Emergency surgery strikes the Auguste house and Alen talks about the adjustments he’s had to make to take care of his wife and keep things at home moving along. The big theme? Forget about gender roles, just do it all out of love.

Music Credit: "Funkorama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Becoming a man of character and faith does not happen by accident or automatically. It takes a guide. The evidence of this is all around us — both for and against. Luke had Yoda. Frodo had Gandolf. Who can your boy count on to be his guide? As a father, we believe it should you.

Music Credit: "Funkorama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

As the #METOO movement continues its ripple effect, women in Sweden decide to host a “man free” music festival. How did we get to this point? Why has it taken such a strong push back for us men to wake up and begin to really address this? What will happen now? This is a moment of opportunity for men to do better, and this goes well beyond how women are treated. Join Mark and Alen as they wrestle with this one.

Article: Women Cheer as Swedish Man-Free Music Festival Kicks Off

Music Credit: "Funkorama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Boys are naturally more aggressive and often find themselves in disputes which lead to fighting. Is that OK? When is that OK? Are there times when a physical push back is required, after everything else has been tried? Not professing to have all the answers, Mark and Alen take up this topic and work through these questions and more. If you have boys, you will most likely face this issue. Give this episode a listen and then join in on the conversation.

Music Credit: "Funkorama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

In only six years, teen communication preference has shifted from face-to-face to texting. Is that a good thing? How do we navigate that as parents? What do our kids need to know, regardless of the communication medium? Provoked by results from the latest Common Sense Study, these are the questions Mark and Alen wrestle with in this episode.

Articles: https://www.wsj.com/articles/most-teens-prefer-to-chat-online-than-in-person-survey-finds-1536597971;  https://www.commonsensemedia.org/social-media-social-life-infographic

Music Credit: "Funkorama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

You know “that guy” at your kids sporting events? The one that makes you cringe or scratch your head? If you don’t, maybe you are “that guy.” Inspired by the boys from Dude Perfect and their sketches on stereotypes, Mark and Alen have some fun with the common types of dads found at kid’s sporting events. Which one are you?

Music Credit: "Funkorama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Males are inclined to doing and doing things together can be great ways to build relationships. But when it comes to fathering, just doing things with your son isn’t enough. The real power of doing together is the opportunity to communicate. Join Mark & Alen and unpack this idea some more, with personal experiences, recent stories, and even some help from Tim “The Tool Man” Taylor.

Music Credit: "Funkorama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Inspired by a recently read book, Mark & Alen dig into this topic of vulnerability, something guys tend to shy away from. Listen in as they talk about why vulnerability isn’t weakness, why it is critical for meaningful relationships, and why it is such a powerful way for dads to connect with their kids.

Book: Getting Naked — A Business Fable about shedding the 3 fears that sabotage client loyalty, by Patrick Lencioni

Music Credit: "Funkorama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Alen’s summers are filled with speaking to young people in various settings. The key messages he attempts to share with each audience — love, purpose, and relationship — all apply to raising up boys. In this episode, he goes a little deeper into each of these to help you be a better dad.

If you want to learn more about Alen’s work with young people, check out his website: alonspeaks.com

Music Credit: "Funkorama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

It is one thing to anticipate and plan for the launch of a child. It is another thing to experience it. Like so many things in life, you can only really know what it’s like after you’ve experienced it. Alen’s experiencing it. Mark is experiencing it. Together they talk through the feelings and the benefits of letting kids go.

Music Credit: "Funkorama" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)