Fatherhood Field Notes

Ned Schaut and Amber Vilhauer unpack what it means to raise kids who trust their authentic voice . Amber shares how deep conversations, co-parenting with respect, and being fully present can help fathers break generational cycles and guide their kids with awareness and integrity . From her journey as a single mom to reconnecting with her own dad, Amber’s story reminds every father: It’s never too...

Ned continues the "What is Sacred?" series by turning the focus inward—to the very space we call home. With heartfelt storytelling and real-life reflections, Ned challenges fathers to consider: Is your house just a building, or is it a sacred space where peace is cultivated? Through vivid anecdotes—like helping his son buy a first car instead of insisting on a clean garage—Ned explores how the ton...

In this powerful and convicting episode, John D. Gillespie shares his remarkable journey from American seminary halls to planting churches in rural England. With a voice forged through decades of ministry, fatherhood, and spiritual battle, John invites fathers to reject comfort culture and embrace the calling of servant leadership. He unpacks why the home is not your castle—it’s your Calvary , and...

Ned Schaut continues the What Is Sacred? mini-series by diving deep into the often-overlooked gift of the human body. Through candid storytelling (including the discovery of a dead rat in his garage gym), Ned challenges fathers to reflect on how they’re treating their physical health—and what message that sends to their kids. This episode unpacks the idea that the body is sacred, meant to be honor...

In this heart-forward episode of Fatherhood Field Notes , host Ned Schaut sits down with Hawaii-born real estate pro and former touring musician, Chris Stimac, to unpack the power of presence , partnership , and purpose in fatherhood. From the stage lights of Europe to the ocean tides of Kona, Chris opens up about choosing intentional family life over fame—and how that one choice redefined his suc...

Ned kicks off a powerful four-part series exploring what’s truly sacred in our homes. With candid, heartfelt reflection, Ned challenges fathers to think deeply about the values they’re passing down—intentionally or not. From the importance of respecting mom to evaluating whether we’ve made money or time too sacred, this episode urges dads to lead with integrity, honor, and self-awareness. Ned offe...

In this raw and energizing episode of Fatherhood Field Notes , JD Denham shares the moment he realized he was “sick and tired of being sick and tired”—a pivotal shift that led him to reclaim his health, identity, and leadership as a father. JD opens up about transforming from a burned-out dad into a mission-driven man using discipline, faith, and fitness as his foundation. From leveraging peptides...

Ned Schaut challenges dads to examine whether family is truly their top priority or simply something they say. Reflecting on a dirt bike outing with his son and insights from coaching and literature, he unpacks the tension between building success and being present at home. Through personal stories and striking metaphors—like climbing the ladder of success only to find it’s leaning against the wro...

What does it mean to truly be present as a father? In this heartfelt and candid conversation, Levi Harris— CEO of Death Grip Wax and a professional mustache competitor—opens up about fatherhood, faith, and the fine art of grooming and guiding. From navigating deep grief through miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy to learning how to be mentally and emotionally present for his kids, Levi shares raw...

Ned Schaut leans all the way into the calling of fatherhood by reflecting on the intentional steps he's taking with his 16-year-old son. With a heart full of purpose and a mindset of mentorship, Ned shares his real-time journey of helping his son build a life roadmap—one rooted in clarity, values, and vision. He opens up about fasting, family conversations, and creating opportunities for explorati...

In this deeply personal and milestone 500th episode of Fatherhood Field Notes , Ned Schaut sits down with a guest unlike any other—his own father, Richard Schaut. Together, they reflect on the profound journey of fatherhood, from the chaos of raising young kids to the quieter, legacy-focused years of grandparenting. Through honest storytelling and gentle humor, they explore the simple but powerful...

Ned Schaut shares a simple but profound realization: the morning drive to school with his 15-year-old son is a fleeting opportunity—one that won’t last forever. As Ned steps into the Uber Dad life while his wife is away, he uncovers a powerful truth about fatherhood: sometimes the most impactful connections are forged not through epic moments, but in the quiet rhythm of everyday life. Through auth...

Ned Schaut sits down with Ben Kormanik—father and CEO of K-Construction—to explore what it means to be a present, intentional father in a world full of distractions. Ben shares a raw story about walking with his son through the struggles of pornography, emphasizing grace over shame and connection over control. With heartfelt honesty, Ben reflects on how fathers can become allies to their children,...

Ned dives deep into a powerful lesson that emerged from the everyday chaos of fatherhood: when something matters most, pause. Juggling a busy week of parenting, workouts, and time-blocking, Ned reflects on two moments where choosing presence over productivity reminded him what truly matters. He challenges listeners to be interruptible, to listen to the cues from their children, and to embrace the...

Ned Schaut sits down with Johnny Gillespie to unpack what it means to heal generational wounds and shape a legacy. Johnny reflects on the impact of being raised by a good father, shares how that foundation influenced his own journey into fatherhood, and invites us into the sacred and messy moments of parenting teenagers. With raw honesty and spiritual insight, Johnny reminds us that trauma must be...

Ned opens up about a critical and deeply personal question: What belief system am I passing down to my children? Reflecting on his teenage son’s transition into manhood, Ned wrestles with the profound responsibility of fatherhood—not just in the early years, but throughout the lifelong journey of guiding a young man into adulthood. Through powerful storytelling and introspective insight, he explor...

Ned sits down with Joe Carr, Co-Founder of Serenity Kids, to dive deep into the powerful intersection of fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and nurturing the next generation—starting with what we feed our babies. Joe shares how embracing his inner free spirit, fostering emotional awareness in his home, and addressing major gaps in the baby food market led to building a thriving business rooted in love...

Ned Schaut opens up about a day that didn’t go as planned—and how that disruption became a powerful reflection on fatherhood. From dealing with work curveballs to showing up for his injured daughter and stranded son, Ned wrestles with what it means to be present, sacrificial, and flexible as a dad. Is your time more important than your spouse’s? Are you truly serving, or subtly seeking credit? Thr...

Ned sits down with Dylan Nonaka – Marine veteran, real estate leader, jiu-jitsu coach, and intentional father – to explore the essence of true fatherhood. Dylan shares his journey from military service to mentoring his own sons with unapologetic leadership and tough love. The conversation dives deep into what it means to be a leader at home, how to raise kids to handle adversity, and why equality...

Ned shares a raw and relatable story about a small moment with big impact—forgetting something important to his daughter and reacting in frustration. Through reflection and a powerful late-night chat with fellow dads, Ned dives into the often-overlooked difference between being justified and being effective in our parenting. With authenticity and vulnerability, he challenges fathers to look beyond...

Ned sits down with Darrell Irwin—entrepreneur, father of three, and bold follower of Christ—to explore the deeper calling of fatherhood. Together, they unpack what it truly means to raise children with purpose, legacy, and resilience. Darrell opens up about building a family name that means something , why kindness must be actively demonstrated, and how faith—not fear—drives his parenting philosop...

Ned Schaut unpacks a transformative season of life—what started as an unexpected sabbatical turned into a time of powerful clarity. Ned shares the life-altering experience of attending a five-day Rise of Kings marriage retreat and the decisions that followed: quitting what doesn’t serve and leaning harder into purpose. This episode is for every dad who’s in the thick of it—juggling family, work, a...

Ned is joined by Kyle Rodgers—father, veteran, and founder of the Alpha Wave Project. Kyle shares his journey from military missions to his mission at home, raising daughters with peace, intention, and values. He talks about his family’s daily gratitude practice at the dinner table, living as a “standard bearer” of family values, and why knowing your kids deeply matters more than simply loving the...

Ned opens up about a recent, unexpected sabbatical that offered him deep clarity on life, priorities, and fatherhood. What started as a packed schedule of trips and commitments turned into a heartfelt revelation: even the good things can get in the way of the best things. Ned reflects on time away from his kids, a transformative marriage retreat, and why he stopped sending a weekly text he'd done...

Emmy-winning meteorologist and productivity coach Ted Phaeton joins Ned Schaut to unpack the power of intentional fatherhood. Ted shares how boundaries, structure, and seasonal awareness can transform the way we lead our families. With heart and clarity, Ted opens up about his mission to help high-achieving men take control of their time so they can show up fully in their homes. From practical ins...