Why Marriage Must Come First

In today's episode, I sit down with Brent Gleeson, former Navy SEAL, combat veteran, entrepreneur, leadership expert, and author of his newest book All In. But this conversation isn't about résumés or accolades. It's about grief, discipline, marriage, fatherhood, and the systems that allow a man to truly live "all in" where it matters most.

Brent opens up about losing his father unexpectedly in 2023—a moment that forced deep reflection and radical change. We talk about the three pillars his dad lived by, how eliminating alcohol completely transformed Brent's marriage and leadership, and why discipline isn't about doing more—but about saying no to the wrong things. This episode is a masterclass in systems, habits, and intentional living for men who want to lead their families with clarity and conviction.

Timeline Summary:

[0:00] Introducing Brent Gleeson and why this conversation goes far beyond achievements.

[2:09] Losing his father in 2023 and the three pillars that shaped Brent's life.

[2:57] How discipline is modeled—not preached.

[3:28] Why saying yes to everything means saying no to the right things.

[5:11] Family, work, and fitness as non-negotiable pillars.

[8:05] The economic pressure and personal stress leading into 2023.

[10:33] Being present for his father's final moments and the impact of that loss.

[13:28] Going "all in" after grief and eliminating alcohol completely.

[15:03] Why alcohol was no longer serving his marriage, health, or leadership.

[17:21] How quitting drinking changed Brent's temperament, joy, and presence.

[20:03] Larry shares his own experience stepping away from alcohol.

[23:00] The cue–routine–reward framework for breaking habits.

[28:39] Introducing Brent's "Remarkable Results Pyramid."

[30:37] Why marriage must come first in the family system.

[33:18] Committing to growth by intentionally cringing at who you were six months ago.

[36:05] Why kids are always watching how parents treat each other.

[39:30] Brent's 20–20–20 morning routine and disciplined evening habits.

[41:25] Preparing daily to show up better as a husband, father, and leader.

[46:03] Adjusting routines without abandoning discipline.

[50:43] Why overscheduling kids destroys family balance.

[54:27] Saying no to excessive activities and rejecting comparison parenting.

Five Key Takeaways

1. Discipline is about alignment, not intensity. What you say no to matters just as much as what you say yes to.

2. Grief can be a catalyst for clarity. Losing his father forced Brent to re-evaluate habits, priorities, and presence.

3. Eliminating alcohol radically improved marriage and leadership. Removing numbing behaviors created more joy, patience, and connection.

4. Systems create results. Whether in business, marriage, or parenting, outcomes come from well-designed systems—not willpower.

5. Marriage must come first. When the relationship between mom and dad is prioritized, the rest of the family system functions better.

Links & Resources

• Brent Gleeson's Book — https://a.co/d/7DOrJPE
• Dad Edge Soulmates Program: https://thedadedge.com/soulmates
• 1st Phorm (Dad Edge Partner): https://1stphorm.com/dadedge
• Episode Show Notes & Resources: http://thedadedge.com/1419
• Bark Monitoring for Families: https://thedadedge.com/bark

Closing Remark

If this episode challenged you to rethink discipline, habits, or what it really means to go all in as a husband and father, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Your support helps us reach more men who are ready to lead with intention instead of drift.