440. No Dad, Just the Old Man and Shonda: A Kitchen Table Chat on Absent Fathers

"I try to keep it as simple as possible. That way I'm comfortable." "You never know what they're gonna talk about. They can jump from Amelia Earhart mystery to what's in a burger." "I never learned anything from my dad. I loved cars. I liked tools. But he never taught me or showed me anything." In this kitchen table chat episode of Better Call Daddy, hosts Reena Friedman Watts and Wayne Friedman engage in a candid conversation with Shonda Sinclair and the Old Man, Jim Maerk, as they explore the complexities of fatherhood and the impact of absent fathers. Shonda opens up about her own experiences growing up without a father figure and the emotional journey that followed. She reflects on the challenges of healing and the significance of sharing these stories, not just for herself but for others who have faced similar struggles. Jim shares his own poignant memories of his father, touching on the feelings of abandonment and the quest for understanding that many children of absent parents grapple with. The discussion delves into the importance of introspection and how these past experiences shape our present and future relationships. With humor and sincerity, the conversation highlights the power of connection, the lessons learned through adversity, and the healing that comes from sharing one’s story. Listeners will be moved by the authenticity of the dialogue, as the group navigates through memories, laughs, and the realization that while the past may be painful, it also opens the door to growth and understanding. Join us for an engaging discussion that encourages reflection, empathy, and the importance of forging meaningful connections in our lives. (00:00) Hi. Can you hear me okay? Yes. You sound great. So nice to see you (00:49) You talk about being afraid of technology on your podcast (05:35) My key, uh, is I try to keep it as simple as possible (05:57) Technology has really been what stopped me from restarting my podcast this year (07:08) You talked about doing a podcast about absent fathers or toxic father figures (14:04) Jim says he can stay angry and sad or he can work through it (19:13) One confrontation we had. It Was on a Father's Day (19:55) Jim remembers being shocked at all the people that came to his mom's funeral (23:15) One thing I have that belonged to my dad is a sperm donation (26:43) Why did you have a family with someone else? I have that question (30:03) What kind of things did you learn from your dad? Honestly, nothing (32:08) What are your favorite things that you do with your kids and grandkids (35:51) Shonda says her son asks questions all day long about life (38:54) How did you guys meet? I actually found his podcast in 2020 (45:37) Jim: I love doing the podcast. I love it. I just had my three year anniversary (50:33) One thing I tell new podcasters is first, you need a mission (52:25) Where we talked about snot, which was terrible. Because I was sick. And we're starting the conversation. And I go, hey, (52:55) Shonda loves your podcast and would love to hear from your dad (58:53) Shonda Sinclair: Thank you for your support of the old man's podcast Connect with Shonda: https://shondasinclair.substack.com Connect with Jim: https://www.theoldmanspodcast.com Connect with Reena: https://bettercalldaddy.com https://linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts https://instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone who needs to hear these powerful stories of resilience and healing!