How We Stay Close When Life Gets Loud ft. Jessica Hagner
Release Date: 08/15/2025
The Dad Edge Podcast
In this episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I sit down with Super Bowl Champion Heath Evans and his wife Chrissy, a powerhouse couple raising six kids—four of them adopted siblings—and leading with faith, love, and intentionality. Beyond the NFL career and business ventures, their mission is about adoption, marriage, and creating a Christ-centered home where safety, strength, and sacrificial love are at the core. We dive deep into adoption, marriage dynamics, leadership in the home, and the foundation of their health and fitness business, Built Ready. From why safety is the #1...
info_outlineThe Dad Edge Podcast
In this solo episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I dive into one of the greatest challenges facing parents today: raising kids in the digital age. Between iPhones, TikTok, YouTube, and even AI tools like ChatGPT, technology is moving at lightning speed—and as fathers, we can’t afford to bury our heads in the sand. I share three powerful strategies that will help you set the right boundaries for your kids without putting them in “tech prison.” From creating guardrails with apps like Bark, to implementing a family tech contract, to modeling discipline with our own devices, this...
info_outlineThe Dad Edge Podcast
In this special father-son episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I sit down with my 19-year-old son, Ethan Hagner, to talk about the ever-evolving world of modern dating, masculinity, and what respect looks like in today’s culture. From Snapchat and Bitmoji “vibes” to the dangers of digital footprints, Ethan pulls back the curtain on what Gen Z is really experiencing when it comes to relationships, identity, and self-worth. We get raw and real about breakups, social media drama, posting for “social therapy,” and what red flags look like in 2025. But the conversation goes much...
info_outlineThe Dad Edge Podcast
In this powerful episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I sit down with Chandler Rogers—founder of the Relay app and a man on a mission to help men break free from pornography and reclaim deep connection. Chandler shares his raw personal story as a new dad, a husband navigating the fog of sleep deprivation, and a man who turned his own struggle with porn into a platform that has already helped over 5,000 men heal. This conversation isn’t just about addiction—it’s about isolation, shame, leadership, and stepping into the masculine role your family needs. Chandler reveals the emotional spiral...
info_outlineThe Dad Edge Podcast
In this solo episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I’m talking directly to you, the fathers, about stepping up as school is back in session. Life gets busier with drop-offs, homework, sports, and late-night routines, but this season also gives us new opportunities to lead and connect with our families in meaningful ways. I share three powerful strategies for creating deeper bonds at home: owning one routine with your kids, maximizing “connection cues” during daily transitions, and holding a weekly huddle with your wife to reduce stress and strengthen your marriage. If you’re...
info_outlineThe Dad Edge Podcast
In this episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, Ethan and I dive into a topic most men don’t talk about nearly enough—male friendships. From high school bonds that fade after graduation to the loneliness many men feel in their 30s and 40s, we unpack why brotherhood is so hard to maintain and why it matters more than ever. We share personal stories, both from Ethan’s perspective at 19 and my experience at 50, about what it looks like to build lasting friendships at different stages of life. From the silent killers of connection—busyness, unspoken expectations, and lack of...
info_outlineThe Dad Edge Podcast
In this episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I sit down with GS Youngblood—author of The Masculine in Relationship and The Art of Embodiment for Men. GS brings decades of experience coaching men on leadership in marriage, parenting, and personal growth through his Masculine Blueprint framework. Together, we unpack what it really means to live from your masculine core while creating safety, connection, and trust in your relationships. We talk about balancing firmness with heart, why composure beats control, and how to provide structure without domination. GS also dives into the...
info_outlineThe Dad Edge Podcast
In this candid episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I’m joined once again by my wife, Jessica, for a raw and relatable conversation about marriage, parenting, and family dynamics. Together, we dive into the often-unspoken expectations that can trip couples up—from finances and chores to parenting roles and communication. We unpack stories from our own journey, including how we’ve learned to navigate paying bills vs. investing, handling family dinners without resentment, and even the role each of us plays in talking with our boys about tough subjects like sex and relationships....
info_outlineThe Dad Edge Podcast
In this father-son conversation on the Dad Edge Podcast, I sit down once again with my son Ethan as we wrap up our August series on what it really means to grow from boyhood into manhood. This episode digs into the lessons society often fails to teach young men—like emotional regulation, conflict resolution, and the importance of spiritual leadership. We share personal stories—some funny, some raw—about patience, distractions, and the times I’ve missed the mark as a dad. Ethan opens up about his work, his relationship, and how he’s learning to grow into the kind of man...
info_outlineThe Dad Edge Podcast
In this powerful episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Blaise Aguirre, a Harvard psychiatrist and global expert on adolescent mental health, to unpack one of the most important—and often overlooked—parts of parenting: the inner voice we help shape in our kids. We dive into the role of tone, discipline, and compassion in parenting, and how the words we use as fathers often become the voice our kids carry for life. Dr. Aguirre breaks down how to raise resilient, critical thinkers without crushing their confidence, and why creating an environment of both structure and...
info_outlineIn this heartfelt episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I’m joined once again by my wife, Jessica Hagner, to share an inside look at how we approach marriage, parenting, and family life as a team. From building respect and handling conflict to raising four boys with shared values, this conversation is packed with personal stories, laughter, and real-life strategies for staying connected through all of life’s ups and downs.
We talk about how we’ve learned to operate in parenting, the role of respect in every interaction, and the tools that help us resolve conflict without damaging trust. Jessica opens up about her perspective as a wife and mother, and together, we discuss the importance of modeling the behavior we want to see in our kids. Whether you’re in the early years of marriage or decades in, this episode offers encouragement and actionable ways to strengthen your family relationships.
TIMELINE SUMMARY
[0:00] - Welcome and why this conversation with Jessica matters
[2:12] - The role of mutual respect in keeping a marriage strong
[5:07] - How we handle conflict and keep trust intact
[9:15] - Parenting as a united front and setting shared expectations
[13:28] - Balancing structure and flexibility with four boys
[16:44] - Teaching respect by modeling it in our marriage
[20:15] - How we navigate disagreements in front of our kids
[23:51] - Creating space for connection in a busy household
[27:06] - The importance of making each child feel seen and valued
[30:42] - Our approach to discipline without creating resentment
[34:25] - How parenting styles evolve as kids grow
[38:18] - Keeping romance alive while raising a family
[42:56] - The value of open, honest communication in marriage
[46:39] - Leading our family spiritually and emotionally
[50:20] - Why grace matters as much as structure in parenting
[54:14] - Final reflections on building a family rooted in respect and love
5 KEY TAKEAWAYS
1. Respect Is the Foundation
Every strong marriage and family dynamic begins with mutual respect—how we speak to each other, handle disagreements, and set the tone for our household.
2. Conflict Can Strengthen Connection
When handled with honesty and empathy, disagreements can build trust instead of breaking it. It’s not about avoiding conflict—it’s about navigating it well.
3. Parent as a Team
Kids thrive when they see their parents united. Operating from the same playbook creates stability and prevents division in the home.
4. Model the Behavior You Want to See
Children learn more from what you do than what you say. By demonstrating respect, patience, and grace, we set the example for how they’ll treat others.
5. Grace Balances Structure
Rules and boundaries are essential, but grace creates a safe and loving environment where kids can learn from their mistakes without fear.
LINKS & RESOURCES
• Download the 25 Questions to Spark Connection With Your Partner: https://www.thedadedge.com/25questions
• Dad Edge Podcast Website: https://www.thedadedge.com
• Join The Alliance: https://www.thedadedge.com/alliance
• Listen to More Episodes: https://www.thedadedge.com/podcast
• Tools & Resources: https://www.thedadedge.com/tools
If this episode encouraged you or gave you new insight into your marriage or parenting, please rate, follow, review, and share the podcast. Together, we’re building stronger families and stronger futures.