Have you ever felt like you're still trying to prove yourself as a dad?
In this episode, Kent and Lawson sit down with Jeff Zaugg of Dad Awesome to talk about the deeper issues that shape a man's fatherhood: identity, freedom, intentionality, wonder, leadership, and healing from the past.
Jeff shares how years of interviews, ministry, and real-life fatherhood led to the six core discoveries in his new book, Dad Awesome. Along the way, this conversation gets honest about the weight many dads still carry from their own upbringing, the lies that keep men stuck, and the freedom that comes from receiving God's love instead of trying to earn it.
This episode is biblical, practical, and full of hope for the dad who wants to lead his family well but knows he cannot do it alone. In this conversation, you'll hear:
- Why fatherhood is bigger than the chapter you're in right now
- How your identity shapes the way you show up at home
- Why healing does not happen in isolation
- The power of brotherhood and accountability in a dad's life
- How wonder and delight can transform your relationship with your kids
- What it looks like to lead from freedom instead of shame
If you've ever felt like God is holding a clipboard and waiting for you to measure up, this episode is for you.
Buy Jeff's latest book Dad Awesome: https://www.dadawesome.org/book
Learn more about Jeff's ministry: https://www.dadawesome.org/
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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
“Y’all are teaching Godly wisdom in ways that I can understand and put to use raising these 8 kiddos of mine, and to be a more present and respectful husband! Keep it up Brothers! God bless y’all!”
–Cody C.
“I’ve been listening to the Father on Purpose podcast for about 3-4 months or so now and I absolutely love the fathering advice that is discussed. This show has helped be become a better father day after day.”
–Matthew S.
RECENT PODCASTS
What if the money conversations in your house didn't start with stress, but instead, began with purpose?
In this episode, Kent and Lawson sit down with investor and author John Coleman to talk about his latest book "Good Money" and the difference between chasing "a little more" and living with contentment, clarity, and kingdom priorities.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why "more money" rarely fixes money anxiety
- How to set a financial finish line with your spouse
- What "human flourishing" looks like for a Christian family
- Practical ways to find purpose at work, even in a tough season
- A simple approach to teaching kids: earn, spend, save, give
- How to build family generosity without guilt or showmanship
John breaks down why money is a tool, not a finish line, how dads can avoid the lifestyle trap, and how to teach kids to handle money with wisdom using simple, repeatable habits. You will also hear a hopeful take for the dad who feels stuck in a job he doesn't love right now, with practical ways to find meaning and serve well in the work that's in front of him.
Learn more about our amazing guest from today's episode, John Coleman: johnwilliamcoleman.com/meet-john
Buy John's new book "Good Money" here: https://a.co/d/03sTMA7I
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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Do you ever feel like your voice as a dad is getting drowned out at home? Screens. Sports. Social media. School pressure. Constant noise. It can feel like the world is shouting—and your influence as a dad is shrinking.
In Part 6 of our From Overwhelmed to Intentional series, we talk about how to be clear when the world is loud. You may not be the loudest voice in your child's life. The good news? You don't have to be.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why competing with culture is a losing strategy
- How to lead your kids' hearts, not just their habits
- The difference between reacting and reframing
- What Jesus modeled about peace, clarity, and influence
- How to create "vacuum pockets" of peace in your home
- Why you don't have zero control—even when it feels like you do
If you've ever thought, "I'm losing my influence," this one is for you.
You're not called to out-shout the world. You're called to out-last it. Let's move from overwhelmed to intentional—together.
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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What if it's too late? If you've ever looked at your marriage, your relationship with your kids, or your past mistakes and thought, "I'm too far gone," this episode is for you.
In Part 5 of our From Overwhelmed to Intentional series, Kent and Lawson talk to the dad who feels discouraged, stuck, or haunted by guilt. You'll hear why it's so dangerous to add "forever" to temporary pain, how to stop speaking hopelessness over your home, and what it looks like to do the slow work of rebuilding trust. You can't control someone else's heart, but you can do your part to create the kind of environment where healing can grow.
Even when it may feel like things have veered too far off the tracks, God has a plan to redeem. You can move forward, even from here.
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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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.