In this powerful episode of Family Dialogues Podcast, we sit down with author and cultural commentator Adam B. Coleman to explore the long-term impact of father absence, single-parent households, and broken family systems on children and society.

Drawing from his deeply personal story and his book The Children We Left Behind, Adam shares how growing up without a consistent father figure shaped his identity, mental health, relationships, and self-worth. Together, we unpack the emotional realities many children silently carry from abandonment wounds to low self-esteem and why these experiences often go unnoticed.

This conversation goes beyond personal stories to examine broader cultural trends, including the normalization of family separation, the role of extended family, and the societal consequences of prioritizing adult happiness over children’s well-being.

We also explore:

• The psychological effects of fatherlessness on boys and girls
• Why children from single-parent homes often hide their pain
• The link between family breakdown, mental health struggles, and risky behaviors
• The dangers children face when non-biological adults enter the home
• How unresolved childhood trauma impacts adult relationships and parenting
• The importance of intentional parenting, emotional connection, and accountability

Adam also offers hope by sharing how he broke generational patterns, rebuilt his identity, and is raising his son with intention, presence, and emotional awareness.

This episode is essential listening for parents, caregivers, and anyone seeking to understand the deeper impact of family dynamics on child development and long-term well-being.

Resources & Recommendations

• The Children We Left Behind – Adam B. Coleman
• Adam B. Coleman Substack
• Wrong Speak Publishing
• Wrong Speak Media
• Adam on YouTube/@wrong_speak

Can mothers successfully balance entrepreneurship, marriage, and motherhood without losing themselves in the process?

In this episode of the Family Dialogues Podcast, Dr. Taniesha speaks with multimedia creator, filmmaker, and business strategist Cherene Francis about how women can build meaningful businesses while nurturing strong families and staying grounded in their identity.

Together, they explore the mindset shifts women need to move from uncertainty to confidence, practical ways to start a business with minimal resources, and how faith, discipline, and intentional family planning help women thrive in multiple roles.

Cherene shares powerful insights from her journey as an entrepreneur, wife, and mother including how grounding your day, understanding your personal rhythms, and building an intentional family ecosystem can transform both your business and home life.

This episode is especially valuable for mothers considering starting a home-based business, transitioning to entrepreneurship, or creating a more flexible work life while remaining deeply present for their children and marriage.

• Why mindset and identity are the foundation of successful entrepreneurship
• Practical steps to start a business with minimal money or resources
• How mothers can leverage their skills and passions to create income online
• The role of faith, purpose, and personal development in building a meaningful business
• How to avoid common pitfalls when choosing a business coach or program
• Why AI can be a helpful tool, but not a replacement for human creativity and purpose
• How to design a family-centered business plan that prioritizes marriage and children
• Strategies for raising independent and capable children while managing a busy life
• The wisdom of the Proverbs 31 woman as a model for leadership, entrepreneurship, and family life
• Simple ways to protect energy, intimacy in marriage, and personal wellbeing

If you are a mother seeking to build a life of purpose, flexibility, and strong family connection, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about work, identity, and leadership in the home.

• Fiverr – freelance platform for hiring or offering services
• Upwork – global freelance marketplace
• ChatGPT / AI tools – used for brainstorming business ideas and automation
• The Baby Whisperer – parenting book on baby routines and self-soothing

• Instagram: @ChereneFrancis
• Website: ChereneFrancis.com

If you enjoy this episode, please follow, rate, and share the Family Dialogues Podcast so more families can build stronger, healthier relationships.

Raising a child with disabilities can transform every aspect of family life from medical decisions and advocacy to marriage, sibling relationships, and personal identity. In this powerful episode of Family Dialogues, Dr. Taniesha Burke speaks with author, advocate, and speaker Christine Staple-Ebanks, a mother whose son Nathan was diagnosed with cerebral palsy after surviving a life-threatening birth condition.

Christine shares her deeply personal journey navigating medical uncertainty, building resilience, and becoming a fierce advocate for her child. From raising Nathan in Jamaica, where services were limited, to navigating complex systems in the United States, Christine reveals how parents can move from overwhelm to empowerment.

This conversation explores how families can stay connected, how parents can advocate effectively for their children, and how faith, community, and knowledge can transform a difficult diagnosis into a meaningful life mission.

Whether you’re a parent of a child with special needs, a professional working with families, or someone supporting loved ones through similar challenges, this episode offers practical tools, emotional insight, and hope.

• The emotional impact of receiving a cerebral palsy diagnosis
• Trusting parental intuition when developmental milestones seem delayed
• The difference between aggressive vs. assertive advocacy in healthcare and education
• Navigating IEP meetings and special education systems
• How disability affects siblings, marriage, and the entire family system
• Rebuilding identity after leaving a career to become a caregiver
• Why community support and parent networks are essential
• How faith, resilience, and purpose can emerge through hardship
• Practical strategies for balancing caregiving, finances, and self-care
• Preparing for your child’s transition to adulthood and guardianship

• Parents are experts on their children: document observations and ask questions.
• Effective advocacy is informed, calm, and solution-focused.
• Disability impacts the entire family ecosystem, not just the child.
• Building a support network of other parents can provide life-changing knowledge and resources.
• Scheduling intentional time for siblings, marriage, and self-care helps families thrive.

Christine Staple-Ebanks is an author, speaker, and special needs advocate. As the founder of the Special Needs Mama Bear community, she equips families with tools, education, and encouragement to navigate life after a diagnosis. Through coaching, books, and online resources, she helps parents build confidence in advocacy and create thriving family systems.

• YouTube: Special Needs Mama Bear
• Facebook: Special Needs Mama Bear Community
• Parent coaching and resources available through her Special Needs Mama Bear membership platform

(Helpful resources referenced during the conversation)

• Special Needs Mama Bear Community & Store – Parent resources and coaching
• Udemy – Online course platform (Christine’s advocacy training)
• YouTube – Educational resources from Special Needs Mama Bear
• Facebook & Instagram – Parenting and community support groups
• Ronald McDonald House – Housing support for families with hospitalized children
• MyChart – Patient portal for accessing medical records and results
• UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) – International disability rights framework