Join host Eli Williams for a revised version of Episode 23, where he had an inspiring conversation with Peter Lawson Jones, attorney, actor, business consultant, and former Ohio legislator who created the groundbreaking Ohio Commission on Fatherhood. Peter shares his remarkable journey from being raised by exceptional parents in Cleveland to becoming a Harvard graduate, elected official, and champion for fathers across Ohio. In this episode, he opens up about the challenges and joys of fatherhood, the importance of being present for your children, and how one legislative initiative has transformed support for fathers statewide for over 25 years. Go to Episode 72 to listen to the second episode with Peter Lawson Jones. https://youtu.be/SZslm-kSWfs 

Key Takeaways

• The power of parental influence: Peter's mother, a Cleveland public school teacher, gave him life-changing advice: "Read with expression"—wisdom that shaped his career as an attorney, elected official, and actor 
• Creating systemic change: Peter founded the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood in 1999 after discovering Ohio was doing nothing to support low-income fathers, establishing a model that has served families for 25+ years 
• Bipartisan solutions: Working across party lines with Republican Governor Bob Taft, Peter proved that supporting fathers and families transcends politics 
• The challenge of presence: The hardest part of parenting is being physically and emotionally present, especially when balancing demanding careers. 
• Investment in relationships: Strong father-child relationships require intentional time, attention, and genuine engagement 
• Community mobilization: Every county needs dedicated leadership and sustainable funding to support fatherhood initiatives 
• Seek help when needed: Young fathers should reach out to mentors, family members, and community resources—asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness 

Chapter List

00:00 - Introduction to Peter Lawson Jones 
01:31 - Growing Up with Exceptional Role Models 
06:03 - Lessons from Parents: Education and Athletics 
08:39 - The Challenges of Fatherhood 11:00 - Balancing Career and Family 
12:41 - The Greatest Joys of Being a Dad 
17:12 - Break: Fathering Strong Resources 
18:06 - Creating the Ohio Commission on Fatherhood 
25:18 - The Importance of Supporting Fathers 
29:25 - County-Level Fatherhood Initiatives 
32:13 - Peter's Acting Career Journey 
37:02 - Final Break 
38:36 - Words of Encouragement for Struggli