Over the years, I’ve heard so many stories from fathers who were exhausted, overwhelmed, or carrying heartbreak they didn’t know how to name. Men who were deeply committed, but unsure if their commitment was pointed in the right direction. And somewhere in those conversations, a pattern started to emerge — a realization that fatherhood isn’t one fixed role. It shifts. It stretches. It demands new tools as kids grow and life changes.

That’s where today’s conversation begins: with a framework built from real families, real struggles, and real hope.

Dr. Mike Ayers is a man who has spent twenty‑five years sitting with dads in some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. Out of those conversations, he built something remarkable — a research‑backed, stage‑by‑stage model that helps fathers understand what their role actually is, and how that role has to evolve as their kids grow. Not a feelings‑first approach.

To find Dr. Ayers website and resources mentioned in this episode, visi: https://www.fatherfriend.net/start

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 In this episode, we’re going to explore what it looks like when purpose shows up later than expected, why that’s actually a strength, and how embracing the second half of life can open doors you didn’t even know were there.

John Little is my guest today, and if you’ve followed any of his work, you already know he’s a man who’s lived through enough seasons to speak honestly about change, identity, and the courage it takes to become who you’re meant to be—especially in the second half of life.

To visit John Little's website and find the resources mentioned in this episode, visit: https://mirror.bigjohnlittle.com/

Want to support The Fatherhood Challenge? Here are two easy ways:

1. Merch: https://www.thefatherhoodchallenge.com/store
2. Donation: https://www.thefatherhoodchallenge.com/donate

Today, we’re stepping into the story of a father who followed that instinct, dug deep into the world of food safety, and built something that helps families stay protected in a very real way.

Our guest today is Jordan Robinson, a dad who took that protective instinct we all feel and turned it into something bigger — something that helps families stay safe in ways most of us don’t even think about. His journey into food safety didn’t come from a business plan or a classroom. It came from real life, real fatherhood, and a desire to make sure the people he loves are protected. That path eventually led him to build a company that helps families navigate recalls and hidden risks in the food we bring into our homes.

To learn more about Anxin and get the app, visit: https://pieceofmind.fyi/

Want to support The Fatherhood Challenge? Here are two easy ways:

1. Merch: https://www.thefatherhoodchallenge.com/store
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Every dad has had that moment where he thinks, there has to be something better than this. What’s rare is when someone takes that moment and turns it into a mission — creating products that solve real problems for real dads. In this episode, we’re stepping into the story of a father who did exactly that, and the path that led him there is anything but ordinary.

My guest today is Paul Moore a dad who didn’t just notice the gaps in everyday parenting — he actually stepped in and started solving them. His journey into entrepreneurship wasn’t something he planned, but it grew out of real moments with his own kids, real frustrations, and real needs that weren’t being met. And instead of waiting for someone else to fix it, he went to work. The products he’s created have helped a lot of families, especially dads who want tools that actually make life easier.

To visit Paul's website and see the products mentioned in this episode, visit: https://smilymia.com/

Want to support The Fatherhood Challenge? Here are two easy ways:

1. Merch: https://www.thefatherhoodchallenge.com/store
2. Donation: https://www.thefatherhoodchallenge.com/donate

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Fatherhood has a way of showing up in places we don’t always expect. Sometimes the lessons come from home, sure—but other times they come from watching how men carry themselves when the pressure is real and the stakes are high. And when you spend years around environments where character gets revealed in an instant, you start to notice patterns. You start to see what helps young men grow, what holds them back, and what actually shapes them into the kind of men we hope our sons become. That’s the world we’re stepping into today, and it’s full of insight that hits way beyond the basketball court.

Our guest today is someone who’s spent years in the kind of environments where young men are shaped fast. Not just as athletes, but as people. He’s a South Bronx native who worked his way into Division I coaching and spent more than two decades guiding players through moments that would make most of us stop and think twice. Along the way, he learned from some of the most respected coaches in the game, and those experiences eventually led him to write a book that’s all about fatherhood, mentorship, and the making of good men. You're going to enjoy my conversation with Tony Chiles.

You can find Tony Chile's book The Baby Powder Theory mentioned in the episode at:

Amazon: https://a.co/d/04qwwOax

Want to support The Fatherhood Challenge? Here are two easy ways:

1. Merch: https://www.thefatherhoodchallenge.com/store
2. Donation: https://www.thefatherhoodchallenge.com/donate

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Sometimes a story doesn’t start with a big idea or a business plan. It starts with a dad sitting there thinking, “Okay… why is this so hard, and why does it feel like I’m supposed to just magically know what to do?” That moment — that honest, frustrated, real moment — is where today’s conversation begins. Because instead of shrugging and pushing through, My guest decided to build something that actually helps dads make sense of the chaos. Not a gimmick, not another parenting trend — something practical, thoughtful, and rooted in real experience. And the way it came together says a lot about who he is and what he cares about.

We’ve got David Yep joining us — a dad who found himself in the thick of parenting, realizing there were moments where he felt lost, unsure, and honestly just wishing there was something out there to help him make sense of it all. Instead of waiting for that “something” to show up, he built it.

David is the creator of Godmother, a tool that’s reshaping how dads approach parenting by giving them clarity, confidence, and a way forward when everything feels overwhelming.

To learn more about Godmother or take the assessments mentioned in the episode to get started, visit: https://aingelic.net/

Here is a link to the Oliiki app Created by Clare Stead mentioned in this episode: https://www.oliikiapp.com/

To be a guest on The Fatherhood Challenge visit: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thefatherhoodchallenge



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When we talk about creating a safe environment for kids, most people think about warm smiles, trusted volunteers, and a place where families can breathe easy. But the truth is, safety doesn’t happen by accident. It takes structure. It takes accountability. And yes—it takes screening and background checks that actually mean something.

This is one of those conversations that challenges us, but it also strengthens us. Because when we understand the why, we can build churches that are truly safe, truly welcoming, and truly protective of the kids who trust us the most. My guest and I will dive into all of this

If you’ve listened to The Fatherhood Challenge for a while, you’ll remember a powerful episode we did called The First Line of Defense. It struck a chord because it wasn’t just theory—it was practical, it was urgent, and it challenged churches to rethink how they protect the kids who trust them the most. Well, today, we’re building on that foundation with someone who has been in this fight for a long time and refuses to let the conversation get swept under the rug. She’s someone who understands the real-world impact of child safety policies, not just from a professional standpoint, but from walking alongside families and churches who are trying to do the right thing. She’s been helping leaders understand what true accountability looks like, why background checks matter, and how predators often slip through the cracks when churches rely on “good intentions” instead of real systems.Veronica Thompson, is a certified trauma therapist, a licensed clinical social worker and committed Christian. Additionally she’s a survivor of childhood sexual abuse.

To connect with Veronica Thompson and find her resources visit: https://www.veronicathompson.com/

To be a guest on The Fatherhood Challenge visit: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thefatherhoodchallenge



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Today’s conversation is with someone who knows what it feels like to be shattered, to lose his sense of direction, and to wonder if God could ever use someone like him. And yet, his life now is proof of what happens when a man finally lets God do what only God can do—restore, reshape, and repurpose a broken life into something powerful and deeply meaningful.

We’re talking about a journey from brokenness to a life that’s been poured out in service, a life that’s helped countless youth and adults discover who Jesus really is. And if you’ve ever wondered whether your own story is too far gone, too complicated, or too damaged for God to redeem, this episode is going to speak straight to your heart.

Pastor Jeff Fender once pastored my home church, the Waterloo Seventh‑day Adventist Church, and if you’ve ever met him, you already know he carries a testimony that speaks straight to the heart of what God can do in a man’s life.

To connect with Pastor Jeffery Fender for help or prayer, email him at: [email protected]

To be a guest on The Fatherhood Challenge visit: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thefatherhoodchallenge



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In this episode we’re diving into the kind of pain that reshapes a man, the kind of redemption that only God can pull off, and the quiet, everyday choices that rebuild trust with your kids one step at a time. This isn’t theory. This is lived experience. And if you’ve ever felt the weight of regret, or the urgency to be more present with your children, this conversation is going to speak straight to you.

Tracy Brinkmann is joining us, and he’s someone who has walked through the kind of moments that change a father down to his core.

You’re going to hear him talk about the eighteen months that reshaped his entire understanding of presence and gratitude, and what losing his daughter taught him about showing up for the people you love right now, not someday. And he doesn’t stop there. Tracy also opens up about a season of life where his own choices nearly cost him his family—and how God stepped in, turned his heart back toward his kids, and led him through the long, honest work of rebuilding trust.

This is real, it’s vulnerable, and it’s full of the kind of hope only God can write into a man’s story. I’m excited for you to hear it.

Tracy creates an AI Escape Plan newsletter for parents ready to break free from the 9-to-5 grind. You can find it here: https://ai-escape-plan.beehiiv.com/

To be a guest on The Fatherhood Challenge visit: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thefatherhoodchallenge



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In this episode, we’re talking about what it really looks like to walk through those seasons—the ones that shake you, stretch you, and force you to grow in ways you never asked for. We’re diving into grief, resilience, and the quiet courage it takes to take one more step when everything in you feels stuck. And we’re exploring how hope can still rise, even from the hardest places.

My guest is AJ Coleman. He wrote a powerful book called Keep Those Feet Moving, and it’s exactly what it sounds like—real, honest, practical guidance for getting through the days when life feels heavier than you ever imagined. What I appreciate most is how he talks about resilience. Not the polished, motivational‑poster kind that you see and hear about all over the internet but the everyday kind—the kind that looks like taking one small step when you don’t feel ready, or choosing hope when everything around you feels uncertain.

To order AJ's book mentioned in this episode, Keep Those Feet Moving, visit: https://keepthosefeetmoving.com/order

To be a guest on The Fatherhood Challenge visit: https://podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/thefatherhoodchallenge



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