Dad Tired

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What if the most powerful discipleship moments with your kids weren’t planned, but hidden in the everyday?

In this heartfelt solo episode, Jerrad Lopes shares the honest struggle of staying connected with your kids; especially as they grow into pre-teens and teens. From the exhausting early days of parenting toddlers to the emotional complexity of raising a 14-year-old, Jerrad opens up about his own wins, failures, and surprising lessons learned.

Through a spontaneous UTV adventure in the Arizona desert, he discovered a truth that changed how he parents: deep connection isn’t built in big, perfectly planned moments, it’s formed in the small, mundane ones. With biblical insight from Deuteronomy and the example of Jesus, Jerrad shows how ordinary life can become the best classroom for pointing your kids to Christ.

This episode is an encouragement to slow down, notice the moments you might be missing, and remember that God uses the everyday to shape both your kids’ hearts and yours.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why parenting often gets harder as your kids grow older
• How to build “relational equity” with your kids in simple, everyday ways
• Why the mundane moments are often the most spiritually impactful
• How Jesus used ordinary life to disciple His followers
• Practical ideas to connect with both younger kids and teens
• How God uses parenting moments to shape your own faith

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Deuteronomy 6:4–7 — Teaching your kids in everyday life
• Matthew 6 & Mark 4 — How Jesus used lilies and storms to teach spiritual truths
• Arizona ATV Adventures
• Book Jerrad to speak: jerradlopes.com
• Grab Dad Tired and Loving It

Today’s Sponsors:

Courage For Life Bible & World Watch News

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/l6cKcqatpt8?si=yIQMZfIQxc-W2pPF

What if your emotions weren’t the enemy—but the invitation to grow into the man God’s calling you to be?

In this powerful solo episode, Chris Hilken explores the complicated relationship men have with their emotions. Most guys tend to fall off one side of the horse: either rejecting their emotions altogether or letting them run the show. But what if there’s a better way?

With biblical insight and real-life examples, Chris makes the case that emotions aren’t something to obey or ignore—they’re something to redeem. He shares a practical framework for navigating emotions like anger, fear, and sadness through a gospel lens, helping men avoid the extremes of emotional numbness or chaos.

This episode is a call for men to stop being passive with their emotions and start learning how to steward them like Jesus did—intentionally, righteously, and powerfully.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why men are more emotional than they realize
• The 3 questions every man should ask when he feels something deeply
• How to know if your emotions are leading you toward Christ—or away from Him
• Why “being true to yourself” is not a biblical idea
• What Jesus, Nehemiah, and Esther teach us about godly emotion
• How to break the pattern of reacting emotionally and start responding spiritually
• Why redeemed emotions can actually strengthen your leadership as a husband and father

Mentioned in This Episode:

• “Emotions are a check engine light, not a GPS” analogy
• Jonathan Edwards on righteous vs. carnal affections
• Mark 11 (Jesus’ righteous anger)
• Genesis 4 (Cain’s destructive jealousy)
• Nehemiah 1 and Matthew 27 (sadness that rebuilds vs. sadness that destroys)
• Esther 4 and Luke 22 (courage vs. fear)
• Book Jerrad to speak: jerradlopes.com
• Grab Dad Tired and Loving It: Amazon Link

Today's Sponsor: Classical Conversations 

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7qy-dTUtTA4

Most men have learned how to clean up well.
We look calm. Composed. Put together.
We show up to church, crack a few jokes, keep the peace; and no one would know what’s actually happening in our hearts.

But Jesus isn’t fooled by appearance. He sees straight through the polish and into the pain.

In today’s episode, Kaleb unpacks what it means to “clean the inside of the cup.”
He shares a raw story about how God confronted him in the middle of the night, while he was busy rehearsing a bitter argument in his head, and revealed just how much unhealed junk was still living in his heart.

This isn’t about behavior management. It’s about soul work.
Because your wife doesn’t need a perfect version of you. Your kids don’t need a dad who looks impressive.
They need a man who is whole on the inside.

In this episode:

• The hidden difference between external discipline and internal health
• How to know if you’re just “managing the outside”
• The biblical call to clean the inside of your cup
• What makes a man useful to God
• Why your family needs a healed version of you—not a polished one

"Woe to you… You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. First clean the inside of the cup…”
— Matthew 23:25–26

Resources:

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• Today's Sponsor: Hands On Kids Bible by Tyndale

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If this episode hit you—share it with a friend or take 30 seconds to leave a review. It helps us reach more men who are ready to do the hard work of becoming whole.

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What if the pain you’ve buried is the very thing blocking you from becoming the man God created you to be?

In this raw and emotional episode, Jerrad sits down with Dr. Brad Johnson—also known as BJ Communicates—to talk about grief, father wounds, and how trauma shapes us more than we realize. BJ shares the heartbreaking story of holding his newborn son as he took his last breath, walking through the fog of loss in his marriage, and later grieving the death of his own father before reconciliation could happen.

Together, they unpack how fatherlessness, unprocessed emotions, and generational pain keep men stuck—and why ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. They talk about how grief shows up in unexpected ways (like road rage and burnout), why most men lack true friendships, and how healing begins with honest conversations.

This episode is an invitation to stop carrying what God has called you to cast—and to believe that the best version of you is on the other side of your pain.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why men are emotional—even when they say they’re not
• How father wounds affect your identity
• The power of grief and what it reveals
• What it means to carry trauma in your body
• How to connect with your wife through emotional check-ins
• Why men struggle to form deep friendships
• How generational patterns repeat if we don’t interrupt them
• Why healing is spiritual—and why it matters for your family

Mentioned in This Episode:

• BJ Communicates’ books: Hard Conversations series
• Support group for grieving dads: Sad Dad
• “Feelings Wheel” for emotional check-ins
• Book Jerrad to speak: https://www.jerradlopes.com
• Grab Dad Tired and Loving It: https://amzn.to/3YTz4GB

Watch this interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/4c_qHfeSGAE

What if the lie you're believing is the very thing keeping you from peace?

In this powerful and convicting episode, Jerrad sits down with bestselling author Gary Thomas to dismantle one of the most common, but rarely admitted lies Christian men believe: God owes me. Together, they talk about the quiet entitlement that sneaks into our faith, why peace feels so elusive, and how the Gospel offers something far deeper than comfort or success.

Jerrad and Gary explore how social media fuels discontent, how unspoken expectations erode intimacy with God, and why healing begins when we face our sin instead of hiding it. They share personal stories, biblical truth, and hard-won wisdom for men who want more than just behavior change, they want transformation.

This episode is a much-needed reminder: God’s not holding out on you. He’s already given you more than you deserve.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why entitlement might be the root of your spiritual frustration
• How believing a lie can sabotage your faith
• The difference between comfort and peace
• What Gary learned through suffering, silence, and surrender
• Why social media subtly kills gratitude
• How to be a man of peace in a world full of chaos
• Why facing your sin leads to deeper joy
• How the Gospel frees you—from your past, for your future

Mentioned in This Episode:
Gary Thomas’ new book: The Life You Were Reborn to Live
Gary’s website: https://www.garythomas.com
Book Jerrad to speak: https://www.jerradlopes.com
Grab Dad Tired and Loving It: https://amzn.to/3YTz4GB
Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4c_qHfeSGAE

Watch this conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ihMjsKPxdA8

What if your greatest strength… is also the thing that wears you out the most?

In this honest and inspiring conversation, Jerrad sits down with Michael Seifert—founder of PublicSq. and EveryLife—to talk about identity, pressure, purpose, and the hidden cost of success. Though Michael leads some of the most mission-driven companies in America, he opens up about the soul battles behind his ambition—and why Sabbath rest might be his greatest act of obedience.

They talk about legacy, fatherhood, and how a rebellious teenager found Jesus at a ranch in Northern California. Michael shares how a single week transformed his relationship with his dad, the real reason behind his inner drive, and the moment he realized that working for the praises of man would eventually break him.

This episode is a reminder that God doesn’t just care about what you build—but who you're becoming while you build it.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why your identity can’t come from what you accomplish
• The four roles a dad plays (caretaker, cop, coach, consultant)
• How pressure to succeed impacts father-son relationships
• What Michael learned about humility from his dad
• The beauty of building with God—and learning to rest
• How to lead your family while healing from your own wounds
• Why starting a values-driven business invites both criticism and purpose

Mentioned in This Episode:

• J.H. Ranch: https://jhranch.com
• PublicSq: https://publicsq.com
• EveryLife Diapers: https://everylife.com
• Today's Sponsor: dwellbible.com/dadtired
• Michael's South Korea launch at Yoido Full Gospel Church
• Jerrad’s mantra: “Strong families begin with healed men”

🔗 Resources:

• Book Jerrad to speak: https://www.jerradlopes.com
• Grab Dad Tired and Loving It: https://amzn.to/3YTz4GB
• Watch and subscribe on YouTube

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/B50C1AlD3ao

What if the things that slow you down… are the very things God wants to use to form you?

In this slow, soulful conversation, Jerrad sits down with Jake Weidmann—a master penman (yes, that’s a real thing) and artist whose life and work are marked by discipline, creativity, and deep intentionality. From carving sacred art to raising four kids, Jake shares how slowing down has reshaped not just his craft—but his soul.

They talk about the connection between beauty and time, why being creative has nothing to do with being “artsy,” and how discipline and delight can co-exist in the life of a godly man. Jake opens up about the doubts that haunted his early career, what it means to “exult in monotony,” and the emotional moment he hoisted an Amish barn beam onto his shoulder—realizing he was quite literally taking up his cross.

This episode is a breath of fresh air in a world that worships speed.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why slowing down might be the most spiritual thing you do today
• How discipline, doubt, and beauty all shape a man’s soul
• The lost art of doing one thing well over a long time
• What it means to create as a reflection of the Creator
• How parenting and craftsmanship have more in common than you think
• Why creativity isn’t just for artists—it’s for every man made in God’s image
• The surprising story behind Jake’s “Old Rugged Cross” artwork

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Jake’s book and artwork: https://jakeweidmann.com
• G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy
• The story of the “pen wizard” and the golden age of handwriting
• Benedictine wisdom: To work is to pray
• Jerrad’s mantra: “Decades over days”

🔗 Resources:
Book Jerrad to speak: https://www.jerradlopes.com
Grab Dad Tired and Loving It: https://amzn.to/3YTz4GB
Watch the episode on YouTube and subscribe!

WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Uovkiigw4gw

What if the thing that nearly destroyed you… became the thing God used to heal others?

In this raw and redemptive episode, Jerrad sits down with Sammy Perez, a man who grew up without a dad, entered the system at age 8, and spent much of his early life in prison. But that’s not where the story ends. Through a prison cellmate, an unexpected visitation, and the unlikely love of a spiritual father, Sammy’s life was completely turned around.

Together, they talk about father wounds, the ache for belonging, how prison both broke and saved him, and the long road to healing as a man and dad. Sammy shares the tear-filled moment he gave his life to Jesus behind bars, the first time he saw his son through glass, and how God turned his pain into purpose.

This is one of the most powerful stories we’ve ever told.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why boys without dads often become men without direction
• How shame disconnects us from our story and how healing reconnects us
• The surprising moment Sammy met his son for the first time
• What it looks like to father when you were never fathered
• How a consistent man named Terry changed everything
• Why God’s love can rewire even the hardest hearts
• The full-circle moment that brought Sammy back into prisons… this time with purpose

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree Program
• Sammy’s work helping former prisoners reintegrate into society
• The story of Clarence; the cellmate who wouldn’t stop asking Sammy if he wanted to know Jesus
• Jerrad’s teaching on 2 Kings 6 and the power of new perspective

🔗 Resources:
Book Jerrad to speak: https://www.jerradlopes.com
Grab Dad Tired and Loving It: https://amzn.to/3YTz4GB
Learn more about Prison Fellowship: https://www.prisonfellowship.org

Watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/JEN5VOBXp9g

What if being a “man” had nothing to do with bench press numbers or beard length—and everything to do with becoming a safe place?

In this vulnerable and soul-stirring episode, Jerrad sits down with Brant Hansen to talk about what it really means to be a man. From playing the flute and battling shame to protecting the vulnerable and bringing peace to your home, Brant flips the typical narrative of masculinity on its head.

They unpack the ache many men feel to be better, why muscle doesn’t equal maturity, and how a man’s deepest strength might just be his gentleness. Brant shares the heart behind his book The Men We Need, what it means to be a “keeper of the garden,” and how every man, no matter his story, can begin again.

This one gets deep fast.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why your presence is more than physical proximity
• How spiritual formation leads to true masculinity
• Why “being strong” often looks like tenderness
• What your tone of voice says about the kind of man you are
• The one vision for manhood that could reshape your home
• How to become a non-anxious presence for your wife and kids
• Why it’s never too late to pivot and become the man God’s calling you to be

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Brant’s book: The Men We Need
• The Hebrew word for God’s covering in Eden—“royal garments”
• Lamentations 3 and Philippians 4 as anchors for anxious men
• Bible Memory App for rewiring shame loops
• The “Keeper of the Garden” vision of masculinity
• How passive men still make their homes unsafe

🔗 Resources:

• Book Jerrad to speak: https://www.jerradlopes.com
• Grab Dad Tired and Loving It: https://amzn.to/3YTz4GB
• Get Brant’s book The Men We Need
• Today’s Sponsor: Classical Conversations 

Watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LLFfgIW8OH4

In this honest and gritty conversation, Shane Winnings and Jerrad talk about the ache behind every man’s desire to be a good dad—and why good intentions still leave so many guys feeling like they’re failing.

Shane shares his own story of growing as a father while leading a national movement to fight fatherlessness. They unpack how wounds from our own dads often fuel our desire to be better, but why motivation alone won’t cut it. From military discipline to spiritual revival, from being physically present to emotionally absent, this conversation gets real fast.

They also dive into Shane’s bold new campaign Make Dads Great Again, what’s sparking revival in Gen Z men, how fatherhood videos are breaking algorithms and breaking men open, and why the greatest threat to your calling might be your unchecked hustle.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why proximity doesn’t equal presence in your home
• How to stop “tinkering” and start truly engaging your kids
• The real reason father wounds hurt so deeply
• How to love your family in the way they actually receive love
• Why being faithful at home matters more than platform or ministry success
• How revival might already be happening—just not the way we expect

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Shane’s viral Make Dads Great Again campaign
• Wesley Huff’s surprising influence on Joe Rogan
• Why Gen Z men are leading the way back to church
• The trap of high-output, low-impact fatherhood
• How to heal the pain that productivity can’t cover

Book Jerrad to speak: https://www.jerradlopes.com
Grab Dad Tired and Loving It: https://amzn.to/3YTz4GB

Today’s Sponsors:
DwellBible.com/DadTired