Oct. 17, 2025

Growing Up Without A Dad: Navigating the Father Wound and Building Self-Worth

Growing Up Without A Dad: Navigating the Father Wound and Building Self-Worth

Growing Up Without A Dad: Navigating the Father Wound and Building Self-Worth Ep 375, October 17, 2025

Healing the Father Wound: Kevin Palmieri's Journey to Self-Worth

In this episode of Real Men Feel, host Andy Grant sits down with Kevin Palmieri, founder and co-host of the Next Level University podcast, to discuss self-worth, the father wound, and creating a fulfilling life. Kevin shares his journey from feeling unfulfilled despite outward success to contemplating suicide, and how he transformed his life by producing over 2,000 podcast episodes and reaching listeners in 170 countries.
He delves into his personal story of growing up without his father, meeting him as an adult, and how this experience shaped his views on masculinity and self-worth. Kevin also talks about his definition of self-worth and his emotional struggles, providing a candid and inspiring narrative aimed at encouraging men to embrace vulnerability and seek growth.

Discovering Personal Transformation

Kevin Palmieri's story is compelling, as it encapsulates the transformation from pursuing superficial success to embracing deeper self-worth. Once engulfed in material achievements but internally unfulfilled, Kevin opens up about the precipitous moments that led him to fundamentally rethink his life.

Beyond the Father Wound

A significant part of Kevin's narrative involves confronting the absence of his father. Growing up without knowing his father fostered a sense of imposter syndrome and a perceived sense of brokenness. Kevin shares a poignant story from his childhood about having to invent stories about his father's profession to fit in—a memory that underlines the profound impact his father's absence has had on his self-identity.

The Meeting That Changed Everything

The episode delves into Kevin's emotional recount of meeting his father at the age of 27. This unexpected reconnection was filled with fear and resolution but ultimately provided Kevin with the closure he never anticipated. He reflects on understanding his father's absence not as a personal failure but as a result of his father's own life struggles.

Redefining Masculinity and Self-Worth

Raised by his mother and grandmother, Kevin's views on masculinity were shaped distinctly differently. Without definitive male role models, he turned to societal ideals seen in movies and wrestling figures for guidance. This desire for external validation masked deep-seated inadequacies, which Kevin later learned to navigate in healthier ways.

Rock Bottom and Rebirth

One of the pivotal discussions of the podcast is Kevin's journey hitting rock bottom even while seemingly successful by external standards. The conversation examines why many men find it necessary to reach low points before fostering true change. Kevin's narrative highlights how the combination of personal pain and the desire for growth catalyzed his life transformation.

Lessons in Self-Worth and Growth

Kevin shares how the meaning of self-worth has evolved for him, from being synonymous with arrogance to an intrinsic understanding of value and humility. He articulates that self-worth is more about internal peace than external accolades.

Sharing Stories for Healing

A critical takeaway from Kevin is the power of storytelling in healing. By publicly sharing his vulnerabilities, Kevin found strength and catalyzed a healing process that not only benefited himself but resonated with countless others.

A Message for Men and the Fatherless

Kevin offers crucial insights to young men growing up without fathers, emphasizing that their circumstances do not limit their potential. His story encourages other men to redefine their paths free from past wounds.

Connect with Kevin Palmieri

Listeners are encouraged to engage with Kevin’s work through the Next Level University podcast, where he dedicates daily episodes to growth and living a next-level life.

Conclusion

This Real Men Feel episode with Kevin Palmieri isn't just an exploration of personal stories but a broader commentary on the importance of self-worth and the therapeutic power of vulnerability. It serves as a reminder that healing and growth do not happen in isolation, inviting men to join communities like the Authentic AF community for support and connection.
Remember, self-worth and healing begin with being kind to oneself. 
Watch this episode on YouTube.
Listen on Apple Podcasts.
Enjoy Real Men Feel on Spotify
Authentic AF Community | http://realmenfeel.org/group

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