How has Dad Always helped you redefine fatherhood after your loss?

On this week's episode, Ryan Brown Jr. joins me as a fellow bereaved father and tells the story of his son Andreas, who lived for thirteen and a half hours, and what it feels like to watch your world shatter while you're powerless to stop it.

We also get into the choices that came before the crisis and why they mattered. Ryan explains why he and his wife sought out a Black OB, shaped by the very real risks of Black maternal mortality and the fear of not being taken seriously in healthcare. That context makes the hospital handoff even harder, especially when communication breaks down and a parent is left trying to translate jargon while advocating for urgency.

From the NICU transfer to the devastating final call, Ryan names the parts people rarely say out loud: the helplessness, the isolation, and the “comforting” phrases that actually wound. We talk about grief boundaries, family pressure, religious clichés, and what real support looks like when someone says, “I need distance.” If you’ve lived through birth trauma, infant loss, or perinatal grief, or you’re trying to support someone who has, this conversation offers language, clarity, and an honest map of what not to say.

If this resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more grieving parents and bereaved dads can find this kind of support.

THE BOOK

Words That Wound, Words That Heal

SUPPORT PATHWAY

If you are a bereaved dad who's struggling to cope with baby loss and you'd like to talk one-on-one, let's have a FREE private 30-minute conversation.

Go to dadalways.com for more information.

PEER-SUPPORT

Black Dads in Loss Support Group

Dads in Loss Support Group

For a list of other support groups through Postpartum Support International click here.

THEME MUSIC

"Love Letter” was created using AI as a creative tool, with lyrics and direction shaped by the personal experiences and emotional intent of the host.

SHOW MUSIC

First Bloom by Moments

Velox by Isaac Joel

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