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Published by Ned Schaut
Fatherhood Field Notes is where we hear real stories from real men living real lives every week. Fatherhood is not only about being a dad, it incorporates providing and serving a home, loving and serving a spouse, engaging and serving in a community, as well as intentionally serving your children. Fatherhood is an adventure, one full of fun, wild, and messy stories. In this podcast, we will hear stories from real men who have found themselves living the Adventure of Fatherhood. The Craft of Fatherhood episodes are 5-10 minute episodes where your guide Ned Schaut shares stories on his own fatherhood journey.
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Got a teenage son coming of age? Check out Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings - the program where Ned coaches dads and teen sons. Go to: riseupkings.com/ffn --------- Lee Corey is a former US Air Force pilot, entrepreneur, husband, father of three, and founder of Naptured , an app designed to rebuild the “village” parents desperately need during the early years of raising children. His journey includes military service in special operations, infertility, raising twins, failed business ventures, deep spiritual wrestling, and learning that the greatest impact a man can have is often not through building his own legacy—but by intentionally shaping the next generation. In this conversation, Lee and Ned go far beyond parenting tips. They explore purpose, identity, ambition, fear, pride, Kingdom thinking, and what it truly means to refuse to waste the life God has given us. Many fathers spend decades chasing success for their families while unintentionally sacrificing the very relationships they claim they’re building everything for. Lee Corey understands that tension intimately. After serving in the United States Air Force, pursuing elite military opportunities, walking away from promising careers, enduring entrepreneurial failure, nearly losing his wife during postpartum struggles, and repeatedly rebuilding his life, Lee arrived at a profound realization: Your greatest contribution to the Kingdom may never be what you accomplish—it may be who your children become because of how you loved them. Throughout this deep conversation, Lee and Ned wrestle with questions every thoughtful father eventually faces: 5 Questions This Episode Answers How can fathers balance ambition with being present for their family? How do I know if my decisions are motivated by purpose—or by fear and pride? What does leaving a lasting legacy actually look like? What should I do when I can’t clearly hear God’s direction? Why do so many fathers feel like they’re never doing enough? --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
In this Friday Craft of Fatherhood episode, Ned talks about how a simple, intentional pause during a busy day can foster meaningful conversations and deepen your relationship with your kids. This episode emphasizes the importance of presence, authenticity, and listening in parenting. Key Topics The significance of quiet moments for connection with children How sharing personal struggles humanizes parents and builds trust Using storytelling to foster emotional and spiritual growth Handling difficult questions like faith and injustice with openness The role of non-judgmental curiosity over immediate solutions Insights from a father about managing his own faith wrestling A practical affirmation for dads stepping into leadership roles The importance of being emotionally available without trying to fix everything --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
Got a teenage son coming of age? Check out Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings - the program where Ned coaches dads and teen sons. Go to: riseupkings.com/ffn --------- What if becoming a better father has less to do with learning more parenting techniques and more to do with becoming a man who is fully alive ? Zac Ernst is a husband of 22 years, father of two teenagers, entrepreneur, co-founder of ActivityPay, and founder of Pursuit , a men’s movement helping men come fully alive through community, fitness, spiritual formation, and adventure. Living in Seal Beach, California, Zac has built his life around one central conviction: the greatest adventure isn’t paddling to Catalina or riding bicycles down the California coast—it’s becoming the husband and father God created you to be. In this conversation, Ned sits down with Zac Ernst to explore what it looks like to intentionally pursue God, your wife, your children, and your own formation as a man. From the opening minutes discussing dreams and how God still speaks today, the conversation quickly moves into entrepreneurship, margin, fatherhood, adventure, raising teenagers, discipling children, and the loneliness epidemic facing modern men. Zac shares how building businesses wasn’t primarily about money—it was about creating enough freedom to be present at every game, school event, and important moment in his children’s lives. He explains the family values acronym “GraceFi,” why adventure slows time down with kids, and why fathers should become students of their children’s hearts instead of trying to make them into younger versions of themselves. One of the most powerful moments comes when Zac explains the transition every Christian parent eventually faces: moving from telling children about Jesus to revealing Jesus through a life of answered prayer, faithful obedience, and authentic dependence on God. The conversation concludes with Zac sharing the heart behind Pursuit—a nationwide movement helping men fight isolation through community, physical challenge, spiritual growth, and honest relationships. This episode is packed with practical wisdom for fathers who want to raise resilient kids, build intentional families, and become the kind of men whose lives point people toward Jesus. 5 Questions This Episode Answers How do fathers build deeper relationships with teenage children? How do I help my kids develop their own faith instead of simply borrowing mine? What should fathers do when their kids don’t enjoy the same interests they do? How can entrepreneurship create more freedom for family life? How do Christian men build authentic friendships with other men? --------- Check out Zac's Christian men's fitness and fellowship program Pursuit: www.joinpursuit.co Join a nationwide 90-Day Challenge with Pursuit in August 2026 - or anytime! Pursuit 90 Day Challenge --------- The Dream Journal App --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
Bam Marshall is the host of The Wild Chaos Podcast , an entrepreneur, husband, father, a US Marines veteran and leader of the BAM Nation men’s community. He is intense, funny, blunt, protective, and deeply tender toward his wife and daughters. In this conversation, Bam brings a no-BS message to fathers: your kids do not just need to know you love them — they need to trust you. They need to know they can call you, or drop a pin in a text, and trust you'll show up to save them - no questions asked. Or be able to confess what is really going on, and not be met by ego, rage, or a lecture before they are heard . This is a raw, passionate episode that touches on: girl dad fatherhood, trust, faith, homeschooling, playfulness, college alternatives, military skepticism, protecting your family, breaking generational chains, and refusing to become the grumpy old a-hole who nobody wants to visit. Key Takeaways Trust is the real currency. A child who knows dad loves them may still hide from him. A child who trusts dad will call when it matters. Your wife may see what you refuse to see. Bam’s wife called him out, and instead of dismissing her, he eventually let that confrontation make him better. Listening is not the same as hearing. Bam learned to ask, “Do you want my opinion or do you want my ears?” That changed his relationship with his daughters. Break the chain. Bad fathering, trauma, addiction, rage, and neglect are real. They are not excuses to become the same man. Presence beats presents. Your kids do not need a dad who buys more stuff but is emotionally unavailable. They need your time, attention, and nervous system in the room. Fatherhood does not expire. Turning 18 does not mean your kids stop needing you. The relationship should shift, not disappear. 5 Questions This Episode Answers How do I become the dad my daughter will call when she is in trouble? How can fathers build trust instead of just demanding obedience? What does it look like to break generational patterns instead of blaming your past? How should dads think about college, trades, entrepreneurship, and alternative paths after high school? How do fathers build self-worth and faith into their kids before the world gets to them? --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate
William Brinker is an entrepreneur, husband, father of three, and business leader connected to The Landfill Group and Enerdyne Power Systems , companies working in the landfill gas-to-energy space. In this conversation, William shares how his family history, entrepreneurial upbringing, faith journey, marriage, fatherhood, and stewardship of land have shaped the way he thinks about legacy. He also talks about his work turning landfill methane into usable energy, his outdoor hospitality businesses, and the deeper realization that the things he once chased were never as valuable as the family, faith, and relationships he already had. This episode is a rich conversation about fatherhood, family legacy, marriage, entrepreneurship, faith, and the importance of stewarding what has been entrusted to you. Ned and William begin with the normal aches and humility of being in their early forties, but the conversation quickly turns toward deeper themes: choosing your wife daily, learning to control emotional hijacks, setting expectations for children, and leading from faith rather than finance. William tells the story of growing up as one of six kids in a tight-knit family where resources were limited but work ethic, discipline, faith, and family connection were strong. That upbringing shaped him into an entrepreneur who now helps lead multiple businesses, including The Landfill Group and Enerdyne Power Systems, where landfill gas is captured and used as an energy source. The heart of the episode centers on legacy. William describes his family farm in North Carolina, protected through a conservation trust so that future generations can continue to use it, hunt it, walk it, and carry the family story forward. Ned reflects on the power of having a “homeland” and a shared place where family memories are rooted. The conversation becomes a vision-casting moment for fathers: don’t just think about getting your kids to 18; think about what kind of family culture, land, story, faith, and relationships might exist when your children are 42. 5 Questions This Episode Answers How can fathers build a family legacy that lasts beyond one generation? What does it look like to teach kids stewardship, work ethic, and financial wisdom without spoiling them? How can a man reprioritize faith, family, fitness, and finance when he realizes his life is out of order? Why does land, place, or a “family homeland” matter in building family identity? How can fathers lead their kids spiritually without forcing faith in a way that feels hollow or performative? --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
In this short Friday episode of The Craft of Fatherhood, Ned reflects on finishing his son Brody’s junior year of homeschool and what the experience taught him about a father’s role in noticing, guiding, correcting, and affirming his son. The episode is not primarily about homeschooling; it is about proximity. Ned uses the end-of-year moment—reading Brody a letter on the back porch with Sarah present—as a picture of what it means for a father to be close enough to his son’s life to see growth, name character, recognize effort, and speak life into him. The core message is that fathers should not outsource their influence entirely to teachers, coaches, youth pastors, schools, or programs. Those supports can be valuable, but they cannot replace a father’s words, attention, and presence. Ned challenges fathers to find practical ways to stay close to their sons’ work, development, struggles, and character formation so they can offer meaningful affirmation and direction. Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
For nearly a decade, Mike Foster has been helping people become stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually. As the owner of CrossFit 1776 in Loomis, California, and founder of the Resolute Life Foundation, Mike’s mission is bigger than fitness—it’s about freedom. But before CrossFit became his ministry, Mike was fighting a different battle. Alcohol had become his coping mechanism. He was physically present for his son, but mentally absent. Everything changed ten years ago when sobriety forced him to confront the man he had become—and challenged him to become the father his children deserved. In this deeply authentic conversation, Mike and Ned discuss addiction, recovery, CrossFit, parenting teenagers, raising resilient kids, and the life-changing difference between simply being around your children and truly being present with them. Mike shares how sobriety transformed every area of his life, including one unforgettable moment when he realized his son wasn’t upset about losing a video game—he was carrying wounds that needed a father who could finally slow down long enough to listen. The conversation explores: Why freedom—not fitness—is the real mission behind CrossFit 1776. How suffering builds connection between fathers and children. The hidden cost of coping mechanisms. Why reacting less helps fathers hear more. Raising teenagers through trust instead of control. What it means to become the kind of man your daughter hopes to marry. Breaking generational patterns while honoring your parents. How physical training develops emotional resilience. Why showing up mentally matters more than simply showing up physically. Mike also shares one of the most practical parenting ideas of the episode: instead of confronting his teenage son immediately after discovering drug use, he took him on a two-and-a-half-mile run before talking. The shared suffering opened a conversation that punishment alone never could have accomplished. Whether you’re battling addiction, trying to become more present with your family, raising teenagers, or simply wondering how to lead your children through life’s hardest moments, this episode offers hope, wisdom, and practical fatherhood. 🔎 Top Questions This Episode Answers How can a father become emotionally present after overcoming addiction? What’s the best way to respond when your teenager makes a serious mistake? How can CrossFit and fitness help men recover from addiction and rebuild their lives? How do fathers earn deeper trust with teenage sons and daughters? What does it really mean to become the father your children deserve? --------- Check Out Mike and Crossfit 1776 at: https://www.crossfit1776.com --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate
Few books change how you see yourself. Even fewer change how you see every relationship in your life. In this conversation, psychologist, speaker, and bestselling author Dr. Kelly Flanagan returns to Fatherhood Field Notes to unpack the central ideas from his newest book, The Road Less Triggered —a practical roadmap for transforming the moments that usually create conflict into opportunities for deeper connection. Ned begins with an honest confession. Minutes before recording, Kelly was a few minutes late logging into the call. Almost instantly, Ned noticed an old story awaken inside him—the familiar fear that he wasn’t important enough, that someone else mattered more. Instead of brushing it aside, they use that real-time moment to explore one of the biggest challenges every husband, father, and leader faces: being triggered. Together they explore why our nervous systems react before our minds do, why our hearts instinctively close to protect us, and why emotional triggers are not signs of weakness—but invitations for growth. Kelly explains that our past isn’t behind us; it’s carried within us, and understanding that reality changes the way we approach marriage, parenting, friendship, leadership, and even our relationship with God. The conversation moves into practical territory as they discuss the hidden ways men try to control relationships, why boundaries are often misunderstood, and how true strength isn’t found in managing people but in cultivating an open heart that remains present even when life feels unsafe. For fathers, this episode becomes a masterclass in emotional leadership. Kelly explains why the best father to your twelve-year-old is the healed twelve-year-old within yourself, why children don’t need perfect parents, and why a father’s greatest influence isn’t found in having the right answers but in the quality of his presence. This isn’t simply a conversation about psychology. It’s a conversation about discipleship. About marriage. About parenting. About becoming the kind of man whose calm presence creates safety for everyone around him. If you’ve ever wondered why you react the way you do—or how to stop repeating the same conflicts with your spouse, children, or coworkers—this may become one of the most transformative episodes you’ve ever heard. 🔎 Top Questions This Episode Answers Why do I get emotionally triggered by small things that shouldn’t bother me? How can I stop reacting defensively in my marriage? What’s the difference between healthy boundaries and emotional walls? How can fathers become emotionally safe leaders for their families? Why does my childhood still affect my relationships today, and what do I do about it? --------- Check Out Dr. Kelly Flanagan at: Substack: https://substack.com/@drkellyflanagan Youtube: @DrKellyFlanagan The Road Less Triggered on Amazon : https://amzn.to/4eGR91r Podcasts episodes about The Road Less Triggered: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/marriage-on-the-daily/id1869106202?i=1000758409682 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-road-less-triggered-turning-conflict-into/id1344850656?i=1000754658658 --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
Joevon Barnes is a plumber, coach, speaker, radio host, and father of two daughters. But more than anything, he’s a man who chose to break cycles, stay present, and become the father his daughters needed. In this deeply practical and inspiring conversation, Joevon joins Ned Schaut to discuss fatherhood after divorce, raising daughters, healing family wounds, overcoming anger, building generational relationships, and why showing up consistently matters more than being perfect. Joevon shares the story of growing up as the youngest of seven children, navigating the fallout that followed his parents’ passing, and learning hard lessons about family, legacy, and preparation. He offers a powerful challenge to fathers everywhere: get your affairs in order, communicate your wishes clearly, and don’t leave your children with unnecessary burdens after you’re gone. The heart of the conversation centers around one remarkable commitment: For more than 16 years, Joevon has maintained a weekly Daddy-Daughter Night with his daughters. Through divorce, custody changes, career shifts, and every season of life, he never stopped showing up. Today, at ages 28 and 24, his daughters still prioritize that time together. Joevon and Ned discuss: Raising daughters after divorce. Why children should never be placed in the middle of parental conflict. The importance of being present, even when life gets messy. How fathers shape the future relationships of their children. Healing from anger and childhood wounds. The role of mentors, teachers, and coaches. Building friendships with aging parents. Preparing for grandfatherhood. Financial wisdom and generational legacy. Why every child deserves a father who stays. One of the most moving moments comes when Joevon reflects on his father: “He may not have been the best of pops, but he was always there.” This episode is a reminder that fatherhood is not about perfection. It’s about presence. It’s about consistency. It’s about being there. 🔎 Top Questions This Episode Answers How do I maintain a strong relationship with my children after divorce? What can fathers do to build lasting relationships with daughters into adulthood? How do I overcome anger and break unhealthy family patterns? What should parents do now to prevent family conflict after they pass away? How can fathers become trusted advisors instead of just authority figures as their children grow older? --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
This episode focuses on HOPE for an epidemic affecting men (and women) in and outside the church: pornography addiction. (Ready to get free? Men: go to liberatedkings.com to get started on your journey with Jesus.) Before founding Liberated Kings, Thomas Bills spent years trapped in the same struggle affecting millions of men today: pornography, shame, secrecy, and the belief that freedom was out of reach. Everything changed when he met Jesus, discovered his true identity in Him, and stopped fighting for freedom and started living from freedom. In this powerful conversation, Ned and Thomas tackle one of the most uncomfortable—and important—topics facing men, marriages, and families today: pornography, masturbation, shame, identity, and the spiritual battle for the minds of men. Thomas shares his personal story of addiction, redemption, and transformation, explaining how pornography was never the real problem—it was the cycle he had created to medicate deeper wounds, insecurity, pain, and feelings of inadequacy. Together, Ned and Thomas unpack: Why pornography is devastating families and marriages. How AI is making the addiction crisis exponentially worse. Why shame keeps men trapped in destructive cycles. The difference between accountability and true transformation. How identity in Christ changes everything. Why most men are fighting the wrong battle. How fathers can protect future generations by doing their own healing work today. One of the most powerful moments comes when Thomas explains that many Christian men continue to identify themselves as “dirty sinners” rather than saints redeemed by Christ, creating a cycle where their beliefs continue producing the very behaviors they hate. The conversation also explores the generational impact of a father’s decisions. Ned passionately argues that fathers who refuse to fight these battles today often pass those same struggles to their children tomorrow. This episode isn’t ultimately about pornography. It’s about freedom. It’s about identity. It’s about becoming the kind of man who no longer desires the counterfeit because he has discovered the real thing. Top Questions This Episode Answers How can a Christian man break free from pornography and masturbation? Why does shame keep men trapped in addictive behaviors? What does the Bible actually say about identity and freedom in Christ? How should fathers talk to their children about pornography and online temptation? Why are accountability groups often not enough to create lasting freedom? Resources Liberated Kings --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
Before becoming a creator, author, and founder of Sonjoy, Michael Leonardini spent decades wrestling with the same questions many fathers quietly carry: Why do I do the things I do? Why do I react the way I react? How do I become the man, husband, father, and son God created me to be? In this deeply reflective conversation, Ned sits down with Michael to discuss identity, recovery, suffering, vulnerability, fatherhood, marriage, grief, and the lifelong journey of becoming aligned with God’s love. Michael shares lessons learned from raising two sons, navigating childhood wounds, overcoming shame, recovering from unhealthy coping patterns, caring for his aging father, and ultimately losing his wife after 32 years of marriage. Through it all, he discovered a powerful truth: You cannot give what you do not possess. The conversation explores why many men struggle to receive love, why suffering often becomes the doorway to growth, and how fathers can avoid competing with their children and instead help them stand on their shoulders. Michael also introduces Sonjoy, a beautiful collection of 52 reflective cards designed to help men examine identity, loss, suffering, addiction, coping, faith, and purpose through guided reflection and journaling. This episode isn’t about becoming perfect. It’s about becoming authentic. It’s about learning to trust God, receive love, finish strong, and lead your family with an open heart. Fathers Will Learn: Why protecting children from all pain may actually hurt them. How unresolved wounds can create competition between fathers and sons. Why shame quietly destroys a man’s ability to lead. How vulnerability and trust work together in marriage. Why finishing strong matters more than finishing perfect. How to move from coping to healing. Why every man is ultimately on a journey of discovering who he truly is. Resources Kickstarter Campaign for Sunjoy Sonjoy Cards Romans 8 Sonjoy Website Michael Leonardini on Instagram --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
Eric Collins is a California entrepreneur, tax strategist, and business owner who has built and sold companies while navigating major physical adversity, including breaking his neck in five places and surviving multiple spinal fusions. In this episode, he and Ned go deep into discipline, certainty, emotional stability, fatherhood, business ownership, marriage, and the kind of intentional leadership most men want but rarely see modeled clearly. Eric shares practical systems he’s built into his home life — from making breakfast for his sons every morning for nearly a decade to helping lead an 80-man “Dad’s Club” at his sons’ school that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for families and students. This is one of those conversations that quietly sneaks up on you. It starts with stories about fishing trips, school fundraisers, and parenting struggles, but underneath it is a serious conversation about becoming the kind of man your family can trust. Eric talks openly about growing up around abuse, wrestling through ego and unhealthy habits, learning to control his reactions, and realizing that discipline without emotional connection was damaging his relationship with his son. Rather than doubling down in pride, he humbled himself, sought wisdom, and changed course. Fathers will walk away from this episode challenged to think differently about leadership in the home. Eric’s idea that a father should be “the oak tree, not the thundercloud” is one of the strongest themes in the conversation. He explains why certainty and consistency matter so deeply to children, how routines create emotional safety, and why many men unintentionally sabotage the very outcomes they want most. There’s also a powerful discussion around mentorship, growth-mindedness, replacing destructive habits with healthier pursuits, and learning to accept feedback from your wife without defensiveness. A few standout takeaways from the episode: Your children need certainty more than perfection. Discipline without relationship eventually creates distance. Men need community and purposeful involvement outside of work. Most growth comes through pain, humility, and repeated course correction. You become a better father by intentionally becoming a better man. --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
In this Friday Craft of Fatherhood episode, Ned processes through the realization that he's been transactional at home with his family like he is at work. What does it take to be present instead? Best takeaway: Check yourself and see if you're showing up responsive to your family, rather than expecting them to just do what you say, like a boss. --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
Jason Vallotton is a pastor on staff at Bethel Church in Redding, California as well as a founder of BraveCo, a ministry dedicated to the healing and development of men as a means to healing and developing the world. Jason joins Ned Schaut for a deeply honest conversation about masculinity, healing, discipleship, and the kind of fatherhood that changes generations. This episode goes far beyond surface-level parenting advice. Jason shares openly about growing up with a father who created a home where confession was safe, truth mattered, and failure did not equal rejection. He talks candidly about struggling with pornography as a teenager, walking through divorce and betrayal, seasons of depression, and learning how to process pain instead of avoiding it. At the center of the conversation is one powerful idea: Most men are failing at the things they care about most because nobody showed them how to become men. Jason and Ned unpack why men often pour themselves into work, business, hobbies, or achievement while quietly feeling lost in marriage and family life. Business has clear targets. Family often doesn’t. Most men were never discipled into emotional health, intentional fatherhood, or biblical masculinity. The conversation explores: why men need mentors and spiritual fathers, * how unresolved pain becomes bondage, why vulnerability and strength are not opposites, how fathers shape a child’s understanding of God, and why no young man should have to stumble blindly into manhood. One of the standout moments comes when Jason describes his father in a way that we all strive to have our kids say about us: “My dad’s not perfect. He’s just the best man that I know.” This episode is for fathers, husbands, leaders and men who are tired of isolation, tired of pretending, and ready to intentionally become the kind of man their family can depend on. Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
This Friday Craft of Fatherhood short is finds Ned thinking through the epic role that Zechariah played in the identify and name of John the Baptist. Do we have the same responsibility as modern dads? What about getting our kids to do things with us... like go to the gym? Do we ask them to, or do we tell them they're going and bring them along? Chew on these things with us on this short episode. Best takeaway: As a father you have influence and the responsibility leave and give your kids a name, and even reveal to them their identity. --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate
Mark Stiles joins Ned Schaut for a grounded, honest conversation about raising a large blended family, building intentional family culture, and redefining what strong fatherhood really looks like. Mark and his wife are raising eight children ranging from ages 3 to 19—including biological, step, adopted, and special-needs children. What unfolds in this episode is not polished parenting theory. It’s real-life fatherhood: chaotic dinners, Sunday family traditions, hard conversations with teenagers, caring for a daughter with Down syndrome, and learning how to stay deeply present through it all. At the center of Mark’s philosophy is a simple but powerful goal: Raise kids who are happy, healthy, and productive. But as this conversation unfolds, those words become much deeper than surface-level comfort or success. Mark and Ned unpack: Why involvement matters more than perfection How dads can break unhealthy generational cycles Why boys need intentional preparation for adulthood The importance of one-on-one time with older kids How adoption and special-needs parenting can reshape an entire family culture Why the goal isn’t controlling your kids—but creating a home they’ll still want to come back to This episode is especially powerful for: Fathers in blended families Dads raising teenagers Men navigating busy, high-demand family life Fathers trying to be more present than the example they received One of the strongest moments in the episode: When Mark says his greatest hope is simple: “I want my kids to want to come to family dinner when they’re adults.” That’s legacy. --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
This Friday Craft of Fatherhood short is a solid quick listen if you want something deeper than generic parenting hacks. Ned tackles a question almost every dad thinks about but rarely says out loud: How much influence do I really have over who my kids become? The episode is really about this idea: A father’s job isn’t just protecting and providing — it’s helping shape a child’s identity . He talks about: how to guide your kids without controlling them, why kids need direction instead of “just figure it out,” and how fathers shape confidence, purpose, and character through everyday words and example. It’s thoughtful, honest, practical, and unscripted. Best takeaway: Your kids become who they are in large part through the things you consistently call out, encourage, and model to them. --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
"Failure is measured in ounces, regret is measured in tons." Nate Burkhalter—seven-time competitor on American Ninja Warrior—joins Ned Schaut for a raw, grounded conversation about identity, risk, and what it actually means to lead as a husband and father. Nate’s story isn’t polished—it’s forged. From a career in oil and gas engineering to chasing a his calling through failure, rejection, injury, and breakthrough, he unpacks a revelation he heard from God, a hard truth most men avoid: playing it safe is the riskiest way to live. But now, as a new father of twins, the game has changed. The arena isn’t just competition—it’s the home. This episode hits the tension every driven man feels: Build something meaningful… without sacrificing your family Take risks… without being reckless Lead spiritually… without hiding behind religion Nate brings clarity: your primary ministry isn’t your platform—it’s your family . And if you get that wrong, nothing else matters. Why fathers should listen: You’re ambitious but don’t want to wake up at 55 with regret You feel the pull between grind and presence You want to raise kids who actually know God—not just perform religion You’ve failed, and you’re wondering if you should keep going Key takeaways: Identity shift → risk tolerance → real impact Failure isn’t the enemy—regret is Discipline creates freedom in both work and family life Stewardship beats control in fatherhood The first 8–12 years with your kids are foundational—don’t outsource them --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
In this straight-shooting Craft of Fatherhood episode of Fatherhood Field Notes , Ned Schaut calls fathers back to two lost arts of manhood: listening well and leading with purpose. Ned challenges dads to stop being the constant lecturer, fixer, and rule-enforcer—and instead become the trusted voice and steady ear their children actually want to come to. He shares how some of the deepest moments with his daughters came not through speeches, but through quiet conversations in the car, in the hot tub, and in everyday life. His warning is blunt: if a father won’t listen to his daughter, some immature boy eventually will. The second half of the episode pushes fathers to rethink discipline, chores, curfews, and household rules. Ned argues that great dads don’t enforce rules just for control—they connect expectations to character formation. Curfews become lessons in respect and communication. Chores become lessons in responsibility. Family standards become training ground for adulthood. This is a practical, masculine reminder that fatherhood is not passive—it is leadership, stewardship, and sacrifice. --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
In this powerful episode of Fatherhood Field Notes , Ned Schaut sits down with Eugene Johnson Jr. for a bold, no-nonsense conversation on biblical manhood, fatherhood, marriage, and spiritual leadership. Eugene shares wisdom forged through 25 years of marriage, raising two children, mentoring men in courts and prisons, and leading fathers back to God’s design. He challenges modern labels like “provider,” “protector,” and “alpha,” arguing that men are not gods of their homes—they are stewards under God’s authority. This episode calls fathers higher: stop chasing image, start pursuing obedience. Learn why your kids need more than money, why your wife needs leadership not passivity, and why true masculinity begins with submission to Christ. Key Takeaway: If you want conviction, clarity, and practical steps to lead your house well, you'll want to listen to what Eugene has to say. --------- Check Out the Program Talked About: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here Check out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? www.adventureoffatherhood.com www.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes Facebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis
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Observed August 20, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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