I Am Dad

Danielle Shears on Chronic Illness Recovery, Lifestyle Medicine, and Wellness for Fathers Over 40

In this episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, Kenneth Braswell, CEO of Fathers Incorporated, speaks with Danielle Shears, founder of Better Choice Health LLC, about how chronic illness and unresolved fatigue are reshaping how men—especially fathers—approach wellness in their 40s and beyond.
Drawing from her 30+ years in nursing and her own journey through chronic illness, Danielle explains why the traditional medical system often overlooks root causes and how lifestyle change, functional nutrition, and stress management offer a new path toward healing. With practical strategies and powerful affirmations, she encourages fathers to lead themselves and their families from a place of strength, clarity, and purpose.
Learn more about Danielle Shears: https://danielleshearscoach.comDownload her free guide: https://bit.ly/44O2fiaBook a free strategy session: https://l.bttr.to/4hCBcLearn more about Fathers Incorporated: https://fathersincorporated.com

Dina Israel on Fatherhood, Policy, and Using Research to Strengthen Families Nationwide

How do we use research to better support fathers? Dina Israel shares how evidence and action come together to improve real lives.
In this episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell speaks with Dina Israel, senior associate at MDRC, a national nonprofit research organization committed to improving the lives of low-income families. For over 20 years, Dina has worked with agencies across the country to design and evaluate programs that support family stability and father engagement.
She shares insights on what it means to bridge the gap between data and daily life, and how fatherhood programs are most effective when they reflect both rigorous research and real human experience. Dina explains how MDRC is shaping national conversations around parenting, policy, and the power of showing up for fathers.
Learn more about MDRC: https://www.mdrc.orgExplore more from Fathers Incorporated: https://fathersincorporated.com

Kenneth Braswell’s Father’s Day Message: Gratitude, Reflection, and the Power of a Father’s Story

Kenneth Braswell reflects on fatherhood, gratitude, and the impact every dad has on the story their children will tell about them.
In this Father’s Day episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, Kenneth Braswell, CEO of Fathers Incorporated, offers a heartfelt reflection—not just in celebration of fatherhood, but in recognition of its deeper impact.
This message is a thank you to all the men who continue to show up in the lives of their children—whether perfectly or imperfectly—and a powerful reminder that every moment contributes to the narrative our children are building about who we are, what we value, and how we love.
Kenneth challenges fathers to reflect on the story their children will tell about them—and encourages them to keep shaping that story with intention, compassion, and presence.

Jeff Nelligan: Raising Resilient Sons: Lessons from the Naval Academy to the Backyard

Jeff Nelligan reveals the four key lessons that helped raise his sons into disciplined, driven, and resilient young men.
In this episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell speaks with Jeff Nelligan, author of Four Lessons from My Three Sons – How You Can Raise Resilient Kids, about the core principles that shaped his parenting journey and helped his sons thrive—from childhood through to the U.S. Naval Academy, Williams College, and West Point.
A seasoned public affairs executive, Army veteran, and father of three, Jeff combines humor, structure, and real-world wisdom in his approach to fatherhood. He discusses the importance of high expectations, presence, and building habits that prepare children for independence and leadership.
Whether you're a new father or raising teens, this episode is packed with timeless insights and encouragement for raising boys with backbone and character.
Learn more about Jeff Nelligan and his book: https://www.nelliganbooks.comExplore more from Fathers Incorporated: https://fathersincorporated.com

Kenneth Reddick on Healing, Brotherhood, and the Journey to Mental and Emotional Freedom

Kenneth Reddick III shares his powerful story of recovery and resilience and how Brothers Brunch is helping Black men heal.
On this episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell welcomes Kenneth Reddick III—a three-time suicide survivor, former alcoholic, and now a leading voice in mental health advocacy. As a Certified Peer Specialist and founder of the Brothers Brunch Foundation, Reddick brings raw honesty and inspiration to a much-needed conversation on Black men's mental and emotional wellness.
He opens up about his decades-long battle with alcohol addiction, his path to recovery, and the healing spaces he’s building for Black men to gather, reflect, and grow. Through initiatives like Brothers Brunch, TNT Tuesday Talks, and Men’s Holiday Relaxation, Kenneth is creating a community that empowers men to break generational cycles, share their truths, and prioritize self-care.
Learn more about Brothers Brunch Foundation: https://brothersbrunchfoundation.com/Explore more from Fathers Incorporated: https://fathersincorporated.com
 
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Dr. George James on Emotional Growth, Fatherhood, and Thriving in Life and Love

Dr. George James breaks down what it takes to thrive in fatherhood, love, and life through emotional growth, intentional presence, and relational insight.In this episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell speaks with Dr. George James, licensed marriage and family therapist, media personality, and founder of George Talks, LLC. A 13-time guest on The TODAY Show, Dr. James shares practical tools and personal reflections to help men grow in emotional intelligence, strengthen their relationships, and embrace the challenges and rewards of fatherhood.With extensive experience counseling professional athletes, entertainers, and everyday families, Dr. James brings clarity and encouragement to men navigating love, leadership, parenting, and healing. He speaks candidly about his own journey as a husband and father, and how presence and vulnerability are game-changers in building legacy and connection.Learn more about Dr. George James: https://www.georgetalks.comExplore more from Fathers Incorporated: https://fathersincorporated.com

Sacred Fatherhood and Strengthening Native Families Through Culture

Today on the I Am Dad Podcast, we are honored to welcome Albert M. Pooley, a visionary leader and the Founder and President of the Native American Fatherhood & Families Association (NAFFA). A proud member of the Hopi and Navajo nations, Mr. Pooley has devoted his life to strengthening families and communities through culturally grounded education, advocacy, and healing.
With a background in social work and public administration, and as a marriage and family counselor, Mr. Pooley brings deep professional and personal insight to the conversation on responsible fatherhood. He and his wife Julia have raised six children and are grandparents to sixteen—living examples of the legacy he is working to build.
Under his leadership, NAFFA’s transformative curricula—Fatherhood Is Sacred®, Motherhood Is Sacred®, Linking Generations By Strengthening Relationships®, Addressing Family Violence & Abuse©, and Suicide Prevention©—have reached 60,000 parents and trained over 2,500 facilitators across North America.
Today, we’ll explore how Albert Pooley’s passion for cultural preservation and healthy parenting has become a national movement, and why the values of sacred fatherhood and motherhood resonate far beyond Native communities.

Chris White on Fatherhood, Access, and Building a Movement That Supports Every Dad

In this episode of the *I Am Dad Podcast*, host Kenneth Braswell sits down with **Chris White**, Executive Director of **Father Movement** and CFO of **Fathers Matter ATL**, to discuss how his personal fatherhood experiences have driven him to create impactful, father-focused programs in Georgia and beyond. From co-parenting advice to system-level reform, Chris breaks down how to meet fathers where they are—and how showing up consistently can change lives.Through collaborations with Morehouse School of Medicine and Georgia DFCS, and initiatives like *Fatherly Love*, Chris is proving that empowered fathers build stronger families.

How Autism Teaches Us About Fatherhood: Insights with Dr. Robert Naseef

Parenting a child with autism challenges every part of your heart—and strengthens it. Dr. Robert Naseef shares real-world insights about resilience, acceptance, and the unique role of fathers in raising children with autism.In this powerful episode of *I Am Dad Podcast*, Kenneth Braswell and Dr. Robert Naseef explore how autism impacts family life, what fathers uniquely bring to the parenting journey, and how acceptance and resilience grow hand-in-hand.Drawing from decades of personal and professional experience—as both a psychologist and the father of an adult son with autism—Dr. Naseef offers hard-won advice and emotional wisdom for families walking this path.The conversation is honest, hopeful, and deeply human, providing critical tools for any father, mother, or professional supporting a child with autism.

The Toll of Corporate America on Black Men

Black men, toxic jobs may be killing us. We may not want to hear it, but the best way to care for our kids and wives isn’t working ourselves into the ground — it’s prioritizing our health and doing everything within our power to maximize our longevity and happiness. This includes going to the doctor, checking in with our mental health, and, if necessary, removing ourselves from unhealthy corporate environments.
In this episode of I Am Dad podcast, Kenneth Braswell and Justin Grant discuss how job stress, systemic challenges, and workplace culture can harm Black men’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. These negative impacts — and what to do about them — are the subject of Company Men: A Wellness Guide for Black Men in Corporate America, a new book researched and written by Grant, who saw many Black men in high-pressure jobs succumb to serious health issues. While the stress of climbing the corporate ladder challenges many executives, he says the culture can be especially repressive for Black men.   
As part of this conversation, Braswell and Grant offer career and health insights from their perspectives as Black men and confess past failures to listen to their bodies, go to the doctor, and tend to their mental health. A common thread in their story is what motivated them to stop neglecting their health: Black fatherhood… and wanting to be around as long as possible for their loved ones.