Front Row Dads with Jon Vroman

“I just can’t handle you right now.” That’s how I’m feeling around my kids lately.  As many of you know, I’ve been on a pretty epic family road trip across the country. We’ve been making some incredible memories and having a ton of fun, but it hasn't been without some serious challenges.  My wife has been sick for the past week, the boys are constantly fighting, I'm trying to manage my business (while keeping everyone engaged), and there've been some tragic events with my extended family, to name just a few.  To be honest, I feel like I’m reaching my breaking point. I’ve lost all patience, I’m emotionally drained, and I just don’t have the bandwidth to deal with my kids immediate needs.  And I can feel the negative impact that my energy is having on my kids—which doesn’t sit right with me.  I don’t want to be the Dad who replies to my kids with the classic “Because I said so…” line.  Well, the timing for today’s episode of the podcast couldn’t be better. Returning guests, Ned Johnson and William Stixrud, join the show to talk all about their new book, What Do You Say?: How to Talk with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home.  Ned and Bill reminded me that nobody gets it right all the time. In fact, perfect parenting just doesn’t exist, and my current feelings are completely normal.  Thankfully, they shared some pro tips for practicing self-compassion and dealing with the kids when life gets crazy—ones that I know you’ll appreciate!  If you sometimes find it hard to talk with our kids, you’re going to love this conversation. Ned and Bill share some really powerful strategies for creating deeper connections, building empathy, and engaging in respectful and effective dialogue. This is your comprehensive guide to effectively communicating with kids!   Ned Johnson Podcast Highlights How to talk to kids (and really listen) in order to build powerful connections. Changing the energy in the way you talk to your children. Letting your kids know when you’re having a tough day/week. How to practice non-judgmental self-compassion. Why nobody needs perfect parents. In fact, ‘good enough’ is better than you may think. The power of spending one-on-one time with your kids. Talking with kids about the pursuit of happiness. Using reflective listening to build empathy with your kids. Helping kids find their own motivation. How does a kid's age impact how you speak to them? Why you should want your kids to solve their own problems as much as possible. Are you accidentally bailing on your kids emotionally? 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/281 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 a super-divisive world, how do we find common ground, do what’s best for our families, and approach things with an open mind? We may not have a clear answer at all times, but sometimes we come across some information that opens our minds to another point of view. And Christian Elliott’s article titled, “18 Reasons Why I’m Not Getting a Covid Vaccine” is definitely one of them. A friend of mine told me that I had to read his article, which has now been seen millions of times all over the world, and it really resonated with me. I was struck by how well it was written, the classy approach he took, and his courage in speaking out.  And after reading his article, I knew I needed to have him on the podcast to talk about a lot of the questions we’ve probably all had at one point or another over this past year. Christian is a certified personal trainer, life coach, and a nutrition coach. He’s all about living a healthy lifestyle and helping others figure out what inspires them. He has a fascination with the human body, human psychology, and a willingness to have honest discussions with people who may have a different point of view. In today’s conversation, Christian and I aren’t just talking about how to keep ourselves and our families healthy–we’re talking about what it means to stand up for what we really believe in and how to teach our children to do the same. Christian Elliot Podcast Highlights What makes health such a passionate subject for Christian–and how he went from being frequently sick in his late 20s to finding his best health in his 40s. How can we embody the values most important to us every single day? The power of sitting and creating space for your kids’ emotions. Why Christian believes “He wasn’t really present” is the worst thing our kids could say about us. How to teach kids to be open-minded. Why Christian felt compelled to write his article about COVID-19 vaccines. Why the thought of his kids saying “He didn’t stand up for what was right” would be such a dagger to him. Why is the world so bad at talking about our health in practical, meaningful ways? 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/280 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

When you think back to your own childhood, was there anything your Dad ever said to you (good or bad) that stayed with you forever?  I can still vividly recall moments from my upbringing when Dad said something (unintentionally) that really hurt me.  And despite having always believed I would never act the same way with my own kids, I’ve certainly had moments I’m not proud of.   HOW you speak to your kids matters more than you think...  It could be criticism, a sarcastic comment, blowing your fuse, or maybe not even saying anything at all…    I’ve heard lots of stories of men who just wished their Dad would have told them how proud they were—and sadly, not hearing those words affected everything.  So, what’s going on here? And how do we show up and be better leaders for our own kids? That’s what today’s episode with Krister Ungerböck is all about. Krister is a leadership communication expert, keynote speaker, and former CEO of a global tech company. In fact, he sold that company for over $200 million—and it was worth less than $1 million when he joined. During his time there, he learned a lot of lessons about what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to communicating effectively as an employee, an entrepreneur, a husband, and a father—and he’s documented all of this wisdom in his bestselling book, 22 Talk SHIFTs: Tools to Transform Leadership in Business, in Partnership, and in Life.  Before Krister released his book, he actually sat down and read the manuscript to his father, and this was his response… “I had no idea how my words hurt you.”  I really loved speaking with Krister about this stuff. We talked about how most problems that families experience can be resolved, simply by changing the words that they use. He outlines some pretty simple (yet highly effective) tools you can immediately start using to improve how you communicate at home with your wife and kids.  These practical tools include fill-in-the-blank phrases, powerful questions, and provocative exercises that can break the cycle of strained communication and strained relationships. We also discussed why it’s so important for your kids to see you show emotions. SPOILER ALERT: Men who lead, aren’t afraid to cry!   And don’t miss the end of our conversation. Krister shares the one question he asked his Dad at the age of 47 that changed their relationship forever.  BTW, as a thank you for listening, I want to gift you a copy of Krister’s book! All I ask is that you write an honest review of the podcast on Apple. Be sure to mention the Krister Ungerböck episode in your review, take a screenshot, and email it to info@frontrowdads.com and I’ll mail you a copy of the book.  Krister Ungerböck Podcast Highlights Why Krister got no emotional validation from leading a hugely successful business–and the one thing he always wanted to hear from his father. Why is it almost impossible to be a great father without being a great husband? Why saying “That’s great” or “good job” meant so much less to Krister than hearing “I’m proud of you.” How can we simply change our words to resolve some of our toughest conflicts? What are the most damaging words we accidentally use daily? Why Krister is trying not to use the word “you” in tense conversations at all. Why do our spouses often take coaching from us so poorly? When should we choose not to coach people? The importance of teaching our children to cry like men (and what that means). Why Krister never really hung out with his Dad as friends until he was 47 years old. How can we heal from our relationships with overly critical parents? 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/279 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

Erik had been told by countless therapists that he was in denial. He’d heard over and over again that his autistic son would never learn to read.  But when they found the right program, it took just six days for something to click–and his teenage son was suddenly reading. Erik’s family life has been full of little breakthroughs since he made a decision to show up for his oldest son in a big way.  You’ll learn all about this, as well as his new book To The Mountain–a powerful story inspired by their relationship.  We talk about why we make sacrifices, what works (and what doesn’t) when showing up for kids with conditions including autism and ADHD, and how to process anger and frustration in healthy ways.  BTW, If you’d like to receive a FREE copy of Erik’s book, I’ll buy you one.  Just leave an honest review of this episode at http://FrontRowDads.com/review, and email a screenshot of your review and your address (US addy’s only gents) to info@frontrowdads.com, and we’ll send you a copy of the book as a thank you! Some of the topics I discuss with Dr. Ian Kerner:  What autism looks like for most kids Why positive reinforcement made all the difference with Erik’s son. How Erik’s father instilled in him a love of reading and writing. What is sacrifice? The difference between a great dad and a terrible one. Why are some dads so much better at being parents when their kids are very young, or when they’re teenagers, or even later in life? When do we take on too much responsibility? The common misconceptions about how to show up for and support kids with autism, ADHD, and a wide range of other conditions. Why do kids suffer when they grow up in sterile environments? Where should we focus our time, attention, and energy? 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/278 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

She called me a sex god.  I laughed, but knew I may have earned it!   Gents... this show is going to get seriously personal.  We’re talking oral sex, bedroom routines, easing anxiety, ethical porn and more.  A few years ago, my friend Lance Salazar, author of The Miracle Morning for Couples, gave me a copy of Dr. Ian Kerner’s book, She Comes First.  Long story short: six months later, my wife was telling all our friends that I’d become some sort of sex god (not kidding).   It wasn’t until I was in my early 40s that I started to learn how to really light up my wife.   We cover a lot of ground on the show, including a look into the work behind his new book, So Tell Me About the Last Time You Had Sex: Laying Bare and Learning to Repair Our Love Lives. Some of the topics I discuss with Dr. Ian Kerner:  What does variety look like in a healthy sexual relationship? The $2.00 purchase that saved my sex life The one thing that needed to happen, for my wife to beg for sex. Are your routines (sex scripts) killing your love life? What are your core erotic themes? How do you create variety in a sexual relationship? Is there ethical porn and has porn become problematic? Do men need to manage masturbation? If you’re kids bust you having sex, is that traumatic? Why our cultural norms surrounding sex leave people dysfunctional, depressed, and without sexual self-esteem. Why dominant cultural narratives fail to honor female sexuality. Why guys should be talking about sex more often. Why do sex scripts fall into predictable patterns or just get boring? The common threads of sex scripts that work. Why anxiety is the enemy of arousal When should we talk to our kids about sex and pornography? Is there more trauma for a child in seeing their parents have sex, or feeling that their parents lived in a sexless marriage? 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/277 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

What matters more–providing for our families, or being there for our spouses and our kids while we make incredible memories? When I learned that entrepreneur Tyler Gunter decided to make big changes in his life and retired at the age of 30 to show up for his family first and his business second, I knew I needed to talk to him.  Tyler is the founder of Adventure Dads, a group of about a dozen dads that take trips with their children of all ages. They’ve gone spelunking, rode go-karts, and explored artificial biospheres, to name just a few of their activities. More importantly, they’ve also helped kids foster incredible friendships and forge connections within their community. In our conversation today, Tyler and I talk about the power of influence and mentorship when it comes to our kids–and how we can be a positive presence in our kids’ lives, even when they stop wanting to listen to us. We also talk about what it means to live a balanced and intentional life, and the beauty of learning to let go. Nate Klemp's Podcast Highlights What is Adventure Dads and why did Tyler create it? Who are the people we want to be actively involved in our kids’ lives? How can we have serious conversations about real issues with our kids? How do our kids’ friends influence them–and how can we have an influence on our kids’ friends? What makes going on adventures with our kids so valuable? The moment that taught Tyler and his wife that nothing could make up for lost time together. How do you know who will show up for your family if something happens to you? How can tragedy bring out the best in a family or a community? How can you reverse engineer a life of intention? What Tyler does when he screws up or knows he lost his cool. 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/276 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

We’ve all heard of the mythical 100/100 marriage before — one where both partners give 100% at all times, and everything’s always great. But let’s take a step back and get real for a second: How often do you feel like you’re able to give 100%? How often do you feel like you’re getting 100%? If you’ve ever argued about who is (or isn’t) giving enough, did it feel like you were going around in circles while nothing improved? With that in mind, I’d like to ask you one more question: what if the magic number isn’t 100%? Nate Klemp — PhD, bestselling author, and founding partner at Mindful, wants you to stop thinking in terms of 100/100. In his new book, The 80/80 Marriage: A New Model for a Happier, Stronger Relationship, he and his wife Kaley pinpoint exactly what doesn’t work in modern marriage. They share incredible stories from their own lives and others, as well as practical, powerful solutions designed to transform your relationship and deepen your connection. In our conversation, Nate and I are talking about why even mindfulness junkies can get triggered, why scorekeeping and fairness suck, and how you can break out of unhealthy loops once and for all to transform your marriage for the better. Also, as a thank you for listening, I want to gift a copy of Nate’s book to you! All I ask is that you write an honest review of the podcast on Apple. Be sure to mention the Nate Klemp episode in your review, take a screenshot, and email it to info@frontrowdads.com and I’ll mail you a copy of the book. Nate Klemp's Podcast Highlights Why do we still lose our sh*t, even after spending so much time on breathwork, meditation, exercise, and everything else that’s supposed to help us stay in check? How do our kids show us everything that we need to be working on as parents? Why is it so easy to fall into fights about what is and isn’t fair in relationships–especially when we have kids? The three core components of an 80/80 marriage. The contagious qualities of radical fairness and behaving out of character. Why doesn’t 100/100 (or 50/50) work in a relationship? Why is it possible to lose who we are when we try to be generous? Why people think an 80/80 marriage is harder than it actually is–and how leveling up your relationship can take as little as 20 seconds a day. Is there anything we can do to make the 50/50 mindset go away? What couples actively living the 80/80 lifestyle are doing right now. How do we tap into the inherent love and generosity available to us? What happens when we become too calm and collected? How to incorporate breathwork into your daily practice. 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/275 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

Phillip Stutts, my new friend, just published The Undefeated Marketing System.  It’s a book about how to grow businesses and build audiences. If you want to learn a lot about digital marketing and the tools and techniques that win presidential campaigns, he lays it all out. But I took more from it than that. Phillip’s book taught me to learn more about my kids and my wife. Most importantly, it made me ask myself, “How can I connect and deliver as a family man?” Phillip writes about the importance of really listening to people when it comes to reaching them through marketing, yet all the lessons he teaches apply just as much to our families as they do to our companies. In today’s conversation with Phillip, we talk about the dramatic changes he’s made in the last five years of his life to write a book, show up for his family, own six companies, and fight an extraordinarily rare esophageal disease. You’ll learn about his remarkable transformation, the five rules of marketing that every successful campaign follows, and how to become a better listener to improve every relationship in your life.  I strongly feel like this is a book that everyone should read right now (in fact, I’m having my entire team read it right now), and as a thank you for listening, I want to gift it to you! All I ask is that you write an honest review of the podcast on Apple. Be sure to mention the Phillip Stutts episode in your review, take a screenshot, and email it to info@frontrowdads.com and I’ll mail you a copy of the book. Phillip Stutts' Podcast Highlights Why do projects like writing books take such a toll on our families? How do we live a life of joy with our families–especially when our own childhoods were not happy? How an illness can make us better parents and entrepreneurs. The importance of gut health. Why is it so easy to become addicted to distraction–and how does this manifest in our lives? When we’ve made big changes in our lives, how can we show up to help others who we think are just a few steps behind us in their journeys–and should we help at all? What makes so many marketing campaigns so ineffective. How can you build a marketing machine that stays ahead of technology changes? What Phillip learned from absolutely blowing an Instagram ad campaign for what was then the biggest client he’d ever landed. What is both our greatest asset (and flaw) as a business owner? What happens when our kids and spouses really feel seen and heard? 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/274 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

My friend Johnny Kane didn’t just recommend that I read Jesse Harless’s book, If Not You, Then Who?–he told me that everybody should read it. And man, was Johnny right. I was blown away by the first 50 pages. It’s a raw, shockingly good, honest memoir about addiction and recovery. But it’s more than that. Instead of simply sharing his very moving story of struggles with addiction and his road to recovery, Jesse gives his readers the power to take action and change their lives–or provide someone close to them with the help they need. After reading the book, I knew I needed to chat with Jesse, especially as we all work to unpack the collective trauma we faced as a society in 2020. In this conversation, we dig into how he became a thought leader in the world of addiction and recovery, why we’re all addicts of some kind, and how to replace the patterns that don’t serve us with ones that can make our lives better. I strongly feel like this is a book that everyone should read right now, so as a thank you for listening, I want to gift it to you! All I ask is that you write an honest review of the podcast on Apple. Be sure to mention the Jesse Harless episode in your review, take a screenshot, and email it to info@frontrowdads.com and I’ll mail you a copy of the book. Read it, share it, and let us know how it impacted you–I’m confident you’ll love it! Jesse Harless Podcast Highlights What led Jesse to become a leader in the addiction and recovery space. How do cold showers help us fight anxiety? What are people recovering from right now–especially as dads and entrepreneurs? The difference between a habit and an addiction. How do people become aware of their addictions? What are the biggest addictions affecting people right now? What percentage of 30-50 year old men have an addiction of some kind? How to help your kids navigate addictions, including screens and social media. Why the opioid crisis is being swept under the rug in our society. At what age are people exposed to addictive drugs? What is the FEARS model? What does daily recovery from all the trauma we face each day look like, and how can we talk about this with our kids, no matter how old they are? What does long-term recovery from addiction look like? 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/273 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, if you’re reading this, you’re probably the type of guy who wants to keep winning at life… But when you think about your family, your business, your health, and the legacy you’re building, are you pushing the boundaries of what’s possible? Are you intentionally creating space to design a life that gets you fired up? My chat with Matthew Januszek is all about achieving BIG breakthroughs — not just in your business, but in all areas of life! Matthew is a Husband, Father, Entrepreneur, Co-Founder of Escape Fitness, and someone who is continuously learning and leveling up. In our conversation, he shares lessons learned from taking a company from the startup phase to a well-known international brand, raising incredible kids, and interviewing incredible thinkers on his own podcast, fittingly called Escape Your Limits. We talk about keeping the spark alive with your wife, co-creating dreams, winning with the kids, work/life balance, fitness, supplements, and a whole lot more! Matthew Januszek Podcast Highlights What does Matthew love about his family - and what parts drive him nuts? How can you keep the spark alive and find attraction with someone you’re doing life with every single day? What you can do to “dream create” with your spouse. What makes it so hard to tap into your strengths as a joint person and create better relationships? The mistakes so many couples make as they try to “grow together.” Why Matthew believes the pandemic made him a better father. How can we help our kids to achieve their goals? The nutrition and workout routines that Matthew uses to maintain great physique–even at age 50. Why food matters just as much as exercise–and why this is what people struggle with most of all when it comes to feeling (and looking) good. How do we determine what we need to do to move the needle in life, love, and business? Why do we so rarely make deep connections with guys we meet in our 40s and 50s, as opposed to earlier in life? What does it really mean to escape your limits? 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/272 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