Fatherhood Field Notes

This Craft of Fatherhood short hits on a tension every dad of a teenage son will recognize: how do you lead, teach, and hold the line… without becoming a micromanager your kid resents?Ned walks through a real moment of conflict with his son and zooms out to something bigger: most families are operating without clearly defined beliefs. Not because they don’t care—but because they’ve never actually said them out loud.The challenge is simple but powerful: define what your family actually believes.What’s the role of a father? A mother? What’s the purpose of your home, your work, your money, your standards? If you don’t define it, culture will—and probably not in a way you want.He introduces the idea of creating a “family legacy document”—not something perfect, but a working blueprint you revisit over time. It becomes the foundation for how your family operates and what you’re building across generations.And layered into it is a personal gut check: your kids aren’t just hearing what you say—they’re absorbing what you model. The systems, habits, and even frustrations in your home are often things you’ve unintentionally taught.Bottom line: Lead your family with intention. Define your family standards. And don’t wait until there’s conflict to figure out what you actually believe.---------Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up KingsThis episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book hereCheck out the TEDx----------Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?www.adventureoffatherhood.comwww.rebelandcreate.comEach week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!Follow us:Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate

In this powerful episode, Ned sits down with Mondoe Davis—a man forged through discipline, faith, and intentional fatherhood—to confront one of the most urgent issues facing men today:Who is preparing our sons to become godly men?Drawing from his work with Rise Up Kings and the Genesis rite-of-passage program, Mondoe speaks directly to the silent burden many fathers carry—the fear that they are unprepared, unequipped, or already too late. This conversation is a wake-up call.Key Takeaways:A clear understanding of your biblical responsibility as a fatherWhy intentional fatherhood—not perfection—is what changes generationsPractical frameworks to guide your son in faith, family, fitness, and financeHow to replace shame with action and build a vision for your familyA tangible way to begin preparing your son for manhood today---------Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up KingsThis episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book hereCheck out the TEDx----------Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?www.adventureoffatherhood.comwww.rebelandcreate.comEach week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!Follow us:Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate

This Craft of Fatherhood Friday edition short is a sharp reminder that some of the best moments in fatherhood aren’t planned—they’re happening right in front of you.Ned challenges dads to stop chasing the “perfect” family activity and instead lean into the space between—those unstructured moments where real connection happens. The conversation at the kitchen counter, the random 45 minutes that turns into something meaningful—that’s the good stuff.He also reinforces the importance of protecting your family’s culture. Traditions matter—but only if you lead and guard them. That might mean saying no to others so you can say yes to what your family actually needs.And then a simple, high-impact move: when you think something good about your kid—say it. Send the voice text. Give the compliment. Bring the flowers. Small actions, massive return.The bottom line: Be present. Lead your family on purpose. And don’t underestimate how much the little things matter.---------Got a son ready to enter manhood? He needs a rite of passage. Check out Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's books hereCheck out the TEDx----------Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/https://www.rebelandcreate.com/Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood.Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreateMentioned in this episode:Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage for young men & dadsRise Up Kings Genesis

What if your fitness… wasn’t just about you?In this conversation, Ben Barker breaks down why physical discipline is directly tied to how you show up as a husband, father, and man.This isn’t about six-packs or vanity.This is about responsibility, leadership, and stewardship.Ben shares how injuries forced him to confront something deeper:👉 His inability to rest👉 His tendency to stay “on” instead of trusting God👉 And the reality that even driven men struggle with Sabbath and surrender⚔️ A hard truth:“If you let life take the reins, you’re going to end up somewhere you don’t want to be.”🔑 In this episode:Why most men fail at fitness (and what actually works)The difference between discipline vs identityHow being in shape affects your marriage and sex lifeWhy your kids are watching everything you doThe danger of passivity—and how to break itThe role of the father: live a life worth emulatingWhy “discipline begets discipline” across all areas of lifeHow to balance fitness without neglecting your family---------Check out Ben's podcast Fit Fathers Fellowship and profile on Instagram:@benbarkerfitnessFit Fathers Fellowship---------An epic experience for boys becoming men: Genesis by Rise Up KingsThis episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book hereCheck out the TEDx----------Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?www.adventureoffatherhood.comwww.rebelandcreate.comEach week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!Follow us:Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreateMentioned in this episode:Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage for young men & dadsRise Up Kings Genesis

In this Friday Craft of Fatherhood short episode, Ned explores the importance of family legacy, intentionality in marriage, and the role of fathers in shaping the future. He shares personal stories, reflections from a recent marriage retreat and practical steps for investing in family and faith.key topicsFamily legacy and passing valuesIntentionality in marriage and family lifePersonal growth and reflection as a father---------Got a son ready to enter manhood? He needs a rite of passage. Check out Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's books hereCheck out the TEDx----------Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/https://www.rebelandcreate.com/Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood.Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreateMentioned in this episode:Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage for young men & dadsRise Up Kings Genesis

In this episode of Fatherhood Field Notes, Ned sits down with Chris McCall—worship leader, missionary, and instructor at YWAM Kona—for a deeply honest and faith-centered conversation about what it means to lead a family without relying on formulas. Chris shares his unconventional journey from construction work and pastoring to raising support as a missionary, ultimately redefining what it means to provide as a father. Rather than tying provision to income, he reframes it as obedience to God, stewardship, and fruitfulness—trusting that when he follows faithfully, his family will be taken care of.Throughout the conversation, Ned and Chris explore key tensions every father faces:Control vs. surrender — letting go of the need to “figure it all out” and instead walking in daily dependenceFormulas vs. relationship — rejecting step-by-step parenting systems in favor of truly knowing and studying your wife and each child as individualsProtection vs. preparation — gradually giving kids real responsibility in safe ways so they grow into capable, confident adultsChris offers a powerful framework for fatherhood: “The things I love, I study.” By learning each child’s unique interests and wiring, fathers can connect more deeply and lead more effectively.The episode also dives into:Building emotional awareness in marriage (sometimes your wife needs a hug, not a solution)Breaking generational mindsets around money and identityInvolving kids in your mission so family becomes a shared purpose, not separate livesCreating intentional rhythms of connection, both daily and over timeThis is a conversation about leadership, humility, and intentional living—challenging fathers to move beyond default patterns and step into a more relational, purposeful, and spiritually grounded approach to raising their families.---------Check out Chris' music profile on Instagram and the web:@chrismccallmusicwww.chrismccallmusic.com---------An epic experience for boys becoming men: Genesis by Rise Up KingsThis episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book hereCheck out the TEDx----------Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?www.adventureoffatherhood.comwww.rebelandcreate.comEach week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!Follow us:Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreateMentioned in this episode:Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage for young men & dadsRise Up Kings Genesis

In this Friday short episode of The Craft of Fatherhood, Ned dives into a powerful but often overlooked concept in parenting: perspective. As kids grow into teens and young adults, fatherhood shifts from simply making decisions to guiding thinking and shaping character.Ned challenges dads to move beyond just asking for their child’s “opinion” and instead seek to truly understand their perspective—not to always change the outcome, but to better understand the heart and reasoning behind it. He emphasizes that while fathers still carry the responsibility to make hard decisions, growth often comes through asking better questions instead of giving immediate answers.He breaks this down into three practical approaches:Step into your child’s shoes and understand what they want and whyAsk clarifying questions and invite mutual openness to each other’s perspectiveFocus on character over control, asking: Who are they becoming through this?Through real-life examples, Ned highlights the importance of allowing space for failure within the safety of the home, building trust so kids will return to you when things go wrong.The episode closes with a simple but powerful challenge:Create intentional, distraction-free moments to ask your kids about their perspective on everyday topics—not just when there’s a conflict or decision to make.This is an episode about shifting from control to connection, from authority alone to intentional influence—and raising kids who think, process, and grow into who they’re meant to become.---------Got a son ready to enter manhood? He needs a rite of passage. Check out Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's books hereCheck out the TEDx----------Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/https://www.rebelandcreate.com/Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood.Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreateMentioned in this episode:Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage for young men & dadsRise Up Kings Genesis

A state championship was his daughter's dream and massive victory. For Seth Garten, learning as a dad-coach when to speak, when to stay silent, and how to guide his child through failure were some of his own personal wins in the process. This episode is a masterclass in timing, trust, and raising faithful, resilient kids who know who they are in Christ.This episode highlights a critical leadership principle for fathers and coaches: proper timing matters more than instruction. Seth shares how emotional awareness, delayed feedback, and trust-based communication helped his daughter grow from early losses to taking the Idaho State Championship her senior year of high school.Seth's approach emphasizes identity formation, accountability agreements, and modeling behavior—core frameworks applicable to parenting, coaching, and leadership.Key TakeawaysTiming > Truth — The right words at the wrong time do damageAfter loss, kids don’t hear coaching—they hear identityAsk the child or athlete: “Are you ready?” instead of forcing feedbackMastery requires sacrifice—sometimes from the whole familyYour kids will mirror your discipline, not your adviceIdentity must be rooted deeper than performanceGo for the ride and dive in for this deep conversation between Ned and Seth about coaching our own kids and youth as we help them to know their God-given identity.---------Check out Seth's Family First Fitness on Instagram:@familyfirstfitness37---------An epic experience for boys becoming men: Genesis by Rise Up KingsThis episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book hereCheck out the TEDx----------Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?www.adventureoffatherhood.comwww.rebelandcreate.comEach week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!Follow us:Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreateMentioned in this episode:Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage for young men & dadsRise Up Kings Genesis

In this Friday Craft of Fatherhood short, Ned shares an honest look into a midweek moment of fatigue, fatherhood, and personal growth—centered around one powerful theme: patience. Living in Hawaii while navigating the demands of running a business in another time zone and family life, he unpacks the tension between exhaustion and intentional presence as a father. Prompted by his ongoing journey through The Primal Path with his son, and John Tyson’s book “Five Shifts of Manhood,” Ned explores how patience isn’t just about waiting—it’s about becoming. Through everyday interruptions (including a profoundly timed pause for his daughter), he makes the case that fatherhood is less about control and more about responsiveness, humility, and growth. So here are the 4 things:Take a pause: Slow down your reaction time.Celebrate: Look for two wins your family member has had recently.Build in Time for Yourself. Break away unwind. Go take a walk, ride your bike, whatever. Just "take five". This episode is a reminder that the “craft” of fatherhood is forged in ordinary, imperfect moments—when we choose to slow down, stay present, and lean into the work of becoming the men our families need.---------Got a son ready to enter manhood? He needs a rite of passage. Check out Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's books hereCheck out the TEDx----------Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/https://www.rebelandcreate.com/Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood.Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreateMentioned in this episode:Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage for young men & dadsRise Up Kings Genesis

Ned sits down with Dave Ronning, faithful Christian and Kona real estate professional, to talk about how to incorporate playfulness into your parenting style. They uncover 5 actionable ideas that will help you connect with your kids and create lasting memories.Did you know that playfulness is not just for kids, that it’s vital for parents too? Engaging in playful activities can rejuvenate our spirit and strengthen our connections with our children (and even with God). According to Dave, play allows us to tap into our inner self, reminding us of who we are beyond our responsibilities.Dave and Ned talk about how play:Strengthens Bonds: Playful interactions create lasting memories and deepen relationships.Encourages Openness: It fosters an environment where children feel safe to express themselves.Promotes Emotional Well-being: Play can reduce stress for both kids and parents, making family time enjoyable.Dave also shares some powerful personal stories from his own life where he became aware of and connected to the "little David" inside himself. He also shares about a particular traumatic event for his son that resulted in some impactful growth and vision for them both.Want to dive deeper into the topic of playfulness in parenting? Check out our full conversation with Dave Ronning for more insights.---------This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book hereCheck out the TEDx----------Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?www.adventureoffatherhood.comwww.rebelandcreate.comEach week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!Follow us:Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreateMentioned in this episode:Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage for young men & dadsRise Up Kings Genesis