Flipping the Script on Fatherhood

thatsmydadproject.comBrandon Baker’s story is about breaking the cycle of fatherlessness and overcoming adversity.Growing up with a father who struggled with drug addiction and incarceration, Brandon had to navigate the absence of a positive male role model.His father’s presence in his life was inconsistent—weekend visits often meant playing video games alone while his dad spent time with friends. By the time he was 12, his father was imprisoned for drug trafficking, and Brandon fully understood the impact of his choices.Rather than following the same destructive path, Brandon made a conscious decision to live differently. He avoided drugs, focused on his faith, and built a successful career in IT. He also became a pastor, mentoring young men who grew up in similar situations.Becoming a father himself was a defining moment. The birth of his daughter brought a new fear: What if he became like his father? Instead of letting that fear consume him, he committed to being fully present.His journey also included reconciliation with his father, a process filled with frustration, grace, and boundaries.

FTSOF 06 | Jerry McClain - Drill Sargeant Army Ranger Gets Real About Fatherhood Mistakes✅ Didn’t hear dad say I love you until military (grown man)✅ Army Ranger Hall of Fame✅ Wishing dad was dead✅ The time he pulled a shotgun on his dad✅ A powerful story of reconciliationHost: Scott HiltonGuest: Jerry McClain

✅ Turned down the NFL to Work a Corporate Job

✅ Navigating college opportunities without his dad

✅ Learning how to do a ponytail

✅ What is a healthy family structure?

✅ The tough parts of fatherhood

Host: Scott Hilton

Guest: Mastaki Smith

thatsmydadproject.com

FTSOF 04

✅ Why Derick Williams works in the prison system

Host: Scott Hilton

FTSOF 03 | Ward Williams on Being embarrassed by His Dad, the Whataburger and Coke He Still Remembers, and How He’s Now Teaching Hundreds of Men to Be Great Dad

✅ Sitting outside as a kid waiting on dad to show up

✅ Being embarrassed by dad’s smell

✅ The Whataburger and drink he still remembers

✅ Teaching incarcerated men how to be a great dad

✅ Breaking generations of divorce cycle

FTSOF 02

FTSOF 02 | Allen Weston on his dad being killed in Vietnam, joining the Sheriff’s department to make a difference, 3 generations in jail at one time, & the difference between $7.25/hour and $12/hour

✅ Grandfather, father, his son… all in jail at one time.

✅ WHY it’s worth being a good dad

✅ Didn’t know how to get a loan or buy a house

✅ The difference between $7.25/hour and $12/hour

✅ Becoming an officer to make a difference

Host: Scott Hilton

Guest: Allen Weston

IN THIS EPISODE:

✅ Dad walking out on him in 3rd grade

✅ Being a star athlete wasn’t enough to get dad to show up at his games

✅ The last Hail Mary to win dad over

✅ Bumping into dad at the airport 20 years later….

✅ The conversation with his dad that changed everything

Caleb Waid’s earliest memory is his dad abandoning him.

Confusion, anger, and bitterness all wreaked havoc on him and his siblings for a season…

Through high school, college, marriage, and all the successes in between - Where was dad?

Until one day… They bumped into their dad in the airport. It had been nearly 20 years since they’d seen him.

This “chance” encounter paved the way to a reconciliation that will leave you in tears.

S02, E07 with Coach Eddie Courtney, one of the nation's most prolific high school coaches.

IN THIS EPISODE:

What He’s Done for over 1,000 players, His Players’ Response to his Cancer Diagnosis, Missing his Dad’s passing because he was helping a player, Winning a game in 8 OT’s, Having to break the news that a player’s dad passed away.

BIO:

Coach Eddie Courtney started his coaching career at the collegiate level. All short stints that include stops at Mars Hill University, East Tennessee State University, and the University of Tennessee. Since then, Coach Courtney has dedicated his life to Farragut high school for almost 3 decades. He has amassed over 200 wins and won the 2016 state title. He and his wife Anita have been married for 42 years! They have 2 children Megan and Geoff as well as a 2 year old granddaughter, Charley Rose.

HELPFUL LINKS:

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S02, E06.

IN THIS EPISODE: dealing with the loss of a player; why he quit Saturday practices; the time his dad caught him shoplifting; learning to be dad and coach; overcoming feeling like a failure as a coach; the power of reconnecting with former players; what coaching is really all about

Vance Roberson has committed his life to being a mentor and coach for 26 years. He got his start in 1979 as a volunteer at Gadsden High School, then over the next couple decades - coached at Citronelle HS, Auburn University, Baylor University, Boaz HS, Emma Sansom HS, Austin HS, and Auburn HS. He compiled over 140 wins during this time and competed in the AHSAA playoffs 14 years! He also coached in 4 different bowl games including the Cotton Bowl.He and his wife Ramona have 3 children (Bonnie, Jack, Natalie). They have been married for 45 years.

S2, E05. "43 Years Later... Coach Still Cares."

Dealing with the loss of a player; the time he cancelled practice to take his players swimming; refusing to smile in team pics; his dad’s response to him going 1-3; the right way to correct a player; the problem with all these sports lessons in the off season; the coach who believed in him.

Coach Jerry Pullen coached for 43 years. He got his start at Emma Sansom (junior high) in 1979 losing only one game in 2 years. During the 80’s and early 90’s, Coach Pullen made several pit stops that include Valley Head HS, UT Chattanooga, University of Alabama, Mississippi State University, University of Arkansas, and Clemson University. He made an appearance in 3 bowl games, including the Cotton Bowl while also gaining Gadsden Times coach of the year honors in 1982. He and his wife Lisa have been married 40+ years! They have one daughter, Rebekah.