STRONG DADS! Doing Real Life: Recent Episodes

Merrill Hutchinson & Kyle Crofford

STRONG DADS is hosted by Merrill Hutchinson and Kyle Crofford. STRONG DADS strives to be an informative and entertaining discussion for all men but in particular, husbands and fathers. Our message is straight shooting, challenging, and encouraging to men that desire to follow their calling to be the man God designed them to be. We make no apologies for grounding our message in the Word of God. We also admit to being flawed. We readily admit to being sinners and challenged in many ways, however, we also know we are loved and called by God to be Strong Dads! With the help of local sponsors and the word spreading through listeners like you, Strong Dads is committed to building and strengthening families. The mission is to equip and empower dads to be all God created them to be.

Welcome to another episode of Strong Dads! In this episode, Andy Dalton hosts some of Merrill Hutchinson's long time friends: Carl Andry and Kyle Crofford! In this episode, it's all about honoring Merrill Hutchinson and his identity in Christ!

There are many laughs in this episode about Merrill as well as understanding the power Merrill possessed because of his identity; which was rooted in the foundation of Jesus Christ. This is an episode you don't want to miss!

As you listen to this podcast, if something stands out to you or if you have any questions please don't hesitate to reach out and get ahold of Andy (andy@rocksolidfamilies.org) or anyone else on the Rock Solid Families team (their office number is 812-576-7625). Also, go check out their website for more information: http://rocksolidfamilies.org.

If you want to learn more about Strong Dads, go to their FaceBook group and join them regularly on Saturday mornings for a workout and bible study. Thanks for listening!

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Welcome to this Father's Day episode of Strong Dads! Before we jump in, we want to say Happy Father's Day to all the dads out there! Thank you for stepping up and leading your families well.

In this Father's Day panel episode, Andy Dalton hosts Zac Strobl and Bob Bracken. These fathers are in different seasons with their children and families. Bob has 3 adult children and Zac has 2 elementary age children. This makes for some good conversations about what has worked well to lead and disciple our children and what challenges these fathers have had.

Thanks for joining on this episode! If you want to learn more about Strong Dads or Rock Solid Families, go check out their website: https://www.rocksolidfamilies.org/

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First off, our team at Rock Solid Families would like to thank all of our veterans for their service. On this Memorial Day, we want to recognize and honor those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

In this Strong Dads episode, Andy Dalton is joined by Army veteran Matt Hackworth. Join Andy as he and Matt share his background and his time in the Army.

They talk about the true meaning of Memorial Day, how to honor those who have died for our freedoms, and what sacrifice can mean for men in their everyday lives. Stay tuned to the end to find out how sacrifice can strengthen men for their daily lives and families!

If you want to learn more about Rock Solid Families or Strong Dads, go check out their website: https://www.rocksolidfamilies.org/

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In life, do you feel like you're limping along? Just getting by and not living life to the fullest. This could be with your job, with your loved ones, or your friends and neighbors. If this strikes a cord with you in some way, then jump into this podcast all about how God has a greater plan for you!

In this Strong Dad's episode, Andy Dalton welcomes Nick McDonough as they dive into restoration and about God's plan for us to live life abundantly.

If you want to learn more about Strong Dad's or Rock Solid Families, go check out their YouTube page for more content or their website: rocksolidfamilies.org

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In this Strong Dad's episode, Andy Dalton is joined by Dan Martin to talk about Easter. Dan bring a wealth of wisdom and experience in ministry as well as real world experience!

In this Easter podcast, Andy and Dan talk about the narrative of Jesus' actions. Was it weakness that Jesus allowed people to spit on him, beat him, mock him and kill him? Or was it the ultimate show of strength? To find out more, check out this weeks episode!

If you want to learn more about Strong Dad's or Rock Solid Families, go check out their website rocksolidfamilies.org

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In this Strong Dads episode, Andy Dalton - Zac Strobl - and Jesse Hamilton talk all about if we are prioritizing other things above our Father in Heaven? This gut checking show doesn't hold back any punches! These guys go straight to the point asking if we are putting hobbies, sport teams, or other things above God. But they also call themselves out knowing that we all fall short. If you want to hear different ways we can all work towards putting and keeping God where he deserves, then check out this episode!

If you want to learn more about Strong Dads, you can visit them on their FaceBook group or email andy@rocksolidfamilies.org. Strong Dads also has men who meet up at the Rock Solid Families location in St. Leon (7484 Christina Drive, West Harrison, IN 47060) on Saturday mornings from 8-9:30 am.

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In this "March Madness" episode of Strong Dad's, Kyle Crofford joins Andy Dalton to talk about how we can strengthen our Faith over Fear. Both Kyle and Andy use real world examples from their lives as men leading other men and as dads. But they also use biblical examples of how God wants us to exercise Faith in His plan, over Fear of what could happen.

Don't forget, every Saturday morning from 8-9:30 am at their St. Leon location (7484 Christian Dr. West, Harrison, IN 47060) Strong Dad's get together for a 45 minute lift and a 45 minute bible study! Everyone is welcome here!

If you have any questions about Strong Dads or Rock Solid Families, go to their website: rocksolidfamilies.org

Or reach out to Andy directly at andy@rocksolidfamilies.org

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In this episode of Strong Dads, Andy and Jared Miller talk about how we can love others through service. They base their conversation on Ephesians 5:25 where husbands are called to serve their wives as Christ served the church.

Join Andy and Jared in this episode as they explore what service is, how we are called to serve and how something must die in our lives for us to love others through service!

If you are interested in join Rock Solid Families at their 3rd annual Partnership Banquet on March 5th - go to this link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rock-solid-families-partnership-banquet-tickets-1980015671173?aff=oddtdtcreator

If you want to learn more about Strong Dads or Rock Solid Families, go to their website: rocksolidfamilies.org

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In this Strong Dads episode, Andy Dalton is joined by Zac Strobl and they dive into Tough Love. What does tough love look like for dads? How can other men show tough love to each other and how the bible outlines tough love?

Also, Strong Dads wants to encourage all the men who listen to this episode to join a men's community. The benefits are life changing, take our word for it! If you don't have a group, you can always join the Strong Dads group on Saturday mornings from 8-9:30 am at the Rock Solid Families St. Leon location (7484 Christian Drive, Suite 101, West Harrison, IN 47060).

If you are curious about Strong Dads and Rock Solid Families, then come join us at our Partnership Banquet on Thursday March 5th. Here is the link to RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rock-solid-families-partnership-banquet-tickets-1980015671173?aff=oddtdtcreator

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On this Strong Dads episode, Andy Dalton and Bob Bracken collaborate on how we can be renewed throughout our lives!

Bob tells his story about his children being born and how that brought him to his knees. This impactful moment was just one of the many moments of renewal he's gone through in his life.

Join Andy on this journey as he and Bob Bracken dive into what Jesus really wants for us in our lives and how we can practically apply the verse from Romans 12:2 "Don't conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind".

If you want to learn more about Bob and his foundation "The Purposed Family" go to his website: https://thepurposedfamily.com/

If you want to learn more about Strong Dads and Rock Solid Families, go to their website: rocksolidfamilies.org

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Questions for Round Table Discussion:

On Faith: The "Hidden" Life
"As we look at 2026, many of us are experts at looking like followers of Christ on Sunday morning. But if we pull back the curtain on your private thoughts and habits this week, where is the gap between the man people see and the man God sees? What is one specific 'secret struggle' you want to surrender today so you can walk in true renewal?"
On Marriage: The Heart of the Home
"In Ephesians, husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loved the church—sacrificially and selflessly. In the busyness of work and kids, it’s easy to treat our wives like 'roommates' or 'co-managers' of a household. Where have you been selfish or emotionally absent lately, and what is one way you can be more selfless or present with your wife?
On Fatherhood: Presence vs. Provision
"It is often easier to provide for our children financially than it is to be present with them spiritually. When your children look at your life right now, do they see a man who is 'too busy' for them, or a man who reflects the patience of the Heavenly Father? What is the biggest hurdle preventing you from being the primary spiritual leader in your children’s lives?"
On Occupation: Work as Worship
"We spend the majority of our waking hours at work. Do you view your job primarily as a paycheck and a source of stress, or as your mission field? Be honest: where has 'climbing the ladder' or workplace anxiety taken priority over your integrity or your witness to your colleagues?" Is your job simply a paycheck, or is it a mission field? How can you make changes to improve your mission at work?
On Community: The Courage to Lead
"The world in 2026 is often characterized by division and 'lone ranger' Christianity. We are called to be salt and light in our neighborhoods and cities. Where have you stayed 'safely on the sidelines' of your community when God might be calling you to lead, serve, or speak up for the truth?"
On Leadership: The Burden of Ego
"Biblical leadership is 'servant leadership,' yet our pride often demands we be served. Where has your ego caused friction in your home, workplace, church, or community recently? Share a moment where you chose to be 'right' rather than being righteous, and how you can practice humility in that relationship moving forward."
On Brotherhood: The Accountability Gap
"Proverbs 27:17 says 'Iron sharpens iron.' Who are the men in your life who actually know the full truth about your struggles? Who has the permission to call you out?

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What's Your Mission Field - Jeff Duerler - Ep 271

Strong Dads

The video opens with hosts Andy and Merrill expressing excitement about their upcoming guest, Jeff Duerler, a thoughtful and intentional speaker known for his rich insights. They emphasize the value of the content Jeff brings, noting that it’s so substantial that listeners will want to revisit it.

The conversation begins with a couple of announcements regarding their Strong Dads Saturday morning workouts. They highlight a special event, Strong Dads Live, scheduled for January 3rd, aimed at sharing inspiring stories from their community.

As the hosts officially welcome Jeff, they delve into his background. Jeff introduces himself by sharing his foundation in faith, emphasizing that his identity is rooted in his relationship with Jesus. He reflects on how this has shaped his life mission and the work he does, including leading a church and helping couples rekindle their marriages through Airbnb getaways. Jeff talks about the crucial questions of identity, purpose, and hope that every individual grapples with, stressing the importance of these in understanding one’s mission.

The conversation takes a poignant turn as Jeff shares about his personal challenges, particularly the profound loss of his daughter, which forced him to reevaluate his mission in life. He discusses how suffering can lead to clarity about what truly matters, encouraging listeners to focus on how they can redeem their pain for a greater purpose.

The discussion shifts to the importance of a mission-driven life, touching on the misconception that only certain people, like pastors, have a mission. Jeff argues that everyone is called to serve and make a difference, no matter their profession. He emphasizes that our work and interactions can be infused with purpose, urging listeners to seek out ways they can be a positive influence within their spheres of life.

Andy and Merrill contribute their own experiences and insights, reflecting on their challenges and how they have found strength and purpose through their faith. They discuss the importance of community and service, especially for men who may struggle with being engaged or vulnerable.

As they wrap up, the hosts underline that living a mission-oriented life not only enhances one’s personal fulfillment but also serves as an example for families, especially children. They invite viewers to consider joining their community and being part of their Strong Dads program, reinforcing the idea that nobody should undertake their spiritual journey alone.

Remember, your mission starts by understanding your identity in Christ.

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In this Strong Dad's show, Andy Dalton welcomes guest Frank Henegar. Andy and Frank continue Rock Solid Families December theme of "Mission" in a different way. They dive into "Mission Field" and how that relates to God's mission and how our mission ties into that.

Throughout this podcast you will hear about how to discern your mission field, where God is calling you to use the gifts He's given you, and how men can work alongside one another to help encourage others where their mission field is.

If you like what you hear, please like, subscribe, and share the video! Also, you can learn more about Strong Dads and Rock Solid Families by following them on social media and checking out their website: rocksolidfamilies.org

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Strong Dads Podcast Episode Summary

In this episode of the Strong Dads Podcast, hosts Merrill Hutchinson and Andy Dalton dive into the significance of having a mission in life, particularly from a man’s perspective. The discussion unfolds in a structured manner, highlighting key themes and insights for fathers and men striving to lead purposeful lives.

The Importance of a Mission

The podcast opens with a brief advertisement for Quality Autoart, emphasizing their multifaceted services for both cars and golf carts, while thanking them for their sponsorship. This sets a community-focused tone for the episode.

Merrill and Andy then introduce the central theme of the month: mission. They discuss how their content will become more theme-based, providing a roadmap for their discussions ahead. Merrill and Andy express a desire to explore the concept of mission from various perspectives, especially what it means for men.

Intentionality in Life

The conversation shifts toward the importance of living intentionally and not drifting through life. They reference Ephesians 2:10, which emphasizes that individuals are created for good works, highlighting the significance of being deliberate in one’s actions and decisions.

Merrill and Andy emphasize that a man’s mission should align with God’s mission. They stress the importance of understanding God’s ways, not just personal ambitions, echoing the idea that serving God ultimately enhances one’s role as a father and husband.

The Role of Christ

Merrill articulates the distinction between God as a general concept and Christ as a defined figure, suggesting that understanding Christ’s example is crucial for men to grasp what it means to be a strong leader in their families. They discuss how Christ came to serve rather than be served, a countercultural idea that men often struggle to embrace.

Practical Application of Mission

Merrill and Andy then provide practical advice on living out one’s mission, focusing on home first. They argue that the family should be the primary mission field, urging fathers to actively lead their children in faith rather than leaving them to choose their paths without guidance.

Merrill and Andy also touch on the idea that mission is not just about the family; it extends into the workplace and community. They encourage listeners to serve with integrity and to view every role, no matter how mundane, as an opportunity to reflect Christ’s love.

Spiritual Warfare and Intentional Living

The discussion deepens into the spiritual dimensions of mission, recognizing that there are forces at play that seek to disrupt families and individuals. They highlight the need for vigilance and intentionality in protecting one’s family from spiritual attacks. Merrill and Andy affirm that complacency is a danger, urging men to actively engage in their mission to counteract such threats.

Conclusion and Call to Action

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Background -
As a Christian father, the answers are deeply rooted in my faith and my commitment to my family.

How Much Time Do You Have Left?
The simple answer is: I don't know, but I know it's a gift.
The Bible teaches us in James 4:14, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

As a father, I feel the weight of this truth more acutely than ever. My time is not my own; it's a stewardship entrusted to me by God.

• Finite and Fragile: Whether I have 50 years, 5 years, or just the remainder of this day, the clock is ticking on my earthly assignment. My hope is not in the length of my life, but in the promise of eternity with Christ.

• The Focus is Today: I try to live in light of Psalm 90:12, which asks God to “teach us to number our days, that we may get a heart of wisdom.” Numbering them means cherishing this moment—not procrastinating the important things until a promised tomorrow that may never come.

What Are You Doing With It?
I am trying, imperfectly but earnestly, to do three main things with the time I have left: Love, Serve, and Equip.

Loving God and My Wife
• My primary call is to love the Lord with all my heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37). This informs everything else.
• I am committed to loving my wife as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25), sacrificially and faithfully. She is my partner in this journey, and a strong, Christ-centered marriage is the foundation of our home.
Serving My Family and Community
• Being Present: This is the hardest part. I have not always been good at this.
• Serving Others: My wife and I aim to model selfless service, whether it’s volunteering at our church, helping a neighbor, or supporting missions. I want my children to see that life isn't about accumulating but about contributing.
Equipping My Children
• This is the core of my fatherhood. My job isn't just to provide for them physically, but to pass on a durable faith—a faith that can survive college, career pressure, and cultural chaos.
• We regularly pray together, read the Bible, and talk openly about God's role in our daily lives. I am constantly asking myself: If I were gone tomorrow, have I pointed them clearly enough to the Savior?

One Thing You Can Do
If I could only choose one thing to focus my remaining time on, it would be this:

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Key Points

Introduction to Trail Life

•Trail Life is a Christian outdoor adventure program aimed at guiding boys to become godly men.
•The organization encourages skills development, leadership, and outdoor experiences.

The Problem

•Children today are increasingly disconnected from nature and real-life social interactions, often spending excessive time on screens.
•This trend leads to skill gaps in socialization and conflict resolution among boys, who may also lack exposure to Christian values.

Role of Fathers

•Active fatherly involvement significantly improves the chances that boys will grow into well-adjusted men.
•Statistics indicate that boys with engaged fathers are more likely to become productive members of society and, if raised in a Christian environment, are more likely to follow Christ.

Trail Life’s Mission

•The mission of Trail Life is to inspire boys to lead with integrity, serve others, and enjoy outdoor adventures while being grounded in Christian faith.
•The program emphasizes character development through experiential learning.

Community and Volunteerism

•The episode encourages dads and community members to get involved, either as leaders or participants, to foster a supportive environment for boys.
•Volunteers in Trail Life play a crucial role in mentoring and guiding the next generation.

Activities and Engagement

•Trail Life offers various activities such as camping, fishing, archery, and biblical studies.
•The program is designed to cater to different age groups, progressively building skills and confidence.

Call to Action

•Listeners are encouraged to explore Trail Life as an option for their sons, whether they are Christian or not, emphasizing that all are welcome.
•Community members are invited to volunteer, pray for the organization, and support local troops through involvement.

Conclusion

The Strong Dads Podcast episode presents a compelling case for the Trail Life program as a vital resource for nurturing young boys into responsible, faith-driven men. Through community involvement and mentorship, families can work together to address the challenges faced by today’s youth while fostering strong, godly values.

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Background -
All of us have heard about the tragic and senseless assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. This is tragic on many different fronts. 1. An innocent man was murdered. 2. A wife and two young children are without their husband and father. 3. A nation is divided like we haven’t seen in decades.
How should we approach disagreement with our neighbor?

Aligning political views with God's ways is a process that involves prioritizing faith over ideology, grounding decisions in biblical principles, and engaging with humility and love.

This approach shifts focus from seeking partisan victory to seeking a kingdom-minded perspective that reflects Christ's character.

Prioritize a kingdom perspective
Place allegiance to God above any political party. Your identity as a follower of Christ should define your actions, not your political affiliation. Your ultimate hope is in Jesus, not in any earthly political system.

View political engagement as a way to serve God. The Bible encourages Christians to be active participants in their communities and to seek the welfare of their cities (Jeremiah 29:7). Your involvement can be an act of service to God and your neighbors.

Understand the limits of politics. While government is instituted by God for the good of society, it is not the source of salvation or ultimate change. Transformative change begins with transformed hearts, not just new laws.

Ground your views in scripture.
Evaluate issues through a biblical lens. Study and prayerfully consider how biblical principles apply to specific political issues. When facing a conflict between a political party's position and your faith, ask yourself what would honor Christ.

Seek guidance on complex issues. For issues that are not explicitly addressed in scripture, seek guidance through prayer, theological inquiry, and community reflection. Different Christians may arrive at different conclusions on these issues, and approaching them with humility is vital.

Engage with humility and love.
Practice civil discourse. Approach conversations with compassion and respect, listening to understand others' perspectives.Rather than striving to convince the other person why they are wrong, concentrate more on understanding how the formed their argument.

Focus on integrity. From yourself as well as your elected leaders. Uphold Christian values such as honesty, compassion, and humility in all political interactions. Your actions should reflect the integrity of your faith, even in heated political climates. Avoid rationalizing one politicians actions just to preserve your political foundation.

If a “your” politician does something against your integrity standards that are bound to the way of Christ, then be willing to call out just as you would if they were not your choice candidate.

Engage with those who hold different views.Rather than trying to "win" an argument, engage with people who disagree with you by seeking to understand their hearts and praying for them. This creates a safer space for dialogue that may open the door to a deeper conversation.

Unity is far more important than one person being right and another being wrong.
Galatians 6:7, which says, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows".

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Strong Dads Podcast Episode with Justin Noppert

Merrill introduces special guest Justin Noppert, sharing their recent experience at a Rock Solid Families thank-you banquet, which turned into a surprise retirement party for Merrill. The emotional gathering highlighted the importance of strong male figures in the community, a theme that will carry through the episode.

The Importance of Strong Dads
The discussion shifts towards the need for strong men who are willing to fight for their families and communities. Justin reflects on the powerful atmosphere of the banquet and the support given to Merrill. He emphasizes the significance of men rising up and investing in their families.

Coaching and Mentorship
Justin, who has a background in coaching, shares insights on the impact a coach can have on kids. He discusses the importance of intentional coaching that builds character and identity, stressing that it’s not just about winning but about nurturing young lives.

The Role of Community
The conversation turns to the isolation many men experience, leading to loneliness and brokenness. The hosts encourage men to seek community, recognizing that vulnerability and accountability are crucial for personal growth and healing. They emphasize that community doesn’t just serve as a support system but also provides opportunities for mentorship and guidance.

The Fight and Its Purpose
Justin explains the origin of “The Fight,” a group formed to help men navigate their struggles and build character. This initiative encourages men to confront their egos and take responsibility for their actions, fostering a space for authentic relationships and accountability.

The Challenge of Modern Masculinity
The discussion delves into the challenges faced by modern men in modeling good behavior and values for the next generation. They reflect on the influences that shape young men’s perceptions of masculinity, often stemming from media portrayals rather than healthy, real-life examples.
Practical Wisdom for Dads
Throughout the episode, the hosts offer practical advice for fathers:
• Be Intentional: Fathers should deliberately invest in their relationships with their children and spouses.
• Be Vulnerable: Owning up to mistakes and showing humility can strengthen family bonds.
• Seek Accountability: Engaging with other men for support can help navigate personal challenges and foster growth.

Closing Thoughts
The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage meaningfully in their families and communities, reminding them of the importance of strong male figures in nurturing the next generation. Justin shares plans for upcoming events and encourages men to get involved with local groups that promote positive masculinity.

Final Encouragement
Merrill and Andy challenge men to step up, embrace humility, and become the husbands and fathers their families need. They emphasize the importance of being present and actively participating in the lives of their loved ones.
This episode of the Strong Dads podcast serves as a powerful reminder of the impact that strong, intentional fatherhood can have on families and communities.

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Summary of the YouTube Video Featuring Brandon McBee on the Strong Dad’s Podcast

Introduction and Context
The video begins with a brief introduction by the Merrill, who reflects on his recent diagnosis of cancer, Glioblastoma. Merrill expresses gratitude for the audience’s continued supportand an explanation for the delay in this particular episode.

The show features Brandon McBee, an experienced educator and assistant principal at Harrison Junior School in Harrison, Ohio, who shares insights into the importance of father involvement in children’s education.

Importance of Father’s Role
Brandon emphasizes that the presence of a father figure or a positive male role model significantly influences a child’s development. He references statistics to underline the negative outcomes for children when fathers are absent, such as increased behavioral problems and lower academic performance. He notes that the role of dads in education is crucial, and their active engagement can make a significant difference in a child’s life.

Changes in Education Over Time
Brandon discusses how his role in education has evolved over his 15 years in the field, particularly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which transformed the educational landscape. He shares experiences from his first year in administration when he had to manage contact tracing and other pandemic-related challenges. The conversation touches on the cyclical nature of educational trends, where old strategies re-emerge under new names.

Technology in Education
The discussion highlights the impact of technology on students’ learning experiences. Brandon notes that while technology has benefits, over-reliance on it can lead to challenges like cyberbullying and diminished social skills. He advocates for more face-to-face interaction and physical activity, encouraging parents to limit access to devices for young children.

The Evolving Role of Schools
Brandon indicates that while schools have adapted by integrating technology, there is a growing conversation about the need to return to more traditional teaching methods.

Educational Philosophy
Brandon reflects on educational reforms, cautioning against the constant changes driven by political agendas. He stresses that while teaching methods may change, the fundamentals of education and human interaction remain constant.

Engaging with Children
The discussion pivots towards how fathers can actively engage with their children. Brandon offers practical advice for dads, encouraging them to start small and find common interests to connect with their kids.

Navigating Expectations
Brandon discusses the balance of setting expectations for children. He advocates for clear communication and consistency regarding what is expected from kids in terms of behavior and academic performance, emphasizing the need for flexibility based on individual strengths and weaknesses.

Challenges of Parenting
The video addresses the pressures parents face in raising children amidst societal expectations. Brandon reflects on the importance of resilience and teaching children how to handle failure.

The Role of Leadership
Brandon shares insights into leadership, both in education and parenting. He encourages dads to model good leadership qualities, such as empathy, understanding, and teamwork.

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Summary of the YouTube Video Featuring Merrill and Andy from Strong Dads and Rock Solid Families

Introduction

Update on Merrill’s Health

•Diagnosis Announcement: Merrill shares that he was diagnosed with glioblastoma on July 23rd, describing it as a severe case with three tumors. The prognosis is uncertain, with varying survival rates depending on treatment efficacy.

•Community Support: Merrill expresses deep gratitude for the overwhelming support from the community, including meals, prayers, and financial assistance. He emphasizes the importance of community and church as pillars of support during crises.

•Treatment Regimen: Currently undergoing radiation therapy and taking chemotherapy pills, Merrill describes the physical and emotional toll of the treatment, including low energy levels and cognitive challenges.

Personal Reflections on Life and Priorities

•Emotional Impact: The diagnosis has led Merrill to reassess what is important in life. He stresses the importance of prioritizing relationships, particularly with God, family, and community.

•Perspective Shift: Merrill discusses how facing a life-threatening illness has prompted him to reflect deeply on his priorities and what truly matters. He mentions upcoming family events, such as his daughter’s wedding, emphasizing the need to cherish these moments.

•Faith and Peace: Merrill shares that despite the challenges, he feels a profound sense of peace rooted in his faith. He encourages the audience to consider their relationship with God as a foundational aspect of handling crises.

Navigating Relationships and Community

•Importance of Relationships: The conversation touches on the significance of nurturing relationships, with God at the center. Merrill highlights how a strong faith can enhance other relationships, particularly with one’s spouse.

•Joint Efforts in Communication: Merrill and Andy emphasize the need for couples to pray together and communicate effectively, which fosters unity and alignment in facing challenges.

Living with Purpose and Prioritizing Faith

•Facing Mortality: Merrill reflects on the idea of death and his acceptance of it, grounded in his Christian faith. He expresses anticipation for what lies beyond this life, revealing a lack of fear associated with dying.

•Bucket List and Regrets: The discussion shifts towards pursuing dreams and aspirations without fear of failure. Merrill encourages taking risks and being obedient to God’s calling, further illustrating this point by discussing his decision to start Rock Solid Families.

•Prayer as Communication: Merrill discusses how prayer is not merely about asking for things but about building a relationship with God. He encourages wrestling with God in prayer as a means to deepen that relationship.

Conclusion and Call to Action

•Final Thoughts: Merrill ends with an encouragement to prioritize faith and community, urging listeners to not take their relationships for granted. He expresses hope that his experience can inspire others to live intentionally.

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My World Just Flipped - Glioblastoma - Ep 329

In this heartfelt YouTube video, Merrill Hutchinson, the host of RockSolid Families and Strong Dads, shares a personal update about his health journey. The video serves as both an introduction to his current situation and a reflection on life’s deeper meanings amidst adversity.

Key Points and Flow:

1. Introduction and Context:

• Merrill welcomes viewers and explains why he is combining two shows into one episode. He mentions feeling unwell for the past month and hints at a significant life change.

2. Health Concerns:

• He recounts how in mid-July, he began experiencing unusual symptoms like confusion and impaired balance. Despite initially dismissing these signs, he eventually consulted his doctor.

3. Diagnosis:

• On July 23rd, Merrill received a troubling diagnosis: glioblastoma, a severe and terminal brain cancer. He shares the stark reality of his prognosis, facing multiple brain surgeries and the emotional turmoil that has ensued.

4. Emotional Response:

• Merrill discusses the emotional rollercoaster he experienced following the diagnosis, feeling overwhelmed yet determined to use his situation for a greater purpose. He emphasizes the importance of sharing his story, not for sympathy but to inspire and encourage others.

5. Surgery and Treatment:

• He details his surgeries, noting their success while acknowledging the aggressive nature of the cancer. Merrill prepares to begin chemotherapy and radiation, hoping for stabilization of his condition.

6. Spiritual Reflection:

• Merrill reflects on his faith, quoting John 14:6, which has influenced his understanding of control and surrender to God. He expresses the importance of humility in facing life’s challenges and encourages viewers to seek a godly perspective over a self-centered one.

7. Family and Celebrations:

• He shares personal anecdotes about his family, highlighting both the struggles and joys, like an upcoming wedding in the family, which he views as a blessing and a reason to celebrate life.

8. Encouragement for Viewers:

• Merrill concludes with a message to viewers about the significance of community support and the need to prioritize relationships and kindness in difficult times. He expresses gratitude for the support he and his family have received.

9. Closing Thoughts:

• He wraps up by thanking his sponsors and the community for their support, reiterating his intent to share updates and insights as he navigates this challenging journey.

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Main Topic: Fatherhood Statistics

Importance of Present Fathers

•Statistics on Father Absence: One in four children in the United States grow up without a father present, equating to significant populations in major cities like New York and Los Angeles.
•Impact of Father Absence: They argue that father absence leads to numerous societal issues, stressing the need for active and involved fathers.

Key Issues Arising from Father Absence

Academic Underperformance

•Indicators: Higher dropout rates, lower test scores, and increased truancy are noted as direct consequences of father absence.
•Firsthand Observations: Andy shares insights from his decade-long experience as a PE teacher, emphasizing how discipline issues often stem from a minority of students who lack paternal guidance, thereby impacting overall classroom performance.

Disciplinary Issues

•Discipline Statistics: The hosts highlight that 90% of disciplinary actions in schools are attributed to about 10% of the student population, often linked to those without a father figure.
•Behavioral Patterns: They discuss the patterns of behavior and respect shown by children towards authority figures, especially female teachers, and relate it back to the presence of a male role model.

Increased Risk of Poverty

•Economic Impact: The absence of fathers typically results in a single-income household, increasing the likelihood of living in poverty and experiencing food insecurity.
•Generational Cycles: They discuss how this creates a cycle of poverty that can persist across generations.

Crime and Delinquency

•Connection to Self-Discipline: The hosts assert that children without fathers often lack self-discipline, leading to a higher incidence of crime and delinquency among these youths.

Mental Health Issues and Substance Abuse

•Stability and Security: Stability is vital for children; without it, they may turn to substances to cope with anxiety and fear, leading to further issues later in life.
•Impacts of Substance Abuse: The conversation shifts to how substance use often begins as an escape from underlying issues derived from father absence.

Child Maltreatment and Neglect

•Stress on Single Parents: The pressures faced by single parents can lead to neglect and maltreatment of children due to economic hardships and lack of support.

Higher Rates of Teen Pregnancy
•Craving Connections: The hosts expound on how children, particularly girls, may seek early relationships due to a lack of paternal involvement, leading to increased rates of teen pregnancy.
Co-Parenting Challenges

•Parenting Dynamics: The absence of fathers complicates co-parenting and places additional stress on the remaining parent, often leading to a chaotic home environment for the children.

The Role of Fathers

•Emotional and Psychological Support: The presence of a father contributes to emotional stability, teaching children discipline and respect.
•Examples of Responsibility: Fathers model how to handle relationships and responsibilities, which influences their children’s future choices in partners.

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Wrestling God - God’s Will vs. Our Will

•The conversation transitions to the deeper implications of wrestling with God, touching on the challenges of aligning personal desires with divine will.
•They discuss the tension between human understanding and God’s purposes, emphasizing the importance of surrendering pride for spiritual growth.

Personal Stories of Divine Wrestling

•Andy’s Journey: Andy recounts his personal struggles with obedience to God’s call, particularly regarding moving houses and adopting children. He describes a wrestling match with God over these life decisions and the confusion that ensued.
•The Role of Obedience: The hosts emphasize that wrestling can be a test of obedience, with God often asking individuals to step out of their comfort zones.

Learning Through Struggle

•The hosts affirm that spiritual wrestling often leads to deeper understanding and humility, much like physical wrestling.
•They invoke the example of Jesus in Gethsemane, who wrestled with the weight of His mission but ultimately submitted to God’s will, reinforcing that wrestling with God is a biblical and spiritual norm.

Practical Steps for Wrestling with God

Seeking God in Times of Struggle

1.Take Your Concerns to God: The hosts encourage listeners to pray and seek God directly rather than relying on external opinions that may not align with spiritual truths.
2.Express Lament: They stress the importance of expressing one’s feelings of frustration, anger, or confusion to God, citing the Psalms as a model for honest communication with God.
3.Community Engagement: The necessity of engaging with a community of faith is highlighted. Surrounding oneself with spiritually mature individuals can provide support and challenge one’s understanding.

Seeking Understanding Through God’s Word

•The hosts encourage listeners to study Scripture as a way to gain clarity on personal struggles, emphasizing that God’s ways often differ from human understanding.
•They reference James 1:5, urging individuals to seek wisdom from God, who generously gives it to those who ask.

Trusting God’s Goodness

•Despite the struggles, the hosts remind listeners to trust in God’s sovereignty and overall goodness, reiterating that divine plans often exceed human comprehension.
•The hosts conclude that wrestling with God is a lifelong journey, one that fosters growth and understanding in one’s relationship with Him.

Conclusion

•The podcast ends on an encouraging note, inviting listeners to engage in their own wrestling matches with God, asserting that these struggles are not just acceptable but essential for spiritual growth.
•The hosts remind listeners to embrace the wrestling process, assuring them that such experiences lead to a more profound relationship with God and a better understanding of His plans.

Final Thoughts

The episode effectively emphasizes that wrestling with God is a vital part of faith that leads to deeper understanding, humility, and ultimately, transformation. The personal stories, scriptural references, and practical advice create a relatable and insightful discussion for listeners, encouraging them to embrace their spiritual struggles as opportunities for growth.

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Merrill Hutchinson and Andy Dalton on Parenting Seasons

Introduction
The video features Merrill Hutchinson and Andy Dalton discussing the various roles of dads during different “seasons” of parenting. The conversation is grounded in the analogy of farming seasons, where different tasks are performed at different times of the year—relating this to the developmental stages of children and the corresponding responsibilities of parents.

Overview of Parenting Seasons
1.Service Season (0-3 years)
2.Leadership Season (3-13 years)
3.Mentorship Season (13-18 years)
4.Friend/Counsel Season (18 years and older)
Each season corresponds to specific tasks, challenges, and expectations for both the child and the parent.

Service Season (0-3 years)
•Role of the Parent: The primary role during this season is that of a servant. Parents are tasked with meeting the basic needs of their children, which include feeding, changing diapers, and providing comfort.
•Key Responsibilities:
•Understanding and responding to the child’s cries and needs.
•Learning the various dimensions of what it means to be a caregiver, including emotional support.
Leadership Season (3-13 years)
•Role of the Parent: The parent transitions into a leadership role where the focus shifts towards teaching and guiding children rather than just serving them.
•Key Responsibilities:
•Instilling values and expectations related to responsibility and service to others.
•Involving children in household chores and responsibilities to teach them about contributing to the family.
Mentorship Season (13-18 years)
•Role of the Parent: This season focuses on mentorship, where parents guide teenagers towards independence while allowing them to make their own choices.
•Key Responsibilities:
•Encouraging self-reliance and accountability while providing a safety net for mistakes.
•Engaging in discussions about values and preparing them for real-world challenges.
Friend/Counsel Season (18+ years)
•Role of the Parent: The final season transitions into a friend or counsel role, where parents no longer direct but rather support their adult children.
•Key Responsibilities:
•Building a relationship based on mutual respect and friendship, allowing for open dialogues about life choices.
•Offering counsel when asked, without overstepping boundaries, thus respecting their independence.

Conclusion
Merrill and Andy emphasize the importance of understanding these parenting seasons to fulfill one’s roles effectively. The ability to adapt to the varying needs of children at different ages can lead to producing well-rounded, responsible individuals. The conversation encourages intentionality in parenting, underscoring that a parent’s understanding of their role significantly impacts their children’s development and future contributions to society.

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Background -
Ah, the age-old issue of nagging! It's a common portrayal in media and often the subject of jokes, but beneath the surface lies a dynamic in a marriage that can cause real frustration. From a biblical perspective, the ideal for a husband and wife is one of mutual respect, love, and effective communication. When nagging becomes a pattern, it often signals a breakdown in this ideal. Let's explore how a husband might unintentionally contribute to his wife's nagging and how he can take positive steps toward a more harmonious relationship, grounded in biblical principles.

Scripture calls husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25). This is a love characterized by sacrifice, patience, and a desire for the other's well-being. Similarly, wives are called to respect their husbands (Ephesians 5:33). When these foundational principles are not consistently practiced, misunderstandings and frustrations can arise, sometimes manifesting as what we call "nagging."

It's easy to see nagging as solely the wife's behavior, but often, a husband's actions (or inactions) can inadvertently fuel it. Here are five ways a husband might contribute:

Unmet Expectations and Follow-Through: When a husband makes promises or agrees to tasks and then doesn't follow through, it can lead to his wife feeling unheard and responsible for constantly reminding him.

Lack of Proactive Initiative: If a husband consistently waits to be told what needs to be done around the house or with family responsibilities, his wife might feel like the sole manager of the household. This can lead to her constantly directing and reminding, which can feel like nagging.

Poor Communication and Listening Skills: When a wife feels her concerns are not being heard or acknowledged, she may resort to repeating herself or raising her voice to get her point across.

Inconsistency and Selective Hearing: Sometimes, a husband might respond to his wife's requests only after she has mentioned them multiple times. This inconsistency teaches her that persistence is the only way to get his attention or action.

Taking Her for Granted: When a husband doesn't acknowledge or appreciate the efforts his wife makes, she might feel unseen and unvalued. This can lead to her feeling the need to constantly remind him of her contributions or the things that need attention.

Advice -
Now, how can a husband, guided by biblical principles of love and respect, help to slow or even stop the nagging without being oppressive or demeaning? Here are five ways:

Practice Active Listening and Empathy: When your wife brings up a concern, truly listen to understand her perspective. Acknowledge her feelings and validate her concerns, even if you don't fully agree.

Take Ownership and Follow Through: When you agree to something, make it a priority to follow through in a timely manner.

Initiate and Share Responsibilities: Don't wait to be asked. Look for ways to proactively contribute to the household and family responsibilities.

Establish Clear Communication Systems: Have open and honest conversations about expectations and how you will communicate about them.

Express Appreciation Regularly: Acknowledge and appreciate your wife's efforts, both big and small.

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Strong Dads -
Merrill introduces “Strong Dads,” a program that includes a weekly workout and Bible study. This segment offers a chance for fathers to come together, exercise, and discuss personal growth and family dynamics.

Weekly Workouts and Challenges
Merrill mentions the regular Saturday morning workout sessions at their office in St. Leon. Each session includes a 45-minute workout followed by a 45-minute Bible study.
Merrill emphasizes the importance of community in “Strong Dads” workouts. The discussions during the Bible study shed light on personal struggles and the different interpretations of scripture, allowing everyone to gain new insights.

The Structure of Workouts
The hosts delve into their workout philosophies, highlighting their different athletic backgrounds—Merrill as a swimmer and Andy as a college football player. They discuss how their training methods have evolved over time, shifting from traditional strength training to more endurance-focused workouts.

Andy’s Workout Approach
Andy describes his current workout regimen, which includes three strength workouts and three cardio sessions per week. His training has transitioned towards endurance and hybrid athleticism, inspired by the book “The Hybrid Athlete” by Alex Viata.
He incorporates various modalities like running, biking, and using specialized gym equipment to maintain versatility in his fitness routine.

Merrill’s Workout Evolution
Merrill reflects on his swimming background, sharing experiences from his high school days with innovative training methods, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT) long before it became mainstream. He explains how this approach focused on short bursts of intense effort, interspersed with minimal rest.

Functional Movements and Training
The conversation shifts to the importance of functional movements in strength training. The hosts agree that workouts should emulate real-life movements to improve functional strength.

Incorporating Rotation and Mobility
Andy talks about the significance of rotational movements in training, which are often neglected in standard gym routines. He shares insights from a functional movement specialist about the body’s natural need for rotation and how incorporating these movements can enhance overall strength and longevity.

Changing Mindsets on Training
Merrill discusses abandoning the notion that knees should never go over toes during squats, citing the work of Ben Patrick (Knees Over Toes Guy) who advocates for improved knee health through full range of motion exercises.
Andy mentions moving away from maxing out on lifts due to the risks associated with it and focusing on more functional and varied strength exercises.

Nutrition and Supplements
The hosts briefly touch on nutrition, emphasizing that good dietary practices are crucial for performance and recovery. They suggest the following:

Protein Intake: Critical for muscle repair and growth.
Hydration and Electrolytes: Essential for maintaining energy levels during workouts.
Creatine: Recommended for enhancing recovery and performance, particularly in endurance activities.

Merrill and Andy emphasize that supplements should not replace a balanced diet, and the foundation of good nutrition is essential for effective training.

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Introducing Andy Dalton
Merrill introduces Andy Dalton, expressing gratitude for his previous co-host Carl’s contributions. He highlights Dalton’s background as a coach and his experience working with young men, couples, and families, fitting the mission of “Strong Dads.” Dalton is described as passionate and insightful, with a rich history of engagement in sports and familial relationships.

Early Life and Education
• Hometown: Kokomo, Indiana, later moving to Atlanta, Georgia, and then to the Cincinnati area.
•Education: Attended East Central High School and later graduated from Hanover College with a degree in Kinesiology and Integrated Physiology.
Journey in Sports
•Dalton played football and wrestled throughout high school, forming lifelong friendships and bonds through athletic pursuits.

Coaching Career
•After college, Dalton was offered a position as a strength assistant and linebacker’s coach at Hanover College, marking the beginning of his coaching career.
•He faced decisions about his professional path, ultimately choosing coaching over personal training due to his passion for mentoring young athletes.

Teaching and Coaching
•In 2015, he became a middle school PE teacher and continued coaching high school football and wrestling.

Faith Journey
• Dalton discusses his upbringing and initial exposure to faith through youth activities at Bright Christian Church, influenced by his friendship with Nick Hutchinson.
•During college, despite early faith being significant, Dalton’s connection waned due to various distractions.

Rediscovery of Faith
• In 2018, he rekindled his faith through serving as a youth leader alongside his wife, Katherine.
•They engaged deeply with the youth, which reignited their commitment to faith and community.

Rededication and Ministry Training
• In 2022, Dalton and his wife decided to rededicate their lives to God, indicating a new chapter in their spiritual journey.
•The couple felt called to ministry, leading to a two-year church planting residency where they focused on biblical foundations and community building.
Transition to RockSolid Families
•Merrill shares how he sought out Dalton for a coaching role due to his characteristics aligning with what they needed at RockSolid Families.

Vision for the Future
• Dalton expresses a desire to foster strong relationships and community impact through his role, advocating for a strong foundation based on faith.
•His vision includes building a home church model, reflecting a shift towards more personal and community-oriented expressions of faith.

Final Thoughts and Logistics
• Andy Dalton will join the show regularly and will start working at RockSolid Families as a coach.

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The episode of “Strong Dads,” hosted by Merrill Hutchinson and Carl Andry, discusses the profound and multifaceted concept of grace, particularly within the context of Christian faith. The hosts share personal experiences and insights to illustrate how the understanding of grace can transform one’s relationship with God and oneself. They emphasize that grace is what separates Christianity from other belief systems, challenging the prevalent works-based mentality.

The Nature of Grace

•Preconceived Notions: Carl begins by discussing the preconceived ideas that hinder an authentic understanding of grace.
•Works vs. Grace: The hosts note that many Christians mistakenly believe they must earn God’s favor through good deeds.

Personal Experiences with Grace

•Transformative Moments: Carl shares a pivotal moment when he realized the depth of God’s grace, describing it as one of the best months of his life.
•Church Dynamics: He conducted informal surveys within his church to gauge members’ understanding of grace, discovering that many, like him, had misconceptions.

Biblical Foundations of Grace
•Law and Sin: The introduction of the law through Moses is discussed as a means to make humanity aware of sin.
•Righteousness through Faith: They emphasize that righteousness comes from faith in Christ rather than adherence to the law.

Contrasting Perspectives
•Comparison and Judgment: The discussion touches on the human tendency to compare oneself to others, which breeds a toxic environment in churches and personal lives.
•The Prodigal Son: They reflect on the parable of the Prodigal Son, highlighting the contrast between the grace extended to the wayward son and the resentment of the elder brother.

Living in Grace
•Doubt and Assurance: believers may struggle with doubts and feelings of unworthiness even after understanding grace.
•The Role of Works: Carl argues that while works should naturally flow from a heart transformed by grace, they are not a means to earn salvation. Instead, good works become an expression of gratitude for what has already been received.

Scriptures:

Sin not imputed: 2Cor. 5:19, Romans 12-21, Romans 5:13-14
Saved by faith and not by Law (works): Eph. 2:8-9, Romans 4:13-15, Heb. 8:7,
Romans 5:6 Gal. 5:4
Dead to the Law: Romans 7:1-11, Romans 6:14, Gal. 3:23-25 (*18,19,21) Christ
released man from bondage to the Law.
Law condemned: Romans 3:19-20, 4:15, 5:20, 7:8, 7:21-25, 1Cor. 15:56, Gal. 3:10-
13, Heb. 7:19, 10:1
No condemnation for those under Christ: Romans 6:14 and 8:1-2
Law made no man righteous: Gal. 2:16, 2:21, 3:11
Law was a curse: Gal. 3:10-13
We are made righteous through Christ: Acts 13:39, Romans 3:21-24, 10:4, Gal. 2:16
The Law never applied to Gentiles: 1Cor. 9:21, Gal. 5:18, Eph. 1:12,15, 2:15, 1Tim.
1:7-10
Don’t leave your first Love (grace): Gal. 3:1-5, 5:1, 5:4, 5:18
Galatians 3:9-12 and 5:16-17, Romans 5:8-9, Romans 11:6, Romans 8:8-13, 2Cor
5:19, Romans 14:23, 1Cor 15:56, 2Cor 3:6-9, 1John 4:18, Hebrews 7:16-19 and 8:7-
13 and 10:35

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Bigorexia - When is Enough, Enough? Ep 254

•Bigorexia refers to a condition similar to anorexia but focused on a compulsive desire for muscle growth. The hosts clarify that the documentary they refer to is not specifically a Christian documentary, but it offers valuable insights into the psychological issues faced by bodybuilders and fitness enthusiasts.
•Carl shares a personal anecdote from his youth, discussing the pressure he felt in the bodybuilding community and how a friend advised him against using steroids, seeing the potential harm it could bring.

Personal Experiences

•Merrill and Carl exchange their experiences with body image and performance. Merrill recounts his time as a runner, focusing on how he believed weight loss would improve his performance, leading to unhealthy goals and perceptions of body image.
•Carl discusses his past experiences with performance pressure and how he struggled with perceptions of self-worth based on physical appearance and achievements.

The Broader Implications of Bigorexia

•The hosts emphasize that issues like bigorexia are not just confined to bodybuilding but can extend to various areas of life, such as financial success, fame, and relationships. The constant need for more — whether it be money, control, or validation — can lead to destructive behaviors.

Obsessive Thoughts and Their Effects
•The hosts discuss the nature of obsessive thoughts and how they manifest in different forms.
•They highlight the dangers of comparing oneself to others, particularly in a social media-driven world where curated images create unrealistic expectations.

Recognizing and Addressing Obsessions
•Merrill shares the importance of recognizing when one’s pursuit of physical or material goals becomes unhealthy.
•They introduce the concept of “taking thoughts captive” as a biblical principle that can be applied to mental health, advocating for mindfulness and self-awareness.

Steps to Recovery
Therapy and Medication
•Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is highlighted as an effective approach to change unhealthy thought patterns and behaviors.
•The potential use of SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) is discussed as a way to help stabilize mental health while working through cognitive therapy.

Lifestyle Changes
•They advocate for creating a supportive environment by surrounding oneself with positive influences and distancing from toxic situations.
•The conversation notes the need for moderation in all aspects of life, emphasizing that balance is key to maintaining a healthy mindset.

The Role of Faith
Spiritual Perspectives
•Throughout the episode, the importance of faith and spirituality is woven into the conversation. Merrill and Carl discuss how understanding one’s identity in Christ can provide a foundation for overcoming obsessive thoughts and behaviors.
•The hosts suggest that true contentment comes from recognizing one’s worth apart from societal pressures and expectations.

Perspective on Contentment
•The episode incorporates biblical references to contentment, focusing on the idea that true fulfillment comes from recognizing and appreciating what one already has.
•They reflect on the story of the Israelites receiving manna, illustrating the importance of living in the present and trusting in divine provision.

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Shyness - The Quite Battle Ep 253
Introduction
The podcast is hosted by Merrill Hutchinson and Carl Andry, featuring discussions about overcoming shyness and social anxiety, particularly focusing on strategies to engage with people and "work a room." They emphasize that shyness often stems from self-centeredness and anxiety rather than humility, and provide insights on how to develop social skills.

Understanding Shyness
Personal Experiences
Merrill shares his struggle with painful shyness and anxiety, which he felt deeply affected his social interactions.
Carl discusses his own experiences with shyness, highlighting that both men often have a silent internal struggle when it comes to social situations.
The Mechanics of Shyness
The hosts identify shyness as not merely a personality trait but a skill that can be learned and improved upon.
They explain that natural extroverts might find social interactions easier, while others need to develop techniques to manage their anxiety and communicate effectively.
Strategies for Overcoming Shyness
1. Desire to Change
The first step in overcoming shyness is the sincere desire to engage with others. Individuals must recognize the benefits of social interactions, including networking opportunities and personal connections.
2. Learning to "Work a Room"
Working a room is not about manipulation but about developing the skill to engage genuinely with others.
The importance of learning and practicing skills such as making eye contact, shaking hands, and being present in conversations.
3. The Importance of Small Talk
Small talk is vital in breaking the ice.
Engaging in small talk allows individuals to gauge a person’s interest and comfort level before diving into deeper discussions.
4. Asking Questions
They encourage asking open-ended questions to invite others into a conversation. This technique reduces the pressure on the shy individual to share about themselves and allows others to express their thoughts.
Carl emphasizes the art of questioning, stating that it can lead to meaningful exchanges and help shy individuals engage more comfortably.
5. Active Listening
Active listening is crucial in social interactions. The hosts stress the importance of giving full attention to the person speaking, which helps to foster connections and validate others’ feelings and stories.
6. Practicing Public Speaking
Engaging in public speaking can significantly help shy individuals. By practicing in front of larger groups, individuals can build confidence in their speaking abilities and learn to manage their anxiety.
7. Body Language and Presence
Proper body language, such as standing tall, making eye contact, and offering a firm handshake, communicates confidence.
The hosts note that these non-verbal cues can significantly affect how others perceive and respond to you.
8. Embracing Authenticity
Authenticity is essential. The hosts encourage individuals to be genuine in their interactions, sharing real thoughts and feelings rather than trying to conform to expectations.
9. Using Humor and Self-Deprecation
Learning to laugh at oneself and embracing mistakes can diffuse tension and foster a more relaxed atmosphere. The hosts share personal anecdotes about moments of awkwardness that ended up being humorous.

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You would think the death of your child would be a wound that could never heal. It does leave a scar, but it doesn't mean it can't heal and even heal well. Special guest, Mike Dusold, shares the life and passing of his son Brian. Brian's passing was not and is not easy. It's been hard on multiple levels. But, Mike's family made a choice to use Brian's life and his passing as a way to demonstrate the faith, hope, and love of Christ.

Admittedly, Mike says that it's not been easy. Some days are harder than others, but as time passes he sees God using Brian's story to touch others. Brian's compassion, love for others, and ability to connect and communicate with most anyone are just a few of the precious gifts that he leaves behind.

Mike was vulnerable with his sharing of how they dealt with Brian in his early years of drug use. Always working out of love, but sometimes recognizing that he and his wife should of chosen to be more tough in their loving. This is harder than people on the outside would imagine. When it is your own child that is heading for disaster, you want to do whatever you can to ease the immediate pain. As Mike discusses, sometimes easing the immediate pain might just be kicking the pain down the road.

Check out this show and please share to others that may be in a similar position. We do not have to go this alone as parents and families. God has a plan for all of our lives. It may not be the path that we would choose, but it is a path that can lead to the greatest rewards and gifts to ourselves and others.

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Common Symptoms of Low Testosterone
Low testosterone, also known as hypogonadism, can manifest in a variety of ways. Here are some of the most common symptoms:
Decreased libido (sex drive)
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Fatigue
Reduced muscle mass and strength
Increased body fat
Decreased bone density
Mood changes, such as depression or irritability
Cognitive difficulties, such as trouble concentrating or remembering things
Hair loss
Decreased testicular size

It's important to note that these symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions, so it's essential to consult with your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Total Testosterone vs. Free Testosterone
Total testosterone measures the total amount of testosterone in your blood, both bound to proteins and unbound.
Free testosterone measures the amount of testosterone that is not bound to proteins and is biologically active.
While both measurements are important, free testosterone is often considered a more accurate indicator of testosterone deficiency because it reflects the amount of testosterone that is available to your body's tissues.

Normal Testosterone Ranges
Normal testosterone levels can vary slightly depending on the laboratory and the specific assay used. However, in general:
Total testosterone: 300-1,100 ng/dL (nanograms per deciliter)
Free testosterone: 50-210 pg/mL (picograms per milliliter)
It's important to note that these are just general guidelines, and your doctor may consider other factors, such as your age and overall health, when interpreting your testosterone levels.
Risks and Benefits of Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT)

TRT can be an effective treatment for low testosterone, but it's essential to weigh the risks and benefits before starting therapy.
Risks:
Prostate enlargement
Increased risk of blood clots
Sleep apnea
Acne
Breast enlargement
Testicular shrinkage
Increased risk of heart problems
Benefits:
Improved libido and sexual function
Increased muscle mass and strength
Decreased body fat
Improved bone density
Improved mood and cognitive function
Increased energy levels

Here are some proven natural ways to potentially increase testosterone levels without replacement therapy:
1. Exercise and Lift Weights
Exercise is a powerful way to boost testosterone levels.
Resistance training, like weightlifting, is particularly effective.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) can also be beneficial.
2. Eat a Balanced Diet
3. Manage Stress
Long-term stress can elevate cortisol levels, which can negatively impact testosterone.
4. Get Enough Sleep
Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
5. Get Some Sun or Take Vitamin D Supplements
Vitamin D is linked to testosterone production.
6. Maintain a Healthy Weight
7. Limit Alcohol Consumption
8. Consider Certain Supplements - Do your homework

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Strong Dads

Summary of YouTube Video Transcript

Introduction

•The episode is sponsored by Fourspeed on 50 Diner in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
•Host Carl Andre is discussing money management, noting that he and co-host Merrill have been ill.

Host’s Background

•Carl and his wife have taught Financial Peace University (FPU), a program by Dave Ramsey, for nearly 25 years.
•They have experience working with many couples on financial issues.

Personal Experience

•Carl shares a personal story about a failed investment in the stock market that led to significant debt and unhappiness.
•He emphasizes the importance of understanding one’s relationship with money and how it can affect overall happiness.

Financial Education

•There is a lack of financial education in schools, leading to generational cycles of debt.
•Current economic indicators (e.g., consumer debt levels) suggest many individuals are financially struggling.

Money Management Principles

1.Take Control of Finances: Understanding how money works is vital.
2.Avoid Living Beyond Means: Many people overspend on trivial items, referred to as “bobles and trinkets.”
3.Budgeting vs. Dream Machine: Carl dislikes the term “budget,” preferring “dream machine” to emphasize planning for desired experiences instead of restrictions.
4.Emergency Fund: Start with $1,000-$2,000 as a cushion to avoid credit reliance.
5.Debt Snowball: Pay off the smallest debts first for psychological wins, then roll payments into larger debts.
6.Long-Term Thinking: Recognize the true cost of living and plan for future needs (e.g., home repairs, medical expenses).

Lifestyle Choices

•Prioritize experiences over material possessions by carefully allocating funds.
•Carl shares personal choices, like driving used cars and minimizing eating out, to save money for vacations and experiences.

Financial Peace University Course

•Carl promotes the upcoming FPU course, encouraging listeners to sign up to learn more about financial literacy.

Final Thoughts

•Emphasizes the importance of financial planning for both personal satisfaction and generational wealth.
•Encourages readers to change their financial literacy and habits for a better future.

Sponsors Acknowledgment

•Thanks to sponsors Quality Automart, 4 Speed on Fifty Diner, and Casey’s Outdoor Solutions.

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Summary of the YouTube Video: Strong Dads Podcast - Episode on “Egypts of Life”

Overview

In this episode of the Strong Dads Podcast, hosts Merrill Hutchinson and Carl Andre discuss the concept of “Egypt” as a metaphor for the comfort zones and familiar pains that people often return to despite the desire for change. The discussion draws parallels from the biblical story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, exploring themes of fear, faith, and the challenges of breaking free from detrimental situations.

Key Points

1.Introduction and Background:
•The hosts express gratitude to their sponsors and engage in light-hearted conversation about winter chores and classic American diner culture.
•They introduce the topic of the episode: exploring personal “Egypts” that individuals face in life, referring to the fear of the unknown versus the comfort of familiar pain.
2.Understanding “Egypt”:
•The term “Egypt” symbolizes the situations in life that individuals know are unhealthy or unsatisfactory but are too fearful to leave.
•The hosts illustrate this with examples from their own lives and the lives of others, including relationships and career choices.
•They emphasize that returning to familiar pain is often easier than facing the uncertainties of change.
3.Biblical Context:
•Drawing from the story of Exodus, they highlight how even after witnessing miracles, the Israelites expressed a desire to return to Egypt due to uncertainty and discomfort in the wilderness.
•This reflects human nature: people often prefer the devil they know over the unknown, even if it means enduring suffering.
4.The Role of Faith:
•The conversation shifts to the importance of faith in overcoming these challenges. They argue that having faith is crucial for making significant life changes.
•They discuss the struggle between wanting change and the fear that often keeps people stuck in their “Egypts.”
5.Practical Insights:
•The hosts offer practical advice for listeners to assess their own lives and identify their “Egypts.”
•Key questions to consider include:
•What areas of life are you avoiding or fearful to confront?
•Are your decisions being made out of comfort rather than genuine purpose?
•They encourage listeners to take small steps towards change, reinforcing that growth often comes from stepping out of comfort zones.
6.Concluding Thoughts:
•The discussion wraps up with a call to action, urging listeners to reflect on their lives and consider what changes they might need to make to escape their own “Egypts.”
•The hosts emphasize that seeking purpose and taking risks can lead to a more fulfilling life.

Conclusion

This episode of the Strong Dads Podcast challenges listeners to confront the comfort zones that may be holding them back from a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life. By recognizing their own “Egypts,” individuals can begin to take steps towards meaningful change, fostering personal growth and resilience through faith and action.

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If you keep looking for it, you will find it!
That can be good or bad, depending on what you're looking for. Many of us have habits on how we view life. Some of us view towards the negative. This kind of mindset is hardwired into us as a means to help us survive. It helps us to be more aware of what can go wrong and then hopefully prepare for it.
Some of us are wired with lean towards the positive. Always seeing the potential good in situations and seeing the best outcomes. This type of mindset gives us hope even in difficult times which can be as much of a survival tool as thinking towards the negative.

However, like most things in life, moderation is key. Too far either way can be detrimental to your overall wellbeing and even to the wellbeing of others.
In our show we discuss how to go about determining your definition of "winning" in life and then how to develop solid habits and strategies by practicing mindsets that work best for you. The key is that you can learn to think better for your sake. Whether it;s training yourself to see the good, or training yourself to be a bit more aware of the potential pitfalls in order to avoid them.

An important factor in your mindset is that you have to be intentional in catching yourself and beginning to redirect appropriately. Become aware of what your philosophy for living your life and then begin to grab your thoughts to direct them in a way that you can live the best version of your life.

For more help or information, reach out to Rock Solid Families, at 812-576-7625, or check out our website at https://rocksolidfamilies.org

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Strengthening tendons and muscles in our workouts is a must.
Like it or not, as we age many of us find ourselves dealling with more tendon issues. Tennis Elbow, runner’s knee, Achille strain, Patellar Femoral Tendonosis, etc…
What’s going on here?
As we age our tendons are not trained like our muscles. We don’t hang from trees or run sprints like we used to.
But, we may still find ourselves going to the gym in performing traditional muscle strengthening exercises.
This is not all bad, but as we see the muscles getting stronger we may have not taken the time to allow the tendons to strengthen with the muscles.
Before you know it you have a muscle that is stronger than the tendon can handle. This could be due to strength or over use.
We have come to find out that completely laying off and stopping all exercises is actually not the way to properly heal and get stronger.
We want to continue to workout, but change our focus on what we are working out.
Let’s start to train the tendon before we get any stronger in the muscles.
Advice -
Eccentric vs Concentric motions
Concentric is what most of us think about when we are building muscles. We “contract” the muscle to shorten it and flex the joint. The muscle bulges and gets shorter and fatter.
Eccentric is the lengthening part of the motion. The extension of the elbow in the curl. This means the muscle is lengthening.
Here’s the key, if we are getting tendon issues we are likely working the concentric phase too hard and the muscles are contracting with great tension on the tendon. The muscle is able to handle it, but the tendon begins to break down or even tear.
So, let’s move into placing a sufficient, but not too heavy of a load on the tendon and allow the tendon to be stressed in order to be stimulated for growth, but not so stressed that it tears.
The muscle will likely not work as hard but we are working the tendon at a load that it can handle.
Ben Patrick, Knees over Toes Guy, was one of the guys that I began to follow closely because he has really stressed the importance of strengthening the knees in order for the muscle to be most effective in jumping and running.
Sore knees are oftentimes caused by irritated and weak tendons, typically the patellofemoral tendon or the hamstring tendons.

A key point also is to not be afraid to train the joints through their fullest range of motion.
For years coaches told their athletes to not squat with their knees going out past their foot. Between this and sitting in chairs with our legs bent only at 90º our PFT lost its range of motion and became weak when placed in a movement beyond its trained motion.
For me, this meant sore knees all the time. Two knee replacements later.

The second part of the video is demonstrating with the Kettle Bar varieties of movements that make the body work through multiple planes. This is key to stressing and training more muscles that tend to get left out of traditional workouts which results in a weaker and less durable body.

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www.youtube.com/ @TheKneesovertoesguy

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Changing your life is hard. We often make references to changing parts of our life and all too often find out that we fall back into our old ways. Change takes way more than having the thought. It takes work!

Acceleration is the change in speed or direction of an object. In order for that to happen, the object must be acted upon by an outer force. Newton’s First Law - An object in motion will stay in motion and an object at rest will stay at rest unless acted upon by an outer force.
Change in our life is the same way - It takes an outer force that applies the push, pull, or pressure necessary to change the direction of our lives.
Sensational Emotional Event - S.E.E - This is often a triggering event that comes with such strong emotion that it grabs our attention unlike anything else. It becomes a true point of change opportunity in a person’s life. Could be a negative or positive event
Fired from a job
Terrible car accident
Birth of a child
Divorce
Loss of a loved one
Marriage
Winning the lottery -

ACTS 9:1-19
Saul’s Conversion

Fatigue - I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired
Change in Lifestyle - working from home vs office, night shift vs day shift,
Change in Health/Capability
In order for the “Change” to stick…
Intentionality
Building New Habits
Surrender Pride
Praying
Surrounding Yourself with the right people, places, things
Boundaries - protecting yourself from the wrong people, places, things
Gratitude - Looking for where you were and where you are today
Celebration - Whether celebrating years of sobriety, and anniversary, or a fresh start. Celebrations help to provide energy to keep going.

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Part 2 - Time to get practical with excellent advice to improve your lot in life.

It's no secret that the American Workforce has been hindered over the past decade. Finding good men to do good work has been difficult. When discussing the challenges of owning and running your own business, a universal complaint heard from the business owners is, "we can't find good employees."

Young men are simply not showing up to work. They accept a job and soon they start habits like showing up late or not showing up at all. After a little pressure, they decide this work is not for them and they are finding their way out the door. Hard physical labor is an even deeper problem. Whether it's roofing, concrete work, or building homes, these sectors are hurting to find even a few good men.

In this show, Carl and Hutch discuss some of the apparent challenges of our workforce. However, they don't leave the conversation there. They create a mindset for young workers that can be an absolute game changer for the bettering their lives. Many of the discussion points might seem like common sense to those only a generation ago, but with the lack of male leadership in the home, many of our young men never learn these basics.

If you are a young man or are raising a young man, this show is a game changer. The opportunities for success are ripe. A hardworking aggressive man can practically name his path and set his family up for success.

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It's no secret that the American Workforce has been hindered over the past decade. Finding good men to do good work has been difficult. When discussing the challenges of owning and running your own business, a universal complaint heard from the business owners is, "we can't find good employees."

Young men are simply not showing up to work. They accept a job and soon they start habits like showing up late or not showing up at all. After a little pressure, they decide this work is not for them and they are finding their way out the door. Hard physical labor is an even deeper problem. Whether it's roofing, concrete work, or building homes, these sectors are hurting to find even a few good men.

In this show, Carl and Hutch discuss some of the apparent challenges of our workforce. However, they don't leave the conversation there. They create a mindset for young workers that can be an absolute game changer for the bettering their lives. Many of the discussion points might seem like common sense to those only a generation ago, but with the lack of male leadership in the home, many of our young men never learn these basics.

If you are a young man or are raising a young man, this show is a game changer. The opportunities for success are ripe. A hardworking aggressive man can practically name his path and set his family up for success.

https://rocksolidfamilies.org
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Wouldn’t it be interesting to see a museum in our country to memorialize the atrocities we have committed on the unborn. We have museums to remind us of our terrible allowance and support for slavery, we have museums to remind us of the tragedy of the holocaust. The museums are not for celebration but rather for the strong reminder that we should never forget lest we risk repeating evils that we’re capable of.

The Unborn Child is a Person.
Psalm 139:13-16: "For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in the womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Marvelous are Your works; and that my soul knows very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."

It is important to remember that those who have had abortions are not alone. God offers forgiveness and healing to all who turn to Him. We should extend compassion and love to those who have made difficult choices, while also upholding the sanctity of life. Let us work together to create a culture that values and protects all human life, from conception to natural death.

The Desire for Convenience
While the reasons for abortion are complex and multifaceted, one common factor is the desire for convenience. Some individuals may choose abortion because they believe that having a child would disrupt their plans, careers, or lifestyles.

It is important to recognize that the desire for convenience does not justify the termination of a human life. Each unborn child is a unique and precious individual, created in the image of God. To treat them as mere inconveniences is to devalue their inherent worth.
The Sacrifice of a Child
While the concept of abortion is often framed as a woman's right to choose, it is important to consider the profound implications for the unborn child. In essence, abortion involves the sacrifice of an innocent human life for the benefit of the adult.
This sacrificial dynamic stands in stark contrast to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Jesus willingly laid down His life for the salvation of humanity. His sacrifice was not a means of self-preservation or convenience, but rather a selfless act of love and obedience to His Father.
In contrast, abortion often reflects a desire for convenience or a belief that one's own life or circumstances take precedence over the life of an unborn child. While the challenges faced by pregnant women are real and should be addressed with compassion, they do not justify the termination of an innocent life.

Men are not to be let off the hook of responsibility in the abortion conversation. Just as a woman may desire to relieve herself of the perceived burden of raising a child, the men have in many cases, completed jumped ship. They had their fun in the bedroom but want nothing to do with the sharing of the responsibility. Thus, leaving the woman in a sad and desperate state of needing to figure things out on her own.

As a culture it is time to change the conversation of the value of life. All life is valuable and should never be disregarded as an inconvenience.

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Let’s get something straight: physical needs are important and must be provided for. But, emotional needs are equally important. In my work I have specifically developed an exercise to get couples to begin to recognize these needs and how they can go about them to improve the provision of satisfying the emotional requirements that we all have.

Here are the Emotional Needs:

Control
Love
Respect
Trust
Security
Affection
Purpose
Faith

Every person has a need for these in their lives, but here is where things get interesting.

Think about needs like you would think about food. We all need a certain number of calories in order to survive. We would never look at a person that needs 3000 cal/day and tell them they should just eat 1500 cal/day because that’s what another person needs. We are all different with different levels of need. The same holds true with the emotional needs.

Just for the sake of having a reference point, use a scale of 1-10 and rate yourself in each of the following emotional needs. For right now, don’t think too much, just give yourself a score and reason why you scored yourself that number. (We all have slightly different definitions and territories, or “taste” in each of these areas. Just like food!)

What happens when you don’t get the amount or type of food you need? Hungry, malnourished, etc… The same holds true with not reaching the number you wrote next to your emotional need. You begin to starve emotionally!

Here’s where provision comes in. Within our marriage, we have the responsibility to help meet the needs of our spouse. This includes emotional needs. And as I said earlier, seldom do we see a couple due to a physical need not being met, food, water, shelter, but, we regularly see couples because emotional needs are not being met.

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As a Strong Dad and husband, we are to honor our wives. Proverbs 31 gives us a biblical description of this lady.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (NIV):

10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 11 Her husband can trust her, and she will enrich his life. 12 She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. 13 She is a diligent and hardworking woman. 14 She rises while it is still dark and provides food for her household and tasks for her servants. 15 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 16 She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong. 17 She sees that her trading is profitable; her lamp does not go out at night. 18 She puts her hands to the spindle and her fingers to the loom. 19 She generously opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hand to the needy. 20 She does not fear the snow for her household, for all her family are clothed in scarlet. 21 She makes coverings for her bed and linen garments for herself. 22 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. 23 She makes linen garments and sells them, and belts for the merchants. 24 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she laughs without fear of the future. 25 She speaks with wisdom, and her tongue gives instruction. 26 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 27 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her: “Many women have done noble things, but you surpass them all.” 28 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 29 Give her the praise she deserves; let her deeds proclaim her worth. 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

A Guide to Honoring Your Wife, Based on Proverbs 31:10-31

What to Do:

Respect her intelligence and abilities. Acknowledge her contributions and value her opinions.
Provide for her needs. Ensure she has everything she needs, both materially and emotionally.
Be faithful to her. Maintain emotional and physical fidelity.
Praise her publicly. Celebrate her accomplishments and virtues in front of others.
Listen to her attentively. Give her your undivided attention when she speaks.
Support her dreams. Encourage her aspirations and help her achieve her goals.
Be gentle with her. Treat her with kindness and compassion.
Be patient with her. Understand that she may have different perspectives or needs.
Be a source of strength for her. Offer support and encouragement during difficult times.
Love her unconditionally. Show her your love and affection every day.

What Not to Do:

Belittle her. Never make her feel small or insignificant.
Control her. Allow her to make her own decisions.
Neglect her. Spend quality time with her and show her that she is important to you.
Criticize her. Focus on her strengths and avoid negative comments.
Lie to her. Honesty is essential in a healthy relationship.
Take her for granted. Appreciate and cherish her.
Be selfish. Put her needs before you

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It is estimated that at least 40% of all families in the United States are Blended Families. Whether it be divorce, death of a spouse, or adoption, in some form or another, we find ourselves blending together families members that are not of the same biological descent. In fact, both Hutch and Carl are in blended family situations.

This show tackles the many different dynamics that the blended family presents. It is not unusual for couples to go into this situation with their eyes closed to all the possible challenges they will be facing. Differing cultures, genetics, and environments are just the start of what the blended family will be dealing with.

The goal of this show is not to scare people away from blending their family with another. Rather, to educate and inform in order to help couples prepare for what they may be experiencing down the road. Learning to communicate the challenges and develop and understanding of how to approach them as a couple will go a long way in reducing problems to more manageable levels.

One big takeaway is the importance of humbling yourself to get help prior to blending your families. Working with a counselor to discuss and develop a plan to move forward is worth every penny you will spend.

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This is our last show in our series of Pride. After we have recognized that the only way to halt our prideful damage is through Christ. We now move into the daily habits and practices to replace our old ways.

Our prideful ways have created many habits that seemed to make sense at the time. Over time, these habits become natural and common place. Once we realize that many of these habits are teaching and reinforcing the exact opposite of what Christ calls us to be, we must begin new practices.

In this show, Carl and Hutch recommend several habits that can help us become more aware of the need to serve others and put them before ourselves. We used to consider many of these things to be just "good manners", but in our current culture manners have lost their place.

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In our third of four shows on Killing Pride, this is the one that begins to move you forward. This show boldly comes out and tells you exactly where we can all begin to grab our pride by the throat and begin to choke it out!

The tactic described is not for the faint of heart. It causes most to run and avoid the inevitable. The inevitable of surrender! Let's be clear, surrendering sounds like the last thing any warrior should ever do. But let's consider who we are surrendering to and why we might surrender.

If you were in a battle and shot your last bullet only to find yourself under endless gunfire, you would have to make some choices. Do I run, do i sit, or do I surrender? If I run, I will likely get shot. If I sit I will likely get shot. If I consider the option of surrendering, I have to ask myself the questions; who am I surrendering to and what is the likely outcome? If the likely outcome is death, then it may be best to choose the fastest path to death, since it's coming anyway. However, if I find that my capture puts me in the hands that will promise and deliver something better and life preserving, then I need to deeply consider this option.

Life is going to keep shooting endless gunfire your way. When will you look up and recognize that Christ is not the enemy, but rather the savior. He is waiting for your surrender so that he can carry you to a better place. A place of peace, hope, security, promise, and ultimately, eternal life.

In this episode of Killing Pride, we unveil the biggest step you must take to killing your pride. We recognize that it is not easy, but we also recognize that it is only made difficult because of our sinful pride. We have taken so long to develop a false shroud of who we believe we are that we have lost sight of who God made us to be. It's time to take off the shroud and die to self and live for Christ!

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In our last episode, 236, we introduced our personal struggle with pride in our lives. Mostly centering around anxiety and the fear of failure. In this episode we blow the doors wide open on PRIDE. We explore the many different ways that all of us have seen or experienced. The blamer, gaslighter, excuse maker, mad-man, road-rage, one-ups, competitiveness, paranoia, self-sabatoge, and the list goes on.

We don't discuss this list to make anyone feel bad, we discuss it because it is actually the first step to helping people realize the masks they have been hiding behind. Once you call the truth for what it is, people can actually make a decision to own it and begin the process of healing and forming the best version of themselves. That version is the one that Christ desires for us.

If you listen to the show and feel guilty, we ask that you turn that guilt into conviction. Conviction is what it takes to harness the negative energy and turn it into a positive solution. Staying in your guilt is exactly where Satan wants you. He wants you to beat yourself up and feel defeated. Christ wants you to push Satan away and restore the real you.

You have to tune in to our next episode as we we discuss the "Cure" for Pride. This show is going to be amazing. Simple but effective changes in mindset and daily practices that will truly move the needle to making your the man you want to be. No more bondage from your pride. You will finally have the opportunity to see and experience freedom in the person God designed you to be!

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We are called to die to ourselves. What in the heck does that even mean? And even a better question; why?

In this episode Hutch introduces Carl Andry to the Strong Dads audience. Carl is not only a smart man, but more so, he's a man of wisdom. He truly enjoys looking back in his own life and the lives of others to see what he can learn to take into the future.

Power, money, sex, control, words, you name it and we will strive to show ourselves better than the next. Just as bad, we will protect ourselves from being discovered as less than the next. A little alcohol to help loosen our inhibitions and not worry so much about what others might think. I would never want to be thought of as a failure.

Our topic today is "Pride", but more specifically it centers around learning how to identify the function of pride in one's life, why it is dangerous if left unchecked, and then learning how to make something better out of your life as your deal with your pride.

We wish we could say that this is a one and done operation of removing pride from your life. But, the reality is that it is ongoing. Satan believes he knows what is feels like to desire to be all controlling and all powerful, even superseding the power of God. But, as we know, God is never to be mocked. He is a jealous God and lets us know that our ways will never be better than his ways.

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When was the last time you thanked someone that poured into you or your life's work? You never know, if you wait too long you may miss the opportunity to let them know what they meant to you.

We all have people that have influenced our life. Some much more than others. We have fathers, mothers, teachers, preachers, and coaches that are among the most likely to impact our lives. The point of this show is to simply acknowledge and give thanks to one of the people that poured into and shaped my life. From my highschool days till now, there is still a bit of his finger print on my life.

Coach Rudy, Brent Rutemiller, was one of those guys in my life. He was a dreamer, worker, fighter, learner, and influencer. Status quo did not exist in his vocabulary. You're either living or dying. No such thing as just hold ground. Rudy taught that same idea to all that he did life with. He was hyperactive with a busy brain. He loved to be challenged and accepted challenges as opportunities rather than burdens. He proved that in his battle with cancer.

I'm sure he didn't want cancer and all of its complications. But, he also didn't shy away from owning the cancer and then going to battle with it on a daily basis. This was just another example of his courage and tenacity.

So many things that others pour into us and often they do not even know they are pouring into us. It's just who they are. They are the mentors and teachers of our lives. When was the last time you thanked one of them?
This week make it a point to reach out to that person that positively inspired you and helped to direct your sails for better waters. Tell them Thank You!

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It's always great to have good conversation to challenge and inspire us to be better men. That's exactly what my conversation with Chris Wilson from Strong by Design produced.

Chris has been in the coaching and strength training world for over 25 years. After working with some of the best of the best he is still humbled by his journey. Rather than beating his chest to celebrate his accomplishments, he gives thanks for his opportunities and has tried to make the most of them.

Over his years of running his business and becoming a husband and father, it is his grounding in Christ that keeps his priorities in line. Yes, every good man wants to do well in his daily work. But every great man wants to do even better in his most influential role as a husband and father.

Chris and I hash out the many different aspects of dealing with our weaknesses, past wounds from our own fathers, owning our mistakes, and intentionally working and understanding the importance of humbleness.

Listen in to this show and I promise you will find great nuggets of thought and inspiration.

For more information about Chris' work go to: https://youarestrongbydesign.com

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Aging is often not kind to us. We build a new house only to have begin replacing, fixing, and rehabbing in a decade or so. We buy a new car and along with the regular maintenance, we find ourselves dropping the cash for bigger ticket items to keep it on the road. Even our bodies seem to find ways to fall apart. Before you know it we find ourselves replacing joints, hitting the gym to get stronger or lose weight, changing our diets to get ourselves back on track. Let's face it, maintenance is a necessary component of life. That's why Strong Dads is doing a series for the Summer called: Summer of Rehab 2024.

Today's show starts with the catalyst that launched this series into reality. Merrill had his knee replaced and is now facing a long Summer of trying to get back to normal strength and health. But, besides the knee rehab, we can all agree that we have other places in our lives that may need to be rehabbed. Maybe our marriage is not what we want it to be. How about the job and your performance? Are you where you want to be financially or could that use some rehabbing as well?

Since Merrill has been working with people he has kept a notepad of the various analogies, metaphors, bits of wisdom, and motivational words that he has come across to help people lift themselves up. Throughout this series, Merrill will be discussing many of these gems and help you incorporate them into your own life.

So whether it's your knee, your marriage, or your house, you are likely to have an area of your life that needs some attention. Let's take this Summer to begin the rehab process and get back to our best lives.

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A little less than a month and we have a finished product! Last month on Episode 232 I introduced you to my "Jackpot". A project camper that I bought to fix up. After a I dug into it I discovered that there were way more things that needed attention than I originally noticed. Rotten floors, leaking sunlights, failed caulking, all of which meant lots of mold.

It was time to go to work and that I did. Ripping out all of the floor and replacing it with new underlayment and then waterproof floor planking. Completely washing down every part of the interior with bleach solution and then painting all the wall and ceiling surfaces. The canvas was in pretty good shape so I was able to scrub it down with a mold killing solution and let it air out.

The toilet and black water tank was a job of its own. Having not been cleaned and left unempty for longer than it should have been, I went to work with washing out the inside and cleaning to get all the waste and smell cleared. That was fun, NOT!

Then it was on to the stuff that I expected. Replacing the awning and wheel fender and buffing out the entire camper shell gave it a new look. A few finishing touches like recaulking seams and checking for any other potential issues and we are ready for our maiden voyage.

So, what did I learn. I will go back to the original idea that I have learned to put in my head when starting all projects. "NOTHING'S EASY, NOTHING'S CHEAP". This theory held up well as it nearly always does, so I was able to keep my frustration to a minimum and stay focused on getting the work done.

When starting a project, here are two things that I have learned that are essential to my success. 1. Name and describe your finished project. 2. Put a hard deadline on the project. The first one just makes sense, but the second one is annoying. It's applying pressure to yourself to help you stay focused and limit the potential distractions. During this project I limited many other activities that I normally would do just to make sure I stayed on track. The point is, the camper is finished and now it is time to enjoy it!

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Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a mess that seemed to get bigger the longer you're into it? Around our house we call those situations, "JACK POTS". Obviously, using the term in a facetious way, there is nothing good about these jack pots.

Hutch open's his latest "JACK POT" up for all of you to see. He recently bought a camper with the idea that the family could get back into a little camping. He didn't want to spend too much money on the camper as they aren't sure how much they will actually be able to use it. So, he bought a used camper, AS IS!

Once he began to dig into the camper he realized he had more on his hands than he originally bargained for. No turning back now.

Hutch walks through the important mindset changes that can help you get through difficult challenges. How you approach the challenge can make all the difference.

Feel free to share your "jack pot" experiences as we all could stand to learn a little from your approach.

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Bringing Help and Hope to Those Who are Hurting. This is the opening statement that greats you when you open the website for Masters of Disaster. When Darin Kroger swapped IT work for chainsaws, power generators, and volunteers, he knew he was swapping comfort for chaos.

Today's show reflects what happens when you begin to surrender your heart and talents to the nudging of the Holy Spirit. Darin had what most of us would think of as a "good life". By his own admission, it was a good life. But, he continued to recognize an itch that wasn't being scratched. An itch for something more. Something that he really had no clue of what it looked like, other than it kept begging his attention. This itch was in the arena of disaster relief.

Darin always enjoyed following weather, and in particular, stormy weather. The kind of weather that can change a person's life in a matter of hours or even seconds. Tornados, floods, fires, and hurricanes are among the more common disrupting storms. We get to watch them on our tv, but then we set back in our recliner and relieve our guilt by saying a prayer. Not to diminesh the importance of prayer, but GOD WANTS MORE! He wants our hearts to be filled with compassion to serve the needs of others and then our hands to carry it out.

Darin along with his volunteers began to operate the non-profit, Masters of Disaster several years ago and now it is a full time disaster relief resource. Darin desires to serve those that are in what is likely going to be one of their greatest times of need. The storm his and life as we know it is destroyed. Survival resources and actions are first on the list, then comforts and even wants can begin to fill in the void. Darin watches groups of volunteers spring into action to restore the essentials and as a resort, restore hope in broken people.

For more information about Masters of Disaster, contact them at:

http://MOD-USA.org

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Have you ever stood at life's crossroads, the weight of decision pressing upon your shoulders? Join Hutch and Kyle as they explore the transformative power of change and the courage it takes to embrace new paths. We've all faced moments where the familiar becomes comfortable yet constraining. We have felt the itch for something different but didn't know what different really looked like. Today, we're here to share stories about change and new paths moving forward. Specifically, Kyle shares his personal story and continued journey of his change from one fire department to another.

Sometimes Change is forced, such as being fired from your job, and sometimes it is Chosen. This can make a big difference in terms of how you will handle the change. Things like control and having a say in important matters takes on great value. Being forced into a change often leaves you feeling out of control and without a vision for the future.

Change is frequently associated with anxiety. This is due to the confusion that change can create. Confusion is the seed of all anxiety. Once the confusion has a little pressure behind it, such as a deadline, it moves into anxiety. This becomes taxing on the entire body.

Change also comes with untended consequences and unforeseen problems. Learning the essential mindset of flexibility gives a whole new ability to ward off undesired stresses. In the end, change is the seed of new opportunities. It is better to have the vision of the long term outcomes rather than the immediate. So, with a little mind adjustment and information gathering, prepare yourself for new opportunities by embracing the change.

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0:06
Strong Dads Face Life's Challenges
9:02
Life Changes in the Fire Service
11:55
Firefighting Culture Shifts in Urban vs Suburban
17:10
Navigating Transition and Self-Reflection
22:40
Navigating Personal Change and Responsibilities
30:01
Navigating Regrets and Commitment in Change
35:13
Navigating Anxiety and Change Through Support

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Nestled in the heart of Lawrenceburg, McCabe's Greenhouse is more than a garden center; it's a living lesson in the art of cultivation, both of plants and community bonds. My conversation with Adam Legge offers an authentic glimpse into the daily rhythms of nurturing seedlings and the resilience of pansies, paralleling the strength found in family and faith. As Adam walks us through the greenhouse's operations, from the importance of soil temperature to the craft of fudge-making, we uncover the shared roots between the growth of plants and the growth of relationships.

The thread of resilience weaves through our discussion as I open up about the profound impact of my daughter Evelyn's passing on our family's faith journey. In the delicate dance of strength and vulnerability, we explore how leadership within the family unit, the tenacity of marriage, and the anchoring presence of faith sustain us through life's most tempestuous seasons. The community's nurturing role parallels the patient care of our beloved plants, offering solace and support in times of sorrow, and helping us to find parallels between the seasonal ebbs and flows of nature and our own spiritual cycles.

As the episode draws to a close, we reflect on the unshakeable foundation faith provides, even when shrouded by life's storms. With heartfelt thanks to Adam and the community that stands as a lighthouse of hope, we look forward to future gatherings and the promise of unity they bring. This episode is a tribute to the legacy of loved ones, the conscious pursuit of faith, and the enduring power of community—a celebration of the ties that bind us in our shared journey of growth and discovery.

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Ever wonder about the road less traveled when it comes to career paths? Steve Naltner did just that, trading the hectic life as a convenience store owner for the more serene world of storage facility management. Hear his story of personal transformation through seeking better for his family.—a story that resonates with anyone yearning for a life beyond the daily grind.

Steve is a man of God, a husband, a dad, and a community advocate. He values a high quality of life for himself as well as those he does life with. He is quick to offer a hand or provide a resource to meet someone's need.

When asked about his own upbringing and in particular, his "dad" story. Steve gives kudos to his parents and especially his father for leading the family well. As a kid he learned what it means to work and contribute to something more than yourself. He thought of his father as strict but loving. Now he sees his father as a friend and mentor. His father never had the misunderstanding of being a friend to his young children. His father recognized the responsibility of creating Strong men and dads to lead the next generation. Now, Stever has a model to provide the same for the next generation.

Check out Steve's story and feel free to stop in and see how he's doing.

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When the once-fading streets of a small town find a new lease on life, it's a story that deserves to be told. That's exactly what we're bringing to your ears today, as we explore the journey of Lawrenceburg's transformation from a sleepy old town to a vibrant community hub. We're joined by Tony Schroder, the man behind Proof 124, who took a leap of faith from retirement into community investment, infusing his businesses with Christian values and a mission to serve. Listen in for an uplifting narrative of local revitalization, complete with insights on melding the past and present through architecture, and how community engagement turns main streets into centers of prosperity.

Ever wondered what it looks like to integrate faith into the very fabric of your business? In our conversation with Tony, you'll discover how his deep-seated beliefs have not only shaped his approach to entrepreneurship but also created a ripple effect of mentorship and connection among his 125 employees. From celebrating life's big moments with his staff to providing housing and a familial atmosphere, Tony's practices are a testament to the power of leading with love and purpose. This episode is packed with stories that will inspire you to consider how service and faith can intersect to make a profound impact on both an individual and communal level.

In our conversation we tackle the delicate juggle of balancing faith, family, and business, sharing personal experiences and the wisdom found in scripture that anchors us during life's storms. It's a real talk on the trials of striving to be 'Strong Dads,' engaged in the intricacies of family dynamics, while nurturing a business. Tony's establishments stand as a living tribute to his dedication to living an authentic life for Christ, both in the home as well as the community.

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If you're a medical and science NERD like me, this is your show. We visited with one of the first pioneers in the field of Ultrasound Guided Injections, Dr. Randy Moore.

Randy began using Ultrasound nearly 30 years ago as a chiropractor looking for better ways to help his clients. He quickly realized that the ultrasound was giving him more information about the tissue and joint quality than what traditional diagnostic techniques were able to produce.

Admittedly, Randy claims this was an absolute God guided journey. He began obcessing and studying the capabilities of ultrasound as a tool for more than detecting babies in the womb. He was able to differentiate between different types of tissues and spaces in the body. He could see what a damaged tissue looked like as opposed to healthy tissue. From this, Randy began learning, practicing, teaching and assisting other medical professionals to use ultrasound as a way to be more proficient at their job.

Randy has written two books on the use of ultrasound for guided imagery medical work. He has traveled the world lecturing, teaching and instructing on these practices. Today he is sought after to train entire staffs of medical professionals to use this practice to its fullest potential.

All of the medical stuff sounds cool and interesting, but as Randy will tell you, the recognition of God's hand on his journey has been the most amazing part of his journey. Randy is not timid or shy about giving the glory to God. He admits that he never saw or envisioned any of what he does in his line of work. He simply recognized that God was directing a path and he was willing and excited to travel it.

Randy talks about the times when he has recognized God's intervention while he had been working with a patient. His response, "I know that was not of me."

Randy uses his gift at Integrative Healthcare Partners, IHP. Located in Lawrenceburg, Indiana.
812-537-5616
IHP website - https://ihpsei.com

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(The podcast version of this show only contains the interview with Paul Gangloff. The shop demonstration was not included due to lack of being able to see what was actually happening during the demonstrations. To view the entire show go to our YouTube video at: https://youtu.be/8tiW0troxMI )

Are you a woodworker? Do you like heavy equipment or building things? This show is packed full of great stuff. In this show, Hutch and Kyle visit business owner, Paul Gangloff. Paul owns and continues to run his family business of Riverside Electric. However, as Paul has been able to hand the family off to be run by very capable hands, he continues with his entrepreneurial spirit. Paul loves working with timber so he started up his own sawmill business.

Paul spends the first part of the show demonstrating his saws and how they go about cutting lumber. He has four different models of saws that can cut from the smallest of logs to some of the biggest trees you will find in the forest. We got the opportunity to see several of them in action.

As Paul and his crew talk, (Richie and Leon), you can hear the enthusiasm in their voice with running the saws and seeing what God reveals in each cut of these beautiful timbers. But what is more amazing is how Paul and his crew never miss a chance to give credit where credit is due. In this case, All The Glory Goes To God!

That's right, from the beauty of the wood, to the running of his daily business, Paul understands where all things come from. He wasn't always like this, but through a cascade of events, God got his attention and he chose to respond in a positive light.

With all his decision to name God as the CEO of everything he does, God has not be light on the blessings. It seems that in nearly every conversation Paul is able to find a place to give God the glory. But like all of us, Paul has had his share of adversity. And in these times, Paul believes he has to stick with his faith and continue to trust in the goodness of God.

This is a great story of how God can write your life story if you give him the chance. He can out give you, out bless you, and out love you in all circumstances. Maybe it's time for you and I to stop talking about how we believe in God's provision and actually live as if we believe in his provision.

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Have you ever ridden in a Snow Cat? Neither had we until we visited Tim Doll, Operations Manager at Perfect North Slopes.

Strong Dads had a great time visiting with Tim and seeing not just his incredible workplace, but also the type of work he does at Perfect's.

Tim finds himself helping to manage over 1500 people during ski season. In order to do that and do that well, he learned a long time ago to make sure he brings Christ to the workplace with everyone he encounters. Tim is quick to give credit to an entire staff that also desires to be a positive witness.

As we listen to Tim we quickly learn the importance to be INTENTIONAL in our work. Intentional about reflecting the Way of Christ. Problems and challenges are just part of the day, but how we choose to go about them is what indicates whether we are Christian in name only.

Check out this episode to not only see an amazing workplace, but also to see what happens when people choose to bring Christ to work and their daily encounters.

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Some people know what they want to do for a living even when they are little kids. Others hunt for years to find out what they want to do and still seem to be on the hunt late in life. And then there are those that are don't find their profession, but rather, their profession finds them.

John Block is that guy. Growing up with a natural desire to build things John loved being in the woods building tree houses as a kid. As he grew up he thought it would be important to go to college and learn his trade even more thoroughly. Construction education and carpentry skills filled his hours of education. After graduating from college he knew it was time for a real job. But, to pass time and make a little spending money, John built a few decks for people in the neighborhood. Before he knew it, the request for him to build decks began to spread by word of mouth and John never looked back.

When asked why he chose to be a deck builder, he says, " I didn't, it chose me." John believes that God gifted him with his carpentry skills and always opened doors for the next opportunity. John just stayed obedient and followed his calling.

Outside of the career that chose him, John also saw God at work in his life. God brought he and his wife together and blessed them with two kids. John never looked back on the wife God chose for him or the kids God blessed him with. He always knew they were exactly the people God intended to be in his life.

Are you looking for this kind of certainty in your life? John would say that it might be best to stop trying to force your way through life and allow God to move through your life. Listen to where he may be calling you. Having firm dreams that you never want to budge on may be the thing that is keeping your from truly living your dream life. Let Go and Let God!

For more information on John Block go to his facebook page at John Block Deck Builders.

To reach Rock Solid Families go to: https://rocksolidfamilies.org

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We have all had difficulties in our lives. Some greater than others. The point is, what are you going to do with the difficulty? What is the challenge that lies before you?

In this episode, Kyle talks with native Kenyan, Jose'. Jose' shares his story of nearly losing his life and the journey it has taken him on to not just recover, but thrive in mind, body, and spirit.

Jose' reminds us that tragedy is not selective. It can happen to any and all. At a very young age he had to figure out how he was going to work through his limitations and not allow them to define the quality of his life.

This story is an inspiration to all of us. If you think you have been the victim of an unfair circumstance, then learn from Jose" to see how you can turn your victimhood into a VICTORY!

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Kyle took advantage of incredible opportunity to partake in a mission trip in Africa. Kyle traveled with Africa Firefighters Mission to help train his firefighter brothers for a 10 day training. Working with men and women that have the same end goal, save lives and fight fire.

Not only did Kyle learn that the mission was similar, he also found some very interesting and similar characteristics of men in Africa as what we see in America. This should not be surprising to any of us as we recognize that God created men to be a certain way for a certain purpose, no matter where they are.

Kyle has a great time becoming friends with these men and learning to celebrate the vast similarities between them. As we have said at Strong Dads for many years. We would be far better off as a human population if we spent more time celebrating similarities rather than attempting to celebrate diversities. It is the similarities that unite us and allow us to understand and respect one another.

Check out this week's show where Kyle interviews a gentleman named Benson. Benson has been able to live a time in Africa as well as America. His insights and experiences in the two different cultures provide us a keen sense of how common us men really are, no matter where we live.

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It's all about "splitting hairs".
This week's show features special guest, Tim Schrank, owner of Integrity Tool. When you get to know Tim, one word quickly pops into your mind, humility. Tim is a solid businessman with a truly humble heart.

During this show we get a glimpse into the business that Tim has created. Integrity Tool specializes in one-off productions that have to be nearly "perfect". Meaning, everything Tim works with is measured to micrometers of tolerances. He is sought out by companies that need special parts measured to nearly exact tolerances. The detail in this work can be mind boggling.

When Tim is asked how he came into the work that he currently does, he is quick to give credit to his parents and upbringing. He was blessed to be raised in a family that honored hard work, integrity, family, and faith. From these early days Tim began practicing a way of life that he has recognized the blessings from. Now, it is important that Tim takes the same values that were instilled in him as a young boy and weave them into his marriage, family, and business.

When you hear Tim talk about these important areas in his life, you quickly understand that although he may be in a leadership position, he acts it out through servant-leadership. He recognizes that everyone is part of the TEAM. Everyone brings value and not one person is more important than another when it comes to getting the job done.

The word, INTEGRITY, plays are large role in both Tim's business life as well as his personal life. Doing right in the eyes of Christ is what he aims for as the standard. He admits that perfection is not possible, but aiming close with small tolerances for error is a good start.

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Strong Dads Doing Real Life can't wait for you to check this message out. Special guest, Matt Davis, is not particularly working with his hands or doing heavy lifting that we might associate with real-man work. But, we promise you, his message today is about developing a skill that every man could benefit from. In fact, if every man worked this skill this world would be a much better place.

Matt takes us down the road to explain to us why Relationship Building has been his motivation and key to life success. When he asks "how are you doing?" He is going to wait and listen to your answer. You are going to realize that he really does want to know. Matt stresses the importance of investing into others and the payoff will be far greater than any paycheck you could ever make.

Beyond building relationships, Matt discusses the need to make his family relationships of even greater priority than his relationships in his work and community. He learned about relationship building from his father, Mike Davis. But he also learned from his father that the relationships in the home must not be neglected.

Check out this week's show to see how you can become more aware of the great teaching of Christ. Love your neighbor as yourself.

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Fred Venis, owner of Quality Auto Mart, tells his story about his ultimate surrender to Christ. He started out of high school as a very self-confident young man. He knew what he wanted and nothing was going to stand in his way.

Like so many of us as young men, we were slow to listen and fast to talk about all the things we thought we were good at. Fred was no different. He was mechanically gifted and had the work ethic to prove to himself and others that he was very capable.

Admittedly, Fred was not much for listening to the wisdom of the men that came before him. He finally came to a point of having too much money and too much arrogance but not enough humility to ask for help. After a medical situation introduced him to painkillers, he became addicted to them.

The addiction took over and before he realized it he was living each day to get his next fix. He lied to himself about having everything under control, but it slowly came back to bite him. He was busted for selling drugs in order to feed his own drug habit. With that, Fred was arrested and served time in prison.

Fred had the sense to realize that this was not the kind of life he wanted to live. He relocated his family to south east Indiana and began a new pathway. This pathway was approached in a completely different manner than his first pathway. This time he came under the mentorship of a God-Fearing man that owned Quality Auto Mart, Mark Roepke. Mark saw the potential in Fred and began to pull him under his wing.

Over the years, Mark and Fred grew a trusting relationship that opened the opportunity for Mark to transfer the business into the hands of Fred. Now a days, Fred is humbled and grateful for the paths he has walked. He has learned to appreciate what he has and the value of building wisdom through God's teachers.

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trong Dads Doing Real Life gets out in the field to meet Warren. He shares his story of a wild teenager without a positive father influence. He went from being street tough with fighting, drugs, and women. The outcome was not pretty.
Warren was at a point of just being tired of living a destructive life for himself and his family, but he didn't really know how to get out. He shows us that it doesn't matter whether you know how to get out of the darkness. The most important thing is that you want to get out of the darkness. When your heart is truly ready, God provides his teachers, counselors, friends, and coaches. They were likely already there, but Warren admits he wasn't looking for them at first.
Getting clean from drugs and realizing how much damage you have caused is no easy thing to handle. The guilt, shame, and unworthiness that he felt was enough to make him want to give up. And give up he did. He gave up and surrendered to a better way of life through Christ.

In order to surrender you must wrestle with your pride and come to the realization that you do not have the answers. Only He does!

If you are struggling with addiction, maritial problems, or parenting issues, please reach out for help. Rock Solid Families and Strong Dads understand that the way to a better future for all of us is through following God's Way for a better family.

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When you hang around a group of men it doesn't take long for you to hear conversations about money. How much does that job pay? What did that cost you? How are your investments? Men think and talk about money a lot, but what does money really mean to them. Here's a better question; what does money mean to you?

In this show Kyle and Hutch discuss the need for money, but how much is really necessary. This answer is different for everyone, but this question if answered thoughtfully gives you a great deal of insight into a man's priorities.

Among the top subjects that couples argue about is money. One way to prevent this is to understand how you and your spouse think about money and what you are attempting to do with your money. When we can create a common vision for the money then the arguments go decrease.

In this show the Living Wage Calculator is referenced to help you get a better understanding on your actual financial needs and your income depending on the area of the country that you live. This table is worth a quick study to begin the conversation on money between you and your spouse.

For more information go to http://rocksolidfamilies.org

Living Wage Calculator link: https://livingwage.mit.edu/

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Is your job a dream job or a dead job? A dream job is one that you enjoy doing. It motivates you and encourages your creativity to produce your best quality of work. On the other hand, the dead job is one that drains you on a variety of levels. Emotionally, physically, and even spiritually. The dead job feels like a dead end that leads us to a place we have no interest in going.

In this show Hutch and Kyle challenge our Strong Dads to assess how they are viewing their current job situation. If you are in your dream job, what makes it your dream job? Learn to acknowledge this and work to protect the aspects that make your job a dream. On the other hand, if you recognize your job to be a burden to your quality of life, then follow along to see what you can do to address this problem.

As a Strong Dad, we do not accept the idea of allowing ourselves to be a victim of our circumstances. We are to work towards victory by taking control of the things available to us and make the necessary changes. In this show, we help to point out the things that we can do to find ourselves in our dream jobs!

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How's your attitude? How's your vision for the future? How's your feeling for the past? All of these things play into your mindset. Your mindset can determine whether you are able to get excited about the next project, or get through the grueling project that you are currently working on.

Many of us fail to understand the power that our mindset can have on our life. We often fall victim to the way things are rather than recognizing the opportunities presented to us in the ways. During this show, Hutch and Kyle take apart some of their own thinking to demonstrate how sometimes bad thinking made for more difficult times. And the opposite also being true, good thinking makes for better times.

This discussion will prompt your own thinking and how you default to one pattern or the other. Recognizing your default mindset is the first step to overcoming the obstacles in your life and plowing a better path forward. It's time to move from a life of victimization to a life of victory!
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Strong Dads is sick in tired. We are sick and tired of losing good men to the trap of despair that the world can so easily lead us into.
In this show we are specifically pointing out what we discuss as some of the failed areas of today's men. Areas that are stealing our men from God's intended design and purpose.

When you watch the show don't get upset if we step on your toes. Take the challenge to be coachable and progress to a healthier, better version of yourself.

Strong Dads is going to practice what they are preaching. We are moving into a season of DOING. Our new format, beginning in October, will be one of showing men DOING manhood. The actual men that are out doing real life. Their work, play, marriage, family, and faith all be presented in action form.

Come join us in taking back the manhood that God designed us for. No more sitting on the couch playing video games or watching porn. No more whining and complaining about how you were wronged in a relationship. We are taking the bull by the horns!

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Are you better than your neighbor, or at least do you think you are better? Your knee-jerk Christian answer might be a quick "no", but the reality of it is that most of us fall into comparison traps on a regular basis. You often hear comments like, "well, at least I'm not last", "at least I'm not as bad as they are", "at least I never did what that guy did". Comments like this are indicative of the human nature to compare and then apply self-grace in order to relieve us of guilt or responsibility.

In the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, we see this behavior. We see the Pharisee rationalizing his behaviors in a comparison as if he though his goodness should be determined by how he behaves compared to another person. The problem with this common thinking is that we are setting the bar way too low. All people fall short! There is always someone that is going to be doing better or worse at some area of life than you.
So who should we compare ourselves to? Jesus Christ. When you do this you realize that no amount of rationalization or handicapping will place you on even ground with Christ.

With this understanding we move to the next level of understanding about our goodness. We can only be made "good" through Jesus Christ. He must carry us by his grace and his pathway. We can't begin to do it on our own. When we submit to Christ so that we can be carried by Christ, we no longer have to live in the comparison game. We no longer have to strive to look better and make others look worse. We can begin to understand that all of us are accepted into God's grace.

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What are you willing to pay for following Jesus? We are not talking about buying Jesus, we are talking about what you are willing to put to the side, to reprioritize your time, attention, money, and relationships. Where does Jesus come into your life?

Jesus makes a few heavy duty statements concerning the cost of putting him first. Ahead of family, job, entertainment, even ourselves. Jesus is talking about us making a decision to follow his way. Incorporate his values and ways in our everyday living. Serving others, forgiving others, extending grace to others, are just a few of the ways that we demonstrate our following of Jesus above anything thing or one else.

Jesus makes a statement in John 14:6 that should make all of us take note.
"I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me..." This statement is not a suggestion, but rather a definitive direction of how we get to the Father. We must put all other ways to the side and choose only the WAY OF JESUS!

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The Parable of the Prodigal Son is familiar to many of us. But ask yourself a question; which person are you in the parable? As we read through the parable we see three different characters that possess the human traits that all of us have the ability to possess: Selfishness, Greed, Self-righteousness, Humility, Wisdom, Depression, Anger, Happiness and more.

At the end of the parable we get a chance to grab what Jesus wants us to have. He teaches the importance of humility and grace. He teaches us that above all the laws of right and wrong, love is demonstrated through our willingness to show grace.

Do you want to live in a world strictly governed by truth and justice? You better think twice about your answer. This is why Christ came to put an end to the Law and introduce us to the deeper understanding of grace and mercy. This is the true character of God!

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The Parable of the Good Samaritan is known by many. It never goes out of style because it is as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago. We all carry prejudices. We have ideas that lead us into self-righteous thinking and our behavior follows.

In the Good Samaritan, Jesus reminds us of what it is to serve our neighbors. Whether we like them or not, we are all called to love and serve all of mankind. Christ teaches unconditional love via the actions of the Samaritan. He reveals human nature through the actions of the Priest and the Levite. Which one are you?

Before any of us gets to high on themselves, it is always good to think about what kind of treatment you would want out of someone towards you. If you were hurting would it matter if an enemy offered help? If you were in need you would receive from anyone willing to offer. Hopefully, it will be more than just your friends that are willing to offer.

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Do you have any false gods? You might be surprised if you really start looking deep enough. Money, comfort, control, security, power, and a list of many others can be seen as our false gods.

In the parable of the Rich Young Man, we may be quick to judge his difficulty with turning away from his money and pursuing Christ, but the reality of it is that we often have the same challenge in our lives. Maybe it's not money keeping us from following Christ, but maybe it's something else.

This parable is a reminder of how challenging it is to truly follow Jesus. We won't know how strong our faith is until we have it tested. What is Jesus calling you to do and you have been holding back? Why are you holding back? What excuses do you use to rationalize your failure to follow?

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Are you ready? If you are like most people, procrastination is part of our daily life style. It's easy to push things off when we don't feel a sense of urgency.

In the Parable of the Returning Owner, Jesus warns us about being ready for his return at all times. No one knows when their final hour will be. No one knows when Jesus will come back to make his final judgements on all of us. So, if this is the case, will you be ready?

One of the best ways to ensure that we will be ready is to live in a ready state. In other words, live a lifestyle that has our house in order on a daily basis. Living in such a way that we never let the chaos of the world mess up our lives to the point that we have to do complete makeovers every few months. Rather, live with an intentional lifestyle that keeps you on the path that Christ has laid out for us.

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Matthew 25:31-46 The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats
Have you ever had a test to study for but you didn't know what to study? How do you know where and what to spend your time on for test prep? This becomes a tireless effort of either trying to know everything or simply giving up and hoping to get lucky.

Sometimes this is how people see getting to heaven or going to hell. We have been promised that there will be a day of judgement. A day in which we will have to give account for what our lives consisted of. But, for this particular day of judgement or test, we have been given the notes ahead of time.

In the parable of the sheep and goats, Jesus gives us the notes for the test. He explains to us that we will be judged by how we treat others. If we treat others well then we will receive the glory of heaven. If we choose not to treat others well then we will join the rest of the goats in the furnace of Hell.

Jesus wants no one to perish. This is why he gives us the Word and his guidance to light our pathway to heaven. It is time to turn on the light and see where we are walking.

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Matthew 25: 14 - 30. The Parable of the Talents

How well are you using your gifts? We have all been given earthly gifts as well as gifts from God. We can understand as parents that when we have given our children gifts and they used the gifts poorly or not at all, how it makes us feel. We were excited to give them the gift and we can only hope that they appreciate it and use it with the excitement that we had in the giving of it. But, this is not always the case.

Imagine how God feels when he has given us a particular gift and we squander it or simply push it aside. The disappointment He feels is something we as parents can relate to. A gift is free to the receiver, but it comes with the a level of expectation that it will be used and beneficial.

God blesses us when we bless others with what we have been given. How well are you giving your gifts?

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Matthew 21:28-32. Parable of the Two Sons
Which son are you? The son that says no to your father, but then later rethinks it and answers his call. Or, the son that says yes to his father, but then turns around and ignores his father's request?

We likely have found ourselves being each of these sons at various times. Sometimes we hear God calling us to do something and we just aren't interested or in the right mood. But, through a change in heart, we turn our actions and do what is requested. Other times, we may being trying to avoid "face to face" conflict or guilt from not obeying God, so we say we will do something. Then, as if God can't see us, we turn our backs on him and do as we please.

God loves when we listen, but listening means nothing if it is not followed up with actions. God wants us to be doing. Not to earn our salvation, but to demonstrate our dedication to him as our savior. God wants us to be sold out to him and demonstrate that through actions.

How well are you following through on your words?

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Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard - Matthew 20:1-16
Do you find yourself comparing your life to others? Do you sometimes judge situations on fairness from your perspective? You see someone getting treated in what looks to be better than you and you say, "That's not fair!"

Human nature is quick to point out what we see as inequalities in life circumstances. But this particular parable asks us to step back and view the circumstance through a different lens, God's lens.

God's word does not always seem fair or even reasonable from the human perspective. When that seems to be the case, we might do well to be challenged to try viewing through God's eyes. Maybe this seems near impossible, but Christ came to help us learn to be better at this. He challenges us to see things in a different light and with a different understanding.

The next time you want to say, "That's not fair!" Do yourself a favor and try to see the circumstances through God's Word.

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As we cover the parables of Christ we are reminded of how different the ways of Christ are as compared to human nature. This particular parable is a hard lesson about mercy. We would all love to have mercy showered over us for the things that we have done in our lives, but the bigger check is how well we give others mercy.

In this parable, Christ gives us yet another strong reminder of how his ways are so different than what our human nature desires. He reminds us that we must be intentional about seeking out the ways of God, or we risk the harsh judgement of the Lord.

How well do you show mercy to others? Are you looking for a break when you have made a mistake, yet you hold others to a standard that you would never want to be help to? These are interesting thoughts that all of us could benefit from.

Matthew 18: 21-35

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This is the parable that Jesus told which explains our failed attempts at trying to mix the new with the old. The two will be in conflict with each other and end up causing greater harm. Whether we are trying to sew an unshrunk piece of cloth onto an old shrunk piece of cloth or mixing an old lifestyle with a new lifestyle, we will have tension.

Jesus is referencing the idea of becoming totally new when we come into following him. Doing away with our old ways and practicing new ways. When we try to "live the best of both worlds" we will find ourselves in conflict.

What old way do you need to cut out of your life in order to allow the new ways of Christ to flourish in your life?

“Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast. “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:15-17‬ ‭NIV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/111/mat.9.15-17.NIV

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Strong Dads celebrates our 200th show! After 200 shows we come back to the topic that gave us roots. A foundation in Christ and his word. Kyle and Hutch are beginning their Summer Series on the Parables of Christ. Each week throughout the Summer they will tackle a new parable that Christ told to the people of his time. These same parables still carry relevance with us today.

This week the parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders will be discussed. What are you building your house on?

Matthew 7:24-27 NIV
The Wise and Foolish Builders

24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

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How can you tell whether a person is truly a good person? How do you know if they are as good as they say they are? The answer is one of discernment. Often we confuse discernment with judgment. We are told to not judge others or we will be judged. This refers to the condemnation that we often want to place on others. No, our responsibility is not to judge or condemn people to heaven or hell.

However, we are called to use discernment with people. In other words, we are called to make a decision from our interactions and observations about their actions and words. Biblically, we are called to view the fruit of their labor.

If a man tells you they are doing great things and then with your own eyes you witness something less than great, then you make a discernment. Do their words and actions match? If not then how will this impact your ability to trust the person in the future?

Before we get too deeply into how we should apply discernment to others, we must first understand what this looks like for ourselves. It is a fine process to evaluate your own words and actions to see how well they are aligned. You will likely find plenty of areas where your actions and words are not as coherent as you would like them to be or as others would like them to be.

This show is a great lesson on understanding the Fruit of Labor and why it is the key to helping us understand how we can trust and interact with others.

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Hutch had his opportunity to show off his dreams of building the Kettle Bar and other pieces of fitness equipment in the gym. Now, Kyle gets his turn in the woodshop. Kyle has been growing his dream of the perfect woodshop where he creates and builds everything from small crafts to pieces of furniture.

Here's the question. What is your dream? What would you love to be able to bring to life in you? Are you doing it? Why or why not?

One of the worst places a man can end up in his life is the place of REGRETS. Getting to a point in your life where you have a brain full of unlived dreams that never found reality. This is a recipe for depression and despair. God made you for a reason. He gave you specific gifts, interests, and abilities to be used to serve others. What are you doing with them?

Our prayer is that you begin to move on your dreams. Learn how to do this in a way that respects the people you love and honors your commitment to them, but move on it.

Psalm 37:4. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

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We are seeing numbers for depression and anxiety at an all time high for our culture including for men. What is going on? Most of us will admit to having opportunities like no other prior generation. We typically would think of this as a good thing. Well, it is a good thing, unless you are not able to make a decision as to what opportunity you want to choose.

In this day of abundant opportunities men feel more stress than ever due to being confused. They look at the menu to choose from and their brain goes into confusion. Too many choices!

Now to add insult to injury, we put a few other pressures on the confusion, such as time constraints, money constrates, life style expectations, and now we have anxiety. Confusion + Pressure = Anxiety.

In this show, Hutch and Kyle take on the confusion that men are experiencing today and offer ways to minimize or even completely reduce the confusion, pressure, or even both. These practices are essential to helping Strong Dads be available and present to be the husbands and fathers they are called to be.

If you are struggling and finding yourself confused, frustrated, and even depressed, please reach out for help. You can contact us through our website at http://rocksolidfamilies.org

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I don't know about you, but I'm not a fan of waiting. Whether it's my frozen dinner in the microwave or waiting for my tax return. I want it now! The old phrase, "Hurry up and Wait!" , comes to mind.

In our world of wanting what we want, now, we have developed a great impatience. This impatience has also gotten connected to our faith. We literally wonder if God even hears us as we shout out our prayers. "Why are you not answering me, God?"

Because of our weak perservance we draw many conclusions about life, God, and our faith, that simply may be wrong. Maybe God is answering us and we just don't like the answer? Maybe God is preparing us or something about the situation and we can't see the whole story to understand what's involved? Whatever the reason, there is likely a legitimate reason that we are too ignorant or short-sighted to see.

During this show, Hutch and Kyle grapple with the lessons of waiting on future events. We ask questions that every Strong Dad has asked and struggled with. The lessons of learning what the waiting is all about are the cornerstones to building our faith. They are where we grow and develop the wisdom and find the hope to continue on our mission in life.

The next time you find yourself waiting, make an intentional decision to wait well!

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Porn has become the accepted kidnapper that we have allowed into our homes. From an early age our kids are being taken from their innocence. They are being hardened to a sexually, emotionally, and spiritually destructive force that is eroding the health of our society.

The easiest way from a kidnapper to steal your child is to simply invite them into the presence of your home. Allow them to get very comfortable around the family which builds a solid trust between the kidnapper and the parent. Before you know it the kidnapper is taking your child out for ice cream only to never return with your innocent child. THIS IS PORN!

Any Strong Dad would be quick to agree that they would hate their child to be kidnapped. They would fight with every fiber of their being to prevent such a travesty. If this is so, then how can we stand back and allow our kids to be stolen by this thief we call Porn?

In this show, Hutch and Kyle pull no punches about how we must learn to approach the Porn Industry. We must fight it and in order to have the heart to fight for the win, we must develop an authentic and righteous hate for the industry. It's hard to win a battle if your heart shows some favor for the enemy. You simply will not be able to stand against the evil.

When working to help men overcome pornography addictions, one of the many things that must be done is to truly go after the man's heart for the enemy. If they don't absolutely hate the enemy, they will fall to the enemy. So how do you learn to hate the enemy? You reveal it for all that is evil within it. The crime, greed, exploitation, drugs, and absolute darkness of this industry must be put into the light.

We must learn that pornography comes into your life like a Trojan Horse. Looking interesting and amazing, but in short order, it comes as a weapon of mass destruction. Let's learn to recognize the Trojan Horse for what it is, in this case, the Porn Industry, must be seen as an enemy.

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Every home has its fair share of conflict. When you get more than one person in a room, you have already set the stage for conflict. Adding a few more people, different ages, different genders, maybe a few hormones, and voila! You now have all the conflict you would ever want in your home.

But, most of us do not prefer conflict in our homes. Most of us enjoy a little peace and quiet. We desire our homes to be that little piece of serenity in a crazy world.

Strong Dads are major players in establishing and maintaining peace in a home. In order to do this, they must understand conflict. There are multiple components of conflict that Strong Dads must become aware of and understand how to work with them for the best outcomes.

In many aspects, a Strong Dad can think of themselves as a referee in a game. The referee didn't make the rules, but he does have the job of enforcing and making critical judgements to allow the game to be played well and as intended.

No rules + No Referee = Chaos and Conflict.

If your house is filled with conflict to the point of making it an unpleasant and healthy place to live. Much of this burden sits on the shoulders of the Strong Dad. Tune in to the rest of the show and begin practicing better ways to manage your family for the win!

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Confusion is the seed of depression and anxiety. Confusion beyond our current ability to resolve a problem makes us feel trapped. If we feel trapped with no way out, we become hopeless. Hopelessness is the deepest level of depression.

With confusion understood as the seed of depression, then as Strong Dads we must do our best to help our kids work through confusion in their life. Giving them the skills to problem solve and find ways through the potential traps of life.

The conversation concerning the issue of Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria is one of deep confusion. Our youth, (mostly females), are arriving at an intersection in life where they believe their gender is questionable. Something that could possibly be chosen. But not just their gender, it could also be their sexual attraction, or maybe not feeling attracted to anyone, or possibly sexually attracted to everyone. Now this intersection has so many choices. Confusion begins to set in.

In the meantime, while all of these choices now seem to be available, they have other people at the intersection as well. Some in front of them and some behind them. Some seeming to lead the way to a particular path, and some nudging from behind. This creates anxiety.

This is.a big deal for the youth as well as the parent. What seems like absolute freedom to choose becomes an overwhelming task of decision making. Yet, the thing that we see our culture pushing to the side is God's Nature.

God's nature is designed by him for us. He has made us perfectly to be who we are in his nature. When we push back against his nature, we are sure to experience trouble. Whether it's how we spend money, time, our talents, or even our sexual design and identity. God has an intention for us and to mock it is a dangerous and confusing thing.

As Strong Dads we encourage our kids but we are also their to help them learn God's intention and direction in their life. If we fail to introduce them to God's desires and design then they certainly will be influenced by all the other traffic at the intersection.

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There are many things that separate Christianity from all other faiths. However, the most important thing that the entire faith rests on is the Resurrection of Christ.

The Resurrection is different than the birth because of what it symbolizes gives us. The birth of Christ, of which we celebrate as Christmas, is looked at as a gift. We celebrate this occasion with gifts. It happens to take place in the darkness of Winter and the gift lifts up our spirits during the dark days.

Easter or the hand, takes place in the Spring. When new life is sprouting and we begin to have hope that something better is coming for this upcoming season. The Resurrection gives us HOPE! Hope in something better to come. That something better is promised to us as eternal life with Christ in Heaven.

Why is HOPE important? It is the Jet Fuel that gets you out of bed every morning. It is the reason you go to work and do what you do. It is the reason that Christianity has spread around the globe in great speed and intention over the past 2000 years. People need hope in order to live, and the Resurrection is just that.

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There are certain people that have a personality that absolutely fill the room. That's the case with Dan McKim! During this episode, Hutch interviews 5X Highland Games World Champion, Dan McKim. While they. spend some time discussing his athletic achievements, it becomes very clear that Dan is far more than an athlete; Dan is a Christ follower, husband, father of 5 boys, employee, and creative communication artist!

Notice what is first in the list of who Dan is - Christ Follower. This is the critical part of the conversation and the message for all Strong Dads to understand. Until you recognize what it means to be a Christ follower first and foremost, all other identities are fleeting. They simply will not be enough to sustain you.

Hutch's conversation with Dan is fun and candid. Dan has a contagious smile and laugh that brings you right into the genuine person that he is. Have fun listening to this show, but pay attention to the most important takeaways - WHO ARE YOU?

believethrower.com

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Understanding how to approach the Bible for a new comer can be a daunting task. In this show, Hutch and Kyle continue their discussion to help men begin to understand and study the Bible. In this episode they are focusing primarily on the New Testament.

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When you look at the Bible and see the thickness and sheer volume of writings, it can be a bit overwhelming. However, as the old saying goes, "how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time!" That's the idea with the Bible as well.
To begin to understand the Bible it helps to start breaking it down into smaller bites. There are multiple sections and books of the Bible that help to make up the full context, so start with learning a little about the various sections and books.
In this show, Hutch and Kyle begin by just talking about the Old Testament and what the general themes are in this section. Once you realize that the Old Testament is describing God's Nature, His Will, and then Human Nature and the will of humans. From the first two books of the Bible, Genesis and Exodus, we are introduced to these to themes and how they are opposing each other. But, in these books we immediately see God's love for us. He pursues us even as we run away. He offers a clear pathway to Him, even when we think we know of a better way. This is the start of the great conflict and expression of Love between God and man.

Hutch and Kyle do not intend this show to be deep with theology, but rather, their own experiences and awakenings that brought them back to a better understanding of God's Will. When you listen, think about your own experiences and where you are in the discussion with your will versus God's Will.

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Submission - In today's world this is what you are doing when you "Tap-Out". You can't take being beat any longer so you "tap-out" or submit to the more dominant fighter.

In the Christian life we are called to "tap-out" to Christ! We are called to submit to His authority. Why would I ever want to do this? The simple reason is that when you are fighting and you no longer can do anything else to defend yourself, you offer yourself up through an act of submission. The act is done not to show the other person that they are dominate, but rather, to SAVE YOUR LIFE! If you allow them to keep doing what they are doing, they will likely kill you. This is not a particularly useful outcome if you have an interest in living.

We are called to submit our ways to God's ways. Our culture and our pride, which is encouraged by Satan, tells us to never submit to anyone or anything. We are all powerful and can do all things. This great lie can be so ingrained in our fabric that we think of submission as a weakness rather than a strength.

In this show, Hutch and Kyle discuss the question, Why submit to God's Word? You would never submit to anyone if you thought you could do it on your own. This is exactly the piont of Christianity, you can not do this human life on your own. It is only through Christ that we win eternal life.

So we should take the strong decision and submit to the one that will save our lives. Jesus Christ and His Word!

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In our last episode we demonstrated the final product of a long time dream. The Kettle Bar. We had fun beating Kyle up with a great workout and getting a few laughs in the process. But, in this second part we discuss the actual process of developing the dream of the Kettle Bar.

Ideas have a starting point and to some degree, an ending point. Most ideas start and end within a short time of each other. But ideas that begin to grab a little traction can have a lifespan that goes into significantly longer periods. As we discuss the idea/dream of the Kettle Bar we unpack this lifespan. The journey is where we truly learn the good, bad and ugly of our initial idea. Often times when someone starts a business or invents a product you will hear the founder refer to it as their "baby" or "child". This gives you an idea of the stages and processes that you will be going through.

Dreaming about having a child is one thing. Actually having a child and raising them to adulthood is an entirely different endeavor.

Check out this weeks show if you are thinking about your dreams or maybe you have already opened the door to your dream. See if we share anything that hits a chord with you. Maybe you have experienced something in your dream pursuit that you would be willing to share. Please do!

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Chasing your dreams is no easy matter. It's the stuff movies and books are made of. But, the romance often ends in the actual reality. Chasing your dreams is can be incredible, but it can also be difficult.

In this show Hutch introduces the Kettle Bar®. A dream of his for the past 5 years. It has been a long journey, but there are so many lessons learned and still to be learned.

This show is actually broke into two separate parts. The first one is the Hutch and Kyle actually working out with the Kettle Bar®. Taking the opportunity to actually demonstrate what it is and how it is used.

The second part is the story of chasing the dream.

Check out the Kettle Bar® at www.kettlebarfitness.com

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What's your inner voice telling you? Does it beat you down or build you up? As if life is not already tough enough, why do we add to our own demise by beating ourselves down?

During this show Hutch and Kyle take on the inner critic. Yes, there is definitley a time to be hard on yourself and drive to make yourself better. But, if we don't recognize how our mind works we may be digging ourselves into a deep hole of depression. We may be kicking ourselves even when we are down.

Hutch and Kyle walk through a step by step process to recognize your inner voice and begin to use it wisely and even help direct it to make you better.

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Strong Dads - How to Deal with Mr. Know it All - Episode - 184

Have you ever found yourself stuck in the presence of Mr. Know it All? Everything you seem to talk about he happens to be the resident expert on. While a little dose of this goes a long way, what happens when you are getting more than your little dose?

During this show Hutch and Kyle discuss this challenge. But before we get too judgmental about Mr. Know it All, it helps to know a little background. You see, Mr. Know it All is not much different than Mr. Angry, Mr. Showoff, Mr. Gaslighter, or even Mr. Perfect. All of these character descriptions come from a fear. A fear of being rejected, not feeling valued, not being in control, or failing in the front of others. Frequently men that struggle in these fears also have a lower EQ. In other words, they don't realize how they are coming off to others.

This show helps us understand what's behind these behaviors and how we can do better to handle our time while in their presence. And, maybe even how we may be able to help them a little in the process.

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As Strong Dads we would like to say that this little test was easy, but not so fast. You might be surprised how often you act like a boy rather than the man God desires us to be.

In this show we discuss how our thinking leads to our behaviors. If you behave a like a boy it's only because you allow yourself to think like boy. If we truly to be the "man of the house", then it's time to think like a man.

The questions below are common representatives of the type of thinking that are characteristic of boys vs men. Read the questions and see how you fare.

Boy Questions:
How can I get laid tonight?
How can I arrange my schedule so I can do what I want today?
How can I get rich quick?
How can I flirt with the lady at work or the store to see if I can get her attention?
How can I get away from my family to go hang out with the guys?
How can I impress others so they think more highly of me?
What if I fail or something doesn’t go my way?
Why does this crap always happen to me?
How can I get more personal attention on social media?
What will it cost me monthly?

Let’s Try Man Questions:
How can I make the team better?
Who do I need to check on today?
What do I need to make sure gets covered on the family calendar?
What needs to be fixed around the house?
How are my wife and kids doing?
What is the next training or educational opportunity to improve my function, job, or relationships?
How did I recognize God in my life today?
What kind of role model was I to my kids today?
How am I leading my family? Spiritually, Morally, Emotionally, Physically?
What are the weaknesses I have? What am I doing with them?
How does my wife desire to be loved by me?
Am I creating financial freedom for myself and those around me?
What will my legacy to my family and friends be?

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I'm so busy, I'm so busy! Have you ever felt this way or even made this statement? The truth is, you probably are so busy, but the question is, "are you being lazy?"

During this show, Hutch and Kyle challenge each other and Strong Dads with just how busy they are. What the research shows is that most of us are busy doing things that simply occupy time, but have little to do with what we really want in our lives. The question is, how did we get so busy? The answer may not be as pleasant as you want it to be. We often get so busy because we are just being lazy. We look for or accept to do the things that take up our day, but they really may not be that important. They tend to be easier and require less work or focus on our part, but they still take up time.

The problem is that a lifestyle of this leads us to a place of regret down the road. 10, 15, or 20 years from now we look back and wonder why we are not in the place in life that we dreamed about.

During this show, we take an honest look at what we do with our time. How we can decide more precisely how we want to use our time, and finally, the actions to take to protect our time.

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Would your kids say your are mean? That's a loaded question! Maybe we could help clarify by defining words such as mean, strict, or permissive. These are often ways that our kids perceive us. The question then might be, which one is best? Or, is there even a better approach to your parenting?

This week Strong Dads dives into what effective parenting looks like especially from the dad. Research has revealed that our kids do not always know what is best for them. In fact, what they may think would be best for them in a given moment may be one of the most harmful things they could ever have in their lives. This is why we must understand what we, as Strong Dads, bring to the table of parenting.

Extremes towards any one of the three mentioned above is not longterm effective. But, a combination along with specific timing can go a long way towards raising strong and healthy adults.

Here's a thought to consider. Think about the things you are most proud of in your life. Did you receive them easily or did you have to work and sacrifice for them? Human nature is such that we value the things we work hard for. Things that cost us something are going to be treated differently than freebies. Your kids will greatly benefit if you can teach them the value of sweat equity, work ethic, and perseverance.

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Are you in the Fight? Whether you realize it or not, you are! The fight is something that every man finds themselves in. It is the fight for your marriage, the fight for your family, the fight for leading your home and protecting the ones you love against all that is seeking to destroy the good in your life.

In today's show Strong Dads interviews TC Eckstein from The Fight. TC along with a group of common-minded men have formed the men's movement called The Fight. The mission is simple in words, but difficult in reality. Striving to equip, support, and teach every man about the fight they are in and how to win it!

The Fight and Strong Dads share many common aspects to their purpose. They have joined forces in order to reach even more men. When one man loses, we all lose. The man is the strength of the family. He is the vision-caster and protector of all that is good with his family. If a man loses his vision or has no vision, his family will suffer. This is not acceptable if you want to win.

TC introduces our audience to The Fight Camp. A weekend in which life gets simple and hard all at the same time. Camping on a cold winter weekend with only the basics. The idea is to eliminate all the so called comforts of life and simplify to what is important. Refocusing your strength in who you are as a man in God's wilderness. Learning to survive with a group of men where authenticity is the key to your growth. No more masks!

Men learn to connect and build a band of brothers. A team where everyone understands who the real enemy is and how to overcome the enemy and bring victory into your life.

Sign-up for The Fight Camp today: https://bit.ly/TheFightCamp

https://www.facebook.com/thefight414

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Why were you even born? Wow, what kind of question is that? Well, that's the kind of question that I sometimes hear men ask themselves in the middle of a coaching session; "Why was I even born?"

The question comes from the idea that many of us wander around through life never quite knowing what our purpose or place in life is. During this show we talk about how as dads, we can help our kids move through this process with greater clarity and vision for their future.

Hutch introduces his GPM - Guided Purpose Map process. A 12 point process that every person should go through in order to discover and build their purpose in life.

Before you begin this process with your kids, practice it on yourself. You may be surprised at the areas that you have not developed very clearly in your life.

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Every year around New Years Day people start talking about setting new goals. Sometime before the end of January they are already looking back with failure in their mind. What happened?

Goal setting is not bad in and or itself. But if the goals we set are outside of our daily living habits or lifestyle, we are only setting ourselves up for failure. We must first study the value system of our life. What do we truly value? For example, if you truly value being in shape, then you will put absolutes or non-negotiable in your lifestyle. "I will not eat junk food!".

During this show Hutch and Kyle discuss the process of developing the lifestyle that we desire. This is a process that is way more valuable than setting one-time goals. Check it out and see what you think!

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Insanity is sometimes defined as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. That's what New Year's Resolutions can often feel like as well. To help prevent this outcome Kyle and Hutch tackle the concept of assessing your past. In particular, assessing how well you did in 2022. Would you consider your year a win or loss? Were there specifics that you can name that influenced you year? What was your ability to influence how your year turned out? These are the questions we ask in order to help us prepare for the quickly approaching new year.

Setting goals can be frustrating as you get farther out from the day you set your goal. But, if you want to minimize your frustration there are a few simple items you can change and watch what begins to happen. During this show we discuss looking backwards and assessing how we did in our life. Once we are willing to take an honest look our behavior and actions, we are able to determine what is fruitful and what is not.

Tune in next week as we wrap up the goals and move into the practice process to achieve.

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If you have a problem in any of your relationships I can promise you that it comes down to one word, TRUST! Trust is the foundation for every relationship. Whether it is a business relationship or a marriage, without trust it is doomed to fail.
The problem is that most of us can be pretty ignorant about what trust is and how to build and maintain it.

In every relationship there is a giving or exchange between entities. They give their word, money, time, love, service, whatever the case, something is exchanged. More so, it is something of value to the people involved. The problem comes when the values are not equal and one person feels undervalued in the exchange. For example, I give you my word and you hold it as valuable. Then I cheapen my word by going back on it.

Here's the deal, both parties must learn to understand the value of what is being exchanged and then how to maintain that value between the two of you. If the value or lack of, is assumed, often the assumption will come back to bite you.

Trust takes time and awareness. It is not something to be messed with or minimized in the relationship. It can be damaged in one instant or it can slowly fade over time. Either way, the build-back process is among the greatest challenges you will ever face when it comes to building relationships.

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Have you been struggling with your place in life? Maybe it's your job or your marriage. Whatever it is, there is a good chance you are in the struggle because you are applying pressure to things you cannot move or change.

In this show, Kyle Crofford takes the mic to tell his story of this problem. After months and even years of battling the challenges of his work, he came to a basic realization that HE was the problem, and, HE needed to change.

This is a difficult reality that most of us struggle to accept. It would be so much nicer if the people or places around us would change to accommodate our desires. In time, we come to realize that's not going to happen. Before we know it our attitude is so dark that we don't even like to be around ourselves, much less others wanting to be around us.

Check out Kyle's testimony as he did and continues to do some deep soul-searching. This is a practice that all of us could benefit from. Taking a deep look into our mindset and then owning what we need to own in order to make the necessary changes to better our lives and the lives of the people we impact every day.

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The 5th commandment says that we should honor our mother and father. This sounds like common sense when we are talking about little kids still in the house. But what about when we are adults? Do we still strive to honor our parents when we are out or their house and even raising our own family?

Whether we continue to honor our parents or not has significant implications for our society. We have seen in recent decades the decline of respect for our elderly. We cast them off to nursing homes or even leave them to be on their own. We become so busy on our lives that we neglect to include them in ours.

But, guess who is watching? Our children, God, and Satan. What do you think the implications are going to be from this?

Our children learn from us and are likely to repeat what they have been taught.
Our God has given us the nature by which we can choose to live well or not, but he has clearly given us the way forward.
Satan, being anti-God, is working hard to turn us away from God's way and quickly to his way, which is the way of lies and deception. The ways of selfishness and narcissistic behaviors that lead to destruction of self and society.

Honoring your parents is not just a good thing to do. It is an essential thing to do.

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Wow! That's a harsh question. But the truth is that we all fail at certain times in our role as fathers. Whether we are not available, say the wrong words, do the wrong things, or simply don't even recognize that we are in the wrong. We all fall short!

In this episode, Kyle and Hutch get right to the source of how we improve ourselves when it comes to being a father. Becoming more intentional about how you will operate as a father is critical. This is not something that you want to do based off your feelings in the moment. Get a plan!

The second idea is knowing what you have anchored your plan to. If you are doing things a certain way because it is what all the other dads are doing, you may be really messing up. If you are jumping on to the latest research, you again may be really messing up. You want to go to something that is as tested and proven as anything available, without question, that is God's Word! Here is where we learn how to operate as a father in a way that is directly in line with God's Nature.

For more information visit our website at http://rocksolidfamilies.org.

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We've all heard about the importance of being thankful. We hear it in church and we learned about it in school, but what's the big deal? Do I really need to be thankful? It depends. What quality of life do you want? If you desire a high quality of life, then the answer is a resounding yes! If you don't really care about the quality of life, then maybe the answer is no.

The latter choice seems ridiculous to most of us. We all have a limited number of days. I can't think of anyone that doesn't desire to have the best days possible. So, if that is the case, then let's do a dive into the power of gratitude.

Gratitude helps in nearly every facet of life; jobs, marriages, parenting, faith, and even health. Yes, even health. Studies demonstrate time and time again that people that practice a high level of gratitude have happier lives with fewer physical and psychological challenges.

During this show, we discuss how you can begin your practice of a life built on gratitude. Let us know what you think.
Thanks for Listening!

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Is work a have to or a want to for you? All of us have been guilty at one time or another of making a statement like, "I have to go to work today", and yes, you may very well have to. But, the question of whether you are doing what you are made to do or not will be answered when you can think more often with the mindset of wanting to go to work.

As men we were made to work. Maybe that's hard physical labor or maybe it's posting our butt in a chair and allowing our mind to do all the work. Whatever it is, we are called to work. But maybe a better word could be used to describe what we were made for. How about the word, purpose? We were made for a purpose. We were made as men to produce, provide, and protect, which is part of our purpose.

While a few days off here and there might feel like what the doctor ordered, we as men, need purposeful work to ignite our day and give us the reason to get out of bed everyday. The challenge is this, are you in a work place that is satisfying your purpose? If you are not believing, feeling, or thinking that what you do is valuable, then it may be time to reassess your vocation and explore better options that put you on your purpose.

Life is too short to get stuck in a meaningless rut. Find your purpose as God designed it to be. Stop running from the gifts God gave you and put them to use to serve others. Are you naturally talented at something? Put it to use! Does your mind constantly gravitate towards particular interests, go after them with the idea of using them to serve others.

In a nutshell, all of our purpose comes down to loving God and serving others. When you begin doing this, you will no longer be going to work, but rather, you will be going to purpose!

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Coach JC has taken his past trials and tribulations and turned them into an incredible passion for coaching and serving others. His trademark phrase of "Win All Day", is a commitment that he pursues and challenges others to do the same. Coach JC is guaranteed to inspire and connect to everyone he encounters.

http://coachjc.com

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Genesis 3:5 "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil."

This is the "fall of man". Words such as Pride, Arrogance, Selfishness, and Self-Righteousness, are just some of the many ways that we exhibit our desire to be the god of our own life.

If you don't think you struggle with this, that is likely your first indication that you have a pride problem. Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.http://rocksolidfamilies.org

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Part 3 in our series - The Evil Ways that Satan Attacks Us . In this particular show we discuss how Satan goes after our relationships. He loves when we fight, argue, and downright hate each other. Listen in to see how you can safeguard your relationships from Satan.

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Money Money Money! Can't get enough of it. We have all had these thoughts as we have found ourselves running short on money for certain things. The question we challenge you with this week is, WHY? Why can't you ever seem to get enough money?

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The first in a 4 part series - How Does Satan Attack Us? In this episode we discuss how Satan goes after our flesh. Physical illnesses, aches, pains, loss of abilities, all of these play into Satan's desire to make us curse God. Think about Job!

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As a man, who poured into you? Was it your father, grandfather, coach, etc...? The answer you give will be greatly reflected in the kind of man you are today. In this show we speak to special guest, Tony Schroder. Tony is a man that has recognized the positive value of men that have poured into him as he was growing and now he wants to do the same.

The idea of pouring into young men is nothing new, but the reality in our society today is that it is rarer and rarer. This has created as Dr. Warren Farrell puts it, a boy crisis. The problem with a boy crisis is that it soon becomes a father crisis and ultimately a crisis in our society. Men are made to lead and leading well is the goal. We must lead our families well and we learn to do this from the fathers in our lives.

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Divisiveness is nothing new in human culture. Since the time of Cain and Able we have found things to argue about. But, is there a way to reduce or even eliminate this divisiveness? The easy answer is yes. The real answer is yes, but not easily. We must come to grip with our own human biases and limits to know and understand. In order to do this we must change our mindset and approach to mimic more of what we see from Christ.

In this show, we welcome Michael Ashford, the creator and host of the podcast, The Follow Up Question. Michael has made it a point to study and learn more about how we can learn to reach across the aisle of difference and find similarities and common ground in order to build more effective relationships. Check out the show to see what you think.

https://michaelashford.com

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Who are you? How would you answer this question? Many of us could approach this question from multiple perspectives. We could identify by our occupation, our gender, our family, or even our faith. The list could be long, but the bigger question is, How's your identity working for you? Do you see yourself winning in your life or more frequently checking a box in the loser column?

Check out this week's show to see how you developed your identity and now what to do with it.

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Is it okay for me to drink alcohol? This has been an age old discussion that can create lots of debate between Christians as well as non-Christians. There is the biblical view on drinking, the medical view, and the social view. Listen in to see what Hutch and Kyle believe when it comes to being a Strong Dad.

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Hutch and Kyle take on a list of parenting questions that confront Strong Dads. Be able to effectively answer your kids' questions with solid and helpful advice is critical to helping grow.

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Adultery is a sin because it goes against God's nature. We also know that when things go against God's nature people get hurt. Adultery does just that, it hurts people. In today's show Hutch and Kyle discuss the damage done to the victim from adultery. They discuss how to recognize the pain and then what steps are essential to proper healing.

#Rocksolidfamilies #familytherapy #marriagecounseling #parenting #faithbasedcounseling #counseling #Strongdads #coaching #lifecoach #lifecoaching #marriagecoaching #marriageandfamily #adultery #cheating #affairshttp://rocksolidfamilies.org

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Can a marriage be restored after you where unfaithful? That's the challenge we take on in this episode.

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Part 2 is a must listen to show! In this part we discuss the process of helping the Controller/Abuser. This is important because it is our only chance at breaking the cycle of abuse in the relationship.

No one likes to be abused and no one likes to be considered an abuser. It is a very dark side of human relationships, but it is a serious side that we can no longer afford to look the other way.

Part 1 contains the important information necessary to identify and understand what abuse looks like. And how to help the victim.

Part 2 contains the information necessary to help the abuser. Helping them to see what kind of damage they are creating. Helping them to understand the work and decisions they must own if they are going to help themselves and the ones they claim to love.

Here are the links to the two shows that we discuss in the podcast from Dr. David Clarke. These are excellent shows in which he shares his first-hand knowledge and expertise to help people in abusive relationships.

https://subsplash.com/familylife-ar/media/mi/+p2665kp

https://subsplash.com/familylife-ar/media/mi/+4y255mz

Call The National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Or, online go to DomesticShelters.org

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No one likes to be abused and no one likes to be considered an abuser. It is a very dark side of human relationships, but it is a serious side that we can no longer afford to look the other way.
During this show, Hutch and Kyle discuss the many types of abuse, how to recognize them, and what to do if you find yourself in an abusive relationship as a victim.

Part 1 contains the important information necessary to identify and understand what abuse looks like. And how to help the victim.

Part 2 contains the information necessary to help the abuser. Helping them to see what kind of damage they are creating. Helping them to understand the work and decisions they must own if they are going to help themselves and the ones they claim to love.

Here are the links to the two shows that we discuss in the podcast from Dr. David Clarke. These are excellent shows in which he shares his first-hand knowledge and expertise to help people in abusive relationships.

https://subsplash.com/familylife-ar/media/mi/+p2665kp

https://subsplash.com/familylife-ar/media/mi/+4y255mz

Call The National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) Or, online go to DomesticShelters.org

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Everyone is in a fight of some kind. Whether it is the fight for a job, your marriage, raising your kids, or just trying to be healthy. We fight things that we believe we are being attacked by. How can we identify more clearly what or who we are fighting and then the big question is: How should we fight?

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If you ever wonder why Strong Dads was created, you have to listen to this show. Matt, like many young men, found himself wanting to be a man but didn't have a clear vision of what that really looked like. He tried many different versions but felt empty in the process. Then he decided to try a different approach.

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Is it time to look in the mirror and face the fact that you are not operating at your best? Listen in to today's show to be challenged and encouraged to take the next step to better yourself.

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Owner of D1 Training in Mason/Loveland, Ohio, Christ Witzgall is a businessman and a follower of Christ that wants to make a difference in his day-to-day work. Chris shares his business story as it connects with his Christian story.

https://renew.org/

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Are you free? We often refer to ourselves in the United States as being free. Compared with many other countries, we do experience a sense of freedom. But, the greater question is, what is freedom?

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Strong Dads had the opportunity to pick the brain of noted author, speaker, coach, and podcast host, Joseph Warren. Joseph is the host of Broken Catholic. The number one podcast for Catholics and Protestants. He also has a coaching business called Blowing Up Rocks.

His work is about grabbing men and helping them to blow up all the rocks in their head that are holding them back. Check out this show to see what Rocks you need to blow up!

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Father's Day is celebrated because we recognize the importance of the service that dads provide for their families. This year, take the time to show appreciation for dad. Let him know that you notice the sacrifices he puts forth for the family.

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How do you seek advice. Check out today's show to get a sure-fire method to seek the best advice.

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Are you tired of the senseless shootings? Yes, a rhetorical question, but the senselessness will continue until we get to the root of the problem. As we hear all the crazy talk and blame about what is going on, we see constant "cherry-picking" of solutions. In this episode of Strong Dads, Hutch and Kyle take a four prong attack to deal with this societal illness. The problem is that many will not have the fortitude to own their part of the solution. But, as Strong Dads, we are no longer remaining quiet about the call for Strong Dads to step up to the plate and expect more from men.

Our first prong of attack is dads owning their fatherhood responsibilities from conception to the legal age of adulthood for the child. Our second prong is addressing the guns. Being avid gun owners ourselves, we see the concerns about this area. But we also as gun owners must own our part of the solution. Our third area is mental illness. If you are familiar with mental illness you understand exactly why we must address this. If you are not, then you have the responsibility to learn. Mental illness is the beginning of the worst condition that any human can enter, hopelessness. If one has no hope, then atrocities such as Uvalde are waiting to happen. And the last and most important of the four prongs is growing our families in faith. Our Christian Faith is the underpinning for how we do life. How and why we behave as men, women, and children. How we take care of our neighbors and communities. When we replace our faith in God with faith in ourselves, we are soon to be hopeless.

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Everyone loves a great underdog story. The come from behind. The grit and toughness to persevere and rise to the top. Whether it is sports or life in general, we all love the rags to riches stories. During this show, Hutch and Kyle take a few minutes to discuss a little about the underdog stories, but, like all good things, there always seems to be someone trying to steal from the good.

Yes, we have underdog impostors, or what Hutch and Kyle referred to as "dying dogs". These are people we must be more aware of than ever before. We must realize that not everyone is a true underdog. Not everyone is doing the work to rise up from the bottom. Many are trying to ride the heart-strings of us that love the underdog story. They do this by playing the appearance of the underdog, but when we dig a little deeper, they are only an underdog in clothing. They are phonies or fakes.

True underdogs put in the time and effort to rise up. Dying dogs look for things to hide behind. Reasons, excuses, and blames are part of their native language. They seek out the victim role with the hopes of avoiding the often difficult journey of a true underdog. They take shortcuts and wonder why they are in the position they are in.

Dying dogs are not willing to do what is necessary to win. As a parent we must recognize our child's as well as ourselves desire to take the short cut or avoid the work. We must then teach and preach against it. Our example says everything about what we are truly teaching our kids.
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We all have faith. The question is, what is our faith based on? Do we make decisions based on what science has proclaimed as fact or truth, or do we use something else as our foundation? Many of us have completely fallen to the idea that science is the end all be all for determining how we make our decisions. But, we must proceed with caution. In this show, Hutch and Kyle discuss the many times that science has gotten it wrong. What was once consider fact has turned into being fiction. This does not mean that we throw science to the curb. Not at all! What it means is we must understand what science is and how it is meant to be used.

Science is especially great for the physical world. It has the potential to reveal and not create. We discover things that have already been created. Science is a great tool that we can use to look into the physical world. Science is so great, but so limited. Science can be marred with scandal and prejudice. People often leading the science will see what they want to see and believe what they want to believe.

So where does God come into the equation? God's Word is not meant to be a physical science book. It has little intention in revealing the details of creation. Rather, God's Word is purely intended for human consumption. No other organism needs to read it or understand it because all other organisms naturally flow within it. But man is different. Man has the ability to reason and think for himself. He has the ability to choose. Because of this free-will, God recognizes that we needed more than any other organism, a manual or text to help us know how we should behave in God's nature. We have God's Word that speaks to our relationships with others and Him. He gives us detailed instructions on how to make decisions and live a life that is in accord with Him.

So, when it comes to Science or God, we really want to use both with God's word being the foundation for science and everything else. God's word reveals his creation as it pertains to mankind. Science reveals God's nature as it pertains to all physical matter. Both are to be used to help us live our physical and spiritual lives in this existence.

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Abortion has been a hotly debated topic for decades in the United States. It has largely been consider a "woman's right" topic, her right to choose. But what do men have to do with this topic? Men tend to walk away from this subject or sometimes are pushed away. Either way, they are not involved in this topic like they deserve to be.

Kyle and Hutch take on the topic of abortion, but approach it from the call to men. The call to step up and follow God's direction on how to treat a woman and father a child. Men often choose to step out of the abortion topic because they understand how fast the finger or responsibility could be pointed at them. Strong Dads welcome this responsibility. Strong Dads understand that the thing that separates a man from a boy is the willingness to take on responsibility. Especially responsibility for someone other than yourself.

God's word is very clear about how a man is to treat sexual relations within the marriage. The Word is clear because God's nature is clear. When we don't follow it, bad things happen, i.e. sin. Abortion is without a doubt sin as we are taking the life of an innocent child. But the sin is not solely on the shoulders of women. The sin is on men and women for choosing to live a life of self satisfaction at the expense of another individual.

In our heart we all know abortion to be wrong. Us men could go a long way in reducing the incidence of abortion simply by being good men as God calls us to be. As a society it's time to look in the mirror for this solution.

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True leadership is hard! We spend years as parents, teachers, and coaches preaching the importance of our youth becoming leaders. But, as many of us have seen over the past couple of generations, we have not seen the good leaders that we hoped for. We now have a greater need for good leaders now than ever. What has happened to all of our preaching and teaching? Why aren't we getting more and more great leaders?

The answer is more complicated than just teaching about leadership. The answer has much more to do with what our youth are seeing on a day to day basis from the leaders in their lives. They are watching the actions of their parents, and primarily their fathers. Fathers are by they very nature, teachers of leadership in the home. As the fatherless crisis has become epidemic in our country we have seen a greater deficit in quality leadership.

Let's be clear, there is no shortage of people willing to call themselves leaders. That might be part of the problem. So many of us believe that because we took a leadership course or found ourselves in charge of something, that we automatically consider ourselves qualified.

In this show, Hutch and Kyle challenge Strong Dads to step up to what good leaders must develop and do in their homes. They talk about the basis of service and sacrifice for those you are leading. They talk about living out what love really is. This show contains great insights into helping you as a man grow into the leader that your family needs and deserves.

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Do you dream, set goals, start the process, but somewhere along the line your plans get sidelined? Do you have a list of undone projects or dreams that never became a reality? This is part of all of our lives, but if it is happening too frequently or with big dreams, it will leave us with a bitter taste and a sense of resentment in our lives.

Self-sabotage is real and it often is really costly. Why do we do this to ourselves? We know the symptoms of blames, excuses, losing our vision or dreams, or just becoming apathetic, but until we recognize when we are beginning to self-sabotage and what we can do to prevent or minimize the negative impact, we will keep falling into it.

Hutch and Kyle break down our self-sabotaging behaviors by looking at some of their own failures and explaining what triggers they have identified and how they can prepare better for the future. This insight is a game-changer for all of us. If you have had a history of broken dreams and unfulfilled goals, check out how you can turn this around and begin to live a life worth living. As we hear often in Christian circles, what are the words you want to hear when you die and approach the gates of heaven to meet Jesus? "Well done good and faithful servant."

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How's your family doing? That sounds like such a random question that could provoke a host of responses, but go ahead and give it some thought. How is your family doing? Do you believe you are part of a strong and healthy family that is adding to not just your home environment, but to our society in general? One of the things that we often hear from people camping in the great outdoors is the phrase, "leave it better than you found it." Does your family seek to honor such a practice to society at large?

This is such a powerful concept of personal responsibility that leads to a betterment of everyone. The idea that whatever I do, I acknowledge how it will impact others. And, if it does so in a negative manner, I own it and seek to correct it. This is of the highest levels of personal responsibility. For this reason, this is a challenge that us Strong Dads need to consider. It doesn't mean that we must fully be responsible for the wellbeing of all people, but we can start by teaching the responsibility for those closest to us. We can teach our children that they are part of a much bigger and lasting purpose. One that doesn't just move the needle for today, but has the potential to move the needle to the positive or negative for generations to come.

During the show, Kyle and Hutch discuss basic concepts that every parent can do to give their children and the children of tomorrow a better place to live. This is a gift that was given to us as well as a gift that we have the responsibility to give to the next generation. Never underestimate what you are leaving your children. Can you say you are going to leave this world a better place than you found it?

Contact Rock Solid Families at: https://www.rocksolidfamilies.org

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Do you believe in God? How about just a superior being? Do you really not know what to believe? Why is believing in Jesus so important? These are many more were some of the questions that I had as I came through my understanding of who I was and who God is. This is often not a one time learning experience where you hear it one time and you believe it. For me, this has been and continues to be a journey. But, I have found it to be a worthy journey. One that produces lots of answers and yes, even more questions.

It is okay to question our faith. God is not afraid of your questions. He has the answers and He can't wait for you to dig deeper and search for those answers. You might ask, "why do I have to dig?" Why doesn't he just come out and tell us so there is no guessing about it?

The digging is where the solidfication and stengthening take place. When we do something we learning it at a much deeper level. It sinks into our core of understanding. Our faith is something we "do". We must be willing to do the heavy lifting in order for us to truly grasp the depth of God's presence and His word.

In this show, I wanted to take the time to share some of my own processing and digging to find a deeper meaning and purpose of my life and God's relationship in my life. Parts of this might sound familiar to you. If so, great! Other parts may seem trivial or even juvenile, that's fine too. My journey is not yours and yours is not mine. But, if we can nudge each other along to a deeper understanding of meaning and purpose in life, I belief we can all be better for it.

To contact us go to https://www.rocksolidfamilies.org/

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Strong Dads come in all shapes and sizes. There is no such thing as a perfect dad, but there are plenty of Strong Dads. In this show Kyle invited one of his all time favorite YouTubers to the show, Chris Burton. Chris is the host of the show, A Glimpse Inside. A show about woodworking, being a dad, and being a husband in this crazy world.

Even though Chris uses the medium of his woodworking to bring a message, he actually gives way more than just woodworking ideas. He has developed a fine art of delivering real-world experience about being a father, husband, business man, and protector of what he has been blessed with. What makes Chris' story even more admirable is his dedication even when the water gets rough. Openly, he talks about the special needs of his two youngest kids. While taking care of them, he also frequently finds that his hardworking and dedicated wife is sidelined by an autoimmune disorder.

Many of us could look for many reasons to use these life challenges as reasons to give up or move on from the situation, but Chris has a commitment and fortitude that says, "quitting is not and option!" He digs in deep everyday and looks for the good. He looks for what he can do to make every situation just a little bit better. He counts his blessings and moves forward with the dedication that he is here for a purpose and on purpose.

Chris' story will inspire you and bring a tear to your eye. If you want to learn more about him or watch his show you can check out the following links.

A Glimpse Inside

https://www.aglimpseinside.org

Rock Solid Families
https://www.rocksolidfamilies.org

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There is nothing more life changing than becoming a new father. The excitement, joy, responsibility, and anxiety are real. But, imagine finding out you are going to be a new father and you were not expecting it. This can amplify all the emotions that go into being a father.

In this show, Strong Dads welcomes Brian Faust, Director of the Rock Solid Authentic Fatherhood program at Heartline Pregnancy Center in Warsaw, Indiana. Brian has been in this position for the past few years and has been able to see first hand the fears and anxieties that new fathers experience. In his work he seeks to take men where they are and move them to a place of being strong and effective fathers. He recognizes that every man comes with his own history and experiences in fatherhood, some positive and some not. But, no matter the case, Brian works with them to provide a managable approach to becoming more educated and comfortable in the fatherhood role.

Hutch and Kyle add to the conversation by bringing their experiences with being a father and working with young fathers. Between the three of them their conversation is uplifting and challenging to the men of this generation. You are needed! Men are needed to step up and be the fathers our nation needs them to be. When men do not step up in this role we see the results in negative societal outcomes. This is no longer speculation. The facts are clear, we must help men to become aware and ready to take on the role of fatherhood.

For more information about being a father please reach out to heartlinepregnancycenter.org or rocksolidfamilies.org.

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If you're like most of us men, you probably don't care much for doing homework. Especially of the school variety. There are always so many other interesting things to be doing with your time than homework. Homework on tasks that seem meaningless or uninteresting can almost feel painful. But, that begins to change when you can see the potential payoff for such homework. Us men are all about outcomes. We want to see that what we spend our time on is going to produce something of value.

In today's show, Kyle and Hutch get specific on certain kinds of homework that have incredible payoffs. This is homework that involves your marriage, kids, and yourself. They challenge you to take a closer look at what you really want in these areas and then give you meaningful daily practices that will make all the difference in a positive outcome.

Are you tired of being average or just good enough? Then it means doing a little extra homework!

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When was the last time you were lost? Prior to recognizing that you were lost, how confident were you that you were not lost? People do not set out with the goal of getting lost. It takes too much time, energy, and lack of purpose to be lost. Being lost creates confusion, anxiety, and desperation in our decision making abilities.

If we are going to avoid getting lost we must understand a couple of basic ideas before we even begin a journey. We must have a vision for where we want to end up. We must recognize and identify the forces that are pulling us off course. We must understand how to get ourselves back on the right path when we have wandered. In order to do these things, we must know a few things about basic directions. There is something called True North.
True North is the direction of North without any other influences on it.

How about in your life? Do you feel like you have been lost and wandering around looking for things to look familiar or make sense to you? Have you ever been led astray by someone or something that seemed to give you such solid and confident directions only to find yourself in a mess. This is real life and real life comes with a high risk of being swept off course.

Listen to this show to help yourself be more solid in your life journey and to know how to test the direction you are headed. Learning this early and practicing these ideas will keep you on a path that leads to your intended destination.

For more information about Rock Solid Families contact: https://www.rocksolidfamilies.org/

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John 16:33 "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

This verse is just a reminder of what we have been told and know to be true from our daily living. In this life we will have trouble. Over the past couple of weeks, few people have been spending much time talking about the subject that stole the headlines for the past 2 years, Covid. Now, with just a short passing of time and a couple of decisions made, the world is talking about the invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine. The civilians of Ukraine are fighting for their freedom as well as their life as they know it.

While this event may seem thousands of miles away from us living in the United States, the impact of this event is felt it in our personal life. On many different levels we as Americans are concerned about the turn of events in Europe. Not only are we watching good and innocent people fight for their freedom, we are seeing the rest of the world impacted by economic sanctions and energy pressures that undoubtedly could prompt a full blown world war.

This is a serious matter that our leaders and the leaders of the world are consumed with and we should all be taking note as to what our part is in the matter. In this episode of Strong Dads, Kyle and Hutch discuss what we as Strong Dads can and should be doing in our homes. We have allowed our country to seek a level of divisiveness that only compares to the times of the Civil War. We have lost our way on many different fronts as we fight for personal desires and ways of life only to lose the vision that would best serve the entire body. This fragmentation has put us in a position of weakness on the world front. How can we be prepared to defend ourselves or the freedom of others when we are fighting among ourselves?

Unity comes through the intentional effort to work for the good of the common group. As much as we would love every person to be happy and have all their desires, we know that we must first establish and protect the good of the general population. As it has been said many times, freedom is not free. We must pay for it through our sacrifice for the betterment of all.

Over the past 50 years we have been so blessed with the comforts afforded us by the work of generations before that we have forgotten the idea of sacrifice for the good of all. It is time for us to die to our selfish desires and live for the freedom granted to us by God. We must protect our rights to pursue life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness!

Every man is challenged to begin their work in their homes. Teaching your children what freedom is through the word of God. Practicing sacrificial love to our families so that they too will one day live this truth and pass it on to the next generation. We owe our forefathers a debt of gratitude for their understanding and protection of truth. Will we be able to say that our grandchildren will owe us a debt of gratitude for our efforts? Understand that this is not a fight against flesh and blood, but against the evil one. The one that would love for us to believe the lies of our selfish desires.

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We have all heard about vital organs. These are the bodily organs that are necessary to sustain life. Without their proper functioning, we will die. For this reason, medical professionals are trained to measure the vital signs of their patients. The vital signs reflect the functioning of the vital organs.

On a similar note, Merrill and Kyle introduce what they call Vital Beliefs. These are beliefs that everyone must have in order to sustain life in a healthy manner. The challenge with Vital Beliefs is that they are not so easily measured. In fact, they are intangible to our physical senses. They are things like love, truth, justice, faith, hope, purpose, and respect. They are not necessarily a feeling, but the presence of them can create a feeling of well-being. The lack of them can create of feeling of pain and hurt.

Vital Beliefs become more evident when people are forced to experience an evaluation of what is truly important in their life. For example, when a person's house burns down, you will often see complete destruction of cars, clothing, furniture, and even the entire house. But, when you encounter these people in the midst of the devastating loss, they will say things like; we lost a lot, be at least we still have each other. We still have our faith, We still have hope!

So, in this show, Merrill and Kyle discuss the essential need to understand and develop your Vital Beliefs. Take care of them as if they are a vital organ. Becoming intentional about such things allows a person to have greater perspective on how they are going to live their life.

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So guys go to work waiting for the work to provide value to them. Men with this attitude tend to operate in a victim mindset. If something goes wrong at work, they feel like work treated them wrong. Strong Dads look at work as something they can add value to. They go to work thinking about how they can make work valuable rather than the other way around. What a difference in mindset!

The biggest way that we can put value into our work is to place a high value on the people and the relationships you encounter in the workplace. When you work to respect and serve others at work you will begin to see an entirely different value in your work. When you experience this you will find any job that you do, more rewarding.

In the show, "Dirty Jobs', hosted by Mike Rowe, Mike interviews people who take on some of the toughest and dirtiest jobs on earth. The crazy thing about what he has come to discover is that the majority of these people appear to love their jobs; no matter how dirty! But, when you dig a little deeper, you begin to see that these people find value in their jobs because they treat others with great value. What a terrific lesson and reminder to all of us about how to bring greater value to your work.

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Is your fuel tank running on empty? This question may be a little more difficult to answer than you think. You see, most of us don't realize that we are running on only one fuel tank, but we are running multiple engines from that fuel tank. So while one engine may seem to be running hard and fast, another engine is going to have to sacrifice some of its fuel to support the fast-running engine.

Here's the point. Often times we are running hard in certain areas of our life and when we are just looking at this area we are killing it! But, when we remember that there is only one source of energy that has to feed that area of your life, we quickly learn that you will have to cut back in other areas in order to feed the area you are thriving in. For example, if you are gaining traction at work and driving for the next promotion it is likely you are putting a significant amount of time and energy into that work. There are only 24 hours in the day and a finite amount of calories available in your body. So, something has to be sacrificed. What is the first thing you put on the chopping block?

That is really the question; What is the first thing you are willing to put on the chopping block? Are you giving up time with your family? Are you taking away from your physical health? How about stealing from your time in faith practices? All of these may seem like a worthy or even easy thing to steal from. The question is, what is the cost?

When we rev up one engine that is tied to the same fuel tank as another engine, we must do so at a cost. As a Strong Dad, we must be aware of the potential costs are for our sacrifice. Nothing comes to us for free.

As you listen to this show we ask that you consider what and how you have been sacrificing. What is it worth? What will it cost you?

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"Winning cures all!" I'm not. sure if that is true or not, but I do know that winning in life, your marriage, or on the football field, is a much better experience than losing. In today's show we talk about our beloved Cincinnati Bengals as they prepare to enter the Super Bowl for Trophy. Maybe this will be the year!

While we talk about football, we also study the effects of prolonged losing and what it does to individuals, couples, and teams. This is a serious subject because history tells us that losing comes at a great price.

During this show we talk about recognizing winning and losing patterns, establishing a winning vision, doing the work to win, and ultimately enjoying the celebration of the win.

For more information about how you can win as a Strong Dad, contact hutch@rocksolidfamilies.org or got to rocksolidfamilies.org.

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You might not think you could be the guy walking around with a bad attitude or the guy pulling the team down, but you might want to take a second look in the mirror. Sometimes we find ourselves in these dark valleys due to long durations of uncomfortable life circumstances. Sometimes it is from being burnt one too many times in life. Sometimes, it is just how we are wired. No matter what it is, being the guy with a bad attitude means that you are causing and creating wreckage in your life and the lives of others.

During this show, Hutch and Kyle take the problem on head-first. Yes, literally looking into what is going on inside your head or thinking. What is your perception that would make you think it is okay to have sustained low morale? From here, they discuss the acronym I.R.O.C. - P. - D.A.N. Listen in to see what this stands for and how it will move you through your negativity and into a place where you and everyone around you will like you much more.

As men, we are called not just to lead, but to lead well. If we are leading our marriage, workplace, kids, or anyone else to bad places, we will and should be held accountable. Let us step up our game and recognize the power and influence we have over the people we love. Let's take care of them and help them live their best life.

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This show gets personal to Merrill as he shares some of his own personal as well as professional experiences with Mental Health and Mental Illness. These are very real concerns that run rampant throughout our culture. Mental Illness can sometimes feel distant and vague as it is difficult to understand and see the actual mechanics of the illness. "If I could see it, I could fix it." In this case, we can't always see the source of the illness, but we can see the symptoms.

Men are called to be protectors and providers for their families. When they are not feeling or operating well, their ability to protect and provide diminishes. If this is for a short time we are typically able to work through it. But, when this goes on for unspecified durations, it can be exhausting and damaging to everyone involved.

During this show Merrill and Kyle attempt to create clarity on this topic and make it more understandable for the Strong Dads experiencing the likes of mental illness. It is important that we have ways to self-monitor and processes in place to help us through challenging times. This show hopes to give some of these tools.

If you or someone you know is suffering from mental illness, do not sit back and do anything. It's time to get to work and protect ourselves and our families.

To contact Rock Solid Families go to https://www.rocksolidfamilies.org/

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Do you realize how many different ways your marriage comes under attack? Some are very obvious, but many are much more subtle, but just as destructive. As a Strong Dad we are called to the front lines of this battle. We are called to be aware and step up to protect and defend our marriage and family.

In this episode Merrill invites his best friend and wife, Linda, to replace his regular cohost, Kyle. This show brings in both the male and female roles of protecting the marriage and learning to do the dance well between each other. This is one particular dance that you do not want to allow someone else to interrupt.

Areas they discuss are infidelity, kids, work, money, faith, personality and lifestyle. These are just a handful of the topics that when done poorly can lead to a break in the marriage. The tricky part is that all of these things are essential parts of life. Almost like needing food to survive, but when food is done poorly, it can become the enemy.

Merrill and Linda help to encourage the personal conversation that needs to take place between husband and wife. The conversation that helps the two of them become more aligned and share the common vision and desire for their marriage.

For more information or coaching assistance, go to https://www.rocksolidfamilies.org/

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Men are called to protect and provide. God designed us for these tasks and responsibilities. It doesn't mean that woman can't do these things. It simply means that men are more naturally designed with the strength and thinking patterns that lead them to be good at defending. With that being said, why do we see so many men slacking on the protection of their family. Protect from the physical, emotional, and even spiritual intruders. We are called to stand up and protect.

During this episode we went to our resident expert, Kyle Crofford, to give us the tips and advice on how to protect our family in the event of fires or storms. Kyle is a career fireman that spends his working hours either preventing fires or fighting fires. He knows the things that most often cause the fires and all too sadly the reasons why people are hurt or even die in tragic fires. Kyle's advice is straight from the firefighting experience. He is spot on when it comes to telling Strong Dads what they need to hear in order to protect their family.

As Strong Dads, we can not take a back seat to protecting our family. This is our calling in the home. Our kids naturally look up to us in the eyes of a storm for guidance and direction. We must be and ready to act in confidence with our protective measures.

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Do you know people who seem to make difficult situations even worse? They have a knack for entering a small conflict or disagreement and turning it into a huge mess! Maybe you are that person.

In this show we talk about how to defend yourself and your family by knowing when and how to de-escalate a situation. Way too often people have a way of making mountains out of molehills which often leaves everyone involved in a worse position than they needed to be.

During this show, Kyle and Hutch make reference to some people that we all know on both sides of this coin. We all know someone that is quick to put gas on a fire, but we also may know people that bring calm to the fire in order to protect and deliver a better outcome.

Whether you are wired to be the person that insights trouble or the person that brings calm in the storm, it is important for us to think about what the potential outcomes maybe before we jump into the fire. As a Strong Dad, we have more responsibility than just our own desired outcome. We have been given the responsibility to look out for our people of connection. Marriage, Family, Workplace, and so on. We can be so much better when we learn some simple skills of diplomacy and work through conflicts without blowing them up.

To connect with Strong Dads email: hutch@rocksolidfamilies.org

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Whether you like to take on New Year's Resolutions or not, all of us like to have hope. Hope is that idea that you have something to look forward to. Without hope, people lose their desire to live. They can fall into depression and worthlessness all because they can't see how anything is going to work for the good.

This year, Hutch and Kyle challenge our Strong Dads in 4 primary areas of life; Spiritual, Physical, Marital, and Dad-hood. There are plenty of other areas that a man can challenge himself in, but we know that when a man is working to be his best in these areas, he is going to thrive. He is going to be a man of God and on purpose to serve God.

Check out this show and see what you are willing to take on as a challenge to be the best Strong Dad you can be in 2022!

website: https://www.rocksolidfamilies.org

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The definition of a man has taken on many different versions over the course of mankind. Hollywood has created the version of the fumbling idiot version, while the MMA world has created the image of men being brutally dangerous and even reckless as they attempt to destroy other men. Which version of a man is correct? Which version of a man do you attempt to follow?

This question should be ridiculous, but the fact that we have many men following many different examples tells us that we all have different views on what we believe a man should be. In this show, Hutch and Kyle clear up all the confusion. They take the greatest version ever known to mankind and break down his attributes. This leaves us with a clear vision of what we need to be developing in ourselves as our young boys as we grow them into manhood.

Twelve attributes of a man come to life in this show. Check these out and see how you stack up against the greatest man to ever live.

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Do you predominately function with a Deficit Mindset or an Abundant Mindset? This show has the potential to absolutely change the course of your life! When you can identify which mindset you operate in you can determine how you will approach every situation in your life. The great thing is that the mindsets can be changed and they can be practiced.

If you are running with a deficit mindset you most likely spend more time thinking about what you do not have and what you lack in order to be happy or content. Some simple manifestations of this are ongoing google searches for the latest and greatest things you think will bring you joy. Fantasizing about relationships other than the ones you have. Dreaming about a job you do not have. Buying lottery tickets for the money you do not have. These are just a few examples of practicing a deficit mindset. So, what is a better alternative that will set you up for contentment and a fulfilled life? Abundant Mindset!

An Abundant Mindset is a practice of viewing and thinking about what you do have. What you are blessed with. Whether a little or a lot, this person intentionally trains themselves to see the maximum of what they have.

When we live in abundance we understand our relationship with Christ and his promises. When we live in deficit, we are reflecting a weakness and doubt in our faith. Do we really believe that God is who He says He is? Do we really believe He is our provider?

This show is a powerful lesson on getting your mind right and learning to live a new life. A life of abundance.

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Behaving differently in different environments is not necessarily bad. Certain environments require different things from us, so we may behave differently. But things can get questionable if we are acting in a negative or destructive manner in a particular environment. For example, it is not uncommon for a man to be very workable and pleasant in the work environment, but when he comes home, he exhibits anger, frustration, and possibly hurtful behaviors to his wife and children.

If this sounds familiar to you, then let's dig a little deeper. What is it about the environment that brings out a different behavior, especially a negative behavior? This can be boiled down to seven different areas that I refer to as our Social and Emotional Systems. These are systems that we have to have in balance in order for us to not have tension. The areas are: Control, Respect, Love, Trust, Security, Affection, and Faith. If we are out of sorts in any of these areas, we will begin to act differently.

In this show, Hutch and Kyle go deep into these areas to help our Strong Dads realize what is actually causing their behavior and how to correct it. This show is not just helpful to the marriage and family. This show will help you identify any areas of you life where you don't see yourself behaving as your best version.

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A man is not defined by the size of his body, the money in his bank account, the strength of his muscles, the power he exerts in the board room, or the size of his truck. A true man is defined by God's standards. A true man is obedient to the authority of God in his life. He honors God by honoring and loving his wife and family. He understands agape love for his family and recognizes when he is being tempted by his sin nature. A true man understands the purpose in raising Godly children and building into the next generation.

This show is all about men growing more than themselves. It is about men growing their kids and more specifically, their sons. Raising the next generation of men is critical to the welfare of our culture as well as our families. The question is, how well will we raise them and what kind of men will they be? This is not something that happens randomly. This is something that we are called to do with purpose and intention. Sitting back to allow your boys to figure out what kind of man they want to be is like sitting back and not guiding your kids through their education. It sounds absurd to sat back and just assumed that our kids will learn to read, write, and do arithmetic. The same holds true with teaching our boys to become men. We must do this for them and the generations to come.

Over the past 40-60 years the US culture bought into the selfish aim of living for self. Making yourself happy! This seemed to make sense in the moment, but we have come to see with our own eyes that our societal ills are largely due to this mindset. The selfish desire of men to please their flesh has come at the expense of future generations.

Our work to restore the role of men in their families is not too late. We must start by recognizing where we went off course and begin to raise our boys to become the men that many of us did not have such a clear vision of. One of the greatest signs of maturity is to accept responsibility for your errors and then work to restore and repair. This is such a time for us men to accept our wrongs and right our wrongs. Our first place of practice is by turning back into our homes and begin to raise our boys to be true men of God.

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Every Thanksgiving comes and every Thanksgiving goes, and the one thing that it seems they all have in common is me eating too much. I know how bad it is for me and how bad I will feel, but I keep doing the same thing. Why?

This show is not just a follow up from our Thanksgiving experience, but it is a deeper look into why as Strong Dads, we continue to repeat bad behaviors over and over when we fully are aware of how bad the behaviors are. This human condition of sin. When we know the bad we do and for some crazy reason we repeat it.

In this show we discuss exactly why we repeat less than desirable behaviors and how we are to deal with those behaviors. Yes, we should continue to work against doing the bad, but there is a better remedy than my own willpower. There is the remedy of Christ!

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Everybody likes to win! Winning makes everything feel right. Even a bad day with a single good win can make things feel better. But, the truth is, our lives are filled with plenty of losses. It can't be avoided. A loss is simply when we don't get what we want. It could be on a scoreboard, our paycheck, our marriage, our kids, no matter what area of life, we have disappointments and let downs.

Strong Dads welcomes Coach Jeff Friday into the studio to discuss the release of his new book, Built 4 Winning. Jeff has spent over 21 years as a strength coach in the NFL. Working with such teams as the Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens, and Cincinnati Bengals. Through his years he has seen winning and losing at the highest levels of sport. In fact, Jeff was a member of the Baltimore Ravens when they were the 2000 Super Bowl Champions!

During this episode, we discuss a bit of Jeff's story the led him to the NFL. In that story, our conversation goes much deeper than the NFL. It goes into winning in life! Jeff tells of his coming to walk in humility and gratitude when he recognizes how special his opportunity has been to do the work he has been able to be part of. He recognizes that all men, no matter how big and strong, are filled with fear and insecurities. It just wears a different mask. Jeff helps us see how to go past the fear and develop our courage to win.

A key takeaway is Jeff's recognizing that his winning mindset comes through his acknowledgment and surrender to Jesus Christ. Learning to give all the glory for the wins to Christ for his provision in us. Learning to have peace in the loss so that you can step back and see the bigger lesson or path you are on.

To learn more about Jeff or to get his book, Built 4 Winning go to: https://www.built4winning.com

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We are not the first generation of parents to have rebellious kids. The mere fact that our kids are human means that they have a nature of rebellion. Rebellion of the greatest kind, rebellion against God. We all have a nature of rebellion against God. We want things our way. We want what we want. Some of us have recognized it and work to tame it and allow God's will to be done in our lives.

So what do we do whey our kids begin to rebel against the idea of going to church? As parents we often get nervous when our kids begin to rebel. Should we be more stern and give no alternatives to church? Or, are we doing something wrong by even expecting our kids to go to church? Maybe we just need to back off?

During this show, Hutch and Kyle discuss the importance of helping our kids develop more than a habit of going to church. Habits can be good and going to church is one that has benefits. But if it is just a habit without meaning it is not unusual for it to get tested. Eventually, people want to know why they are doing something. It is not good enough to say, "because I said so." That might get you a few years, but it will run its course.

There are some things that are relatively easy to address and can help alleviate the rebellion. First, we can assess their church experience. Church should not have the sole intention of being entertaining, but with all of the resources we have today to grab people's attention, there is little reason to not make church interesting to our kids. The competition for their attention is great. If we don't realize that our kids minds and souls are being leveraged against entertainment, sports, video games, phones, and a list that goes on and on. If churches believe kids should just show up because they say so, it will soon be a dying church.

Strong Dads can help their kid's church experience by modeling the importance of church in their own lives. They should work to see value in church for themselves, and then show their kids how church has value in their lives as well. Believing in God is one thing. Valuing God is a completely different.

There is no one perfect answer to get our kids attracted to church. But sitting back and allowing our kids to determine on their own whether they should attend church or not could be seen as negligence on the parent. Parents would not assume they can let their kids sit home from school until they feel like they want to read or learn math. No, parents have an expectation that their kids need to attend school even when they don't want to.

The same holds true for what we make our kids eat at dinner and what clothes they will wear. Parents must be parents and lead their children well. They must understand that often the kids are not going to like what they are being asked to do, but as a parent, you know it is good for them.

Here is the key, your kids will go to church without rebellion when they see how much you value church and how well you teach them the value of church. Take the time and remove the pressure of church and replace it with the value of church.

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It's not breaking news to recognize that there are more women in the chairs are chair than men. This has been a trend for generations now. But, when we look at what the Bible tells us, men are to lead and protect their families. They are to be active in teaching and leading their kids to know God. They are to be workers in the church and be mindful to care for the flock.
How can they care for the flock when they aren't even in the church? While this may seem like a mute problem, the reality is that with our men out of the church we are seeing greater societal ills. The family is breaking up, the rates of depression and anxiety or soaring, the infighting and division among our culture is building. Whether we want to admit it or not, there is a correlation between these challenges and lack of male leadership in the church.
During this show, Hutch and Kyle challenge and encourage Strong Dads and our neighborhood churches to own this problem. We are not helpless in these challenges. In fact, we have a tremendous opportunity to change our present day church and churches for generations to come. It is time to stop sitting back and watching and complaining about we don't like church. Rather, it is time to be a difference maker! It is time to do what we are called to do. Lead and lead well!

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As the fourth show in our series, "When Was The Last Time You Talked To ...", we are bringing up the subject of race. When Was The Last Time You Talked To Someone of a Different Race? In this series we have challenged our Strong Dads to be willing to have the tough conversations rather than avoid them. As men it is not uncommon to feel uncomfortable about a topic so we just avoid it. This seems like a good option in the moment, but the reality is that it leads to greater ignorance, apathy, prejudice, and even racism.

During this show we invited back Durran Alexander. Durran was willing to sit in for a very real and honest conversation in which no one felt attacked or belittle for questions or feelings they had. We were simply able to talk about the race issues and experiences that we have had with the hopes of learning more about each.

This show proved to be exactly what we had hoped. We explored the roots of prejudices that can be passed into a culture generation after generation. We discussed the inherant desire to "pre-judge" circumstances, but how that can lead us astray if we do not seek the knowledge and facts behind the circumstances.

We discussed the importance of gaining information and whether or not the information is reliable or not. Knowledge comes from personal experiences, God's Word, research, discussion, and even gossip. Learning how to separate the good from the bad is done through putting our thoughts to the test. The test is simply meeting and interacting with people of other races.

When we delve into honest conversation with others we quickly see commonalities in which we can share mutual values, experiences, and beliefs. We see that their is an individual behind the face. We see that they are no better or worse than ourselves. We are all people with gifts as well as flaws.

Strong Dads challenges each and everyone of us to be willing to have intentional and safe conversations with our fellow man, whether they are in our neighborhood or not.

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In the series, "When Was The Last Time You Talked To ..." We took on a difficult conversation. In this show we discuss the idea of how we talk to people that are dealing with tragedy. Whether it is death, sickness, or loss, it is sometimes very difficult to know how to approach people in these situations. However, as a Strong Dad and a Christ follower, we are called to be involved and to help those in need.

In this episode Hutch and Kyle bring in special guest, Jeff Duerler. Jeff is a pastor at Life Spring Community Church. He has been pastoring a church for nearly 20 years. In this job it is common to be helping people through difficult times. But, what happens when the difficult times fall onto your own family. Jeff shares the difficult story of losing his 16 year old daughter, Kayla, in a driving accident in October of 2018. Needless to say this was a tragedy that rocked Jeff's world.

Jeff gives us candid and first-hand conversation about how he has walked and continues to walk through these dark days. He explains some of the things he found to be very helpful and others that were not so helpful. Jeff gives us an understanding of how to help those suffering from tragedy.

There are such things as the right things to say and do as well as the wrong things to say and do. But mostly, we help people by letting them know we care. Letting them know that we have their back. We are there to help.

If you are going through a difficult loss yourself or know someone who is, this show is packed with incredible hope and guidance. Please listen and share to all that need to hear this message.

If you are struggling through a difficult time, please contact Rock Solid Families at; www.rocksolidfamilies.org

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We all have had our moments of being quick to judge. We judge appearances, actions, words, religion, and lifestyles, like we truly have it all together. We are quick to have thoughts of people's challenges in life, and often seem to have solutions stored away for nearly every problem that others have.

The truth is, we are all broken and messed up. We all fall short and aren't nearly as together as we would like to believe. This is just part of the message that we learn about while talking to special guest, Ken Maddin, with the Community Blessing Boxes.
Ken admittedly has been a hard-driving successful business man. He has been driven for success and has worked countless hours at being good at what he does. But, through several encounters with people in need, God grabbed hold of his heart and began to talk to him. God helped him to realize how blessed he was, but how much he could also bless others.
With that laid on his heart, he began to allow God to use him to bless others. Ken begin serving the homeless of Southeastern Indiana with a passion. He can't always explain why, other than, it's just the right thing to do.

When God lays something on your heart, you are called to be obedient. Satan wants you to logically rationalize it away. Satan wants to give you quick and sometimes very good arguments against the pull on your heart. But when you know it is God grabbing your heart and your mind, amazing transformations happen. These are the transformations that result in people being blessed.

When you listen to this show, examine how God is talking to you. What does God want from you? What has He blessed you with? How can you use your blessings to bless others.

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It can be pretty easy to call yourself a Christian and believe you are treating others as such if you stay within your inner circle of family and friends. But the question that Strong Dads felt challenged by was - When was the last time you talked to someone outside your circle? People that maybe live a different lifestyle, or have experiences that are vastly different than your own.
Christ calls us to love each other. That love is unconditional love. The kind of love that goes past boundaries and prejudices. The kind of love that sees the heart of a human and recognizes it as being every bit as important as their own.
In this show, Kyle and Hutch bring about a guest from the past, Tyler Schmidt. Tyler is the founder of The LIT Movement. (Living in Testimony). This movement is about working with, encouraging, and challenging, the addicts. Most of what Tyler sees are men that seem like they are on their last chance in life. They are often homeless, jobless, and even "famililess". They have no place to turn and have no future on their current tract.
Because of their addiction, they have lost relationships and blown opportunities in multiple areas of life. We would say they are at rock-bottom. But, as crazy as it seems, many find a new level of rock-bottom by staying in the addictive lifestyle. As Tyler says: "Their brains are not open for business.". They can say all the right things and believe all the right things, but the power of addiction continues to devour them.

With all that being said, they are still people. They all have a story. They have family and responsibilities. They have purpose! We are not called to kick them to the streets. We are called to love them. The question becomes: How do you love an addict?" This is the conversation that Tyler helps us with as we learn more about the mind of the addict and how to care for them in a loving way that gives the best opportunity for sobriety and life.

If you or a loved one are struggling with addiction, reach out to the Lit Movement. www.TheLitMoveMent.org or call 513-713-5728

Links to past shows with Tyler Schmidt - The Lit Movement
Part 1 - https://www.buzzsprout.com/327062/8125565
Part 2 - https://www.buzzsprout.com/327062/8131066

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Raising kids can be difficult, but when your child is created to be very different than yourself, it can be even more difficult. For example, if you as a dad are athletic, into sports, enjoy doing things with your hands, but your child is not interested in athletics at all. Maybe they are interested in video games and staying inside living a more sedentary life. The question is, how to you father this child well?

In this show, Kyle and Hutch discuss how you go about being the best father for all of your children whether they are wired like you or not. We would love to have our kids conform to our ways of approaching life, but the reality is, God made them different, and different for a reason!

As fathers, we are the adults in this situation. We are called to adapt and accept our child for who God designed them to be. It is only the selfish man that can't understand that he must put the differences aside and work to raise the best individual possible.

The differences between father and child can be subtle or significant. Those are not the focus. The focus is on the similarities. What do you have in common with your child? This is where the connection of parenting is made and grown. Whether it is a common activity, interest, sense of humor, or simply that you are both a child of God, this is what we build from.

Listen more to see what you can do to be the best Strong Dad for your child.

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Many believe that they are a victim of their environment. To some degree this could be true, but in this episode, Strong Dads welcomes a gentlemen that desired something greater. In this episode, special guest, Carl Brown, joins us to tell his story about acknowledging his past environment. But, rather than being a victim, he decided to search out ways to become victorious. Specifically, he wanted to be victorious as a father.

Carl comes to us with no special training or education in the world of fatherhood, psychology, or even parenting, he comes to us as a real dad that wanted to make a real difference in a positive way.

Carl has put his thoughts into actions and began the walk of being the best dad he could be. Listen in on some of the insights, tips, and strategies that Carl has used to help him live on purpose as a Strong Dad.

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As a man, the idea of protecting is second nature. We desire to take care and protect those around us. Whether we are called as a firefighter, police officer, soldier, or father, we are called to protect.

In this show Kyle shows the tools of protection that he uses everyday as a firefighter. He explains the reason for his equipment and the necessary training to use it well. "Take care of the stuff that will take care of you."

After a lesson on fire safety , Hutch and Kyle transfer into the role that Strong Dads have as protectors of their family. Topics such as how to handle yourself for your physical protection. Protecting your home from intruders through your front door or your computer firewall. Protecting your marriage. Protecting your faith and the faith development of your family. Protection is in the DNA of a Strong Dad. If you are not equipped, then get equipped. If you do not know how, then learn. Satan and the world are one in the same. They both are polite enough to knock on your door before entering, they would rather break your door down or sneak behind you. Either way, they want to destroy you and your family.

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Divorce is hard! It is hard on everyone involved. That is why we want to do everything possible to not get to the point of divorce. Doing things like premarital coaching, making sure to be equally aligned in faith, and establishing common values to live by are critical to preventing divorce.

However, the reality is that divorce does happen. Immaturity, selfishness, arrogance, and a host of other variables come to rest only making the marriage weaker and people begin to get hurt. This hurt will alter the life path of the people involved. When we are hurt, we must heal, and healing can be done well or not. In order to heal, a wound must be stabilized and protected. Whether we are talking about he healing of a broken bone or the people involved in a divorce. Healing done well is essential to living well after the wound is inflicted.

This show revisits a guest that was on Strong Dads nearly two years ago, Derek Fee. At the time of our first show Derek was just separating from his wife after he had walked out of the marriage and into an adulterous affair. Initially, Derek would rationalize his behaviors and even attempt to blame his actions on others. But soon Derek recognized that this was the work of a boy and not a true man of God. Derek began to seek counsel and understand all that was at stake. He began to confess and seek forgiveness from his wife and family. At times he even thought there may be a chance of marital restoration. But as time passed, he realized the marriage was not going to be restored.

When Derek reflected on the damage he had created he had to make some decisions on what healing would look like and how he would go about the actual process. This show reveals what Derek and many men discover about themselves when they go through this kind of healing. His eyes become more wide-open to his assumed past ways of living. He sees what his actions have led too, but more importantly, what he can do to change his future. Derek's walk is simply that, a walk. A slow, but purposeful walk of re-establishing who he is, who God is to him, and what he wants to be as a man, father, and maybe husband. This is a story of growth and healing after a self-inflicted wound.

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As men we hate to have repeating difficult things over and over. Things that are difficult in life, we just want to do them one time and be finished; one and done!

As many things in life go, the "One and Done" mindset really doesn't prove to be very successful in life. Things that are important to us will always have a level of building or maintenance required. Whether it is getting in shape and then staying in shape, or getting married and staying married. These items take constant work whether we like it or not.

In this show, Kyle and Hutch take on the Strong Dads that would love to take the easy way out and say they "did" something. We need more than what you did. We need you to be doing. Your family needs you to be doing. Your faith needs you to be doing. Anything that matters in life needs you to be doing.

We must understand that we must live today and not rest on what we did yesterday. 1 Peter 5:8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Satan does not sleep. Everyday he makes credible attempts to derail you from the life God has for you. We can not rest on what we did, we must keep doing.

This is analogous to God telling Moses that the Israelites should only gather enough manna for the day. And, like all typical humans, they begin to get the idea that if they stockpiled the manna, the next day they could rest. "Not so fast", says the Lord. He gives us what we need to get through the day, but we must go to him every day for what we need to get through that day.

No more "One and Done" thinking. We must humble ourselves daily to get nourished by God.

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It is time to choose what hill you will die on! During this show, Hutch and Kyle interview Kyle Thompson, host of the show, Undaunted Life. Kyle makes not apologies for challenging men to decide what they will fight and die for. He stresses the importance of equipping men to know their enemy and discover their weapons to fight the enemy.
These are not the weapons of guns and knives, these are the weapons of commitment, knowledge, and action to protect what God has called us to protect.
Kyle's words are hard-hitting and unapologetic. His mission is to inspire and motivate men to recognize how our masculinity has been under fire. We will not stop taking fire anytime soon, but we do have a call to know what we need to stand for and stand strong indeed!

For more information about Undaunted Life - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjX1JCp3M7yAhWHZs0KHcuABYsQFnoECAkQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.undaunted.life%2F&usg=AOvVaw008yNQTGTKcpmtW4CMKcn5

For more information about Rock Solid Families - https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwi57u_x287yAhX1dc0KHWwRAVwQFnoECAgQAw&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.rocksolidfamilies.org%2F&usg=AOvVaw0jwsI88-nbkaJyfJPSRZX8

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All parents want their kids to do well. We want them to win! We teach them everyday to do their best, never quit, go hard, be the best, etc.... But, is this really the message we should be sending to our kids?

Strong Dads takes a hard look at what the foundation of achievement standards needs to rest on for the well-being of our kids as well as our global community. We have seen far too often that when people set out to achieve at a high level they often will do it at the cost of something far more valuable. Win at all cost, may come with more of a cost than any of us are willing to pay.

During this show, Hutch and Kyle take time to explain the importance of teaching your kids to achieve at a high level. But, before doing that, as Strong Dads, we must put their achievement on a foundation of quality values. In particular, Christian values. When a person is a high achiever and has done it with the guides of Christian values, everyone benefits. When a person is a high achiever, but does it at self-interest values, the benefactors are few if any.

This essentially comes down to teaching our kids about putting God first, others second, and then self. Living our life by the Golden Rule. When our kids grow up with these values they become a positive influence on their generation and the generations to follow.

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It is no secret that police in the United States have been under more scrutiny than any other profession in recent times. Riots, protest, and violence have been the fruits of this scrutiny. People often believe that justice is not being served, power is being abused, and prejudice runs amok. This belief has gone deep and has incited levels of emotion surrounding the work of police officers. Some say the police are bad. Some say the police are just dealing with bad people. Some say that most police are great people, but a few bad apples are getting all the media's attention.
Strong Dads believes that this country is one of greatness, but not perfection. Greatness in that it has systems set up to handle lawlessness and provide justice when necessary. We are blessed by a court system and an opportunity to see justice be served appropriately. With that being said, it is not perfect because it is made up of imperfect people.
During this show, Lt. Tom Moore with the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, joins us as our guest and helps to explain what goes into the training and preparation of today's police officers. This show gives us great insight to the challenges our police officer face and how that system is working to meet the needs of an ever-changing society.
It is clear that what used to be done in the work of a police officer is not necessarily what should be done in today's world.
Check this show out and grow your level of understanding about what you can do as a citizen to make our society healthier and safer.

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After two years of producing Strong Dads we have come to some understandings, confirmations, and pleasant surprises, and even a few cautions. In this episode of Strong Dads Kyle and Hutch celebrated their two year anniversary and take the time to assess what they have observed and learned about the state of dads across this nation.

Some of our take-aways are positive affirmations that men are doing things well and are vital to the health of our culture. Somethings are reminders of where we are falling short and need to continue the charge towards improvement and growth. But most importantly is the recognition of what happens when you do not follow the leadership of Jesus Christ and put yourself in the leadership position.

If there is one takeaway that we have come to realize is that we need to understand more now than ever that we are not the king or the throne. In fact, we are not even the king! There is only one King and when we begin to wrap our minds around that King and follow His leadership, amazing things begin to happen in our marriages, families, communities, and country!

Jesus is King of kings and Lord or lords.

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Yes, we have heard the phrase; "Money can't buy happiness.", but the question is, how can I get happiness?

Hutch and Kyle tackle this subject as they discuss being wealthy. What does wealth mean? How do we get wealth? What happens when we are chasing the wrong kinds of wealth? This is a rich discussion, (Pun intended), about how we can seek to live a life of a wealthy man.

Your wealth will flow out to many others when you understand exactly what it is and how to use it. The symptoms of poverty are real and nothing new, but the symptoms of wealth are also very real and nothing new. You decide if you want to be wealthy in the flesh or wealthy in the Spirit.

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Have you ever been called a "Hack" by your friends? Yes, I have! Sometimes that is an insult, but sometimes it can be a compliment. In this show, Kyle and Hutch talk about Life Hacks, little tricks of the trade to help you in various parts of your life. This is a fun show as Kyle and Hutch make a little fun, but also share some great tips to be used in your marriage, workshop, gym, and yard.

A hack can be a good thing when you know how and when to use it. Weighing the risk verses reward is an essential part of the mature use of hacks. Understanding what the desired outcome is and what you are aiming for is critical. Learn more about life hacks by tuning into this show.

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The beginning of the game and the end of the game are typically easier to get motivated for. But, the middle of the game can be a grind. This is no different than the season of Summer. We look forward to the new season and plan all kinds of adventures and projects, but then we get in the long rut of midseason.

Do you find yourself in the Summertime Blues? How about your kids? As the a Strong Dad, you are called to recognize when the family is going off course and do what is necessary to bring it back. You are called to lead your family. If you or your family are in the middle of a Summertime slump, then it is time to figure it out.

Hutch and Kyle have a great discussion of their Summertime Blues and how they are working through them for the sake of themselves and their families. Don't lose sight of the season you're in. Before you know it, you will be at the end of the season and you will have to deal with the reality of whether you lived a great Summer or not.

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The age old question of nature vs nurture. Is our future determined by our God-given traits at birth? Many will argue strongly for this point and yes, there is much to say about this. However, we have come to realize that our environment, upbringing, parenting, experiences, education, and so on, have a great deal of influence. In fact, we now understand that just because someone was born with the ability to do certain things very well, if that trait is not practiced or nurtured, that trait will diminish with age.
Singing is an example. A natural gift for signing is full of potential, but that is just what it remains if the potential is not brought to use.
Athleticism is very much the same way. We see that if the gift of nature is not practiced and coached, it tends to top off and even decrease after the age of 20-30.

God gave us parents for a reason. The simple reason is that we need nurturing in order to reach and develop our fullest potential. We can not make a statement that someone will be successful based soley on genetics. In fact, we can make a stronger statement that someone will not be successful if they are born with genetic gifts but lack positive and healthy nurturing.

For this reason, as a Strong Dad, we should take our parenting responsibilities seriously. He have something that our kids need! We have the keys that help unlock the fullest potential of what God gave them to be successful. Use your keys wisely!

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We love Summer for many reasons; warm, sunshine, picnics, pools, vacations, and 4th of July! In this show Kyle and Hutch talk about the importance of teaching your kids about not just the history of Independence Day, but the future of Independence Day.

If your kids don't learn about what independence means they will have no good understanding of why it is important to protect it and even fight for it. Our forefathers only knew what Independence meant because they lived in a time when they didn't have what they understood to be a God-given right.

Teaching your kids that they are to protect the idea of not owning anyone nor being owned by anyone. Teaching them the responsibilities that are necessary in order to prevent one person from owning another person. These are things that we take for granted, but it becomes more possible than we may think when we see that other people have a way and means to control us. Whether through taxes, debt, excessive regulation, illegal trade and black market economies, we can fall into being control and even owned by others.

Teach your kids to cherish freedom by teaching them how to honor and respect what independence means and provides.

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Divorce is hard and comes with many wounds. It is not uncommon for wounds to not heal properly and before you know it, they begin to manifest in other parts of your life and relationships.

In this episode of Strong Dads, special guest, Russell Brown, shares his story of being a father of three kids and going through a difficult divorce. Russell thought he survived the divorce and was ready to get back into another relationship. Little did he know, he was only seeking comfort and companionship rather than a life long partner. This did not end well for Russell and his kids.

Russell shares what he learned about going through a divorce and learning how to heal. Learning how to know if you are healed and when to begin to test your healing. This is not an easy process and yet another reminder of why God does not like divorce. People get hurt and that is not of God's plan. But, Russell's story shows us how we can heal and be the best version of our self while honoring God.

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This show encapsulates why Strong Dads exists; great dads that have done great things for their family! Kyle and Hutch have a fun time talking about their dads but then discussing what they continue to practice in their own families. The key word is practice! As men, we fall short in many areas of life. The one that often carries longterm consequences are those in the realm of being a father. For this reason, we constantly practice and work to become better. Our families are better, when we are better!
If you want to leave a positive legacy to this world, look no farther than the work you do at home. How you raise up your children, treat your wife, honor and build your faith, these are the things that build positive legacies.

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Strong Dads welcomes special guest, Will Peveler to the studio. Will is a man that has lived fully and continues to strive to live the blessings of life to the fullest. Will is a professor at Liberty University. He is the author of multiple books on physical training in the areas of Cycling, Mountain Biking, MMA fighting, and Obstacle Course Training.
He was a single and divorced father of two boys in which he was the sole custody parent. Needless to say, he has been a busy man and walked through many great challenges. Will is quick to acknowledge that the only way for him to walk through the challenges of life is to have a faith in God that gives hope each day.

Will's conversation about being a father is the biggest takeaway from this show. He says. "I can fail in a lot of things in life, but one thing that I can not fail at is being a dad." This has been his mindset from the beginning and has provided the heart and passion to keep his life right with God and his family.

Will is now remarried and building a new blended family. As he is so thoughtful in his pursuits, he is also thoughtful in how to serve the needs of his new family. Admittedly, blending is hard, but being coachable is a choice. A choice that leads to longterm success.

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As a Strong Dad, you have desires, hopes, and dreams for a better tomorrow. Often times that involves dreaming about starting your own business. Is God calling you to something great? Something that you can master and become the best at what God has blessed you with.

During this show, Kyle and Hutch discuss the urge to start a business and how to go about it in a way that can provide a greater opportunity for success. Putting your talents to use for something greater than yourself is an amazing privilege we have in our country. If it is being laid on your heart to make your way into the business ownership world, prayerfully consider what God has in front of you.

Starting a business is not for everyone, and it is not always the right thing to do. But, when the risks and rewards are weighed you may find that chasing your business dream is what God is calling you to do.

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The statement, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas", is one that has been joked about for many years. But in this show, Hutch and Kyle take on this phrase as it may relate to our marriages. Keeping secrets from your spouse, or in other words, not being transparent, is a quick way to erode trust in a relationship. Couples who keep secrets and lack transparency often find themselves doubting each other and ultimately the overall health of their marriage.
Transparency is important because it is the foundation for trust. We often minimize or dismiss our shortcomings or lies with the thought that nobody needs to know our business. While in some cases this may carry some truth, in the marriage, it seldom does. The more transparent we are the stronger the trust will be in the relationship. When the trust is strong and adversity does come up in the marriage, the likelihood of successfully working through it is far greater.
Listen in to learn how you can work for a clear and transparent marriage that leads to strong trust and a strong family.

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Talking to, encouraging, mentoring, challenging, and coaching men is what Strong Dads is all about. However, we are not alone in our mission. During this show, Strong Dads is joined by the host of the Men of Iron podcast, Chad Zueck. Chad shares many of the same ideas and passion for growing men as Hutch and Kyle.

In this episode, Chad helps to lead a conversation on Risks. Taking risks, avoiding risks, calculating risks, all of these are essential in helping boys grow to be men. The discussion begins by sharing some of the risks these men have taken, but more about what the purpose is behind taking these risks.

If you are a parent or a Strong Dad, this is a must watch show. This show offers great insight into helping yourself as well as your kids understand what risks taking is all about and why it is so important.

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Kyle and Hutch take on a topic that typically is not easy for many men; talking about feelings. However, they take a slightly different approach then what the feminized culture often suggest. Rather than talk about your feelings, how about doing something great with those feelings!

Through Hutch's approach that he uses in his regular coaching sessions, I.R.A.C. (Identify, Recognize, Ask, Control) - Hutch and Kyle show every man how to work through emotions to produce powerful positive results.

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Strong Dads had a great conversation with the owner of The Fitness Rebellion, Matt Wilbur. Matt is more than a personal trainer and gym owner. Matt has made it is purpose to speak into the lives of men. He challenges men through not only his workouts, but through their role as a husband, father, and provider.

Matt, being a young father himself, was admittedly insecure and anxious while growing up and even as a young man. He found the one place that he excelled was in the weight room. Through his work in the place that he was most comfortable, he began to recognize how to deal more effectively with himself outside of the weight room. Learning to apply weight room principles to other parts of life started him on a journey of discovery of who and what he was as a man. What he was capable of being. Who he wanted to be as a man.

Matt's story and his continued work is inspiring as he pushes more and more men to be the best version of themselves. Listen in and see what you can take away from Matt's journey.

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Do you know how to maintain your own cars, mowers, house, marriage, kids, etc...? During this show, Hutch and Kyle talk about the importance of Maintaining what we are responsible for.

As Strong Dads, we are responsible for far more that the mechanical items around the house. The largest part of our maintenance is our Faith, Marriage, Family, Self, Work, and Community. How are you doing in these areas?

The challenge is that we are responsible for these areas, but we do not always feel qualified nor are we able to pay someone else to do them. These are our areas to maintain. Failure to do so comes at a great cost.

Listen in and see what Hutch and Kyle explain when it comes to maintaining the things that are most important to us.

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This show has Hutch and Kyle working in the gym, Hutch's domain. As they work through simple skill progression of movement patterns, Kyle gets to see the step by step progression to learn to use your body more effectively.
As for the dad side of the skills, Hutch and Kyle then take the skill development conversation to fatherhood. Discussing the skills that Strong Dads must use and teach to their children.

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What do the skills in woodworking have to do with the skills necessary for being a husband? If you don't know, you should check out this show! Kyle gives us view of his wood-shop and demonstrates a few basic skills he uses in the shop.

Hutch and Kyle take these woodworking skills and compare them to the skills necessary to succeed in your marriage. Hutch and Kyle had a great time putting this show together. Enjoy!

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ll men come to multiple decision points in their lives. When we come to these times we need to take a serious look at what are thinking is behind our decision making. Asking ourselves the question: Are we running to something or away from something?

There is a time for both. Running to and running from has it's place. But more importantly is us understanding which one we are doing and why. During this show, Kyle and Hutch give excellent insights to help you recognize how you are thinking and how to move into the proper mindset in order to make a better decision.

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Every man needs to recognize the two most important days of his life. And, why they are the most important days of his life. During this show Kyle and Hutch tackle this subject. The insights that a man receives by understanding this message will be the thing that creates the greatest driving force for how he is going to live.

If you have struggled about what, how, or why you have the life that you do, please watch this show. If you know another man that struggles to put his life together, please share.

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Michael Ashford is the host of Fit Dads Fitness Podcast. He is also the author of, The Involved Man. Michael is the perfect guest for the Strong Dads Podcast as he is actually doing the work that we so strongly promote. He is first and foremost a follower of Christ. Secondly, he loves his wife and two kids. Michael recognized in his own life and those around him that the status of manhood was rapidly declining.

As a man that is concerned about the status of men in general across our country, he became motivated to speak to and encourage men. He created the Fit Dad Fitness Podcast and is now the longest running podcast in this category. With this momentum, he organized his thoughts and wrote a book that speaks to the passion that he has to serve men, The Involved Man.

In his book he outlines and discusses the four pillars that every man must understand and take hold of. Purpose, People, Passion, Profession.

Listen in as Michael and Hutch have a great conversation aimed to challenge and celebrate what it is to be a Man of God!

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This story is amazing! When we surrender to God, he uses our mess to create mission! In part 1, Tyler Schmidt shared his story of addiction. The long battle of being in chains and watching life move without purpose. The depression is deep and the pain is real.

Part 2, Tyler describes his transformation and what God does with a transformed heart. He turned Tyler's wreckage into a beautiful creation called, The Lit Movement. Lit is a nonprofit that seeks to provide a place for those battling the chains of addiction and helping them to break free. The housing they provide creates a safe place that allows for the rebuilding of a persons mind, body, and soul. This work is lifesaving and nothing short of inspiration to all of those who encounter it.

If you or someone you know is battling addiction, please seek help. Reach out to The Lit Movement at: thelitmovement.org or call 513-591-8829

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What is the Lit Movement? If you don't know, you must listen to this show. Tyler Schmidt is a living example of how God transforms a man into a new creation. After many years of brokenness, addiction, uncertainty, and trouble, Tyler walked through a long process of surrender. When he finally did just that, his life was transformed.

If you or someone you know is battling addiction or anything other burdens in life, this is a must listen to show. Tyler's testimony is a reflection of God's love and grace.

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There is a time to stand up for your kids. This doesn't mean rescuing them from their behaviors. It means showing them that you trust them. It means giving them grace when they may deserve otherwise. It means being in their corner.

One of the greatest ways to provide your kids a sense of security is to let them know that you are behind them. You believe in them. You are their support system that will be there to encourage them through the difficult times. Again, this does not mean to protect them from negative consequences, but rather to encourage them through the consequences. Showing them that they do matter and are important to you.

This is especially important when you put your own security needs behind theirs. In other words, you don't worry about how their behavior may make you look, but rather, what may be best for them in a given situation. Parenting means dying to yourself. That means taking care of your kids even if it means you taking a hit.

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When you are sitting in one of God's most beautiful creations, it some how has a way of making you think. This week I took a little break and went to visit my son in Hawaii. Wow! What a beautiful place. It has a tendency to make a man reflect on a lot of different things.

This week our Strong Dads show is about reflecting on two things. 1. Are you the man you used to be? 2. Are you the man you want to be?

These are good questions to think about as we are always challenging ourselves to be more of what God intended us to be.

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Life is full of punches and hits. Some knock you down and some knock you out. All of them seem to hurt! Kyle and Hutch ask the question, "Can you take a punch?" This is a legitimate question. In life it is not about whether or not you will get hit. It is about what you will do when you do get hit. Whether it's loss of a job, divorce, rejection, or even death, all of us will have no shortage of setbacks. Scripture even reminds us that we will have troubles. "In this world you will have trouble, take heart, I have overcome the world." John 16:33

How can you prepare for these punches in life? What can you do to protect from getting hit? What should you do if you have already been hit? These are just a few of the questions that Hutch and Kyle tackle during this show.

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Here it is again! It seems to sneak up on us and catch us off guard every year. Yes, Valentine's Day is upon us! When we are caught off guard, it is always interesting to see how we react. Some of us make excuses for our lack of thoughtfulness or inaction. Some of us completely dismiss the value of the day. Some of us work out of guilt and make an impulsive purchase to cover our rear-end. No matter the case, many of us men are not great at making Valentine's Day very special.

Hutch and Kyle have some fun giving tried and true advice to help our Strong Dads come out as winners this Valentine's Day. Even better, their advice will even help the wives be winners this year.

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What do the Superbowl and your marriage have in common? Probably a lot more than you realize. Hutch and Kyle have a good time connecting the similarities in football and marriage. In either case, the goal is to win. In order to win, you must really be willing to learn about the game and be coachable.

If you want to win, tune in and see what you need to do in order to win in your marriage!

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How involved should you be in your kid's activities? What activities should you have your kid involved in? What should you look for in a team or club that your kid may join? These are some of the many questions that we tackle with Keith Cheek, father, coach, mentor, and director of Tempest Soccer League of Southeast Indiana.
Keith's many years of experience and involvement with kids and parents in the athletic world have allowed him to have great insights to help your family win!

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Like it or not, we all make mistakes. It's typically not the mistakes that are the problem, rather it is how we deal with them. Are we denying and deflecting them? Are we blaming them on someone or something else? Until we learn the value of ownership, we are what Hutch refers to as a "DEADENDER". In other words, you are going nowhere.
When we are coachable and teachable, we will have incredible opportunities to grow from our mistakes. We will benefit, our family will benefit, and our community of impact will benefit.
It is time to be a Strong Dad and show your family what it looks like to own your mistakes. A great first place to start is with an apology!

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What do your scars say about you? During this show, Hutch and Kyle talk about scars. Whether they are physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual, your scars tell a story. What are you going to do with this story? Scars, whether good or bad, illustrate that you have been living life. One of the worst scars that a man can carry is to have a life with No Scars!

Learn more about what your scars mean and how you can use them to not just help you, but to help others.

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Strong Dads goes to Video! In our first video program, Hutch and Kyle take on the subject of men struggling to find their identity. In the process, we often wear various masks to help cover who we may really be. It is time for us to know how we are. We start by understanding that we are sons of God! That we are uniquely made for a purpose to be in relationship with God, and to be serving him in the way that He intends.

Check out this show to see what you can do to more clearly identify who you are as a man!

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Strong Dads had the opportunity to speak with Husband, Father, Christian, Coach, Speaker, and, Entrepreneur, Cory Carlson. Cory also authored the book Win At Home First. His work centers around his own experience of working through the corporate world, but losing sight of his priorities in God and family. Before it was too late, Cory recognized his trajectory and began to re-establish and build the things that he most strongly identifies with, God and family.

During this show, Cory discusses his coaching ideas and philosophy that he uses to help make people champions in the home as well as in the business world. Cory has an exceptional ability to speak clearly and boldly to those he works with. Listen in and see how you can win and home and in your career.

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Many people talk about adoption, fostering, or even being a Big Brother. These all sound like great things, because they are. But, in today's show, Hutch has special guest, Roger Teller, on the program and the two of them share their adoption stories.

This is a must listen for anyone considering adoption or fostering. During this conversation, Hutch and Roger share the good things but also the challenging things that they have gone through in the adoption. Clearly, adoption is an incredible thing. But to win in the adoption process it pays to have a wide open heart and a wide open mind. The challenges that you will experience will be hard, but the rewards can be plentiful for everyone involved.

If you or someone you know is considering adoption or fostering, please listen and share this show.

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Part 2 is a continuation of the discussion between Hutch and Christopher Brown, President of the National Fatherhood Initiative, NFI. The facts continue to speak to the crisis of fatherlessness in America.

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At Strong Dads, we have been driven with a passion to call fathers back into their roles. We need you!
During this episode, the President of the National Fatherhood Initiative, NFI, Christopher Brown, shares the work that is being done at NFI. In large part, it is the work at NFI that validates the reason why Strong Dads is driven to call fathers to their role. The statistics that have been gathered are alarming and epidemic. Our country faces many dilemmas and crises, of which our current state of fatherlessness is among the top.

Tune in and see what NFI under the leadership of Christopher Brown is doing and the resources they are providing to help deal with this fatherlessness crisis in America.

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This is the second part of What Does The Bible Say About Marriage. In this show, pastor Greg Edens speaks with Hutch and Kyle with greater depth on our responsibility to honor marriage as a creation of God's. Man did not create marriage, thus they can not define it nor redefine it to fit their description. There are many types of relationships, but there is only one kind of marriage.

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Marriage has taken on many different looks over the past 10 years. As a culture, we have tried to redefine it and make it something that it was never intended to be. The question is, what was it intended to be? God's Word is actually very clear on this. He describes what marriage truly is and then he goes so far as tells us how we are to behave and work in the marriage.

During this episode, Pastor Greg Edens helps us explore what God's design for marriage is. For many of us, it makes total sense. But for a growing number, it is looked at as being oppressive or narrow-minded. We ask that you listen to the show and see what you think.

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Homosexuality and Gay Marriage, what does God's Word say about such subjects? This has been and continues to be a volatile subject. It hits home to many of us with my family included. But, at Strong Dads, we believe it is important to look at all difficult subjects, and rather than shy away, let's see what God's Word actually says.

It is important to remember before you listen to the show, why you do or do not subscribe to God's Word. If you do not and you believe there is another creator of life and designer of right and wrong. Then this show may be confusing to you. But, if you do subscribe to the Christian God, the one and only giver and creator of life, then it may begin to make some sense to you.

Either way, this is not a message of one human damning another. This is a message of God's love and how he asks us to carry it out. It is a message of humbly submitting and striving to do things God's way. It is also important for all of us to recognize that we all fall short of God's perfection. Thus we are all sinners in need of God's grace.

Please listen in and see what God's message is for us on this challenging topic.

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How were you taught work ethic and responsibility? In today's show, Kyle and Hutch discuss how they came into learning about work ethic but then brought in a different perspective. What does the bible teach us about work ethic and responsibilities? Pastor Greg Edens joins the team today to discuss what God's word has to say about how we, as men, are supposed to work.

This is a great show to get you thinking again about how you go about your work. What you can expect from others, and what we need to teach our children.

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Holy cow! What just happened? That was and continues to be the craziest election in modern history. At the time of this recording, we still do not know who the next president of the United States is. The numbers are close, leaving us to hear the bantering back and forth about cheating and rigged election. Can we just take a deep breath?

This week Strong Dads spend their time talking very little about politics and mostly about what we are to do now that the election is over. As Strong Dads we have our responsibilities that we must attend to. Focusing on issues outside of our own house tend to cause us to neglect what is needed inside our house. Let's get focused and get back to taking care of the people and things that we have immediate responsibility for.

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Like it or not, we find ourselves dealing with people we don't like way more frequently than we want to. It is part of life. Here's the tough part, we may not like them, but as a Christian, we are called to LOVE them.

Kyle and Hutch spend time talking about how we are to work to get along with people we do not like. As this show is being recorded one week out from the 2020 election, we see daily reminders of how people do not like each other. We see disagreements and dissension throughout our country. We see the struggles for who is right and who is wrong. We often end with a complete dislike for the opposition; maybe even hate.

This is not acceptable in the eyes of God. We, as Strong Dads, must not accept this behavior from ourselves or the ones we are responsible for. We must do better at teaching and modeling what it looks like to treat others with respect. To work toward a common good. To show positive intent when we are dealing with difficult people or difficult situations.

This is the time for our Strong Dads to step up and be the leaders. First in their own homes, second in their communities and workplaces.

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Yes, we all make mistakes! But, that does not mean we need to live and carry all of those mistakes throughout our life. We are called to live a life of No Regrets! Divorce, loss of jobs, bad parenting, hurt, pain, and suffering, all of these can often be attributed to a mistake that caused them. The biggest mistake though is living with the bondage of that mistake.

We can not change the past, but we can learn from it and make the future better for ourselves and our family. God is a God of forgiveness and grace. We must be able to do this to ourselves as well. Satan loves to keep you in bondage from your past mistakes and failures. It is time to break free and live your best life.

Admitting mistakes, forgiving mistakes, making retribution from our mistakes, and building a better version of ourselves from what we learned! This is the way forward. This can only happend when we understand that God is a God of Justice, but He is also a God of Love!

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Are you sick of people being jerks? You don't have to look too far to see it around you. It may even be in your house. During this show, Kyle and Hutch take on the topic of civility or lack of. It has become so common within our culture that we have come to expect it. We anticipate people being rude when they're driving, at the grocery store, in the workplace. To handle the rudeness, we have adopted Old Testament Law, an eye for an eye. If you are rude to me, I'll be rude to you.

What is most sad is that our lack of civility is no longer sequestered to one group or region. It is widespread throughout our country. It seems to have no bias towards race, religion, or economic wellbeing. It has nearly become accepted as business as usual.

If being uncivil were effective, then it might give reason to stick with it. But, the truth of the matter is that it is so ineffective. It may work at the moment, but the long term outlook is terrible. It gives rise to greater turmoil, violence, crime, hurt, and whatever ails we find amongst us. It is time to put a stop to our lack of civility. And we must begin in our own homes!

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What are you afraid of? If a man ever tells you he is not afraid of anything your next thought should be that you are talking to a liar. Fear is real and it is everywhere. We are even called to FEAR GOD!

Fear is something that can be used to guide and direct us in our daily life. It is something that we need to keep us safe and to help us lead our family well. However, when fear leads to paralysis, then it has gone too far. Fear keeps many of us from living the life that God built us to live. He made us to be brave and bold when we are working in His will!

Kyle and Hutch take on some of their own fears and help other Strong Dads deal with their fears. We can not live a life that is governed by fear. We must truly gain our confidence in our training, our gifts, our equipment, and most importantly, in GOD!

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This is a great conversation about how we go into and confront challenging times in our lives. Sometimes we think bigger is better in our human stance. Act tough and you will win. Other times, we can rest and know that we are going to be okay in the battle.

We are in difficult times in this country. Which approach are you more likely to take; David's or Goliath's?

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As a man, we often pride ourselves on being self-sufficient. Whether it's fixing the car, building a house, protecting our family. Whatever it is, our mindset is often, "I can take care of it". In many regards, it is a good thing to be self-sufficient. However, God did not design us to be all things. He purposely designed the body to be made of many different parts, all for different functions. When we look at this analogy, it becomes obvious that it is my pride that fools me into thinking I can truly be self-sufficient. I need other people!

Kyle and Hutch discuss the importance of recognizing that we all need to be part of a team. We need to work together for the good of serving the Kingdom of God. Only Satan wants us to believe that we can go it alone. This matter needs to be taken seriously by us Strong Dads. We need to begin by listening to those that can help us and see the vision for our life come into reality. At the same time, we need to reach into the lives of others to see how we can help them live out their purpose for God's Kingdom.

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During this time of divisiveness across this country, we find ourselves nearly being forced to choose a side in most everything we do. Are you Republican or Democrat, Conservative or Liberal, Theist or Atheist, Red or Blue? The challenge here is not just having to choose a side, but then feeling like you are forced to be sworn to absolute loyalty to the side. This almost sounds like gang thought. Once you belong to the gang, you have to do everything they say or you are out of the gang.
The problem that we have come to know is that our group allegiance has become so polarized that we refuse to do the work that we all recognize needs to be done. In other words, we see that our house is on fire, but we are too focused on protecting our loyalty to the club. In the meantime, our house is burning down.
Kyle and Hutch take some time to explore the thinking process that many of us find ourselves being swayed into. As Strong Dads, we must remember that our number one job outside of loving Christ is to take care of our families. Not just in the moment, but long term as well. When we allow ourselves to get so distracted by all the clutter we often lose sight of just how messed up our own house is getting.
Maybe instead of worrying about all the outside clutter, maybe it's time to take the necessary steps to clean up and care for our own homes.

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Recorded for the week of September 11, Hutch and Kyle tackle the subject of remembering our mindset after 9/11/2001. In such a time of Americans coming together and uniting to protect herself against an entity that wanted to tear us apart. What has happened to that patriotic mindset, that unity of protecting what America was built on and has provided for our citizens?

This is a great discussion about fathers doing their part to teach their families what they can do in their own homes. Each of us a Strong Dads has an opportunity to teach and demonstrate to our children why this is the greatest nation in the history of mankind. We also have the responsibility to teach our families how to maintain what our forefathers so masterfully dreamed of and began to build.

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Are you wise? What does that really mean? There is wisdom in the eyes of the world and there is wisdom through the eyes of God. They are two very different views of wisdom. As a Strong Dad, it is important that we understand this difference and begin to seek God's Wisdom. This is a life-long process. God's Wisdom in often in direct conflict with worldly wisdom, so we are often confused.

Hutch and Kyle begin the conversation about seeking wisdom and where to find it. They begin in the book of Proverbs as they grapple with the many verses and phrases that challenge us to look at life through God's eyes rather than ours.

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Is your tail wagging you? You know, you just find yourself living from day to day doing whatever comes up on that day. Whatever seems to be pulling on you the hardest. It may be work, family responsibilities, paying off debt, taking care of all the stuff in your life. Often times, this places us in a position of wondering what it's all about. Why do I do the stuff I do? We lose sight of what is important. What is inspiring and even our true purpose in life.

In this show, Kyle and Hutch talk about whether life is running you over, or you are living life in the manner you were meant to live. The key is regaining sight of what our purpose is. Many of us may think it is to raise our kids or pay our bills. While those can be important, they are only part of the picture. If those are the only things you are living for, you may very well find yourself living an empty life.

It's time to put value and purpose in your life. Listen along as Hutch and Kyle point you in the direction to establish and direct you to a life worth living.

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Growing up is not always fun! Being a boy can be fun. Playing and goofing around are things that all of us men enjoyed as boys. With that being said, Strong Dads tackles the subject of what happens when men remain as boys?

The cost is great! Marriages, families, jobs, communities, and even our nation pay a hefty price for men refusing to grow up and continuing to act as boys. Hutch and Kyle make it a point to have fun and want our Strong Dads listeners to have fun. But, not at the cost of something much greater. Part of being a man is looking beyond yourself and seeing the bigger picture. What legacy are you building? How have are you impacting the world? What will the next generation be because of what you were today?

These are thought-provoking questions that we try to challenge each other in order to become Stronger Dads!

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Hutch and Kyle had some fun in this episode. The reason for the fun was due to the awkwardness of talking on this subject. This is the same awkwardness that parents and kids feel when the "sex talk" tries to happen in our families. We feel nervous and vulnerable with the words we are saying. Will we say the right thing? Will we get flustered and mess up the entire talk. Could I cause more damage than good?

These are the things that we helped bring to the conversation today for the sake of our Strong Dads and our kids. We owe it to our kids to teach them about relationships, especially opposite-sex relationships. These relationships provide the opportunity for some of the greatest joy a person can ever experience. However, if things go bad, these relationships can be devastating and costly.

Kyle and Hutch take time to discuss why we can not afford to assume that our kids are going to learn the necessary skills, boundaries, and mindsets that are necessary for successful relationships.

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Kyle and Hutch celebrate one year of the Strong Dads Podcast. We did many fantastic shows with great topics and great guests. Over the past year, the one guest that had the most questions from our listeners was the story about Charleigh Waltz. Charleigh is the daughter of AJ and Brittney Waltz. Charleigh was born prematurely at 23 weeks. Her first year of life was beyond challenging. Literally fighting for her life from day to day.

Kyle and Hutch get Charleigh's dad in the studio, AJ, and get the full update on Charleigh's progress as she is currently 14 months old. Not only do they get the update on Charleigh, but they take time to explore how Strong Dad, AJ, is doing. AJ's courage, strength, and faith in being a father have been amazing. As he will admit, it has not been easy. He has been humbled and had to surrender many times to ask for help and lean on others. But, those are the things that are helping him to be the Strong Dad for his daughter.

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Strong Dads welcomes special guest Durran Alexander into the studio. Durran is often known as the brother of NFL football star, Shawn Alexander. But there is no living in the shadows of a little brother here. Durran is a dynamic, thoughtful, and inspiring thought- leader in the Cincinnati area. During this podcast, Hutch, Kyle, and Durran have great conversations on multiple fronts.

Fatherhood, Faith, Family, Marriage, and Race are the conversation topics that make up some powerful insights and wisdom that will help all Strong Dads to be stronger!

Durran does an excellent job of challenging all of us to be better at what we are meant to be. Personal responsibility for our own choices and actions must at the core of every man's life. Before anything else, we are called to follow Christ. If we take this seriously, then taking care to do our part as a follower of Christ will begin the healing of our broken nation.

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Kyle and Hutch discuss what it means to have and teach our kids strength vs safety. Both are extremely important desires, but over the past generation, we have gone too far with the emphasis being on safety. Teaching our kids to be strong and bold when approaching the world will also lead them to a safer place. The key is that they have control over their safety rather than putting it in the hands of others. This is called empowerment!

We can all agree that learning from our mistakes is powerful. We do not advocate putting your child in a reckless and dangerous situation. But, a few bumps and bruises can certainly be of great value. We become stronger when we learn to walk through our weaknesses.

Strong Dads, want to equip our kids to be ready to succeed in the world. We do them no favors by protecting them from every obstacle in their paths. Teaching them how to overcome and persevere are gifts for a lifetime.

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Strong Dads welcomes WLW Radio Talk Show Host, Rocky Boiman, into the studio. Rocky shares his story about growing up in Cincinnati. As a guest on Strong Dads, the conversation about his father-experience was of utmost importance. Rocky describes how he was parented and why he believes that his parents were and still are a positive force in his life. In particular, he talked about his dad's influence and strength in parenting to help Rocky be the best version of himself.

Rocky and his wife are the parents of two young boys. They recognize the challenges of raising kids in today's world. One of the things that Rocky emphasizes in his parenting is Strong vs Safe. Helping his boys to become strong to overcome obstacles in life, rather than always looking to keep them safe.

Rocky just completed his new book called Rocky's Rules. During the show, Rocky gives a brief explanation of the book and why he felt it was important to write it. Rocky is a young father that has many opportunities. The one opportunity that he takes most seriously is his family. For that reason, Rocky is a STRONG DAD!

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Kyle and Hutch do the unthinkable. They invite their wives into the studio and allow the hard questions to be answered. Linda Hutchinson and Jenny Crofford take the time to answer and help us men learn how to be better husbands and fathers. They share what they need as well as what the family needs from us men.

This conversation was fun to record, but the lessons to be learned are huge! We have a great opportunity to become better each day. The one thing we should try to become better at is being a better husband and father. The questions to answer: Are you coachable? Do you want to make this world a better place? Are you willing to start with your own family?

We ask our kids to be coachable. We, as men, also need to be coachable and learn from the people we serve on a daily basis. Who better to ask than our wives. Listen in to this show and begin to implement some of the practices discussed, and we are confident your family will benefit.

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Are you able to celebrate this 4th of July? It seems that many believe there is little to celebrate in our nation. Kyle and Hutch talk about what patriotism is and what our responsibility is to our kids.

This is not a perfect nation as it was built on the shoulders of imperfect people. With that being said, it continues to be the greatest nation ever built. Patriotism is about giving thanks and gratitude for the work that people did before us. The work that we benefit from.

Enjoy your 4th!

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Relationships can be incredibly rewarding and bring great things into your life. But, if not healthy, they can be devastating. Relationships, whether we are talking husband and wife, parent and child, Democrats and Republicans, Black Communities, and White Communities, all run the risk of being unhealthy.

In This episode of Strong Dads, Kyle and Hutch talk about what we can do as Strong Dads to help restore relationships in all areas of our life. A special emphasizes is placed on the relationship between the Black and White communities as this is the neediest of the relationships in today's news.

Relationships require a great deal of work. Mutual Trust, Mutual Forgiveness, Mutual Communication, Mutual Similarities, and Mutual Love, are the points discussed in today's show. Hutch and Kyle ask that each of us as Strong Dads commits to be part of the solution and stop being part of the problem. Let's come together on common ground and be the children of God that we are capable of being.

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Hutch has the opportunity to interview Rashawn Copeland. Rashawn talks about his upbringing and pathway to celebrity when it seemed all of it was cut short. Rashawn lost an opportunity to play football at the University of Nebraska after being shot in the leg. Once his football dreams were dashed, he moved on with the goal of becoming big in Hollywood. And for a while, that is what he did. Money, fame, celebrity, what else do you need? But, Rashawn still felt empty. Empty enough to consider ending his life. At that moment, God showed Rashawn a better way through Jesus Christ.
Now, Rashawn has taken all of his talent and energy and decided he would use it to encourage others and glorify Christ. He is the founder of I'm So Blessed Daily and Without Walls Ministry. He is a writer for Church Leaders, God TV, and God's Not Dead Blog. He also is the host of Scriptures and Stories Podcast.
Recently, Rashawn just wrote a book titled, Start Where You Are: How God Meets You in Your Mess, Loves You through It, and Leads You Out of It.
Rashawn is a young father that is trying to be the father he has been called to be. Listen to Rashawn share his passion and inspiration in this show.

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If you did not listen to Part 1, you must! Part 2 only has meaning if you understand the journey of Will Berry as a younger man. His trials and tribulations lead him down a dead-end street of incarceration.

In Part 2, Will explains how his life began to be transformed. It all started in The Lord's Gym, and Brother Jerry pouring into Will's life. God used these places and people to build Will up so that he too would become the hands and feet of Jesus Christ!

Thanks, Will for being so honest and genuine in the sharing of your walk. We all have a past, how are you allowing God to use it for your future?

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If you don't believe that God has something better in store for you, you must listen to this show. A young boy that grew up with little guidance only to get caught up in the stream of street-life finds himself in many terrible situations. Drugs, robbery, fights, vehicle theft, and murder were just part of his life. After numerous convictions and even several stints in jail, Will Berry had had enough.

Will shares his difficult story in part 1. But, as you might expect, you have to listen to part 2 to see what God and Will are up to. Will's story of redemption is inspiring and grace-filled. Please listen and share this show with everyone and anyone that seems to have more challenges in their life than they can handle.

Thanks, Will for your honesty and willingness to share the workings of God in your life!

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What's the most valuable thing in your life? You may think about houses, cars, investments, etc..., but the truth is, the most valuable thing in our life outside of a relationship with Christ is our marriage. So, the question is, how well are you maintaining the most valuable thing in your life?

As a Strong Dad, we often understand the importance of maintaining our stuff. We know that in order for our house or car to serve us well, we must schedule regular maintenance. If we don't we will be experience unscheduled maintenance. This is not fun and often very costly.

How about your marriage? Are you maintaining this? Do you have an understanding of how to maintain your marriage? If we understand the value of our marriage, we need to take the time to learn about how to maintain our marriage. In this show, Kyle and Hutch have some fun teasing each other about the maintenance of our stuff but then bring it around to how we need to maintain our marriage.

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Strong Dads welcomes Hutch's HighSchool Swimming Coach, Brent Rutemiller to the studio. Brent's creative and high energy approach to life has allowed him to be quite the successful professional. CEO and owner of Sports Publications International, Publisher of Swimming World Magazine, Swim Magazine, and Swimming Technique Magazine. Brent also became the CEO of the International Swimming Hall of Fame, (ISHOF), in 2017.

While he has an impressive list of accomplishments, his greatest work comes in his personal life as a husband and father. Brent and his wife, Ellen, have 3 children. His oldest and youngest both have significant handicaps while their middle child is healthy and gifted to be successful in whatever she chooses. Early on Brent had many questions as to why this happened to his sons. He questioned God and himself many times as he tried to figure out how to be the parent and husband he needed to be.

Brent shares his lessons and insights on how he and Ellen have been blessed by their children and how he is a better man because of what their children have brought to their lives. "Helping others to win makes me a winner" is one of his many approaches to life that has driven him to find success in all that he does.

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How do you be a good husband, father, businessman, and faithful Christian all at the same time? These were some of the topics that we discussed with Tim Crofford, COO for One Holland Restaurant Group. Tim practices what he preaches whether it is at work or home. He has worked hard to be authentic and humble in his daily work. He believes his best way to lead in the workplace is through Servant Leadership.

Listen in as Kyle and Hutch have a fun, yet encouraging conversation about how to be successful in whatever occupation you choose.

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Strong Dads welcomes Jim Mansfield to the show. Jim is a local businessman that has been blessed to build a successful business, marriage, family, and faith. Jim's story is one worth hearing. He did not come from the traditional mother and father family upbringing. Through tragedy, death, setbacks, and struggles, Jim persevered. The story that he shares with Strong Dads is where his mindset for perseverance came from.

Remaining calm and push on! These were the priceless gifts that his foster father modeled to him that forever directed his course in life.

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Kyle and Hutch tackle the question: How bold is your faith? Both of them admit to some of their own weaknesses in this area. Why do we lack boldness? What would it look like if I were going to be bolder in my faith? These are questions presented with hopefully useful answers and suggestions to help us grow in our boldness.

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So, why should we believe in God? Strong Dads takes on this simple but difficult question in today's show. During this time of Coronavirus, we are seeing more and more reasons to follow a God that is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient; all-powerful, all-present, all-knowing!

Even all the collective wisdom, strength, and knowledge of all mankind can not provide the answers in these difficult times. For this reason, we must have our hope in something that is greater. This hope gives us the ability to carry on each and every day. When you lose hope, you lose the ability to carry on.

No, we don't have the answers, but we believe in a God that is good. A God that will carry us through all times for eternity. If you are struggling with all the contradictions that man continues to confuse us with, maybe it's time you placed your faith in something more powerful, present, and knowing!

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Coronavirus has certainly not been an enjoyable time for this world. It has caused many hardships and even tragedies. However, it has also caused us to look at our lives a little differently. Hutch and Kyle talk about some of the good things that have come from and are continuing to come from this crisis. The question is, when life returns to "normal", will we remember the good things and maybe even continue them in our lives. Praying more, washing hands more, spending time with our kids more, etc....

Sometimes tragedies can bring us closer together and stronger as a people. Will Coronavirus do this to us, or will we quickly go back to our old ways? Now is the time to make lasting changes for the betterment of your family and community.

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Hutch takes this opportunity to interview Strong Dads Cohost, Kyle Crofford as they discuss the front lines of the Coronavirus. Kyle is a Fireman and Paramedic for the city of Dayton, Ohio. He shares first hand what he and other first responders are committed to during this crazy time.
First Responders are used to being in stressful situations, but the Coronavirus Pandemic has placed them and their families at a level of stress that many of us don't realize. Listen in as Kyle explains what they are doing to keep us safe and also protecting their families.

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Hutch and Kyle have a great time teasing each other as they get trapped in the comparison trap!
The Comparison Trap is exactly that...a trap! It is a place where we begin to lose our own identity and begin to chase a life that was not intended for us. God made us unique for a reason. The way that we bring out that uniqueness is to embrace the fact that we were made by God! He wants us to be no one other than who He designed us to be. When we begin to do this we find a level of freedom like no other.

We need not be slave to anyone else's ideas or values other than those of Jesus Christ! His ways will always leave us desiring to be all that we can be to serve Him to the best of our ability. Yes, we will always find ourselves coming up short to the standard of Jesus Christ. That's why we must rely on the grace of God rather than our own doing. Thank God for Grace!

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Hutch and Kyle love to make fun of each other, but what happens when they have to laugh at themselves? This show is all about the importance of not taking yourself too seriously. Learning to laugh at yourself is very liberating and even enjoying. If you are not able to laugh at yourself, why?

When we try to answer that "why", we often find that there are a number of insecurities lurking in our closet. Maybe we are fast to make fun of others in order to keep the heat away from us? Maybe we have a dark past and really don't want others to know what we are all about?

Whatever the case, it's a worthy discussion and an opportunity to grow to be a better Strong Dad!

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These are some crazy times we are living in right now. Whether you agree or disagree with how things are being handled concerning Covid-19 is not really the issue. The issue is how are you handling yourself as a Strong Dad?

I've heard many people acting crazy and nearly hysterical. I've seen people getting angry and pointing fingers. I've witnessed doomsday preparation at the grocery store. People are losing their minds. As a Strong Dad that proclaims to have a faith in Jesus Christ, what is our position in times of craziness like these?

John 16:33
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.

As a Strong Dad we need to stand out with our sense of calm and reassured peace to our families. We need to be a beacon of light and a refreshing sense of calm.

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What's your hobby? Kyle and Hutch discuss the importance of challenging yourself with a hobby. Hobbies help to give us a break from some of the routine of life, but they also provide the opportunity to open our minds to new growth and learning. They provide a means of relieving stress and keeping a healthier perspective on a busy life.

Hobbies may be something you do to relax or something you do to get more stimulation and adventure. Either way, hobbies are meant to fill a void. What is your void? What do you need a little more of, relaxation or wild adventure?

For Strong Dads, hobbies must work with our families. A hobby that worked for you as a single man may only create greater stress and tension for your family today. Strong Dads don't give up on their hobbies, they understand priorities and put things in their proper place. Maybe we have to put a hobby on hold for a few years until we have greater flexibility to reimplement that favored interest. Whatever the case, continue to grow who you are as a person through your hobbies.

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Kyle and Hutch acknowledge that temptations are part of their everyday life. Whether it's a temptation to eat one more chocolate chip cookie or lust over another woman. Temptations never seem to be in short supply. We must understand that we are never going to be free of temptation, but that doesn't mean we cannot avoid the pitfalls that temptations lead us to...Sin!
Sin is what flies in the face of God. Sin is what causes hurt and pain to us and others. Sin comes at a cost. Whether it be physical, emotional, or spiritual. So, if sin is what we are trying to avoid, then how do we go about it? For that, we must understand what temptation is and what we can do to counter it. If we can learn our strengths and weaknesses as they relate to temptation, then we are able to defend ourselves from falling into sinful acts.

Our most powerful weapon to aid us in our defense from committing sin is the Word of God. God's Word constantly feeds us the nutrition necessary to fend off these daily temptations. Through prayer and daily acts of training in God's Word, we can remain strong and stand as unharmed warriors for Christ!

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As a Strong Dad, what are some of our primary responsibilities? Your list may be a long one, but one thing many of us men have left off our list is the responsibility to take care of children and widows. Yes, we are called to take care of children and widows.
This Strong Dads show goes right after this subject. Specifically, we address the responsibility of taking care of children. Our special guest, Mike Stecher, shares his story about what this looks like. He shares his story about how God laid fostering and adoption on his heart.
Hutch is able to share his story as well. Adoption was not always something on the "to do list", but after listening to God pull on our hearts, we knew what we needed to do.
How about you? Are listening to God? Maybe he isn't calling you to foster or adopt, but he is calling you to take care of children. Those that can not take care of themselves. Look around, could you coach, mentor, or even offer financial support to a child in need.

We pray that this show makes you stop and think about what you are doing to help take care of kids that may be existing in suboptimal situations.

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Why do men need to be in a small group? All men need someone to hold them accountable, to challenge them, to encourage them, and have fun with them. Especially in today's culture in which many young men grow up with no positive male presence in their life. Boys grow up without guidance, discipline, and encouragement from a strong father figure. That leads them to enter manhood as nothing more than big boys. Acting like boys when your in a marriage, raising kids, and doing life, just doesn't cut it.

Listen to Kyle's small group that he meets with every week to challenge each other to be better men of Christ. And, at the same time, have fun!

When you are finished listening, you will see why you also need a Band of Brothers in your life!

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Strong Dads welcome special guest, Adam Legge. Adam shares his family's heart-wrenching story about the loss of their baby daughter, Evelyn. Adam's story is what God's message is all about, HOPE!

This show will bring a tear to your eye, but more importantly, it will show you where you can find hope in what seems to be a hopeless situation. Adam and his wife, Beth, are examples of how God wants you to lean on Him and find strength that is beyond human understanding.

Strong Dads want to thank Adam and Beth for their willingness to share Evelyn's story with the hopes that it will speak hope into the lives of others.

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We all have scars. Maybe from a bike wreck as a kid, or falling out of tree while building a treehouse. Scars are created by wounds. Wounds hurt, but they typically heal. But what do they look like when they are healed? What about psychological and emotional wounds? They also leave us with scars. These scars are not apparent on the flesh, but often are experienced by the mind. They lead to significant changes in behaviors, life choices, relationships, parenting, faith, and careers. When we have suffered psychological trauma often the course of our life is greatly impacted.
As a child you may have been wounded by your father. Words he said, things he did or didn't do. His actions often leave a footprint in your life. Was the impact positive or negative?
What about you as a father? What kinds of wounds are you inflicting on your kids? Even the wounds that you may not even know you are inflicting.

Kyle and Hutch do an excellent job of discussing the scars left by our fathers as well as the scars being left on their kids. They tackle the scars and how they can be healed, and better yet, how to prevent leaving our kids with scars.

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Do your kids sometimes get the best of you? Do they ever bring out your ugly anger? Kyle and Hutch share some of their experiences where anger got the best of them as a dad. While the stories now may make us laugh, the anger can often lead to bad outcomes. We say and do things that we wished we never said. We may even do things that negatively impact our kids for a lifetime.
Hutch and Kyle discuss how to recognize your anger and do the preventive measures to keep anger from getting the best of you. They also discuss how to deal with past anger episodes that caused hurt to your family. As a Strong Dad, you have the responsibility to make things right.

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Like it or not, we all have masks that we wear. Some we seem to wear for certain occasions or in certain settings. Others we seem to wear almost all the time. Whether it be the way we act, the clothes we wear, or the style of life we want to live. No matter the case, we have an image to uphold. The question is, what image do you try to uphold? How did you go about determining that this would be your image?
Check out Kyle and Hutch's take on how we determine our image and if we have to wear certain mask to uphold this image. We have all been made in the image of God, but what does that mean? That means that we really do not have a need for a mask. If we understand what God made us to be, we can be exactly that. All of our talents and gifts being used to serve, just as Christ came to serve.

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All of the guest we have on Strong Dads bring a special message to our audience. Their message usually comes from an experience or lesson that they want to share with others. Frank is no different, but how he goes about it is as remarkable as I've ever seen. Many people have a lesson or two that they can share with us. Frank is different in that he shares everyday by his actions. Day in and day out, Frank works hard to be a direct reflection of Jesus Christ. In particular, he works to

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Have you ever experienced what you thought of as God not answering your prayers? How about when God's timing doesn't seem to match yours? These are the kinds of things that cause us to doubt whether God really hears us or not. Don't worry, you are in good company if you have ever felt this way. Sarah and Abraham, Moses, Mary and Martha, even Jesus sometimes had second thoughts.
Hutch and Kyle take on this challenging subject and hopefully shine some light from a different perspective that can give us hope and help us to maintain a strong faith.

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As we wrap up the 2019 year we ask the question; "Are you where you want to be?" Kyle and Hutch take on the challenge of assessing and determining if they are where they thought they would be by the end of the year. They also put that challenge out to other Strong Dads. This show is not about setting goals, but rather, living with intention...everyday!
If you are ready to challenge yourself and look forward to making a difference as a Strong Dad in 2020, then this is a "must listen" show.

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Kyle and Hutch have some fun teasing each other about Christmas and gifts. The conversation moves to a more serious note about what the true gift really is, and are we teaching our kids about this gift, Jesus Christ! The single most influential man of all time, yet many of us do not even know his story or teachings, yet we use his birthday as a reason to celebrate. It's like being a wedding crasher! Come for the reception but you have no clue who's getting married.

This is a fun show but with a serious challenge. It's time men step up and understand the importance of Christ and why they need to teach their children what Christmas really means.

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Plenty of money, nice house and family, comfortable life... What else does a man need? Check out Strong Dad's podcast about Darin Kroger. A man that seemed to have it made by most anyone's measurement of success in America, except Darin's. Darin began to feel the nudging of the Holy Spirit and unlike many of us, he has practiced obedience. Through his obedience he has found himself on a pathway that he would have never predicted. But this pathway is filled with adventure, satisfaction, and inspiration. Now, Darin is actually beginning to say that he is experiencing success, not through his actions, but through the work of the Holy Spirit.

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Hutch and Kyle welcome Rob Strobel into the studio to gain greater insights into what his path to become a Strong Dad looks like. Rob is the CEO of Lithko Contracting. Lithko is the second largest concrete company in the country. Rob oversees 17 different locations and over 3000 employees. He is an accomplished triathlete and outdoorsman. But, like all of us, he has challenges and battles that have come into his pathway. Rob discusses the challenges and successes that he has seen in his life. He openly welcomes Christ into his life to help guide and teach him in his daily walk. Rob's humble but strong leadership is a lesson for all of our Strong Dads!

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Hutch and Kyle have a little fun on this podcast as they talk about how they approach various topics when talking with their boys vs their girls. Because God made males and females different in many ways, it is important to understand how to talk with them in different ways. What may work for your son, may be disastrous for your daughter. Recognizing how we approach our boys as compared to our girls is important if we want to establish an effective and successful parenting relationship with our kids.

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As a man you know you may find yourself working long hours to provide for your family. We applaud that and recognize the importance of Strong Dads taking on this responsibility. However, we often find dads losing track of how much time they are actually away from their families. Hutch and Kyle take on the subject of striking the balance between work and all the other things that pull us from our families. What is your end goal with your family? Is what you are currently doing going to get you to your end goal?

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Hutch and Kyle discuss the importance of being 100% in our daily lives. But what happens when we are not able to function and perform at this level when we are struggling with mental health issues. Hutch shares his real-life dealings with anxiety and depression. Kyle shares his first hand experiences with PTSD.

We have a choice to make when we are not operating at 100%. Are we going to deal with it and work toward gaining our health or are we going to allow it to negatively impact our lives and all the lives we are connected to?

This is a great show full of insight to help Strong Dads maintain their strength in through difficult times.

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Hutch and Kyle discuss how to love our wives even when we don't feel like it or when we don't like how she is treating us. This is not easy, but just as Christ loves the Church, we are called to love our wives.

Listen in to see how you can be the Strong Dad (and husband) that Christ calls you to be.

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Strong Dads takes on a hard-hitting topic this week; Adultery. This is a tough show, but a great show as special guest, Diesel, shares his story of how he betrayed his wife, kids, and God. Listen in as Diesel shares his fall that caused the people he loves the most, the greatest amount of hurt. This story is not finished being written as Diesel walks everyday into uncharted territory of recovery, healing, and redemption for his family. If you want to learn how to prevent this great fall in your marriage, please listen in and learn from Diesel's story.

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Hutch and Kyle welcome Strong Dad, Jason Boyd. Jason shares his story about being tested as a Strong Dad when it came to parenting a strong-willed kid! This is a "must listen" for any parent that has or is struggling with what to do with a strong-willed child. Jason and his wife, Angie, found that it wasn't the next book, method, or technique that helped them find success and ultimately raise a child into an incredibly talented and driven young man. Listen to see what they did find that was the source of ultimate success!

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Hutch and Kyle get the opportunity to learn about how to be a Strong Dad from 25 year old new dad, AJ Waltz. AJ's introduction into fatherhood has been mind blowing. Listen as he describes and explains his story about becoming a father with his daughter, Charleigh. If this doesn't make your eye's sweat, you're not human!

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Kyle and Hutch take on the difficult subject of Pornography! This is a show that will challenge every STRONG DAD! Are you willing to take on the challenge and stand against pornography? As a man, do you know what pornography does to your wife, daughter, son, or our culture in general? Stop rationalizing your behavior and take a critical look at what God wants for your family!

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Kyle and Hutch welcome special guest, Kevin Smith. Kevin is a pastor at White Oak Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Kevin spent the earlier part of his career as a youth pastor where he worked with teens to help them develop their faith and grow into mature adults. Now, he leads those adults. Listen as Kevin unpacks his experiences with not just helping others to grow and mature in their faith, but also the challenges that he faces as he now is raising his own family. Being a Preacher comes with it's own special set of challenges!

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Kyle and Hutch take on the topic of discipline. More specifically the role of a parent disciplining their children. Their words on the importance of being a disciplinarian are critical to helping your child grow to their fullest potential in life and as a child of God.

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Join Merrill Hutchinson and Kyle Crofford as they discuss the important role of Strong Dads being PROTECTORS! 1 Peter 5:8-9 - Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Are you prepared to be the PROTECTOR God has called you to be?

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Are you providing for your family? We're not just talking about money and stuff! How about all the other things that your family count on you for? If you are not quite sure what we are talking about, join Hutch and Kyle as they explore all the areas of provision for a strong Christian family.

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What are you teaching your kids? As a dad, we are constantly teaching our kids something. The question is, what is it? In this show, Kyle and Hutch discuss the foundational components that every kid should be learning in order to thrive in not just life, but eternal life!

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This week Hutch and Kyle have the great opportunity to interview the Chief Deputy for Indiana Attorney General, Aaron Negangard! Aaron is the number two man to Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill. Aaron shows great insight into what the current state of affairs is in Indiana from the Attorney General's Office. This conversation actually stems back to how Aaron sees the importance for dads to step up within their family and community. Aaron points out the factors that lead to both increases and decreases in the crime rate. All too often the common factor to increases in crime rate come back to fatherless children. Listen in and see what you can do to become a Strong Dad!

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Hutch and Kyle discuss the importance of building a strong foundation in your faith in order to raise your family. The storms of life will hit all of us. Whether it's death, divorce, bankruptcy, addiction, or the endless list of tragic possibilities. How will your marriage and family "weather" these storms? Learn about the importance of building your family on the ROCK!

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Join Hutch and Kyle as they tackle the heartbreaking topic of Mass Shootings in America. There is no quick fix to this horrific problem. Americans aren't going to be able to take the microwave solution on this one. We are an ill country and as a nation, we are all to blame. We have allowed this cancer to grow within our society and now we are wondering whose fault it is. It's our fault! We have to reclaim the value of life, families, marriages, all based on a faith in our Creator. It's taken several generations for this cancer to get where it is. It is not going to be cured overnight. Stop pointing fingers and start saving your home!

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Introducing the new podcast, Strong Dads! Join Merrill Hutchinson, "Hutch", and Kyle Crofford as they launch their podcast that is all about being the husband and father that God intended you to be! They are straight-shooting Christian men trying to listen to God's word and turn it into a message that resonates with today's American Men!

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