What if trying to be the hero in your home is actually hurting your kids?
In part four of our From Overwhelmed to Intentional series, Kent and Lawson unpack a subtle but critical distinction every dad needs to understand: the difference between being an example and being a hero.
Many dads feel crushing pressure to be perfect, to have all the answers, and to never mess up. Others check out completely because they feel unqualified. Neither path leads to biblical, healthy fatherhood.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- Why Scripture calls dads to be examples, not saviors
- How being "the hero" can quietly tether your kids' faith to you instead of Jesus
- Why humility, repentance, and presence matter more than performance
- How to disciple your kids even when you don't feel spiritually equipped
You don't need to be flawless to lead well. You need to be faithful, present, and pointed in the right direction.
If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the pressure of fatherhood, this conversation will help you breathe, recalibrate, and lead your family with confidence and clarity.
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
What if family movie night could do more than kill time? Today, Kent and Lawson try something brand new: a simple plan for hosting a Christmas movie night that ends with a meaningful conversation, not everyone sprinting to bed. They use It's a Wonderful Life as the example, then show you how to do the same thing with any movie that fits your family. You'll hear how to pull out character lessons from George Bailey, Mary, and even the villain, Mr. Potter, plus how to tailor questions for an 8-year-old, a teenager, or a college kid home for break. Grab the free discussion guide below, use it to tee up the night, and turn a familiar tradition into a discipleship moment. You are not a father on accident, so go be a Father On Purpose.
Download the Family Discussion Guide here: https://bit.ly/movie-discussion-guide
We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_gYbkISx0hY
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Ever walk away from a conversation and realize you did almost all the talking…again? As dads, we often think our "advice" is what will change our kids, when in reality, it might just be the questions we ask...or don't ask. In this episode, Kent and Lawson unpack why some men dominate every conversation, why others never ask anything deeper than small talk, and why a humble, curious dad is a great listener instead of a constant lecturer.
Kent tells the story of a simple question that completely disarmed him: "What kind of tension does that cause for you?" That one line forced him to search his own heart, not just react with an opinion. From there, the guys walk through why Jesus asked so many questions, how Proverbs 20:5 paints your child's heart like deep water, and what it looks like to draw it out instead of just "fixing" everything with quick advice.
You'll hear super practical examples of questions you can use this week with your kids, your wife, and even that talkative uncle at Christmas. Things like, "What was that like for you?", "Could you explain that to me a bit more?", and "What about that excites you or concerns you?" Plus, Kent shares his "clay on the wheel" analogy for shaping a conversation with your child using their words and their goals, not just yours.
If you've ever wondered why your kids don't open up, or you want to be a dad who talks less and understands more, this episode will help you step into holiday gatherings—and everyday moments at home—with a heart that is both curious and humble.
We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nktheEfq93o
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What does it look like to stay faithful as a dad while navigating high-pressure work, culture, and calling? This week Kent and Lawson sit down with Disney legend turned Chosen creative executive Rick Dempsey for a conversation packed with wisdom, humor, and behind-the-scenes stories (yes… including a helicopter ride with Phil Collins). Rick shares how he viewed decades at Disney as a mission field, how localization taught him to connect more deeply with his kids, and why the "deposit vs withdrawal" principle Steve Jobs taught him might be the most important parenting idea you hear this year.
He opens up about choosing intentional fatherhood even with a global job and why your 60s and 70s might be your most influential decades for the Kingdom. If you've ever wrestled with time, calling, influence, or what legacy really looks like, this conversation will encourage and challenge you in all the right ways.
https://www.comeandseefoundation.org
We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pDfwmt1-qrM
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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.
