Good Dads Podcast

Good Dads inspires, resources and encourages ALL dads to be more involved in the lives of their children. When a community encourages responsible fatherhood, everyone wins. Find out more about Good Dads at our website:  https://www.gooddads.com/ Get involved by finding the right program for you:  https://gooddads.com/programs/ Donate to support the Good Dads mission!  https://gooddads.com/donate/...

Good Dads inspires, resources and encourages ALL dads to be more involved in the lives of their children. When a community encourages responsible fatherhood, everyone wins. Find out more about Good Dads at our website: https://www.gooddads.com/ Get involved by finding the right program for you: https://gooddads.com/programs/ Donate to support the Good Dads mission!  https://gooddads.com/donate/ Su...

Good Dads inspires, resources and encourages ALL dads to be more involved in the lives of their children. When a community encourages responsible fatherhood, everyone wins. Find out more about Good Dads at our website: https://www.gooddads.com/ Get involved by finding the right program for you: https://gooddads.com/programs/ Donate to support the Good Dads mission!  https://gooddads.com/donate/ Su...

Good Dads inspires, resources and encourages ALL dads to be more involved in the lives of their children. When a community encourages responsible fatherhood, everyone wins. Find out more about Good Dads at our website: https://www.gooddads.com/ Get involved by finding the right program for you: https://gooddads.com/programs/ Donate to support the Good Dads mission!  https://gooddads.com/donate/ Wh...

Why do people choose to invest their time in helping dads succeed? In the newest episode of the Good Dads Podcast, host J Fotsch sits down with two experienced Good Dads facilitators who are making a lasting impact on fathers and families: Please join us in welcoming two highly skilled long-time facilitators: Janice Reynolds, a Good Dads master facilitator and retired teacher; and Dr. Benjy Lamper...

We're back! After a hiatus, the Good Dads Podcast returns with a reinvigorated focus on equipping dads with the tools they need to grow, lead, and succeed at home. In our first returning episode, Good Dads sits down with two new staff members to share our excitement about an all-new program that's changing the face of responsible fatherhood efforts in Missouri. We hope you'll join us for this fun...

In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes , hosts J. Fotsch and Brian Mattson welcome elementary PE teacher and dad, Myles Wilson, for a fun and practical discussion about helping kids develop healthy habits for school success. From the importance of routines and physical activity to managing screen time, Myles shares how movement, emotional regulation, and positive social skills set the stage...

In this episode of Good Dads Great Communities , J. Fotsch and Director of Communications Diana Dudenhoeffer sit down with Strong Schools Captains Joshua Rowlett and Ben Buschjost to hear firsthand how intentional father involvement is transforming schools, families, and communities. From the library to the manufacturing floor, Joshua and Ben share how dads—and other male role models—are stepping...

In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes , hosts J. Fotsch and Brian Mattson are joined by Jason Hinson from Victory Mission for a lighthearted yet deeply practical conversation about raising children to be independent. From toddler chore charts to the complexities of launching adult children, the trio explores what age-appropriate responsibility looks like across different life stages. The c...

In this episode of Good Dads Great Communities, Dr. Jennifer L. Baker and J. Fotsch sit down with Strong Schools Coordinator Jim Millsap and Good Dads Board Member Dr. Mike Dawson—an experienced educator and retired Branson Schools administrator—to explore how simple interactions between dads and their kids can build stronger families and schools. Drawing on their decades in education and personal...

In this candid episode of Hot Topics , hosts J. Fotsch and Will Cox speak with Missouri State Representative Alex Riley and government consultant Ryan DeBouf about the challenge of navigating politics as parents. Both guests bring not only their professional insights but also their personal experience as dads—Alex with a growing young family and Ryan with children spanning from elementary to adult...

In this episode of  The Intentional Dad , hosts J. Fotsch and Jason Hynson welcome guest Brian Mattson from The Downtown Church for a heartfelt discussion on fostering trust and openness in family conversations . The dads explore how honesty, humility and consistency are crucial for building emotional safety at home—especially when discussing hard topics or addressing mistakes both theirs and thei...

In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes, hosts J. Fotsch and Brian Mattson sit down with Crystal and Tobi Roberts to discuss how parents can teach kids about money from a young age. The Roberts, parents of a blended family with three children, share practical ways they've used to teach financial responsibility—from chore charts and envelope budgeting to teen credit cards and monthly family b...

In this episode of The Intentional Dad , hosts J. Fotsch and Jason Hynson, with Victory Mission, welcome guest Jim Robinette to explore what discipline really means in parenting. Drawing on his military background and years of fatherhood, Jim reframes discipline as more than just consequences— it's about leadership, personal responsibility and helping kids build self-awareness . The trio emphasize...

In this heartfelt episode of Hot Topics , hosts J. Fotsch and Will Cox sit down with Zach Troutman—coach, community leader and founder of Follow the Leader—to discuss the impact of intentional fatherhood, mentorship and vulnerability . Zach opens up about growing up without his dad, losing his best friend to suicide and how these experiences shaped his mission to provide stability, openness and su...

In this inspiring episode of  Good Dads Great Communities , Dr. Jennifer L. Baker and J. Fotsch speak with two outstanding leaders in rural Missouri: Sean Vanderbeck from the Ava chapter and Jill Garrett from the Texas County chapter. As two of the three winners of the Good Dads Great Communities of the Year Contest, these chapters are recognized for their commitment to fatherhood in small towns o...

In this episode of  Hot Topics , hosts J. Fotsch and Will Cox welcome Dr. Shelby Smith, a family physician and father of three, to explore the essential yet often neglected topic of  self-care for dads . With honesty and warmth, Dr. Smith shares how his personal and professional experiences have transformed his understanding of burnout, mindfulness and the importance of being present—mentally and...

Infant Health with Family Connects In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes , hosts J. Fotsch and Brian Mattson talk with Jordan Coiner from the Springfield-Greene County Health Department about the crucial role dads play in infant health . Jordan shares personal stories from his own parenting journey and introduces the Family Connects program, a home-visiting initiative offering support from...

In this episode of The Intentional Dad , hosts J. Fotsch and Jason Hynson sit down with guest Dyllan Dale , a New Pathways for Good Dads graduate. They unpack the challenges dads face when helping their kids navigate  peer pressure and self-esteem . Through honest conversation and real-life stories , the trio explores how intentional parenting means being present, empathetic and proactive—especial...

In this heartfelt episode of Good Dads Great Communities , Dr. Jennifer L. Baker and J. Fotsch welcome longtime friend and original Good Dads board member Paul Windisch . Together, they reflect on the organization's 10-year evolution from a vision to a community-wide movement supporting fatherhood . Paul shares how being part of the early days—and watching the mission grow —shaped his perspective...

In this episode of Hot Topics , the hosts, J Fotsch and Will Cox welcome Dr. Leonard B. Horton III , assistant professor of journalism at Missouri State University, to explore how fathers can foster healthy screen time habits in the digital age. With humor and honesty, the conversation spans early parenting decisions to teen technology use, revealing both the risks and the opportunities that scree...

In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes , hosts J. Fotsch and Diana Dudenhoeffer sit down with Chief Paul Williams to talk about how dads play a vital role in raising safe, responsible kids. With 45 years in law enforcement and personal parenting experience, Chief Williams highlights how an involved father figure profoundly shapes a child's choices and future . He stresses that being a good...

In this episode of The Intentional Dad , hosts Jason Hynson and J. Fotsch talk candidly about the early days of fatherhood—from sleepless nights to adapting plans and embracing support. With stories from their own experiences raising newborns, the duo highlights the importance of flexibility , presence and being teachable as new dads. They share laughs over chaotic moments, practical tips for mana...

In this  inspiring episode , Dr. Jennifer L. Baker and co-host J. Fotsch sit down with  Aaron Swanson , General Sales Manager at  Springfield Nissan & Kia . More than a business leader,  Aaron is a husband and father  who understands the power of  leading by example . He shares how his workplace has embraced the  Good Dads mission —not just financially but through  hands-on support and community i...

In this episode of Hot Topics , hosts Will Cox and Dr. Jennifer L. Baker discuss the importance of allowing children to experience failure as a tool for growth . They explore how overcoming setbacks builds resilience, decision-making skills and long-term success. Will shares a personal story about his son procrastinating on a school assignment and his initial instinct to step in and "fix" the situ...