Dads Making a Difference Podcast

What defines a "real" dad? Does it mean providing everything your family needs financially? Being present at sports games and school events? Kevin Hoover grappled with these questions after his 4-year-old son was diagnosed with a large tumor and kidney failure, forcing their family into the intense world of pediatric cancer treatment.

Over days, weeks, and years of walking alongside his son during chemotherapy, radiation, and more, Kevin discovered what being a true father meant to him — showing up with courage, tenderness, and authenticity. He learned to embrace vulnerability instead of silent suffering.

Now recovered, Kevin helps other dads navigate their own "midlife awakening," a pivotal transition many men face in their late 30s to 50s. Caught between fading youth and looming old age, these fathers recognize a disconnect between who they've become and how they want to show up. They sense a calling pulling them toward something new — if only they can find the conviction to take a leap.

Join Kevin and Cam as they discuss the challenges of evolving as a man and father, learning to risk comfort for fulfillment, and how to live awake in each season, not just in crisis.

"If men did that more (asking for help), I think you would find that this world is not as lonely as we perceive it to be, as dads, as men." — Kevin Hoover

In this episode, you will:

• Hear one dad's emotional story of his son's cancer diagnosis that led him to re-evaluate everything
• Learn how to move from simply needing purpose to actively wanting purpose in order to live courageously
• Get tips on overcoming society's expectations of fathers and giving yourself permission to nurture your full identity
• Understand why midlife tension arises between our evolving passions and remaining stagnant
• Gain insight into becoming more self-aware, asking more questions, and seeking community

Connect with Kevin Hoover:

• Website

Connect with Cam Hall:

• Website
• Dads Making A Difference Connection Call
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Email - [email protected]
• Want to join a holistic group coaching call with Cam? - Send him a message on Instagram @dadsmakingadifference

In a world where childhood is drastically different (thanks to mobile devices and social media) how can parents build strong connections with tweens and teens? How can we cultivate healthy relationships and boost their self-confidence when external validation holds so much power?

Jessica Speer, our insightful guest, understands the developmental growing pains facing adolescents perhaps better than anyone. As an author and former friendship mentor for middle schoolers, she’s extensively studied this transitional life stage's psychology and social dynamics.

In our conversation, Jessica reveals the root causes of why grades 6-8 can profoundly test one’s confidence. You’ll discover the “friendship truths” essential for students to internalize and why certain bonds strengthen while others rupture. We discuss the risky allure of perceived popularity and how parents can equip kids with perspective.

Tune in and learn simple but sage phrases to employ when children need empathy rather than advice. This episode is brimming with science-backed insights and practical wisdom to smoothly guide your child’s journey through the inherently messy middle school years.

“Our kids know when we’re triggered and we go off. And then we’re not really there for them. And the worst-case scenario is as they get older, they stop coming to us. Because they don’t want to have that effect on us.” — Jessica Speer

In this episode, you will learn:

• Simple ways to have meaningful conversations with your tween or teen 
• The words that guarantee your child feels heard during tough talks (and no, they're not "I understand") 
• Helpful tips for empathizing with your kid's friendship frustrations, even when you don't fully comprehend social media drama 
• The formula to ground yourself before emotionally charged conversations 
• How to embrace your child's quest for identity without judgment 
• How to teach your tween resilience without criticism 
• Before you hand your kid a smartphone, ask yourself these vital questions 
• How less advice and more listening can deepen trust with your tween or teen (75% of parents don't realize this) 

Resources:

• The Phone Book by Jessica Speer
• BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)?

Connect with Jessica Speer:

• Website

Connect with Cam Hall:

• Website
• Dads Making A Difference Connection Call
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Email - [email protected]
• Want to join a holistic group coaching call with Cam? - Send him a message on Instagram @dadsmakingadifference

As a child raised by a single mother, Dustin Burnham faced a dilemma shared by many fatherless sons - how to blaze a trail as a man and parent without the conventional baggage of a paternal role model. His quest for masculinity and purpose led him down an unorthodox path, veering from personal trainer to the high-stakes arena of anesthesiology.

Dustin's transition was fraught with upheaval, nearly failing on his first surgery observation. But that brush with adversity stoked an inextinguishable fire within him to save lives, ultimately training elite military forces in lifesaving tactics. However, Dustin's most transcendent frontier was fatherhood itself.

Refusing to accept hand-me-down legacies, Dustin forged a revolutionary new approach to cultivating his son's growth as a present, intentional father. Drawing from cutting-edge neurological insights, he designed tailored "rites of passage" challenges to unlock his child's unique potential - from peeing off a sailing boat to fostering cherished talents yet to be discovered.

Brace yourself for an against-the-odds tale brimming with heartfelt revelations and hard-won wisdom. A journey that will leave you encouraged to be the intentional parent, partner, and trailblazer you aspire to become.

“When you can give them something emotional, the time that you didn't have as a kid, that heals you as much as it's good for him."  — Dustin Burnham

In this episode, you will:

• Discover how seeing his first C-section surgery triggered Dustin's lifelong passion for anesthesiology, leading him to train elite military forces in lifesaving techniques.
• Learn the innovative "rites of passage" challenges Dustin puts together every few years to guide his son's growth, tailored to his unique skills and interests.
• Gain eye-opening insights from fMRI studies revealing that father-son wrestling triggers a 20% higher oxytocin (the "cuddle hormone") release compared to hugging.
• Uncover Dustin's counterintuitive approach to legacy-building as a fatherless son himself, eschewing conventional "baggage" to create an inspiring new path.
• Join Dustin as he shares hard-won wisdom from working with a postpartum doula, keeping the romance alive through structured date nights - a pivotal 67% of happy dads prioritize good babysitting.

Resource Mentioned:

• Join the DMD Mastermind and become a difference-maker in your Family, Business, and Community.
• How to Raise Emotionally-Mature Boys With Raising Cain Author, Dr. Michael Thompson

Connect with Dustin Burnham:

• LinkedIn
• Twitter
• The Present Father’s Podcast

Connect with Cam Hall:

• Website
• Dads Making A Difference Connection Call
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Email - [email protected]
• Want to join a holistic group coaching call with Cam? - Send him a message on Instagram @dadsmakingadifference

Alain Dumonceaux joins us to share his powerful story of loss, struggle, and ultimately, redemption. As a driven entrepreneur fixated on career success, Alain's first marriage unraveled, leaving him rudderless. His life burned down around him. Out of the ashes, he began piecing his life back together, striving to become the awakened man he is today.

With courageous honesty, Alain opens up about the pain of divorce and depression, losing connection with his sons, and nearly losing himself. He poignantly describes his journey to rebuild his marriage on a new foundation of love, trust, and communication. We explore the mistakes he made as a father, the steep road to mending that relationship, and his mission to help other men avoid the same pitfalls.

Tune in and learn as Alain provides keen insights into the key pillars for men to evaluate their lives, the danger of complacency and mediocrity. And practical steps to live with purpose and vulnerable connection. 

Join the DMD Mastermind and become a difference-maker in your Family, Business, and Community. 

"When I recognized what I was going through and how painful it was, (I knew) I needed to do something about this. Men can't be doing this all alone." — Alain Dumonceaux

In this episode, you will learn:

• The integrity challenge: Assess 6 pillars - finances, emotions, relationships - to align attention and intention
• The 4 words that rebuild connection: Love, Trust, Communication, Time
• Warning! Before ignoring your kids' needs, ask yourself these 5 questions
• Struggling with vulnerability? My 3-step formula to open up with your spouse
• Why 'good enough' is the enemy of a purpose-driven life (and how to avoid mediocrity)

Resources:

• Backbone: The Modern Man's Ultimate Guide to Purpose, Passion and Power by David H. Wagner

Connect with Alain Dumonceaux:

• Website
• Instagram

Connect with Cam Hall:

• Website
• Dads Making A Difference Connection Call
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Email - [email protected]
• Want to join a holistic group coaching call with Cam? - Send him a message on Instagram @dadsmakingadifference

What does it take to build an authentic, lasting connection with your daughter?

Being a girl dad is more than just parenting your daughter the same way you would your other kids. While we always have our daughters’ best interests at heart, they often see our words and actions from different lenses – and this is where the disconnect between dads and daughters could come from.

Madeline Anderson had such a wonderful relationship with her dad, that she still treats him as his best friend even if she is now an adult. It surprised her that not all daughters had the same nurturing relationship with their dads, which set her on her mission of helping dads and daughters build amazing relationships. 

In this episode, Madeline shares the importance of attention and intention in building your relationship with your daughters and how the quality of conversations you have could shape not just the health of your relationship with her but the relationships she will get into in the future.

“Those little moments, the micro-moments, they add up so much more than that one big thing every now and then. That’s what creates that bond.” - Madeline Anderson

In This Episode:

• Madeline talks about the inspiration behind her book
• Learn what branding yourself as a “girl dad” means
• Discover the key takeaways dads can learn from the book Girl Dad that will change their perspective on parenting their daughters
• Learn the importance of continuing to be who you are and sharing your hobbies and interests with your daughter
• Find out how to build strong, authentic connections with your daughters
• Discover how to ask the right questions and have meaningful conversations with your daughters
• Find out why it’s important to talk to your daughter about work and how to do it
• Learn how to deal with the change in relationship between dads and daughters over time
• Learn the importance of a dad’s role in helping their daughters build relationships with others
• ...and more!

Resources mentioned:

• Girl Dad: Stories, Lessons, and Advice From Girl Dads and Their Daughters   
• Girl Dad Community 

Connect with Madeline Anderson:

• Website  
• Email 
• Instagram

Connect with Cam Hall:

• Website
• Dads Making A Difference Connection Call
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Email - [email protected]
• Want to join a holistic group coaching call with Cam? - Send him a message on Instagram @dadsmakingadifference

There’s a misconception that most women complain about submitting to their husbands. But in Scott’s experience, it’s not the submission that wives complain about — it’s the lack of leadership from their husbands.

As a pastor, a husband, and a father of 10 kids, Scott has faced many challenges, especially in terms of leading both his congregation and his family. But he has learned that leadership is not about appearing tough and asserting authority. Rather, it’s about knowing how to be gentle, when to apologize, and how to say, “I don’t know.”

When men learn what real strength and leadership are about, it becomes easier to hear God’s plans and submit to them while setting the right example for their families and the community around them.

Tune in to this episode to learn more about how men can show real strength and grow as leaders and good examples to everyone around them.

“If you want strong marriages, I think you need strong men. You need strong fathers and strong husbands. You want strong families, you need strong fathers and strong husbands.” - Scott LaPierre

In This Episode:

• Scott shares how he got into ministry despite not being a Christian until his early 20’s
• Scott talks about being a husband and being a father of 10
• Learn about Scott’s routines in balancing being a pastor, a husband, and a dad
• Find out what being a strong father and husband really means
• Learn ways on how men can grow as a leader, especially in their homes
• Discover the importance of knowing how to say, “I don’t know”
• ...and more!

Resources mentioned:

• Seven Biblical Insights For Healthy, Joyful, Christ-Centered Marriages

Connect with Scott LaPierre:

• Website 
• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 
• Facebook 
• YouTube

Connect with Cam Hall:

• Website
• Dads Making A Difference Connection Call
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Email - [email protected]
• Want to join a holistic group coaching call with Cam? - Send him a message on Instagram @dadsmakingadifference

Dads play a huge role in childbirth. With moms going through the physical and emotional rollercoaster that comes with pregnancy, the dad’s role is to offer support and help the mom and baby stay healthy from pregnancy to childbirth.

As a childbirth attorney, Gina witnessed so many things that could go wrong in pregnancy — from babies being born with health issues to moms not making it through childbirth. Most of these cases are preventable; the best way to avoid them is to prepare for pregnancy from a different perspective. It’s not just about picking out a color for the nursery or choosing the cutest clothes. It’s about arming yourself with the right knowledge so that you can make better decisions once the baby is ready to come out.

In this episode, Gina talks about some of the most common problems that happen during childbirth and how to avoid them.

“Every new parent is like, ‘Oh my goodness, what color are we gonna paint the nursery? What cute clothes are we gonna buy?’ The most important thing you can do is make sure your baby gets here safely.” - Gina Mundy

In This Episode:

• Gina shares about her experience as an attorney for childbirth cases and how it inspired her to write her book
• Discover the huge role that fathers play in the childbirth process
• Learn what a baby advocate is and how to be a good one
• Hear examples of the most common things that could go wrong during childbirth and what parents can do to prepare for them
• Discover what makes Gina’s book different from all the other parenting and childbirth books and classes
• Get tips on how childbirth lawyers prepare for their own pregnancies based on the knowledge that they have
• ...and more!

Resources mentioned:

• A Parent's Guide to a Safer Childbirth: Expecting the Best: Using the Power of Knowledge to Help You Deliver a Healthy Baby

Connect with Gina Mundy:

• Website
• Instagram 
• LinkedIn 
• Facebook

Connect with Cam Hall:

• Website
• Dads Making A Difference Connection Call
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Email - [email protected]
• Want to join a holistic group coaching call with Cam? - Send him a message on Instagram @dadsmakingadifference

How do you deal with finances in your marriage? So many couples readily admit to being unprepared in this area, while others avoid the topic completely. 

The truth is that the state of your finances heavily impacts the state of your marriage. It affects how you cover your day-to-day needs and how prepared you are when an emergency comes. It impacts your future as a couple, as well as the future of your kids. It even impacts the way your kids will think about money when they grow up and have their own financial responsibilities.

There is so much stigma in talking about money among couples that so many of them can’t even agree on whether to have separate or combined accounts. In this episode, we’re going to talk about how to deal with finances while strengthening your marriage in the process.

“If you’re able to have those conversations in a more constructive way, if you’re able to learn how to manage money more effectively with your spouse, it doesn’t just make your financial situation better; it actually does strengthen your marriage.” - Bill Nelson

In This Episode:

• Bill talks about how he and his wife dealt with multiple financial responsibilities
• Discover which is better — combining accounts or having separate accounts?
• Learn about barriers that cause people to avoid discussions about money
• Learn the steps on how to get on the same page financially with your spouse
• Learn tips on how couples can organize their different accounts
• Find out how to approach debt as a couple
• Discover what financial infidelity is and how it impacts marriage
• Learn why it’s important to set the right example for your kids in terms of finances
• ...and more!

Resources mentioned:

• Marriage-Centered Money: Get on the Same Financial Page and Achieve Your Life Goals Together
• Marriage-Centered Money

Connect with Bill Nelson:

• Email
• Website 
• Instagram 

Connect with Cam Hall:

• Website
• Dads Making A Difference Connection Call
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Email - [email protected]
• Want to join a holistic group coaching call with Cam? - Send him a message on Instagram @dadsmakingadifference

As a father of six kids, Jim has been constantly busy observing the different stages of his kids’ lives. Knowing that each child has their own personality and pace, it’s been an interesting ride discovering how to connect with them and meet them where they are at any given time.

Now that he has witnessed how his kids’ journeys corresponded with his own journey as a parent, he has found his calling to guide other parents with their own journeys with their children.

In this episode, Jim shares how he applies the storytelling technique of looking at a hero’s two journeys into parenting. As parents, the journey to accomplish things coincides with the journey towards fulfillment. And with these two journeys working hand in hand, we can become better parents building strong connections with our kids.

Jim also covers different mindsets that parents normally have and how these mindsets can make or break their connection with their kids. He talks about the ideal of what a successful family looks like, and how parents can work hand in hand with their kids in preparing them for their future while being present and making decisions rooted in love and compassion.

“There’s a pre-requisite to influence, and that is connection. The stronger your connection with the child, the more likely it is that you’re gonna be able to influence them or to empower them.” - Jim White

In This Episode:

• Jim talks about applying the hero’s two journeys to parenting
• Jim defines what a successful family looks like based on his set of principles, values, and beliefs
• Discover how to build a relationship with your teenage kids
• Understand what the readiness gap is and how it applies to parents and their teenage kids
• Find out the importance of saying no while helping them get ready for the future yes
• Learn to see the signs of whether your kids are ready for more
• Discover the two mindsets parents have that impact the way they deal with their kids
• Learn the role of acknowledgment in building a stronger connection with your children
• ...and more!

Resource Mentioned:

•  Top 10 Parenting Tips
• 10 Questions You Should NEVER ASK Your Teenager 

Connect with Jim White:

• Website   
• YouTube  
• Facebook

Connect with Cam Hall:

• Website
• Dads Making A Difference Connection Call
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Email - [email protected]
• Want to join a holistic group coaching call with Cam? - Send him a message on Instagram @dadsmakingadifference

When people usher in a new year, there’s often a rush to start fresh by creating a long list of resolutions and goals. This time, we’re going to talk about one thing that people should put on top of the list of things they should not be carrying into 2024 — and that’s busyness.

As dads, there’s often a pressure to always do something, whether it’s for the family, the community, or for work. There’s too much ‘pouring out’ without realizing that there’s not much room left for ‘filling up’. This is because we’ve all gotten used to the idea of busyness.

Corrie Ten Boom says, “If the devil can’t make you sin, he’ll make you busy.” And when you’re overly busy, you’ll start missing the important things about life. Looking back at 2023, the most memorable parts weren’t the time you spent on things you kept yourself busy on. The most memorable parts were the times you spent with family and friends, or the things you truly were passionate about.

In this episode, we’re going to talk about how you can build off of the momentum from last year and start working on things that put too much busyness into your life, and replace them with actions that will lead to a significant life. 

“We often get sucked into the busyness of life, and it distracts us from enjoying the little things and the more important things that are happening around us.” - Cam Hall

In This Episode:

• Cam recalls moments from 2023 that could be used to kick off a new year
• Understand the importance of removing clutter from your life as you go into 2024
• Learn why there should be no room for busyness in 2024
• Learn the importance of understanding what works for you and what doesn’t instead of following what people are saying about New Year’s resolutions
• Understand the difference between being busy and being efficient
• Learn about the difference of feeling that you “have to” versus the ability to prepare
• Think about how big your dreams are for the new year
• Learn how to leave a legacy by living a life of significance
• ...and more!

Resources mentioned:

• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World
• 10x Is Easier Than 2x: How World-Class Entrepreneurs Achieve More by Doing Less
• The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months

Connect with Cam Hall:

• Website
• Dads Making A Difference Connection Call
• Facebook
• Instagram
• Twitter
• LinkedIn
• YouTube
• Email - [email protected]
• Want to join a holistic group coaching call with Cam? - Send him a message on Instagram @dadsmakingadifference