Fathernetics

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...

🎙  Episode: #8 - Same Love, Different Leaves In this episode of  Fathernetics , I sit down with my close friend, Shally V, to explore how culture shapes our experiences as LGBTQ+ individuals and fathers. Coming from a deeply rooted Indian background and now building his life, career, and family in America, Shally shares his unique journey of navigating identity, tradition, and fatherhood...

🎙  Episode: #07 - Mothers Spilling the Parental Tea In this special episode, we flip the mic and bring  Mom  into the Fathernetics fold. As a co-parent, she shares her honest perspective on what it’s like partnering with dads, navigating blended family dynamics, and raising a child with love, boundaries, and humor. We talk about communication breakdowns, co-parent wins, and what fat...

Bonus: Paper Cradles Interview: Author Jameel Mayers on Open Adoption & Gay Fatherhood In this powerful episode of  Fathernetics , we go behind the scenes of  Paper Cradles  — a deeply personal and gripping memoir that chronicles the emotional terrain of fatherhood, open adoption, identity, and love. From the first phone call to finalizing the paperwork, this story doesn’t shy a...

Surrogacy to Sippy Cups: A Gay Dad’s Wild Ride with Tony In this episode of  Fathernetics , we sit down with the endlessly lovable and hilariously honest Tony—aka  Daddy Chen ( https://www.instagram.com/avery.atlas.zc ) a proud gay dad raising two spirited little ones with his husband,  Daddy Chase , in the heart of Orange County, California. Tony opens up about his  surrogacy...

🎙  Abuelo Energy: Celebrating Zaddy Vibes with Esteban on Father’s Day  In this special episode (Father's Day), I sit down with my own father for a real, unfiltered conversation about what fatherhood meant to him—and how it’s evolved across generations. We get into the values he passed down, the mistakes he owned, and the pride he carries watching me raise my kids. It’s a full-circle moment...

🎙 Chassé into Fatherhood: Ballroom Dancer Dad Michael J. Shares the Adoption Journey In this episode, I talk with Michael (@mdjeffersonii) —one of many siblings, a proud Black father, and someone who always knew parenthood was part of his path. We unpack: • What it means to grow up in a big family and build your own • How race, culture, and identity shape the parenting journey • Why represent...

🎙  Sis Has Thoughts: Women Talking Fatherhood with Daisy – Sunday Special In this special Sunday episode, I sit down with our dear family friend Daisy to explore fatherhood from a different angle—not from the seat of a father, but from the heart of someone who’s been beside us, loving us, supporting us, and witnessing our journey as two dads raising boys. Daisy brings the kind of insight only...

🎙  Adoption Chronicles: Destiny’s Story with Nicholas D. — LGBTQ+ Adoptive Dad In this episode, I sit down with my husband, Nicholas (Instagram: @nicnick), to have an open and honest conversation about fatherhood from our unique perspective as an interracial LGBTQ+ couple. We ask and answer some of the biggest questions we’ve faced on this journey, including: •  How do you know you’...

🎙  Category Is: Fatherhood Realness – Fathernetics Podcast Introduction In this very first episode of  Fathernetics , I introduce myself, the concept behind the podcast—fatherhood, redefined. This show is for fathers, by fathers, covering the real experiences, challenges, and joys of being a dad, especially from the perspective of LGBTQ+ fathers. I dive into: ✅ What inspired me to start...