Reverse-Engineering an 80th Birthday Vision

When you're constantly hurrying from one thing to the next, it's almost impossible to be the dad you want to be.

In this episode, you'll hear:

✅ The moment his son flinched and why it became the turning point

✅ How emotional regulation helps you stay in the "green zone" with your kids

✅ Why your role isn't to be Superman—it's to be the chief repenter

✅ The power of visioning your 80th birthday party (and reverse engineering it!)

This conversation will challenge you to slow down, stay steady, and stop letting your kids catch the shrapnel.

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What happens when the pace of your life is stealing your ability to be present with your kids? In this episode, Tyler Graham shares the moment his son flinched when he sat down beside him—and how that changed everything. You'll hear why emotional regulation might be the most important skill any dad can develop, how living at three miles per hour creates space for real connection, and why being the chief repenter in your home is more powerful than being Superman.

• Dads need to be the thermostat, not the thermometer—setting the tone rather than reacting to it.
• When a dad blows up, the kids catch the shrapnel, and those moments leave lasting impressions.
• Emotional regulation is one of the most critical skills for fatherhood—learning to respond from the green zone instead of the red or blue.
• Vision is essential: imagine your child's eulogy or your 80th birthday party and reverse engineer the habits you need today.
• Your role as a dad isn't to be Superman—it's to be the chief repenter, modeling humility and grace for your kids.

Tyler Graham is a dad of six, founder of Three Mile Per Hour Fatherhood, and a passionate advocate for helping fathers slow down and live at the pace of presence. Through coaching cohorts and resources, Tyler encourages dads to develop emotional regulation, break generational patterns, and build a compelling vision for their family's future. He lives with his wife and six kids on their homestead, where they're building a legacy rooted in connection, intentionality, and grace.

1. "I cannot be the type of dad I want to be when I'm in a hurry."

2. "When a dad blows up, the kids catch the shrapnel."

3. "A dad's role is not to be Superman. A dad's role is to be the chief repenter."

4. "Dads need to be the thermostat, not the thermometer—set the tone, don't react to it."

5. "My son flinched when I sat down. That's when I knew something had to change."

• 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

• Three Mile Per Hour Fatherhood (Tyler Graham's coaching): [website]

• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero

• A Burning in My Bones by Eugene Peterson

• Jeremy Pryor and Family Teams