📖 Episode Overview

When we think of Christmas, we often picture peace, perfection, and tidy manger scenes. But when we look back to Genesis, we find something very different — broken people, dysfunctional families, and repeated failure.

In this episode of the Christmas in Genesis series, Dave and Dante walk through the messy family tree that leads to Jesus and reveal a powerful truth every dad needs to hear:

God doesn't wait for perfect families — He works through broken ones.

From Abraham's deception, to Jacob's favoritism, to Judah's moral collapse, Genesis makes one thing clear: the line of the Messiah is anything but clean. And that's exactly the point.

🔎 What You'll Learn in This Episode

• Why God intentionally chose flawed men and families to bring forth the Savior

• How Genesis dismantles the myth of the "perfect dad"

• What Judah's story teaches us about repentance, responsibility, and redemption

• How God's mercy shows up again and again in generational brokenness

• Why Christmas is ultimately a story of grace, not genetics

🧬 Key Passages Discussed

• Genesis 12; 16; 27; 37–38 — A family marked by deceit, favoritism, and sin

• Genesis 38 — Judah, Tamar, and the unexpected path of redemption

• Matthew 1:1–6 — The Messiah's genealogy includes scandal, outsiders, and grace

• Romans 5:8 — God's mercy meets us in our mess

👨‍👩‍👧 Application for Dads

This episode speaks directly to men who feel the weight of their failures:

• You don't need a perfect past to lead well today

• God can redeem your mistakes and use them for good

• Your repentance matters more than your record

• Faithfulness now can change the legacy of generations to come

If you've ever felt disqualified as a husband or father, this conversation reminds you that God specializes in restoring broken men and broken families.

🔥 Big Takeaway

Christmas didn't come through perfect people — it came through repentant ones. God's mercy is bigger than your mess, and His redemption reaches further than your failure.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

Be sure to subscribe to the Legacy Dads Podcast and follow along with the rest of the Christmas in Genesis series as Dave and Dante uncover the hope of Christmas where we least expect it — right at the beginning of the Bible.

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📖 Episode Overview

In this challenging and timely conversation, Dave and Dante sit down with theologian and author Dr. Joe Rigney to discuss a topic that has sparked significant debate in both Christian and cultural spaces: the sin of empathy.

Empathy is often celebrated as an unquestioned virtue—but what happens when empathy is detached from truth? Dr. Rigney helps clarify the difference between biblical compassion and disordered empathy, showing how misplaced emotional identification can lead men away from wisdom, courage, and faithful leadership.

This episode is especially relevant for fathers and husbands navigating emotional pressure, cultural confusion, and moral compromise—both inside the home and in the public square.

🔥 Key Topics Discussed

• What Dr. Rigney means by "the sin of empathy"

• Why empathy is not always a virtue when divorced from truth

• The difference between compassion and emotional manipulation

• How empathy can be weaponized in modern culture

• Biblical examples of rightly ordered love and mercy

• Why men are especially vulnerable to disordered empathy

• How fathers can lead with both truth and tenderness

• The role of courage and clarity in Christian masculinity

• Teaching children to care without surrendering conviction

• Pastoral and parental wisdom for engaging emotionally charged issues

🛡️ Legacy Dads Takeaways

• Truth must lead love, not the other way around

• Compassion does not require agreement

• Fathers must model emotional strength rooted in Scripture

• Saying "no" can be the most loving response

• Biblical empathy always points people toward repentance, restoration, and Christ

📚 About the Guest

Dr. Joe Rigney is a theologian, author, and pastor known for his work on Christian ethics, masculinity, and cultural engagement. He has written extensively on the relationship between truth, love, and emotional formation within the church.

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In this first episode of our Christmas in Genesis series, Dave and Dante take listeners all the way back to the beginning — literally. Before shepherds heard angels sing, before Mary received Gabriel's announcement, before Bethlehem was even a town, God Himself declared the very first Christmas promise in Genesis 3:15. This passage — often called the Protoevangelium, or "first gospel" — reveals God's redemptive plan immediately after humanity's fall. In this episode, we unpack how this ancient verse points forward to Jesus, what it teaches us about sin, hope, and spiritual warfare, and how men can lead their families with the confidence that God always keeps His promises.

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Dante has a conversation with friend and elder David Kline about the fall of capitalism when good men do nothing. The conversation covers a bit of history around socialism and communism and transitions to the truth found in Scripture...that Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. Listen in and enjoy the conversation!

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In this powerful conversation, Dave and Dante sit down with Clifford Stephan, founder of BoozeVacation.com, to talk about the journey of taking a "vacation" from drinking and how intentional breaks from alcohol can transform your faith, family life, health, and leadership.

Clifford shares his personal story, the moment he realized alcohol was holding him back, and why he built a community to help others explore life with less booze — or none at all. This episode encourages men to evaluate their habits, prioritize their spiritual and physical health, and lead their families with clarity and conviction.

Key Topics Discussed

• Clifford's personal turning point and what inspired BoozeVacation.com

• The difference between quitting drinking and taking a healthy break

• Why alcohol has become so normalized in culture — and why men rarely talk about it

• How a drinking "vacation" can improve sleep, energy, mood, and relationships

• The spiritual implications of numbing, coping, and self-medicating

• Rebuilding discipline and mental resilience

• Being a better husband, father, and leader through sobriety or moderation

• How community and accountability fuel long-term success

• Clifford's practical steps for anyone wanting to start a 30-day break

• What churches, men's ministries, and small groups can do better in this area

Practical Takeaways for Men

• Identify if alcohol is filling a role that God should fill

• Notice the patterns: stress drinking, weekend "reward" cycles, or emotional escape

• Begin with a clear goal — "cut back," "take a break," or "quit"

• Invite one trusted brother into the process for accountability

• Replace old routines with healthier rhythms: exercise, prayer, hobbies, service

• Track how your body, mind, and spiritual life respond during the break

• Set boundaries around environments that trigger unhealthy habits

Scripture to Reflect On

• 1 Corinthians 6:12 (ESV) – "All things are lawful for me," but not all things are helpful.

• Ephesians 5:18 (ESV) – "Do not get drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit."

• Proverbs 25:28 (ESV) – "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls."

These verses guide men toward living with intentionality, discipline, and spiritual clarity.

About Clifford Stephan & Booze Vacation

Clifford is the founder of BoozeVacation.com, a platform designed to help individuals take meaningful breaks from alcohol through structured challenges, coaching, and community support. His mission is to empower people to rediscover their best selves and experience life without the haze and habits alcohol often brings.

Learn more at BoozeVacation.com.

In this powerful episode, Dave and Dante sit down with Daniel Puder—former MMA fighter turned educator and youth advocate—to discuss the urgent challenges facing today's schools, kids, and families. Puder shares how his experience in the cage shaped his passion for protecting and empowering young people, and why he believes our education system needs a complete culture shift.

https://mlmpipa.org/

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🎧 Episode Description

In this episode, we dive into the latest research from Barna on how Americans view truth and morality. The findings reveal a culture increasingly skeptical of moral absolutes and more reliant on personal feelings and pluralistic sources of truth. As dads who want to pass on a legacy of clarity, conviction, and faith, we'll explore what this means for our families, our faith, and how we model truth for the next generation.

🧭 Key Segments & Topics

1. Setting the Scene – What the Research Says

• The survey shows ≈ 74% of adults say they trust their feelings over facts when discerning moral truth. George Barna+2George Barna+2

• Only a minority believe in moral absolutes; many believe moral truth is relative to circumstances. George Barna+3Barna Group+3George Barna+3

• A large portion of Americans accept the idea that "different moral truth-views can all be right." George Barna+1

• Even among Christian-identified groups, significant percentages reject or doubt absolute moral truth. George Barna+2George Barna+2

2. Why This Matters for Dads & Families

• When truth becomes something you feel rather than something you know or are rooted in, it affects how we model decision-making for our kids.

• Legacy is about more than providing; it's about imparting a worldview. If that worldview is unstable or shifting with culture, the next generation inherits confusion.

• The article warns: societies without shared, stable moral references risk becoming fragmented, morally ambiguous or anchored only in emotion. George Barna+1

• As fathers, we're gatekeepers for our homes: of truth, character, and generational faith. So what do we do when our culture says "each person decides their truth"?

3. Practical Applications – What You Can Do

• Anchor in a stable source: Encourage family conversations about why you believe what you believe — not just what.

• Model decision-making: Show your children how you arrive at right vs wrong. Is it "how I feel" or "what is true / what does Scripture say / what is right"?

• Discuss pluralism & relativism honestly: If our kids are hearing that all truth-views are valid, we need to equip them to think critically and biblically.

• Create opportunities for reflection: Ask your children (depending on age) "What basis did you use to decide that was okay or not okay?"

• Teach the big story: Legacy is long-term. Morality isn't just a list of do's and don'ts, but a story of a God who is truth, and lives that flow from that.

4. Conversation Starters for Your Family

• "What do you believe defines right and wrong?"

• "Have you ever changed your mind about something because of how you felt? What did you base that on?"

• "Why do you think some people believe truth depends on the situation?"

• "If someone says 'that's true for you but not for me,' how would you respond?"

• "What difference does it make if truth is absolute vs relative?"

5. Legacy Dad Challenge This week: Pick one moral/ethical decision you face (big or small). Walk your child(ren) through how you came to your decision: What basis did you use? Was it simply how you felt? Or did you consult Scripture, your conscience, parental wisdom, cultural norms? After making the decision, revisit it: "Was that the wisest basis? Would I make the same decision next time with what I now know?"

🔍 Recommended Further Reading & Resources

• The original article on Barna's site: "Survey Finds Americans See Many Sources of Truth—and Reject Moral Absolutes." George Barna

• Barna's deeper breakdown: "Americans Possess Contradictory and Unbiblical Views about Moral Truth." George Barna

• "The End of Absolutes: America's New Moral Code" (Barna archive). Barna Group

🎯 Take-Away Points for Listeners

• The cultural current is moving toward "truth according to me/feelings," rather than fixed moral truth.

• As fathers wanting to build a legacy, we must choose to anchor our families in something more stable — not just personal preference.

• Modeling how to live with conviction, how to think about truth, how to navigate moral decisions — that becomes part of our legacy.

• It's not enough to tell our kids what's right; we show them how we determine right.

• When the culture says "all truths are valid," the Christian father says: "Let's explore why I believe one truth is true, and how that matters for how we live."

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🧩 Episode Overview

In this episode, the guys unpack the often-overlooked spiritual value of humor. As Christian men, we can sometimes take life — and ourselves — too seriously. But laughter is one of God's gifts that brings healing, unity, and perspective to our families and communities.

Dante and Dave discuss how humor:

• Strengthens relationships with our wives and kids,

• Keeps us humble and human,

• Relieves stress in tense seasons, and

• Reflects the joy we have in Christ.

🕊️ Key Takeaways

1. Humor Is Biblical: God created laughter and joy. From Elijah's sarcasm on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:27) to Jesus using irony and wordplay in His teachings, Scripture shows that God isn't opposed to humor — He designed it.

2. Laughter Builds Resilience: In stressful times, laughter re-centers us. It reminds us that we are not in control — and that's okay. Humor helps us release tension, rebuild connection, and move forward in faith.

3. Humor Strengthens Relationships: Healthy teasing and shared laughter between spouses and kids can strengthen bonds, but it must never come at the expense of others. Kind humor blesses, not belittles.

4. Joy Is a Witness: A joyful, laughing Christian stands out in a world marked by cynicism. Our laughter can be a quiet testimony of hope and trust in God's goodness.

💬 Discussion Highlights

• The difference between holy humor and hurtful sarcasm

• Funny parenting moments that turned into teachable faith lessons

• How laughter helps men process fear, grief, and uncertainty

• The connection between joy and strength (Nehemiah 8:10)

• Practical ways to use humor to defuse tension at home and work

📖 Scripture References

• Proverbs 17:22 — "A cheerful heart is good medicine…"

• Ecclesiastes 3:4 — "A time to weep and a time to laugh…"

• Nehemiah 8:10 — "The joy of the Lord is your strength."

• Psalm 126:2 — "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy."

• Philippians 4:4 — "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice."

🧠 Practical Challenge for Men

This Week: Find one situation at home or work where you normally respond with frustration — and instead, bring a moment of levity or gentle humor. Notice how it shifts the atmosphere.

Ask your wife or kids: "What's something funny I've done lately?" — and don't defend yourself. Just laugh together.

🛠️ Legacy Application

• Use humor to connect, not deflect.

• Let your joy be contagious — a reminder that your hope is anchored in something eternal.

• Teach your kids that it's okay to laugh, even when life feels heavy — because laughter and faith often walk hand in hand.

🔗 Episode Resources

• Book: "Between Heaven and Mirth" by Fr. James Martin — on joy and humor in faith

• Article: "Why Christians Should Laugh More" – Desiring God

🔔 Subscribe & Review: If today's episode challenged or encouraged you, share it with a friend and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform. It helps other men find biblical truth in a world full of noise.

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🧔🏻‍♂️ Episode Summary: In this episode, Dave and Dante dive into the brief but bold story of Shammah, one of David's mighty men, found in 2 Samuel 23:11–12. Though only given two verses in the Bible, Shammah's example of standing firm when everyone else fled offers a powerful challenge to Christian men today. This is a call to faithfulness over fame, courage over compromise, and obedience over outcomes. Dave and Dante break down what it means to identify your "field" — your calling, your responsibilities, your God-given territory — and stand your ground when the enemy tries to take it.

🔑 Key Takeaways: • Every man has a field — marriage, fatherhood, ministry, work, or personal integrity — and the enemy always wants to steal it. • Shammah stood alone, but he didn't stand in his own strength. "The Lord worked a great victory." (2 Samuel 23:12) • Faithfulness in small things is not overlooked by God. • Standing firm is the mark of mature manhood. • Victory belongs to God, but obedience belongs to us.

📖 Scripture Referenced: • 2 Samuel 23:11–12 – Shammah stands in the lentil field • 1 Corinthians 16:13 – "Act like men" and stand firm • Luke 16:10 – Faithful in little = faithful in much • Ephesians 6:13 – The armor of God and standing firm • Exodus 14:14 – The Lord fights for you • Galatians 6:9 – Don't grow weary in doing good

🛠️ Practical Application: 1 Identify your "field" – Where has God called you to be faithful right now? 2 Stand your ground – What distractions or spiritual attacks are tempting you to walk away? 3 Trust God for the results – He brings the victory when we stay obedient.

🧠 Discussion Questions: 1 What "field" has God given you that you might be tempted to abandon? 2 Where have you seen God fight on your behalf when you chose to stand firm? 3 How do we encourage other men to hold the line when culture tells them to give up?

📲 Connect with Legacy Dads: • 💻 Website: www.legacydads.org • 📸 Instagram: @legacy_dads (https://instagram.com/legacy_dads) • 🐦 Twitter/X: @Legacy_Dads (https://twitter.com/Legacy_Dads) • 📬 Email us: [email protected] or [email protected]

🔔 Subscribe & Review: If today's episode challenged or encouraged you, share it with a friend and leave us a 5-star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform. It helps other men find biblical truth in a world full of noise.

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🔥 Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave and Dante tackle one of the biggest cultural and spiritual questions facing Christian men today:

Should our faith influence our political decisions — or should religion stay out of politics?

A recent survey shared by Answers in Genesis found that over half of U.S. adults believe religion should not play a role in politics — and even among Christians, many agree.

But as men of faith, husbands, and fathers, we're called to lead with integrity and consistency. This episode dives into what Scripture says about how faith should shape every area of life — from our homes to the public square.

🧭 Main Takeaways

1. There is no such thing as neutrality. Every person's worldview shapes their decisions — including political ones. The question isn't if faith influences politics, but whose faith or worldview does.

2. God's rule covers every sphere.

"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof." — Psalm 24:1 (ESV) Faith isn't something we switch off when we leave church. Christ's authority extends into how we lead, vote, serve, and live publicly.

3. Compartmentalized faith is compromised faith. When men separate their beliefs from their civic responsibility, we lose moral clarity and spiritual influence.

4. The Bible speaks to public life. From the prophets confronting injustice to Paul appealing to the Roman government, Scripture models faithful engagement — not silence.

5. Engage with humility and courage. Faith-driven men can influence culture without becoming combative or partisan. The goal isn't political dominance — it's faithful witness.

⚔️ Key Scriptures (ESV)

• Psalm 24:1 – God's ownership of all creation.

• Matthew 28:18 – Christ's authority in heaven and on earth.

• Philippians 3:20 – Our heavenly citizenship guiding our earthly conduct.

• 1 Corinthians 16:13 – Stand firm in faith and strength.

• Galatians 6:9 – Don't grow weary in doing good.

💬 Discussion Questions for Men's Groups or Listeners

1. Have you ever felt pressure to keep your faith "private"? Where does that come from?

2. What would it look like for your Christian convictions to shape how you engage in civic life without becoming self-righteous or combative?

3. How can we model Christlike engagement in a culture that increasingly rejects biblical values?

4. What's one practical way you can bring your faith into your local community this month?

🧠 Practical Challenges for the Week

• Pray before you post or vote. Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom and humility.

• Read Micah 6:8 and reflect on what it means to "do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly."

• Engage in conversation, not confrontation. Invite dialogue with someone who disagrees with you.

• Model civility. Be the calm, faithful voice in a noisy, polarized world.

🙏 Legacy Challenge

"Faith that doesn't shape how you live is faith that's shrinking."

Men — it's time to bridge the gap between what we believe and how we live. Be watchful. Stand firm. Act like men. Be strong. And let your faith lead the way — even when the world tells you to sit down.

📚 Resources Mentioned

• Article: Most U.S. Adults Think Religion Should Not Influence Politics (Answers in Genesis)

• Scriptures: Psalm 24:1, Philippians 3:20, Matthew 28:18, Galatians 6:9

• Book suggestion: Culture Shift by R. Albert Mohler Jr.

• Legacy Dads past episode: "Conviction Over Comfort: The Cost of Compromise"

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In this episode, Dave takes on one of the biggest challenges Christian men face today: compromise. What happens when we trade our integrity for comfort?

We live in a world that rewards convenience, but God calls us to conviction. Every time we lower our standard, something sacred is lost - our witness, our credibility, our peace.

Listen in as Dave unpacks how to identify compromise, count its cost, and take steps to rebuild a life of integrity and strength.

💪🏽 Challenge of the Week

Ask yourself: 1. Where have I traded integrity for comfort? 2. What would it look like to reclaim that ground today? 3. Who can I invite to hold me accountable in that area? For more about Legacy Dads, click here: Legacy Dads Website Legacy Dads Facebook Group: Legacy Dads Facebook Legacy Dads Instagram: Legacy Dads IG