I Am Dad

Kenneth Braswell
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

The I AM DAD. Podcast is an exploration of fatherhood insight, information, and inspiration for dads, their families, the people who love, and those that support them.

  1. 5d ago

    Sideline Dad: The Mother Behind the Athlete | Crystal Garrett on Sports, Parenting, and Purpose

    This episode of Sideline Dad, part of the I Am Dad Podcast Network, takes a powerful and refreshing turn by bringing a mother’s perspective into the conversation around youth sports, parenting, identity, and family. Host Javin Foreman welcomes Crystal Garrett, a storyteller, producer, former Division I track athlete, and mother of elite young athletes navigating the modern sports landscape. From growing up in Seattle surrounded by athletes to raising children competing at high levels in baseball, tennis, basketball, and track, Crystal shares the emotional realities of parenting in today’s youth sports culture. This conversation explores: • The unique role mothers play in youth sports • Raising confident athletes without overwhelming them • Why sports teach life skills far beyond the game • Navigating injury, disappointment, and identity • The business of travel sports and youth athletics • Why today’s sports culture can rob children of joy • The emotional impact of recruiting, rankings, and expectations • The importance of balancing sports, academics, faith, and family Crystal also discusses her acclaimed documentary Black to the Bigs, which examines the declining presence of Black athletes in Major League Baseball and the systemic barriers impacting Black youth participation in the sport. Throughout the episode, one truth remains clear: Sports are never just about sports. They are about confidence. Identity. Discipline. Community. Family. Pressure. Dreams. And the people standing beside our children while they chase them. This episode is a must-watch for parents, coaches, athletes, and anyone trying to raise children with purpose in a competitive world.

    1h 3m

  2. May 17

    Black Maternal Health Crisis: Why Black Fathers Must Be Part of the Solution w/ Dr. David Miller and Dr. Jeff Shears

    This episode of I Am Dad Podcast tackles one of the most urgent public health issues facing Black families today: the Black maternal health crisis. Hosted by Dr. David Miller, this important conversation features Dr. Jeffrey Shears, a nationally respected researcher focused on Black fathers, family systems, and community wellbeing. Together, they examine a question too often ignored in maternal health conversations: What role can Black fathers play in helping reduce maternal stress, improve pregnancy outcomes, and support healthier families? Drawing from new research conducted through the Moynihan Institute for Fatherhood Research and Policy, Dr. Shears explains why fathers should be viewed not as risks—but as resources. The conversation explores: • The alarming disparities in Black maternal and infant mortality • Why stress is a major factor in maternal health outcomes • The overlooked role of fathers during pregnancy and childbirth • How healthcare systems often ignore or dismiss fathers • The importance of communication between mothers and fathers • Why fathers need education and support during pregnancy too • The impact of generational parenting and lived experiences • How community-based fatherhood programming can strengthen maternal health outcomes Dr. Shears also discusses why the Moynihan Institute chose to reclaim the controversial legacy of the Moynihan Report as a framework for advancing modern fatherhood research and policy conversations. This episode is both a research discussion and a call to action. Because if we are serious about saving Black mothers, we must also become serious about supporting Black fathers.

    32 min

  3. May 10

    Mothers, Sons, Fatherhood, and His New Book Cats and Puppies w/ Arlen “Griff” Griffin

    This special Mother’s Day episode of I Am Dad Podcast brings together humor, wisdom, fatherhood, motherhood, and the kind of seasoned truth only Griff can deliver. Host Kenneth Braswell welcomes back Arlen “Griff” Griffin, co-host of the nationally syndicated gospel radio show Get Up Mornings with Erica Campbell, comedian, husband, father, and author of the new book Cats and Puppies: This Is Not a Book About Animals. Written as a bold, funny, and deeply honest love letter to mothers raising sons, Griff’s book uses the metaphor of cats and puppies to explore the emotional, developmental, and relational differences between mothers and sons, especially when a father is not present in the home. Together, Kenneth and Griff discuss: • Why mothers need both grace and support • The moment a boy begins shifting into manhood • Why moms should not have to be “mother and father” • How men can honor mothers while still telling the truth • Griff’s relationship with his mother and how it shaped him • Marriage, fatherhood, comedy, and purpose • Why sons need language for loving and respecting their mothers • The power of laughter, wisdom, and lived experience This conversation is not just about a book. It is about honoring mothers, strengthening sons, and helping families better understand the emotional journey from boyhood to manhood. If you are a mother raising a son, a father who loves his mother, a husband learning how to honor the women in his life, or a son still trying to understand the woman who raised him, this episode is for you.

    1h 5m

  4. Apr 19

    Fatherhood, Marriage, and Music: Ashton Stevens on Purpose, Pressure, and Legacy

    This episode of the I Am Dad Podcast offers a rare and honest look at what it means to build a life, a family, and a creative career—all at the same time. Guest host Javin Foreman sits down with rising artist Ashton Stevens for a conversation that goes beyond music and into the heart of manhood. Originally from Florida and now building his career in Atlanta, Ashton shares his journey as a creative shaped by faith, family, and responsibility. But more importantly, he opens up about becoming a father in real time—navigating a growing family, supporting a pregnant wife, raising a toddler, and balancing it all while pursuing his purpose as an artist. This is not just a story about music. It is a story about identity. In this episode, Ashton and Javin explore: • The reality of becoming a young father and husband • How fatherhood reshapes ambition and focus • Balancing creativity with responsibility • Emotional regulation and mental health for men • The pressure of providing while pursuing purpose • Why authenticity matters more than trends in music and life • The responsibility of influence as an artist Ashton also shares the inspiration behind his single “Edge,” a raw and reflective track that explores pressure, emotion, and the internal battles many men face but rarely speak about. At its core, this conversation asks a deeper question: Who are you becoming while you are chasing what you want? Because for Ashton Stevens, success is not just about the spotlight—it is about the legacy he is building at home.

    41 min

  5. Apr 12

    From Pro Athlete to Pro Father | Raising Champions On and Off the Field w/ Derrek Hamilton

    This episode of Sideline Dad, part of the I Am Dad Podcast network, delivers a powerful conversation about fatherhood, sports, discipline, and the real meaning of going pro. Host Javin Foreman is joined by former professional basketball player and elite trainer Derrek Hamilton, a father who has successfully raised two high-achieving sons—one an Ivy League athlete and scholar, the other an NFL Pro Bowl player. From growing up in Mobile, Alabama, to playing professionally overseas, to training NBA-level talent, D. Ham shares a journey defined by discipline, pivots, and purpose. But more importantly, he reveals what it truly takes to raise children who succeed both on and off the field. This conversation explores: • The difference between raising athletes and raising people • Why parents must get out of their child’s way to allow growth • How to balance sports, academics, and character development • Navigating divorce while still raising successful children • Recognizing when your child’s path is different than yours • The importance of exposure, mentorship, and global perspective • Why “going pro” in life matters more than going pro in sports D. Ham also reflects on parenting through adversity, including injury, pressure, and expectations—and how letting go of timelines can unlock a child’s true potential. This episode is a masterclass in intentional fatherhood, reminding us that the sidelines are not just where we watch games—they are where we shape futures.

    58 min

  6. Apr 5

    Sideline Dad: How Sports Build Leaders, Fathers, and Men | Life Lessons from the Game

    This episode of Sideline Dad, part of the I Am Dad Podcast network, is a powerful conversation about how sports shape character, leadership, and fatherhood. Host Javin Foreman sits down with Kevin Jones, a father, mentor, and author of Game Ready: Leadership, Legacy, and Winning the Game of Life, to explore how the lessons learned through sports extend far beyond the field. From becoming a father at 19 to coaching and mentoring young men across North Carolina, Coach Jones shares a journey rooted in resilience, consistency, and intentional growth. His experiences as a son, father, and coach reveal a deeper truth: sports are not just about competition—they are about preparation for life. This episode explores: • How sports teach discipline, resilience, and accountability • The importance of father presence in shaping young men • Why consistency and vulnerability matter in mentorship • The challenges young athletes face in today’s environment • The role of coaches as father figures and life mentors • Navigating relationships, pressure, and identity as a young man • How lessons from sports translate into success in life and family Coach Jones also reflects on writing his book and why young men need guidance that speaks directly to their real-life challenges—not just their athletic performance. This conversation is a reminder that the sidelines are not just where games are watched—they are where futures are shaped.

    52 min

  7. Mar 29

    Sideline Dad: Raising Athletes, Building Character, and Letting Kids Grow with Rodney Kellum

    This episode of Sideline Dad, a featured series within the I Am Dad Podcast network, brings a real and necessary conversation about fatherhood, youth sports, and the responsibility of raising not just athletes—but whole people. Hosted by Javin Foreman, this episode features Rodney Kellam, a father of three navigating the journey of raising children through sports, life lessons, and intentional parenting. From California playgrounds to Georgia gyms, Rodney shares how basketball shaped his identity—and how fatherhood reshaped his purpose. This conversation goes beyond the game. It explores: • The difference between developing an athlete and developing a person • Why parents must get out of the way of their child’s growth • The emotional weight fathers carry on the sidelines • The role of patience, especially when raising children with different needs • The impact of sports on discipline, identity, and resilience • How fear and ego can unintentionally harm a child’s development • Why fatherhood is ultimately about legacy, not performance Rodney also shares powerful reflections on raising a special needs daughter, supporting a high-level athlete son through injury, and learning how to remove timelines and expectations in favor of growth and love. Throughout the episode, one theme remains clear: The sidelines are not just where we watch the game—they are where fatherhood is revealed. Whether your child is playing basketball, baseball, or any sport at all, this episode challenges parents to ask a critical question: Are we helping our children become who they are meant to be—or trying to make them who we want them to be?

    1 hr

  8. Mar 22

    Letter to My 13-Year-Old Self: Wisdom Fathers Men Wish They Knew w/ Dr. David Miller

    This week on I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell welcomes scholar, author, and longtime advocate Dr. David Miller for a powerful conversation about mentorship, memory, and manhood. At the center of this episode is Dr. Miller’s new national writing project, Letters to My 13-Year-Old Self, an intergenerational reflection inviting Black men across the country to write a message to the boy they once were. The letters explore wisdom, wounds, and wins—the lessons learned through decades of life experience. The conversation digs deeper than nostalgia. Braswell and Miller explore why age 13 represents a critical turning point in the development of boys and young men. They reflect on the awkward transition from childhood to adolescence, peer pressure, masculinity, identity formation, and the deep emotional experiences that shape a young man’s future. Throughout the episode, they examine: Why age 13 is a pivotal moment in Black male development The power of intergenerational mentorship between Black men The importance of community affirmation for young boys What today’s generation of boys face in a hyper-digital world The lasting impact of childhood trauma and early experiences Why older Black men must intentionally pass wisdom to younger generations Dr. Miller also shares how letters submitted by men across the country—from young adults to elders in their eighties—reveal common themes of resilience, healing, identity, and self-worth. The episode closes with a reflection on the importance of slowing down, turning off the phone, and rediscovering the beauty of youth before adulthood arrives too quickly. This conversation is a reminder that every man carries the voice of the boy he once was—and that speaking to that younger self can help guide the next generation.

    51 min
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Ratings & Reviews

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out of 5
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About

The I AM DAD. Podcast is an exploration of fatherhood insight, information, and inspiration for dads, their families, the people who love, and those that support them.

Information

  • Creator
    Kenneth Braswell
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright {2025} All Rights Reserved
  • Show Website
    I Am Dad