The Black Fatherhood Podcast
Alvin Thomas
The myth of the “Absent Black Father” permeates American culture and adversely affects the mental health of Black men and their families. The Black Fatherhood Podcast serves to break that myth. Hosted by Dr. Alvin Thomas, clinical psychologist and Dir. of the TRYLab at the Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, the show offers engaging conversations with Black authors, artists, and academics on the issues (past and present) affecting Black fathers, and serves to celebrate and strengthen Black Fatherhood.
New Season, New Name! Introducing "The Black Fathers' Pulse"
Welcome to The Black Fathers’ Pulse Podcast– the heartbeat of Black fatherhood! From the mind and voice that brought you the multi award-winning Black Fatherhood Podcast comes a brand new journey into the lives of Black fathers. Dive deep into the stories that celebrate the benefits, break down the barriers, and confront the challenges of being a Black father. Feel the pulse of joy, triumph, and everyday moments that make fatherhood an extraordinary adventure. Join us as we explore the legacy bu
Nov 7, 2024 • 1:30
Fathers and Family Court
Judge Mitchell, presiding Judge of the Juvenile Division in Dane County, oversees a myriad of juvenile and child welfare, family and civil cases. Judge Mitchell joins us today to talk about what fathers need to know about identifying and securing their parental rights, and the challenges many men face once 'in the system'.
Apr 29, 2024 • 28:40
Black Fathers Need Stronger Support Systems
Black dads can too easily be excluded from the social welfare system, challenging their ability to be gainfully employed, engage with their children, and sustain a good quality of life. Dr. David Pate, Associate Professor and Chair Emeritus of the Social Work department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, joins us to talk about the effects of social welfare policy on the lives of Black men and their children.
Apr 15, 2024 • 35:52
Fathers and Feathers: BIPOC Birding for All
On a mission to "spread as much joy as possible", Dexter Patterson, aka The Wisco Birder, is dedicated to making birdwatching welcoming for all birders around the state of Wisconsin. As founding member of The BIPOC Birding Club of Wisconsin, Dexter joins us to share in a “community of people of color who love the outdoors and the birds and beauty of natural Wisconsin and wish to connect with others who share the same passion."
Apr 1, 2024 • 34:10
Challenges of Being a Father
As our next guest writes, “Fatherhood, while immensely rewarding, comes with its own set of challenges. As a black father, these challenges are often compounded by societal pressures and stereotypes that can weigh heavily on your shoulders.” And we agree. Kenneth Braswell, a life long advocate for responsible fatherhood and mental health, joins us to talk about the challenges - and joys - of Black fatherhood.
Mar 18, 2024 • 34:30
Jacob Blake on Fatherhood and Life After Kenosha
Exclusive Interview: In August 2020, Jacob Blake, a 29-year-old Black man, was shot seven times in the back by a white officer outside an apartment complex in Kenosha, Wisconsin. The shooting, which happened in front of Jacob's children, prompted national outrage with riots and protests breaking out across the country. But despite his new identity as a contemporary civil rights icon, the first word Jacob uses to describe himself is “father.” Today we’re speaking with Jacob Blake about Black
Mar 4, 2024 • 55:58
The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health
Mental health is too often overlooked and under appreciated in the Black community. Dr. Rheeda Walker, an award-winning professor, psychologist, and author of The Unapologetic Guide to Black Mental Health, join us to talk about the mental health crisis in our community today, and how "in order to reclaim a life worth living, you must first reclaim your mind.”
Feb 26, 2024 • 36:44
Alex Wheatle: Sufferah
Abandoned as a baby to the British foster care system, best-sellling author Alex Wheatle grew up without any knowledge of his Jamaican parentage or family history. Alex joins us to share stories from his new memoir "Sufferah" - of his early years at the notorious Shirley Oaks children’s home in London, through the Brixton Uprising, to the front porch in Jamaica of the father who abandoned him as an infant 24 years later.
Feb 12, 2024 • 45:16
Kwame Alexander on Fatherhood
Kwame Alexander, one of America’s most beloved writers, joins us to talk about Why Fathers Cry at Night - a collection of poems, recipes, and letters to his family about the beginnings of love, the ends of love, being a father, and a son.
Jan 29, 2024 • 34:11
How a Street Kid Turned Foster Dad Found Acceptance and Truth
From his childhood on the streets in Uganda to his life as an adoptive father and foster father of over 30 children, our guest, Peter Mutabazi, has an extraordinary personal story that weaves together countries, continents, social strata, and family – at every possible level.
Jan 15, 2024 • 35:47
Black Santa
Fred Conley, a community icon in Madison, Wisconsin, saw the need for representation at Christmastime and went to work. Shifting careers from a lifetime of experience as a police officer, Fred embraced his new role as a cherished holiday icon for Black children across the country.
Dec 18, 2023 • 35:12
Why You Need to Know About Birth Cost Recovery
We’ve long known that social policies disproportionally affect Black families. Dr. Tiffany Green, Assistant Professor in the Departments of Population Health Sciences and Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and co-chair of The Black Maternal and Child Health Alliance of Dane County, joins us to talk about one social policy in particular, Birth Cost Recovery, and how it impacts Black fathers following the birth of their children.
Dec 4, 2023 • 32:50
The Black Working Class
The national mythos of a predominantly white working class leaves little room for black workers or any opportunity to glean lessons from their histories. Today we’re talking about the origins of the Black working class with Dr. Blair Kelley, a historian and scholar of the African American experience, and author of, "Black Folk: The Roots of the Black Working Class."
Nov 20, 2023 • 38:07
I am and I feel
George Floyd spoke, and no one listened. He cried, and no one responded. Black people are crying out and America is not listening and not responding, because it hears the noise and not the pain. Written at the height of racial unrest during the pandemic, this poem captures the emotional complexity throughout these traumatic experiences.
Nov 6, 2023 • 5:35
Raising Kids Through Poetry
Language is an art, and how we express it matters. Author and poet F. Douglas Brown and Loyola High School (LA) Principal Jamal Adams - each masters of language - share how they’re using their talent and skill to change the narrative of the boys they teach as they transition to becoming men.
Nov 6, 2023 • 47:30
The Adventure Gap
Why don’t we think of Black people going swimming, surfing, fishing, birding, or camping? Why are there still spaces we assume Black people shouldn’t be? James Mills, outdoor journalist, guide, and National Geographic Explorer, joins us to talk about how Black Americans, in both perception and practice, fall into what he calls “The Adventure Gap”.
Oct 23, 2023 • 49:13
Getting Real with Felonious Munk
In addition to having appeared in numerous television shows and comedy clubs across the country, Felonious Munk is also a proud father whose greatest achievement might depend on whether or not he can get his young son to *just try* Ethiopian food. Comedian, social commentator, actor, producer - and dad - Felonious joins us to talk about the highs, lows, and everything in between when it comes to parenting.
Oct 9, 2023 • 44:54
"An Amerikan Family": Two Families, One Cause.
The Shakur family - legends in American history - forever shaped the fight for Black liberation. Writer and journalist Santi Elijah Holley joins us to talk about his new book “An Amerikan Family: The Shakurs and the Nation They Created” - a sweeping and detailed account of family, history, culture, and the deeply rooted influence fathers - and father figures - have on their children. In this episode, we also hear a brief update on Jacob Blake’s health from his brother Pauly Jackson. In the sum
Sep 25, 2023 • 41:19
How to Love Parents Who Weren't There For You
How do we continue in relationships with people who’ve hurt us - especially those closest to us? Esau McCaulley, theologian, professor and author of “How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family’s Story of Hope and Survival in the American South” joins us to talk about family, religion, poverty, grace and forgiveness.
Sep 14, 2023 • 49:23
Coaches, Father Figures, and the Boxing Match that Changed America
Jack Johnson, boxing’s first ever African-American world heavyweight champion, broke color barriers and changed the sport forever. But he didn’t do it alone. He had an important father figure in his corner. “The Royale,” a play based on the life of Jack Johnson is currently on stage and today we’re speaking with Jamal James, the actor playing the title role.
Sep 14, 2023 • 36:16
Fathers and Daughters
With society placeing so much emphasis on fathers and sons, the essential bond between fathers and daughters is often marginalized. David Miller, speaker and author of Dare to Be King, joins us to talk about the unique challenges Black fathers face in raising Black daughters, and how the challenges can be compounded by public policy.
Aug 14, 2023 • 33:52
The Black Man Can
The negative narrative surrounding Black men and boys needs to change. Guest Brandon Frame, Founder & Chief Visionary Officer of TheBlackManCan, Inc. (an award-winning nonprofit that amplifies the stories of what Black Men and Boys can do), and Senior Director of Social Emotional Learning at The Urban Assembly, joins us to talk about how he’s working to change the narrative through educating Black boys in lessons on everything from the simplest task - how to tie a tie - to the most pressing dang
Jul 31, 2023 • 33:57
Black Men's Health
Aaron Perry, the first African American diabetic to complete the Ironman Triathlon, has dedicated his life to building and strengthening himself and his family. He’s a father, son, and a brother, and we’ll be speaking with him today about his work to build healthy relationships in the community and at home.
Jul 17, 2023 • 35:12
A Scarcity of Black Father Support Systems
Supports and resources that focus on Black fathers are scarce, and fathers' access to these supports for fathers is limited. Dr. Latrice Rollins, Assistant Professor at the Morehouse School of Medicine in the Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine and Prevention Research Center, and the director of the National African American Child and Family Research Center, joins us to explain how any move towards father inclusive services must embrace two levels of involvement: “Father Aware
Jul 3, 2023 • 39:57
A Man of Many Fathers: Roy Wood, Jr.
Roy Wood, Jr. is a nationally acclaimed comedian and actor, and a regular correspondent and guest host on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. But his most important job is being a father. Roy joins us to talk about parenting his son in a media spotlight, growing up with the legacy of his own equally famous father, and how being your own person can begin a legacy for generations beyond yourself.
Jun 19, 2023 • 37:07
Season 2 Trailer
Season 2 of the The Black Fatherhood Podcast launches June 2023.
May 22, 2023 • 1:13
Behind the Scenes
In this emotional, loud, unstructured, fun, and stirring episode, Eric and I reflect on the process that lead to this superb project - The Black Fatherhood Podcast. We trace this back from a germ of thought to the current product and make connects to the larger workings of the Thomas Resilient Youth Lab (TRYl). We talk about some of our favorite moments on camera and behind the mic, the many behind-the-scenes bloopers, and the insightful experiences and conversations with have had with our inspi
Aug 15, 2022 • 54:38
Meet The Director
Meet the brain and creative heart behind the Black Fatherhood podcast and find out what drives him, and how this project was born. Dr. Alvin Thomas is the director of the Thomas Resilient Youth lab (TRYl). Eric Crawford turns the spotlight on the director to try to provide rich context to this labor of love and Dr. Thomas' vocation of educating, validating and elevating Black fatherhood and Black families. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/alvin-thomas17/messa
Aug 15, 2022 • 54:49
The Black Family
Is there a prototype for the Black family? Is it a necessary structure for today's realities, and are what challenges assail the structure and efficacy of the Black family? In this provocative discussion, Dr. Lucian Yates III and Mr. Floyd Stokes join us to shed light on suburban living, subsidized parenting, and to dissect and examine these and other issues related to Black families. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/alvin-thomas17/message
Aug 8, 2022 • 1:05:21
Black Father: Past, Present, and Future
How has fatherhood changed in the minds of Black families? How are Black men thinking about fatherhood, and how are researchers and community activists thinking about this critical role? In this episode I speak to two women who have been at the forefront of Black fatherhood research and community engagement Dr. Cleopatra Caldwell and Dr. E. Hill Deloney. Together they talk about what first brought them to this work with Black families and with Black nonresident fathers. They explore the changes
Aug 1, 2022 • 28:47
Mental Health: Seeking/Accessing Help
Depression and mental heal problems undermines mothers' ability to positively impact their children's development. Though the research on the impact of fathers' mental health on children's well-being is still limited, the impact is similar to that of mothers. But, once you have noticed signs that you are struggling with some emotional and mental health challenges, where can you find help? How do you find help? Dr. Danielle Hairston-Green and Dr. Adrian Gale help us explore these and other questi
Jul 25, 2022 • 57:44
Mental Health: Early Warning Signs
What might some of the early warning signs of mental health struggle look like? Hear from Dr. Adrian Gale, PhD assistant professor in Social Work, Mr. Eric L. Crawford, therapist and counselling doctoral student, and Mr. Shannon Reed, a young entrepreneur from City of Milwaukee. We have gathered another powerhouse team of Black men, fathers, and professionals to talk about the experiences of mental health across their identity spaces. Our institutions often lament that Black men are less likel
Jul 18, 2022 • 1:11:46
What is Mental Health?
This is one of my most powerful conversations, and I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. With so many social, financial, political, and familial challenges facing Black fathers, the conversation on men's mental health has to be normalized and elevated. Our esteemed guests for this conversation are family medicine practitioner Dr. Britt Gayle, MD., Men's Health Manager for the City of Milwaukee's Health Department, Mr. Darryl Davidson, and Mr Eric L Crawford, a therapist focused on the success
Jul 18, 2022 • 1:01:26
Goals, Dreams, and Support
In this exciting conversation with Dr. Qiana Cryer-Coupet and Mr. Kenneth Braswell we explore how Black fathers nurture the goals and dreams of their children, but also how fathers' own goals and dreams of fatherhood and purpose influence their roles. How would you answer these first two questions which we used to pique this conversation: "What were your first dreams as a parent when you first laid eyes on your baby? How did you imagine your relationship with your child would be? Black men wan
Jul 11, 2022 • 56:12
Co-parenting as Teamwork
The family is a system, and if one part is not working well, then all the other parts become strained. Parenting is meant to be a team activity, still many carry the weight of the full team. Dr. Shauna Cooper, Dr. Waldo Johnson, and Mr. Dwayne Curry return to this podcast to extend our conversation on co-parenting as teamwork, especially involving Black fathers. Together, our guests address critical issues including repairing broken co-parenting relationships, the benefits to the child and the f
Jul 11, 2022 • 1:03:28
Communication and Monitoring
Join our conversation on communication and monitoring practices with Dr. Shauna Cooper, Mr. Derek Phillips, and Mr. Kevin Bremond. With so many challenges facing Black children, it would not be strange if Black fathers and parents, by extension, felt they need to keep close tabs on their children's every move. But when does this become overwhelming and unhelpful for the child and the family system? We discuss what parental monitoring looks like and how Black fathers create trust with their child
Jul 5, 2022 • 1:04:17
Masculinity, Music, Culture
We talk to two curators of music, Dr. Olajide Bamishigbin (Jide) and Mr. Leotha Stanley. Jide represents the hip, new swagger of the hip-hop generation and is a walking iPod shuffle of rap and Black music. Mr. Stanely is a composer, a music maven, and a connoisseur who uses music to heal and create community. Together they engage the dicey but necessary conversation of the influence of music and art on Black Fathers, and Black culture by extension. They challenge us to reflect and encourage us t
Jul 5, 2022 • 48:30
Provider and Protector -- Revisited
In this episode, I speak to Dr. Maria Johnson and Dr. Ronald Mincy about the unspoken social contract men are born into, and by which we often measure fatherhood - to protect and provide. Together, these academics and experts provide an in-depth social, cultural, economic, and historical analysis of the protector and provider roles and how it applies to Black fathers. We also explore how the roles of protector and provider are evolving and how Black men are embracing and expanding how they susta
Jun 27, 2022 • 1:02:51
Black Pride, Health, and Future
Dr. Courtney Cogburn and Dr. Justin Harty tackle the expansive discussion on what it means to be Black in America, and the specific implications for Black men and Black fathers. Exploring the impact of Black pride on physical and mental health, the speakers reflect on the historical and current significance of identity and connection to the culture for Black fathers, and how this influences their role in families and communities. The Black family system includes the Black child, the mother, and
Jun 27, 2022 • 28:50
Introducing: The Black Fatherhood Podcast with Dr. Alvin Thomas
We are proud to announce the official release of the first 2 episodes of our podcast. Two new episodes will be released weekly to complete the 15 episode season. Listen on spotify, google and apple podcasts, the TRYlab, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Video of the conversations will be posted to youtube @Dr.Alvin Thomas. Like, follow, and subscribe. Write a review, and share the podcast with your friends and family. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/alvin
Jun 18, 2022 • 0:45
The Meaning of Fatherhood
In this episode, I speak to four fathers who represent a large section of the lifespan and with varying but intersecting experiences that influence their fatherhood commitment. One father talks about being raised by a single dad, another talks about his life first as a stepfather and then a biological father, yet another talks about incarceration during the early years of his daughter's life, and another reflects on how his young fatherhood changed his life - each reflects on how these experienc
Jun 17, 2022 • 1:16:09
