Black Fatherhood Conversations

Mike Owens

Welcome to Black Fatherhood Conversations — a podcast dedicated to authentic discussions about fatherhood, marriage, brotherhood, manhood, mental health, relationships, and personal growth from a Black male perspective. Join us as Black fathers and men come together to share real-life experiences, challenges, victories, and lessons learned while navigating family, marriage, parenting, careers, and community. Through honest conversations and “iron sharpening iron,” we create a space where men can grow, support one another, and become better fathers, husbands, leaders, and brothers. Whether you’re a father, husband, mentor, young man, or someone seeking meaningful conversations about Black family life and manhood, this channel offers relatable stories, practical advice, and powerful perspectives designed to inspire and encourage.

Episodes

  1. Jul 22

    Your son tells you he’s scared during a police stop. What advice do you give him?

    The episode features a discussion on mental health, police interactions, and the decision to attend college or pursue entrepreneurship. The hosts and guest share personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the importance of having a plan and maintaining emotional intelligence in various life situations. The conversation covers the topics of commitment, perseverance, and spiritual guidance for children. It emphasizes the importance of finishing what you start, the value of hard work, and the significance of attending church as a family. The conversation covers the topic of church attendance, personal relationships with the church, and the challenges of finding a church community. It also delves into the importance of setting an example for children and the impact of church hurt on individuals. Takeaways Emphasize the importance of mental health check-ins and support among black men.Encourage a balanced approach to police interactions, focusing on compliance, emotional intelligence, and the importance of getting home safely.Highlight the significance of having a clear plan and vision for the future, whether pursuing college or entrepreneurship. Commitment and perseverance are essential qualities that should be instilled in children from a young age.Attending church as a family is a non-negotiable aspect of spiritual upbringing and should be prioritized. Church hurt is a real and significant issue that affects people's relationship with the church.Finding a church community that aligns with personal beliefs and values is essential for a meaningful and fulfilling church experience. Chapters 00:00 Decision to Attend College or Pursue Entrepreneurship35:51 The Importance of Attending Church47:28 The Challenge of Church Attendance48:15 Personal Relationship with the Church49:37 Impact of Church Hurt56:26 Setting an Example for Children58:48 The Importance of Ironing and Personal Grooming01:00:25 Closing Remarks and Gratitude

  2. Jul 15

    What Do You Tell Your Son When He Says, “Real Men Don’t Cry?”

    The conversation begins with salutations and introductions, followed by a discussion on mental well-being and the importance of expressing emotions. The hosts share personal experiences and insights, emphasizing the significance of embracing vulnerability and redefining strength. The conversation then transitions to a discussion on personal achievements and triumphs, highlighting the importance of celebrating successes and acknowledging individual accomplishments. The conversation covers topics related to education, personal growth, faith, family, support, brotherhood, parenting, and values. It delves into the value of education and personal growth, the importance of a foundation in Christ, the significance of support and brotherhood, and the challenges of parenting and instilling values in children. The conversation delves into the importance of setting boundaries in relationships, the role of professional help in resolving conflicts, and the need to avoid involving family in relationship disputes. Each theme is explored in depth, emphasizing the significance of these aspects in maintaining healthy and respectful relationships. The conversation delves into the impact of involving family in disagreements, emphasizing the importance of keeping family out of marital disputes. It also highlights the significance of listening to understand and the negative effects of external influence on marriage. The importance of setting boundaries with family is also discussed. Takeaways Embracing vulnerabilityRedefining strengthCelebrating personal achievements Value of educationFoundation in Christ Setting boundaries in relationships is crucialProfessional help is important in resolving disagreementsAvoid involving family in relationship conflicts Keep family out of disagreementsListen to understand Chapters 00:00 Setting the Stage02:59 The Importance of Crying22:02 Personal Achievements and Triumphs28:15 Education and Personal Growth30:05 Faith and Family32:11 Support and Brotherhood34:45 Parenting and Values42:36 Setting Boundaries in Relationships47:37 The Role of Professional Help53:02 Avoiding Family Involvement in Conflicts56:25 The Impact of Involving Family in Disagreements57:03 The Importance of Listening to Understand59:24 The Dangers of Involving Others in Marriage01:00:17 The Negative Effects of External Influence01:11:33 The Importance of Setting Boundaries with Family

  3. Jun 28

    Should Married People Have Friends of the Opposite Gender?

    The episode features a panel of fathers discussing their mental well-being and reflecting on their experiences as fathers. They share their current mental states and discuss the mistakes they would erase as fathers, focusing on the importance of patience and being mentally present for their children. The conversation revolves around the theme of marriage and the dynamics of relationships within it. The participants discuss the importance of family, parenting styles, and the role of men and women as friends when married. They also touch on the rarity of faithful marriages and the challenges of maintaining fidelity in a society that often devalues the sanctity of marriage. The conversation covers a range of topics related to marriage, family, work-life balance, and the impact of artificial intelligence. The speakers share personal experiences, insights, and advice on these subjects, emphasizing the importance of faith, commitment, and intentional time management. Takeaways Patience is a crucial aspect of fatherhood, and having patience with children is essential.Being mentally present for their children is a priority for the fathers, and they reflect on times when they were physically present but mentally elsewhere. Family and marriage require intentional effort and prioritization.The value of fidelity and the rarity of faithful marriages in today's society. Commitment to marriage and family is a sacred covenant that requires continuous growth and improvement.Prayer, faith, and intentional time management are essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and family relationships. Chapters 00:00 Reflecting on Mistakes as Fathers17:29 Prioritizing Family and Marriage23:14 Men and Women as Friends When Married34:25 Challenges of Fidelity and the Sanctity of Marriage01:03:14 The Influence of Artificial Intelligence

About

Welcome to Black Fatherhood Conversations — a podcast dedicated to authentic discussions about fatherhood, marriage, brotherhood, manhood, mental health, relationships, and personal growth from a Black male perspective. Join us as Black fathers and men come together to share real-life experiences, challenges, victories, and lessons learned while navigating family, marriage, parenting, careers, and community. Through honest conversations and “iron sharpening iron,” we create a space where men can grow, support one another, and become better fathers, husbands, leaders, and brothers. Whether you’re a father, husband, mentor, young man, or someone seeking meaningful conversations about Black family life and manhood, this channel offers relatable stories, practical advice, and powerful perspectives designed to inspire and encourage.