Ever feel like you're talking… and it goes straight through your kid's ear and right out the other? This week in part 2 of our series we're calling "From Overwhelmed to Intentional," Kent and Lawson get super practical about communication with your kids, especially in the teen years.
You'll be challenged to consider why "Why won't they listen?" might be the wrong question, how your posture and timing matter more than your volume, and why listening is not weakness, it's leadership leverage. Lawson shares a real story from a weekend with his daughter in New York that reframed how he shows up in deeper conversations. Kent breaks down how to season hard conversations with grace (Colossians 4:6), ask questions that are not "gotchas," and trade control for influence so your kids learn to listen to God, not just comply with you.
If you want the kind of relationship where your kids, no matter the age, want to talk to you, this is a deposit worth making.
Want to shape the direction of the show this year? Leave us a voicemail and tell us what you're facing as a dad: manhoodjourney.org/podcast Scroll down to "What's Your Story?" and leave us a message!
You're not a father on accident. Go be a father on purpose.
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MEET THE HOSTS
Kent Evans is the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After a twenty-year career as a business leader, he embarked on biblical fatherhood ministry projects. He’s authored four books. The most recent, Don’t Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit. He and his wife April have been married for three decades and they have five sons.
Lawson Brown married his high school sweetheart, and is a father of two adult daughters. He’s a business leader and a former (always!) Marine. He’s served as a small group leader, helped launch ministries and a church plant where he served as its Men’s Ministry leader. His faith journey has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men who’ve been brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.
FEATURING GREAT GUESTS
Gary Chapman
Ken Blanchard
Chip Ingram
“I listen to the father on purpose podcast and you guys are amazing. Thank you for all you guys do and please keep it up. Us Fathers need this NOW more than ever.”
–Joel C.
“Thank you for the effort and time you put into leading us dads toward the Kingdom of God. I have learned and put to use so much by listening to the podcast.”
–Cole S.
RECENT PODCASTS
Ever wondered how Father On Purpose decides what to talk about?
In this episode, Kent and Lawson pull back the curtain and let you step into the "kitchen," the behind-the-scenes process where upcoming episodes get planned and filtered through one question: What does Scripture say Christian dads actually need right now?
You'll hear how the show balances Scripture, practical tools, and real-life stories without winging it and without sounding scripted. You'll also get a sneak preview of our brand new series which will cover the next five weeks: From Overwhelmed to Intentional. If you feel stretched thin, reactive at home, or like you never have enough time, this series is built for you.
Here's what's coming over the next five weeks:
- Time: You don't need more time. You need clarity about what matters most in this season.
- Communication: If you want to be heard, you have to hear.
- Leadership vs reacting: Stop getting caught off guard and start leading on purpose.
- Discipleship: You don't have to be perfect to disciple. You have to be present.
- Regret and redemption: God does some of His best work after we think we failed.
Want to shape the direction of the show this year? Leave us a voicemail and tell us what you're facing as a dad: manhoodjourney.org/podcast. Scroll down to "What's Your Story?" and leave us a message!
You're not a father on accident. Go be a father on purpose.
Go back and listen to our amazing conversation with Scott MacLellan: https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/letting-jesus-be-your-childs-savior-with-scott-maclellan/
Check out Scott's book "An Acre Of Fools:" https://a.co/d/dqU3fa7
We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RGuxYX1S0VU
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Ever feel like you're carrying everything alone and you're not even sure how it got this way? Scripture is clear: wise men don't walk solo. In this episode, Kent and Lawson talk about how to surround yourself with godly counsel, why "I don't have time" is usually a smokescreen, and what's really going on underneath it (apathy, arrogance, or insecurity).
You'll also get a simple, free tool you can use right away: the Iron Circle Worksheet, created with our partners at Man in the Mirror. It helps you identify the growth areas you actually need help with, then connect those needs to real men who can sharpen you.
If you want 2026 to look different, this is a great place to start: build your circle, get wisdom, and stop trying to do life alone.
Download the Iron Circle Worksheet TODAY: https://manhoodjourney.org/iron-circle
Learn more about our new partners here: https://maninthemirror.org/
Here are some of our favorite episodes that hit on the same themes of community and walking through life surrounded by godly counsel:
Episode 214: https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/whose-shoulders-are-you-standing-on/
Episode 188: https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/building-stronger-relationships/
Episode 162: https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/sharing-a-piece-of-yourself-with-others/
We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/X0dZgWc37aU
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Are you heading into 2026 feeling like you're supposed to have a big New Year's resolution, yet something about that whole system feels off?
In this episode, Kent and Lawson do something different. They "interview" each other about 2025 and talk honestly about what God taught them, where life was hard, and where God showed up with unexpected strength, healing, provision, and joy. You'll hear stories about 30-year anniversaries, job changes, parenting kids in different seasons, weddings, health scares, and the kind of perspective shift that happens when you stop and remember what God has already done.
This conversation is also a simple template you can use with a brother, a friend, your dad, or your adult son. Sit down, trade notes, and look for God's fingerprints on the year you just lived. As you start a new year, remember this: you're not going to become the dad your family needs by accident. Let's walk into 2026 with gratitude, wisdom, and purpose.
Learn more about our new partners here: https://maninthemirror.org/
Download the Iron Circle worksheet here: https://manhoodjourney.org/iron-circle/
We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QooqOzaa4xs
Listen Now:
What’s Your Mission as a Dad?
Being a godly dad is hard work. Challenges abound, and sometimes, we just need some ideas, encouragement, and a little laughter along the way. So, we created the Father On Purpose Podcast to have real, fun, and practical conversations about being dads. Fatherhood is awesome, sacred, and hard all at the same time. We don’t have all the answers, but together as dads, we’ll try to figure it out.
