Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim – “Re-Release: Wayne Brady” (December 30, 2025)
Episode Overview
In this heartfelt and humorous episode of Thanks Dad, host Ego Nwodim welcomes the multitalented Wayne Brady as her “dad for the day.” Together they discuss complex family histories, growing up with single parents, the nuances of fatherhood, generational stereotypes, mental health, emotional inheritance, and the challenge of both recognizing and celebrating one’s own achievements. The episode centers on candid conversations about father figures, the power of owning one’s accomplishments, the impact of parental absence, and how Wayne approaches parenting his own children—with a blend of vulnerability, honesty, and the wit audiences expect from both stars.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Walking in Your Shine – Owning Achievements
[04:27–07:22]
- Wayne clarifies that he—not the show—won the Emmys, highlighting the importance of correctly acknowledging individual achievements.
- Ego and Wayne discuss the “dance” of not appearing arrogant as Black professionals, despite hard-won success.
- Wayne:
"I can do this shit. So bam. So that's my lesson, daughter. Walk in your shine because you kill it. You are amazing, and the world needs to know that you're amazing. And that is not a problem." (07:10)
- Wayne:
- They both reflect on their upbringing—Ego by a single mom, Wayne by his grandmother with his father as a "satellite" in his life—and the immigrant mentality to "not make yourself small."
2. Father Absence & Generational Narratives
[09:15–16:50]
- Wayne reflects on the stereotype of absentee Black fathers, emphasizing that familial circumstances are more nuanced.
- His father was a distant, larger-than-life figure who chose to provide for Wayne’s grandmother rather than be directly present.
- Wayne:
"When I became a man and I was seeking that relationship…I sat down and was able to have a face to face talk, that I wasn't scared…he accepted me as a man." (12:40)
- Wayne:
- Wayne recounts the missed opportunity for a deeper relationship, as his father passed away shortly after they reconnected.
- Ego relates, sharing the sense of mystery and inherited traits from absent fathers.
3. Generational Inheritance—The Good and the Challenging
[15:32–19:11]
- Wayne discusses both positive (provider, protector) and more difficult traits (impatience, temper) he believes he inherited from his father.
- Wayne:
"If that dude did anything, he took care of his mother…he made sure that no matter where he was in the world…she would always be independent." (15:54)
- Wayne:
- Ego and Wayne riff on the possibility that frustrations with people's slowness could be a sign of high IQ.
- Wayne:
"Own that you are kind and generous…sometimes you've got to be your own hype man." (18:23)
- Wayne:
4. Navigating Family Systems and Childhood Normalcy
[22:39–24:30]
- Wayne never resented his father for providing indirectly, as his grandmother's love was his only known reality.
- He and Ego note how adults try to project a sense of “lack” on children from nontraditional families, even when the kids feel loved and whole.
5. The Role of Community and Mentorship
[26:09–30:34]
- Wayne realizes what he really missed from not having his father around only later in life—especially when he lacked a male guide for rites of passage (shaving, tying a tie).
- Wayne:
"A Black man stepped into that father figure role and showed me how to shave…" (28:38)
- Wayne:
- He credits different community members with filling these gaps over time, reinforcing that "finding your tribe" matters.
6. Wayne’s Parenting Philosophy
[31:20–40:00]
- Brady is committed to teaching his own son “the rituals”—from relationships and manhood to life skills—he didn’t receive as a child.
- Wayne:
"Those pieces of ritual...are important…let me teach you how to tie this tie…let me show you how to shave…let me talk to you about relationships and women and manhood…" (31:20)
- Wayne:
- He shares the importance of honoring his grandmother by naming his son after her and discusses not feeling pressured as a “junior,” but being compared to his father growing up.
7. Generational Discipline Styles and Emotional Openness
[40:00–47:25]
- Wayne candidly admits being a strict dad, shaped by the “don’t talk back” discipline of his own youth, but recognizes the limitations of that approach.
- Family therapy became an essential part of the Brady household, helping break generational cycles of judgment and silence.
- Wayne:
"Even parenting...you're parenting through a filter...of don't talk back…We've had talks about that…the whole family goes to therapy." (40:49)
- Wayne:
- His openness about depression highlights the need to address mental health in families of color.
- Wayne:
"It was either go to therapy or be very unwell…My ex wife…made me go to therapy. She’s like, you need therapy." (44:27)
- Wayne:
- He suspects clinical depression and ADD/ADHD run in the family.
8. Modeling vs. Imposing—Parenting Young Adults
[53:32–63:12]
- Wayne reflects on the challenge of being a strict parent while wanting to maintain an open, best-friend-style relationship with his now adult daughter.
- Wayne:
"Her best friend is the person that has her best interest even when she doesn't wanna hear it." (52:09) - “I had to earn [her trust] because…I was constantly coming at her.” (53:32)
- Wayne:
- He acknowledges that at times, parents should model healthy relationships rather than impose advice.
- They joke about the pressure—and sometimes impossibility—of “getting parenting exactly right.”
9. Dad-Vice: On Buying Property
[63:12–67:53]
- Ego asks for “dad advice” on whether to invest in property.
- Wayne:
"If you are in a space to be able to do it and it's not going to take away from your living capital…I think you should invest in property...Don’t spend more than you have. Don’t overextend yourself…Location, location, location." (64:23)
- Wayne:
- Wayne shares his own real estate experience: starting with commercial properties, now looking at rental homes, and the need to plan for the future.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On owning your narrative:
"Walk in your shine because you kill it. You are amazing, and the world needs to know that you're amazing. And that is not a problem."
— Wayne Brady (07:10) - On stereotypes and parental absence:
"This is not to perpetuate what I think is one of the most insidious and overtly horrible stereotypes about black men... It’s not that I didn’t have a relationship with him because he was that."
— Wayne Brady (09:17) - On father-son rites of passage:
"A Black man stepped into that father figure role and showed me how to shave…"
— Wayne Brady (28:38) - On generational discipline:
"I come from the generation of don't talk back to me…you don't talk back to me so much to the point that I have a sensation in my jaw…As an actor, if I ever need to summon frustration, I remember what my jaw feels like being locked because I can't speak."
— Wayne Brady (41:56) - On depression and therapy:
"It was either go to therapy or be very unwell…My ex wife…made me go to therapy. She’s like, you need therapy. Therapy's for white people [I thought]."
— Wayne Brady (44:27) - On being a best friend parent:
"Her best friend is the person that has her best interest even when she doesn't wanna hear it."
— Wayne Brady (52:09) - On advice and learning boundaries as a parent:
“Even now I've gotta be respectful of what I say to her as an adult, even though she’s my daughter.”
— Wayne Brady (58:10) - On real estate ‘dad-vice’:
"If you are in a space to be able to do it and it's not going to take away from your living capital…I think you should invest in property...Don’t spend more than you have. Don’t overextend yourself…Location, location, location."
— Wayne Brady (64:23)
Key Timestamps
- 03:05–04:54 – Ego’s introduction and Wayne’s playful Emmy correction
- 05:19–07:22 – Wayne’s advice: “Walk in your shine”
- 09:15–16:50 – Wayne on his absent father; breaking the absentee Black dad stereotype
- 26:09–30:34 – Learning male rites of passage from community members
- 31:20–36:47 – Wayne’s approach to teaching his son; reflections on being a “junior”
- 40:49–47:25 – Wayne on strict parenting, emotional repression, and the turn to family therapy
- 47:53–49:45 – Mental health inheritance and parental modeling
- 52:09–58:15 – Navigating judgment vs. support with adult children
- 63:12–67:53 – Wayne's “dad-vice” on real estate investing
Tone & Mood
The episode is warm, candid, deeply personal, and laced with humor. Wayne is open about both his achievements and his struggles, and Ego fosters vulnerability while exchanging witty banter and honest storytelling. Both speakers maintain a conversational, relaxed style that is equally compassionate and enlightening for listeners.
Summary
This conversation transcends traditional “dad advice,” offering an intimate look at the complexity of fatherhood, the influence of generational cycles, and the power of self-acceptance. Wayne Brady’s journey—from a childhood shaped by absence and comparison, through public success and private struggle, to deeply intentional parenting—serves as both encouragement and blueprint for owning your narrative, healing family patterns, and investing in both emotional and financial futures.