The Strongest Thing a Man Can Do Is Grieve Out Loud with Jason Tuttle

Dads Interrupted

What does it mean to keep showing up when life gives you the unimaginable?

In this moving episode, Jason Tuttle shares the story of his son Zachary—who lived with a rare condition and left an unforgettable mark on everyone he met. Jason opens up about the realities of raising a child with special needs, the grief of losing him, and the ongoing journey of turning pain into purpose.

From walking away from his job to be present with his son… to creating a coloring book that honors families navigating loss… to challenging the myth that men must always appear “strong”—Jason’s story is a masterclass in love, legacy, and vulnerability.

If you’ve ever struggled with what it means to provide, to process grief, or to parent through heartbreak—this one will hit home.

Topics include:

• Navigating fatherhood and special needs parenting
• Grief, anger, and the emotional layers beneath loss
• Redefining what it means to be a “provider”
• Creating legacy through storytelling and creativity
• Breaking male stereotypes around strength and vulnerability

Takeaway:

You don’t have to carry it all in silence. Real strength isn’t about pretending you're fine—it’s about finding the courage to feel, to share, and to love again anyway.

Connect with Jason:

Letters To Zachary -- https://letterstozachary.com/

Instagram -- https://www.instagram.com/letterstozachary2022/

Facebook -- https://www.facebook.com/134438966423994

LinkedIn -- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-tuttle-4264112a7/

TikTok -- https://www.tiktok.com/@letterstozachary2022

Resources

Letters to Zachary Coloring Book -- https://amzn.to/4iijmvU

About the Host:

Hi, I'm Fred Van Riper—husband, father, former construction professional, and creator of the Connection Architecture Process. I help growth-oriented leaders become more clear, confident, and connected through transformational leadership development.

I work with leaders who are successful on paper but know there's another level available—leaders who want to architect genuine connection rather than hope for it. Whether you're leading teams, building businesses, or navigating the complexities of modern fatherhood, everything starts with how you lead yourself.

This podcast explores the intersection of leadership, connection, and authentic living. No corporate fluff. No outdated "authority" models. Just real conversations about the invisible forces that shape how we show up—and practical tools to transform them.

My approach combines unconventional methods with proven frameworks because breakthrough moments happen when we bypass the analytical mind and access our authentic leadership wisdom. Think leadership archaeology, emotional weather systems, and connection as a competitive advantage.

Ready to go deeper?

The Connection Blueprint is my flagship 3-week leadership development experience launching September 2025. This live "course" is designed for leaders who see connection skills as leadership development, not crisis management. Reserve your spot here.

Want immediate insight? Book a free Strategy Call to explore how the Connection Architecture Process applies to your specific leadership challenges.

Looking for resources you can dive into right now? Check out my complete toolkit.

Everything begins with how you lead yourself. Your success, how you handle failure, conflict, and challenging emotions—it all connects back to how connected you are to yourself and others. Let's architect that connection together.

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Disclaimer: The content contained herein is for inspirational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Nowhere in this podcast do we diagnose or treat a viewer/listener with any kind of psychological, mental, emotional or physical disorder as might be diagnosed and treated by a personal psychologist or other professional advisor. The content is not intended to be a substitute for working with a therapist but is for the purpose of educating the viewer about new approaches to working on personal problems. Viewers/listeners should use this podcast at their own risk, with the understanding that we are not liable for its impact or effect on its users. Viewing/listening to the podcast does not form a practitioner/client relationship between the viewer/listener.