The Internet, if not handled properly within our families, poses a significant risk to our kids. It is the primary place where predators lurk in the shadows, grooming vulnerable kids for sex trafficking and exposing them to pornography. And it happens from an early age, earlier than most of us parents realize.

To help us navigate the potential pitfalls of Internet misuse by our kids and predatory practices by those who would seek to harm our children, we are joined in this episode by Christian Stanley, a missionary in the fight against human trafficking. While a big part of what Christian does is to help get kids out of dangerous situations once they're already being trafficked, the first line of defense is to help prevent kids from being trafficked in the first place -- and that starts at home. Open your mind and prepare your heart for this sobering conversation about the reality of the digital world that our kids are growing up in, and learn the warning signs and practical safeguards that we can put in place as fathers to protect our kids.

Christian Stanley is a missionary in the fight against human trafficking. He felt the call of missions at the age of 14 while on a missions trip in Sucua, Ecuador. Coming back from that trip, he prayed for years asking God to reveal what he was to specifically do. When Christian was 18, God broke his heart over the issue of human trafficking. He made a commitment then that he continues to uphold in fighting for the missing, hurting, and exploited. Christian lives in Alabama with his wife, Rachel, and their young son.

You can connect with Christian on social media: @thestanleysmissions

You can learn more about The Stanleys and support their ministry, here: https://www.thestanleys.co/

Here are the resources discussed in this episode to learn more about this important issue and take the necessary actions to protect your kids.

“Power is no blessing in itself, except when it is used to protect the innocent.” — Jonathan Swift

Music in this episode is from "Good Ol' Man" (©2022) by Drew Green and reproduced with permission from Drew Green.

Welcome to Friday Focus on The Faithful Fatherhood Podcast. This week Brett reflects on the number of hours we put into all sorts of things in our lives and wonders if we're putting the same intentionality into "studying" fatherhood. He shares four resources that we can use for "deliberate practice" to get better as fathers.

Note: The book Brett references in this episode is Good Inside, by Dr. Becky Kennedy.

Check back every Friday morning for a new Friday Focus episode where we share one piece of encouragement, insight, motivation, or how-to that you can focus on heading into the weekend so that you can show up more fully in the lives of your kids.

In this episode of the Faithful Fatherhood podcast, Brett and Perry reflect on their summer experiences and share personal stories about family adventures, business ventures, and spiritual growth. Brett is thrilled to share some huge breakthroughs with two of his sons in terms of their walk with the Lord. Brett and Perry also discuss the importance of rest and the need for intentionality in finding rest and rejuvenation amidst busy summer schedules. In that context, they touch on the concept of the Sabbath and how to incorporate daily rest into our lives.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Jesus (Matthew 11:28)

Music in this episode is from "Good Ol' Man" (©2022) by Drew Green and reproduced with permission from Drew Green.

Welcome to Friday Focus on The Faithful Fatherhood Podcast. This week Brett shares two practical ways to take some of the burden of fatherhood off your shoulders and put it where it belongs -- with the Lord!

Check back every Friday morning for a new Friday Focus episode where we share one piece of encouragement, insight, motivation, or how-to that you can focus on heading into the weekend so that you can show up more fully in the lives of your kids.

In this episode of the Faithful Fatherhood podcast, hosts Brett Ethridge and Perry Hughes continue the series on the role of fathers by exploring a father's role as protector. They discuss physical protection, emotional safety, and the dangers of overprotection. The conversation delves into modern threats, including the impact of technology on children's safety, and emphasizes the need for fathers to be vigilant and nurturing. The hosts share personal anecdotes and insights, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own roles as protectors in their families. They explore how to nurture relationships, protect children from themselves, and the significance of faith in guiding parenting decisions.

“Parents: Please be the protectors you’re called to be.” — Tim Tebow

Music in this episode is from "Good Ol' Man" (©2022) by Drew Green and reproduced with permission from Drew Green.

Welcome to Friday Focus on The Faithful Fatherhood Podcast. This week Perry provides shades of understanding for Ephesians 6:4, especially when it comes to parenting our teenagers.

Check back every Friday morning for a new Friday Focus episode where we share one piece of encouragement, insight, motivation, or how-to that you can focus on heading into the weekend so that you can show up more fully in the lives of your kids.

In this episode of the Faithful Fatherhood Podcast, Brett is joined by Pastor Dan DeMey of Shine Church to continue the series exploring the multifaceted role of the father, this time focusing on a father's role as the spiritual head of the household. They start by asking whether or not that is even a role that a father should play and unpack scriptures that seem to suggest it is. Interpreting exactly what that should look like is nuanced, however, and Dan brings a fresh and interesting perspective to the suggestion that the father should be the "head" of his family. I think a lot of men will feel a weight of pressure lifted after listening to this wide-ranging conversation and come away with a much clearer vision of the spiritual role he should play in his family -- and how.

Here's a closer look at some of the key points of discussion:

02:46  The Role of a Father as Spiritual Head

05:55  Personal Experiences and Role Models

09:02  Understanding Spiritual Leadership

11:53  The Dynamics of Marriage and Spiritual Roles

14:57  The Conduit of Spiritual Authority

18:01  The Humble Position of Leadership

21:01  Practical Steps for Spiritual Leadership

25:57  The Importance of Prayer in Parenting

30:20  Modeling Faith Through Bold Action

35:40  Navigating Spiritual Leadership in Marriage

40:51  Communication and Spiritual Leadership

44:55  Practical Steps for Spiritual Growth

Pastor Dan DeMey is the head of the Formation Team at Shine Church in Castle Rock, CO. He and his wife, Kim, were youth pastors in Aiken, SC until 1999 when they moved to Colorado to help pastor Jubilee Fellowship Church, where they were for 19 years before starting Shine Church. Shine Church is a fulfillment to a word God spoke to Dan and Kim in 1999 about becoming Senior Lead Pastors. Dan hates religion but loves his relationship with Jesus and his favorite drink is Mt. Dew. Dan and Kim have two amazing children who love God with all their hearts, Andrew and Alyssa.

You can connect with Dan on social media: @dan_demey and @shinechurchco

You can learn more about Shine Church, here: https://shinechurch.life/

“As goes the father, so goes the family.” — Voddie Baucham

Music in this episode is from "Good Ol' Man" (©2022) by Drew Green and reproduced with permission from Drew Green.

Welcome to Friday Focus on The Faithful Fatherhood Podcast. This week Brett reflects on the importance of seeing the good inside our kids and shares an anecdote about how to apply that perspective when engaging with our kids -- and how it changes everything when we do.

The book referenced in this episode is Good Inside by Dr. Beck Kennedy. You can get a copy of it here: https://amzn.to/4lnhg0f

Check back every Friday morning for a new Friday Focus episode where we share one piece of encouragement, insight, motivation, or how-to that you can focus on heading into the weekend so that you can show up more fully in the lives of your kids.

In this episode of the Faithful Fatherhood Podcast, Brett and Perry are joined by special guest Jamie Davis to kick off a new series exploring the multifaceted role of the father. This episode focuses on the father as a provider, delving into both the financial and non-financial aspects of provision. In this wide-ranging discussion about father-as-provider, we cover biblical truths about provision, share impactful personal experiences, and offer practical advice for fathers striving to fulfill this critical role.

Here's a closer look at some of the key points of discussion:

00:00 Introduction

03:10 Biblical foundations of father as provider

05:55 Handling the anxiety that sometimes accompanies our identity as provider

12:06 Balancing preparedness and faith

18:05 Real-life experiences and lessons learned

21:08 Trusting God as Provider

23:57 Modern Challenges and Side Hustles

27:35 What we're responsible for providing beyond finances

34:41 Creating a safe environment for growth

36:32 Teaching life skills and financial literacy

42:54 Kingdom principles around money

44:55 What if your wife makes more money than you?

49:47 Leaving a lasting legacy

Jamie Davis is the Managing Director of Franchises for Fathers, a business consultancy focused on equipping fathers to take control of their time and finances through business ownership so that they can be fully present during their kids' formative years. A graduate of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, FL, Jamie is the husband of Sarah and father of five. He spent 25 years in the fast-paced Software-as-a-Service industry, climbing the corporate ladder and excelling in problem-solving, opening new markets, and forming game-changing strategic partnerships. Jamie researched, acquired, integrated, and sold multiple HR tech companies. Through his business ventures, Jamie has gained expertise that he now uses to help fathers identify the right franchise fit.

You can connect with Jamie on LinkedIn, here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdavis-advisor/

You can learn more about franchise ownership, here: https://www.franchisesforfathers.com/

“A father’s legacy is not measured by the wealth he accumulates, but by the love he leaves behind.” — Anonymous

Music in this episode is from "Good Ol' Man" (©2022) by Drew Green and reproduced with permission from Drew Green.

Welcome to Friday Focus on The Faithful Fatherhood Podcast. This week Perry shares a timeless truth about love, an appropriate and timely message for this Valentine's Day Friday.

Check back every Friday morning for a new Friday Focus episode where we share one piece of encouragement, insight, motivation, or how-to that you can focus on heading into the weekend so that you can show up more fully in the lives of your kids.