Dad Always

Kelly Jean-Philippe
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Mental Health
  • Weekly

Dad Always is a baby loss podcast created for fathers grieving miscarriage, stillbirth, termination for medical reasons, and infant loss. Hosted by Kelly Jean-Philippe, the podcast centers the often-overlooked experiences of bereaved fathers—men who grieve deeply, even when that grief is quiet or unseen. Through honest conversations, personal stories, and reflective episodes, Dad Always explores grief, fatherhood, and the enduring bond between dads and their children. Listeners will hear from dads and parents who have experienced baby loss, as well as from professionals and advocates who support families after loss. Some episodes include artistically crafted reflections that hold what words alone cannot. Dad Always is a space where dads don’t need to explain or justify their grief—and where meaning and pain are allowed to coexist.

  1. Oct 26

    E72: Grieving The Children You Never Carried (ft. Dr. Salma Habib)

    Learn more about Grief Coaching by visiting www.dadalways.com Grief is not a problem with a clean solution. It arrives as a void, fear, and exhaustion, and when the people around you rush to fix it, you can end up feeling more alone than before. I’m joined by Dr. Salma Habib, a licensed psychologist and the author of Wombless: Letters to My Triplets. Salma shares the deeply personal story of learning as a teenager that she was born without a uterus, the cultural pressure and secrecy that followed, and how her path to motherhood through surrogacy ended in the devastating loss of her triplets at 26 weeks. We talk about what happens when you’re denied the chance to see your babies, name them, bury them, or mark their lives in any tangible way, and how that can complicate trauma and keep grief frozen for years. From there, we widen the lens to culture, masculinity, and the hierarchy of grief that often pushes fathers and partners to the sidelines. We dig into practical mental health tools that help when you’re afraid you’ll fall apart: psychological flexibility, journaling or audio notes, paced breathing, scheduling cry time, and finding support through therapy, faith leaders, or community. Salma also introduces the idea of “partnering grief,” choosing a team approach so couples don’t drift into isolation. If you’re navigating miscarriage, stillbirth, termination for medical reasons, or baby loss of any kind, hit play, share this with someone who needs it, and subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next. Will you leave a review and tell us what helped you feel seen? SUPPORT PATHWAY If you are a bereaved dad who's struggling to cope with baby loss and you'd like to talk one-on-one, let's have a FREE private 30-minute conversation.  Go to dadalways.com for more information.  PEER-SUPPORT Black Dads in Loss Support Group Dads in Loss Support Group For a list of other support groups through Postpartum Support International click here. THEME MUSIC  "Love Letter” was created using AI as a creative tool, with lyrics and direction shaped by the personal experiences and emotional intent of the host. SHOW MUSIC Paper Tide & Hollow Breath by Moments For You by Masterpiece Soundstripe

  2. Oct 20

    E71: Grief (Narrative pt. 5)

    Learn more about Grief Coaching by visiting www.dadalways.com Grief doesn’t arrive as a single moment, and it rarely leaves in a straight line. This creative, story-driven retelling of a father’s experience living with baby loss, uses one extended metaphor to make the invisible feel real: drifting onto open waters and tides that keep changing when you least expect them. The poem, "Grief", written by Kelly Jean-Philippe, starts with the quiet drift, the subtle pull away from what used to feel familiar and safe. Then the current strengthens. Loneliness and isolation become the unseen forces that carry you farther out than you realized, until “wherever there is” stops making sense. If you’ve lived through infant loss, miscarriage, or the death of a child, you may recognize that disorientation. If you’re supporting someone who has, this story offers a clearer window into why grief can look like distance, silence, or exhaustion. Then the unexpected part: a sudden surge. Memories and emotions rise like a storm, with fear and anxiety breaking overhead and pulling you under.  This poem honors the truth that grieving can be menacing, physical, and cyclical, and that “coping” sometimes means doing whatever it takes to resurface. The ending holds a sliver of peace after the tide retreats, along with the dread of drifting out again.  If this resonates, subscribe for more episodes, share this with someone who needs language for their grief, and leave a review so more listeners can find stories like this.  What line hit you the hardest? SUPPORT PATHWAY If you are a bereaved dad who's struggling to cope with baby loss and you'd like to talk one-on-one, let's have a FREE private 30-minute conversation.  Go to dadalways.com for more information.  PEER-SUPPORT Black Dads in Loss Support Group Dads in Loss Support Group For a list of other support groups through Postpartum Support International click here. THEME MUSIC  "Love Letter” was created using AI as a creative tool, with lyrics and direction shaped by the personal experiences and emotional intent of the host. Sound effects from Soundstripe RELATED EPISODES Narrative pt. 1 | Narrative pt. 2 | Narrative pt. 3 | Narrative pt. 4

  3. Oct 12

    E70: Words That Wound And Words That Heal After Baby Loss (ft. Ryan Brown Jr.)

    Learn more about Grief Coaching by visiting www.dadalways.com Some of the most damaging moments after baby loss don’t come from strangers, they come from people who think they’re helping. That's what my guest, Ryan Brown, and I talked about at the conclusion of a conversation that began last week. We discuss the phrases that quietly poison grief support, why autonomy and boundaries matter, and what it looks like to care for a bereaved parent without trying to fix them. Ryan walks us through the real origin story of his book, “Words That Wound, Words That Heal: What Not To Say, And What To Say Instead.” What starts as anger in therapy turns into a practical resource shaped by years of hearing the same painful lines, comparing notes with other bereaved fathers, and rewriting raw reactions into clear language people can actually use. We dig into the “at least” comments, the religious one-liners, and the silence that shows up when friends ghost because they don’t know what to do. We also get concrete about what helps: saying the child’s name, remembering birthdays and anniversaries, and showing up after the first wave of support disappears. We talk about why baby loss is a universe of its own, how grief stretches across years, and what to do when the person who says the words that wound is your spouse and you’re both grieving differently. If you want better words, better timing, and a better way to stand with someone in profound loss, press play.  Subscribe, share this with someone who wants to support well, and leave a review so more families can find this conversation. SUPPORT PATHWAY If you are a bereaved dad who's struggling to cope with baby loss and you'd like to talk one-on-one, let's have a FREE private 30-minute conversation.  Go to dadalways.com for more information.  PEER-SUPPORT Black Dads in Loss Support Group Dads in Loss Support Group For a list of other support groups through Postpartum Support International click here. THEME MUSIC  "Love Letter” was created using AI as a creative tool, with lyrics and direction shaped by the personal experiences and emotional intent of the host. SHOW MUSIC Together Again by CMJ Soundstripe RELATED EPISODE A Bereaved Father's Story of Birth Trauma (October 5, 2026)

  4. Oct 5

    E69: A Bereaved Father’s Story Of Birth Trauma (ft. Ryan Brown Jr.)

    Learn more about Grief Coaching by visiting www.dadalways.com On this week's episode, Ryan Brown Jr. joins me as a fellow bereaved father and tells the story of his son Andreas, who lived for thirteen and a half hours, and what it feels like to watch your world shatter while you're powerless to stop it. We also get into the choices that came before the crisis and why they mattered. Ryan explains why he and his wife sought out a Black OB, shaped by the very real risks of Black maternal mortality and the fear of not being taken seriously in healthcare. That context makes the hospital handoff even harder, especially when communication breaks down and a parent is left trying to translate jargon while advocating for urgency. From the NICU transfer to the devastating final call, Ryan names the parts people rarely say out loud: the helplessness, the isolation, and the “comforting” phrases that actually wound. We talk about grief boundaries, family pressure, religious clichés, and what real support looks like when someone says, “I need distance.” If you’ve lived through birth trauma, infant loss, or perinatal grief, or you’re trying to support someone who has, this conversation offers language, clarity, and an honest map of what not to say. If this resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more grieving parents and bereaved dads can find this kind of support. THE BOOK Words That Wound, Words That Heal SUPPORT PATHWAY If you are a bereaved dad who's struggling to cope with baby loss and you'd like to talk one-on-one, let's have a FREE private 30-minute conversation.  Go to dadalways.com for more information.  PEER-SUPPORT Black Dads in Loss Support Group Dads in Loss Support Group For a list of other support groups through Postpartum Support International click here. THEME MUSIC  "Love Letter” was created using AI as a creative tool, with lyrics and direction shaped by the personal experiences and emotional intent of the host. SHOW MUSIC First Bloom by Moments Velox by Isaac Joel RELATED EPISODES Talking Platitudes with Miscarriage Mumma Support (October 12, 2025) "Cliche-anity" - When Consolation Becomes Controversy (ft. Mary - April 8, 2024)

  5. Aug 31

    E68: August 2026 Recap

    Learn more about Grief Coaching by visiting www.dadalways.com In this recap episode, we revisit the moments that capture what pregnancy and baby loss can feel like for fathers when the world looks the same but everything inside is shattered. We name the hidden weight dads carry, why emotional safety changes healing, and how support can make room for grief without trying to fix it.  KEY TAKEAWAYS: • the “womb of the imagination” and how dads begin bonding early • the shock of loss while ordinary life keeps going • why other people’s discomfort is not our burden • “provide & protect” and how loss shakes dad identity • guilt, shame, and self-blame when protection is impossible • why emotional safety matters for bereaved dads’ mental health • disenfranchised grief and what it feels like to be overlooked • how to support without minimizing, diagnosing, or forcing talk • integration after loss and keeping the option to share open ACTION STEPS: If you want to connect with me virtually, visit the Dad Always website and schedule a virtual meeting on my calendar.  You can also email me at kelly@dadalways.com PEER-SUPPORT Black Dads in Loss Support Group (4th Sunday every month from 9-10:30pm EST) Dads in Loss Support Group (2nd Wednesday every month from 8-9:30pm EST) For a list of other support groups through Postpartum Support International click here. THEME MUSIC  "Love Letter” was created using AI as a creative tool, with lyrics and direction shaped by the personal experiences and emotional intent of the host. SHOW MUSIC Magic Everywhere by Semigloss Sway by Amanda Bantug Better Days by Lil Red Sky

  6. Aug 17

    E67: How To Support A Dad After Pregnancy Or Baby Loss

    Learn more about Grief Coaching by visiting www.dadalways.com Silence can feel like the “safe” choice after pregnancy or baby loss, but for many bereaved dads it becomes a cage. When people avoid the topic, minimize miscarriage, or freeze up around stillbirth, TFMR, neonatal death, or infant loss, the message lands hard: your grief doesn’t belong here.  This episode speaks directly to the friends, family, co-workers, faith leaders, and community members who want to support a grieving father but aren’t sure what to do. I talk about why so many dads want to be seen as a father even when their child isn’t here to introduce. I share what it’s like when a casual comment forces a split-second decision between honesty and protecting everyone from discomfort, and why many men choose silence. I also unpack the obstacles that keep fathers quiet: cultural expectations about masculinity, fear of judgment, the unique stigma around TFMR, and the dismissive way miscarriage is too often treated. You’ll learn what emotional and psychological safety actually looks like, why disenfranchised grief matters, what research suggests about fathers’ mental health, and how to check in without trying to fix or explain away the loss.  If you want to be the kind of supporter who makes room for grief and for life again, this one is for you. If this resonates, follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who wants to show up well for a bereaved dad. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ SUPPORT PATHWAY If you are a bereaved dad who's struggling to cope with baby loss and you'd like to talk one-on-one, let's have a FREE private 30-minute conversation.  Go to dadalways.com for more information.  PEER-SUPPORT Black Dads in Loss Support Group Dads in Loss Support Group For a list of other support groups through Postpartum Support International click here. THEME MUSIC  "Love Letter” was created using AI as a creative tool, with lyrics and direction shaped by the personal experiences and emotional intent of the host. SHOW MUSIC Headshot by Elevate Audio Skin by Midnight Daydream Orange Cap by Ghost Beatz RELATED EPISODES Talking Platitudes with Miscarriage Mumma Support (October 12, 2025) Suffering In Silence [part 1] (April 6, 2026)

  7. Aug 10

    E66: Returning to Routine Is Not Moving On

    Learn more about Grief Coaching by visiting www.dadalways.com The hardest part of grief can be when the texts slow down, the calls fade, and you are back to routine life while everyone around you assumes you are “back to normal.”  This episode talks about that hidden stretch after pregnancy or baby loss when routine returns, but you are still trying to survive what changed inside you. I dig into a core part of fatherhood identity that loss can shake to the bone: protector and provider. When you cannot be a protector, it can trigger guilt, shame, and that relentless question underneath it all: "what do I do now?"  I share personal stories about reaching for the provider role as a way to find purpose and stability, including how going back to work can feel doable while still leaving your grief untouched. I also name the fine line between coping and avoiding. Using routine as an anchor can be healthy, but numbing out with busyness, overtime, or distraction often pushes pain into the future where it comes back heavier. You will hear practical ways to communicate, “I’m functioning, but I’m not okay,” plus concrete support options like exploring employee benefits, therapy, peer groups for bereaved dads, faith community care when it feels safe, and how partners can help without trying to fix us. If any part of this resonates, subscribe, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more dads can find support. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ SUPPORT PATHWAY If you are a bereaved dad who's struggling to cope with baby loss and you'd like to talk one-on-one, let's have a FREE private 30-minute conversation.  Go to dadalways.com for more information.  PEER-SUPPORT Black Dads in Loss Support Group For a list of other support groups through Postpartum Support International click here. THEME MUSIC  "Love Letter” was created using AI as a creative tool, with lyrics and direction shaped by the personal experiences and emotional intent of the host. SHOW MUSIC Jeopardy Theme  Echo by Ghost Beatz Magic Garden by Daniele Musto

  8. Aug 3

    E65: Grieving While the World Keeps On Moving

    Learn more about Grief Coaching by visiting www.dadalways.com The hardest part of grief can be how ordinary everything looks around you. One minute you’re walking out of an ultrasound room with the worst news of your life, and the next minute someone is smiling and saying “have a good day.” That clash can feel unreal, infuriating, and isolating, especially for dads navigating miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss while trying to “hold it together” at work and at home. I break down a concept that puts language to that experience: dissociative detachment. I describe it as living in two realities at once: the reality where you’ve lost your baby and your future just changed, and the reality where everyone else keeps moving as if nothing happened.  I begin with  the “womb of the imagination,” how becoming a father starts forming long before birth, and why the sudden end of that imagined future can leave you feeling numb, guilty, ashamed, or like you’re on autopilot. I also get practical. I share ways to handle those pockets of time when the gap between your grief and the outside world feels widest, why other people’s discomfort is not your burden, and when to reach out to a primary care doctor or licensed mental health professional. If you’re supporting a bereaved dad, I offer guidance on sharing your own life updates with care without forcing him to reassure you. If this resonates, subscribe so you don’t miss what’s next, leave a review to help other grieving fathers find the podcast, and share this with someone who needs language for what they’re carrying. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ SUPPORT PATHWAY If you are a bereaved dad who's struggling to cope with baby loss and you'd like to talk one-on-one, let's have a FREE private 30-minute conversation.  Go to dadalways.com for more information.  PEER-SUPPORT Black Dads in Loss Support Group For a list of other support groups through Postpartum Support International click here. THEME MUSIC  "Love Letter” was created using AI as a creative tool, with lyrics and direction shaped by the personal experiences and emotional intent of the host. RELEVANT LITERATURE EMDR & Perinatal Mental HealthBeyond the Worry: 7 Lesser-Known Signs of Postpartum AnxietyTrauma-Related Dissociation and the Dissociative DisordersA HELPFUL VIDEO: 4 Types of Dissociation

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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Dad Always is a baby loss podcast created for fathers grieving miscarriage, stillbirth, termination for medical reasons, and infant loss. Hosted by Kelly Jean-Philippe, the podcast centers the often-overlooked experiences of bereaved fathers—men who grieve deeply, even when that grief is quiet or unseen. Through honest conversations, personal stories, and reflective episodes, Dad Always explores grief, fatherhood, and the enduring bond between dads and their children. Listeners will hear from dads and parents who have experienced baby loss, as well as from professionals and advocates who support families after loss. Some episodes include artistically crafted reflections that hold what words alone cannot. Dad Always is a space where dads don’t need to explain or justify their grief—and where meaning and pain are allowed to coexist.

Information

  • Creator
    Kelly Jean-Philippe
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dad Always
  • Show Website
    Dad Always