Better Call Daddy

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Jey Young, a mental health counselor and podcaster, to talk about holding grief and joy at once. Just weeks before welcoming his baby boy into the world, Jey lost his father to suicide.

Jey Young opens up about what it's like to process devastating loss while celebrating new life, sharing raw, unfiltered insight into that emotional whiplash. Together, Reena and Jey dig into the nuances of mental health, the power of open communication, and why community support matters most in moments of crisis.

The conversation traces how Jey's experiences have reshaped his understanding of fatherhood and mental health, offering listeners real takeaways on resilience, connection, and the importance of checking in on the people we love. Reena and Jey also reflect on their own stories, underscoring how vulnerability and authenticity are what make relationships meaningful.

It's also Men's Mental Health Month, and this episode is a reminder of why that matters: men are still far less likely to ask for help or talk about what they're carrying, even when it's costing them everything.

Content note: This episode includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available by call or text, 24/7.

🎙️ WHAT'S IN THIS EPISODE:

Jey's experience with grief alongside the birth of his son

Holding space for loss and new life at the same time

Navigating mental health conversations, especially among men

Why reaching out and showing up for each other matters

Building real connection through vulnerability

What podcasting has taught Jey about sharing stories

💭 MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM JEY:

"Life is a lot emptier. My phone feels a lot heavier, and my call log feels empty."

"Just to check on people, just to ask how they're doing, just to be there for them, just to show up for them."

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Introduction to Jey Young
(05:15) Jey's journey through grief and fatherhood
(15:30) Why mental health conversations matter
(25:00) Supporting loved ones through difficult times
(35:45) Vulnerability and the power of storytelling
(45:00) Wisdom from Reena's dad on parenting and connection

🔗 CONNECT WITH JEY YOUNG:
Instagram | Website

🔗 CONNECT WITH REENA FRIEDMAN WATTS:
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

Join us for this heartfelt conversation about sharing our stories and showing up for one another through life's hardest and most beautiful moments.

What happens when deep grief meets the journey of healing, honesty, and vulnerability?

In this heartfelt episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts reconnects with Malisa Hepner grief expert and host of Emotionally Unavailable who has faced unimaginable loss.

Malisa shares her profound journey through the heartache of losing her child, revealing the layers of grief that come with such a loss and how it has shaped her understanding of emotional availability.

Malisa opens up about her experiences with loss, including the passing of her parents and her child, and how these events have reshaped her perspective on vulnerability and connection. Reena and Malisa dive deep into authentic communication, the discomfort that often accompanies grief, and the necessity of allowing yourself to feel every emotion without judgment.

They also talk honestly about the adjustments that come with major life changes how grief forces you to rebuild your sense of normal, and what that process actually looks like day to day.

They discuss how societal expectations often lead to dismissive responses to grief, the importance of creating safe spaces for those who are mourning, and the power of vulnerability and community support.

Sharing one's story, they explore, can be a healing act not just for the person grieving, but for everyone who hears it.

🎙️ WHAT'S IN THIS EPISODE:

Malisa's journey through grief and loss

The impact of emotional availability on relationships

Strategies for coping with loss and fostering connection

The importance of authentic communication in healing

How to support someone who is grieving

Navigating the adjustments and changes that come with major life shifts

The role of community and nourishment in the grieving process

Navigating vulnerability and fear in conversations about grief

💭 MEMORABLE QUOTES FROM MALISA:
"If we can't have an authentic conversation, I'd rather us just pass each other, not say a word."
"The only shift really has become more of, like, yeah, me too."
"I just want to connect with people. Whatever we're talking about, I want to connect."
"I can't do anything that doesn't just give me light or is part of my life force."

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Introduction to Malisa Hepner
(05:15) Malisa's experiences with loss and grief
(15:30) The importance of vulnerability in communication
(25:00) How to support someone in mourning
(35:45) The healing power of sharing stories
(45:00) Reena's reflections on grief and connection

🔗 CONNECT WITH MALISA HEPNER:
Instagram | Linktree

🔗 CONNECT WITH REENA FRIEDMAN WATTS:
YouTube | LinkedIn | Instagram

Join us for this enlightening conversation that reminds us of the power of connection, empathy, and the importance of sharing our stories in the face of tragedy.

Reena goes on the other side of the mic and brings it back home.

This one's a flip of the script. Robert Plank — podcaster, interviewer, and WordPress wizard who's sat across from over a thousand guests — turns the tables and interviews Reena on his own show. Then Wayne tunes in, weighs in, and Reena wraps it with a custom intro just for the Better Call Daddy family.

The conversation covers what happens when you spend years behind the mic before you ever step in front of it: how early experiences in entertainment shaped Reena's approach to storytelling, why vulnerability is the through-line of every great interview, and what it actually takes to find your voice as a podcaster. Robert brings the craft perspective — Reena brings the heart — and Wayne brings the commentary only a dad can.

🎙 HOW THIS EPISODE WORKS:
Robert Plank's show interviews Reena → Wayne listens and weighs in → Reena adds a custom BCD intro

🔑 WHAT'S IN THIS EPISODE:
• What shaped Reena's storytelling instincts — and where the Better Call Daddy concept actually came from
• Why vulnerability is the non-negotiable ingredient in any interview that sticks
• Blending education with entertainment — lessons from 1,000+ interviews on Robert's end
• How to research guests, find your voice, and actually connect with your audience
• The evolution of Better Call Daddy — from concept to community
• Networking, relationship-building, and why the conversations you have off-mic matter just as much

⏱ TIMESTAMPS:
(00:00) Reena's custom intro for the BCD audience
(05:15) Robert's background and how he got to 1,000+ interviews
(15:30) Making podcasts fun without sacrificing substance
(25:00) Reena's time in entertainment and what it taught her
(35:45) Practical advice for aspiring podcasters
(45:00) Wayne weighs in — dad's take on the whole thing

🔗 CONNECT WITH ROBERT PLANK:
https://robertplank.com/

🔗 CONNECT WITH REENA FRIEDMAN WATTS:
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

What happens when everything you've been taught to believe is built on fear?

In this powerful episode of Better Call Daddy, Reena Friedman Watts sits down with cult survivor Ryan Anthony Hernandez, host of the Truth That Heals podcast, to discuss his journey out of a controlling religious community and into a life of freedom, healing, and self-discovery.

Ryan shares what it was like growing up in a high-control religious environment where questioning authority came at a cost. He opens up about the promises of belonging, purpose, and certainty that initially drew him in, as well as the manipulation, fear, and emotional consequences that followed.

Together, Reena and Ryan explore religious trauma, faith deconstruction, identity reconstruction, and the courage it takes to leave behind everything you've ever known. Ryan reveals how storytelling became an essential part of his healing process and how he's learning to trust himself after years of conditioning.

The conversation also dives into relationships after trauma, redefining spirituality, and the search for authentic love and connection. With thoughtful insights from Reena's dad, the discussion highlights the importance of loyalty, self-worth, and living in alignment with your truth.

Whether you've experienced religious trauma, left a high-control group, questioned your beliefs, or are simply searching for deeper authenticity, this episode offers hope, perspective, and healing.

"Leaving a cult is a lot like leaving a religion. You're taught fear before freedom." — Ryan Anthony Hernandez

In this episode:
• Ryan's experience growing up in a cult-like religious environment
• The psychology of indoctrination and fear-based control
• What it takes to leave a cult and rebuild your identity
• Healing from religious trauma and spiritual abuse
• Reclaiming your voice after years of conditioning
• Faith, deconstruction, and redefining your relationship with God
• Dating, relationships, and vulnerability after trauma
• Why storytelling can be one of the most powerful tools for healing

Keywords: cult survivor, religious trauma, spiritual abuse, healing from a cult, faith deconstruction, identity reconstruction, personal growth, self-discovery, emotional healing, truth that heals, overcoming fear, cult recovery, trauma recovery, spirituality, freedom from control, Better Call Daddy podcast.

 

Connect with Ryan Anthony

https://www.facebook.com/ryan.anthony.hernandez.2025

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-anthony-h-b209b7174/

https://www.youtube.com/@TheTruthThatHealsPodcast

What happens when Kentucky roots, a life in radio, and a passion for understanding people come together through the power of voice?

In this down-to-earth episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts reconnects with Jonathan Mertz host of It’s Your Break for a conversation about creativity, reinvention, and what it truly means to use your voice with purpose.

From Kentucky roots to radio beginnings, Jonathan shares how his journey has taken him through IT, consulting, voice work, and even working in a jail each chapter shaping how he sees people and the stories they carry.

“There’s power in speaking and even more power in learning to understand people.”

Jonathan opens up about fatherhood, mentorship, weight loss, knee surgery, and the uncomfortable seasons that force growth.

He reflects on his late grandmother’s influence, the importance of education, and how family continues to ground his creative path.

The conversation also explores his wife’s experience discovering her biological father later in life, highlighting themes of identity, connection, and healing through truth.

Reena and Jonathan dive into the art of voice acting, podcasting, and storytelling discussing how tone, presence, and authenticity shape the way we connect with others.

This episode is a reminder that every voice carries weight and every story has the power to change how we understand one another.

🔑 Episode Keywords

Better Call Daddy, Family Relationships, Parenting Advice, Generational Trauma, Jewish Culture, Personal Development, Emotional Healing, Forgiveness, Life Lessons, Family Dynamics, Bar Mitzvah, Motherhood, Storytelling, Self-Discovery, Legacy Building, Communication Skills, Relationship Building, Healing Through Art, Navigating Divorce, Childhood Memories

🎙️ In This Episode:

Kentucky roots and early radio beginnings

Reinvention through IT, consulting, and voice work

Lessons learned from working in a jail

Fatherhood, mentorship, and personal growth

Family legacy and his grandmother’s influence

Identity, adoption, and reconnecting with family

The craft of voice acting and storytelling

Why discomfort leads to growth

⏱️ Episode Highlights:

(00:00) Welcome to Better Call Daddy

(05:15) From radio to reinvention

(15:30) Working in a jail & understanding people

(25:00) Fatherhood and family influence

(35:45) Identity, connection & discovery

(45:00) Voice acting, creativity & storytelling

If you’ve ever wondered how your voice, your story, and your experiences connect you’ll feel right at home in this conversation.

Connect with Jonathan 

https://itsyourbreak.com/

 

Connect with Reena

https://www.youtube.com/c/bettercalldaddy

https://www.linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts/

instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts