DadAwesome

• DA388 | Self-Aware, Other-Aware, God-Aware: Relational Wisdom That Changes Everything at Home (Ken Sande)

  Ken Sande joins us for PART 2 to share game-changing tools every dad needs: ✅ The SOG Plan: Self-aware, Other-aware, God-aware conflict resolution ✅ The SERVE Acrostic: How to love your wife like Christ loves the church ✅ Why bringing the gospel beats lecturing every time SUMMARY Every dad faces conflict at home, but most of us handle it all wrong. In this episode, Ken Sande shares powerful tools that will transform how you navigate family tension. You'll discover the SOG plan for conflict resolution, learn the SERVE acrostic for loving your wife well, and hear an incredible story about how bringing the gospel to his 12-year-old daughter melted her rebellious heart in seconds. These aren't just concepts—they're practical tools you can use tonight. TAKEAWAYS The SOG plan (Self-aware, Other-aware, God-aware) breaks the cycle of self-justification and blame in family conflicts. Asking "What would please and honor God right now?" can instantly transform heated arguments into opportunities for growth. The SERVE acrostic gives dads a clear roadmap for loving their wives: Smile, Explore, Reconcile, Value, Encourage. Bringing the gospel to your kids is more powerful than any lecture—it softens hearts and creates lasting change. When daddy comes home, the whole household should light up because you've learned to put wind under everyone's wings. GUEST Ken Sande is the founder of Peacemaker Ministries and Relational Wisdom 360. As a lawyer turned peacemaker, he has helped resolve over 600 family conflicts, including 300+ marriages headed for divorce. Ken is the author of multiple books on conflict resolution and relational wisdom. He and his wife Corlette have been married for nearly 40 years and are more in love today than ever before. LINKS Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome Learn about the DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 Peacemaker Ministries Relational Wisdom 360 Ken Sande's Blog on Humility, Teachability, and Flexibility Seven Steps to Empathy Resource Young Peacemaker Curriculum (The 5 A's for Kids)

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• DA387 | The Ripple Effect of Fatherhood, Saying "I'm Sorry," and Going Upstream in Conflict (Ken Sande PART 1)

  ✅ The Seven A's of confession (and why "I'm sorry" isn't enough for deep healing) ✅ How to break the cycle of emotionally stunted men in your family line ✅ The 6-second technique that can save your marriage and your relationships with your kids ✅ Why going "upstream" is better than constantly putting out fires FULL SHOW NOTES >  SUMMARY: What if the reason marriages grow cold after the honeymoon year isn't about compatibility, but about something dads never learned to model? In this episode, Ken Sande reveals how emotionally stunted men are created when fathers never show their kids how to say "I'm sorry" or "I need help." You'll discover the Seven A's of confession that can break generational patterns and the upstream approach to preventing conflict before it starts. Plus, Ken shares practical tools for managing your emotions in the heat of the moment—including the six-second technique that can save your tongue from doing damage. Key Takeaways: More people are watching your responses to conflict than you realize—about 10 times more—and you're teaching through your reactions. The Seven A's of confession provide a framework for meaningful apologies that actually heal relationships rather than just checking a box. Emotional stunting passes from generation to generation when fathers never model humility, confession, or asking for help. The READ technique (Recognize, Evaluate, Anticipate, Direct) helps you manage amygdala hijacking and respond thoughtfully instead of reactively. Going "upstream" to prevent conflict through relational wisdom is more effective than constantly putting out the fires of broken relationships. Your royal identity as a child of God, friend of Jesus, and ambassador of reconciliation should shape how you lead your family 24/7. Guest: Ken Sande founded Peacemaker Ministries and Relational Wisdom 360, organizations focused on conflict resolution and relationship skills. After 30 years of mediating conflicts—including over 600 divorce cases with more than half reconciling—Ken shifted focus to go "upstream" and help people prevent conflict through biblical emotional intelligence. He's the author of multiple books on peacemaking and relational wisdom, and lives in Billings, Montana, where he enjoys hiking and backpacking with his family and grandchildren. Links Mentioned: Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome Apply to join the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 Young Peacemaker Curriculum (The 5 A's for Kids) Discovering Relational Wisdom Online Course Relational Peacemaking Course Relational Wisdom 360 (RW360.org) Peacemaker Ministries resources Six Skills That Help Every Relationship Three Qualities Blog  

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• DA386 | High-Def Parenting: Breaking Free from Digital Distractions (Darren Whitehead)

  div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&>div>div>:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&>div>div>:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0"> ✅ Why smartphones make us feel god-like (and why that's dangerous) ✅ The 4 research-backed rules for kids and technology ✅ How a church-wide digital fast transformed an entire community ✅ What a therapy dog named Bruce taught him about presence SUMMARY: Parenting teenagers in a digital world feels impossible—especially when you're struggling with your own phone addiction. In this episode, Darren Whitehead (dad of 4 teenage girls) shares how he led his entire church through a 40-day digital fast and discovered the secret to high-definition parenting. You'll hear why smartphones make us feel god-like, how to have the phone conversation with your kids, and what a Havanese dog named Bruce taught him about presence. FULL SHOW NOTES: Key Takeaways: Smartphones simulate God's attributes (omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence) and we weren't built for limitless power Collective action is more effective than individual willpower—do digital fasts as a community, not alone No smartphones before high school, no social media before 16, phone-free schools, and more unsupervised outdoor play When you put your phone down, you experience parenting in "high definition"—fully present and aware of these fleeting moments The most precious moments with your kids are being exchanged for infinitely trivial distractions Guest Darren Whitehead is the author of The Digital Fast and senior pastor of Journey Church in Franklin, Tennessee. He's a former youth pastor turned girl dad of four teenage daughters (ages 11, 14, 16, and 18). Darren has led thousands of people through digital detoxes and speaks regularly about technology, parenting, and spiritual formation. He and his wife live in Tennessee with their daughters and Bruce, their Havanese therapy dog.   Links Mentioned: Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome Apply to join the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort: Email [email protected] Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 The Digital Fast by Darren Whitehead Journey Church Franklin, Tennessee The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Sissy Goff (teenage girl counselor)      

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• DA385 | Raising Kids Who Live Generously, Creating Miracle Moments, and the 1% Challenge (Todd Harper)

  ✅ Why most dads get generosity completely wrong (and how to flip the script) ✅ Fun tactics to teach young kids the joy of giving (the $20 tip story will blow your mind!) ✅ The simple 4-pillar framework that works at any income level ✅ How money lies to our families about security, control, and happiness SUMMARY Money whispers lies to our kids every single day—promising security, control, and happiness it can never deliver. In this powerful episode, Todd Harper shares how his son went from declaring "I'm going to be filthy rich and never give a dollar away" at 15 to sacrificially giving a third of his salary before his death at 26. You'll discover why most dads approach generosity as an "ought to" instead of a "get to," practical ways to make giving fun for young kids, and Todd's simple four-pillar framework that works regardless of your income level. Takeaways The switch from "ought to" to "get to" changes everything about generosity—and kids can smell obligation from a mile away Once someone tastes the joy of giving, they never go back; Todd has never met a "former generous person" Simple tactics like leaving a $20 tip on a $3 check and watching through the window create unforgettable generosity moments for kids The four pillars of stewardship: Work diligently, give generously, save responsibly, live contentedly Money lies to us about security, control, happiness, and affirmation—contentment isn't tied to financial realities Taking kids to serve special needs children or experiencing international poverty shatters entitlement and builds gratitude The 1% challenge: increase your giving by 1% each year and watch God's faithfulness compound over decades Guest: Todd Harper is a passionate advocate for biblical generosity and the heart behind Generous Giving, where he's spent 25 years helping families discover the joy of open-handed living. Married to his college sweetheart for 37 years, Todd is a father of eight kids (five biological, three through marriage) and is about to become a grandfather. After losing his eldest son Davis seven and a half years ago, Todd has gained a deeper perspective on eternal values and the importance of living with heaven in view. Through Generous Giving, he's worked with families across the wealth spectrum, helping them experience the life-changing shift from obligation-based giving to joy-filled generosity. Links: Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 Generous Giving: www.generousgiving.org Journey of Generosity experiences National Christian Foundation Nathaniel's Hope (Make Them Smile events) Quotes: "We can't BS our kids. They read through all of it. If we're generous out of obligation, it's not going to translate differently for them." "I've never met a former generous person." "The world of the generous gets larger and larger. The world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller." "Everybody wants to experience a miracle, but nobody wants to be in a position to need one." "Money, money, money—all I really want is my dad to know my friends' names."   Davis Harper’s gift to his dad on his 50th birthday: 1) I love how you love mom. Your marriage is such a great example to me.  2) I love how you brag on your kids. You're always telling someone about the cool things your kids are doing.  3) I love that you love watching basketball with me and asking questions. You want to know my world.  4) I love that you took us on trips growing up, im learning the value of all those experiences as I grow up.  5) I love how international you are about family time. You are the most happy whenever you are with your family.  6) I love that you are active. It's bad to the bone that you still cycle and golf and water ski, you're a total cool dad!  7) I love your saying "pay for experiences, not stuff"  8) I love hearing how good a friend you are to people. People are always telling me how incredible of a friend you are to them.  9) I love that you're a reader. You're always telling me about something you're reading or something I should check out.  10) I love that you unconditionally love me. Your example of how to love your wife and kids is incredible. 

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• DA384 | Turning Down the Noise, Turning Up the Presence: A Dad's Guide to Analog Living (Jay Kim)

  ✅ The 5-movement Examen prayer that's transforming bedtimes (free PDF included!) ✅ Why this dad says NO social media until 18 (and the research backing him up) ✅ Simple breath prayers that turn everyday moments into encounters with God ✅ The daily catechism question that reminds his kids of their true identity FULL SHOW NOTES:  In a world where screens compete for our attention every waking moment, how do we raise kids who know they belong to God instead of their devices? Jay Kim, a pastor living in Silicon Valley, shares his family's journey of moving at the "pace of peace" while navigating digital distractions. From practicing the ancient prayer of Examen with his 10 and 7-year-old to implementing radical boundaries around smartphones, Jay offers practical wisdom for dads who want to show up—really show up—for their children in an analog way.  TAKEAWAYS   Moving at the "pace of peace" means prioritizing relationships over plans and never compromising people for productivity The Examen prayer creates a powerful bedtime rhythm: presence, gratitude, reflection, confession, and hope for tomorrow Breath prayers can transform everyday moments—try "God, you control outcomes" (inhale) and "help me to be faithful" (exhale) Digital addiction requires intentional intervention: practice one hour tech-free daily, one day weekly, one week yearly Your kids need to see you detached from devices—dock phones away from family spaces to model analog presence Catechism in daily rhythms reinforces identity: "What is our only hope in life and death? We are not our own, we belong to God" Social media should have age restrictions like alcohol and tobacco—consider no social media until 18 The fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) is the antidote to digital-age discontentment, fragility, and foolishness GUEST  Jay Kim is a pastor in Northern California's Silicon Valley, author of multiple books including Analog Christian and Analog Church, and host of the Digital Examen podcast. He and his wife Jenny have two children and are committed to practicing intentional, incarnational family rhythms in one of the world's most digitally connected regions. Jay's work focuses on helping followers of Jesus navigate technology with wisdom while cultivating deeper spiritual practices. Links Send a Voice Message to DadAwesome Apply to join the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort: Email [email protected] Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618 Analog Christian by Jay Kim Analog Church by Jay Kim Digital Examen Podcast The Tech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt Examen Prayer Family Guide (Free PDF) Heidelberg Catechism for Children Listen. Listen. Speak. by Jay Kim  

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