"I try to keep it as simple as possible. That way I'm comfortable."

"You never know what they're gonna talk about. They can jump from Amelia Earhart mystery to what's in a burger."

"I never learned anything from my dad. I loved cars. I liked tools. But he never taught me or showed me anything."

In this kitchen table chat episode of Better Call Daddy, hosts Reena Friedman Watts and Wayne Friedman engage in a candid conversation with Shonda Sinclair and the Old Man, Jim Maerk, as they explore the complexities of fatherhood and the impact of absent fathers.

Shonda opens up about her own experiences growing up without a father figure and the emotional journey that followed. She reflects on the challenges of healing and the significance of sharing these stories, not just for herself but for others who have faced similar struggles.

Jim shares his own poignant memories of his father, touching on the feelings of abandonment and the quest for understanding that many children of absent parents grapple with.

The discussion delves into the importance of introspection and how these past experiences shape our present and future relationships. With humor and sincerity, the conversation highlights the power of connection, the lessons learned through adversity, and the healing that comes from sharing one’s story.

Listeners will be moved by the authenticity of the dialogue, as the group navigates through memories, laughs, and the realization that while the past may be painful, it also opens the door to growth and understanding. Join us for an engaging discussion that encourages reflection, empathy, and the importance of forging meaningful connections in our lives.

(00:00) Hi. Can you hear me okay? Yes. You sound great. So nice to see you (00:49) You talk about being afraid of technology on your podcast (05:35) My key, uh, is I try to keep it as simple as possible (05:57) Technology has really been what stopped me from restarting my podcast this year (07:08) You talked about doing a podcast about absent fathers or toxic father figures (14:04) Jim says he can stay angry and sad or he can work through it (19:13) One confrontation we had. It Was on a Father's Day (19:55) Jim remembers being shocked at all the people that came to his mom's funeral (23:15) One thing I have that belonged to my dad is a sperm donation (26:43) Why did you have a family with someone else? I have that question (30:03) What kind of things did you learn from your dad? Honestly, nothing (32:08) What are your favorite things that you do with your kids and grandkids (35:51) Shonda says her son asks questions all day long about life (38:54) How did you guys meet? I actually found his podcast in 2020 (45:37) Jim: I love doing the podcast. I love it. I just had my three year anniversary (50:33) One thing I tell new podcasters is first, you need a mission (52:25) Where we talked about snot, which was terrible. Because I was sick. And we're starting the conversation. And I go, hey, (52:55) Shonda loves your podcast and would love to hear from your dad (58:53) Shonda Sinclair: Thank you for your support of the old man's podcast

Connect with Shonda:

https://shondasinclair.substack.com

Connect with Jim:

https://www.theoldmanspodcast.com

Connect with Reena:

https://bettercalldaddy.com

https://linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts

https://instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone who needs to hear these powerful stories of resilience and healing!

"If you don't have anything to offer somebody, especially in showbiz, they don't want anything to do with you."

"Any day on set is a good day."

"I learned like patience, like a lot of patience."

"Life is short. Do what you love."

"Without them, I don't know where it would be. It probably be still sitting on a shelf."

In this captivating episode of Better Call Daddy, hosts Reena Friedman Watts and Wayne Friedman sit down with David Seth Cohen, the creative mind behind the documentary "Finding Sandler."

David shares the heartfelt journey that inspired him to track down Adam Sandler after passing up an opportunity to connect years ago. With humor and sincerity, David recounts his early passion for storytelling and how a tragic loss propelled him to pursue filmmaking.

He reflects on the challenges of creating "Finding Sandler," a project that took 16 years to complete, and the valuable lessons he learned about resilience, patience, and the importance of following one's dreams. The conversation delves into the creative process, including the significance of fair use in documentary filmmaking and the collaborative efforts that brought the film to life.

David also shares anecdotes about his interactions with celebrities and the unexpected moments that shaped his experience.

Listeners will appreciate the insights on balancing personal life with professional aspirations, as David discusses becoming a father later in life and how it has transformed his perspective. This episode is a treasure trove of inspiration for anyone considering their own creative journey, filled with laughter, relatable stories, and the reminder to embrace the moments that matter.

(00:00) Finding Sandler is a documentary about regrets in life (01:43) The documentary Finding Sandler was funded by his family (08:06) So I shared the movie and then literally, like, they wrote me back a few days later (08:27) How were you able to fair use a lot of Adam Sandler clips (09:44) Anthony Marinelli used fair use to use movie clips in his documentary (11:38) Do you feel like capturing some of these celebrities may have helped you (17:21) When I met with Sandler, it was like so many people around (18:12) Did Adam Sandler remember you when you interviewed him for Big Daddy (19:54) Why did you include your ex in the movie (22:55) It took so long to make the film. It was tied up in a lawsuit (27:23) Editing can be a tricky part of comedy, right (28:27) There was a whole scene at the end of LA that I cut out (33:50) If something is taught in school, kids may not enjoy it (34:27) What did you learn about yourself in the process of this (36:25) You became a dad very late in life, at 47 (40:05) What would you tell somebody else who wants to make a documentary (41:23) What does your dad think about you working for Jerry Springer (42:03) David Cohen is currently working on an animated action comedy for adults

Connect with David:

https://www.davidsethcohen.com

Connect with Reena:

https://bettercalldaddy.com

https://linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts

https://instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts

Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone who needs a dose of inspiration in their creative pursuits!

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