Dads in Recovery

Dads in Recovery
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Parenting

Millions of men are in recovery. Millions of men are fathers. Yet the specific, daily, emotionally demanding work of being a dad in recovery has been largely ignored. Dads in Recovery changes that. Each week, co-hosts Brandon and Cliff sit down with a guest - a father in recovery, an adult child of an addict, or a clinical expert - and go to the places other podcasts don't. The shame. The amends. The disclosure conversation you've been dreading. This is not a show about being the perfect parent. It's a show about doing the work one day at a time. Let's make sobriety our superpower.

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Stepping Up with Chris U

    In this episode, Cliff and Brandon talk with Chris U about parenting as a motivating factor in recovery. Chris shares the story of his bottom and how the thought of abandoning his daughter provided a moment of clarity. The groups discusses the importance of getting sober for ourselves, and how everyone in our orbit benefits. Chris shares the challenges of his first 90 days, and what his life is like now as a sober father who shows up on a daily basis. He also shares his emotional growth, and how the ability to be vulnerable has led to deeper connections in his life.

  2. Oct 1

    Living Amends with Torin S

    The hosts speak with Torin S about how to practice living amends to our children and our families. Torin and Brandon also share the nuances of recovery from sex addiction - the additional layers of stigma and shame, the difficulty of describing sobriety, the ease of denial.

  3. Sep 24

    Accountability with Michael R

    Michael R and the hosts discuss the importance of accountability in their recovery programs and the benefits of modeling accountability for their children. They also delve into the themes of seeking control, unhealthy work habits, positive psychology and wellness, and identifying and nurturing passion in children. Takeaways The importance of accountability - in sobriety and as a parentUnderstanding how very common and legitimate parental fears lead to an unhealthy desire to controlThe importance of identifying and fostering passion in children Chapters 00:00 The Importance of Accountability08:12 The Sobriety Mason Dixon Line13:20 Accountability and the 12-Step Program19:06 Expectations and Accountability24:26 Parental Control and Fear29:58 Seeking Control35:05 Redefining Success40:08 Positive Psychology and Wellness45:22 Enabling Children's Passions

  4. Sep 17

    Boundaries with John Hyland

    Many addicts don't understand the concept of boundaries until they get into recovery. In this episode, John Hyland discusses his own journey with boundaries and why they are necessary in recovery. The conversation talks about the importance of setting boundaries for our kids and modeling boundaries as parents. Takeaways Importance of setting boundaries in relationshipsThe impact of boundaries on parenting and personal growthThe influence of recovery on family and children Chapters 00:00 Reflections on Father-Son Relationship09:30 Impact of Boundaries on Parenting14:59 Challenges of Setting Boundaries21:24 Emotional Boundaries in Relationships26:26 Moments of Clarity and Self-Reflection33:29 Boundaries in Career and Success40:33 The Impact of Boundaries on Children

  5. Sep 10

    Stigma and Disclosure with Scott Mansfield

    This episode discusses a topic many parents in recovery struggle with - how and when to disclose your addiction and recovery to your children. Scott Mansfield tells his story, and explains why he's open not only with his family but also with others about his recovery. His "recovery out loud" is an act of service and helps reduce the stigma of this disease. Takeaways Living in consultationThe impact of addiction on family and childrenThe importance of open communication about addiction and recovery with childrenOvercoming stigma and being open about addiction can lead to a sense of accountability and the opportunity to help others. Chapters 00:00 Living in Consultation and Service08:13 Impact of Addiction on Personal and Professional Life19:24 Open Communication with Children About Addiction and Recovery28:28 Overcoming Stigma and Openness

  6. Sep 3

    Selfishness vs Self-Care with Trey Laird

    Trey Laird, founder and CEO of the Lighthouse, an organization offering coaching services and residences for professionals in recovery, joins Dads in Recovery to discuss the delicate balance between selfishness and self-care. Addicts in their addiction are inherently selfish. We don't want to carry this selfishness into our recovery. Yet we know that in order to show up for our families we need to refill our tanks. How do we discern between these two things. In this conversation, we explore Trey's recovery journey, the transition from selfishness to service, and the importance of self-care and balancing family and work. Trey's transformation and dedication to service are highlighted, along with the challenges and rewards of parenting in recovery. Takeaways Thriving - a new vocabulary for successMoving from selfishness to serviceHow to discern between selfishness and self-care Chapters 00:00 Redefining Success Vocabulary08:19 Self-Care vs. Selfishness in Parenting15:06 Transition to Service and Balancing Work and Family23:48 Importance of Self-Care and Balancing Family and Work30:06 Challenges of Parenting45:02 Recovery and New Perspectives

  7. Sep 3

    Meet the Dads

    Meet Cliff and Brandon, the hosts of Dads in Recovery. In this first episode, they each share their personal experiences with addiction, recovery, and fatherhood. The conversation explores the themes of vulnerability, toxic masculinity, and the type of fatherhood their own dads modeled. Most importantly, it introduces the goal of the podcast - to create a space to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by dads in recovery. Takeaways Rock bottom is not always a singular event, and recovery can be a journey with multiple turning points.Vulnerability and self-awareness are crucial in the recovery process and in building healthy relationships. Toxic masculinity can have a profound impact on individuals, shaping their self-perception and emotional expression.Sensitivity and empathy are valuable traits that should be embraced and nurtured, rather than suppressed or stigmatized. Chapters 00:00 Influence of Parental Figures28:18 Impact of Parental Expectations33:52 Parenting and Nurturing Individuality39:41 Challenging the Model of Masculinity46:27 Breaking the Cycle and Rebirth

  • 7 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Millions of men are in recovery. Millions of men are fathers. Yet the specific, daily, emotionally demanding work of being a dad in recovery has been largely ignored. Dads in Recovery changes that. Each week, co-hosts Brandon and Cliff sit down with a guest - a father in recovery, an adult child of an addict, or a clinical expert - and go to the places other podcasts don't. The shame. The amends. The disclosure conversation you've been dreading. This is not a show about being the perfect parent. It's a show about doing the work one day at a time. Let's make sobriety our superpower.

Information

  • Creator
    Dads in Recovery
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Dads in Recovery

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