Glen Henry joins John O’Leary on the Live Inspired Podcast to share how learning to “father yourself first” can help you grow, heal, and show up with love for the people who matter most.
Glen Henry is a creator, husband, father of four, and the heart behind Beleaf in Fatherhood, a YouTube community of more than a million people. Once a hip-hop artist who didn’t want kids, Glen is now one of the most powerful voices reshaping what it means to be a modern dad. Through his podcast How Married Are You?, his new book Father Yourself First, and his storytelling online, Glen brings humor, honesty, and hope to the everyday chaos of parenting.
Today, Glen shares how becoming a father led him to face the wounds of his past, rediscover his purpose, and learn that leading your family starts with leading yourself. He opens up about mentorship, faith, the beauty in ordinary family life, and how to heal from the inside out so you can show up with love, presence, and purpose.
My friends, if you’ve ever wondered whether you’re doing enough, this conversation is for you. You’ll leave with a deeper sense of grace for yourself, a renewed belief in the power of family, and the encouragement to keep showing up (even on the hard days!) with love, presence, and hope.
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SHOW NOTES:
- Growing up without a strong father figure, Glen shares how that experience shaped the way he now shows up for his kids.
- Music was Glen’s first language for expressing emotion and finding identity.
- When his first child was born, everything changed because purpose met responsibility.
- Glen realized that before he could be a great father, he needed to learn how to “father himself.”
- He describes that as doing the inner work: facing wounds, forgiving others, and healing what’s been broken.
- Glen found healing through community and mentors who modeled love, patience, and presence.
- “Leading your family starts with leading yourself.”
- He reminds us that perfection isn’t the goal; showing up is.
- We talk about why it’s important to rewrite the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and what we’re capable of.
- Glen’s advice for anyone struggling: “You don’t have to be who you were yesterday. You get to begin again.”
- My friends, this episode is a reminder that love, grace, and presence are what truly change families — starting with our own hearts.
- Standout quotes from the conversation:
- “The biggest stage I will ever perform is my living room.”
- “ Often what is good for our present is not good for their future.”
- “Don’t tell them what to do. Tell them who they are.”
- ”To become a fantastic father, we must become like a child again.”
- “ So depression got the most of me. Not the best of me, but the most of me.”
- Get a copy of Glen Henry’s book Father Yourself First here.
Did you enjoy today’s episode?
You’ll love my conversation with Dr. Meg Meeker. As one of the nation’s leading parenting experts, Meg shares powerful insights on what children need most from their parents and how to be the steady, loving presence they can depend on. Listen to Dr. Meg Meeker on Live Inspired Podcast ep. 14.
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GLEN HENRY'S LIVE INSPIRED 7
- Q. What is the best book you’ve ever read?
A. Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer. - Q. What is a characteristic or trait that you possessed as a child that you wish you still exhibited today?
A. Sense of joy and sense of adventure. - Q. Your house is on fire, all living things and people are out. You have the opportunity to run in and grab one item. What would it be?
A. The 200 terabyte QAP system that has all of our memories, all of our videos, everything. - Q. You are sitting on a bench overlooking a gorgeous beach. You have the opportunity to have a long conversation with anyone living or dead. Who would it be?
A. Jesus and my sister. - Q. What is the best advice you’ve ever received?
A. Take responsibility of relationships you want. - Q. What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?
A. Lean into education. - Q. It’s been said that all great people can have their lives summed up in one sentence. How do you want yours to read?
A. He loved well.
