Parenting Tips: Young Dad Podcast · Jey Young

248: Purpose After Pain- Bob F.

·46 min·4 clips

This episode features host Jay speaking with Bob, a father and customer service leader who founded a nonprofit after his daughter's death. Bob's daughter, Keisha, was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer at age 30, which had metastasized to her lungs and other organs. The catalyst for Bob's advocacy was an article he wrote titled "The Question Every Dad Should Ask His Daughter" about breast health. He emphasizes that 11% of breast cancer cases in America occur in women under 40, and early detection is critical. Bob recounts receiving the devastating phone call about his daughter's diagnosis while on a business trip in California. He describes shifting from grief into the role of an advocate, focusing on treatment options and maintaining hope during Keisha's four-year battle. Bob and his family created a bucket list for Keisha, which included seeing Luke Bryan in concert multiple times and attending Pittsburgh Steelers games. He explains that Keisha's childhood ADD, which once frustrated him, became her "superpower" in focusing singularly on survival. A pivotal moment for Bob occurred in a Boston bar when a stranger's question about his children led to a conversation that inspired his nonprofit's mission. His organization, Warrior Princess, distributes shower cards reminding women to perform monthly self-exams and has distributed over 65,000 cards. Bob addresses the myth that breast cancer only affects older women, noting incidence in younger women is rising. He reveals that 80% of breast cancer discoveries are first made through self-checks or noticing changes, not through mammograms. The episode also discusses Bob's memoir, "On to Blue," which details his family's journey and includes "Keisha-isms"—lessons learned from his daughter. Bob stresses the importance of friends offering concrete help, like bringing meals, instead of asking open-ended questions during a crisis. The tone is heartfelt, conversational, and instructional, blending personal narrative with practical advice. Listeners who appreciate emotional, father-focused stories of resilience and advocacy will find this episode compelling. Those seeking lighthearted parenting tips or uncomfortable with discussions of terminal illness and grief may want to skip it.

As heard by us

A grounded conversation about fatherhood, illness, and the practical shape of showing up.

Bob's story about supporting his daughter through breast cancer gives this fatherhood conversation its center of gravity. The episode is strongest when it stays with the plain demands of love under pressure: living with fear, learning to advocate, and figuring out what support…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a steadier way to show up for someone facing cancer, especially when asking what they need is too much for them to answer.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from Parenting Tips: Young Dad Podcast