In Brazil’s northeast, in a city where the summer heat rarely breaks and the rain comes fast and unexpected, Bryan Leite grew up without a father. He remembers the moment it all crystallized: he was a child, and someone was trying to break into their home. Just his mother, his brother, and him—no man in the house, no protector.
In this conversation, Leite recounts the trajectory familiar to many: growing up without a father figure, stepping into manhood with more questions than answers, and wrestling with what it means to lead, to forgive, and to become.
What began as survival—emotionally and physically—evolved into something deeper. Through faith, therapy, and the steady rhythm of art, Bryan pieced together a life his father never modeled. Today, he is an artist, a husband, a man of faith. But the journey has not been linear.
This episode examines not just one man’s healing, but the cultural silence around fatherlessness, the weight boys carry when men disappear, and how art becomes more than expression—it becomes a lifeline.
Major Themes & Concepts
✅ Growing up without a father—and what it means to heal
✅ Why art can feel like both a calling and a curse
✅ Protection, presence, and the long echo of absence
✅ How church, principles, and mentors kept Bryan grounded
✅ Breaking the cycle: fear of becoming like your dad
✅ Forgiveness as a journey—not a moment
✅ Why helping others is easier than asking for help
✅ Owning your identity when your past feels unfinished
✅ Learning to dream what God dreams for you
🕰️ Chapter Breakdown
00:00 – Welcome to The Climb
00:34 – Weather in Brazil & the conversation begins
01:06 – Bryan’s childhood and father leaving
03:05 – “That’s when I felt my father wasn’t there”
04:00 – Discovering identity through faith and church
05:18 – Wrestling with being an artist
06:26 – Trying to protect the family at 10 years old
08:15 – “I was missing me”
09:00 – The tattoo story that marked his breakthrough
11:16 – Hearing God’s voice and finding his calling in art
13:00 – Running from his dad’s path—and realizing it was also his
15:26 – Wrestling with being like his father
16:48 – Fearing fatherhood and facing generational patterns
17:27 – The power of principles and not breaking them
18:54 – Marriage, survival, and trusting in God
19:47 – Church, forgiveness, and how healing begins
22:05 – What to say to the man still struggling with father wounds
25:45 – The character of a good man: humility, honesty, faith
26:42 – “Don’t listen to me—listen to God”
27:46 – Why the journey with God leads to aligned dreams
30:13 – Bryan’s next film on a father–daughter skateboarding story
31:35 – How to connect with Bryan and Tenda Audiovisual
Resources & Tools for the Climb
Website: www.tekobailey.com
About Bryan Leite
Bryan Leite is a digital creator, filmmaker, and storyteller capturing raw, redemptive narratives through the lens of purpose and identity. As a freelance director and founder of Tenda Audiovisual, he brings stories of faith, family, and transformation to life across Brazil and beyond. Whether behind the camera or leading worship, Bryan’s work reflects a deep commitment to healing, honesty, and creative expression.
Instagram: @obryanleite
YouTube: youtu.be/h-pgevnwRsI
Production House: @tendaaudiovisual
About Teko Bailey
Teko Bailey is a husband, father, coach, and guide for men walking the path of faith and purpose. Through The Climb, he’s building a brotherhood of men committed to living fully, leading boldly, and climbing with intention.
Instagram: @IamTekoBailey
Website: www.tekobailey.com
Production, Distribution, and Marketing
By Massif Studio & Production & The Tallawah Group
Website: www.massifsp.com
LinkedIn: Massif Studio & Production
Website: www.TallawahWorldwide.com
LinkedIn: The Tallawah Group
For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email [email protected].
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