In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes, hosts J. Fotsch and Brian Mattson welcome elementary PE teacher and dad, Myles Wilson, for a fun and practical discussion about helping kids develop healthy habits for school success. From the importance of routines and physical activity to managing screen time, Myles shares how movement, emotional regulation, and positive social skills set the stage for better learning.

Drawing from his experience as both a teacher and parent, Myles emphasizes that kids thrive when they have consistent routines, opportunities to move, and encouragement to see activity as enjoyable. He explains how modern PE focuses less on competition and more on fostering cooperation, confidence, and lifelong healthy habits—both in the gym and at home.

Episode Highlights

[03:27] "If I'm teaching them to get along with other people and then like moving… I did a good job."

[05:40] "If your body is doing what it's supposed to be doing, it helps your mind… it all works together."

[08:10] "All of school is a routine… the quicker that you can get into the routine, the better."

[12:31] "Most kids don't really like competitive games where there's a winner… they just want to play with their friends."

[19:28] "We are routine people. I think we turned him into a routine person."

[30:22] "Your body is meant to move. Your body is not meant to sit."

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In this episode of Good Dads Great Communities, J. Fotsch and Director of Communications Diana Dudenhoeffer sit down with Strong Schools Captains Joshua Rowlett and Ben Buschjost to hear firsthand how intentional father involvement is transforming schools, families, and communities. From the library to the manufacturing floor, Joshua and Ben share how dads—and other male role models—are stepping up through the Good Dads Strong Schools program to build stronger connections with their children.

Through simple activities like pipe cleaner monsters and water bottle flips, these fathers are creating moments that spark pride, improve behavior, and ripple far beyond the classroom. The episode emphasizes how low-cost, low-stress events can have a high impact when schools invite fathers to show up with presence and purpose. Whether you're a dad, grandfather, uncle, or caring male figure, Strong Schools offers a meaningful way to make a difference—one handshake, one breakfast, one memory at a time.

Episode Highlights

[03:42] "The hardest part was just standing in front of a room of people. But the Good Dads Strong Schools program makes it really easy."

[05:52] "The dads in the communities I've served are really waiting to be asked to be involved."

[09:07] "It gives me an outlet to connect with my daughter. We get to do something fun together—and I get to know her school and her friends."

[12:10] "One father told me his employer asked for the full list of Good Dads events so they could make sure he didn't miss any."

[17:53] "It's just being present in the present moment. That's all that matters."

[28:00] "He wasn't confident, his kids had behavior issues, and now? He was Good Dad of the Year."

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In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes, hosts J. Fotsch and Brian Mattson are joined by Jason Hinson from Victory Mission for a lighthearted yet deeply practical conversation about raising children to be independent. From toddler chore charts to the complexities of launching adult children, the trio explores what age-appropriate responsibility looks like across different life stages.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of knowing each child's personality, offering guidance without micromanaging and modeling life skills like financial literacy, technology use and emotional regulation. Jason shares stories of parenting kids ranging from preschool to post-high school, highlighting that developing independence is not about pushing kids out but preparing them thoughtfully for what's next.

Episode Highlights

[01:22] "We have a chore chart… they get $5 if they've done their chores for the month… give, save, spend."

[06:00] "I watched my son… it took him five minutes to take out the trash, but I feel like he had a sense of accomplishment."

[08:12] "Be curious about behavior… you're trying to understand what they're doing and guide them."

[12:23] "Over the course of your days, you did a part-time job on your phone."

[17:26] "What if you're coming back at 24 now because you forced them out and they weren't ready for that independence?"

[20:18] "Just because you're 18 doesn't mean I quit caring… things change."

[28:11] "Think of yourself as a guide… you get a front row seat to watching that human become the best version of themselves."

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In this episode of Good Dads Great Communities, Dr. Jennifer L. Baker and J. Fotsch sit down with Strong Schools Coordinator Jim Millsap and Good Dads Board Member Dr. Mike Dawson—an experienced educator and retired Branson Schools administrator—to explore how simple interactions between dads and their kids can build stronger families and schools. Drawing on their decades in education and personal experiences as fathers, Jim and Mike explain how the Strong Schools initiative helps fathers—and father figures—connect meaningfully with their children while transforming school culture.

The conversation shows how simple, low-cost activities like making paper airplanes or sharing donuts can create ripple effects in the community. The guests share heartfelt stories and strong reminders that showing up, being present, and engaging in even small activities can leave a lasting impact. Whether it's dads building trust, showing vulnerability, or just sharing a laugh with their kids, this episode powerfully demonstrates the everyday strength of intentional fatherhood.

Episode Highlights

[05:25] "It's superhero day. I mean like, hey, Dad's here … It's just such a powerful impact."

[06:15] "You have another ripple effect then with the moms … they're boasting and bragging that their dad's involved."

[10:18] "I just need permission, a place and the time guidelines. It's purposely made to maximize positive interactions."

[13:54] "You just open that can—curriculum is very low tech. Just be present and so much fruit will come out of it."

[16:13] "Children who are growing up in a home without a dad don't even have a male role model at school."

[18:37] "Here's an easy way for a grandpa to have another structured opportunity to connect."

[27:07] "You could be the best advocate for adding that to your school—more so than we can."

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In this candid episode of Hot Topics, hosts J. Fotsch and Will Cox speak with Missouri State Representative Alex Riley and government consultant Ryan DeBouf about the challenge of navigating politics as parents. Both guests bring not only their professional insights but also their personal experience as dads—Alex with a growing young family and Ryan with children spanning from elementary to adulthood.

The discussion emphasizes the importance of age-appropriate conversations, modeling respectful discourse and cultivating political understanding at home. The guests share how to introduce basic concepts like government roles and civil disagreement early on and why it's vital for parents to lead these conversations before others do. They also discuss how their careers shaped their parenting, the impact of blended families and the tension between public service and private life. Whether it's navigating school communications or handling political threats, both fathers reinforce that being present, engaged and full of grace makes all the difference.

Episode Highlights [04:55] – "I think it's critically important for us as dads to be talking to our kids about those issues… if we're not, somebody else is going to fill that void." [06:35] – "I started having those conversations with my kids when they were three and four years old." [08:51] – "You have to do it because they're going to hear it first—and here's why we believe what we believe." [12:00] – "You're better off being able to sit back as a parent, as a dad, and wait for them to come to you for the advice as opposed to forcing it onto them." [23:29] – "When you are home, be present at home… they know when you're not really listening." [42:48] – "The most important thing… is to be present—in any way, shape or form that you can."

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In this episode of The Intentional Dad, hosts J. Fotsch and Jason Hynson welcome guest Brian Mattson from The Downtown Church for a heartfelt discussion on fostering trust and openness in family conversations. The dads explore how honesty, humility and consistency are crucial for building emotional safety at home—especially when discussing hard topics or addressing mistakes both theirs and their children's.

The conversation emphasizes the power of modeling honesty and vulnerability, especially when parents admit they're wrong. The trio shares personal stories about navigating difficult questions from their kids, handling lies with grace and keeping communication age-appropriate while still truthful. They stress that maintaining an open-door policy—no matter the topic or time of day—lays the foundation for long-term trust. Their message is clear: being an intentional dad means creating space for honest conversations even when it's uncomfortable.

Episode Highlights

[02:02] "Being able to say I was wrong… I went up and I apologized for the 10% I missed. Did he say, 'You're right, I was wrong'? No. But I wanted to keep that door open."

[03:21] "The more times that door gets shut incrementally, that's going to be a big deal a decade later."

[08:06] "If my daughter comes to me with real questions, that lets me know she's old enough for a real answer."

[18:00] "You don't necessarily get in trouble for the act… but if we find out that you're not truthful with Mom and Dad, that's when we're upset."

[21:11] "When he's been told he's done wrong… that just shatters him. So you have to be tender, especially when you do catch him in a lie."

[24:17] "I don't believe in trickle-down economics but I believe in trickle-down emotions."

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In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes, hosts J. Fotsch and Brian Mattson sit down with Crystal and Tobi Roberts to discuss how parents can teach kids about money from a young age. The Roberts, parents of a blended family with three children, share practical ways they've used to teach financial responsibility—from chore charts and envelope budgeting to teen credit cards and monthly family budget meetings.

The conversation highlights the importance of starting early, setting consistent expectations, and using real-life experiences to teach financial principles. Crystal, a CPA and Tobi, a Chief Marketing Officer, guide listeners through their family's journey with budgeting apps, CDs and planning for emergencies as well as future college costs. The episode delivers a clear message: financial literacy isn't about wealth—it's about wisdom, consistency and communication.

Episode Highlights

[03:03] "I think it starts a little before that with not being afraid of having financial conversations with them."

[06:39] "They had three envelopes. They had a fun envelope, a church envelope and a savings envelope."

[08:19] "They ended up paying for their entire flight to and from Florida for a vacation that they wanted to take."

[10:31] "We told every single person in that line… the kids bought their own tickets and they did chores and saved up their money."

[30:58] "We go through that as a family every single month… here's how that's going to impact the future."

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In this episode of The Intentional Dad, hosts J. Fotsch and Jason Hynson, with Victory Mission, welcome guest Jim Robinette to explore what discipline really means in parenting. Drawing on his military background and years of fatherhood, Jim reframes discipline as more than just consequences—it's about leadership, personal responsibility and helping kids build self-awareness.

The trio emphasizes that effective discipline is rooted in consistency, fairness and modeling behavior. Jim reflects on how different approaches worked for his two children, highlighting the importance of understanding each child's temperament. Discipline, they argue, should be less about punishment and more about guiding kids to make good choices, fostering agency and creating structure where children feel both safe and free. They also discuss the need for parents to discipline themselves and the power of open communication, accountability and humility in family dynamics.

Episode Highlights

[07:59] "You are responsible for your own actions… think about what you're doing and what's going to be the result."

[09:20] "Giving the kids agency… they are going to live their lives. We as parents cannot live our kids' lives."

[12:50] "You're just deciding in these circumstances you're going to check your brain… parenting has to be tailored to the kid."

[14:25] "They expect their parents to be fair."

[15:44] "Things are caught not taught… they're going to do what you do not what you say."

[21:29] "They're responsible for what they think and what they do and what they do reflects what they think."

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In this heartfelt episode of Hot Topics, hosts J. Fotsch and Will Cox sit down with Zach Troutman—coach, community leader and founder of Follow the Leader—to discuss the impact of intentional fatherhood, mentorship and vulnerability. Zach opens up about growing up without his dad, losing his best friend to suicide and how these experiences shaped his mission to provide stability, openness and support for his children and others.

Key points include the power of transparency in fatherhood, how grief can be channeled into advocacy and mentorship and why dads must model emotional awareness for their kids. Zach also shares how his approach to parenting—screen-free weekdays, consistent structure and honest conversations—helps build strong, emotionally resilient sons. Through his coaching and suicide prevention work, he inspires others to love deeply, lead intentionally and step in as father figures where needed.

Episode Highlights

[02:56] – "Being their dad has opened me up because I don't want any of the dirtiness inside of me to get on them."

[05:57] – "I wanted to keep Adam's name alive… to create safe spaces for students, adults, businesses."

[10:39] – "Sometimes people don't understand—like, I can't meet you where you're at if I don't know where you're at."

[17:58] – "God, if they make a mistake today, let it be their mistake and not because they followed someone."

[25:23] – "I don't want my kids to ever think their Blackness is a handicap. I'm like, no—it's a superpower."

[30:54] – "It is literally set up for us to be mediocre parents... but being a great father, you gotta be intentional."

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In this inspiring episode of Good Dads Great Communities, Dr. Jennifer L. Baker and J. Fotsch speak with two outstanding leaders in rural Missouri: Sean Vanderbeck from the Ava chapter and Jill Garrett from the Texas County chapter. As two of the three winners of the Good Dads Great Communities of the Year Contest, these chapters are recognized for their commitment to fatherhood in small towns often overlooked by larger initiatives. Sean and Jill reflect on their challenges, share their triumphs and describe the creative ways they've engaged dads across their regions.

From providing home-cooked meals to building trust through personal connections these leaders showcase how local relationships, accountability and perseverance can spark cultural change. Whether it's organizing parenting classes or rallying church support, the episode offers a heartfelt look at how Good Dads flourishes in tight-knit communities with big hearts and bigger dreams.

Episode Highlights

[00:28] "They're key figures in their great community. Ava, Missouri won our first place contest … and Texas County won $2,500."

[04:43] "I just noticed that it was always moms that came … and I thought, where are the dads?"

[05:20] "We haven't even in our larger communities including Kansas City had that many people show up the first night."

[11:24] " There was a time when I just wanted to be a good dad … and then the joy that comes from it is nothing compared."

[18:00] "A lot of times people just overlook those challenges … and yet you do. I mean, 29 men showing up—that's something."

[18:48] "By the time church was over, all 16 [weekend meal slots] were full. That got the community behind us."

[27:42] "Even if each home doesn't have a good dad, if you have more good dads they'll mentor those kids."

[29:27] "Every community has people that want to love on others—they're just scared to do it.

Resources📩 Sign up for the Good Dads Newsletter and never miss a podcast! 🌐 Learn more about Good Dads Great Communities! 📧 Questions or comments? Reach out to Good Dads at [email protected].