talk on law, leadership, public service, and the Black Gen X experience. Whether you’re navigating bureaucracy, seeking inspiration, or craving honest reflections from someone who’s lived it, ‘In The Know with Tony Reeves’ offers the wisdom and wit to keep you informed—and empowerBecome a supporter of this podcast…
Episodes
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
First Generation in Affluent Spaces: The Untold Black Gen X Experience
What does it really mean to be first generation?Not the version we celebrate on paper — but the hidden reality behind stepping into a world your family has…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
I Bet On Myself: The Day I Walked Away From Everything Safe.
WHat does it really feel like to walk away from everything safe?In this episode, I share one of the most pivotal moments of my life — the day I resigned my…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
When the Club No Longer Fits — Becoming a Young Black Professional and Finding Your Space
When you turn 21, the club feels like arrival. It’s the symbol of adulthood, freedom, identity, and validation. But at some point, the music, the crowd, and…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
The confusing part of Racism for Black Gen X: Navigating a New World with Old Landmines
In this episode, I break down one of the most overlooked realities of growing up Black as a member of Generation X — the confusing part of racism. Not because…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
NOW YOU KNOW: The Untold Burden of Gen X — Racism, Family, and the “Sign of the Times
This 20-minute audio reflection pulls back the curtain on my IN THE KNOW video “Sign of the Times.” I share personal insights about the realities Gen X faced…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Sign of the Times: What Black and White Gen X Learned from Our Parents
In this episode, I take a hard look at what we mean when we say something was just a “sign of the times.” For generations, that phrase has been used to excuse…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
The First Time I heard the N-word: A Black Gen X Reality Check
For many of us in the Black Gen X generation, the N-word wasn’t something we were supposed to hear anymore. We were told that the world had changed—that the…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Living History: When the Past Still Lives Among Us
Have you ever walked past a building and felt its history?For many of us in Black Gen X, we live among reminders of what our parents and grandparents endured…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Kindergarten Is Where It Began for Black Gen X: The First Lessons in Change
In this episode, Tony Reeves reflects on how a simple kindergarten classroom in 1974 became the backdrop for one of the most profound social transformations in…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
A Whole New World for Black Gen X: Born Between Hope and Trauma
In this episode of IN THE KNOW with Anthony Reeves, we take a deep look at what it meant to be Black Generation X — the first generation to grow up in a…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Lessons from the Past: Why Black Travelers still move differently
(00:00:00) Lessons from the Past: Why Black Travelers still move differently (00:00:08) Intro: Moving Differently for a Reason (00:00:32) The Myth That Time…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
The 80-Mile Hitchhike: When Freedom Met Foolishness (Part of the “Traveling While Black Gen X” series)
In 1987, I was just 18 — a college freshman at the University of Tampa and a brand-new Army Reservist trying to earn a $4,000 bonus. What should’ve been a…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
The Grand Dragon Warning: Traveling While Black Gen X in Polk County
In 2008, I had just started my own law firm in Central Florida and was commuting daily through the quiet backroads of Polk County. One day, a young woman in my…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Pulled Over at Night: A Young Black Officer’s Lesson in Survival
In 1996, I was a 27-year-old Black naval officer stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. One late night, I was driving home from Jacksonville along a dark…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
When the Laws Changed but the People Didn’t: The Gen X Reality After Desegregation
In this episode, Tony Reeves takes listeners beyond the viral video “Beware of the Klan County” to unpack what it truly meant for Black Generation X to grow up…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Be Careful of the Klan County What a Quiet Warning in 1995 Taught Me About Awareness and Survival
In 1995, I arrived in Jacksonville, North Carolina — a young, proud Black naval officer reporting for duty at Camp Lejeune. Like anyone new to a duty station…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Commentary on the Comments: Black Gen X and the Stories History Forgot
In this special Commentary on the Comments episode of IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves, I’m responding to a viewer who asked a simple but powerful question:“Why do…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
When Welcome Turns to Unwelcome: A Black Gen X Childhood Reality
At 7 years old, I thought I found the perfect friend. We played, laughed, and shared childhood joy—until one day, he told me we couldn’t play anymore because I…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Did We Get It Right? Generation X, Racism, and Learning Without a Roadmap
In this episode, I reflect on what it meant to be a Black Gen Xer navigating college life, cultural misunderstandings, and the loneliness of being “the only…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
My First Encounter with Racism: A Childhood Story in the 1970s South
In this episode, I share my very first experience of being exposed to racism as a child growing up in the rural South during the 1970s. At just eight years…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Traveling While Black & Gen X: Surviving the Road before GPS
What was it like to hit the road in the late ’80s and early ’90s without cell phones, GPS, or streaming music? In this episode, I take you back to my days as a…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Black Gen X at the Crossroads: Living Between Two Realities
In this episode, I reflect on the unique reality of being part of Black Gen X—caught between two worlds that often felt at odds. Our parents, mostly Baby…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Professions – The Journey of Black Gen X in the Workplace
IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves dives deep into the intersections of law, life, and lived experience. Hosted by Administrative Law Judge and storyteller Tony…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
From Invisible to Seen: How Black Gen X Found Ourselves in the Arts
Black Gen X grew up with no blueprint. Mainstream TV and movies didn’t reflect our lives—until the arts began to open the door. From The Cosby Show to Hip Hop…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Black Gen X: Raised without a Blue Print for a New World
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, our lives changed overnight. Schools shut down, graduations moved to front lawns, and families were thrown into a…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Georgia vs. Jamaica: Fear, Freedom, and the Weight of History
In this episode, I revisit a powerful college conversation that revealed how deeply history shapes our everyday choices.Two young women — one from Jamaica, one…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
My Aunt Never Ate at McDonald’s: Segregation, Memory, and the Black Gen X Story
McDonald’s was a cultural staple for me—growing up in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, hanging out after games, and later during college nights in Tampa. But I discovered…
In The Know with Tony ReevesBuilt for the Crossroad: How I rebuilt my career at 40
Have you ever thought you landed your dream job—only to realize it was just comfortable? In this episode, I open up about what it’s really like to hit a career…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Soft Bigotry: When “Helpful” Words Hurt the Most
What happens when words meant to be supportive actually cut the deepest? In this episode, I explore the subtle layers of racism, bigotry, and discrimination…
In The Know with Tony ReevesMaking Sense of Racism in a world that pretends it doesn’t exist
In this episode, I dive into the hard truth: racism didn’t disappear just because society decided to stop acknowledging it. Too often, we hear “that doesn’t…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Unseen and Unheard: My First Big Purchase and the Questions That Still Haunt Me
In this personal story, I recount my first major purchase after college—a simple furniture buy that turned into a moment of deep internal conflict. Was I being…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
My HBCU Dreams, My PWI Reality: A Gen X Story
In this deeply personal episode, I reflect on my experience as a Black Generation Xer attending a predominantly white university in the years after the civil…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Why Generation X Wasn’t Ready for Change — But Adapted Anyway
Generation X was raised to believe that military service, skilled trades, or a college degree would guarantee stability and success. But by the time we entered…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Friends After 40: Why Your Circle Shrinks But Grows Deep
In this episode of IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves, we dive into the quiet truth of adult friendships—how they evolve, why they thin out, and what makes the few…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Gen X in the Middle – Raised in the Fallout, Bridging the Divide
Generation X is often called “the forgotten generation,” but we are far from irrelevant. We are the gateway—raised in the aftermath of powerful revolutions…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
When 40 Changed Everything: Health, Brotherhood, and the Wake-Up Call
“When 40 Changed Everything” is a personal reflection on the moment I realized my health had to take center stage. In this powerful episode, I share how a…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
When 40 Hits Different: The Moment I Knew There Was No Going BacK
Turning 40 wasn’t just another birthday — it was a turning point. In this episode, I open up about the moment I realized I was living a life I hadn’t planned…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Surviving and Being Raised After Jim Crow as Generation X
In this powerful follow-up to “What They Didn’t Teach Us,” Anthony Reeves reflects on the unique experience of being raised as a Generation X child in a newly…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
What they didn’t teach us: Lessons Gen X Black Kids had to learn on their own
In this episode, I explore the lessons Gen X Black kids weren’t taught in school—but learned through life, family, and experience. From forgotten Black high…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Growing Up Right After Jim Crow – A Gen X Perspective
In this episode, I reflect on what it meant to grow up as a Black Gen X kid in the American South, just years after the Jim Crow era officially ended. This…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Online vs. In-Person College: Which One is Right for You?
A former adjunct professor shares insider insights on the differences between online and in-person college experiences. Whether you’re deciding between the two…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
When was the last time your reviewed your resume? What value do you put on your past skills?
Have you ever looked at your resume and looked at the skills you have acquired from your past jobs? Have you ever thought about the value people would pay you…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Finding the Right College Fit: People, Purpose, and Passion
How do you know if the college you’re attending is truly the right fit for you? It’s not just about academics—it’s about connection and purpose. In this…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Turning 40 professionally
Turning 40 was more than just a milestone—it was a turning point in my professional journey. In this episode, I reflect on how I transitioned from maintaining…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
The hidden struggles of college
In this candid episode, we explore the hidden struggles and trauma that often go unnoticed in the college experience. Drawing from personal stories of…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
From Arkansas to Aruba: The friendship that changed my life
In this episode, Tony reflects on the transformative experiences of his sophomore year at the University of Tampa, where an unexpected encounter with a fellow…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Surviving day 0: Preparing to Open your Business
If you are ever going to start a business, the two most important days are Day 0 and Day 1. Day 0 isn’t a single day. It’s the entire process of preparation…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Building my law firm from scratch
In this episode of IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves, I take you back to Day One of my journey into entrepreneurship. From leaving a secure corporate job to…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Dream Job to Dream Life: Rethinking Your Aspirations
What does it really mean to have a “dream job”?In this episode of IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves, we challenge the traditional idea of tying your happiness and…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
From Courtrooms to Campaigns: My Journey into Politics
In this episode of IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves, I recount the summer of 2005, when I stepped into an entirely new world as campaign counsel for a Florida…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
From the Courtroom to Culture Shock: My Journey to the Florida Supreme Court
In this episode of IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves, I take you back to my law school days at Florida State University, where a seemingly simple legal writing…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Military Journey and Legacy
In this episode of IN THE KNOW with Tony Reeves, I take you on a deeply personal journey through my experiences in the military. From my roots in ROTC to…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
From Pine Bluff to Tampa: Navigating Culture Shock and Growth
In this episode of “In The Know with Tony Reeves,” titled “From Pine Bluff to Tampa: A Journey of Growth and Transformation,” Tony Reeves shares his personal…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
The Turning Point: Lessons from my year at 29
“Turning points shape who we are, and 29 was the year everything changed for me. In this episode of In The Know with Tony Reeves, I reflect on the pivotal…
In The Know with Tony ReevesTaking a Breath.Lessons from Fort McClellan
In this special edition of In The Know with Tony Reeves, Tony reflects on his time at Ft. McClellan and shares the profound lessons he learned about navigating…
In The Know with Tony ReevesBrown v. Board of Education: The Landmark Case and Its Overlooked Consequences
“Welcome to In The Know with Tony Reeves. Today, we’re diving into the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision—a ruling that most people recognize as a…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
The Parental scavenger hunt.Looking for your parents records
As we find ourselves in a position to have to care for our parents, we, also, have to deal with the reality that finding all of their relevant documents is not…
In The Know with Tony ReevesThe little girl who kept the bus from moving.A JIM CROW story
For any 8 year old, the world can be a big and scary place. For an 8 year old Black Girl growing up in the Jim Crow South during the 1950s, the world can be…
In The Know with Tony ReevesPower of Attorney and Durable healthcare surrogate and your parents
It is important that you take the time to speak to your parents about who they want to have speaking on their behalf. In this episode, I talk about the…
- In The Know with Tony Reeves
Recognizing Withdrawal: A Silent Cry for Support
Have you ever noticed someone in your life pulling away, disengaging from conversations and connections? Or perhaps you've found yourself withdrawing from…