In this episode of The Practical Dad, host Joshua Fitchett sits down with his friend and fellow pastor, CJ Frazier, for a candid conversation about the "dad experience".

CJ shares the profound impact of his father, a hard-working man born in 1936 who passed away when CJ was just 11 years old.CJ reflects on his father’s "old school" work ethic and how losing a parent at a young age shaped his perspective on mortality and his own role as a father to four children.

Key topics in this episode include:

The Legacy of a Working Father: CJ discusses the character qualities his father instilled in him, including his pain tolerance, resilience, and unwavering belief in his children.

The "Messiah Complex": Why dads should stop trying to be the perfect savior of their homes and instead focus on being an illustration of Christ.

Intentionality and Consistency: Practical advice for shepherding your family through the "as you go" moments of life rather than strictly following a rigid liturgy.

Vulnerability in Parenting: The power of asking your children for forgiveness and showing them that "Dad needs Jesus, too".

The Two Shepherds Podcast: A quick look into Joshua and CJ’s other project, focusing on biblical brainstorms between local pastors.

Whether you are a new father or have grown children, this episode serves as a reminder that your life is short and your influence is monumental. As CJ notes, your primary goal is to leave a legacy that shows you loved Christ above all things.

Follow the Journey: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to check out the Two Shepherds podcast for more discussions on theology and culture.

Why are so many young men today struggling to find motivation, failing to launch, and feeling disconnected from adulthood?

In this episode, Joshua dives deep into the groundbreaking research of Leonard Sax, MD, PhD, and his book Boys Adrift. He explores the five factors driving the growing epidemic of unmotivated boys and underachieving young men—and more importantly, what we as parents can do to fix it.

In this episode, Joshua discusses:

The "Failure to Launch" Phenomenon: Why the transition to adulthood is getting harder for the modern male.

The 5 Factors: A breakdown of how changes in education, video games, medications, environmental toxins, and the lack of male role models are impacting our sons.

Reclaiming Masculinity: How to foster a sense of purpose, responsibility, and drive in boys.

Practical Parenting Tips: Actionable steps you can take today to help your son build the resilience he needs to thrive.

If you’ve noticed your son spending more time in virtual worlds than the real one, or if you're worried about his lack of ambition, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about how to raise boys who are excited to become men.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Introduction: The Crisis Facing Boys

04:15 - Factor 1: Changes in Schooling & Education

10:30 - Factor 2: The Impact of Video Games

16:45 - Factor 3: ADHD Medications & Over-prescription

22:10 - Factor 4: Environmental Toxins

28:30 - Factor 5: The Loss of Positive Male Mentorship

34:00 - Solutions: How to Help Your Son Find Purpose

38:15 - Closing Thoughts

Resources Mentioned:

Boys Adrift by Leonard Sax, MD, PhD

Join the Conversation:

What is the biggest challenge you’re facing while raising your son? Let me know in the comments below!

Subscribe to The Practical Dad for more deep dives into parenting, leadership, and raising the next generation.

This episode features “The Dad Experience,” with host Joshua Fitchett sitting down with Ben Wilson to discuss how the Christian gospel shapes the everyday work of fatherhood. Drawing from his personal journey as a husband, father, and pastor, Ben reflects on the importance of intentional presence, humility, and spiritual leadership in the home.The conversation explores how fathers can model grace, practice transparency with their children, and break unhealthy generational patterns by pointing their families toward Christ rather than toward a false image of perfection.Key Themes:• Fatherhood as a reflection of the gospel• Presence over proximity• Vulnerability and honesty in parenting• Breaking generational cycles• Spiritual leadership in the home

In this episode, Joshua reviews Family Shepherds by Voddie Baucham Jr. You will find an overview of the book along with helpful portions read aloud.

In this episode of Ten Arrows, One Quiver, we sit down with Hugh Peiser, a father of ten to talk about the calling, chaos, and beauty of raising a large family. What does it look like to shepherd ten unique souls under one roof? How do you build unity without losing individuality? And how does a simple dinner table become one of the most strategic battlegrounds for faith and formation?

We discuss the power of eating together, why the table matters more than we think, and how daily rhythms shape eternal direction. This conversation explores discipline, laughter, exhaustion, leadership, and the intentional work of raising children to know and love the Lord.

Ten arrows. One Quiver. A household aimed with purpose.

This episode shares a father’s perspective as his daughter goes through skull surgery. The focus is not on medical details but on what it is like to be a dad during a serious moment you cannot fix or control. This testimony is meant to be real and relatable for fathers who have walked through difficult seasons with their children or may face them in the future.

What to expect for 2026!