Father’s Day can bring up more than celebration. It can stir grief, longing, anger, confusion, gratitude, or the ache of something that was never fully there. In the first episode of this three-part series, I explore the father wound and the impact of growing up with a father who may have been physically present but emotionally unavailable, absent, critical, inconsistent, or simply unable to give you what you needed.
I share parts of my own story and invite you to consider the difference between the father you had and the father you needed. Together, we will explore how unmet needs can shape the beliefs we carry about ourselves, the roles we adopt to earn love and approval, and the patterns that continue to show up in our relationships today.
This episode is not about blaming fathers or forcing forgiveness. It’s about telling the truth about your experience, grieving what was missing, and beginning to release the belief that what you didn’t receive says anything about your worth.
What You’ll Learn
- The difference between the father you had and the father you needed
- How unmet childhood needs can shape beliefs about worth, love, and belonging
- The survival roles many people adopt to earn connection and approval
- How father wounds often show up in adult relationships, work, and achievement
- Reflection questions to help you begin releasing old stories and reclaiming your worth