In this episode, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper welcome photographer and creative visionary Jon Dailey to At The Table for one of the most heartfelt conversations of the season. Before Jon joins, Greg and Elliott kick things off with a Culture Catch-Up spotlighting A’ja Wilson, celebrating the WNBA champion’s authenticity, leadership, and her bestselling book Dear Black Girls. They also reflect on a recent car break-in in Hollywood that cost them an iPad — a frustrating but grounding reminder of the realities of city living. And, of course, they share what’s on the table: a full spread from Fixins Soul Kitchen, co-owned by former NBA star Kevin Johnson and his wife Michelle.

Once Jon arrives, the episode becomes an intimate journey through purpose, pain, and resilience. Jon opens up about growing up in Memphis as a twin and the youngest of seven, being raised by a single mother who hustled nonstop, and the deep impact of losing her in high school. He shares how his godparents stepped in as true chosen family, how their iconic Memphis restaurant The Four Way — a historic landmark where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once dined — shaped his understanding of legacy and community, and how his time at Jackson State University helped him embrace his creative path.

Jon then walks Greg and Elliott through his transition from engineering and government contract work to pursuing photography full-time in Los Angeles. What began with hustling for opportunities quickly grew into a standout career, leading him to work with major names including Taraji P. Henson, Regina King, Candace Dillard Bassett, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez, Cynthia Bailey, Alex Isley, Chris Perfetti, and more — not to mention capturing unforgettable images of Greg and Elliott themselves.

He speaks candidly about the realities of creative work: inconsistent income, undervaluation, and one painful payment dispute that became a turning point. Through it all, Jon credits the unwavering support of community — including close friends like Tay Hawes and Brian Henry — for helping him stay grounded, centered, and aligned. He also reflects on the importance of showing up authentically, trusting your path, and honoring the people who pour into you. One of the episode’s most powerful moments comes when Jon shares how Taraji insisted he shoot her Met Gala looks because his work moved her mother to tears.

Greg, Elliott, and Jon explore vulnerability, faith, and what it means to build family as an adult navigating a challenging industry. They close with their “Be Honest, Don’t Hold Back” segment and a Chef’s Kiss or Miss review of Fixins Soul Kitchen, where the gumbo, fried deviled eggs, and chicken “fried hard” earn a unanimous Chef’s Kiss.

This conversation is emotional, grounded, funny, and deeply inspiring — a reminder that purpose, creativity, and community can carry you through anything.

In this episode of At The Table, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper sit down with political strategist, social impact leader, and culture shifter Dorien Blythers—a powerhouse whose career spans public service, national campaigns, and advocacy at the highest levels. Fresh off a whirlwind week of weddings, travel, and lupus fundraising, Greg and Elliott jump straight into Culture Catch-Up, spotlighting philanthropist MacKenzie Scott, her Yield Giving platform, and her historic $700M+ in donations to HBCUs, including more than $132M to Howard University.

From there, they welcome Dorien, CEO of Good Rebel, a social impact firm shaping strategies for justice, equity, and civic engagement. Dorien walks listeners through his journey from Atlanta and Chulahoma, Mississippi roots to Howard University, where the Obama era transformed his worldview and pulled him toward public service. He reflects on his years advising Vice President Kamala Harris, serving at the EPA, working with End Citizens United, and learning that even the most powerful political figures are still human—and sometimes disappointing.

The conversation moves through faith, upbringing, and how service and community shaped Dorien long before he had the language for “social impact.” He breaks down how to stay civically involved beyond voting, how values shape political choices, and how younger generations can build an internal “algorithm” for understanding what truly matters to them.

Dorien also opens up about his recent viral critique of GLAAD’s partnership with Snoop Dogg following harmful comments about the LGBTQ+ community, explaining why accountability and thoughtful representation matter—especially at sacred institutions like HBCUs. Greg and Elliott deepen the discussion by connecting it to their own LGBTQ+ advocacy and the need for aligned, culturally competent voices leading public health and stigma-reduction work.

They also explore:

• Why hope and optimism are still political tools

• How to survive the emotional grind of national politics

• Why “light attracts light” in community organizing

• The rise of leaders like Jasmine Crockett, Zora, and young candidates stepping into congressional races, including Everton Blair in Georgia

• Finding beauty in broken moments

• Mental health, running, sunrise-chasing, and grounding practices

• How Good Rebel is expanding into film, documentary storytelling, and new issue-based campaigns

The episode closes with Be Honest, Don’t Hold Back, where Dorien talks about lessons he learned the hard way in D.C., and a hilarious Chef’s Kiss or Chef’s Miss review of their food of the week: legendary Beverly Hills spot Il Tramezzino(“El Trimm”), complete with chicken specials and Nutella crepes.

This conversation is grounded, inspiring, sharply funny, and rich with insight—politics, culture, community, love, advocacy, and joy all sitting at the same table.

Featuring:

MacKenzie Scott, Yield Giving, Howard University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Tuskegee, Xavier, Hampton, Prairie View A&M, Vice President Kamala Harris, EPA, Biden Administration, End Citizens United, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Jasmine Crockett, Snoop Dogg, GLAAD, Good Rebel, Il Tramezzino, John Lewis, Joshua DuBois, Values Partnerships, Everton Blair, Taylor Coleman, Dylan Het.

In Just Us Part 2, Greg Mathis Jr. and Elliott Cooper pick up right where they left off in their Be Honest, Don’t Hold Back series — this time going even deeper into what makes a healthy relationship work when the cameras turn off.

They start by unpacking a big question: is being a bad communicator a red flag, or can you grow into better communication over time? Greg and Elliott talk through why openness, vulnerability, trust, and a willingness to work on communication matter more than perfection. From there, Elliott asks one of the most emotional questions of the season: “What do you think my mom, Dr. Patricia Cooper, would think of you?” Greg shares his fears and hopes about how she would see him as Elliott’s partner, protector, and safe place — and Elliott responds with a moving reflection on why his mother would have loved Greg and embraced the Mathis family as her own.

The episode then shifts into a lighter but still intimate lane as they give each other live bios the way they do for their guests — highlighting Greg’s journey from Capitol Hill to actor and advocate, and Elliott’s path from Moncks Corner engineer to lupus fundraiser, community organizer, and proud LGBTQ+ advocate. To close things out, they dive into a hilariously chaotic round of Urban Trivia, debating “Negro spiritual” swag-surfing, ATL movie details, HBCU legacy, and who really deserves the win after a negative-point start. They wrap with a Chef’s Kiss or Miss review of Crazy Rock’n Sushi in Los Angeles, rating their California rolls, gyoza, and a very questionable spicy tuna crispy rice.

This episode is funny, tender, and deeply human — a mix of games, love, grief, and growth that feels like sitting on the couch with them, talking about everything that actually matters.

Featuring:

Dr. Patricia Cooper, Greg Mathis Jr., Elliott Cooper, Lupus Foundation of America, Urban Trivia, Crazy Rock’n Sushi (Los Angeles), University of Michigan, Clemson University, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, BET+, Fighting to Be Me: The Dwen Curry Story.