Dear Son,

This is what protection really looks like. As men we are often challenged to protect our families from harm in all forms, but what does that really look like in the average relationship? Sometimes we don't want to be the voice of reason. Sometimes we just need a reason...I digress. This conversation was inspired by the 2022 Oscars, but we don't say their names. Honestly, the event that tre...

I lost my dad and found me. Loss is hard. Multiple losses at a young age is even harder. Can you imagine holding a loved one in your arms as life leaves their body? Now, can you imagine taking on this life altering responsibility at the age of 12? Deborah was introduced to heartbreak at a very young age, and the thread continued throughout her early adulthood.  In this episode we discuss the proce...

Dear Dad, you hurt me. For some, being hurt is just a natural part of life. We've all experienced hurt, and likely, have been the source of others' pain. One thing for certain is that none of us can tell another person how to process their pain, grief, or trauma. As a 17-year-old mother to be, Cleo had seen and experienced a lifetime of traumatic events. She vividly recalls a story of poli...

My dad chose me. This is a perspective that many of us never had to consider. However, many men decide to fill a biological gap for one reason or another. Sometimes it is due to the intentional absence of the birth father, the intentional actions of the birth mother, and a host of other reasons that aren’t germane to this episode. Instead, we celebrate the courage and commitment of my wife’s fathe...

My dad is my hero. Those four words bring so much joy to my heart, not only as a father, but as a man that admires strong father-daughter relationships. This is the bond that sets the tone for how women value the relationship with a man, and also teaches men way more about themselves than they may expect. In part two of this series focusing on the woman's perspective of fatherhood, Gia Jordan...

A woman's perspective on fatherhood is oftentimes dismissed because 'they can't be fathers.' I understand the sentiment, but the value is misplaced. This 5-part series will explore how the fatherhood journey impacts women. We have to acknowledge the cycle; the woman has a father, some choose men to partner with in life, and a subset of that population may birth a baby boy at some p...

Dear Son, I work hard to create options for you. It is a common theme for many parents to work hard in hopes of providing a better life for their children. For the few radicals, entrepreneurs, that journey can be extremely difficult, frustrating, and unrewarding most of the time. In this episode, I sat down with Joshua (Josh) Wilson to understand how journeys of ‘husbandhood,’ fatherhood, and busi...

Dear Son, you can tell me anything, but that! Many fathers and generally 'good' parents across the world live in a fantasy world believing that their children can talk to them about anything. Oftentimes that definition of anything excludes very real topics like rape, molestation, or sexual promiscuity. See, it's much easier to adopt the 'not my child' mentality because it makes...

Dear Son, listen to your elders. There's such a wealth of information housed in prior generations that, too often, goes unsought. Sure, the world's perspective has and is ever evolving, but sound guidance from an era you never experienced is invaluable. Tim Allston brings decades of experience as a published author, public relations expert, educator, and public speaking professional to thi...

Dear Son, I am not your father. I’m sure most of us have witnessed this conclusion being sensationalized on a late 90s midday talk show, but can you really put yourself in the shoes of a son hearing this for the first time at the age of 27? I’ve tried, but my imagination doesn’t roam that freely. Unfortunately, this was (and is) the reality for my conversation counterpart, Lamont Moore, on this ep...

Dear Son, build a business for your family. We live in a world where the rich get richer, and the poor continuously get the short end of the stick. For some, apathy is the hurdle, and others just can't seem to connect with the right information that can change their lives. The pressure of maintaining adequate finances can be debilitating for some men. On this episode, Chris Williams lets us in...

Dear Son, I couldn’t coach my way out of this one. Sports is a way of life for many children and adults alike. Many have the love, but not the skill. Then there are those that have both, and a few of them mature into coaching once their playing days are done. George Massenburg’s journey was a pleasure to unpack. As the son of a military father, he knew early on the importance of discipline and rel...

Dear Son, be emotionally fit above all. Sure, we've progressed a bit in recent years by 'allowing' men to feel their feelings, but that isn't enough. Today's guest, Rod, is no stranger to the gym, and has a passion for physical fitness. He has literally dedicated this phase of his life to helping and encouraging men to invest in their physical health and appearance. His approac...

Dear Son, I need you back in my life. Many relationships begin with the best of intentions. The air smells sweeter, the flowers are bloom-ier, and all  seems right with the world. Then, as with any relationship, problems arise and character is revealed. Add children to the mix and it becomes more than some can or prefer to handle. James has experienced the hurt as a child and as an adult, and the...

Dear Son, you were just too different to love. Imagine being the youngest child and watching your siblings receiving love from the family differently. No explanations given, just different treatment. Compound that with being called ‘weird’ or worse, just because as a young boy you prefer to be in the band vice being an all-star athlete. This is sadly the case for many children, and it is especiall...

Dear Son, I woke up on a park bench. What would be a humbling, better yet humiliating experience for most didn't brake Jaraud's spirit. At one of his lowest moments, he found himself taking shelter on a park bench in the Algiers area of New Orleans. Not sure where he'd find his next meal, he found the courage to will (and work) his way out of those circumstances. Not once did he blame...

Dear Son, prison walls can’t separate us. Imagine being separated from your father at the age of two…for any reason. For some, this could be the start of a miserable life filled with anger, sadness, and regret (and understandably so). That’s not at all how this story plays out. Although he certainly felt the pain of his father not being around physically, Derrin was consumed with love from his fam...

Dear Son, let that rage out! I had the pleasure of catching up with one of the legends from my hometown, Hampton, VA (757). Ahmad put on a show every time he touched the football field. His sports highlights can easily be found with a quick Google search, and would keep you glued to the screen for hours upon hours even if you’re not a football fan. What won’t be so obvious in the search results ar...

Dear Son, I'm afraid to heal. This was a very sobering topic for me to address. I had to admit that not only was I broken in many ways, but I was comfortable in that state because I was afraid of what healing required from me. Selfish? Most certainly. However, I don't think that I'm the only man that has some aversion to the healing process. I do not like the unknown. I do not like not...

Dear Son, time heals nothing. This perspective contradicts what most of us have been fed our entire lives, “time heals all wounds.” While there is merit to being sensitive to the timing of the necessary actions, the actions are necessary. Today’s conversation with Dr. Yardan Shabazz prompted me to take an inventory of my relationships and how I value them based on my actions. I realized how good I...

Dear Son, I've had one too many. Can you imagine having to explain that to your oldest son (or any family member for that matter)? Rudy's story is riddled with highs and lows, and his transparency is sure to help someone. Ultimately, he beat the odds and has reclaimed his greatness through overcoming alcoholism, restoring family relationships, and ultimately becoming the man he and his fam...

Dear Son, I'm listening. No really, I hear you. This will forever be the most meaningful conversation I have on this platform as it is reflection of how the podcast was birthed. See, I wasn't great at communicating important life lessons to my son. Heck, I'm still a work in progress. The articulation has never been my challenge, but great articulation does not a great communicator make...

Dear Son, save your community. In this episode of The Dear Son, Podcast, we take a journey with community advocate, Tracey Parker, as he reveals the why behind his mission. He chronicles his life’s challenges and triumphs. The Newport News (VA) native learned the importance of ‘the village’ concept very early as he depended on friends and extended family members to fill the void of his biological...

"Dear Son, You Are Your Brother's Keeper"...what a tremendous charge on anyone's life. During this conversation with Mikel Brown (www.instagram.com/iammikelbrwn) I was afforded insight into his journey into fatherhood, having lost his father, his hero, at the age of eight. While there's no good time to lose a parent, losing one during this impressionable stage of life can be ve...

I had the pleasure of conversing with Javan (www.instagram.com/therazorscut), a Cybersecurity Systems Engineer by day, small business owner by night, about his fatherhood story, and there were many lessons to be gleaned. As a product of a blended family, he very quickly recognized the importance of creating family bonds and establishing the values he would later instill in his boys (15 & 22)....