In this powerful and reflective episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell welcomes Coach Wayne Dawson—certified life and mindset coach, father of seven, and a man whose journey through family, faith, and leadership exemplifies what it means to live with legacy in mind.

Wayne shares a deeply personal story about growing up with a strong, present father and how that foundation shaped his approach to parenting and leading a blended family. From his early days as a social worker and youth advocate in Harlem, to his rise as a Fortune 50 executive and now as the VIP Coach, Wayne opens up about the defining moments that taught him resilience, authenticity, and the sacred responsibility of guiding Black men to live with clarity, confidence, and certainty.

This conversation explores co-parenting dynamics, healing from divorce, honoring the wisdom of our elders, and redefining masculinity in ways that liberate—not limit—our boys and men. A must-listen for fathers, leaders, and anyone seeking purpose in the seasoned stage of life.

00:00 – Intro to I Am Dad Podcast 01:00 – Meet Coach Wayne Dawson 03:00 – Wayne’s fatherhood origin story 06:00 – Blended families and owning your past 12:00 – Childhood influences and cultural identity 16:30 – Harlem roots and youth mentorship 19:00 – The generational impact of absent fathers 23:00 – Leaving nonprofit for corporate leadership 27:00 – The power of seasoning and wisdom 30:00 – Coaching Black men through transformation 34:00 – Why Black men often feel unworthy 38:00 – Strength, masculinity, and healthy sensitivity 42:00 – Teaching boys the difference between hurt and injury 45:00 – Boundaries, expectations, and legacy 50:00 – The missing blueprint for modern manhood 55:00 – Writing your story and leaving a legacy 60:00 – Closing reflections and ways to connect

Wayne Dawson is a certified life and mindset coach, speaker, and founder of VIP Transformative Living. With decades of experience in social work, corporate leadership, and coaching, Wayne helps Black men live aligned with their values, identity, and purpose. He is a devoted father of seven and a passionate advocate for legacy-driven living.

Website: iamdadpodcast.com Website: fathersincorporated.com

#Fatherhood #BlackFathers #SeasonedMen #WayneDawson #KennethBraswell #Manhood #LegacyLiving #BlendedFamilies #BlackMenMatter #PurposeDrivenLife #VIPCoach #IAmDadPodcast

In this eye-opening episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell welcomes Tom Garber, the Berlin-based founder of Hope for Men—a global platform dedicated to male mental health and the host of the groundbreaking podcast What Happened to Me. Through his own experience as a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and his journey toward healing, Tom has become a powerful advocate for men navigating trauma, shame, and emotional suppression.

Together, Kenneth and Tom examine the reasons why men—even those surrounded by family and friends—often feel invisible, unsupported, and alone. From the structural failure of therapy models to society’s reluctance to acknowledge male vulnerability, they dissect the barriers to healing and explore why storytelling, safe spaces, and community matter. Tom also discusses why his platform was forced to shift away from its original vision and how resistance to male-focused wellness underscores a larger cultural denial.

Whether you're a father, a mentor, a survivor, or simply someone who believes in the importance of men's well-being, this conversation is a call to action. When men are well, families heal. Communities thrive. And silence finally breaks.

In this compelling episode of I Am Dad Podcast, Kenneth Braswell sits down with Dwayne Roberts, U.S. Army veteran and founder of Men of Vision Colorado, to explore the intersection of faith, failure, and transformation in the lives of men and fathers. From 15 years in the military to serving time in county lockup, Dwayne's path was anything but linear—but it was divinely orchestrated.

Kenneth and Dwayne unpack how faith became the foundation for a second act in life, leading to a ministry dedicated to empowering formerly incarcerated men. They talk about the power of mentorship, the emotional toll of shame and unworthiness, and how spiritual growth plays a critical role in reshaping a man’s identity. Dwayne introduces his “Vision. Plan. Execute.” framework and offers insight into how churches and leaders can more effectively engage and support men on their journey toward healing and leadership.

This episode is a masterclass in spiritual fathering, character building, and building environments where men can grow beyond their past into their full potential.

In this deeply moving episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, Michelle Lockhart, a cornerstone of the Fathers Incorporated team, sits down with host Kenneth Braswell for a powerful conversation about family, history, and the fatherhood journey. Sharing her own story of growing up without her father—who was tragically murdered before she was born—Michelle reflects on how that loss shaped her commitment to supporting dads and communities across Atlanta.

Together, they unpack the cultural richness of Atlanta, the consequences of generational trauma, and the importance of creating spaces where men feel seen, supported, and equipped. They highlight the life-changing power of grace, accountability, and emotional safety for men navigating fatherhood, legitimation, and community expectations. Michelle's insight is rooted in love, lived experience, and a fierce determination to ensure that no child grows up without a sense of protection and presence.

Whether you're a dad, an advocate, or someone committed to building stronger communities, this episode will move you to reflect, act, and lead with intention.

On this episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, Kenneth Braswell sits down with Matt Stevens, a nationally recognized mentor, educator, and leader in youth development and fatherhood engagement. A former Army veteran turned mentoring visionary, Matt shares how his life journey—from struggling student to founder of transformative programs—has shaped his passion for guiding young men toward purpose, education, and community contribution.

They explore the evolution of mentoring, the impact of Omega Psi Phi’s leadership in the fatherhood space, and how Zoom and digital mentoring changed the game during the pandemic. Matt emphasizes the urgency of teaching perseverance, reading literacy, and AI adaptability to the next generation while also exploring the legacy of service, stewardship, and creating systems of sustainability in our communities.

Whether you're a mentor, father, educator, or someone passionate about young Black men's futures, this conversation will leave you moved and motivated to take action.

In this thought-provoking episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, Kenneth Braswell sits down with Dr. Darren Moore, a nationally recognized expert in men’s mental health, fatherhood, and family therapy. As a Clinical Professor and Associate Director of Training and Supervision at Northwestern University, Dr. Moore brings academic brilliance and lived experience to the table.

The conversation begins with a deeply personal "daddy story" that reveals how institutional bias shaped Dr. Moore’s early journey into fatherhood and continues into a rich dialogue on why men—and especially Black men—need to be seen, heard, and supported in medical and mental health systems. Together, they explore the challenges of fatherhood, the stigma surrounding therapy, the power of reflective manhood, and the need for research rooted in strength, not deficit.

If you’ve ever felt unseen in fatherhood spaces or wondered how to bridge your personal experiences with systemic change, this episode will speak directly to your heart. Dr. Moore also previews his upcoming book on Black fatherhood and discusses why the research pipeline must be filled with practitioners who live the experience they’re studying. This is a critical conversation that reframes the narratives around fatherhood, mental health, and legacy.

In this powerful episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell welcomes Chris James, a nationally recognized spoken word artist, TEDx speaker, mental health educator, and founder of Creative Connections. As a father of seven and the visionary behind the “Black Boys Better” program, Chris shares how art, advocacy, and emotional intelligence are reshaping the conversation around fatherhood and mental wellness.

The two dive deep into fatherhood, the danger of emotional suppression, and how men often carry unacknowledged pain in silence. Chris opens up about becoming a father at 16, dropping his oldest son off at college while raising an 18-month-old, and how his own healing journey allows him to serve boys and men with greater empathy and truth. He and Braswell challenge the myth that men don’t express emotions, arguing instead that men communicate constantly—we just need to listen differently.

This episode is rich with lived experience, critical insight, and practical frameworks for healing, mentoring, and creating culturally relevant support systems for Black boys and their fathers.

In this profound episode of the I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell sits down with David Mandel, internationally recognized expert on domestic violence and child safety, and author of Stop Blaming Mothers and Ignoring Fathers. As the founder of the Safe & Together Institute, Mandel challenges the systems that fail to hold men accountable and overburden women—while offering real tools for change.

The two discuss the power of lived experience, unpack generational trauma, and call for the elevation of the "father fullness" narrative. Mandel shares how fatherhood shaped his life and how growing up with a decent, emotionally present father informed his approach to transforming child welfare and domestic violence systems.

From confronting the myth of the “absent father” to reimagining accountability, this episode is a vital listen for practitioners, advocates, and parents working toward healing and justice. Mandel’s insight is not just theoretical—it's global, practical, and grounded in compassion.