Front Row Dads with Jon Vroman

Stress and frustration… These are emotions that every parent is very familiar with. But where exactly does stress come from and why are some parents better or worse when it comes to dealing with it? If you’ve been listening to the pod for a while, you’ve probably heard me talk about moments where I’ve unintentionally lost my shit at my wife or kids. I get that nobody’s perfect, and we’re all susceptible to losing control, but still, these aren’t proud moments for me. Typically, the more stress I feel, the more challenging it is to keep my emotions in check. That’s what I’m excited for today’s conversation. I’m talking to Stephen Christopher. In addition to being the Founder of a multi-million dollar marketing agency, Wit Digital, Stephen is a long-time friend, epic human being, and an Intuitive Life Coach who inspires people to become more than they ever thought possible. This conversation was another opportunity to better understand what causes anger, stress, a lack of acceptance, an unhealthy ego, emotional triggers, blindspots and more. We’re unpacking all of it during today’s discussion.  We also dive into this idea that life is way easier than we sometimes make it. You’ll learn why fulfillment is a choice and why saying “YES” to life, instead of restricting the flow of it, is where you can find real happiness.    If you are truly committed to growing as a husband/father, and want to feel more fulfilled and less stressed in your life, this episode is one you won’t want to miss! Stephen Christopher Podcast Highlights How dismissing your blindspots affects the way you treat your family. What would the camera catch? 🫣 The cause behind stress and frustration—and how to move through these feelings differently. The power of listening to your body and tips for staying in tune with it. Why everything is easier when you say YES to life, instead of constantly trying to control every outcome. Feeling unconscious, distracted, and disconnected? Learn how to be truly present so you can show up fully for yourself and your family. Get the Full Show Notes Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/350 Want to learn more about Front Row Dads? We are in the business of building better families. 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 who have 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! Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Gentlemen, I am thrilled to share this conversation with you today. If you've been following the podcast, a question that comes up fairly often in various forms is: How do we stay emotionally centered and live our purpose while being so intensely focused on achievement? If we're unable to answer this question, we won't be able to show up at full capacity for ourselves, our children, and our spouses. Today's guest is Jairek Robbins, who believes work should support our life, not the other way around. Jairek found success in life through trial and error. Ultimately, he envisioned his dream life and wasn't afraid to give everything to see it become a reality. During his journey to becoming one of the top performance coaches in the world, and a loving father and husband, he had to wrestle with the doubts and insecurities that tried to pull him back. He also had the pressure of following in his father's footsteps, one of the legends in the field of personal growth, Tony Robbins. In this episode, we dig into Jairek's upbringing and what it's like living with two high-achieving parents, the importance of mindset in overcoming life's obstacles, and the steps for mapping out your dream life. Jairek Robbins Podcast Highlights Not every strategy we use with our kids is applicable in every stage of their lives. Find out how Jairek learned this through his relationship with his dad. What was the pressure like growing up with Tony Robbins as a father? Don’t be afraid to suck at things. Embrace the suck, and in time you’ll become great. Soak up the mindset, habits and routines of people you spend the most time with. But choose wisely! Judge people according to their actions, not their words. Your dream life starts with mapping out your dream day. What does the perfect day look like to you? Get the Full Show Notes Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/349 Want to learn more about Front Row Dads? We are in the business of building better families. 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 who have 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! Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Gents, one of the proudest moments we’ll have as dads are when we see our kids all grown up and excited that they’re our children. But we also want our children to grow into people who treat others well and understand how to give and show empathy. It’s why I’m excited to talk to today’s guest, Ken Harvey. Ken is a former NFL superstar turned into a true renaissance man. After retiring from professional football, Ken went through a difficult period, but he used that turmoil to grow in every sense. He’s now a published author, health advocate, and philanthropist on a mission to help young people become compassionate and philanthropic leaders. Even though he’s an accomplished entrepreneur, I love that Ken admits that he still feels lonely sometimes. He doesn’t run away from these emotions; he accepts them as part of who he is. He never stops learning about himself, making him a perfect role model for others. In this episode, he shares how he bounced back from depression after retiring from the NFL, the importance of sharing your vulnerabilities, how to raise children that look up to you, and so much more.        Ken Harvey Podcast Highlights How much should you control your children, and how much should you let them do their thing? What to do if your kid wants to follow in your footsteps and how Ken handled that scenario. How he started working on a children's book with famous Hollywood actor Terry Crews. How bottling up your emotions leads to resentment and misery. How Ken rediscovered his purpose after retiring from the NFL. We need dreamers and thinkers, but we should also surround ourselves with people that are doers. Get the Full Show Notes Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/348 Want to learn more about Front Row Dads? We are in the business of building better families. 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 who have 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! Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

As an entrepreneur, one of the hardest things to do is to walk away from your business. Coincidentally, it’s one of the best moves you can make to allow it to grow. Sure, you can run a business around the clock, but at what cost? Today’s guest, Mike Michalowicz, is an author and entrepreneur who  regularly takes four-week vacations even though he runs multimillion-dollar businesses. Many of us would shiver at the thought of doing that. Mike found that to be the best decision he had ever made.  By doing that, Mike was awarded the greatest gift of them all: Time he can now spend with his family and friends. He’s been able to travel with his wife more, go on long road trips, and bond with his children. His business didn’t skip a beat and even grew beyond expectations. In this episode, we dig into the steps for creating a business that runs itself, hiring A-players that will have each other’s back, lessons he learned from distancing himself from work, and so much more. Mike Michalowicz Podcast Highlights Find out how Mike can work the least hours he’s worked in his life and still grow his business. Do you feel uneasy at the idea of taking a four-week vacation? That might be a sign to pull the trigger. Learn why each employee in Mike’s business is allowed to take a month-long vacation. Find out why Mike calls himself a “shareholder” instead of an entrepreneur. Realizing he was the biggest bottleneck in his business. Why Mike believes SOPs are often a waste of time for your business. Learn what he does instead! Get the Full Show Notes Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/347 Want to learn more about Front Row Dads? We are in the business of building better families. 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 who have 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! Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Fellas, isn’t it fair to say that most of us create stories for ourselves during childhood that we often perpetuate into adulthood? If left unchecked, those stories may hurt us or our relationships. Personally, I’m aware of a few narratives that are still making me question myself as a dad and husband. But here’s the good news: we can rewrite those stories and create more empowering ones. We do this by first digging deep into our psyche. In today’s episode, I’m excited to be joined by bestselling author and Enneagram pioneer Ian Morgan Cron. Ian is someone I hold high respect for. In fact, his work has been instrumental in my own life. He helped me overcome my struggles with alcohol, made me face the uncomfortable emotions buried inside of me, and made a huge difference in my marriage and my ability to be a great dad. In this episode, Ian shares why the Enneagram is not just a powerful tool for personal growth, but also a fantastic resource for transforming our personal and professional relationships. Ian Cron Podcast Highlights Are you living a story that enriches, or cripples you? Our unconscious narratives can sabotage us and our relationships. Learn how to replace them with empowering ones. Find out how the Enneagram can help you be a better dad and husband. Don’t test your children’s personality too early; Learn the optimal age for doing this. Get the Full Show Notes Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/346 Want to learn more about Front Row Dads? We are in the business of building better families. 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 who have 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! Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Gentlemen, raise your hand if you’re working towards creating a better life for you and your family. Now keep it there if you can honestly say that you regularly take the time to look back with gratitude and appreciate your successes. I say we can always do a better job in that department. And today's guest, Grant Baldwin, is a living embodiment of that practice. He's super clear on his goals and runs a highly successful company. But he doesn't stretch out to a point where he can't show up 100% for his family. Grant is a keynote speaker and founder of The Speaker Lab, a company that teaches speakers how to find and book gigs. During his 10+ years of experience, he's coached more than 2,000 other people to become better speakers. One mind-blowing fact he shared is that in the past year, zero people left his company. Yes, zero! That's pretty incredible. Naturally, Grant is someone from whom I learn a lot. He really opened my mind to what's possible when building a business, and I'm glad I can share our discussion with you. In today's episode, we dig into his journey to becoming a professional public speaker, conquering the fear of asking people for help, and the hiring process that allows him to entrust his business to his employees without thinking twice. Grant Baldwin Podcast Highlights Learning from people 1-2 steps ahead of you is the fastest way to grow. At one point, Grant did more than 67 speaking gigs in one year which led him to ask if he wanted a job or a business. Learn to push past your comfort zone, but without pushing too hard. How Grant made multiple seven figures without having a single full-time employee. The biggest reasons why people love to work in Grant’s company. Get the Full Show Notes Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/345 Want to learn more about Front Row Dads? We are in the business of building better families. 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 who have 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! Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Gentlemen, when’s the last time you dove deep into your insecurities, faced them head-on, and talked about them openly? Society doesn’t encourage us to do that as men. Instead, it encourages us to achieve more and do more.  So, how can we be better Dads and husbands if we’re unwilling to conquer our inner pain? If we choose to ignore it, we’re giving it the power to resurface in our relationships when we least expect it. I’m so thankful to be sharing this conversation with Stefanos Sifandos. He’s a behavioral scientist, relationships expert, trained educator, and the co-founder of Elementum Coaching Institute and the MPowered Brotherhood. Stefanos is someone who went through great pain and trauma that drove his relationships to the ground. One day, he stopped running from himself and explored his psyche. That journey made him more present, more loving, and not afraid to share his insecurities with his loved ones. I love that Stefanos admits that even with all his training and experience, he still has flaws, just like anyone else. Instead of crippling him, those flaws show him how to be a better man. In our conversation, he talks about how we can arrive at the same place by identifying our weak points and being honest with ourselves and our loved ones. And then to dig deeper about openly discussing our vulnerabilities instead of hiding behind them. Stefanos Sifandos Podcast Highlights If we do the inner work, it can help us to be better men. Nothing stunts your growth more than avoiding pain and conflict. How healing our core wounds makes us more supportive of others. The benefits of having a brotherhood that’s brutally honest with you. What happens when we allow ourselves to fully feel and embrace all negative emotions and let them go. Get the Full Show Notes Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/344 Want to learn more about Front Row Dads? We are in the business of building better families. 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 who have 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! Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

Protection is not always about using force and we want to do everything to avoid violence. However, to get to that place you have to be confident in handling violent situations. But even discussing ‌using violence is discouraged in our society. That’s what makes it only available to predators. Violence is a tool, and if we don’t have the information on how to use it then we can’t protect our families and those we love. If you listened to part 1 of our conversation, you’d know that Tim Larkin has that information, and we need to listen. In Part 2, we dig into specific examples of what to do when your only resort is violence and how taking care of the basics, and having routines like checking that the doors are locked goes a long way. If you want to learn more about how to protect yourself, and how to protect your family, Tim is the man and I know you’ll be glad you listened to what he has to say. Tim Larkin Podcast Highlights - Part 2 Learning to swim is a life skill, and so is learning to protect ourselves. If you think getting a gun is enough, or that an alarm system will keep you safe, ask yourself why you need those things in the first place. How intruders decide who to target and what you want them to think when looking at your home. Learn how Tim’s clients used what they learned from working with him to improve their businesses. Get the Full Show Notes Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/343 Want to learn more about Front Row Dads? We are in the business of building better families. 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 who have 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! Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

In today's society, we don't teach men to protect themselves and protect their families. But part of being a better Dad and a better husband is being able to take care of your loved ones in every way possible. If you find yourself in a situation where their lives were in danger, would you be able to respond? Let's face it, we're making ourselves easy targets by ignoring violence's role in our lives. Like it or not, it's out there. Understanding it and knowing when and how to use it can make the difference in life-threatening scenarios. Today's guest, Tim Larkin, encourages us to shift our mindset around violence. Tim is the founder of Target Focus Training and has coached over 10,000 people from over 52 countries on using their brains and bodies to prevent, prepare for, and survive unthinkable events. In the first of our two-part conversation, we discuss why hope won't save you in life-threatening situations, the little things you can do today to improve your family's safety, and why understanding violence allows you to have a calmer life. Finally, I’ve got some exciting news! We’ve got two important dates to add to your calendars: The Inaugural Live Summit is happening in Austin, Texas on December 2-4th. This is a LIVE EVENT with some great speakers like Hal Elrod, Justin Donald and more! Visit FrontRowDads.com/Live for more details and to book your spot today. Our next Online Summit is happening on July 21, 2022 where we’ll be focusing on the Intentional Parenting Pillar. Visit FrontRowDads.com/Summit to book your spot right now. Tim Larkin Podcast Highlights - Part 1 How the goal should be to get to a point where you won’t even need to use violence. But it requires work to get there. The more you understand how violence works, the more peaceful your life will be. How you’re making yourself vulnerable to attacks and home invasions in ways you’re not even aware of. That owning a dog can be a great deterrent for home intruders. Tim’s basic checklist you can apply that will dramatically improve the safety of your home and family. Get the Full Show Notes Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/342 Want to learn more about Front Row Dads? We are in the business of building better families. 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 who have 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! Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review

As men, it’s in our nature to want to fix things. And I’m not just talking about doing repairs around the house. I’m talking about how we deal with feelings, ours and those of our spouses. And I’ve definitely been that guy, trying to “fix” my wife’s feelings.  But when’s the last time that you paused for a moment and tried to really understand what she’s going through?  Society expects women to be the perfect mothers right out of the gate. But, so many of them struggle with anxiety and depression during pregnancy and the postpartum period. So let’s leave our egos at the doorstep here, fellas. The truth is, no one is born with the tools to be the perfect parent. Shocker, I know!  And no one knows this better than today’s guest, Suzanne Aslam. Suzanne is a former actress and Miss Arab USA turned writer. She wrote Postpardon Me, a book about her spiral into postpartum depression and how she got out of it. Now, she helps other women experiencing postpartum depression feel more understood. In our conversation, we explore how the support from her husband (and fellow Front Row Dad Kasim Aslam) helped her to get through depression, how she freed herself from the cultural pressures about motherhood, and much more. If you want to learn how to build a deeper connection with your wife and be a better husband and role model to your children, Suzanne is the person to listen to.  Suzanne Aslam Podcast Highlights How to best support your wife when she’s going through perinatal and postpartum depression? What happens when you’re being present and empathetic with your wife, and not trying to “fix her”. Don’t just wait for her to tell you when she needs your support. Read what she’s going through, and be there for her no matter what. Taking turns with regular breaks from parenting to spend time with ourselves, even for a few hours, is a great way to recharge. We will fail as husbands and dads. And that’s OK! Get the Full Show Notes Want access to the full show notes, including links to all resources mentioned during today's conversation? Visit FrontRowDads.com/341 Want to learn more about Front Row Dads? We are in the business of building better families. 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 who have 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! Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! http://FrontRowDads.com/review