Saying What Matters 1 | When a Father Is Not Fully Present
Apple Podcasts 
Spotify What happens when a father shows love but is not fully present?
In the first episode of Saying What Matters, Oren Matteson and Rahsaan Nurullah talk openly about their relationships with their fathers. Oren reflects on growing up with a dad who worked hard and showed affection, but whose career often seemed to come before family.
They discuss how that absence shaped Oren’s relationship with work, achievement, approval, and romantic relationships. Oren also shares what helped him speak honestly with his father, move beyond blame, and stop depending on others to prove that he was enough.
Key Discussion Points from When a Father Is Not Fully Present
- How a parent can be loving while still feeling emotionally or physically absent
- The belief that work is more important than family
- How childhood experiences shape ambition and professional identity
- Looking to parents and partners for approval
- Giving too much in relationships to keep someone from leaving
- Speaking to a parent about pain from an adult perspective
- Healing without needing acknowledgment or validation
- Learning to see and recognize yourself
Related Episodes:
Saying What Matters – Episode 2 | Growing Up Without Praise
Saying What Matters – Episode 3 | Finding Compassion Without Erasing the Pain
Connect with us:
Millennium Counseling Center: Website
Oren Matteson: Millennium | LinkedIn
Rahsaan Nurullah: LinkedIn
More about Millennium Counseling Center and our hosts:
The Millennium Counseling Center in Chicago specializes in mental health services with a strong focus on various forms of addiction, including their premier program, 3A, which is targeted towards alcohol addiction. They offer various counseling methods, including one-on-one, couples, and group counseling, alongside an intensive treatment program emphasizing personalized attention, accountability, and acceptance.
The post Saying What Matters 1 | When a Father Is Not Fully Present appeared first on Millennium Counseling Center.