The P-I-G: Episode 12
NOTE: This episode includes a son’s personal reflections on his father’s suicide. If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. Visit 988Lifeline.org or dial 988 to speak with a trained counselor, 24/7.
In His Footsteps: The Father I Lost, The Father I’ve Become
This special Father’s Day episode of The P-I-G podcast invites listeners into one of our most intimate conversations yet—a reflection on life, love, loss, and the profound impact of a father’s legacy.
Marcus Straub—husband, father, coach, and now grandfather—opens his heart about the life and lessons of his father Edward. Born into hardship in 1940s Brooklyn and labeled "the bastard child" after his parents' divorce, Edward grew up with little but made something extraordinary of his life. He served in the military, became a champion for vulnerable children in the social work system, and later shifted into real estate—all while navigating decades of debilitating illness from Crohn’s disease.
When chronic pain and personal hardship collided, Edward faced the unimaginable and eventually chose to let go on his own terms. On July 6, 2009, Marcus walked into his father’s home carrying two coffees and found that moment waiting for him. But what lives on from that day is not the sorrow—it’s the clarity, the legacy, and the love.
As Marcus shares, “I don’t have to wonder if my dad loved me or was proud of me. He told me. He showed me. He gave me everything he had.” That knowing—rooted in honesty and intention—has become a compass for how he lives, parents, and leads others today.
This episode is about more than a goodbye. It’s about what endures. From how we show up in moments that matter to how we pass on the courage, conviction, and compassion of those who came before us.
Whether you’re grieving a parent, reflecting on your own role as a father or mentor, or simply seeking connection through someone else’s story—this conversation is a powerful reminder that the most meaningful legacies are built in how we live, not just in what we leave behind.
"My father helped me become a better warrior than I would have been if I had to go it alone."
🎙️ In this episode, we reflect on:
A father's rise from hardship to hero—Brooklyn to social work
Edward’s fearless advocacy for Native American children
Navigating life with Crohn’s disease and the sacrifices made for family
The day Marcus had to say goodbye, honoring his father’s choice to leave
Words of love, strength, and challenge that have shaped Marcus’s legacy
Marcus’s journey into fatherhood, step-fatherhood, and becoming “Papa”
What it means to be a true warrior—strong, present, caring and kind
WANT MORE? Hear more from Marcus in Episode #2 (Part One) and Episode #3 (Part Two), “Partners, Fathers & Leaders.” Together, we explore the emotional complexities of love, loss, and living with intention. This episode is about what it means to truly show up—in partnership, in parenting, in grief, and in growth. It’s about being seen, being honest, and building a life that reflects the legacy we hope to leave behind.
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💗 From Our Hearts to Yours…
“Hearing the stories of others helps us create a more meaningful connection to our own—because legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, it’s how we live right now.”
The P-I-G is a heartfelt, purpose-driven podcast exploring life, love, loss, and legacy through raw, real, and resonant conversations with everyday people and extraordinary guests. Together, we unpack the moments that shape us—the stories we carry, the messiness of being human, and what it means to leave something meaningful behind.
Each episode invites us to:
Honor what matters most
Remember that grief isn’t linear
Navigate life’s hardest moments with PURPOSE, INTENTION, and GRATITUDE
And to be reminded that legacy isn’t just what we leave… it’s how we live—right now.
