In this special episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I’m joined once again by my son Ethan for another honest and often hilarious father-son conversation. This week, we’re kicking off our August series focused on helping young men grow into adulthood with integrity, resilience, and intention. We unpack what it really means to become a man in today’s world and why so many guys stay stuck in a boyhood mindset well into their 40s and beyond.

Ethan shares firsthand experiences from his first full-time job, launching a car detailing business in high school, and learning life skills that go far beyond the classroom. We talk about emotional regulation, grit, finding meaningful work, and how to support your kids without micromanaging their growth. Whether you’re raising sons or just want insight into building a better father-child bond, this episode is packed with perspective, wisdom, and a few laughs.

TIMELINE SUMMARY

[0:00] - Welcome to the podcast and the mission behind the Dad Edge

[1:30] - The origin and theme of our father-son conversations

[3:06] - Why August is all about helping boys become men

[5:00] - The First Phorm 8-week challenge and tools to get started

[7:01] - The moment I realized no one was coming to save me

[8:22] - Ethan’s experience at his first real job in an auto shop

[11:30] - Learning to grow up through the CAPS entrepreneurship program

[13:42] - How Ethan started and ran a successful car detailing business

[17:07] - Signs a boy is becoming a man: long-term thinking, embracing discomfort

[20:37] - The danger of staying in a soul-sucking job and the power of choice

[26:30] - Stories of perseverance from Steve Jobs, Colonel Sanders, and J.K. Rowling

[30:21] - Ethan’s reflections on helping others break limiting beliefs

[35:45] - Why emotional regulation is key to maturing into manhood

[39:00] - Learning to pause, respond, and reflect through challenging days

[43:27] - How fathers can support sons without overstepping

[47:03] - Using better questions to develop critical thinking and self-direction

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS:

1. Becoming a Man Requires Intentional Growth The shift from boyhood to manhood doesn’t happen automatically; it’s shaped by life experiences, learning responsibility, and the conscious decision to grow up. No one is coming to save you, and it’s up to you to take ownership.

2. Let Sons Struggle, But Be Their Safe Place Growth often happens in the discomfort. As dads, it’s tempting to step in and fix things. But real development comes when we let our kids wrestle with problems while knowing they have a safe place to process and recover.

3. Embrace and Teach Emotional Regulation Maturity is marked by how well we manage our emotions. Learning to pause, breathe, and choose a thoughtful response instead of reacting impulsively is a life skill every young man needs to master.

4. Work Experience Teaches More Than Just Skills From oil changes to running a business, Ethan’s journey proves that real-world jobs and responsibilities develop grit, confidence, and a clearer sense of what one wants and doesn’t want in life.

5. Success Is Measured by Fulfillment, Not Fortune We often think success means more money, bigger homes, or flashier titles. But as we explore in this episode, true success is found in happiness, strong relationships, and doing work that brings purpose, not just a paycheck.

LINKS & RESOURCES

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I Think These Doors Should Be Even More Huge - Mike Donehey from Tenth Avenue North