Dad Tired

Today's Sponsor: ToyBox 3D Printers

Welcome to the very first episode of Dad Tired Daily — a short, intentional daily reset designed to help men tend their inner world so they can show up more healed for their families, work, and communities.

In this episode, Jerrad introduces the heart behind Dad Tired Daily and explores an often-overlooked reality: while much attention has (rightly) been given to a mother’s mental load, many fathers are quietly carrying deep emotional strain with little language or support.

Drawing from recent research, real-world stories, and Scripture, this episode invites dads to stop carrying heavy things alone — and to begin practicing simple inner hygiene, daily care for the soul.

What You’ll Hear in This Episode
Why fathers often carry mental and emotional strain in silence
The cultural stigma that keeps men from talking about mental health
A real story illustrating the hidden cost of untreated distress in men
Why Scripture invites us to bring what’s hidden into the light
Research showing how a father’s mental health impacts his children
One small, practical step you can take today to show up more healed

Scripture Referenced
Hebrews 4:12–13 (ESV)
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword… and no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”

Today’s Inner Hygiene Practice
Ask yourself:
What is one thing I’m carrying today that I haven’t told anyone about?
Reach out to one trusted friend and say something simple like:
“I’m not looking for advice — I just need to say this out loud.”
Bringing something into the light often reduces its power — and reminds us we’re not meant to carry things alone.

Why This Matters
Research increasingly shows that a father’s mental and emotional health has a direct impact on his children — even before birth. Unaddressed stress, depression, or emotional dysregulation in fathers is associated with challenges in children’s emotional regulation, social skills, cognitive development, and overall well-being.
Strong families don’t begin with perfect dads — they begin with healed men willing to tend their inner world.

Referenced Research & Reporting
JAMA Pediatrics (2024) — Meta-analysis of 84 studies showing associations between paternal mental distress around pregnancy/postpartum and poorer social-emotional, cognitive, language, and physical development in children.
Hutchinson et al., Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics.
Pacific Clinics — Reporting on paternal mental health, noting that nearly half of men experiencing mental health challenges never speak to anyone about it, and highlighting higher suicide rates among men.
The 74 Million — Coverage on how paternal stress and mental health influence child development and family systems.
News reporting on professional athletes and paternal suicide — Illustrating how many men struggle silently, even those closest to us never knew they were in pain.

Confession can bring healing—or devastation—depending on how it’s done.

In this episode, I speak directly to men who are carrying secrets in their marriage and feel torn between honesty and fear. If you’ve ever thought, “If she really knew me, everything might fall apart,” this conversation is for you.

Drawing from Scripture, lived experience, and walking alongside other men on the healing path, I explain why secrets rob us of intimacy, joy, and peace—and why impulsive confession can actually cause more harm than healing.

This isn’t about dumping your shame on your spouse.
It’s about learning how to confess wisely, lovingly, and with a plan.

I also speak directly to wives who may be listening, offering perspective, compassion, and clarity in the midst of fear and uncertainty.

This is a heavy episode—but it’s also an invitation to freedom, wholeness, and a deeper experience of the gospel in your marriage.

Today's Sponsors:

TheOneYearBible & Cozy Earth 

If you’ve ever noticed that when life gets hard you tend to pull away from God ; numb out, isolate, distract, or try to fix everything on your own, this episode is for you.

As we head into a new year, Jerrad shares a personal story from a father-son race that turned into a moment of crisis… and how it revealed something deeply true about all of us: pressure exposes our reputation.

In this episode, we contrast our instinct to hide with God’s consistent reputation throughout Scripture; a God who keeps drawing near to broken, messy people again and again. From the garden of Eden to the life of Jesus to the promise of God’s Spirit within us, the story is clear:

When chaos hits, God doesn’t withdraw. He comes closer.

This is an invitation to stop hiding, and start trusting God’s reputation more than your instincts.

What You’ll Learn

• Why crisis and hardship reveal who we really are
• How shame, fear, and even success cause men to hide from God
• What Scripture shows us about God’s reputation from Genesis to Revelation
• Why men often turn away from God when they need Him most
• A simple, embodied practice to help you turn toward God instead of numbing out
• What it looks like to come out of hiding as a husband, father, and disciple

Key Takeaways

• Pressure reveals reputation.
You don’t really know what’s inside until life turns up the heat.

• Our instinct is to hide.
From fig leaves to distraction to self-reliance, men tend to pull away when things get hard.

• God’s reputation is nearness.
Again and again in Scripture, God draws closer — even in rebellion, failure, and fear.

• Healing begins with turning toward God.
Not after you fix yourself. Not after you “do better.” Right where you are.

• Strong families begin with healed men.
Men who stop hiding and learn to trust God’s presence change everything downstream.

Resources Mentioned

Sponsor: Dwell Bible App
Listen to Scripture anywhere and stay connected to God’s Word in real life
dwellbible.com/dadtired

Make a donation to support the ministry and help more men find healing.

Ever had something small go wrong and suddenly you’re spiraling into insecurity, shame, or old stories you thought you were done with? Yeah… me too. Today I share a simple moment in my kitchen that unexpectedly poked an old wound and sent me into a whole internal narrative about not being good enough.

But this episode isn’t really about caulking a backsplash.

It’s about the lies men believe, the wounds we carry into adulthood, and why healing matters way more than we think.

In this episode we talk about:
• How tiny moments trigger big wounds
• Why our brains write stories we never chose
• How men often cope through numbing, distancing, or performing
• What “intimacy disorder” really means
• How Jesus meets us in our pain and speaks truth
• Why healed men become better husbands, fathers, and friends
• Why your healing is never just for you—it’s for the mission

We also finish Step 7 of the Seven Steps of Discipleship:
pouring your life into someone else.

From Genesis to Jesus’ final words, God has always called men to expand His kingdom, not retreat into self-protection.

Strong families begin with healed men.
Strong men begin by telling the truth.
And healed men are sent men.

Download the free 7 Steps of Discipleship PDF: dadtired.com/7steps
Join us at the Dadology Conference (San Diego): dadtired.com/dadology
Partner with Dad Tired as we close out the year: dadtired.com/donate
Rite of Passage Alaska Trip (for dads + teenage sons) — limited spots
Host a One-Day Dad Tired Conference at your church: dadtired.com/conference
Today's Sponsor: One Year Bible

Father + Son Alaska Trip 2026

If you’ve ever felt exhausted as a dad — like you’re genuinely trying but something still feels “off” — today’s episode is going to give you language, clarity, and a fresh blueprint for fatherhood.

I sit down with Jeremy Pryor, one of the leading voices on shaping a multigenerational family on mission. Jeremy argues that most modern dads are using a brand-new cultural blueprint for family… and it’s not working.

This conversation is full of hope, honesty, and practical steps to help you create a home your kids will want to belong to for generations.

What You’ll Learn

• Why the modern Western family structure is historically unusual — and often ineffective
• The biblical blueprint for family that leads to connection, mission, and long-term joy
• The power of three generations at one table
• How to win your child’s heart through simple weekly rhythms
• Why intentional dads must play both offense and defense in today’s culture
• How to protect your child spiritually in a world full of digital “portals”
• What it looks like to raise kids who stay connected long after they leave your home

Key Takeaways

• Strong families begin with healed men.
You cannot lead your home if you’re disconnected from Jesus or from your own heart.

• Ideas matter.
Most dads inherited a blueprint that leads to isolation — not mission.

• Connection is built through rhythm, not random effort.
Weekly feasts, 1:1 traditions, family stories, and regular check-ins matter.

• Your kids need your protection — spiritually, emotionally, digitally.
Today’s culture demands intentional defense, not passive hope.

• Legacy starts now.
You’re building something your grandkids will feel — whether intentionally or by default.

Resources Mentioned

Free Step 6 PDF: dadtired.com/7steps
Jeremy Pryor’s Family Teams Resources: familyteams.com
Jeremy’s Book: Family Revision
Sponsor: Backgate Prayers — Use code DADTIRED
Make a donation to the ministry here. 

In this week’s episode, we shift the conversation from inner healing to how that healing actually plays out inside your marriage. Jerrad opens up about the quieter, less flashy season Dad Tired has entered, and why he’s more encouraged than ever as he hears private stories of repentance, courage, and healing from men around the world.

Then we turn to the heart of Step 005: your marriage is meant to display Christ’s love for His church. Not primarily your happiness. Not comfort. But a living, breathing picture of the gospel inside your home. When we lose sight of that, everything in marriage starts to unravel. When we stay focused on it, everything begins to fall into place.

From there, we get ultra-practical. Jerrad unpacks four clear, measurable ways husbands can model Christ’s love toward their wives — ways you can start evaluating and practicing this week.

What We Cover

• Why external “hype” has faded… and why that’s actually a good thing
• The unseen, private faithfulness of men that is changing generations
• The biblical symbolism of marriage — from Genesis to Jesus
• Why marriage falls apart when we expect it to serve our happiness
• How to reset your expectations around the purpose of marriage
• Four simple questions every husband should ask himself each week
• Why your wife is meant to feel emotionally, spiritually, and physically safe with you

Four Ways Christ Loves His Church… and How We Model Them

(With verses for your study)

1. Christ Pursues First
   Romans 5:8
   You take initiative. You move toward her. You start the conversations. You pursue her heart.
2. Christ Sacrifices Daily
   Ephesians 5:25, Mark 10:45
   You lay down comfort, preference, ego, and convenience for her good — with joy, not resentment.
3. Christ Shows Compassion
   Hebrews 4:15, 1 Peter 3:7
   You slow down, listen well, empathize, honor her, and create emotional safety.
4. Christ Protects and Strengthens
   2 Thessalonians 3:3
   You become a refuge — physically, emotionally, spiritually — where she feels secure and lifted up.

Free Download: Step 005 PDF

We created a full PDF to help you process Step 005 on your own or with a Garage Group:
dadtired.com/7steps

This includes:

• A theological overview of marriage
• Common barriers men face
• Practical exercises
• Reflection questions
• Scripture study prompts
• The four measurable areas of pursuit

Partner With the Mission

Dad Tired is at 7% of its 2026 fundraising goal. If this ministry has helped you and you want to stand with the thousands of quiet, faithful men doing the work no one sees, you can give at:
dadtired.com/donate

Episode Sponsor: Tyndale — The One Year Bible

Start reading the Bible daily in a simple and sustainable way.
Choose from multiple paths and editions: men’s, women’s, journaling, prayer, chronological, and more.
Learn more at: oneyearbible.com

Links Mentioned

• Step 005 PDF: dadtired.com/7steps
• Donate: dadtired.com/donate
• One Year Bible: oneyearbible.com

You can have a good life — not an easy life, but one filled with deep peace and joy that circumstances can’t shake. In this episode, Jerrad unpacks Step 4 of the Seven Steps of Discipleship: Forming Spiritual Habits — a conversation about how men grow through intentional, daily rhythms that train the soul for godliness.

Jerrad shares how his own healing journey began with one powerful declaration: “I’m a truth teller.” That single identity statement became the foundation for transformation. From there, he talks about how building small, consistent habits — rooted in who you’re becoming, not just what you’re doing — can reshape your entire life.

Through stories, scripture, and real talk, this episode will help you:

• Understand why identity always comes before habits
• Recognize that you’re already a man of habits — they just need redirecting
• Learn how to start small and stay consistent (even when motivation fades)
• Discover how godly habits train you to live with deep joy and peace, regardless of circumstance

Later in the episode, Jerrad is joined by Kaleb Allen, one of the most disciplined men he knows, to talk about practical spiritual disciplines — from Bible reading and prayer to solitude, gratitude, and Sabbath — and how these rhythms keep your soul grounded when life gets chaotic.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, inconsistent, or spiritually dry, this episode is your invitation to start building a life you’re proud of — one small habit at a time.

🎯 Key Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7–8

Announcements:

• 💰 We’re sitting at just 4% of our fundraising goal for 2026. If Dad Tired has encouraged you, consider making a tax-deductible donation before year-end: dadtired.com/donate

• 👨‍👧‍👦 Dadology Parenting Conference – April 24–25, 2026 in San Diego. Grab tickets now at dadtired.com/dadology

• 🏔️ Father/Son Alaska Trip – June 2026. Registration closes end of January. Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure: Learn More Here

🎁 Sponsor:
Cozy Earth – Get the best sleep of your life with Cozy Earth’s bamboo sheets and pajamas (Leila’s favorite gift ever). Use code DADTIRED for 40% off your order at CozyEarth.com
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What if the reason you keep reacting, withdrawing, or losing patience isn’t about your present—but your past?

In this episode, Jerrad unpacks Step 3 of the Seven Steps of Discipleship: Addressing Past Wounds—a practical and gospel-centered conversation about facing the pain we’ve carried instead of burying it. With honesty and compassion, he walks men through why ignoring our wounds doesn’t make them disappear; it just makes them leak into our marriage, our parenting, and our leadership.

Through biblical truth, personal story, and real-world guidance, Jerrad helps you see that this step isn’t about fixing yourself—it’s about inviting God into the places you’ve avoided for too long.

With a mix of vulnerability and hope, this episode will help you:

• Recognize how unhealed wounds shape your reactions and relationships
• Connect the dots between your pain and the lies you believe
• Learn a simple 4-part process for addressing wounds (Scripture, Naming, Writing, Sharing)
• Discover how to speak gospel truth to yourself
• Take the first step toward becoming a healed man who leads a healthy family

Whether you’ve minimized your pain, masked it with work, or felt like your story doesn’t matter, this episode is a reminder that strong families begin with healed men—and healing starts when you face what’s been buried.

Prayer:
“Father, reveal the wounds I’ve tried to hide. Give me courage to bring them into the light, and remind me that Your grace is big enough to heal every part of my story.”

Scriptures Mentioned:
Psalm 34:18
James 5:16
John 8:32
Isaiah 61:1
2 Corinthians 12:9

Resources & Links:
🎯 Download the free Seven Steps of Discipleship PDF
💡 Register for the Dadology Parenting Conference (April 24–25, 2026 — San Diego)
🙌 Support the mission: dadtired.com/donate
🎙️ Learn more about Dad Tired Conferences

We’d like to thank Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child and The Go Bible for sponsoring today’s episode.

What if healing isn’t found in isolation, but in the presence of brothers who know the worst about you and love you anyway?

In this episode, Jerrad unpacks Step 2 of the Seven Steps of Discipleship: Find Your Brotherhood: a conversation about why God never intended men to walk alone. Through biblical truth, personal story, and raw honesty, he explores why confession, friendship, and brotherhood aren’t optional extras in the Christian life, they’re essential for healing.

Later in the episode, Jerrad is joined by Nick, a Dad Tired listener who shares how brotherhood changed everything for him, from addiction and isolation to freedom and deep friendship. Together they paint a picture of what real, gospel-centered friendships can look like for men who are ready to stop pretending and start healing.

With a mix of vulnerability and hope, this episode will help you:

• Understand why it’s not good for man to be alone (Genesis 2)
• Recognize how brotherhood leads to real healing (James 5:16)
• Learn how confession brings both forgiveness and restoration
• Discover practical ways to build honest friendships
• See why every man needs a circle of brothers before he can lead his family well

Whether you’ve been burned by shallow friendships or you’re just tired of trying to follow Jesus alone, this episode is a reminder that strong families begin with healed men, and healed men don’t heal alone.

Prayer:
“Father, help me find and build the kind of friendships that bring healing. Give me brothers who will know me fully and love me still.”

Scriptures Mentioned:
Genesis 2:18
James 5:16
Proverbs 27:17
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
John 15:12–13

Resources & Links
🎯 Download the free Seven Steps of Discipleship PDF
💡 Register for the Dadology Parenting Conference (April 24–25, 2026 — San Diego)
🙌 Support the mission: dadtired.com/donate
🎙️ Learn more about Dad Tired Conferences & Speaking

We'd like to thank Samaratin's Purse and Operation Christmas Child for sponsoring today's episode. 

DOWNLOAD FREE PDF

What if following Jesus actually costs you everything?

In this first episode of our new 7-part series, The Seven Steps of Discipleship, Jerrad unpacks Step One — Count the Cost — and challenges men to slow down, read the small print, and honestly consider what it means to follow Jesus.

You’ll learn why Jesus told the crowds to “count the cost” before following Him, what it looks like to build your faith on a real foundation, and how to take a personal inventory of what discipleship might cost you.

Later in the episode, Jerrad sits down with his friend Ryan, who shares his real-time story of moving from compartmentalized faith to full surrender — and what it looks like when God takes the head seat at the table of your life.

This is Part 1 of the Seven Steps of Discipleship:
1️⃣ Count the Cost
2️⃣ Brotherhood
3️⃣ Address Wounds
4️⃣ Build Habits
5️⃣ Cherish Your Spouse
6️⃣ Raise Your Kids
7️⃣ Live the Bigger Calling

Resources Mentioned:
Dadology Parenting Conference
Donate To The Ministry
FREE PDF worksheet
The One Year Bible
Lectric Bikes