Welcome to the Dad, Actually podcast! Follow along as I share what my experience was like navigating the foster care system in order to build a family as a single gay man. Full transparency! Everything from start to finish and what parenting has been like following the finalization of our adoption.
As a bonus, enjoy my mini series called Dad, After Dark where we'll discuss various topics in unhinged and uncut episodes with a featured guest each week.
Considering tackling the foster care system too? Submit your questions in the comments and maybe we'll discuss or answer it in a future episode
In this episode, I’m sharing what those first couple of weeks of foster life really looked like once the big emotions settled and the to-do list kicked in. Think doctor appointments, home visits, daycare searches, and a whole lot of extra coordinating I didn’t know I had signed up for. Plus, a shocking introduction that nobody saw coming!
23 Jan 2026
EP 7: Introductions
In this episode, I share the experience of introducing my son to my family for the first time. After keeping my foster journey private for months, I finally made the call and surprised my parents with some life changing news. I discuss the FaceTime reveal, their first visit, and the reality of navigating family dynamics as a brand new parent. It’s an honest look at managing my expectations, sorting through emotions, and how first introductions don’t always unfold the way you imagine.
14 Jan 2026
EP 6: Gotcha Day
In this episode, I’m finally sharing Gotcha Day! The day I got the call, met my son, and stepped into fatherhood. After months of preparation and waiting, everything changed with a single phone call.
I talk about the anticipation, the nerves, and the overwhelming mix of fear and love that came with bringing him home for the first time. It’s a deeply emotional day, one I still hold close and the reason Gotcha Day is the day we celebrate as our family anniversary.
1 Jan 2026
EP 5: Happy New Year
In this mini episode I’m popping in to say hello, thank you for sticking around, and to catch you up on where we’ve been since the last episode dropped. Amongst a busy holiday season filled with long workdays, neighborhood events, travel, home projects, and a little creative chaos, I took a pause to refocus on our everyday life.
This episode isn’t a continuation of the journey just yet. It’s a check-in, a reset, and a reminder that sometimes stepping back is part of moving forward. New episodes are coming soon! I’m excited to be back! Happy New Year and welcome to 2026!
1 Oct 2025
EP 4: The Fun Stuff
In this episode I take a break from the paperwork and licensing talk to share the fun side of preparing for parenthood—designing and decorating the nursery. From picking bold paint colors and assembling furniture (that may or may not have fit through the door), to shopping for baby clothes, I relive some of the excitement of getting ready for a child I hadn’t even met yet. I also open up about the challenge of keeping it all a secret from my family and why that part of the journey was so personal to me.
22 Sept 2025
EP 3: Licensing
In this episode I share what it was like to go through the certification process to become a licensed foster parent in Arizona. From training classes and awkward role-playing exercises to home inspections, endless paperwork, and even a deep dive into my childhood, I walk you through the steps I had to complete and the emotions that came with them. It wasn’t always easy, but it was the moment I truly started to feel ready to welcome a child into my home.
10 Sept 2025
EP 2: Beginning
In this episode, I share what it was really like to take the very first steps toward becoming a foster parent—from nervously logging into orientation with pen and paper in hand (and forgetting to take a single note), to anxiously deep-cleaning my house before the first home visit. Along the way, I discovered surprising facts about the foster care system in Arizona and learned that getting started wasn't as scary as it seemed.
www.childcrisisaz.org (www.childcrisisaz.org)
2 Sept 2025
EP 1: Inspiration
In the very first episode of Dad, Actually, I share the story of what inspired me to finally take the leap into fatherhood. From feeling stuck without a plan to exploring surrogacy, adoption, and ultimately the foster system, I open up about the challenges, fears, and things that would turn my world upside down.
As a single gay man, the path to single parenthood wasn’t always clear. But the inspiration from my friends and community helped me move forward. This episode is about taking those first uncertain steps and facing doubts head-on.
10 Aug 2025
Trailer: Welcome to Dad, Actually
Ever thought about becoming a parent but had no idea where to start? I’ve been there. I’m Anthony— a single man in my thirties who decided not to wait for “Prince Charming” and built a family on my own. This show is part guide, part personal diary, mixing expert advice with my own highs, lows, and laugh-out-loud parenting moments. Whether you’re exploring your options or just curious, you’ll find honest stories, practical tips, and inspiration for the journey to parenthood.
Full episodes launching in September 2025
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.7 / 5
9 ratings
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