Bonus: Paper Cradles Interview: Author Jameel Mayers on Open Adoption & Gay Fatherhood

In this powerful episode of Fathernetics, we go behind the scenes of Paper Cradles — a deeply personal and gripping memoir that chronicles the emotional terrain of fatherhood, open adoption, identity, and love. From the first phone call to finalizing the paperwork, this story doesn’t shy away from the messy, the beautiful, and the deeply human moments that make up the adoption journey.

Whether you’re an adoptive parent, a birth parent, or somewhere in between, this episode offers an honest look at what it means to choose fatherhood — again and again.

We explore:

• The reality of open adoption
• Navigating fatherhood as a gay, married couple
• How to stay grounded when the system tests your patience
• Why “chosen family” isn’t just a phrase — it’s a calling
• What Paper Cradles reveals about grief, hope, and parenthood

If you’ve ever questioned what makes a family, or how far you’d go to protect a child not born to you but born for you — this one’s for you.

📕 Buy the book: Buy Here.

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💬 Let us know what resonated with you in the comments or reviews!

In this episode of Fathernetics, we sit down with the endlessly lovable and hilariously honest Tony—aka Daddy Chen (https://www.instagram.com/avery.atlas.zc) a proud gay dad raising two spirited little ones with his husband, Daddy Chase, in the heart of Orange County, California.

Tony opens up about his surrogacy journey and how being the son of immigrants shaped his identity as both a father and a partner. We get real about social pressures in Los Angeles, the uprising, and protest- how they impact him, his children, and the culture of comparison - "How do you talk to your children about war" and why intentional parenting is the only parenting that works when you’ve got a fiercely independent three-year-old daughter named Avery and a 20-month-old daredevil son named Atlas.

Get ready for laughter, real talk, and some serious dad wisdom with a whole lotta sass.

✨ Topics We Cover:

• Gay dads navigating fatherhood in Orange County
• The beautiful chaos of parenting toddlers
• Real talk on being a child of immigrants
• The emotional layers of surrogacy and chosen family
• The truth about social status and expectations in LA
• Why being intentional as a parent is everything

📢 Perfect for:

• LGBTQ+ parents
• Dads exploring surrogacy options
• Sons of immigrants navigating new generational paths
• Anyone who wants a heartwarming, hilarious, and honest convo about modern parenting

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🎧 New episodes weekly. Real talk. Dad perspective. LGBTQ+ lens.

Because fatherhood isn’t one-size-fits-all—and it sure isn’t quiet.

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🎙 Abuelo Energy: Celebrating Zaddy Vibes with Esteban on Father’s Day

In this special episode (Father's Day), I sit down with my own father for a real, unfiltered conversation about what fatherhood meant to him—and how it’s evolved across generations. We get into the values he passed down, the mistakes he owned, and the pride he carries watching me raise my kids. It’s a full-circle moment you don’t want to miss.

Highlights include:

• The lessons he learned from his father

• What he thinks I’m doing right (and wrong)

• How parenting has changed—and stayed the same

• Laughter, vulnerability, and a few surprises

This one’s straight from the heart. Let’s get into it.

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#Fathernetics #GayDadPodcast #ModernFatherhood #LGBTQDads #dadLife #Fathersday #ParentingUnfiltered #DadTalks #LGBTQ #FathersMatter #InclusiveParenting #FatherhoodIn2025 #Panama