I Am Dad

The $154 Billion Man: Why Investing in Fathers Is an Economic Imperative w/ Christopher A. Brown

Season 5 of I Am Dad Podcast continues its deep dive into the systems shaping modern fatherhood—and this conversation is one for policymakers, practitioners, and advocates alike.
Host Kenneth Braswell welcomes Christopher Brown, longtime leader in the national fatherhood movement and president of National Fatherhood Initiative.
Together, they discuss the groundbreaking report The $154 Billion Man, which reframes father absence not only as a moral and social issue, but as an economic one. The report conservatively estimates that the federal government spends over $154 billion annually supporting single-mother households across 14 major assistance programs—a figure that has risen more than 50 percent (inflation-adjusted) since 2008.
This episode goes beyond the numbers. Brown and Braswell examine:
Why capacity building—not just programming—is essential
How culture change within agencies determines sustainability
The role of marriage and relationship stability in child outcomes
Why younger generations of fathers are redefining fatherhood identity
The urgent need for national convening and preservation of institutional knowledge in the fatherhood field
If you care about strengthening families, influencing public policy, or building sustainable fatherhood programming, this conversation offers both data and direction.

When Fatherhood Meets Justice: Charles Johnson on Loss, Love, and Saving Mothers

This episode of the I Am Dad Podcast is a powerful and necessary conversation about love, loss, and responsibility.
Host Kenneth Braswell welcomes Charles Johnson, founder and CEO of 4Kira4Moms, for an unflinching discussion about fatherhood in the face of tragedy and purpose born from grief.
Charles shares his deeply personal daddy story, including the loss of his wife Kira just days after the birth of their second son due to preventable medical failures. What followed was not only heartbreak, but a reckoning—one that exposed systemic bias in maternal healthcare and propelled Charles into national advocacy to ensure no family experiences what his did.
Together, Braswell and Johnson examine how racism, delayed care, and dismissal of Black women’s pain continue to drive maternal mortality in the United States. The conversation expands into the critical role fathers play—not only in parenting, but in advocating for their partners, navigating healthcare systems, and reshaping narratives around family, partnership, and accountability.
This episode also explores the intersection of fatherhood and maternal health, why empowering dads improves outcomes for mothers and babies, and how partnership—not performative allyship—is required to create real change.
This is not just a story about loss. It is a call to action for fathers, families, policymakers, and communities to show up, speak up, and do better.

Dadicated, Not Perfect: New Fatherhood, Marriage, and Showing Up Without a Manual w/ Joe Carr

Fatherhood rarely arrives with a manual—and for many men, the earliest season is the most overwhelming.
In this episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell welcomes Joe Carr, creator of the Dadicated Joe platform and co-founder of Serenity Kids, for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about modern fatherhood.
Joe shares his daddy story, the collision of launching a national baby food company on the same day his daughter was born, and the emotional reality of early parenting that no class, book, or preparation truly covers. Together, Braswell and Carr explore how fear of judgment, relationship dynamics, and unspoken expectations shape how men show up as husbands and fathers.
The conversation also dives into marriage, boundaries, household equity, emotional validation, and the evolving role of dads—along with practical insights on nutrition, shared parenting, and why today’s fathers are redefining masculinity through presence, care, and partnership.
This episode speaks directly to new dads, expecting fathers, and men navigating the balance between ambition, love, responsibility, and self-worth.

The Good Dad Act: How One Father Changed Custody Law and Reclaimed His Son w/ Dr. Bernard Jennings

This episode of the I Am Dad Podcast is a masterclass in perseverance, policy change, and purpose-driven fatherhood.
Host Kenneth Braswell welcomes Bernard W.H. Jennings, Florida Supreme Court–certified mediator, public servant, and architect of the Good Dad Act, for an extraordinary conversation about how one father’s fight for access to his son reshaped state law.
Dr. Jennings shares his deeply personal daddy story—how, despite being listed on his son’s birth certificate and actively parenting, he was told by a judge that he had no rights under Florida law. Rather than surrender, he studied the system, drafted legislation, built bipartisan support, and helped pass the Good Dad Act, establishing equal parental rights for fathers who step up.
The conversation explores the realities of paternity, legitimation, custody, and child support across states, the hidden barriers fathers face in family court, and why policy reform must be strategic, patient, and informed. Braswell and Jennings also discuss the emotional toll of prolonged separation, the importance of father involvement in child outcomes, and the role mothers, partners, and communities play in sustaining healthy families.
This is not just a legal story—it is a roadmap for fathers, advocates, and civic leaders seeking justice, equity, and lasting change for children and families nationwide.

Purpose-Driven Fatherhood: Faith, Leadership, and Raising Children with Intention w/ Jesse Anderson

Fatherhood is not a role a man steps into when it is easy. It is a calling that demands clarity, responsibility, and presence.
In this episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell welcomes Jesse Anderson, a fatherhood coach, court-appointed monitor, and ministry leader whose work focuses on helping men lead their families with strength, faith, and emotional integrity.
Jesse shares his deeply personal daddy story, growing up without a biological father and learning how to become a dad through mentors, faith, and lived experience. The conversation explores why many fathers disengage after separation or divorce, how leadership breaks down inside families, and why vulnerability, forgiveness, and consistency are essential to raising healthy children.
Together, Braswell and Anderson examine the role of faith in shaping masculine leadership, the difference between being present and being accountable, and how fathers influence both sons and daughters through modeling, structure, and love. From courtrooms to kitchens, the discussion centers on one core truth: children thrive when fathers rise.
This episode is a grounded, faith-centered conversation for fathers, mentors, and anyone committed to breaking generational cycles and building purpose-driven families.

Fatherhood in New York: Masculinity, Marriage, and Raising the Next Generation w/ Scott Leach

This episode of the I Am Dad Podcast is a masterclass in perspective, memory, and meaning.
Host Kenneth Braswell welcomes longtime friend and respected fatherhood practitioner Scott Leach for an expansive conversation rooted in New York City’s five boroughs and shaped by decades of work with fathers and families.
Scott shares his personal daddy story, reflecting on early separation, childhood anger, sports as an outlet, and the moment his understanding of fatherhood shifted through evidence, accountability, and love. From there, the conversation widens into the complexities of doing fatherhood work in New York—where geography, culture, transportation, and community identity all shape how fathers show up.
Together, Braswell and Leach unpack masculinity, marriage, toxic narratives, community mentorship, faith, and the generational impact of the 1980s on today’s fathers. They explore why children need to see healing, why community men still matter, and why fatherhood work is ultimately about supporting healthy children—not choosing sides.
This is not a theoretical discussion. It is lived experience, honest reflection, and practical wisdom for anyone committed to strengthening families in real-world conditions.

From Brooklyn to Purpose: A Fatherhood Story of Trust, Trauma, and Transformation w/ Gregory Harris

This episode of the I Am Dad Podcast is a powerful reminder that fatherhood is shaped not only by biology, but by community, responsibility, and purpose.
Host Kenneth Braswell welcomes Greg Harris, Outreach Lead with Fathers Incorporated, for an honest, deeply reflective conversation rooted in Brooklyn streets and Atlanta impact.
Greg shares his daddy’s story—marked by loss, trauma, and resilience—and reflects on growing up in Brooklyn surrounded by coaches, elders, and community men who stepped in when fathers were absent. Together, Braswell and Harris explore how trust is built with fathers, why outreach is sacred “first contact,” and how heart work—not just hard work—drives transformation.
The conversation also examines the realities fathers face today, from apprehension and distrust to redemption and accountability. Through stories of loss and success, the episode underscores the power of relationship, navigation, and purpose in helping men stay present for their children.
This is not a conversation about programs alone—it is a conversation about people, pain, healing, and the men who choose to stand in the gap.

Why Fatherhood Research Matters: Data, Dads, and the “So What?” Question with Dr. Matthew Shepherd

Five seasons in, the I Am Dad Podcast continues to examine the foundations of responsible fatherhood—and this episode goes straight to the core question too few ask: So what?
Host Kenneth Braswell, CEO of Fathers Incorporated, welcomes national thought leader Matthew Shepherd, founder of Midwest Evaluation and Research, for a wide-ranging and deeply reflective discussion on fatherhood, research integrity, program evaluation, and systems change.
Shepherd shares his personal fatherhood journey, including lessons learned from his own dad and the transformative experience of adoption. From there, the conversation expands into the realities of Healthy Marriage and Responsible Fatherhood programs, the challenges of sustainability, the role of policy, and why data without meaning fails to move systems forward.
Together, Braswell and Shepherd unpack how programs can use research not as a compliance exercise, but as a tool for continuous improvement, storytelling, and long-term impact. The episode challenges practitioners, funders, and policymakers alike to rethink how success is measured—and why fatherhood remains one of the most powerful, bipartisan investments society can make.
If you care about fathers, families, research, or the future of social impact work, this conversation will stretch how you think about all four.

Fathers Incorporated 2025 Year in Review: Building Fatherhood Infrastructure That Changes Families

2025 was not a year of isolated wins — it was a year of alignment.
In this Fathers Incorporated 2025 Year in Review, we reflect on how fatherhood moved beyond conversation and into infrastructure, systems change, and national influence. Across programs, policy, media, and community engagement, Fathers Incorporated strengthened its role as a trusted leader in responsible fatherhood and family well-being.
This review highlights the organization’s national stewardship of the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse, expanded public education through fatherhood.gov, and large-scale behavior change driven by national media partnerships. It also captures the growth and outcomes of the Gentle Warriors Academy, including record-setting graduations, independent evaluation findings, and expanded reach into communities and correctional facilities.
Viewers will also see how Fathers Incorporated elevated fatherhood through civic engagement, including the 20th Anniversary of the Million Fathers March, policy leadership on legitimation reform, and sustained narrative change through media appearances and op-eds. Together, these efforts reflect a clear commitment: treating fatherhood not as a side issue, but as a foundational strategy for strengthening families and communities.
This video is both a reflection on what was accomplished in 2025 and a statement of where the work is going next. It affirms a simple truth backed by data and experience alike: when fathers are supported, families stabilize, children thrive, and communities grow stronger.

The Quiet Work Every Father Must Do: You Can’t Father with Noise in Your Soul with Wayne Dawson

In this powerful and reflective episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell welcomes Coach Wayne Dawson—certified life and mindset coach, father of seven, and a man whose journey through family, faith, and leadership exemplifies what it means to live with legacy in mind.
Wayne shares a deeply personal story about growing up with a strong, present father and how that foundation shaped his approach to parenting and leading a blended family. From his early days as a social worker and youth advocate in Harlem, to his rise as a Fortune 50 executive and now as the VIP Coach, Wayne opens up about the defining moments that taught him resilience, authenticity, and the sacred responsibility of guiding Black men to live with clarity, confidence, and certainty.
This conversation explores co-parenting dynamics, healing from divorce, honoring the wisdom of our elders, and redefining masculinity in ways that liberate—not limit—our boys and men. A must-listen for fathers, leaders, and anyone seeking purpose in the seasoned stage of life.
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro to I Am Dad Podcast01:00 – Meet Coach Wayne Dawson03:00 – Wayne’s fatherhood origin story06:00 – Blended families and owning your past12:00 – Childhood influences and cultural identity16:30 – Harlem roots and youth mentorship19:00 – The generational impact of absent fathers23:00 – Leaving nonprofit for corporate leadership27:00 – The power of seasoning and wisdom30:00 – Coaching Black men through transformation34:00 – Why Black men often feel unworthy38:00 – Strength, masculinity, and healthy sensitivity42:00 – Teaching boys the difference between hurt and injury45:00 – Boundaries, expectations, and legacy50:00 – The missing blueprint for modern manhood55:00 – Writing your story and leaving a legacy60:00 – Closing reflections and ways to connect
About the Guest: Wayne Dawson
Wayne Dawson is a certified life and mindset coach, speaker, and founder of VIP Transformative Living. With decades of experience in social work, corporate leadership, and coaching, Wayne helps Black men live aligned with their values, identity, and purpose. He is a devoted father of seven and a passionate advocate for legacy-driven living.
Website: viptransformativeliving.com
About the Host: Kenneth Braswell
Kenneth Braswell is the CEO of Fathers Incorporated and host of the I Am Dad Podcast. With over two decades of leadership in the responsible fatherhood field, Kenneth is a national voice on fatherhood, Black families, and social justice. He is the author of Too Seasoned to Care and Echoes of My Father, among others.
Podcast: iamdadpodcast.comWebsite: fathersincorporated.com
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