• How to pass the 4 pillars of manhood to your kids
• Why celebrating vulnerability matters more than perfect discipline
• How to normalize hard conversations about sex, money, and struggle
• The long view: Becoming a tender-hearted grandpa starts now

FULL SHOW NOTES

LEARN about joining the Fall 2025 DadAwesome Accelerator Cohorts

Some days you feel like a C-grade dad, and that's when presence matters most. In this episode, Josh Krehbiel shares how he's learning to create emotional safety for his kids, celebrate vulnerability over performance, and pursue the long view of becoming a tender-hearted grandfather. You'll hear about the four pillars of manhood, why crock-pot freedom beats microwave solutions, and how to get to the rocking chair with love on your heart.

• Marking moments matter: Creating manhood ceremonies and intentional milestones leaves lasting impressions on your kids, even if the follow-up isn't perfect.
• Celebrate vulnerability first: When your kids fail or confess something hard, make it about their openness before addressing consequences—this builds emotional safety.
• Reject passivity, accept responsibility, lead courageously, and be fueled by the future: These four pillars of manhood provide a framework for raising boys and girls with character.
• Pursue purity as a top priority: The war for purity as a father protects your ability to show physical affection and have compassion without contamination.
• Freedom is crock-pot, not microwave: Breakthrough comes through long-suffering love and staying present, not by trying to manhandle change.

Josh Krehbiel is the lead founding pastor of Every Day Church in Roseville, Minnesota—a community focused on prayer, discipleship, and sending out leaders and movements. Along with his wife Katie, Josh is passionate about raising up the next generation through worship, ministry, and authentic family connection. They have four children: three teenagers and a five-year-old. Josh is also a songwriter and worship leader who believes in the power of declaring truth over families through music and prayer.

• Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort

• Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618

• Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book

• Raising Modern-Day Knights by Robert Lewis

• Everyday Church, Roseville, Minnesota

1. "When failure happens we celebrate the vulnerability first because the most important thing is connection and felt safety."
2. "I want to get to the rocking chair with love on my heart and grandkids who say grandpa is kind."
3. "Freedom doesn't happen through manhandling it happens through long suffering love and staying present in the crock pot not microwave."
4. "Your kids don't feel safe because you think they're safe they feel safe when you celebrate their vulnerability over their performance."
5. "The war for purity as a father protects your ability to show physical affection with compassion instead of contamination."

Seven and a half years ago, a simple question on a cousin's patio changed everything: "How do you stay intentional as a dad?" That moment sparked what became 400 podcast conversations, over 1,000 men mobilized in activation events, and a million dollars raised for ministries serving the fatherless. In this milestone episode, Jeff celebrates by looking back at God's faithfulness, sharing the first-ever preview of the upcoming Dad Awesome book, and highlighting transformational moments from 16 unforgettable conversations that shaped this movement.

• Milestone moments matter - Pausing to celebrate and shine the spotlight on what God has done builds faith for the journey ahead
• Small yeses create waves - Dad Awesome wasn't built on one grand gesture but hundreds of small commitments to growth over eight years
• Intentionality transforms everything - Just like discovering great coffee, small shifts in daily rhythms can revolutionize your entire approach to fatherhood
• Stories cascade through generations - When dads point to God's goodness consistently, children naturally learn to do the same with their own kids
• Community accelerates growth - The DA plus three model shows that fatherhood gets exponentially better when you're not doing it alone
• Generosity reveals faith - Taking steps forward in generosity, whether with time, words, or resources, grows our trust in God's faithfulness

• Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort

• Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618

• Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book

• Clips from 16 DadAwesome Episodes:

• 25 | Patei Iyegha

• 38 | Pursuing Shalom, Chasing Dreams & Being All-On-Dad (Paul Hurckman)

• 77 | Crafting Key Moments, Modeling KINDNESS & Praying with Desperation (Ryan Skoog)

• 98 | Awaken The Warrior Heart (Pablo Ceron)

• 137 | Spirit-Filled Parenting, Hearing God’s Voice, & Shaping our Kids as Arrows (Seth Dahl)

• 148 | Andy Crouch - The Tech-Wise Family

• 187 | Jon Tyson on Skillful Manhood, Capturing First Moments & The Intentional Father

• 214 | Context, Fainting Goats & Being Secretly Awesome (Bob Goff)

• 238 | A Place for the Heart (Ken Helser)

• 250 | Raising Kids Humbly, Loving Your Wife Fully, and Soaring Joyfully (Morgan Snyder)

• 286 | Parenting for the Third Generation, Building Family Assets, and Championing the Beauty of Fatherhood (Jeremy Pryor)

• 298 | Dialing In, Leading with Love, and Being the Loudest Voice in Your Child’s Ears (Dr. Jackson Drumgoole)

• 314 | Tackling Fear in a War Zone, Modeling Courage, and Embracing Your True Identity (Jamie Winship)

• 364 | Bedtime Blessings, Birthday Letters, and 5 Simple but Life-Changing Habits (Justin Whitmel Earley)

• 375 | Experiential Christianity, Lingering with Jesus, and The War for Your Attention (John Eldredge)

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

💔 "If I could pick a nice dad or you, I'd still pick you."

That's what Dr. Jake Smith's 4-year-old daughter whispered to him at bedtime. Talk about a truth bomb from the mouth of a child!

Jake unpacks how that moment launched his discovery of our "spiritual anatomy"—the four systems that make us complete fathers:

✅ The Loving Companion (Heart)

✅ The Visionary Guide (Soul)

✅ The Strategic Overseer (Mind)

✅ The Driven Warrior (Strength)

Join the

What happens when your 4-year-old daughter whispers, "If I could line up all the dads in the world and pick a nice one or you, I'd still pick you"? In this episode, Dr. Jake Smith shares how that truth bomb from his daughter launched him on a journey to discover what he calls our "spiritual anatomy"—the four integrated systems (heart, soul, mind, strength) that Jesus perfectly demonstrated. You'll learn why most dads operate from just one dominant system, how to identify your type, and practical steps to become the whole-hearted, integrated father your kids desperately need.

• Most dads live dominantly from one of four systems (heart, soul, mind, strength) with a "sidekick" system, creating 12 possible father types
• Whatever you do to yourself emotionally, you'll do to your kids—if you dismiss your own feelings, you'll dismiss theirs
• Jesus demonstrated perfect integration of all four systems, responding appropriately to each situation rather than predictable patterns
• The goal isn't to stay in your comfort zone but to develop all four aspects of your spiritual anatomy for complete fatherhood
• Creating space to understand your own emotions is the upstream work that transforms how you respond to your children's big feelings

Dr. Jake Smith is the founder of Plumb Line, a ministry dedicated to helping men and women live with their whole hearts through healing, wholeness, and purpose. A former pastor of 21 years, Jake now focuses on helping people integrate what he calls their "spiritual anatomy"—the four systems of heart, soul, mind, and strength that Jesus perfectly demonstrated. He and his wife have three children: two sons (19 and 17) and a 14-year-old daughter. Jake is passionate about helping fathers move beyond survival mode to become integrated, whole-hearted leaders in their homes.

• Learn about the next DadAwesome Accelerator Cohort

• Subscribe to DadAwesome Messages: Text the word "Dad" to (651) 370-8618

• Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book

• Plumb Line Ministry (HEART)

• Plumb Line Ministry (SOUL)

• Dr. Jake Smith's upcoming book and assessment (releasing early 2026)

• Episode 311 | Managing Triggers, Providing a Secure Beginning, and The North Stars of Parenting (Dr. Dan Allender)

✅ Why your emotional health is the greatest gift to your kids

✅ How to parent non-reactively when hormones and emotions run high

✅ The "backpack" you're handing your children (and how to lighten it)

✅ Simple calendar strategies that reveal what you truly value

Parenting doesn't have to be about survival mode. In this episode, Glenn Packiam shares how intentional rhythms and a focus on resilience can transform your family life. From learning to be non-reactive when hormones hit to using your calendar as a tool for what you truly value, Glenn offers practical wisdom for dads navigating everything from toddlers to young adults getting married. Plus, discover why the healthiest gift you can give your kids might be your own emotional well-being.

• You're going to hand your kids a "backpack" whether you like it or not—the goal is to make it as light as possible by dealing with your own emotional health first.
• Non-reactive parenting starts with slowing your breath and asking "what else is going on here?" instead of jumping to conclusions.
• Resilience isn't about avoiding hard emotions—it's about how quickly you recover and what you learn from difficult seasons.
• Your calendar reveals your true values; intentional rhythms like family dinners and Sabbath don't happen by accident.
• One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is your own repentance when you mess up.

Glenn Packiam is the author of The Intentional Year and several other books focused on spiritual formation and resilience. He's a pastor, speaker, and father of four children ranging from teenagers to young adults. Glenn lives in Southern California with his wife Holly, and his oldest daughter recently got engaged. He's passionate about helping parents move from survival mode to intentional, rhythmic family life that builds resilience in both parents and children.

• 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

• Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book

• The Intentional Year by Glenn & Holly Packiam

• Resilient Pastor resources

• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero

✅ Why "lighting up" when your kids walk in the room changes everything

✅ The Christmas tree coaster story that shows how much your kids are watching

✅ How to outsource influence without losing your role as dad

✅ The simple routines that build lasting family connection

Leave DadAwesome A VOICEMAIL.

SUMMARY

What if the secret to great fatherhood isn't about being in control, but about maximizing your influence? In this From the Vault episode, Dr. Peter Larson shares the game-changing perspective that shifted his entire approach to parenting. From lighting up every time your kid walks in the room to understanding their unique motivational wiring, you'll discover practical ways to build relationships that last. Plus, hear about the dad who visited his son in the hospital 28 days straight and how that legacy of showing up continues today.

• Influence beats control every time. You can't control your kids, but you can maximize your influence through intentional relationship-building.
• Light up when they walk in the room. Treat your children like rock stars entering the room—this simple shift builds their security and connection with you.
• Your kids are always watching. From Christmas tree coasters to how you handle flight delays, you're modeling solutions, character, and faith even when you don't realize it.
• Outsource positive influence wisely. Youth groups, mentors, and camps aren't competition—they're allies in raising kids who love Jesus.
• Don't ride their emotional roller coaster. Be the stable sidewalk they can return to, not another passenger on their ups and downs.
• Mine gold from parents ahead of you. The best parenting advice often comes from observing and asking questions of families you respect.

Dr. Peter Larson is a licensed clinical psychologist and assessment expert who has spent over 20 years developing tools that help people understand their unique design and motivation. He's the creator behind Prepare-Enrich, a premarital assessment used by pastors worldwide, and currently works with GLUE developing assessments for churches and the True Motivate tool for colleges. Peter and his wife Heather have three adult children and live near Minneapolis. He's passionate about helping parents move from control to influence in their relationships with their kids.

• 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
• Download a free chapter of the DadAwesome book
• Prepare-Enrich Assessment Tool
• True Motivate Assessment
• GLUE - Assessment and church resources