How Young Men Can Shape Their Life & Future Starting Now featuring Dan Cocran
Release Date: 03/13/2026
Marriage Under Pressure & Weathering Life's Hardest Storms featuring Greg Olsen
The Dad Edge Podcast
In this episode, I sit down with former NFL tight end Greg Olsen — a man who built one of the most decorated careers in professional football, but whose greatest story has nothing to do with what happened on the field. We talk about Greg's upbringing in an all-boys household led by a high school football coach father who pushed hard, loved harder, and never let his kids settle for less than their best. Those lessons — accountability, perseverance, and doing the hard things when no one's watching — are ones Greg still carries and now passes on to his own kids. We also get into the youth...
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The Hard Journey Back from the Edge of Divorce featuring Tara & Tim Katzman
The Dad Edge Podcast
In this episode, I sit down with Tara and Tim Katzman — a real couple from our own Dad Edge community who were standing at the doorstep of divorce and chose to fight for their marriage instead. This is one of the most downloaded episodes in Dad Edge history, and when you hear their story, you'll understand why. Tim was a workaholic consumed by his business, available to clients around the clock while his wife and kids got whatever was left — which was almost nothing. Tara reached a breaking point where leaving felt like the only sane option. She was done. She told him daily she wanted a...
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Finding God, Grit, and Purpose in the Desert featuring Terrence Ogden
The Dad Edge Podcast
In this episode, I sit down with Terrence Ogden, founder of Official Project Grit — a man who transformed a life of addiction, jail time, and rock bottom into one of the most inspiring stories of resilience, grit, and faith you'll ever hear. We start with the Immortal 32 Ruck — a 75-mile road march from Gonzales, Texas to the Alamo, now in its seventh year, inspired by the 32 men who answered the call at the Alamo knowing it was a one-way ticket. But what makes Terrence's story so gripping is where he came from. Years as a severe heroin addict, cycling in and out of jail, until a mentor...
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How Young Men Can Shape Their Life & Future Starting Now featuring Dan Cocran
The Dad Edge Podcast
In this episode, I sit down with Dan Cocran, a young leader who is on a mission to help men in one of the most overlooked seasons of life—the years between 18 and 30. While many resources exist for married men, fathers, and established professionals, very few focus on young men who are still trying to find their footing in the world. Dan shares the inspiration behind the Forging Your Future Young Men’s Summit, an event designed to help young men build confidence, discover purpose, and develop the leadership skills they need to thrive in their careers, relationships, and communities....
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The Conflict Cycle That Keeps Married Couples Stuck & Unhappy
The Dad Edge Podcast
In this Wednesday Q&A episode, Uncle Joe and I respond to a powerful question from a dad who’s struggling with impulsive reactions, shutting down during conflict, and feeling like he can’t get out of the same argument patterns with his wife. If you’ve ever caught yourself reacting instead of listening, or walking away from conversations feeling frustrated and disconnected, this episode will hit close to home. We unpack the truth that two things can be true at the same time—both partners can be overwhelmed, both can be carrying heavy loads, and both can feel unseen. The key...
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The One Rule Every Dad Needs (Be Where You Are While You’re There) featuring Jon Bernthal
The Dad Edge Podcast
What does it really look like to be a present father when life pulls you in a thousand different directions? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with actor Jon Bernthal—known for roles in The Punisher, The Walking Dead, Ford v Ferrari, and The Wolf of Wall Street—but what you’ll hear today isn’t about Hollywood. It’s about fatherhood, humility, responsibility, and the deep influence a father can have on a son’s life. Jon opens up about his childhood, the mistakes he made growing up, and the unwavering presence of a father who never gave up on him—even during...
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Why High Achievers Still Feel Empty After Success & How to Fix It featuring Brad Stulberg
The Dad Edge Podcast
What does it actually mean to pursue excellence without losing your peace, your family, or yourself in the process? In this episode, I sit down with New York Times bestselling author Brad Stulberg to unpack the tension so many driven men feel: the desire to achieve at a high level while still living a meaningful and grounded life. Brad shares insights from his book The Way of Excellence and explains why humans are wired to strive — but not necessarily wired to feel content once we achieve. We dive into the trap many high-performing men fall into: constantly chasing the next...
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What to Do When You Feel Disrespected in Your Marriage
The Dad Edge Podcast
In this powerful Q&A episode, Uncle Joe and I tackle one of the most common — and emotionally charged — challenges men face: feeling disrespected by their wives and not knowing how to respond without escalating the situation. We unpack why reacting in anger never works, why most men were never taught conflict resolution skills, and how to move from emotional reactivity to grounded leadership. Uncle Joe also shares his raw personal story — three failed marriages, a radical transformation in faith, and what it really means to earn respect instead of demanding it. If you’ve...
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The Lone Wolf Mentality Is Killing Modern Men featuring Frank Schwartz
The Dad Edge Podcast
If you want to understand what real brotherhood looks like — not surface-level friendships, not lone wolfing it, not “I’ve got this” energy — but true fellowship forged through shared hardship, this episode is for you. Today I sit down with Frank Schwartz, aka Dark Helmet, President of F3 Nation. We dive deep into faith, fellowship, fitness, and what actually changes a man. Frank shares how going from 40 pounds overweight and spiritually empty to leading a global movement of men completely transformed his identity. We talk about sad clown syndrome, why success on paper...
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The Leadership Shift That Changes Your Marriage and Your Kids
The Dad Edge Podcast
In this solo episode, I share what’s coming in March inside the Dad Edge Alliance, including a full breakdown of how we’re helping dads move from authoritarian parenting to grounded leadership and collaboration. I also announce The Men’s Forge live event, the next Roommates to Soulmates cohort, and highlight an incredible 1st Phorm transformation story from inside our community. If you’ve been feeling the drift — in your parenting, your marriage, your energy, or your leadership — this episode is your reset. Timeline Summary [0:00] Who this episode is for —...
info_outlineIn this episode, I sit down with Dan Cocran, a young leader who is on a mission to help men in one of the most overlooked seasons of life—the years between 18 and 30. While many resources exist for married men, fathers, and established professionals, very few focus on young men who are still trying to find their footing in the world.
Dan shares the inspiration behind the Forging Your Future Young Men’s Summit, an event designed to help young men build confidence, discover purpose, and develop the leadership skills they need to thrive in their careers, relationships, and communities.
We dive into the challenges young men face today—lack of mentorship, isolation, confusion around purpose, and the pressure to figure life out without guidance. Dan explains why community, mentorship, and intentional development are essential during this critical season of life.
We also talk about the responsibility fathers have to mentor the next generation—not just their own sons, but the young men around them. Because when men step up and invest in younger men, it doesn’t just change one life—it changes families, communities, and future generations.
If you’re raising sons, mentoring younger men, or simply want to understand the challenges facing the next generation of men, this conversation will open your eyes to why leadership and mentorship matter now more than ever.
Timeline Summary
[0:00] Introduction to the Dad Edge mission and the movement to create leaders of families and communities
[1:02] Reflecting on the uncertainty many men experience in their early twenties
[1:46] Why the years between 18 and 30 are often overlooked in male development
[2:24] The importance of mentorship, guidance, and community for young men
[2:45] Introducing Dan Cocran and the vision behind the Forging Your Future Young Men’s Summit
[3:21] Why there are few resources designed specifically for men ages 18–30
[3:56] The modern challenges young men face when trying to find direction and purpose
[4:12] Why fathers should care deeply about the development of the next generation of men
[4:27] Reflecting on how many men feel lost during their early adult years
[4:43] Why mentorship and leadership development can dramatically change a young man’s trajectory
Five Key Takeaways
- The years between 18 and 30 are one of the most critical stages of development for men.
- Many young men struggle today because they lack mentorship, direction, and supportive communities.
- Fathers and older men play a vital role in guiding and investing in the next generation.
- Community and accountability help young men build confidence and purpose.
- When men intentionally mentor younger men, they strengthen families and communities for generations.
Links & Resources
- Roommates to Soulmates Cohort & Preview Call: https://thedadedge.com/soulmates
- The Men’s Forge: https://themensforge.com
- Episode Link & Resources (Episode 1449): https://thedadedge.com/1449
Closing
If there’s one message from this episode that stands out, it’s this: young men need guidance now more than ever.
The years between 18 and 30 can shape the trajectory of a man’s entire life. When young men have mentors, community, and strong examples to follow, they don’t just survive those years—they build the foundation for leadership, purpose, and impact.
If this episode resonated with you, share it with a father, mentor, or young man who could benefit from this conversation.
Because when men step up to guide the next generation, the ripple effects are felt for decades.
Go out and live legendary.