Put me in, Coach—with Kendall Smith

Growing up without a father figure can be difficult for someone who has no other male role models in their lives. Author Kendall Smith, son of a single mother, joins me to share the wisdom he has gathered from his own experience as a father, from observing other dads, and from interviewing various generations of men.  How did being raised by a single mother lead to his desire to write this book? What has he learned by interviewing various generations of men about their perspectives on fatherhood? What is the most important thing you can do as a father? Listen in to uncover the answers to these questions and be inspired by his story. Meet Kendall Smith Kendall Smith is the author of Rookie Father: A Playbook for Men Experiencing Fatherhood for the First time. His work includes self-help, fiction, and satire, and he’s a dedicated father and husband living in New Jersey. His core focus is fatherhood and providing relevant, pragmatic advice to new dads. Key Topics in this podcast: His motivation for writing non-fiction after establishing himself as an author of fiction. The importance encouragement plays for writers. How being raised by a single mother impacted his life and his desire to write this book. The differences between writing fiction and non-fiction. What he’s learned by interviewing various generations of men about their perspectives on fatherhood. How he feels fathers are portrayed in the media, and what we should do about it. KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM MY TALK WITH KENDALL Be Present. Fatherhood is not easy but being there for your kids no matter what makes the struggle worth it. Be Patient. It's a parenting feat all parents should strive to achieve. It's all About Them. Never forget that your role as a father must be rooted in the lives of your children. Sharing is Caring. Kendall is a role model not just to his children but to other fathers and he generously shares his advice and observations in his book. The Hot Seat Questions for Kendall: What was your favorite TV show when you were a kid? How do you feel when you are staring at a blank piece of paper or a blank computer screen? What lesson about writing or publishing did you learn the hard way? What’s the best piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author? What words of advice would you give your younger self? Memorable Quotes/Advice From Kendall “Bear in mind that whatever you endured in your childhood— watching your parents separate or divorce—a new child represents a clean slate. You can craft your path of fathering however you'd like. Be patient and know that your child it's a fresh start, and you can correct a lot of imbalances that you experienced when you become a dad yourself.” Where to buy his book: Amazon, Bookshop How to get in touch with Kendall Smith Website: https://therookiefather.com/ Instagram: @therookiefather Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorkendall  If you liked this conversation, please share it with a friend. Also, please like, rate, and review Uncorking a Story wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices