Good Dads Great Communities Ep. 1 - Why Good Dads are Critical to Community Well-being
Release Date: 01/02/2025
Good Dads Great Communities Ep. 7 - Strong Schools, Strong Communities: Getting Involved with Local Elementary Schools
Good Dads Podcast
In this episode of Good Dads Great Communities, Dr. Jennifer L. Baker and J. Fotsch sit down with Strong Schools Coordinator Jim Millsap and Good Dads Board Member Dr. Mike Dawson—an experienced educator and retired Branson Schools administrator—to explore how simple interactions between dads and their kids can build stronger families and schools. Drawing on their decades in education and personal experiences as fathers, Jim and Mike explain how the Strong Schools initiative helps fathers—and father figures—connect meaningfully with their children while transforming school culture. The...
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Hot Topics Ep. 7 - Politics & Parenting: What to Discuss with Kids
Good Dads Podcast
In this candid episode of Hot Topics, hosts J. Fotsch and Will Cox speak with Missouri State Representative Alex Riley and government consultant Ryan DeBouf about the challenge of navigating politics as parents. Both guests bring not only their professional insights but also their personal experience as dads—Alex with a growing young family and Ryan with children spanning from elementary to adulthood. The discussion emphasizes the importance of age-appropriate conversations, modeling respectful discourse and cultivating political understanding at home. The guests share how to introduce basic...
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The Intentional Dad Ep 7 - Creating a Safe Space for Honest Conversations
Good Dads Podcast
In this episode of The Intentional Dad, hosts J. Fotsch and Jason Hynson welcome guest Brian Mattson from The Downtown Church for a heartfelt discussion on fostering trust and openness in family conversations. The dads explore how honesty, humility and consistency are crucial for building emotional safety at home—especially when discussing hard topics or addressing mistakes both theirs and their children’s. The conversation emphasizes the power of modeling honesty and vulnerability, especially when parents admit they’re wrong. The trio shares personal stories about navigating...
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The Difference a Dad Makes Ep. 6 - Teaching Financial Responsibility
Good Dads Podcast
In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes, hosts J. Fotsch and Brian Mattson sit down with Crystal and Tobi Roberts to discuss how parents can teach kids about money from a young age. The Roberts, parents of a blended family with three children, share practical ways they’ve used to teach financial responsibility—from chore charts and envelope budgeting to teen credit cards and monthly family budget meetings. The conversation highlights the importance of starting early, setting consistent expectations, and using real-life experiences to teach financial principles. Crystal, a CPA...
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The Intentional Dad Ep. 6 - The Role of Discipline in Parenting
Good Dads Podcast
In this episode of The Intentional Dad, hosts J. Fotsch and Jason Hynson, with Victory Mission, welcome guest Jim Robinette to explore what discipline really means in parenting. Drawing on his military background and years of fatherhood, Jim reframes discipline as more than just consequences—it’s about leadership, personal responsibility and helping kids build self-awareness. The trio emphasizes that effective discipline is rooted in consistency, fairness and modeling behavior. Jim reflects on how different approaches worked for his two children, highlighting the importance of...
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Hot Topics Ep. 6 - Being a Father Figure
Good Dads Podcast
In this heartfelt episode of Hot Topics, hosts J. Fotsch and Will Cox sit down with Zach Troutman—coach, community leader and founder of Follow the Leader—to discuss the impact of intentional fatherhood, mentorship and vulnerability. Zach opens up about growing up without his dad, losing his best friend to suicide and how these experiences shaped his mission to provide stability, openness and support for his children and others. Key points include the power of transparency in fatherhood, how grief can be channeled into advocacy and mentorship and why dads must model emotional awareness for...
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Good Dads Great Communities Ep. 6 - How Good Dads Fits Your Community
Good Dads Podcast
In this inspiring episode of Good Dads Great Communities, Dr. Jennifer L. Baker and J. Fotsch speak with two outstanding leaders in rural Missouri: Sean Vanderbeck from the Ava chapter and Jill Garrett from the Texas County chapter. As two of the three winners of the Good Dads Great Communities of the Year Contest, these chapters are recognized for their commitment to fatherhood in small towns often overlooked by larger initiatives. Sean and Jill reflect on their challenges, share their triumphs and describe the creative ways they’ve engaged dads across their regions. From providing...
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Hot Topics Ep. 5 - Burnout to Balance: Prioritizing Self-Care as a Dad
Good Dads Podcast
In this episode of Hot Topics, hosts J. Fotsch and Will Cox welcome Dr. Shelby Smith, a family physician and father of three, to explore the essential yet often neglected topic of self-care for dads. With honesty and warmth, Dr. Smith shares how his personal and professional experiences have transformed his understanding of burnout, mindfulness and the importance of being present—mentally and emotionally—for his family. From engaging in early morning exercise and guided meditation to establishing digital boundaries and learning to say no to overcommitments, he...
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The Difference a Dad Makes Ep. 5 - Infant Health with Family Connects
Good Dads Podcast
Infant Health with Family Connects In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes, hosts J. Fotsch and Brian Mattson talk with Jordan Coiner from the Springfield-Greene County Health Department about the crucial role dads play in infant health. Jordan shares personal stories from his own parenting journey and introduces the Family Connects program, a home-visiting initiative offering support from registered nurses to every new family in Greene County. The conversation centers on how dads can stay curious, ask questions and get involved early in their child's life—especially when navigating...
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The Intentional Dad Ep 5 - Handling Peer Pressure and Self-Esteem
Good Dads Podcast
In this episode of The Intentional Dad, hosts J. Fotsch and Jason Hynson sit down with guest Dyllan Dale, a graduate. They unpack the challenges dads face when helping their kids navigate peer pressure and self-esteem. Through honest conversation and real-life stories, the trio explores how intentional parenting means being present, empathetic and proactive—especially when kids are influenced by their peers or struggling with their own worth. They discuss the cultural pressure on dads to provide, the emotional weight of comparison fueled by social media and the importance of saying...
info_outlineIn the inaugural episode of Good Dads Great Communities, Dr. Jennifer Baker, founder and director of Good Dads, and host J Fotsch introduce an inspiring vision for 2025, starting with the first module, “Why Good Dads Are Important to a Great Community.” This episode lays the foundation for a transformative yearlong exploration of how engaged fathers can create safer communities, stronger schools, and a robust economy.
Discover how Good Dads empowers fathers to overcome challenges, foster meaningful connections with their children, and take action to drive positive change. Dr. Baker shares the powerful origins of the organization, highlights the gaps in resources available for dads, and discusses how local communities can uplift their fathers through practical initiatives and collaboration.
Tune in to experience the profound impact of fatherhood on individuals, families, and communities, and find out how you can join in making a difference in 2025 and beyond.
Episode Highlights
· [05:16] "I'm going to argue that you cannot be a great community, a great place to live unless you have a high percentage of good dads—engaged fathers."
· [10:19] "Approximately 85% of those incarcerated today grew up in a home without a dad. Our communities are safer when we have a high percentage of good dads."
· [12:00] "There is considerable evidence to support the fact that when fathers get involved with their child's education, kids do better in school. They go to school, their attendance improves, and they're better behaved."
· [14:32] "Good dads are very motivated to work hard for the benefit of their families. We have a lot of programs focused on, economic development, securing jobs, employment programs. But the reason a person gets up and goes to work, even on the day they don't feel like getting up and going to work is because they're working for someone."
· [21:10] "If you really want to do something that's going to make a real difference in the life of someone else, this is that thing. You're not just making a difference in the life of that dad, but his family as well."
Resources
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