"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://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!
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.