Black Fatherhood Podcast

The Black Fatherhood Podcast is dedicated to educating, validating, elevating, and celebrating the importance of Black fatherhood. Our conversations bring together scholars, experts, artists, and thought leaders to examine the historical context and current societal factors influencing Black fatherhood today. In addition, we’ll get up close and personal with sons, fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers about their experiences as Black men, and Black parents, in an ever-changing American landscape.

Our host, Dr. Alvin Thomas, is a clinical psychologist, Phyllis Northway Faculty Fellow & Assistant Professor of Human Development & Family Studies, and the Director of the Thomas Resilient Youth Lab - both at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Human Ecology.

The Black Fatherhood Podcast is produced in partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison.


A sample selection of episodes is below. For the full podcast library, click here.

Roy Wood, Jr. is a nationally acclaimed comedian and actor, and a regular correspondent and guest host on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. But his most important job is being a father. Roy joins us to talk about parenting his son in a media spotlight, growing up with the legacy of his own equally famous father, and how being your own person can begin a legacy for generations beyond yourself.

Roy Wood, Jr.: A Man of Many Fathers

How do we continue in relationships with people who’ve hurt us - especially those closest to us? Esau McCaulley, theologian, professor and author of “How Far to the Promised Land: One Black Family’s Story of Hope and Survival in the American South” joins us to talk about family, religion, poverty, grace and forgiveness.

Esau McCaulley: How Far to the Promised Land

In addition to having appeared in numerous television shows and comedy clubs across the country, Felonious Munk is also a proud father whose greatest achievement might depend on whether or not he can get his young son to *just try* Ethiopian food. Comedian, social commentator, actor, producer - and dad - Felonious joins us to talk about the highs, lows, and everything in between when it comes to parenting.

Getting Real with Felonious Munk

Supports and resources that focus on Black fathers are scarce, and fathers' access to these supports for fathers is limited. Dr. Latrice Rollins, Assistant Professor at the Morehouse School of Medicine in the Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine and Prevention Research Center, and the director of the National African American Child and Family Research Center, joins us to explain how any move towards father inclusive services must embrace two levels of involvement: “Father Awareness”, and “Father Friendliness".

Making Parent Support Systems Black-Father Friendly

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43cc, Dr. Wendy Dean and Dr. Matt Ramsey
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Everyday Shakespeare, Professor Caroline Bicks and Professor Michelle Ephriam