Good Dads Podcast

• The Difference a Dad Makes Ep. 3 - Building Confidence in Children

  In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes, hosts Brian Mattson and Dr. Jennifer L. Baker welcome Paul Baker, an experienced educator and former school principal, to discuss practical ways to build confidence in children. Paul shares insights from his career in education and his experiences as a father, offering real-life examples of how responsibility, chores and perseverance help instill confidence in kids. The conversation explores the value of allowing children to experience challenges, learn from failures and develop independence through everyday tasks. Whether you're a parent looking for strategies to encourage self-reliance or just hoping to understand how confidence is built over time, this episode provides meaningful stories, practical advice and engaging discussions on the importance of resilience in childhood. Episode Highlights [01:49] "I think you have to let them experience things. You have to require things of them. Jennifer and I were always very big on chores and it was a battle, but we stood together." [04:52] "We felt that it was good for children to sweat, to do something boring because there are a lot of things in life that are not fun but have to be done." [08:11] "We let our kids cook. There were some disasters but learning happens in those mistakes." [14:09] "The first time Jack buttoned his shirt by himself, he cried, Jessica cried and I cried. He worked hard for it and that was such a proud moment." [15:39] "There are winners and losers in competition. Not everything ends in a tie and not everybody gets a trophy. Understanding that is part of growing up." [22:07] "It's better to crash and burn in fourth grade than to wait until you're 18 and realize you're not the best at everything." Resources 📩 Sign up for the Good Dads Newsletter and never miss a podcast! 🌐 Learn more at gooddads.com 📧 Questions or comments? Reach out to Good Dads at [email protected]  

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• The Intentional Dad Ep 3 - Teaching Empathy and Resilience

  In this episode of The Intentional Dad, hosts Jason Hynson and J. Fotsch sit down with Herb Cody, a dedicated father from Nixa, Missouri, to discuss how life’s challenges shape empathy, resilience and intentional fatherhood. Herb shares his personal journey of navigating fatherhood through life-altering experiences, including his own near-fatal accident and his wife’s traumatic brain injury. He explains how he balanced being both a father and caretaker, how his community stepped in to support his family and how he instilled resilience and compassion in his children. This episode is a powerful look at overcoming adversity, staying present as a dad and fostering emotional strength in your children. Episode Highlights [02:39] "I had to be mom and dad while taking care of my wife’s recovery. I don’t even remember how I did it—I just knew I had to." [05:36] "The community really stepped in. Other parents, friends, even teammates’ families—it reminded me that none of us have to do this alone." [07:06] "You never know what someone else is going through. Be there for them. Stand up when you see someone struggling." [10:59] "You can’t plan for life-changing moments. You just have to be there, show up, and figure it out one step at a time." [12:14] "We called it ‘Herb-achi Night’—just a fun way to bring laughter into our home when times were hard." [16:04] "I didn’t know what to say or do, but I was there. And sometimes, that’s enough." Resources 📩 Sign up for the Good Dads Newsletter and never miss a podcast! 🌐 Learn more at gooddads.com 📧 Questions or comments? Reach out to Good Dads at [email protected]

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• Good Dads Great Communities Ep. 3 - Identifying Your Community Goals

  In this episode of Good Dads, Great Communities, Dr. Jennifer L. Baker, founder and Executive Director of Good Dads, and co-host J. Fotsch discuss how to build fatherhood initiatives and strengthen communities through engagement, collaboration, and leadership. Dr. Baker shares how Good Dads started with a simple idea and grew into a multi-chapter organization supporting thousands of fathers. She and Fotsch highlight the importance of identifying community champions, creating safe spaces for dads to connect, and fostering conversations that promote strong family involvement. If you're looking to start or grow a fatherhood initiative in your community, this episode provides practical steps, success stories, and motivation to get started. Episode Highlights [03:08] "Every child has a father, whether or not that child lives with him. But too often, fathers are invisible in community programs." [04:55] "If you look around, you’ll likely find that most programs for dads exist only in faith-based communities or probation and parole—not in everyday community spaces." [06:32] "The first step is simple—get dads together in a space where they feel comfortable talking. That alone is missing in many communities." [08:00] "Many men talk about sports and work, but they rarely talk about being a dad. We wanted to change that." [14:39] "We made it okay for dads to talk about being a dad. That was the game-changer." [20:26] "Breaking the cycle matters. Just because you didn’t have a dad growing up doesn’t mean you can’t be a great one." Resources 📩 Sign up for the Good Dads Newsletter and never miss a podcast! 🌐 Learn more about Good Dads Great Communities! 📧 Questions or comments? Reach out to Good Dads at [email protected].

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• The Difference a Dad Makes Ep. 2 - Encouraging Curiosity and Lifelong Learning

  In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes, hosts Brian and J Fotsch welcome Rudy Martinez, Director of the Springfield Conservation Nature Center, to explore the role of curiosity, outdoor exploration, and lifelong learning in parenting. Rudy shares how his love for the outdoors influenced his parenting style and how exposing kids to nature sparks curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills. The conversation highlights why hands-on experiences matter, how fathers can foster curiosity in their children, and simple ways to get outside—even for families new to outdoor activities. Whether you’re an avid outdoorsman or just looking for ways to connect with your child, this episode is packed with practical tips, personal stories, and inspiration for raising curious, resilient kids. Episode Highlights [01:42] "You can see in the eyes of your child when they learn something new—from the moment they’re born through their teens." [10:07] "If you just provide the opportunity to be outside, people will start noticing things around them—whether they realize it or not." [12:30] "He got curious because he got to experience. That was the thing—being experiential in nature led to his curiosity moving forward." [14:45] "Children are like sponges—they absorb everything from us. The way we react is the way they may react too." [22:15] "In today’s world, everything is preprogrammed. When you go camping, you’re forced to slow down and figure things out—how do we fill this time without screens?" [29:34] "We’ve lost critical reasoning skills in today’s society. When you're outdoors, you don’t have Google to lean on—you have to figure it out." Resources 📩 Sign up for the Good Dads Newsletter and never miss a podcast! 🌐 Learn more at gooddads.com 📧 Questions or comments? Reach out to Good Dads at [email protected]  

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• Hot Topics Ep. 2 - Understanding Neurodiversity and Inclusivity

  In this episode of Hot Topics, hosts J Fotsch and Will Cox sit down with Dr. Kyle John, Medical Director at Arc of the Ozarks, to explore neurodiversity, inclusivity, and early intervention for autism and other developmental disorders. Dr. John explains what neurodiversity is, how early diagnosis impacts long-term outcomes, and why dads often struggle more than moms when their child receives a diagnosis. The discussion also highlights the importance of inclusive education, breaking stigmas, and advocating for neurodiverse children at home, school, and in the community. This episode is a must-listen for parents looking to better understand neurodiversity and how to support children with unique learning needs. Episode Highlights [05:00]"The earlier you diagnose, the better the outcome." [06:56]"Your brain may be structured and function differently, but that’s not something to feel bad about." [08:06]"Men struggle to see their kids as flawed... They think, ‘He’s just being a boy.’" [14:33]"If I learn about you, I realize we have more in common than differences." [21:51]"Instead of judging, say, ‘That kid’s having a hard day. I hope they get the support they need.’" [26:32]"It’s not a knowledge-based disorder, it’s a performance-based disorder." [31:19]"I love you, but I don’t like this behavior. Let’s work on it." Resources 📩 Sign up for the Good Dads Newsletter and never miss a podcast! 🌐 Learn more at gooddads.com 📧 Questions or comments? Reach out to Good Dads at [email protected]

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