Episodes
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Welcome to episode 2 of season 5!
In this episode I share a helpful perspective a fellow dad shared that's helped me become less anxious about the uncertainty of the future my children will inhabit. I know this perspective will also be helpful for you!
Let's connect to let me know what you think: [email protected]
OR
DM me @welcometofatherhoodpod on IG -
Welcome to episode 1 of this new season (my fifth!)
In this episode, I invite you to ask yourself this question, "Are you satisfied with the version of life you're currently living today, right now?" This is the question that's occupied my mind in recent weeks, and it's led me down a disorienting rabbit hole in the best possible way.
How have you approached feelings of nonfulfillment and dissatisfaction? What has caused you to feel this way in your experience as a man, father? And what sorts of decisions have you made to overcome it or be overcome by it?
Send me your story at [email protected]
OR
DM me @welcometofatherhoodpod on IG -
Missing episodes?
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Experiencing a miscarriage as a man is a difficult journey. It's a path I've walked and it led to the creation of "The Miscarriage Dad" platformâaimed at educating, raising awareness, and supporting men and fathers who find themselves in this heart-wrenching terrain. It's an unfortunate reality that compelled me to reinvent my Instagram presence, focusing a little less on the Welcome to Fatherhood brand, to create a much-needed safe space for men grappling with loss.
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music
New Flow Who Dis by Ghost Beatz
From Soundstripe -
Have you ever wondered how deep the rabbit hole of systemic failures and biases in the family court system can go? I invite you to join me in my riveting conversation with Gary Ivory, a resilient father who battled the beast for 16 agonizing years, and learn about his journey of survival, justice, and relentless fight for his child. Gary, a nonprofit executive and author, shares an emotional roller coaster of a narrative that reflects the harsh realities of the family court system and its implications on innocent lives.
Gary recounts the heartbreaking tale of fighting for his daughter's custody while being wrongfully accused of domestic violence. His former partner's skillful manipulation of the system, coupled with systemic failures and racial biases, led to extended court proceedings. His story doesn't just stop at the battlefront of the courtrooms. From hiring private investigators and confronting school superintendents to dealing with a dramatic kidnapping episode, Gary went to extraordinary lengths to see his daughter. His tale is one of caution and inspiration, shedding light on the importance of trusting instincts and navigating the complexities of the legal system.
Gary's experiences serve as a stark reminder of the need to constantly fight for truth and justice. Join us as we navigate this journey and uncover the realities of the family court system, the implications of systemic failures, and the importance of never giving up on one's children, regardless of the hardships faced. This episode is a testament to Gary's perseverance and a call to action for anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation. -
When you think about the journey of becoming a parent, the excitement and joy of expecting a child often come to mind. But what happens when that journey is abruptly halted by the heartbreak of pregnancy loss? I recently had the privilege of speaking with Brandon Byrnes, a brave father who opened up about his own experience with miscarriage and the subsequent road to healing. Together, we explored the rollercoaster of emotions that come with such a loss and the importance of sharing our stories to find solace and support.
We also took the time to discuss the often-overlooked experiences of men who have gone through miscarriages, recognizing the unique challenges they face in expressing their grief.
Through sharing the raw emotions and experiences surrounding pregnancy loss, this episode aims to bring comfort and understanding to those who have faced a similar heartache. As Brandon's story demonstrates, the journey of healing is ongoing, and it's through connecting with others that we can find the support and hope needed to move forward. So join us as we shed light on this deeply emotional topic, and let's create a space together where those who have suffered pregnancy loss can feel seen, heard, and understood.
If you are a male partner looking for support following a loss of pregnancy, or you are with a male partner who could benefit from support, the Dads & Miscarriage Facebook community is here to help.
As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us!
Show Music
European Sunrise & God Remembers by Anthony Catcoli
Among The Stars (Stripped) by Violet Mourning
Drift by Bobo Renthlei
From Soundstripe -
This episode concludes my conversation with Scott Mair.
How can dads be more involved in the pregnancy journey and the early stages of their child's life? This is a question we explore. We discuss the importance of engaging both parents from the beginning of the pregnancy, creating a level playing field for open communication, and understanding each other's roles and responsibilities.
Scott also shares his thoughts on supporting both parents' mental health during the perinatal period, the progress made in the UK in providing support for dads, and the vital role fathers play in their child's life from the very beginning.
If you are a male partner looking for support following a loss of pregnancy, or you are with a male partner who could benefit from support, the Dads & Miscarriage Facebook community is here to help.
As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us!
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music
To The Moon and Back by Sam Barsh
From Soundstripe -
This episode features a conversation with my guest, Scott Mair, a husband and father of 7 boys ranging from 20-4 years old. Privately, Scott enjoys spending time home educating his children with his wife Sarah and traveling with them while trying to remain outdoors as much as possible.
Are we truly supporting fathers in their journey through parenthood? Join us in our eye-opening conversation as we explore the evolving roles of fathers and the challenges they face. As we discuss the importance of equal partnerships between parents and the unintentional negative messages some healthcare settings may send to fathers, you'll gain insights into the value of education and support for dads in their journey through fatherhood.
In this episode, Scott shares his own inspiring story of raising seven boys and the struggles he faced along the way. We delve into the significance of spiritual care and psychosocial services for fathers in healthcare settings, comparing the differences in support offered by larger and smaller institutions. Additionally, Scott opens up about his experience with two critically unwell sons and how he reached out to the universe for help, reminding us of the power of connection and the need for inclusivity and diversity in healthcare.
Lastly, we tackle the societal expectations and gender roles in parenting that can hinder fathers from being fully engaged in their children's lives. We emphasize the importance of effective communication between parenting partners, especially during stressful times, and discuss ways to navigate and overcome the challenges fathers face. Don't miss this thought-provoking and inspiring conversation with Scott Mer, as we reinforce the need for spiritual and psychosocial support for fathers to succeed in their parenting journey.
If you are a male partner looking for support following a loss of pregnancy, or you are with a male partner who could benefit from support, the Dads & MiscarriageFacebook community is here to help.
As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us!
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music
It's Gonna Be Different by mandimore
End of It All by Sam Barsh
From Soundstripe -
In this special episode, my wife and I reflect on what the past three years have been like with our firstborn son.
Thank you for celebrating this special day with and for our family!
Show Music
Happy Birthday by Birds of Norway -
This episode features a conversation with my guest, Allan Shedlin.
Allan Shedlin has devoted his life's work to improving the odds for children and families. He has three daughters, and five grandchildren, as well as numerous "bonus" sons/daughters and grandchildren. Trained as an educator, Allan has alternated between classroom service, school leadership, parenting coaching, policy development, and advising at the local, state, and national levels. After eight years as an elementary school principal, Allan founded and headed the National Elementary School Center for 10 years. In the 1980s, he began writing about education and parenting for major news outlets and education trade publications, as well as appearing on radio and TV. In 2008, he was honored as a "Living Treasure" by Mothering Magazine and founded REEL Fathers in Santa Fe, NM, where he now serves as president emeritus. In 2017, he founded the DADvocacy Consulting Group. In 2018, he launched the DADDY Wishes Fund and Daddy Appleseed Fund. In 2019, he co-created and began co-facilitating the Armor Down/Daddy Up! and Mommy Up! programs. He has conducted daddying workshops in such diverse settings as Native American pueblos, veterans groups, nursery schools, penitentiaries, Head Start centers, corporate boardrooms, and various elementary schools, signifying the widespread interest in men in becoming the best possible dad. In 2022, Allan founded and co-directed the Daddying Film Festival & Forum to enable students, dads, and other indie filmmakers to use film as a vehicle to communicate the importance of fathers or father figures in each others' lives. Allan earned his elementary and high school diplomas from NYCâs Ethical Culture Schools, BA at Colgate University, MA at Columbia Universityâs Teachers College, and an ABD at Fordham University. But he considers his D-A-D and GRAND D-A-D the most important âdegreesâ of all.
In this conversation, we discuss the nature of the evolution of the daddying movement, and highlight the Daddying Film Festival & Forum as a grassroots movement that his helping to push the movement forward.
Contact Allan Shedlin at Dadvocacy Consulting Group.
Read my guest blog post titled, "A Dad's Struggle To Move Beyond Miscarriage"
If you are a male partner looking for support following a loss of pregnancy, or you are with a male partner who could benefit from support, the Dads & Miscarriage Facebook community is here to help.
As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us!
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music
Breakfast for Dinner by Dr. Delight
Postman Postup by Sam Barsh
From Soundstripe -
This is The Miscarriage Doula's takeover of the Welcome To Fatherhood podcast!
Arden Cartrette is the founder of The Miscarriage Doula, a service for anyone who is going through loss, struggling with pregnancy after loss, or is looking for more information on how to get through miscarriage in general. This service was birthed out of Arden's own history with infertility and unexplained pregnancy losses. Arden also hosts the Miscarriage Stories with Arden Cartrette podcast. She is a mother to two living children.
In this collaborative conversation, Arden interviews me, Kelly Jean-Philippe, about supporting my wife through four miscarriages, for a first hand account of the male partnerâs experience following loss of pregnancies.
If you are a male partner looking for support following a loss of pregnancy, or you are with a male partner who could benefit from support, the Dads & MiscarriageFacebook community is here to help.
As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us.
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music
Espresso Bean by Lunareh
God Remembers by Anthony Catacoli
East Ave by JMPSCR
From Soundstripe -
This is The Miscarriage Doula's takeover of the Welcome To Fatherhood podcast!
Arden Cartrette is the founder of The Miscarriage Doula, a service for anyone who is going through loss, struggling with pregnancy after loss, or is looking for more information on how to get through miscarriage in general. This service was birthed out of Arden's own history with infertility and unexplained pregnancy losses. Arden also hosts the Miscarriage Stories with Arden Cartrette podcast. She is a mother to two living children.
In this collaborative conversation, Arden interviews me, Kelly Jean-Philippe, about supporting my wife through four miscarriages, for a first hand account of the male partnerâs experience following loss of pregnancies.
If you are a male partner looking for support following a loss of pregnancy, or you are with a male partner who could benefit from support, the Dads & Miscarriage Facebook community is here to help.
As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us.
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music
Samson's Buzzcut by GRIDKIDS
Early Bird by Brian Brown
Chill Heat Wave by Air Kid
From Soundstripe -
This episode features a conversation with my guest, Jessica Torres.
Jessica has worked in healthcare for the past 16 years in the area of womenâs health, specifically high risk pregnancies and advocating for the wellbeing of both mom and baby. Her expertise is in Diabetes in Pregnancy. Jessica is also passionate about supporting the mental and emotional health of her patients.
She is a mother of two incredible children who inspire her everyday.
Jessie and I have been lifelong friends, and I invited her to this conversation because of her work with women with high risk pregnancies. We explore how medical spaces similar to where she practices can become aware of the fatherâs experience in order to offer him the support he needs as well.
As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us.
Please visit the Welcome To Fatherhood blog by going to my website or through the link tree on my IG account. Your feedback is always welcomed! Write a comment on any blogpost that peaks your interest, or leave a review for the podcast.
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music
Self Care Sunday & Goated by Ghost Beatz
Respect Old Arrangements by Sam Barsh
Mountaintop by JeesGuy
From Soundstripe -
This week's episode features a conversation with Sandra Trew, who is the CEO and founder of Get Real Parental Coaching.
Sandra has been featured in the Daily Express, commenting on the Royal Family's children. She runs a Childcare Business for working parents, using her 30 years of experience and expertise to help parents build stronger relationships and communications with their children.As a mother, Sandra understand the challenges of each milestone, so she decided to follow her passion for helping and supporting as many parents as possible by giving them hints, tips and strategies in a one-to-one session, understanding that no two families are the same.
Sandra also hosts the Get Real Parental Coaching podcast.
You can follow the 'Get Real Parental Coaching' Instagram account here.
In this episode, we talk about the importance of factoring in a fatherâs presence, voice, and experience in spaces where the parenting disequilibrium is most times quite overt or sometimes subtle.
As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us.
Please visit the Welcome To Fatherhood blog by going to my website or through the link tree on my IG account. Your feedback is always welcomed! Write a comment on any blogpost that peaks your interest, or leave a review for the podcast.
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music
Hangar Management by Sam Barsh
Change by Nu Alkemi$t
From Soundstripe -
This week's episode features a conversation with my guest, JK McLeod. JK is a married father of two children, a 17 year old daughter and a 10 year old son. JK learned from an early age about the pivotal and impactful role that fathers can play in the family.
He is the host of a weekly podcast called 'Help Me Understand', which focuses on learning more about the context behind the views, opinions, and events that we experience in everyday life.
He is also a personal trainer, focusing on using fitness as a vehicle to empower people to develop themselves both physically and mentally.
In our conversation we react to the events at The Covenant School in Nashville, TN that claimed the lives of six people, as well as the life of the shooter. Even more unfortunate, this episode will be released on the heels of the most recent mass shooting in Louisville, KY. To echo JK's sentiment, "Here we go, again."
Our thoughts and prayers are with those families and communities, all of them, as their lives have forever changed.
As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us.
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music
Free by Makenna Susan
Done Wrong by Heartland Nights
From Soundstripe -
This episode features a conversation with my guests, Antonio Rodriguez and Sergio Martinez. We refer to our trident as the Big 3.
Antonio (or Tony) is 32 years old and a father of three, two boys and a baby gurl on the way. Tony is a family man who loves to nurture and spend quality time with his family and play sports with his sons.
Sergio (or Serg) has been with his wife since the age of 19. He also is a father of three, two sons and a daughter, his firstborn. Sergio, too, is a family man who loves hanging out with his family. He especially loves football, and has the exciting opportunity to coach one of his son's football team. Above all, Sergio takes pride in his faith and is unapologetic about being called a Christian.
This conversation is about three friends coming together to open up about our experiences as friends and fathers, and the history that shapes how we parent our respective children.
As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us.
Please visit the Welcome To Fatherhood blog by going to my website or through the link tree on my IG account. Your feedback is always welcomed! Write a comment on any blogpost that peaks your interest, or leave a review for the podcast.
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music
Away by JMPSCR
Fail Bone by Sam Barsh
Resolution by McCall
From Soundstripe -
This episode features a conversation with my guest, Alex Egeler.
Alex Egeler is a former rocket scientist, aircraft designer, and aerospace executive. When his company went out of business during the pandemic, he knew that he needed to take a step back and focus on his family. Now he is a husband, father of 4 wonderful sons, and aspiring coach and online course creator. The journey of being a father and primary caregiver has taken him in directions he didn't expect, but has been the most important job of his life.
In the first part of our conversation, Alex shares a very deeply personal story involving a family member who died by suicide. If youâre someone currently in the thick of having any suicidal ideation, call or text my friends at the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 and one of the 24/7 providers can help guide you to the help you need.
This number is for the US only.
For all my global listeners, CLICK HERE for what may be your local suicide prevention reference.
ATTENTION:
Iâm not claiming this to be a comprehensive list. PLEASE CHECK YOUR LOCAL LISTINGS.
As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us.
Please visit the Welcome To Fatherhood blog by going to my website or through the link tree on my IG account. Your feedback is always welcomed! Write a comment on any blogpost that peaks your interest, or leave a review for the podcast.
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music
Silhouette by Fleece Mob
The Sensitive Hustler by Sam Barsh
Chosen One by Ghost Beatz
From Soundstripe -
This weekâs episode features a conversation with Robert Rooks.
Robert Rooks is one of the nationâs premier public safety solutions experts with more than two decades of experience as a grassroots organizer, strategist, and movement leader. Robert is the CEO of REFORM Alliance, a national advocacy organization focused on transforming probation and parole by changing laws, systems, and culture. Under Robertâs leadership, REFORM is promoting smart reforms that reduce unnecessary supervision and create pathways to work and wellbeing. REFORM has won major legislative reforms to transform probation and parole systems in states as diverse as California, Georgia, and Mississippi and lifted the experiences of people on supervision to educate the public and build support for broader change.
To join the REFORM community text âREFORMâ to 81411 from your mobile device. Standard rates may apply.
If youâre a T-Mobile customer, youâre encouraged to join the REFORM community by adding your name here.
In this episode we discuss the huge impact Robertâs father has had on his life and career trajectory, the significance of being a Black father to three sons, as well as the important legislative changes being brought as a result of REFORM Allianceâs relentless work.
As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us.
Please visit the Welcome To Fatherhood blog by going to my website or through the link tree on my IG account. Your feedback is always welcomed! Write a comment on any blogpost that peaks your interest, or leave a review for the podcast.
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music -
This episode features a conversation with my guest, Piotr Jan Pietrzak.
âIâm in the top 1% of super dads, so why are 99% of men not taking parental leave?ââWhy taking parental leave makes you a better dad, partner and leaderââFour harmful myths about dads on parental leaveââThree arguments for adding âdadâ (or âmomâ) on your LinkedIn profile and why it is importantâ
Piotr is the Director of International Development at BLIK, a leading European mobile payment system and scheme that is rapidly expanding in other geographies. Piotr earned his executive education certificate from Stanford Graduate School of Business in 2022. As a lifelong learner and an advocate of contributing back to the finance sector which he is so passionate about, Piotr prioritizes ongoing collaboration with academia to continue forging strong-ties to communities of learning, as well as to share his expertise and to provide broader knowledge as a commentator on the financial markets. Most importantly, Piotr is the father to a one year old son, and while on parental leave has published the following articles on LinkedIn:Today, Piotr and I discuss the topic of parental leave, and reasons why more fathers need to take leave from work to spend valuable time with their newborn and family.
As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us.
Please visit the Welcome To Fatherhood blog by going to my website or through the link tree on my IG account. Your feedback is always welcomed! Write a comment on any blogpost that peaks your interest, or leave a review for the podcast.
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music
Wait by B.Wight
On My Mind by Ghost Beatz
Until Tomorrow by Shane Becker
From Soundstripe -
Hi there!
As a faithful follower/subscriber of this podcast I'm sure you had been wondering why there wasn't an episode for this week and last.
So I thought it was a good idea to help you not wonder any longer.
And if you listen to this brief episode, all of your wondering will be addressed once and for all!
Remember to visit the Welcome To Fatherhood blog by going to my website or through the link tree on my IG account. Your feedback is always welcomed! Write a comment on the blog, or leave a review for the podcast.
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music
Gonna Make It Today by Dr. Delight -
This episode features a conversation with my guest, Daryl Johnson Jr., Ed.D. Dr. Johnson is an Education Administrator with a passion for advancing educational policies and procedures as it pertains to engagement, equity, discipline, diversity, and core values. He has over ten years of experience working hands-on with students, parents, and staff in five professional roles. He possesses exceptional interpersonal and relationship building skills and has demonstrated strong professional presentation skills as a keynote speaker, facilitator, and coordinator.
As always, thank you for spending part of your week with us.
Please visit the Welcome To Fatherhood blog by going to my website or through the link tree on my IG account. Your feedback is always welcomed! Write a comment on the blog, or leave a review for the podcast.
Theme Music
Dreamweaver by Sound Force
From Premium Beat
Show Music
On Our Own by Thee Alchemist Oxford
Miss U So by Midnight Daydream
From Soundstripe - Show more
