guest post | DADvocacy Consulting

The DADDYING blog provides commentary, personal narratives, reviews, research & other creative expressions from a diverse group of colleagues, guest writers, and experts to raise awareness and promote the benefits of lifelong Dad involvement.

Joe Gleason and one of his young sons smiling

Farewell to A Caring, Thoughtful, Giving Dad, Granddad, and Writer

Daddying blog editor Scott Beller remembers his first boss, longtime friend, and award-winning writer J. Boyce Gleason.

Allan Shedlin

Nov 6

Setting Sail – A Father's Journey Reimagined

Guest poetry by 21st Century Dads founder David Hirsch intended to help comfort other parents caring for their own special needs children.

Allan Shedlin

Oct 22

Image from the mural ‘‘Take My Hand,” a tribute to Harriet Tubman displayed on the Chesapeake Mural Trail in Cambridge, MD, by Michael Rosato, set against backdrop of National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC

A Poem For Our Grandchildren During Ugly Times

Granddad, poet, and literary activist E. Ethelbert Miller shares an original poem for his grandchildren and yours that reflects these difficult times.

Allan Shedlin

Oct 1

This is when we break

Backed by research, Equimundo founder Gary Barker offers solutions to the crisis surging with American men and fathers.

Allan Shedlin

Sep 16

Reimagining Manhood: A Path Forward from the State of American Men Report

Equimundo's Sr. Director of Research, Dr. Taveeshi Gupta, presents findings and recommendations from the 2025 State of American Men report.

Allan Shedlin

Aug 5

At Work or Home, Daddying is Always on Our Mind

Native Health Initiative (NHI) founder Dr. Anthony Fleg asked his kids to help write and record the sequel to his book "Writing To Heal" and then celebrated by co-hosting the launch party together with them.

Allan Shedlin

Jul 20

Go West, Young Man

Guest writer Josh Givens, a single Dad, hopes to protect and maintain closeness while his son grows and learns to explore the world.

Allan Shedlin

Jul 8

We Don’t Have Any Other Dads Coming In: From One Volunteer to a National Movement

NAFFS founder Keith Schumacher writes about the need to rewire the way schools think about and engage Dads and other male caregivers.

Allan Shedlin

Jul 1

Memorial sculpture at site of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and Big Bopper plane crash.

A Road Trip Turned Rock Pilgrimage Evokes Cherished Dad Memories

Musician Justin Roberts takes a detour to visit the Buddy Holly memorial sparking memories of his Dad and another rock legend.

Allan Shedlin

Jun 25

Daddying Gets Its Due This Fathers' Day with PBS Series "Grown Up Dad"

For Fathers' Day, PBS documentary series creator Joe Gidjunis champions involved Dads while urging meaningful public policy and societal changes to support greater balance in parenting roles.

Allan Shedlin

Jun 11

Thao Vanessa Tran and her smiling father.

I Am My Father’s Medicine

Guest writer and Ditox founder Thao Vanessa Tran writes about her father and asserts that supporting men's mental health need not be complicated.

Allan Shedlin

May 28

My Father Was My Hero But Don't Ever Call Him That!

Mitch Berliner's father was a veteran and hero of World War II. He also was a great Dad.

Allan Shedlin

May 21

Death, Taxes, and the Daddying Heart of a Documentary

Documentary filmmaker Justin Schein tells the daddying story at the heart of his award-winning film "Death & Taxes."

Allan Shedlin

Apr 17

The Daddying Backstory for My Documentary "THE BRAINWASHING OF MY DAD"

Award-winning filmmaker Jen Senko provides backstory to her film The Brainwashing of My Dad, a Daddying Film Fest 2025 official selection.

Allan Shedlin

Apr 8

Glowing TV set in the middle of an otherwise darkened room.

The Elephant (& Donkey) In the Room

Dr. Dan and Celenie Singley discuss effects of constant divisive news, social media debate & threats to values/safety on our mental health.

Allan Shedlin

Mar 27

There's A Good Reason My Daughter Loves Something She’s Never Had

Guest writer and girl dad Tyler Pawlak takes time for daddying by sharing a love of coffee brewing with his young daughter.

Allan Shedlin

Mar 19

How to Protect Our Tweens and Teens from False Messages

Psychologist Jacqueline Toner equips parents/grandparents to help children identify and debunk misinformation and disinformation.

Allan Shedlin

Mar 5

How A Super Bowl Ad Reflects the Evolving Role of Fathers

Guest writer Jessica Huerta, MA, highlights the potential impact of a Super Bowl ad showing caregiving as a core aspect of masculinity.

Allan Shedlin

Feb 12

An Osmotic Father, Jacques, and the Gang

Guest writer Aren Cohen reminisces about her beloved stuffed animals and special relationship with her adopted dad.

Allan Shedlin

Feb 6

Trying To Live Up to High Ideals Isn’t Easy

Guest writer Claudette Scheffold remembers her fire-fighting hero father, Fred, and aspires to model his ideals daily.

Allan Shedlin

Jan 15

What the Heck is Neotenic Daddying?

In honor of Mickey Mouse's birthday, Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) Founder Allan Shedlin defines "neotenic daddying" and explains how Dads can best apply the idea to their everyday parenting.

Allan Shedlin

7 days ago

The Pinnacle of Daddying

Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin opens the holiday season reflecting on fatherhood and how the lifelong process of daddying has been as nurturing for him as it has for his children.

Allan Shedlin

Nov 12

Farewell to A Caring, Thoughtful, Giving Dad, Granddad, and Writer

Daddying blog editor Scott Beller remembers his first boss, longtime friend, and award-winning writer J. Boyce Gleason.

Allan Shedlin

Nov 6

At School Our Kids Are Now Forced to Learn the Difference Between Spooky and Truly Scary

Daddying blog Editor Scott Beller writes about the horrific state of our country and classrooms in 2025 and how this Halloween, our kids have been forced to learn the difference between Halloween frights and real monsters.

Allan Shedlin

Oct 31

Setting Sail – A Father's Journey Reimagined

Guest poetry by 21st Century Dads founder David Hirsch intended to help comfort other parents caring for their own special needs children.

Allan Shedlin

Oct 22

D3F Makes an Impact Because The Importance of Daddying Is Universal

Daddying Film Festival & Forum (D3F) founder Allan Shedlin explains one of the many behind-the-scenes benefits of managing a festival with such universal appeal: forging diverse and lasting friendships.

Allan Shedlin

Oct 16

Heroes Fight Book Bans for Their Kids' Freedom to Read and Think for Themselves

Daddying blog editor Scott Beller provides a Banned Books Week reminder that the freedom to read fight continues and reading with our kids helps open their minds and ours.

Allan Shedlin

Oct 8

A Poem For Our Grandchildren During Ugly Times

Granddad, poet, and literary activist E. Ethelbert Miller shares an original poem for his grandchildren and yours that reflects these difficult times.

Allan Shedlin

Oct 1