Larry Hagner: The Night I Realized I Was Becoming My Father | DSH #1743

What happens when you grow up without a stable father… then become a dad yourself?In this episode, Larry (host of Dad Edge / The Good Dad Project) shares a raw, unforgettable story: losing his biological father twice, surviving a fear-based home, and then reconnecting decades later — just in time to break the cycle with his own kids.What you’ll learn from👨‍👦 How father wounds show up in marriage + parenting🧠 Why “good dads” are built through skills, not luck❤️ How to rebuild connection after years of distance🗣️ A conflict framework that stops fights before they explode🧩 The “Drift” that kills intimacy (and how to reverse it)🛡️ Why kids need safety more than perfection🤝 How to fix “rusty friendships” and the male loneliness problem🔁 How to end generational cycles without becoming cold or distant10 Chapters (Timestamps)0:00 – “What if I actually learned how to be a good husband + dad?”0:30 – Larry’s childhood: divorce, no dad, and the “Are you gonna be my dad?” moment3:00 – Chaos at home: addiction, abuse, cops, and fear-based parenting4:30 – Finding his biological father at 12… and losing him again7:20 – Reuniting at 30 in a Starbucks: the email that changed everything10:00 – The truth: why his dad left (and the apology they both needed)13:00 – Why closure matters + how pain shapes parenting16:30 – The night Larry snapped… and the “don’t hurt me” moment19:30 – The Good Dad Project starts: surrendering ego + choosing to learn28:20 – The real crisis: lonely men, rusty friendships, and saving marriages36:30 – The Drift: partnership loops, intimacy drops, and how to fix it46:50 – Conflict resolution skill that changed everything (Observation → Thoughts → Feelings → Wants)🎙️ APPLY OR CONNECT👉 Apply to be on the podcast: https://www.digitalsocialhour.com/application📩 Business inquiries / sponsors: [email protected]👤 GUEST:Larry Hagner - https://www.instagram.com/thedadedge/💼 SPONSORSQUINCE: https://quince.com/dsh🥗 Fuel your health with Viome: https://buy.viome.com/SEANUse code “Sean” at checkout for a discount!🎧 LISTEN ON🍏 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/digital-social-hour/id1676846015🎵 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5Jn7LXarRlI8Hc0GtTn759📸 Sean Kelly Instagram: @seanmikekelly⚠️ DISCLAIMERThe views and opinions expressed by guests on Digital Social Hour are solely those of the individuals appearing on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, Sean Kelly, or the Digital Social Hour team.While we encourage open and honest discussions, Sean Kelly is not legally responsible for any statements, claims, or opinions made by guests during the show.Listeners are encouraged to form their own opinions and seek professional advice where appropriate. The content shared is for entertainment and informational purposes only — it should not be taken as legal, medical, financial, or professional advice.We strive to present accurate and reliable information; however, we make no guarantees regarding its completeness or accuracy. The views expressed are solely those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent those of the producers or affiliates of this program.🔥 Stay tuned for more episodes featuring top creators, founders, and innovators shaping the digital world!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. Visit Our Website at https://digital-social-hour.simplecast.com/ Presented by https://podgo.io/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.