In this episode, we sit down with Brian Anderson, founder of Fathering Together and Director of Foundation Relations at i.c. stars, to explore the deeper meaning of presence—in fatherhood, relationships, and everyday life. We talk about what it really means to be present, not just physically and mentally, but spiritually as well. Brian shares insights from his work coaching dads, helping them build deeper connections with their children and loved ones.

We discuss:

• The role of presence in parenting and how to truly see your kids
• Why casual kindness can change lives in ways we don’t always realize
• How spirituality—however you define it—shapes our relationships
• The importance of recognizing life’s small moments and building meaningful connections
• Practical ways to engage with your kids, from gratitude at the dinner table to shared kitchen adventures

This episode is packed with wisdom, real talk, and actionable insights for anyone looking to deepen their relationships and show up fully for the people who matter most.

About Brian:

Brian Anderson works at i.c.stars as the Director of Foundation Relations. His primary goal is to help the rest of us understand the brilliant tech endeavors of their interns especially if we don’t talk tech very well. Outside of i.c.stars, he’s a committed husband, father, and gender equity advocate balancing his time between building Lego structures and kitchen adventures with his two daughters.

Find Brian on: Linkedin

Email Brian at: [email protected]

For info on i.c. stars: https://www.icstars.org/

For info on Fathering Together: https://fatheringtogether.org/

About the Host:

Hi, I'm Fred Van Riper—husband, father, former construction professional, and creator of the Connection Architecture Process. I help growth-oriented leaders become more clear, confident, and connected through transformational leadership development.

I work with leaders who are successful on paper but know there's another level available—leaders who want to architect genuine connection rather than hope for it. Whether you're leading teams, building businesses, or navigating the complexities of modern fatherhood, everything starts with how you lead yourself.

This podcast explores the intersection of leadership, connection, and authentic living. No corporate fluff. No outdated "authority" models. Just real conversations about the invisible forces that shape how we show up—and practical tools to transform them.

My approach combines unconventional methods with proven frameworks because breakthrough moments happen when we bypass the analytical mind and access our authentic leadership wisdom. Think leadership archaeology, emotional weather systems, and connection as a competitive advantage.

Ready to go deeper?

The Connection Blueprint is my flagship 3-week leadership development experience launching September 2025. This live "course" is designed for leaders who see connection skills as leadership development, not crisis management. Reserve your spot here.

Want immediate insight? Book a free Strategy Call to explore how the Connection Architecture Process applies to your specific leadership challenges.

Looking for resources you can dive into right now? Check out my complete toolkit.

Everything begins with how you lead yourself. Your success, how you handle failure, conflict, and challenging emotions—it all connects back to how connected you are to yourself and others. Let's architect that connection together.

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Disclaimer: The content contained herein is for inspirational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Nowhere in this podcast do we diagnose or treat a viewer/listener with any kind of psychological, mental, emotional or physical disorder as might be diagnosed and treated by a personal psychologist or other professional advisor. The content is not intended to be a substitute for working with a therapist but is for the purpose of educating the viewer about new approaches to working on personal problems. Viewers/listeners should use this podcast at their own risk, with the understanding that we are not liable for its impact or effect on its users. Viewing/listening to the podcast does not form a practitioner/client relationship between the viewer/listener.