Hello, everyone. Welcome to another episode of
the Bold and the Brave, a parent leader podcast.
I am one of your co -hosts. My name is Carlos
Maldonado. I'm usually not in front of the camera.
This is the first time that I'm co -hosting.
I'm usually behind the scenes producing the podcast,
recording the interviews. So I like to introduce
myself a little bit. I work with NPLight in the
communications and marketing team. I'm the leader
of that team. And I like to say that my job is
to make the team look good, meaning that anything
that gets published publicly or is shared with
the outside world basically goes through me so
that it's the best looking material that it can
be. I'm here today joined by my wonderful co
-host, my friend Melvede. Melvede, can you tell
our listeners and our viewers a little bit about
yourself as well? Yeah. So it's good to be back
on the Bold and Brave. podcast. My name is Melvet
Hill. I am a parent leader and I also get to
lead the Commission on Women, Children, Seniors,
Equity and Opportunity here in Connecticut. I'm
the executive director and also a graduate of
the phenomenal Parent Leadership Training Institute,
which we know we always have a lot of listeners
nationwide from PLTI and IPLI and family leadership
training. So glad to be here. I'm excited today
that we have another co -host with us, a great
parent leader, Joshua Vaughn. Josh, why don't
you introduce yourself to our listeners? Very
certainly. What a pleasure. Hi, everyone. My
name is Joshua Vaughn. I go by Josh. I'm from
Connecticut. I am also, too, a parent leader,
alumni of TLTI, if you will. I am a father of
five. And I'm also to a father leader. So looking
forward to being a part of today's podcast. Yeah.
So we have lots to catch up on. We three, all
three of us were together recently at the New
England Fathering Conference in Mystic, Connecticut.
It was such a good time to be there. I would
love to hear your take on it, but I've been a
few times. I've been, I think, three or four
years. And in my role at the commission, I serve
as co -chair to one of the work groups within
our Connecticut Fatherhood Initiative. But Carlos,
you've been there before. Josh, you've been there
before. What was it like? What was the experience
like for you this time around? Yeah, you're right.
This is this was my second year attending last
year. We were there Npl I was there I was there
with a table an information table And I also
got to attend some of the sessions that were
part of the conference this year We also had
the table. I was also able to attend the conference
But we were also able to present a workshop I'd
love that conference. I love seeing all the fathers.
I love hearing the stories of the fathers that
are in attendance. I love seeing how organizations
and government entities and all those that are
in attendance, how they're supporting fathers
and their own communities. This is a New England
specific thing. I wish this was throughout the
country. I wish this was a national thing, like
more states or more regions of the country were
doing things like this. Second year, great experience
again. We'll probably be back again next year.
So, yeah. What about you, Josh? What was it like
this year? This year was very interesting. I
didn't get the chance to attend the entire conference
as I normally do. This is my third year going
this year. It was unique that I had the opportunity
to co -present or be a part of, if you will,
the conversation. for the breakout session and
what was led regarding the fathers and the economic
mobility and how to really get them partnered
in the work. And so I felt like that was a very
unique opportunity and I enjoyed it. I also enjoyed,
you know, forging some new relationships with
other fathers and other attendees and those that
are also able to go to really keep the connections
going, right? And so I thought it was a really
good conference. I always look forward to being
able to share space on subject matters. I have
fathered because I believe it's an important
topic and it's something that really requires
our intentionality of partnership, community,
and anyone that's willing to be a part of the
work. I think it's important. So our workshop
that we worked so hard to put together and you
were actually the star of the workshop. The workshop
that we did at the New England Fathering Conference
was Pathways to Economic Mobility for Fathers.
And really our intention was to have myself,
Donna Thompson Bennett, who's the executive director
for the National Parent Leadership Institute,
as well as Josh, just really set the stage for
people to understand how to build pathways to
education and opportunity and economic mobility
for fathers, as well as grandfathers and other
caregivers. And so It was a really interactive
session. We had some small group discussions.
And I think what we laid out for people was you,
Josh, as an example of someone who's an entrepreneur,
someone who has taken his lived experience. and
use that to inform people in government and nonprofit
and philanthropy to really understand how to
build those pathways of leadership, of economic
opportunity, which really is encapsulated in
the idea that parents are consultants and should
be paid for their expertise and also their time.
and what they're offering to people in leadership
as they continue to change systems. And so we
can't do that without the voice of people with
lived experience. You do that really well. You
show up in these spaces, both in our state and
nationally. And I think people were really surprised
not by you, but by the idea that entrepreneurship
and being a consultant is a pathway to economic
mobility. for fathers and others. So I thought
that was really good. You represented well. The
whole presentation that was put together that
highlighted your journey, you know, from being
a teen dad to being the exemplary gentleman and
professional that you are today was really awesome.
And so much so that someone said, well, can you
go back to the slide that shows the book, your
book that you wrote? I mean, people thought that
you had written a book, Josh, because it was
just such an outstanding piece of storytelling.
I thought that really, you know, we all did together
a great job creating this story and helping people
to understand the story in that way. So I know.
Are you still thinking about it? Are you still
thinking about writing the book, Josh? Ah, yes.
Yes, I am. I am. So much to put into it, though,
and think about and where to start. Yeah, it's
truly a goal. It's a goal. Was there anything
from both of you? Carlos, you're also a dad.
Was there anything in your roles as fathers that
stood out to you at the conference this year?
And Josh, I know you were there for a short amount
of time, but was anything from the feel of it,
the look of it, the content or the people you
met, what stood out to you this year? If anything.
Yeah, lots of things, but I'm always. I always
enjoy the dad stories. So just to paint a picture
for those that don't know what the conference
or how the conference is structured. Each day
of the conference, there is a, I wouldn't call
it a breakout session, but it's like in the main
hall, there is a group of parents or fathers
rather talking about their life journey, their
fatherhood journey and how some of the organizations
that are there have helped them in that journey
or how the networking that they'd had with parents
in these spaces have helped them in their journey.
So I always, again, this is my second year. Those
are the things that I'm really looking forward
to each year, I would say. Those conversations
between fathers that are moderated by our good
friend Doug Edwards, a good friend of MPLI, a
good friend of PLTI. He does an excellent job
of moderating those and the stories that come
out of those. resonate with me a lot. So I'm
always looking forward to him. Yeah, yeah. Anything
else resonating with you, Josh? Oh, well, well,
in the time that I was there, it was good to
see some of the familiar faces of some of those
kind of like, you know, those connections that
were made from just the previous year going and
the year before that. And so to be able to see
the guys are still there, and not just in the
capacity of just those that are there for the
work, but just those fathers, those proud dads
that are going and being a part of that conversation
and being able to share their story, like Carlos
said, was really, it was inviting and it was
very encouraging. That's awesome. So I would
say being a leader in community is what you do,
Josh. And I wonder if you can share how your
journey as a father shaped your leadership. I
know you shared a little bit with us during the
conference, but For the listeners out there,
for those who are watching us, how has your journey
as a father shaped your leadership? Well, great
question. My journey as a father shaped my leadership
in many ways, but just a few would be the opportunity
to understand the experience. I started off prior
to getting married and having more children.
I started off as a single dad. I was a teenage
single dad. And so a lot of different resources
that I had experienced trying to make it. be
a part of, to some of the resources to take from,
they weren't as equitable, right? And so I didn't
know then what I knew now, but thanks to PLTI,
Peer Leadership Training Institute, that gave
me the skills to really be able to understand
and recognize some of those deficits that had
happened. But as I think about my journey, of
my fatherhood journey, I think about also the
lack of representation of fatherhood. and how
many times, you know, for myself being very much
a weird dad and wanting to be a part of the work
because I love fatherhood, it's who I am, it's
not what I do, it's who I am. And so I find myself
wanting to be able to hear what's happening with
other dads and be able to build those bonds and
connections and strengthen each other. And so
I think about ways that I can take my story,
my experience, and connect with other fathers
and being able to see how do we, you know move
forward with communicating in a healthy way that
there are some ways to change and improve representation
for fathers and how to ensure that our voices
are heard and elevated at the table right because
it's important father representation is very
important and so i think about that all the time
i think about that all the time i'm very very
much aware of that yeah so leadership looks different
for fathers in general, maybe sometimes different
from leadership, how it shows up in mothers or
others. What are some of the ways that fathers
can lead? And I want you to encourage fathers
today. What are some of the ways that they can
show their leadership? Because I think sometimes
society places labels on fathers. especially
fathers from different racial and ethnic backgrounds
or assumptions. And I think fathers can lead
in different ways. I'm not a father, so I don't
think I should be telling people how they can
lead. I can talk to some moms, but encourage
fathers today. What are some ways that they can
show their leadership? in their home, in schools,
in community, in their places of worship. What
does that look like? What are the different ways
that fathers can lead? Oh wow, that's a very
good question. And you shared already, it's unique
to each dad, right? But what I would say is that
being able to find what it is that you're passionate
about in your fatherhood, in your strength. Most
times you're passionate about something that
you're strong in. and us as men, that's what
we're proud about. That's what makes us even
more proud, right? So if you're good at cooking,
and it could be one meal, and you're the best
dad that makes pancakes in the morning, every
week and make that your goal to make sure that
you're making pancakes in the morning. If you're
really good at drawing and sketching, a lot of
dads outside of what they do as a profession,
outside of who they show up as the provider,
they're creatives, they are gifted, they're talented.
And so use those gifts. Your leadership will
allow for you to use your gifts, use your talents,
use what you're good at, what you're passionate
about to really bring that into the space with
your children, your family. You know, if you
like poetry, if you write poetry, write a poem
and read it to your kid and have them be a part
of that. If you're good at... drawing, draw with
your children or go to the school and do some
drawings with the schools find out if there's
a way that you can connect on your day off or
if you have a little time to kind of edge in
there if you're at church and you're good at
making voices and being animated be a part of
the Sunday school essence right be a part of
those different opportunities to serve in a way
that you find it to be most fun most organic
because leadership has to be organic. If it's
not organic, then you're not coming into the
role of being your authentic version of you.
But if you go on finding that passion and zeal,
you'll thrive. And so I would encourage dads
to really be passionate about who they are and
the gifts that they have and be open to sharing
them with your children first, because they're
your first rooters and cheerleaders, and then
move on to the passions that you find green.
Yeah, I love that. Move on to the pastures that
you find green. I see, you know, Carlos is coming
in. Carlos, I, you know, I want to invite you
into this conversation, but I'm also, you know,
here standing, sitting, doing whatever here with
you laughing because I also want to highlight
that leadership requires stretching. And while
Carlos loves to be the person behind the scenes
and producing and orchestrating and directing,
you know, It is a stretch, right? To be here
on screen, doing an awesome job, but to be on
screen, right? To stretch outside of the norm
and what feels comfortable. I think leadership,
especially in fathers, there's a need to show
young people and their children that you can
stretch into something that... you might not
be used to or accustomed to and it's going to
be okay. Right. And I think you're modeling that
for us today. You're leading us today out front.
So I'm trying my best, trying my best, right?
Yeah. Um, no, you're absolutely right. You can't
grow without stretching, at least the way I look
at it. So I just look at this little step as
part of that growth journey that I'm on. And
just to touch on what Josh was saying about being
passionate. and using that to help in your leadership
journey. That's sort of why I'm here as well.
Even if I was behind the camera, I'm passionate
about telling stories, about using technology
to tell those stories. And so I wholeheartedly
agree with what Josh said. Yeah. Find what you're
passionate about and show up with that every
day. Like be present, show up, make that your
thing. You can't go wrong. with that so yeah.
I think that's great that kind of gives us like
those seeds of wisdom to plant for folks right
it's you know if you have a passion and everyone
has something that they like something that they
are excited about something that they want to
do that's what you allow to drive and fuel you
to do however you want to lead and so Um, I was
thinking when you all were talking, I was thinking
about something my husband is really good at.
He's really good with the little ones. This goes
for grandparents too. So right now we have two
grandsons there, three and five. And I watch
how my husband is, right? Cause we're watching.
This is the thing. It's not just your children
watching, but others are watching how men lead
and how they show up. And my husband is so good
with the little ones. I think about as our children
got older, it became a little harder for him
to be soft with them because he had high expectations
for them as they grew. But he's so gentle and
kind. And he's like a big teddy bear with the
little ones who are preschoolers. And he's starting
to teach. our grandson, the five year old, how
to tie his shoes. And he has such patience. And
I'm like, he should really do like a dad's class
on like, here's how to teach your child or grandchild
how to tie shoes. And my husband doesn't realize
I'm watching him. He doesn't realize that that
is a leadership skill, patience, right? And being
kind and allowing people to make mistakes. And
so I think there are many things that men do
well. They don't realize that they're leading,
but they are. They're out front leading and we're
watching. I think also that sometimes dads don't
think they're leading, but they are because they
don't think people are following them, right?
Um, but can we talk a little bit about that?
Like what does it mean to lead when you don't
think that there are people behind you? Cause
sometimes fathers don't have support and community,
but how do you continue to push forward and lead
when, when you're struggling with our people
following your people, seeing me and, and wanting
to do these things with me, I'm going to open
that up to both of you. Well, I'll go. Well,
I believe that it goes back to passion, right?
It goes right back to passion. It goes back to
understanding your yes and nurturing it, nurturing
your yes, nurturing your why you're there. I
think anytime you're going into a leadership
role, you want to know why you're going into
that role. And if you're already like fathered,
you're there, right? And so, okay, as I show
up as a dad. What do I want to do that's going
to allow me to grow through this, through my
prospects of being the best dad that I can be?
What's my goals? How do I help to nurture my
goals? If there are others that are looking to
follow, whether it may be one, it may be two,
it may be a brother that's going to be a new
dad. It might be a cousin that may be looking
to you as inspiration. You can share with them,
you know, your ability to just grow, to be open,
to be transparent. I think a lot of times if
they're not watching, it's still important to
know that you still need to show up as your best.
Even during the times that you may not feel your
best, you show up. I think the ability to show
up is always something to be acknowledged. I
think a lot of times as dads, we find the pressure,
we see and we feel the pressures, but the reality
is showing up really is the first step. The second
step is being able to be available. And I think
that if we give ourselves grace, Um, it, it extended
to yourself, extended brace to yourself. I think
that's what's most important to that. Yeah. Yeah.
I don't know if I follow that showing up as half
the battle, I always say. So, yeah. Um, Josh,
you, you touched on your PLT experience a little
bit, uh, earlier in this conversation. I'm curious
though, as we think about systems and. the work
of recruiting parents and how we can do a better
job of inviting and including parents and initiatives
like PLTI. And just in this type of work, I'm
curious what you would say or how you would say
we could do a better job of inviting and including
parents or fathers in these types of initiatives
and work. Certainly. So I believe it's about
the intentionality of going to the spaces that
dads are. We are the dads. You know, a lot of
times fathers don't know what they don't know.
And there are a lot of dads that want to know.
And we learned this right at the New England
Father Conference. That's why most proud dads
go. They register to go because they want to
learn more. But we have to find ways to go to
the places that they are, where they are, right?
Where they are relaxed, where they are ready
to learn, grow, and not because they're mandated
to. I think a lot of times that's the issue.
It's not the dads going to the dads that are
mandated to do programs and learn about civic
and democracy, but going to the places where
it's like, hey, you know, I see that you're really,
really involved in your son's sports and your
daughter's, you know, curricular activities.
Did you know that there's ways of opportunities
for you to share, you know, what drives that,
you know, what keeps you so eager to be a part
of that work? um it could be so organic you know
it could be so organic it can be at a grocery
store it could be a lot of the marketing materials
ensuring that there's more male representation
on marketing materials of finding books if you're
going to distribute books find books that have
dads on the front of them right if it's something
to do with artwork find things that dads drew
with their children i think it's an intentionality
um and it goes back to also going to places and
to really have other dads because you know i
believe strongly that other men help to support
and bring other men to the space right because
they get to talk about their experience it's
a difference from you know my vet here sharing
the space with us she said hey listen i'm not
a dad right i could tell you the observations
that i've had but i'm not a dad but it's a difference
from like me having a conversation with you carlos
about fatherhood we can relate there's representation
that is there but we can relate to different
experiences it may not be the same but there's
similarities and experiences and so when we go
to certain spaces it may be a barbershop put
the promos for PLTI and PLI, you know, on cards,
see if you can talk to the barber there, talk
to, you know, if you're gonna go to a pain hole,
you know, like, hey, man, you know, can I just
leave these here? I play pool every Friday, but
I think this would be a great opportunity for
dads, you know, their voices are important. And
listen, how do we bring dads to this space? We
can do it. It's so organic. It doesn't take so
much of the host being structured and having
to have a form. Then you lose it. You lose insight
when you're bad. particular because that's not
even a father that it's not that deep. Right.
And I think that's what's really, really important
goes to places that they are and then having
marking materials that represent them. That's
most invite to the space because you don't want
to discourage him before they don't walk through
the door. Right. I'm definitely taking mental
notes. I'm taking notes in our document because
being on the communication side, some of this
resonates with me and some of the some of it
is things that I hadn't I wouldn't have thought
about. So I'm definitely taking notes on how
we can invite fathers into this work. I'm curious,
though, a little bit. So we talked about showing
up, right? How that's important. Once we invite
those fathers into this type of work, what are
some things that you see that could keep fathers
from showing up into this work? So it's... once
we've organically invited him in, once we've
had the conversation with him, are there things
that you've seen in these spaces that we should
think about changing or fixing so that we can
get more fathers showing up? Yeah, no, that's
a great question. I'll be honest, it's the topics,
right? Fathers are very specific with topics.
And so we're inviting dads to spaces. it's good
to know that they're coming here for a specific
reason and they want to get to that reason, get
to the point, right? They don't want a whole
bunch of, you know, you warming up the milk.
They want to get there and the bottle be ready,
right? And it's not that they don't mean any
harm, dads don't mean no harm by it, but the
patient tolerance, not every dad has all of the
patience to kind of sit there and wait through
that process. And so, you know, give them a little
appetizer, right, which is important, but get
to the opportunity of understanding what they're
there for. if they want to learn about you know
systems what about systems directly are you willing
to learn are you willing to go through to find
out before you get there right because when you
think about even curriculum if it's a 20 week
long program you know they may just be really
there because they want to learn about child
support but that may not be embedded in the curriculum
So why have them thinking that all of them, oh,
when we get to phase two, there may be a little
opportunity, but no, they may not even, by the
time you get to phase five, they may not go that
far. They may say no, because they're checked
out. They had, they had a objective, they had
a goal. And that's how that hunter analysis,
man, that's just like, get to the point, get
me where I need to be. And I think that's really
important because every dad and most men, there's
a cause and there's a reason and there's an effect.
Right. And so we want to make sure that we're
given the opportunity for those dads to really
share what it is that they're coming to this
space for. And they're very open. they're very
transparent that's one thing about most fathers
they're not gonna sit there and be around the
bush fathers are very direct they're very you
know right to the point like listen i'm here
because i want to learn about this or i had an
experience and i need help because i need to
get out of why i'm feeling this way or why systems
are you know responding to me in this way so
i think it's really about just being very direct
yeah Melvede, are you taking notes? I am taking
notes. We think we do a really good job at recruiting
fathers for our parent leadership training initiatives.
And I only can speak for Connecticut. And we're
always wondering why fathers aren't coming. Why
aren't they filling out the application? Why
did they fill out the application and get accepted
and didn't show up to retreat? Or to your point
Josh, why didn't they make it past session five,
right? And I would say there's a lot of judgment
sometimes, right? Because people don't understand
someone else's story. But what you're saying,
what I hear you saying, and of course like you're
speaking from your perspective and your viewpoint.
What I hear you saying is sometimes we don't
get to the point and we're not as direct as we
say we are. And people, particularly dads, want
to know, like, tell me what's on the menu. When
are we going to have dessert? What's for dessert?
Right. And get me there. Right. Like, let's move
things along. Like, let's move this seven course
meal along so we get to the good stuff. I also
wonder, too, you know, in some families, dads
have different types of responsibilities and
You know, sometimes dads are working really hard
and they can't come out to a three hour class
because maybe they're working two jobs or maybe
after the day job, they have other responsibilities
as does a mom in many cases, right? I think sometimes
it's capacity and trying to fit people into the
shape. Like here's the square. You have to fit
into this square. this is what we're offering.
I'm saying this out loud, understanding that
we're going to have to make some changes, right?
Like everything is not a square and everything
is not going to fit into a square. So how can
we make accommodations? How can we think differently
and innovatively about how we're approaching
this conversation with dads and inviting them
into this leadership development space. Josh,
you and I have talked about that. We have some
ideas. We won't share it now, but more to come.
We'll share it with you, Carlos, because it's
not fully formed, because dads like to have things
fully formed before they start discussing those
things. But I think what's happening too in this
conversation is that, you know, I'm a person
who can make something happen and make a change
happen within my own purview, right? Like I'm
listening and saying, oh, we should, and then
Carlos, you're the same. You're like, maybe we
need to communicate differently. Maybe we need
to have different colors that are appealing to
dads. Maybe we need to show dads more in ads.
I think it's a good way to start thinking more
strategically about inviting dads into the space.
Absolutely. And also understanding that it's
not one size fits all either. I totally get that.
Right. Yeah. Here, I thought it was only about
those technical, not necessarily technical, but
those limitations on time or duties, like you
mentioned, Milvett. But I never thought about
it being like it wasn't direct enough. The curriculum
wasn't direct enough or the event or program
that we're hosting that it wasn't getting to
the point quickly enough it's definitely good
feedback great feedback actually that we can
take back and and act on to sort of improve our
offerings so thank you josh yeah so as we're
sort of winding down the conversation if you
could dream up one change for how followers are
supported in your community specifically what
would that be what would it be oh that's a good
one Action. Action. And that's in a lot of different
ways that goes, that can go so many different
ways, but I'll just say these three things. When
we're thinking about systems, action. When we're
thinking even about local, you know, just on
the ground level, day -to -day, school firms
or you know, even put in the emergency contact,
instead of even putting just one or two or whichever,
you know, getting to that place of just action,
no longer making it so narrow minded, I think
about that shared about that it's not a one sided
thing. It's it's getting out of those those traditional
mindset that bring us traditional mindset. would
allow a father to feel that he is recognized
in the littlest ways because us as guys we may
not share it openly like oh man that hurt my
feelings or you know I didn't like that too much
or that rubbed me the wrong way but being able
to see oh wow you know she asked me the question
or you know she didn't have I didn't have to
wait you know to say you know that I am the the
primary parent right or that the child is you
know just with me solely right and solely like
it's just being able to have the attentionality.
And I think the action of that is what's going
to be really that driving force for fathers to
see. No longer being all the talk, talk, talk.
But the action behind it is really what's most
important. Action. As such a simple yet powerful
word. Action in all the ways. Thank you, Josh.
Thank you. Yeah, so on a similar note, is there
anything that you really wanna leave with fathers
that might be listening to this episode or watching
us on YouTube? Which by the way, you all should
be doing, watch us on YouTube. Watch us on YouTube.
Yeah, you get a better feel for the flow of the
conversation if you're. watching the video. And
they get to speak this polo shirt that Josh has
on that's pink and navy with white collar. I
was actually gonna ask him after the call like
where'd you get that? Primark man, Primark, Primark.
I got a Primark, check it out, check it out.
Will do. Yeah man. What I would definitely say
is to fathers be encouraged. You know, take it
one step at a time. I think that this has meant
we put so much on our plates because we want
to make those that are. part of our communities
proud of us and We talked about it on today's
podcast that we can be just just us showing up
makes the difference and Then extending grace
to yourself and then we share the word about
Stretching as leadership anytime you're in leadership
and as a father you're in leadership automatically
It just comes with baggage you showing up and
then understanding that you're gonna have to
stretch sometimes right and then the ability
to know that Every day is not gonna be the same.
So how you showed up yesterday You're gonna have
to change some things to tomorrow, right? And
be okay with those things and just give it your
best. Give it your best and, you know, give yourself
grace. Really give yourself grace. And I know
in how we live in the PLTI world and realm is
by our hopes, right? Really understanding how
to nurture our hopes daily for ourselves will
really make the difference. You know, understanding
how to honor ourselves even through our own you
know course of thinking and actions and knowing
how to be open right and being able to say hey
listen you know would you mind you know putting
my name down because that's gonna you know that's
gonna bother me and you're gonna think about
it but that's gonna bother me most men we're
thinkers we and we let it rest with us and then
understanding that there's gonna be times you're
gonna have to participate there's gonna be times
i'm gonna have to pass some things up like i'm
not gonna be able to you know that's a great
opportunity but plti right now may not work this
this time around but hopefully we can stay connected
maybe there's some other opportunities for me
to share my experience right and be able to listen
to others through theirs knowing that it's sensitive
and safe spaces there because their stories are
sensitive their stories are safe and so i think
it's really important for us to be able to you
know really just encourage your brother and a
father when we see them hey you know doing a
great job you see them in the grocery store and
the kids acting up uh would just encourage you
say hey you see that you know he's and you know
he looks all sometimes like whoa like what you
got it going on right now just give him a word
of encouragement man you're doing a great job
you know you got this you know and it will lift
their spirits it will lift their spirits and
i think that's what i would leave on today tell
my fellow fathers and brotherhood you know keep
going don't give up that's it that's the final
word so josh where can people follow you hear
more about your work and what you're up to is
there Can we follow you on Instagram, LinkedIn?
Oh, wow. What I got going on? Okay. Well, I do
have a upcoming men's event that's going to be
hosted this upcoming month of June, June 8th,
from two to six. There was to be my third year
men's event that I'll be hosting a free event
for all men here in the state of Connecticut
to come out and to be able to just enjoy one
another's experiences, build connection that
will forge those experiences. And so you can
find me on Instagram. Vaughn Signatures, one
word on Instagram. You can find me on Facebook,
Joshua Vaughn. We're working on a Together We
Stand page as we speak. And then my website,
www .vaughnsignatures .com. You can contact me
there. And LinkedIn, Joshua Vaughn. I'm an easy
guy. And so I'm looking forward to connecting.
Thank you this opportunity Melvin Carlos y 'all
rock. Thank y 'all for you. Yeah, I couldn't
ask I couldn't ask for better stretch partners
Thank you for the conversations. You're both
rock stars I love it and just so the folks listening
at home and watching is at home once this episode
is released You'll be able to find all of Josh's
links in the description of the video. You'll
be able to see it on social media I'll make sure
to to link all of us to social media accounts
and his website in the description of the video.
So yeah, thank you all for joining us for another
episode of the Bold and the Brave. We'll see
you next time. See you next time.