This episode is one of the most powerful and emotional conversations we’ve ever shared.
On October 10th, my dad was in a horrific accident that left him fighting for his life multiple surgeries, internal bleeding, intubation, sedation, and moments where we didn’t know if he would survive. For hours, he was missing. No calls. No updates. No answers. Just fear.

In this raw and unfiltered episode, we sit down for the first time to talk through everything what really happened that day, what he remembers while sedated, the moment he almost gave up, and the mindset that brought him back from the edge.

In this raw and personal episode, Alyssa shares the story of the day everything changed when her father, co-host Edward Darty, was rushed into the ICU after a life-threatening accident.

What followed was the hardest week of her life: hospital updates, fear, confusion, advocating for her dad, supporting her family, and trying to hold herself together while everything was falling apart.

This episode is about love, vulnerability, and what it truly means to show up for your family when life hits without warning. It’s a reminder to cherish the people you love, to prepare for the unexpected, and to take care of yourself even when you feel like you can’t.

If you or someone you love has ever gone through a medical emergency, a crisis, or a moment that changes your entire world, you’re not alone.

Hold your loved ones tighter today.

In this powerful episode of Fatherhood Voices, Edward sits down with his longtime brother and friend, Jose Bonilla. From growing up with scarcity and the impact it had on his mindset, to losing 75 pounds and quitting cigarettes cold turkey, Jose shares his raw journey of healing, fatherhood, and personal growth.

Together they unpack how childhood memories shape the way we parent, why the energy we bring into our homes matters more than words, and how traditions like father–child dates can rebuild trust and connection. Jose also opens up about his creative side as a hip-hop artist, his real estate career, and how plant medicine shifted everything for his marriage and family.

If you’ve ever struggled with being present, breaking generational cycles, or wondering what legacy you’re leaving behind, this episode will give you both practical wisdom and deep inspiration.

In this episode of Fatherhood Voices, we dive into one of the toughest but most important journeys a dad can take the process of healing a strained relationship with an adult child. From taking accountability to opening the door for honest conversation, we explore the first steps fathers can take to rebuild trust and reconnect. If you’ve ever wondered how to bridge the gap, repair old wounds, and create a healthier future with your child, this conversation will give you the tools and hope to begin.

On this heartwarming episode of Fatherhood Voices, Edward and Alyssa sit down with their 8-year-old cousin Killian—YouTuber, future police officer, and wise beyond his years. From why it’s okay for boys to cry to how parents should argue away from their kids, Killian drops truth bombs with a purity and clarity that’ll leave you speechless. If you’ve forgotten what really matters in parenting, childhood, and life—this is your reminder.

In this powerful episode of Fatherhood Voices – a fatherhood podcast dedicated to exploring redemption, transformation, and family – we sit down with Art Blajos, a former Mexican Mafia hitman turned devoted Christian father and speaker. Art shares his extraordinary journey of redemption, fatherhood, and faith. He opens up about growing up without a father figure and how childhood trauma and the absence of positive role models led him into gang life. He recounts the violence of the streets and prison yard, including 17 years behind bars and four on death row, and the miraculous moment of hope in a jail cell that changed everything. This conversation is a testament to breaking the cycle of violence and the healing power of faith, family, and personal transformation. Key Topics Covered:
Fatherless Beginnings & Gang Life: Art recalls his painful childhood in broken homes and how a lack of a father figure drove him to seek belonging in a gang. He explains how he became involved with the Mexican Mafia and how that life of chaos and crime consumed his youth.
Prison, Violence & Facing Death: We discuss Art’s 17 years in prison – including four years on death row – where he served as an enforcer and hitman behind bars. He reflects on the brutal violence he witnessed and inflicted, and the emptiness it left inside him.
Faith and Redemption: Art describes the miraculous turning point when he embraced Christianity in his darkest hour. He reveals how his newfound faith sparked a profound personal transformation from a gang enforcer to a man of God, giving him hope and a new purpose.
Fatherhood & Stepfather Stories: In a heartfelt reflection on fatherhood, Art shares what it means to him to be a stepdad and loving family man after growing up without a dad himself. He talks about striving to be the father figure he never had – guiding his stepchildren with love, patience, and faith, and breaking the cycle for the next generation.
Breaking the Cycle & Community Impact: Art’s mission now is to give back – he mentors at-risk youth, serves in ministry, and offers hope to those trapped in gangs or trauma. He emphasizes the importance of family, community support, and inner healing in restoring broken lives and families, and in keeping young people away from gangs.
This Fatherhood Voices episode is a moving testament to the strength of the human spirit and the possibility of change. It offers deep reflections on violence, the process of inner healing, and how faith-fueled fatherhood can rebuild a life and restore a family. Join us for an unforgettable conversation that proves no one is beyond transformation – and that it’s never too late to rewrite your story. 👍 If you found this episode inspiring, please like, comment, and subscribe for more heartfelt fatherhood stories and redemption journeys. Thank you for watching and being part of the #FatherhoodVoices community! 

Get the book here! https://artblajos.com

#MexicanMafia #GangTransformation #FatherhoodPodcast #FaithAndRedemption #StepfatherStories #BreakingTheCycle

In this powerful and emotional episode, Edward and his daughter Alyssa unpack a life-changing experience at a Sleeping with Sirens and Pierce the Veil concert. What began as a fun weekend quickly turned into a raw reflection on misunderstood youth, the healing power of music, and the silent struggles many kids face. From concert tears to TikTok connections, this episode dives deep into mental health, generational growth, and what it really means to show up as a present parent. Whether you're a father, a daughter, or someone who once felt like the outcast, this conversation will hit home.

In this candid Fatherhood Voices sit-down, Edward and Alyssa crack open the taboo topic of family finances and the bigger dream of generational wealth. Edward retraces his grind-it-out roots—selling pencils in first grade, coupon-stacking, and yes, those cheeseless burgers at Tom’s—to show how a scarcity mindset can both help and hurt. Together they unpack the two real game-changers: mindset and systems. Expect stories of leveraging a 9-to-5 to fund a side hustle, why motivational content is the cheapest coach you’ll ever hire, and how teens (or anyone) can reverse-engineer their income goals down to the minute. This is Part 1 of a two-parter that moves from personal money myths to the nuts and bolts of legacy building. Hit play, grab a notebook, and get ready to level up.

It’s Father’s Day, but here’s the uncomfortable question: Do all dads really deserve to be celebrated? Alyssa brings a surprise topic to Edward—no warning, no prep—and what follows is an unfiltered, deeply personal, and sometimes hilarious episode about fatherhood, forgiveness, and what being “present” actually means.

From absentee dads and toxic co-parents to healing family wounds and cruising with "fufu dolls," nothing is off the table. This one’s for the dads who show up, the ones who didn’t, and the kids still trying to make sense of it all.

💥 “Just because you’re a dad… doesn’t mean you get the card, the tie, and the praise.”

Bullying doesn’t end in elementary school—it evolves. In this raw continuation of Episode 63, Edward and Alyssa take us deeper into the world of junior high and high school bullying: from silent suffering to navigating school politics, and why "just ignore it" doesn't cut it anymore.

They get brutally honest about social media, the failures of school systems, the trauma parents miss, and what they wish they’d done differently. With personal stories, heated moments, and a call for real-world tools (like their upcoming Bullying Response Checklist), this episode is equal parts heart, heat, and healing.