I Am Dad

This episode of Sideline Dad, part of the I Am Dad Podcast network, delivers a powerful conversation about fatherhood, sports, discipline, and the real meaning of going pro. Host Javin Foreman is joined by former professional basketball player and elite trainer Derrek Hamilton, a father who has successfully raised two high-achieving sons—one an Ivy League athlete and scholar, the other an NFL Pro Bowl player. From growing up in Mobile, Alabama, to playing professionally overseas, to training NBA-level talent, D. Ham shares a journey defined by discipline, pivots, and purpose. But more importantly, he reveals what it truly takes to raise children who succeed both on and off the field. This conversation explores: • The difference between raising athletes and raising people • Why parents must get out of their child’s way to allow growth • How to balance sports, academics, and character development • Navigating divorce while still raising successful children • Recognizing when your child’s path is different than yours • The importance of exposure, mentorship, and global perspective • Why “going pro” in life matters more than going pro in sports D. Ham also reflects on parenting through adversity, including injury, pressure, and expectations—and how letting go of timelines can unlock a child’s true potential. This episode is a masterclass in intentional fatherhood, reminding us that the sidelines are not just where we watch games—they are where we shape futures.

This episode of Sideline Dad, part of the I Am Dad Podcast network, is a powerful conversation about how sports shape character, leadership, and fatherhood. Host Javin Foreman sits down with Kevin Jones, a father, mentor, and author of Game Ready: Leadership, Legacy, and Winning the Game of Life, to explore how the lessons learned through sports extend far beyond the field. From becoming a father at 19 to coaching and mentoring young men across North Carolina, Coach Jones shares a journey rooted in resilience, consistency, and intentional growth. His experiences as a son, father, and coach reveal a deeper truth: sports are not just about competition—they are about preparation for life. This episode explores: • How sports teach discipline, resilience, and accountability • The importance of father presence in shaping young men • Why consistency and vulnerability matter in mentorship • The challenges young athletes face in today’s environment • The role of coaches as father figures and life mentors • Navigating relationships, pressure, and identity as a young man • How lessons from sports translate into success in life and family Coach Jones also reflects on writing his book and why young men need guidance that speaks directly to their real-life challenges—not just their athletic performance. This conversation is a reminder that the sidelines are not just where games are watched—they are where futures are shaped.

This episode of Sideline Dad, a featured series within the I Am Dad Podcast network, brings a real and necessary conversation about fatherhood, youth sports, and the responsibility of raising not just athletes—but whole people. Hosted by Javin Foreman, this episode features Rodney Kellam, a father of three navigating the journey of raising children through sports, life lessons, and intentional parenting. From California playgrounds to Georgia gyms, Rodney shares how basketball shaped his identity—and how fatherhood reshaped his purpose. This conversation goes beyond the game. It explores: • The difference between developing an athlete and developing a person • Why parents must get out of the way of their child’s growth • The emotional weight fathers carry on the sidelines • The role of patience, especially when raising children with different needs • The impact of sports on discipline, identity, and resilience • How fear and ego can unintentionally harm a child’s development • Why fatherhood is ultimately about legacy, not performance Rodney also shares powerful reflections on raising a special needs daughter, supporting a high-level athlete son through injury, and learning how to remove timelines and expectations in favor of growth and love. Throughout the episode, one theme remains clear: The sidelines are not just where we watch the game—they are where fatherhood is revealed. Whether your child is playing basketball, baseball, or any sport at all, this episode challenges parents to ask a critical question: Are we helping our children become who they are meant to be—or trying to make them who we want them to be?

This week on I Am Dad Podcast, host Kenneth Braswell welcomes scholar, author, and longtime advocate Dr. David Miller for a powerful conversation about mentorship, memory, and manhood. At the center of this episode is Dr. Miller’s new national writing project, Letters to My 13-Year-Old Self, an intergenerational reflection inviting Black men across the country to write a message to the boy they once were. The letters explore wisdom, wounds, and wins—the lessons learned through decades of life experience. The conversation digs deeper than nostalgia. Braswell and Miller explore why age 13 represents a critical turning point in the development of boys and young men. They reflect on the awkward transition from childhood to adolescence, peer pressure, masculinity, identity formation, and the deep emotional experiences that shape a young man’s future. Throughout the episode, they examine: Why age 13 is a pivotal moment in Black male development The power of intergenerational mentorship between Black men The importance of community affirmation for young boys What today’s generation of boys face in a hyper-digital world The lasting impact of childhood trauma and early experiences Why older Black men must intentionally pass wisdom to younger generations Dr. Miller also shares how letters submitted by men across the country—from young adults to elders in their eighties—reveal common themes of resilience, healing, identity, and self-worth. The episode closes with a reflection on the importance of slowing down, turning off the phone, and rediscovering the beauty of youth before adulthood arrives too quickly. This conversation is a reminder that every man carries the voice of the boy he once was—and that speaking to that younger self can help guide the next generation.