Front Row Dads with Jon Vroman

Alison Armstrong, relationship educator and author who has studied gender dynamics since the early 1990s, shares what decades of research reveal about fathers and children. She outlines the six dominant drivers and how mismatched drives cause conflict. She tells candid stories about overprotection, stepfathering, and why shame, ownership, and forgiveness matter in parenting.

Jason Bronson, a Front Row Dad and 21-year husband, shares simple, practical moves to reconnect on Valentine’s Day. He explains creating a connection signal, choosing presence over performative dates, trying a phone-free no-agenda hangout, and asking one powerful reflective question to invite real closeness.

Justin Donald, a faith-centered dad who returned to spiritual practice. Hal Elrod, author of The Miracle Morning and intentional living advocate. Dane Espegard, recovering from health challenges and simplifying life. Tim Nikolaev, exploring somatic practice and conscious leadership. They dig into praying aloud, reclaiming spark, dreams versus goals, somatic tools for vulnerability, and why brotherhood matters.

Scott Groves, father of three and jiu-jitsu practitioner who built family fitness and community around martial arts. He explains why he turned to jiu-jitsu during lockdowns. He shares how he enrolled his kids and made training a family ritual. He describes creating home mats and hosting weekly community trainings. They talk mastery, belts, and the identity shift family training brings.

This is a ~20-minute episode built around one powerful idea: Your stories create your reality. Most dads know how they want to show up — patient, present, calm. But when your kid pushes your buttons or interrupts your work… you lose it anyway. The gap isn't willpower. It's wiring. In this episode, VIP Front Row Dad Scott Groves interviews Front Row Dad member Adam Coelho, who breaks down the neuroscience behind why we react — and the simple daily practice he uses to rewire his brain so he actually shows up the way he wants to. Here's what Adam teaches his kids (and himself) every single day: "Your story creates your reality." Before bed, his son literally says: "I will have good dreams tonight" — because he used to be afraid of nightmares. That's not positive thinking. That's neuroplasticity in action. The framework Adam shares: Get clear on your vision — Who do you want to be as a dad? How do you want to feel? Create mindset affirmations with evidence — Don't say "I'm patient" if you don't believe it. Say "I'm patient, curious, and kind" and find ONE example from your life. Then find another. Your brain will start looking for more. Talk about your vision — Tell your band, your wife, your kids. It forces clarity and plants seeds in other people's minds. The real shift: From "I have to be present with my kids" → "I get to be present with my kids." It's not just language. It's literally rewiring how your brain sees the world. Get Adam's free envisioning guide here - https://Askwhatspossible.com/frd 📚 What Front Row Dads Are Reading: 👉 frontrowdads.com/books

David Aceves, a dedicated husband and father, shares a powerful relationship strategy to reconnect with your partner during tough times. He emphasizes a weekly 30-minute ritual — free from distractions like phones — where couples ask each other how they're really feeling and what they're struggling with. David explains the importance of presence over problem-solving and how simple questions can promote deeper understanding. This ritual not only nurtures connection but also reinforces teamwork during life's challenges.

In this engaging discussion, Samuel Shreve, a parent and community organizer, shares his innovative babysitting co-op system designed to make regular date nights stress-free. He highlights how traditional babysitting can hinder marriage time and details the simple yet effective token-based system that ensures fairness among families. Samuel explains how the co-op fosters community bonds, supports kids' friendships, and offers practical tips for starting your own co-op with just a few families. Discover a new way to reconnect with your partner!

In this session, Matt Drinkhahn, an executive coach and bestselling author, shares powerful insights on overcoming identity crises and becoming a present father. He highlights the importance of aligning personal identity with family values rather than business metrics. Matt recounts his life-changing zipline accident and how acceptance reshaped his outlook on fatherhood. Listeners will learn practical exercises to name their fears, confront their inner critic, and implement small habits that lead to significant personal growth.

Hal Elrod, author of The Miracle Morning, shares his journey of transformation after a life-changing health scare. He emphasizes the importance of aligning actions with family values while introducing practical strategies like family meetings and saying 'no' to conflicting commitments. Hal discusses the impact of establishing daily rituals to enhance family connections and the role of community support in personal growth. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their priorities and intentional choices for a fulfilling family life.