The Higher Valleys Podcast
The Higher Valleys Podcast is an ongoing conversation about all things fatherhood from friends and former NFL athletes Spencer Paysinger and Jelani Jenkins. The show offers an unfiltered perspective on how to show up fully at home while thriving professionally.
The Higher Valleys Podcast
Jingle Jangle
This episode is about letting go and starting fresh. Spencer reflects on cutting his hair as a ritual of renewal, while Jelani shares the emotions of watching his kids and classmates performing for the holidays. They explore how trust is built through small acts of freedom, why Christmas still matters despite the noise, and what it means to define happiness on your own terms. From Hollywood's billion-dollar power plays to the dying relevance of college bowl games, this conversation is a reminder that the old rules don't have to be your rules.
🔍 Topics Covered
- Spencer's ceremonial hair transformation after All-American wraps
- The curse word experiment: giving kids safe space to be real
- Christmas as a reset — not a performance
- Parenting hurdles and the art of giving kids room to run
- Hollywood consolidation: Netflix, Paramount, and the fight for control
- The death of bowl game relevance in the NIL era
- Rob Reiner's legacy and an industry in mourning
- Finding new energy in a world under siege
🗣️ Highlight Quotes
- "If you've grown up with a stubborn parent, by the time you're an adult, you know how to navigate around all the hurdles they put in front of you."
- "Why not take down some of those self-imposed hurdles and allow them more space to run?"
- "Define what your happiness is. If you want to listen to your kids curse in a car, let your kids curse in the car."
Where to Find Us:
- Instagram: @highervalleyspodcast
- TikTok: @highervalleys