The Dad Edge Podcast

What does it actually mean to pursue excellence without losing your peace, your family, or yourself in the process?

In this episode, I sit down with New York Times bestselling author Brad Stulberg to unpack the tension so many driven men feel: the desire to achieve at a high level while still living a meaningful and grounded life. Brad shares insights from his book The Way of Excellence and explains why humans are wired to strive — but not necessarily wired to feel content once we achieve.

We dive into the trap many high-performing men fall into: constantly chasing the next milestone, promotion, or accomplishment while never feeling satisfied. Brad also shares powerful insights for fathers on how to help their kids develop a healthy relationship with effort, competition, and self-worth. If you're a driven man who struggles to slow down and enjoy the journey — or you want to raise kids who value effort and character over outcomes — this conversation will challenge how you think about success.

[0:00] Introducing Brad Stulberg and the idea behind The Way of Excellence

[2:29] Why humans are wired to strive but not wired for contentment

[8:57] The trap of "heroic individualism" and chasing achievement

[11:04] Why success alone often leaves people feeling empty

[20:08] The mountain metaphor for achievement and fulfillment

[26:04] The importance of pausing to appreciate the journey

[29:00] Helping kids avoid tying self-worth to results

[34:46] Why youth sports should focus on development over winning

[41:01] Separating identity from performance

[48:55] The real goal of youth sports: helping kids want to play again next year

1. Humans are wired to strive, which means the next achievement rarely brings lasting satisfaction.
2. True excellence is about pursuing something worthwhile that aligns with your values.
3. Focusing only on outcomes causes us to miss the meaning of the journey.
4. Kids need to learn that effort and growth matter more than results.
5. Fulfillment comes from aligning ambition with presence, purpose, and values.

• The Way of Excellence (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Way-Excellence-Greatness-Satisfaction-Chaotic/dp/0063385945
• Roommates to Soulmates Preview: https://thedadedge.com/soulmates
• Episode Link & Resources (Episode 1448): https://thedadedge.com/1448

If you're a driven man constantly chasing the next milestone, this episode is a reminder to pause and ask yourself an important question: What does excellence actually mean for my life?

Success without alignment will always feel empty. But when your ambition is grounded in values, presence, and purpose — that's where real fulfillment lives.

If this episode resonated with you, make sure you rate, review, follow, and share it with another dad who needs to hear it.

Go out and live legendary.

In this powerful Q&A episode, Uncle Joe and I tackle one of the most common — and emotionally charged — challenges men face: feeling disrespected by their wives and not knowing how to respond without escalating the situation. We unpack why reacting in anger never works, why most men were never taught conflict resolution skills, and how to move from emotional reactivity to grounded leadership.

Uncle Joe also shares his raw personal story — three failed marriages, a radical transformation in faith, and what it really means to earn respect instead of demanding it. If you've ever struggled with triggers, short fuses, or feeling misunderstood at home, this episode will give you both tactical tools and deeper perspective.

[1:02] Reintroducing Uncle Joe and the story behind his name

[4:11] Three failed marriages and the transformation that followed

[10:59] The marriage question: What do you do when you feel disrespected?

[15:52] Why most men were never taught conflict resolution

[18:23] Fighting for what you don't want vs. clearly stating what you do want

[19:58] Creating rules of engagement for healthy conflict

[22:13] Knowing your triggers and lengthening your fuse

[28:27] Respect is earned through leadership, not demanded

[31:57] Real peace isn't the absence of chaos — it's stability in the storm

1. Most men were never taught healthy conflict resolution — it's a skill you must intentionally learn.
2. When you argue for what you don't want, you create more confusion — clarity changes everything.
3. Emotional triggers are rarely just about your spouse — they're often tied to your own story.
4. Respect in marriage grows when you lead consistently and earn trust daily.
5. Real peace is developed internally — not dependent on external calm.

• Roommates to Soulmates Cohort & Preview Call: https://thedadedge.com/soulmates
• Episode Link & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1447

If you're struggling with triggers, short fuses, or feeling disrespected at home — don't ignore it and don't explode over it.

Learn the skill. Do the work. Lead first.

If this episode helped you, make sure you rate, review, follow, and share it with another dad who needs it.

Go out and live legendary.

If you want to understand what real brotherhood looks like — not surface-level friendships, not lone wolfing it, not "I've got this" energy — but true fellowship forged through shared hardship, this episode is for you.

Today I sit down with Frank Schwartz, aka Dark Helmet, President of F3 Nation. We dive deep into faith, fellowship, fitness, and what actually changes a man. Frank shares how going from 40 pounds overweight and spiritually empty to leading a global movement of men completely transformed his identity. We talk about sad clown syndrome, why success on paper doesn't equal fulfillment, why most men isolate when they're struggling, and how shared suffering builds trust faster than anything else.

If you've ever asked yourself, "Is this it?" — you're going to want to hear this one.

[0:00] Introducing Frank Schwartz (Dark Helmet) and the mission of F3 Nation

[12:06] The three Fs: Fitness, Fellowship, and Faith — and why they must build in that order

[18:05] The Lone Wolf Lie and why men isolate when they're struggling

[24:02] Growing up with impossible standards and how that shaped identity

[28:56] Sad Clown Syndrome — winning on paper but empty inside

[39:00] The pull-up moment that redefined what brotherhood really means

[48:49] Do you have what it takes? The answer every man needs to hear

1. Discipline starts physically — but real transformation is internal.
2. Surface-level friendships will never sustain a man in crisis.
3. Shared suffering accelerates trust faster than conversation alone.
4. Success without brotherhood often leads to quiet emptiness.
5. Every man asks "Do I have what it takes?" — and the answer is yes.

• F3 Nation: https://f3nation.com
• Frank Schwartz Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leadwithvirtue
• The Men's Forge Live Event: https://themensforge.com
• Episode Shownotes: http://thedadedge.com/1446

If you're tired of lone wolfing it… if you're successful on paper but feel disconnected… if you know there's more inside you but you haven't unlocked it yet — this episode is your invitation.

Get around strong men. Put yourself in the arena. Do hard things shoulder to shoulder.

If this episode resonated, make sure you rate, review, follow, and share it with another dad who needs to hear it.

Let's go live legendary.

In this solo episode, I share what's coming in March inside the Dad Edge Alliance, including a full breakdown of how we're helping dads move from authoritarian parenting to grounded leadership and collaboration. I also announce The Men's Forge live event, the next Roommates to Soulmates cohort, and highlight an incredible 1st Phorm transformation story from inside our community.

If you've been feeling the drift — in your parenting, your marriage, your energy, or your leadership — this episode is your reset.

[0:00] Who this episode is for — dads stuck in power struggles or marriage drift

[4:19] Why holding kids accountable feels harder than asking them to do something

[5:51] Moving from authoritarian parenting to grounded leadership

[7:06] Mastering regulation before correction

[8:16] Building accountability without authoritarian energy

[9:59] The Men's Forge live event announcement

[13:22] Guest speaker lineup including G.S. Youngblood

[15:03] F3 Nation President Frank "Dark Helmet" Schwarze joining the event

[17:01] Dad Edge 1st Phorm Dad of the Month transformation

[18:53] Roommates to Soulmates course update and preview call details

1. Authoritarian parenting creates compliance — but often erodes trust.
2. Regulation before correction is a leadership skill every dad needs.
3. Collaboration builds accountability far better than control.
4. Intimacy fades when emotional leadership is missing at home.
5. Transformation accelerates in community, not isolation.

• Roommates to Soulmates: https://thedadedge.com/soulmates
• The Men's Forge Live Event: https://themensforge.com
• Micro Factor Pack: https://1stphorm.com/products/micro-factor/?a_aid=dadedge
• Phormula-1 + Ignition (Post Workout Stack): https://1stphorm.com/products/post-workout-stack/?a_aid=dadedge
• Collagen with Dermaval: https://1stphorm.com/products/collagen-with-dermaval/?a_aid=dadedge
• Protein Beef Sticks: https://1stphorm.com/products/protein-sticks?a_aid=dadedge&a_bid=970de3cd
• Episode Shownotes: http://thedadedge.com/1445

If you're tired of the battles at home, the roommate vibe in your marriage, or feeling worn down physically and emotionally — don't wait for crisis.

Take action.

Join us. Step in. Lead differently.

From my heart to yours — go out and live legendary.

In this powerful behind-the-scenes conversation, Marc and I sit down to unpack Eric's story — a successful entrepreneur, father of five, and longtime member of the Dad Edge Business Boardroom. Eric opens up about the strained season in his marriage, the subtle warning signs he ignored, and the moment his wife Katie made it clear that change needed to happen.

This episode is about more than marriage repair. It's about ownership. It's about learning skills most men were never taught — emotional validation, empathy, leadership at home — and realizing that waiting for crisis only makes the climb steeper. If you're a busy business owner who feels scattered, distracted, or "almost disconnected" at home, this conversation will hit close to home.

[0:00] The distraction trap of entrepreneurship and busyness

[4:48] Eric shares the difficult season in his marriage before joining

[7:18] The early warning signs and Katie's wake-up call

[9:06] Why waiting for crisis puts men into panic mode

[13:48] Learning emotional validation and empathy as new skills

[16:11] Skills vs. identity change — upgrading your operating system

[19:17] The public signs that Eric's marriage was turning around

[22:31] Why you must change first instead of waiting for your wife to

[26:47] Eric's biggest advice: find a community of strong men

[29:32] The power of psychological safety and brotherhood

1. The drift from good to terrible is gradual — then sudden. Don't wait for the cliff.
2. Panic is not the best place to rebuild a marriage. Address the rumblings early.
3. Emotional validation and empathy are skills — not personality traits.
4. Identity change happens through environment and repetition.
5. If you want your marriage to change, you must change first.

• Dad Edge Alliance Preview Call: https://thedadedge.com/preview
• Dad Edge Business Boardroom (Mastermind): https://thedadedge.com/mastermind
• Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1444

If you're feeling that quiet tension at home — the subtle disconnect, the busyness, the emotional distance — don't wait for an ultimatum to force your hand.

You don't have to do this alone.

If this episode resonated with you, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Every share helps us reach more men who are ready to lead at home the way they lead in business.

From my heart to yours — go out and live legendary.

Do you ever feel like there's a relentless critic living inside your head?

The one that questions your worth, second-guesses your decisions, and tells you that you're not enough — as a husband, father, or leader?

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, I sit down with Ashleigh Di Lello, founder of Bio Emotional Healing, to unpack the neuroscience behind the inner critic, self-sabotage, chronic stress, and identity. Ashleigh shares her extraordinary story — from being told at 13 she wouldn't survive a rare viral illness, to rebuilding her body and career as an elite dancer, to losing everything again after a failed surgery left her in chronic pain. What she discovered about the brain, the nervous system, and self-compassion doesn't just apply to injury — it applies to every man stuck in anxiety, pressure, and silent self-judgment.

This isn't about positive thinking. It's about understanding how your nervous system works, how identity is formed, and how to rewire the patterns that keep you reactive, disconnected, and exhausted. If you're tired of white-knuckling life and ready for real tools grounded in neuroscience, this episode is for you.

[0:00] The inner critic most men silently battle

[2:05] Ashleigh's diagnosis at 13 and being told she wouldn't survive

[18:45] Using mental rehearsal to rebuild neural pathways

[26:43] Losing her career after a failed surgery

[30:45] Studying neuroscience to "flip the pain switch"

[35:12] What harsh self-criticism does to the brain

[44:16] The five-minute "container" exercise

[59:06] Rewriting identity through intentional self-talk

1. Harsh self-criticism activates fight-or-flight and blocks growth.
2. Self-compassion is neurological safety — not weakness.
3. Your brain validates whatever identity you reinforce.
4. You can't lie to your brain, but you can guide it.
5. What you suppress gains power — structured processing creates freedom.

• Ashleigh Di Lello Website: https://www.ashleighdilello.com
• Follow Ashleigh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleighdilello/
• Collagen (1st Phorm – what I personally use): https://1stphorm.com/products/collagen-with-dermaval/?a_aid=dadedge
• Dad Edge Alliance Preview Call: https://thedadedge.com/preview
• Dad Edge Business Boardroom (Mastermind): https://thedadedge.com/mastermind
• Episode Shownotes: http://thedadedge.com/1443

If this episode hit home — if you recognized that voice in your head — I challenge you to try the five-minute container exercise this week. Lead yourself with steadiness. Lead your family with clarity.

If you found value in today's conversation, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Every share helps us impact more fathers, families, and future generations.

From my heart to yours — go out and live legendary.

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Ross Greene, clinical psychologist and creator of the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model, to unpack why traditional rewards and punishments often make behavior worse — not better. We dive deep into why "because I said so" stops working, what your child's frustration is actually communicating, and how to shift from authoritarian control to collaborative leadership that builds trust, accountability, and critical thinking.

If you've ever thought, "Why is this not working anymore?" this episode will give you a radically different lens — and practical tools you can use immediately.

[0:00] Why power struggles are so common in parenting

[2:00] Introducing Dr. Ross Greene and the CPS model

[6:17] Why rewards and punishments don't solve the real problem

[8:33] Concerning behavior as a frustration response

[12:04] The 3-step collaborative problem-solving process explained

[16:19] Real-life example: solving teeth brushing battles with a 3-year-old

[30:56] Curfew conflict and how to navigate teenage resistance

[37:16] How collaborative parenting builds critical thinking

[41:56] Why authoritarian parenting may cause long-term harm

[47:06] Developmental variability — why every child is different

[49:23] Why noncompliance is informative, not defiance

[56:31] Accountability through collaboration — not punishment

1. Concerning behavior is a signal, not a character flaw. It communicates an unsolved problem.
2. Rewards and punishments modify behavior — they don't solve the underlying issue.
3. The 3-step CPS process (Empathy, Define Adult Concern, Invitation) reduces conflict and builds trust.
4. Noncompliance is information. It tells you an expectation may exceed your child's current skill set.
5. Collaborative leadership builds accountability, emotional regulation, and critical thinking.

• Dad Edge Alliance Preview Call: http://thedadedge.com/preview
• Dad Edge Business Boardroom (Mastermind): https://thedadedge.com/mastermind
• Dr. Ross Greene — Lives in the Balance (Free Resources): https://livesinthebalance.org
• Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1442

If this episode challenged how you think about discipline, accountability, and leadership at home, don't just sit on it — put it into practice. Try the empathy step tonight. Lead with curiosity. Solve one unsolved problem.

If this conversation impacted you, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. The way we parent today shapes the leaders of tomorrow.

From my heart to yours — go out and live legendary.

In this powerful behind-the-scenes conversation, I sit down with Marc Hildebrand — former LAPD sergeant turned high-performance coach — to unpack what men are actually thinking before they decide to step into brotherhood. We break down the hidden anxiety, ego, embarrassment, and "mind talk" that keeps men isolated, stuck, and spinning in quiet defeat.

You'll hear raw audio from one of our members, Tim Cox, as he shares what life looked like before he joined — the mental spiral, the weight gain, the doctor's warning, the loneliness, and the breakthrough that changed everything. This episode isn't just about business or health. It's about identity. It's about the stories we tell ourselves. And it's about the moment a man decides he's no longer doing life alone.

[0:00] Why men feel defeated before they ever ask for help

[3:37] Marc Hildebrand's transformation from overweight LAPD sergeant to coach

[9:20] Tim's confession: anxiety, mind talk, and feeling like a fraud

[11:01] The danger of "should" statements and internal pressure

[17:22] Ego, embarrassment, and the fear of being seen

[24:58] The doctor's ultimatum: insulin or change

[27:01] Dopamine, food, and emotional coping

[30:52] Rock bottom isn't a place — it's a decision

[34:22] Why you shouldn't wait until crisis hits

[37:54] "You're not alone" — the most powerful realization

[41:03] The myth of the lone wolf

[44:21] Inside Base Camp: the first 6 weeks of transformation

[46:19] The BRAVE Man Code framework explained

[49:57] Thinking differently and leveling up identity

[53:39] Why Larry left a lucrative corporate career to build The Dad Edge

1. Rock bottom is not a location — it's a decision to stop going lower.
2. Ego often disguises itself as embarrassment and self-protection.
3. Isolation amplifies anxiety — brotherhood dissolves it.
4. Health transformation starts with identity, not tactics.
5. You don't have to wait for crisis to change direction.

• Dad Edge Alliance Preview Call: http://thedadedge.com/preview
• Dad Edge Business Boardroom (Mastermind): https://thedadedge.com/mastermind
• Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com

If you've been telling yourself you'll change when it "gets bad enough," this is your sign not to wait. You're not alone — and you don't have to figure this out by yourself.

If this episode hit home, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Let's change the trajectory of fathers, families, and future generations.

From my heart to yours — go out and live legendary.

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Mat Lewczenko — entrepreneur, coach, and author of The Entrepreneur's Regret — to unpack what it feels like to be winning on paper while quietly losing at home. Mat shares his story of growing up as a Polish political refugee, building success through grit and discipline, and eventually finding himself at the top of his professional game… but emotionally empty, disconnected, and on the verge of self-sabotage.

We talk about the silent epidemic facing high-performing entrepreneurs — entrepreneurial drift — and what it takes to reclaim your nights, weekends, relationships, and sanity. This episode is a wake-up call for any man chasing more while feeling less.

[0:00] The concept of "Rock Top" — succeeding outwardly while unraveling inwardly

[1:41] Mat's family escaping Poland as political refugees before martial law

[3:02] Growing up in an immigrant household built on pride, discipline, and ownership

[10:10] Early lessons on earning what you want and respecting what you own

[17:47] The tension between giving kids a better life without raising them soft

[24:58] Mat's pivot from theater professor to real estate entrepreneur

[30:29] The breaking point — winning at work while losing at home

[31:31] The porch conversation where his wife said, "You don't get to do this"

[35:29] Realizing he couldn't even name his core values

[36:33] The North Star Values process and regaining alignment

[40:52] The three pillars — Leadership, Love, and Life

[41:30] Why being "all in" where you are eliminates guilt and fragmentation

[45:28] The danger of climbing the wrong mountain

[47:06] Why you must go back through the clouds to choose a new summit

[54:28] Small hinges swing big doors — 15 intentional minutes a day

[58:32] Presence over presents — how to win back connection at home

1. Rock Top is real — you can be crushing it professionally while quietly collapsing personally.
2. Clarity of core values simplifies decision-making and eliminates internal friction.
3. Entrepreneurial drift happens gradually, then suddenly — awareness must come before crisis.
4. Being fully present where you are removes guilt and fragmentation.
5. Small, consistent intentional actions create massive relational change.

• The Dad Edge Business Boardroom: https://thedadedge.com/mastermind
• Mat Lewczenko on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mat-lewczenko/
• Mat Lewczenko on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mat.lewczenko/?hl=en
• Mat's Podcast (Buzzsprout): https://www.buzzsprout.com/1956169/episodes
• Mat Lewczenko — Additional Resource: https://ifgrxppecbxjqjkoyvl7.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/82985e7c-be3c-41c2-b004-8e703e688431?fbclid=IwRlRTSAP-xitleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe9kqpb3eiIFwdvocjWzIhjjxamujPzRooAIcu6RVT7W6_R-3B3c7XJyb5y5Q_aem_pxafoSiJqIhIG7u_vMzVeQ
• Mat's Book – https://a.co/d/02QOVPcr
• Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1440

If you're climbing fast but feeling empty at the top, this episode is your invitation to reassess the mountain you're on. You don't have to lose your family to win in business. If this conversation hit home, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Let's build success that we don't regret.

From my heart to yours — go out and live legendary.

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, I sit down with Thomas "TJ" Baird — a 32-year Army veteran with 20 deployments — to talk about the real battle that followed the battlefield. TJ shares what it was like growing up with a father who was frequently deployed, only to find himself repeating that same pattern with his own daughter.

But this isn't just a military story — it's a fatherhood story. It's about PTSD, pride, brotherhood, humility, and the moment a man decides he's done living in the dark. TJ opens up about the night he realized he needed help, the ultimatum that changed everything, and the internal war between staying stuck and choosing the path toward peace. If you've ever struggled in silence or felt the weight of your past shaping your present, this episode will hit home.

[0:00] The image that defines the episode — destruction on one side, sunrise on the other

[2:10] 32 years of service and 20 deployments across the globe

[9:20] Realizing he was becoming the father he once resented

[24:17] His daughter telling him at age six, "Dad, you're too scary"

[26:28] Writing Warrior Dad as a tribute to his daughter

[35:07] The battlefield moment — seeing war to the west and sunlight to the east

[42:12] Why most men stay stuck instead of choosing growth

[47:38] The turning point — giving himself permission to get help

[50:40] Walking into behavioral health as a senior enlisted leader

[52:06] Leading by example so younger soldiers wouldn't suffer in silence

1. You can unknowingly repeat the very patterns you once resented.
2. There is always a path toward peace — but you have to choose it.
3. Growth requires surrendering ego and asking for help.
4. Brotherhood and accountability accelerate healing.
5. Your family is waiting at the finish line — not your career.

• Dad Edge Alliance Preview Call (RSVP): http://thedadedge.com/preview
• Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1439

If this conversation resonated with you — if you've been carrying something heavy in silence — let this be your sign to step toward the light. You don't have to do it alone. Please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast if this episode impacted you. From my heart to yours, go out and live legendary.