In this powerful episode of the Fathers Making Progress Podcast, host Terron Edwards sits down with Victor Barnett, founder of Running Rebels, and Lanelle Ramey, Executive Director of MENTOR Greater Milwaukee, for an honest conversation about mentorship, community leadership, fatherlessness, healing, collaboration, and what it takes to raise the next generation of leaders.

From gang prevention and youth development to the importance of vulnerability, therapy, fatherhood, and saying “I love you,” this episode is packed with wisdom for fathers, mentors, coaches, educators, and anyone who wants to make a difference in a young person's life.

Key Takeaways

• Every young person needs more than one mentor.
• You don't have to be perfect to mentor someone.
• The strongest leaders ask for help.
• Fatherlessness often creates hidden emotional wounds.
• Healing yourself is part of helping others.
• Collaboration beats competition in community work.
• Young people need adults who listen before they lecture.
• Every mentor needs support, accountability, and community.
• Saying "I love you" can change lives.
• No one succeeds alone.

Key Moments:

01:04 - Meet Milwaukee Mentorship Leaders

01:52 - Who Is Linnell Rainey?

02:34 - Who Is Victor Barnett?

03:16 - Why Running Rebels Was Created

04:08 - Growing Up During Civil Unrest

04:26 - Keeping 50 Young Men Out of Gangs

05:12 - How Mentoring Became Linnell’s Mission

06:06 - Finding Purpose Through Youth Work

06:27 - The Power of Family-Centered Mentorship

07:15 - Building Leaders by Building Others

07:49 - Why Running Rebels Feels Like Family

08:42 - Terron’s Running Rebels Story

10:22 - How Community Organizations Should Work Together

11:25 - Why Every Young Person Belongs to the Village

12:35 - Breaking Down Organizational Silos

14:09 - How MENTOR Greater Milwaukee Works

15:42 - Can Anyone Become a Mentor?

16:42 - Everybody Has a Story Worth Sharing

17:40 - What Young People Have Taught Them

18:18 - The Hidden Pain Many Boys Carry

19:03 - Why Today’s Youth Are So Resilient

20:20 - The Danger of Judging Young People

21:24 - Why Accountability Requires Compassion

22:29 - Stop Trying to Know Everything

23:35 - The Myth of the Self-Made Man

24:34 - Trust Is Earned, Not Given

25:35 - Facts or Cap: Mentorship Edition

26:04 - Do Kids with Good Parents Need Mentors?

26:52 - Do Mentors Need Mentors?

27:10 - Who Supports the Helpers?

28:17 - Trauma Comes in Many Forms

29:43 - Why Mentors Must Heal Themselves

30:16 - Do Young Men Still Listen to Elders?

31:39 - The Love Blueprint Begins

32:01 - The Support System Behind Great Leaders

33:27 - Finding Purpose Through Community Work

34:22 - How Fatherhood Shapes Mentorship

35:18 - You Can’t Save Everyone

36:06 - When Tough Love Becomes Necessary

37:27 - Repairing Broken Relationships

38:13 - Why Fathers Need to Apologize

39:36 - The Power of Saying “I Love You”

40:51 - Final Advice for Future Mentors

41:32 - Milwaukee’s Future Depends on Collaboration

42:12 - Why Every Child Needs a Village

42:58 - Stay Present, Stay Positive & Keep Making Progress

If this episode spoke to you, share it with another father, brother, or man who needs to hear this message because no matter where you are in life…You’re still making progress!

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