Navigating Parenting with Courtney B. Vance
On Parenting, Purpose, and Preserving Mental Health
This week I sat down with the amazing Courtney B. Vance—Tony and Emmy award-winning actor, producer, author, and most importantly, a proud dad—for an inspiring and deeply personal conversation.
You may know and love Courtney for his iconic roles on stage and screen, but in this episode, he reveals a side you don’t often see: the devoted father, insightful storyteller, and fierce advocate for mental health. We covered so much ground, from his childhood in Detroit to raising kids in the Hollywood spotlight with his wife, the one-and-only Angela Bassett, and the life-changing moments that shaped his purpose.
Highlights from the Episode:
Parenting Lessons from Detroit: Courtney reflects on his upbringing, the sacrifices his parents made to give him top-tier educational opportunities, and how those lessons shape the way he raises his kids.
How Therapy Transformed His Life: Courtney talks about his new book, The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power, co-written with Dr. Robin Smith. He describes his personal journey of grief following his father’s death by suicide, the transformative power of therapy in his life, and why he’s passionate about breaking mental health stigmas in the Black community. (Music to my ears—as you may well know this is one of my passions too!)
Parenting in the Spotlight: What’s it like raising kids as part of a Hollywood power couple? Courtney shares how he and Angela worked to keep their twins grounded, how they’re navigating life as empty nesters, and why letting go is a critical part of parenting.
Finding Purpose and Encouraging Your Kids to Do the Same: Hear how Courtney stepped away from a potential business career to follow his passion for acting—and how his parents reacted! He also talks about how he encourages his kids to chase their dreams and find their own paths in life.
Listen to Navigating Parenting with Purpose with Courtney B. Vance, now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. What a great episode to wrap our discussion of parenting the Grown and Flown! And be sure to pick up Courtney’s book: you can order your copy of The Invisible Ache: Black Men Identifying Their Pain and Reclaiming Their Power here.
Share Your Stories! Have you struggled with letting go as your kids grow up? Are you curious about how therapy might shape your parenting journey? I’d love to hear your stories! Reply to this email or join the conversation on Instagram and Facebook.
Special Thanks: A huge thank you to Paramount and the Seneca Women Podcast Network for their support. And, as always thank YOU for being part of the Ground Control Parenting community!
Enjoy,