In this solo episode of The Idea Of…, Mike gets real about the heavy and beautiful struggle of fatherhood. Reflecting on his relationship with his own dad and the lessons he’s living while raising his 19-year-old son, he digs into the emotional labor fathers carry but rarely name out loud.

From the grace he gives his son, to the wounds he still feels from his own father, to the words that broke him open during his doctoral defense—this episode is about the cycles we inherit, the burdens we hold, and the intentionality required to father differently.

This episode is a wake-up and a spicy love letter for fathers to recognize that without us, the whole ship sinks.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Reflection and Fatherhood

02:41 The Role of a Father: Personal Reflections

05:25 The Emotional Weight of Fatherhood

08:07 Challenging Narratives Around Fatherhood

11:09 The Importance of Fathers in Child Development

13:48 Personal Stories and Academic Insights

16:34 The Impact of Black Fathers in Education

19:28 Validation and Emotional Accountability

22:45 The Collective Narrative of Parenthood

25:22 The Need for Serious Fatherhood Engagement

27:52 Concluding Thoughts on Fatherhood and Identity

32:22 The Silent Struggles of Fatherhood

42:31 Understanding the Role of Fathers

55:58 The Grace of Fatherhood