That's My Dad Podcast

thatsmydadproject.comBrandon Baker's story is about breaking the cycle of fatherlessness and overcoming adversity.Growing up with a father who struggled with drug addiction and incarceration, Brandon had to navigate the absence of a positive male role model.His father's presence in his life was inconsistent—weekend visits often meant playing video games alone while his dad spent time with friends. By the time he was 12, his father was imprisoned for drug trafficking, and Brandon fully understood the impact of his choices.Rather than following the same destructive path, Brandon made a conscious decision to live differently. He avoided drugs, focused on his faith, and built a successful career in IT. He also became a pastor, mentoring young men who grew up in similar situations.Becoming a father himself was a defining moment. The birth of his daughter brought a new fear: What if he became like his father? Instead of letting that fear consume him, he committed to being fully present.His journey also included reconciliation with his father, a process filled with frustration, grace, and boundaries.

FTSOF 06 | Jerry McClain - Drill Sargeant Army Ranger Gets Real About Fatherhood Mistakes✅ Didn't hear dad say I love you until military (grown man)✅ Army Ranger Hall of Fame✅ Wishing dad was dead✅ The time he pulled a shotgun on his dad✅ A powerful story of reconciliationHost: Scott HiltonGuest: Jerry McClain

✅ Turned down the NFL to go work at Target✅ Navigating college opportunities without his dad✅ Learning how to do a ponytail✅ What is a healthy family structure?✅ The tough parts of fatherhoodHost: Scott HiltonGuest: Mastaki Smiththatsmydadproject.com

FTSOF 04 ✅ Why Derick Williams works in the prison system ✅ 80% of inmates were raised fatherless ✅ It's almost never too late to reconcile ✅ Writing letters to your kids ✅ Fathering through Divorce Host: Scott Hilton Guest: Derick Williams thatsmydadproject.com

FTSOF 03 | Wade Williams on Being embarrassed by His Dad, the Whataburger and Coke He Still Remembers, and How He's Now Teaching Hundreds of Men to Be Great Dad ✅ Sitting outside as a kid waiting on dad to show up ✅ Being embarrassed by dad's smell ✅ The Whataburger and drink he still remembers ✅ Teaching incarcerated men how to be a great dad ✅ Breaking generations of divorce cycle

FTSOF 02 FTSOF 02 | Allen Weston on his dad being killed in Vietnam, joining the Sheriff's department to make a difference, 3 generations in jail at one time, & the difference between $7.25/hour and $12/hour ✅ Grandfather, father, his son… all in jail at one time. ✅ WHY it's worth being a good dad ✅ Didn't know how to get a loan or buy a house ✅ The difference between $7.25/hour and $12/hour ✅ Becoming an officer to make a difference Host: Scott Hilton Guest: Allen Weston

IN THIS EPISODE: ✅ Dad walking out on him in 3rd grade ✅ Being a star athlete wasn't enough to get dad to show up at his games ✅ The last Hail Mary to win dad over ✅ Bumping into dad at the airport 20 years later…. ✅ The conversation with his dad that changed everything Caleb Waid's earliest memory is his dad abandoning him. Confusion, anger, and bitterness all wreaked havoc on him and his siblings for a season… Through high school, college, marriage, and all the successes in between - Where was dad? Until one day… They bumped into their dad in the airport. It had been nearly 20 years since they'd seen him. This “chance” encounter paved the way to a reconciliation that will leave you in tears.

Highlight 009. Willie Sayles, a dad to two daughters, has developed a tradition with his girls that they each look forward to every month. Dad, you should try it. This highlight is from S01, E36. FULL EPISODE

Highlight 008: In our launch episode of the TMD Podcast, Scott sat down with his own dad - Norris Hilton. Scott played 3 sports spanning over 11 years. His dad never missed a single game. As the Pastor, he even cut a revival short so he could be in the stands when his son looked for him from the field. Men, THIS sets the standard. S01, E01: ⁠FULL EPISODE⁠

S02, E08. Season 2 has been spectacular thus far. With 180+ years of combined coaching experience, the insights and stories are life-changing. Coaches, may these clips inspire you to build programs beyond x's and o's. May the years you invest in kids' lives shift their family tree and inspire generations.

Highlight 007: As Chaplain for a D-1 Football Program, Jamie Strange got the opportunity to sit down with the players to help them navigate through real-life struggles beyond football. In this story, Jamie shares about the time he sat down with the star quarterback, who broke down in tears when he shared that he didn't have a dad. Men and Coaches, may this clip remind us ALL of the opportunity we have to fill the gap. Fathers, may it inspire you to be a great dad so your kid (no matter how great of an athlete he is), doesn't endure a tragic moment like this. S01, E41: FULL EPISODE

Over 45 years later, Keith still remembers what his dad did for him that one afternoon. It was only 20 minutes, but it was 20 minutes Keith has never forgotten. Dads, may this clip remind you that, oftentimes, it's just the small moments that make the biggest difference. S01, E12: FULL EPISODE

This story is devastating. Jeff Wall, our guest from S01, E49, has one regret. May this clip remind us all that we never really know when our time will end. And may it inspire us to make the most of every single moment. FULL EPISODE

S02, E07 with Coach Eddie Courtney, one of the nation's most prolific high school coaches. IN THIS EPISODE: What He's Done for over 1,000 players, His Players' Response to his Cancer Diagnosis, Missing his Dad's passing because he was helping a player, Winning a game in 8 OT's, Having to break the news that a player's dad passed away. BIO: Coach Eddie Courtney started his coaching career at the collegiate level. All short stints that include stops at Mars Hill University, East Tennessee State University, and the University of Tennessee. Since then, Coach Courtney has dedicated his life to Farragut high school for almost 3 decades. He has amassed over 200 wins and won the 2016 state title. He and his wife Anita have been married for 42 years! They have 2 children Megan and Geoff as well as a 2 year old granddaughter, Charley Rose. HELPFUL LINKS: NEW BOOK DOCUMENTARY - - - - - - - WEBSITE TIKTOK FACEBOOK

Highlight 004. As a kid, Ric Callahan learned a life-changing lesson when his dad found out he forged Babe Ruth's autograph and sold it to his friend. It's funny now, but it wasn't funny then. Enjoy this hilarious story. Ric's full episode is S01, E31.

Highlight 003. In Season 1, there were over 3 million views across all our platforms. But, is that really what we're after? No way. Here, Scott shares his heart in the Season Finale - "The True Reward" and gives you a glimpse into why TMD exists.

S02, E06. IN THIS EPISODE: dealing with the loss of a player; why he quit Saturday practices; the time his dad caught him shoplifting; learning to be dad and coach; overcoming feeling like a failure as a coach; the power of reconnecting with former players; what coaching is really all about Vance Roberson has committed his life to being a mentor and coach for 26 years. He got his start in 1979 as a volunteer at Gadsden High School, then over the next couple decades - coached at Citronelle HS, Auburn University, Baylor University, Boaz HS, Emma Sansom HS, Austin HS, and Auburn HS. He compiled over 140 wins during this time and competed in the AHSAA playoffs 14 years! He also coached in 4 different bowl games including the Cotton Bowl.He and his wife Ramona have 3 children (Bonnie, Jack, Natalie). They have been married for 45 years.

This clip is from S01, E23. 16-year-old Dustin wanted a jeep, so he and his dad made a deal - he would never miss a payment, or else... Things went well at first. But, then Dustin broke his end of the deal. His dad's response taught him a lesson he'll never forget.

This clip is from S01, E15 with Gary Keylon. Gary was just a child when he and his family's house caught fire and burned to the ground. His dad did everything he could to contain the fire but when the fire got out of hand, he had a narrow window of time to save whatever he could. The item he chose to save greatly impacted his son... so much so that Gary still tells the story 40 years later.

S2, E05. "43 Years Later... Coach Still Cares." Dealing with the loss of a player; the time he cancelled practice to take his players swimming; refusing to smile in team pics; his dad's response to him going 1-3; the right way to correct a player; the problem with all these sports lessons in the off season; the coach who believed in him. Coach Jerry Pullen coached for 43 years. He got his start at Emma Sansom (junior high) in 1979 losing only one game in 2 years. During the 80's and early 90's, Coach Pullen made several pit stops that include Valley Head HS, UT Chattanooga, University of Alabama, Mississippi State University, University of Arkansas, and Clemson University. He made an appearance in 3 bowl games, including the Cotton Bowl while also gaining Gadsden Times coach of the year honors in 1982. He and his wife Lisa have been married 40+ years! They have one daughter, Rebekah.

S02, E04. Winning multiple national championships; Telling his dad he wanted to get into coaching; ow a coach knows if he's really winning; How coaches can mentor kids in the weight room; Facing a tough diagnosis head on; Inviting players into his home to show them what family looks like; A tribute from his former players and family Coach Sam Graham is a defensive genius and a weight room specialist. But, more than anything he knows how to touch hearts. Since the early 90's, Coach Graham dedicated everything he had to mentoring 16-23 year old men as a football coach. He has coached throughout the state of Alabama including two stints at University of West Alabama and the University of North Alabama. As a player, he won 3 straight national championships at UNA. Now, faced with a diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis, Sam looks to remind everyone of what has always been at the center.This episode is one you don't want to miss!

IN THIS EPISODE: The time he goofed up on a date and his dad saved the day; Winning a state championship, Letting his players see how he raises his own kids; The time he got ejected from the game; The issue with parents coaching from the stands; A powerful tribute to his dad; Coaching boys from father-deficient homes; A lasting legacy. While dedicating over 30 years to coaching and mentoring many youth, Coach Ryan maintained a marriage that will celebrate 40 years in March of 2024. He coached football at Thompson HS, Hewitt-Trussville HS, Clay Chalkville HS, and Westbrook Christian School. He collected over 200 wins, including a state title in 1999 at Clay Chalkville. Coach Ryan also coached boys and girls basketball with great success. He compiled over 120 wins, 2 area championships, and 2 sweet 16 appearances. Coach Ryan achieved this success as a coach while helping raise 3 sons (Matthew, Patrick, David) and maintaining a healthy marriage. He now gets to enjoy and help raise 6 grandchildren who, by his own admission, are sure to keep him humble!

Being his dad's ball boy on Friday nights, Learning X's and O's from his dad as a 3 year old, The time his fumble cost his team the game, Having to step away from coaching, He wanted to give up, but his wife had a message for him, His resolve to be a great dad, even amidst his battle, An emotional tribute from his wife and daughters. 7 years ago, Brett's war with esophageal cancer began. His story has received national attention over the past couple months... rightly so. His perseverence, perspective, and commitment to family is inspiring millions of people. His message in his episode is simple: "Let's not worry about wins and losses. Let's worry about winning lives."

S2, E01. Wanting the stadium named after him, a Senior Night tradition they'll never forget, how the transfer portal is wreaking havoc on fatherhood, the punishment for profanity on his teams, his dad didn't miss a game for 38 years. Drew Noles got an early start in coaching; he was only 17 years old. 32 years later, he retired from coaching with 159 wins and 3 region championships. He's the winningest football coach in Boaz history and also achieved great success at Etowah High School and Westbrook Christian School.

It's LIVE. Our 50-minute Season Finale. For ep. 50/50, it was only fitting to sit down with Scott Hilton and reflect back on 50 episodes. Scott opens up with a glimpse into what's to come in the next few months, then the episode begins. It turned into a powerful, emotional episode as Scott's 2 kids and wife paid tribute to him. Enjoy. In this episode: ✔️ the funniest moments from season 1 (mishaps) ✔️ our favorite stories from season 1 ✔️ Season 1's most memorable moments ✔️ a tease into what's to come with the TMD Project. ✔️ the true reward For now, each of you who have watched these episodes, shared clips, and reached out to let us know how it's impacted you, THANK YOU.

This is one of the most inspiring stories we've heard. Dusty has cerebral palsy and was raised fatherless. As a teenager, he was given an opportunity that changed the course of his life. In this episode: ✔️ The coach that gave Dusty a chance ✔️ An opportunity that changed Dusty's life ✔️ Refusing to be held back by Cerebral Palsy ✔️ Coach's final speech after winning the State Championship

(34/50) In this episode, Mike shares: ✔️ why he does it ✔️ the bus that changed his life ✔️ a land mine that nearly killed his dad ✔️ blessing to the 3rd and 4th generation

James Spann is way more than a Meteorologist. In this episode, he pulls the veil back on his raw, difficult upbringing after his dad abandoned him - and how he flipped the script to become who he is today.

Dad, are you wanting to use your life to make a difference? In this episode, you'll hear from a guy who has 2 daughters, but has been a father figure to thousands more.

No child should EVER have to endure this.