What's up fellas.

Today, I'm joined by Tobi Emonts-Holley, husband, father, CEO, and author of The Hybrid Dad Blueprint. Tobi's journey as a father of six and his passion for hard work and perseverance have shaped a unique perspective on life, parenting, and what it means to be a man in today's world.

In this episode, we dive deep into Tobi's mental models of aligning passions, principles, and purpose—core elements he believes are essential for fathers to thrive. You'll hear inspiring stories about navigating the challenges of fatherhood, building resilience, and balancing personal growth with being present for his family.

We also explore his experiences in endurance events, his insights on setting boundaries, and how he cultivates passion in his kids.  

Stay tuned until the end to hear a powerful message that every parent with children aged 5-11 needs to hear.

Get ready for a conversation filled with real-life wisdom, heartfelt stories, and actionable advice.

Enjoy today's episode!

A Wide-Ranging Conversation Through…

• Introduction and writing the Hybrid Dad Blueprint
• Managing frustration when kids push your buttons
• Find your passion, find your limit and push past it
• Give your kids many opportunities to find their passion
• Tobi's childhood that instilled principles and discipline
• Inspiration from Jocko Willink in raising "Warrior Kids"
• Discovering your purpose by doing hard things
• What would your kids say about you in 10-20 years?
• The definition of a Hybrid Dad
• Overcoming burnout by creating boundaries
• Forging balance between family, business and personal pursuits

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/454

More About Front Row Dads

Connect with us @ FrontRowDads.com & Instagram 

Want to hang out with other FRDs in Austin? Watch this 3-min video from our last Front Row Dads Live event. Tickets avail now for December's event. 

Not able to travel? We got you. Join our next online event, built just for kickass dads who know there's more to learn. FrontRowDads.com/summit 

FRD is solving a huge problem for dads. Our culture has turned "Dad" into a joke. Go ahead, google Dad and you'll find Dad Bod, Dad Jokes, Dad Weed, etc. Culturally, it's a Homer Simpson mentality, and it's BS.  

Our community is built for solid men. Men with range. Those who are badass, and know there's still more to learn, together.  

Most guys find it hard to find "their crew." Finding other committed men, who are successful in life, and want to put family first – these guys are rare. Is this you?

In FRD, hundreds of men from all over the world show up for each other, to share resources and raise the bar of fatherhood (our core values)

If you're reading this, you want to grow.  Podcasts are great, but guys… when you're ready to stop just listening to content, and want to JOIN the conversations – the FRD brotherhood is ready for you.  

One more thing… 

Has this podcast helped you? If so, please tell us how we're doing. Please take a minute and leave a review. Seriously, they matter. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Fellas, I'm truly excited to welcome Nik Hulewsky to the show today. 

Nik is a husband, father and accomplished entrepreneur who's successfully sold multiple businesses and is now focused on sharing his journey and experiences with others.

In this show, you'll gain insights into the mental models that have fueled Nik's business achievements, including the four strategic factors he uses to evaluate potential business acquisitions. 

I ask a follow up question about how his business models have helped him be a better parent. 

We take a look at his weekly calendar and how he invests his time, and with what people, to drive revenue without giving up his family focus.  

We also discussed the importance of knowing yourself before making big decisions, and how curiosity has become his super power.  

Nik shares heartfelt stories about his unique upbringing, the influence of his immigrant father, and how those experiences shaped his approach to business and family, which leads us to unpacking how he teaches his kids to be thinkers.  

Enjoy today's energizing conversation with the one and only Nik Hulewsky.

A Wide-Ranging Conversation Through…

• The tough decision to sell a business that you love
• Nik's competitive advantage criterias to evaluate businesses
• How curiosity is Nik's superpower
• Our perceptions can easily lead to misunderstandings
• Nik's childhood and his relationship with his Dad
• Teach your kids to find answers with critical thinking
• Managing a hot temper is always a work in process
• How our own living environment can trigger stress & toxicity
• Nik's advice for being a family man with a business

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/453

More About Front Row Dads

Connect with us @ FrontRowDads.com & Instagram 

Want to hang out with other FRDs in Austin? Watch this 3-min video from our last Front Row Dads Live event. Tickets avail now for December's event. 

Not able to travel? We got you. Join our next online event, built just for kickass dads who know there's more to learn. FrontRowDads.com/summit 

FRD is solving a huge problem for dads. Our culture has turned "Dad" into a joke. Go ahead, google Dad and you'll find Dad Bod, Dad Jokes, Dad Weed, etc. Culturally, it's a Homer Simpson mentality, and it's BS.  

Our community is built for solid men. Men with range. Those who are badass, and know there's still more to learn, together.  

Most guys find it hard to find "their crew." Finding other committed men, who are successful in life, and want to put family first – these guys are rare. Is this you?

In FRD, hundreds of men from all over the world show up for each other, to share resources and raise the bar of fatherhood (our core values)

If you're reading this, you want to grow.  Podcasts are great, but guys… when you're ready to stop just listening to content, and want to JOIN the conversations – the FRD brotherhood is ready for you.  

One more thing… 

Has this podcast helped you? If so, please tell us how we're doing. Please take a minute and leave a review. Seriously, they matter. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Today, I'm joined by Dr. Robert Glover. Robert is a therapist, coach, speaker, and author of the groundbreaking book, No More Mr. Nice Guy. This is a must-read for men who struggle with expressing their needs and setting healthy boundaries without feeling guilty or shame.

In our conversation, we explored how our childhood traumas set the stage for how we manage emotions and interact in our relationships and how to ditch those "covert contracts" we make with people, assuming they should read our minds and know what we want without us having to say it.

Robert shares practical advice on how to set boundaries in a way that doesn't alienate others and instead draws them in. You'll also hear about the 3 covert contracts that nice guys make with themselves that cause anger and frustration. We also bonded a bit by talking openly about how we handled disagreements in our own marriages, how easily we get triggered, and how to approach these moments with love the next time. Enjoy!

A Wide-Ranging Conversation Through…

• Early days of No More Mr. Nice Guy
• The toxic extremes of nice guys and jerks
• Identifying the two types of "nice guys"
• The challenge of managing boundaries & shame
• Three covert contracts that nice guys make
• The link between our nervous system and triggers 
• Robert's mindfulness routine for dealing with anxiety
• How letting go brings us closer to the answers we seek
• Boundaries are for me, not you

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/444

More About Front Row Dads

Connect with us @ FrontRowDads.com & Instagram 

Want to hang out with other FRDs in Austin? Watch this 3-min video from our last Front Row Dads Live event. Tickets avail now for December's event. 

Not able to travel? We got you. Join our next online event, built just for kickass dads who know there's more to learn. FrontRowDads.com/summit 

FRD is solving a huge problem for dads. Our culture has turned "Dad" into a joke. Go ahead, google Dad and you'll find Dad Bod, Dad Jokes, Dad Weed, etc. Culturally, it's a Homer Simpson mentality, and it's BS.  

Our community is built for solid men. Men with range. Those who are badass, and know there's still more to learn, together.  

Most guys find it hard to find "their crew." Finding other committed men, who are successful in life, and want to put family first – these guys are rare. Is this you?

In FRD, hundreds of men from all over the world show up for each other, to share resources and raise the bar of fatherhood (our core values)

If you're reading this, you want to grow.  Podcasts are great, but guys… when you're ready to stop just listening to content, and want to JOIN the conversations – the FRD brotherhood is ready for you.  

One more thing… 

Has this podcast helped you? If so, please tell us how we're doing. Please take a minute and leave a review. Seriously, they matter. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify

Gentlemen, we are flipping the script today.

I was recently interviewed by my good friend, Josh Trent, on his Wellness + Wisdom podcast and the feedback was incredible so I want to share it with you today. If you haven't checked out his podcast before, I highly recommend that you do.

We really opened ourselves up to share our perspectives on a number of topics. We talk about understanding ego, the uncool dad stereotypes, masculine/feminine energy, reforming fatherhood and so much more.

Josh will be a guest at the Front Row Dads Live Event in December so if you're a fan and you're going, you'll find him there.

Lastly, we'd love to hear your thoughts if this conversation resonates with you. And if you like what you're hearing, don't forget to subcribe to Josh's podcast and YouTube channel. 

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit WellnessForce.com/jon-vroman-dumbing-down-dad. 

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

The future of humanity depends on men showing up for their families.

I realize that's a big statement, but I genuinely believe that as leaders in our spaces, we have a responsibility to ourselves, our families, our community, and the world.

And when hundreds of men pour into their spouses and kids, there's a ripple effect that can transform lives in our orbit, and beyond.

As many of you know, The Front Row Dads Live Summit is bringing 100+ men together from around the world to increase awareness, build brotherhood and ignite action to be better fathers and husbands. I hope you'll join us on December 2-4 in Austin, TX!

To highlight the importance of this event and the impact it can have on your life at home, I'm releasing this special bonus episode of the podcast. I'm speaking with two of my closest friends and Front Row Dads members, Hal Elrod and Justin Donald.

My hope is that this conversation inspires more like-minded Dads to join us in Austin, so we can change the world, one family at a time. 

Podcast Highlights

• What does it mean to be a Front Row Dad?
• How to develop a better relationship with your kids through quarterly (or even monthly) one-on-one's.
• Making plans that speak your spouse's love language.
• Why a YES to somebody else, is by default, a NO to your family.
• Why getting together with like-minded Dads can completely transform your life at home.
• Why trying to control my family is one of my biggest challenges as a husband and father.
• The value of spending time with AND without your family.
• The difference between exposing yourself to information and immersing yourself in an experience.
• What will you gain from being at the Front Row Dads annual live event?

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit MiracleMorning.com/bonus

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

One of the things that we encourage people to do as often as possible is to get out of their comfort zone, especially in a group setting like an FRD Retreat.

We often fall into the trap of thinking that leaving for a few days or weeks to connect with others means we're not good parents and husbands.

The truth is, if we're doing it for the right reasons, getting away from family can be the most transformational thing you can do for your relationship with your family.

And the ultimate goal is that when we get back, we're returning as better partners to our spouses and better fathers to our kids.

That's why I'm pumped to have Ali Jafarian back on the show today. Ali is a legend in our brotherhood, and he's the dude who built the Front Row Dad Member Area. He's spent the last 13 years building web products for start-ups and Fortune 500's. He's an amazing husband and father of two and just an epic human being.

In today's conversation, we go deep into how retreats and creating space from family help you to show up at your absolute best in marriage and parenting.

We also go over why it's crucial to be present in everything you do and how being surrounded by other amazing people can inspire and challenge us to grow as dads, husbands, and leaders.

One last thing! Don't forget our Inaugural FRD Live Summit is happening from Dec. 2nd-4th here in Austin, Texas. Capacity is limited, so sign up at FrontRowDads.com/Live to book your spot today!

 Ali Jafarian Podcast Highlights

• If you go on retreats just to have a break from your family, you're doing it wrong.
• The positive energy that Ali brings to every interaction and how that builds trust with other people.
• When our kids and spouses seek their own adventures, it's our job to support them.
• What drives Ali to create life-altering retreats for others.
• Stop hiding behind the label of a "great dad," and start getting out of your comfort zone and connecting with other people.
• Help your kids figure out life on their own by giving them options instead of telling them what they should do in life.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/359

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

If you're a family man with a business, the temptation to check up on work projects or emails when we're home with our kids can be a challenge.

But sometimes kids just need us to play with them, or hangout on the couch and watch one of their movies. Even if they've seen it dozens of times. If we're present in those moments, it will make a huge difference and hopefully they'll have fond memories of those times when they have kids of their own.

And as much as they love to run around and test our limits, the reality is:  they actually do crave structure, guidance, and discipline. The biggest challenge is usually finding the time to do it right while still making it fun for them.

The good news is that there are awesome folks out there who are making a difference to solve that problem. One of them is today's guest, Matt Sharp.

Matt is the co-founder of KidStrong, an organization that helps kids improve their physical and mental fitness. With KidStrong, Matt has helped thousands of kids grow their confidence and strength and prepare themselves to tackle whatever life throws at them.

KidStrong also gives parents the tools to build confident, resilient, and hard-working kids and set them up to win in life. Their innovative teaching style is an obvious upgrade from the one traditional establishments offer and helps kids become mentally and physically fit humans.

In our conversation, we dig into how stoicism helped Matt become a better leader and how to help children become mentally and physically fit humans. Matt also shares his three parenting principles that will help any parent to be fully present with their kids and how focusing on improving the culture in your organization boosts productivity.

 Matt Sharp Podcast Highlights

• The difference between work-life blend versus work-life balance.
• Modeling leadership and entrepreneurship for their kids by leading through your actions.
• How parents often project their dreams and ambitions onto their kids, instead of letting them figure out how to be better people.
• How stoicism helps you to improve your leadership and how you react to stressful situations.
• How Matt juggles his roles as a father, husband, entrepreneur, and teacher, and how he sets an example for his kids.
• Time isn't being wasted if we're spending time with our kids instead tackling that next email.
• The mindset to attract and retain top talent by hiring A-players and just get out of their way.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/358

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

For anyone that grew up in a household where the word love was seldom said or shown, it can be the only thing that we remember about our relationship with our parents.

Today's guest can certainly speak to that. Brian Ondrako is a father, author, sales consultant and the host of the Just Get Started podcast. In his newest kids' book, The Magically Magnificent Mysterious Mind, he reminds us that the happier we are, the happier it will make others around us feel.

As a single Dad, Brian is intentional about the time he spends with his son. He talks about how his grandparents had the biggest impact on him as a child, and now that he's a father, he wants to be that person for him.

In our conversation, we talk about how kids are happiest when they're loved and supported, how he's handling his son's YouTuber aspirations, and the four pillars that Brian says can make or break any relationship.

One last thing! Don't forget our next Online Summit is coming up on November 10, 2022 where we'll be focusing on the Emotional Intelligence Pillar. Book your spot today by visiting FrontRowDads.com/Summit.

Mark Your Calendars and Sign up!

Our next Online Summit is on November 10th from 12 pm-3:30 ET, where we'll be focusing on the Emotional Intelligence Pillar and our nervous system. You'll learn how to stay cool, calm, and collected in those moments when you feel triggered.

And our Inaugural FRD Live Summit is happening from Dec. 2nd-4th here in Austin, Texas. That's right. It's LIVE and in person! Capacity is limited, so sign up at FrontRowDads.com/Live to book your spot today!

Brian Ondrako Podcast Highlights 

• How kids will suppress emotions and hide their feelings when love isn't expressed at home.
• The four values that make a healthy relationship healthy but are generally missing in a bad relationship.
• Why entrepreneurs struggle with sales and how Brian helps clients climb over that wall with honesty and empathy.
• Kids are happiest when they feel supported and encouraged to try out new things and learn from their experiences.
• It's easy to be rude and harder to be kind. Let's raise our kids to be kind.
• When our kids ask to try something new, it's our job to make sure they see it through.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/357

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Gentlemen, I am absolutely pumped to welcome Dr. Kelly Flanagan back to the show. He is many things to many people, and he's a legendary member of our brotherhood.

Kelly has a new book coming out this week titled, The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell, and I can't wait to dig into it. I hope you'll check it out too.

One topic that we've discussed many times over the years on the podcast and our Online Summits is how we can all be better at being vulnerable with our friends and especially our family.

And we really unpacked that in this conversation as we talked about how we all have a tendency to hide ourselves and our truest thoughts to avoid feeling shame.

It's natural to want to hide our crap, our secrets, and the things that we don't like about ourselves. But doing that doesn't promote and create connection. And when we unhide ourselves, there's freedom to be found there.

Kelly shares a fantastic story of someone who gave an advance copy of his new book to their friend's 95-year-old mom. And after reading it, her mom shared some things with her daughter that she had never talked about before. So it's not just freedom but healing that can be found when we unhide ourselves.

We covered a lot of ground in this conversation. We talked about the importance of facing your past to improve your present, the challenge of saying no to our kids, and how love isn't always about being in agreement with each other, but being able to hold space for disagreement as well. So much good stuff there.

One more thing: If you purchase Kelly's book (and I highly recommend that you do) please leave a review on Amazon. Even if you're only two chapters into it, you can still share your thoughts before you finish the book. It helps so much in spreading the word, and reviews help us too.

So here's my gift to you: If you leave an honest review of this show, take a screenshot of it and send it to info@frontrowdads.com with your address. I will send a free copy of the book to the first 5 people. (US Residents only)

Mark Your Calendars and Sign up!

Our next Online Summit is on November 10th from 12pm-3:30 ET where we'll be focusing on the Emotional Intelligence Pillar and our nervous system. You'll learn how to stay cool, calm and collected in those moments that you feel triggered.

And our Inaugural FRD Live Summit is happening from Dec. 2nd-4th here in Austin, Texas. That's right. It's LIVE and in person! Capacity is limited, so sign up at FrontRowDads.com/Live to book your spot today!

Kelly Flanagan Podcast Highlights

• How to stop hiding your authentic self and learn how to fully express yourself with your kids, spouse, friends and family in a healthy way.
• The importance of welcoming, and accepting, all the parts of your personality and every role you play in interpersonal relationships.
• Why entrepreneurs are future-focused and often fail to face the past, and how that harms them in the long run.
• Fully revealing and unhiding yourself isn't always sharing ourselves with others, sometimes it's actually about helping ourselves and our own confidence.
• True love isn't always about being in agreement with each other, love is being able to hold space for disagreement.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/356

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

When we send our kids to school, are we hoping that they'll only learn the bare minimum? How much more would they learn if they were challenged and encouraged to explore their curiosity and creativity?

Imagine sending your kids to a place where they look forward to being there every single day and are encouraged to be the best version of themselves. Today's guests have not only imagined it, but they've created it.

Tim Nikolaev and Chris Coggin have reimagined the middle school experience for children through Peak Collective, where they focus on increasing self-awareness and developing self-confidence through rites of passage.

It didn't take long to realize how good these guys are by the changes I saw in Tiger's mood and mindset after being part of this group. And it fires me up to see him excited to go to school and learn and willing to bond with other kids.

Tim and Chris have created a community of adults and kids built on love, trust, and lifelong learning. Peak's mission is to support kids to become emotionally mature, compassionate, brave, and hardworking adults. And I'd say they're doing a heck of a job so far.

In this episode, we dig into the importance of rites of passage for the growth of our kids, how our children are mirrors of our growth as parents, and why it's crucial to give our children room to be curious to pursue their dreams and find their purpose.

Mark Your Calendars and Sign up!

Our next Online Summit is on November 10th from 12pm-3:30 ET where we'll be focusing on the Emotional Intelligence Pillar and our nervous system. You'll learn how to stay cool, calm and collected in those moments that you feel triggered.

And our Inaugural FRD Live Summit is happening from Dec. 2nd-4th here in Austin, Texas. That's right. It's LIVE and in person! Capacity is limited, so sign up at FrontRowDads.com/Live to book your spot today!

Tim Nikolaev & Chris Coggin Podcast Highlights

• What do you model for your kids with your actions? It's hard to expect your children to behave a certain way if you don't behave like that yourself.
• Why our kids are a mirror for our growth as parents, and how that can help us be better dads.
• Building trust with your kids doesn't happen by telling them what to think and feel. It's built by letting them figure out what their dreams are and supporting them in the process.
• Why passion, joy, dedication, and commitment are crucial in education, and why they're missing in our traditional education setting.
• Why Tim and Chris refuse to scale Peak Collective and how that helps them stay focused on their mission.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/355

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

When times are good, it's easy to show up as a parent. But it's a hell of a lot tougher to do that when life throws a few curveballs at you.

That's why we need to cherish every moment we spend with our loved ones. We're not promised tomorrow, so the best we can do is make today count.

Today's guest, Matthew Christiansen, is someone I look up to as a parent and someone I'm honored to call my friend. Matthew is a father of 3, the CEO of the game development studio Mount Verita and the former CEO of Bright Bridge Web.

Matthew and his family recently went through one of the most unspeakable tragedies a family can go through: The loss of a child. His son died a month after birth, leaving a hole that can never be replaced.

But Matthew still celebrates his son every day. He does that through his relationship with his three other kids, his work, and his relationship with his parents and wife. Everything he does in life is done with love, kindness, and intention, thus honoring the memory of his lost son.

Today, we discuss the importance of being intentional with the time you spend with loved ones, how to raise successful, happy, and confident children, and why it's essential to stick to your healthy routines during those dark days.

Mark Your Calendars and Sign up!

Our next Online Summit is on November 10th from 12pm-3:30 ET where we'll be focusing on the Emotional Intelligence Pillar and our nervous system. You'll learn how to stay cool, calm and collected in those moments that you feel triggered.

And our Inaugural FRD Live Summit is happening from Dec. 2nd-4th here in Austin, Texas. That's right. It's LIVE and in person! Capacity is limited, so sign up at FrontRowDads.com/Live to book your spot today!

Matthew Christiansen Podcast Highlights

• Why just 30 minutes of daily focused time with your children can drastically impact your relationship with them.
• Why it's critical to praise your kids' effort instead of their results.
• The habits that helped him recover from depression after losing his son.
• How Matthew built his first business at the age of 16, and scaled it to 20 employees without any outside investment.
• Why it's important to have brothers that will call you out on your bullshit but will also share your grief when needed.
• What's it like to live in the shadow of a legendary dad that has changed the lives of millions.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/354

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

As businessmen, we'll put a significant amount of thought into the terms we agree to in our professional lives. But do we do the same with our family agreements?

When I look at the challenges I have with my kids, especially with screen time or chores, I've come to realize that it's because the agreement isn't clear. What are the boundaries and consequences for not doing what they agreed to?

What's really crazy is that less than an hour before recording this interview, I was having a discussion with my wife about why we don't see eye to eye on certain things. Her response was, "It's because we don't trust each other in those areas." I think she nailed it with that answer.

That's why the timing couldn't be any more perfect to have this conversation with Daniel Matalon about agreements and trust. Daniel is a social impact producer, the Founder of #IsThereEnough, and co-founder of Impact Launchpad.

The universe is definitely speaking to me right now; I just need to listen.

In our conversation, Daniel talks about what it really means to build trust with our family through agreement and understanding. You'll learn how we can give our kids a choice with that trust and that letting them make the wrong choice is okay. We should support them, but also let them know that there are consequences for those decisions.

He also talks about how the opposite of agreement is not disagreement, and how the path to avoid conflict is through agreement. And above all, how we can inspire our kids to become who they are, instead of who we think they should be.

There are so many takeaways from this chat that I had to stop and let the moment breathe a few times. I hope you'll get a ton of value from this episode and that some of you will bring a few of these topics back to your FRD Bands. Let's keep the conversation going fellas.

Mark Your Calendars and Sign up!

Our next Online Summit is on November 10th from 12pm-3:30 ET where we'll be focusing on the Emotional Intelligence Pillar and our nervous system. You'll learn how to stay cool, calm and collected in those moments that you feel triggered.

And our Inaugural FRD Live Summit happening from Dec. 2nd-4th here in Austin, Texas. That's right. It's LIVE and in person! Capacity is limited, so sign up at FrontRowDads.com/Live to book your spot today!

 Daniel Matalon Podcast Highlights

• What drives Daniel to play the world game, and make everything work for 100% of humanity.
• How trust is built through agreements, especially small ones, because our children want to be trusted and empowered.
• The opposite of agreement is not disagreement, it's war. And collaboration is a better outcome than winning.
• As parents or coaches, we should help our kids become who they are, not who we think they should be.
• Why the things we struggle with always seem to hear their ugly heads, even though we think they're in the past.
• Why the ultimate answer to #IsThereEnough is, "What are we going to do about it?"

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/353

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

All right, fellas. It might sound cliché, but it's the truth. I'm back, and I'm better than ever!

For those that don't know, I took a mini hiatus from the podcast to attend my first Burning Man festival. All I can say, and I can speak for Tatyana here, too, is we're burners for life. It was that good!

To say that it was an incredible and transformational experience would be an understatement. And joining me to try and unpack just what the hell happened with me at Burning Man is my new friend, Joshua Wenner.

Joshua is an entrepreneur, speaker, filmmaker, and emotional resilience expert. He is the founder of Emotional Resilience Training (ERT) & co-founder of the K4 School of Menswork & Valor Warrior Resiliency Programs.

In our conversation, you'll hear what a true sense of community this place is. Case in point: Joshua stayed with me for a few hours when I was at my most vulnerable (after midnight, no less!) to guide me through how to regulate my nervous system during a fight or flight response to trauma.

You'll hear about Joshua's Forgiveness Ceremony, which was inspired by the loss of his brother, as a way to celebrate his life. It was incredibly powerful and gave me a new perspective on forgiveness.

We also dig into masculine and feminine energy. When exploring our feminine side, how do we get into that nurturing flow and find that balance to still be present with our partners? On the flipside, it also made me realize that we still need men in our lives to fuel that driving force that propels us to build, create and provide for our family.

One last thing, thank you to everyone who joined us for the Business Evolution Summit on September 22nd. The Emotional Intelligence Summit is coming up in November, so stay tuned for that.

And finally, don't forget about the Inaugural FRD Live Summit happening from Dec. 2nd-4th here in Austin, Texas. Capacity is limited, so sign up at FrontRowDads.com/Live to book your spot today!

Joshua Wenner Podcast Highlights

• How the sense of community at Burning Man allows people to feel safe and be their authentic self.
• How the loss of Joshua's brother has brought his family together, and how people have different responses to grief and loss.
• The impact that Joshua's Forgiveness Ceremony had on me which uncovered new ways to look at forgiveness.
• Realizing that when our hearts are fully open and we're at our most vulnerable is also when our unresolved traumas can pop up.
• How childhood trauma can trigger our nervous system with a fight or flight response years later.
• The breakthrough that Jon had when Joshua helped him regulate his nervous system during a very tough moment. You can't run away from your marital issues or insecurities.
• What happens when we find the right balance of managing our masculine and feminine energy when we're pushing the edges of our boundaries.
• How do you do deeper work so that you can become the example that you want to be?

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/352

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Fellas, today's episode is near and dear to my heart because I'm here with my very own Front Row Dad, Rick Vroman. Many of you are likely aware of my father's impact in shaping the man I am today, but we're digging a little deeper here and going back to my father's childhood and taking a peek into our own evolution as fathers.

You'll hear what it was like for my father to grow up with a pretty demanding dad and his experiences and importance of hard work and providing for his family. But we'll also get into some fun stuff like fishing trips, where our athletic bloodlines and my entrepreneurial spirit come from, and some family traditions that go way back.

We talked about the bond we share of never feeling pressured to follow in our father's footsteps, why my Dad never tried to nudge me toward a specific career or path in sports, and how the best parts of moving around so much as a child allowed me to explore and reinvent myself. 

Finally, we talked about our Family Cornerstones document that my Dad created when I was very young, why he wrote it, and how much that document still means to both of us to this day. Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!

A Wide-Ranging Conversation Through…

• Rick's childhood with a very demanding father 
• Carving your own path is sports, not your Dad's 
• Wishing for more heart-to-heart convos
• Parenting goal: Make the next generation better 
• Embracing responsibility, hard work and persistence
• The different seasons of fatherhood
• Being happy by NOT following in your father's footsteps
• What if we made different choices as young fathers?
• The Vroman's Family Cornerstones and core values
• Rick's vision for the future in his relationships

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/443

More About Front Row Dads

Connect with us @ FrontRowDads.com & Instagram 

Want to hang out with other FRDs in Austin? Watch this 3-min video from our last Front Row Dads Live event. Tickets avail now for December's event. 

Not able to travel? We got you. Join our next online event, built just for kickass dads who know there's more to learn. FrontRowDads.com/summit 

FRD is solving a huge problem for dads. Our culture has turned "Dad" into a joke. Go ahead, google Dad and you'll find Dad Bod, Dad Jokes, Dad Weed, etc. Culturally, it's a Homer Simpson mentality, and it's BS.  

Our community is built for solid men. Men with range. Those who are badass, and know there's still more to learn, together.  

Most guys find it hard to find "their crew." Finding other committed men, who are successful in life, and want to put family first – these guys are rare. Is this you?

In FRD, hundreds of men from all over the world show up for each other, to share resources and raise the bar of fatherhood (our core values)

If you're reading this, you want to grow.  Podcasts are great, but guys… when you're ready to stop just listening to content, and want to JOIN the conversations – the FRD brotherhood is ready for you.  

One more thing… 

Has this podcast helped you? If so, please tell us how we're doing. Please take a minute and leave a review. Seriously, they matter. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify

Do you own your business or does your business own you?

Far too often, entrepreneurs lose the point of why they started a company in the first place. Their net worth continues to rise, but in the process, every other area of life takes a hit.

And I'll be the first to admit, I've been there! I kept telling myself, "I'm doing it for my family." But it turns out, it was at the expense of my family.

I was building a life around my business, instead of the other way around, and knew I needed to make a shift. This is ultimately what led to starting Front Row Dads. 

I realized that wealth wasn't the destination, it's simply the vehicle to get you there. The purpose of building a business is to fund your perfect life.

That's what today's episode is all about. As a lead up to the Business Evolution Online Summit, I'm talking with Kyle Reedstrom. Kyle is the Co-Founder of Passive 25K Group—a company that believes in putting lifestyle before work by building up passive income sources and finding financial freedom.

He's currently working towards reaching $25k/month in passive income and teaching others how to do the same.

If you have a goal to buy back your time so you can spend more of it with your spouse and kids, this episode is for you!

Kyle Reedstrom Podcast Highlights

• How the FRD community helped Kyle get through a difficult time with his newborn daughter.
• Building a life around your business, not the other way around.
• Focus & Finish: Kyle's mantra for accomplishing big goals and how he's using it to work his way up to $25k/month in passive income.
• How can someone go from working 40+ hours/week to beginning their passive income journey?
• Learn Kyle's process for filtering out business ideas (even the good ones) so you can stay focused on the finish line.
• The easiest passive income investing vehicles to get started with.
• Don't let your thirst for more get in the way of what matters most. Hear the story of how Kyle's Dad spent their entire family vacation working, instead of spending time together and getting to know his grandkids.
• Juggling multiple priorities and aspiring to put family first.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/351

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Stress and frustration… These are emotions that every parent is very familiar with. But where exactly does stress come from and why are some parents better or worse when it comes to dealing with it?

If you've been listening to the pod for a while, you've probably heard me talk about moments where I've unintentionally lost my shit at my wife or kids. I get that nobody's perfect, and we're all susceptible to losing control, but still, these aren't proud moments for me.

Typically, the more stress I feel, the more challenging it is to keep my emotions in check.

That's what I'm excited for today's conversation. I'm talking to Stephen Christopher. In addition to being the Founder of a multi-million dollar marketing agency, Wit Digital, Stephen is a long-time friend, epic human being, and an Intuitive Life Coach who inspires people to become more than they ever thought possible.

This conversation was another opportunity to better understand what causes anger, stress, a lack of acceptance, an unhealthy ego, emotional triggers, blindspots and more. We're unpacking all of it during today's discussion. 

We also dive into this idea that life is way easier than we sometimes make it. You'll learn why fulfillment is a choice and why saying "YES" to life, instead of restricting the flow of it, is where you can find real happiness.   

If you are truly committed to growing as a husband/father, and want to feel more fulfilled and less stressed in your life, this episode is one you won't want to miss!

Stephen Christopher Podcast Highlights

• How dismissing your blindspots affects the way you treat your family. What would the camera catch? 🫣
• The cause behind stress and frustration—and how to move through these feelings differently.
• The power of listening to your body and tips for staying in tune with it.
• Why everything is easier when you say YES to life, instead of constantly trying to control every outcome.
• Feeling unconscious, distracted, and disconnected? Learn how to be truly present so you can show up fully for yourself and your family.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/350

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Gentlemen, I am thrilled to share this conversation with you today. If you've been following the podcast, a question that comes up fairly often in various forms is: How do we stay emotionally centered and live our purpose while being so intensely focused on achievement?

If we're unable to answer this question, we won't be able to show up at full capacity for ourselves, our children, and our spouses.

Today's guest is Jairek Robbins, who believes work should support our life, not the other way around. Jairek found success in life through trial and error. Ultimately, he envisioned his dream life and wasn't afraid to give everything to see it become a reality.

During his journey to becoming one of the top performance coaches in the world, and a loving father and husband, he had to wrestle with the doubts and insecurities that tried to pull him back. He also had the pressure of following in his father's footsteps, one of the legends in the field of personal growth, Tony Robbins.

In this episode, we dig into Jairek's upbringing and what it's like living with two high-achieving parents, the importance of mindset in overcoming life's obstacles, and the steps for mapping out your dream life.

Jairek Robbins Podcast Highlights

• Not every strategy we use with our kids is applicable in every stage of their lives. Find out how Jairek learned this through his relationship with his dad.
• What was the pressure like growing up with Tony Robbins as a father?
• Don't be afraid to suck at things. Embrace the suck, and in time you'll become great.
• Soak up the mindset, habits and routines of people you spend the most time with. But choose wisely!
• Judge people according to their actions, not their words.
• Your dream life starts with mapping out your dream day. What does the perfect day look like to you?

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/349

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Gents, one of the proudest moments we'll have as dads are when we see our kids all grown up and excited that they're our children. But we also want our children to grow into people who treat others well and understand how to give and show empathy.

It's why I'm excited to talk to today's guest, Ken Harvey. Ken is a former NFL superstar turned into a true renaissance man. After retiring from professional football, Ken went through a difficult period, but he used that turmoil to grow in every sense.

He's now a published author, health advocate, and philanthropist on a mission to help young people become compassionate and philanthropic leaders.

Even though he's an accomplished entrepreneur, I love that Ken admits that he still feels lonely sometimes. He doesn't run away from these emotions; he accepts them as part of who he is. He never stops learning about himself, making him a perfect role model for others.

In this episode, he shares how he bounced back from depression after retiring from the NFL, the importance of sharing your vulnerabilities, how to raise children that look up to you, and so much more.       

Ken Harvey Podcast Highlights

• How much should you control your children, and how much should you let them do their thing?
• What to do if your kid wants to follow in your footsteps and how Ken handled that scenario.
• How he started working on a children's book with famous Hollywood actor Terry Crews.
• How bottling up your emotions leads to resentment and misery.
• How Ken rediscovered his purpose after retiring from the NFL.
• We need dreamers and thinkers, but we should also surround ourselves with people that are doers.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/348

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

As an entrepreneur, one of the hardest things to do is to walk away from your business. Coincidentally, it's one of the best moves you can make to allow it to grow.

Sure, you can run a business around the clock, but at what cost?

Today's guest, Mike Michalowicz, is an author and entrepreneur who  regularly takes four-week vacations even though he runs multimillion-dollar businesses. Many of us would shiver at the thought of doing that. Mike found that to be the best decision he had ever made.

 By doing that, Mike was awarded the greatest gift of them all: Time he can now spend with his family and friends.

He's been able to travel with his wife more, go on long road trips, and bond with his children. His business didn't skip a beat and even grew beyond expectations.

In this episode, we dig into the steps for creating a business that runs itself, hiring A-players that will have each other's back, lessons he learned from distancing himself from work, and so much more.

Mike Michalowicz Podcast Highlights

• Find out how Mike can work the least hours he's worked in his life and still grow his business.
• Do you feel uneasy at the idea of taking a four-week vacation? That might be a sign to pull the trigger.
• Learn why each employee in Mike's business is allowed to take a month-long vacation.
• Find out why Mike calls himself a "shareholder" instead of an entrepreneur.
• Realizing he was the biggest bottleneck in his business.
• Why Mike believes SOPs are often a waste of time for your business. Learn what he does instead!

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/347

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Fellas, isn't it fair to say that most of us create stories for ourselves during childhood that we often perpetuate into adulthood? If left unchecked, those stories may hurt us or our relationships.

Personally, I'm aware of a few narratives that are still making me question myself as a dad and husband.

But here's the good news: we can rewrite those stories and create more empowering ones. We do this by first digging deep into our psyche.

In today's episode, I'm excited to be joined by bestselling author and Enneagram pioneer Ian Morgan Cron.

Ian is someone I hold high respect for. In fact, his work has been instrumental in my own life. He helped me overcome my struggles with alcohol, made me face the uncomfortable emotions buried inside of me, and made a huge difference in my marriage and my ability to be a great dad.

In this episode, Ian shares why the Enneagram is not just a powerful tool for personal growth, but also a fantastic resource for transforming our personal and professional relationships.

Ian Cron Podcast Highlights

• Are you living a story that enriches, or cripples you?
• Our unconscious narratives can sabotage us and our relationships. Learn how to replace them with empowering ones.
• Find out how the Enneagram can help you be a better dad and husband.
• Don't test your children's personality too early; Learn the optimal age for doing this.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/346

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Gentlemen, raise your hand if you're working towards creating a better life for you and your family.

Now keep it there if you can honestly say that you regularly take the time to look back with gratitude and appreciate your successes.

I say we can always do a better job in that department. And today's guest, Grant Baldwin, is a living embodiment of that practice. He's super clear on his goals and runs a highly successful company. But he doesn't stretch out to a point where he can't show up 100% for his family.

Grant is a keynote speaker and founder of The Speaker Lab, a company that teaches speakers how to find and book gigs. During his 10+ years of experience, he's coached more than 2,000 other people to become better speakers.

One mind-blowing fact he shared is that in the past year, zero people left his company. Yes, zero! That's pretty incredible.

Naturally, Grant is someone from whom I learn a lot. He really opened my mind to what's possible when building a business, and I'm glad I can share our discussion with you.

In today's episode, we dig into his journey to becoming a professional public speaker, conquering the fear of asking people for help, and the hiring process that allows him to entrust his business to his employees without thinking twice.

Grant Baldwin Podcast Highlights

• Learning from people 1-2 steps ahead of you is the fastest way to grow.
• At one point, Grant did more than 67 speaking gigs in one year which led him to ask if he wanted a job or a business.
• Learn to push past your comfort zone, but without pushing too hard.
• How Grant made multiple seven figures without having a single full-time employee.
• The biggest reasons why people love to work in Grant's company.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/345

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Gentlemen, when's the last time you dove deep into your insecurities, faced them head-on, and talked about them openly? Society doesn't encourage us to do that as men. Instead, it encourages us to achieve more and do more. 

So, how can we be better Dads and husbands if we're unwilling to conquer our inner pain? If we choose to ignore it, we're giving it the power to resurface in our relationships when we least expect it.

I'm so thankful to be sharing this conversation with Stefanos Sifandos. He's a behavioral scientist, relationships expert, trained educator, and the co-founder of Elementum Coaching Institute and the MPowered Brotherhood.

Stefanos is someone who went through great pain and trauma that drove his relationships to the ground. One day, he stopped running from himself and explored his psyche. That journey made him more present, more loving, and not afraid to share his insecurities with his loved ones.

I love that Stefanos admits that even with all his training and experience, he still has flaws, just like anyone else. Instead of crippling him, those flaws show him how to be a better man.

In our conversation, he talks about how we can arrive at the same place by identifying our weak points and being honest with ourselves and our loved ones. And then to dig deeper about openly discussing our vulnerabilities instead of hiding behind them.

Stefanos Sifandos Podcast Highlights

• If we do the inner work, it can help us to be better men.
• Nothing stunts your growth more than avoiding pain and conflict.
• How healing our core wounds makes us more supportive of others.
• The benefits of having a brotherhood that's brutally honest with you.
• What happens when we allow ourselves to fully feel and embrace all negative emotions and let them go.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/344

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Protection is not always about using force and we want to do everything to avoid violence. However, to get to that place you have to be confident in handling violent situations.

But even discussing ‌using violence is discouraged in our society. That's what makes it only available to predators. Violence is a tool, and if we don't have the information on how to use it then we can't protect our families and those we love.

If you listened to part 1 of our conversation, you'd know that Tim Larkin has that information, and we need to listen. In Part 2, we dig into specific examples of what to do when your only resort is violence and how taking care of the basics, and having routines like checking that the doors are locked goes a long way.

If you want to learn more about how to protect yourself, and how to protect your family, Tim is the man and I know you'll be glad you listened to what he has to say.

Tim Larkin Podcast Highlights - Part 2

• Learning to swim is a life skill, and so is learning to protect ourselves.
• If you think getting a gun is enough, or that an alarm system will keep you safe, ask yourself why you need those things in the first place.
• How intruders decide who to target and what you want them to think when looking at your home.
• Learn how Tim's clients used what they learned from working with him to improve their businesses.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/343

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

In today's society, we don't teach men to protect themselves and protect their families.

But part of being a better Dad and a better husband is being able to take care of your loved ones in every way possible. If you find yourself in a situation where their lives were in danger, would you be able to respond?

Let's face it, we're making ourselves easy targets by ignoring violence's role in our lives. Like it or not, it's out there. Understanding it and knowing when and how to use it can make the difference in life-threatening scenarios.

Today's guest, Tim Larkin, encourages us to shift our mindset around violence. Tim is the founder of Target Focus Training and has coached over 10,000 people from over 52 countries on using their brains and bodies to prevent, prepare for, and survive unthinkable events.

In the first of our two-part conversation, we discuss why hope won't save you in life-threatening situations, the little things you can do today to improve your family's safety, and why understanding violence allows you to have a calmer life.

Finally, I've got some exciting news! We've got two important dates to add to your calendars:

• The Inaugural Live Summit is happening in Austin, Texas on December 2-4th. This is a LIVE EVENT with some great speakers like Hal Elrod, Justin Donald and more! Visit FrontRowDads.com/Live for more details and to book your spot today.
• Our next Online Summit is happening on July 21, 2022 where we'll be focusing on the Intentional Parenting Pillar. Visit FrontRowDads.com/Summit to book your spot right now.

Tim Larkin Podcast Highlights - Part 1

• How the goal should be to get to a point where you won't even need to use violence. But it requires work to get there.
• The more you understand how violence works, the more peaceful your life will be.
• How you're making yourself vulnerable to attacks and home invasions in ways you're not even aware of.
• That owning a dog can be a great deterrent for home intruders.
• Tim's basic checklist you can apply that will dramatically improve the safety of your home and family.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/342

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Gentlemen, I am here with real estate mogul Brandon Turner. Brandon is a real estate investor, podcaster, bestselling author, entrepreneur, and founder of Open Door Capital LLC. He's built a world-class real estate empire closing on a billion AUM, he's recognized as one of the foremost experts in real estate and led the BiggerPockets podcast to 100 million downloads—just an all-around legend.

We talked about how he balances his time between business and family and how his faith and religion have shaped him into the amazing Dad he is today. Brandon explained how his success skyrocketed by not letting indecision become the decision, learning how to trust and manage risk, and also how to delegate instead of abdicating. And perhaps surprisingly, could his love of playing Monopoly have revealed the billion-dollar secret to success in real estate at a young age?

You'll hear his thoughts on involving your kids in real estate deals, the importance of scheduling some "no kids connection time" with his wife, and what he's doing with the BetterLife Tribe to donate a billion dollars to fight human trafficking. Brandon also talks about how he's using AI and ChatGPT to create adorable bedtime stories in real time with his kids and how he makes time to play on their level, literally.

Last but not least, I asked Brandon a question that he's never been asked before, and you'll want to hear the incredibly moving story that came from it. This episode is jam-packed with much more, so buckle up and enjoy!

A Wide-Ranging Conversation Through…

• Trust vs Risk and Delegate, Don't Abdicate
• Crisscrossing the frozen ice with Dad to McDonalds
• Don't do what I do! No yelling allowed!
• Enjoying some "no kids" time with your spouse
• A deeper level of faith, spirituality & Christianity
• Evolving and staying away from politics
• Connecting by hosting sleepovers for your friends & family
• Homemade bedtime stories using AI & ChatGPT
• Playing on your kids level, on the ground floor
• The billion dollar real estate lesson from Monopoly
• Why real estate isn't for everyone
• Buying real estate with and for your kids
• Challenge: Describe your kids in a single word 
• Thoughtful gifts of writing notes and letters to your kids

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/442

More About Front Row Dads

Connect with us @ FrontRowDads.com & Instagram 

Want to hang out with other FRDs in Austin? Watch this 3-min video from our last Front Row Dads Live event. Tickets avail now for December's event. 

Not able to travel? We got you. Join our next online event, built just for kickass dads who know there's more to learn. FrontRowDads.com/summit 

FRD is solving a huge problem for dads. Our culture has turned "Dad" into a joke. Go ahead, google Dad and you'll find Dad Bod, Dad Jokes, Dad Weed, etc. Culturally, it's a Homer Simpson mentality, and it's BS.  

Our community is built for solid men. Men with range. Those who are badass, and know there's still more to learn, together.  

Most guys find it hard to find "their crew." Finding other committed men, who are successful in life, and want to put family first – these guys are rare. Is this you?

In FRD, hundreds of men from all over the world show up for each other, to share resources and raise the bar of fatherhood (our core values)

If you're reading this, you want to grow.  Podcasts are great, but guys… when you're ready to stop just listening to content, and want to JOIN the conversations – the FRD brotherhood is ready for you.  

One more thing… 

Has this podcast helped you? If so, please tell us how we're doing. Please take a minute and leave a review. Seriously, they matter. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify

As men, it's in our nature to want to fix things. And I'm not just talking about doing repairs around the house. I'm talking about how we deal with feelings, ours and those of our spouses.

And I've definitely been that guy, trying to "fix" my wife's feelings. 

But when's the last time that you paused for a moment and tried to really understand what she's going through? 

Society expects women to be the perfect mothers right out of the gate. But, so many of them struggle with anxiety and depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period. So let's leave our egos at the doorstep here, fellas.

The truth is, no one is born with the tools to be the perfect parent. Shocker, I know! 

And no one knows this better than today's guest, Suzanne Aslam. Suzanne is a former actress and Miss Arab USA turned writer. She wrote Postpardon Me, a book about her spiral into postpartum depression and how she got out of it. Now, she helps other women experiencing postpartum depression feel more understood.

In our conversation, we explore how the support from her husband (and fellow Front Row Dad Kasim Aslam) helped her to get through depression, how she freed herself from the cultural pressures about motherhood, and much more.

If you want to learn how to build a deeper connection with your wife and be a better husband and role model to your children, Suzanne is the person to listen to. 

Suzanne Aslam Podcast Highlights

• How to best support your wife when she's going through perinatal and postpartum depression?
• What happens when you're being present and empathetic with your wife, and not trying to "fix her".
• Don't just wait for her to tell you when she needs your support. Read what she's going through, and be there for her no matter what.
• Taking turns with regular breaks from parenting to spend time with ourselves, even for a few hours, is a great way to recharge.
• We will fail as husbands and dads. And that's OK!

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/341

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

All right, fellas. Today we're replaying the webinar I co-hosted with my good friend Hal Elrod last week.

For those that missed it, here's your chance to get all the great insights that were shared to help you level up your Dad game and be the best husband and businessman that you can be.

The reality is, most parents struggle to communicate meaningfully with their kids, and it's one of the biggest reasons why they feel like they're being shut out of their kids' lives. This community is made up of amazing human beings who are crushing it at work and want to crush it at home with their family.

By leveling up our Dad game, we'll spend more time with our kids and build stronger relationships so that they'll come to us when it really matters.

During the webinar, Hal and I share some of our real-life challenges that are happening right now. We talked about how we can be fully present at home, identify our blind spots, best ways to grow as a Dad, handling the screen time issue with our kids, and much more.

If you resonate with being a family man with a business and not a businessman with a family, that's a great sign that this community is for you.

You can join the brotherhood by visiting FrontRowDads.com/Join97. Our next community call is happening on July 6th. Don't miss out!

Podcast Highlights

• The history that Jon and Hal have together, how they've been best friends for years and how Front Row Dads got started.
• The 3 lessons that will help you level up your dad game.
• Tips for being fully present at home, identifying blind spots and the fastest way to grow as a Dad and a husband.
• How to handle screen time with our kids.
• What it means to be a Front Row Dads member and how you can join the brotherhood by visiting FrontRowDads.com/Join97.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/340

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Gentlemen, I'm thrilled to share this epic conversation with Greg Denning, whose life truly deserves its own movie. Imagine traveling around the world with not one, not two, but seven kids. After my summer road trip last year, I tip my hat to this guy!

They've done everything from taking martial arts classes in Morocco, to road-tripping for 7 months through South America, and now they're getting ready to gear up with their teens to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

Greg and his wife also plan a yearly trip without the kids to nurture their marriage, and they're about to head out to the south of Portugal to enjoy the beaches and adventure out on the cliffs.

For those that don't know, Greg Denning is a high-performance coach and mentor that gives others the tools and inspiration to transform their lives. He hosts the Extraordinary Family Life podcast with his wife Rachel and hosts a second podcast called Be The Man.

In our conversation, Greg shares the secrets of traveling long-term with his family, how he finds the energy to do it all, and how to overcome some of the most common limiting beliefs.

He also talks about his Triple Trifecta of fitness, family, and finances which ties into what we're all about here at Front Row Dads.

There's a lot to get through, so grab a pen and come along for the ride because this episode is AWESOME!

Greg Denning Podcast Highlights

• How to travel long-term with kids and Greg's advice on working remotely, homeschooling, planning trips and finances.
• The importance of finding time for your significant other while parenting by planning weekly and monthly dates.
• Time optimization: how to do more and better with the time you have.
• Learning to live in and enjoy the moment as a parent, even when it's hard.
• How to overcome your own limiting beliefs.
• What Greg calls The Triple Trifecta: Fitness (mind/body/spirit), Family (marriage/parenting/family legacy), and Finances (income/expenditures/investments)

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/339

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

There's probably no need for me to get into a big introduction as I know most of you already know who Hal is. Simply put, Hal is a legend. He's sold millions of copies of the Miracle Morning book series, he has an incredible movie about it, and he's the host of the very successful Achieve Your Goals podcast.

Every year we get together around Father's Day and talk about all the things that are working for us in the Front Row Dad community.

On June 15th, we are hosting a FREE webinar that you can sign up for at FrontRowDads.com/Hal. At this event, we'll be sharing some of the best strategies that we've witnessed and experienced over the past year.

We'll be talking about how to invest the right amount of time with your family and how to make them the focus whenever you're with them. We'll also dig into our mindset, making sure we're fully engaged not only as a parent but as a great partners in our marriages.

The conversation that you're about to hear was when we got together on his podcast a short while ago, where we talked about how to "win" as husbands and fathers. We also discussed how to deal with the struggles of time management and why Hal and I have decided that our kids are not getting cell phones anytime soon. And much more!

Podcast Highlights

• Why I walked away from a $10,000/event speaking career to focus on my family.
• How to speak up to challenge and advocate for your kids when they need it.
• Why neither of us are giving our kids cell phones any time soon.
• How to set ground rules and have productive screen time with your kids.
• Why almost every parent struggles with time management, emotional intelligence, and staying optimistic.
• Life lessons we learned from our own parents–and why Hal has such an incredible relationship with his dad at the age of 42.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/338

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Gentlemen. Today's guest is none other than Ryan Levesque. Not only did Ryan bring the heat, but he also delivered the goods with a special offer ONLY for the Front Row Dads brotherhood (we'll give the details towards the end of the show). 

In this conversation, we're talking about how we can identify our #1 blindspots as fathers and start focusing our time with our families in meaningful ways.

A little bit about Ryan before we get into it. Ryan Levesque founded The ASK Method® Company, a 3x Inc. 5000 company recently named one of the fastest-growing companies in Austin, Texas.

The ASK Method® Company is a worldwide leader in digital marketing and training. They help build high-converting online funnels and drive quality traffic to your products and services by asking website visitors important questions to create tailored customer journeys.

Breaking News: I've teamed up with Ryan to bring his award-winning methodology to you here at Front Row Dads. Check it out and take The Dad Quiz.

You'll also hear about how his family is planning an epic three-phase journey which starts with taking their kids to explore some of the most remote parts of the continent. Phase two will be more of the same in Europe, and in the third phase, they plan on literally circumnavigating the globe on an expedition yacht for the trip of a lifetime.

One last thing. Ryan has an exclusive offer for the Front Row Dads community. You can take Ryan's Quiz Funnel Workshop for FREE from June 13th to 18th. Just use the code "FRD," and you'll get access to this fantastic workshop (which is normally $100.00) for FREE!

Ryan Levesque Podcast Highlights

• How to find the right people to help you identify your blind spots to become better fathers and husbands.
• The importance of learning with your kids instead of just coaching/teaching them.
• How Ryan uses leverage by putting in the work up front to reap the rewards with freedom and spending time with his family.
• It's easier to figure out what you don't like as a way to identify what you enjoy.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/337

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

We rely on Google for many things, but if you're looking for ways on how to be a great dad, you might have a hard time finding helpful answers.

"Dad jokes" and "Dad bods" – that's mainly what you get as a search result, and it drives me crazy.

The modern dad is so much more than this. The sad reality is that it isn't how society sees us yet, and a part of that has to do with how Dads are invited into parenthood.

That's what my guest Ned Schaut is trying to change with his book, Rebel and Create.

He's on a mission to change the way guys navigate becoming a dad: from the time they get the news that they have a child on the way to taking full control and responsibility of the impact they can have on their children (and the world) as fathers.

We're also talking about a guy's role as a parent and how society naturally favors giving women much more information and attention when transitioning into parenthood.

When was the last time you saw a dude get a gift for becoming a father?

We're talking about being vulnerable, not taking things personally when we're struggling, and taking the time to properly introduce new dads to the adventure that is fatherhood with tools like Rebel and Create.

And the next time you meet a new dad, remind him he's going to kick ass!

 Ned Schaut Podcast Highlights

• Why learning to pause, reflect, and course correct is tremendously valuable to your growth as a parent.
• The constant battle of accepting ourselves in the moments when we're struggling and taking things personally.
• With 10,000 babies born every day in America, that's a lot of new dads that can benefit and be encouraged if they're set on the right path.
• How reading books with your kids at the end of the day adds so much value to your relationships, especially when you're in the thick of it.
• The impact that you can make if you properly introduce new dads to the adventure of fatherhood with the right tools.
• If you show up and are ready for an event like the Front Row Dads Summit, you'll get what you need.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/336

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

All right fellas. I'm talking with Rich Christiansen, who for context, has founded 49 businesses, of which 16 have become multimillion-dollar successes.

What's most impressive however, is how he shows up for his family. Rich is the perfect example of what Intentional Parenting is all about.

But it wasn't always this way…

In his early career, Rich was on the fast-track to becoming the CEO of an Inc 500 company, when he got the wake up call of his life. While he was crushing it at work, he realized he completely lost sight of what mattered most—his family.

He decided to quit the corporate world to double down on life at home, which he describes as the most meaningful decision of his life. 

All 5 of his kids are fully grown now, but the framework Rich and his wife developed for building a family legacy and raising strong, confident, happy kids is unlike anything I've seen.

This is just a quick glimpse, but here's a few interesting facts about his 5 sons…

• Every one of them had created a million dollar business before the end of high school.
• They've all hiked major world mountain peaks, including Everest, Kilimanjaro, and Huayna Picchu.
• From the age 16, his sons took full responsibility for paying for their own college, family vacations, dinners, and more. They all committed to never asking Dad to pay for anything.
• They all spent two years serving humanity and learning another language.
• And much more…

So, let's get into it. We're talking about family values, squashing entitlement, rites of passage, and the Legado Family Framework that's helping men build a family legacy that will carry forward for generations.

If you want to win professionally, but don't want to do it at the expense of your family, this is a must listen episode!

Rich Christiansen Podcast Highlights 

• The realization that he was sacrificing his family to win at work.
• Why it's critical to clearly define your family values—and how the Legado Family Framework can help you create them.
• Let your kids be who they are, not what you want them to be.
• Raising financially independent children who aren't entitled.
• The importance of having friends who call you out on your bullshit.
• Using rites of passage to raise confident, happy, and successful kids.
• STOP doing family trips without intent!

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/335

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

There are few things in life that can test a dad's patience more than putting the kids to bed with a screaming baby in your arms while their rambunctious siblings are doing everything but trying to go to sleep.

Everyone has their breaking point and the urge to yell at your kids can be overwhelming. On a good day, you realize that you don't want to become the scary monster in their bedroom before unloading on them. So what do you do when you're at your wit's end during the bedtime routine?

Today, we're talking about what happens when we get angry with our kids, being rejected when asking for forgiveness, and what to do when "I'm sorry" isn't enough.

My guest today is Curt Storring. Curt is a husband, father, entrepreneur, and a successful men's group facilitator. After struggling with anger issues and depression in his first few years of fatherhood, he knew that something had to change if he wanted to become a better father to his kids and a better human being.

This led him to create his Dad.Work group and podcast with a mission to hurt less and love more. Even though Curt has put in the work, the reality is the work doesn't end. There's always another test or challenge on the horizon as a father.

I asked Curt to share a couple of stories from some of his recent blowups with his kids, and I can't tell you how much I appreciated his willingness to be vulnerable and to share his breakthroughs. Sometimes we just need to hear that we're not alone, especially when we're in those dark places.

All right fellas, let's dig in. Enjoy this conversation and let's continue the journey and evolve to become better fathers and husbands to our family.

One last thing, our next Online Summit is coming up on May 19th and we're going to be focusing on some of the topics we discussed in this episode. We have some great guest speakers lined up to help with some actionable strategies and ideas that you can implement right away to be a better father and husband.

We'd love to have you. Click here to sign up and join us.

Curt Storring Podcast Highlights

• Is there anything that could break a man's heart more than their child rejecting them when asking for a hug?
• How to understand the triggers and patterns that cause us to become triggered.
• Why wishing for an apology from our own parents in adulthood is wasted energy, and how we're better off by letting go and moving on.
• No matter how much we feel that we're failing as a father, kids need their father to be a part of their life so don't ever give up.
• Why saying that you're sorry doesn't always work if you're just saying the words. A real apology is more than words.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/334

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

I feel like I've failed more than won when it comes to celebrating Mother's Day. 

Today's show is devoted to sourcing great ideas that help you love on the Mom's in your life. 

I'm endlessly curious about the question…

How do we "win" on Mother's Day by helping them feel love, appreciated and celebrated?

Honestly, there isn't a silver bullet, sure-fire win, but there are clues, and you can increase your odds of knocking this out of the park. 

Rather than tell you what I think, or interview another guy on what he thinks, I asked three amazing women (Front Row Moms Angie, Tjitske & Monica) if they'd have a conversation and talk about what makes their Mother's Day great. 

Think about this episode as a Mother's Day cheat sheet for husbands.

The ladies shared fantastic ideas for things you can do for; including meals out, entertaining the kids, no mom duties, time for self-care, and much more.

To make it even better, they give us great tips on how to figure out which "gift" your wife would like the most, such as taking into consideration your kids' ages and stages of life, stress factors, or typical daily chores.

Mother's Day Podcast Highlights

• How to identify what your wife wants and needs for Mother's Day.
• Giving your wife options and letting her choose what she needs most.
• Ways to discover your wife's Love Language.
• The power of DIY cards & crafts, time for connection, and other thoughtful gifts from kids and husbands.
• Caring for your own mother on Mother's Day.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/333

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Gentlemen, I hope you're ready to rock today. This episode goes out to all the music lovers out there.

Is there a better gift that we can share with our kids than the gift of music? It's such a great connector and the source of so many great conversations and memories.

Have you ever been in the car, just belting out a song with your kids at the top of your lungs? When we talk about being present and playful with our kids, this is my jam.

Today's guest is literally rocking life as a husband, father, and music teacher. His name is Tim Woosley, and he teaches people how to play guitar for a living. But more importantly, he uses music to teach his kids about discipline and confidence so that they can do the hard things.

Intentional parenting is one of our pillars, and I couldn't help but notice that Tim used the word intentional several times. Being intentional when introducing new music to his kids, or by spending time with them or his wife when he catches himself working too long.

I loved hearing about how he wrote his own eulogy that he reads to himself almost every day to reverse engineer his life and keep him on the right path to where he wants to go with his life. It was so good.

When I think about our family road trip last year, for my son's 12th birthday, I thought it would be fun if we looked up the top 10 hits when I was his age and played them. I gotta say, we had a blast. It's such an easy thing to do, and is now a memory we'll never forget. 

So let's dive in. We're talking about the power of music and how it's such a great tool to teach our kids many valuable lessons. We'll also get into how music can help us to be present and playful with our family and create skills and memories that will last a lifetime.

P.S. You'll also hear Tim play a little blues riff on his guitar. Spoiler alert: He's really good.

• How music can help develop discipline and confidence with our kids, and also build connections with friends and family.
• Balancing work and family life by staying present and playful.
• Being intentional with what we teach our kids and how we spend time with them.
• How to find something that connects with your kids' hearts and use that to guide and teach them with what Tim calls "House Points".

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/332

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

We're very fortunate to have so many legends in the FRD Brotherhood, and today's guest, Dr. Kelly Flanagan, is definitely one of them. Kelly is a psychologist, consultant, speaker, and author of several books that profoundly transformed my views on marriage, family, relationships, and friendship.

In our conversation, we talked about how easy it is for couples to get triggered by seemingly minor things. Even after decades of expertise in understanding the human psyche, he still deals with this in his relationship. You'll hear how he's become aware of when his heart is closing and how the key to managing marital conflict is to keep your heart open.

You'll also hear what Dr. Kelly is doing with his Humaning Substack and how you can join 14,000 other subscribers. He's using his platform to share inspiring stories of how we can improve our reaction to stress and crisis by not fighting against the current but instead being present enough to find the updraft as an easier way to reach our destination.

One last thing, if you appreciate this episode, I'm offering to send you a copy of any of Dr. Kelly's books. Simply leave a review, take a screenshot and send it to us with your address to support@frontrowdads.com and I will gladly purchase the book and send it to you. (This offer is for US residents only due to international shipping costs).

A Wide-Ranging Conversation Through…

• Own your emotional baggage before you share it with others
• Dr. Kelly's superpower 
• Love is always about opening up
• What to do when you notice your heart's closing 
• Being open-hearted is just as important as hitting the gym
• Love is not a solo journey
• Join Dr. Kelly's Humaning community
• What separates the FRD brothers from other men
• To understand love, embrace pain and suffering

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/441

More About Front Row Dads

Connect with us @ FrontRowDads.com & Instagram 

Want to hang out with other FRDs in Austin? Watch this 3-min video from our last Front Row Dads Live event. Tickets avail now for December's event. 

Not able to travel? We got you. Join our next online event, built just for kickass dads who know there's more to learn. FrontRowDads.com/summit 

FRD is solving a huge problem for dads. Our culture has turned "Dad" into a joke. Go ahead, google Dad and you'll find Dad Bod, Dad Jokes, Dad Weed, etc. Culturally, it's a Homer Simpson mentality, and it's BS.  

Our community is built for solid men. Men with range. Those who are badass, and know there's still more to learn, together.  

Most guys find it hard to find "their crew." Finding other committed men, who are successful in life, and want to put family first – these guys are rare. Is this you?

In FRD, hundreds of men from all over the world show up for each other, to share resources and raise the bar of fatherhood (our core values)

If you're reading this, you want to grow.  Podcasts are great, but guys… when you're ready to stop just listening to content, and want to JOIN the conversations – the FRD brotherhood is ready for you.  

One more thing… 

Has this podcast helped you? If so, please tell us how we're doing. Please take a minute and leave a review. Seriously, they matter. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify

As a Front Row Dad, I know that building wealth is important to you. It's the key to your freedom. And with that freedom, you can spend more time with your family, creating a lifetime of memories.

Nobody is more qualified to talk about this than my friend Mike Ayala, who has over 22 years of experience starting, scaling, and selling companies.

Now, he teaches busy professionals and entrepreneurs his approach to building teams and buying freedom. That's what today's episode is all about. If you're trying to scale a company and manage life at home, you won't want to miss this chat.

And if you haven't already, don't miss Part 1 of our conversation. We dig into Mike's philosophies as a Dad/Husband and how to build wealth without letting it negatively impact who your kids become!  

Mike Ayala Podcast Highlights - Part 2

• Are you charged or drained at work? Operate within your zone of genius so you have more capacity for life at home.
• Building businesses on the backs of great partnerships.
• How to determine who, how, and when to hire.
• Protecting your time and freedom by getting clear on who you are.
• Are you unconsciously committed to the chaos? Don't let your ego get in the way of your success!

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/331

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

He built a badass business and "made it" financially. Now he helps busy professionals and entrepreneurs find true freedom to live their best life…

Gents, as you know, one of the major pillars for Front Row Dads is Business Evolution—structuring our businesses so that we consciously choose to be family men with businesses, not businessmen with families.

That's why I wanted to invite Mike Ayala on the show. Mike has a ton of experience building companies, one of which scaled to more than 100 employees and sold at a $12 million valuation.

I've also had the privilege of spending time with Mike. I've watched him engage with his wife and kids, and I can tell you that he's one of the best dads out there.

In other words, he knows the difficulty of running a business AND managing a family….

He also knows how to create generational wealth that gives him and his family the freedom to live life on their terms.

I know this is important to Front Row Dads, but it brings up an interesting topic…

What happens to our kids when they grow up in a wealthy household? Are they destined to be spoiled and entitled?

That's what we're discussing in Part 1 of my conversation with Mike Ayala!

Mike Ayala Podcast Highlights - Part 1

• Will your kids be spoiled if they grow up with wealth?
• Why Mike's kids weren't allowed to work regular jobs before 18.
• How to create an environment where your kids aren't entitled.
• Have you ever lost your sh*t at the kids? Be the thermostat, not the thermometer.
• Creating generational wealth and continuing to experience life with your kids (and their kids!)
• Why your kids need you more than ever as young adults.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/330

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

There's a big difference between being rich and being wealthy. Rich people spend what they have. Wealthy people, however, leverage what they have to produce more wealth.

But how much money is really enough? And what's driving our constant need for more?

These are the types of financial questions I ask my good buddy, Michael Port, on today's podcast episode. More specifically, we're digging into money management as family men with businesses.    

For context, he's written multiple bestselling books. He's also the co-founder of Heroic Public Speaking, a super successful company that he bootstrapped  and scaled with his wife, Amy.

While there's more than one way to build wealth & legacy , I have a major appreciation for Michael's approach to financial freedom. Rather than follow the crowd, he constantly pursues the best path for him after spending years studying different approaches to creating financial independence. 

We talk about what makes his business profitable, setting budgets with his wife, avoiding get-rich-quick schemes, and how he empowers his kids to manage their own finances.

One of my favorite investment takeaways from our conversation - the ROI of "keeping it simple" = more bandwidth for my family! 

Get a Free Book from Michael Port

Step 1: Leave a review at FrontRowDads.com/review and tell me specifically what you liked about my conversation with Michael Port.

Step 2: Take a screenshot of your review and send it to my team at info@frontrowdads.com and I'll mail you one of Michael's books for free (your choice of which book)

Michael Port Podcast Highlights

• How Michael creates more free time for himself and his family
• Allowing your kids to track their finances and manage their money for things like school supplies, clothes, summer camp, and more
• Practical money management habits you and your family can use to achieve financial security and build long-term wealth
• Should you pay off your mortgage OR borrow against it to invest?
• Considering the investments that turn earned income into cashflow—and that also give you more bandwidth for the fam!

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/329

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Of our three core values in FRD, Authentic Curiosity is at the top of the list.

One thing I love about our community is that members have deep wisdom, while remaining wise enough to know there's more to learn. 

They have an insatiable appetite for resources that help them be more present and powerful at home. 

When I learned about the questions my buddy Blake started asking about thriving in his marriage, and succeeding as a dad, I needed to have a longer conversation on the podcast.   

Let's rewind for a second and set the stage here…

Before Blake even moved in with his wife, he started asking around, "How do you live with a woman?"

Some answers were lackluster… Stuff like "Don't leave the toilet seat up", but he was looking for more than platitudes.  

One day, a guy dropped some wisdom when he said…

WAKE UP READY.

Wake up with intention and positive anticipation so that you don't miss a thing.

Eventually the question evolved to "How do you love a woman?" 

And then questions about fatherhood. 

Our interview is fun, and filled with brilliance. 

In this chat, we talk about "bro-countability" meetings, unexpected appreciation, how to accept and love your partner for who she is every day, and so much more!

 Blake "Fly" Fleischacker Podcast Highlights:

• Life motivators: LIL (Location Independent Lifestyle), FIRE (Financial Independence Retire Early) and Family
• How to wake up ready and support your wife's needs with the question, "Who are you today, my love?"
• Building a group of "paternity brothers" who will support you during early parenthood.
• Why every Dad needs a Bro-countability partner

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/328

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

I've recently started using the phrase, "I make myself mad when…"  

I used to say, "You make me so mad when…."  or "It triggers me when…" 

Taking ownership of my emotions has been a journey.  Rather than giving the power to other forces, people, circumstances – I'm claiming ownership of my personal state.  

I make myself angry, because of the story I tell myself about what happens.  

When I live in a world of "If she would just talk to me differently, I'll be happy" or "If they would just listen to me, I wouldn't get so mad" 

Angry, emotions and managing our hearts and minds is the topic of convo today with my great friend Josh Trent.  

Josh is the Founder of Wellness Force Media and host of the Wellness + Wisdom Podcast. 

During our chat we talk about how getting a grip on how your physical wellbeing impacts your emotional state.  

We explore a concept borrowed from the AA community – the H.A.L.T. Theory (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired). 

We dive into the journey of finding greater consciousness and shifting what's in your control. 

Josh talks about the benefits (and challenges) of tracking tools like the Oura ring and glucose monitors.  

We also explore the process of Emotional Inventory, how to dive into feelings like anger to get to know yourself better and much more. 

Josh Trent Podcast Highlights

• Explore what is draining your energy and/or pushing you to your edge.
• Learn how to deal with sleep deprivation and other challenges of being a new dad.
• How do you stop projecting your feelings on your partner? And how do you deal with them projecting theirs?
• Listen to your body's H.A.L.T. queues and use breathwork as a regulator for stress.
• The secret to celebrating loneliness.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/327

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

My guest today, and FRD brother, Kasim Aslam has an unbelievable approach to sharing his rules of life with his boys (we go deep into this during the show, and you can see the rules of life below).

Also, let's talk about habits for a minute.  Yeah…you've probably read all the books, listened to all the shows, but most dads haven't taken a deep dive into the habits they've stacked, to really know if those habits are serving their family in the best way possible. 

During my chat with Kasim, we explore all elements of rules, values, habits  — and Kasim tells exactly how he's approached this through written, spoken, and visual aids. 

When I was 11 years old my dad inducted me into the "FHA", a secret club he created that was meant to give me some important core life values. Now that it is almost my turn to initiate my own kids into the club, I've found myself reflecting on the values and habits I am instilling in them.

I hope you find this show as insightful as I did. 

Kasim Aslam Podcast Highlights

• How to create "Rules of Life" for your family
• Learn how to instill great habits in your kids, without forcing it on them.
• Help your kids use their cultural backgrounds as inspiration for the way they live, not as a limitation.
• Ending generational cycles of bad habits, and starting newer and healthier ones.
• Finding the unshakable core values you believe in and want your kids to believe in.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/326

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Wouldn't it be nice to raise a child that goes on to be the next LeBron James, Serena Williams, or Peyton Manning? Of course! But isn't that setting the bar too high?

There's so much more that our kids can learn from playing sports. If we teach them to focus on improving their skills, learn from their mistakes, and be good teammates, they'll be successful no matter what they do.

For this conversation, I'm thrilled to welcome back none other than Alan Stein, Jr. Alan is an author, keynote speaker, and a performance coach with a passion for helping others change their behaviors and maximize performance.

His proven principles teach others how to utilize the same approaches in business that elite athletes use to perform at a world-class level.

For over 15 years, he's worked with legends and superstars in the NBA, such as Steph Curry, Kevin Durant, and Kobe Bryant.

Alan talks about empowering our kids to give it their best, develop a positive attitude, and be good teammates. We also talk about winning graciously and losing gracefully because there are lessons to be learned, no matter the outcome.

And if things aren't going well, or if they miss a shot, teaching our kids to move on to the "Next Play" is such a great lesson in sports and in life. It's okay if they fall or come up short. But if they learn to get up, shake it off, and move forward, they'll have way more wins than losses in their life.

If your kids are playing sports, there's a good chance that you've seen a parent yelling and screaming from the sidelines and thinking they're helping the situation when it's actually having the opposite impact.

Alan reminds us that if we stay in our lanes, let the players play, and the coaches coach, we can focus on being the parent and empowering our kids to be the best at whatever they want to do.

 One last thing, if you enjoyed this conversation, please leave an honest review of the FRD podcast and mention this episode. Send a screenshot to our team at FrontRowDads.com, tell us which one of Alan's books you want and we'll mail you a copy for free. (USA/Canadian residents only)

Alan Stein, Jr. Podcast Highlights

• Sports should be fun, and an avenue for development and teaching life lessons.
• Why coaches and parents should put a greater focus on kids being a greater teammate versus winning and losing.
• Why the "Next Play" mentality works not only in sports, but in all aspects of life.
• The negative impact that parents can have when attempting to "coach" from the sidelines.
• The best thing that parents can do at their kids' games is cheer them on and provide encouragement.
• The importance of focusing on the process of having a good attitude and giving your best effort.
• Show our kids how to win graciously and lose gracefully.
• Why youth sports should not be about parents living vicariously through their kids' experiences.
• How to help our kids make the connection of how preparation factors into both winning and losing.
• The trilogy of behaviors that parents and coaches need to eradicate from youth sports.
• The positive impact that comes from telling our kids "I love to watch you play".
• One simple rule: Let the players play and let the coaches coach.
• Everybody makes mistakes. Teach our kids not to talk to referees when something goes wrong, since the referees don't say anything to them when they make mistakes or miss a shot during the game.
• Let's also make sure that we check in on each other, especially if you know someone that could use a friendly voice or text right now.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/325

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

The average dude in their 20's is usually still trying to figure a lot of things out. From finishing school, finding their passion or just figuring themselves out and being the man that they want to be.

But for Kyle Jansen, he knew exactly what he wanted to do, he went for it, and now he's totally crushing it.

When Kyle was 20 years old, he had left his home and left school to pursue his passion in creating and developing a new braking system for bikes.

Seven years later, he appeared on Shark Tank with his partner Brian Riley. They got an offer and some cash from Mark Cuban and the rest as they say, is history.

Kyle is the Co-Founder of Guardian Bikes, which developed the Surestop® braking system, which is much safer (especially for kids) and helps prevent people from flipping over their handlebars on their bikes.

He's a father to two boys, a loving husband to his wife Megan and a member of the brotherhood here at Front Row Dads.

In this conversation, Kyle shares his entrepreneurial journey that led to this groundbreaking (and head saving) technology. He talks about the challenges in finding that balance between traveling for work and being present for his wife, which is something that a lot of people can certainly relate to.

We'll also discuss how being a dad also means breaking the cycle and not repeating the mistakes of our fathers who didn't or couldn't spend time with us when we were young. We'll also dig into the hypertrophy workout routine that we've been using that is so simple together, keeps us accountable to each other and is paying off with great results.

Kyle Jansen Podcast Highlights

• The dividends from working out and staying in shape.
• How Kyle and Jon first met on a random bike ride with their kids.
• Why it's so common for the relationships with our fathers is just a continuation of their relationship with their father.
• When we see the improvements that our fathers make in building a relationship with their kids, it motivates us to be present in our own families.
• How Kyle's entrepreneurial journey started when he was 19, and how his father supported his decision to leave school to pursue his dream.
• The come to Jesus moment when Kyle's wife was ready to have kids.
• How difficult it is to ask for help and delegate in our professional lives so that we can be a better husband and father.
• When the light switched when Kyle was in his late 20s on how to manage his family life.
• When things get chaotic at work and at home, it's easy to stop taking care of ourselves.
• How Kyle found balance in his life.
• Starting your day with a workout sets the tone for the rest of the day and forces you to cut out bad habits the night before.
• The hypertrophy training system improves growth by focusing on the whole body more often, and not just leg day once per week.
• How the workouts are very simple over a 6 week period with a slow increase with the weights.
• Having someone to workout with and keep each other accountable makes a huge difference to stay motivated.
• The relationships that we make can develop into great resources to find referrals and recommendations.
• How the brake system works on a Guardian Bike and why it really is a safe and great bike for kids.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/324

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Ben said… 

#1 – Be respectful 

#2 – Stand up for what you believe in 

I agree. Fully.  

As a father, I'm often asking myself…

Am I standing strong for my family right now, and for future generations? 

What would it look like to act with courage and speak up when I feel called to express my heart? 

How might I lead powerfully when engaging in controversial topics? 

What SHOULD we be talking about with our kids when it comes to seemingly divisive global subjects? 

For this interview, we committed to having a meaningful conversation, being honest, and talking about important issues. 

During my time with Ben Pakulski, we discussed the following:  

• How much do you "strong arm" your kids vs giving them the power?
• The only way to help your kids stand up for what they believe in.
• The best way to encourage open dialogue and healthy conversations.
• How to teach your kids to consider opposing views and think critically.
• The Warrior VS Monk mentality 
  Understanding the importance of being present inside your body.

PS.  If you haven't listened yet, check out part 1 of my conversation with Ben → Raising Self Aware Humans, Building Strength At Home, & Dealing with Feelings of Guilt with Ben Pakulski.  

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/323

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Gents, I'm talking with Ben Pakulski, who is considered the world's best muscle expert and top authority on physique optimization and lifestyle integration for high-achieving men over 35.

This may be hard to believe, but despite becoming one of the top 10 bodybuilders in the world, Ben never found true health & purpose until he became a Dad. In fact, he believes his kids are responsible for saving his life! 

When they were born, his whole world shifted. He questioned everything he was doing as a bodybuilder and being as a man… 

Instead of prioritizing getting big (like 310lbs of pure muscle big), he focused on how he could become the greatest Dad, leader, and role model for his kids. 

He now spends his time optimizing his health from a physical, mental, and spiritual standpoint and helping other men step into their greatness. His goal is to become the best version of himself, so that his kids can learn to do the same. 

In our talk, Ben and I hit on a bunch of topics surrounding family. We discuss core values, building strength in kids, words vs actions, what acceptance really looks like, and so much more. 

You'll also hear about a significant time when we both felt guilty as parents for our actions—and more importantly, how those misses can become opportunities to create a deeper connection with your kids.

Ben Pakulski Podcast Highlights - Part 1

• How Ben's views of health evolved over the years—especially since becoming a Dad. Find out why having kids saved his life!
• Why respect, honesty and integrity are the 3 biggest values in Ben's family.
• The balance between pushing your kids to be great and accepting them for who they are.
• Turning misses as a Dad into opportunities to connect with your kids.
• Being proud of your kids AND encouraging them to see their own opportunities for improvement.
• How do you know if your child is receiving your love?
• Creating a deeper level of appreciation for who you are and the gifts you've been given.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/322

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

I'm joined by fellow FRD Brotherhood member Ray Bayat. Ray founded NetCo Investments, Inc. along with Mitch Bayat in 2002. But if there's one thing you should know about Ray, it's his dedication to being an amazing Dad and husband, always striving to improve in every role he plays.

Today's conversation is all about growth. Ray shares his journey growing up in Iran during the revolution, his family's sacrifices (especially his Dad, who was tough-as-nails), and how that experience molded him into a more understanding and evolved parent and loving husband. 

Ray believes real growth happens when we're uncomfortable, and he's making sure his children learn that lesson early. Despite being teenagers, his kids have traveled to dozens of countries, exposing themselves to different cultures, ideas, and ways of life. 

Ray also talks about how grateful he is for his amazing wife, Katrin. From parenting to business, she always pushes him to be better and has been invaluable in helping him achieve his goals and stay grounded.

A Wide-Ranging Conversation Through…

• Make sure you add value to every interaction 
• Everyone is a work in progress
• Growing up during the Iran revolution 
• How like-minded men help you grow faster
• How a Tony Robbins event transformed Ray's marriage
• Supporting his son through grief
• A better way to deal with your kids' temper tantrums
• Choose her every day
• Raising brave adventurers 
• Ray's message to future FRD members

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/440

More About Front Row Dads

Connect with us @ FrontRowDads.com & Instagram 

Want to hang out with other FRDs in Austin? Watch this 3-min video from our last Front Row Dads Live event. Tickets avail now for December's event. 

Not able to travel? We got you. Join our next online event, built just for kickass dads who know there's more to learn. FrontRowDads.com/summit 

FRD is solving a huge problem for dads. Our culture has turned "Dad" into a joke. Go ahead, google Dad and you'll find Dad Bod, Dad Jokes, Dad Weed, etc. Culturally, it's a Homer Simpson mentality, and it's BS.  

Our community is built for solid men. Men with range. Those who are badass, and know there's still more to learn, together.  

Most guys find it hard to find "their crew." Finding other committed men, who are successful in life, and want to put family first – these guys are rare. Is this you?

In FRD, hundreds of men from all over the world show up for each other, to share resources and raise the bar of fatherhood (our core values)

If you're reading this, you want to grow.  Podcasts are great, but guys… when you're ready to stop just listening to content, and want to JOIN the conversations – the FRD brotherhood is ready for you.  

One more thing… 

Has this podcast helped you? If so, please tell us how we're doing. Please take a minute and leave a review. Seriously, they matter. Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen. 

Subscribe to this show on Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts  | Spotify

I realize that talking about guns can be a touchy subject for some people. 

But the reality is, a lot of our kids are exposed to guns at a very young age, even if it's just from video games. 

And when you consider the fact that there are tons of new first-time gun owners over the past two years, I thought this was an important conversation to have. Some of you have probably thought about purchasing a gun for protection at some point, maybe you're even thinking about it now.

That's why I'm thrilled to share this conversation that I just had with a legit badass and share his expertise about how to protect your family with gun ownership. 

Clay Martin is a former Reconnaissance Marine, USMC Scout Sniper, and a retired Green Beret. By the end of his career, he finished as a Professional Gunner 3, which is basically at a triathlete level in the professional shooting world. And if that wasn't enough, he's also coached a team in the SWAT Olympics. 

Did you think I was kidding about the badass comment? 

And while he wasn't born with natural skills, by learning over a long period of time, it's made him a better teacher. 

You'll learn that there is so much more that we need to think about before making that purchase, including teaching our kids that airsoft guns are not toys and how to be a responsible gun owner. We also run through a real-life scenario where Clay guides me through what we should and shouldn't do.

For those of you who might be considering purchasing a weapon for protection, Clay has a ton of great advice that is on point. We'll talk about all things you need to know before you head to the store, the types of guns that he recommends (including airsoft guns), and how steep the learning curve really is to be effective and accurate with a gun in your hands.

Clay Martin Podcast Highlights

• How Clay's experience with guns started at a young age, and how hard he worked to improve his skills as a Marine and in scout sniper school.
• How Clay developed his skills and became a great teacher since he wasn't born with natural talent.
• The questions that a dad should ask when thinking about arming himself to protect his family.
• Why Clay recommends another weapon like a hatchet or an airsoft gun for someone who has zero experience with guns as the first option for home protection.
• How an airsoft gun is an excellent entry point to gun ownership to help learn the basic mechanisms and hold a gun.
• Never let your kids play with an airsoft gun. Make sure they understand that it's a real weapon. Save the nerf guns for playtime.
• Why Clay recommends a concealed carry gun like an AR-15 pistol as a first purchase, and the other brands he'd recommend.
• How steep the learning curve is to fire a pistol effectively, and why a rifle or AR-15 pistol is much safer for accuracy.
• What you need to know about concealed carry.
• The things you can do to protect yourself in the event of a home invasion.
• A reminder the next Online Summit will take place on March 24, 2022 and when the next window will open for new memberships.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/321

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

One of the hardest things for a man to do just might be to show how strong they really are by allowing themselves to be vulnerable, let their guard down and talk about their own fears and weaknesses.

By allowing ourselves to be vulnerable, we give permission for others to talk openly about the things that are usually too uncomfortable to talk about.

In part two of my conversation with Doug Phillips, we're going to dig into that theme and talk about the things we can accomplish if we can just let go of our pride and be honest with ourselves so that we can learn and grow to be better husbands and fathers to our families.

You'll hear how the pandemic forced Doug's hand to find a new way to provide for his family and how a band of brothers were able to help him get over his fears and take that first step in his entrepreneurial journey.

We also talk about how it's so important, maybe even more than ever, to check in on our friends and family because you never really know how someone is doing.

Just because someone's life seems bright and near-perfect from the outside, that doesn't mean that they don't feel alone in the darkness with their own thoughts.

And if you haven't listened to part one of my conversation with Doug, I highly recommend that you go back and check that out here. Hearing about the affirmation traditions that his family uses was awesome, and I know you'll get a lot of value from hearing him talk about it.

Doug Phillips Podcast Highlights

• How Covid impacted Doug's livelihood and how he found a new path to provide for his family.
• Having a support system to challenge you and help to overcome the fear of the unknown can lead to huge successes.
• Why being in a band with the right mix of people makes a big difference and can lead to deeper conversations.
• Being vulnerable gives permission to others to join the conversation and talk about the things that are usually too uncomfortable to open up about.
• How we need to check in with each other, because you never know if someone is having dark moments even though their life looks very bright on the outside.
• If we're willing to be honest and open with each other with our dark thoughts, oftentimes we quickly realize that we're not alone.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/320

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

When was the last time somebody wrote you a letter? Not a text message, or a quick email, but something that was a complete surprise to tell you how much they care about you, and how much you mean to them. I'm sure most of us do our very best to tell the ones we love how much we appreciate them. But there's just something about having that message written or typed out on paper that makes it really special.

On that note, I want to talk about creating a culture of encouragement. And how we can get better at celebrating the big moments in our kids' lives to make sure that on their day, it's all about them.

In this conversation, I'm joined by my good friend and fellow Front Row Dad, Doug Phillips. I can't wait for you to hear about the awesome tradition that he has with his family. I won't even lie, I am totally going to use this concept with my family and I'm sure a lot of you out there listening probably will too.

To give you a quick glimpse, when Doug was planning for his son's 13th birthday, he reached out to a bunch of people who were influential in his son's life with the goal of getting 13 responses. And he asked them if they would write a letter (or email) to his son. In the letter, each person was asked to answer two very simple questions:

• What character qualities do you appreciate about him?
• Since you know what it's like to be a 13 year old, what advice would you give him?

And to hear about his son reading these letters from teachers, friends, coaches and other parents was beyond profound. It's such an amazing and unique gift. And the best part is that it's something that everyone can do with their family.

So join me, as we dig in for part one of my chat with Doug as we talk about how we can find and create mentors for our kids, how this tradition has created deeper connections with the people in his life, and the impact that these affirmation traditions are having in their lives.

One last thing, we are a few weeks away from our next online summit which is happening on March 24th. The next pillar that we'll be talking about is on the topic of Vibrant Health. If you want some more information on this, go to FrontRowDads.com/Summit.

Doug Phillips Podcast Highlights

• The incredible tradition that Doug's family has created by asking for letters from other people who were influential in his kids' lives.
• How these letters created such a unique, personalized and impactful gift.
• What advice would you give to a 13 year old that you wished you had when you were their age?
• How children with divorced parents often struggle to find mentors.
• The importance of celebrating your child's birthdays, and making sure they feel loved, appreciated and experience gratitude.
• The weekly tradition that Doug's family has with other parents at their kids school where they meet and plan an activity for the whole group.
• How the family affirmation traditions help to not only send, but receive gratitude from others.
• It's great to have these routines and rituals, but it's very easy to get away from them.

Get the Full Show Notes

Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/319

Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?

We are in the business of building better families.

While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them.

We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally.

Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you're ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood!

Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review