Building Deeper Father-Son Bonds Through Meaningful Questions featuring Colton Hagner

Today marks the 1400th episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, and I couldn't be more excited to celebrate it with one of the most important people in my life—my 9-year-old son, Colton. In this fun, heartfelt, and candid father-son conversation, we dive into some of the powerful questions from my free resource, Questions for the Car, to model what intentional connection looks like between a dad and his kid.

Colton opens up about everything from his love of dodgeball and tacos to what makes him feel proud, loved, and connected to our family. We laugh, share stories, and flip the script as Colton even asks me a question or two. This episode is a reminder that our kids are always listening—and when we ask the right questions, they start to open up in ways that shape our relationship forever.

[0:00] – Introduction

[1:01] – Why this episode is so personal and meaningful

[2:45] – Introducing the Questions for the Car PDF

[4:05] – Colton jumps on the mic for the first time!

[5:26] – What 4th grade is like from a kid's perspective

[6:47] – Dodgeball, gym class, and why Colton loves competition

[9:53] – The game-winning catch that boosted his confidence

[10:47] – Colton's proudest sports moment and how it made him feel

[11:21] – What makes hiking with Dad so special

[12:44] – Colton defines love in his own words

[14:17] – Why spending time as a family matters to kids

[15:37] – His favorite family meals (hint: tacos and wings!)

[16:22] – The superpowers he'd love to have

[18:51] – Colton flips the script and interviews me

[19:56] – Favorite books, stories, and why we love reading together

[21:23] – How to grab the Questions for the Car PDF to connect with your own kids

1. Kids Just Want Time with You: Colton said it best—kids feel love when parents spend time with them. It's not about big moments, but consistent presence.
2. Ask Better Questions, Get Better Connection: Our Questions for the Car tool helps dads go beyond "How was your day?" and into deeper, more meaningful conversations.
3. Celebrate the Small Wins: Confidence grows from moments like a dodgeball victory or a hike with Dad—highlight them and talk about them.
4. Let Them See You as Human: When Colton asked me a question, it reminded me how valuable it is to let our kids learn about us, too.
5. Legacy Is Built One Conversation at a Time: Every car ride, bedtime chat, or dinner table question is a chance to connect, shape, and influence our kids for life.

• Questions for the Car (Free PDF): http://thedadedge.com/kidquestions

• Podcast Shownotes: thedadedge.com/1400

If this episode brought you joy—or gave you a new way to connect with your kids—please take 30 seconds to rate, review, and share it. And if you mention Colton in your review, I promise I'll read it to him!

Live legendary.