Swan's Purview - Drek Swan

Today at the end of discipleship the question was posed to us,

"What are we taking with us into the week?"

Read my latest blog post to see what I am taking with me!

What am I taking with me? Today My Flower preached her sermon from Psalms 23 and John 10: 1-10. Later, in discipleship we had a talk back about the sermon. As we were getting ready to leave for our respective lives away from the church, she posed this question to the young adults’ class, “what are we taking with us for t...

The title of the episode is “Becoming the Man You Promised Yourself You’d Be.”

One thing I’ve learned about life as a man is that we make promises. Sometimes they’re spoken out loud to our wives, our children, our families… and sometimes they’re quiet promises we make to ourselves.

“I’m going to get in shape.”
“I’m going to handle my business.”
“I’m going to do better.”

But somewhere along the way we start negotiating with ourselves. Motivation fades. Discipline slips. Life gets busy. And before we know it, we’ve drifted away from the man we once said we would become.

In this episode I talk about:

• Discipline vs. motivation
• The danger of self-negotiation
• Men who drift vs. men who decide
• Why transformation is boring before it becomes visible
• The difference between a vision board and ex*****on

I also share my personal pass-or-fail goal for 2026: becoming a Fearless Black Man — and what that means for how I show up for my health, my family, my faith, my community, and my work.

If you’re on a journey of growth, rebuilding, or becoming more aligned with the man you know you’re capable of being… this conversation might resonate with you.

🎙️ Episode 4 of Swan’s Purview is live now.

Stay dangerous.
Shalom.

Ep. 4: Becoming the Man You Promised Yourself You’d Be In this episode of Swan’s Purview, we discuss what it really means to become the man you promised yourself you’d be.Too often we make promises to ourselves a...

For those wondering where I’ve been… here’s the story.

Episode 3.5 of Swan’s Purview just dropped.

The last 11 months have been full of major life changes:

💍 I got married, actually twice to the same woman.
🎓 I’m deep in graduate school and earned my first 4.0 semester.
📚 I started studying for the CPA exam (one of the hardest things I’ve ever done).
📊 I launched my accounting firm, Swan & Associates Financial Group.
📉 I was affected by the federal buyout and have been navigating the job market.
👶🏾 And my wife and I are expecting Baby Swan.

In short… life was life-ing.

This episode is a recap of the journey, the lessons, and the growth that happened during the time I was away from the mic.

If you’ve ever had to pause, reset, and figure life out in real time, this one is for you.

🎙️ Swan’s Purview – Episode 3.5: Life Was Life-ing

Watch here: https://youtu.be/RdhHCYzIaiU?si=Nlrwu1MA6Ta6QqOf

As always, I appreciate everyone who has been rocking with me.
More conversations on the way.

Stay dangerous and Shalom.

Ep 3.5: Life Was Life-ing For those wondering where I’ve been… this episode is the recap.In the last 11 months, life has changed in a lot of ways.Marriage.Graduate school.Starting my ...

Sometimes the pause isn’t absence… it’s preparation.

Growth requires reflection. Perspective requires sharpening.

The conversations never stopped, they just evolved.

🎙️ Swan’s Purview Returns March 6.

Let’s have a conversation.

https://youtube.com/?si=QOzSrg_XQ1uFFBO1

Conclusion | The Waondering Continues

This concluding chapter of The Waondering King brings together the lessons, reflections, and truths explored throughout the first ten chapters. It is a moment to pause, reflect, and take inventory of what has been learned—from awareness and discipline, to love, purpose, emotional mastery, and intentional living.

More than a summary, this conclusion is an invitation. An invitation to continue the work, to apply the lessons in real life, and to become part of a growing community committed to growth, accountability, and thoughtful living. The waondering does not end here—it deepens.

As this chapter closes, it also prepares the listener for the next evolution of the journey in The Waondering King 2: Journey Through Rumination, where reflection turns inward and the questions grow sharper.

Shalom family. Stay present. Stay intentional. The journey continues.

https://youtu.be/XlMsnFsAXTI

Paperback copies can be purchased at:

www.rkswanmedia.com

TWK1| Conclusion | The Waondering Continues This concluding chapter of The Waondering King brings together the lessons, reflections, and truths explored throughout the first ten chapters. It is a momen...

Chapter Eight | Questions

Some questions are meant to unsettle you.

In Questions, this chapter of The Waondering King pauses the lessons and turns the mirror outward. These are the questions that surfaced during the writing of this book—questions meant to provoke thought, spark conversation, and challenge deeply rooted behaviors within our communities.

This chapter asks why taking advantage of women is ever treated as a badge of honor, why “big homies” fail to protect and guide the “little homies,” and why cycles we complain about are the same ones we refuse to interrupt. These are not rhetorical questions—they are calls to accountability.

This chapter is an invitation to think critically, to care deeply, and to recognize that if we want better outcomes, those of us who know better must do better.

https://youtu.be/LLJfhB8cRys

Paperback copies can be purchased at:

www.rkswanmedia.com

TWK1| Chapter Eight | Questions Some questions are meant to unsettle you.In Questions, this chapter of The Waondering King pauses the lessons and turns the mirror outward. These are the que...

Chapter Seven | Learning to Control Your Emotions

Uncontrolled emotions make a man dangerous—to himself and to others.

In Learning to Control Your Emotions, this chapter of The Waondering King speaks directly to young men about the responsibility that comes with emotional awareness and self-mastery. When a man is not in control of his emotions, situations involving jealousy, conflict, or domestic tension can quickly escalate and create consequences that permanently alter lives.

This chapter emphasizes the importance of recognizing emotional triggers and being attuned to your internal state—especially in moments where anger, pride, or insecurity threaten to take the lead. It offers practical, healthy outlets for processing emotion, including physical activity, therapy, journaling, prayer, time in solitude, and even stillness found in nature.

By taking the step toward emotional control, a man opens the door to higher levels of growth—most notably emotional intelligence. This chapter is about discipline, maturity, and choosing mastery over reaction.

https://youtu.be/xHK6bsBI_eY

Paperback copies can be purchased at:

www.rkswanmedia.com

TWK1| Chapter Seven | Learning to Control Your Emotions Uncontrolled emotions make a man dangerous—to himself and to others.In Learning to Control Your Emotions, this chapter of The Waondering King speaks directly...

Chapter Six | Enjoy the Process

The destination is not the reward—the journey is.

In Enjoy the Process, this chapter of The Waondering King offers a reminder to slow down and live fully along the way. Life is not meant to be rushed or reduced to checkpoints and finish lines. When you focus only on the end zone, the experience becomes harsh, hollow, and heavy.

This chapter encourages taking your time, giving your best effort, and allowing life to unfold with intention. There are lessons in every step, every conversation, and every quiet moment. Don’t let life become a blur or a chore. Breathe. Love the people around you. Pause long enough to appreciate the scenery as you climb.

This chapter is an invitation to be present—to cherish the day, embrace the lessons, and remember to kiss a baby as you walk up the mountain.

https://youtu.be/yi0rteH4A_w

Paperback copies can be purchased at:

www.rkswanmedia.com

TWK1| Chapter Six | Enjoy the Process The destination is not the reward—the journey is.In Enjoy the Process, this chapter of The Waondering King offers a reminder to slow down and live fully alon...

Chapter Five | Don’t Wait on the Flow

The flow doesn’t find you—you find it in motion.

In Don’t Wait on the Flow, this chapter of The Waondering King breaks the myth of waiting for inspiration. The flow state is not something that arrives on its own; it is unlocked through action. Procrastination repels progress, while consistent effort invites momentum. You don’t wait—you start. Just do it.

This chapter explains how the flow state evolves into the zone—a level of mastery reached only after time, repetition, and discipline. The zone is earned through reps, patience, and commitment. There are no shortcuts and no hacks. You cannot cheat the process.

This chapter is a reminder that excellence comes to those who show up, do the work, and keep moving—no matter how long it takes. The flow and the zone belong to those who pursue them relentlessly.

https://youtu.be/4Fkz3WJib-g

Paperback copies can be purchased at:

www.rkswanmedia.com

TWK1| Chapter Five | Don’t Wait on the Flow The flow doesn’t find you—you find it in motion.In Don’t Wait on the Flow, this chapter of The Waondering King breaks the myth of waiting for inspiration. Th...

Chapter Four | Clearly Define Yourself

You cannot become what you have not first defined.

In Clearly Define Yourself, this chapter of The Waondering King centers on the power of intentional self-creation. It challenges the listener to design the version of themselves they wish to become—and then pursue that vision with clarity and discipline. Through tools such as affirmations, mindfulness, mind-mapping, and written vision work, this chapter emphasizes turning abstract dreams into deliberate plans.

This chapter also calls for honest assessment: recognizing what you already possess, identifying what you still need, understanding who belongs on the journey with you, and determining what it will take to reach the next level—and the levels beyond. Growth is not accidental; it is constructed.

This chapter is a blueprint for self-definition, reminding us that clarity is the first act of becoming.

https://youtu.be/IfCji6LZrNg

Paperback copies can be purchased at:

www.rkswanmedia.com

TW1| Chapter Four | Clearly Define Yourself You cannot become what you have not first defined.In Clearly Define Yourself, this chapter of The Waondering King centers on the power of intentional self-cr...

Chapter Three | Set a Temperature in the Room

Every room has a temperature—emotional, mental, and spiritual.

In Set a Temperature in the Room, this chapter of The Waondering King explores a man’s responsibility in shaping the environment of his home and relationship. Peace does not happen by accident. It is built through stability, consistency, and intentional leadership. A man must provide the tools—security, clarity, communication, and trust—that allow his partner to contribute fully and flourish.

This chapter challenges men to examine their role in the atmosphere they create. Chaos, uncertainty, and neglect cannot produce peace. If the environment is unstable, the home will reflect it. True leadership is not control—it is stewardship.

This chapter is a call to accountability, reminding men that before expecting harmony, they must first create the conditions where peace can live.

https://youtu.be/7q0dfCn-dyA

Paperback copies can be purchased at:

www.rkswanmedia.com

TWK1| Chapter Three | Set the Temperature in the Room Every room has a temperature—emotional, mental, and spiritual.In Set a Temperature in the Room, this chapter of The Waondering King explores a man’s responsi...