S1E9 - BONUS Q&R: The Secret Struggles of Fathers, Isolation, Secrecy, Confession, Authority with Love, and Balancing Work with Family

We’re back with a special Q&R episode, answering real questions from fathers navigating the tensions of parenting, faith, and calling. We talk about what to do when you feel isolated in the early years of raising kids, especially when your closest friends aren’t parents yet, and how to create the kind of community your fatherhood needs.

We also dive into the power of confession — why it’s deeply biblical, how to start small with someone you trust, and how regular rhythms of honesty can bring freedom and healing.

From there, we discuss what it looks like to parent with both authority and love, offering practical ways to set boundaries, repair when you snap, and become a student of your kids — especially if they’re wired differently. We also talk about how essential prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit are in this process, because lovingly discipling our kids isn’t something we can do in our own strength.

Finally, we unpack the tension between work and family — setting healthy boundaries, releasing guilt, serving your family, and finding dignity in your calling without sacrificing presence at home.

Fatherhood comes with real challenges, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. This episode offers honest conversations and practical tools to help you show up with presence and purpose.

Books Mentioned: Domestic Monastery by Ronald Rolheiser + The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson

Scripture Mentioned: James 5:16, Ephesians 5:8 + Romans 11:22

Submit Questions: Send a voice recording to hello@intentionalfatherhood.org, mentioning your name and where you’re from.

Intentional Fatherhood Website (for Diagram of Framework)

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Intentional: Website + Instagram

Justin Whitmel Earley: Website + Instagram