In this conversation, Caleb Scott shares his journey into fatherhood, discussing the unexpected challenges and emotional experiences that come with becoming a dad. He emphasizes the importance of community support, grace, and accountability in parenting. The discussion also touches on conflict management, resilience in children, and the significance of being present in their lives. Caleb reflects on the balance needed in parenting, learning from mistakes, and the invaluable gift of time spent with children. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the complexities of fatherhood and the growth that comes from navigating its challenges together.

Key Takeaways / Topics Covered

1. Navigating challenges in parenting requires support and community.
2. Grace is essential for parents and children alike.
3. Conflict management is crucial for emotional intelligence in parenting.
4. Accountability is a form of love in relationships.
5. Children learn resilience through their parents' actions.
6. Presence and attention are vital in a child's development.
7. Finding balance in parenting is key to success.
8. Mistakes in parenting can lead to growth and learning.
9. Time spent with children is the greatest gift a parent can give.

Pull Quotes

“You are not built for fatherhood, but you are refined through it.”“It takes a village — not to raise your child, but to support you while you do it.”

Timestamps / Chapter Markers

• 00:00 – Introduction
• 02:05 – Navigating Parenthood During a Pandemic
• 04:27 – Overcoming Overwhelm and Embracing Change
• 07:26 – The Importance of Community and Support
• 09:37 – Grace: A Key to Successful Parenting
• 12:38 – Understanding Emotions and Reactions
• 15:22 – The Role of Preparation in Fatherhood
• 17:49 – Conflict Management and Accountability in Parenting
• 29:40 – Navigating Parental Tensions
• 35:06 – The Balance of Accountability and Love
• 43:26 – Vulnerability vs. Resilience in Parenting
• 49:01 – The Resilience of Children and Parental Responsibility
• 50:28 – Learning from Mistakes: The Power of Apology
• 53:41 – Navigating Co-Parenting and Identity as a Father
• 55:58 – The Importance of Presence in Parenting
• 58:27 – Building Community Among Fathers
• 01:00:44 – The Journey of Fatherhood: Connection and Growth
• 01:02:55 – Normalizing the Struggles of Fatherhood
• 01:04:11 – Principles of Influence: Leading by Example

Supporting Content:

1. Two-Brain Theory (Conan the Barbarian vs. Sherlock Holmes Brain) — a metaphor discussed by Shaun for emotional regulation, based on neuroscience concepts around the amygdala and prefrontal cortex.
   • Daniel Kahneman – “Thinking, Fast and Slow” (System 1 and System 2 parallels)
   • Daniel Goleman – “Emotional Intelligence”
   • Robert Sapolsky – “Behave”

2. Parenting & Emotional Regulation: Discussion around emotional control and grace aligns with research in developmental psychology. 

• John Gottman – “Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child
• Harvard Center on the Developing Child – Studies on father involvement

3. The Better Dad Podcast
4. Caleb Scott on Linkedin
5. Caleb Scott on Facebook
6. Soapbox Studios