Best Jake Ernst Podcasts (2025)

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ENCORE: The pressure to be happy 40:14

Play Pause

6d ago40:14

40:14

This Isn't Therapy... it's the *encore* episode about the pressure to be happy. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about how to feel authentically happy when there's a lot of pressure to perform positivity or force happy feelings. Jake and Simon hear from two Lovely Listeners who wonder about the true meaning of happiness and how to spot the diff…

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DA404 | Three Mile Per Hour Fatherhood, Emotional Regulation, and Breaking Generational Patterns (Tyler Graham) 43:42

7d ago43:42

43:42

When you're constantly hurrying from one thing to the next, it's almost impossible to be the dad you want to be. In this episode, you'll hear: ✅ The moment his son flinched and why it became the turning point ✅ How emotional regulation helps you stay in the "green zone" with your kids ✅ Why your role isn't to be Superman—it's to be the chief repent…

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ENCORE: How social media is re-wiring our brain 32:41

14d ago32:41

32:41

This Isn't Therapy... it's the *encore* surprise solo session with Jake! In this episode, Jake shares two snippets from his weekly newsletter Just Trying To Help. Jake walks us through his theories for how social media is re-wiring our brains, reshaping our moods, and changing how we connect. P.S. Happy Leap Year! Ribbit Ribbit! Read the full artic…

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DA403 | Building the Overcome Muscle, Morning Rhythms with Your Kids, and Why Play Matters (Zac Ernst) 40:09

14d ago40:09

40:09

VOICE MESSAGE - leave us a 90-second question or comment or fedback... Start with your first name and where you are from: https://www.speakpipe.com/DadAwesome 🏋️ Want to become a stronger dad? It starts with doing hard things—together. ✅ How to stay emotionally strong when your teenager isn't in the mood to talk ✅ Why opposition is actually a gift …

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ENCORE: Doom-slang is making us numb 46:26

21d ago46:26

46:26

This Isn't Therapy... it's an *encore* doomy episode about the ever-evolving landscape of doomslang. Doomslang, coined by author and linguist Amanda Montell, is a term used to describe dystopian jargon like “dumpster fire” and “doomscroll” and “bed rot”. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about how the constant conjuring of End Times is having su…

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DA402 | Four Pillars of Manhood, Emotional Safety, and Getting to the Rocking Chair with Love (Josh Krehbiel) 47:18

21d ago47:18

47:18

How to pass the 4 pillars of manhood to your kids Why celebrating vulnerability matters more than perfect discipline How to normalize hard conversations about sex, money, and struggle The long view: Becoming a tender-hearted grandpa starts now FULL SHOW NOTES LEARN about joining the Fall 2025 DadAwesome Accelerator Cohorts SUMMARY Some days you fee…

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ENCORE: We talk to an AI therapist! 41:20

28d ago41:20

41:20

FROM THE VAULT: This Isn't Therapy... it's the *encore* episode about AI therapists and if they can ever replace the real thing. In this episode, Jake and Simon discuss a recent BBC article about why teens are seeking out AI therapist bots and what that means for the future of mental health. Conversational AI or, in other words, "chatbots with a pe…

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DA401 | Beyond Comfort Zones: A Father-Daughter Conversation on Risk, Faith, and Inheritance (George & Ambery Gourlay) 51:08

28d ago51:08

51:08

🌍 From South Africa to America—this father-daughter story will challenge everything you think about comfort, risk, and legacy. George moved his family across the world and his daughter Amberly just started grad school in Boston. Together they share: ✅ How one grandfather's radical encounter changed generations ✅ Why true security comes from identit…

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ENCORE: What to do when therapy isn't working 46:58

1M ago46:58

46:58

This isn't therapy... and it's not working out, either! In this *encore* episode, Jake and Simon discuss what to do when therapy isn't working. Importantly, they talk about how to know if therapy is actually working and what to do when you feel like it's not. This episode is based on a Lovely Listener question: "If I cry in therapy, does that mean …

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DA400 | Celebrating 400 Episodes, Looking Back at God's Faithfulness, and the DADAWESOME Book Preview (Jeff Zaugg) 1:01:40

1M ago1:01:40

1:01:40

Seven and a half years ago, a simple question on a cousin's patio changed everything: "How do you stay intentional as a dad?" That moment sparked what became 400 podcast conversations, over 1,000 men mobilized in activation events, and a million dollars raised for ministries serving the fatherless. In this milestone episode, Jeff celebrates by look…

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DA399 | Seeing Your Kids, Feeling with Them, and Delighting in Who They Are (Dr. Jake Smith - Part 2) 26:37

1M ago26:37

26:37

🔥 PART 2 is here! Dr. Jake Smith is back with the game-changing attunement triangle that will transform how you connect with your kids. 70% of Christian leaders don't finish well as dads. Don't be part of that statistic. In today's episode, you'll discover: ✅ The 4 components of attunement that create lasting relationships ✅ How to escape the "smot…

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DA398 | When Your 4-Year-Old Breaks Your Heart Open: The Plumb Line for Dads (Dr. Jake Smith) 31:23

2M ago31:23

31:23

💔 "If I could pick a nice dad or you, I'd still pick you." That's what Dr. Jake Smith's 4-year-old daughter whispered to him at bedtime. Talk about a truth bomb from the mouth of a child! Jake unpacks how that moment launched his discovery of our "spiritual anatomy"—the four systems that make us complete fathers: ✅ The Loving Companion (Heart) ✅ Th…

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ENCORE: Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn 49:22

2M ago49:22

49:22

This Isn't Therapy... it's the episode about the four F's: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. In this episode, Jake and Simon discuss the four threat responses and how to move through tough situations and face what's in front of us. This episode is for anyone who feels trapped by their reactions or is left feeling overwhelmed by stressful situations.…

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DA397 | Making Real Life More Compelling Than Screens, The Purpose of Fatherhood, and Lessons from Foster Care (Kieran Lenahan) 44:01

2M ago44:01

44:01

✅ The "wooden box method" that transforms phone habits ✅ Why asking "What's the point of fatherhood?" changes everything ✅ How foster care taught them about the infinite value of every child ✅ Why each of your kids needs different parenting approaches FULL SHOW NOTES SUMMARY What if the secret to raising kids who aren't addicted to screens isn't ab…

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ENCORE: The two most essential skills for relationships 48:08

2M ago48:08

48:08

This Isn't Therapy... it's a long overdue convo about the two most essential skills in relationships. In this episode, Jake and Simon discuss a statistic about emotional availability: on average, we are only emotionally available for our partners about 9% of the time. With that in mind, they discuss how to get closer to the 9% using the two essenti…

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DA396 | Non-Reactive Parenting, The Five Life Spheres, and Lightening Your Child's Backpack (Glenn Packiam) 34:24

2M ago34:24

34:24

✅ Why your emotional health is the greatest gift to your kids ✅ How to parent non-reactively when hormones and emotions run high ✅ The "backpack" you're handing your children (and how to lighten it) ✅ Simple calendar strategies that reveal what you truly value Full Show Notes Fall 2025 DadAwesome Accelerator SUMMARY Parenting doesn't have to be abo…

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ENCORE: The invisible toll of parentification 43:15

2M ago43:15

43:15

This Isn't Therapy... it's the episode about one of the things that robs kids of a care-free childhood: being parentified. When kids are forced to grow up too soon and become adults in childhood, kids can take on adult-like responsibilities and burdens. In this episode, we talk about the difference between healthy responsibility for kids and parent…

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DA395 | Influence vs. Control: Building Relationships That Last with Your Kids (Dr. Peter Larson - FROM THE VAULT) 43:33

2M ago43:33

43:33

✅ Why "lighting up" when your kids walk in the room changes everything ✅ The Christmas tree coaster story that shows how much your kids are watching ✅ How to outsource influence without losing your role as dad ✅ The simple routines that build lasting family connection Leave DadAwesome A VOICEMAIL. SUMMARY What if the secret to great fatherhood isn'…

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ENCORE: Parasocial Relationships 38:33

3M ago38:33

38:33

This Isn't Therapy... it's the episode about parasocial relationships; the one-sided emotional connections we have with casual acquaintances, people we "know" online, characters we watch in television and movies, and people we admire from afar. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about some examples from pop culture, such as Chappell Roan's desire…

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DA394 | Moving From Dictator Dad to Friend Dad & Creating Multi-Generational Impact (Lance Welch) 43:18

3M ago43:18

43:18

✅ How to avoid creating performance identities in your kids ✅ Why "consistency compounds" in parenting just like investing ✅ The 4 legs of legacy (hint: wealth is only 25% of it!) ✅ How to have intentional family vision meetings that actually work LEAVE DADAWESOME A VOICEMAIL: speakpipe.com/DadAwesome FULL SHOW NOTES: https://www.dadawesome.org/blo…

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ENCORE: The Empathy Wars 46:25

3M ago46:25

46:25

This isn’t therapy… it’s part three in our series about the war on human connection. In this episode, we talk about how overwhelming people with tragic and distressing information about the world leads to a decline in empathy. Jake and Simon discuss how a decline in rates of empathy affect our ability to practice perspective taking and experience e…

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DA393 | Dad Lessons From Kobe, Time-Energy-Attention, & Choosing People Over Accomplishments (John Olinger) 48:47

3M ago48:47

48:47

✅ Why Kobe chose carpool line over million-dollar meetings ✅ The "TEA" framework (Time, Energy, Attention) that will transform your fathering ✅ Simple practices like 10-minute wrestling time and Wine Wednesdays that create deep family connection FULL SHOW NOTES: SUMMARY Life moves fast, and without intentional direction, we can end up achieving thi…

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ENCORE: The Opinion Wars 47:51

3M ago47:51

47:51

This Isn't Therapy... it's a follow up to last week's episode about the attention wars. In this episode, we explore the concept of "agree to disagree" and how there seems to be a war of opinions playing out in our culture. Is it really possible to find common ground when opinions clash? We discuss strategies for navigating disagreements and the key…

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DA392 | From Soccer Fields to Soul Formation: Building Boys Into Men in Southeast Asia (Bryan Greenwood) 51:47

3M ago51:47

51:47

✅ Why you should train your child in the way THEY should go (not your way) ✅ How failing forward teaches your kids resilience better than perfect parenting ✅ The 4 pillars that transform boys into men: Identity, Strength, Courage, Influence ✅ Why showing up consistently matters more than having all the answers FULL SHOW NOTES SUMMARY: When you move…

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ENCORE: The Attention Wars 41:42

3M ago41:42

41:42

This Isn't Therapy... it's a frank discussion about the "attention economy"—where companies compete to capture our focus to sell us products. We break down the difference between attention, focus, and concentration, and examine how the constant battle for our attention impacts our mental health, productivity, and relationships. We discuss the hidde…

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DA391 | Why Your Family is a Garden Not a Machine, The Power of Weakness in Parenting, and Creating Sacred Space (Dave Brickey) 45:07

3M ago45:07

45:07

✅ Why weakness connects you deeper with your kids than strength ever could ✅ How to transform your dinner table into sacred space ✅ Ancient practices that can revolutionize your modern family ✅ The power of prayer retreats for busy dads SUMMARY What if your family isn't broken and doesn't need fixing—but is actually a garden that needs nurturing? I…

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DA390 | State of Biblical Fatherhood, Foster Care Wisdom, and Preparing Arrows for Battle (Josh Kubler) 55:53

3M ago55:53

55:53

🎯 Are you aiming at the right target as a dad? Josh Kubler joins us with game-changing insights from Manhood Journey's survey of 6,000 Christian fathers. The stats might surprise you: Only 22% regularly read Scripture with their kids 78% don't spend intentional time discipling their children Less than 17% pray regularly as a family beyond meals and…

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ENCORE: Feeling Hopeless 41:20

4M ago41:20

41:20

This Isn't Therapy... it's our *encore* eppy from our first episode BACKKKK (from last year!!) This week, we're talking about why finding hope can often feel so hopeless in hopeless in times. We peel back the curtain on an article from The New Yorker called "Do you have hope?" which looks at the ways hope can live alongside despair, pain, and grief…

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DA389 | When a Cup of Water Becomes a Call to Wonder: Treasuring vs. Enduring Fatherhood (Jeff Zaugg) 50:46

4M ago50:46

50:46

🥝 32 years avoiding kiwi fruit. One taste changed everything. What if the same breakthrough is waiting in your fatherhood? Jeff Zaugg's Father's Day message will shift how you see those "annoying" parenting moments: ✅ Why pace, pain, people & perspective steal your wonder (and how to fight back) ✅ The Hebrew word "tov" that unlocks God's explosive …

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ENCORE: Can AI replace human relationships? 52:35

4M ago52:35

52:35

This Isn't Therapy... it's a thought-provoking *encore* episode about the growing influence of artificial intelligence in our personal lives. We ask the big question: Can AI truly replace human relationships? From AI companions and virtual therapists to chatbots that promise emotional support, technology is reshaping the way we connect. But what ha…

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DA388 | Self-Aware, Other-Aware, God-Aware: Relational Wisdom That Changes Everything at Home (Ken Sande) 26:38

4M ago26:38

26:38

Ken Sande joins us for PART 2 to share game-changing tools every dad needs: ✅ The SOG Plan: Self-aware, Other-aware, God-aware conflict resolution ✅ The SERVE Acrostic: How to love your wife like Christ loves the church ✅ Why bringing the gospel beats lecturing every time SUMMARY Every dad faces conflict at home, but most of us handle it all wrong.…

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ENCORE: Learning to be alone 43:53

4M ago43:53

43:53

This Isn't Therapy...this is a flirty fab *encore* conversation about loneliness versus being alone. Through two #lovelylistener stories, Jake and Simon explore feelings around how we can feel lonely even though we're surrounded by people we love. Also, how being alone does not always mean you are lonely. P.S. Don't forget: Submit a quandary, query…

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DA387 | The Ripple Effect of Fatherhood, Saying "I'm Sorry," and Going Upstream in Conflict (Ken Sande PART 1) 29:59

4M ago29:59

29:59

✅ The Seven A's of confession (and why "I'm sorry" isn't enough for deep healing) ✅ How to break the cycle of emotionally stunted men in your family line ✅ The 6-second technique that can save your marriage and your relationships with your kids ✅ Why going "upstream" is better than constantly putting out fires FULL SHOW NOTES > SUMMARY: What if the…

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ENCORE: Is it possible to be "too emotional"? 48:49

4M ago48:49

48:49

This Isn't Therapy...it’s the ENCORE to our episode about emotions and emotionality. Am I overacting? Under-reacting? In this conversation, Jake and Simon chat about the normal, human, everyday emotions that show up in our lives. How do we know if our reactions are within a healthy range? They use the Window of Tolerance model to discuss big and sm…

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DA386 | High-Def Parenting: Breaking Free from Digital Distractions (Darren Whitehead) 47:13

4M ago47:13

47:13

✅ Why smartphones make us feel god-like (and why that's dangerous) ✅ The 4 research-backed rules for kids and technology ✅ How a church-wide digital fast transformed an entire community ✅ What a therapy dog named Bruce taught him about presence SUMMARY: Parenting teenagers in a digital world feels impossible—especially when you're struggling with y…

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The Mind-Body Connection 39:20

5M ago39:20

39:20

This Isn't Therapy... it's a discussion about the mind-body connection~ wooOOoO!! Nah, in all seriousness, Jake and Simon unpack some interesting data about the gut and how it's being considered a second brain for its ability to drive instinct, help us refocus, and hone in on what really matters. In this episode, we discuss through some final lovel…

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DA385 | Raising Kids Who Live Generously, Creating Miracle Moments, and the 1% Challenge (Todd Harper) 58:34

5M ago58:34

58:34

✅ Why most dads get generosity completely wrong (and how to flip the script) ✅ Fun tactics to teach young kids the joy of giving (the $20 tip story will blow your mind!) ✅ The simple 4-pillar framework that works at any income level ✅ How money lies to our families about security, control, and happiness SUMMARY Money whispers lies to our kids every…

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DA384 | Turning Down the Noise, Turning Up the Presence: A Dad's Guide to Analog Living (Jay Kim) 44:40

5M ago44:40

44:40

✅ The 5-movement Examen prayer that's transforming bedtimes (free PDF included!) ✅ Why this dad says NO social media until 18 (and the research backing him up) ✅ Simple breath prayers that turn everyday moments into encounters with God ✅ The daily catechism question that reminds his kids of their true identity FULL SHOW NOTES: In a world where scre…

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So what are emotions, anyway? 43:21

5M ago43:21

43:21

This Isn't Therapy... it's the episode about emotions! In this episode, Jake and Simon respond to a listener question... so what are emotions, anyway? They break down the core emotions and how to distinguish emotions from feelings, thoughts, and moods. This episode is def for you if you've ever wondered how to control your emotions (or can you?) an…

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How to become your true self 53:38

5M ago53:38

53:38

This Isn't Therapy... it's a juicy convo about what it takes to become self-led. In this episode, we talk about self-leadership and how to build a sturdy and reliable self-esteem that doesn't dissolve under the sometimes-crushing weight of criticism, negative feedback, shame and self-doubt. This is an active episode so grab your pens and notebooks.…

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DA383 | From Fatherless to Faithful: Healing Pain, Breaking Cycles, and Pursuing Your Children's Hearts (Leo Clark) 52:17

5M ago52:17

52:17

✅ How healing from father wounds creates ripple effects that impact generations ✅ The power of showing up consistently (Leo hasn't missed a single one of his son's games!) ✅ Why prayer cards with specific prayers for each child have created lasting impact ✅ How to break generational cycles even when you didn't have a model FULL SHOW NOTES: SUMMARY …

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Validate me, please! 41:08

5M ago41:08

41:08

This Isn't Therapy... it's an episode about seeking validation (online). Are we becoming obsessed with our quest for constant reassurance, approval, and external validation? In this episode, Jake and Simon explore the sugar high that comes with too much external affirmation and how this weird, wacky, online world is eroding our sense of self. But i…

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DA382 | Kids Takeover: Dessert Disasters, Sibling Squabbles, and Finding Joy in The Big Mess (Justin Whitmel Earley) 26:52

5M ago26:52

26:52

My Daughters took over the podcast this week! Interviewing Justin Whitmel Early about his new KIDS BOOK - "The Big Mess" ➡️ Why finding God in family life means embracing the mess, not avoiding it ➡️ How to create intentional spaces where your older kids will actually talk to you ➡️ The simple prayer that can transform frustrating parenting moments…

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The problem with positivity: Unpacking the pressure to be happy 40:14

6M ago40:14

40:14

This Isn't Therapy... it's the episode about the pressure to be happy. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about how to feel authentically happy when there's a lot of pressure to perform positivity or force happy feelings. Jake and Simon hear from two Lovely Listeners who wonder about the true meaning of happiness and how to spot the difference be…

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DA381 | Embracing Imperfect Fatherhood, Staying Morally Grounded, and Creating Moments That Last (Bob Merritt PART2) 32:01

6M ago32:01

32:01

SUMMARY Fatherhood isn't about perfection—it's about presence, moral consistency, and showing up when it matters most. In this heart-stirring episode from the vault, Bob Merritt shares powerful stories about those precious moments that define a father's legacy. From confronting hard truths with his college-aged son to the tear-filled goodbye when h…

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Peak Parasocial: The social relationships that aren't 38:33

6M ago38:33

38:33

This Isn't Therapy... it's the episode about parasocial relationships; the one-sided emotional connections we have with casual acquaintances, people we "know" online, characters we watch in television and movies, and people we admire from afar. In this episode, Jake and Simon talk about some examples from pop culture, such as Chappell Roan's desire…

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DA380 | Building a Home Your Kids Want to Be In: Bob Merritt on Church, Humility, and Confronting Blind Spots (PART 1) 30:09

6M ago30:09

30:09

FROM THE VAULT: Initially released in August of 2021 🏠 "Home was not just a place I lived, but the place I most wanted to be." ✅ The blind spots that almost derailed his family (and how he overcame them) ✅ Why church attendance matters more than you think ✅ How to create a home your kids actually want to be in ✅ The power of courageous humility in …

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Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn 49:22

6M ago49:22

49:22

This Isn't Therapy... it's the episode about the four F's: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. In this episode, Jake and Simon discuss the four threat responses and how to move through tough situations and face what's in front of us. This episode is for anyone who feels trapped by their reactions or is left feeling overwhelmed by stressful situations.…

1
DA379 | Building Your Dad Tribe, Ditching the Guilt, and Raising Good People (David Mills) 34:43

6M ago34:43

34:43

David Mills believes the mess and chaos of life make the best stories. In this episode, he shares how to infuse more fun and adventure into your parenting journey. You’ll hear real talk about dad guilt, finding your tribe, and why doing life with other men makes all the difference. TAKEAWAYS An adventure mindset shifts how you view your circumstanc…

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The two most essential skills for relationships 48:08

6M ago48:08

48:08

This Isn't Therapy... it's a long overdue convo about the two most essential skills in relationships. In this episode, Jake and Simon discuss a statistic about emotional availability: on average, we are only emotionally available for our partners about 9% of the time. With that in mind, they discuss how to get closer to the 9% using the two essenti…