DadAwesome

Dr. Jake Smith, a licensed professional counselor and founder of Plumline Ministries, returns to discuss essential strategies for connected fatherhood. He emphasizes the attunement triangle—a transformative approach to relationships that involves seeing, feeling, and delighting in your kids. Jake highlights the dangers of the 'smothering grind' that leads to burnout for many fathers and challenges conventional behavior modification techniques that inhibit genuine connection. Listeners learn how emotional awareness can foster deeper family ties, guiding fathers away from merely surviving to truly thriving.

Dr. Jake Smith, founder of Plumb Line, shares a touching moment with his 4-year-old daughter that inspired him to explore "spiritual anatomy" in fatherhood. He explains four key systems—heart, soul, mind, and strength—that shape a dad's presence. Most fathers tend to favor one, leading to imbalance. Jake emphasizes that our emotional health directly affects our children and discusses how Jesus exemplified holistic integration. His insights inspire dads to embrace all aspects of themselves for better parenting and deeper connections.

✅ The "wooden box method" that transforms phone habits ✅ Why asking "What's the point of fatherhood?" changes everything ✅ How foster care taught them about the infinite value of every child ✅ Why each of your kids needs different parenting approaches   FULL SHOW NOTES   SUMMARY What if the secret to raising kids who aren't addicted to screens isn't about restricting technology—but about making real life more compelling? In this episode, young dad Kieran Lenahan shares practical wisdom from the trenches of parenting four kids under six, including foster care experiences that changed everything. You'll discover why the simple question "What's the point of fatherhood?" should guide every parenting decision, and how a wooden box might be the game-changer your family needs. TAKEAWAYS The fundamental question every dad should ask and keep asking: "What is the point of fatherhood?" Let this guide your decisions rather than just reacting to whatever gets thrown at you. Make real life more compelling than screens by creating engaging experiences—if physical reality is exciting, screens lose their allure naturally. The wooden box method: Put phones in a physical container and commit to never looking at your phone when kids are asking for your attention. Each child needs different parenting approaches—situational leadership applies to fatherhood, so learn to speak each kid's unique "language." Foster care teaches you that every child has infinite value—there's no such thing as "practice" when it comes to loving and caring for any child. GUEST Kieran Lenahan is the founder of Malachi Daily, a scripture memory tool used by over 70,000 people to memorize Bible verses through gamified daily emails. He's an entrepreneur, coach, and father of four children under six, including children through foster care. Kieran and his wife are passionate about making real life more compelling than screens, intentional parenting, and helping families build rhythms around scripture memory. He lives with his family and leads initiatives that blend faith, technology, and practical parenting wisdom. LINKS Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book Malachi Daily (Free Scripture Memory Newsletter) WhisperFlow App (Voice Transcription) Previous Jamie Winship episodes on Dad Awesome QUOTES "The biggest thing is thinking about what is the point of fatherhood? Let that be a really helpful guiding question as you enter fatherhood, and you can keep asking that as you go." "We think that life is good and God created it in the physical real world to be good. If we can make that as compelling as possible, screens lose their allure." "We will never be looking at our phone when our kids are asking for our attention. I never want our kids to feel like our phone is more important than they are." "Not each of our kids needs the exact same type of parenting. The best leaders understand how to speak the language of that team member in a way that's going to motivate them." "If we don't know who we are, it's really hard to live an effective, faithful, obedient life. If that's true for us, how much more true is that for our kids?"

✅ Why your emotional health is the greatest gift to your kids ✅ How to parent non-reactively when hormones and emotions run high ✅ The "backpack" you're handing your children (and how to lighten it) ✅ Simple calendar strategies that reveal what you truly value Full Show Notes Fall 2025 DadAwesome Accelerator SUMMARY Parenting doesn't have to be about survival mode. In this episode, Glenn Packiam shares how intentional rhythms and a focus on resilience can transform your family life. From learning to be non-reactive when hormones hit to using your calendar as a tool for what you truly value, Glenn offers practical wisdom for dads navigating everything from toddlers to young adults getting married. Plus, discover why the healthiest gift you can give your kids might be your own emotional well-being. Key Takeaways: You're going to hand your kids a "backpack" whether you like it or not—the goal is to make it as light as possible by dealing with your own emotional health first. Non-reactive parenting starts with slowing your breath and asking "what else is going on here?" instead of jumping to conclusions. Resilience isn't about avoiding hard emotions—it's about how quickly you recover and what you learn from difficult seasons. Your calendar reveals your true values; intentional rhythms like family dinners and Sabbath don't happen by accident. One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is your own repentance when you mess up. GUEST: Glenn Packiam is the author of The Intentional Year and several other books focused on spiritual formation and resilience. He's a pastor, speaker, and father of four children ranging from teenagers to young adults. Glenn lives in Southern California with his wife Holly, and his oldest daughter recently got engaged. He's passionate about helping parents move from survival mode to intentional, rhythmic family life that builds resilience in both parents and children. LINKS    Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book The Intentional Year by Glenn & Holly Packiam Resilient Pastor resources Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero

Dr. Peter Larson, a licensed clinical psychologist and creator of Prepare-Enrich, shares transformative insights on parenting. He emphasizes the power of influence over control, advocating for moments like 'lighting up' when your kids enter the room. Larson narrates a touching story of a father who supported his son in the hospital, illustrating lasting impact through presence. He also discusses the importance of community in parenting and highlights how children observe and learn from their parents, even in seemingly small moments.

Lance Welch, a legacy navigator and leadership coach, shares his journey from being a 'dictator dad' to a 'friend dad.' He discusses the importance of intentional multi-generational impact and the four stages of fatherhood. Welch emphasizes the value of consistency in parenting akin to investing and warns against creating performance identities in children. He also introduces the concept of legacy-building through family vision meetings, focusing on shared values and long-term relationships.

✅ Why Kobe chose carpool line over million-dollar meetings ✅ The "TEA" framework (Time, Energy, Attention) that will transform your fathering ✅ Simple practices like 10-minute wrestling time and Wine Wednesdays that create deep family connection FULL SHOW NOTES: SUMMARY Life moves fast, and without intentional direction, we can end up achieving things that don't actually matter. In this episode, John Olinger—former Nike executive and global brand director for Kobe Bryant—shares how tragedy, transition, and the halfway point of life led him to redefine success. You'll hear about his "TEA" framework (Time, Energy, Attention), why Kobe chose carpool line over meetings, and how simple practices like 10-minute wrestling sessions and Wine Wednesdays can transform your family relationships. TAKEAWAYS: Winning is subjective—you must define what success looks like for your family before you can achieve it Your Time, Energy, and Attention (TEA) are finite resources that must be strategically invested in what matters most The halfway point of life (around age 40) is a crucial inflection point for dads to pause and redirect toward meaningful priorities Quality connection moments with kids don't require huge time investments—10 minutes of wrestling or monthly birthday dates can be transformational Relationships matter more than accomplishments, and great stories require embracing challenge and difficulty Creating structured connection points (like Wine Wednesdays for marriage) protects what's most important from the chaos of daily life QUOTES: "Winning is subjective. And the only way you can win is if you get extremely clear about what it means to win." - John Olinger "We're under attack all day long from distractions, our brains playing tricks on us about what things are fulfilling in the moment, going after short hits of dopamine, chasing success and accomplishments at the expense of other things." - John Olinger "The reason why [Kobe] worked out at 4am was because he wanted to be there in the morning when his kids got up and before they went to school... At two o'clock, he's done. Hard stop. Why? He's got to go to the carpool line." - John Olinger "Can you just pause and say, what's one thing that's simple that I could apply to point into the relationships with the people that matter the most to me?" - John Olinger "If I'm halfway done, that means that every year for the rest of my life is gonna be between one and 2% of the remaining amount of my life. Do I wanna wait for later to do the things that are most important?" - John Olinger GUEST John Olinger is the author of "Worthy Wins: Pointing Your Life Toward What Matters Most" and a former Nike executive who served as global brand director for Kobe Bryant. After over a decade at Nike, John made a cross-country move with his family to Florida, choosing intentional fatherhood over corporate climbing. He and his wife have three boys (ages 10, 8, and 5) and are passionate about helping other parents define and pursue what truly matters most. John speaks and consults on leadership, purpose, and the intersection of success and significance. LINKS: Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 "Worthy Wins: Pointing Your Life Toward What Matters Most" by John Olinger DadAwesome ACCELERATOR Coaching Groups

  ✅ Why you should train your child in the way THEY should go (not your way) ✅ How failing forward teaches your kids resilience better than perfect parenting ✅ The 4 pillars that transform boys into men: Identity, Strength, Courage, Influence ✅ Why showing up consistently matters more than having all the answers FULL SHOW NOTES SUMMARY: When you move your family halfway around the world to serve fatherless boys, you quickly discover that you're learning as much about fatherhood as you're teaching. In this episode, Bryan Greenwood shares 11 years of discoveries from Thailand—from building the largest amateur football league in Northern Thailand to creating government-approved mentorship programs for at-risk youth. You'll hear why your kids need to see you failing forward, how to train them in the way THEY should go (not the way you want them to go), and why showing up consistently matters more than having all the answers. TAKEAWAYS: Train up your child in the way THEY should go, not the way you want them to go—this requires discovering their unique identity and strengths Your kids need to see you failing forward and living with purpose beyond just being a great dad Consistent presence matters more than perfect parenting—just showing up creates lasting impact Create safe environments where your kids can respectfully disagree and engage in real dialogue You'll never know who you are until you know who your Father is—this principle transforms both dads and kids The four pillars of strong character: Identity (knowing who you are), Strength (putting gifts under pressure), Courage (living for others), and Influence (natural result of the first three) GUEST: Bryan Greenwood is the founder of Outboundlife Inc, a ministry focused on assisting the fatherless through mentoring young men. For over 13 years, Bryan and his wife Valerie have lived in Northern Thailand, creating mentorship programs now integrated into the Thai Department of Probation system. Their work targets young men leaving orphanages, foster care, juvenile prison, and those at risk of human trafficking. They've built the largest amateur football league in Northern Thailand as a "fishing pond" for identifying young men who need fathering. Bryan and Valerie have two adult children and continue their mission of helping boys discover their identity, develop strength, find courage, and use their influence. LINKS Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome   Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 Outboundlife Inc Ministry DadAwesome Accelerator

✅ Why weakness connects you deeper with your kids than strength ever could ✅ How to transform your dinner table into sacred space ✅ Ancient practices that can revolutionize your modern family ✅ The power of prayer retreats for busy dads   SUMMARY What if your family isn't broken and doesn't need fixing—but is actually a garden that needs nurturing? In this episode, Dave Brickey shares how shifting from a mechanical mindset to an agricultural approach transforms fatherhood. You'll discover why your weaknesses connect you deeper with your kids than your strengths ever could, and how simple practices like prayer retreats and sacred family meals can become life-changing rhythms. Plus, Dave opens up about his wife's miraculous healing and how walking through valleys as a family creates unbreakable bonds. Top 5 Quotes: "My strength points my kids to me as their savior, but my weakness points them to who my savior is." "Our families aren't broken and need fixing—they are gardens in need of nurturing." "The beauty of parenting is marked more by weakness than strength. No one has a bird's eye view into the messiness of someone's life other than a spouse and children—they see it all." "You can change behavior through control, but you cannot change a heart." "Isolation puts a magnifying glass on pain, and us guys—some of us are professional isolators." Key Takeaways: The depth of relationship you experience with teenagers was built during their childhood years through consistent presence and creating a safe space An agricultural approach to family life focuses on long-term nurturing rather than quick fixes and immediate results Ancient practices like prayer retreats, sacred meals, and singing together can transform modern family life Weakness and vulnerability in parenting creates deeper connection than always being the strong hero Spiritual family—mentors, spiritual grandparents, and community—multiplies the impact of seeing, knowing, and celebrating your children Isolation magnifies pain, while community provides perspective and hope during difficult seasons GUEST Dave Brickey is a lead pastor in the Northwest suburbs of Minnesota and father of four children in the graduation phase. He and his wife Stephanie describe their family life as a "beautiful mess." Dave is passionate about helping families shift from mechanical thinking to agricultural approaches in parenting and faith. He advocates for ancient practices like prayer retreats, sacred family meals, and building spiritual community as essential elements of thriving family life. Links: Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome Apply to join the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort  awesome@dadawesome.org Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 Pacem in Terrace Prayer Retreat Center https://www.paceminterris.org/ Wilderness Fellowship Prayer Center https://www.wildernessfellowship.com/ Dave Brickey's "Machines to Gardens" message (church resource) -  (start at 45 minutes)

🎯 Are you aiming at the right target as a dad? Josh Kubler joins us with game-changing insights from Manhood Journey's survey of 6,000 Christian fathers. The stats might surprise you: Only 22% regularly read Scripture with their kids 78% don't spend intentional time discipling their children Less than 17% pray regularly as a family beyond meals and bedtime But here's the good news—these aren't defeating numbers, they're opportunities! 💪 SUMMARY: What does it really look like to prepare our children for the spiritual battles ahead? In this episode, Josh Kubler from Manhood Journey shares eye-opening insights from their massive survey of 6,000 Christian fathers—and the results might surprise you. Plus, he opens up about his family's foster care and adoption journey, the sanctifying power of stewardship over ownership, and why viewing our children as "arrows in the hand of a warrior" changes everything about our parenting approach. TAKEAWAYS: 📖 Only 22% of Christian fathers regularly read their Bible with their children—but that's not a defeating number, it's an opportunity for intentional growth. 🏠 Foster care taught one powerful lesson: we're stewards, not owners, of ALL our children—biological or adopted. 🚁 Instead of helicopter or submarine parenting, find the middle ground that cultivates independence and decision-making in your kids. 👀 Your children know what's truly important to you—they can tell if baseball matters more than church or if stress matters more than presence. 💪 The goal isn't perfection; it's purposefulness. When we fail, we apologize, model humility, and show our kids we need Jesus too. 🎯 If our target is anything other than our children loving God, enjoying Him, and bringing Him glory, we're aiming at the wrong target. GUEST Josh Kubler is the Director of Church Engagement for Manhood Journey and one of the founding pastors of Redeemer Baptist Church in Olive Branch, Mississippi. Josh and his wife Katie have five children, including two daughters adopted through foster care. He's passionate about equipping fathers and churches to raise the next generation for God's glory. Fun fact: Josh grew up with some unique pets—including three cougars, a wolf, and two skunks! https://www.dadawesome.org/blog/390 LINKS Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome https://www.speakpipe.com/DadAwesome Dad Awesome Accelerator Coaching: https://dadawesome.org/coaching Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 State of Biblical Fatherhood Report: https://manhoodjourney.org/state-of-biblical-fatherhood Manhood Journey Resources: https://manhoodjourney.org