Episode 6

bonus
Published on:

3rd Jul 2025

Paper Cradles Interview: Author Jameel Mayers on Open Adoption & Gay Fatherhood

Bonus: Paper Cradles Interview: Author Jameel Mayers on Open Adoption & Gay Fatherhood

In this powerful episode of Fathernetics, we go behind the scenes of Paper Cradles — a deeply personal and gripping memoir that chronicles the emotional terrain of fatherhood, open adoption, identity, and love. From the first phone call to finalizing the paperwork, this story doesn’t shy away from the messy, the beautiful, and the deeply human moments that make up the adoption journey.

Whether you’re an adoptive parent, a birth parent, or somewhere in between, this episode offers an honest look at what it means to choose fatherhood — again and again.

We explore:

  • The reality of open adoption
  • Navigating fatherhood as a gay, married couple
  • How to stay grounded when the system tests your patience
  • Why “chosen family” isn’t just a phrase — it’s a calling
  • What Paper Cradles reveals about grief, hope, and parenthood

If you’ve ever questioned what makes a family, or how far you’d go to protect a child not born to you but born for you — this one’s for you.


📕 Buy the book: Buy Here.

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💬 Let us know what resonated with you in the comments or reviews!

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About the Podcast

Fathernetics
Dad Hero Stories
Fathernetics | Dad Hero Stories

Real stories from the men who chose fatherhood and everything it took to get there.

From adoption and fostering to IVF and surrogacy, Fathernetics explores the journeys behind modern dads, who they were before, what they faced, and who they became along the way. Centered on LGBTQ+ men, with occasional perspectives from women reflecting on their own fathers, these are honest, unfiltered conversations about identity, resilience, relationships, and the realities of building a family.

Because becoming a dad isn’t simple and it’s never one-size-fits-all.

🎙️ Hosted by Jameel Mayers
📲 YouTube & Instagram: @fathernetics
📢 New episodes every Thursday
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