Good Dads Podcast

• The Difference a Dad Makes Ep. 8 - Balancing Habits for School Success Pt. 1

  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 activity as enjoyable. He explains how modern PE focuses less on competition and more on fostering cooperation, confidence, and lifelong healthy habits—both in the gym and at home. Episode Highlights [03:27] “If I’m teaching them to get along with other people and then like moving… I did a good job.” [05:40] “If your body is doing what it’s supposed to be doing, it helps your mind… it all works together.” [08:10] “All of school is a routine… the quicker that you can get into the routine, the better.” [12:31] “Most kids don’t really like competitive games where there’s a winner… they just want to play with their friends.” [19:28] “We are routine people. I think we turned him into a routine person.” [30:22] “Your body is meant to move. Your body is not meant to sit.” 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. 8 - Engaged Fathers, Empowered Kids: A Success Story with Strong Schools

  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 creating moments that spark pride, improve behavior, and ripple far beyond the classroom. The episode emphasizes how low-cost, low-stress events can have a high impact when schools invite fathers to show up with presence and purpose. Whether you're a dad, grandfather, uncle, or caring male figure, Strong Schools offers a meaningful way to make a difference—one handshake, one breakfast, one memory at a time. Episode Highlights [03:42] “The hardest part was just standing in front of a room of people. But the Good Dads Strong Schools program makes it really easy.” [05:52] “The dads in the communities I’ve served are really waiting to be asked to be involved.” [09:07] “It gives me an outlet to connect with my daughter. We get to do something fun together—and I get to know her school and her friends.” [12:10] “One father told me his employer asked for the full list of Good Dads events so they could make sure he didn’t miss any.” [17:53] “It’s just being present in the present moment. That’s all that matters.” [28:00] “He wasn’t confident, his kids had behavior issues, and now? He was Good Dad of the Year.” 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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• The Difference a Dad Makes Ep. 7 - Preparing Children for Independence

  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 regulation. Jason shares stories of parenting kids ranging from preschool to post-high school, highlighting that developing independence is not about pushing kids out but preparing them thoughtfully for what’s next. Episode Highlights [01:22] “We have a chore chart… they get $5 if they’ve done their chores for the month… give, save, spend.” [06:00] “I watched my son… it took him five minutes to take out the trash, but I feel like he had a sense of accomplishment.” [08:12] “Be curious about behavior… you're trying to understand what they’re doing and guide them.” [12:23] “Over the course of your days, you did a part-time job on your phone.” [17:26] “What if you’re coming back at 24 now because you forced them out and they weren’t ready for that independence?” [20:18] “Just because you’re 18 doesn’t mean I quit caring… things change.” [28:11] “Think of yourself as a guide… you get a front row seat to watching that human become the best version of themselves.” 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. 7 - Strong Schools, Strong Communities: Getting Involved with Local Elementary Schools

  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 conversation shows how simple, low-cost activities like making paper airplanes or sharing donuts can create ripple effects in the community. The guests share heartfelt stories and strong reminders that showing up, being present, and engaging in even small activities can leave a lasting impact. Whether it’s dads building trust, showing vulnerability, or just sharing a laugh with their kids, this episode powerfully demonstrates the everyday strength of intentional fatherhood. Episode Highlights [05:25] “It’s superhero day. I mean like, hey, Dad’s here … It’s just such a powerful impact.” [06:15] “You have another ripple effect then with the moms … they’re boasting and bragging that their dad’s involved.” [10:18] “I just need permission, a place and the time guidelines. It’s purposely made to maximize positive interactions.” [13:54] “You just open that can—curriculum is very low tech. Just be present and so much fruit will come out of it.” [16:13] “Children who are growing up in a home without a dad don’t even have a male role model at school.” [18:37] “Here’s an easy way for a grandpa to have another structured opportunity to connect.” [27:07] “You could be the best advocate for adding that to your school—more so than we can.” 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. 7 - Politics & Parenting: What to Discuss with Kids

  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 concepts like government roles and civil disagreement early on and why it’s vital for parents to lead these conversations before others do. They also discuss how their careers shaped their parenting, the impact of blended families and the tension between public service and private life. Whether it’s navigating school communications or handling political threats, both fathers reinforce that being present, engaged and full of grace makes all the difference. Episode Highlights [04:55] – “I think it’s critically important for us as dads to be talking to our kids about those issues… if we’re not, somebody else is going to fill that void.” [06:35] – “I started having those conversations with my kids when they were three and four years old.” [08:51] – “You have to do it because they’re going to hear it first—and here’s why we believe what we believe.” [12:00] – “You're better off being able to sit back as a parent, as a dad, and wait for them to come to you for the advice as opposed to forcing it onto them.” [23:29] – “When you are home, be present at home… they know when you’re not really listening.” [42:48] – “The most important thing… is to be present—in any way, shape or form that you can.” 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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