Podcast Summary: "Thanks Dad with Ego Nwodim" featuring Wayne Brady

Introduction

In this heartfelt and engaging episode of Thanks Dad, hosted by Ego Nwodim, Ego welcomes the multifaceted entertainer Wayne Brady as her “Dad for the Day.” The conversation delves deep into Wayne’s personal history, his relationship with his father, his journey through mental health challenges, and his approaches to fatherhood. The episode seamlessly blends humor with profound insights, offering listeners both laughter and valuable life lessons.

Wayne Brady's Upbringing and Relationship with His Father

Wayne Brady opens up about his unique upbringing, being raised by his grandmother after his grandfather passed away and his father remained a distant figure due to his military commitments. This absence shaped Wayne’s early life and his perspectives on fatherhood.

• Absence and Initial Connection: Wayne shares, “My father was in the military. And when I think of my dad, I think of this black GI Joe type character... He was a provider and a protector” (02:34).

• Limited Interaction: Despite his father’s absence, Wayne recounts a pivotal moment when he visited him during a guest role on In the Heat of the Night. This brief encounter was the only face-to-face interaction he had before his father's untimely passing from a massive coronary (10:37).

Fatherhood and Parenting Philosophies

Ego and Wayne discuss the complexities of fatherhood, especially in the context of absent fathers and the desire to break stereotypes.

• Owning Achievements: Wayne emphasizes the importance of acknowledging one’s accomplishments without fear of appearing arrogant. He advises, “If you truly did win this accolade... it's not arrogant for me in certain spaces to own that because there are other people who have done far less and have bigger mouths” (04:35).

• Creating a Safe Space for Children: Wayne highlights the significance of being a supportive and understanding father. He states, “I want my daughter to be able to walk in your shine... She can share with me. She knows there's no judgment” (48:01).

Mental Health Journey and Personal Growth

A significant portion of the conversation revolves around Wayne’s struggles with mental health, including depression and ADHD, and his path to healing.

• Recognizing Mental Health Issues: Wayne candidly discusses his battle with high-functioning depression and how his relentless hustle masked his struggles. “It was either go to therapy or be very unwell” (38:12).

• Therapy as a Tool for Healing: He underscores the importance of therapy, not as a sign of weakness but as a means to provide a safe outlet for both himself and his family. “I like to think of therapy as... give this child an outlet to talk” (42:56).

• Genetic Factors: Wayne touches upon the genetic predisposition to depression, reflecting on his father’s possible struggles, though he remains uncertain about the specifics (43:24).

Parenting Challenges and Lessons Learned

Wayne reflects on his own parenting style, the pressures of living up to his father’s legacy, and the ongoing efforts to balance being a friend and a disciplinarian.

• Balancing Friendship and Authority: Wayne explains his approach to being both a friend and a father, ensuring his daughter respects his rules while feeling supported. “She respects me as her father. She knows my rules and my policies... but she also knows that as her friend, I have her back in this life” (46:01).

• Overcoming Strictness: Acknowledging his past strictness influenced by his upbringing, Wayne shares how he and his family engage in therapy to mend and strengthen their relationships. “We've had the whole family go to therapy, and we've had therapy together” (37:44).

• Modeling Healthy Relationships: Wayne admits the gaps in his understanding of healthy relationships due to his father’s absence and his commitment to his grandmother. He strives to model positive relationships for his children through his partnership with his ex-wife and later relationships (56:43).

Practical Advice: Property Investment

Towards the end of the episode, Ego seeks practical financial advice from Wayne on property investment.

• Investment Strategy: Wayne advises a balanced approach to buying property, emphasizing the importance of not overextending financially and choosing locations wisely. “Location, location, location... don’t spend more than you have. Don’t overextend yourself” (59:28).

• Building a Portfolio: He shares his personal experience of investing in both commercial and residential properties, highlighting the necessity of having a business manager when scaling up. “I'm with a commercial investment group... I think 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” (60:53).

• Long-term Planning: Wayne underscores the importance of investing early to allow money to work for you over time. “Make those moves now while you're young enough to still have income coming in so that at some point your money can work for you instead of you working for money” (62:44).

Conclusion

This episode of Thanks Dad offers a profound exploration of Wayne Brady's life, touching upon themes of absent fatherhood, personal struggle, mental health, and the multifaceted nature of parenting. Wayne’s openness and vulnerability provide listeners with relatable insights and actionable advice, making this episode both inspiring and enlightening. Ego Nwodim skillfully navigates the conversation, ensuring that the discussion remains authentic and impactful.

Notable Quotes:

• “If you truly did win this accolade... it's not arrogant for me in certain spaces to own that because there are other people who have done far less and have bigger mouths.” – Wayne Brady (04:35)

• “I want my daughter to be able to walk in your shine... She can share with me. She knows there's no judgment.” – Wayne Brady (48:01)

• “Therapy as a tool for healing... give this child an outlet to talk.” – Wayne Brady (42:56)

• “Location, location, location... don’t spend more than you have. Don’t overextend yourself.” – Wayne Brady (59:28)

Timestamp Reference:

• Timestamps correspond to the points in the provided transcript where the quotes and discussions occur.