The Black Fathers' Pulse Podcast

Join Dr. Alvin Thomas on The Black Father's Pulse as he dives into the world of black fatherhood with special guest, Congressman Jimmy Gomez from California . In this episode, Congressman Gomez shares his unique journey as a first-generation Mexican American and a dedicated father, balancing his legislative responsibilities with the joys and challenges of parenthood. Discover how he founded the Co...

In this episode of the Black Fathers' Pulse Podcast, Dr. Joe Gothard, superintendent of Madison Metropolitan School District, emphasizes the critical role of early childhood education. He discusses the importance of Black fathers' active involvement in their children's education, suggesting routines such as reading time and regular communication with teachers. Dr. Gothard shares personal insights...

This episode of the Black Fathers Pulse podcast features a discussion with Dr. Dayna Long, a pediatrician known for her work in community health and promoting healthcare equity. The episode highlights the significant role Black fathers play in nurturing their children's well-being, countering stereotypes, and fostering resilience. Dr. Long shares insights on supporting children's health through nu...

Did you know Black fathers are leading the way in hands-on parenting? Join us as we sit down with Shannon Reed , a passionate health interventionist and father who's shattering stereotypes and reshaping the narrative. From groundbreaking research to real-talk about mental health, Reed takes us on a journey through his fatherhood experience in Milwaukee's vibrant community. Discover how cultural le...

In this episode of  The Black Fathers' Pulse , host  Dr. Alvin Thomas  welcomes guests  Eric L. Crawford  and  Patrick Andrews  to discuss their unique parenting approaches. Eric shares his experiences with  non-coercive parenting , emphasizing mutual respect and understanding, while Patrick delves into  Montessori parenting , highlighting the benefits of fostering independence and self-directed l...

In this inspiring episode of  The Black Fathers' Pulse , we sit down with Patrick Andrews, a dedicated father from Trinidad and Tobago, who shares his unique journey of homeschooling his children using the Montessori method. Patrick opens up about the challenges he faced, the successes he celebrated, and the motivations that drive him to provide a tailored education for his kids. Through heartfelt...

In this insightful episode, Eric Crawford joins us to discuss his unique approach to parenting. Moving away from traditional parental dominance, Eric shares his journey towards a more balanced method that respects children's autonomy while maintaining necessary boundaries. He explores the middle ground between strict authoritarianism and gentle parenting, offering practical advice and personal ane...

In this episode of  The Black Fathers' Pulse podcast, DJ Pryor shares the heartwarming story behind his viral video with his toddler, highlighting the joy of fatherhood through humor. He also opens up about his struggles with the legal system, detailing years of separation from his son and his fight to reclaim his role as a father. Tune in for an inspiring mix of laughter, resilience, and advocacy...

Welcome to The Black Fathers' Pulse—the podcast where fatherhood meets purpose. Join Dr. Alvin Thomas, clinical psychologist and associate professor, as he guides you through the highs, lows, and laughs of Black fatherhood. Dive into a vibrant community where stories are shared, support is given, and every heartbeat matters. Tune in to keep the pulse of fatherhood beating strong and vibrant. Subsc...

Welcome to another enlightening episode of  The Black Fatherhood Pulse ! In this episode, titled  "Black Fathers Raising Toddlers,"  we delve into the unique joys and challenges of fatherhood during the toddler years. Join our esteemed guests— Eric Crawford, Shannon Reed , and Patrick Andrews —as they share their personal experiences and insights. Our discussion covers the beauty and uniqueness of...

Welcome to The Black Fathers' Pulse—the podcast where fatherhood meets purpose. Join Dr. Alvin Thomas, clinical psychologist and associate professor, as he guides you through the highs, lows, and laughs of Black fatherhood. Dive into a vibrant community where stories are shared, support is given, and every heartbeat matters. Tune in to keep the pulse of fatherhood beating strong and vibrant. Subsc...

Judge Mitchell, presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division in Dane County, oversees a myriad of juvenile and child welfare, family and civil cases.  Judge Mitchell joins us today to talk about what fathers need to know about identifying and securing their parental rights, and the challenges many men face once 'in the system'.

Black dads can too easily be excluded from the social welfare system, challenging their ability to be gainfully employed, engage with their children, and sustain a good quality of life. Dr. David Pate, Associate Professor and Chair Emeritus of the Social Work department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, joins us to talk about the effects of social welfare policy on the lives of Black men a...

On a mission to "spread as much joy as possible", Dexter Patterson, aka The Wisco Birder , is dedicated to making birdwatching welcoming for all birders around the state of Wisconsin.  As founding member of The BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, Dexter joins us to share in a "community of people of color who love the outdoors and the birds and beauty of natural Wisconsin and wish to connect with oth...

As our next guest writes, "Fatherhood, while immensely rewarding, comes with its own set of challenges. As a black father, these challenges are often compounded by societal pressures and stereotypes that can weigh heavily on your shoulders."  And we agree.  Kenneth Braswell, a life long advocate for responsible fatherhood and mental health, joins us to talk about the challenges - and joys - of Bla...

Exclusive Interview:  In August 2020, Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot seven times in the back by a white officer outside an apartment complex in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  The shooting, which happened in front of Jacob's children, prompted national outrage with riots and protests breaking out across the country.  But despite his new identity as a contemporary civil rights icon, the first...

Mental health is too often overlooked and under appreciated in the Black community.  Dr. Rheeda Walker, an award-winning professor, psychologist, and author of  The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health,  join us to talk about the mental health crisis in our community today, and how "in order to reclaim a life worth living, you must first reclaim your mind."

Abandoned as a baby to the British foster care system, best-selling author Alex Wheatle grew up without any knowledge of his Jamaican parentage or family history.   Alex joins us to share stories from his new memoir "Sufferah" - of his early years at the notorious Shirley Oaks children's home in London, through the Brixton Uprising, to the front porch in Jamaica of the father who abandoned him as...

Kwame Alexander, one of America's most beloved writers, joins us to talk about  Why Fathers Cry at Night - a collection of poems, recipes, and letters to his family about the beginnings of love, the ends of love, being a father, and a son.

From his childhood on the streets in Uganda to his life as an adoptive father and foster father of over 30 children, our guest, Peter Mutabazi, has an extraordinary personal story that weaves together countries, continents, social strata, and family – at every possible level.

Fred Conley, a community icon in Madison, Wisconsin, saw the need for representation at Christmastime and went to work.  Shifting careers from a lifetime of experience as a police officer, Fred embraced his new role as a cherished holiday icon for Black children across the country.

We've long known that social policies disproportionally affect Black families. Dr. Tiffany Green, Assistant Professor in the Departments of Population Health Sciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and co-chair of The Black Maternal and Child Health Alliance of Dane County, joins us to talk about one social policy in particular, Birth Cost Recovery, and how i...

The national mythos of a predominantly white working class leaves little room for black workers or any opportunity to glean lessons from their histories. Today we're talking about the origins of the Black working class with Dr. Blair Kelley, a historian and scholar of the African American experience, and author of, "Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class."

George Floyd spoke, and no one listened. He cried, and no one responded. Black people are crying out and America is not listening and not responding, because it hears the noise and not the pain. Written at the height of racial unrest during the pandemic, this poem captures the emotional complexity throughout these traumatic experiences.

Language is an art, and how we express it matters. Author and poet F. Douglas Brown and Loyola High School (LA) Principal Jamal Adams – each masters of language – share how they're using their talent and skill to change the narrative of the boys they teach as they transition to becoming men.