Dear Son, cover art

Dear Son,

Dear Son,

By: Derek Johns
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About this listen

This is a safe space to build upon and reinforce the values of fatherhood. We'll explore the gaps between the current generation of fathers and fathers of generations past, and mature the dialogue that will close those gaps for the generations to come. Whether your passion is to be a great father or peel back the layers of why your father wasn't present in your life (physically and/or emotionally), this is for you. Let's grow through it.

Derek Johns Parenting & Families Relationships
Episodes
  • You Are Not Your Mistakes | Live Event | Ep 173

    You Are Not Your Mistakes | Live Event | Ep 173
    Mar 4 2026

    The Dear Son Network creates honest conversations about fatherhood, masculinity, and the life lessons many men never hear growing up.


    Dear Son: Are You Shackled to Your Past? Fatherhood, Forgiveness & Breaking Cycles


    In this live, unscripted episode of The Dear Son Show, hosts D Johns and Jey Blac lead a candid conversation on the topic “Dear Son, you will always be shackled to your past,” exploring how past mistakes and family history shape identity, parenting, and relationships. They discuss using the past as a navigation tool rather than a prison, the duty of demonstrating change, and whether others get to decide when they’re “over” what you did. Audience members share stories about parenting older vs. younger kids, childhood trauma passed down from parents, rebuilding after incarceration, and how unforgiveness can keep people bound. The hosts emphasize accountability without labeling someone by their mistakes, encourage setting boundaries and having hard conversations, and challenge listeners to release people they’ve been holding hostage to the past.


    00:00 Unscripted Show Setup

    00:29 Welcome and Live Energy

    01:57 Tonight’s Topic Past Shackles

    03:30 Past Shaping Fatherhood

    05:57 Absentee Dad Two Paths

    09:22 Remorse With Older Kids

    10:45 Audience Advice Parenting Never Stops

    14:16 Shackled vs In Touch

    15:30 Who Sets The Timeframe

    17:00 Breaking Generational Shackles

    20:32 Unforgiveness and Self Forgiveness

    23:13 Who Benefits From Shackles

    27:09 Tank vs Healing Sensitivity

    29:44 Life As A Retakeable Test

    30:04 Release Your Errors

    30:28 Learn From Everyone

    31:28 Unshackling Dad

    36:17 Mistakes Aren't Identity

    37:55 Parenting Without Trauma

    45:34 Know Each Kid

    47:14 Conversations Break Cycles

    49:07 Humor Anger and Growth

    52:58 Release and Reconnect

    53:47 Disrupt to Break Cycles

    57:54 Final Thanks and Outro


    #fathersonrelationship #adviceformen #modernfatherhood #adultchildren #lifelessonsformen #raisingmen #raisingkids #mantalk



    Follow James: https://instagram.com/jeyblac


    Also, if you've made it this far, don't forget to:


    1. subscribe to the channel,

    2. turn on the notifications,

    3. like this video,

    4. leave a comment, and

    5. share this content with someone who needs it.



    The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com



    Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors:


    Shop DSN Merch: https://dear-son-merch.creator-spring.com/listing/the-dear-son-show


    Love Kisha J Studios: https://lovekishaj.com


    My ebook: https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch-%26-digital/ols/products/20lifepromptsv1


    My book (physical): https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch-%26-digital/ols/products/dear-son-what-i-wish-my-father-told-me-physical-copy


    Let’s connect socially:


    https://instagram.com/thedearsonpodcast


    https://facebook.com/thedearsonpodcast




    The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community


    1. Reveal trauma


    2. Heal from trauma


    3. Help through telling stories of it all




    “Better Man. Better Father.”


    The Dear Son, Network ®



    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/dear-son/exclusive-content

    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
    Show More Show Less
    59 mins
  • Why Your Ego Must Die Before Marriage | Better Together | Ep 3

    Why Your Ego Must Die Before Marriage | Better Together | Ep 3
    Mar 4 2026

    The Dear Son Network creates honest conversations about fatherhood, masculinity, and the life lessons many men never hear growing up.


    Marriage, Ambition & Ego: Leadership vs Dictatorship | Better Together


    In this Better Together episode, the hosts (Joe T, Reggie George, Jey Blac, and D Johns) introduce themselves and dive into how marriage requires “dual thinking,” sacrifice, and making decisions with a spouse in mind rather than operating independently. They discuss the tension ambitious men can create in relationships, how male ego fuels aggravation when a partner questions plans, and why common courtesy and communication keep leadership from becoming dictatorship. They explore differing communication styles, red flags versus mere frustrations, and how asking “what will you do with that information?” can set healthy boundaries. The conversation addresses trauma, family upbringing, resentment from staying silent, and the idea that spouses should work on themselves rather than trying to fix each other. They close by emphasizing covenant, commitment, and that being equally yoked means doing the work together.


    00:00 Big Decisions Together

    00:54 Dual Thinking In Marriage

    02:33 Meet The Hosts

    03:11 Pace Setting And Partnership

    05:14 Late Marriage Mindset

    07:23 Assumptions Need Conversations

    09:44 Courtesy Versus Dictatorship

    12:44 Fear Of Being Controlled

    14:41 Red Flags Or Aggravation

    22:11 Ambition Triggers Ego

    29:52 Welcome The Hard Questions

    32:31 Let Your Copilot Fly

    33:41 Trauma And Retraining Trust

    37:27 Unpacking Bags Respect Love

    39:55 Gods Daughter Perspective

    40:28 Stop Trying To Fix Her

    42:38 Marriage Reveals You

    43:08 Rollercoaster Of Growth

    45:31 Learning Each Others Signals

    49:01 Train Her How To Treat You

    49:55 Ambition And Trauma Question

    52:47 Include Her In The Vision

    01:00:05 Sacrifice And Selflessness

    01:05:03 In Laws And Family Boundaries

    01:09:10 Reject Marriage Ideology

    01:11:18 Covenant Work Closing



    #Raisingboysandgirls #FamilyTalk #singleparents #adultchildren #Parenting #raisingmen #raisingkids #mantalk


    Shop DSN Merch: https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch-%26-digital


    Shop Father Figure: https://www.f2apparel.store/


    Follow James: https://instagram.com/jeyblac

    Follow Joe T: https://instagram.com/bakeriii

    Follow Reggie: https://instagram.com/fatherfigureapparel


    Also, if you've made it this far, don't forget to:


    1. subscribe to the channel,

    2. turn on the notifications,

    3. like this video,

    4. leave a comment, and

    5. share this content with someone who needs it.



    The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com



    Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors:


    Love Kisha J Studios: https://lovekishaj.com


    My ebook: https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch-%26-digital/ols/products/20lifepromptsv1


    My book (physical): https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch-%26-digital/ols/products/dear-son-what-i-wish-my-father-told-me-physical-copy


    Let’s connect socially:


    https://instagram.com/thedearsonpodcast


    https://facebook.com/thedearsonpodcast




    The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community


    1. Reveal trauma


    2. Heal from trauma


    3. Help through telling stories of it all




    “Better Man. Better Father.”


    The Dear Son, Network ®



    Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/dear-son/exclusive-content

    Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

    Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 13 mins
  • Dear Son: You Asked for This | Preparing for Purpose, Growth, and Relationships | Ep 172

    Dear Son: You Asked for This | Preparing for Purpose, Growth, and Relationships | Ep 172
    Mar 3 2026
    The Dear Son Network creates honest conversations about fatherhood, masculinity, and the life lessons many men never hear growing up.Dear Son: You Asked for This — Preparing for Purpose, Growth, and RelationshipsHosts D Johns and Jey Blac open The Dear Son Show by describing the mission of having honest conversations about life through fatherhood for those with fathers and the fatherless. They recap a Mardi Gras trip and discuss an upcoming live show on 2/24/26 at 7:00 PM, encouraging viewers to subscribe and get tickets. The main discussion centers on the realization that when you pray for growth and expanded territory, you must accept the full load that comes with it—time demands, visibility, responsibility, and the unseen work behind results—summed up as “you asked for this,” and reframed as purpose rather than simply being “busy.” They talk about the need to be prepared and to steward what you ask for, using analogies like the real upkeep of owning a yacht and the extensive setup required for producing episodes. The hosts also address accountability and showing respect for the platform, including the importance of effort, preparation, and feedback for growth. They connect these ideas to marriage and parenting: supporting a spouse’s vision without becoming a ‘dream killer,’ balancing consequences with repeated guidance for children, and not letting a child’s history prevent offering grace and wisdom. They share examples of their sons’ maturing communication and learning from real-world consequences, and close by urging sons to acknowledge when their fathers were right and encouraging consistent investment in relationships so they don’t wither.00:00 Welcome to the Dear Son Show (What This Space Is About)00:33 Catching Up: Mardi Gras, Kids in Crowds & Weekend Check-In01:18 Housekeeping: Subscribe + Live Show Tickets (2/24/26)01:51 Topic Drop: 'Dear Son, You Asked for This' (Stop Complaining)03:21 Busy vs Purpose: Choosing Better Words for a Full Life05:14 A Day in the Life: Packed Schedule, Family Runs & Showing Up06:33 Praying for Expansion… Then Handling Visibility & Responsibility07:22 The Hidden Cost of What You Ask For (Time, Upkeep & Lifestyle Shifts)12:39 Accountability on the Platform: Taking the Work Seriously19:34 Growth Through Feedback: Drafts, Principles & Applying Lessons to Fatherhood23:11 Consequences vs. Conversation: Fixing the Approach in Parenting & Marriage24:27 The “Duck Through the Door” Metaphor: Coaching People Toward You25:38 Teaching Kids Systems (Not Shame): When “One More Time” Becomes 2026:34 Not Erasing Consequences: Responding When Growth Requires More27:53 Supporting Your Partner’s Vision: Avoiding ‘Dream Killer’ Mode33:56 History vs. Grace with Adult Kids: Respecting Who They’re Becoming35:47 Seeing the Change: Communication, Adversity, and New Maturity43:23 Let Lessons Land: Application, Parenting Environment, and Patience44:58 Final Charge: Don’t Let Relationships Wither—Keep Pouring In#fathersonrelationship #adviceformen #modernfatherhood #adultchildren #lifelessonsformen #raisingmen #raisingkids #mantalk Follow James: https://instagram.com/jeyblac Also, if you've made it this far, don't forget to:1. subscribe to the channel, 2. turn on the notifications,3. like this video, 4. leave a comment, and5. share this content with someone who needs it.The DSP: https://thedearsonpodcast.com Support the podcast by supporting our sponsors: Shop DSN Merch: https://dear-son-merch.creator-spring.com/listing/the-dear-son-show Love Kisha J Studios: https://lovekishaj.com My ebook: https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch-%26-digital/ols/products/20lifepromptsv1My book (physical): https://thedearsonpodcast.com/dsp-merch-%26-digital/ols/products/dear-son-what-i-wish-my-father-told-me-physical-copyLet’s connect socially: https://instagram.com/thedearsonpodcast https://facebook.com/thedearsonpodcast The Three Foundational Pillars of the DSP Community1. Reveal trauma 2. Heal from trauma3. Help through telling stories of it all“Better Man. Better Father.”The Dear Son, Network ®Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/dear-son/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
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