Welcome back to Jonah Asks.I reached out to several friends with the hope of having a discussion about fathers, family dynamics, childhood, and healing. Ryan and Jeremy were both interested. The resulting discussion was fascinating and...if you'll allow me...thought-provoking. I hope it gets you thinking, too. People are complicated. Parenting often overwhelms people. Growing up is not simple and...in my opinion., we're never actually done growing up.OpeningRyan is currently in a cabin in southern Colorado. Jeremy joins us from his home in Salt Lake City, Utah.Jonah is in El Cerrito, California.8 minJonahJonah introduces the frame of the conversation about family, fathers, discussing psychology, socialization, depression, masculinity and connection.10 minRyanRyan discusses his father's stoic temperament, his need for being solitary and having quiet, and his father's upbringing and life journey. 19 minJeremyJeremy discusses his father and grandfather. How literacy issues and the responsibility of so many children informed his father's ability to communicate in general. How work, the practice of polygamy and fathering 32 children impacted his father's general ideas of fatherhood.31 minSocialization, Masculinity, and How Depression Impacts Menreading: "I Don't Want to Talk About It" by therapist Terrance Real. Jonah describes his parents meeting and the ways in which their dynamics impacted him.Ryan describes his family and generational trauma, talking about his brothers and the ways in which they seem to follow the generational patterns of behavior of their father, work, familial control and obligation, and disconnection. 40 minSimple Equations for LifeIf men value themselves based on their salary and they view parenting as providing money for their children to get through college, the equation is very simple -- and self-worth is narrowly defined. Capitalism and its impact on men, work and fatherhood. 42 minThe Modern Choice: Whether or Not to Choose FatherhoodJeremy talks about how he helped his younger siblings as toddlers and young kids and how his work as a Kindergarten teacher fulfills some of the connection and love he would enjoy as a parent.48 minBiology and GeneticsThe biological drive for traditional family structure. We are the end result of generations of creatures who have been procreating on the planet for eons. Ryan's genetic material may have produced many children. He donated sperm in 2006 and 2007. 57 minHealing - Working, Parenting and Introspection and Self-WorkAll three of us work to help people, guide, support and heal. 60 minFamily TrajectoriesConsidering our fathers from the perspective of their family backgrounds helps us accept and have compassion for their own struggles and growth.65 minMusic: Magnetic Fields "Papa Was a Rodeo"