What if your kid's "selfishness" is actually developmentally normal? 🤯

✅ Why emotional awareness makes you a better dad (not a softer one)

✅ How to walk your kids through the "I'm sorry" process step by step

✅ The turkey hunting philosophy of spiritual formation

✅ Why showing up in children's ministry is a slingshot back to your home

SUMMARY:

What if your child's selfishness is actually a God-given gift? In this episode, Chris Ammenshares 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.

TAKEAWAYS:

• Your children are growing out of egocentrism, not being punched out of it. Understanding their developmental stage brings patience and grace to your parenting.
• Growing in your own emotional awareness is one of the greatest gifts you can give your kids. When you learn to express the full range of emotions, you create space for them to do the same.
• Walk your kids through the mechanics of relational repair. Chunk it up into small steps so they build the muscle memory for when they're older.
• Spiritual formation is a longitudinal process. It's so slow you'll hardly notice the grass growing, then one day you'll look around and see what God did while you were faithful day by day.
• Call your kids to where they already want to go. Shoulder-to-shoulder time doing what they love is where the real conversations happen.
• Men in children's ministry matter more than you think. Boys need men who cheer them on for who they are, and girls need to see men who treat them with respect and kindness.

GUEST:

Chris Ammen is the founder of Kaleidoscope, a ministry helping kids understand and love the Bible through chapter books, audio content, and a weekly podcast. A former children's pastor with 15 years of experience, Chris is passionate about meeting kids at their developmental level and equipping parents to disciple their children at home. He's the author of Raising Disciples at Home and the host of the Kaleidoscope Podcast. Chris and his wife have four kids ages 5 to 12 and live in the thick of raising their own disciples.

dadawesome, christiandad, dadlife, parenting, dadpodcast, fatherhood, kaleidoscope, childrensbible, emotionalawareness, raisingkids, familydiscipleship, christianparenting, boydad, girldad, childrensministry, faithathome, intentionalparenting, dadcommunity, spiritualformation, parentingtips

Quotes:

1. "This is not going to happen in 24 hours. This is not going to happen in a year. This is going to be so slow that I'm hardly going to notice the grass growing underneath my feet. And then I'm going to look around one day and say, look at what God did while I was just being patient and faithful day by day by day."
2. "They grow out of egocentrism. It's not punched out of them. It's not beaten out of them. It's not manipulated out of them. That's something that they have to come to as their brain develops."
3. "Hold up, this is not about you, this is about her. Both of our eyes right now need to be on her and making sure that she is okay."
4. "Call your children to where they already want to go. And while they're there, give them some truth."
5. "Don't underestimate that, both for the boys in the room and maybe even more importantly for the girls in the room. To have a man who looks at them with respect and kindness and graciousness, not as an object, is deeply formational."
6. "You don't have to be a champion in the room. You can just be an awkward dad who's learning how to be around other children."
7. "God thought of them before He thought of the mountains and the seas and the oceans, and He called them very good. He does not regret them."

LINKS:

• Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome
• Apply to join the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort: Email [email protected]
• Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618
• Kaleidoscope
• Kaleidoscope Podcast
• Raising Disciples at Home by Chris Ammon
• The Voice of the Heart by Chip Dodd

🍕🤼‍♂️ Pizza nights. Wrestling matches. Honest talks about sex, phones, and finding the right wife.

✅ Why Tuesday wrestling nights built more than just muscle ✅ The 18th birthday dinner where 4 friends said the exact same thing (and it wasn't planned) ✅ How to talk about sex early and often without shame ✅ Why delaying phones until driving age might be the move ✅ The story of the Sons of Korah and rewriting your family legacy

SUMMARY 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.

TAKEAWAYS

• Wrestling nights and messy pizza-making weren't just fun—they were intentional time in your presence that builds connection and dignity in your sons.
• The simplicity of being invited into God's work as a father takes the pressure off perfection and puts the focus on faithfulness.
• Early and often conversations about sex, desire, and God's design create safety and health instead of shame and secrecy.
• Choosing a spouse isn't just about attraction at 25—it's about finding someone you genuinely like being with through every season of life.
• Your family legacy isn't determined by what you inherited from your fathers—through Christ, you're rewriting the story for your kids.

GUEST

Carl Cartee is a songwriter, speaker, and worship leader from Franklin, Tennessee. He's written over 150 songs for artists including Elevation Worship and Oak Ridge Boys. Carl and his wife, Heather, host the podcast "Married to Someone Who's Nothing Like You" and are passionate about helping marriages thrive. They have four sons ranging from 14 to 19 years old. Carl loves creativity, adventure, and pointing people to Jesus through music, art, and authentic conversation.

TOP QUOTES

• "God has dignified me by inviting me into His work through my sons. If it turns out great, awesome. But even if there are no guarantees these boys go up and to the right for the rest of their life, I cherish being invited in."
• "Together is better—not just in the great times, but when you feel shame, when you didn't score any points. There's a different outcome when you do that alone versus when you do it with somebody who's there for you on the mountaintop or in the valley."
• "Don't marry somebody that you necessarily think is sexy right now. Look for somebody that you like being with. Because when it comes to seasons of life and circumstances throughout the course of a marriage, you might be married to two or three different women."
• "Shame as a young man was an absolute killer. It was an absolute destroyer of relational connection and intimacy. When the boys bring their struggles to us instead of harboring that shame, it speaks of health in that area."
• "No matter what heritage you have, if God is your refuge and strength, there is nothing from your past, nothing from the generations before you that you cannot undo through the power of worship and trusting in the Lord. You are rewriting legacy."

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"Discovered truth always beats delivered truth." David Murrow just dropped some serious wisdom for dads who want to stop lecturing and start creating real spiritual conversations.

In today's episode, you'll hear:

✅ How to pray 15-second prayers with your kids that integrate faith into everyday moments

✅ Why Jesus asked hundreds of questions but only gave 8 direct answers (and what that means for your parenting)

✅ The 3 journeys every man walks: submission, strength, and sacrifice

DadAwesome Voice Mail: SUMMARY:

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.

TAKEAWAYS

• Discovered truth always beats delivered truth—guys need space to talk and share their experiences, not just receive lectures.
• Jesus asked hundreds of questions but only gave eight direct answers in all of Scripture—create curiosity through great questions instead of telling your kids what to think.
• The foundation of your faith must be built on being like a lamb (gentleness, sensitivity, mercy) before you can exercise lion-like strength in love.
• Try 15-second prayers with your kids throughout the day—integrate faith as something you do all the time, not just on Sundays.
• Touchstones are physical objects that help spiritual truths stick—give your kids something tangible to carry that reminds them of what they're learning.

GUEST

David Murrow is the author of Why Men Hate Going to Church and The Map: The Way of All Great Men. For over 25 years, he's been helping churches engage men through groundbreaking research and practical resources. He's currently developing Man Time, a parable-based video series that creates powerful spiritual conversations. David is passionate about helping dads disciple their kids through questions, stories, and hands-on experiences rather than lectures.

Links Mentioned:

• Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort

• Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618

• Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book

• LEAVE DadAwesome a VOICE MESSAGE

• The Map: The Way of All Great Men by David Murrow

• Why Men Hate Going to Church by David Murrow

• Man Time parables video series

• davidmurrow.com

div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 standard-markdown"> Quotes

1. Discovered truth always beats delivered truth. Guys need space to talk and share experiences, not just receive lectures.
2. Jesus asked hundreds of questions but only gave eight direct answers in Scripture. Create curiosity, not lectures.
3. Try 15-second prayers with your kids. Integrate faith as something you do all the time, not just Sundays.
4. The foundation of your faith must be built on being like a lamb before you exercise lion-like strength.
5. Church is now more masculine than culture. It's recognized as a safe place where guys can go.

🎯 As a dad, are you leading the conversation about sex with your kids—or letting the world do it for you?

✅ Why dads need to play the lead role in sex conversations (even with daughters!)

✅ How to make your marriage thrive with 7 simple shifts

✅ The power of resisting passivity and taking proactive action

✅ FREE resources that will strengthen your family today

SUMMARY:

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.

TAKEAWAYS

• Resist passivity and take the lead in having ongoing, shame-free conversations with your kids about sex and God's design for their bodies.
• Your marriage is one of the first gifts you give to your children—they learn what relationships should look like by watching yours.
• Fun is fuel for your marriage—without laughter and playfulness, everything else begins to collapse.
• The mind feasts on what it focuses on—intentionally focus on God's plan for your family and flourishing will follow.
• Being proactive as a husband and father isn't domineering—it's loving leadership that your wife finds attractive.
• Create a team around your growth—invite other dads and couples to join you on the journey toward intentional parenting and thriving marriage.

GUEST

Dave Willis and his wife, Ashley, are the authors of multiple books including the bestseller, The Naked Marriage, and their newest release, Do Marriage Better: Seven Simple Shifts for Deeper Connection. They're also Christian speakers, marriage coaches, and the hosts of The Marriage on the Line Podcast. They have four sons and live near Augusta, Georgia. Dave is passionate about helping dads lead their families with intentionality and helping couples build marriages that thrive.

LINKS

• Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort

• Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618

• Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book

• How to Talk to Your Kids About Sex (FREE 6-part video series) - Family Life

• Do Marriage Better: Seven Simple Shifts for Deeper Connection by Dave & Ashley Willis

• The Marriage on the Line Podcast

• 9 Days to Great Sex Free eBook

QUOTES

1. "Your wives find being proactive in you very sexy. Women, by God's design, are attracted to a husband who takes action."
2. "Fun is fuel. If your marriage feels like it's on empty, it's because you've put fun on the back burner. Laughter isn't frivolous—it's vital."
3. "If we don't teach our kids about sex, the world's gonna do it for us and the world's gonna teach them the wrong messages."
4. "The mind feasts on what it focuses on. Focus on God's plan for your family and the flourishing will follow."
5. "Resist passivity. God hasn't called us to be passive. There are times to be still and patient, but never passive."

✅ Why following Jesus is the most adventurous thing you'll ever do

✅ The often-overlooked power of physical touch with your kids

✅ How to build the deep brotherhood every dad desperately needs

✅ A game-changing challenge: Do for ONE kid outside your family what you do for your own

LEAVE DADAWESOME A VOICEMAIL

✅ Under 90-seconds

✅ Begin with your first name and where you are from

✅ RECORD YOUR MESSAGE HERE

SUMMARY

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.

TAKEAWAYS

• Following Jesus as a father is meant to be the most adventurous, risk-taking, beautiful journey—not boring or safe
• Physical touch with your kids is a powerful gift that communicates love, safety, and connection in ways words cannot
• Your presence as a dad matters more than you realize—availability beats ability every time
• Deep friendships and brotherhood are essential for the fatherhood journey; isolation is the enemy
• Challenge yourself to "do for one more kid" outside your family what you already do for your own kids
• Being a sower and planting seeds means showing up consistently without always seeing immediate results
• Don't place unrealistic expectations on your kids because you're trying to overcompensate for your own broken past
• The Kinsman Journal helps fathers unlock the power of their story and create spaces for authentic connection

GUEST:

Peter Ostapko is a leader with Kinsman, an intentional men's ministry focused on faithfully demonstrating redemptive, Christ-centered brotherhood. Kinsman creates resources including publishing, podcasting, and gatherings to influence men toward authentic connection and purposeful living. Peter is also the creator of the Kinsman Journal, a beautiful resource designed to help men unlock the power of their stories. He's a husband, father, and passionate advocate for helping dads build deep friendships and lead their families with courage and intentionality.

LINKS:

• Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome
• Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618
• Kinsman Ministry
• The Kinsman Journal
• Fathered by God by John Eldredge

TIMESTAMPS

• 00:00 - Welcome & Introduction
• 02:53 - The Cliff Jumping Story: Taking Risks as a Dad
• 08:30 - Why Following Jesus Should Be Adventurous
• 15:45 - The Gift of Physical Touch with Your Kids
• 23:10 - Being Present: Your Availability Matters Most
• 30:20 - Deep Brotherhood and Why Dads Need Friendship
• 37:15 - The Kinsman Journal: Unlocking the Power of Story
• 42:00 - Don't Be Too Hard on Yourself
• 44:20 - The "Do for One More Kid" Challenge
• 46:17 - Peter's Prayer Over Dads
• 48:00 - Closing Thoughts & Resources

5 TOP QUOTES:

1. "Following Jesus is to be the most adventurous, risk-taking, frightening, wonderfully beautiful, dependent, abiding thing we'll ever experience in our life."
2. "The role of a father is the most important title, mantle, role you'll ever have in your entire life outside of being a spouse to your wife."
3. "Do for one kid outside of your kids what you do for your kids. Be intentional with them. Invite them into dinners and love on them. You never know what some of these kids are going through."
4. "We talk ourselves out of way too many things. God is on the other side saying, 'Listen, I got an adventure for you. Do you want to do this or not?' He doesn't force us. He invites us into it."
5. "Your presence matters more than you realize. Just being available for your kid—that's what matters most."

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 repenter

✅ The power of visioning your 80th birthday party (and reverse engineering it!)

This conversation will challenge you to slow down, stay steady, and stop letting your kids catch the shrapnel.

LEAVE A VOICE MESSAGE for DadAwesome - share your QUESTIONS here

Summary:

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.

Takeaways:

• Dads need to be the thermostat, not the thermometer—setting the tone rather than reacting to it.
• When a dad blows up, the kids catch the shrapnel, and those moments leave lasting impressions.
• Emotional regulation is one of the most critical skills for fatherhood—learning to respond from the green zone instead of the red or blue.
• Vision is essential: imagine your child's eulogy or your 80th birthday party and reverse engineer the habits you need today.
• Your role as a dad isn't to be Superman—it's to be the chief repenter, modeling humility and grace for your kids.

Guest Bio:

Tyler Graham is a dad of six, founder of Three Mile Per Hour Fatherhood, and a passionate advocate for helping fathers slow down and live at the pace of presence. Through coaching cohorts and resources, Tyler encourages dads to develop emotional regulation, break generational patterns, and build a compelling vision for their family's future. He lives with his wife and six kids on their homestead, where they're building a legacy rooted in connection, intentionality, and grace.

Quotes

1. "I cannot be the type of dad I want to be when I'm in a hurry."

2. "When a dad blows up, the kids catch the shrapnel."

3. "A dad's role is not to be Superman. A dad's role is to be the chief repenter."

4. "Dads need to be the thermostat, not the thermometer—set the tone, don't react to it."

5. "My son flinched when I sat down. That's when I knew something had to change."

Links

• Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort

• Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618

• Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book

• Three Mile Per Hour Fatherhood (Tyler Graham's coaching): [website]

• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer

• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero

• A Burning in My Bones by Eugene Peterson

• Jeremy Pryor and Family Teams

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 (even when it feels impossible)

✅ The power of gamifying life and creating playful memories with your kids

✅ How a simple bike ride and croissant can become a weekly rhythm your son will remember forever

OVERVIEW

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.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Emotional strength means staying steady through your kids' ups and downs rather than riding their emotional roller coasters.
• Opposition and hard things aren't obstacles to avoid—they're opportunities to fortify your faith muscle and show your kids what trust looks like.
• Play isn't optional for dads. It connects you to childlikeness, creates lasting memories, and reminds you that joy is found in pointless moments without outcomes.
• Three out of five men have no one to call in crisis. Finding your tribe and suffering together breaks isolation and builds unshakeable bonds.
• Your worry as a dad is like a five-year-old worrying about taxes—God's got this, and freedom comes when you open your hands and trust Him.

LINKS

• Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome
• Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort
• Apply to join the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort: Email [email protected]
• Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618
• Pursuit Official Website https://joinpursuit.co/
• Zip Chip (favorite toy for play)
• Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

QUOTES

1. "Your fear and worry right now is equivalent to your five-year-old worrying about taxes."
2. "For a child, 15 minutes can be a lifelong memory. For us, it's a blink—but for them, it's forever."
3. "The most vulnerable man on the sand is the strongest. Let's eliminate shallow conversation and get to the heart quickly."
4. "Play isn't pointless—it's for joy. Men forget to have moments with no responsibility, no outcome, just pure fun."
5. "Every time we go through something challenging, we fortify something in our minds that tells us: I have what it takes. Jesus will get me through this."

• 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 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.

TAKEAWAYS

• Marking moments matter: Creating manhood ceremonies and intentional milestones leaves lasting impressions on your kids, even if the follow-up isn't perfect.
• Celebrate vulnerability first: When your kids fail or confess something hard, make it about their openness before addressing consequences—this builds emotional safety.
• Reject passivity, accept responsibility, lead courageously, and be fueled by the future: These four pillars of manhood provide a framework for raising boys and girls with character.
• Pursue purity as a top priority: The war for purity as a father protects your ability to show physical affection and have compassion without contamination.
• Freedom is crock-pot, not microwave: Breakthrough comes through long-suffering love and staying present, not by trying to manhandle change.

GUEST

Josh Krehbiel is the lead founding pastor of Every Day Church in Roseville, Minnesota—a community focused on prayer, discipleship, and sending out leaders and movements. Along with his wife Katie, Josh is passionate about raising up the next generation through worship, ministry, and authentic family connection. They have four children: three teenagers and a five-year-old. Josh is also a songwriter and worship leader who believes in the power of declaring truth over families through music and prayer.

LINKS

• Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort

• Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618

• Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book

• Raising Modern-Day Knights by Robert Lewis

• Everyday Church, Roseville, Minnesota

QUOTES

1. "When failure happens we celebrate the vulnerability first because the most important thing is connection and felt safety."
2. "I want to get to the rocking chair with love on my heart and grandkids who say grandpa is kind."
3. "Freedom doesn't happen through manhandling it happens through long suffering love and staying present in the crock pot not microwave."
4. "Your kids don't feel safe because you think they're safe they feel safe when you celebrate their vulnerability over their performance."
5. "The war for purity as a father protects your ability to show physical affection with compassion instead of contamination."

🌍 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 identity, not circumstances

✅ The power of giving daughters space to be uncomfortable

✅ What it means to be a pioneering father in today's world

SUMMARY:

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.

TAKEAWAYS

• One person's choice to choose God can literally change generations—the legacy you leave matters more than the comfort you keep
• True security for your children comes from pointing them back to their Heavenly Father rather than trying to be their ultimate provider
• Pioneering requires vulnerability and risk, but it creates inheritance and legacy for those who come after you
• Give your daughters intentional affection and affirmation while also creating space for them to grow uncomfortable and dependent on God
• The long dull years of middle-aged prosperity can become excellent campaigning weather for the enemy—comfort can be your greatest threat to effectiveness

GUESTS

George Gourlay is the lead pastor who moved his family from Durban, South Africa to Northeast Florida in 2024. He served for 14 years in ministry leadership in South Africa, following in the footsteps of his father who had a radical encounter with God that transformed their family line. George is married to Leanne and has three children: Amberly (23), Luke (20), and Mitch (10).

Amberly Gourlay is a 23-year-old graduate pursuing global studies and international relations in Boston. She delivered her university's commencement speech, challenging fellow graduates to choose courage over comfort with the heart of Isaiah's "here I am, send me." She's passionate about women's leadership in church and politics and embodies the pioneering spirit passed down through her family line.

Top 5 Quotes:

1. "One person's choice to choose God and one husband's choice to choose his wife and to choose his children literally changes generations." - Amberly Gourlay
2. "The long dull monotonous years of middle-aged prosperity are excellent campaigning weather for the devil." - C.S. Lewis (quoted by George)
3. "I have the privilege of a father who knows who our Father is in reality... He is not provider in and of itself, but he stewards what God provides." - Amberly Gourlay
4. "You need to love Jesus even more than you love me... dad, what you're telling me is you love Jesus more than you love me. But it didn't matter because it was this bigger picture." - George reflecting on his father's words
5. "As you begin to be uncomfortable and you have to go to God for things because your physical parents are far away, you begin to experience so much more of who He is." - Amberly Gourlay

LINKS:

• Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort

• Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618

• Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book

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 Dad Awesome book, and highlighting transformational moments from 16 unforgettable conversations that shaped this movement.

Takeaways:

• Milestone moments matter - Pausing to celebrate and shine the spotlight on what God has done builds faith for the journey ahead
• Small yeses create waves - Dad Awesome wasn't built on one grand gesture but hundreds of small commitments to growth over eight years
• Intentionality transforms everything - Just like discovering great coffee, small shifts in daily rhythms can revolutionize your entire approach to fatherhood
• Stories cascade through generations - When dads point to God's goodness consistently, children naturally learn to do the same with their own kids
• Community accelerates growth - The DA plus three model shows that fatherhood gets exponentially better when you're not doing it alone
• Generosity reveals faith - Taking steps forward in generosity, whether with time, words, or resources, grows our trust in God's faithfulness

Links:

• Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort

• Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618

• Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book

• Clips from 16 DadAwesome Episodes:

• 25 | Patei Iyegha

• 38 | Pursuing Shalom, Chasing Dreams & Being All-On-Dad (Paul Hurckman)

• 77 | Crafting Key Moments, Modeling KINDNESS & Praying with Desperation (Ryan Skoog)

• 98 | Awaken The Warrior Heart (Pablo Ceron)

• 137 | Spirit-Filled Parenting, Hearing God's Voice, & Shaping our Kids as Arrows (Seth Dahl)

• 148 | Andy Crouch - The Tech-Wise Family

• 187 | Jon Tyson on Skillful Manhood, Capturing First Moments & The Intentional Father

• 214 | Context, Fainting Goats & Being Secretly Awesome (Bob Goff)

• 238 | A Place for the Heart (Ken Helser)

• 250 | Raising Kids Humbly, Loving Your Wife Fully, and Soaring Joyfully (Morgan Snyder)

• 286 | Parenting for the Third Generation, Building Family Assets, and Championing the Beauty of Fatherhood (Jeremy Pryor)

• 298 | Dialing In, Leading with Love, and Being the Loudest Voice in Your Child's Ears (Dr. Jackson Drumgoole)

• 314 | Tackling Fear in a War Zone, Modeling Courage, and Embracing Your True Identity (Jamie Winship)

• 364 | Bedtime Blessings, Birthday Letters, and 5 Simple but Life-Changing Habits (Justin Whitmel Earley)

• 375 | Experiential Christianity, Lingering with Jesus, and The War for Your Attention (John Eldredge)

• 385 | Raising Kids Who Live Generously, Creating Miracle Moments, and the 1% Challenge (Todd Harper)