DadAwesome

Latest Episodes:

DA396 | Non-Reactive Parenting, The Five Life Spheres, and Lightening Your Child's Backpack (Glenn Packiam) Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

✅ Why your emotional health is the greatest gift to your kids

✅ How to parent non-reactively when hormones and emotions run high

✅ The "backpack" you're handing your children (and how to lighten it)

✅ Simple calendar strategies that reveal what you truly value

Full Show Notes Fall 2025 DadAwesome Accelerator SUMMARY

Parenting doesn't have to be about survival mode. In this episode, Glenn Packiam shares how intentional rhythms and a focus on resilience can transform your family life. From learning to be non-reactive when hormones hit to using your calendar as a tool for what you truly value, Glenn offers practical wisdom for dads navigating everything from toddlers to young adults getting married. Plus, discover why the healthiest gift you can give your kids might be your own emotional well-being.

Key Takeaways:

You're going to hand your kids a "backpack" whether you like it or not—the goal is to make it as light as possible by dealing with your own emotional health first.
Non-reactive parenting starts with slowing your breath and asking "what else is going on here?" instead of jumping to conclusions.
Resilience isn't about avoiding hard emotions—it's about how quickly you recover and what you learn from difficult seasons.
Your calendar reveals your true values; intentional rhythms like family dinners and Sabbath don't happen by accident.
One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is your own repentance when you mess up.

GUEST:

Glenn Packiam is the author of The Intentional Year and several other books focused on spiritual formation and resilience. He's a pastor, speaker, and father of four children ranging from teenagers to young adults. Glenn lives in Southern California with his wife Holly, and his oldest daughter recently got engaged. He's passionate about helping parents move from survival mode to intentional, rhythmic family life that builds resilience in both parents and children.

LINKS

Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome
Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort
Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618
Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book
The Intentional Year by Glenn & Holly Packiam
Resilient Pastor resources
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero

DA395 | Influence vs. Control: Building Relationships That Last with Your Kids (Dr. Peter Larson - FROM THE VAULT) Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

✅ Why "lighting up" when your kids walk in the room changes everything

✅ The Christmas tree coaster story that shows how much your kids are watching

✅ How to outsource influence without losing your role as dad

✅ The simple routines that build lasting family connection

Leave DadAwesome A VOICEMAIL.

SUMMARY

What if the secret to great fatherhood isn't about being in control, but about maximizing your influence? In this From the Vault episode, Dr. Peter Larson shares the game-changing perspective that shifted his entire approach to parenting. From lighting up every time your kid walks in the room to understanding their unique motivational wiring, you'll discover practical ways to build relationships that last. Plus, hear about the dad who visited his son in the hospital 28 days straight and how that legacy of showing up continues today.

Takeaways:

Influence beats control every time. You can't control your kids, but you can maximize your influence through intentional relationship-building.
Light up when they walk in the room. Treat your children like rock stars entering the room—this simple shift builds their security and connection with you.
Your kids are always watching. From Christmas tree coasters to how you handle flight delays, you're modeling solutions, character, and faith even when you don't realize it.
Outsource positive influence wisely. Youth groups, mentors, and camps aren't competition—they're allies in raising kids who love Jesus.
Don't ride their emotional roller coaster. Be the stable sidewalk they can return to, not another passenger on their ups and downs.
Mine gold from parents ahead of you. The best parenting advice often comes from observing and asking questions of families you respect.

Guest:

Dr. Peter Larson is a licensed clinical psychologist and assessment expert who has spent over 20 years developing tools that help people understand their unique design and motivation. He's the creator behind Prepare-Enrich, a premarital assessment used by pastors worldwide, and currently works with GLUE developing assessments for churches and the True Motivate tool for colleges. Peter and his wife Heather have three adult children and live near Minneapolis. He's passionate about helping parents move from control to influence in their relationships with their kids.

Links:

Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome
Apply to join the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort
Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618
Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book
Prepare-Enrich Assessment Tool
True Motivate Assessment
GLUE - Assessment and church resources

DA394 | Moving From Dictator Dad to Friend Dad & Creating Multi-Generational Impact (Lance Welch) Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

✅ How to avoid creating performance identities in your kids

✅ Why "consistency compounds" in parenting just like investing

✅ The 4 legs of legacy (hint: wealth is only 25% of it!)

✅ How to have intentional family vision meetings that actually work

LEAVE DADAWESOME A VOICEMAIL: speakpipe.com/DadAwesome

FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.dadawesome.org/blog/394

SUMMARY

What if the words you speak as a dad today become your child's inner voice for decades to come? In this episode, Lance Welch—dad of three adult entrepreneurs and grandfather of two—shares how he moved from being a "dictator dad" to a "friend dad" while building intentional multi-generational impact. You'll discover the four stages of fatherhood, why creating performance identities in our kids backfires, and how to transition from survival-mode parenting to legacy-building leadership in your family.

Takeaways:

There are four distinct stages of fatherhood: dictator dad (young kids), consultant dad (asking "what would you do?"), advocate dad (letting them make mistakes), and friend dad (adult relationships)
Consistency compounds—whether in finances or fatherhood, small intentional actions over time create massive impact
Avoid creating performance identities in your children by celebrating the "gain" (progress made) rather than focusing on the "gap" (falling short of perfection)
Choose your inconvenience: invest time teaching skills on the front end rather than being constantly inconvenienced doing everything yourself
The four legs of legacy are vision, values, knowledge, and wealth—with wealth being only one-fourth of what you pass down
Empty nest doesn't have to mean relationship decline—40% of couples divorce during this transition, but it can be your greatest season yet

Guest:

Lance Welch is a legacy navigator, leadership coach, and author of "Legacy Navigator: Creating Intentional Multi-Generational Impact." Along with his wife, he hosts the "Beyond the Nest" podcast, helping couples thrive during the empty nest transition. After spending decades in corporate leadership at a Fortune 100 company, Lance now coaches business leaders and families on creating intentional impact. He and his wife have been married for 37 years, have three adult sons who are all entrepreneurs, and are proud grandparents of two. They live in the Nashville area of Tennessee.

Links Mentioned:

Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome: https://www.speakpipe.com/DadAwesome
Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618

DA393 | Dad Lessons From Kobe, Time-Energy-Attention, & Choosing People Over Accomplishments (John Olinger) Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

✅ Why Kobe chose carpool line over million-dollar meetings

✅ The "TEA" framework (Time, Energy, Attention) that will transform your fathering

✅ Simple practices like 10-minute wrestling time and Wine Wednesdays that create deep family connection

FULL SHOW NOTES: SUMMARY

Life moves fast, and without intentional direction, we can end up achieving things that don't actually matter. In this episode, John Olinger—former Nike executive and global brand director for Kobe Bryant—shares how tragedy, transition, and the halfway point of life led him to redefine success. You'll hear about his "TEA" framework (Time, Energy, Attention), why Kobe chose carpool line over meetings, and how simple practices like 10-minute wrestling sessions and Wine Wednesdays can transform your family relationships.

TAKEAWAYS:

Winning is subjective—you must define what success looks like for your family before you can achieve it
Your Time, Energy, and Attention (TEA) are finite resources that must be strategically invested in what matters most
The halfway point of life (around age 40) is a crucial inflection point for dads to pause and redirect toward meaningful priorities
Quality connection moments with kids don't require huge time investments—10 minutes of wrestling or monthly birthday dates can be transformational
Relationships matter more than accomplishments, and great stories require embracing challenge and difficulty
Creating structured connection points (like Wine Wednesdays for marriage) protects what's most important from the chaos of daily life

QUOTES:

"Winning is subjective. And the only way you can win is if you get extremely clear about what it means to win." - John Olinger
"We're under attack all day long from distractions, our brains playing tricks on us about what things are fulfilling in the moment, going after short hits of dopamine, chasing success and accomplishments at the expense of other things." - John Olinger
"The reason why [Kobe] worked out at 4am was because he wanted to be there in the morning when his kids got up and before they went to school... At two o'clock, he's done. Hard stop. Why? He's got to go to the carpool line." - John Olinger
"Can you just pause and say, what's one thing that's simple that I could apply to point into the relationships with the people that matter the most to me?" - John Olinger
"If I'm halfway done, that means that every year for the rest of my life is gonna be between one and 2% of the remaining amount of my life. Do I wanna wait for later to do the things that are most important?" - John Olinger

GUEST

John Olinger is the author of "Worthy Wins: Pointing Your Life Toward What Matters Most" and a former Nike executive who served as global brand director for Kobe Bryant. After over a decade at Nike, John made a cross-country move with his family to Florida, choosing intentional fatherhood over corporate climbing. He and his wife have three boys (ages 10, 8, and 5) and are passionate about helping other parents define and pursue what truly matters most. John speaks and consults on leadership, purpose, and the intersection of success and significance.

LINKS:

Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome
Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618
"Worthy Wins: Pointing Your Life Toward What Matters Most" by John Olinger
DadAwesome ACCELERATOR Coaching Groups

DA392 | From Soccer Fields to Soul Formation: Building Boys Into Men in Southeast Asia (Bryan Greenwood) Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

✅ Why you should train your child in the way THEY should go (not your way)

✅ How failing forward teaches your kids resilience better than perfect parenting

✅ The 4 pillars that transform boys into men: Identity, Strength, Courage, Influence

✅ Why showing up consistently matters more than having all the answers

FULL SHOW NOTES SUMMARY:

When you move your family halfway around the world to serve fatherless boys, you quickly discover that you're learning as much about fatherhood as you're teaching. In this episode, Bryan Greenwood shares 11 years of discoveries from Thailand—from building the largest amateur football league in Northern Thailand to creating government-approved mentorship programs for at-risk youth. You'll hear why your kids need to see you failing forward, how to train them in the way THEY should go (not the way you want them to go), and why showing up consistently matters more than having all the answers.

TAKEAWAYS:

Train up your child in the way THEY should go, not the way you want them to go—this requires discovering their unique identity and strengths
Your kids need to see you failing forward and living with purpose beyond just being a great dad
Consistent presence matters more than perfect parenting—just showing up creates lasting impact
Create safe environments where your kids can respectfully disagree and engage in real dialogue
You'll never know who you are until you know who your Father is—this principle transforms both dads and kids
The four pillars of strong character: Identity (knowing who you are), Strength (putting gifts under pressure), Courage (living for others), and Influence (natural result of the first three)

GUEST:

Bryan Greenwood is the founder of Outboundlife Inc, a ministry focused on assisting the fatherless through mentoring young men. For over 13 years, Bryan and his wife Valerie have lived in Northern Thailand, creating mentorship programs now integrated into the Thai Department of Probation system. Their work targets young men leaving orphanages, foster care, juvenile prison, and those at risk of human trafficking. They've built the largest amateur football league in Northern Thailand as a "fishing pond" for identifying young men who need fathering. Bryan and Valerie have two adult children and continue their mission of helping boys discover their identity, develop strength, find courage, and use their influence.

LINKS

Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome

Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618
Outboundlife Inc Ministry
DadAwesome Accelerator

DA391 | Why Your Family is a Garden Not a Machine, The Power of Weakness in Parenting, and Creating Sacred Space (Dave Brickey) Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

✅ Why weakness connects you deeper with your kids than strength ever could

✅ How to transform your dinner table into sacred space

✅ Ancient practices that can revolutionize your modern family

✅ The power of prayer retreats for busy dads

SUMMARY

What if your family isn't broken and doesn't need fixing—but is actually a garden that needs nurturing? In this episode, Dave Brickey shares how shifting from a mechanical mindset to an agricultural approach transforms fatherhood. You'll discover why your weaknesses connect you deeper with your kids than your strengths ever could, and how simple practices like prayer retreats and sacred family meals can become life-changing rhythms. Plus, Dave opens up about his wife's miraculous healing and how walking through valleys as a family creates unbreakable bonds.

Top 5 Quotes:

"My strength points my kids to me as their savior, but my weakness points them to who my savior is."
"Our families aren't broken and need fixing—they are gardens in need of nurturing."
"The beauty of parenting is marked more by weakness than strength. No one has a bird's eye view into the messiness of someone's life other than a spouse and children—they see it all."
"You can change behavior through control, but you cannot change a heart."
"Isolation puts a magnifying glass on pain, and us guys—some of us are professional isolators."

Key Takeaways:

The depth of relationship you experience with teenagers was built during their childhood years through consistent presence and creating a safe space
An agricultural approach to family life focuses on long-term nurturing rather than quick fixes and immediate results
Ancient practices like prayer retreats, sacred meals, and singing together can transform modern family life
Weakness and vulnerability in parenting creates deeper connection than always being the strong hero
Spiritual family—mentors, spiritual grandparents, and community—multiplies the impact of seeing, knowing, and celebrating your children
Isolation magnifies pain, while community provides perspective and hope during difficult seasons

GUEST

Dave Brickey is a lead pastor in the Northwest suburbs of Minnesota and father of four children in the graduation phase. He and his wife Stephanie describe their family life as a "beautiful mess." Dave is passionate about helping families shift from mechanical thinking to agricultural approaches in parenting and faith. He advocates for ancient practices like prayer retreats, sacred family meals, and building spiritual community as essential elements of thriving family life.

Links:

Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome
Apply to join the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort
awesome@dadawesome.org
Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618
Pacem in Terrace Prayer Retreat Center https://www.paceminterris.org/
Wilderness Fellowship Prayer Center https://www.wildernessfellowship.com/
Dave Brickey's "Machines to Gardens" message (church resource) - (start at 45 minutes)

DA390 | State of Biblical Fatherhood, Foster Care Wisdom, and Preparing Arrows for Battle (Josh Kubler) Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

🎯 Are you aiming at the right target as a dad? Josh Kubler joins us with game-changing insights from Manhood Journey's survey of 6,000 Christian fathers.

The stats might surprise you:

Only 22% regularly read Scripture with their kids
78% don't spend intentional time discipling their children
Less than 17% pray regularly as a family beyond meals and bedtime

But here's the good news—these aren't defeating numbers, they're opportunities! 💪

SUMMARY:

What does it really look like to prepare our children for the spiritual battles ahead? In this episode, Josh Kubler from Manhood Journey shares eye-opening insights from their massive survey of 6,000 Christian fathers—and the results might surprise you. Plus, he opens up about his family's foster care and adoption journey, the sanctifying power of stewardship over ownership, and why viewing our children as "arrows in the hand of a warrior" changes everything about our parenting approach.

TAKEAWAYS:

📖 Only 22% of Christian fathers regularly read their Bible with their children—but that's not a defeating number, it's an opportunity for intentional growth.
🏠 Foster care taught one powerful lesson: we're stewards, not owners, of ALL our children—biological or adopted.
🚁 Instead of helicopter or submarine parenting, find the middle ground that cultivates independence and decision-making in your kids.
👀 Your children know what's truly important to you—they can tell if baseball matters more than church or if stress matters more than presence.
💪 The goal isn't perfection; it's purposefulness. When we fail, we apologize, model humility, and show our kids we need Jesus too.
🎯 If our target is anything other than our children loving God, enjoying Him, and bringing Him glory, we're aiming at the wrong target.

GUEST

Josh Kubler is the Director of Church Engagement for Manhood Journey and one of the founding pastors of Redeemer Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Josh and his wife Katie have five children, including two daughters adopted through foster care. He's passionate about equipping fathers and churches to raise the next generation for God's glory. Fun fact: Josh grew up with some unique pets—including three cougars, a wolf, and two skunks!

https://www.dadawesome.org/blog/390

LINKS

Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome https://www.speakpipe.com/DadAwesome
Dad Awesome Accelerator Coaching: https://dadawesome.org/coaching
Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618
State of Biblical Fatherhood Report: https://manhoodjourney.org/state-of-biblical-fatherhood
Manhood Journey Resources: https://manhoodjourney.org

DA389 | When a Cup of Water Becomes a Call to Wonder: Treasuring vs. Enduring Fatherhood (Jeff Zaugg) Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

🥝 32 years avoiding kiwi fruit. One taste changed everything. What if the same breakthrough is waiting in your fatherhood?

Jeff Zaugg's Father's Day message will shift how you see those "annoying" parenting moments:

✅ Why pace, pain, people & perspective steal your wonder (and how to fight back)

✅ The Hebrew word "tov" that unlocks God's explosive delight in creation

✅ How a simple cup of water can activate you to lead with awe instead of annoyance

This isn't just inspiration—it's activation. You'll walk away with the Fight or Flight Dad Challenge that turns ordinary moments into opportunities to treasure your calling.

https://www.dadawesome.org/blog/389

Summary:

Wonder isn't just a nice feeling—it's a weapon against the thieves trying to steal your joy as a dad. In this powerful Father's Day message, Jeff Zaugg reveals how a simple kiwi fruit taught him the difference between avoidance and amazement, and why the words "stop and consider God's wonders" could transform your entire approach to fatherhood. From bedtime water requests to marriage struggles, discover how ordinary moments become opportunities to fight for your family with eyes of awe.

Key Takeaways:

Wonder multiplies when we move from avoidance to curiosity—God's goodness is waiting to be discovered and shared
Four thieves steal our capacity for awe: pace (hurried living), pain (unhealed wounds), people (unforgiveness), and perspective (familiarity)
The "tov" principle shows us God's explosive delight in creation and invites us to mirror that same wonder toward our children
A dad who fights for his family anchors on three words: loved (secure identity), learner (humble growth), and leader (purposeful connection)
Simple triggers like a cup of water can activate us to lead with wonder instead of annoyance

Guest

Jeff Zaugg is the founder of DadAwesome and host of over 390 podcast episodes, helping fathers across the country discover the joy of fatherhood. Through his work with FATHERS FOR THE FATHERLESS, he's mobilized over 1,100 men through endurance challenges that have raised over $1 million for vulnerable children. Jeff believes the single greatest gift dads can give their children is the gift of presence—being fully with them in each moment. He and his wife Michelle have been married for eighteen years and are parents to four daughters, currently based in Northeast Florida, where you'll find him surfing with his girls or building epic backyard rope swings.

Quotes:

"We honor God in heaven by treasuring the gift of fatherhood, not just enduring it."
"Wonder isn't the absence of pain, but the ability to see God's beauty and goodness even in our suffering."
"You gotta be son awesome before you try to show up as dad awesome—get soaking wet with God's love first."
"Our pace robs us of awe. When there's no space to gaze, celebrate, or pause, we can't encounter God's goodness."
"I want to get to the rocking chair with love on my heart, not unforgiveness weighing me down."
"We can choose to treasure fatherhood or endure fatherhood—familiarity keeps us from wonder."
"A cup of water can activate us to lead with wonder instead of moving toward annoyance."

DA388 | Self-Aware, Other-Aware, God-Aware: Relational Wisdom That Changes Everything at Home (Ken Sande) Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

Ken Sande joins us for PART 2 to share game-changing tools every dad needs:

✅ The SOG Plan: Self-aware, Other-aware, God-aware conflict resolution

✅ The SERVE Acrostic: How to love your wife like Christ loves the church

✅ Why bringing the gospel beats lecturing every time

SUMMARY

Every dad faces conflict at home, but most of us handle it all wrong. In this episode, Ken Sande shares powerful tools that will transform how you navigate family tension. You'll discover the SOG plan for conflict resolution, learn the SERVE acrostic for loving your wife well, and hear an incredible story about how bringing the gospel to his 12-year-old daughter melted her rebellious heart in seconds. These aren't just concepts—they're practical tools you can use tonight.

TAKEAWAYS

The SOG plan (Self-aware, Other-aware, God-aware) breaks the cycle of self-justification and blame in family conflicts.
Asking "What would please and honor God right now?" can instantly transform heated arguments into opportunities for growth.
The SERVE acrostic gives dads a clear roadmap for loving their wives: Smile, Explore, Reconcile, Value, Encourage.
Bringing the gospel to your kids is more powerful than any lecture—it softens hearts and creates lasting change.
When daddy comes home, the whole household should light up because you've learned to put wind under everyone's wings.

GUEST

Ken Sande is the founder of Peacemaker Ministries and Relational Wisdom 360. As a lawyer turned peacemaker, he has helped resolve over 600 family conflicts, including 300+ marriages headed for divorce. Ken is the author of multiple books on conflict resolution and relational wisdom. He and his wife Corlette have been married for nearly 40 years and are more in love today than ever before.

LINKS

Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome
Learn about the DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort
Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618
Peacemaker Ministries
Relational Wisdom 360
Ken Sande's Blog on Humility, Teachability, and Flexibility
Seven Steps to Empathy Resource
Young Peacemaker Curriculum (The 5 A's for Kids)

DA387 | The Ripple Effect of Fatherhood, Saying "I'm Sorry," and Going Upstream in Conflict (Ken Sande PART 1) Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

✅ The Seven A's of confession (and why "I'm sorry" isn't enough for deep healing)

✅ How to break the cycle of emotionally stunted men in your family line

✅ The 6-second technique that can save your marriage and your relationships with your kids

✅ Why going "upstream" is better than constantly putting out fires

FULL SHOW NOTES > SUMMARY:

What if the reason marriages grow cold after the honeymoon year isn't about compatibility, but about something dads never learned to model? In this episode, Ken Sande reveals how emotionally stunted men are created when fathers never show their kids how to say "I'm sorry" or "I need help." You'll discover the Seven A's of confession that can break generational patterns and the upstream approach to preventing conflict before it starts. Plus, Ken shares practical tools for managing your emotions in the heat of the moment—including the six-second technique that can save your tongue from doing damage.

Key Takeaways:

More people are watching your responses to conflict than you realize—about 10 times more—and you're teaching through your reactions.
The Seven A's of confession provide a framework for meaningful apologies that actually heal relationships rather than just checking a box.
Emotional stunting passes from generation to generation when fathers never model humility, confession, or asking for help.
The READ technique (Recognize, Evaluate, Anticipate, Direct) helps you manage amygdala hijacking and respond thoughtfully instead of reactively.
Going "upstream" to prevent conflict through relational wisdom is more effective than constantly putting out the fires of broken relationships.
Your royal identity as a child of God, friend of Jesus, and ambassador of reconciliation should shape how you lead your family 24/7.

Guest:

Ken Sande founded Peacemaker Ministries and Relational Wisdom 360, organizations focused on conflict resolution and relationship skills. After 30 years of mediating conflicts—including over 600 divorce cases with more than half reconciling—Ken shifted focus to go "upstream" and help people prevent conflict through biblical emotional intelligence. He's the author of multiple books on peacemaking and relational wisdom, and lives in Billings, Montana, where he enjoys hiking and backpacking with his family and grandchildren.

Links Mentioned:

Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome
Apply to join the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort
Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618
Young Peacemaker Curriculum (The 5 A's for Kids)
Discovering Relational Wisdom Online Course
Relational Peacemaking Course
Relational Wisdom 360 (RW360.org)
Peacemaker Ministries resources
Six Skills That Help Every Relationship
Three Qualities Blog

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected