Ep. 247: The Weight Dads Carry (and How to Finally Let It Go) With Jeff Zaugg

Have you ever felt like you're still trying to prove yourself as a dad?

In this episode, Kent and Lawson sit down with Jeff Zaugg of Dad Awesome to talk about the deeper issues that shape a man's fatherhood: identity, freedom, intentionality, wonder, leadership, and healing from the past.

Jeff shares how years of interviews, ministry, and real-life fatherhood led to the six core discoveries in his new book, Dad Awesome. Along the way, this conversation gets honest about the weight many dads still carry from their own upbringing, the lies that keep men stuck, and the freedom that comes from receiving God's love instead of trying to earn it.

This episode is biblical, practical, and full of hope for the dad who wants to lead his family well but knows he cannot do it alone. In this conversation, you'll hear:

• Why fatherhood is bigger than the chapter you're in right now
• How your identity shapes the way you show up at home
• Why healing does not happen in isolation
• The power of brotherhood and accountability in a dad's life
• How wonder and delight can transform your relationship with your kids
• What it looks like to lead from freedom instead of shame

If you've ever felt like God is holding a clipboard and waiting for you to measure up, this episode is for you.

Buy Jeff's latest book Dad Awesome: https://www.dadawesome.org/book

Learn more about Jeff's ministry: https://www.dadawesome.org/

Want to shape the direction of the show this year? Leave us a voicemail and tell us what you're facing as a dad: manhoodjourney.org/podcast Scroll down to "What's Your Story?" and leave us a message!

You're not a father on accident. Go be a father on purpose.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Learn more about our new partners here: https://maninthemirror.org/

Download the Iron Circle worksheet here: https://manhoodjourney.org/iron-circle/

We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zI2VppF0K-M

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

• Range Leather: Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15
• Grab some fresh beans! https://rangecoffee.com/

• Fatherhood Guard – Help us get to 100 members of the Fatherhood Guard! Connect with dads from over 20 states and at least 2 countries by joining today. Grab your welcome hat at https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/

• Buy Kent's latest book "Don't Bench Yourself" on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1qBF3RJ

• Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf
• Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools

• Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: [email protected]

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

About our hosts:

• Kent Evans is the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After a twenty-year career as a business leader, he embarked on biblical Fatherhood ministry projects. He's appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.

• Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.