Father Talks

Michael Darden

Father Talks is where the locker room, barbershop, and late-night kitchen table come together. Men show up for honest, unfiltered conversations about fatherhood, relationships, sex, sports, money, mental health, purpose, and the pressure of everyday life. With straight-up humor, hard-earned wisdom, and no pretending, each episode gives fathers, sons, brothers, and men from every walk of life room to speak, listen, grow, heal, and lead. Nothing is off-limits when the goal is stronger men, healthier relationships, and lasting family legacies. Real Men. Real Conversations. Real Life.

  1. 3h ago

    Your Safety is Yours

    Michael Darden sits down with Andy Murphy, The Secure Dad, for a practical conversation about protecting and preparing your family without letting fear take over. Andy shares how to build useful emergency supplies over time, what to do when the power goes out, how to think through evacuation decisions, and why every plan should work for the family member with the least mobility. They also discuss keeping children safer online, communicating with neighbors, and creating layers of home security. You don’t need to expect the worst to be ready for it. This conversation offers realistic steps families can take now so they’ll feel more prepared if an emergency comes.

  2. Nov 4

    May I Have This Dance? With Linda Sutton

    What if finding your way back to each other begins with one simple question: “May I have this dance?” Michael Darden welcomes Ms. Linda Sutton back to Father Talks for an engaging conversation about Argentine tango—and how moving together may help couples rebuild trust, communication, and connection. Linda, an international performing artist, dance instructor, relationship educator, author, and host of The Two to Tango Show, explains how a dance can make relationship patterns visible. Partners have to notice each other’s cues, respond, adjust their pace, and find balance together. That creates room to talk about leading without controlling, following without losing your voice, respecting boundaries, and repairing the moment when someone gets hurt or loses their footing. You don’t need dance experience to begin. Even a simple sway can invite two people to slow down, pay attention, and reconnect beyond words. Join Mike and Linda for a warm, practical conversation about vulnerability, trust, and taking the next step together—on the dance floor and in your relationship.

  3. Oct 28

    How to Raise Sex Wise Kids

    What conversations should fathers have with their teenagers about sexuality? In this episode of Father Talks, Mike D. sits down with Janet Rosenzweig to explore how parents can talk about sexual development with honesty, clarity, and care. Janet explains why a body’s physical response isn’t a decision or a reason to act, and why young people need guidance to understand their bodies, respect boundaries, and make healthy choices. This conversation offers fathers practical encouragement to stay present and approachable when their kids have questions that can feel difficult to answer.

  4. Oct 21

    From Trauma to Inner Calm: David Godshall’s Journey to Resilience

    David Godshall: From Trauma to Inner Calm In this episode of Father Talks, David Godshall shares how experiences in military service, trauma, and years of keeping his emotions bottled up led him on a search for peace. He reflects on the pressure to push through pain, the ways unresolved trauma can affect a person’s health and relationships, and why asking for help can feel so difficult—especially for men who have learned to handle everything on their own. David describes how Tibetan Buddhism, meditation, and guidance from mentors introduced him to a different kind of mental training. He explains how practicing mindfulness helped him become more aware of his thoughts and emotions, and how that awareness gave him new ways to respond to stress. The conversation also explores skepticism and open-mindedness: David’s path wasn’t about abandoning discipline or ignoring hard experiences, but learning to meet them with greater honesty and steadiness. Drawing on lessons from Navy SEAL training, Hell Week, drownproofing, a parachuting accident, and injury recovery, David discusses resilience under pressure and the difference between enduring hardship and caring for your emotional health. He shares practical tools listeners can try, including a 60-second reset for anxiety, using a longer exhale to signal safety to the nervous system, and noticing environmental cues that may help the body settle. The episode also turns to fatherhood and relationships. David reflects on repairing harm, reconnecting with loved ones, and the power of honest conversation and reflection. His story is a reminder that seeking support is a form of strength, and that healing can begin when we stop carrying everything alone. If you’re navigating trauma, PTSD, stress, emotional suppression, or a difficult season in life, this conversation offers perspective and practical ideas to consider. Meditation and mindfulness are discussed as tools for supporting mental resilience—not as a replacement for professional mental health care. Learn more about David: https://davidgodshall.com/ Listen, reflect, and share this episode with someone who may need the reminder that there are ways forward.

  5. Oct 18

    How a Veteran and Former Cop overcame PTSD

    After career-ending injuries, divorce, and the weight of trauma, former U.S. Navy veteran and police officer Tim Silva had to find a new way forward. On this episode of Father Talks, Tim joins Mike D. to share how fitness helped him rebuild his life, regain direction, and rethink what matters most. He opens up about fatherhood, the cost of putting work ahead of family, and how honest conversations helped him build a stronger relationship with his own father. Tim also speaks about PTSD, the support of his wife and fellow veterans, and why men need trusted people they can turn to when life gets heavy. As the founder of 225 Unit, Tim brings his commitment to discipline and service into his work as a trainer and entrepreneur. His advice is simple: face what you’re carrying, reach out to people you trust, and take the next step. Whether you’re a veteran, first responder, father, or someone rebuilding after a difficult season, this is a candid conversation about resilience, mental wellness, family, and starting again. Find Tim on Instagram at 225 Unit. Subscribe. Share. Lead. Father Talks — Real Men. Real Conversations. Real Life.

  6. Oct 14

    Can Happiness Come Back After Loss | Jen Santaniello

    How do you keep showing up as a parent when grief changes the future you imagined? In this episode of Father Talks, Michael Darden sits down with Jen Santaniello, who was 36 and expecting her third child when her husband was diagnosed with cancer. He died within five months. Jen shares what it was like to raise three young children while grieving, the fear behind her son’s question—“What if something happens to you?”—and the difference between simply functioning and truly living. Jen also talks about how children grieve, rebuilding her identity, moving forward without leaving her husband behind, and finding happiness again without feeling that it betrays the person she lost. She is a bestselling author, certified life coach, and founder of Forward, Not On, where she supports young widows and widowers as they move from surviving to thriving. This is an honest conversation about grief, parenting after loss, resilience, and the love that continues. Listen, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who may need it. Father Talks: Real men. Real conversations. Real life.

  7. Oct 7

    Love Across Cultures with Pesa Shayo

    On this episode of Father Talks, Michael Darden sits down with Pesa Shayo to talk about presenting a united front in marriage and parenting. Pesa explains how children can sense when their parents aren’t on the same page—and why honest conversations behind closed doors help families make decisions together. A thoughtful conversation about teamwork, consistency, and showing up as one.

  8. Sep 30

    A Father’s Lasting Love. “Mark Stackpole on His Daughter Corinne.”

    FATHER TALKS Mark Stackpole opens his heart about his daughter Corinne, who died from leukemia at 22 after an 11-month fight. He reflects on the grief his family continues to carry, the love that holds them together, and the stories, laughter, and memories that keep Corinne close. This is a tender conversation about fatherhood, family, and honoring a daughter’s life while finding gratitude and hope through heartbreak. Listen this Wednesday. Like, comment, and share for more. If you’re 18–35, learn how to join the stem cell donor registry at nmdp.org. Your registration could help save a life.

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About

Father Talks is where the locker room, barbershop, and late-night kitchen table come together. Men show up for honest, unfiltered conversations about fatherhood, relationships, sex, sports, money, mental health, purpose, and the pressure of everyday life. With straight-up humor, hard-earned wisdom, and no pretending, each episode gives fathers, sons, brothers, and men from every walk of life room to speak, listen, grow, heal, and lead. Nothing is off-limits when the goal is stronger men, healthier relationships, and lasting family legacies. Real Men. Real Conversations. Real Life.

Information

  • Creator
    Michael Darden
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Michael Darden
  • Show Website
    Father Talks