Dudes Without Dads Podcast

Officer Ezekiel “EZ” Zimmerman grew up without a father, was adopted at nine, and later discovered a calling to ministry—while wearing a badge. In this raw and hope-filled conversation, EZ shares how God turned anger and identity wounds into a life of service as a deputy sheriff and school resource officer.

You’ll hear the adoption story behind his name change, why the word “chosen” reframed his identity, and a jaw-dropping account of an arrest that became a redemption story. EZ also issues a heartfelt challenge to law enforcement across America—inviting officers to find healing, purpose, and community in Christ.

What we cover:

• Father wounds, anger, and early faith through his grandparents
• The courtroom moment that changed his name and future
• Ministry “behind the badge” and how faith changes policing
• A real story of addiction to freedom (and how a single question sparked it)
• A challenge and invitation to every officer listening
• Life verse: Jeremiah 29:11–13 and the promises inside it
• Resource: Wild at Heart by John Eldredge (men’s discipleship)

Connect with Officer EZ:
• Facebook: search “Ezekiel Zimmerman” (ambassador page)
• Email: [email protected]

• Agency: Howard County Sheriff’s Office, Kokomo, IN
• National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial (Indiana Ambassador)

🙌 Subscribe and join a community of men who are breaking cycles, healing from the past, and building strong families through faith.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE NOW:    / @dudeswithoutdadspodcast   

🎧 Listen to full episodes on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2512163

🙌 Support the Mission: Every gift helps us reach more people: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_butt...

Connect with the Show:
• Share this episode with an officer or someone battling addiction
• Visit our site for resources & show notes
• Subscribe and leave a review—it helps more “dudes without dads” find hope

Hashtags: #Adoption #Faith #LawEnforcement #Testimony #IdentityInChrist

00:00 Intro
 00:18 Early years & father wounds
 02:10 Realizing what’s missing
 04:45 Big brother’s influence
 07:00 Brother leaves for the Army
 09:00 Anger, loss & coping
 12:00 Faith through grandma’s church
 14:00 Meeting John (the future “Dad”)
 16:00 Adoption & name change to Zimmerman
 18:00 What it means to be “chosen”
 21:00 Advice for would-be adoptive parents
 23:00 Identity in Christ, heritage & DNA
 27:00 Calling to law enforcement + ministry
 33:00 Can a cop be a minister?
 36:00 The warrant, the planned attack… and a miracle
 42:00 Addiction to freedom: chapel, banquet, job, church
 46:00 A charge to officers in America
 49:00 How to seek God & find a church
 52:00 Life verse: Jeremiah 29:11–13
 56:00 Where to find Officer EZ & final challenge

fatherhood, father wound, sonship, men's ministry, christian men, healing, identity, intentional fatherhood, dudes without dads, joshua brown, eric manly, the intentional dad, generational curses, masculinity, christian podcast, faith and fatherhood, becoming a better dad, father absence

Welcome to Dudes Without Dads — where broken stories become stories of redemption. This podcast episode dives into the lasting impact of a fatherless upbringing and how it shapes our relationships. Discover hope and strategies for mental health as we explore the complexities of childhood experiences and redefine what it means to be a father, while navigating emotional challenges.

In this powerful episode, Gabriel Nieves shares his raw and redemptive journey from a fatherless childhood and gang involvement to discovering hope, identity, and purpose in Jesus Christ. Facing a life sentence, Gabriel experienced the radical love of God behind bars, turning his life around and now serving as a pastor in the very city he once terrorized.

🎙️ Hosted by Joshua Brown, this podcast exists to help men who grew up without fathers become the dads they never had.

🙌 Subscribe and join a community of men who are breaking cycles, healing from the past, and building strong families through faith.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE NOW: https://www.youtube.com/@UCaj6v1EF8LLG7MYP7u-FifQ 

🎧 Listen to full episodes on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2512163

🙌 Support the Mission: Every gift helps us reach more people: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=WYH4HRS8EW7K2

📖 Grab Gabriel Nieves Book: https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Gang-Gabriel-Nieves/dp/1092398333
→ Buy one for yourself — and one to give to another dude who needs it.

#DudesWithoutDads #ChristianPodcast #Fatherhood #Testimony #JesusSaves #RedemptionStory #faithpodcast 

🎧 Listen to full episodes on Spotify / Apple Podcasts:: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2512163

Timestamps: 00:00 - Growing up without a father 03:00 - First exposure to 07:00 - Joining a gang at age 13 14:00 - Drug addiction and 20:00 - Arrest and facing life in prison 24:00 - Encountering Jesus in jail 30:00 - Transformation and redemption 35:00 - Life today and the call to fatherhood

fatherhood, father wound, sonship, men's ministry, christian men, healing, identity, intentional fatherhood, dudes without dads, joshua brown, eric manly, the intentional dad, generational curses, masculinity, christian podcast, faith and fatherhood, becoming a better dad, father absence

A quick intro to the Dudes Without Dads podcast. Hosted by Joshua Brown, this movement is for men who desire to become the dads they never had —through powerful stories, practical tools, and a Christ-centered network that serves the local church and partners in disciple-making. 

fatherhood, father wound, sonship, men's ministry, christian men, healing, identity, intentional fatherhood, dudes without dads, joshua brown, eric manly, the intentional dad, generational curses, masculinity, christian podcast, faith and fatherhood, becoming a better dad, father absence