You've just entered the no step zone. For some, there isn't much thought given to the term step as applied to familial relationships. Stepmom, stepsister, stepbrother...stepdad. I'll agree that the word prefix doesn't seem all that powerful, but does it impact how the individuals act in those relationships? On the one hand, we consider it a mere technicality... a lack of a biological connection. On the other hand, treating someone like a stepchild has been a dismissive insult (or assault) for as long as I can remember. 

In this episode, James and I share the vulnerabilities we've experienced from both sides of non-biological fatherhood. Our stories are nuanced as is every fatherhood journey, but there are many core principles we share. Parenting in general is a very rewarding gift; however, do we really treat biological and non-biological children equally? If you just answered this question in your head, immediately share your thoughts in the comment section. You'll see how we answered this question by the end of the episode. I hope this blesses you where you are.

#blackparents #blackfathers ##blackexcellence #stepdad #stepfather #stepmom #blendedfamily #fatherandson #dadhacks #emotionalintelligence

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

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The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community

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My son thinks I'm a whole person, and I think he is amazing. We spent some time catching up on what's going on in his 14 yr-old life. He chronicles his bout with COVID and how it impacted him. I don't take anything my children say for granted as they are dealing with a different pace of information and emotional distress has many flags that are often unrecognized or ignored. I am grateful that he is in a good headspace all things considered.

He also manages to take control of the conversation with a few questions for me. I wasn't shocked by the depth of the questions, but admittedly didn't think he would ask a couple of them on camera. The point of this channel is to expose our journey to a healthier relationship. I'm becoming a better man in the process. Hopefully, this blesses you where you are. 

#blackparents #blackfathers #blackexcellence #fatherandson #dadhacks #emotionalintelligence

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

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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.”

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My father taught me everything by telling me nothing. That may sound farfetched to some; however, this will make perfect sense as you progress through this conversation. Jermaine Lewis, Sr is an accomplished writer, business owner, community leader, husband, and father. In this episode he shares several poignant views from his philosophy on male leadership in the household.  These views include allowing children to explore, obedience, family finances, and mutual submission between spouses. I'm certain that you'll leave with an expanded and enriched perspective on the importance of fatherhood, and what family leadership looks like. I pray that it blesses you where you are. 

Connect with Jermaine and support his projects via https://jermainelewis.com

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

1.  subscribe to the channel, 

2. turn on the notifications,

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#blackdoctors #blackfathers #blackexcellence #fatherandson #menshealth

The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors: 

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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.”

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Leave a legacy of compassion. Dr. Eric Yancey is a general surgeon, and by many standards, is wildly successful. In this episode, he shares the experiences along the road through medical school to establishing medical practices and the how it intersected with parenthood and his relationship with God. Of course we'll get the backdrop of his childhood and relationship with his father for proper context, but you may be surprised by the one thing he wishes he'd done better sooner during his journey.

There are so many practical and informative lessons woven throughout that you'll probably pickup a new one each time you watch or listen. When you're done, be bold enough to share this with someone who needs it.

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

1. follow this podcast,

2. turn on the notifications,

3. give it a 5-star rating, and

4. leave a review to let others know this podcast adds value.

#blackdoctors #blackfathers #blackexcellence #fatherandson #menshealth

The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors:

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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.”

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"My dad will never know why his mom didn't want him." David Jones is a well-respected, well-educated business professional with an uncanny ability to see simple solutions amidst seemingly big problems. That's his gift as it pertains to business, but how does that translate into his personal life? Carefully.  High level conversations aside, his fatherhood journey is fascinating, and I left the conversation inspired. 

First, to clarify, David is not yet a father in the traditional sense; however, he processes life through a lens significantly influenced by the relationship he has with his father, and further, how his father's journey progressed. David spent much of his younger years with his great grandmother in Arkansas. She raised his father as well. While this isn't uncommon, I've never considered the commonalities that may (or may not) exist between a father and a son raised by the same woman. Though he recalls the time spent under his great grandmother's care with fondness, there's another side of the coin that reflects the pain that his father endured. 

His father's parents weren't actively involved in his father's life, which resulted in a feeling of emptiness. Thankfully, David's father was determined to break that cycle, and he poured into David the best way he knew how.  He was determined to always be there for his children. David is now a proud husband and family leader, and this conversation challenged him to take more introspective look at what fatherhood means. Let's see if practical business logic can also solve matters of the heart.   

#blackfathers #blackexcellence #fatherandson

Follow David:

IG: https://instagram.com/coahcdavejones

Twitter: https://twitter.com/coachdavejones

Business: https//4ward.Solutions, Inc.: 

The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors: 

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Let’s connect socially: 

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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.”

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This is what protection really looks like. As men we are often challenged to protect our families from harm in all forms, but what does that really look like in the average relationship? Sometimes we don't want to be the voice of reason. Sometimes we just need a reason...I digress. This conversation was inspired by the 2022 Oscars, but we don't say their names. Honestly, the event that trended worldwide sparked a different conversation with me and the guys. We take inventory of what we will and won't do for our families when it comes to protecting them. 

Do you know what your 'line' looks like? You need to have a healthy understanding of what is off limits, and what you're willing to do about it before you're presented with a well-timed, unexpected sla....

Ok...ok...we've all had enough of the word, the reference, and all the Monday-morning quarterbacking that always ensues. This conversation is rich with three varying perspectives from successful black men. I welcome your feedback on the discussion as well as the look and feel of this episode. This has been a journey and I'm enjoying the process. Be blessed.

Follow James:

IG: https://instagram.com/jeyblac

FB: James Johnson

Follow Anvalon:

IG: https://instagram.com/iamanvalon

FB: Anvalon Elliott

The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors: 

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Let’s connect socially: 

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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.”

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I lost my dad and found me. Loss is hard. Multiple losses at a young age is even harder. Can you imagine holding a loved one in your arms as life leaves their body? Now, can you imagine taking on this life altering responsibility at the age of 12? Deborah was introduced to heartbreak at a very young age, and the thread continued throughout her early adulthood. 

In this episode we discuss the process of losing her father, and how that reshaped how she saw the world and herself in it. Deb's relationship with her father was somewhat complicated. As a Vietnam vet, he struggled with various vices due to PTSD. She vividly recalled a time when her father would lock himself in the closet with guns and struggles with alcohol. In addition to the loss of her younger sister (referenced above), her parents experienced the lost of Deb's older sister before Deb was born. I cannot imagine that level of pain as a father or a sibling. 

Deb's father was diagnosed with cancer and later passed away in 2016. She had 18 months with him from the time he was diagnosed and shares how their relationship transformed during that period. They connected on a deeper level and Deb found purpose in the process. There's so much more to the story, and this episode fills in the blanks. I am grateful for her transparency, honesty, and courage to reveal some of her past and present traumas, and her continued passion to help others heal.

#teenagemom #abuse #overcomer

Be sure to follow Deb via the social media platforms below:

IG: https://instagram.com/faith100578

IG: https://instagram.com/theXchangeplace

YouTube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCF6oWbPe4uc3E3WJq2wbcIA

The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors: 

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Let’s connect socially: 

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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.”

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Dear Dad, you hurt me. For some, being hurt is just a natural part of life. We've all experienced hurt, and likely, have been the source of others' pain. One thing for certain is that none of us can tell another person how to process their pain, grief, or trauma. As a 17-year-old mother to be, Cleo had seen and experienced a lifetime of traumatic events. She vividly recalls a story of police drawing guns on her, her mother and sister, and how she couldn't understand why it was happening in the moment, yet it also seemed to be the norm for her underserved neighborhood in Nashville, TN. 

Her relationship with her father has been strained for most of her life. There were brief glimmers of hope that he would show up for one important life event or another, but ultimately, she had to accept that the relationship she longed for would never be. The void he created impacted how she would see and interact with men throughout her life. Guarded. 

Cleo's story; however, is one of triumph, success, and incredible joy, primarily derived from the relationship she has developed with her daughter. She is an incredible mom, business owner, speaker, and overcomer. She looks nothing like what she has been through. There's so much more to say about this phenomenal woman, and that's what this episode is for. Open your mind and heart as you consume this one, and I'm sure you'll come out of it blessed. 

#teenagemom #abuse #overcomer

Be sure to follow Cleo on the social media:

IG: https://instagram.com/cleoyogfinance

TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZTdPKLMxf/

YouTube: https://youtube.com/c/CleoYogaFinance

The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors: 

https://tatewhalun.com -- Discount Code: THEDSP

Johns & Co Apparel: https://johnsandcompany.co 

Love Kisha J Studios: https://etsy.com/shop/LoveKishaJStudios 

Let’s connect socially: 

https://instagram.com/thedearsonpodcast 

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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.”

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

My dad chose me. This is a perspective that many of us never had to consider. However, many men decide to fill a biological gap for one reason or another. Sometimes it is due to the intentional absence of the birth father, the intentional actions of the birth mother, and a host of other reasons that aren’t germane to this episode. Instead, we celebrate the courage and commitment of my wife’s father to ensure she had a present and accountable father throughout her life.

LaKisha (Kisha) is the oldest of three children and grew up in a modest household with both parents in Hampton, VA. Her fatherhood story begins just a couple years after birth. Her mother and father knew each other from high school, but their love story began years after, also after Kisha was born. While it isn’t clear exactly why her birth father wasn’t around, she made it abundantly clear who her father is. He saw enough in her and her mother to make the investment beyond marriage and adopted Kisha at a very young age. She recalls with fondness the quirky things that her father did to create meaningful experiences for the family, and also touches on how she didn’t always feel like she fit in.

Kisha and her father share the bond of adoption as he was adopted at an early age as well. This gave him a unique, personalized insight on what is important to a child that didn’t have a biological parent in their life. He was her protector, advisor, counselor, and pastor at various stages of her life. As life often does for most of us, Kisha’s firstborn (our oldest) entered the world in somewhat similar circumstances. We discussed those challenges and how they impacted our family along the way. This conversation gave me a new perspective of my life partner, and I’m beyond proud and honored to share a portion of her story with the world. I hope this blesses you. 

#daddysgirl #herodad #adoption

Be sure to follow Kisha on social media and YouTube: 

IG: https://instagram.com/love_kishaj

The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors: 

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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.”

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My dad is my hero. Those four words bring so much joy to my heart, not only as a father, but as a man that admires strong father-daughter relationships. This is the bond that sets the tone for how women value the relationship with a man, and also teaches men way more about themselves than they may expect. In part two of this series focusing on the woman's perspective of fatherhood, Gia Jordan graciously relives many fond moments of her fatherhood journey.

Gia's father was her superhero as she grew up, and she still sees him through that lens today. She recalls the challenges he faced growing up in Panama as a child with learning disabilities that the educational community of that time wasn't prepared to support or manage. They simply called him dumb. Throughout his life he was told no and discouraged from achieving anything great. Gia also struggled with a learning challenge as a child, and luckily, she had the benefit of her father's triumph as a reference on how to overcome it. He condensed the years of his painful experiences into sound guidance, encouragement, and motivation, which propelled Gia to become successful in school and life.

These are the stories that we need to see and hear about regularly. There is no substitute for a great father-daughter relationship. I truly hope this conversation empowers men to be or stay present in their daughters' lives, and encourages women to treasure and protect these relationships where possible. 

#daddysgirl #herodad #Panama

Be sure to follow Gia on social media and YouTube: 

IG: https://instagram.com/kaizenmindpodcast

YT: https://youtube.com/channel/UC_pmyiYX7f0m7Dbt96hkbYw

The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com

Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors: 

https://tatewhalun.com -- Discount Code: THEDSP

Johns & Co Apparel: https://johnsandcompany.co 

Love Kisha J Studios: https://etsy.com/shop/LoveKishaJStudios 

Let’s connect socially: 

https://instagram.com/thedearsonpodcast 

https://twitter.com/dearsonpodcast 

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.”

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

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