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Loneliness Is a Crisis and the Answer is Community featuring Don Ross

The Dad Edge Podcast

Release Date: 08/28/2026

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The Dad Edge Podcast

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The Dad Edge Podcast

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Don Ross is the founder of Manhood Tribes, a former pastor of 20 years who now works in digital marketing and has spent over two decades helping men cut through the noise around masculinity and build real brotherhood. Married 22 years with two boys, he's built his work around five marks of manhood and, more recently, helping men prepare for what he believes are the biblical end times.

This is a unique episode. Don walks Larry through the specific signs he sees converging right now, the nation of Israel and the temple, the move toward digital currency, and the gospel reaching every ethnic group, then pivots to what actually matters for the average man: building community, growing real-world skills, and developing a genuine relationship with Jesus rather than just checking religious boxes. If you've felt the anxiety of scrolling the news and wondered how to lead your family through uncertain times, this conversation offers a grounded, faith-centered answer.

 

Timeline Summary

[3:29] – How close are we to the end times, and what that phrase actually means

[5:28] – Why the anxiety men feel scrolling their phones connects to the bigger picture

[7:33] – The specific signs happening now that are unique in human history

[9:05] – Introducing Don Ross, Manhood Tribes, and the epidemic of male loneliness

[12:35] – The Euphrates River drying up as a minor sign

[13:29] – Israel reestablished as a nation in 1948 and the Ezekiel dry bones prophecy

[15:10] – The Temple Institute, the red heifer, and preparations for a third temple

[20:41] – Why the dome of the Rock and secular Israeli politics have stalled the temple

[25:05] – Global commerce, the mark of the beast, and central bank digital currencies

[29:23] – How state-controlled currency mirrors China's social credit system

[32:29] – The third and more hopeful sign: the gospel reaching every ethnic group by 2033

[35:27] – Why the decline of masculinity collides with this moment in history

[37:13] – Larry on feeling spiritually ready but not practically prepared

[44:05] – What Covid revealed about government control, framed carefully as speculation

[48:39] – Why building a bunker is the wrong first step

[50:34] – The five marks of manhood: strength, courage, skill, honor, and allegiance

[51:34] – Monthly challenges, from cold showers to learning vehicle maintenance

[54:20] – The spiritual anchor and connecting relationally to Jesus

[56:56] – Knowing Jesus as a person, not just checking the church and Bible boxes

[1:03:44] – Larry's hike through Garden of the Gods and the decision that brought him peace

 

5 Key Takeaways

  1. Watch the Season, Not the Date — The instruction was never to predict the day, but to recognize the season and be ready. Don points to several signs converging at once as reason to pay attention rather than panic.
  2. Loneliness Is a Crisis, and Community Is the Answer — Most men believe they have to figure life out alone, and the isolation is at an all time high. Real brotherhood is what helps men survive hardship and become better husbands and fathers.
  3. Don't Build a Bunker, Build a Community — The prepper instinct is individualistic, but the biblical model is to love your neighbor as yourself. The right next step is building strong community that can support each other through any storm.
  4. Grow Real Skills as a Man — Strength, courage, skill, honor, and allegiance are traits you develop over a lifetime. Practical challenges like cold showers or basic vehicle maintenance build the grit and capability most modern men have lost.
  5. Know Jesus as a Person — Faith isn't just going to church, reading the Bible, and praying as a checklist. It's a relationship built through conversation, listening, and shared experience, the same way you'd cultivate connection with a spouse.

 

Links & Resources

 

Enjoyed This Episode?

If Don's challenge to be informed, prepared, and faithful struck a chord, take one small step this week. Learn a practical skill you've been avoiding, or spend ten quiet minutes listening in prayer instead of just talking. If the show keeps delivering, follow, rate, and leave a review so more fathers can find these conversations.