What’s it like when a New York City social worker hands over a newborn baby on your doorstep at 9 pm on a Friday night? For longtime artist and journalist Graham Parker, that’s only a small part of the experience of being a father. Since he and his wife first laid eyes on their young son more than five years ago, Parker has focused most of his energy on helping his son – who is African-American – navigate the complexities of race in America.

Parker grew up in Ireland during frightening periods of sectarian violence in the 70s and 80s, and now he’s calling on his experiences to deal with newfound anxiety following the 2016 U.S presidential election. “I knew every tree where there had been a Trump sign," Parker says. "And I’m thinking, ‘Can we stay here?'”

Learn more about Paternal and sign up for our newsletter at www.paternalpodcast.com. You can also email host Nick Firchau at [email protected] with any comments or suggestions for men he should profile on the show. Make sure you subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts or wherever you’re listening, then keep an eye on your feed for new episodes.