In this episode of Trending Thoughts, Torrey is joined by Erika Chavarria, a Spanish teacher at Wild Lake High School, the founder of Columbia Community Care, and a board member of the Anti-Racist Education Alliance. Torrey and Erika discuss the school-to-prison pipeline and the role of school resource officers.Erika’s upbringing in New Mexico “The Land of Enchantment” (1:02)Living in Howard County and experiencing diversity and student activism at Wild Lake (7:45)Discussing the presence of police in schools (14:24)The data is clear about having police in school (36:03)Implementing and advocating for restorative justice (41:40)About Trending Thoughts:Trending Thoughts is a podcast hosted by 2x Super Bowl Champ Torrey Smith that is designed to entertain, spur debate, and to provide new ideas for our community across a variety of topics including sports, news, politics, parenting, and a lot more. Torrey will bring his unique commentary to each episode as we discuss what’s trending, feature guest interviews, and host unique conversations from the casual to the controversial.Each episode is produced by my partners at HEARD podcasts. You can find out more about their work with me, or discuss a project of your own by visiting www.HEARDpods.comSUBSCRIBE NOWhttps://www.trendingthoughtspodcast.com

Torrey is joined by writer, commentator, and public speaker Rochelle Ritchie on this week’s episode of Trending Thoughts. Torrey talks with Rochelle about her experience in Baltimore, politics, voting rights, and more.Natural hair and the standard of beauty (2:43)Living in Baltimore and learning to love the Maryland blue crab (13:15)Covering crime and representing people in their best light (19:12)Addressing the problem of using Baltimore as a political backdrop (32:17)Discussing the “defund the police” conversation and practical ways to bring about change (34:19)Understanding the power of your vote and fighting voter suppression (43:45)About Trending Thoughts:Trending Thoughts is a podcast hosted by 2x Super Bowl Champ Torrey Smith that is designed to entertain, spur debate, and to provide new ideas for our community across a variety of topics including sports, news, politics, parenting, and a lot more. Torrey will bring his unique commentary to each episode as we discuss what’s trending, feature guest interviews, and host unique conversations from the casual to the controversial.Each episode is produced by my partners at HEARD podcasts. You can find out more about their work with me, or discuss a project of your own by visiting www.HEARDpods.com

Torrey is joined by a hometown hero and former NFL Pro Bowl lineman Jermon Bushrod. Torrey talks with Jermon about his foundation Visualize the Rise and life after the NFL. Highlights from their conversation include:Visualize the Rise’s scholarships and community involvement (1:40)Sharing about your challenges to help others walk through them (6:52)Looking back on the excitement of the start of the NFL season from retirement (14:05)Getting that sweet, sweet Josh McCown practice squad deal (19:48)Transitioning to being a fan and ranking who we root for (22:30)As parents, which athletes do we encourage our children to look up to? (28:55)About Trending Thoughts:Trending Thoughts is a podcast hosted by 2x Super Bowl Champ Torrey Smith that is designed to entertain, spur debate, and to provide new ideas for our community across a variety of topics including sports, news, politics, parenting, and a lot more. Torrey will bring his unique commentary to each episode as we discuss what’s trending, feature guest interviews, and host unique conversations from the casual to the controversial.Each episode is produced by my partners at HEARD podcasts. You can find out more about their work with me, or discuss a project of your own by visiting www.HEARDpods.comSUBSCRIBE NOWhttps://www.trendingthoughtspodcast.com

Torrey is joined by Dr. Andrey Bundley and Andrew Knox, founders of We Are Us, a community-led organization that helps with all areas of life in Baltimore. Torrey talks with Andrey and Andrew about their dedication to giving back to the city. Highlights from their conversation include:Why does committing to Baltimore matter to you? (1:51)Responding to naysayers who talk about problems in Baltimore but don’t see the work that is being done there (5:43)Helping settle beefs and diffusing potentially violent confrontations (15:50)Role of fathers in helping change environments and lives for the better (28:55)About Trending Thoughts:Trending Thoughts is a podcast hosted by 2x Super Bowl Champ Torrey Smith that is designed to entertain, spur debate, and to provide new ideas for our community across a variety of topics including sports, news, politics, parenting, and a lot more. Torrey will bring his unique commentary to each episode as we discuss what’s trending, feature guest interviews, and host unique conversations from the casual to the controversial.Each episode is produced by my partners at HEARD podcasts. You can find out more about their work with me, or discuss a project of your own by visiting www.HEARDpods.comSUBSCRIBE NOWhttps://www.trendingthoughtspodcast.com

Torrey is back on air with his wife and co-host, Chanel to talk about COVID and going back to school. Torrey and Chanel, a former teacher, break down the pros and cons of the in-person, remote, and hybrid learning approaches schools are undertaking.Keeping students engaged while learning virtually (3:03) The value of teachers is being realized and the need to pay teachers more (8:14)In-person learning is great … until it’s not great. Is it worth taking the risk? (11:18)Kids take in everything we say so the way we talk about the situation in front of their kids really matters (16:28) The choice afforded by the hybrid option (18:52)Other options like tutoring pods and how that further divides the haves and have-nots (22:38)Why we’re deciding to do homeschooling (24:05)About Trending Thoughts:Trending Thoughts is a podcast hosted by 2x Super Bowl Champ Torrey Smith that is designed to entertain, spur debate, and to provide new ideas for our community across a variety of topics including sports, news, politics, parenting, and a lot more. Torrey will bring his unique commentary to each episode as we discuss what’s trending, feature guest interviews, and host unique conversations from the casual to the controversial.Each episode is produced by my partners at HEARD podcasts. You can find out more about their work with me, or discuss a project of your own by visiting www.HEARDpods.com

In this episode, Torrey is re-joined by his wife and co-host, Chanel. Torrey and Chanel have a funny and spirited conversation about what it’s like for college athletes facing lost seasons, letting their kids play sports and the impact of COVID on youth sports.Should college sports be canceled? Tough choices from athletes’ perspectives (2:21)Where to draw the line for social distancing and letting our kids play sports (13:40)Youth leagues prioritizing health over sports (25:10)About Trending Thoughts:Trending Thoughts is a podcast hosted by 2x Super Bowl Champ Torrey Smith that is designed to entertain, spur debate, and to provide new ideas for our community across a variety of topics including sports, news, politics, parenting, and a lot more. Torrey will bring his unique commentary to each episode as we discuss what’s trending, feature guest interviews, and host unique conversations from the casual to the controversial.Each episode is produced by my partners at HEARD podcasts. You can find out more about their work with me, or discuss a project of your own by visiting www.HEARDpods.com

In this episode, Torrey welcomes Kimya Motley who is an author and speaker on domestic violence as well as the CEO for Haven of Light to the show. Torrey and Kimya talk through her story of being shot multiple times by her ex-husband and surviving, growing up in a home of abuse, dealing with self-blame Kimya’s incredible story of surviving domestic violence (3:32)Growing up in a home of abuse and violence (18:40)Normalizing abuse through our conversation and music (26:00) How to deal with previous offenders of domestic abuse (32:00)Finding freedom by forgiving the perpetrator of violence (42:20)Torrey’s Take (52:00)You can learn more about Kimya and her work by following her on Twitter (@KimyaMotley ) or by visiting her website: https://kimyamotley.com/About Trending Thoughts:Trending Thoughts is a podcast hosted by 2x Super Bowl Champ Torrey Smith that is designed to entertain, spur debate, and to provide new ideas for our community across a variety of topics including sports, news, politics, parenting, and a lot more. Torrey will bring his unique commentary to each episode as we discuss what’s trending, feature guest interviews, and host unique conversations from the casual to the controversial.Each episode is produced by my partners at HEARD podcasts. You can find out more about their work with me, or discuss a project of your own by visiting www.HEARDpods.comSUBSCRIBE NOWhttps://www.trendingthoughtspodcast.com

In this episode, Torrey welcomes NFL legend Steve Smith Sr. to the show. Steve and Torrey share hilarious stories, talk about how they’d deal with the COVID decision as a player, and talk about their roles off the field and in their homes.

In this episode, Torrey and Chanel Smith talk about MONEY. Their personal experience with it, learning financial literacy, and  - Growing up without money and learning financial literacy (2:10) - Learning how to make a dollar stretch (8:00) - Transitioning to an NFL salary and marriage (14:45) - Mo’ money, mo’ problems (29:00) - Torrey’s Take (36:50) About Trending Thoughts: Trending Thoughts is a podcast hosted by 2x Super Bowl Champ Torrey Smith that is designed to entertain, spur debate, and to provide new ideas for our community across a variety of topics including sports, news, politics, parenting, and a lot more. Torrey will bring his unique commentary to each episode as we discuss what’s trending, feature guest interviews, and host unique conversations from the casual to the controversial. Each episode is produced by my partners at HEARD podcasts. You can find out more about their work with me, or discuss a project of your own by visiting www.HEARDpods.com

In this episode, Aaron Maybin joins the show. Aaron is an activist and artist working in the community he grew up in since retiring from his pro football career in the NFL and Canadian Football League.