Fatherhood Field Notes
by Ned Schaut
Fatherhood Field Notes is where we hear real stories from real men living real lives every week. Fatherhood is not only about being a dad, it incorporates providing and serving a home, loving and serving a spouse, engaging and serving in a community, as well as intentionally serving your children. Fatherhood is an adventure, one full of fun, wild, and messy stories. In this podcast, we will hear stories from real men who have found themselves living the Adventure of Fatherhood. The Craft of Fatherhood episodes are 5-10 minute episodes where your guide Ned Schaut shares stories on his own fatherhood journey.
Episodes
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S2E2: RELAUNCH! Scaling for 7 Generations | WHO To Be For Your Family, Processing Death in the Family, and AI Parenting w/Dan Tocchini
BIG NEWS! Fatherhood Field Notes is relaunching as Scaling for 7 Generations (S7G)! In this re-release of this epic Episode 370 we meet Dan Tocchini, who has dedicated himself to empowering men and enhancing marriages. Ned shares the importance of understanding who we are becoming for our…
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S2E1: RELAUNCH! Scaling for 7 Generations | Michael Davis: Leading With Love, Raising Men, and Multi-Generational Living
BIG NEWS! Fatherhood Field Notes is relaunching as Scaling for 7 Generations (S7G)! In this re-release of this epic Episode 338 with Michael Davis, Ned is announcing that FFN is relaunching with a new focus on building and scaling a family financial legacy with seven generations of thinking.…
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E591: Raising Kids Who Grow Into the Friends You'd Want w/Matt Hanson
Matt Hanson is the founder of Aion Path and president of the National Rite of Passage Council, a coalition of Christian leaders working to make intentional rites of passage a normal part of raising children in the church. Aion Path is a three-year journey designed for fathers and their...
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E590: What I'd Tell My 40-Year-Old Self w/Keith Diederich
Got a teenage son coming of age? Check out Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings - the program where Ned coaches dads and teen sons. Go to: riseupkings.com/ffn --------- Keith Dietrich is a husband, father, grandfather, and nonprofit leader whose career has included 20 years with Father...
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E589: How Good Dads Can Lose Their Way w/Lee Corey
Got a teenage son coming of age? Check out Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings - the program where Ned coaches dads and teen sons. Go to: riseupkings.com/ffn --------- Lee Corey is a former US Air Force pilot, entrepreneur, husband, father of three, and founder of Naptured, an app…
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E588: Porch Conversations - God Responds | Craft of Fatherhood
In this Friday Craft of Fatherhood episode, Ned talks about how a simple, intentional pause during a busy day can foster meaningful conversations and deepen your relationship with your kids. This episode emphasizes the importance of presence, authenticity, and listening in parenting. Key Topics…
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E587: Become a Student of Your Kids to Raise Them in Love w/Zac Ernst
Got a teenage son coming of age? Check out Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up Kings - the program where Ned coaches dads and teen sons. Go to: riseupkings.com/ffn --------- What if becoming a better father has less to do with learning more parenting techniques and more to do with becoming a…
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E586: Drop Me a Pin, No Questions Asked w/Bam Marshall
Bam Marshall is the host of The Wild Chaos Podcast, an entrepreneur, husband, father, a US Marines veteran and leader of the BAM Nation men’s community. He is intense, funny, blunt, protective, and deeply tender toward his wife and daughters. In this conversation, Bam brings a no-BS message to...
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E585: Land, Legacy & Leading Your Children Well w/William Brinker
William Brinker is an entrepreneur, husband, father of three, and business leader connected to The Landfill Group and Enerdyne Power Systems, companies working in the landfill gas-to-energy space. In this conversation, William shares how his family history, entrepreneurial upbringing, faith...
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E584: Proximity & Praise | Craft of Fatherhood
In this short Friday episode of The Craft of Fatherhood, Ned reflects on finishing his son Brody’s junior year of homeschool and what the experience taught him about a father’s role in noticing, guiding, correcting, and affirming his son. The episode is not primarily about homeschooling; it is...
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E583: Don’t Let the Hard Days Win w/Mike Foster
For nearly a decade, Mike Foster has been helping people become stronger physically, mentally, and spiritually. As the owner of CrossFit 1776 in Loomis, California, and founder of the Resolute Life Foundation, Mike’s mission is bigger than fitness—it’s about freedom. But before CrossFit became…
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E582: Opening Your Heart to Your Family w/Dr. Kelly Flanagan
Few books change how you see yourself. Even fewer change how you see every relationship in your life. In this conversation, psychologist, speaker, and bestselling author Dr. Kelly Flanagan returns to Fatherhood Field Notes to unpack the central ideas from his newest book, The Road Less…
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E581: Take Your Daughter on Dates and This Will Happen. w/Joevon Barnes
Joevon Barnes is a plumber, coach, speaker, radio host, and father of two daughters. But more than anything, he’s a man who chose to break cycles, stay present, and become the father his daughters needed. In this deeply practical and inspiring conversation, Joevon joins Ned Schaut to discuss...
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E580: Your Freedom from Porn Starts with Identity in Christ w/Thomas Bills
This episode focuses on HOPE for an epidemic affecting men (and women) in and outside the church: pornography addiction. (Ready to get free? Men: go to liberatedkings.com to get started on your journey with Jesus.) Before founding Liberated Kings, Thomas Bills spent years trapped in the same...
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Ep. 579: The Path to Sonjoy w/Michael Leonardini
Before becoming a creator, author, and founder of Sonjoy, Michael Leonardini spent decades wrestling with the same questions many fathers quietly carry: Why do I do the things I do? Why do I react the way I react? How do I become the man, husband, father, and son God created me to be? In this...
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Ep. 578: Be the Oak Tree, Not the Thundercloud w/Eric Collins
Eric Collins is a California entrepreneur, tax strategist, and business owner who has built and sold companies while navigating major physical adversity, including breaking his neck in five places and surviving multiple spinal fusions. In this episode, he and Ned go deep into discipline…
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Ep. 577: Are you transactional in the home like at work?
In this Friday Craft of Fatherhood episode, Ned processes through the realization that he's been transactional at home with his family like he is at work. What does it take to be present instead? Best takeaway: Check yourself and see if you're showing up responsive to your family, rather than...
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Ep. 576: What Ever You Avoid Eventually Owns You w/Jason Vallotton of BraveCo
Jason Vallotton is a pastor on staff at Bethel Church in Redding, California as well as a founder of BraveCo, a ministry dedicated to the healing and development of men as a means to healing and developing the world. Jason joins Ned Schaut for a deeply honest conversation about masculinity,...
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Ep. 575: Who has the power to give identity? | Craft of Fatherhood
This Friday Craft of Fatherhood short is finds Ned thinking through the epic role that Zechariah played in the identify and name of John the Baptist. Do we have the same responsibility as modern dads? What about getting our kids to do things with us... like go to the gym? Do we ask them to, or do...
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Ep. 574: How to Build a Legacy in a Huge Blended Family w/Mark Stiles
Mark Stiles joins Ned Schaut for a grounded, honest conversation about raising a large blended family, building intentional family culture, and redefining what strong fatherhood really looks like. Mark and his wife are raising eight children ranging from ages 3 to 19—including biological, step,...
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Ep. 573 | How to Impart Identity to Your Children
This Friday Craft of Fatherhood short is a solid quick listen if you want something deeper than generic parenting hacks. Ned tackles a question almost every dad thinks about but rarely says out loud: How much influence do I really have over who my kids become? The episode is really about this…
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Ep. 572: Playing it Safe is the Riskiest Way to Live w/Nate Burkhalter
"Failure is measured in ounces, regret is measured in tons." Nate Burkhalter—seven-time competitor on American Ninja Warrior—joins Ned Schaut for a raw, grounded conversation about identity, risk, and what it actually means to lead as a husband and father. Nate’s story isn’t polished—it’s forged....
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Ep. 571: Listen to Your Kid, Chores and Curfews
In this straight-shooting Craft of Fatherhood episode of Fatherhood Field Notes, Ned Schaut calls fathers back to two lost arts of manhood: listening well and leading with purpose. Ned challenges dads to stop being the constant lecturer, fixer, and rule-enforcer—and instead become the trusted…
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Ep. 570: True Manhood Begins When... w/Eugene Johnson, Jr.
In this powerful episode of Fatherhood Field Notes, Ned Schaut sits down with Eugene Johnson Jr. for a bold, no-nonsense conversation on biblical manhood, fatherhood, marriage, and spiritual leadership. Eugene shares wisdom forged through 25 years of marriage, raising two children, mentoring men…
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Ep. 569: Rate Our Relationship: Ask Your Kid, Then Do This
On this Craft of Fatherhood short, Ned reflects on a recent conversation with Mondoe Davis where Mondoe gave us all a challenge: ask your kid to rate your relationship. Then smile and say "thank you". And get busy implementing their feedback! Listen to this episode for some thoughts on how to...
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Ep. 568: Leading Thousand Year Families of Faith w/author Johann Kurtz
In this episode, Ned sits down with Johann Kurtz - a legacy adviser, former technology professional and author of Leaving a Legacy: Inheritance, Charity, and Thousand-Year Families. Kurtz's work focuses on the philosophy, theology, and practical structure of multi-generational family impact....
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Ep. 567: What does your family believe? Create a Family Legacy document.
This Craft of Fatherhood short hits on a tension every dad of a teenage son will recognize: how do you lead, teach, and hold the line… without becoming a micromanager your kid resents? Ned walks through a real moment of conflict with his son and zooms out to something bigger: most families are...
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Ep. 566: Mondoe Davis - YOU Can Ready Your Son for Manhood (Here's How)
In this powerful episode, Ned sits down with Mondoe Davis—a man forged through discipline, faith, and intentional fatherhood—to confront one of the most urgent issues facing men today: Who is preparing our sons to become godly men? Drawing from his work with Rise Up Kings and the Genesis...
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Ep. 565: The Space Between, Traditions and Voice Text
This Craft of Fatherhood Friday edition short is a sharp reminder that some of the best moments in fatherhood aren’t planned—they’re happening right in front of you. Ned challenges dads to stop chasing the “perfect” family activity and instead lean into the space between—those unstructured…
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Ep. 564: Why Most Christian Dads Are Out of Shape (And How to Fix It) w/Ben Barker
What if your fitness… wasn’t just about you? In this conversation, Ben Barker breaks down why physical discipline is directly tied to how you show up as a husband, father, and man. This isn’t about six-packs or vanity. This is about responsibility, leadership, and stewardship. Ben shares how...
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Ep. 563: A Marriage Retreat Transformed My Perspective on Marriage AND Fatherhood
In this Friday Craft of Fatherhood short episode, Ned explores the importance of family legacy, intentionality in marriage, and the role of fathers in shaping the future. He shares personal stories, reflections from a recent marriage retreat and practical steps for investing in family and faith....
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Ep. 562: Will your kids CHOOSE you? with Chris McCall
In this episode of Fatherhood Field Notes, Ned sits down with Chris McCall—worship leader, missionary, and instructor at YWAM Kona—for a deeply honest and faith-centered conversation about what it means to lead a family without relying on formulas. Chris shares his unconventional journey from...
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Ep. 561: Consider Your Kiddos' Perspective
In this Friday short episode of The Craft of Fatherhood, Ned dives into a powerful but often overlooked concept in parenting: perspective. As kids grow into teens and young adults, fatherhood shifts from simply making decisions to guiding thinking and shaping character. Ned challenges dads to…
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Ep. 560: Seth Garten - Go for the Ride! Supporting Your Kid to be State Wrestling Champion
A state championship was his daughter's dream and massive victory. For Seth Garten, learning as a dad-coach when to speak, when to stay silent, and how to guide his child through failure were some of his own personal wins in the process. This episode is a masterclass in timing, trust, and raising...
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Ep. 559: 3 Simple Ways to Increase Your Patience With Your Family
In this Friday Craft of Fatherhood short, Ned shares an honest look into a midweek moment of fatigue, fatherhood, and personal growth—centered around one powerful theme: patience. Living in Hawaii while navigating the demands of running a business in another time zone and family life, he unpacks...
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Ep. 558: Dave Ronning - The Importance of Play and Margin in Parenting
Ned sits down with Dave Ronning, faithful Christian and Kona real estate professional, to talk about how to incorporate playfulness into your parenting style. They uncover 5 actionable ideas that will help you connect with your kids and create lasting memories. Did you know that playfulness is…
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Ep. 557: Extreme Ownership - Kingdom Family Edition
On this Friday Craft of Fatherhood episode of Fatherhood Field Notes, Ned shares about a recent shift he's implemented in his family's morning routine: a ten minute time sharing something they're thankful for within the family, then naming somebody they could be praying for... and then doing it....
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Ep. 556: REWIND - UFC Fighter, Hall of Famer and Dad Urijah Faber
By popular demand, we dug deep into the archives to bring you a rewind of an oldie but a goodie from 2020 when Ned sat down with former UFC fighter and Hall of Famer Urijah Faber. Urijah and Fatherhood Field Notes Guide, Ned Schaut, sit down to talk Fatherhood and Dad Life. In 2019 Urijah came…
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Ep. 555: Dan Chang - How to Overcome Abuse & Hardship to Become the Steady Leader in the Home
What if the secret to truly impactful fatherhood isn’t about being perfect but about being present, vulnerable, and intentional? In this episode, Ned's friend, dad and entrepreneur "Hype Man Dan" Chang shares how his own painful childhood fuels his deep commitment to his kids, to revealing the...
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Ep. 554: A Question a Day Changes Everything
In this episode of Craft a Fatherhood, Ned talks about how powerful he's found it to be intentional about asking his kids a question every day. Big things happen. How are you inquiring about the thoughts, hopes, dreams, challenges your kids are having? Ned has a challenge for all of us on how we...
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Ep. 553: Mike Yarbrough - Do the Work to Heal & Live for the Family You'd Die For
In this episode of Fatherhood Field Notes, host Ned engages in a deep conversation with Mike Yarbrough, co-founder and co-owner of Rustic & Main and Wolf & Iron. They explore the complexities of fatherhood, marriage, and personal growth. They also discuss the importance of connection,...
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Ep. 552: Golf, Dates & Sabbath - Friday Craft of Fatherhood
In this episode of Craft a Fatherhood, Ned talks about finally getting into golf, being surprised to still to get to know his wife more and the importance of dating your wife. He shares about the significance of rest through the concept of Sabbath. He encourages fathers to actively engage in…
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Ep. 551: Patton Dodd - Redeeming Absence for Presence and the Subtle Art of Windshield Time
In this engaging conversation, Patton Dodd, author of the recent book The Father You Get: And the Ones You Make, Believe In, and Become, shares his insights on fatherhood, personal growth, and the power of windshield time with your kids. Dodd reflects on his journey through the challenges of...
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Ep. 550 The Death Hike - Friday Craft of Fatherhood
In this Craft of Father episode of the Fatherhood Field Notes podcast, Ned tells about his "death hike" adventure led by his teenage daughter. He reflects on the evolving journey of fatherhood, emphasizing the importance of legacy, family values, and the transition of children into independence.…
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Ep. 549: Hosting an Epic Annual Family Meeting - Friday Craft of Fatherhood
In this episode of the Craft of Fatherhood Podcast, host Ned Schaut reflects on his journey as a father, sharing insights from his experiences and conversations over the past year. He emphasizes the importance of observation in parenting, how impactful it can be to have annual family meetings for...
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Ep. 548 Jim Morrison: Why This Father Never Stops Showing Up and Refuses to Be "Off the Hook" at 18
Jim Morrison, a 26-year veteran of marriage and father of three (ages 24, 22, and 19), shares his unconventional approach to fatherhood that rebels against the idea that parenting ends at 18. As an insurance broker with 36 years of experience, Jim has learned to prioritize presence over…
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Ep. 547 Garr Russell: Why Pain Is Your Kid's Best Teacher
Join Ned as he sits down with entrepreneur and father of four, Garr Russell, for a raw conversation about what really matters in fatherhood. Garr shares his unconventional approach to raising kids—from buying a restaurant so the whole family could work together, to full-time RVing for five years,...
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Ep. 546 Blake Casteel: The Validation Your Kids Desperately Need From You
Blake Casteel opens up about his journey from a fear-driven father repeating generational patterns to becoming a man committed to authentic connection with his six children. Blake shares the pivotal moment when he realized his older kids weren't getting the best of him, and how he's been...
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Ep. 545 Sean Bothelio: How One Dad Built a Home Kids Never Wanted to Leave
Sean Bothelio shares how he transformed from a scared 23-year-old father into a man who raised two confident sons who followed him into military service. After 30 years in the Air Force, Sean reveals the intentional decisions he and his wife Kim made to create a home where their sons' friends…
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Ep. 544 Jeremiah Cooper: Why Your Kids Don't Need a Perfect Father
Jeremiah Cooper opens up about his journey through divorce, remarriage, and learning what it truly means to be a father. After eight years of marriage, separation, and four years divorced, Jeremiah and his wife Wendy remarried in 2013—a story that proves hope exists even in the darkest moments.…
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About this show
Fatherhood Field Notes is where we hear real stories from real men living real lives every week. Fatherhood is not only about being a dad, it incorporates providing and serving a home, loving and serving a spouse, engaging and serving in a community, as well as intentionally serving your children. Fatherhood is an adventure, one full of fun, wild, and messy stories. In this podcast, we will hear stories from real men who have found themselves living the Adventure of Fatherhood. The Craft of Fatherhood episodes are 5-10 minute episodes where your guide Ned Schaut shares stories on his own fatherhood journey.
Hosted by
Ned Schaut
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