Libsyn Directory

DA395 | Influence vs. Control: Building Relationships That Last with Your Kids (Dr. Peter Larson - FROM THE VAULT)

Release Date: 08/14/2025

DA419 | Don't Long for Someday, The Discipline of Gratitude, and Becoming the Best Version of You as a Dad (Bart Scharrer FROM THE VAULT)

DadAwesome

🚴 FROM THE VAULT BOOK >> recieve the book 5-weeks early >> join the ADVANCE TEAM: Bart Scharrer has walked through some hard seasons with his daughters. Health crises. Uncertainty. Plans that didn't go the way he expected. But here's what he's learned: Gratitude isn't just a nice idea. It's the way through. ----------------------------------- ✅ Why longing for "someday" can cost you today ✅ How to set the temperature in your home (for better or worse) ✅ A simple practice that taught his daughters confidence and connection ✅ What it looks like to trust God day...

DA418 | Celebrating 8 Years of DadAwesome: Minivan Miracles, Ripping Out Fences, and the Power of Unlikely Friendships (Craig Allen Cooper)

DadAwesome

🎉 8 YEARS OF DADAWESOME! We're celebrating with an incredible conversation with Craig Allen Cooper, the man behind Walker Hayes' song "Craig." ✅ The minivan miracle that softened an atheist's heart ✅ Why Craig's kids are PRAYING for friendships like their parents have ✅ The 5 P's of fatherhood: Provide, Protect, Prepare, Propel, Present ✅ Tables vs. Tablets and real connection with your kids DADAWESOME Book >> join the Advance Team: SUMMARY After eight years and 418 episodes of DadAwesome, we're celebrating with a conversation that captures...

DA417 | From Control to Influence, Eradicating the Child-Centered Home, and the Love Jug (Ted Cunningham)

DadAwesome

🏠 Is your home revolving around your kids? Ted Cunningham joins us to explain why eradicating the child-centered home is one of the best things you can do for your family. ✅ The "Love Jug" illustration that will change how you think about your source of life ✅ Why parenting is a journey from control to influence ✅ How honor bombardments and honor lists create close-knit families ✅ The "princess to queen" conversation every dad of daughters needs to hear DADAWESOME BOOK (join the advance team!) SUMMARY Parenting is a journey from control to influence—and...

DA416 | Vision, Will, and Community: Standing Against a Culture That Wants to Destroy Your Family (Jeremy Pryor PART 2)

DadAwesome

🔥 What if going with the flow is the most dangerous thing you can do as a dad? Jeremy Pryor is BACK for round four, and this conversation will challenge everything you thought about provision, legacy, and multi-generational family. ➡️ Why vision, will, and community are your only defense against a culture trying to exploit your kids ➡️ The biblical case against "Labanism" and lifetime wage-earning ➡️ How your son-in-law becomes your SON in a multi-generational family ➡️ Why family at 55 should be FAR better than family at 35 SUMMARY If you...

DA415 | Your Superpower Is Hurting Your Kids, Creating Emotional Warmth at Home, and Why Attachment Is Everything – Part 1 (Jeremy Pryor)

DadAwesome

🚨 If you just go with the flow, it will destroy your family. Jeremy Pryor is BACK on the podcast with a wake-up call for dads everywhere. In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, he's sharing: ➡️ Why your ability to emotionally detach is hurting your kids ➡️ The difference between "Do I love my kids?" and "Do they FEEL loved?" ➡️ How to become a warmer, more emotionally available father ➡️ What ancient Hebraic families understood that we've forgotten SUMMARY If you just go with the flow in today's world, it will destroy you and your family. In this episode, Jeremy...

DA414 | The Most Important 9 Minutes of Your Kid's Day, Choosing Contentment, and Lessons from Sourdough (Dan Tinquist)

DadAwesome

What if the secret to connecting with your kids wasn't more time—but better minutes? ✅ The See, Hear, Know framework for becoming a student of your kids ✅ Why over-teaching actually backfires (and what to do instead) ✅ How to plan your family's year WITH them, not just for them SUMMARY: What if the most impactful moments with your kids are just nine minutes a day? In this episode, fatherhood coach Dan Tinquist shares how morning, afternoon, and evening connection points can transform your relationship with your kids. You'll also hear why over-teaching actually backfires, how to...

DA413 | Forgiveness Fridays, Throwback Tuesdays, and Building a Close-Knit Family on Purpose (Michael DeAquino)

DadAwesome

➡️ How yearly family vision summits (with a hot tub!) shape your family's direction ➡️ The power of tying your kids' names to your family's core values ➡️ Why pre-parental counseling removes the shame that keeps dads stuck later SHOW NOTES SUMMARY What if you could prepare for fatherhood before the chaos even begins? In this episode, Michael DeAquino shares how he and his wife are helping expecting parents get on the same page before baby arrives—and why that window of time matters so much. You'll also hear how Michael's family runs themed dinner nights every single...

DA412 | A 3-Year Journey to Launch Your Kids, 30 Skills Every Teen Should Learn, and Moments That Impact All of Time (Matt Hanson)

DadAwesome

📍 When did you become a man? Most guys can't answer that question clearly—because they never had a defining moment. Matt Hanson is on a mission to change that. In this episode, he shares the Ion Path—a 3-year Christian rite of passage for dads and their 12-16 year olds. You'll hear: ➡️ Why Dad is "LeBron James" in the faith transfer game (50-60 points!) ➡️ How 30 conversations in 30 days can transform your relationship ➡️ The simple framework for teaching your kids 30 life skills before they launch ➡️ Why it's more important to be IN the conversation than to be...

DA411 | The Daily 15, Brain Science Behind Morning Routines, and Why Sabbath Is Your Family's Secret Weapon – Part 2 (Chris Cirullo)

DadAwesome

🕐 What if 15 minutes could change your entire life? ✅ The brain science behind why your morning and evening routines matter more than you think ✅ How to build a sustainable Daily 15 practice that actually sticks ✅ Why Sabbath might be the most Christ-like (and kid-favorite) rhythm your family is missing ✅ The one thing 93% of men said they want to grow in SHOW NOTES SUMMARY What if the first thing you did each day was sleep—and trust God with it? In this episode, Chris Cirullo unpacks the brain science behind why your morning and evening routines carry...

DA410 | Why Dads Are Called to Bring Order, Solving Family Friction Points, and Setting Impossible Goals – Part 1 (Chris Cirullo)

DadAwesome

✅ The biblical reason dads are called to bring order to their homes ✅ How to train your kids like a football coach (M&Ms included!) ✅ The power of a weekly family meeting to solve your biggest friction points ✅ Why setting "impossible" goals actually works SUMMARY Chaos doesn't have to be the norm in your home. In Part 1 of this conversation, Army Ranger turned fatherhood coach Chris Cirullo unpacks the biblical call for fathers to bring order—and shares the practical systems he's built to lead his five sons with both fun and discipline. You'll also hear why setting...

More Episodes

✅ Why "lighting up" when your kids walk in the room changes everything

✅ The Christmas tree coaster story that shows how much your kids are watching

✅ How to outsource influence without losing your role as dad

✅ The simple routines that build lasting family connection

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SUMMARY

What if the secret to great fatherhood isn't about being in control, but about maximizing your influence? In this From the Vault episode, Dr. Peter Larson shares the game-changing perspective that shifted his entire approach to parenting. From lighting up every time your kid walks in the room to understanding their unique motivational wiring, you'll discover practical ways to build relationships that last. Plus, hear about the dad who visited his son in the hospital 28 days straight and how that legacy of showing up continues today.

Takeaways:

Influence beats control every time. You can't control your kids, but you can maximize your influence through intentional relationship-building.
Light up when they walk in the room. Treat your children like rock stars entering the room—this simple shift builds their security and connection with you.
Your kids are always watching. From Christmas tree coasters to how you handle flight delays, you're modeling solutions, character, and faith even when you don't realize it.
Outsource positive influence wisely. Youth groups, mentors, and camps aren't competition—they're allies in raising kids who love Jesus.
Don't ride their emotional roller coaster. Be the stable sidewalk they can return to, not another passenger on their ups and downs.
Mine gold from parents ahead of you. The best parenting advice often comes from observing and asking questions of families you respect.

Guest:

Dr. Peter Larson is a licensed clinical psychologist and assessment expert who has spent over 20 years developing tools that help people understand their unique design and motivation. He's the creator behind Prepare-Enrich, a premarital assessment used by pastors worldwide, and currently works with GLUE developing assessments for churches and the True Motivate tool for colleges. Peter and his wife Heather have three adult children and live near Minneapolis. He's passionate about helping parents move from control to influence in their relationships with their kids.

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