• 1 hour 8 minutes
    Proximity Is the Only Parenting Philosophy You Need (Here's Why) featuring Rick Jordan

    This week I sat down with Rick Jordan, a self-made entrepreneur, CEO, keynote speaker, and host of Frequency with Rick Jordan. Rick went from financial struggles and nearly losing his home to building a company from the ground up and taking it public without outside investors or private equity, and he has made more than 1,200 media appearances on networks like Fox, Bloomberg, NBC, CBS, and ABC. He is also a dad of three, including twins.

    We talk about his one word parenting philosophy, proximity, and how to connect with a teenager by entering their world. Rick shares the moment he stared up at a tornado and realized he had no regrets, losing his dad at 16, and the first six months of his business when his family was close to foreclosure. We get into self-examination, facing consequences, why "it's not that bad yet" can cost a man his marriage, and what it takes for a couple to keep growing together. If you want to live with no regrets as a husband and a father, this one is for you.

    Timeline Summary

    [0:00] Introduction and the November promo: The Marriage Drift book, a signed Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood, and two free courses

    [4:25] Larry welcomes Rick Jordan, and two dads compare notes on kids leaving for college and missing home

    [9:33] Rick's one word parenting philosophy, proximity, and how he has kept it from newborn twins to age 19

    [14:47] A client with four teenagers spends hardly any time with them, and the pedicure reframe: enter their world

    [19:07] Larry drives six hours to see his son at Arkansas and spends the day on groceries, laundry, and football

    [23:11] Rick watches a tornado form 150 feet from his studio and finds he has no regrets

    [30:03] Self-examination: a Navy SEAL friend asks "is it true?" and why you own the facts without apology

    [35:22] Rick loses his dad at 16, and the uncle who caught him outside the house and helped him accept it

    [43:04] A grief expert's chair analogy: let the chair fall and let yourself feel the grief

    [46:06] Best Buy layoffs, newborn twins, and a near foreclosure in 2007 before a first $3,000 a month deal

    [50:30] Why Rick held out six months for the right clients and reached $250K a year in recurring revenue

    [52:27] "It's not that bad yet": why men wait on their marriage until their options fall off the table

    [57:43] Choose your hard: why facing consequences is the core of being a man and a dad

    [59:57] If your partner is growing faster, it's on you to catch up, and on them to lift you up

    [63:30] Falling in love with your spouse seven times, and why you can't go back to who you used to be

    [65:29] Rick's closing challenge to face the consequences, plus where to find him and his show

    Five Key Takeaways

    1. Make proximity your parenting philosophy by staying close to your kids at every age, and ask what works for their schedule instead of demanding their time.
    2. With teenagers, enter their world instead of pulling them into yours, like the dad who finally asked his daughter to go get a pedicure.
    3. Practice regular self-examination by asking "is it true?" so you can own the facts, and remember that one bad moment doesn't define you, your response does.
    4. Face the consequences instead of avoiding them, because "it's not that bad yet" lets your options in your marriage and your life quietly expire.
    5. Keep growing with your spouse, and if you feel left behind, it's on you to catch up while your partner helps lift you up.

    Links & Resources

    Closing

    The moment that stuck with me most was Rick staring up into that tornado and realizing there was nothing he wanted to change, because he had spent his life intentionally with the people who matter most. His story about the uncle who caught him at 16 and his reminder that "it's not that bad yet" is a trap are the kind of honest lessons that help us choose our hard on purpose. Pick one thing from this conversation this week, maybe asking your teenager what their world looks like right now. Go out and live legendary.

    6 November 2026, 1:00 am
  • 53 minutes 33 seconds
    Staying Vigilant Without Making Your Family Anxious featuring Sam Rosenberg

    This week I brought Sam Rosenberg back to the Dad Edge for a special Q&A with the guys in our Alliance. Sam is a former Marine Corps officer and the founder of Live Ready. He spent years protecting heads of state, CEOs, and celebrities, and he has trained tens of thousands of people to recognize threats before they become emergencies. I learned a ton from his first episode, so I wanted the men in our community to put their own questions in front of him.

    We cover how to build situational awareness in your kids with a simple restaurant game, why "don't talk to strangers" gets it backwards, and what a young child should do if they get separated from you. Sam shares the sticky octopus drill, how to think about safety in a high conflict co-parenting situation, how to teach a teenage boy to de-escalate, how Krav Maga and jiu jitsu compare, and how to stay vigilant without making your family anxious. If you want to be the protector your family needs without living in fear, this one is for you.

    Timeline Summary

    [0:00] Introduction and the November promo: The Marriage Drift book, a signed Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood, and two free courses

    [4:12] Larry sets up a special Alliance Q&A with Sam Rosenberg of Live Ready, back after his first Dad Edge episode

    [8:17] A dad with four kids under 13 asks how to help his children become more aware

    [9:57] The restaurant game: find the emergency exit and the kitchen every time you sit down

    [13:32] Why "don't talk to strangers" is backwards, and teaching kids to recognize strangeness instead

    [15:03] Teaching kids to trust their gut, and letting them order at Starbucks to build confidence

    [17:33] The simple rule if a child is separated from you: find a mother

    [19:07] Common lures like the lost dog, then the sticky octopus drill and shouting "this is not my dad"

    [23:31] A dad asks how to protect his boys in a high conflict co-parenting situation

    [30:11] Teaching a 16 year old boy to protect himself, starting with de-escalation and keeping his ego in check

    [32:15] A story of teenage boys who stepped in to help and were charged as mutually combative

    [37:06] Krav Maga versus jiu jitsu for real world protection, and why the instructor matters most

    [41:29] How to stay vigilant without making your wife and kids feel anxious

    [45:25] The sheepdog analogy, and giving yourself procedures so you can relax

    [49:58] Where to find Sam, plus his free book and online Radar course for Dad Edge listeners

    [52:04] Closing thoughts and where to find the links from today's conversation

    Key Takeaways

    1. Turn situational awareness into a game with your kids, like asking them to find the exits and the kitchen every time you sit down at a restaurant.
    2. Teach your kids to recognize strangeness and trust their gut instead of just "don't talk to strangers," and give them a simple plan to find a mother if they ever get separated from you.
    3. Rehearse the lures and the drill with your kids, like the lost dog trick, the sticky octopus hold, and yelling "this is not my dad."
    4. For a teenage boy, teach de-escalation first, invest in real training, and make sure he understands the legal side, because the goal is always to get out of the situation.
    5. Replace anxiety with confidence by building your family's skills and giving yourself times to be switched on and times to relax.

    Links & Resources

    Closing

    What I'll remember most from this conversation is how Sam turned safety into something kids can actually enjoy, from finding the kitchen exit at a restaurant to yelling "this is not my dad" in a game they'll want to play again. His answer about the dad who worried he was paranoid reminded me that vigilance and peace aren't opposites, and that the best protectors build confidence in their families instead of fear. Pick one thing to practice with your kids this week, maybe the restaurant exit game at your next meal. Go out and live legendary.

    4 November 2026, 12:00 am
  • 1 hour 35 seconds
    Your Wife Needs You to Stop Fixing Things & Start Listening featuring Jake Kastleman

    This week I'm doing something a little different. Instead of interviewing a guest, I'm replaying a conversation I had as the guest on Jake Kastleman's podcast. Jake runs No More Desire, a porn recovery platform, and we went deep on marriage, fatherhood, and learning to face our emotions instead of numbing them. I share the night I lost my temper with my four year old that led me to start the Good Dad Project, and why I now believe being a husband and a father are skills we can learn.

    We get practical on connecting with your wife through empathy and validation, why replacing "why" with "tell me more" changes a conversation, and how to create psychological safety at home. I also share the lifeguard picture for staying steady when someone you love is upset, and the 12 days I spent alone after rupturing my patella tendon, refusing to numb anything out. If you're drifting in your marriage or want to show up better for your wife and kids, this one is for you.

    Timeline Summary

    [0:00] Introduction and the November promo: The Marriage Drift book, a signed Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood, and two free courses

    [6:31] Jake and Larry talk about The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood and the brand new audiobook Larry narrated himself

    [8:32] Jake on the chapter two Christmas Eve story and how hard it hit him as a father

    [12:45] Why only 12% of married couples can say their relationship is working

    [14:27] The night Larry lost his temper with his four year old and started the Good Dad Project

    [18:24] Why fatherhood and marriage are skills, with an instructor, a curriculum, and a community

    [23:26] It's Not About the Nail and why men rush to fix instead of listen

    [24:23] Empathy versus sympathy, and why one connects and the other disconnects

    [29:02] Validate with one word emotions so she feels seen, heard, and safe

    [30:34] The question to ask your wife: do you want me to listen or collaborate on solutions

    [33:42] Replace "why" with "tell me more" so your wife feels invited instead of interrogated

    [38:53] Psychological safety at home: shine the light on the situation, not the person

    [47:21] The lifeguard picture: stay on the side of the pool instead of jumping into someone else's emotions

    [52:49] Twelve days alone after a ruptured patella tendon and the choice to face every emotion

    [58:03] Where to find Larry, the audiobook, and the Marriage Drift promo

    [59:52] Larry's closing note on honesty and how to join the Dad Edge Alliance

    Key Takeaways

    1. Husbandhood and fatherhood are skills you can learn, so stop treating them like something you should already know.
    2. When your wife is upset, she is usually after connection, not a solution, so listen first and ask whether she wants you to listen or collaborate.
    3. Name the feeling in one word, like frustrated or overwhelmed, and say it about the situation instead of about her.
    4. Replace "why" with "tell me more," because it opens the door instead of pointing a finger.
    5. Stay steady like the lifeguard on the side of the pool, and don't try to fix someone's emotions just because they make you uncomfortable.

    Links & Resources

    Closing

    The part of this conversation that stays with me is the lifeguard picture: you don't have to jump into someone else's emotional pool, you just stay steady and let them feel what they feel. I also think about those 12 days alone, when I chose to face everything that came up instead of numbing it, and how much shorter the road gets when you walk straight through it. Pick one thing from today, maybe asking your wife whether she wants you to listen or collaborate the next time she's frustrated. Go out and live legendary.

    2 November 2026, 12:00 am
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    How Trapped Emotions May Show Up as Physical Pain in Your Body featuring Dr. Bradley Nelson

    This week I sat down with Dr. Bradley Nelson, a holistic physician, USA Today bestselling author, and founder and CEO of Discover Healing, the creator of the Emotion Code, the Body Code, and the Belief Code. He's a father of eight, a grandfather of seven, and a great grandfather, and he opened with an incredible story about how his wife's first daughter, placed for adoption before they met, found them and was officially adopted into the family at 47.

    We got into his newest book, The Heart Code, which he wrote with his wife Jean, and the idea of a heart wall that many of us build after painful experiences. Dr. Nelson shares his view on trapped emotions and the body, stories from his practice, and how emotional patterns can pass from one generation to the next. I also respectfully pushed back with my own 20 years in the operating room, and near the end I opened up about what I've been feeling as my 18 year old leaves for college. If you grew up in an unpredictable home and want to break the cycle for your kids, this one is for you.

    Timeline Summary

    [0:00] Introduction and the October Dad Edge Alliance promo: a signed book, two free courses, and an advance copy of The Marriage Drift

    [3:05] Dr. Nelson on his family of eight kids, seven grandkids, and one great grandchild

    [4:00] His wife's first daughter, placed for adoption before they met, finds them 18 years ago

    [7:36] A faded whiteout on a birth certificate and a call to BYU help put the pieces together

    [12:40] Dr. Nelson's background and his three systems: the Emotion Code, the Body Code, and the Belief Code

    [16:59] Why Dr. Nelson sees symptoms as the check engine light, not the real problem

    [18:17] Muscle testing as a way to communicate with the subconscious mind

    [22:18] A waking vision in 1998 that led to the discovery of the heart wall

    [28:01] A patient with severe low back pain and a trapped emotion of anger from 20 years earlier

    [34:47] A nurse who swore off dating for eight years, and what happened after her heart wall was cleared

    [38:29] Larry respectfully pushes back with his 20 years in the OR and thousands of spine surgeries

    [50:16] Why emotional patterns repeat even when a dad promises himself he won't become his own father

    [55:00] Unconditional love, and Dr. Nelson's own struggle with conditional love as a father

    [57:18] Dr. Nelson's closing message to dads: slow down, because childhood goes by so fast

    [1:00:11] Larry shares what he's feeling as his 18 year old leaves for college and what his therapist helped him see

    [1:05:57] Where to find Dr. Nelson and the free video that walks you through releasing a trapped emotion

    Key Takeaways

    1. Dr. Nelson teaches that unresolved emotions can get trapped in the body, and that symptoms like pain can be messages pointing to something deeper.
    2. The heart wall is Dr. Nelson's term for the protective wall many of us build after a painful experience, and he says it can make it harder to connect with your wife and kids.
    3. If you ever hear your father's words come out of your own mouth after promising you never would, take it as a sign there may be old baggage you haven't dealt with yet.
    4. Dr. Nelson shares that he loved his kids conditionally for a time, giving or withholding love to shape their behavior, and that unconditional love is what he now works toward.
    5. Slow down and tell your wife and kids what they mean to you now, because time goes faster than you think and being willing to hear criticism and change is part of being a man.

    Links & Resources

    Closing

    What stayed with me most was the moment at the end when I shared, for the first time on this show, how hard it has been watching my 18 year old leave for college, and how my therapist helped me see that it touches the old wound of the men who left me as a kid. Dr. Nelson's story about his own conditional love as a father reminded me that none of us does this perfectly, and that being willing to look at it honestly is what changes the next generation. Take a few minutes this week to slow down, tell someone you love what they mean to you, and ask yourself what you might be carrying that you haven't named yet. Go out and live legendary.

    30 October 2026, 12:00 am
  • 58 minutes 39 seconds
    Shaping Results by Establish Purpose & Values featuring Nick Friedman

    This week I sat down with Nick Friedman, the original college hunk behind College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving, a company that started with a beat up cargo van the summer before his senior year of college and has grown to more than 200 franchises and over $300 million a year in sales. Nick has been on Shark Tank and Undercover Boss, is a two time Emmy Award winning producer, and is a dad of four who has been married since 2013.

    We got into the culture he built at work and the one he tries to build at home, including the four L's his family lives by and what it means to be a chief repetition officer. Nick shared the story of his son swallowing a glass bead, how a false viral accusation tested his patience, why he tells entrepreneurs to have urgency of effort and patience for the results, and the honest way he and his wife handle resentment in their marriage. If you're a dad chasing something big while trying to keep your marriage and kids first, this one is for you.

    Timeline Summary

    [0:00] Introduction and the October Dad Edge Alliance promo: a signed book, two free courses, and an advance copy of The Marriage Drift

    [3:11] How a best friend's mom, a beat up cargo van, and a joke turned Nick into the original college hunk

    [6:42] Turning HUNKS into an acronym: honest, uniformed, nice, knowledgeable service

    [7:52] Why 80 to 90% of calls came from the female household decision maker

    [13:39] Why a company without a culture is like a picture frame without a photo

    [14:55] Chief repetition officer: reinforcing purpose and values every single day

    [17:12] The family core values Nick lives by: listen, learn, laugh, and love

    [23:07] Nick's son swallows a glass bead, and the framed lesson that now hangs in his room

    [25:23] From Shark Tank to Undercover Boss: the two bookends of Nick's TV journey

    [35:22] Staying steady when a viral false accusation hits social media

    [39:58] Urgency of effort, patience for the results, in business and in parenting

    [41:48] The critter state: why kids and adults need to cool off before logic can land

    [48:02] Raising the floor: your character as a leader, a father, and a human

    [50:27] Nick's honest take on his marriage and why being intentional matters

    [52:49] The no resentment longer than 24 hours rule

    [55:09] Larry shares why only 12% of married couples call their marriage fulfilling

    Key Takeaways

    1. Purpose and values shape behavior, behavior shapes culture, and culture shapes results, so be the chief repetition officer and reinforce them every single day.
    2. Teach your kids your values with stories they can remember, like the framed glass bead on your son's wall, because stories stick in a way rules never do.
    3. Have urgency of effort and patience for the results, and give your kids and yourself grace along the way.
    4. When emotions run high, let the critter state settle before you reach for logic, whether you're talking with your wife or your kids.
    5. Don't let your marriage run like a family LLC, be intentional with date nights and honest conversations, and don't let resentment last longer than 24 hours.

    Links & Resources

    Closing

    Nick's story about his son swallowing that glass bead, and now having it framed on his wall, stuck with me because it shows how one story can teach what a lecture never will. His answer about his marriage, that he wouldn't give himself an A+ and knows he can do better, is the kind of honesty that keeps us from drifting. Pick one thing from this conversation this week, maybe a no resentment longer than 24 hours rule with your wife or a story that teaches your kids a value. Go out and live legendary.

    28 October 2026, 12:00 am
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    Willpower Alone Will Never Fix a P*rn Problem (Here's Why) featuring Steven Wolt

    This week I sat down with Steven Wolt, the founder of Valor Recovery, a virtual coaching program that helps men overcome pornography abuse and compulsive sexual behavior. Steven is a husband, father, and entrepreneur who spent decades fighting a private war with sexual addiction while looking successful on the outside. After hitting rock bottom in 2008, he rebuilt his life and now uses that story to help other men get free.

    We went underneath the shame, the secrecy, and the promises of I'm done. Steven explained why willpower alone fails, why porn abuse is really an intimacy disorder, how a phone became his main tool for regulating emotions, and what recovery looks like through emotional regulation, community, and vulnerability. If you're a dad who has struggled in silence, or you want to break the cycle so your sons do not inherit it, this one is for you.

    Timeline Summary

    [1:02] Larry welcomes Steven Wolt and explains why porn recovery episodes get big downloads but few comments

    [2:25] Larry shares his own origin story with pornography, starting at age nine

    [4:09] Larry introduces Steven, the founder of Valor Recovery, and what dads will learn

    [7:33] Steven's start in 1990s New York City, using porn to numb depression and loneliness

    [9:07] How his use escalated, and the shame that came with a progression no one explained to him

    [12:18] Hitting rock bottom in 2008 after losing his career and cycling through treatment centers

    [19:40] Why porn abuse is an intimacy disorder and why the opposite of addiction is connection

    [23:18] How shame feeds the belief "I am flawed" and keeps your life small

    [26:59] The difference between porn use and porn abuse, and using it to regulate emotions

    [28:21] Why it's not about willpower: the phone as a primary regulation tool and retraining the nervous system

    [30:30] Three things a man must address: regulating emotions, finding root causes, and tolerating boredom

    [36:16] How exercise and caring for yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually replace the need to escape

    [44:59] A walk with the baby, with and without a phone, and why men need time away from screens

    [50:24] Larry sits with his sadness over his first son leaving, and why emotions are neither good nor bad

    [56:49] How men find the courage to go first with vulnerability, and why it creates a domino effect

    [1:00:12] How Valor Recovery works as a 90 day coaching program led by men in long term recovery

    Five Key Takeaways

    1. Willpower alone doesn't fix porn abuse because it is a learned way to regulate emotions, so recovery means retraining your nervous system to handle urges, discomfort, and cravings.
    2. Porn abuse is often an intimacy disorder, which means the opposite of addiction is connection, and very few men overcome it by white knuckling it alone.
    3. Guilt says I did something wrong while shame says I am wrong, and moving past shame is what stops it from keeping your life small.
    4. Learning to sit with boredom and uncomfortable emotions like sadness and loneliness, without reaching for your phone, is a key part of lasting recovery.
    5. Caring for yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and being brave enough to be vulnerable with other men, builds a life you don't need to escape from.

    Links & Resources

    Closing

    Steven said the opposite of addiction is not recovery, it's connection, and I felt that when I admitted I'd been distracting myself with busyness instead of sitting with my sadness over my first son leaving for college. If you're struggling with this, you're in good company, and it's a battle none of us should fight in isolation. Reach out to a brother or to Valor this week, put your phone in another room, and let yourself be bored for a few minutes. Go out and live legendary.

    26 October 2026, 12:00 am
  • 44 minutes 51 seconds
    Spontaneous or Responsive Desire in Marriage (What the Difference is) featuring Dr. Diane Mueller

    This week I sat down with Dr. Diane Mueller, a board certified sexologist with doctorates in natural medicine and acupuncture and oriental medicine. She is the host of the Libido Lounge and a best selling author and international speaker who helps committed couples who went from passionate lovers to feeling like roommates. She looks at the whole picture, including hormones, stress, kids, menopause, communication, and life transitions.

    We got honest about how easily intimacy slips off track, including my own sadness since our first son left the nest and the drinking habit I traced back to it. Dr. Mueller explained why new relationship energy fades after 6 to 18 months, the difference between spontaneous and responsive desire, how novelty brings the spark back, and why talking about sex feels like such a threat. If you're a husband or dad who wants to stop settling for roommate status in your marriage and rebuild desire and connection, this one is for you.

    Timeline Summary

    [0:00] Introduction and the October Dad Edge Alliance promo

    [3:01] Larry welcomes Dr. Diane Mueller of the Libido Lounge and asks how she got into this work

    [4:24] Her story of how life gets couples off their intimate track and turns them into roommates

    [8:42] What somatic experience means and why we escape uncomfortable feelings in the body

    [11:32] Larry shares how sadness over his son leaving led him to drink more, and why he gave it up

    [12:47] Breaking habits by asking "why am I doing this" and letting the ego take a back seat

    [15:15] Larry introduces Dr. Mueller and the questions on roommate syndrome, desire, and kids

    [17:04] Why new relationship energy lasts 6 to 18 months and how dopamine and novelty drive desire

    [19:49] Why couples plan intimacy before moving in together, then expect it to happen on its own

    [24:16] Spontaneous desire versus responsive desire and why the difference matters in marriage

    [25:30] Why a partner with responsive desire needs 15 minutes to an hour of warm up

    [27:32] Bringing novelty back with a yes, no, maybe checklist and a date night conversation

    [30:14] How to set your partner up to respond well when you share something vulnerable

    [33:01] Why talking about sex feels like a bigger threat than other conflicts

    [35:07] Start by talking only about what's going right to help the nervous system feel safe

    [40:30] The right next step for dads: start the conversation and don't put intimacy on autopilot

    [43:17] Where to find Dr. Mueller's books, free resources, and social channels

    Five Key Takeaways

    1. The rush of new relationship energy lasts about 6 to 18 months, so when it fades it doesn't mean something is wrong with your marriage.
    2. Spontaneous desire and responsive desire are different, and a partner with responsive desire often needs 15 minutes to an hour of warm up before the desire shows up.
    3. Bring novelty back by going through a yes, no, maybe checklist on a date night, and tell your partner ahead of time how you want them to respond to what you share.
    4. Conversations about sex feel like a bigger threat than other conflicts, so start by only talking about what's going right until both of you feel safe.
    5. Intimacy can't run on autopilot any more than your health can, so ask what you're avoiding and take one small step toward talking about it.

    Links & Resources

    Closing

    Dr. Mueller reminded me that the body doesn't lie, and when I admitted I'd been drinking more because I was sad about our son leaving, I saw how easily we avoid the feelings we don't want to face. Her challenge is simple: tell your wife what she does well, make it safe to talk, and don't let your marriage run on autopilot. Pick one thing you love about the way she connects with you and tell her this week. Go out and live legendary.

    23 October 2026, 12:00 am
  • 1 hour 4 minutes
    The Danger of Raising Boys Through a Screen featuring Bill Winchester

    Bill Winchester is back on the show, and one word kept coming to mind as I read his story: builder. He started with backyard tree forts, married his high school sweetheart Christy at 21, raised three kids, and helped build the church his family worshiped in and the school his kids attended. Somewhere along the way he realized the most important thing he'd ever build was men, which led him to create the Dangerously Good Men rite of passage in Bend, Oregon, and Improving Grounds, where men gather around a fire on Saturday mornings.

    We talked about raising sons in a digital world, why despair and loneliness are rising among men, and the difference between protecting your son and preparing him. Bill walked through the liminal space between boyhood and manhood, the six core values behind his framework, and the men of significance every young man needs in his corner. If you're a dad raising a boy who is nearing his teens and you want to send him into manhood supported instead of unprepared, this conversation is for you.

    Timeline Summary

    [1:01] Larry welcomes Bill Winchester back and asks about the rite of passage he created for his oldest son

    [3:18] How Dangerously Good Men serves boys 12 to 15, and a father and son who came full circle after four years

    [5:59] Larry introduces Bill: a builder, a father of three, and a man helping fathers lead sons into manhood

    [9:22] Raising sons in a digital world, the despair among men, and living in 3D in a 2D world

    [12:46] Why fathers must shift from protecting their sons to preparing them

    [18:00] The liminal space: the threshold between boyhood and manhood

    [19:53] How absent fathers, latchkey kids, and screens left young men unprepared

    [22:34] Why anything that can give you everything can take it all away

    [24:16] Turning the SOS into shared strength and building community before the crisis

    [29:28] Six arrows, a shadow box, and the four year journey that ended in a college dorm room

    [31:38] The six HEROIC core values: honorable, enterprising, responsible, original, intimate, and creative

    [38:49] Men of significance: the letters five men write to a son, each tied to a core value

    [40:36] Driving away from a college dorm knowing his son was prepared and not alone

    [44:25] Why a boy needs other good men besides his dad, from grandfathers to coaches

    [56:46] Why a deep installation process beats cramming, and why it is simple but not easy

    [1:02:15] Where to find Bill's work and a free 90 minute call for registering for the January 2027 event

    Key Takeaways

    1. Shift from protecting your son to preparing him, because a boy who has only been protected steps into manhood empty handed.
    2. Give your son a clear threshold between boyhood and manhood, because a graduation party alone doesn't tell him who he is becoming.
    3. Recruit a small circle of trusted men who will write him letters and answer the phone at 3 a.m., because a boy listens differently to a man he respects.
    4. Teach your son that his worth doesn't come from likes, followers, or screens, because anything that can give you everything can take it all away.
    5. Build values deep over years instead of cramming them in a crisis, because what is bolted on quickly gets unbolted at the first challenge.

    Links & Resources

    Closing

    Bill told me about driving away from his oldest son's dorm room, knowing his boy had a quiver of arrows and a handful of men who would pick up the phone, and how that gave him peace he couldn't have gotten any other way. That's what I felt when I watched Mason walk through his own rite of passage, and it's why I'm bringing Lawson to Bill's January 2027 event. Whether you do it with a mountain hike, a weekend away, or a simple circle of men, don't leave your son's manhood to chance. Start by picking one man you trust and asking him to step in. Go out and live legendary.

    21 October 2026, 12:00 am
  • 49 minutes 34 seconds
    The Mother's Side Baldness Myth Finally Explained featuring Dr. Goran Jezic

    Dr. Goran Jezic is a dual board certified physician practicing in Houston since 1996 who has focused on hair restoration for over a decade, with his team reporting more than 1 million hair grafts implanted. He personally conducts every consultation and specializes in the follicular unit extraction (FUE) method, working with everyday men as well as professional athletes, actors, and celebrities.

    In this episode Larry and Dr. Jezic break down why men actually lose their hair, what finasteride and minoxidil really do (and their side effect profiles), and how modern FUE transplants compare to the older strip method and the "hair plugs" of the past. If you're a man noticing thinning or a receding hairline and you want straight answers on genetics, medications, and what's possible before your hairline is gone, this conversation is for you.

    Timeline Summary

    [1:01] – Larry welcomes Dr. Goran Jezic and frames the topic every man quietly thinks about: hair loss

    [1:24] – Dr. Jezic on his father, a three time Olympian in water polo and PhD chemist who called fatherhood his proudest achievement

    [4:22] – His dad's early passing from prostate cancer just shy of 74, and being inducted into the Water Polo Hall of Fame posthumously

    [6:14] – The one standard his father held him to: integrity and "do the right thing when nobody's looking"

    [9:07] – Larry's intro to Dr. Jezic's credentials, 1 million plus grafts, and hands-on consultations

    [12:10] – Why high-performing dads often pressure their kids, and how Dr. Jezic's father chose "did you do your best?" instead

    [20:11] – Larry reveals he had hair restoration surgery in 2012 and has zero regrets

    [20:35] – The real cause of hair loss explained: androgenic alopecia, DHT, and genetically susceptible follicles

    [22:43] – Busting the myth that baldness comes only from your mother's side of the family

    [25:32] – Finasteride, DHT, and the small subset of men who get low-T side effects including depression and suicidal ideation

    [28:21] – How minoxidil actually works, why it's different from finasteride, and the oral pill option

    [33:36] – FUE versus the older strip (FUT) method, linear scarring, and why both beat the old hair plugs

    [37:21] – What men are most worried about in consultations and the real psychological weight of hair loss

    [40:04] – How TRT and testosterone optimization can accelerate hair loss in predisposed men

    [45:11] – Dr. Jezic's closing message: free consultations, no stigma, and "you've got nothing to lose but more hair"

    5 Key Takeaways

    1. Hair Loss Is Genetic And Hormonal — Male pattern baldness is androgenic alopecia, driven by genetically susceptible follicles that react to the testosterone byproduct DHT. It's roughly a third of men by 30 and half by 50.
    2. The Mother's Side Myth Is Mostly Myth — Baldness was once thought to be inherited only from the maternal line, but research now shows it's multifactorial, can come from either side, and can skip generations.
    3. Finasteride Keeps, Minoxidil Grows — Finasteride blocks DHT to protect the hair you still have, while minoxidil lengthens the growth cycle to stimulate fuller hair. They work by completely different mechanisms and pair well together.
    4. Know The Side Effect Profile — A small percentage of men on finasteride experience low-T type effects like low libido, mood changes, and in rare cases depression or suicidal ideation. It's uncommon but real and worth discussing with a doctor.
    5. Modern Transplants Are Not Hair Plugs — Today's FUE method extracts individual follicles with no linear scar, minimal downtime, and natural-looking results, a far cry from the strip method and the obvious plugs of decades past.

    Links & Resources

    Enjoyed This Episode?

    If you've ever stared at a clump of hair in the shower drain and wondered whether anything actually works, this conversation gives you the straight science without the Instagram hype. Share it with a friend who's been quietly battling the bald and wondering what his options really are. Follow The Dad Edge, and if the show's helped you, leave a rating and review so more dads can find it.

    19 October 2026, 12:00 am
  • 1 hour 7 minutes
    The Unspoken Expectations Are Quietly Hurting Your Marriage featuring Michael Bernoff

    This week I sat down with Michael Bernoff, a human behavior expert with more than 20 years of study into communication, influence, and language. He's the founder of the Human Communications Institute and the author of Average Sucks, and he started as an average middle class Jersey kid who was told that certain things weren't for people like us. At 19 he discovered that communication is a skill you can learn, and at 21 he met his mentor Jim Rohn, whose success principles shaped decades of his work.

    We got practical on the words we use with our kids, our wives, and ourselves when nobody is listening. Michael shared why saying it's hard keeps us stuck, why telling your kid you're proud of him might not be enough, how one phrase takes the pressure off any habit, and what your wife may really mean when she says you should know by now. If you're a dad or husband who wants to be more intentional about the language and communication patterns in your home, this one is for you.

    Timeline Summary

    [1:01] Larry welcomes Michael Bernoff and asks the story behind going by Mike versus Michael

    [4:19] Larry introduces Michael: communication expert, founder of the Human Communications Institute, and author of Average Sucks

    [9:17] Growing up with the "that's them, this is us" mindset, and why "how can I do that" beats "how does he do that"

    [12:29] How wrestling legend Jake Herbert and Larry trade a daily gratitude text before 6 a.m.

    [18:54] The psychology of communication: why words trigger a chemical reaction and performance is influence

    [22:15] The reframe for kids: swap "it's hard" for "it's harder than you'd like it to be"

    [25:39] Why "you should be proud of yourself" can land better than "I'm proud of you"

    [29:24] Larry's story about praising a talented wrestler's wins instead of his work ethic

    [31:30] Honor the effort, not the result: why "of course you did, that's the kind of person you are" works

    [37:59] Why absolutes like every day create stress, and how "more often than not" makes habits doable

    [43:40] What to say at night instead of "I'm exhausted": "I served a lot of people today"

    [48:35] Sorting food into nutrition, entertainment, and addiction to change what you eat

    [52:37] Marriage: why unspoken expectations lead to disappointment, and how to own your mistakes

    [58:16] What "you should know by now" really means, and how to ask your wife for what you need

    [1:00:35] Why your wife expects you to be great, and why it's okay she doesn't say it every day

    [1:02:38] Closing message: it's up to dads to lead the change in how we communicate at home

    Key Takeaways

    1. Communication isn't about what you said, it's about what was heard, so speak to get the response you want instead of to sound right.
    2. Teach your kids to say it's harder than they'd like it to be instead of it's hard, because that small change points the mind toward a solution.
    3. Honor your kids' effort and who they're becoming instead of just the result, and help them feel proud of themselves so they don't need your approval to feel good.
    4. Trade absolutes like every day for more often than not, and the pressure comes off while the habit sticks.
    5. Say your expectations out loud to your wife, because unspoken expectations lead to disappointment, and you're not owed a particular response.

    Links & Resources

    Closing

    Michael said it isn't what you say that matters, it's how what you said was received, and I've been listening to my own words differently ever since. When I told him how I wished my wife would touch me more and she heard criticism, I saw exactly how quickly a good request turns into a defensive moment. Michael's challenge was simple: ask for what you want, don't expect a perfect response, and lead the way in how your family talks. Pick one phrase this week, maybe more often than not, and use it with your kids and your wife. Go out and live legendary.

    16 October 2026, 12:00 am
  • 1 hour 2 minutes
    How Your Relationship With Yourself Shapes Every Other Relationship featuring Traver Boehm

    Traver Boehm is back on the show for the third time, and I still remember his first story like it was yesterday. He's a former professional MMA fighter and bodyguard with a master's degree in traditional Chinese medicine, a hospice volunteer, more than 11 years sober, and the founder of the Uncivilized movement. He's the author of Today I Rise, Uncivilized, and 28 Days in Darkness, and he has now spent 77 days of his life in complete darkness, including 49 straight days in a dark room in Tuscany with no phone, no people, and no clock.

    We talk about what it takes to stop running from yourself, the fragmentation I see in so many men, and the morning a phrase landed so hard that Traver dropped to his knees. We also get honest about suicide, why men need to pick up the phone, and what a relationship with yourself does for your marriage and your kids. If you're a dad who feels the drift of busyness and wonders who you really are underneath it, this conversation is for you.

    Timeline Summary

    [1:01] Larry welcomes Traver Boehm back for his third time on the show

    [4:32] Larry introduces Traver: MMA fighter, bodyguard, hospice volunteer, 11 years sober, and 77 days in the dark

    [6:01] How 2016 brought a lost pregnancy, a divorce, and a lost business, and the question of who he was as a man

    [8:27] Fragmentation: the man everyone sees, the man his family sees, and the man nobody sees

    [10:26] Why Traver felt called back into the dark after his father died

    [11:49] The call about his cousin's death that pushed him to write his book and go back into darkness

    [19:09] Terror and acceptance: why a true initiation has to carry the risk of a breakdown

    [23:04] A message to men in dark times: pick up the phone, because we want you to reach out

    [28:52] The mantra One Life, All In: why a man is meant to live one life, not a public, private, and secret one

    [30:35] The morning a word came to him while pacing the dark mile and dropped him to his knees

    [36:34] Day 45: the hardest morning of the 49 days, and the guide who sensed it from afar

    [46:44] Walking out on day 49: the sunrise, birds, and tears after seven weeks without light

    [50:20] Welcome back to reality: credit card fraud, a rough landing, and a year of reorganizing

    [54:32] The core lesson: your relationship with yourself changes every other relationship

    [57:13] Questions every father should answer, and why kids need a dad who knows himself

    [1:00:52] Larry on human doing versus human being, and what he avoids with distraction

    Key Takeaways

    1. You don't have to wait for a crisis to ask who you are as a man, and one quiet hour with yourself is a good place to start.
    2. Keeping the public, private, and secret versions of yourself apart drains your energy, and living one life gives it back.
    3. If you're in a dark place, pick up the phone and tell someone, because the people who love you would rather hear from you than lose you.
    4. Everything you build on top of a relationship with yourself is a bonus, and chasing success to fill that void never works.
    5. Your kids get a better father when you can honestly answer what you want and whether this is the life you want to live.

    Links & Resources

    Closing

    Traver said the most important relationship we have is the one with ourselves, and I've been asking myself those same questions ever since we stopped recording. I told him I can't sit still for 30 minutes, and that tells me I have some work to do on what I'm avoiding with distraction. So this week, take one hour, ask the man in the mirror how he's really doing, and ask your wife whether she's happy. And if you're in a dark place right now, call someone today. Go out and live legendary.

    14 October 2026, 12:00 am
  • More Episodes? Get the App