The DadAwesome podcast is a tool designed to encourage dads to build intentional rhythms into the everyday.

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411 | The Daily 15, Brain Science Behind Morning Routines, and Why Sabbath Is Your Family's Secret Weapon – Part 2 (Chris Cirullo)

What if the first thing you did each day was sleep—and trust God with it? In this episode, Chris Cirullo unpacks the brain science behind why your morning and evening routines carry exponential power, and how a simple 15-minute daily practice can transform your faith, health, and focus over time. Plus, he shares how his family has made Sabbath the most anticipated day of the week—complete with chains hitting the floor and kids fighting over who gets to throw them.

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Rhythms & Habits Jeff Zaugg Rhythms & Habits Jeff Zaugg

410 | Why Dads Are Called to Bring Order, Solving Family Friction Points, and Setting Impossible Goals – Part 1 (Chris Cirullo)

Chaos doesn't have to be the norm in your home. In Part 1 of this conversation, Army Ranger turned fatherhood coach Chris Cirullo unpacks the biblical call for fathers to bring order—and shares the practical systems he's built to lead his five sons with both fun and discipline. You'll also hear why setting impossible goals might be the key to real growth.

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Prayer & Hearing God's Voice Jeff Zaugg Prayer & Hearing God's Voice Jeff Zaugg

409 | Why Your 5-Year-Old Isn't Selfish, Walking Through Repair, and the Gift of Just Showing Up (Chris Ammen)

What if your child's selfishness is actually a God-given gift? In this episode, Chris Ammen shares why understanding your kid's developmental stage changes everything about how you parent. Plus, he unpacks the "turkey hunting philosophy" of spiritual formation and why the most powerful thing you can do as a dad is simply show up and love your kids for who they are, not what they accomplish.

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408 | Raising Sons Who Invite Others In: Wrestling, Delayed Phones, and Legacy Rewritten (Carl Cartee)

What does it look like to raise teenage boys who become strong men of character? In this episode, Carl Cartee—songwriter, speaker, and dad of four sons—shares how weekly wrestling nights, honest sex talks, and delayed technology built a foundation of trust in his home. You'll hear the story of his son's 18th birthday dinner where four friends said the same surprising thing, why he wishes someone had told him about choosing a spouse differently, and how the Sons of Korah can change your entire perspective on fatherhood legacy.

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407 | Creating Spiritual Curiosity, Jesus' Lion and Lamb Moments, and Building Faith Through Questions (David Murrow)

Raising your kids on lectures and long prayers isn't working—Jesus knew that 2,000 years ago. In this episode, David Murrow shares how to create spiritual curiosity in your home using questions instead of answers, 15-second prayers instead of lengthy devotionals, and parables that stick. You'll also hear his groundbreaking research on why men are finally coming back to church, and how every dad moves through three essential journeys: submission, strength, and sacrifice.

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406 | How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex, Building a Marriage That Thrives, and the Power of Proactive Fatherhood (Dave Willis)

Your kids are going to learn about sex from somewhere—will it be from you or from the world? In this episode, Dave Willis returns with game-changing resources for dads who want to lead intentional, shame-free conversations about sex with their kids. Plus, he shares powerful insights on strengthening your marriage through simple shifts that create deeper connection. This conversation will equip you to resist passivity and take proactive action in the areas that matter most.

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Raising Jesus Followers Jeff Zaugg Raising Jesus Followers Jeff Zaugg

405 | Courageous Fatherhood, The Gift of Physical Touch, and Doing for One More Kid (Peter Ostapko)

Imagine standing at the edge of a 30-foot-high dive over ice-cold water with your son watching from below. That terrifying moment of decision mirrors what it means to be a risk-taking dad in today's world. In this episode, Peter Ostapko from Kinsman shares the cliff-jumping story that changed how he parents, plus powerful insights on the gift of physical touch with your kids, the critical importance of being present, and why every dad needs deep brotherhood. You'll also hear an unforgettable challenge: do for one kid outside your family what you do for your own kids.

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Identity & Living as Sons of God Jeff Zaugg Identity & Living as Sons of God Jeff Zaugg

404 | Three Mile Per Hour Fatherhood, Emotional Regulation, and Breaking Generational Patterns (Tyler Graham)

What happens when the pace of your life is stealing your ability to be present with your kids? In this episode, Tyler Graham shares the moment his son flinched when he sat down beside him—and how that changed everything. You'll hear why emotional regulation might be the most important skill any dad can develop, how living at three miles per hour creates space for real connection, and why being the chief repenter in your home is more powerful than being Superman.

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403 | Building the Overcome Muscle, Morning Rhythms with Your Kids, and Why Play Matters (Zac Ernst)

What if the obstacles you're facing right now are exactly what you need to grow stronger as a dad? In this episode, Zac Ernst shares how opposition builds your overcome muscle, why emotional strength matters more than ever with teenagers, and how a simple Tuesday morning bike ride can change everything. Plus, he opens up about losing half his income the month after doubling his mortgage—and the moment God broke through his fear with joy.

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Legacy & Grandparenting Jeff Zaugg Legacy & Grandparenting Jeff Zaugg

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

Some days you feel like a C-grade dad, and that's when presence matters most. In this episode, Josh Krehbiel shares how he's learning to create emotional safety for his kids, celebrate vulnerability over performance, and pursue the long view of becoming a tender-hearted grandfather. You'll hear about the four pillars of manhood, why crock-pot freedom beats microwave solutions, and how to get to the rocking chair with love on your heart.

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401 | Beyond Comfort Zones: A Father-Daughter Conversation on Risk, Faith, and Inheritance (George & Amberly Gourlay)

What happens when a father chooses courage over comfort and moves his family across the world to pioneer something new? In this episode, George Gourlay and his 23-year-old daughter Amberly share their story of leaving an established ministry in South Africa to start fresh in America. You'll hear how one grandfather's radical encounter with God shifted an entire family line, why security comes from identity rather than circumstances, and how giving daughters space to be uncomfortable actually draws them closer to their Heavenly Father.

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

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 looking back at God's faithfulness, sharing the first-ever preview of the upcoming DadAwesome book, and highlighting transformational moments from 15 unforgettable conversations that shaped this movement.

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

The battle for your attention as a dad is real, and 70% of Christian leaders won't finish well. In part two of this critical conversation, Dr. Jake Smith reveals the attunement triangle that creates lasting relationships with your kids and how to escape the smothering grind that leads to burnout, flame out, or tap out. You'll discover why seeing your kids underneath their behavior changes everything and how to move from survival-mode parenting to deeply connected fatherhood.

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

What happens when your 4-year-old daughter whispers, "If I could line up all the dads in the world and pick a nice one or you, I'd still pick you"? In this episode, Dr. Jake Smith shares how that truth bomb from his daughter launched him on a journey to discover what he calls our "spiritual anatomy"—the four integrated systems (heart, soul, mind, strength) that Jesus perfectly demonstrated. You'll learn why most dads operate from just one dominant system, how to identify your type, and practical steps to become the whole-hearted, integrated father your kids desperately need.

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

What if the secret to raising kids who aren't addicted to screens isn't about restricting technology—but about making real life more compelling? In this episode, young dad Kieran Lenahan shares practical wisdom from the trenches of parenting four kids under six, including foster care experiences that changed everything. You'll discover why the simple question "What's the point of fatherhood?" should guide every parenting decision, and how a wooden box might be the game-changer your family needs.

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

Parenting doesn't have to be about survival mode. In this episode, Glenn Packiam shares how intentional rhythms and a focus on resilience can transform your family life. From learning to be non-reactive when hormones hit to using your calendar as a tool for what you truly value, Glenn offers practical wisdom for dads navigating everything from toddlers to young adults getting married. Plus, discover why the healthiest gift you can give your kids might be your own emotional well-being.

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395 | Influence vs. Control: Building Relationships That Last with Your Kids (Dr. Peter Larson > FROM THE VAULT)

What if the secret to great fatherhood isn't about being in control, but about maximizing your influence? In this From the Vault episode, Dr. Peter Larson shares the game-changing perspective that shifted his entire approach to parenting. From lighting up every time your kid walks in the room to understanding their unique motivational wiring, you'll discover practical ways to build relationships that last. Plus, hear about the dad who visited his son in the hospital 28 days straight and how that legacy of showing up continues today.

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394 | Moving From Dictator Dad to Friend Dad & Creating Multi-Generational Impact (Lance Welch)

What if the words you speak as a dad today become your child's inner voice for decades to come? In this episode, Lance Welch—dad of three adult entrepreneurs and grandfather of two—shares how he moved from being a "dictator dad" to a "friend dad" while building intentional multi-generational impact. You'll discover the four stages of fatherhood, why creating performance identities in our kids backfires, and how to transition from survival-mode parenting to legacy-building leadership in your family.

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393 | Dad Lessons From Kobe, Time-Energy-Attention, & Choosing People Over Accomplishments (John Olinger)

Life moves fast, and without intentional direction, we can end up achieving things that don't actually matter. In this episode, John Olinger—former Nike executive and global brand director for Kobe Bryant—shares how tragedy, transition, and the halfway point of life led him to redefine success. You'll hear about his "TEA" framework (Time, Energy, Attention), why Kobe chose carpool line over meetings, and how simple practices like 10-minute wrestling sessions and Wine Wednesdays can transform your family relationships.

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

When you move your family halfway around the world to serve fatherless boys, you quickly discover that you're learning as much about fatherhood as you're teaching. In this episode, Bryan Greenwood shares 11 years of discoveries from Thailand—from building the largest amateur football league in Northern Thailand to creating government-approved mentorship programs for at-risk youth. You'll hear why your kids need to see you failing forward, how to train them in the way THEY should go (not the way you want them to go), and why showing up consistently matters more than having all the answers.

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