Clad in a hot pink swim cap and matching goggles, my daughter waded into Lane Six of the pool. She grabbed a barbell-shaped floaty and pushed off. With assistance from an instructor, she attempted to flutter kick with her body extended like a mermaid.

Her legs flailed about, splashing water all over her instructor’s face. She weaved in and out of the lane like a drunk driver in traffic. This first swim lesson was a far cry from The Little Mermaid and more like The Little Engine That Could. Nevertheless, I cheered as if she were my own little Ariel.

Welcome to Swim Girl Summer. That’s been the seasonal moniker around our household ever since my daughter started swim lessons a month ago.

For months she’s hinted in a not-so-subtle way at her desire to conquer the water. Every time Wheel of Fortune flashed a vacation prize package with a brochure-worthy image of a resort with a pool on our TV, my daughter would ask, “Can we go to the beach and the pool, pleazzzze?” To which my wife would say, “Yes, but you need to learn how to swim first.”

Of course, that’s the response she was hoping for. We played right into her hands.

And we didn’t mind.

Drowning statistics spur swim lessons

Swim lessons are something we’ve wanted for her. It would give her another tool to help her navigate life. Giving our daughter, who is Black and autistic, the lifelong gift of swimming was not only a recreational nicety but also, to us, a matter of life and death.

Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for autistic children of all ages. They face a higher risk of drowning due to a tendency to wander off, according to data from the National Library of Medicine. And when it comes to race, a study commissioned by the USA Swimming Foundation found more startling facts. Nearly 64 percent of Black children, 45 percent of Hispanic children and 40 percent of white children have no or low swimming ability, it found, putting them all at risk for drowning.

Our daughter first took swim lessons as a toddler at the local YMCA and learned water safety in between, but that seemed like eons ago compared to the sprouting 8-year-old she is now. With each new aquatic milestone, my daughter is swimming against the tide of those sobering statistics.

Sometimes you motor, sometimes you float

During her weekly swim lessons, my wife and I sit with other parents in a viewing area behind a large, glass-paneled wall looking out onto the pool. It’s like peering into a giant fishbowl full of kids — all ages, sizes and abilities — as they splish and splash in the shadow of a colorful mural that reads, “The Big Blue World.”

My daughter is always in Lane Six. From my vantage point, I’ve seen her confidence build as she taps her inner Michael Phelps. Sometimes she swims ahead of the other kids in her lane; other times, she stays behind. Sometimes she extends her arms in front of her; other times, they’re bent from fatigue. Her leg kicks are so powerful on occasion that she resembles a motorboat amid the shimmer and bubbles; then there are occasions when a leisurely cruise is just her speed. No matter what, she’s constantly moving forward.

It’s a bit surreal to watch my daughter both succeed and struggle from behind the glass. She can’t hear us, but we speak to her as if she can. (Good job, sweetie. Come on, push through. You got this.) She can see us, but doesn’t pay attention to us; she’s usually laser-focused on the instructor. But I know she feels us with her. She occasionally looks up from the pool with her big toothy grin and waves until we wave back.

There are moments in this Big Blue World when the father in me wants to rush to the other side and coach her. However, I know it’s best for my daughter to figure things out for herself. I won’t always be there.

Perhaps that’s my own lesson this Swim Girl Summer. As my daughter grows older, parenting will often feel like a never-ending toggle between knowing when to dive in and when to stay ashore. I just hope I’m preparing her enough to swim in the world beyond the pool.

All photos by Johnathon Briggs.

When you search the term “best parenting podcasts,” one thing sticks outs immediately: the resulting lists of shows are overwhelmingly aimed at moms. Well, there’s another half to the parenting equation. Here’s a list of some of the best parenting podcasts where fathers figure prominently in the mix.

The Art of Fatherhood

Art Eddy knows dad podcasts. He’s produced or hosted them for the Life of Dad social network for years. His baby these days is the Art of Fatherhood. He interviews dads from the worlds of entertainment, music and sports about their latest projects and … being a dad, duh! Recent guests have included former MLB pitcher (and father of a certain two-time Super Bowl MVP) Pat Mahomes, actor Paul Dooley, and comedian Tom Papa.

Black Fathers, NOW!

City Dads Group contributor Mike Dorsey is an author, business entrepreneur, community organizer, speaker and — yes — podcaster. Dorsey aims to redefine and uplift the image of African American dads through inspiring discussions with engaged black fathers.

Dad, Can We Talk?

Creator Anthony Ray started this podcast to combat the negative stereotypes about black dads. Dad, Can We Talk? features black fathers with diverse backgrounds who share their journeys to provide, nurture and love their families in the face of today’s challenges for men — especially men of color. Ray chats with father friends, a few celebs (including actor Taye Diggs) and even brings his two sons for a heart-to-heart.

The Dad Central Show

Dad Central is a Canadian nonprofit organization working with the Peterborough Child & Family Centres in Ontario. In business for two decades, it bills itself as the “most trusted name in fatherhood in Canada” with the goal of helping dads so they can “improve the lives of children.” Their parenting podcasts feature candid conversations with fatherhood role models, topical experts and real dads to inspire and assist others in this worthy pursuit. (Note: A recent one featured Amar Lohana, founder of our Toronto Dads Group.

Dad House

City Dads Group contributor Shannon Carpenter, who also is a co-organizer of our Kansas City Dads Group, and four of his at-home father friends yuck it up on any and everything. They also bring on friends and experts to add to discussions on topics such as your child’s first cell phone, the life of a rural father and where to go to check out the local craft beer scene.

Dad Mind Matters

Host James Macdonald, a father of three, subtitles his podcast “Parenting, Marriage & Mental Health For Men.” Dad Mind Matters focus on topics appealing to first-time and new dads who may be feeling the stress of parenting, in terms of raising a child and keeping their lives together. His parenting podcasts, often less than 15 minutes in length, offer concrete suggestions on subjects such as how to handle toddler tantrums, or passive-aggressive partners, and improving your mental state.

Dads with Daughters

OG dad blogger Christopher Lewis, a co-founder of the nonprofit Fathering Together, interviews experts on topics that will help you raise a strong independent woman. The podcast aims to highlight promising practices that will help fathers better understand themselves as well as their daughters while encouraging dads to be active participants in their daughters’ lives.

First Class Fatherhood

Host Alec Lace interviews high-profile fathers — from NFL stars to UFC fighters to Navy SEALs — about their careers and how they play into their most important work as dads. Dads.

Home Dad Chat

This fatherhood podcast from The National At-Home Dad Network, co-hosted by Cincinnati Dads Group organizer Brock Lusch, covers a wide range, of topics facing fathers today. One podcast will cover the ongoing fight for paid family leave and the new “Dad Caucus” in Congress while another will look at the debate about children attending drag story hours, all with a personal touch. Home Dad Chat also draws from audio from the At-Home Dad Network’s exclusive webinars and its HomeDadCon conference speakers to add weight to the discussions.

Best parenting podcasts for dads photo: © DC Studio / Adobe Stock.

February is Black History Month, the perfect time to add to your kids’ knowledge about the contributions and experiences of Black Americans through some great children’s books. You might even learn a few things in the process.

Here are some recommendations for those with pre-schoolers to tweens:

Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad may have only been published in 2007, but it is already considered a classic. The tale, about a young slave boy who gains freedom by mailing himself in a crate to Philadelphia, has won numerous awards and praise. Its words, by Elaine Levine, and illustrations, by Coretta Scott King Award-winning artist Kadir Nelson, pack an emotional punch. It introduces young children to the cruelty and hardships of slavery without causing bedtime nightmares. (For ages 4 through 9.)

We’ve been big fans of prolific best-selling author Brad Metzler for years. His “Ordinary People Change The World” series of inspiring and fun biographies, while not focused on Black History Month subjects, offers several children’s books that are perfect to share this February or any time of the year. These are I Am Jackie Robinson, I Am Rosa Parks, I Am Martin Luther King Jr., I Am Harriet Tubman, I Am Oprah Winfrey, I Am Muhammad Ali and I Am John Lewis. (For ages 5 through 8.)

Like Metzler’s books, the “A Biography Book for New Readers” series aims to introduce children to inspiring people. Several volumes in this 40-plus book series focus on Black Americans. Yes, you’ll find long-revered civil rights figures such as King, Underground Railroad “conductor” Harriett Tubman and school integration pioneer Ruby Bridges. However, you’ll also find more contemporary heroes such as gymnast Simone Biles, ballerina Misty Copeland, singer Ella Fitzgerald and NASA scientist Katherine Johnson. (For ages 6 through 9.)

So Tall Within: Sojourner Truth’s Long Walk Toward Freedom may be classified as a “picture book” but its beautiful art by painter/illustrator Daniel Minter and lyrical words by Newbery-winning author Gary D. Schmidt will inspire you and your child. It tells the story of Truth, born into slavery to later be freed and become an important fighter not only for abolition and the rights of Black Americans but also for women’s rights. (For ages 4 through 8.)

The 1619 Project: Born on the Water uses the framing of a school assignment about tracing one’s family roots to go back in time to show African life before enslavers robbed people of their freedom. Co-authors Nikole Hannah-Jones, the journalist who wrote the Pulitzer Prize-winning Black history articles for The New York Times Magazine that inform this tale, and Newbery honor-winning author Renée Watson take readers through the generational struggles against slavery, for civil rights and finally, for respect and justice. (For ages 7 through 10)

A two-day massacre in Tulsa, Okla., in 1921 destroyed one of the wealthiest Black communities in the United States. But this horrific episode garnered little notice in history until the late 20th century.

Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre may be a short picture book but it is powerful. Using verse, authors Carole Boston Weatherford and Floyd Cooper expose readers to a Black community filled with pride taken down in terrifying tragedy. Their 2021 work won many accolades and honors including the 2022 Coretta Scott King Book Awards for Author and Illustrator. (Ages 8 through 12.)

My journey into the world of AI-generated art began two weeks before Thanksgiving. I sat down in front of my computer to experiment with Midjourney, an artificial intelligence program that creates images from text descriptions. I entered the command “/imagine” and a message from the Midjourney bot appeared: “There are endless possibilities …”

Excited, I typed out the image in my mind:

A young african american man wearing a white t-shirt, jeans and sneakers, is flying through the clouds and space as if in a dream.

Midjourney generated four versions that the beloved painter and art instructor Bob Ross might have called “happy little accidents.” In each, the clouds look like unruly cotton balls. The man has no discernible face. He also does everything but fly through the clouds: he walks on them, sits on them, or has his head lost in them. The images were garbage.

After a few days of studying the text-to-image prompts of other users, I refined my descriptions. Finally, through trial and error, I learned how to guide AI to generate images closer to my vision. I’ve turned my daughter into Princess Leia, myself into a guardian angel, and reimagined Santa Claus as Batman.

AI-Generated art and Black fatherhood

As a Black dad who blogs, I was curious to see how AI imagines fatherhood. One day I typed: young african american father holding sleeping baby, illustration. Midjourney produced four touching images that evoked my early, sleep-deprived days of dadhood when I cradled my daughter in my arms to help her fall asleep. I posted one of the images to Instagram and titled it “The Whole World in His Hands.”

The comments from other Black dads were positive. I imagine they felt seen.

That inspired me to create more AI-generated art drawing from my own experiences or those of fathers I know. I made images of Black dads teaching their sons how to tie a necktie. Reading books with their children. On date nights with their spouses. Spending time with their daughters. Essentially, Black dads being present in the lives of their loved ones. Images that are all contrary to the “absentee father” myth prevalent in news media, politics, and pop culture.

I would occasionally forget to use the descriptor “African American” before “father” in my image prompts and Midjourney would, predictably, generate images with white fathers. It didn’t bother me at first. But after the second and third time, I started thinking, “Why aren’t Black fathers included in AI’s default definition of fatherhood?”

So I did an experiment. I typed “fatherhood” into Midjourney 10 times. The bot generated four images each time creating 40 images of what it was programmed to associate with fatherhood.

Only one image was of a Black father. One out of 40.

And none appeared to be people of color.

According to AI, the default image of “fatherhood” is a white father holding or hugging a child.

“I am invisible”

The issue of bias in image generation systems shouldn’t be surprising. As digital artist and academic Nettrice Gaskins noted in a recent Instagram post: “The processes by which machines learn to recognize images is like how humans see things. Neural nets are fed millions of images from databases; they use input from humans to classify and sort image data and come up with probabilities of what the final images will be. Artists can change the parameters for how a network or system identifies, recognizes, and processes these images, which gives them a certain amount of power to influence or make decisions about which images are generated.”

Still, it felt like the kind of distortion Ralph Ellison famously described in his 1952 novel Invisible Man: “I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me. Like the bodiless heads you see sometimes in circus sideshows, it is as though I have been surrounded by mirrors of hard, distorting glass. When they approach me they see only my surroundings, themselves, or figments of their imagination — indeed, everything and anything except me.”

Representation matters. It matters because it validates experiences and lifts aspirations.

That’s the reminder I’m taking with me into February — Black History Month — as I continue my artistic adventure with Midjourney. As Gaskins encouraged, I have the power to influence the images generated by AI. I have the power to widen the visual representation of Black fatherhood.

“There are endless possibilities …”

City Dads Group has joined a national online campaign to help combat stereotyping and change inaccurate perceptions about Black fathers.

The #CelebrateBlackDads social media initiative, launched by Dove Men+Care highlights stories of Black fathers caring for and engaging with their children. The positive tales of love and commitment include several from City Dads members, contributors and supporters.

According to a recent research study commissioned by Dove Men+Care, less than half of Black fathers polled think social media, mainstream media, and popular culture portray Black fatherhood accurately.

“All caring fathers deserve to be seen, respected, and celebrated,” said Carlos Gil, Global Brand Vice President of Dove Men+Care. “We know how important a dad’s care is, and the transformational effect that care has on everyone around them. But too often, the care that Black fathers have for their kids and family is not seen or celebrated. It felt incredibly important to help break down the barriers that limit who is seeing the true stories of these fathers.”

#CelebrateBlackDads is the latest addition to the grooming product company’s Commit to C.A.R.E. (Care About Racial Equality) initiative, launched in 2020 in the wake of the murder of George Floyd at the hands of police. This campaign initially launched on Father’s Day 2022 with the support of country music star Jimmie Allen, vlogger and influencer Beleaf in Fatherhood (Glen Henry), and Black fatherhood network The Dad Gang. 

City Dads has been a longtime partner and supporter of Dove Men+Care’s ongoing mission to shatter stereotypes about what it means to be a man and a father. Some past campaigns, City Dads has worked with them on include advocating for universal paternity leave and recognizing father figures.

To learn more about the campaign and find more inspiring Black dads, visit DoveMenCare.com/CelebrateBlackDads.

Photo: © WavebreakMediaMicro / Adobe Stock.

Need a break from the summer swelter? How about a little Christmas in July? Give a listen to a special audio version of I’m Dreaming of a Brown Christmas, a children’s book released last year by City Dads Group contributor Vernon D. Gibbs II.

People who supported the Kickstarter campaign to help Gibbs publish the book received a link recently to a reading of Brown Christmas by Emmy Award-winning actor and notable voiceover actor Keith David. David’s extensive acting resume includes Greenleaf on the OWN Network, TV and streaming’s Community, Armageddon, The Princess and the Frog, and the upcoming Jordan Peele movie Nope.  

The recording was produced for the Tell Me a Bedtime Story podcast, hosted by Dr. Lori James of the James M. Dixon Foundation for Alzheimer’s Research.

Gibbs’ father suggested his son send the book to David. The two had recently had a chance meeting through some business ventures, according to Gibbs.

“Keith recommended it for the podcast because he liked it so much,” Gibbs wrote in a text interview with City Dads. “He already had a connection with the foundation and they had been looking for him to do some readings for them and he really liked this book and its message.”

I’m Dreaming of a Brown Christmas, a full-color picture book, is inspired by the classic song “White Christmas.” The story focuses on the holiday from the point of view of a young African-American boy.

Brown Christmas is Gibbs’ second children’s book. The northern New Jersey-based at-home father of three also wrote When Good Fruit Goes Bad in 2020. That book recounts a rebellion of past-its-prime fruit at a grocery store for a tale about healthy food choices and finding one’s inner worth.

Gibbs produced both books with his cousin, illustrator Steve Gray. Gray composed and performed the music in the audio version of Brown Christmas.

While working as an elementary school substitute teacher early last year, a student spilled water on the floor during snack time. Of course, neither a napkin nor a paper towel could be found in the classroom.

I called the front desk and asked if the custodian could bring a fresh supply. Minutes later, he appeared and did a bit of a double take.

“Are you the sub today?” the custodian asked politely.

I had only subbed at this school a few times before. While he sees me occasionally when I drop off my son there in the mornings, it’s likely he just did not recognize me.

“Yeah,” I said. 

What he did next truly surprised me.

He extended his arm and gave me a hearty handshake. “That’s great,” he said. “I never see a male sub. Thanks so much for being here.”

I was shocked.

I chose substitute teaching to make a positive impact on children, but I had instead affected another adult. It was one of several positive interactions I had that day, but that particular encounter made me realize the power of being present.

My years as a stay-at-home dad opened my eyes to how effective I could be at teaching. I enjoy being around kids because, by nature, I am silly. I enjoy helping them learn and laugh at the same time. So, I started substitute teaching at my twins’ day care center and my son’s elementary school. (Numerous times, I’d dress up to teach science lessons as Dr. Professor with his puppet sidekick, Captain Vernon.) But in a field filled with many wonderful, loving, caring and nurturing female teachers, I have come across very few male teachers.

Supportive presence makes for memorable moments

My subbing gave those kids the opportunity, even if only briefly, to see a man as a schoolteacher. Maybe it even gave some kids something to talk about when they went home. And, as a man of color, I try to be involved positively in the lives of my children as much as possible. I work on a daily basis to break the stereotypes often associated with Black men. My being present in the classroom gives children a chance to take a new view of teaching. Some might even see it as a future career to aspire to.

We as parents, especially fathers, unknowingly wield immense power by just being physically present. Be it in a classroom, at a dance recital or at school drop-offs — places some would say traditionally are the domain of mothers — we can alter the narrative of masculinity and parenting. 

The power our presence has on children, ours and others, and the adults who see us in these moments can change preconceived views of fathers. We are more than just breadwinners or disciplinarians or, in some situations, not present at all. While earning a steady income to support your family is valuable, being there in moments big and small, must also be applauded.

I’m not the best candidate to be a soccer coach, for example. Instead, I do my best to cheer on my son and his teammates at their games. In these moments, my son can see and feel my support. At the same time, fellow parents see the way I support him. I am also not a PTA board member, but I attend meetings when I can. I stay involved so I can be aware not only of what is going on in his school, but also and more importantly, to create a good visual for others who see me there. It could have a positive ripple effect for fatherhood long after the meeting has concluded. Our presence holds emotional value for our children, for our spouses, for ourselves and for those in our community who might be watching. And you can’t get those lost moments back.

So give your child a quiet shoulder to cry on after a disappointing baseball loss. Be the only dad sitting on an undersized chair during story time at the library. Push a cart full of groceries at the supermarket while your toddler play in the child seat. While we can’t get back moments we already missed, we can make new ones that we — and our children — won’t ever forget.

Photo: © Jacob Lund / Adobe Stock.

I could feel the anxiety kick in as soon as the notification popped up on my phone. May was supposed to be the month I took a break. I’d just finished running 92 miles in April, so I wanted to give my body a rest. I’d convinced myself that 40 to 50 miles was all I had to give for the next month.

Then, unexpectedly, my Nike running app let me know I’d been invited to a challenge for May — 75 miles.

My running journey dates back to around 2013. I started in part because many of my friends ran and would post their miles on social media. I guess in some ways it was a case of FOMO. But what began as something to do for “fun” has developed over the years into a lifestyle, albeit a love-hate one. And since I’ve become a dad, it’s become a fitness routine that I’ve committed myself to.

As fathers, we not only owe it to our kids to be our best version, we owe it to ourselves. And believe me, I get it. It’s tough. Practicing healthy habits while parenting, working, spending time with your spouse or significant other can be challenging. However, becoming fathers doesn’t eliminate the responsibility we have to take care of our bodies. The question I often ask myself is, “How can I be the best version for others when I’m not investing in myself?” What good are we to our families if we’re not doing what we can to ensure we’ll be around to enjoy the fruits of our labor?

For all that’s required of us as fathers, being available is at the top of the list. That’s why my primary motivation for trying to be healthy is my son. He will turn 3 in November, which means he’s on 100 from the moment he wakes up in the morning until it’s time to go back to bed at night. Nonstop. As someone who’s approaching 40, I have to work extra hard to ensure I can at least keep up with him as he gets older. No, I don’t have the final say on what happens in my life, but at the very least I can do my part.

It’s discouraging to see my dad and other older men, particularly those of color, popping pills every day and doing so accepting that it’s the norm. For many men of color, diet and exercise was not a priority in their lives as young men, and they are paying for it in their advanced age, or not even making it there at all. In recent months, DMX and Black Rob, both star hip hop artists of my youth, have passed away around the age of 50. With the knowledge and resources now accessible at our fingertips, we have no excuse but to live life more abundantly. That includes better health, both mental and physical.

To be clear, I’m not a fitness guru by any means. I’m just doing what I can to stay active and keep the juices flowing. And I encourage all fathers to do the same. We all have to find something that works for us. For me, it’s running. For others, it’s weightlifting or the Peloton or intramural sports.

While the dad bod is a running joke of sorts, it’s not funny when it starts to impact our livelihood. We have to do all we can to avoid that, whenever and however. I’ll start by trying to get these 75 miles in. Even if I don’t really want to.

Fitness father photo: ©LIGHTFIELD STUDIOS /  Adobe Stock.

Moore, the founder and managing director of Base Ventures — an early-stage tech venture fund, explains how he has done that through his life by making wise choices on the latest Modern Dads Podcast.

The native of the Bay Area of California was one of the first investors in Zappos. He has been one of the “25 Most Influential African-Americans In Tech” by Business Insider. Moore is also a widower, and he discusses overcoming the tragedy of losing his wife and mother of his daughter.

Moore is interviewed by City Dads blog contributor Mike Dorsey for Dorsey’s own Black Fathers, NOW! podcast. Dorsey, known as “Mike D” by many, is an author, business entrepreneur, community organizer, speaker and podcaster who aims to create a community for active and engaged Black fathers.

+ Listen to Erik Moore on Modern Dads Podcast +

Moore spent his early career as an investment banker after earning his undergraduate from Dartmouth College and his MBA from The Wharton School of Business in Pennsylvania. In 2016, he was recognized with the Next Generation of Excellence Achievement Award by the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce. The next year he received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award from The Oakland African American Chamber of Commerce, Wharton’s Trailblazer Award for his achievements in venture capital, and was named a Man of Courage, a Ford Motor Co. program to to build communities by advancing the narrative of black men through storytelling, intergenerational forums, and community programs.

Erik Moore is a board member of The Common Ground Foundation—founded by award-winning artist, Common. He serves on the city of Oakland’s Fund Advisory Board and  the advisory board of the Museum of the African Diaspora in San Francisco.

Even with all his achievements, Moore — according to his company’s bio — says his most important role is as a father.

Our much-acclaimed Modern Dads Podcast returns Feb. 25 with a new season of episodes covering issues today’s fathers face navigating work, parenthood, relationships and play. If you have a thirst for dad podcasts right this minute, here are a few we think you should check out:

The Art of Fatherhood

Art Eddy knows dad podcasts. He’s produced or hosted them for the Life of Dad social network for years, including the Art of Conversation that focuses on writers who are fathers. His baby these days is the Art of Fatherhood. Here interviews dads from the worlds of entertainment, music and sports about their latest projects and … being a dad, duh! Recent guests have included comedic actor Bobby Moynihan (Saturday Night Live, Mr. Mayor), pro football Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz, actor Jaleel White (Family Matters) and musician Josh Abbot.

Black Fathers, NOW!

City Dads Group contributor Mike Dorsey is an author, business entrepreneur, community organizer, speaker and — yes — podcaster. Dorsey aims to redefine and uplift the image of African American dads through inspiring discussions with engaged black fathers. Dorsey will be a guest host on the Modern Dads Podcast this season, interviewing venture capitalist Erik Moore.

Charlotte Dads Group Podcast

This podcast by the leaders of one of our most active City Dads chapters kicked off its second season this past autumn. So far they’ve already had a guest expert talking about the secrets of making great barbeque, serious discussions about overcoming one’s parental fears, and doled out advice on making your child’s nighttime routine easier on the both of you. The Charlotte Dads will appear on Modern Dads Podcast to discuss hobbies they share with their kids.

Dad House

This recently launched podcast features City Dads Group contributor Shannon Carpenter and four of his at-home father friends. They yuck it up on any and everything, such as their initial episode’s debate of SUVs vs. minivans. They promise to also take on serious subjects as they plumb their experience raising a combined 16 children in the heart of the Midwest.

The #FatherhoodIsLit Podcast

NYC Dads Group co-organizer (and City Dads blog contributor) James Lopez hosts a self-described “raw and unfiltered” dad podcast that talks about hip hop, the stock market, dealing with life trauma and even making cash by reselling your kids old stuff. Lopez will be a guest host on the Modern Dads Podcast this season, interviewing opera singer Kenneth Kellogg.

The NOMADad Podcast

Brock Lusch, the founder of our Cincinnati Dads Group, started his podcast (an acronym for “Not on My Ass Dad”) in 2018 to share “impactful stories of life experiences, hobbies and those moments that are viral worthy but may only be heard in person or on this show.” In addition to interviewing authors and experts, he’s mined more than a few everyday nuggets such as the father who leads his daughter’s Girl Scout troop. Lusch will be a guest host on the Modern Dads Podcast this season, interviewing children’s book author Vernon Gibbs II.

Dad podcasts photo: © Guillem de Balanzó / Adobe Stock.