That Dope Dad

Tism Talk | A Monthly Segment of That Dope Dad Podcast Some parents are living a version of parenthood they never expected. The appointments. The questions. The stares. The sleepless nights. The small victories that feel absolutely enormous. The fear of what happens when you're not there to protect them anymore. And sometimes—the loneliness of wondering if anyone truly understands. Tism Talk is fo...

THE ONLY WAY YOU LOSE IS IF YOU QUIT. Life will knock you down. You'll face setbacks, failures, financial struggles, and moments when giving up feels easier than pushing forward. But as men, and especially as fathers, we have a bigger reason to keep going. Our kids are watching. They're watching how we handle adversity, how we respond to failure, and whether we get back up when life gets hard. In...

What happens when the man who makes everyone laugh is fighting battles nobody sees? On this episode of That Dope Dad , I sit down with comedian, writer, and father of two, Jay Wells L'Ecuyer, for a raw and powerful conversation about childhood trauma, PTSD, anger, depression, and the realities of fatherhood. From witnessing unimaginable tragedies at a young age to chasing success in comedy, Jay op...

In this episode of That Dope Dad , Michael sits down with USMC veteran, entrepreneur, investor, husband, and father of two daughters, Austin Hancock. Austin opens up about going from a wild teenager to serving in the Marines, building businesses, chasing success, and ultimately realizing that fatherhood gives ambition a completely different purpose. We talk about raising daughters, marriage, faith...

Follow Us: Everybody talks about red flags in relationships. But before you start judging someone else’s, you better take a hard look at your own. In this episode of That Dope Dad , we talk about what it means to become a disciplined, accountable, reliable man—and why the quality of your relationships often reflects the standard you live by. We also break down some of the red flags to watch for wh...

Tism Talk | A Monthly Segment of That Dope Dad Podcast Some parents are living a version of parenthood they never expected. The appointments. The questions. The stares. The sleepless nights. The small victories that feel absolutely enormous. The fear of what happens when you're not there to protect them anymore. And sometimes—the loneliness of wondering if anyone truly understands. Tism Talk is fo...

Don Singleton’s story is one of survival, redemption, and fatherhood. Growing up surrounded by violence in New Orleans, Don’s life eventually led him to prison, where he became a father for the first time at just 21 years old. That moment began a journey of becoming more—not just for himself, but for his children. Now 51, Don is a father, grandfather, entrepreneur, athlete, and men’s mental health...

What happens when the little kids who once ran into your room for a hug suddenly don’t need you in the same way anymore? In this episode of That Dope Dad , I sit down with Jeff Walker — Rhymecologist, father of 13-year-old twins, author, and creator — for a conversation about fatherhood, mindset, music, and one of the hardest parts of being a dad: watching your kids grow up. The hugs aren’t as aut...

In this episode of That Dope Dad , Michael sits down with Evans Pham — husband, runner, content creator, and new dad to his one-year-old son, Neo. Evans opens up about growing up in a close-knit Vietnamese family, becoming a father, breaking generational patterns, and learning how to balance marriage, work, and being present at home. He also shares how losing his bulldog, Caesar, during the early...

Do Your Kids Know Their Way Home? We grew up staring out the car window, learning the streets, watching the world go by, and figuring out how to be bored. Today, our kids can ride across town without ever looking up from a screen. In this episode of That Dope Dad , we talk about what might be getting lost as technology becomes the entertainer, the teacher—and sometimes even the parent. Are we givi...

What if becoming a father isn’t just about raising your child… but allowing your child to change you? In this episode of That Dope Dad Podcast , Michael sits down with Austen Gravett for a raw conversation about fatherhood, identity, addiction, ambition, healing, and redefining what it means to be a strong man. For years, Austen chased strength through fitness, business, achievement, and success....

Tism Talk | A Monthly Segment of That Dope Dad Podcast Some parents are living a version of parenthood they never expected. The appointments. The questions. The stares. The sleepless nights. The small victories that feel absolutely enormous. The fear of what happens when you're not there to protect them anymore. And sometimes—the loneliness of wondering if anyone truly understands. Tism Talk is fo...

Your family should feel stronger because you’re in their life—not drained by your presence. In this episode of That Dope Dad , we talk about what it means to be a fountain : to pour encouragement, love, confidence, patience, and strength into the people who need you most. Because as dads, our energy carries into our homes. Pour into your family. Fill their cup. Be the fountain—not the drain. Follo...

Fatherhood has a way of bringing old wounds back to the surface—and giving us a chance to do something different with them. In this episode of That Dope Dad Podcast , Michael sits down with Caleb Scott , father to Cohen, entrepreneur, and founder of the men’s outreach program ManDays, for an honest conversation about the man he came from and the dad he’s choosing to become. Caleb opens up about gr...

When was the last time someone asked if you're okay? In this episode of That Dope Dad Podcast , Michael Hedgecock dives into the silent pressures fathers carry, the emotional weight many men keep hidden, and why checking in on dads matters more than we realize. This honest conversation explores mental health, fatherhood, resilience, and the importance of creating space for dads to be seen, heard,...

What happens when a 17-year-old finds out he's going to be a father—and refuses to let his past define his future? In this powerful episode of That Dope Dad , Michael sits down with James Townsend —husband, father of four, coach, and man of unwavering faith—to talk about breaking generational cycles, choosing presence over excuses, and fighting for the opportunity to be a dad. James opens up about...

Sometimes the most powerful conversations don't begin with words. In this episode of That Dope Dad , I share my experience attending The Listening Room —a gathering of men who came together with one simple purpose: to sit, listen to an album from start to finish, and be fully present. No phones. No distractions. Just music, memories, and a room full of men willing to slow down. What started as an...

What does it mean to become the father you never had? In this episode of That Dope Dad , Michael Hedgecock sits down with transformation coach, entrepreneur, and father of three, Sheriff Taiwo , for an honest conversation about growing up in a strict Nigerian household, overcoming adversity, and choosing to lead his family differently. Sheriff shares how his upbringing shaped the man he is today,...

There are moments in fatherhood that quietly change you. For me, it's my son's birthday. In this deeply personal episode of That Dope Dad , I open up about what it feels like to watch my son turn seven years old. Every birthday brings unexpected emotions—not sadness, not just joy, but the realization of how quickly time passes. As he grows older, I'm reminded that I'm growing older too. This isn't...

In this episode of That Dope Dad , Michael Hedgecock sits down with Roderick Richard II —fatherhood coach, entrepreneur, athletic director, podcast host, and founder of 4 Fit Fatherhood —for a powerful conversation about what it truly means to be a present father . Roderick shares how growing up in a hardworking family and spending years in sports shaped his values of discipline, accountability, a...

The more we enjoy being a dad, the more our kids enjoy being a kid. Life gets busy. Work is demanding. By the end of the day, we're exhausted. But while we're counting down to bedtime, our kids are counting down the minutes until they get time with us. They don't need perfection. They don't need expensive trips or endless entertainment. They simply want our attention, our presence, and a few momen...

In this episode of That Dope Dad Podcast , Michael Hedgecock sits down with entrepreneur, podcast host, nonprofit leader, and father of four, Will Adams Sr. Will shares how growing up in a single-parent household shaped his commitment to being a present father, the life-changing impact of becoming a dad at 32, and the lessons he's learned raising both a son and a daughter. He also opens up about h...

The fear of judgment keeps too many people stuck—stuck from chasing their dreams, trying something new, or becoming who they were meant to be. In this episode, we talk about why other people's opinions should never have the power to dictate your life. As parents, our kids are always watching. When they see us step outside our comfort zones, take risks, and pursue what truly matters to us, they lea...

Jacob Smith shares his journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a successful leader, husband, and father, emphasizing the importance of family, fitness, and mindset in his life. The conversation covers topics related to parenting, nutrition, coping with loss, sobriety, fatherhood, personal growth, emotional challenges, coaching kids, and lessons from daughters. The speakers discuss their a...

Your kids are watching you. Make sure they never see you quit. Every move, every decision, how you respond to pressure. Follow Us: IG: https://www.instagram.com/thatdopedad_podcast/ HOST: https://www.instagram.com/michael_hedgecock/