The Dad Edge Podcast

In this episode of the  Dad Edge Podcast , I sit down with Candice Horbacz , a former adult film star turned mindfulness advocate, podcaster, and homeschooling mother. Candice brings a rare blend of candor, introspection, and wisdom to this deeply personal conversation. We explore how she navigated radical life transitions, healed from childhood trauma, and created a home rooted in authenticity, c...

Ever found yourself trying to fix a problem with your spouse or kids—only to make it worse? Yeah, me too. In today's episode, I sat down with Josh Davis, a neuroscientist, author, and master of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), to explore how the way we communicate—our words, tone, body language, and mindset—can shape the emotional responses of those we love most.   Josh didn't just explain NLP;...

Today marks the 1400th episode of the  Dad Edge Podcast , and I couldn't be more excited to celebrate it with one of the most important people in my life—my 9-year-old son, Colton. In this fun, heartfelt, and candid father-son conversation, we dive into some of the powerful questions from my free resource, Questions for the Car , to model what intentional connection looks like between a dad and hi...

In this eye-opening episode of the  Dad Edge Podcast , I sit down with Dr. Justin Houman , a leading urologist and men's health expert, to talk about everything most guys avoid—hormones, testosterone, fertility, vasectomies, and how your lifestyle is impacting your long-term health as a man. Dr. Houman pulls back the curtain on what's really happening with declining testosterone levels, the truth...

In this deeply moving and perspective-shifting episode of the  Dad Edge Podcast , I sit down with John O'Leary , a bestselling author, motivational speaker, and burn survivor whose life is a testament to the power of resilience, hope, and radical love. At age nine, John suffered severe burns across 100% of his body. He wasn't supposed to live. But not only did he survive—he became one of the most...

In this special episode of  The Dad Edge Podcast , I sit down with a very special guest—my 11-year-old son, Lawson Hagner . This episode is unlike any other, because it's not about interviews or experts—it's about connection. It's about the power of slowing down, asking questions, and being intentional with our kids.   Lawson and I dive into simple but meaningful topics—his favorite memories, what...

In this episode of  The Dad Edge Podcast , we dive into a topic every parent faces daily — our kids' teeth. From baby gums to braces, I sit down with orthodontist, educator, and author Dr. Robert Geiman to unpack the essential truths about children's dental health and what parents can do to set their kids up for lifelong confidence and health.   Dr. Geiman's new book, The Tooth Bible: A Parent's G...

In this solo episode, I open up about one of the most overwhelming seasons my family has faced—fall. Between school demands, sports, band, and everything else, our schedule was maxed out and our connection suffered. Jessica and I found ourselves constantly busy but emotionally distant, operating more like teammates than soulmates.   I share how we recognized the symptoms of "roommate syndrome," wh...

In this special Father-Son Wednesday edition of the  Dad Edge Podcast , Ethan and I have an open and heartfelt conversation about the kind of legacy we want to leave—not in terms of money, but in how we show up for our families, our faith, and our future. With Halloween around the corner, we explore the idea of what truly haunts fathers—missed moments, emotional distance, and failing to lead with...

In this episode, I sit down with Clay Butler, CEO of Agape International Missions (AIM), for a powerful conversation on fighting child trafficking and how present, intentional fatherhood is one of the most effective weapons in that fight. With over 2,000 rescues and hundreds of traffickers arrested, Clay's work is nothing short of heroic—but it's his role as a father that has most shaped his missi...

In this solo episode, I dig into one of the most crucial parenting challenges—helping our kids face their fears and build real, lasting confidence. From sports pressure to academic stress to the emotional struggles they often keep bottled up, our kids are living in a high-pressure world. And as fathers, it's our job to create a space where they feel safe, heard, and guided—not just fixed.   I shar...

In this Dad Edge Podcast episode, I'm joined by my son Ethan for a powerful father-son conversation about money, mistakes, and mindsets. But this episode goes way beyond budgeting tips. It's about the deeper fear, pressure, and responsibility men feel when it comes to providing and preparing the next generation.   We explore everything from cost of living fears to smart saving habits, early invest...

In this  Dad Edge Podcast episode, I'm joined by Joel Staley , husband, father, and fasting expert—but the real story here isn't about weight loss. It's about the emotional and relational weight men carry and how mastering the physical body can help men show up more powerfully for their families.   We unpack Joel's transformation from feeling "fluffy" and distracted to leading his wife and kids wi...

In this solo episode, I dive deep into one of the most vital life skills we can teach our kids—financial literacy. From Halloween costumes to quarterly financial reviews, I walk you through my real-life journey of raising four boys with a focus on money management, financial responsibility, and the value of earning over entitlement. This isn't about theory—it's about what I've tried, what's worked...

In this episode, I'm joined by my good friend Coach Frank Rich for one of the most eye-opening and urgent conversations we've ever had on this show. We dig deep into the disturbing ways artificial intelligence is now intersecting with the porn industry—from deepfake technology to fully AI-generated adult content. It's not just impacting adults anymore—this tech is trickling into high schools, bein...

What would you do if the scale flashed "error" because it couldn't register your weight? For most men, that might feel like the end—but for Johnny Muresan, it was day one. In this deeply moving and brutally honest episode, I sit down with the man behind  Johnny Goes Running to unpack his staggering 160+ pound weight loss journey, his emotional rock bottom, and how a single painful step forward spa...

If your days feel like a relentless sprint—from school drop-offs to late-night routines—you're not alone. In this short and powerful solo episode, I open up about the challenges of maintaining intimacy, presence, and intention in marriage when life gets overwhelmingly busy. With fall sports, kid activities, and work responsibilities piling up, it's all too easy to slip into "roommate mode" with yo...

In this candid father-son episode of the  Dad Edge Podcast , I sit down once again with my son Ethan for a real-time look at what growth, struggle, and emotional awareness look like in the life of a young man. We dive into why ownership is key when navigating life's challenges, how to catch yourself when falling into patterns of blame, and what it takes to shift your state when your mindset is wor...

In this episode of the  Dad Edge Podcast , I sit down with Doug Bopst —former felon, now personal trainer, author, and transformational speaker—to unpack how adversity, addiction, and rock-bottom moments can become the fuel for growth, purpose, and fatherhood. Doug opens up about his journey from incarceration and drug addiction to becoming a man of impact and integrity.   We explore how pain can...

In this episode of the Dad Edge Podcast , I sit down with Michael Rothman—entrepreneur, father, and co-founder of Fatherly —to talk about what it really means to show up for your family with intention and presence in a rapidly evolving world.   Before he ever became a dad, Michael was shaping the conversation around modern fatherhood. Now, with a toddler at home and a lifetime of service under his...

Here are the fully formatted, SEO-optimized show notes for the Dad Edge Podcast episode featuring Ethan Hagner (Oct 1, 2025):     EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode of the Dad Edge Podcast , I sit down with my son Ethan for another real and reflective conversation about what it means to grow up with intention, confidence, and emotional maturity. We dig into how young men can use challenges to build s...

In this powerful episode of the  Dad Edge Podcast , I sit down with fitness coach and father Brandon Mancine to talk about what it truly means to be consistent, resilient, and connected in fatherhood. Brandon shares how the lessons learned from sobriety, fitness, and fatherhood all intersect—and why your physical discipline directly impacts your emotional presence at home.   From building routines...

In this solo episode of the  Dad Edge Podcast , I dive into the valuable life lessons we as fathers can teach our kids through sports—lessons that go far beyond winning or losing. Whether it's about praising effort over outcomes, sharing personal stories of hard work, or simply playing together with no agenda, I explore how to build stronger bonds and greater resilience in our kids through these m...

In this episode of the  Dad Edge Podcast , my son Ethan and I open up about the kind of conversations that strengthen the bond between fathers and sons. We explore what it really means to show up with respect, emotional maturity, presence, and perspective —both as a parent and as a young man growing into adulthood.   From handling difficult emotions and making space for deeper connection to the im...

In this episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, Larry Hagner is joined by Oscar "Oz" Aponte—a U.S. Army veteran, StrongFirst kettlebell instructor, and founder of Iron Core—to explore what real strength means as a man, a father, and a leader.   Oz brings a powerful blend of physical mastery and spiritual depth, helping men move from brute force to intentional presence. Together, they unpack how posture,...