The Black Dad Experience

When life knocked him down, David Preston Jr. laced up his shoes—and ran. Literally. From running diapers across cities without a car, to fighting for custody of his daughter, David’s story is one of pure grit, growth, and God-given purpose.

In this episode of The Black Dad Experience, we sit down with the Omaha native and father of three as he shares:

• Becoming a father at 19 and being broken by the system at 20
• Working 3-4 jobs without transportation just to make child support
• What it took to win custody—and win his daughter's trust
• Managing the dynamic between baby mama and bonus mom
• The difference he's seen raising kids in a married household vs. a single one
• And why he’s never bought into excuses—even when it hurt

David reminds us that making moves doesn’t always look glamorous, but it always looks like love. Tune in for an episode full of sacrifice, second chances, and what it really means to be a present father.

Make sure to subscribe for notices of the next episode and follow us on IG @blackdad_experience , Twitter @TheBlackDadExp , and watch the video cast on YouTube @TheBlackDadExperience

Public Service Announcement: The Black Dad Experience is back. Grown. Louder. And unapologetically present.

In this Season 2 kickoff, Anthony returns to the mic after a powerful life pause—now as a father of three, a sharper leader, and the same unfiltered voice you’ve come to expect. This quick-hit solo episode sets the tone for what’s coming: real fatherhood, bold truth, and a community that refuses to be erased.

We break down the myth of the “absent Black dad” with real stats, talk legacy, healing, and what it means to be The Standard.

Whether you’re a father, a son, a mentor, or just tryna grow—this one’s for you.

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🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple, & all major podcast platforms

🔥 Drop a comment below: “Fatherhood Fire” if you feel it!

⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS:

00:00 – Public Service Announcement from the Black Dad Experience

00:27 – Life Changes and Personal Growth

3:32 – Challenging Stereotypes of Black Fathers

8:34 – The Importance of Involvement in Parenting

9:07 – So What’s Coming Up?

13:43 – Mental Health and Fatherhood

16:20 – Tap In or Miss Out

18:19 – Building a Community of Dads

The Truth About Black Fatherhood https://docs.house.gov/meetings/JU/JU00/20210929/114092/HMKP-117-JU00-20210929-SD012.pdf

#BlackDadExperience #FatherhoodFire #TheStandard #BlackFathers #BDEPodcast #DopeDads #FatherhoodUnfiltered

YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/qR6drggXCuU

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In this episode host Anthony Smith reflects on his first year as a full time dad. He goes over the lessons learned, highs, lows, and how it truly was to blend a family and bring in a new baby all within a whirlwind 365 days.

Make sure to subscribe for notices of the next episode and follow us on IG @blackdad_experience , Twitter @TheBlackDadExp , and watch the video cast on YouTube @TheBlackDadExperience

On this episode of the BDE Anthony welcomes two fathers who have navigated the tough waters of blending families together. Guest Jermaine and Johnny discuss dealing with the other parent, hearing "you not my daddy", discipline, and a few other lesons to help us all face what for many is a new norm.

Make sure to subscribe for notices of the next episode and follow us on IG @blackdad_experience , Twitter @TheBlackDadExp , and watch the video cast on YouTube @TheBlackDadExperience

In this episode of the Black dad Podcast we speak to 3 dads about the journey of raising young black men. We cover so much in this convo from setting the right example, the act of raising a gay son, are there differences in the way we treat our daughters versus our sons, and so much more.  

Make sure to subscribe for notices of the next episode and follow us on IG @blackdad_experience , Twitter @TheBlackDadExp , and watch the video cast on YouTube @TheBlackDadExperience

This episode we talk to Girl Dads Kelvin and Mike about what it's like raising a young woman of color. From being stern versus sensitive to setting the right example for her as a man, we cover it all. 

I dedicate this episode to the memory of my Father-in-law, Froncell Shannon, the ultimate #girldad 

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In the inaugural episode of The Black Dad Experience we speak to three new to the game dads about how the process to becoming a dad went for them. We also touch on some tough lessons learned, how they found out they were having a kid, and more. 

Make sure to subscribe for notices of the next episode and follow us on IG @blackdad_experience , Twitter @TheBlackDadExp , and watch the video cast on YouTube @TheBlackDadExperience

Make sure to subscribe for notices of the next episode and follow us on IG @blackdad_experience , Twitter @TheBlackDadExp , and watch the video cast on YouTube @TheBlackDadExperience

Welcome to the pilot episode of The Black Dad Experience Podcast. In this episode you can learn a little bit more about the host, Anthony Smith, where the BDE idea came from, and what to expect from this podcast series.

Press play and take a listen!

Make sure to subscribe for notices of the next episode and follow us on IG @blackdad_experience , Twitter @TheBlackDadExp , and watch the video cast on YouTube @TheBlackDadExperience