Growing Up Wild: What Nature and Family Taught Me About Being a Dad with Ryland Englehart
May 3, 2025
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Ryland Engelhart, co-creator of Cafe Gratitude and co-founder of Kiss the Ground, shares his transformative journey as a father and advocate for the Earth. He discusses how a pivotal conversation with his dad reshaped his self-worth and the vital role of presence in raising children. Engelhart also highlights the significance of shared experiences, like building homes and family rituals, and how psychedelics awakened his environmental calling. His insights remind us that building a legacy of love and gratitude is what truly matters.
Men can choose healing over hiding, transforming their insecurities into meaningful lessons for their children through self-acceptance.
Engaging with nature creates a strong familial bond and fosters environmental stewardship, enriching children's appreciation for the world around them.
Sharing personal vulnerabilities with children cultivates deeper connections, demonstrating that openness is a strength that can bolster trust and resilience.
Deep dives
The Inner Voice of Fatherhood
Every father grapples with feelings of inadequacy, often burdened by an internal narrative that insists they are not enough. It’s essential to recognize that healing this voice can be transformative and is considered some of the most meaningful work a father can engage in. This journey towards self-acceptance not only impacts the father but also sets a precedent for children, teaching them through example the importance of self-worth and acknowledgment of one’s own value. By addressing these insecurities, fathers can foster a more nurturing environment, offering their children a legacy of confidence and presence.
Nature as a Catalyst for Connection
A genuine love for nature often stems from early childhood experiences spent engaging with the environment, such as playing in mud, climbing trees, or enjoying serene moments by bodies of water. These formative experiences nurture a sense of belonging and appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. As fathers, it’s crucial to cultivate this connection with the earth not only for personal growth but also to pass down this appreciation to future generations. Activities like farming, and nature exploration can foster environmental stewardship and a rich understanding of life’s interconnectedness.
The Role of Vulnerability in Parenting
Fatherhood often involves navigating the complexities of vulnerability, especially when confronting one’s personal struggles and insecurities in front of children. Sharing personal narratives, including challenges with learning or societal pressures, allows children to understand that their parents, too, have faced obstacles. This openness fosters deeper connections, revealing to children that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. Through shared experiences, fathers and children can forge resilient bonds grounded in authenticity and trust.
Building Traditions for Lasting Connections
Creating family rituals, such as expressing gratitude around dinner or engaging in outdoor adventures, can significantly enhance familial bonds. These practices not only offer opportunities for meaningful exchanges but also help instill values of appreciation and mindfulness in children. For instance, sharing gratitude allows children to reflect on their day and recognize the positives, reinforcing their emotional intelligence. Additionally, spending time outdoors encourages exploration and appreciation of nature, enriching their perspectives and relationships with the world around them.
Finding Purpose Through Shared Experiences
Experiencing life’s milestones and transformative moments together can serve as powerful initiations for both fathers and their children, shaping their identities and beliefs. These shared experiences not only create cherished memories but also solidify family values and encourage personal growth. Whether through activities like camping or engaging in meaningful conversations during family picnics, these moments facilitate deeper connections. Ultimately, such rituals foster an enduring legacy of love, support, and appreciation across generations.
When you look back years from now, what will you have built? A business? A life? A family rooted in presence, love, and legacy?
This episode is for fathers who know they’re building something deeper—and want the tools to lead it well.
In today’s conversation, I sit down with Ryland Engelhart—a father, builder, and mission-driven leader who shows us what happens when a man chooses healing over hiding, and presence over perfection.
You'll discover: → How a rooftop conversation with his dad shattered the belief he wasn’t enough → Why building a home with his father became an act of love, repair, and generational strength → The daily prayer and gratitude rituals that are shaping his sons for life → How a pivotal experience with psychedelics awakened his calling to protect the Earth → Why your presence—not your perfection—is what your kids need most → How fatherhood doesn’t end when your kids grow—it just evolves
If you're not just building a career— But building a legacy your family can stand on... This conversation will remind you of what really matters.
🎧 Listen now and start building the life your family deserves
__________________________________ While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them. We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen with families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally. Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage, and how to level up your game at home, or if you’re ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with: 👉 Join The Brotherhood: https://frontrowdads.com/brotherhood 🎤 Listen to Front Row Dads podcast here: 🌐 Website: https://frontrowdads.com/podcast/ Apple: http://bit.ly/3XLSRWj
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