In this powerful episode of Black Men Speak, we sit down with Aaron Johnson, founder of The Chronically Undertouched Project, to unpack a silent crisis affecting Black men—the lack of safe, intentional human touch. Drawing from his viral TED Talk and documentary Dark and Tender, Aaron shares how years without platonic connection can lead to isolation, depression, and emotional disconnection, and why something as simple as a hug can be life-changing. Together, we explore how cultural conditioning, trauma, and systemic oppression have shaped the way Black men experience touch—and how reclaiming connection through listening, presence, and brotherhood can become a pathway to healing. This conversation challenges everything we've been taught about masculinity and asks a bold question: What would change if Black men got just 15 minutes of real connection each day?

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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