Two dads share raw stories of grief, single fatherhood, and healing while building friendship and hope after loss. In this episode of Call Me Friend, host Daryn Kagan connects with David McClain and Jamal Jones, two fathers who each lost their wives to cancer and her husband Trent, who walked a similar path. Together, they open up about parenting through grief, rediscovering love, and starting their podcast Getting Back Up. Their conversation highlights resilience, fatherhood, and the importance of honest dialogue about loss and healing.

What You’ll Learn

✅ How two single dads turned tragedy into friendship and healing.
✅ The challenges of parenting after losing a spouse.
✅ Why men’s conversations about grief and mental health matter.
✅ How shared stories can inspire resilience and hope.

Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Subscribe & Connect

Subscribe for more powerful, purpose-filled conversations on second chances and real-life impact

Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

Follow @CallMeFriendPodcast on all platforms

Email Daryn@DarynKagan.com

Timestamps

00:00 Jamal introduces the journey of becoming a single dad
04:40 Jamal’s story of love, loss, and raising three kids
07:12 David shares his marriage, diagnosis, and raising two daughters
10:47 How their daughters brought them together at a bowling alley
16:21 The idea for their podcast Getting Back Up
22:31 Trent shares his own story of grief and fatherhood
26:19 Balancing fatherhood, dating, and honoring legacy
33:33 The realities of “dad-mom” parenting moments
38:44 A powerful connection through their daughters’ names
42:00 Final recommendations: vinegar, stretching, and credit health

Key Takeaways

💎 Grief can become a bridge that connects people in unexpected ways.
💎 Parenting after loss requires resilience, humor, and community.
💎 Men need more spaces to openly share feelings and struggles.
💎 Healing doesn’t erase the past, it honors it while building forward.

Resources & Links

Getting Back Up Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5se2NarmSX9wRPlMP2CgYc?si=244006d26a8f4394
Getting Back Up Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getbackuppodcast?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Ms Lou’s Cabin Airbnb https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Guest Bios

Jamal Jones is a father of three navigating life after the loss of his wife to cancer. He co-hosts Getting Back Up, a podcast helping men face grief with honesty and resilience.

David McClain is a devoted dad raising two daughters after losing his wife to uterine sarcoma. His mission is to create open conversations about fatherhood, loss, and rebuilding.

Trent Swanson is husband to host Daryn Kagan and father who also experienced profound loss. His story brings perspective on resilience, love, and second chances.

Keywords: single dads, grief journey, parenting after loss, men’s mental health, fatherhood stories, getting back up podcast, friendship after tragedy, resilience and healing, widowed dads, Call Me Friend podcast, life after loss, healing conversations, inspirational fatherhood, dads raising kids, coping with grief, celebrity friendships

Two Single Dads, One Powerful Friendship After Loss