23. Divorced Dad and Stepdad, Modeling Healthy Masculinity with Josh Cearbaugh

Divorce can tear families apart, or it can be the start of something new. For Josh Cearbaugh, father of five in a blended family, it was both. In this episode, I sit down with Josh Cearbaugh, a father of five in a blended family with kids ages 7 through 16. Josh has walked through addiction, divorce, and the painful work of rebuilding trust. What I love about his story is how real it is. He doesn't sugarcoat the devastation kids feel when a marriage ends, or how long it takes to earn trust as a stepdad. He shares why patience, humility, and emotional honesty matter more than "my house, my rules." We talk about the messy realities of co-parenting, the small battles like different household rules that can unravel families, and how he and his ex protected their kids by refusing to put them in the middle. Josh also opens up about modeling healthy masculinity, teaching his boys that vulnerability is strength, and showing his daughters they never have to settle for less than they deserve. 👇 In this episode, we explore: How divorce impacts kids and what helps them feel safe Why blended families require patience and flexibility The long road to trust as a stepdad Healthy masculinity and what it looks like at home How dads can model emotional intelligence for both sons and daughters About Josh Cearbaugh Josh Cearbaugh is a life coach and advocate for men's personal development based in San Marcos, TX. He's the founder of Cearbaugh Consulting, helping men break internal barriers to reach their full potential. Josh also hosts the Multifaceted Masculinity Podcast, where he dives into topics like healthy masculinity, emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and personal growth. He's a husband and father of five (2 boys & 3 girls — ages 7, 10, 10, 13, and 16). His family life fuels his work in helping men show up more fully for themselves and their families.  🌐 Website: joshcearbaugh.com 🎙 Podcast: Multifaceted Masculinity 📸 Instagram: @joshcearbaugh Being dadicated isn't about having all the answers. It's about showing up. It's about committing to the kind of dad—and man—you want to be, even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard. Joe Carr is a dad to Della, husband to Serenity, co-founder of Serenity Kids baby food, and the voice behind Dadicated Joe. Follow Joe Carr on social media  Instagram: @dadicatedjoe  TikTok: @dadicatedjoe  YouTube @dadicatedjoe