Graham Martin joins Fathernetics host Jameel Mayers for a real, funny, and thoughtful talk about modern fatherhood. From parenting through extreme weather and raising kids with completely different personalities to youth sports, homeschooling, and mental health—nothing’s off the table. Graham opens up about creating Hayday Company and why building a community for dads matters more than ever. This episode dives deep into self-care, intentional parenting, and the honest chaos that comes with being a dad today.

Takeaways

1. The weather in Phoenix can be extreme, affecting daily life.
2. Family dynamics change with the addition of children, impacting parenting styles.
3. Fatherhood often brings a softening effect, especially with daughters.
4. Children's personalities can differ greatly, influencing parenting approaches.
5. Youth sports play a significant role in child development and resilience.
6. Homeschooling decisions are often based on family values and circumstances.
7. Starting a business can be a way to create a legacy for children.
8. The bourbon community can be competitive and sometimes toxic.
9. Intentional parenting is crucial for building strong family connections.
10. Mental health and self-care are important for parents to model for their children.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube and subscribe to Fathernetics for more authentic stories about fatherhood, surrogacy, adoption, and LGBTQ+ family journeys.

Chapters

00:00 - Weather and Driving in Phoenix

02:56 - Introduction to Graham Martin

04:16 - Parenting Dynamics: Boys vs. Girls

10:04 - Understanding Child Personalities

15:28 - Youth Sports and Commitment

19:09 - Homeschooling Decisions and Family Dynamics

22:08 - Skiing in Colorado: Costs and Experiences

25:14 - The Journey of Fatherhood: From Corporate Life to Entrepreneurship

30:19 - Creating a Marketplace for Dads: The Vision Behind Dad's Life

34:43 - Building Connections: The Importance of Community for Dads

37:08 - Influences of Fatherhood: Learning from Generations

40:21 - The Evolution of Parenting: Embracing Change and Growth

43:07 - Reflections on Life Before Kids: What’s Missed?

46:05 - Exploring Bourbon Preferences

46:59 - Spontaneous Adventures and Family Time

48:54 - Cinematic Interests and Recommendations

51:27 - Mental Health and Self-Care Practices

55:53 - Intentional Parenting and Family Connections

01:01:57 - Capturing Memories and Future Generations

In this engaging conversation, Ricky shares his experiences as a single dad navigating the complexities of parenting, creativity in Halloween celebrations, and the journey to fatherhood through adoption. He discusses the importance of communication with his children, the fears and concerns that come with parenting, and the significance of fostering a loving environment. Ricky emphasizes the need for open dialogue about family dynamics and societal perceptions, particularly as an LGBTQ parent. He offers heartfelt advice for aspiring parents, highlighting the joys and challenges of raising children.

In this conversation, Shaun Thomas shares his experiences as a father of three children through surrogacy, discussing the challenges and joys of parenting, the importance of community support, and the process of selecting a surrogacy agency. He emphasizes the need for impartial advice for intended parents and the significance of normalizing diverse family structures. The discussion also touches on the cultural aspects of surrogacy in Colombia and the ongoing journey of parenthood.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Family Routines with Young Children

05:55 Shaun's Journey into Surrogacy

14:54 Experiences in Colombia and Surrogacy Challenges

22:01 Empowering Intended Parents in Surrogacy

30:21 Exploring Surrogacy Options

37:20 Influences from Family and Upbringing

43:19 Building an Inclusive Community for Children

50:48 Future Plans and Community Engagement

#Parenting #Surrogacy #LGBTQFamilies #CommunitySupport #FamilyRoutines #ColombiaCulture #IntendedParents #AgencySelection #ParentEmpowerment #FamilyDynamics

Did you meet Meryl Streep?

Brian James shares his journey from a small-town upbringing in West Virginia to a career in musical theater and film in New York City. He talks about becoming a dad, moving to the suburbs, and why representation in media matters for kids.

He and his husband’s adoption journey highlights the challenges and joy of building a family. Brian reflects on raising a Black child as a white parent, navigating racial dynamics, and the role of community in supporting LGBTQ families.

This conversation explores adoption, parenting, family life, and the changing landscape of LGBTQ representation.

Like, share, and subscribe for more fatherhood and family stories from Fathernetics.

#BrianJames #MusicalTheater #Film #Parenting #LGBTQ #AdoptionJourney #NewYorkCity #LifeCoaching #Representation #LGBTQFamilies #Surrogacy #FamilyDynamics #CulturalDiversity #ParentingStories #RacialDynamics #FamilyExpansion #ChosenFamily

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Brian's Artistic Journey

02:09 The Impact of Parenthood on Career Choices

05:13 Exploring Musical Theater and Recommendations

08:01 Transitioning from Theater to Film and Television

11:12 Behind the Scenes: The Film and TV Experience

14:06 Balancing Fatherhood and Career

16:51 Moving from City Life to Suburbia

20:01 The Charm of Provincetown and LGBTQ Acceptance

24:56 The Power of Representation in Media

26:47 Growing Up Queer: A New Perspective

28:45 Cultural Shifts in LGBTQ+ Visibility

30:28 Love and Relationships: A Musical Connection

32:51 Navigating Life Together: The Importance of Communication

35:51 The Adoption Journey: Challenges and Triumphs

38:47 Preparing for Parenthood: The Adoption Process

43:42 Coping with Loss: Finding Humor in Dark Times

48:47 Navigating Grief and Adoption Journeys

49:55 The Unexpected Call: Welcoming a Newborn

50:48 Open Adoption: Building Relationships with Birth Parents

52:44 Addressing Race in Multicultural Families

55:18 Confronting Public Perception and Cultural Identity

58:33 Educating Others: The Importance of Curiosity

01:01:05 Embracing Diversity in Family Dynamics

01:09:45 The Future of Parenting in a Changing World

Jameel Mayers sits down with Mauricio Chamberlin for a candid conversation about the journey of fatherhood, adoption challenges, and the joy of building family traditions. They discuss how social media shapes modern shopping habits, why nutrition matters in parenting, and how cultural roots influence both cooking and raising kids. Mauricio reflects on his adoption story, while the conversation expands to explore journalism’s role in shaping family narratives and the meaning of the American dream for LGBTQ families. This heartfelt exchange offers a powerful glimpse into the beauty, complexity, and resilience of modern parenting.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Personal Style

02:11 The Impact of Social Media on Consumer Behavior

04:40 Creative Outlets and Cooking Passion

07:06 Nutritional Awareness and Meal Preparation

09:20 Family Background and Culinary Influences

11:57 Parenthood and Cultural Perspectives

14:34 Naturalization and the American Dream

21:06 The Journey to Parenthood Begins

24:44 Navigating the Adoption Process

30:03 The Day They Became Parents

34:06 Transitioning from Concept to Reality

39:46 Cultural Influences on Parenting

43:48 The Role of Journalism in Parenting

47:21 A Call to Action for Future Parents

This conversation brings together Jameel Mayers and David Morgenstern for a lively look at how music, parenting, and entrepreneurship shape the lives of LGBTQ dads. They talk boy bands, intentional parenting, generational connections, and the power of community. David opens up about building Gatties, his lifestyle brand focused on representation and support for gay dads, and explains the mentorship and resilience behind his journey. The discussion highlights how fatherhood, creativity, and identity come together in today’s world while offering relatable insights for parents navigating their own paths.

www.gaddies.com

#Fathernetics #LGBTQParents #GayDads #DadPodcast #LGBTQEntrepreneur #IntentionalParenting #ParentingCommunity #BoyBandFans #RepresentationMatters #YouTubePodcasts

The conversation with Matt Tolbert breaks down why surrogacy in the United States has become so expensive and what those rising costs really mean for families hoping to grow through assisted reproduction. It explores how prices have climbed over the years, the real numbers families are navigating today, and the level of financial planning required for anyone starting a surrogacy journey. The discussion offers clarity for parents and future parents who want transparent information about modern family building, LGBTQ plus parenting options, and the realities behind today’s surrogacy landscape. It also reinforces the mission of Fathernetics to make conversations around fatherhood and family creation more accessible and honest for everyone.

Two cousins, one wild conversation. Kalyani grew up without a dad but with a mom who raised a powerhouse. She’s funny, a deep-thinker, a globe-trotting concert junkie, and one of my fiercest allies. This one’s part laughter, part therapy, and all heart.

Catch the full visual on YouTube as part of Season Two of Fathernetics.

www.youtube.com/@fathernetics

www.instagram.com/fathernetics

#FatherneticsPodcast #LGBTQAlly #FamilyStories #AdoptionJourney #ModernParenting #FatherhoodPodcast