In this episode of Fathernetics, we talk with Tammy — founder of Oak Surrogacy in Canada, and a woman who has been a surrogate multiple times herself. Tammy brings a rare perspective to the conversation, sharing both her personal experiences as a surrogate and her professional role guiding intended parents and surrogates through the journey of family building.

She discusses the emotional and practical realities of being a surrogate, the importance of trust and communication, and how her agency connects families from all backgrounds — LGBTQ+, single parents, and traditional couples alike. Tammy’s insights shed light on the heart of surrogacy: generosity, resilience, and the creation of families filled with love.

Whether you’re an intended parent, considering becoming a surrogate, or simply curious about how the process works, this episode provides valuable knowledge from someone who truly understands both sides of the experience.

✨ Subscribe to Fathernetics for more conversations with dads, parents, surrogates, and allies shaping the meaning of family today.

In this episode of Fathernetics, we sit down with Dustin Talley — a proud husband, dedicated father of two (a son and a daughter), and a strong ally to the LGBTQ+ community. Dustin opens up about balancing career and family, the joys and challenges of raising kids in today’s world, and what allyship really looks like in practice.

From parenting milestones to the values he hopes to pass down, Dustin’s story is one of intentional fatherhood, partnership, and community support. Whether you’re a dad, parent-to-be, or ally yourself, this conversation will inspire you to reflect on what it means to show up for your family and for others.

✨ Subscribe to Fathernetics for more real stories from fathers and allies shaping today’s parenting conversations.

In this heartfelt episode of Fathernetics, we sit down with Nader—a devoted father of two daughters, loving husband, and longtime friend I’ve known since our Houston days when he was just 12. Our conversation dives deep into what it means to be an intentional father: building the kind of foundation that allows children to grow into their truest, most amazing selves.

Nader also shares his experience as an ally to the LGBTQ community, how his time living in Israel shaped his views on parenting and global citizenship, and why raising daughters in today’s world requires both courage and humility. Together, we reflect on friendship, faith, and the enduring lessons we carry from childhood to parenthood.

Whether you’re a dad, a parent, or simply someone looking to understand the importance of allyship and intentional parenting, this episode offers a perspective rooted in real-life experience, cross-cultural insights, and the shared goal of raising kind, confident kids.

Listen now and join the conversation at @fathernetics.

In this episode of Fathernetics, we sit down with John Berno — husband, new dad, and proud father to baby girl Vivian. John opens up about the three-year surrogacy journey that took him and his husband to Mexico, a process filled with challenges, perseverance, and ultimately the joy of welcoming their daughter into the world.

From navigating international surrogacy laws to the emotional weight of waiting, John’s story is both heartfelt and eye-opening. Now, as a first-time father, he shares the early moments of bonding with Vivian, the lessons learned along the way, and what family means after such a long road to parenthood.

Whether you’re exploring surrogacy, curious about LGBTQ+ family-building, or simply love hearing powerful fatherhood stories, this conversation will inspire and resonate.

✨ Subscribe to Fathernetics for more real stories of dads, allies, and parents shaping the future of family.

In this episode, I sit down with my big sister Jowharah McNeil—the original trailblazer of the McNeil clan—who’s got receipts on how Dad shaped her world and, by extension, ours. As the firstborn, Jowharah took the brunt of “first-child strictness,” only to turn around and soften the landing for me and our brother Abbas. She unpacks the lessons Dad passed down—work ethic, compassion, and fierce loyalty—and shows how those values became the blueprint she carried into every role: daughter, sister, aunt, and unflinching family advocate.

In this conversation:

• Dad’s legacy in action: pivotal moments when his guidance set Jowharah on a path of bold choices and big-hearted leadership

• Blazing the trail: stories of being the family guinea pig—schoolyard antics, curfew capers, and learning the hard way so we didn’t have to

• Shielding the siblings: how Jowharah negotiated wiggle room with our parents, easing the rules for me and Abbas while still keeping it all in check

• Sibling symphony: the balance of teasing, teaching, and team-building that turned strict rules into shared laughter and lifelong bonds

• Passing the torch: her vision for how the next generation—our sons and nephews—can carry forward the best of Dad’s influence without fear of the unknown

Jowharah brings heartfelt anecdotes, sharp wit, and that signature “big-sis realness.” Tune in for a masterclass on turning firstborn trials into family triumphs—one epic story at a time.

In this episode, I pull up a chair with Sonia M.—wife to Chrispin Mayers, Panamanian powerhouse, and veteran TV exec—to spill the tea on fatherhood from the mother’s side of the net. Born and raised in Panama, daughter and sister first, corporate juggernaut second, Sonia blends cultural wisdom with boardroom savvy to give us a fresh playbook on supporting dads, kids, and families in high-stakes arenas.

In this conversation:

• Cultural baseline: how growing up in Panama shaped her understanding of family roles and paternal care

• Daughter & sister serve: lessons learned from the men in her life and how those lessons inform her support of partner-fathers

• Balancing the set: strategies for juggling executive duties in television entertainment while staying present at home

• Primary Play Maker: the art of being a rock-solid single mom

• Intersectional court vision: blending Latinx heritage, expectations, and corporate culture to redefine parenting

Sonia brings heartfelt anecdotes, sharp insights, and that signature Panamanian flair. Tune in for a masterclass on love, leadership, and leveling up your support game—one ace at a time.

In this episode of Fathernetics, I sit down with Brian Rosenberg, founder of Gays With Kids, the leading resource and community platform for queer dads and dads-to-be. Brian opens up about his journey as a father, what inspired him to build an organization dedicated to empowering LGBTQ+ families, and the very real challenges and triumphs that come with parenting in today’s political climate.

From his personal experiences raising kids as a gay dad to the larger mission of creating visibility and resources for queer families, Brian shares candid insights on love, resilience, and advocacy. We also dive into the current political landscape and how it impacts LGBTQ+ parents, exploring both the progress made and the hurdles still ahead.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to build a thriving community for gay dads—or simply want an honest conversation about fatherhood, identity, and pushing for change—this episode is for you.

Listen in and join the conversation.

#Fathernetics #BrianRosenberg #GaysWithKids #GayDads #LGBTQParenting #QueerFamilies #FatherhoodJourney #LGBTQCommunity #IntentionalParenting

In this fabulously unexpected episode (in a good way), I sit down with Robert McNeil—a man whose roadmap to fatherhood wasn’t drawn by his dad but lovingly sketched by his larger-than-life grandfather. Robert shares how “Pop-Pop’s” old-school charm, tough love, and secret stash of life hacks became the foundation for his own parenting style—and how sometimes the fiercest role models come in the most surprising packages.

In this conversation:

• When Dad sat out: the story of why Robert’s father took a backseat and how his grandfather swooped in with playbook in hand, unknowingly

• Pop-Pop’s playbook: larger-than-life anecdotes that forged Robert’s “grandslam” approach to parenthood

• Turning trials into triumphs: how vintage wisdom about resilience, responsibility, and unconditional love became Robert’s north star as a dad

• Caps, gowns & glitter: celebrating his son’s high-school graduation—complete with the lessons Robert now passes on as both dad and doting grad-dad

• Mentors in disguise: why the best fatherhood examples might come from unexpected places, and how to spot them in your own life

Robert brings humor, heart, and just the right amount of glitzy nostalgia. Tune in for a masterclass on embracing the unorthodox, honoring family legacies, and serving up fatherhood realness—one vintage gem at a time.