The Difference a Dad Makes Ep. 3 - Building Confidence in Children
Release Date: 03/18/2025
Communicating Well with Other Grown-Ups in your Child's Life âą Good Dads Podcast
Good Dads Podcast
Good Dads inspires, resources and encourages ALL dads to be more involved in the lives of their children. When a community encourages responsible fatherhood, everyone wins. Find out more about Good Dads at our website: Get involved by finding the right program for you: Donate to support the Good Dads mission! What can coaching kids teach us about being better dads? In this episode, we're thrilled to speak with father of four Dr. Jon Spence about the ways dads can take what works on the field or courtâ like building trust, setting expectations, helping kids with confidence â and...
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The Impact of Mentorship in Fatherhood | Good Dads
Good Dads Podcast
Why do people choose to invest their time in helping dads succeed? In the newest episode of the Good Dads Podcast, host J Fotsch sits down with two experienced Good Dads facilitators who are making a lasting impact on fathers and families: Please join us in welcoming two highly skilled long-time facilitators: Janice Reynolds, a Good Dads master facilitator and retired teacher; and Dr. Benjy Lampert, a retired anesthesiologist who also serves on the executive board for Good Dads. Together, Janice and Benjy share why they are passionate about guiding and supporting fathers who are working...
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New Workshops for Dads and Couples | Good Dads Podcast
Good Dads Podcast
We're back! After a hiatus, the Good Dads Podcast returns with a reinvigorated focus on equipping dads with the tools they need to grow, lead, and succeed at home. In our first returning episode, Good Dads sits down with two new staff members to share our excitement about an all-new program that's changing the face of responsible fatherhood efforts in Missouri. We hope you'll join us for this fun and insightful conversation! We're happy to introduce two key leaders making a real impact in the fatherhood space: Scott Lewis â Project Manager for the FORGE Program; and Ryan Glidwell â...
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The Difference a Dad Makes Ep. 8 - Balancing Habits for School Success Pt. 1
Good Dads Podcast
In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes, hosts J. Fotsch and Brian Mattson welcome elementary PE teacher and dad, Myles Wilson, for a fun and practical discussion about helping kids develop healthy habits for school success. From the importance of routines and physical activity to managing screen time, Myles shares how movement, emotional regulation, and positive social skills set the stage for better learning. Drawing from his experience as both a teacher and parent, Myles emphasizes that kids thrive when they have consistent routines, opportunities to move, and encouragement to see...
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Good Dads Great Communities Ep. 8 - Engaged Fathers, Empowered Kids: A Success Story with Strong Schools
Good Dads Podcast
In this episode of Good Dads Great Communities, J. Fotsch and Director of Communications Diana Dudenhoeffer sit down with Strong Schools Captains Joshua Rowlett and Ben Buschjost to hear firsthand how intentional father involvement is transforming schools, families, and communities. From the library to the manufacturing floor, Joshua and Ben share how dadsâand other male role modelsâare stepping up through the Good Dads Strong Schools program to build stronger connections with their children. Through simple activities like pipe cleaner monsters and water bottle flips, these fathers are...
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The Difference a Dad Makes Ep. 7 - Preparing Children for Independence
Good Dads Podcast
In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes, hosts J. Fotsch and Brian Mattson are joined by Jason Hinson from Victory Mission for a lighthearted yet deeply practical conversation about raising children to be independent. From toddler chore charts to the complexities of launching adult children, the trio explores what age-appropriate responsibility looks like across different life stages. The conversation emphasizes the importance of knowing each childâs personality, offering guidance without micromanaging and modeling life skills like financial literacy, technology use and emotional...
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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 Dawsonâan experienced educator and retired Branson Schools administratorâto 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 fathersâand father figuresâconnect 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 dadsâAlex 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 homeâespecially when discussing hard topics or addressing mistakes both theirs and their childrenâs. The conversation emphasizes the power of modeling honesty and vulnerability, especially when parents admit theyâre 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 theyâve used to teach financial responsibilityâfrom 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...
info_outlineIn this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes, hosts Brian Mattson and Dr. Jennifer L. Baker welcome Paul Baker, an experienced educator and former school principal, to discuss practical ways to build confidence in children.
Paul shares insights from his career in education and his experiences as a father, offering real-life examples of how responsibility, chores and perseverance help instill confidence in kids. The conversation explores the value of allowing children to experience challenges, learn from failures and develop independence through everyday tasks.
Whether you're a parent looking for strategies to encourage self-reliance or just hoping to understand how confidence is built over time, this episode provides meaningful stories, practical advice and engaging discussions on the importance of resilience in childhood.
Episode Highlights
[01:49]
"I think you have to let them experience things. You have to require things of them. Jennifer and I were always very big on chores and it was a battle, but we stood together."
[04:52]
"We felt that it was good for children to sweat, to do something boring because there are a lot of things in life that are not fun but have to be done."
[08:11]
"We let our kids cook. There were some disasters but learning happens in those mistakes."
[14:09]
"The first time Jack buttoned his shirt by himself, he cried, Jessica cried and I cried. He worked hard for it and that was such a proud moment."
[15:39]
"There are winners and losers in competition. Not everything ends in a tie and not everybody gets a trophy. Understanding that is part of growing up."
[22:07]
"It's better to crash and burn in fourth grade than to wait until you're 18 and realize you're not the best at everything."
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