The Dad Edge Podcast

How can you learn how to be a good dad if your father wasn't there for you? What does it mean to be a good dad? How can you learn to be the father your kids need?

Today we have retired Navy SEAL Senior Chief Luis Rivera on the show. He served with the SEALs for 24 years and was featured in Discovery Channel's documentary Navy SEALs BUDs Class 234. Luis has been married for 14 years and has three kids.

Growing up, Luis's father never made an effort to be involved in his life. Luis admits, he wasn't always a good dad either. Military life always came first, until he realized what an impact his behavior was making on his kids.

Luis is now a fully present and invested dad. He's also part of Mighty Oaks Programs, an organization that helps veterans, active duty military, and first responders deal with PTS and life trauma.

Luis opens up about his struggles and failures as a husband and father. He tells us how he spent 9 days in a hotel with his daughter to help her through drug withdrawals. He also talks about the free 5-step program that helps men get a full understanding of who they are and what their purpose is in the world.

You've never heard this side of Luis Rivera before. Don't miss this in-depth interview!

For the show notes and exclusive links mentioned in this episode go to gooddadproject.com/245.

Join the Free Dad Edge Facebook Group at gooddadproject.com/group.

Apply for The Dad Edge Alliance at gooddadproject.com/alliance.

Follow us on Instagram at @thedadedge!

How can we get past our flaws and failures to become the best men we can be? Marriage is the foundation of everything. It is our home and our refuge. A solid, happy relationship with our spouse is crucial to raising emotionally strong and mentally healthy kids.

Today's guest is a legend in our mastermind community, Joe Bailey. Joe is on his fourth marriage and it will be his last. He's made lots of mistakes when it comes to relationships, but he's been lucky enough use them to grow and adapt. He knows to stay wary of his weak spots and to double down on his strengths.

In this short episode, Joe shares his firsthand experience and five rules for an unshakable marriage.

For the show notes and exclusive links mentioned in this episode go to gooddadproject.com/thursday188.

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Join the Free Dad Edge Facebook Group at gooddadproject.com/group.

Apply for The Dad Edge Alliance at gooddadproject.com/alliance.

Follow us on Instagram at @thedadedge!

This episode was recorded live in the Dad Edge Alliance Mastermind community. We've turned this into a live radio show and it's awesome!

Join Larry Hagner and Dan Zehner as they bring on men from The Alliance LIVE and take their questions.

Parenting is always a challenge. We are not given a manual when our kid is born. Parents whose kids have ADHD are even more unprepared. The Dad Edge constantly receives emails from dads who are struggling with their ADHD son or daughter. Most feel frustrated and helpless. They don't enjoy parenting, and their kids can sense that. But there is hope for ADHD parents. All we need is the right skillset.

Angela Pruess is a licensed family therapist with a background in Child Psychology, Child Development, and Play Therapy. She is the founder of Parents with Confidence and also the mother of three children, two having special needs.

Angela explains the 3 different types of ADHD and the best way to manage each one. She talks about how to create an environment that encourages emotional intelligence and a growth mindset. She also tells us how to develop and leverage our parent-child connection, understand the true motivation behind our child's behavior, and discipline our children without causing emotional damage.

Empower yourself to grow emotionally resilient ADHD kids who will live their best lives!

For the show notes and exclusive links mentioned in this episode go to gooddadproject.com/244.

Join the Free Dad Edge Facebook Group at gooddadproject.com/group.

Apply for The Dad Edge Alliance at gooddadproject.com/alliance.

Follow us on Instagram at @thedadedge!

Are you concerned about your alcohol intake?

It's the peak season for drinking. Many guys waking up with a nasty hangover will wonder what it would be like to give up alcohol for awhile.

But we worry.

Wouldn't it be boring? What would our friends think? How would we relax at the end of the day?

Today we have everyday dad and Dad Edge Alliance member, Darren Bellew on the show. After 35 years of drinking, he decided to try a 30-day detox. Once he reached that milestone, Darren experienced the benefits of being alcohol-free and just kept going.

More than a year later, Darren is still alcohol-free. Instead of feeling deprived, he has more energy, more time, better performance, and a deeper connection with his family. Darren has built a better relationship with himself, learning to solve his problems rather than putting them off by drinking.

If you're thinking of taking a break from the beer and the booze in 2020, this episode will help you understand what to expect when you go alcohol-free!

For the show notes and exclusive links mentioned in this episode go to gooddadproject.com/thursday187.

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Join the Free Dad Edge Facebook Group at gooddadproject.com/group.

Apply for The Dad Edge Alliance at gooddadproject.com/alliance.

Follow us on Instagram at @thedadedge!

Do finances stress you out? You're not alone. Most of us aren't clear about what we have to do to achieve financial independence. The average 50-year-old has about 50K in savings. Most millennials are not saving at all. The majority of family households don't even have a budget to know what they're spending on.

Money problems wreak havoc on our physical and mental wellbeing as well as our relationships. The best time to take control and be intentional about financial independence is right now.

Financial legend, Brad Barrett, returns to The Dad Edge. He's the cohost of the Choose FI Podcast, the co-author of Choose FI: Your Blueprint to Financial Independence, and cofounder of a financial independence movement that has spread worldwide.

Brad went from being a full-time CPA to retired and financially independent at the age of 35. Now he empowers others to design their paths to financial independence.

Today, Brad gives us simple, actionable steps you can take right now to cut expenses, save money, and build wealth without feeling deprived. He also talks about how to get your spouse in on the game to use your financial plan to bring you closer.

It's not about what you'll be giving up, it's about making your life better. Don't waste another day or another cent. It's time to build a lifestyle according to what you value most.

For the show notes and exclusive links mentioned in this episode go to gooddadproject.com/243.

Join the Free Dad Edge Facebook Group at gooddadproject.com/group.

Apply for The Dad Edge Alliance at gooddadproject.com/alliance.

Follow us on Instagram at @thedadedge!

Suicide is the number one killer among men aged 35-50. The World Health Organization reports that suicide represents half of all male violent deaths worldwide. Why are men at such risk and what can we do about it?

Men are more likely to go for desperate measures for several reasons. Our culture teaches men to internalize emotions and hide distress. At the same time, men tend to lose their close friends and support systems as they step into the role of a provider. They're also reluctant to seek help when struggling with anxiety, depression, or suicidal thoughts.

The first step in doing something about suicide among men is raising awareness. Today, one of our Dad Edge Alliance Commanders courageously steps up to share his story. Nick Sotelo recounts his intense battle against rage, darkness, and suicide. He also tells us how to interrupt the negative scripts that run through our heads and what to do when overwhelmed with shame and hopelessness.

We never know what is going to send us or someone we care about down a dark road. This is an episode every dad should listen to for himself and any boy or man he knows.

For the show notes and exclusive links mentioned in this episode go to gooddadproject.com/thursday186.

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Join the Free Dad Edge Facebook Group at gooddadproject.com/group.

Apply for The Dad Edge Alliance at gooddadproject.com/alliance.

Follow us on Instagram at @thedadedge!

This episode was recorded live in the Dad Edge Alliance Mastermind community. We've turned this into a live radio show and it's awesome!

Join Larry Hagner and JMack as they bring on men from The Alliance LIVE and take their questions.

Are you having trouble breaking bad habits and committing to good ones?

Today's guest says the problem isn't you, it's your system.

James Clear is the NY Times Bestselling Author of Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. He talks about how building a system of small habits will compound over time for huge results. He'll also teach us how to design our environment so that we'll stick to good habits without even thinking about it. Most importantly, James will tell us how we can apply atomic habits to our relationships with our spouses and children.

Whether you want to quit drinking, lose weight, excel in your business, or build deeper connection with your family, get ready to reshape your life for success!

For the show notes and exclusive links mentioned in this episode go to gooddadproject.com/242.

Join the Free Dad Edge Facebook Group at gooddadproject.com/group.

Apply for The Dad Edge Alliance at gooddadproject.com/alliance.

Follow us on Instagram at @thedadedge!

As men, we usually are all or nothing. We have the tendency to set extreme goals, and if we have one setback, we take that as proof we can't succeed and give up entirely.

But if we practice both self-compassion and accountability, we can forgive ourselves, dust off, and get back on track.

Today, we have one of our Dad Edge Alliance Mastermind Commander on the show, Paul Richardson. He's in charge of ensuring the men on his team are executing their plans.

Paul says we won't be motivated all the time, and that's okay. It doesn't mean we can't stay on the path to success.

Instead of beating ourselves up for the bad days, we must learn to trust the process, asking for help along the way. We can grow at our own pace, forgiving ourselves when we have a setback and loving ourselves enough to be patient.

Discover the power of self-compassion and accountability for dads in this short episode!

For the show notes and exclusive links mentioned in this episode go to gooddadproject.com/thursday185.

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Join the Free Dad Edge Facebook Group at gooddadproject.com/group.

Apply for The Dad Edge Alliance at gooddadproject.com/alliance.

Follow us on Instagram at @thedadedge!