The only thing my dad ever taught me was to not be like him.

My Dad died in my arms of a massive heart attack when I was 15 years old at the end of the Eagles Cardinals Football game. Talk about a life changing experience. I had to grow up real quick. I was all of a sudden the man of the house. My Mother NEVER went out with another man the rest of her life. I feel like she gave up her life for me as I was her only child. She recently passed away and the last few years were very hard. I took care of her alone. I gave up my life as she did hers and she was able to pass away with me here in her own home. May God Bless her and my Father up in heaven!!!!

My father left when I was six months old and started another family. I occasionally saw my half siblings. They were a very tight family. I was always on the outside looking in. 63 years old now and it still hurts.

I grew up without a father, I always thought it never made a difference, I actually developed so many maladaptive/anti-social behaviours through having no male guidance growing up. Took a lot of education and reinventing myself to become a well rounded person from the age of 23-28 and still working on it.

Dad issue is real. Don't repeat the loop gentleman

I didn't realize the importance of a father figure in life until I reached my adult years and I realized all the ways a man needs to know how to be a man. I learned a lot of lessons the hard way

When one has not had a good father, one must create one. - Nietzsche

My mom took both responsibilities as a mom and a dad and raised all 7 of us. She taught me how to drive, cook, clean, change my car oil and car tires, etc. she’s a Wonder Woman.

Me and my dad like to play hide n seek. 30 years I’ve been looking for him. Dads such a joker.

I told my 22 y/o son "I feel like a pos because of how I was raised" and he replied "dad, I never feel like that". One of the best moments of my life.....

My Dad never lets me down. He's nearly 70 now, and he's still going strong. I never realised until I was older that there are some people who don't have that. Cheers Dad. And solidarity to all the people who dont have that, be the person you never had and be there for your family. x

seeing 2 adults talk about life and get emotional actually makes me feel good... I can accept me.

Where’s my fellow dad less brothers at?

The worst is when your Dad is around and it's like he isn't even there

Shout-out to all the moms who play both roles as best they can.

Two person share the same sorrow will have the best deep conversation ever

This is how men should communicate with one another instead of reserving their emotions for the next bint that walks through the same door she'll walk out of. This is how brotherhood is built.

Having a child is like having your heart walk outside your body.

as a middle eastern girl, my dad is my best friend. he gives everything to me. always. he always gives me his ALL. his 100%. no matter what. he would rather starve than something ever hurt me. i would die for him in a split second without thinking. i appreciate it. every day

The best fathers are the ones who didn’t really have one

We girls need our dads too. When we don't know him we spend our lives fantasizing about a man who loves us unconditionally. Then we do stupid things to convince ourselves that other men are that man.

I was in my son's life till he was 6.5 years old. My ex found someone on Facebook that she was infatuated with. I tried to work on the relationship but she was just done and filed for divorce and and took out a PFA against me because her attorney said it would strengthen her claim to have primary custody. I never even hit her once, called her abusive names, or cheated on her once during the 20 years we were together. I haven't been allowed to see my son in 3 years nor have I heard from him. He is now 10 and I feel empty inside. If men are just as important in raising a child then why do they get the children 93% of the time. Did you know that men commit suicide 300% more than women and I believe it's because they lose everything in divorce and I know how that feels.

I lost my dad 19 years ago and now being 53 yo, I think about him every day. I would give 10 years of my life to see him and talk to him for 10 minutes. 💔

I grew up with my grandpa and I feel like I was the luckiest person because I had the best childhood and even adulthood. I could always count on that man. I miss him now that he's gone.

It's comforting knowing Joe Rogan didn't have a dad in his childhood and still made it far. I always felt like I missed something and I never got taught to be a man but I guess some struggles just make you a better person

Take his glasses off and his mustache, nose and eyebrows come off too.

It's crazy, I never realized how much of a disservice it was to be raised with no grandparents or father in my life. I'm trying to change everything about myself and rewrite the way I think about things, it's not easy but I'm working on it one day at a time.

I was so lucky to have a great “step” dad……so damn lucky…

My pops was always there for me. Had my back 100%. He taught me how to be the best version of myself. Guided me in the right direction, but let me make my own decisions. Taught me how to draw, unclog toilets, build brick walls, rebuild carburetors, be a public speaker, and everything in between. There seriously isn't a single complaint I have about him. Lost him 5 years ago to cancer. I miss him every single day. He was born to be a dad. The thing is, he grew up without one. I model my parenting after him (and my mom, too!), but I have no idea how he learned to be a good dad...he just was.

My dad left me and my mom when I was 12. My mom became depressed, and I rebelled. When I became 17 I cried for the first time about it all, cos all my friends were being accepted to good colleges and I was living a low life. When I was 19 I got a job on the railroad, and saw all walks of life. All levels of hardship. Now I'm 25, my mom's passed, my dad's been out of my life for 10+ years, and I love my daughter more than anything in the world. She's napping right now, so I'm watching JRE and eating lol.

It’s so true! The love you have for your babies is like a high. It’s so pure and deep and unlike anything else. I can’t imagine the stress of raising multiple children but I totally see why people do. It’s so rewarding!

I’m 41 and this has and still does have an impact on my life, self worth, confidence, trust issues, rejection ruins children, when I fight my anxiety and self doubt is my biggest opponent but I somehow need to prove to myself that I am good enough even though I never do believe it . .

I grew up without a Dad and a narcissistic mother, you learn you can't trust anyone and that really you're very much on your own in this cold world

My dad was never around but i was blessed with a step father who stood by my side till the day he died .... Stepdads are fathers too 👊

Same here. Grew up no Father in life, missed out on all of that comes with that. At 38 I meet a girl, single Mom to a 4 yr old little girl and here I am about to watch my daughter graduate at 21 from the State University. Awesome shit man!!

My dad taught me how to abandon. Fucked me up. I realize it now. We live and we learn.

Man I feel so lucky my dad is such a loving, supportive, solid and upstanding man. For yall who never had a dad, be the father to your kids that you would've wanted to have. Dont repeat the cycle gentlemen.

I totally relate to this, my dad died when I was 8 from suicide. I’m now a college graduate and an engineer-all the statistics were against me growing up in a single parent household, but I learned not to be a product of my environment.

My dad has been ruining my life since I was born he drove me to the brink of insanity I get so mad thinking about him it’s incredible how angry I get

As a fatherless child, this really spoke to me

He looks like someone who disguised himself to get back on the Joe Rogan podcast.

I never met mine, my mom did tell me who he was. He died last Christmas... I felt bad at the time. It was like damn, its a shame I never met him. Then again, he lived 15 miles away my whole life and never made an effort to reach out. The weird thing is that on the night he died I was having really weird and unpleasant chest pains, then the next day I found out he died of a heart attack. Very strange stuff

My dad was in and out of my life due to alcoholism and drug addiction. And unfortunately lost his battle with his diseases on the morning of my 20th birthday. But what I do remember of him is having this contagious, glowing spirit. Help people that need it y’all! That’s not who they truly are. I wish I would’ve helped him more instead of chalking off his addictions as selfishness.

I couldn’t imagine my life without not knowing my dad. And I could not imagine my life not being around for my 2 boys & my 2 dogs (girls).

My dad is the greatest ever. I do everything like him. Without him I would have been nothing. Shouts out to him

My dad had zero interest in me but my brother was his golden child. I haven't talked to my dad in 20 years and he's never met my sons who are already college aged.

My Dad’s dad died when my dad was 9. He was worried about being a bad father because he didn’t have one to learn from. He did a good job.

Joe "have you tried having kids ? They're like drugs" Rogan

Some times it’s better to be farther less then having some of these dads out here ...

Man, my dad left when I was 6 too. Suffered some real damage from the years he was around and the years he wasn't. CPTSD is such an unrecognised problem existent with children of trauma. Hopefully soon there will be more acknowledgement and support around this. All I can hope for is to one day father my own children and do it right!

Also having a physical present father , but he’s emotionally absent.

I am 16 years old i am currently being raised by my single mother, I know my dad however i wish i never knew him when i was 6 years old on christimas morning he broke my nose by kicking my back and making me hit my nose on the floor when i have kids i am going to be the best dad i can be! hey guys.. it has been a full year since i wrote that.. um my relationship with my father remains the same he lives in brazil and i am here in Europe. I am grateful for all the positive comments however, for those saying "have a rematch" or "hit him when you are older" i do not think that punching him in the future or ending this story with violence is the best way. we are all on this earth to develop ourselves as we grow each day and get wiser, if his decision was to kick me in the back and making me hit the floor and breaking my nose. Hey that's all his energy. Not mine. I live each day trying to improve myself and not look back at the past and let things like this stop me from doing what I have to do in life once again thank you all! and have a blessed day.

There's a huge conversation that needs to be had for fatherless children that is never had. And unfortunately, it never happens and these kids just fall through the cracks.

My dad was there and provided to me the best he could. He did not know how to love me... which caused me many a theapy session, unhappyness and self dought. On his death bed I told him that I loved him ( for the first and last time). He could not speak anymore.... but in his eyes I could see his love. And as I turn 50 that is the most precious memory I will ever have of him. My dad loved me.... even if words failed.

Never met my dad, and it never really bothered me. But once I had my children I could never understand how he left me my kids are my fucking world the way they make me feel is unexplainable and he never got that. That’s the saddest part

People either have No dad A dad that left when they were young A dad who is around but drunk/abusive. A dad who is around, but pushes them too hard/too strict/too competitive A dad that pushes them to do the same job/same things they do etc. A pretty good dad but who is on the road all the time/focused on career. A good dad It seems like the last one is a pretty low percentage, but those who have them appreciate it.

My cousin has only ever met his dad once when he was 14 he randomly picked him up from school and took him to McDonald’s. He’s never really seemed bothered about not having his dad around either. His mom is my aunt and she’s a brilliant woman, a mom and dad rolled into 1. My cousin has turned out to be the most remarkable man, successful and a father to 2 great kids. My aunt did a hell of a job! Shout out to all the single moms out there!!

Damn I relate to this super hard. My dad bounced about the same age. I feel the same way about everything you said about friends and family and loyalty. Fewer you have the more important and closely you hold them.. it's different growing up without a big family. You just learn to extend it over years. I've always said I don't have friends, I only have family. No need to be blood to be my family. Good listen, thanks Joe.

Joe is such a sweetheart.

When I was younger, I was mad at my father for ditching my mom. My mother worked two full time jobs by the time I was in high school. Then it dawned on me that if my mom didn’t see fit to be angry at him, why should I? It was hard for mom but she’s ok. She’s retired and keeps herself busy enough she isn’t calling me every day. She has hobbies and has friends. We have dinner every other week. She raised two boys who don’t live in her basement.

My dad was always working. He ran his own private optometric business. I begged him to give me one day for just me. The first day of deer season. I said in January just put a big red X on this day on November. He refused/ignored/dismissed my request. Well as the father of 5 children now myself I have focused on being open, emotionally available, interested in their lives and their hobbies. As a result of deciding to be different I have a great work life balance and a great relationship with my children. A bad day can be made a great day just hanging with one of my kids being nothing more special than just plain old Dad…and I love it. I made sure my sons knew and saw how I treated their sisters and their mother. Made sure my daughters saw that also so they would demand the same respect I gave their momma. So far all the effort to be different has given vastly different outcomes x 5.

notice how no matter what joe says this other dude goes on to talk about himself like yeah i've been through something worse, this reminds me of everyone today, people need to start listening.

The way Joe described the love between a parents and child was spot-on with my own experiences. Very touching.

When you have a dad but your dad sucks at life and in a subtle way tells you to not be like him. It hurts too man. I understand the pain some people have to go through being raised without a father but being raised by a poor quality father is also painful. It makes me jealous of those who have perfect role model dads.

I didn't meet my dad until I was almost 19 with a kid of my own. Now we get along great and he's great to my kids. Wish we didn't miss out on that time

I lost my Dad when I was 21. Although I cherish the time I had with him, i’ll always feel like I never really knew him because I never got to know as a man and a father myself

Joe “kids are drugs” Rogan

When your dads truly gone (passed) you finally realize his importance the older into adulthood u get

Having a dad to look up can be super important for a young man’s development. My dad‘s a failure but joe is a perfect example that it’s possible to grow into a successful man without having a dad as an example.

I was 7 the last time I saw my dad and always had a hard time trusting people. Honestly, I never gave it much thought but now I realize why.

Joe “my dads name is joe rogan” rogan

Mr. Potato Head finally got an interview.

My mom left when I was 10/11. If you told me at 9 she was going to be leaving/I never would see her again I would’ve had a panic attack and bawled my eyes out, but now it’s so normal I can’t imagine her in my life. It makes it hard to get close w literally anyone bc you’re always reminded of how fleeting relationships can be

My youngest brother died a month ago and he left behind a 4 year old boy, he was a great father and I fear that his son's life will not be as good now without him.

I feel blessed for having a father

Makes me realize how great my dad is! Never abandoned me or my siblings. Keep your head upguys!

Damn it’s sad to see how many of us don’t have our dads in our lives if ever. I’ll never understand how something so natural like being a father and loving your kids isn’t natural for some people. I’m a dad of two boys one being special needs I couldn’t imagine them not having me in their lives. An absent father is detrimental to a kids future in all forms. Keep your head up fellow fatherless brothers. What doesn’t break you makes you stronger!

This dude looks like he's wearing those dollar general mustache glasses

Joes ability to be surrounded by those things, and still wanting to help, as well as curving the temptation to join in. Great character.

My mother was my heart. I am who I am because of her. I am a single father to an 8 year old, and it breaks my heart that my son will never have those moments only a mother/son can have.

My dad left and never came back - I have a daughter now she’s 20 and I couldn’t imagine not being in her life it would kill me. I feel sorry for my dad now because he really lost out on both me and my daughter- he is the one without memories in our lives and that’s an awful thing for him to live with and I know people say he doesn’t care but I think everyone does even deep down and regret is an awful feeling to live with

My parents split up when I was 2 and my dad came to visit every now and then. But he died when I was in 6th grade... Now I'm 25, the age he had when he had me... Learning how to be a man from square 1 and then on top of that have a single mom imprint herself on you is fucking tough. She's a great mom, did everything she could to make sure I'm ok... But at the end of the day, the anxiety and depression you rack up trying to figure so many things out without the proper point of reference is fucking tough

I've never met my dad, watching this made me tear up because it was so relatable. This podcast has honestly helped a lot filling in the "guy gaps" I've missed.

I have a similar upbringing as Joe did - I only knew my dad up until I was about 4 years old. Saw him in prison when I was 18 (he was always in and out of prisons) and once more a year later. That's it. He was more like some stranger that shared my DNA. Like the other guy, my mom also got really upset when I asked about him. But I understand she was coming from a place of hurt and didn't want the horrible person my dad was to have an influence on me. But I want to say this to those young ones that are reading this and also don't have dads in their lives. You may have trust issues with other guy friends or even women and you may have a small inner circle and are fiercely loyal (seems a common denominator among guys that grew up with no dad) but you can become great fathers in spite of all that. What the absence of my dad taught me was "When I grow up and become a father, I now know what not to do. I will make sure I am there for my kid." My daughter is now 18, in college, has a boyfriend, a job and is an awesome, wise, loving human being. The circle of ignorance ended with me. It is a LIE that you become your parents or if someone says "I'm like that because my father was like that." a huge lie. I was always there for my daughter and we have an incredibly close relationship, So, if you are younger and not yet a father you too can break the circle of ignorance and forge something new. Don't let a bad dad (or mom) teach you how to be. Find your own path.

And I'm looking for Joe's reaction to Dad and Sister

Joe’s fighting back tears at @2:18 You can hear it in his voice... really heartwarming. Lucky kid has an awesome dad.

I never seen or met my dad. Left when i was 2, when u was 9 i asked my mom to meet him, she reached out to him he said leave me alone so i know i am unwanted. My mom is amazing but she never ever got a boyfriend, so i never witnessed love or relationships in my life. Now in my 30's, i am alone, no friends, no girlfriends and very lonely. If i ever make it out of this and father a child one day, i will NOT let my child suffer like i did and still am every day. You really have to be a selfish man to abandon your child because let me say from experience, that child will struggle a lot in life because of your selfish decision. If you are a young man, don't abandon your child, even if you hate the mother. Bless all.

one of the best things that happened to me in my life, was my dad not being in my life. I didn’t miss much. I wish him peace and happiness.

I remember this. I always felt weird for having my mom AND dad because honestly there’s few people I know that have that. I grew up seeing it on tv and living like they did on there. Went to Christian school till middle school and that was a real eye opener. As I got older (23 now) I see how fucked up the world is and honestly it doesn’t get better from what I’ve seen and experienced

My dad alone raised me

Life Without Pain is Life Without Growth

My father passed away when i was 3. Mother re married when i was 13. Had 2 brothers. Step father passed away 10 yrs ago. My mother 1 year ago. Now living with my 15 and 16 yr old siblings, my wife, my 3 yr old son and an upcoming baby on the way. This life hasnt been easy, sometimes i think its unfair, but its not a reason for me to stop trying to bring the best life for them. I hope they wont live and have the issues i have had for like as long as i can remember. Im still just 30. 😅 Shit sucks man. Keep living brothers! There will be sunshine.

Meanwhile my dad isn’t dead, he’s just never around. I remember he pulled up to my house one time and he asked “which one is your room” and it really hit me that this man was not in my life.

When he said about his mom “I’m happy that she’s happy in the later part of her life” I felt that.

Really sucks hearing stories like this and stories in the comments....my life was totally different. My mom passed away when I was 18 months old from heart failure probably due to partying in the 80s, so I was raised by my father with a little help from my grandparents on my moms side. After living a life with the dad that I have, I could NOT imagine being fatherless. He’s been my best friend my entire life and the best dad I could ever ask for. However, I’ll never experience having a mother in my life either...

My dad was in and out of my life up until I was 14 and I still remember the day he left and never came back like it was yesterday. I’m currently 21. One of the soul purposes in my life is to be a better father than he was but the fucked up thing about it is that everyday I notice myself doing things and treating people the same way he did.

I feel for these guys, I'm cut from the same cloth. I feel like I had to become me own father figure. All the things I know now about how to be a man I had to learn on my own. It was very lonely. I want to have a child one day to give them that love I didn't have and to pass on the things I've learned...it shouldn't be so hard to grow up for everyone.

I met my dad when im 30 for the first time and I wish I never have.fukd up experience.then I have my child about a year ago and that overwhelming emotions grasp me completely.i will never left my kid like my dad,ever...

My parents divorced when I was about 11 or 12. Said that I wanted to live with my dad, the courts "awarded" me to my mother during the custody battle. Lost contact with my dad soon after that, he died of cancer when i was 19, did not even know he had cancer. I was a latch key kid raised by my mother who worked as a receptionist in a dental office. Have an older sister. I turn 50 in a couple of days, never married although I live with a woman who has 2 kids in their late 20's early 30's. That marriage and divorce was a Sh*t show. I had / have (?) major trust issues. Missed having a male presence in my life growing up with an older sister and mother. It shaped me, and to this day I find myself somewhat bitter about what I was dragged through by two "adults" in that sh*t show marriage. I went though a depression from about the age of 24 to 31. Missed a lot opportunities...relationship and career wise. To late for me to have children and who knows if I would even be a good dad...anyway, don't take things for granted...Love...

Joe, you have gave me a lot of fatherly lessons over the years. Thanks