Counting the Cost: Crime, Faith, Parenting, and the Price of Not Surrendering

In this episode of Better Together, the hosts discuss “counting the cost” across crime, spirituality, parenting, work, and relationships. Joe T explains that before prison, crime felt “lawful” and consequence-free because of his environment, but prison revealed how it was costing him everything. They contrast religious ritual with genuine spiritual formation, emphasizing exposure, accountability, and surrender, including how faith is tested during tragedy like a child’s medical crisis. The conversation also covers the danger of being convinced of yourself, how permissive parenting can stem from resenting structure, and the need to teach consequences. They share personal examples of counting the cost: moving family from the East Coast to Dubai, entrepreneurial risks versus corporate regret, success through content creation, and relationship decisions, ending with a call for viewers to reflect on what something is costing them and what it will cost.

00:00 Counting Crime Costs

00:49 Car Lesson on Value

02:06 Prison Reality Check

02:25 Ritual vs Relationship

05:36 Learning Surrender

09:43 God Knows My Heart

10:15 Echo Chambers and Pride

12:57 Parenting and Boundaries

16:46 Paying the Cost Daily

19:21 Marriage Covenant Costs

21:44 When Commitment Becomes Harm

24:26 Mortgage Analogy for Growth

26:21 Faith Tested by Loss

27:54 Moving Away for Family

31:48 Entrepreneurship vs Corporate

34:10 Time Wealth and Presence

36:07 TikTok Leap of Faith

37:50 Calling Off Engagement Regret

40:22 Community Challenge Wrap Up

#fathersonrelationship #adviceformen #modernfatherhood #adultchildren #lifelessonsformen #raisingmen #raisingkids #mantalk

Channel Focus Areas:

“What Fathers Should Teach Their Sons”

“How to Be a Better Father”

“Father Son Relationship Advice”

“Mistakes Fathers Make”

“Lessons Every Man Should Learn”

Shop DSN Merch: https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch-%26-digital

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Follow James: https://instagram.com/jeyblac

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Counting the Cost: Comfort, Convenience, and the Price of What You Want

In this episode of Better Together, the hosts discuss how many people pursue marriage, business, fitness, and parenthood without understanding the true cost, often falling in love with the ideology or highlight reel instead of the work and sacrifice required. They compare this to buying cars or houses, where people scrutinize price but ignore long-term interest and maintenance, and argue that financing and “right now” thinking distort value. They explore comfort and convenience as modern decision-drivers, the importance of retention and maintenance over simply acquiring something, and how misrepresentation in relationships creates unrealistic expectations. The conversation also turns to parenting, missed teaching moments, and how pride can block receiving hard truths, ending with a teaser question about the cost of crime that they save for part two.

00:00 Episode Kickoff

00:31 The Real Cost

02:32 Financing Illusion

03:56 Weddings Versus Marriage

04:27 Comfort Convenience Trap

05:47 Who Pays The Price

07:46 Climb And Pivot

10:39 Highlight Reel Culture

12:49 False Fronts In Love

14:06 Where Mindsets Begin

15:16 Bit By The Bug

16:47 Why This Platform

17:44 Clientele Retention Costs

18:57 Attention Versus Retention

19:35 Comfort Culture Shift

20:53 Paps Parenting Problem

21:58 Flat Tire Wake Up Call

24:00 Thermostat Money Lesson

26:31 Kids Mirror Parents

28:22 Pride And Feedback

30:26 Discipline And Consequences

33:58 Counting Cost Of Crime

34:20 Part Two Tease Outro

#fathersonrelationship #adviceformen #modernfatherhood #adultchildren #lifelessonsformen #raisingmen #raisingkids #mantalk

Channel Focus Areas:

“What Fathers Should Teach Their Sons”

“How to Be a Better Father”

“Father Son Relationship Advice”

“Mistakes Fathers Make”

“Lessons Every Man Should Learn”

Shop DSN Merch: https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch-%26-digital

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The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

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2. Heal from trauma

3. Help through telling stories of it all

“Better Man. Better Father.”

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Every father should have honest conversations with his son. In this episode of The Dear Son, Show, we explore the lessons fathers must teach their sons before adulthood.

Breaking the Cycle: Fatherhood, Rejection, Lust, and Healing (ft. Trey Tucker | Rugged Counseling)

In this episode of The Dear Son Show, host Derek talks with therapist Trey Tucker from the Chattanooga, Tennessee area about fatherhood, the impact of absent or limited fathering, and how “gaps” in guidance shape men. Trey shares his path from the corporate world to education and counseling, his struggles with rejection and a decade-long hookup cycle, and how those experiences affect attachment, identity, and healing. Derek connects these themes to his own story—leaving home young, self-medicating through sex and alcohol, and creating the podcast as accountability to have meaningful conversations with his sons. They discuss grief, losing parents, why environment matters for young men, and Trey’s book Tough Enough aimed at men in their 20s. Subscribe and comment your biggest takeaway.

00:00 Show Welcome

00:31 Tennessee Connection

01:34 Therapist Journey

02:49 Leaving Corporate Life

05:45 Podcast Origin Story

07:42 Roots and Relocation

08:59 Fatherhood Gaps

14:56 Rejection and Validation

19:02 Book for Twenties

21:51 Hookup Cycle Fallout

24:17 Environment Shapes Choices

25:24 Talking Teens and Alcohol

28:15 School Years That Matter

30:30 Marriage and Fatherhood Hopes

32:27 Mentoring With Accountability

34:00 Training Toughness With Care

35:33 Losing Dad and Learning Grief

39:54 Grief Ritual and Healing

44:18 Parents Marriage Model

45:19 Platform Dating and Time

47:21 What I Wish Dad Said

49:32 Measuring Tough Enough Impact

52:13 Closing Reflections and Outro

#fathersonrelationship #adviceformen #modernfatherhood #adultchildren #lifelessonsformen #raisingmen #raisingkids #mantalk

Channel Focus Areas:

“What Fathers Should Teach Their Sons”

“How to Be a Better Father”

“Father Son Relationship Advice”

“Mistakes Fathers Make”

“Lessons Every Man Should Learn”

Follow Trey: https://instagram.com/ruggedcounseling

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The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

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Dear Son: Life Comes at You Fast (Problem-Solving, Responsibility & Real-World Lessons)

In this episode of The Dear Son Show, D Johns and Jey Blac reflect on how quickly real-life tests can arrive before sons feel prepared, using stories like a late-night tire blowout that revealed gaps in communication, problem-solving, and a father’s tone even when saying the right words. They discuss using unexpected moments as coaching opportunities, balancing protection with letting kids experience consequences, and the danger of “skipping steps,” including buying a teen a new Challenger too soon, allowing passengers, and a wreck that followed—plus lessons from a stolen scooter and earning replacements. The hosts also connect “life comes at you fast” to readiness planning, global events as teachable moments, and personal examples like sudden loss, joining the military, and financial growth outpacing habits, ending with a push to “talk less and do more work.”

00:00 Tire Blowout Cold Open

00:45 Welcome to Dear Son

01:44 Network Updates

03:18 Life Comes Fast

04:58 Late Night Blowout

08:36 Problem Solving Lessons

12:31 Repair Talk and Trust

16:11 Letting Sons Lead

17:30 Car Crash Boundaries

18:34 Scooter Stolen Twice

22:31 Scooter Lesson Learned

23:03 Teen Car Rules

25:03 Crash After Greenlight

27:10 Rewards And Entitlement

29:51 Teach Through Doing

36:58 World Events As Lessons

42:54 Life Came Fast Stories

44:48 Planning And Money Prep

47:34 Closing Lets Talk Work

#fathersonrelationship #adviceformen #modernfatherhood #adultchildren #lifelessonsformen #raisingmen #raisingkids #mantalk

Channel Focus Areas:

“What Fathers Should Teach Their Sons”

“How to Be a Better Father”

“Father Son Relationship Advice”

“Mistakes Fathers Make”

“Lessons Every Man Should Learn”

Follow James: https://instagram.com/jeyblac

Also, if you've made it this far, don't forget to:

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The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

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“Better Man. Better Father.”

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Every father should have honest conversations with his son. In this episode of The Dear Son, Show, we explore the lessons fathers must teach their sons before adulthood.

Sara Connor on Fatherhood, Trauma, Faith, and Encouraging Today’s Sons | Dear Son Show

On the Dear Son Show during Women’s History Month, host Derek welcomes Sara Connor, a Jamaican-born minister and advisor, who shares her upbringing in a prominent Rastafarian and entrepreneurial family, the trauma of an absent musician father and a crack-addicted mother who was later murdered, and years of sexual abuse that shaped her identity and relationships. Sara describes finding Christian faith after running away at 13, learning self-worth through unconditional love, experiencing miracles, and later using therapy and practical tools to manage grief and triggers. She credits her father’s generosity and respect for creating unity across a blended family and discusses how conditioning led her to overextend for men’s dreams and struggle with boundaries. She explains how she parents her son to preserve kindness, ask for what he wants, and stand up for himself, and closes with encouragement to men facing embarrassment, pressure, and purpose.

00:00 Message to Men

00:45 Show Intro Guest Welcome

01:38 Jamaica Roots Family

03:04 Trauma and Loss

04:49 Blended Family Harmony

07:33 Father Character Generosity

09:38 Abuse and Conditioning

13:53 Faith and Self Worth

19:29 Rastafari and Education

25:04 Healing Support Systems

29:39 Managing Trauma Triggers

33:36 Talking with Dad

35:19 Why No Blame

37:10 Absent Parents Survival

38:12 Trauma Triggers Today

40:40 Seeking Approval In Men

42:46 Faith Culture And Boundaries

47:19 Divorce And Self Rediscovery

50:45 Parenting Kindness And Dreams

58:09 Father’s Pivotal Advice

01:04:52 Healing Family Rifts

01:08:05 Men’s Shame And Purpose

01:17:11 Closing Encouragement

#fathersonrelationship #adviceformen #modernfatherhood #adultchildren #lifelessonsformen #raisingmen #raisingkids #mantalk 

Channel Focus Areas:

“What Fathers Should Teach Their Sons”

“How to Be a Better Father”

“Father Son Relationship Advice”

“Mistakes Fathers Make”

“Lessons Every Man Should Learn”

Follow Sara: https://instagram.com/iamsaraco

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The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

1. Reveal trauma 

2. Heal from trauma

3. Help through telling stories of it all

“Better Man. Better Father.”

The Dear Son, Network ®

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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Every father should have honest conversations with his son. In this episode of The Dear Son, Show, we explore the lessons fathers must teach their sons before adulthood.

Forrest Laurent on Healing, Purpose vs Pain, and Building a Platform Under Pressure | Dear Son Show

On the Dear Son Show, the host speaks with Forrest Laurent about a “grind season” of rebuilding his life through changing his circle, improving discipline, and executing with intention. Forrest describes a public livestream conflict where a woman from a coaching relationship attacked his character, forcing him to confront how often he allowed disrespect and how vulnerable he was emotionally. He explains how creating content to hold men accountable unexpectedly drew women to his platform, and how God used coaching to reveal his resentment toward women and his own role in relational harm, leading him to apologize by listening to people he hurt and growing empathy. They discuss relationships and marriage, learning that “a good opportunity doesn’t mean it’s God,” the weight of stewardship and potential cancellation as a platform grows, and redefining success as peace and alignment with God.

00:00 Public Breaking Point

00:32 Welcome to Dear Son

01:37 Catching Up With Forrest

03:04 Grind Season Reset

03:50 Livestream Disrespect Lesson

06:09 Character Attack Fallout

08:27 Who Am I Now

09:26 Coaching Origin Story

14:33 Healing Views on Women

16:02 Making Amends and Apologies

20:54 Good Opportunity vs God

22:33 Marriage and Intentional Prayer

24:36 Back to Entrepreneurship

25:01 God Pushes You Out

25:35 Betting On Yourself

26:18 Fear of Discipline

28:02 Environment Shapes You

30:05 Peace and Real Success

33:20 God and Accountability

34:47 Platform Vision and Space

38:47 Stewarding Attention

42:53 Rest Versus Quitting

47:08 Whats Next Season

49:29 Living in the Now

54:09 Patterns and Real Love

56:31 Closing Reflections

#fathersonrelationship #adviceformen #modernfatherhood #adultchildren #lifelessonsformen #raisingmen #raisingkids #mantalk 

Channel Focus Areas:

“What Fathers Should Teach Their Sons”

“How to Be a Better Father”

“Father Son Relationship Advice”

“Mistakes Fathers Make”

“Lessons Every Man Should Learn”

Follow Forrest: https://instagram.com/forrestlaurent

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The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

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3. Help through telling stories of it all

“Better Man. Better Father.”

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David Mann Jr. on Fatherhood, Legacy, and Redefining Success

On The Dear Son Show, the host welcomes David Mann Jr. for a candid conversation about fatherhood, marriage, faith, and legacy. They discuss being hands-on dads during spring break, how parenting choices (sheltering a sickly child vs. letting another take risks) shape kids differently, and how work ambition can create absence at home—driving guilt, marriage strain, and family conflict. David shares growing up in a highly visible gospel/entertainment family, resenting expectations, and later choosing to flow with his path while pursuing DJing, production, and a meaningful business. Both reflect on repairing father-son relationships, defining success beyond money, making time the real currency, and wanting children to feel loved and proud at the end. Follow the channel and leave a review to support more honest conversations like this.

00:00 Show Intro and Welcome

01:01 Catching Up as Dads

01:53 Kids Driving and Sheltering

04:34 Sick Child and Marriage Strain

06:46 Work Guilt and Forgiveness

09:45 Redefining Success and Time

11:56 Sharing Parents With the World

15:25 Repairing Father Son Bond

18:09 Lessons on Work and Teamwork

20:18 Growing Up Around Fame

23:07 Family Business and Identity

24:02 Finding His Own Lane

24:57 Tour With Parents

25:15 Marriage Time Flies

26:56 Lessons From Marriage

27:54 Dad Identity And Pride

28:47 Raising Daughters Today

34:03 Hands On Parenting Shift

35:12 Finding Your Own Dream

38:34 Faith And Expectations

42:01 Legacy Impact Goals

44:37 Fatherhood Reflections

46:25 Family And Sisters

47:22 Where To Find Him

48:07 Closing And Thanks

#fathersonrelationship #adviceformen #modernfatherhood #adultchildren #lifelessonsformen #raisingmen #raisingkids #mantalk 

Channel Focus Areas:

“What Fathers Should Teach Their Sons”

“How to Be a Better Father”

“Father Son Relationship Advice”

“Mistakes Fathers Make”

“Lessons Every Man Should Learn”

Follow David: https://instagram.com/davidmannjr

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The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

1. Reveal trauma 

2. Heal from trauma

3. Help through telling stories of it all

“Better Man. Better Father.”

The Dear Son, Network ®

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Chika Onunkwo on Fatherhood’s Legacy, Nigerian Upbringing, and Raising Emotionally Safe Kids

In this Women’s Series episode of the Dear Son Show, host speaks with Chika Onunkwo, a Nigerian-born mom in New Jersey who moved to the U.S. at 16 and reflects on growing up in Port Harcourt where “black excellence” was normal, then experiencing bias and jokes about Africa after immigrating. Chika shares how her father—an accomplished civil engineer and community giver—modeled provision, emotional availability, high standards, and repair after discipline, shaping her confidence, marriage expectations, and how she parents. She discusses marrying a Nigerian man she met in college, her father’s cultural criteria and emphasis on marrying for love, and how Emotional Moms began from her own struggles balancing corporate work and emotional connection with her sons. She urges parents—especially fathers—to be emotionally present, connect before correcting, and talk openly about taboo topics. Follow the channel and leave a review.

00:00 Show Intro and Guest

01:09 From Nigeria to Jersey

04:24 Black Excellence and Culture Shock

09:01 American Ignorance Abroad

10:37 Her Father’s Legacy

18:13 Oldest Daughter Pressure

20:23 Discipline and Repair

25:51 Sex Talks and Silence

29:57 Marriage and Family Today

33:45 Dad’s Marriage Criteria

37:04 Honoring Dad in Church

37:47 No Matchmaking Allowed

38:21 Marry for Love

39:22 Dad Vetting the Suitor

40:44 Choosing a Husband Like Dad

43:24 Parenting Styles and Teens

46:13 Fathers Must Be Present

52:19 Why Emotional Moms Started

56:04 Behind the Perfect Family

58:27 Work Life and New Calling

59:55 Lessons on Connection

01:04:20 Modeling Values at Home

01:06:10 Talking Porn and Vices

01:08:32 What I Wish Dad Said

01:09:35 Plugging Resources and Farewell

#fathersonrelationship #adviceformen #modernfatherhood #adultchildren #lifelessonsformen #raisingmen #raisingkids #mantalk

Channel Focus Areas:

“What Fathers Should Teach Their Sons”

“How to Be a Better Father”

“Father Son Relationship Advice”

“Mistakes Fathers Make”

“Lessons Every Man Should Learn”

Follow Chika: https://instagram.com/emotionalmoms

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The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

1. Reveal trauma

2. Heal from trauma

3. Help through telling stories of it all

“Better Man. Better Father.”

The Dear Son, Network ®

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Better Together Ep. 5: Putting Away Foolish Things

In this Better Together conversation, D Johns, Joe T, Reggie G, and Jey Blac unpack what it means to “put away foolish things,” framing it as an ongoing, seasonal process tied to maturity, self-awareness, and obedience to God. They discuss how distractions, instant gratification, pride, learned behaviors, and unexamined expectations can derail relationships, work, finances, and spiritual growth—especially when people confuse what they expect with what they actually deserve. The group debates marriage, divorce, discernment, premarital counseling, and the pressure of timelines, sharing personal examples about staying too long in jobs or relationships, lacking wise counsel, and mistaking grace for wisdom. They close by challenging listeners to identify their current “foolish thing,” release what’s harming them “at what cost,” and stop celebrating being “the coolest fool in the room.” Follow the channel, watch the long-form episode on YouTube, and leave a review.

00:00 Welcome Back Intro

00:35 Weather And AC Bills

01:41 Show Updates And Subscribe

02:16 Putting Away Foolishness

05:30 Instant Gratification Trap

06:32 Wordsmithing And Avoidance

07:08 Jobs Marriage And Covenant

12:17 God Says Stop Go Time

17:42 Maturity Obedience And Self

23:37 Chasing the Honeymoon

24:04 Grace Without Excuses

25:15 Imperfect Models of Marriage

26:26 Abraham and Ishmael Lessons

28:45 Premarital Counseling Reality Check

31:04 Pride and Entitlement Traps

39:21 Expectations Versus Deserving

42:57 Self Assessment and Hard Talks

46:39 Know When to Let Go

48:18 Final Challenges and Farewell

#fathersonrelationship #adviceformen #modernfatherhood #adultchildren #lifelessonsformen #raisingmen #raisingkids #mantalk

Channel Focus Areas:

“What Fathers Should Teach Their Sons”

“How to Be a Better Father”

“Father Son Relationship Advice”

“Mistakes Fathers Make”

“Lessons Every Man Should Learn”

Shop DSN Merch: https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch-%26-digital

Shop Father Figure: https://www.f2apparel.store/

Follow James: https://instagram.com/jeyblac

Follow Joe T: https://instagram.com/bakeriii

Follow Reggie: https://instagram.com/fatherfigureapparel

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The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors:

Shop DSN Merch: https://dear-son-merch.creator-spring.com/listing/the-dear-son-show

Love Kisha J Studios: https://lovekishaj.com

My ebook: https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch-%26-digital/ols/products/20lifepromptsv1

My book (physical): https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch-%26-digital/ols/products/dear-son-what-i-wish-my-father-told-me-physical-copy

Let’s connect socially:

https://instagram.com/thedearsonpodcast

https://facebook.com/thedearsonpodcast

The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

1. Reveal trauma

2. Heal from trauma

3. Help through telling stories of it all

“Better Man. Better Father.”

The Dear Son, Network ®

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Brandon Lewis on Fatherlessness, Forgiveness, and Building a Life in Comedy

On the Dear Son Show, host Nate welcomes comedian and content creator Brandon Lewis for a wide-ranging conversation on life through fatherhood. Brandon shares growing up in Cobb County, Georgia with a hardworking mother, a brother who became a father figure through tough discipline, and an absent “phone call” dad he didn’t truly know until moving to Los Angeles at 24 to pursue standup. He describes the shock of seeing his father’s vices, the anger and perspective that followed, and how hustling open mics on buses and on foot strengthened his resolve. Now a dad of two daughters, Brandon talks co-parenting, choosing not to repeat his father’s absence, and balancing touring with being present. He defines success as having options, reflects on entrepreneurship vs corporate stability, and closes with what he wishes he’d learned—financial literacy—and what he teaches his kids: “If you listen the first time, your feelings won’t get hurt the second.”

00:00 Welcome to Dear Son

00:17 Meet Brandon Lewis

01:14 From Georgia to LA

02:14 Growing Up Without Dad

04:20 Loss and Family Roots

06:32 Meeting Dad at 24

09:34 Chasing Standup Dreams

11:32 Mother’s View of Dad

13:45 Choosing Active Fatherhood

17:14 Co-Parenting and Happiness

19:57 Entrepreneur vs Corporate Life

22:00 Creative Grind vs Clocking In

23:18 Fatherhood and Tour Sacrifices

26:54 Choosing Comedy in 2010

28:00 Social Media Doubts and Discouragement

31:04 Pushing Through with Teamwork

37:44 Defining Success as Options

42:02 Hosting Energy and Show Control

45:01 Dear Son Lessons and Farewell

#fathersonrelationship #adviceformen #modernfatherhood #adultchildren #lifelessonsformen #raisingmen #raisingkids #mantalk 

Channel Focus Areas:

“What Fathers Should Teach Their Sons”

“How to Be a Better Father”

“Father Son Relationship Advice”

“Mistakes Fathers Make”

“Lessons Every Man Should Learn”

Follow Brandon: https://instagram.com/whoisbrandonlewis

Also, if you've made it this far, don't forget to:

1. subscribe to the channel, 

2. turn on the notifications,

3. like this video, 

4. leave a comment, and

5. share this content with someone who needs it.

The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com 

Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors: 

Shop DSN Merch: https://dear-son-merch.creator-spring.com/listing/the-dear-son-show  

Love Kisha J Studios: https://lovekishaj.com  

My ebook: https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch-%26-digital/ols/products/20lifepromptsv1

My book (physical): https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch-%26-digital/ols/products/dear-son-what-i-wish-my-father-told-me-physical-copy

Let’s connect socially: 

https://instagram.com/thedearsonpodcast  

https://facebook.com/thedearsonpodcast  

The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

1. Reveal trauma 

2. Heal from trauma

3. Help through telling stories of it all

“Better Man. Better Father.”

The Dear Son, Network ®

Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy