I remember someone asking me in college who my ultimate dream interview was and while the notable usual suspects initially flooded my mind—Obama, Jay-Z, Kendrick, etc.—when I took an honest account of what I truly wanted to get out of an interview, the only real answer I could give were my own parents. Fast forward a few years later and the seed planted from that question led to what has become @insidevoicesseries.

I didn’t know what would come of it or if I’d ever get the opportunity to get one of them on camera. But life has a funny way of throwing things at you and seeing what you’ll do with it. This project wasn’t born out of the same place as anything else I’ve worked on. Which is why my father, Daren Alleyne, had to be involved. The only people that could help me understand what catalyzed this project were those that I knew best and those who knew me the same. I couldn’t have it any other way. Insert, the man you see featured in the video above.

Til this day, the coolest guy I know. The man who, along with my mother, gave me life—who guided me, supported me, made it to every game, showed up to every practice, motivated me and allowed me to be who I truly was. Unlike so many fathers, my dad didn’t expect me to be him. He didn’t impose himself on me. He let me roam and guided me if I ever strayed too far. In this conversation, fittingly released on Father’s Day, I got him to explore questions that he’s never pondered, express his feelings around the grief he’s experienced, his past transgressions, his journey to honesty and eventually, vulnerability. And at one point, I think I might have even seen a tear about to drop (don’t worry, I cried enough for the both of us.)

This was more than a bucket list for me and gave me more than any other interview (short of my own mother) ever could. To my father, thank you. And I love you.