Daddy Issues Podcast

Kevin and Karlon Bonsu, otherwise known as The Flag Twins, are two of the most inspirational people I've had the pleasure to meet. In true millennial fashion, their exciting modelling career is purely their 'side-hustle'. By day, Karlon is a banker at Close Brothers, whilst Kevin focuses on their outrageously trendy magazine, 'Mission Statement'. Five years ago, when they were 15, they lost their Dad to cancer.

Jordan Waller, an actor and writer, was conceived via a sperm donor, after his lesbian mother wanted a child. Jordan grew up in a loving household and counts himself as having three mums. Jordan only very recently met his sperm donor 'father' after he lifted his anonymity.

Lord Malloch-Brown is a former UK government minister and United Nations Deputy Secretary-General, communications consultant and journalist. Mark's father died of a sudden heart-attack when he was 13 and had just started living away from home at boarding school.

Sharmadean Reid MBE is a British Jamaican entrepreneur. She is the founder of WAH Nails and Beautystack and an advocate for female empowerment. Sharmadean has never met her father, despite growing up in the same city as he lives, Wolverhampton.

Daddy Issues is a series of weekly podcasts dedicated to exploring fatherlessness - in its many shapes and forms. The series will focus on successful individuals from a variety of careers and backgrounds to demonstrate that, regardless of one’s background, trauma or fatherlessness, great things can be achieved.

As well as tracing individuals’ personal journeys, struggles and triumphs, the Daddy Issues podcast has a broader purpose – to generate a greater awareness of the far-reaching impact fatherlessness can have on not only the mental health/education/behaviour of those who experience it, but ultimately on society generally. I hope these podcasts will kick-start a conversation which allows an honest discussion around these issues.