Do Father’s Day celebrations leave you feeling hollow instead of happy? You’re not alone.

In this raw, candid conversation, we explore the grief that comes with having a father who was physically present but emotionally absent—a special kind of loss that often goes unspoken.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• The lasting impact of emotional neglect on self-worth and relationships
• How we internalize the absence of emotional warmth as “something is wrong with me”
• The burden of generational silence and narrow definitions of masculinity
• A new vision of fatherhood: presence > perfection
• Permission to grieve what you never had—and to redefine Father’s Day on your own terms
• Practical ways to honor yourself: letters, rituals, boundaries, or simply skipping the day

Your healing matters. Whether you’re ready to rewrite your relationship with Father’s Day or simply want to feel seen—this conversation will meet you where you are.

Send me a message

You can buy my books now on Amazon.

🦋 Enough As I Am - A healing workbook for anyone navigating people-pleasing, guilt, or self-abandonment. It’s filled with practical tools to help you build boundaries and reclaim your self-worth.

🖋️ Enough As I Grow - A 365-day journal with daily prompts to guide you through your healing journey one day at a time.

Click the link, betterhelp.com/drdowney, to get 10% off your first month.

If you're interested in a list of books that I recommend to help you on your journey you can request it by clicking on the link in my show notes.

🦋 Enough As I Am Workbook

🖋️ Enough as I Grow 365 day Guided Journal on Amazon

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🎵 Music: Touching The Air by Graceful Movement