I Am Dad

How Masculinity, Fatherhood, and Public Health Collide: A Conversation with Dr. Dominick Shattuck

In this powerful and deeply personal episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell sits down with Dr. Dominick Shattuck, a community psychologist, researcher, and thought leader in men's health and masculinities. From recounting a terrifying incident where his daughter was bitten by a copperhead to unpacking the structural failures of our health systems, Dr. Shattuck opens up about fatherhood, masculinity, and the urgent need to prioritize men's health as a public health issue.
They talk about why men often don't seek care, the stigma around vulnerability, and how being emotionally and physically available is the most important trait a father can model. With honesty and insight, this episode challenges traditional narratives and offers a new vision for what it means to be a healthy, engaged father. Whether you’re a dad, a public health advocate, or someone interested in reshaping community health from the ground up, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about manhood and legacy.

Fatherhood, Legacy & Colorectal Cancer Awareness with Dr. Charles R. Rogers | I Am Dad Podcast

In this powerful and wide-ranging episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell, CEO of Fathers Incorporated, welcomes Dr. Charles R. Rogers—award-winning behavioral scientist, founder of the Colorectal Cancer Equity Foundation, and passionate advocate for Black men’s health.
Together, they explore the layered reality of fatherhood, from Dr. Rogers' personal story of losing his father to suicide at age four, to his work combating health disparities in colorectal cancer. The conversation cuts deep into the undervalued role of fathers in family health, why “picking someone’s brain” without compensation is problematic, and how boundaries, service, and legacy must co-exist for Black men doing impactful work.
Dr. Rogers also discusses the rise in early-onset colorectal cancer, the barriers Black men face in screening and treatment, and the critical need to reframe conversations around masculinity and preventive care. Whether you're a father, health advocate, or community leader, this episode is a call to elevate the health and worth of Black men—for themselves and the families who depend on them.
About the Guest
Dr. Charles R. Rogers is a nationally recognized behavioral scientist, public health expert, and the Founding Director of the Men’s Health Inequities Research Lab. With over 20 years of experience addressing health disparities, Dr. Rogers is especially known for his groundbreaking work to eliminate racial gaps in colorectal cancer outcomes, particularly among African-American men. He is the founder of the Colorectal Cancer Equity Foundation, a husband, and a devoted father. Learn more: crcequity.org
About the Host
Kenneth Braswell is the CEO of Fathers Incorporated and host of the I Am Dad Podcast. A national leader in fatherhood engagement, Kenneth brings over 20 years of experience creating media, policy, and programming that support fathers and strengthen families. He is the author of multiple books, producer of documentaries and PSA campaigns, and a passionate advocate for Black men and boys.

From Juvenile Justice to Fatherhood Champion: Keith Holmes on Breaking Cycles and Building Futures

In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode of I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell sits down with Keith Holmes, fatherhood outreach specialist and advocate at Fathers Incorporated. Keith opens up about being raised by a stepfather who modeled manhood through action, and how his own biological father's struggles with addiction gave him a deeper understanding of trauma and redemption.
Through candid dialogue, Keith shares the transformative experiences that led him from working in juvenile justice to becoming a vital part of Atlanta’s fatherhood movement. From counseling dads in crisis to mentoring youth in underserved communities, Keith’s insights speak to the importance of empathy, cultural understanding, and showing up—even when it's hard.
The conversation also touches on sports culture, Black fatherhood in Atlanta, systemic barriers, and the future of generational impact through father-focused programs. It’s more than a conversation—it’s a reflection on what it truly means to prepare our boys for the world and ourselves for the journey of fatherhood.

Juan Baxter on Love, Legacy, and Creating Safe Spaces for Men to Heal and Lead

In this deeply moving episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell sits down with Juan Baxter, a relationship therapist, youth mentor, and co-founder of the media and training duo Those Baxters. Juan shares his story of growing up without a present father, raising his own son at 19, and transforming generational cycles through intentional fatherhood, community service, and spiritual calling.
Juan reflects on his decision to put himself on child support, become a single father in his teens, and walk away from street life for the sake of his children. With equal parts vulnerability and wisdom, he explains how faith led him into social work, radio, theater, and fatherhood programming—culminating in his role as a Gentle Warriors Academy facilitator with Fathers Incorporated.
Together, Juan and Kenneth dive into the realities of parenting while healing, the importance of availability over perfection, the needs of men reentering community life, and how brotherhood among fathers can help men thrive where systems once failed them.

Dena Barnwell on Redefining Perinatal Care to Include Fathers and Why Paternal Mental Health Matters

In this thought-provoking episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell welcomes Dena Barnwell, a Doctor of Public Health candidate, health educator, and former doula, whose work focuses on making fatherhood visible in systems that often leave men out. Dena’s journey into fatherhood advocacy began with her own personal story—a deep bond with her father, followed by a decade-long absence that challenged everything she believed about paternal relationships.
Her work explores how mental health, systems involvement, and social stigma impact fathers during the perinatal period, and why public health must treat men as more than “accessory parents.” Kenneth and Dena unpack the often-overlooked role of dads in maternal health, the emotional complexity of co-parenting, and the critical importance of storytelling in reshaping narratives about Black fathers. From her powerful research in Baltimore to her reflections as a mother, Dena makes a compelling case for family-centered—not mother-only—models of care.

Sharmain Harris on Rising from Prison to Purpose: Fatherhood, Forgiveness, and the Power of Redemption

In this gripping episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell welcomes back author, speaker, and reentry advocate Sharmain Harris. From growing up in the streets of Racine, Wisconsin, to serving time in prison, Sharmain’s story is a raw and redemptive testament to the transformative power of second chances. Now a husband, father of three, and community leader, Sharmain returns to share the deeper truths behind his new memoir, Rising Above the Odds: My Journey from Pain and Prison to Power and Purpose.
With honesty and humility, Sharmain reflects on childhood trauma, the heartbreak of family separation, his time in prison, and the pivotal moments that changed his mindset. The conversation explores fatherhood as both an identity and a responsibility, how trauma impacts Black boys and men, and the systems that too often fail them. Sharmain also shares how becoming a stepfather, reconnecting with his faith, and facing his past led to a gubernatorial pardon and a renewed purpose to serve others.
This episode is not just a story—it’s a blueprint for healing, hope, and generational transformation.

Beau Gaudreau on Fatherhood, Redemption, and Why Men Must Learn to Lead With Love

In this moving episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, Beau Gaudreau—veteran, educator, actor, former firefighter, and dedicated father—opens up about his transformative journey through adversity, identity, and intentional parenting. Host Kenneth Braswell, CEO of Fathers Incorporated, takes Beau through a heartfelt and unfiltered reflection on fatherhood, including growing up without his own father present, navigating the trauma of abandonment, and breaking generational cycles of emotional suppression.
Together, they explore Beau’s military service during the Gulf War era, his personal battles with fear and faith, and his decision to leave behind stability for purpose-driven work that centers Black fathers and children. Through stories of loss, growth, and redemption, Beau emphasizes how men must be willing to go deep, organize the emotional “closets” of their lives, and evolve into the fathers their children truly need.
This is a conversation about presence, intentionality, second chances—and the sacred call to manhood.

Dr. Matisa Wilbon and Kenneth Braswell on Georgia's Legitimation and the Fight for Fathers' Rights

In this special episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell, CEO of Fathers Incorporated, is joined by researcher and sociologist Dr. Matisa Wilbon to discuss the often-overlooked issue of legitimation in the state of Georgia—a legal process that determines a father's right to custody and decision-making for his child if he is not married to the mother.
Through a detailed presentation and moving personal testimonies, the episode sheds light on how Georgia remains the only state that separates paternity from legal fatherhood, leaving countless fathers without any legal standing in their children's lives—even if they are on the birth certificate or paying child support.
Dr. Wilbon presents findings from her research brief on the link between legitimation, father engagement, and youth academic outcomes, while the video features fathers sharing the emotional toll, legal confusion, and financial barriers they’ve faced. This episode is a critical call to action for policymakers, practitioners, and communities to support legal reform and greater access for fathers striving to be present in their children’s lives.
Learn more at: https://fathersincorporated.comVisit: https://iamdadpodcast.com

Kenneth Braswell on Dental Health, Manhood, and Why Fathers/Men Must Stop Ignoring Their Wellness

In this special episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, Kenneth Braswell, CEO of Fathers Incorporated, joins Dr. David Miller for a raw and eye-opening conversation on a topic rarely discussed in men’s health: dental care.
Sharing his own painful journey through full dental reconstruction, Kenneth reflects on how cultural silence around health—especially among Black men—has led many to neglect the very care that sustains life, connection, and legacy. From emergency extractions to permanent dentures, the experience reshaped his relationship to food, fitness, family, and self-care.
Kenneth and Dr. Miller explore how early messages around toughness, survival, and masculinity leave men unprepared to prioritize prevention. They also discuss the systemic failures of the health insurance system, the cultural need to redefine what it means to be strong, and why modeling healthy behaviors for our children starts with taking care of ourselves first.
This episode is a call to action for fathers: your health is not just about you. It’s about the story your children will tell and the moments you might miss if you don’t take care of yourself now.
Explore more from Fathers Incorporated: https://fathersincorporated.comVisit I Am Dad Podcast: https://iamdadpodcast.com
 

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