The Dad Was Right There... But Didn't See: Lessons from Netflix's 'Adolescence' (Part 4/4)
Release Date: 05/23/2025
Why Old-School Manners Still Open Doors in the Modern World
The Dad Edge Podcast
Have you ever asked yourself: When was the last time I stepped outside my comfort zone? How do I make sure I’m intentionally setting a positive example for my kids? Am I encouraging my children to take extra steps? In an era dominated by online interactions and instant applications, it’s easy to think that old-fashioned manners and direct communication have become obsolete. But as this episode of The Dad Edge reveals, those little “extra” steps are exactly what set people apart—in job interviews, difficult situations, and life in general Today, Ethan Hagner recounts his journey...
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The Hard Truth About Marriage Growth ft. Gina Trimmer
The Dad Edge Podcast
Have you ever asked yourself: "Why does it feel like I'm the only one trying to improve our marriage?" "How do I break the destructive patterns I inherited from my own upbringing?" "What if true change in our relationship starts not with her, but with me?" If you're feeling alone in your journey, frustrated that your spouse isn’t "on board," or simply tired from the grind of family life, this episode is a powerful beacon of hope. Today, Larry Hagner sits down with Gina Trimmer of Revitalized Womanhood for a raw, honest conversation about what it really takes to build strong marriages and...
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She’ll Want You Again… When You Want You Again
The Dad Edge Podcast
Have you ever asked yourself: "Why am I constantly chasing her attention, and feeling like it's never enough?" "What happened to the confident, purposeful man she first fell in love with?" "Can I truly reignite attraction in my marriage by focusing on myself?" If you're tired of needing her approval to feel solid, this episode is your wake-up call to reclaiming your most powerful magnet: self-respect. Welcome back to The Dad Edge Podcast. This is the final episode in our 4-part solo series: The Magnetic Masculinity Series—where we’ve explored what it actually takes to reignite...
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The Lessons Larry Wishes He Had Known 10 Years Ago
The Dad Edge Podcast
Have you ever asked yourself: "If I could talk to my younger self, what vital lessons would I share about fatherhood?" "Is my 'tough guy' exterior actually holding me back from truly connecting with my kids?" "What does it really mean to lead my family with emotional authenticity?" If these questions resonate, get ready for an unfiltered, insight-packed conversation that hits at the very heart of modern fatherhood: modeling emotional openness, prioritizing genuine connection, and reimagining what leadership truly looks like at home. Today, Larry Hagner sits across the table from his son...
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The UFC Fighter's Secret Weapon: A $500 Lego Set ft. Bobby Maximus
The Dad Edge Podcast
Have you ever asked yourself: "How do I teach my kids true grit without breaking their spirit?" "Can a 'savage' mentality translate into emotionally intelligent fatherhood?" "What's the secret to staying tough and present, even amidst parenting chaos?" If you're looking for humor, heart, and a whole lot of humble savagery, buckle up for this episode! Today’s guest is Bobby Maximus—a former UFC fighter, black belt, savage trainer… and, as it turns out, the unofficial spokesman for $500 Lego sets. This man once trained to take punches to the face, and now spends his time trying to get...
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Why Being a 'Nice Guy' Might Be Hurting You!
The Dad Edge Podcast
Have you ever asked yourself: "My wife calls me 'nice,' but why does it feel like a subtle insult?" "Why am I constantly chasing connection, and how do I stop walking on eggshells?" "What does it really mean to lead in my marriage without being controlling?" If you’ve ever felt like, "I don’t even know what happened—she just drifted," this episode is your wake-up call to reclaiming your magnetic masculine presence. Welcome back to The Dad Edge Podcast. This is Week 3 of our 4-part solo series called The Magnetic Masculinity Series—where we’re unpacking how to attract your wife...
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Advice Ethan Would Have Given Himself 10 Years Ago
The Dad Edge Podcast
Have you ever asked yourself: "If I could go back, what advice would I give my younger self?" "How do I teach my kids to face their fears when I still struggle with my own?" "Is true strength about bottling things up, or asking for help?" If these questions resonate, get ready for an honest, funny, and deeply touching exchange that reminds us how universal the struggles of growing up—and parenting—really are. Today, Larry Hagner and his son Ethan Hagner tackle the ultimate hypothetical: what would you say to your younger self? Their conversation unpacks not just advice for growing up,...
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Is P*rn Ruining Your S*x Life? ft. Alex Grendi
The Dad Edge Podcast
Have you ever asked yourself: "Am I the only man struggling with sexual performance?" "How do media and p*rn warp my expectations about sex?" "What if stress and anxiety are secretly sabotaging my intimacy?" If these questions echo in your mind, get ready for a candid, judgment-free conversation that pulls back the curtain on men's sexual health and confidence. Today, Larry Hagner sits down with Alex Grendi, a sex coach for men whose expertise is rooted in his own personal battles with performance anxiety and sexual health challenges. Alex Grendi opens up about his journey from New York, his...
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The Emotional Load She’s Carrying (and You’re Not Seeing)
The Dad Edge Podcast
Have you ever asked yourself: "I bring home the check, I do chores... why is my wife still overwhelmed and distant?" "What is this 'mental load' she talks about, and why don't I see it?" "How can I truly partner with her, instead of just 'helping'?" If you've ever caught yourself thinking, "But I am helping!" or "She's upset but I have no idea why," this episode will give you the X-ray vision you've been missing. Because what’s wearing her out isn’t always what’s on your radar—it’s the things you never even thought about. Here's the truth most men miss: providing financially is one...
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The Power of Owning Your Mistakes (Father-Son Talk)
The Dad Edge Podcast
Have you ever asked yourself: "How do I teach my kids accountability when I'm not always perfect myself?" "Does admitting my mistakes actually make me a weaker dad?" "What does it truly take to build unbreakable trust with my children?" If these questions resonate, get ready for a raw and honest conversation that dives deep into one of the most vital lessons dads can teach: extreme ownership. Larry Hagner and his son Ethan Hagner share unfiltered stories from their family's journey—moments of frustration, tough conversations, heartfelt apologies, and the profound vulnerability that comes...
info_outlineWhat If Obedience Isn’t the Same as Respect?
We all want to raise good kids — respectful, obedient, and successful.
But what if obedience is just compliance… no connection?
In this episode, I dive deep into the final chapter of Netflix’s Adolescence, and the heartbreaking unraveling of Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old boy whose silent pain led to tragedy.
His father, Eddie, never saw it coming. Why? Because the connection was missing, even though he thought he was doing everything “right.”
I open up about how even committed, hardworking dads like us can miss the quiet red flags our kids are waving. We explore how our need to discipline, protect, and “fix” can sometimes get in the way of the one thing our kids need most: to feel seen and safe.
This episode isn’t about shame. It’s about waking up.
Because your influence as a dad doesn’t come from authority—it comes from emotional safety.
If you’ve ever believed “my kid is doing fine,” this might be the most eye-opening 20 minutes you’ll spend all year.
I’ll also give you a practical framework to help you ask better questions, create deeper emotional connections, and build a relationship your kids will trust—especially when things get tough.
Become the best husband and leader you can: www.thedadedge.com/mastermind
In this episode, I share:
- Why “How was your day?” might be the weakest way to check in
- The 3 fatherhood defaults that kill connection: Distance, Disapproval, and Discipline
- How to use the CARE method (Curiosity, Affirmation, Repair, Expectation) to reconnect with your child
- Why our kids confuse disconnection with disinterest—and how to fix it
- The real reason obedience without emotional connection doesn’t build trust
Here's what research supports about the power of action and intention:
- Studies show that couples who engage in regular, small acts of kindness report a 28% increase in relationship satisfaction.
- Research indicates that setting specific, shared goals increases the likelihood of improved communication and intimacy by 35%.
- Prioritizing quality time has been shown to reduce feelings of loneliness in relationships by 20%.
If you're ready to stop waiting for motivation and start actively building a stronger, more connected marriage, this episode is for you. Let's take that first step together.
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