Fatherhood Is Hard—Here’s Real Help | Good Dads Podcast #1
Release Date: 03/24/2026
Fatherhood Is Hard—Here’s Real Help | Good Dads Podcast #1
Good Dads Podcast
Welcome to Episode 1 of the Good Dads Podcast—where we focus on helping fathers grow, lead, and succeed at home. In this episode, we introduce two key leaders making a real impact in the fatherhood space: 👤 Scott Lewis – Project Manager for the FORGE Program 👤 Ryan Glidwell – Regional Coordinator for the Kansas City area Together, they’re working to support dads who are navigating the real challenges of fatherhood—stress, responsibility, relationships, and personal growth. 🔥 WHAT THIS EPISODE IS ABOUT Fatherhood can be overwhelming. Many dads feel like they have to figure...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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 dads—and other male role models—are 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...
info_outline
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 child’s personality, offering guidance without micromanaging and modeling life skills like financial literacy, technology use and emotional...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outline
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...
info_outlineWelcome to Episode 1 of the Good Dads Podcast—where we focus on helping fathers grow, lead, and succeed at home.
In this episode, we introduce two key leaders making a real impact in the fatherhood space:
👤 Scott Lewis – Project Manager for the FORGE Program
👤 Ryan Glidwell – Regional Coordinator for the Kansas City area
Together, they’re working to support dads who are navigating the real challenges of fatherhood—stress, responsibility, relationships, and personal growth.
🔥 WHAT THIS EPISODE IS ABOUT
Fatherhood can be overwhelming. Many dads feel like they have to figure it out alone—but that’s not the case.
The FORGE Program was created specifically for fathers who want to:
✔ Learn how to handle the pressures of being a dad
✔ Build stronger relationships with their kids
✔ Develop confidence and leadership at home
✔ Connect with other dads going through similar challenges
And now, Good Dads is taking it even further.
Introducing the Plus Us Program—a couples-focused extension designed to help partners navigate parenting together. Because strong families start with strong partnerships.
💡 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
- Why so many dads struggle silently—and how to change that
- How the FORGE Program helps fathers grow and succeed
- The importance of support systems for men and fathers
- How the Plus Us Program strengthens relationships between partners
- Why investing in fatherhood creates stronger families and communities
🎯 WHO THIS VIDEO IS FOR
This episode is for:
- Dads who feel overwhelmed or unsure
- New fathers looking for guidance
- Couples navigating parenting challenges
- Men who want to become better leaders at home
- Anyone interested in building stronger families
🙌 ABOUT GOOD DADS
Good Dads is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping fathers be more engaged, more present, and more effective in their families.
Because when dads succeed—families succeed.
🔗 CONNECT WITH GOOD DADS
🌐 Website: https://gooddads.com
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gooddads
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gooddads
👉 Subscribe for more real conversations about fatherhood, parenting, and building stronger families.
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gooddads
👉 Subscribe for more real conversations about fatherhood, parenting, and building stronger families.