Fatherhood Field Notes

Ned sits down with his former high school Bible teacher, Mr. Tom Amato, who has dedicated 54 years to working with youth. At 78 years old, Mr. Amato shares profound wisdom about unconditional love, the power of presence, and what it truly means to be a father. He reveals how he emerged from six years of total darkness and bitterness to discover God's infinite love, and how that transformation shap...

Russell Kimura, creator of Fathers with Daughters and girl dad of three, shares his journey of learning to show up with intention for his daughters. In this rich conversation, Russell reveals why consistency beats perfection, how to create emotional safety without sacrificing leadership, and why fathers must commit to connection over convenience. He opens up about the tension of releasing control...

When Thomas Pfanner's eighth-grade son walked out of his life for six months, he realized something had to change - and it wasn't his son. In this powerful conversation, Thomas breaks down his FORGE framework (Faith, Ownership, Respect, Groundbreaking Adventure, and Expectation) from his new book "Dads Who Lead," revealing why teen rebellion happens and how fathers can shift from being the "police...

In this raw and unfiltered episode, Ned opens up about the chaos of everyday fatherhood—from dead rats in the trash to staying up late with his twelve-year-old daughter on her last night of being twelve. He challenges the pressure dads feel to do everything perfectly, reminding listeners that presence trumps perfection every single time. Ned shares how he's learned to say yes to the moments that m...

Zack Ponder shares his raw journey from struggling entrepreneur with a DUI to becoming a present father who homeschools four kids while his wife battles cancer. A former special education teacher who worked with profound autism students, Zack discovered God through the daily challenges of non-speaking, violent students and translated those insights into his books "Special Days" and the upcoming "H...

 In this episode, Ned challenges the destructive cultural narrative that young men need to "get it out of their system" in their twenties, sharing insights from a recent father-son gathering and introducing Adam Lane Smith's transformative framework for masculine leadership based on four areas of safety that men must provide: resource safety, protection, emotional safety, and bonding safety. This...

Ned sits down with Brad Plett, a father of four and full-time missionary with Youth With A Mission (YWAM) in Kona, Hawaii. Brad opens up about his journey through a dark season of anxiety, shame, and guilt in his early years of fatherhood, and how discovering his identity as a son of God transformed not only his life but his entire family's trajectory. Learn more about YWAM here: https://ywamkona....

In this powerful solo episode of The Craft of Fatherhood Podcast, host Ned Schaut closes out his four-part marriage retreat series with a heartfelt message that blends raw honesty, practical wisdom, and encouragement for fathers. Sharing lessons from Greg and Julie of Married for a Purpose, Ned unpacks why we must stop defining relationships by differences, how to discipline our minds to focus on...

In this powerful episode of Fatherhood Field Notes, we sit down with Ryan Miller—a man whose joyful demeanor belies a journey through significant trials and transformation. Ryan opens up about his 24-year marriage, raising two daughters, and how embracing suffering has shaped him into the father and husband he is today. He shares vulnerable stories about his own mistakes, including a near-infideli...

In this episode, Ned shares powerful insights from a recent marriage retreat that every dad needs to hear. He explores the importance of creating rhythms of rest in a 24/7 culture, the life-changing power of speaking blessings over your kids, and the vital role of truly listening to your wife and children. With raw honesty and practical takeaways, Ned challenges fathers to stop striving, start res...

Larry Hagner, author of "The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood," founder of the Dad Edge Podcast, and a passionate advocate for helping men discover their identity and opportunity in fatherhood. With over 1,400 podcast episodes and a decade of coaching fathers, Larry shares profound insights on breaking free from "the drift" - the state where many fathers find themselves going through the motions wi...

In this heartfelt solo episode, host Ned Schaut continues his four-part series on lessons from a recent marriage retreat. Speaking directly to fellow fathers, Ned shares raw stories and practical takeaways on how to stop defending yourself, start asking for forgiveness, and bring your best energy home to your family. From learning the three questions that heal conflict, to navigating moments of be...

In this powerful conversation, Ned chats with Tim Campbell , an 82-year-old father with decades of hard-earned wisdom to share. As a husband of 50 years, Peace Corps veteran, and author of "Holding Up the Sky," Tim opens up about the challenges and triumphs of raising three children—including two with serious health challenges. This isn't just theory; it's battlefield-tested fatherhood advice from...

In Craft of Fatherhood , Marriage Retreat Part 1 of 4 + Complimenting My Son , Ned Schaut shares the first installment of a four-part series inspired by a recent marriage retreat. He asks dads to wrestle with a critical question: If the enemy could pick you off, where would it be? With a focus on guardrails, accountability, and the hidden blind spots in family life, Ned opens up about a powerful m...

In this heartfelt episode of Fatherhood Field Notes , host Ned Schaut sits down with Jake Stemo, Founder of Presence Worship, to explore what it truly means to embrace fatherhood. From raising four kids—including a 15-year-old entrepreneur launching her own thrift shop—to navigating loss, adoption challenges, and faith-driven parenting, Jake shares how presence, hard work, and an “all in” mindset...

In this solo episode, host Ned Schaut takes listeners inside a real-life story of frustration with his son and how it reshaped his approach to discipline. Drawing on wisdom from seasoned fathers and his own reflections, Ned unpacks the difference between reacting in anger and responding with intention. He challenges dads to ask not, “What punishment does my kid deserve?” but rather, “What does my...

In this candid episode, host Ned Schaut sits down with author and speaker Eric Rogell to confront the trap many fathers fall into—trying to be the “nice guy” who’s always liked instead of the man who leads with courage and conviction. Eric shares why advice often misses the mark, and why children need fathers who live out wisdom through the Sacred Seven Core Values: courage, honesty, integrity, co...

In this Craft of Fatherhood episode, host Ned Schaut challenges fathers to reflect deeply on a pivotal question: What are you modeling for your kids? Drawing from candid stories and personal struggles, Ned explores how the way we speak about others, show up in marriage, approach work, and set the tone at home creates a lasting picture for our children. He invites listeners to evaluate whether thei...

In this heartfelt conversation, host Ned Schaut sits down with Gary Stache— a husband, father of five, grandfather of seven, and Vice Chairman with CBRE Capital Markets, Investment Properties — to explore what it really means to love unconditionally as a dad. Gary shares raw stories of raising a blended family, guiding kids through rebellion, and embracing both tough love and tender moments. With...

In this episode of Fatherhood Field Notes: The Craft of Fatherhood , host Ned Schaut gets real about the tension between being a “fun dad” and a responsible parent. Reflecting on moments with his teens and college-aged kids, Ned shares how easy it is to say yes to dirt bikes, hangouts, and late-night drives—but how crucial it is to also enforce accountability, chores, and responsibility. Through c...

In this heartfelt episode of Fatherhood Field Notes , host Ned Schaut sits down with Daniel Lehmann — pastor, father of four, and leader at Living Stones Church — to unpack what it really means to raise kids with stability, authenticity, and truth. From defining the role of the father as one who “trains kids in the way of the Lord” to navigating teenage years with firmness and love, Daniel shares...

In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, entrepreneur and father Mike McCarthy returns to Fatherhood Field Notes to explore the deeper mission of raising strong, capable young adults. Drawing from his lived experience as a second-generation entrepreneur and co-founder of GoBundance, Mike shares why passing down more than just financial wealth matters. He dives into the importance of instilling...

Former NFL player turned real estate developer and advocate, Corey Parchman, sits down with Ned to share his deeply personal journey through loss, perseverance, and purpose. From building the first all-boys preschool in America to writing The IVF Playbook for Men, Corey opens up about the challenges of navigating infertility, the lessons of “no free lunch” learned from childhood, and the importanc...

As summer winds down, Ned invites fathers to take ownership of this pivotal moment — the start of a new school year. In this short, impactful solo episode of Craft of Fatherhood , Ned breaks down how this seasonal transition offers a unique opportunity for leadership in the home. Whether it’s adjusting bedtime, introducing morning devotions, or revising the family chore chart, this is your moment...

In this heartfelt episode of Fatherhood Field Notes, Ned sits down with Jaz Yglesias—a passionate music teacher, jiu-jitsu coach, and lifelong contributor to his family and community. Jaz opens up about raising a blended family, grieving the loss of his daughter, and how martial arts isn’t just self-defense—it’s soul development. From his belief in honoring seven generations to his insistence on w...