The Dad Edge Podcast

Thomas Pfanner, founder of Dads Who Lead, shares his unique journey into fatherhood, becoming a father at a young age and the challenges he faced. They discuss the importance of leadership in fatherhood and how becoming a father changed his perspective on life. The podcast emphasizes the importance of parental support in navigating the challenges of unexpected fatherhood. Thomas shares his experience of telling his parents and the profound impact their support had on him. The focus shifts to the subsequent years of the father-son relationship and pivotal moments. Thomas discusses the decision to be present in his son's life and provide stability. The podcast covers family life, marriage, raising daughters, confidence, insecurity, and the importance of expectations in parenting.

Scott Jeffery Miller is currently FranklinCovey's senior advisor on thought leadership, leading the strategy, development, and publication of the firm's bestselling books. He is also the host of the podcast "C-Suite Conversations with Scott Miller", which features interviews with the world's top executives, as well as the author of the multivolume series Master Mentors: 30 Transformative Insights from Our Greatest Business Minds. In this episode, Larry Hagner welcomes Scott Jeffrey Miller, who embarks on a revealing journey from his bachelor days to fathering three boys. Scott candidly discusses his transition into parenthood, unexpected career trajectory, and his latest book that focuses on his passion for mentorship. Moving away from traditional perceptions, the conversation illuminates the essence of parenting as a mutual learning experience, thus underlining mentorship's role in shaping a child's self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth. Scott Jeffrey Miller underlines the importance of appreciating a child's unique abilities and contributions. He advocates the practice of "naming their genius," a validating method that can enhance a child's self-worth and enable them to meet challenges head-on. He also compares the parent's role to that of an archaeologist, gently unearthing a child's passions and aspirations, thus enabling children to own their journey. Also pivotal is the role of parents as validators who affirm their child's capabilities. However, Scott cautions against over-validation, which can diminish the impact of genuine achievements. He also touches on the significance of clear boundaries, using his own strict rules around behaviors like drinking, drugs, and tattoos as an example, to steer children towards positive behaviors. In summary, Scott paints a compelling picture of parenting as mentorship and validation. This model encourages the nurturing of a child's inherent strengths, mutual growth, and the setting of boundaries. By embracing this approach, parents can foster strong connections with their children, providing them with a trusted confidant and mentor throughout their lives. www.thedadedge.com/friday115 www.1stphorm.com/dadedge www.greatmentorship.com www.scottjeffreymiller.com

Larry Hagner hosts members of the Dad Edge Mastermind in this behind-the-scenes episode. This is an opportunity for members to ask Larry and the community their most pressing questions and get tailored insights from experienced dads. From work-life balance to dealing with tough emotions and building stronger relationships with our kids, this episode is packed with actionable insights and practical strategies to help you become the best dad you can be. Sit back, listen in and get ready to level up your fatherhood game. thedadedge.com/alliance

Mike Baldwin is the VP of Operations for Grossman on Truth. He is also an experienced Law Enforcement Professional with a proven history in successfully working high profile and sensitive investigations, and co-author of the book "The Bulletproof Mind". In this episode, Mike shares insights on developing a bulletproof mind and cultivating resilience. He also opens up about his upbringing in Arizona, growing up in a big family with parents who loved him and adopted him. Throughout his 21-year career in law enforcement, Mike served in various roles, including patrol officer, field training officer, SWAT team member, and detective. He found great satisfaction in investigating crimes, talking to people, and learning from them. Mike's ability to connect with others and gather information played a crucial role in his success as a detective. Reflecting on his upbringing and the opportunities he was given through adoption, Mike expresses deep gratitude. He acknowledges that without being adopted, his life could have taken a different path, potentially leading to substance abuse or other negative outcomes. Mike credits his heavenly father for guiding him and keeping him away from such destructive paths. Mike shares an example from his experience as a law enforcement officer, where he would interview suspects who would blame others for their actions. He would remind them that they are responsible for their choices and need to take ownership of their lives. He challenges men to examine their own actions and not use their upbringing or circumstances as an excuse for their behavior. He discusses the importance of making choices that lead to positive outcomes. Mike mentions that individuals who grew up in dysfunctional homes have the choice to break the cycle and create a better life for themselves and their families. He encourages men to reflect on the kind of men, husbands, and fathers they want to be. By being accountable to oneself, to others, and to a higher power, individuals are able to navigate challenges, stay motivated, and work towards their goals. Whether it is personal growth, maintaining healthy relationships, or excelling in the professional sphere, accountability plays a vital role in leading to success. www.thedadedge.com/alliance www.thedadedge.com/433 www.grossmanontruth.com

In this episode, Larry Hagner delves into the glaring absence of comprehensive education on what makes a marriage successful, and the trials many couples face as a result of this deficiency in knowledge and skills. Larry turns the spotlight on his own marriage, expressing his heartfelt gratitude as he crosses the two-decade milestone. Additionally, Larry touches upon the escalating divorce rates and explores whether a lack of these crucial skills might be a major contributing factor. One of the primary hurdles in marriage, according to Larry Hagner, lies in the intrinsic differences between men and women. Our needs, our ways of operation, and our communication styles all differ. Without a clear understanding and appreciation of these disparities, conflicts can surface, triggering misunderstandings and resentment. Consequently, it becomes imperative to learn how to bridge these differences and communicate effectively in order to sustain a healthy and harmonious relationship. Throughout the podcast, Larry Hagner underscores the lack of formal training or education in the domains of marriage and parenting. Unlike other professional pursuits that demand rigorous training and certification, marriage and parenting are typically a journey of trial and error. This dearth of guidance can leave couples feeling directionless and ill-prepared to tackle the challenges they encounter. Larry Hagner proposes that with the right set of skills and knowledge, we as couples can surmount these challenges and lay a robust foundation for our marriage. Similar to how a GPS aids in navigation by offering clear directions and information about potential roadblocks, acquiring marriage skills can steer couples through the labyrinth of married life. These skills encompass effective communication, conflict resolution, empathy, emotional intelligence, and understanding one's partner's needs. Ultimately, Larry Hagner believes that mastering marriage skills is integral to building and sustaining a successful and fulfilling relationship. Living in a society where divorce rates are at an all-time high and relationships encounter numerous challenges, it's essential for us as couples to be educated and guided on how to navigate the intricacies of married life. By honing skills like effective communication, conflict resolution, empathy, and emotional intelligence, we can overcome challenges, reinforce our bond, and cultivate a lasting and joyful marriage. www.thedadedge.com/friday114 www.thedadedge.com/alliance www.thedadedge.com/25questions

In this engaging discussion, Joe Bailey, a dedicated father and expert on parenting, shares invaluable insights on raising resilient daughters. He emphasizes the importance of open communication and emotional understanding, especially during pre-teen years. The conversation covers navigating guilt and the rewarding nature of community service, revealing how helping others can enhance personal fulfillment. Joe also reflects on prioritizing family, embracing challenges, and the joys of being present in everyday moments. Tune in for practical strategies to enhance fatherhood!

Josh White is a musician who is still involved in music and has a record label at the church. His ethos and philosophy revolve around fatherhood, broken relationships, forgiveness, grace, and faith. He believes in breaking the cycle, creating change, surrendering to God's perfect plan, and embracing vulnerability and humility in relationships. In this episode, Larry sits down with Josh White as he shares his challenging upbringing and the absence of a stable father figure in his life. He grew up in a depressed mill town and experienced multiple stepfathers who were either disconnected or abusive. His biological father was an alcoholic and drug addict. Their relationship was distant, but they reconnected later in life, and Josh became a supportive presence for him before his father's death. Josh White's experience with his biological father is a central theme in his story. He describes the initial disconnect and the subsequent reconnection that occurred during his last year of high school. This highlights the importance of open communication and the potential for relationships to evolve and grow over time. Despite the challenges they faced, Josh and his father were able to establish a real relationship before his father's passing. This demonstrates the power of vulnerability and the potential for transformation in even the most difficult circumstances. Josh's understanding of forgiveness goes beyond simply forgiving someone. He believes in actively working towards rebuilding relationships, even with someone as complicated and difficult as his father. He attributes this mindset to his faith and the lessons he learned from the Lord. He emphasizes the importance of the cross in his book, as it represents God's willingness to enter into human suffering and offer grace. Josh's personal experiences have shaped his understanding of forgiveness and grace. He shares that he had a complex family dynamic, being the oldest of three brothers with different fathers. Despite the challenges, he formed a close bond with his younger brother, who had a different father. Josh took on a father figure role for his brother, given the absence of their biological father. This experience allowed him to understand the importance of boundaries and parameters in creating a sense of safety and freedom. www.thedadedge.com/432 www.thedadedge.com/alliance www.amazon.com/Stumbling-Toward-Eternity-Finding-Ourselves

Justin Gaston is an American actor, singer, songwriter, and model who built his career in multiple fields. Justin Gaston has been ruling over millions of hearts with his incredibly amazing performances and this led him to earn various awards and honors in his career. In this episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, Larry Hagner sits down with Justin Gaston and talks about his own experience with infertility and the impact it had on their marriage. He shared how they initially struggled to conceive and had to seek medical assistance. The process was filled with uncertainty and setbacks, but eventually, they were able to conceive their first child. However, their journey didn't end there, as they went on to have four more children in quick succession. Feeling a deep desire to become parents, the couple turned to prayer and sought guidance from their faith. Adoption had always been on the wife's heart, and they felt that God was calling them to pursue this path. They prayed for guidance and support throughout the adoption process. From the moment they decided to adopt to the time their oldest daughter was placed in their arms in the hospital, only four months had passed. The speed and smoothness of the adoption process were seen as a blessing and a sign that it was meant to be. Throughout his journey, Justin has learned to pray for guidance and direction from God. He no longer needs to see the whole picture but asks for one step at a time. This mindset is a testament to his faith and willingness to surrender control to God. He recognizes that certainty is a basic human need, but he has chosen to trust in God's plan instead of seeking complete certainty in his own life. Concluding the interview, Justin's upbringing in a loving and stable family, with parents who demonstrated love and affection, shaped his values of respect, kindness, and commitment in relationships. Justin's upbringing serves as a reminder of the impact that family, love, and support can have on shaping an individual's values and character. www.thedadedge.com/friday113 www.1stphorm.com/dadedge

Larry Hagner hosts members of the Dad Edge Mastermind in this behind-the-scenes episode. This is an opportunity for members to ask Larry and the community their most pressing questions and get tailored insights from experienced dads. From work-life balance to dealing with tough emotions and building stronger relationships with our kids, this episode is packed with actionable insights and practical strategies to help you become the best dad you can be. Sit back, listen in and get ready to level up your fatherhood game. thedadedge.com/alliance

Mike Rowe is a well-known TV host, author, and advocate for skilled trades. In this episode, Mike and Larry delve into the importance of work ethic, the value of discomfort, and pursuing meaningful work. They also discuss Mike's scholarship program, Microworks, which aims to promote work ethic and challenge misconceptions about skilled trades. Join us as we explore how to instill a strong work ethic in ourselves and our children, and why finding fulfillment through hard work can lead to a passionate and successful career. Get your best shave, support Dad Edge, and save 20%. Go to https://www.manscaped.com/ Code: DADEDGE20 Larry's Takeaways The "snowflake" generation and safe space culture 2. Previous generations and their role in creating fragility and lack of resilience 3. The importance of discomfort for personal growth What You'll Learn 09:18 Lucky childhood on isolated farm with woods. 14:06 Woods held imagination, adventure, and family work. 22:17 Parents were skilled liars, but well-intentioned. 29:44 Manic days, changing relationships, evolving fatherhood. 34:02 "Taboo upending, work ethic scholarship advocate." 39:23 Advice is subjective and often misleading 39:23 Advice is subjective and often misleading. 50:10 Mixed feelings about self-help industry and its advice. 53:46 Finding comfort in discomfort raises successful kids. 59:40 Generation Z: fragile, delicate, and lacking resilience. 1:09:06 United Airlines cares about money, not safety. "Safety third" fosters complacency and irresponsibility. 1:13:27 Work Ethic Scholarship program: $1 million scholarships. Apply @microworks.org. Whiskey sales support foundation. Podcast, books, future YouTube show. Evolving business strategy. 1:21:06 Podcast started as therapy, successful but frustrated. 1:23:17 Smartphone: Tool for mischief or heroism. thedadedge.com/431 thedadedge.com/alliance mikeroweworks.org