The Dad Edge Podcast

Justin Gaston is an American actor, singer, songwriter, and model who built his career in multiple fields. Justin Gaston has been ruling over millions of hearts with his incredibly amazing performances and this led him to earn various awards and honors in his career. In this episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, Larry Hagner sits down with Justin Gaston and talks about his own experience with infertility and the impact it had on their marriage. He shared how they initially struggled to conceive and had to seek medical assistance. The process was filled with uncertainty and setbacks, but eventually, they were able to conceive their first child. However, their journey didn't end there, as they went on to have four more children in quick succession. Feeling a deep desire to become parents, the couple turned to prayer and sought guidance from their faith. Adoption had always been on the wife's heart, and they felt that God was calling them to pursue this path. They prayed for guidance and support throughout the adoption process. From the moment they decided to adopt to the time their oldest daughter was placed in their arms in the hospital, only four months had passed. The speed and smoothness of the adoption process were seen as a blessing and a sign that it was meant to be. Throughout his journey, Justin has learned to pray for guidance and direction from God. He no longer needs to see the whole picture but asks for one step at a time. This mindset is a testament to his faith and willingness to surrender control to God. He recognizes that certainty is a basic human need, but he has chosen to trust in God's plan instead of seeking complete certainty in his own life. Concluding the interview, Justin's upbringing in a loving and stable family, with parents who demonstrated love and affection, shaped his values of respect, kindness, and commitment in relationships. Justin's upbringing serves as a reminder of the impact that family, love, and support can have on shaping an individual's values and character. www.thedadedge.com/friday113 www.1stphorm.com/dadedge

Larry Hagner hosts members of the Dad Edge Mastermind in this behind-the-scenes episode. This is an opportunity for members to ask Larry and the community their most pressing questions and get tailored insights from experienced dads. From work-life balance to dealing with tough emotions and building stronger relationships with our kids, this episode is packed with actionable insights and practical strategies to help you become the best dad you can be. Sit back, listen in and get ready to level up your fatherhood game. thedadedge.com/alliance

Mike Rowe is a well-known TV host, author, and advocate for skilled trades. In this episode, Mike and Larry delve into the importance of work ethic, the value of discomfort, and pursuing meaningful work. They also discuss Mike's scholarship program, Microworks, which aims to promote work ethic and challenge misconceptions about skilled trades. Join us as we explore how to instill a strong work ethic in ourselves and our children, and why finding fulfillment through hard work can lead to a passionate and successful career. Get your best shave, support Dad Edge, and save 20%. Go to https://www.manscaped.com/ Code: DADEDGE20 Larry's Takeaways The "snowflake" generation and safe space culture 2. Previous generations and their role in creating fragility and lack of resilience 3. The importance of discomfort for personal growth What You'll Learn 09:18 Lucky childhood on isolated farm with woods. 14:06 Woods held imagination, adventure, and family work. 22:17 Parents were skilled liars, but well-intentioned. 29:44 Manic days, changing relationships, evolving fatherhood. 34:02 "Taboo upending, work ethic scholarship advocate." 39:23 Advice is subjective and often misleading 39:23 Advice is subjective and often misleading. 50:10 Mixed feelings about self-help industry and its advice. 53:46 Finding comfort in discomfort raises successful kids. 59:40 Generation Z: fragile, delicate, and lacking resilience. 1:09:06 United Airlines cares about money, not safety. "Safety third" fosters complacency and irresponsibility. 1:13:27 Work Ethic Scholarship program: $1 million scholarships. Apply @microworks.org. Whiskey sales support foundation. Podcast, books, future YouTube show. Evolving business strategy. 1:21:06 Podcast started as therapy, successful but frustrated. 1:23:17 Smartphone: Tool for mischief or heroism. thedadedge.com/431 thedadedge.com/alliance mikeroweworks.org

Roman Prokopchuk is the Founder and CEO of Nova Zora Digital, and host of the Digital Savage Experience Podcast. He is also known as the digital savage, a self-taught digital marketer who ventured into the field out of necessity and developed a passion for it. He is also a foster parent who has welcomed 29 kids into his home since June 2018. In this episode, Larry converses with Roman about his journey as a foster father. Roman's path to foster parenting began following multiple miscarriages and struggles with infertility that he and his wife faced. They suffered six miscarriages, and after discovering his wife's pregnancy difficulties, they underwent expensive infertility treatments. Despite these efforts, they experienced repeated losses, including two miscarriages on Christmas Day. These heartbreaks cast a shadow over their holiday season, pushing them to explore alternative means of starting a family. With adoption costs being prohibitive, they found fostering as a feasible option. As a Ukrainian immigrant, Roman admits to initially having a distinct perspective on fatherhood and masculinity. However, he's learned the value of grieving and seeking support in hard times. He underlines the necessity for men to acknowledge and address their emotions, not just focusing on supporting their partners. Concluding the interview, Roman's story shines a light on the emotional journey of becoming a foster parent following personal hardships. It underscores the resilience and compassion inherent in opening one's home to children in need. Roman's journey is an inspiration, demonstrating that life's unexpected twists can catalyze profound personal growth and a chance to positively influence many young lives. www.thedadedge.com/friday112 www.digitalsavageexperience.com www.thedadedge.com/alliance

Larry Hagner hosts members of the Dad Edge Mastermind in this behind-the-scenes episode. This is an opportunity for members to ask Larry and the community their most pressing questions and get tailored insights from experienced dads. From work-life balance to dealing with tough emotions and building stronger relationships with our kids, this episode is packed with actionable insights and practical strategies to help you become the best dad you can be. Sit back, listen in and get ready to level up your fatherhood game. thedadedge.com/alliance

Jake Scott is an American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. While at the university, he began to write and record music–launching his career. In fall of 2013, Jake Scott released his first, self-produced EP, "Of Life and Love and Longing". Jake's passion for music was influenced by the sacrifices his father made to be actively involved in his life. In this episode, we converse with Jake Scott about his latest single, journey as a husband and father, and the vital role of psychological safety in fostering children's mental well-being. Looking ahead, he shares his hopes for the milestones he aspires to celebrate; his children grown, and a marriage spanning more than two decades. Jake opens up about marrying at 24, a decision often criticized as premature. Despite societal pressures, he stands by his choice, marking it as the best decision of his life. He expresses appreciation for his early marriage and emphasizes the merits of navigating life's challenges with a partner. Further, Jake Scott compares societal perspectives on early marriage between his small town, where young marriages are common, and larger cities, where people tend to marry later. As we conclude, this episode challenges societal norms on early marriage, accentuating the importance of personal choices and individual life paths. Jake's story is a testament to the uniqueness of everyone's journey towards happiness and fulfillment and the necessity of carving one's own path. thedadedge.com/430 thedadedge.com/alliance thedadedge.com/summit2023 www.instagram.com/jakescottmusic www.jakescottmusic.com

Talia Filippelli is the founder of Star Therapy and a certified holistic health coach, advocating for emotional well-being through play. She is an ambassador and contributing expert for The Genius of Play. Anna Yudina is a Senior Director of Marketing Initiatives at The Toy Association, emphasizes the cognitive benefits of unstructured play. In our digitally-driven world, parents often find themselves grappling with the challenges of managing their children's screen time while trying to nurture their emotional well-being. In this episode of The Dad Edge podcast, Larry Hagner engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Talia Filippelli, founder of Star Therapy, and Anna Yudina, a senior director at the Toy Association. The discussion centers around the transformative power of play and its profound impact on parent-child relationships and children's emotional well-being. The episode highlights the alarming trend of children becoming dependent on screens, which stifles their imagination and creativity. Excessive screen use restricts their ability to engage in unstructured play–a vital component of their development. The guests underscore the importance of allowing children ample time for imagination-fueled play, enabling them to explore their world, think creatively, and develop problem-solving skills. Research shows that fathers' involvement in physical play with their children plays a pivotal role in emotional regulation skills development and future relationship building. By engaging in activities that promote physical exertion and emotional bonding, fathers provide a safe space for children to express their emotions, develop self-control, and navigate relationships effectively. As parents, it is crucial that we harness the power of play to strengthen our connection with our children and support their emotional well-being. Through play, we create lifelong memories and lay the foundation for their future success. www.thedadedge.com/friday111 Website: www.thegeniusofplay.org Facebook: The Genius of Play Instagram: @geniusofplay YouTube: The Genius of Play Twitter: @TheToyAssoc Starr Therapy FB: @starrpsych Talia Filippelli LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/talia-filippelli-62446020 Instagram: @Taliastarr_therapy

Larry Hagner hosts members of the Dad Edge Mastermind in this behind-the-scenes episode. This is an opportunity for members to ask Larry and the community their most pressing questions and get tailored insights from experienced dads. From work-life balance to dealing with tough emotions and building stronger relationships with our kids, this episode is packed with actionable insights and practical strategies to help you become the best dad you can be. Sit back, listen in and get ready to level up your fatherhood game. thedadedge.com/alliance

Travis Macy is a speaker, author, coach, and professional endurance athlete. He is the author of The Ultra Mindset: An Endurance Champion's 8 Core Principles for Success in Business, Sports, and Life, and he set a record (since broken) for Leadman, an epic endurance event consisting of a trail running marathon, 50-mile mountain bike race, Leadville 100 Mountain Bike Race, 10k road run, and Leadville 100 Run, all above 10,200' in the Rocky Mountains. Joining Travis is his father, Mark Macy, a successful businessman and outdoor enthusiast. Together, they form an inspiring father-son duo, navigating both thrilling adventures and the challenges of Alzheimer's disease. In this powerful episode, Larry sits down with Travis and Mark Macy to explore their remarkable journey. They share their experiences of intentional manufactured adversity, endurance races, and facing the complexities of Alzheimer's disease. Through their conversation, they highlight the importance of resilience, embracing uncertainty, and seeking support during difficult times. Travis and Mark's story is one of profound love and admiration for each other. Their shared experiences have shaped their perspectives as men and provided valuable insights for those facing their own adversities. They offer messages of hope and reflect on the meaningful moments they have cherished together. The Macy duo has embraced intentional manufactured adversity as a means to discover their inner strength. From endurance races to challenging adventures, they have learned valuable lessons of commitment, perseverance, and never giving up. Their journey serves as an inspiring example of resilience and overcoming even the most daunting obstacles. While their journey took an unexpected turn with Mark's Alzheimer's diagnosis, Travis and Mark approached it with love, compassion, and an unwavering determination to make the most of every moment. They emphasize the importance of cherishing the present, embracing uncertainty, and finding joy amidst difficult circumstances. Travis and Mark Macy's story carries a profound message of hope and resilience. They encourage others to seek help, accept support, and offer assistance to those in need. Their unwavering commitment to each other exemplifies the power of love, connection, and community. Their extraordinary journey demonstrates the strength of the human spirit and the significance of familial bonds. Travis and Mark inspire listeners to embrace challenges, seek support, and find strength in the face of adversity. Their story reminds us that with love, determination, and unwavering support, we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles and find joy in the journey. www.thedadedge.com/friday108 www.thedadedge.com/beer www.travismacy.com A Mile at a Time by Mark Macy

Heath Wilson and Joey Odom are the co-founders of Aro, a company focused on helping individuals and families establish healthier relationships with their digital devices. The company's goal is to create an environment in which people can connect more meaningfully with each other and be more present in their daily lives. In this deeply engaging episode, we delve into a significant issue facing families today – excessive screen time. Heath Wilson and Joey Odom share personal stories, fascinating insights, and surprising anecdotes about how their creation is impacting households around the world. In an era dominated by screen-time, maintaining a balanced relationship with our devices is a pressing issue, particularly for families. Heath Wilson and Joey Odom candidly discussed their own struggles with controlling screen time, often mirrored in their children's behavior. They admired the app's gamification aspect, which effectively motivates users to engage less with their screens. Wilson and Odom also shared anecdotes of the app being used creatively–from parents tying weekly allowances to screen-free hours to businesses incentivizing their staff to be more present with customers. They also reflected on their own experiences, showing how the app has transformed their families' screen habits. This insightful conversation ultimately highlighted the importance of prioritizing human connection over digital distractions. The app isn't just about reducing screen time; it's about fostering a healthier digital lifestyle and reclaiming the valuable moments we often lose to our screens. www.thedadedge.com/friday110 www.thedadedge.com/aro