Harts & Minds

HARTS & MINDS in UGANDA - Episode 6 - "Fatherhood, Faith & Film — A Conversation with Dr. Okaka Opio Dokotum

In this powerful and heart-centered episode of Harts & Minds, I welcome Dr. Okaka Opio Dokotum — associate professor of literature and film, deputy vice chancellor at Lira University in Uganda, and a creative visionary whose work bridges scholarship, spirituality, and storytelling. 🌍 From Uganda to New York, this cross-cultural dialogue explores: * 💬 The emotional and spiritual journey of fatherhood * 📖 Lessons of forgiveness, legacy, and leadership * 🎭 How African traditions and faith shape creative expression * 🎬 Insights from Dr. Dokotum’s book Hollywood and Africa: Confidentity and the Myth of the Death of the Men (1908–1920) * 🙌 The sacred responsibility of being a father — biologically, spiritually, and communally Whether you're a parent, artist, or seeker of wisdom, this episode offers a rare glimpse into the soul of a scholar whose life is rooted in love, resilience, and ancestral connection. 🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform 📚 Grab the book on Amazon: Hollywood and Africa by Dr. Okaka Opio Dokotum

Harts & Minds - Episode 5 - Victor Williams (King of Queens, The Affair)

"Traditions, Toasts, and Turkey Meatloaf with Victor Williams" This week on Harts and Minds, I sit down with the incomparable Victor Williams—actor, dad, and pie-bringer extraordinaire. You know him as Deacon Palmer from King of Queens, but this episode dives deeper than the screen credits. 👨‍👧‍👦 From lasagna lessons to late-night bike rides, Victor opens up about fatherhood, food, and the balancing act of being a creative parent. 🎭 Hear how growing up in Brooklyn shaped his journey from stage to screen—and how parenting has reshaped everything else. 🥧 Discover the sacred power of sweet potato pies, apple pie traditions, and the unexpected wisdom of nap-taking in nightclubs. 💬 Plus: emotional intelligence, parenting without a blueprint, and the legacy of love through rituals and routines. Whether you're in London traffic or an Illinois parking lot, this episode is for any dad raising kids—and raising the bar. 📲 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Substack and all major platforms. 🎧 Fuel up, subscribe, and join the conversation. Because parenting isn’t perfect—but it’s yours.

Harts & Minds - Episode 4 - J. Bernard Calloway - Fatherdom, Almond Milk, and Understanding

In this soul-stirring episode of Harts & Minds, host Frank Harts welcomes actor and father J. Bernard Calloway for a raw and resonant conversation about what it truly means to show up—for your child, your partner, and yourself. From the stage to the screen (The Ms. Pat Show, The Equalizer, Blue Bloods), Calloway shares how fatherhood has reshaped his understanding of patience, discipline, and generational healing. Together, they unpack the psychological weight of inherited parenting styles, the power of presence, and the daily dance between artistry and responsibility. With humor, vulnerability, and wisdom, this episode is a masterclass in conscious fatherhood and the ongoing journey of becoming a better man. #HartsAndMindsPodcast #JBernardCalloway #FatherhoodUnfiltered #LegacyBuilding #MenWhoFeel #MsPat

🎙️ Harts & Minds - Episode 3 - James Martinez - Culture, Keaton, & Queens

In this heartfelt and hilarious episode of Harts and Minds, host Frank Harts sits down with longtime friend and acclaimed actor James Martinez (Dexter: Original Sin, Love Victor, House of Cards, One Day At A Time) for a deep dive into fatherhood, culture, and the art of balancing life’s many hats. From growing up in Jackson Heights, Queens, to raising a bilingual son with strong Colombian roots, James shares candid reflections on parenting, legacy, and emotional resilience. 👨‍👦 Highlights include: The power of media in shaping parenting styles Raising emotionally intelligent kids in a fast-changing world Navigating work-life balance as a working actor and present dad Hilarious impersonations (yes, Michael Keaton makes an appearance!) The importance of cultural traditions and shedding outdated beliefs Plus, don’t miss the “Dad-Fueled Minute” on the power of play—it’s a reminder that being silly might just be the most serious parenting skill of all. Whether you're a new dad, seasoned parent, or just love a good laugh with a dose of wisdom, this episode is packed with warmth, wit, and real talk. Subscribe now and fuel up with Harts and Minds—where parenting meets purpose. 🧠❤️👟 #HartsAndMindsPodcast #DadLife #JamesMartinez #ParentingUnplugged #EmotionalIntelligence #PodcastPromo #LatinDads #Men #Family #MichaelKeaton

🎙️ Harts & Minds – Episode 2 - Colin Donnell - "We’ll Figure It Out"

Frank Harts welcomes television and Broadway star Colin Donnell (Arrow, Chicago Med, Anything Goes, Violet) for a candid, hilarious, and unexpectedly heartfelt conversation about life, career, and the beautiful chaos of parenting. From backstage mishaps to bedtime negotiations, Frank and Colin swap stories that prove no matter how big the stage or how small the crisis, the mantra is always the same: “We’ll figure it out.” It’s part comedy, part confession, and all heart — a reminder that whether you’re raising kids or raising the curtain, the best moments often come when the plan goes out the window.