“I Grew Up Without a Father:” The Truth About Childhood Trauma & Healing | Adam B. Coleman

About this episode

This episode explores the impact of father absence and childhood trauma through the personal story of Adam B. Coleman.

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…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Taniesha Burke

Guest: Adam B. Coleman

Topics covered

• father absence
• childhood trauma
• single-parent households
• mental health
• intentional parenting
• family dynamics

Keywords

• fatherlessness
• childhood trauma
• mental health
• single-parent homes
• emotional connection
• parenting
• identity

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: The Children We Left Behind

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