Dad Genes: Exploring the DNA of Healthy Fathering

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Each episode, the Dad Genes Crew discusses fatherhood, current events, and health from their unique perspectives as fathers and Black men.

Dedan Bruner, Harris Tay & Bryan Jackson


    • Aug 30, 2021 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 15m AVG DURATION
    • 36 EPISODES

    5 from 130 ratings Listeners of Dad Genes: Exploring the DNA of Healthy Fathering that love the show mention: black fatherhood, guys have great chemistry, black men, fathers, dads, parenting, married, adult, much needed, children, perspectives, great to hear, relationships, space, experiences, open, young, husband, discuss, positive.



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    Latest episodes from Dad Genes: Exploring the DNA of Healthy Fathering

    Expanding the Definition of Co-parenting

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 30, 2021 89:09


    The Crew takes a deeper look on the concept and the practice of co-parenting.Links:While we don't support smoking, we do support this clip of Eva Mendes smoking in the movie, We Own The Night.Dedan shares a 107 year old letter from girl-dad W.E.B. Du Bois to his then 14 year old daughter, Yolande after she left to attend boarding school in England.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by: https://www.mortendesignco.com 

    Youth Sports - Part 2 - Lessons Applied

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 9, 2021 72:05


    Part two of a two-part conversation on youth sports. We examine our efforts to introduce our children to athletics and discuss some of the benefits and the challenges that come with competition.**Content Warning: there are references to sexual assault of minors made in minutes 38-41 of the episode. Show Notes and Links- We discuss the violations of trust and the harmful impact of Larry Nassar on the women and girls of USA Gymnastics and Jerry Sandusky on Penn State Football players- Dedan shares his concerns related to Attenuated growth and female gymnasts.- Harris discusses his family's recent experience at a camp for kids and siblings with special health needs and the importance of an effective Allergy Action Plan. - Normally role-modelesque dad LeBron gives the ref at his son's game the blues.- Additional youth sports safety resources- Information connecting the dots between Football and Brain Injury- We may not be able to answer the question, "What is sportsmanship," but this young pitcher embodies it. - Bryan introduces us to the concept of Competitive empathy and  tennis phenoms Osaka & Gauff show us what it looks like.-Download the free Nike Training Club app and check out these NTC Family Workouts with your kid(s).Additional ResourcesOrganized Sports for KidsYouth Sports Facts: Benefits of Physical ActivityPros and Cons of Youth Sports ParticipationThe Pros and Cons of Youth Sports Aren't Only PhysicalWhy 70 percent of kids quit sports by age 13Kids and Sports: 8 Things I Wish I'd Known When They StartedSports Meant So Much to Me. Why Wouldn't My Son Play?   Podcast - ESPN Daily - The Surprising Science Behind Epic Athletes (Re-Air) Commercial - NFL says 'Football is gay. Football is queer. Football is accepting.' The Trevor Project National Survey Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/

    Youth Sports - Part 1 Lessons Learned

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2021 94:20


    Part one of a two-part conversation on youth sports. We look back at our own experiences growing up with sports and examine the impact they've had on our lives. Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by: https://www.mortendesignco.com 

    Know Your Price

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2021 72:56


    In this episode we are joined by Dr. Andre Perry, author of the new book, Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America's Black Cities. We discuss Dr. Perry's journeys as a son, a husband and as a father and how he began to operate differently in each role once he began to understand the socioeconomic policies at play.Andre M. Perry is a Senior Fellow with the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program, a scholar-in-residence at American University, and a columnist for the Hechinger Report. Perry's research focuses on race and structural inequality, education, and economic inclusion.  A nationally known and respected commentator on race, structural inequality, and education, Perry is a regular contributor to MSNBC and has been published by The New York Times, The Nation, The Washington Post, TheRoot.com and CNN.com. Perry has also made appearances on CNN, PBS, National Public Radio, NBC, and ABC.  Show notes:Bryan mentioned one of our fav dad moments - LeBron the father, coaching up his son.Dr. Perry mentioned the infamous Moynihan Report. Click here to find an annotated edition created by The Atlantic. To learn more about the book, Know Your Price, click here.To learn more about Dr. Perry and his work with Brookings, click here.Check out Dr. Perry's column on the Hechinger Report here.Follow Dr. Perry on Instagram or Twitter.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by: https://www.mortendesignco.com 

    Investing In Our Communities

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2021 86:07


    In the final installment of our 4-part exploration spotlighting fathers working in their communities, we welcome the Founder and CEO of C.H.A.M.P.S. (Culturally Helping And Making Positive Success) Mentoring Vondale Singleton.  Together we discuss the importance of transforming trauma, the challenge of encouraging our children to develop their own passions, and the work Von is doing in his hometown of Chicago.Check out how the the world of tennis responded to Naomi Osaka's decision not to speak at press conferences during this years French Open as a way to protect her mental health.Click here to learn more about C.H.A.M.P.S. Mentoring Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by: https://www.mortendesignco.com 

    Civic Engagement & Leadership

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 21, 2021 83:26


    In our third installment of our month-long look at fatherhood and communities, the crew welcomes Civic Leader, John Bailey IV, creator of Arch of Knowledge to the pod. We discuss value of civic engagement, burnout, and the potentially detrimental impact that service can have on our families. Check out Usain Bolt's awareness on how it only takes a moment to make someone else feel seenEmail: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by: https://www.mortendesignco.com 

    Father's Day Roundtable

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2021 98:22


    We continue our month-long exploration into fatherhood communities with a roundtable conversation featuring returning guest, pediatrician and councilman David Myles and father-to-be Carlton Fairley. We open up about some of the challenges we have encountered on our fatherhood journeys, brag a little about our strengths, and with Father's Day around the corner, we take a moment to honor men who have made a difference in our lives.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com

    The Price of Providing

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2021 71:45


    As  fathers, sometimes we hide from our family in the services we provide for them. Sometimes we say we are putting in long hours at work and away from home for them, but we are actually doing it for ourselves. When does the overtime and endless grind become an excuse to distance ourselves from fathering? Join us as we welcome Brian Anderson, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Fathering together to help explore this phenomenon.www.fathersfriday.orgwww.fatheringtogether.orghttps://www.facebook.com/fatheringtogetherEmail: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/ 

    We Made it! (Dad Genes 1st Anniversary)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2021 74:39


    The Dad Genes crew answer audience questions and discuss memorable moments from our first year podcasting.Ten Crack Commandment Uncle Nearest BourbonI Am Athlete‎Bronzeville on Apple Podcasts HBR - 10 Must ReadsParable of the Talents‎Fare of the Free Child on Apple Podcasts Know Your Price: Valuing Black Lives and Property in America’s Black CitiesJemele Hill is Unbothered | Podcast on Spotify ‎Questlove Supreme on Apple Podcasts Beating Time BlindnessHigher Learning (1995) "You Called Me A Black Bitch" Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/ 

    Mother's Day Tribute

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2021 97:24


    With Mother's Day around the corner, we thought it would be fitting to chat with the women who gave us life. Songs that remind us of our mother'sBobby - Unity by Queen LatifahRev. Tay - I'll Be There by The Jackson 5Mrs. Jackson - Outstanding by the Gap BandEmail: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/ 

    Hip Hop & Fathering

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2021 100:36


    Over the years, our relationship with Hip Hop has taken many forms -an outlet four our creativity, a voice when we could not find the words, and always, as a soundtrack for our highs and lows. In this episode, the crew welcomes Dr. Raphael Travis, Social Worker, professor, father and author of The Healing Power of Hip Hop to join in our exploration of Hip Hop culture and its place in our lives as fathers. For additional information, and for a listing of all the music mentioned in the episode, visit the show notes.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/ 

    Representations of Black Women and Girls in the Media

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2021 68:45


    How do the depictions of women we ingest in our daily doses of media impact the way we see our daughters? More importantly, how do they impact the way our girls will see themselves? In this episode, we welcome nationally syndicated radio personality Tyrene "TJ" Jackson to the pod. We talk about some of the moments when we, as fathers, realized that the music we listen to, had to change,  TJ discusses her journey to becoming a radio producer and on-air personality, and she talks about a few of the times her dad stepped out of his comfort zone in his best efforts to show up for her.  Check her out Monday - Friday on Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell, on Instagram at @tjlivedst and on Facebook at TJ Live.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/ 

    What's Stopping Us From Showing Up Whole?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2021 84:52


     These days we're all being pulled in different directions. At times, showing up can be a challenge. When we do, how often are we able to be our full selves? The fellas welcome Dr. Leone Lettsome to the pod to discuss some of the obstacles that challenge our ability to show up whole. Leone shares her HBCU pride, the challenges of raising a Black son to be his full self, and introduces us to her new podcast, Follow the Crown.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/ 

    The Anatomy of Freedom

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2021 92:49


    In this episode, we welcome Mallory Tay back to the pod, this time in the guest host. We discuss what it means to raise "free people" and some of the challenges that comes along with it. Additional show notes.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    My Covid Valentine

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2021 64:47


    In this episode, love and Covid-19 are in the air. The Crew reminisces on our worst dating experiences, Bryan and Harris talk about romance from married perspectives, and Dedan shares why he's scared of sunflowers. Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep.18 Leaning Into Grief

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2021 90:15


    In this episode, Bryan checks in from paternity leave, and Harris and I welcome friend of the pod DeMetrius Kee to sit in as a guest host. We talk about grief, some of the various ways it impacts us, and our approaches to coping teaching, and using it to make a difference. Additional show notes.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep. 17 How Far Are You Willing to Go?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2020 87:48


    The Dad Genes Crew welcome Rick "Big Man Walks" McCray to the podcast to discuss his decision to walk 500+ miles in an effort to lose weight, see more of his community, and maybe even beat his sons in a race.Check out this must-see highlight of LeBron the Father at work https://www.instagram.com/p/CGl3CVNgQR9/?igshid=kqjaqf27j21lEmail: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep. 16 Dads In Development - Tech

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2020 82:00


    Dads In Development is a new series in which we welcome dads from various arenas to discuss how their walk of life impacts their families and their fathering journey. Today we welcome William Mapp, III. Will is an author and father of two who uses technology to solve problems professionally, tap into his children's creativity, and as the subject of his books. Additional show notes.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep. 15 Pandemic Pro Tips - Halloween Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2020 76:14


    With Halloween around the corner, the crew gets nostalgic about costumes past and discusses ways to safely celebrate in the midst of the Coronavirus.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep. 14 Toxic Fatherhood

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2020 89:05


    In this episode, the Dad Genes Crew discuss the impact of Toxic Masculinity on their journeys as fathers and their efforts related to identifying and addressing their potentially harmful impact. Additional show notes.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep. 13 Father Good Collaboration

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 28, 2020 88:50


    The crew joins forces with Kenny and Marshall, the duo behind the Father Good Podcast. They joke about the problematic relationship advice of their hypothetical 15 year-old friends, similarities between improv comedy and fatherhood, and managing all the things that 2020 has thrown at them. Additional show notesEmail: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep. 12 Homeschooling Considerations

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2020 88:53


    In the wake of Covid-19, more parents are considering homeschooling. In this episode, the crew chats with a veteran homeschool teacher and mother of two about what it takes to build a successful and sustainable homeschool environment. Additional show notesEmail: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep. 11 Pandemic Pro Tips

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 31, 2020 76:48


    As much as sometimes we pretend like we've always known (or currently know) what we are doing, behind most parenting wins are the fails that we learned from. In this episode, the Dad Genes Crew shares some of our hard-earned lessons learned. These tips were selected with Covid-19 in mind.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep. 10 - Adultification of Black Children

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2020 72:38


    The Dad Genes Crew welcomes Faiza Jackson, a Clinical Social Worker and Therapist based in Virginia. We discuss the Adultification of Black Children, how motherhood has impacts her work, and her special connection to the Dad Genes Crew. Additional show notesEmail: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep.9 - Building Resilience

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2020 73:48


    Be it geographical, financial, educational, family dynamics or even the addition of technology, our children are faced with challenges that simply didn’t exist for us. What has remained is the need to be able to navigate life’s twists and turns. If asked, most parents would agree that they want their kids to be resilient, but what does that look like? Additional show notes.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep. 8 - Healthy Legacies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2020 69:21


    The Crew talks Healthy Legacies with Councilman and pediatrician David Myles. Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.The Crew talks Healthy Legacies with Councilman and pediatrician David Myles. Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep. 7 - Listener Q&A

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2020 70:33


    Bryan drops big news and the crew responds to listener questions.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep. 6 - Father Figures

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2020 62:48


    The Dad Genes crew talk about Lil Boosie, healthy, and unhealthy influences on their roads to fatherhood.Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep. 5 - Pandemic Parenting

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2020 69:21


    The Dad Genes crew welcomes CJ, a budding Marriage and Family Counselor to the show. We talk about mental strain, adolescent angst, and recharging dad batteries in the wake of Covid-19. Additional show notes. Email: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep. 4 - Do Safe Spaces Exist for Fathers?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2020 62:23


    Almost synonymous with the word father is the notion of protector, and for good reason. Creating and maintaining safe spaces for our loved ones is one of the most important things we can do. But do safe spaces exist for fathers? Additional Show NotesEmail: info@dadgenespodcast.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/dadgenespodcast/FB: https://www.facebook.com/dadgenespodcastDad Genes Logo by https://www.mortendesignco.com/

    Ep. 3 - 2 Lies & a Truth

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2020 59:01


    Most of us are familiar with game two truths and a lie, the ice-breaker exercise where each person shares two true and one untrue thing about themself. Today, we’re going to remix that game and play what we’re calling two lies and a truth. More Show Notes

    Ep. 2 - Fighting Fairly

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2020 68:48


    Fights happen. But how we deal with them varies. Does your relationship have ground-rules for dealing with disagreements or is it every person for themself? The DGC takes an introspective look at their approaches to fights with their significant others and co-parents, and what if any impact they think the practice has on their kids. Episode Show Notes

    Ep. 1 - Plan B

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 13, 2020 47:52


    As we begin to wrap our minds around the new normal in the face of Covid-19, we are reminded that life is rarely about plan A but how we rebound, reorganize and respond when things don't go our way. This episode of the Dad Genes Podcast is about that process.

    Origin Stories - Dedan

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2020 35:28


    In the first part of our Origin Stories trilogy, Dedan talks about growing up without his father on the west coast, co-parenting, and good times with his daughter.

    Origin Stories - Harris

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2020 40:47


    In part 3 of our Origin Stories, Dad Genes co-host Harris opens up about his immigrant roots, raising daughters, and living with mental health diagnoses.

    Origin Stories - Bryan

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2020 41:48


    In part two of our Origin Stories trilogy, co-host Bryan discusses what life was like growing up in the midwest, the impact his father continues to have on his fathering style, and his dreams for his one-year-old son.

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