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Truth Be Told

Fatherhood: Breaking Cycles & Rewriting the Narrative

Published December 12, 2025 at 10:21 AM EST
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Yellow background. "TRUTH" in maroon text, underneath is "BE" in light green text, and "TOLD" in orange text with a dark green half speech bubble underneath. Under that is FATHERHOOD in green text. BTPM NPR logo in the top left.

The stereotype of the “absent Black father” is powerful and deeply misleading. In this episode, Al Smith shares his journey from a childhood shaped by addiction, the crack epidemic and disrupted family systems to becoming a devoted single father and police officer. His story shows the love, intention and everyday work behind fatherhood and how one generation can choose a different path for the next.

A heartfelt look at parenting, perseverance and the truth behind a harmful myth.

Truth Be Told Season 1
Latest Episodes
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    Legacy & Generational Impact: Storytelling, Culture & Community
    In this final episode, Kenneth and Sharon Holley, owners of Zawadi Books, share how literacy, oral tradition and Black entrepreneurship shaped their lives and their community. From childhood comic - book libraries to decades of cultural stewardship, their story shows how family history becomes community history and how stories keep us rooted.
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    End of Life & Generational Joy: Caregiving, Loss & Love
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    Retirement: Aging, Inequity & the Weight of a Lifetime
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  • Yellow background. "TRUTH" in maroon text, underneath is "BE" in light green text, and "TOLD" in orange text with a dark green half speech bubble underneath. Under that is HOMEOWNERSHIP in green text. BTPM NPR logo in the top left.
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  • Yellow background. "TRUTH" in maroon text, underneath is "BE" in light green text, and "TOLD" in orange text with a dark green half speech bubble underneath. Under that is ADOLECENCE in green text. BTPM NPR logo in the top left.
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    What happens when schools stop seeing Black children as children? In this episode of Truth Be Told, Chelest Ponzo shares her family’s story navigating bias, discipline and advocacy inside America’s education system. We examine how racial bias and ableism shape educational experiences from elementary school onward.
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    Infancy and Early Childhood: Foundations for Health and Joy
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