🔊 Breaking the Silence: Redefining Fatherhood Connections Hosts: Daniel Thabudd Nelson with Phil Masters & Jane Marie | S3 Bonus Episode🚨 75% of fathers report never being asked how they’re really doing—not on Father’s Day, not any day. It’s time...

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Season 3

🔊 Breaking the Silence: Redefining Fatherhood Connections
Hosts: Daniel Thabudd Nelson with Phil Masters & Jane Marie | S3 Bonus Episode🚨 75% of fathers report never being asked how they’re really doing—not on Father’s Day, not any day. It’s time to break that silence.Join Daniel, Phil, and Jane as they:

  • 💡 Unpack why dads get boxed into “fix-it” roles and the emotional cost.
  • 🤝 Share raw stories—from unspoken retirements to the helpers who never get helped.
  • 🔁 Introduce the Daily Check-In Practice: “How are you really doing today?”
  • 💥 Offer concrete ways to bridge emotional gaps: weekly coffee chats, collaborative projects, recurring outreach.
  • 🌱 Explore how this shift models vulnerability and strength for future generations.
#BreakingTheSilence #RedefineFatherhood #MensMentalHealth #EmotionalCheckIn #DailyConnection #SobrietyCrew #AbsolutelyFocusedRadio
⚠️ Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. The views and opinions expressed are those of the speakers and do not constitute professional advice. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/absolutely-focused-radio-podcast--6516641/support.
Transcript
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You twist that screwdriver. Here's something that stopped me in

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my tracks.

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Seventy five percent of father's report never being asked how

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they're doing, Not on Father's Day, not any day. That's

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three out of four dads carrying their emotional weight completely alone.

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It's such a striking statistic. What do you think that

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says about how we view fatherhood in our society.

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Well, it points to this fascinating disconnect and how we

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treat different types of caregivers. You know how Mother's Day

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is this outpouring of emotional appreciation cards, filled with heartfelt messages,

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deep conversations about feelings.

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But Father's Day we're stuck.

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In this loop of hardware store gift cards and new

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socket sets.

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Oh my goodness, you're right. I literally just ordered my

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dad a new power drill for Sunday.

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And here's what's really interesting about that. These gift choices

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reflected deeper societal pattern. We've essentially reduced fathers to their

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utility value. They're the fixers, the problem solvers, the silent

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support system.

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That reminds me of something that happened with my uncle

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last month. He's always helping everyone with their home repairs.

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But when he needed help moving some furniture, nobody even

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thought to offer.

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Exactly.

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And what's fascinating is that this pattern creates this cycle

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of emotional isolation. These father figures become so accustomed to

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being the helper that they often don't know how to

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ask for help themselves.

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That actually explains why my dad seems so uncomfortable when

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I asked him about his feelings about retirement last week.

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You know what research has shown when men are given

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permission in space to express emotions regularly, they actually become

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more effective supporters for others. It's like this untapped potential

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for deeper connections we're missing out on.

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That makes so much sense. How can someone provide emotional

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support if they've never been shown it's okay to need

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it themselves.

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And here's another layer to consider. This isn't just about

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biological fathers. Think about all the mentors, coaches, teachers who

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step into these paternal roles. They're all caught in the

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same emotional straight jacket.

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Well, that's bringing up some memories of my high school

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basketball coach. He was there for every crisis, every celebration,

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but I don't think anyone ever asked him how he

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was managing his own life right.

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And what's really powerful is when we start making these

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small changes in how we interact. Instead of just calling

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when we need help with something, what if we started

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having regular check ins where we explicitly ask about their feelings,

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their stress levels.

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So what kind of responses do you typically get when

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you try that approach?

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Well, it's fascinating.

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Actually, at first there's often this hesitation, like they're not

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sure if they're allowed to admit they need support. But

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once they realize it's a genuine invitation to share, the

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conversations become incredibly rich.

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That's making me think about all the missed opportunities for

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connection we've had over the years.

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And here's what I think is really powerful about this.

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When we start having these conversations, we're not just helping

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the current generation of father figures, we're modeling a.

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New way of being for everyone coming up behind us.

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That's such an important point about breaking these generational patterns.

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Let me share something I've been experimenting with what I

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call the daily check in practice. It's simple, just a

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quick message or call that asks how are you really

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doing today? But the key is consistency and genuine interest

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in the answer.

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That sounds so straightforward, but I can imagine how transformative

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it could be over time.

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And here's another crucial aspect.

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We need to normalize the idea that it's okay for

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father figures to take breaks, to admit when they're overwhelmed,

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to accept help. Think about how rarely we see that

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mod in our society.

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Well, that's bringing up something interesting.

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How do we balance showing appreciation for their strength while

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also making space for vulnerability.

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That's such a great question, and I think the answer

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lies in expanding our definition of strength. True strength isn't

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about never needing help, It's about being honest enough to

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admit when you do.

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That's really shifting my perspective on what I want to

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do this Father's Day and beyond.

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So let's talk about specific changes people can make. Maybe

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it's a weekly coffee date where phones are put away and.

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Real conversations happen.

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Or maybe it's a monthly project where you work alongside

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each other, creating space for natural dialogue.

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Those sound like such meaningful alternatives to the usual gift

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giving routine.

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And here's what I think is really powerful about this approach.

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It acknowledges that emotional support isn't a one way street.

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When we create these spaces for authentic connection, everyone benefit.

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The supporters get supported, the fixers get fixed, and.

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We all grow together.

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That feels like such a more meaningful way to honor

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the father figures in our lives.

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So as we look ahead to Father's Day and beyond,

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let's challenge ourselves to go beyond.

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The traditional gifts.

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Let's start conversations that matter, create spaces for real connection,

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and show up for the people who have always shown

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up for us, because at the end of the day,

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that's what real love and connection are all about.