Building Legacy Through Intentional Fatherhood with Brandon Harrison

Brandon Harrison, CEO and father of three, shares his journey of intentional parenting after losing his father at 63. From managing three kids four years apart to taking solo cruises for self-care, Brandon offers honest insights on emotional regulation, mentorship, and building a lasting legacy as a father.EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:[00:02:06] - Managing Three Different PersonalitiesDiscussion on parenting three children who are four years apart with completely different needsKey quote: "My big word for myself is intentionality. I'm really focused on acknowledging their differences and really focusing on that."[00:04:28] - Individual Time with Each ChildBrandon explains his approach to one-on-one time, including zoo dates with his daughter and community walks with his middle sonKey quote: "I don't just say, okay, everybody, let's go to the zoo, because our oldest son doesn't like that anymore."[00:09:37] - Self-Care and Solo RetreatsHow Brandon and his wife prioritize individual time off, including solo cruises and personal activitiesKey quote: "I'm going on two solo cruises this year. My wife and I just started that a few years ago and we realized that we both have a lot going on."[00:17:39] - Impact of Losing His FatherBrandon shares how his father's sudden death at 63 transformed his approach to fatherhoodKey quote: "That really changed my thinking of fatherhood, of like, okay, I need to make sure that I'm learning from older fathers, but I'm so intentional with my kids because I never know how long I have."[00:22:03] - Breaking Generational PatternsDiscussion on helping other fathers overcome father wounds and develop emotional vulnerabilityKey quote: "You've got to force yourself to express to your spouse what you're actually feeling."[00:28:28] - Learning Emotional Regulation as a Young FatherBrandon's honest account of becoming a father at 22 and learning to manage emotions through parentingKey quote: "I'm still growing into being better at that. Honestly, I have not mastered that part of my emotions."[00:35:36] - Current Fatherhood ConcernsWhat keeps Brandon up at night: friend influences, college preparation, and preparing kids for an uncertain futureKey quote: "I only have two more years left with this oldest. And I'm like, I feel like I'm not as far along as I want to be with him."[00:39:15] - Legacy Over MoneyBrandon's reflection on what kind of legacy he wants to leave as a father beyond financial provisionKey quote: "I really want to leave a legacy for my children, not just money... really what you leave in them as people."KEY TAKEAWAYS:Intentionality is the key difference between good and great fatherhood - actively adapting to each child's unique needs and developmental stage.Self-care isn't selfish - both parents need individual time to recharge and maintain their identity outside of parenting.Vulnerability and honest conversations with other fathers create stronger support networks and better parenting outcomes.Losing a parent young can transform your approach to fatherhood, emphasizing presence over just provision.Legacy is about the values and character you instill in your children, not just the financial security you provide.On June 17th, I’m hosting a free, live workshop, Become a Better Leader By Becoming a Better Dad, for fathers who are tired of living a divided life. We’ll explore how “Default Dad” shows up when you’re tired, overloaded, or distracted, and how those same patterns affect your leadership at home and at work. Register here: https://www.ambitiousdads.com/better-dad-better-leaderSign Up for the Ambitious Dads Newsletter: https://www.ambitiousdads.comConnect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.comSubscribe on:Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ambitious-dads/id1815863328Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xCHG30Ms9wcGRJmDqHcW8?si=46654ba2a0654099 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmbitiousDads