That Dope Dad

Your Pain Is Real. But It Can’t Run Your Life.

Life is going to knock you down. You’ll experience heartbreak, disappointment, betrayal, failure, and circumstances you never asked for. But at some point, you have to decide whether you’re going to let those experiences define you or use them as a reason to grow.

In this solo episode, Michael Hedgecock gets real about victim mentality, personal responsibility, and the importance of resilience. We talk about how constantly blaming our circumstances, holding onto resentment, and waiting for apologies can keep us stuck and prevent us from becoming the men, fathers, and people we want to be.

This isn’t about dismissing your pain or pretending life is fair. It’s about acknowledging what happened, taking ownership of what comes next, and refusing to let your past control your future.

Because your kids are watching. Your future is waiting. And you still have a say in what happens next.

You didn’t choose every punch life threw at you. But you can choose to get back up.

It’s time to stop living in what happened and start taking responsibility for what happens next.

IG - That Dope Dad:

https://www.instagram.com/thatdopedad_podcast/

HOST - Michael Hedgecock:

https://www.instagram.com/michael_hedgecock/

On this episode of That Dope Dad, we sit down with AJ Adams, founder of The JMBD Foundation and host of the Just My Baby Daddy Podcast.

After losing his father to gun violence at just four years old, AJ grew up without the father figure he desperately needed. Today, as a father of three, he's determined to break that cycle and become the man he once needed.

We discuss turning pain into purpose, navigating fatherhood outside the same household, the importance of keeping your word, and learning to give yourself grace when you can't be everything to everyone.

Because at the end of the day, presence means more than perfection.

IG - A.J. Adams

https://www.instagram.com/alajauan/

IG - That Dope Dad

https://www.instagram.com/thatdopedad_podcast/

HOST:

https://www.instagram.com/michael_hedgecock/

Tism Talk | A Monthly Segment of That Dope Dad Podcast

Some parents are living a version of parenthood they never expected.

The appointments. The questions. The stares. The sleepless nights. The small victories that feel absolutely enormous. The fear of what happens when you're not there to protect them anymore.

And sometimes—the loneliness of wondering if anyone truly understands.

Tism Talk is for those parents.

Once a month, Michael Hedgecock and Will Adams sit down for raw, unfiltered conversations about autism, fatherhood, family, and the realities that don't always make it into the conversation.

We're not here because we have all the answers.

We're here because these families deserve to be heard. These parents deserve support. And these children deserve a world that works harder to understand them.

The hard days. The beautiful days. The breakthroughs. The battles. The love.

Nothing is off limits.

This is Tism Talk.

Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can hear is:

“We understand. You're not alone.”

Ushawn Morton:

IG - Ushawn Instagram

Website - www.theushawnjmorton.com 

Connect with Will:
https://linktr.ee/ThaVillagePodcast

Follow Us:

IG:

That Dope Dad on Instagram

HOST:

https://www.instagram.com/michael_hedgecock/

THE ONLY WAY YOU LOSE IS IF YOU QUIT.

Life will knock you down. You'll face setbacks, failures, financial struggles, and moments when giving up feels easier than pushing forward. But as men, and especially as fathers, we have a bigger reason to keep going.

Our kids are watching.

They're watching how we handle adversity, how we respond to failure, and whether we get back up when life gets hard.

In this episode of That Dope Dad, we're talking about resilience, discipline, and the power of refusing to quit. Because the greatest lesson we can teach our children isn't how to win. It's how to keep fighting when life gets tough.

Your kids don't need a perfect father. They need one who refuses to give up on himself, his dreams, or his family.

Remember, the only way you're going to lose is if you quit.

IG:

https://www.instagram.com/thatdopedad_podcast/

HOST:

https://www.instagram.com/michael_hedgecock/

What happens when the man who makes everyone laugh is fighting battles nobody sees?

On this episode of That Dope Dad, I sit down with comedian, writer, and father of two, Jay Wells L'Ecuyer, for a raw and powerful conversation about childhood trauma, PTSD, anger, depression, and the realities of fatherhood.

From witnessing unimaginable tragedies at a young age to chasing success in comedy, Jay opens up about the struggles that followed him into adulthood, marriage, and becoming a dad. We discuss his difficult introduction to fatherhood during COVID, his battles with alcohol and anger, and how therapy helped him begin breaking cycles he never wanted his children to experience.

This conversation is about more than fatherhood. It's about healing from your past, taking ownership of your struggles, and becoming the man your family deserves—even when you're still fighting battles of your own.

Because sometimes the strongest thing a father can do is admit he needs help.

IG - Jay Wells L'Ecuyer

https://www.instagram.com/jaywellslec/

IG - That Dope Dad:

https://www.instagram.com/thatdopedad_podcast/

HOST:

https://www.instagram.com/michael_hedgecock/

In this episode of That Dope Dad, Michael sits down with USMC veteran, entrepreneur, investor, husband, and father of two daughters, Austin Hancock.

Austin opens up about going from a wild teenager to serving in the Marines, building businesses, chasing success, and ultimately realizing that fatherhood gives ambition a completely different purpose.

We talk about raising daughters, marriage, faith, discipline, sacrifice, entrepreneurship, and the constant challenge of building something bigger without losing sight of the people you're building it for.

Because success means a lot less if the people you love most never get the best version of you.

This is a conversation about becoming a stronger man, a present husband, and the kind of father your kids will be proud to remember.

IG - Austin Hancock:

https://www.instagram.com/austin.hancock1/

IG - That Dope Dad:

https://www.instagram.com/thatdopedad_podcast/

HOST:

https://www.instagram.com/michael_hedgecock/

Follow Us:

Everybody talks about red flags in relationships. But before you start judging someone else’s, you better take a hard look at your own.

In this episode of That Dope Dad, we talk about what it means to become a disciplined, accountable, reliable man—and why the quality of your relationships often reflects the standard you live by. We also break down some of the red flags to watch for when choosing a woman to build a life with, from lack of accountability and constant chaos to disrespect and emotional instability.

This isn’t about finding someone perfect.

It’s about becoming the kind of man who recognizes character, protects his peace, keeps his word, and is ready to build something real.

Before you look for the right person, make sure you’re becoming the right person too.

IG:

https://www.instagram.com/thatdopedad_podcast/

HOST:

https://www.instagram.com/michael_hedgecock/

Tism Talk | A Monthly Segment of That Dope Dad Podcast

Some parents are living a version of parenthood they never expected.

The appointments. The questions. The stares. The sleepless nights. The small victories that feel absolutely enormous. The fear of what happens when you're not there to protect them anymore.

And sometimes—the loneliness of wondering if anyone truly understands.

Tism Talk is for those parents.

Once a month, Michael Hedgecock and Will Adams sit down for raw, unfiltered conversations about autism, fatherhood, family, and the realities that don't always make it into the conversation.

We're not here because we have all the answers.

We're here because these families deserve to be heard. These parents deserve support. And these children deserve a world that works harder to understand them.

The hard days. The beautiful days. The breakthroughs. The battles. The love.

Nothing is off limits.

This is Tism Talk.

Because sometimes the most powerful thing you can hear is:

“We understand. You're not alone.”

Connect with Will:
https://linktr.ee/ThaVillagePodcast

Follow Us:

IG:

https://www.instagram.com/thatdopedad_podcast/

HOST:

https://www.instagram.com/michael_hedgecock/

Don Singleton’s story is one of survival, redemption, and fatherhood.

Growing up surrounded by violence in New Orleans, Don’s life eventually led him to prison, where he became a father for the first time at just 21 years old. That moment began a journey of becoming more—not just for himself, but for his children.

Now 51, Don is a father, grandfather, entrepreneur, athlete, and men’s mental health advocate. But behind the success is a man who has faced absent fatherhood, felonies, broken relationships, and now the painful reality of divorce and co-parenting.

In this episode of That Dope Dad, Don opens up about his past, the influence of his mother, raising three sons, rebuilding after mistakes, and why he believes he was born to be a father.

This is a conversation about redemption, presence, grace, and becoming the man your children need—even when your own story didn’t start that way.

IG: Don Singleton

https://www.instagram.com/donmega24/

IG: That Dope Dad

https://www.instagram.com/thatdopedad_podcast/

HOST: Michael Hedgecock

https://www.instagram.com/michael_hedgecock/

What happens when the little kids who once ran into your room for a hug suddenly don’t need you in the same way anymore?

In this episode of That Dope Dad, I sit down with Jeff Walker — Rhymecologist, father of 13-year-old twins, author, and creator — for a conversation about fatherhood, mindset, music, and one of the hardest parts of being a dad: watching your kids grow up.

The hugs aren’t as automatic. Dad isn’t always the first person they want to talk to. And Jeff is learning that sometimes being a father means loving your kids enough to give them room to become who they’re supposed to be.

We also get into Jeff’s belief that “Everything works out well for the Walkers,” the affirmations he spoke over his children every night, and the surreal experience of watching lyrics he wrote years earlier seemingly come to life — from his son hitting his first home run to his daughter earning a 4.0.

Because as Jeff puts it, the days can feel like a lifetime…but the years disappear in the blink of an eye.

This one is about presence, perspective, letting go, and appreciating the chapter you're in before the page turns.

Jeff Walker Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/rhymecology/

IG - That Dope Dad:

https://www.instagram.com/thatdopedad_podcast/

HOST - Michael Hedgecock:

https://www.instagram.com/michael_hedgecock/