DadAwesome

Jeremy Pryor, founder of Family Teams and an expert in multi-generational family dynamics, delivers a powerful message for fathers. He discusses the dangers of emotional detachment, emphasizing that while it may help in providing, it can alienate kids. Pryor highlights the need for fathers to create emotional warmth at home and shares insights from ancient Hebraic family practices that can guide modern parenting. He urges dads to engage with their children emotionally, showing them they truly care, and stresses the value of listening to their wives' insights on family dynamics.

Dan Tinquist, a fatherhood coach and creator of transformative parenting frameworks, shares insights on connecting with kids in just nine crucial minutes daily. He emphasizes the importance of genuine reconnection through morning, after-school, and bedtime rituals. Tinquist discusses fostering a home where children feel safe to fail, the pitfalls of over-teaching, and the need for planning family adventures together. Plus, he offers a unique parallel between sourdough baking and parenting, highlighting patience and embracing imperfection.

➡️ How yearly family vision summits (with a hot tub!) shape your family's direction ➡️ The power of tying your kids' names to your family's core values ➡️ Why pre-parental counseling removes the shame that keeps dads stuck later SHOW NOTES https://www.dadawesome.org/blog/413 SUMMARY What if you could prepare for fatherhood before the chaos even begins? In this episode, Michael DeAquino shares how he and his wife are helping expecting parents get on the same page before baby arrives—and why that window of time matters so much. You'll also hear how Michael's family runs themed dinner nights every single day of the week (yes, including Forgiveness Friday and Scenario Saturday), plus how yearly vision summits with your kids in an Airbnb with a hot tub can transform the direction of your family. TAKEAWAYS Creating space to think—like a yearly family summit away from home—is the first step toward vision. You can't see where you're headed when you're drowning in the daily grind. Themed dinner nights (Monday Meeting, Throwback Tuesday, Thankful Thursday, Forgiveness Friday, and more) turn ordinary meals into consistent connection points that shape your family culture. Your kids' names can carry your family's vision. Michael tied each child's name to a core value—closeness, generational faithfulness, righteousness, light, and stewardship—and speaks it over them regularly. The best time to prepare for intentional parenting is before you're holding the baby. Pre-parental counseling removes the shame and chaos that often keeps dads from engaging later. Keystone habits cascade into other habits. Start with what you're already doing (like dinner) and build intentional rhythms from there. GUEST Michael DeAquino is the co-founder of The Parenthood Project and author of The Parenthood Primer, a pre-parental counseling resource for expecting and new parents. He and his wife have five kids ages 2 to 12 and are passionate about helping couples get on the same page before the chaos of parenthood begins. Michael spent 15 years in church ministry before pivoting to equip parents earlier in their journey. QUOTES "I didn't start until my oldest was six. And to see just where things are now—there's a lot of grace." – Michael DeAquino "Our names carry a lot of identity in them. Why not make it even more than just what you call us?" – Michael DeAquino "You're going to get a lot of recognition in your career. You're not going to get a lot of recognition as a father—and that's where you'll end up placing your time." – Michael DeAquino "Everything around us is trying to disintegrate our family. So how do we foster closeness even as our kids get older?" – Michael DeAquino "What if we got to dads before they even hold the baby—before the chaos, before the shame sets in?" – Michael DeAquino LINKS Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome Apply to join the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort: Email awesome@dadawesome.org Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 The Parenthood Primer by Michael DeAquino The Parenthood Project

Matt Hanson, founder of the Ion Path, advocates for a transformative three-year Christian rite of passage for dads and teens. He discusses the importance of creating defining moments in a child's faith journey, emphasizing that fathers hold significant influence in transferring faith. Hanson shares tips on building deeper connections through 30 conversations in 30 days and the necessity of teaching essential life skills. He also highlights the potential of communal support in this pivotal transition to adulthood.

Chris Cirullo, a former Army Ranger and founder of Mission Fit, shares insights on transforming lives with just 15 minutes a day. He discusses the brain science behind morning and evening routines, emphasizing their impact on faith and focus. Cirullo reveals how to establish a Daily 15 practice that integrates hydration, prayer, and movement. He also explores the importance of Sabbath, offering fun rituals that make it a favorite in households. Dads are encouraged to embrace their responsibilities, building a lasting legacy through small, consistent actions.

Chris Cirullo, a former Army Ranger and founder of Mission Fit Dads, delves into the biblical call for fathers to bring order to their homes. He discusses innovative ways to train kids, including using M&Ms as rewards and conducting weekly family meetings to tackle friction points head-on. Chris also emphasizes the importance of setting 'impossible' goals to drive clarity and improvement in family life. His insights combine discipline with fun, offering practical strategies for nurturing effective and loving family systems.

Chris Ammon, founder of Kaleidoscope and former children's pastor, dives into the fascinating world of children's development. He reveals why your child's 'selfishness' is a normal phase and shares how emotional awareness can transform your parenting. Chris walks through the crucial steps of teaching kids to say 'I'm sorry' and emphasizes the importance of simply showing up for your children. He also introduces the unique 'turkey hunting philosophy' for fostering spiritual growth, encouraging dads to engage in meaningful, everyday conversations.

In this discussion, Carl Cartee, a seasoned songwriter and father of four, delves into intentional parenting. He shares how wrestling and pizza nights created deep connections and dignity among his sons. Carl emphasizes the importance of having open discussions about sex to foster trust, and the benefits of delaying phone use until driving age. Plus, he reflects on choosing a spouse based on companionship rather than just attraction. The transformative story of the Sons of Korah inspires dads to rewrite their family legacies through faith.

In this engaging conversation, David Murrow, an author and church consultant with over 25 years of experience in helping churches engage men, shares invaluable insights for fathers. He emphasizes the importance of asking questions to foster spiritual curiosity rather than lecturing. David introduces the concept of 15-second prayers for integrating faith into everyday life and discusses three pivotal journeys every man experiences: submission, strength, and sacrifice. He also explores how short parables can spark meaningful conversations within families.

Dave Willis, an author and marriage coach, shares vital insights for dads on how to lead important conversations about sex with their kids. He emphasizes the need for proactive parenting to foster open, shame-free dialogues. Willis also highlights the significance of a thriving marriage as a model for children, advocating for playful connections and emotional intimacy. He outlines seven simple shifts to improve marital relationships and encourages dads to resist passivity, nurturing both their families and their own growth.