Dudes Without Dads Podcast

Joshua Brown
  • 5.0 (21)
  • ARTS

Dudes Without Dads is a podcast for men who grew up without a father—and are determined to become the dad they never had. Hosted by Joshua Brown, this movement is built on real stories, raw conversations, and the belief that your past doesn’t define your legacy. Each episode brings together powerful testimonies, expert insights, and practical wisdom to help you break cycles, heal from wounds, and lead with love. Whether you’re a young dad trying to figure it out, a grown man still wrestling with the silence of your childhood, or someone who feels disqualified—this show is for you. No shame. No sugarcoating. Just hope, healing, and a brotherhood of men becoming better fathers, husbands, and sons. 🔁 New episodes every week — including roundtable talks, guest interviews, and spiritual insights. 📍 Part of the As You Go Network — a movement to make disciples where we live, work, and play.

  1. 3D AGO

    Pornography, Fatherlessness & Identity: What Happens When No Dad Is There to Guide His Son

    What does a boy do with what he discovers when no father is there to explain it? In this raw and honest roundtable, Joshua Brown sits down with five men — Caleb, Gabriel, Antoine, Cody, and Jason — to answer a question most men have never said out loud: where were you the first time you were exposed to pornography, and who did you go to afterward? From the projects to the woods of Tennessee, from late-night HBO to a father's hidden tape — every story is different, but the wound is the same. No guide. No father. Just a secret that slowly shaped everything. This episode traces the direct line between fatherlessness, early exposure to pornography, and the deformation of a man's identity — how boys who had no one to run to built their understanding of women, sex, and self-worth from what they found in the dark. But it doesn't stop at the wound. These men also talk about what it looks like to bring secrets into the light, how confession and community changed their marriages and their minds, and why healing starts not with becoming a better father — but with learning to be a son of the Most High first. If you grew up without a dad to guide you, if you have carried shame in silence, or if you are trying to break a cycle for your own kids — this conversation was made for you. In this episode: Why fatherless boys rarely told anyone what they foundHow early pornography exposure deforms identity, self-worth, and the way men see womenThe moment one man told his wife everything — and what she said backWhy isolation is the enemy of healingWhat it means to kill sin before sin kills youHow to become the dad you never had by first becoming a son of the Most HighResources mentioned: James 5:16 — Confess your sins to one another and you will be healedDallas Willard — The Divine ConspiracyJonathan Edwards — Be killing sin or sin will be killing yoududeswithoutdadspodcast.com — Apply to be a guestConnect with Dudes Without Dads: 🎙️ New episodes every Thursday 🌐 dudeswithoutdadspodcast.com 📲 Follow on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & Facebook Dudes Without Dads is the podcast that trains men to become the dads they never had. If this episode added value to your life, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a man who needs it.

    1h 5m

  2. MAR 12

    Surviving the Unsurvivable: Sexual Abuse, Prison, Abandonment & Finding Wholeness | Pastor Brandon Petty

    Brandon Petty grew up in a home most men would never recover from. Born to a teenage mother who was married six times by the age of 25, Brandon cycled through apartments, motel rooms, and relatives' couches throughout his childhood. He was raised primarily by women while the men in his life rotated in and out — most of them carrying their own unhealed wounds of addiction and abuse. Between the ages of 8 and 11, Brandon was sexually abused by three different people, including a stepfather who was also a cocaine dealer and violently abusive toward his mother. The one stepfather who felt like a real dad — a man who took him fishing, taught him basketball, and loved him like his own — eventually lost his battle with alcoholism and walked away without warning, never to be seen again. Brandon's mother, exhausted by decades of trauma, eventually turned to drugs and ended up in prison. He finished high school living with his aunt and uncle. He met his biological father for the first time at 15, only to lose him to a sudden heart attack just as their relationship was beginning to heal. By 18, Brandon was the first person in his family to graduate high school and go to college. On a sick Sunday morning when his aunt gave him permission to stay home, he chose instead to walk into a tiny country church with bullet holes in the wall — and fell on his face at the altar. God radically saved him. But as Brandon describes it, he got out of Egypt and spent years still circling the desert. He became a pastor, planted a church, built a ministry — and was doing all of it out of a broken place, trying to earn love he'd never received. In 2015, the man who had sexually abused him at age 10 showed up as a volunteer at his own church. What followed was two months of nightmares, depression, and hiding in plain sight — until Brandon finally broke down in the shower and told his wife everything. That moment of confession became the beginning of his deepest healing. Counseling, spiritual formation, solitude sabbaticals, and the community of men he built around him helped him discover what it actually meant to be a disciple — not just a leader. Today, Brandon leads Generation Church in Portland, Tennessee, is writing a book about his journey toward wholeness, and is helping men find freedom through confession, community, and the teachings of Jesus. His closing words in this episode may be the most powerful thing you'll hear this year. Books mentioned: The Body Keeps the Score, An Invitation to a Journey, The Leader's Journey, Emotionally Healthy Spirituality, The Wounded Healer, The Wounded Heart Connect with Brandon: generationchurch.me | YouTube: Generation Church Portland Tennessee

    57 min

  3. MAR 6

    Growing Up Too Fast: Alcoholic Dad, Absent Mom & Breaking the Cycle | Dustin Lunde

    Dustin Lundy grew up faster than any kid should have to. His father — a former stockbroker born in 1934 — was financially brilliant and emotionally absent. His mother had affairs, abandoned the family for drugs, and left behind a household that 13-year-old Dustin quietly began running on his own. By the time his dad was dying of stage four colon cancer, Dustin was the one cleaning, caregiving, and holding things together — while quietly drowning in his own alcoholism and unprocessed trauma. He never told his dad he loved him before the ICU. Until the morning he sat beside him in a coma, and saw a single tear roll down his father's face. In this brutally honest conversation, Dustin unpacks: A childhood of financial ruin, IRS audits, and emotional distanceHow he unknowingly triggered his father's relapse at age 13Raising his 12-year-old sister after his father's deathA 10-year separation from God after losing the two father figures in his lifeThe marriage crisis 18 months ago that broke him openA prayer walk, a forgiveness letter, and a 9-year-old son who asked to be baptizedThis episode is for every man who thinks he "turned out fine" — and every son who still has time to say what matters. Resources: Dudes Without Dads: https://www.dudeswithoutdadspodcast.com (update URL)Apply to be a guest: https://www.dudeswithoutdadspodcast.com/guests/intake/ (update URL)Through the Word App: https://www.throughtheword.orgNew episodes every Friday. Subscribe, share with a brother, and join the mission.

    53 min

  4. FEB 27

    What Does the Bible Say About Being a Godly Father? | Kris Langham (Through the Word)

    What does it actually mean to be a godly father — especially if you never had one? In this episode, host Joshua sits down with Kris Langham, co-founder of the Through the Word Bible app, to explore what Scripture teaches about godly fatherhood, father wounds, and how God specializes in breaking generational cycles. Kris challenges listeners to find a truly "perfect dad" in the Bible (spoiler: there isn't one), points to God as the only model of perfect fatherhood, and walks through the stunning story of Hosea — where children named "Not Loved" and "Not My People" are renamed by God to "Beloved" and "My People." That's the gospel. That's your story too. In this episode: The biblical definition of godly fatherhoodWhy brokenness is the starting point, not the disqualifierThe full gospel: resurrection power, not just a second chance4 practical steps to become a godly father this weekHow to use the Through the Word app with your kidsThe "Manhood Talks" plan built specifically for dads without dadsResources: Through the Word App: https://www.throughtheword.orgDudes Without Dads: https://www.dudeswithoutdadspodcast.com (update URL)Apply to be a guest: https://www.dudeswithoutdadspodcast.com/apply (update URL)New episodes every Thursday. Subscribe, share with a friend, and join the mission — training men to become the dads they never had.

    54 min

  5. FEB 20

    Why Most Men Don’t Pray (And What It’s Costing Us) | Ralph Moore

    Most men don’t struggle with discipline. They struggle with prayer. In this episode of Dudes Without Dads, Joshua sits down with pastor and church planter Ralph Moore to talk about why prayer feels forced, awkward, or unnecessary for many men — and what it’s quietly costing us in our marriages, leadership, identity, and fatherhood. If you grew up without a father, you probably learned how to survive. But you may have never learned how to pray. This conversation unpacks: Why prayer isn’t begging — it’s agreementThe missing ingredient in most men’s spiritual livesHow performance and control block intimacy with GodReal stories of answered prayer and divine appointmentsWhether speaking in tongues is biblical — and what it actually meansWhy what you manufacture, you have to maintainRalph shares stories from decades of ministry, including moments of healing, calling, and surrender — and how prayer shaped his life from childhood. This isn’t about religious performance. It’s about relationship. If you’re trying harder but still feel disconnected…  Prayer may be the thing you’ve been missing. Who This Episode Is For: Men who feel spiritually numbFathers who want to lead but feel overwhelmedMen struggling with father woundsChristian men who don’t know how to prayLeaders trying to manufacture outcomesAnyone asking: “Why doesn’t God answer me?”Questions This Episode Answers: Why don’t most men pray?What is prayer according to the Bible?Is prayer about saying the right words?What does it mean that prayer is agreement?How do I pray if I didn’t grow up in church?Is speaking in tongues biblical?Can prayer actually change things?About Ralph Moore Ralph Moore has spent decades planting churches around the world and mentoring leaders. His perspective on prayer comes not from theory — but from lived experience, answered prayers, and surrendered leadership. Key Takeaway If you have to force it… it’s probably not prayer. Prayer is not control. It’s surrender. And for fatherless men trying to carry everything alone, that changes everything. Keywords: prayer for men  why men don’t pray  how to pray as a man  Christian men and prayer  father wounds and faith  speaking in tongues explained  answered prayer stories  spiritual formation for men  biblical prayer teaching  men’s discipleship podcast

    57 min

  6. FEB 13

    Father Wounds: Forgiving an Abusive Father | Cliff Branham

    What happens when a boy grows up believing he has no value? In this episode of Dudes Without Dads, Cliff Branham shares his journey from childhood abuse, anger, and addiction to forgiveness, healing, and becoming the father he never had. Cliff grew up with an abusive and absent father. That pain shaped his identity, led to rebellion, and fueled years of destructive behavior. But through surrender, discipleship, and understanding his identity in Christ, he broke the generational cycle. In this conversation, we discuss: The long-term impact of father woundsWhy anger often masks shameHow generational trauma spreadsWhat forgiveness really meansHow to heal from childhood abuseThe role of faith and community in transformationIf you’ve struggled with father wounds, resentment, or identity confusion, this episode offers clarity and hope. father wounds healing, abusive father recovery, christian testimony, forgiving abusive parent, breaking generational curses, men’s discipleship, identity in Christ, healing childhood trauma, dudes without dads, christian men podcast Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 Intro  01:07 The childhood memory that shaped everything  01:12 “I had no value” — the core lie  01:14 Shaking his fist at God for 10 years  01:16 The turning point at 29  01:19 Double imputation explained simply  01:22 Before Jesus vs after Jesus  01:24 What to do if you feel worthless  01:26 Why community is essential  01:29 Message to abusive men  01:32 How his father’s story ended  01:36 “I forgive you… trust Jesus”  01:37 Final encouragement

    39 min

  7. FEB 7

    Alcohol Nearly Cost Me My Family—This Is How I Stopped

    Alcoholism doesn’t start with you—but it can end with you. In this episode of Dudes Without Dads, Fred Sebring shares his raw story of growing up without a father, being surrounded by normalized drinking, and realizing later in life that alcohol had quietly become his coping mechanism. What followed was a breaking point—and a decision to end generational alcoholism for the sake of his wife, his kids, and his faith. This conversation is for any man asking: Why do I drink when life gets hard?Is alcohol affecting my marriage or kids?How do I stop repeating what I grew up around?Is it possible to break generational cycles of addiction?Fred opens up about: Growing up fatherless in a culture where alcohol was “normal”How drinking became a learned escape, not a choiceThe moment he realized his kids were watching everythingWhy white-knuckling sobriety didn’t work for himHow prayer and fasting led to real, lasting freedomWhy forgiveness plays a critical role in healing addictionWhat it means to be a man of integrity when no one taught you howThis episode is not about shame, labels, or pretending alcohol isn’t a problem. It’s about honest self-examination, personal responsibility, and choosing a different legacy. If alcohol has been passed down in your family, this conversation will challenge you—and give you hope that change is possible. 🔑 Key Topics & Keywords (for YouTube + Buzzsprout SEO) breaking generational alcoholismmen struggling with alcoholfatherless men and addictionChristian recovery from alcoholfaith-based sobrietyprayer and fasting testimonyhealing father woundsbecoming the dad you never hadalcohol and masculinity👉 Take the Next Step If you have a story of overcoming addiction, father wounds, or breaking destructive family cycles, apply to be a guest:  https://dudeswithoutdadspodcast.com Subscribe for weekly conversations helping men become the dads they never had.  Share this episode with a man who needs to hear it. #AlcoholRecovery #BreakingGenerationalCycles #ChristianMen

    50 min

  8. JAN 30

    You Can’t Father Like God Until You Let Him Father You (Brian Doyle)

    In this episode of Dudes Without Dads, Joshua interviews Brian (Iron Sharpens Iron) about father wounds, discipleship, and becoming a godly father by first getting connected to the Perfect Father—God. You’ll learn why you can’t disciple your kids into a walk with Jesus if you’re not walking with Him yourself—and how affirmation, brotherhood, and intentional leadership change a home. What You’ll Learn Why you can’t give away what you don’t have spirituallyThe difference between teaching what you know vs. reproducing who you areHow father wounds affect identity, addiction, and discipleshipThe power of hearing: “You are my son… I love you… I’m pleased”Why church programs can’t replace a dad’s role in spiritual formationHow to build brotherhood (iron sharpens iron) that actually changes menPractical “daily/weekly” rhythms for leading your home with intention🔗 LINKS / CTAsWebsite / Guest Application: dudeswithoutdadspodcast.comLearn more about Brian / Iron Sharpens Iron: ironsharpensiron.netSubscribe for weekly episodes (every Thursday)Share this with a friend who’s carrying father wounds#fatherhood #discipleship Chapters / Timestamps 00:00 Intro: The point of being a dad (discipleship)  00:35 “You can’t give away what you don’t have”  01:10 Dads reproduce who they are (not just what they know)  02:05 Why dad is pivotal in God’s design  03:25 Common father wounds + the “Promise Keepers” moment  05:55 The Perfect Father: healing starts with God  07:10 Why everyone wins when men go from wounded to healthy  08:30 Churches miss men (and why it’s not working)  10:15 Healing + forgiveness: is it only “get right with God”?  11:10 God’s affirmation: “You are my son… I love you…”  13:05 Iron Sharpens Iron: how men are trained (not a content dump)  14:45 Brotherhood: the missing fuel for men’s growth  16:15 Practical call to action: invite men personally  18:00 Fathering rhythms: dates with kids + leading the home  20:10 Sabbath + controlling the rhythm of your household  22:10 “First things first”: wife, kids, walking with God  24:00 Recommended resources + where to find Iron Sharpens Iron  25:00 Closing: forgiveness brings peace

    44 min
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5
out of 5
21 Ratings

About

Dudes Without Dads is a podcast for men who grew up without a father—and are determined to become the dad they never had. Hosted by Joshua Brown, this movement is built on real stories, raw conversations, and the belief that your past doesn’t define your legacy. Each episode brings together powerful testimonies, expert insights, and practical wisdom to help you break cycles, heal from wounds, and lead with love. Whether you’re a young dad trying to figure it out, a grown man still wrestling with the silence of your childhood, or someone who feels disqualified—this show is for you. No shame. No sugarcoating. Just hope, healing, and a brotherhood of men becoming better fathers, husbands, and sons. 🔁 New episodes every week — including roundtable talks, guest interviews, and spiritual insights. 📍 Part of the As You Go Network — a movement to make disciples where we live, work, and play.

Information

  • Creator
    Joshua Brown
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dudes Without Dads Podcast
  • Show Website
    Dudes Without Dads Podcast

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