Fathernetics

Jameel Mayers sits down with Mauricio Chamberlin for a candid conversation about the journey of fatherhood, adoption challenges, and the joy of building family traditions. They discuss how social media shapes modern shopping habits, why nutrition matters in parenting, and how cultural roots influence both cooking and raising kids. Mauricio reflects on his adoption story, while the conversation exp...

This conversation brings together Jameel Mayers and David Morgenstern for a lively look at how music, parenting, and entrepreneurship shape the lives of LGBTQ dads. They talk boy bands, intentional parenting, generational connections, and the power of community. David opens up about building Gatties, his lifestyle brand focused on representation and support for gay dads, and explains the mentorshi...

The conversation with Matt Tolbert breaks down why surrogacy in the United States has become so expensive and what those rising costs really mean for families hoping to grow through assisted reproduction. It explores how prices have climbed over the years, the real numbers families are navigating today, and the level of financial planning required for anyone starting a surrogacy journey. The discu...

Two cousins, one wild conversation. Kalyani grew up without a dad but with a mom who raised a powerhouse. She’s funny, a deep-thinker, a globe-trotting concert junkie, and one of my fiercest allies. This one’s part laughter, part therapy, and all heart. Catch the full visual on YouTube as part of Season Two of Fathernetics. www.youtube.com/@fathernetics www.instagram.com/fathernetics #Fathernetics...

In this conversation, Dennis Wesemann Widmark shares his journey of becoming a father through surrogacy, his experiences traveling in the US, and the cultural insights from Colombia. He discusses the emotional rollercoaster of parenthood, the importance of community support, and the challenges faced by LGBTQ parents. Dennis also highlights the significance of social media in connecting with others...

In this engaging conversation, Joseph Tito shares his journey as a father, navigating the complexities of parenthood, surrogacy, and cultural influences. He reflects on the importance of family, self-care, and the challenges of balancing work and parenting. Joseph discusses his Italian upbringing and how it shapes his parenting style, emphasizing the need for open communication and intentional par...

In this episode of Fathernetics, Jameel Mayers introduces his son Jacob, who takes on the role of interviewer. They discuss various topics including Jacob's experiences in school, reflections on parenting, and the lessons learned from childhood. The conversation highlights the dynamics of their family life, the challenges of being a parent, and the importance of personal growth and understanding....

In this episode of  Fathernetics , we talk with Tammy — founder of  Oak Surrogacy  in Canada, and a woman who has been a surrogate multiple times herself. Tammy brings a rare perspective to the conversation, sharing both her personal experiences as a surrogate and her professional role guiding intended parents and surrogates through the journey of family building. She discusses the...

In this episode of  Fathernetics , we sit down with Dustin Talley — a proud husband, dedicated father of two (a son and a daughter), and a strong ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Dustin opens up about balancing career and family, the joys and challenges of raising kids in today’s world, and what allyship really looks like in practice. From parenting milestones to the values he hopes to pass down...

In this heartfelt episode of  Fathernetics , we sit down with Nader—a devoted father of two daughters, loving husband, and longtime friend I’ve known since our Houston days when he was just 12. Our conversation dives deep into what it means to be an intentional father: building the kind of foundation that allows children to grow into their truest, most amazing selves. Nader also shares his ex...

In this episode of  Fathernetics , we sit down with John Berno — husband, new dad, and proud father to baby girl Vivian. John opens up about the three-year surrogacy journey that took him and his husband to Mexico, a process filled with challenges, perseverance, and ultimately the joy of welcoming their daughter into the world. From navigating international surrogacy laws to the emotional wei...

In this episode, I sit down with my big sister Jowharah McNeil—the original trailblazer of the McNeil clan—who’s got receipts on how Dad shaped her world and, by extension, ours. As the firstborn, Jowharah took the brunt of “first-child strictness,” only to turn around and soften the landing for me and our brother Abbas. She unpacks the lessons Dad passed down—work ethic, compassion, and fierce lo...

In this episode, I pull up a chair with Sonia M.—wife to Chrispin Mayers, Panamanian powerhouse, and veteran TV exec—to spill the tea on fatherhood from the mother’s side of the net. Born and raised in Panama, daughter and sister first, corporate juggernaut second, Sonia blends cultural wisdom with boardroom savvy to give us a fresh playbook on supporting dads, kids, and families in high-stakes ar...

In this episode of  Fathernetics , I sit down with Brian Rosenberg, founder of  Gays With Kids , the leading resource and community platform for queer dads and dads-to-be. Brian opens up about his journey as a father, what inspired him to build an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ families, and the very real challenges and triumphs that come with parenting in today’s political...

In this fabulously unexpected episode (in a good way), I sit down with Robert McNeil—a man whose roadmap to fatherhood wasn’t drawn by his dad but lovingly sketched by his larger-than-life grandfather. Robert shares how “Pop-Pop’s” old-school charm, tough love, and secret stash of life hacks became the foundation for his own parenting style—and how sometimes the fiercest role models come in the mo...

Daniel and Jeff open up about their journey toward fatherhood, reflecting on their relationships with their own parents—especially their dads—and how those experiences shaped their readiness to become fathers themselves. Along the way, they share heartfelt moments, future hopes, and the qualities they believe will make them great dads. Between the emotional beats, the conversation takes fun detour...

What does it take to build a family when the road stretches across continents? In this episode of  Fathernetics , Aldo and Kim share their powerful 10-year surrogacy journey that spans the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, and the US. From navigating laws and cultural expectations to the emotional highs and heartbreaking setbacks, their story is a testament to resilience, love, and the power of ch...

In this extended episode of  Fathernetics , Mark and Eoin open up about their family’s surrogacy journey and the joy of raising two kids in a culturally rich, mixed-heritage home. From navigating the emotional highs of surrogacy to recognizing the potential money traps that hopeful parents should watch out for, they bring honesty and humor to every detail of their story. Food plays a big role...

In this episode, I team up with my uncle and lifelong mentor, Crispin M., who coaches fatherhood through the dynamics of the tennis court. From perfecting your serve to mastering the match point, Crispin shows us how each play on the court mirrors moments in parenting—challenging us to stay agile, strategic, and always ready to learn alongside our kids. In this conversation: Finding your serve: ho...

Trevor Said WHAT?! Fatherhood Gets Candid In this episode, I sit down with Trevor—an only child, proud husband, and devoted dad of two—to explore the realities and rewards of fatherhood through his lens as part of an interracial LGBTQ+ family. We dive into questions like: • What does fatherhood look like when you’ve never had siblings? • How do two dads balance identity, culture, and parenting? •...

In this fabulously candid episode, I catch up with my brother Abbas—our dad’s favorite protégé—who’s mastered the art of viewing life through the vibrant prism Dad handed him. We dive into how growing up under Dad’s watchful gaze shaped Abbas’s compass as a son, how sibling shenanigans turned us into lifelong allies, and how he’s taken that same fierce love into the world as a mentor and “father”...

In this episode, Shawn and Tyler (@shawnandtylerb) kick things off with stories from their trip to see Beyoncé live in Houston. I jump in with my own memories of meeting Beyoncé a few times at church—alongside Kelly Rowland—back in the day. We explore how their different upbringings shaped them: Shawn grew up without a dad in his life, while Tyler was close to his. Their YouTube channel, once a wi...

In this episode of  Fathernetics , Louis & Sean takes us through the winding path of becoming a father via surrogacy in Canada. From the early days of uncertainty — paperwork, waiting lists, and emotional hurdles — to the life‑changing moment he held his child for the first time, Sean’s story is as real and raw as it gets. He shares what surprised him most about the process, the challenge...

In this episode of  Fathernetics , we sit down with Ethan Levy — whose life story captured national attention when his adoption by LGBTQ parents made the  New York Times . Raised between the iconic shores of Fire Island and the vibrant streets of Chelsea, Ethan offers a candid look into what it means to grow up embraced by queer culture and family values. Ethan opens up about identity, b...

Anthony C. Brings the D(iscussion) In this episode of  Fathernetics , I get on a call with my good friend Anthony—a straight father, husband to Sophia, and proud dad to a beautiful daughter. We dive into the realness of fatherhood from his perspective, the joys and challenges of raising a girl in today’s world, and how he keeps his identity as a husband, friend, and man in balance. From navig...