Good Dads Podcast

• The Difference a Dad Makes Ep. 6 - Teaching Financial Responsibility

  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 and Tobi, a Chief Marketing Officer, guide listeners through their family’s journey with budgeting apps, CDs and planning for emergencies as well as future college costs. The episode delivers a clear message: financial literacy isn’t about wealth—it’s about wisdom, consistency and communication. Episode Highlights [03:03] “I think it starts a little before that with not being afraid of having financial conversations with them.” [06:39] “They had three envelopes. They had a fun envelope, a church envelope and a savings envelope.” [08:19] “They ended up paying for their entire flight to and from Florida for a vacation that they wanted to take.” [10:31] “We told every single person in that line… the kids bought their own tickets and they did chores and saved up their money.” [30:58] “We go through that as a family every single month… here's how that's going to impact the future.” Resources📩 Sign up for the Good Dads Newsletter and never miss a podcast! 🌐 Learn more at gooddads.com 📧 Questions or comments? Reach out to Good Dads at [email protected]

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• The Intentional Dad Ep. 6 - The Role of Discipline in Parenting

  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 understanding each child’s temperament. Discipline, they argue, should be less about punishment and more about guiding kids to make good choices, fostering agency and creating structure where children feel both safe and free. They also discuss the need for parents to discipline themselves and the power of open communication, accountability and humility in family dynamics. Episode Highlights [07:59] "You are responsible for your own actions… think about what you're doing and what's going to be the result." [09:20] "Giving the kids agency… they are going to live their lives. We as parents cannot live our kids' lives." [12:50] "You're just deciding in these circumstances you're going to check your brain… parenting has to be tailored to the kid." [14:25] "They expect their parents to be fair." [15:44] "Things are caught not taught… they're going to do what you do not what you say." [21:29] "They’re responsible for what they think and what they do and what they do reflects what they think." Resources📩 Sign up for the Good Dads Newsletter and never miss a podcast! 🌐 Learn more at gooddads.com 📧 Questions or comments? Reach out to Good Dads at [email protected]

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• Hot Topics Ep. 6 - Being a Father Figure

  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 their kids. Zach also shares how his approach to parenting—screen-free weekdays, consistent structure and honest conversations—helps build strong, emotionally resilient sons. Through his coaching and suicide prevention work, he inspires others to love deeply, lead intentionally and step in as father figures where needed. Episode Highlights [02:56] – “Being their dad has opened me up because I don’t want any of the dirtiness inside of me to get on them.” [05:57] – “I wanted to keep Adam’s name alive… to create safe spaces for students, adults, businesses.” [10:39] – “Sometimes people don’t understand—like, I can’t meet you where you’re at if I don’t know where you’re at.” [17:58] – “God, if they make a mistake today, let it be their mistake and not because they followed someone.” [25:23] – “I don’t want my kids to ever think their Blackness is a handicap. I’m like, no—it’s a superpower.” [30:54] – “It is literally set up for us to be mediocre parents... but being a great father, you gotta be intentional.” Resources📩 Sign up for the Good Dads Newsletter and never miss a podcast! 🌐 Learn more at gooddads.com 📧 Questions or comments? Reach out to Good Dads at [email protected]

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• Good Dads Great Communities Ep. 6 - How Good Dads Fits Your Community

  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 home-cooked meals to building trust through personal connections these leaders showcase how local relationships, accountability and perseverance can spark cultural change. Whether it’s organizing parenting classes or rallying church support, the episode offers a heartfelt look at how Good Dads flourishes in tight-knit communities with big hearts and bigger dreams. Episode Highlights [00:28] “They’re key figures in their great community. Ava, Missouri won our first place contest … and Texas County won $2,500.” [04:43] “I just noticed that it was always moms that came … and I thought, where are the dads?” [05:20] “We haven’t even in our larger communities including Kansas City had that many people show up the first night.” [11:24] “ There was a time when I just wanted to be a good dad … and then the joy that comes from it is nothing compared.” [18:00] “A lot of times people just overlook those challenges … and yet you do. I mean, 29 men showing up—that’s something.” [18:48] “By the time church was over, all 16 [weekend meal slots] were full. That got the community behind us.” [27:42] “Even if each home doesn’t have a good dad, if you have more good dads they’ll mentor those kids.” [29:27] “Every community has people that want to love on others—they're just scared to do it. Resources📩 Sign up for the Good Dads Newsletter and never miss a podcast! 🌐 Learn more about Good Dads Great Communities! 📧 Questions or comments? Reach out to Good Dads at [email protected].

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• Hot Topics Ep. 5 - Burnout to Balance: Prioritizing Self-Care as a Dad

  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 provides practical strategies for achieving balance amid the chaos of parenting.   Key points include how situational stress affects both mind and body, why parents must protect their presence as much as their provision and how saying “no” is an essential part of family wellness. The conversation underscores that while balance may never be perfect, intentionality, vulnerability and supportive friendships can help dads shift from reactive to reflective parenting. Episode Highlights [03:08] – “We’re never going to get this thing right… but we’re trying to do the best we can.” [07:12] – “Tell me what happened between then and now… and inevitably there’s going to be some change in a situation.” [10:54] – “You have to take care of yourself first before you can be there for everyone else.” [18:28] – “Our kids aren’t going to remember the toys we got… they’re going to remember this time.” [20:13] – “Each Friday I put on an auto-reply… I don’t check my email on the weekend.” [27:36] – “You only say yes if it’s a ‘hell yes.’” [31:59] – “If I can think about mindfulness every morning when I wake up, it’ll be an okay day.” [33:18] – “It just takes more effort to cultivate friendships… but it’s so important.” Resources📩 Sign up for the Good Dads Newsletter and never miss a podcast! 🌐 Learn more at gooddads.com 📧 Questions or comments? Reach out to Good Dads at [email protected]

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