By Staff
Today, we have the honor of sitting down with a man who doesn’t just talk about impact—he lives it. Lawrence Tribble is a powerful voice for mentorship, purpose, and legacy, and his work has touched the lives of countless young men searching for direction, affirmation, and real connection. From the mic to the mentoring circle, he shows up with truth, love, and a fierce commitment to helping the next generation rise.
In this conversation, we’re going beyond the surface—to explore what it really means to pass the torch, to lead with faith, and to build trust through transparency. Whether you’re a young man looking for guidance or a seasoned man wondering how to give back, Lawrence’s story and insights will challenge and inspire you to think deeper, live better, and lead stronger.
The Importance of Mentorship: Passing the TorchMentorship, to me, is more than guidance; it’s a lifeline. I remember being a young man, full of potential but lacking direction. I needed help, someone to show me the way, to listen, to challenge me; but I couldn’t find it. That absence stuck with me. It shaped how I show u now, not just as a mentor but as someone committed to making sure the next generation doesn’t feel the same kind of isolation I did.
Passing the torch isn’t just about transferring knowledge. It’s about creating a bridge; between generations, between experience and ambition, between where someone is and where they’re meant to be. Mentorship is how we make sure the light doesn’t go out. It’s how we honor those who helped us, and how we create opportunities for others to grow even further than we did.
When we mentor, we aren’t just helping someone; we’re investing in a legacy. We’re saying, “I see you. I’ve been where you are. And you’re not alone.”
How Mentorship Changed My Life
Mentorship didn’t show up in my life the way I expected; or when I thought I needed it most. In fact, early on, I struggled to find the guidance I was looking for. I had to navigate a lot on my own. But when mentors did come into my life, they showed up at pivotal moments. And looking back, I realize those moments changed everything.
There were three mentors in particular; three people who saw something in me, spoke life into me, and challenged me to grow. Each one shifted the trajectory of my life in a major way. Whether it was through their wisdom, their belief in me, or simply their presence, they helped shape who I am today. They helped me see beyond my circumstances and reminded me of what was possible.
That’s the power of mentorship; it’s not always about having all the answers. Sometimes, it’s just about someone being there at the right time to say, “You’ve got this. I’ve been there. Keep going.”
And that’s why I give back. Because I know firsthand what it feels like when someone pours into you without expecting anything in return. I know how a few words, a little time, and real belief can reroute an entire life.
I believe mentorship; especially between men and young boys; is crucial. It takes away so many unnecessary potholes of uncertainty and confusion. It helps young men avoid mistakes they don’t have to make, because someone else already did the work and is willing to share the lesson. Mentorship has the power to catapult growth; to accelerate success and purpose without having to labor over things that another man has already figured out.
Each of the men who mentored me helped me bypass years of struggle. They gave me wisdom, vision, and confidence when I didn’t always have it myself. And because of them, I’m committed to passing the torch; to being that person for someone else.
Because when one man shows another the way, it doesn’t just change one life; it changes generations.
Not everyone is called to be a mentor; but those who are carry a sacred responsibility. In my experience, there are a few key qualities that set great mentors apart, especially those who are guiding young men.
God-Consciousness
A good mentor must have a God-conscious heart. They need to be rooted in something bigger than themselves—something eternal. When a mentor is aligned with God, their wisdom isn’t just opinion—it’s spiritually anchored. That alignment brings discernment, humility, and purpose to the relationship.
A Giver’s Spirit
Mentorship requires a giving heart. A mentor must be willing to pour out—not for recognition, not for reward, but because they care about the next person’s journey. Giving time, wisdom, and energy is part of the calling. If you’re not willing to give, you’re not ready to lead.
Patience
Growth takes time. Mistakes happen. A good mentor understands that development is a process, not a moment. They don’t rush or judge—they walk with you, steady and consistent. Patience builds trust and gives space for transformation.
A Good Listener
Sometimes the greatest gift a mentor can offer is simply being present and listening. Not just to respond, but to understand. Great mentors ask the right questions, hear what’s not being said, and make people feel seen, valued, and heard.
For me, trust and being genuine aren’t strategies—they’re values. And the way I stay grounded in them is by focusing on the needs of others. When my attention is on how I can serve, support, or uplift someone else, it keeps my intentions pure. It’s not about image or influence—it’s about impact.
People can feel when you’re real. They know when you’re not in it for yourself. And I’ve learned that the quickest way to build trust is to truly care. To listen, to show up consistently, and to put their growth ahead of your ego.
That’s how I lead. That’s how I mentor. And that’s how I strive to live; genuinely focused on others, because that’s where real connection begins.
One of the most impactful moments I’ve ever experienced on my podcast didn’t come from a big guest or a headline moment—it came from the heart of a young man I see as a son. In the middle of our conversation, he shared something that stopped me in my tracks.
He said that one of his proudest moments in life was being defined as my son. And even more than that, he told me that hearing me say “I love you” continues to empower him every day.
That moment reminded me why I do what I do. It’s not just about conversation—it’s about connection. It’s about giving someone the words, the love, the affirmation we often grow up craving but never fully receive. Those three words—I love you—spoken from one man to another, especially in a world that teaches us to be tough but not tender, can be life-changing.
That was more than a podcast moment. It was legacy in motion. And it reminded me that the most powerful impact we can have isn’t always heard by the world; it’s felt deeply in the heart of one person.
One of the biggest challenges I face when encouraging men to get involved in mentorship is time. Most men I speak to want to help. They care. But they’re also balancing careers, raising families, and carrying a lot of personal responsibility. And often, they feel like they just don’t have the capacity to give back; especially to someone they don’t know.
I try and remind them that mentorship doesn’t always require hours of availability; it requires moments of intentionality. Sometimes, just a conversation, a text, or showing up consistently once a month can shift someone’s entire life. It’s not about quantity; it’s about presence.
And for those of us who’ve been blessed to make it through hard seasons, we carry something that someone else desperately needs: experience. Wisdom. Encouragement. Just like someone once made time for us, we have a responsibility to pass that on.
If we all waited until we “had the time,” most lives would never be changed. But when we realize that mentorship is part of our legacy; not an interruption to our lives, but an extension of our purpose; that’s when we start to shift the culture.
When it comes to making sure my podcast connects with both youth and adults, I’ve found that transparency is the key. I don’t try to sound perfect. I don’t sugarcoat my past. I speak from a place of truth, because there’s something powerful about being real; it invites people to do the same.
There’s a certain impact that only comes when you stop performing and start sharing. When I open up about my struggles, my growth, and even my failures, it creates space for someone listening to see themselves in the story. And that’s where transformation starts.
Whether it’s a young man trying to figure out who he is, or a grown man trying to find his way back; transparency reaches them both. Because when people hear honesty, they lean in. They trust it. And that trust allows the message to really land.
One of the most common issues I see in the lives of young men; no matter their background; is the absence of a positive father figure. It’s a silent epidemic. So many of them are growing up without someone to show them what being a man really means. They’re trying to build manhood with no blueprint; no model, no voice of affirmation, no guidance.
Most of them are being raised by strong, hardworking mothers who are doing their absolute best. And we honor that. But even the strongest mother can’t teach a boy how to be a man. She can nurture him, protect him, and love him; but there are certain things only a man can teach another man.
Without that example, many young men are left to guess. They look to the streets, social media, or broken images of masculinity to define who they’re supposed to be. And that’s why mentorship is so critical; it helps fill the gap. It gives them a living, breathing picture of strength with character, of leadership with compassion, of manhood with responsibility.
We can’t change the past. But we can step in and help define the future—for a generation that’s been left searching for what it means to be a man.
In every mentoring relationship I’ve had; whether I was the one being mentored or doing the mentoring; faith, discipline, and emotional well-being have always played a central role. These aren’t just abstract ideas. They’re the pillars that support real growth, healing, and transformation.
Faith
Faith is the foundation. It’s what grounds the conversation in purpose. Especially with my mentor Derrick Roberts, faith wasn’t just something we talked about; it was the lens through which he helped me see myself and my future. Faith in God taught me that my identity is bigger than my past, that my value is not based on mistakes, and that there’s a calling on my life. I pass that same truth on to the young men I mentor now; because when you know who your source is, you stop looking for validation in the wrong places.
Discipline
Discipline is the bridge between where you are and where you’re called to be. My father taught me that through consistency and integrity; by being a man of my word. Derrick helped sharpen that by teaching me how to carry myself in business and in life with structure, commitment, and accountability. Discipline teaches young men that success isn’t just about talent; it’s about showing up, again and again, when no one is watching.
Emotional Well-Being
This is the part that’s often overlooked, especially with young men. Kevin Coburn was a key figure in helping me understand this. He didn’t just affirm what I could do; he spoke to who I was. That emotional connection helped me begin a healing journey. Now, I try to do the same for others. Mentorship creates a safe space for young men to feel, express, and process emotions in a healthy way; something many never had permission to do before. Emotional well-being is about wholeness, not just toughness.
Together, faith grounds us, discipline shapes us, and emotional well-being heals us. All three are essential in mentoring—not just for behavior change, but for life change.
One of the most delicate but powerful parts of mentoring young people is learning how to hold them accountable while still offering grace. It’s not about being soft, and it’s not about being hard—it’s about being real.
I’ve learned that young people don’t need perfection; they need consistency. They need someone who will tell them the truth, challenge them when they’re wrong, and still stand by them when they fall. That’s how trust is built. That’s how transformation happens.
Accountability is love in action. It says, “I see more in you than you see in yourself, and I’m not going to let you settle.” But grace is love too. It says, “Even when you mess up, I’m still here, and you’re still worth the work.”
I try to lead with both; truth and tenderness. I speak to their potential, not just their problems. I correct with care. And I remind them that growth is a process. It’s not about perfection; it’s about progress.
In short, I don’t excuse poor behavior; but I understand where it comes from. I confront it, not to condemn, but to call them higher.
To any man out there who wants to be a mentor but feels unsure or unqualified, let me tell you this: you don’t have to be perfect to be impactful. You just have to be present.
Too many men disqualify themselves because of what they think they lack; whether it’s time, a spotless past, or some formal training. But the truth is, some of the most powerful mentorship moments come not from expertise, but from experience.
If you’ve been through something and come out wiser, you have something to offer. If you’ve made mistakes and learned from them, you’re equipped to help someone avoid those same pitfalls. If you know how to show up, listen, and care; that alone makes you valuable.
Young men aren’t looking for superheroes. They’re looking for someone real. Someone consistent. Someone who will walk with them, speak truth, and remind them they’re not alone.
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