Good Dads Podcast

In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes , hosts Brian Mattson and Dr. Jennifer L. Baker welcome Paul Baker , an experienced educator and former school principal, to discuss practical ways to build confidence in children. Paul shares insights from his career in education and his experiences as a father, offering real-life examples of how responsibility, chores and perseverance help instill co...

In this episode of The Intentional Dad , hosts Jason Hynson and J. Fotsch sit down with Herb Cody , a dedicated father from Nixa, Missouri, to discuss how life's challenges shape empathy, resilience and intentional fatherhood . Herb shares his personal journey of navigating fatherhood through life-altering experiences , including his own near-fatal accident and his wife's traumatic brain injury ....

In this episode of Good Dads, Great Communities , Dr. Jennifer L. Baker , founder and Executive Director of Good Dads , and co-host J. Fotsch discuss how to build fatherhood initiatives and strengthen communities through engagement, collaboration, and leadership . Dr. Baker shares how Good Dads started with a simple idea and grew into a multi-chapter organization supporting thousands of fathers ....

In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes , hosts Brian and J Fotsch welcome Rudy Martinez , Director of the Springfield Conservation Nature Center , to explore the role of curiosity, outdoor exploration, and lifelong learning in parenting . Rudy shares how his love for the outdoors influenced his parenting style and how exposing kids to nature sparks curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving...

In this episode of Hot Topics , hosts J Fotsch and Will Cox sit down with Dr. Kyle John, Medical Director at Arc of the Ozarks, to explore neurodiversity, inclusivity, and early intervention for autism and other developmental disorders. Dr. John explains what neurodiversity is, how early diagnosis impacts long-term outcomes, and why dads often struggle more than moms when their child receives a di...

In this episode of  The Intentional Dad , hosts Jason Hynson and J. Fotsch welcome guest David Anderson, a school counselor, father of three and 2024 Dad of the Year honoree. Together they dive into what it means to instill kindness, responsibility and teamwork in children both at home and in the community. David shares how his experience in the Peace Corps shaped his family's commitment to servic...

Episode 2: Getting Started - Six Essential Sectors In this episode of Good Dads Great Communities , Dr. Jennifer Baker and cohost J. Fotsch explore the six essential sectors needed to build and sustain a strong Good Dads initiative in any community. As Good Dads expands into new locations, the question arises: How do we bring Good Dads to our town? Dr. Baker shares the key components of a successf...

In the first episode of Hot Topics, Dr. Jennifer Baker and cohost J. Fotsch welcome Will Cox, a father of two, coach, entrepreneur and self-proclaimed "mediocre dad trying to be good." Will shares his experiences raising two sons with distinct personalities, navigating fatherhood and balancing family life with his career as a solar company owner. This episode dives into why affection matters in fa...

In the premiere episode of The Difference a Dad Makes, Dr. Jennifer Baker and cohost J. Fotsch welcome Brian Mattson, lead pastor at the Downtown Church and father of two, to discuss the critical role of fathers, mentors and role models in shaping lives. This engaging conversation explores the profound impact dads have on their children not just in their presence but through their actions, stabili...

In the first episode of The Intentional Dad, Dr. Jennifer Baker and cohost Jason Hynson dive into what it means to be an intentional father. Jason, a father of seven children ranging from toddlers to teenagers, shares his journey of fatherhood, balancing the chaos and joy of parenting, and his role as the leader of Victory Mission. Together, they explore the importance of showing up, being present...

In the inaugural episode of Good Dads Great Communities , Dr. Jennifer Baker, founder and director of Good Dads, and host J Fotsch introduce an inspiring vision for 2025, starting with the first module, "Why Good Dads Are Important to a Great Community." This episode lays the foundation for a transformative yearlong exploration of how engaged fathers can create safer communities, stronger schools,...

We continue talking to Frank Tristan about parent involvement and how having humility can go a long way in any situation in life. Frank has been teaching and coaching for the last 20 years and loves the opportunity to invest in young people. He and his wife Natalie were married in 2008 and have two children, Hays and Taylor. They are regularly involved in church and love experiencing new adventure...

Frank Tristan, head football coach at Glendale High School, father, and husband, talks about the balance of being a coach and a parent in this Part One episode. Frank has been teaching and coaching for the last 20 years and loves the opportunity to invest in young people. He and his wife Natalie were married in 2008 and have two children, Hays and Taylor. They are regularly involved in church and...

Frank Tristan, head football coach at Glendale High School, husband, and father, talks about the rewarding aspects of coaching and his "ABC" technique (Ask, Balance, and Competitive). Frank has been teaching and coaching for the last 20 years and loves the opportunity to invest in young people. He and his wife Natalie were married in 2008 and have two children, Hays and Taylor. They are regularly...

Join us this week in the Good Dads studio as founder and director Dr. Jennifer Baker and J Fotsch jump into the third installment on the challenges and joys of parenting a 4- and 5-year-old children.  Preschool-age children do not have the capacity to regulate their emotions as grown-ups, and some children throw more tantrums than others. One of the best way to avoid the potential meltdown is for...

Join us this week in the Good Dads studio as founder and director Dr. Jennifer Baker and J Fotsch talk about the challenges and joys of parenting a 4- and 5-year-old children.  This period of life is marked by inquisitiveness and unfiltered honesty. It's certainly true that they say the darndest things! These youngsters are at their peak of innocence, but they're also very in tune with potential t...

Are children master manipulators, or just trying to get their way? Is it okay to have night-time snacks? What's a dad to do when his child disobeys, turning on the TV after bedtime? Join us this week with J Fotsch and Dr. Jennifer Baker as we cover common questions for dads of four- and five-year-olds, including bedtimes, sugary snacks, discipline, pretend-crying and more.   Show Notes (2:14) I tr...

We welcome back Bre Tyger, Community Alignment Specialist from Family Connects, a program new to Springfield, MO. We cover the difference between "baby blues" and postpartum depression, and how it affects both Mom and Dad. A phenomenon of ongoing sadness in the days after your bundle of joy arrives is common and normal, but in general medical experts say the "baby blues" might begin to be classifi...

This week on the podcast, we welcome to the studio Bre Tyger, a public health nurse and Community Alignment Specialist with Family Connects, an international program new to the area. Join us as Bre discusses how she helps new parents, observant youngsters, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) nutritionist program, and encouraging new, first-time dads to be involved in the lives of their infants. ...

Dana and Christina Ford have a full house with a teenager, elementary schoolers and preschoolers. Join us for a conversation originally recorded in 2021 with the Fords as the blended family navigates the important transitions inherent in father-son relationships as Dana entered his step-son's life when he was 8 years old. Dana and Christina give advice for step-parents and differentiate their appr...

This week we're happy to welcome Tim Lewis to the studio, a first-time dad to a four-month-old. Join us as Tim shares the scary story of when baby Ophelia got sick with RSV around the end of last year. After initially going to Mercy in Springfield, doctors later needed to airlift Ophelia to an ER in Kansas City. Tim also provides his wisdom for new parents and discusses the importance of being on...

This week, we bring you a podcast episode from the Good Dads archive. Originally recorded in 2019, our guests, Brian and Drew, discuss the challenges and rewards of new parenthood. New dads will relate to big changes in sleep habits, working collaboratively with the mother of your child and more than a few dirty diaper horror stories.    Our Guest: Drew Dilisio, LPC  Drew Dilisio is the former dir...

This week on the podcast we welcome Dr. Sarah Jean Baker, Dr. Jennifer Baker's daughter-in-law, to speak on how children learn. We also talk about how babies can become attached to both Dad and Mom using the skin-to-skin contact technique, the importance of paternal leave, and the best ways to encourage your infant's learning. Join us as we fantasize about a future where both parents can rely on p...

This week on the Good Dads podcast, we welcome back Dr. Smith, a family care physician at Equality Healthcare in Springfied, MO. Dr. Smith shares his wisdom on supporting your pregnant partner, breaking the stigma on male post-partum depression, and practicing grace and understanding between Mom and Dad.  Part of the joy of treating families means Dr. Smith can treat lots of different people, incl...

Lisa McIntire, Executive Director at Pregnancy Care Center, talks about helping the "whole" family and how dads can help during the pregnancy process. Our Guest: Lisa McIntire Lisa McIntire currently serves as Executive Director of Pregnancy Care Center, where they equip about 500 expectant dads each year for the joys and rigors of fatherhood. Her passion for supporting dads is borne out of her pe...