DAD Talks

HDIGH #3: It’s a scene we have seen so many times in movies and TV shows. Characters facing a life or death situation and one character realizes the only way to survive is to let go. In this episode, I talk about the key to finding peace in your life is by letting go of the past and embracing your current circumstances as if you had chosen them.

In this episode of Dad Talks, I talk about the complex emotions surrounding grief and divorce. I share my personal journey through the stages of grief, emphasizing the importance of acceptance and the painful process of facing reality. Keywords grief, divorce, healing, acceptance, emotional pain, personal growth, fatherhood, mental health, coping strategies, life changes

This is the first episode in a series I am calling, "How Did I Get Here?" The idea with this series is to share my story from when I first realized divorce was coming to the healing journey to where I am today. In this episode of Dad Talks, I share my personal journey through divorce, exploring the feelings of being stuck and helpless. I reflect on past experiences, including a story fro...

In this episode, I share two powerful tools that have helped me navigate my struggles, emphasizing the importance of personal responsibility and acceptance. I look at the impact of past relationships on present behavior and the necessity of moving forward with purpose and clarity. Takeaways The importance of understanding personal responsibility in relationships. Counseling can help uncover deeper...

After a divorce, many dads find themselves wrestling with a painful question: Am I still a good dad? Being a “good dad” after divorce doesn’t look the way you thought it would—but that doesn’t make it any less real. In fact, some of the most important parts of fatherhood happen in the moments no one else sees. So let’s talk about what no one tells you about being a “good dad” after divorce—and why...

I recently heard a guest on a podcast share the idea of "being a butler for your future self." That got me to thinking, "What would that look like?" In this episode, I talk about the impact of procrastination on your life and what to do instead to set yourself up for future success.

"In the gap between where we are and where we want to be, we find instability..." -David J. Lieberman, Ph. D. Do you feel like you are stuck? Like you keep repeating the same stupid choices over and over? Do you struggle to connect with others? Are you not where you want to be? Then you need to deal with your ego. I have realized that my ego was holding me back in so many areas of my life. It wasn...

Could the blessings in Abraham's life actually be a curse?

If I could go back to my younger self and tell me that "Anger isn't the real issue, here's what is going on..." I would tell him this... I have always struggled with anger. Let me be more specific, anger comes easy for me. The struggle is to not act out in a bad way because of it. As I now see similiar tendencies in my own kids, I reflect back on my own childhood and ask what cou...

"How do I get over her? How do I move forward?" These were questions I have asked and now have been asked. Although these questions are unique to divorce, moving forward isn't. We all face death, setbacks, and hurts, so how can we not only move forward but find meaning after loss? Finding Meaning by David Kessler

I disagreed with the answer ChatGPT gave to the following question. What was the question? "What is the #1 belief keeping divorced dads stuck?" The answer was,  "I failed as a father." I agree that divorced dads struggle with this belief but it wasn't the belief that kept me stuck.

It took me two years to call and tell a mentor of mine that I was divorced. I just felt so much shame and thought he would be disappointed in me. I had allowed my divorce to define who I was. Your failures don't have to define you. You have the power to make a new path forward.

I have talked about the importance of facing your pain but how do we do that? I came across some old sermon notes that gives the blueprint on how to do that. That blueprint leads you to this truth: "Knowledge of God's truth gives us the ability to endure trials joyously."

"Faith is trusting advance what will only make sense in reverse." -Philip Yancey There's a question that I often ask myself and it can have both negative and positive outcomes. What's the question...Listen to find out.

When you are faced with a painful situation, how do you respond? Do you run away and avoid or do you face your pain head on and run through it? This episode I talk about why we should face our pain and how it can lead to healing and restoration.

On this episode of DAD Talks, I talk with Cory Jenks. We discuss how the skills needed for Improv Comedy can help you be a better parent and how yelling repeatedly at your kid during a game can make them play better... Cory Jenks is a convention breaking pharmacist, comedian, author, speaker, and dad from Tucson Arizona. Since earning his Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2011 from the University of So...

On this episode of DADtalks, Jeff Wickersham joins the show to share his heart behind starting the Warrior Dad Experience. Jeff Wickersham is on a mission to impact, lead and guide 1,000,000 dads and elevate the lives of 2,000,000+ kids by January 1, 2053.  He’s the founder and creator of The Warrior Dad Experience which guides dads to actualize their potential and crush life both personally and p...

Any time I would share my story about my relationship with my dad or my divorce, afterwards people would say, "Oh I am sorry about that." I then would say this phrase but I have had an epiphany and realized that this phrase is not helpful at all. Here's what led me to this conclusion.

On this episode of DADtalks, Andy Schoepf joins the show to share his story and insights from being a dad. We discuss How this idea that we are not called to be comfortable has: Led him to leave his job of 18 years to step into a field he knew little about Serve the other parents while their child was in the NICU And why he has a heart for the church, especially the youth

"There is more to 'time heals...'" On this episode of DADtalks, Daniel Novak joins the show to share his story and insights from being a dad. We discuss -Daniel's childhood as a pastor's kid -His career as a firefighter -Dealing with the loss of their son Make sure to listen to the end for bonus content!

"How can I make an impact like my dad did." - Caleb Mann On this episode of DADtalks, Caleb Mann joins the show to share his story and insights from being a new dad. In this episode: -Caleb shares what he has learned as a new dad -Building community through Pinball competitions -The amazing legacy of his dad and how it impacts Caleb now as a dad

"If it (suffering) is avoidable, the meaningful thing to do is remove its cause...If, on the other hand, one cannot change a situation that causes his suffering, he can still choose his attitude."  -Viktor E. Frankl We can't always control what happens to us but we can control how we will respond.

"I wasn’t getting to their heart because I hadn’t logged enough quality time to earn the collateral to discipline." - Jamie Hopkins On this episode of DADtalks, Jamie Hopkins joins the show to share his story and insights from raising 3 kids to entering the next stage of being a grandpa. In this episode: -Jamie shares his struggles of being a dad at 18 which included losing their first c...

S4 #006 On this episode of DADtalks, I interview Drew Burkamper. I brought Drew on to talk about fostering kids and the story behind "One More Arrow." We also discuss the need for dads to be in community with other dads and what the numbers on your toaster mean.

S4 #005 "Whatever standard you set for them, they will follow." On this episode of DADtalks, I am joined by Nick Martin. As you listen you will begin to pick up on the theme of intentionality as we talk about how to be intentional with your spouse, kids, and in life.