In this collection of personal essays, Mark Elswick offers humorous episodes about being a man and father. Whether it’s his daughter sending him to the store to buy those...well, things that transforms him into "Padman"; his realization that at 42, he is slowly turning into an old man; or his reaction to his middle-school-aged daughter dating a "man" two years older than her, listeners - males and females alike - will find themselves cracking smiles when they aren’t busy laughing out loud.

Elswick also has a serious side to him. Interspersed with the comical tales are heartfelt looks into the lives of people who experience a traumatic brain incident (TBI) injury, including his own story of being in a life-threatening car accident that left doctors predicting he would be a vegetable for the rest of his life. With compassion and insight, while retaining his sense of humor, Elswick writes to raise awareness about TBI.

Acclaim for Elswick’s Padman:

"I am officially announcing my own support for Mark Elswick, the writer who won his own battle with TBI and is now giving back of himself to those who are continuing or just beginning theirs. Padman offers an ‘edutaining’ read on a subject that is anything but humorous. And it underscores the importance of embracing now the devastation of TBI among the general public as well as in the face of our affected troops returning home." (Joseph Yurt, Reader Views)

"Mark Elswick’s style of humor will be appreciated by any male reader as he pokes fun at himself and the feminine world that he often perceives to be threatening his masculinity. Plus, what’s better than helping a good cause (traumatic brain injury research) while getting some laughs!" (Tyler R. Tichelaar, PhD, author)