By: Wendy Thelese Talley, DSW, MSW, LCSW

Thelese Consulting Group, LLC - Leadership Mastery Elite Academy

The global crisis in leadership we are currently facing is about the imbalance of the workplace's emotional and mental well-being. Organizations are experiencing emotional and mental imbalance caused by uncertainty, stress, and trauma. The World Health Organization (2022) reported that depression and anxiety cost the world economy $1 trillion annually in lost productivity. The American Institute of Stress reports that workplace stress costs U.S. businesses over $300 billion annually in absenteeism, turnover, and reduced productivity. Post-pandemic, mental health concerns are at an all-time high, with 76% of workers reporting at least one symptom of burnout (Gallup, 2024).

The Urgency of NOW

The future of work depends on organizations' ability to support the mental health of both individuals and their families. Trauma-informed care organizations go beyond providing wellness programs to integrate well-being into leadership, communication, and day-to-day operations. When leaders build psychological safety and emotional intelligence, they not only enhance performance but also preserve the human stock that fosters innovation and stability (Edmondson, 2019; Goleman, 2004). Leaders, we must remember that our workforce, who are human beings, give purpose and value to the bottom line.

Signs of an unhealthy workplace

By Dr. Roderick Logan, DPTh, DAAETS Website: www.rodericklogan.com

As fathers, we carry an immense responsibility. We are not just present in our children's lives—we are the architects of their future resilience. Our role is crucial, and the question that keeps many of us awake at night is not whether we love our children, but whether they truly feel that love in ways that will sustain them long after we are gone.

The answer to this question lies in a powerful framework I call I Was Loved. This framework holds particular power for fathers who want to break cycles, build legacies, and raise sons and daughters who know, without question, that they were cherished. It's a tool that empowers us to make a lasting impact on our children's lives.

Think of fatherhood as roots. Not the visible parts of the tree—not the branches that sway in the wind or the leaves that catch the light. Roots. The hidden network beneath the surface that anchors the tree through storms, draws nourishment from deep sources, and determines whether the tree will stand or fall when adversity comes. Our children are the visible growth. However, we are the roots. Moreover, the deeper, stronger, and more intentional our presence, the more resilient they become.

This metaphor is not merely poetic—it reflects the biological reality of how secure attachment literally shapes brain architecture. Just as roots establish the foundation for everything a tree becomes, our consistent, loving presence establishes the neural pathways that determine how our children will navigate relationships, regulate emotions, and respond to adversity for the rest of their lives. The root system we cultivate in our children's early years becomes the unseen infrastructure of their adult well-being.

Meaning: Why This Moment Demands Our Attention

Our children are facing unprecedented mental health challenges. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 20% of children aged 3-17 have a diagnosed mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. Anxiety and depression rates among adolescents have increased by more than 50% over the past decade. Suicide has become the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10-24. As fathers, we witness our children navigating social pressures and digital influences that complicate the parent-child connection in ways previous generations never encountered.

By Dr. Roderick Logan, DPTh, DAAETS

Website: rodericklogan.com 

Picture this: You are standing in the middle of a forest at dusk, holding a map that promises to lead you home. You have followed its directions faithfully for years, teaching your children to read its symbols, pointing out landmarks with confidence. Then one day, you look up and realize the map does not match the terrain. The promised paths lead to cliffs. The safe havens are nowhere to be found. Worse still, your children are watching, waiting for you to know what to do next.

This is the moment many fathers face when confronting religious trauma—not just their own, but the legacy they may unknowingly pass to the next generation. At the upcoming Fathers and Families Coalition of America 2027 Conference (April 13-17, 2027, at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport), I will facilitate a workshop titled "Reclaiming Faith, Hope, and Love: Finding Everland After Religious Trauma." The workshop is based on my soon-to-be-released book, Finding Everland: A Voyage Beyond Religious Trauma —A Psalm-Guided Journey to Resiliency.

What I have witnessed in coaching practice and preliminary workshop discussions is not just a conversation about recovering from harmful religious experiences, but a deeper exploration of how fathers can become architects of healing for themselves and their families.

The forest at dusk is not just a metaphor. It is where you are right now if you have experienced religious trauma. It is that suspended space between the faith community you left and the identity you are still forming. And if you are a father, you are not standing there alone. Your children are with you, looking to you for direction, even when you feel lost yourself.

Meaning: Rewriting the Stories That Define Us

Religious trauma does something particularly insidious to meaning-making. It takes the very frameworks we use to understand our lives—our values, our sense of right and wrong, our understanding of love and belonging—and weaponizes them. When the religious system that promised to give your life meaning instead causes harm, it creates a void that extends far beyond Sunday mornings.

When "Bad Behavior" Isn’t Bad at All

By Ovett Chapman, Ph.D.

#SeeTheWholeChild #ParentingWithPurpose #EveryChildBelongs

The Moment We Start Guessing

If you’ve ever sat in a parent–teacher conference and listened to a list of concerns about your child, you know the knot that forms in your stomach. Your child talks too much in class. Or not at all. They don’t complete assignments. They seem distracted. Sometimes they get upset quickly. Other days, they shut down completely. The words come fast: doesn’t listen, disrespectful, all over the place.

As parents, we want answers. Is it ADHD? Anxiety? Just a phase? We rush to label, to fix, to solve. In doing so, we often forget the question that matters most:

What is my child’s behavior trying to tell me?

Father’s Role in Supporting Breastfeeding

By Samuel Rangel, CADC-CAS, L.E.C
Merced County Human Services Agency · All Dads Matter Program

“Buckle up for an engaging talk on how fathers can actively support breastfeeding through education, practical help, and emotional connection—strengthening bonds for the whole family.”

Breastfeeding is often framed as a mother-and-baby journey, yet fathers have a profound influence on its success. Far from being sidelined, dads can shape maternal confidence, infant health, and the overall family dynamic. Still, many fathers report challenges: feeling excluded, uncertainty about their role, shifts in intimacy, or even discomfort with public breastfeeding.

This session reframes those challenges as opportunities for growth and connection. By integrating education, practical support, and emotional presence, fathers can transform the breastfeeding journey into a shared family experience. We’ll also explore how awareness of postpartum depression and mental health equips fathers to care for themselves while standing as strong partners for their loved ones.

Participants will leave with strategies to deepen their role, ensuring healthier outcomes for mother, baby, and family.

From San Jose to Brooklyn Park: A Father’s Full Circle

By Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW
President & CEO, Fathers and Families Coalition of America
Keynote Speaker, 2025 Global Fatherhood Awards

There are moments in life that don’t just happen—they return. Like the opening chords of a song that’s been living in your spirit for decades, they rise again—familiar, warm, and powerful. They call you back to the places where you first found your voice, to the people who shaped your steps, to the dreams that once felt too big for your hands to hold.

The seeds you planted in silence? They’ve been growing all along—quietly, steadily—until one day the branches of your life are bending under the weight of a harvest you almost can’t believe is yours.

On August 23, 2025, I will walk onto the stage at the Global Fatherhood Awards in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota—an evening set aside to honor extraordinary fathers who have lifted families, inspired communities, and built bridges for generations to cross.

REFRESH: A Leadership Call for 2025
By Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC
President & CEO, Fathers and Families Coalition of America

There is a sacred moment in every leader’s journey when they must pause—not to quit, not to retreat, but to refresh.

Not just to take a break, but to breathe new life into their purpose. Not to abandon the mission, but to remember why it began. Not to drift, but to reset the sails.

In 2025, the need for refreshed leadership is not a luxury. It is a necessity.

COMING SOON: The Purpose Within – Like the Phoenix Out of the Ashes
By Dr. James C. Rodríguez

There’s a song by Bad Bunny where he says, “Duermo en Los Ángeles, pero vivo en San Juan.” I know that feeling. I live in Phoenix to be near my children, but my dreams still hum with the heartbeat of New York City. My soul? It dances in Puerto Rico. And my heart—it finds peace walking the shores of California. My family migrated from Puerto Rico to New York and then California, settling in San Bernardino County. I left home at 17 to serve this country as a combat medic and never truly returned—only to visit, to serve, to build. Yet, every step since has been about rising from what tried to break me and returning to what gives me life.

This is why I wrote The Purpose Within: Like the Phoenix Out of the Ashes.

How do we rise when life burns everything we know to the ground?

In The Purpose Within, I open the doors to my journey—not to recount pain for pain’s sake, but to walk with you through the embers of what was… and into the possibilities of what can be. Inspired by Nietzsche’s truth—“Ready must thou be to burn thyself in thine own flame; how couldst thou become new if thou have not first become ashes!”—this book is not about avoiding the fire. It’s about becoming it. Not a spark of ego. But a flame of transformation. This book is not just a project. It is my purpose, poured onto the page.

THE SUMMER OF BEING INTENTIONAL: A PERSONAL CALL TO ACTION
By Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW, CADC
President & CEO, Fathers & Families Coalition of America
Author of "The Purpose Within: Like The Phoenix Out of the Ashes" (coming soon)
This summer isn’t just another season. It’s a calling.

We live in a world where burnout is normalized. Healing others often comes at the cost of forgetting ourselves. Leaders, clinicians, teachers, counselors, advocates, and parents are stretched so thin that they forget they carry the power to transform lives, starting with their own.

I created the Advanced Practitioner Credential™, the FFCA DiSC™ Program, and our QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Certification not as training checkboxes but as transformational opportunities to reclaim what we all deserve—purpose, clarity, power, and healing.

This summer, we’re not doing business as usual. We are claiming a new standard. We are stepping into the Summer of Being Intentional.

From the Ashes, We Rise

A Transformational Journey for Leaders and Change-Makers

By Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW
President & CEO, Fathers and Families Coalition of America

Are You Ready to Go Beyond Communication—Into True Connection and Growth?

Are you tired of surface-level team training that barely scratches the surface of real growth? Are you searching for a way to build stronger teams—and elevate human potential in yourself and those around you?

Then, now is the moment to take the next step.

The DiSC Training of Trainers Program™ by Fathers and Families Coalition of America (FFCA), in partnership with the California Institute of Health and Social Services, Inc., is more than a training—it's a transformational experience grounded in evidence, empathy, and purpose.

Launching May 28, 2025 (registration open)at our new Los Angeles training center, this hybrid model offers both in-person and virtual sessions. It invites professionals to step into advanced learning that fuses emotional intelligence, trauma-informed care, and personal growth like never before.

Why This Isn't Just Another DiSC Training

While most DiSC courses limit themselves to communication styles, the FFCA DiSC Model™ was intentionally designed to reflect the depth of human experience. It is built on four foundational dimensions:

The Advanced Practitioner Credential™ Course: A Transformational Journey for Professionals Working with Children, Families, and Communities

By Dr. James C. Rodríguez, MSW
President & CEO – Fathers and Families Coalition of America

In today's climate of uncertainty, rising demands, and deep-rooted inequities, professionals serving children and families—particularly those in nonprofit agencies, Head Start and Early Head Start programs, child welfare systems, behavioral health, and education—are being asked to do more than ever before. Yet, they are often doing so with fewer resources, higher caseloads, and increased emotional toll.

The Advanced Practitioner Credential™ (APC) Course is not just another certification. It is a bold, purpose-driven response to the urgent need for elevated leadership, intentional practice, and trauma-informed transformation. This course is built for those who refuse to settle for surface-level professional development. It is designed for those who know that the families and communities we serve deserve our very best—grounded in evidence, powered by purpose, and sustained by compassion.

Whether you are a seasoned clinician navigating burnout, a Head Start family service worker committed to generational change, a fatherhood practitioner striving to build bridges in underserved communities, or a community leader advocating for equity, this course offers an immersive journey of growth and renewal.

Be More Than an Exhibitor: Join the Movement to Make a Difference
26th International Families and Fathers Conference: April 7–11, 2025 | Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel

#BuildingBridges2025 #FFCAConference #StrongerFamiliesStrongerCommunities #GlobalImpact2025
#FathersAndFamilies #ExhibitorSpotlight #CommunityConnections #MeetTheAuthors2025 #InspiringChange
#BridgeBuildersUnite #FFCAExpo2025 #ConferenceWithPurpose #DiversityAndInclusion #EmpowerFamilies

We are pleased to confirm that the 26th International Families and Fathers Conference will continue as scheduled. Despite the recent devastating fires in Los Angeles County, the host hotel, Hilton LAX, remains unaffected and has graciously extended discounted room rates for attendees.

In light of these events, we are also considering extending the Early Registration Rate to support our community during this time.

Register Now: Click Here to Secure Your Spot

The authors are Tammika Fedrick and Frank Green
Protection & Prevention Capacity Building Coordinator, Division of Family Services
Virginia Department of Social Services
#ReconnectingFathers #FatherhoodAfterIncarceration #BreakingRecidivismCycles #FathersRebuildingLives #ReentryFamilySupport #IntentionalEngagement #FatherChildBonding #CollaboratingForFathers #FathersBuildingBridges #SystemicSupportForDads
#FatherhoodInVirginia  #VirginiaSocialServices #AdvocatingForDads #FamilyLeadershipInVA

Fatherhood is more than just a title—it is the cornerstone of family stability and a vital force shaping the futures of children, families, and entire communities. Yet, countless fathers, particularly those navigating challenges like reentry after incarceration, face systemic hurdles that threaten their ability to fulfill this essential role. At the 26th International Families and Fathers Conference – Building Bridges, we can explore groundbreaking solutions that empower fathers, uplift families, and strengthen communities. This transformative event, taking place April 8–11, 2025, at the Hilton LAX Hotel in Los Angeles, will bring together voices of experience, wisdom, and action to forge a brighter path forward.

With millions of children impacted by parental incarceration, this is not just a family issue—it’s a call to collective action. Together, we can reimagine fatherhood engagement, create bridges over systemic gaps, and build a future where every father has the tools to inspire, nurture, and lead. Join us as we collaborate with trailblazers like whose impactful work in Virginia is reshaping family dynamics and redefining what it means to support fathers.

Now is the time to unite, innovate, and act. Let’s build stronger families and communities, starting with the power of fatherhood.

By Allan Shedlin

Founder, DADvocacy Consulting Group and the Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F)

#Daddying #FathersMatter #BuildingBridges #Fatherhood #ParentingForTheFuture #EngagedDads #FamilyWellness #FathersAndFamilies

Introduction: A Transformative Call to Action

Parenting is one of the most profound opportunities to create lasting change in the world. Yet, how we approach fatherhood often feels constrained by outdated stereotypes and societal expectations. As I prepare to share my journey and insights as the keynote speaker at the Drs. Ramon and Yolanda Nieves Family Affair Red Tie Red Dress Gala, part of the 26th International Families and Fathers Conference - Building Bridges this April in Los Angeles, I invite you to join me in reimagining what fatherhood can truly mean.

This is a call to all fathers, father figures, educators, policymakers, and community leaders: let's embrace the power of daddying—a concept rooted in nurturing, connection, and lifelong commitment to the well-being of our children. It's time to shift the narrative and recognize the profound impact fathers can have as engaged co-parents and caregivers.

Author: Thao Tran
Digital Wellness Expert | Creator of the Ditox
For: Parents, Educators, Mental Health Professionals and Family Counselors

#FFCA2025 #DigitalWellbeing #PositiveParenting #FamilyEngagement #BuildingBridges #MentalHealthMatters #HealthySocialMedia #MindfulParenting #DigitalEmpowerment #SocialMediaSafety

Thao Vanessa Tran, a celebrated digital wellness expert and creator of the innovative Ditox program, will be one of the featured speakers at the 26th International Families and Fathers Conference, Building Bridges, April 8-11, 2025, in Los Angeles, California. As a passionate advocate for fostering resilience and positivity in the online world, Thao has dedicated her career to empowering families to navigate the complexities of social media with confidence and purpose.

With a wealth of experience in coaching and creating global digital well-being movements, Thao brings a unique perspective on helping parents, educators, and young people balance the opportunities and challenges of social media. Her sessions promise to be transformative, offering practical tools to build healthier digital habits, support mental health, and create authentic online connections.

Join us to hear Thao Vanessa Tran’s compelling insights as she shares her mission to shape a future where families thrive both online and offline. Her voice is a beacon for positive parenting and mindful digital engagement, aligning perfectly with the conference's theme of Building Bridges.

Workshop: Father’s Soaring to New Heights with their Families– Providing Vital Workforce Development Programming
Author: Katrina R. Johnson, EMBA
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Horizon Outreach

Workshop Date & Time: Tuesday, April 8, 2025,⋅ 3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Location: La Jolla B, Hilton LAX Hotel

Fathers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of their families, yet many face unique challenges as they transition from difficult life circumstances such as incarceration, rehabilitation, or homelessness. Recognizing these barriers, Horizon Outreach, under the leadership of Katrina R. Johnson, EMBA, has dedicated itself to empowering fathers through comprehensive workforce development programming. The Horizon Eagle Fatherhood Program exemplifies how passion and purpose can transform lives, equipping fathers with the tools, skills, and support needed to build self-esteem, foster healthier relationships, and secure sustainable employment. With proven success in reducing recidivism and promoting economic self-sufficiency, this program uplifts individual fathers and creates a lasting generational impact, laying the foundation for stronger families and communities.

Inasmuch, employment for the varied demographic of fathers we are honored to serve is important, but also critically essential & a necessity to provide for their families as they transition from prison,  rehabilitation centers, shelters, and/or a plethora of other seasons in their lives. One hundred percent 100% of the men we serve are fathers, so transition of any kind must ABSOLUTELY include and encapsulate sustainable employment so that they can (continue to) provide (legally) for themselves and their children/ families. In doing so, passion meets the purpose for these men as they begin taking advantage of the opportunity to hone in on building self-esteem, self-worth, and a selfless attitude & approach toward their families during the 6-8 week workshops they attend here at our facility. These workshops help fathers build and healthily expand their fathering, parenting, and relationship skills.

One challenge common amongst organizations doing similar fatherhood work is the ongoing development of staff to ensure they are meeting the needs of the community and clientele served.

#MentalHealthMatters #SuicidePrevention #QPRTraining #BuildingBridges2025 #FathersAndFamiliesCoalition #FreeCEUTraining
#WellnessCommitment 

Suicide and The Importance of QPR
By: Dr. Alicia Jackson, PhD
Coordinator of Clinical Programs, Certified QPR Trainer
Florida A&M University, Office of Counseling Services

Introduction: The Vital Role of QPR in Suicide Prevention
The 26th International Families and Fathers Conference, Building Bridges, hosted by the Fathers and Families Coalition of America (FFCA) in Los Angeles, California, is an extraordinary gathering of thought leaders, advocates, and professionals dedicated to strengthening families and communities. Scheduled for April 8–10, 2025, at the Hilton Los Angeles Airport Hotel, with specialty trainings on April 11th, this conference underscores FFCA's commitment to wellness and professional development. Among the invaluable offerings is the QPR Suicide Prevention Certificate Training, provided free of charge to all attendees as part of FFCA’s mission to foster mental health awareness and actionable solutions.

The QPR (Question, Persuade, and Refer) Suicide Prevention Training is more than an educational program—it is a lifeline for individuals in crisis and a transformative experience for those who participate. With continuing education units (CEUs) available, this initiative empowers attendees with practical tools to recognize warning signs, intervene effectively, and refer individuals to the necessary support systems. FFCA's dedication to offering this critical training for free reflects its unwavering focus on equipping communities with the skills to address mental health crises compassionately and proactively.

The Case for QPR

The Impact We Have - Authored by Dr. Anna Marie Frank, Bakersfield, California

#EmbraceExtraordinary #WellnessCoaching #FathersAndFamilies #LifeOfFlourishing #PersonalGrowth #MentalHealth #SelfCare #FamilyWellness #DrAnnaMarieFrank #HappyWholeYou #Naturopathy #MindsetMatters #HealingJourney #WellnessProfessionals #HolisticHealth #LiveWithPurpose #CoachingForWellness #Fatherhood #FlourishingLives #ExtraordinaryImpact #LifePurpose

Introduction: In our interconnected world, our influence on each other is immeasurable. Dr. Anna Marie Frank, Founder & CEO of Happy Whole You, explores this profound connection in her latest blog post, "Embracing Our Extraordinary Lives: The Impact We Have on Each Other." Dr. Frank delves into the vital role relationships play in shaping our development and well-being, particularly those with fathers and father figures. As one of the keynote panelists at the 26th International Families and Fathers Conference, Dr. Frank will join Mr. Kerry Brooks and Mr. David Koeblin for an inspiring morning session on Thursday, April 10, 2025, titled "Coaching for Wellness: The Path Towards a Life of Flourishing and Fulfillment." Together, they will explore the tools and mindset needed to build lives of purpose, connection, and fulfillment. Dr. Frank's insights from her blog beautifully set the stage for this transformative session, reminding us of our extraordinary impact on one another.

The Power of Connection and Purpose

In our rapidly changing world, it's easy to overlook our profound impact on one another. Each interaction, each shared moment, and each piece of advice we offer to shape the lives of those around us. We all serve as mentors in some capacity, whether we realize it or not. The relationships we cultivate, particularly with fathers and father figures, play a pivotal role in our development and overall well-being. The influence of a father—or a fatherly figure—can be a guiding force, instilling confidence, providing support, and teaching valuable life lessons.