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Ever wondered how to create psychological safety for your children while managing your own struggles as a dad? In this deeply personal episode, I sit down with Evan Sanchez, a father of two who shares his raw journey of discovering his daughter was neurodivergent during her college years - and the painful realization of how his own unhealed patterns affected their relationship.

Evan opens up about years of not understanding why his daughter was a picky eater, couldn't handle transitions, or needed to wear baggy clothes. Most heartbreaking of all, he shares the moment she told him she'd been afraid of him because of his anger. This conversation gets real about the hidden costs of not taking care of ourselves as fathers and how that ripples through our families.

The Wake-Up Call Every Dad Needs to Hear

Discover how Evan's world shifted when his daughter finally received her neurodivergent diagnosis in college. Learn why understanding that being different doesn't mean being broken became a cornerstone for their healing journey, and how this revelation changed everything about their relationship.

When Your Own Mask Isn't On First

Explore the airplane oxygen mask analogy that hits different when you're a father. Evan shares his honest reflection on showing up angry and reactive because he wasn't taking care of his own mental and emotional needs. Find out why those five to ten minutes of daily self-care aren't selfish - they're essential for creating the calm presence your kids desperately need.

Creating Calm Waters in Choppy Seas

Understand why your emotional state sets the tone for your entire household. Evan explains how we're either creating calm waters where our kids can swim safely or choppy seas that make everything harder. Learn practical ways to find your own path to calmness, whether that's meditation, journaling, exercise, or something completely different.

The Power of Psychological Safety Beyond Your Home

Uncover how the concept of psychological safety transforms not just your parenting but your leadership at work and in every relationship. Evan shares insights from his corporate experience about why people perform better when they feel safe to be themselves and make mistakes.

Shifting from Advice-Giving to Question-Asking

Learn why asking "what" and "how" questions instead of giving advice can revolutionize your relationship with older kids and teens. Discover how this simple shift helps your children develop their own problem-solving skills while feeling heard and supported.

Whether you're parenting neurodivergent children or simply want to show up better for any child in your life, this conversation offers hope for fathers who've made mistakes and want to do better. Evan's story reminds us that it's never too late to change how we show up, even when we can't change the past.

Remember, being a great dad isn't about perfection - it's about being willing to look at yourself honestly and make the changes needed to become the safe harbor your children need. Are you ready to put on your own oxygen mask first and create the psychological safety your kids crave? Listen now and discover how one father's journey from reactive to responsive can inspire your own transformation.

Evan Sanchez Links:

·      https://newgradlaunchpadcoaching.com

·      https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanssanchez

Time Stamps:

• 00:00:00 - Evan's heartbreaking realization: "I was afraid of you"
• 00:12:17 - Discovering neurodivergence: When everything finally made sense
• 00:24:34 - The comparison trap: Why we judge ourselves and others
• 00:36:51 - Creating psychological safety: Lessons from business and parenting
• 00:45:18 - Evan's essentia