The Dad Edge Podcast

• The Five Pillars of Health, Marriage, and Fatherhood Every Man Needs ft. Heath & Chrissy Evans

  In this episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I sit down with Super Bowl Champion Heath Evans and his wife Chrissy, a powerhouse couple raising six kids—four of them adopted siblings—and leading with faith, love, and intentionality. Beyond the NFL career and business ventures, their mission is about adoption, marriage, and creating a Christ-centered home where safety, strength, and sacrificial love are at the core.   We dive deep into adoption, marriage dynamics, leadership in the home, and the foundation of their health and fitness business, Built Ready. From why safety is the #1 need of every woman to the five pillars of a man’s health (holiness, hydration, rest, workouts, and nutrition), this conversation challenges cultural norms and inspires fathers to lead with faith, humility, and strength.     TIMELINE SUMMARY [0:00] - Welcome to the Dad Edge and today’s guests: Heath and Chrissy Evans [1:48] - Heath’s NFL career and transition to family and faith [2:13] - Raising six kids, including four adopted siblings [6:00] - Their calling to adoption and the heart behind Bethesda Ranch [7:30] - The struggles of sibling adoption and God’s faithfulness in their journey [9:00] - The fatherless crisis and why the church must step up [11:00] - Fatherless home statistics and their generational impact [12:12] - Why a great dad is usually also a great husband [13:28] - Prioritizing marriage first to create security for kids [14:07] - Modeling unity in front of children and avoiding division [15:52] - Why parenting flows from the strength of your marriage [16:44] - Larry’s son joins the conversation and a powerful NFL-to-dad lesson [19:00] - Talking faith and fears with kids—real conversations that matter [22:00] - Teaching kids reverence and the holiness of God [24:11] - Why Scripture, not worldly wisdom, is the anchor for parenting [25:24] - Chrissy shares what it feels like to be married to a man deeply rooted in Christ [26:15] - Safety as a wife’s greatest need: emotional, spiritual, financial, and relational [29:00] - Respect, appreciation, affection for men vs. being seen, heard, and safe for women [31:15] - The power of forgiveness and humility in marriage [32:07] - Why true security comes from Christ, not success or performance [36:11] - Chrissy’s reflections on submission, teamwork, and balance in marriage [40:20] - Heath’s analogy of submarine leadership and servant-hearted strength [43:18] - The danger of self-reliance vs. dependence on Christ [46:23] - Why brokenness is often the beginning of real faith [49:23] - Built Ready’s five pillars: holiness, hydration, rest, workout, and nutrition [53:05] - Why rest is non-negotiable for fathers and leaders [54:24] - Nutrition as stewardship, not idolatry [56:18] - Their supplement line and why A2 protein makes it unique [58:41] - Closing reflections and the Evans’ heart for faith, family, and service     5 KEY TAKEAWAYS   1. Safety Is the Cornerstone of Marriage Chrissy powerfully explains that true safety goes beyond physical protection—it includes emotional, financial, spiritual, and relational security. When women feel safe, marriage flourishes. 2. Adoption Is God’s Heart in Action The Evans adopted four siblings to keep them together, living out God’s call to be a “father to the fatherless” and modeling how faith drives family decisions. 3. Marriage First, Parenting Second Strong marriages create strong families. Kids thrive when they see their parents united, affectionate, and committed to one another before all else. 4. Leadership Is Servanthood Heath challenges men to rethink leadership—not as dominance, but as sacrificial love modeled by Christ. True strength is found in humility, service, and faith. 5. The Five Pillars of Health Built Ready’s framework—holiness, hydration, rest, workouts, and nutrition—shows why spiritual health must lead the way, with physical health supporting a man’s mission to love and serve well.     LINKS & RESOURCES   Built Ready Health & Fitness: https://builtready.com Chrissy Evans (Weight Loss Hero): https://weightlosshero.com Heath Evans on Instagram: https://instagram.com/heath_evans44 Chrissy Evans on Instagram: https://instagram.com/weightlosshero Contact Heath: [email protected] Contact Chrissy: [email protected] Dad Edge Podcast Website: https://www.thedadedge.com/podcast Join The Alliance: https://www.thedadedge.com/alliance 25 Questions to Spark Connection With Your Partner: https://www.thedadedge.com/25questions       If this episode inspired you to rethink marriage, leadership, and fatherhood, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Together, we’re raising fathers who lead with faith, courage, and love.

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• The Father’s Guide to Raising Kids Safely in a Digital World

  In this solo episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I dive into one of the greatest challenges facing parents today: raising kids in the digital age. Between iPhones, TikTok, YouTube, and even AI tools like ChatGPT, technology is moving at lightning speed—and as fathers, we can’t afford to bury our heads in the sand.   I share three powerful strategies that will help you set the right boundaries for your kids without putting them in “tech prison.” From creating guardrails with apps like Bark, to implementing a family tech contract, to modeling discipline with our own devices, this episode is about protecting our kids while also preparing them to navigate the digital world with responsibility and confidence.     TIMELINE SUMMARY [0:00] - Welcome to the Dad Edge movement and today’s focus on raising kids in the digital age [1:02] - Why technology is moving faster than parents can keep up [2:11] - Why this generation is the first to face AI, smartphones, and social media all at once [3:08] - Introducing Dad Edge Alliance and Boardroom Brotherhood for fathers [4:00] - Strategy #1: Set guardrails, not walls, around tech use [4:58] - The rookie mistake of limiting apps without realizing kids just switch platforms [6:12] - Workarounds kids use to bypass phone restrictions [7:05] - Why apps like Bark provide a real solution for parents [7:25] - Strategy #2: Create a family tech contract with clear boundaries and accountability [8:42] - Examples of contracts around bedtime, screen-free zones, and check-ins [8:59] - Strategy #3: Model discipline by living the same tech rules as your kids [9:56] - Why hypocrisy in tech rules undermines your authority [11:14] - Setting boundaries with work and modeling digital discipline at home [12:22] - The Bark app, Bark phone, and Bark watch explained [14:05] - Why I don’t allow TikTok or YouTube for my younger kids [14:54] - The Bark watch for younger kids as a safe, affordable option [15:31] - Final recap of the three strategies for digital parenting [16:13] - Closing encouragement and link to resources     5 KEY TAKEAWAYS   1. Guardrails Beat Walls Complete restriction creates rebellion. Guardrails, not tech prisons, teach kids to manage technology responsibly while keeping them safe. 2. Apps Aren’t Foolproof Kids can and will find workarounds. Relying only on built-in phone restrictions isn’t enough—you need smarter tools like Bark to stay ahead. 3. Contracts Create Clarity A family tech contract sets clear expectations for screen time, apps, and accountability. Clarity prevents arguments and keeps kids accountable. 4. Model the Discipline You Preach If you tell your kids “no phones at dinner,” but you’re scrolling, the rule collapses. Fathers must live the same digital discipline they demand. 5. Your Kids’ Tech Is Your Business Phones, apps, and online behavior aren’t private property for minors. Fathers must stay engaged, set boundaries, and protect their kids in the digital age.       LINKS & RESOURCES   Bark App & Devices (Protect your kids online): https://www.thedadedge.com/bark Episode Show Notes Page: https://www.thedadedge.com/1377 Dad Edge Podcast Website: https://www.thedadedge.com/podcast Join The Alliance (career-driven dads): https://www.thedadedge.com/alliance Dad Edge Boardroom (entrepreneurial dads): https://www.thedadedge.com/boardroom 25 Questions to Spark Connection With Your Partner: https://www.thedadedge.com/25questions     If this episode gave you clarity on parenting in the digital age, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Together, we’re raising a generation of kids who are safe, confident, and prepared for a digital world.

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• What My Son Taught Me About Dating in 2025 (And What I Wish I Knew at 19) ft. Ethan Hagner

  In this special father-son episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I sit down with my 19-year-old son, Ethan Hagner, to talk about the ever-evolving world of modern dating, masculinity, and what respect looks like in today’s culture. From Snapchat and Bitmoji “vibes” to the dangers of digital footprints, Ethan pulls back the curtain on what Gen Z is really experiencing when it comes to relationships, identity, and self-worth.   We get raw and real about breakups, social media drama, posting for “social therapy,” and what red flags look like in 2025. But the conversation goes much deeper than dating. Ethan opens up about his personal growth, past mistakes, and what he’d tell his 16-year-old self—and future daughter—about how to protect your integrity in the world of online relationships and viral opinions.   This is a must-listen for any dad raising teens or preteens. It’s funny, eye-opening, brutally honest, and packed with generational wisdom from both sides of the table. TIMELINE SUMMARY [0:00] - Welcome to the Dad Edge mission [1:04] - How dating has changed since “back in the day” [2:38] - Meet Ethan Hagner: college, EMT prep, and dad banter [3:58] - Inside the Dad Edge studio & sponsor shoutout (First Form) [5:36] - Ignition + Formula 1 explained: post-workout must-haves [8:08] - Pre-order info: The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood [9:11] - How 19-year-olds actually meet people now (Snapchat!) [10:20] - Snapchat’s “Quick Add” and Bitmoji-deep dating decisions [14:04] - Dating vs. passing notes in the 90s, how we used to ask friends to “talk to her for me” [16:06] - Red flags on social profiles: vaping, weed, or weird vibes [20:30] - Toxicity, trust, and “the feeling you just can’t explain” [24:30] - Social media therapy: breakups that go viral [27:03] - Digital drama and public TikTok crying [30:27] - The real meaning of “game” for Gen Z (hint: not confidence) [32:02] - Confidence vs. bravado: what women really respond to [34:09] - What healthy confidence looks like in teens [35:30] - Are ICks ruining relationships before they start? [39:22] - Ego, lifting, and growing up with the wrong friend group [41:13] - Self-awareness: from wife beater tanks to regretful beliefs [42:35] - Advice Ethan would give his future 16-year-old daughter [43:10] - Digital safety, values, and protecting your future [46:40] - Larry’s top two dating lessons for his younger self [47:40] - Regret from not approaching vs. regret from rejection [48:16] - When you strike out, you’re still winning [51:11] - Protecting your reputation on social media [52:22] - First Form Dad of the Month: Ty Twizzler’s inspiring story 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS 1. Snapchat Changed Dating Forever For Gen Z, Snapchat is the new hallway, lunch table, and dating app combined. But what happens there leaves a permanent digital trail—so teach your kids to tread carefully. 2. Confidence Wins—Ego Repels Bravado might grab attention, but real confidence comes from knowing who you are and not bending for validation. It’s quiet, steady, and deeply attractive. 3. Respect Is Never Outdated Whether it’s how you treat a teacher, a girlfriend, or yourself, respect is foundational. True character shows when no one’s watching—or when everyone’s watching online. 4. Your Digital Footprint Never Goes Away Posting relationship drama on TikTok or Snapchat may feel therapeutic in the moment, but it can damage reputations, create enemies, and attract the wrong kind of attention. 5. You’re Not Too Young to Lead Ethan may be 19, but his mindset about dating, identity, and future family is already grounded in wisdom. His generation needs more examples like this—and so do ours. LINKS & RESOURCES 🎯 First Form Products Micro Factor: https://1stphorm.com/products/micro-factor Formula 1 + Ignition Post-Workout Stack: https://1stphorm.com/products/formula-1 📘 Pre-Order: Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood: https://www.thedadedge.com/legendarybook 🎙 Dad Edge Alliance Membership: https://www.thedadedge.com/alliance 🎧 Full Episode & Show Notes: https://www.thedadedge.com/1364

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• How Men Heal Through Vulnerability & Going From A Secret Struggle to A Safe Connection ft. Chandler Rogers

  In this powerful episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I sit down with Chandler Rogers—founder of the Relay app and a man on a mission to help men break free from pornography and reclaim deep connection. Chandler shares his raw personal story as a new dad, a husband navigating the fog of sleep deprivation, and a man who turned his own struggle with porn into a platform that has already helped over 5,000 men heal. This conversation isn’t just about addiction—it’s about isolation, shame, leadership, and stepping into the masculine role your family needs. Chandler reveals the emotional spiral that so many husbands silently endure and how one vulnerable conversation with his wife brought them closer than ever. We talk about why porn is not the real issue, how to lead with emotional clarity, and what it means to truly be seen by your partner. If you’ve ever struggled with secret shame, felt alone in your role as a dad or husband, or craved deeper intimacy and purpose, this episode will show you you’re not broken—just unfinished. Real healing starts with connection. TIMELINE SUMMARY [0:00] - Welcome to the Dad Edge and today’s focus: breaking the shame cycle [3:09] - Becoming a father: sleep deprivation, joy, and surprises [8:45] - Marriage after kids: missed connection, emotional gaps, and resentment [12:06] - The physical toll of fatherhood and why self-care matters [13:29] - The emotional cost of disconnection in marriage [15:09] - How resentment is the cancer of relationships [16:50] - Why Chandler named his platform “Relay” and its deeper meaning [18:20] - Why isolation fuels addiction and how connection heals [19:34] - Why porn isn’t the problem—it’s a comfort mechanism [20:35] - Porn as a symptom of emotional wounds, not the root cause [21:21] - Childhood trauma, hyper-stimulus, and the pain-pleasure cycle [22:56] - How most men justify porn use (and why those stories fall apart) [25:35] - The shame spiral: dissociation, numbness, and fragmentation [28:54] - When needs go unmet: rationalizing porn through “selflessness” [30:11] - Owning masculine needs without blame or desperation [32:03] - Chandler’s powerful conversation with his wife that changed everything [33:17] - Why emotional awareness is the first step to intimacy [34:18] - The feminine response: how wives crave emotional leadership [35:30] - The difference between openness and emotional outbursts [36:38] - The moment Chandler reconnected with his wife through vulnerability [39:47] - How unspoken needs lead to resentment—and eventually porn [41:25] - The silver lining: how healing starts with connection [43:20] - How Relay works: anonymous, app-based community for men [46:45] - Why your wife shouldn’t be your accountability partner [48:02] - Why connection must be as easy as access to porn [49:47] - How Relay connects you with the right people  [51:36] - Seeing your group’s progress and showing up with purpose [53:11] -  Designing your future vs. resisting your past [54:11] - Replacing one habit with a better one: app design insights [56:33] - How a community will help you grow into a better person [58:01] - The real problem isn’t desire, it’s implementation [01:00:00] - Why information alone won’t change your life [1:01:06] -  Where to find Chandler and the Relay app 5 KEY TAKEAWAYS   1. Porn Isn’t the Problem—It’s the Pain Most men turn to porn not out of lust, but to numb discomfort, avoid connection, or cope with emotional pain they haven’t addressed.   2. Resentment Is the Silent Killer of Marriage Unspoken needs become stories. Stories become disconnection. And disconnection becomes resentment. That’s the cancer that silently kills intimacy.   3. You’re Not Broken—You’re Just Unfinished Most men don’t lack desire or information—they lack implementation. Healing is not about perfection. It’s about progress with others.   4. Emotional Leadership Is Masculine When men speak their needs clearly—without blame, shame, or desperation—it inspires women to soften, lean in, and reconnect.   5. Connection Is the Antidote to Shame Isolation fuels addiction. Community kills shame. Vulnerability with safe men in a trusted circle is what creates lasting transformation.   LINKS & RESOURCES   Join Relay (Chandler’s App): https://www.joinrelay.app Email Chandler: [email protected] Dad Edge Podcast: https://www.thedadedge.com/podcast Join the Alliance (Dad Edge Community): https://www.thedadedge.com/alliance

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• The Father’s Guide to Back-to-School Routines & Quality Communication

  In this solo episode of the Dad Edge Podcast, I’m talking directly to you, the fathers, about stepping up as school is back in session. Life gets busier with drop-offs, homework, sports, and late-night routines, but this season also gives us new opportunities to lead and connect with our families in meaningful ways.   I share three powerful strategies for creating deeper bonds at home: owning one routine with your kids, maximizing “connection cues” during daily transitions, and holding a weekly huddle with your wife to reduce stress and strengthen your marriage. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the chaos of the school year, this episode will help you find clarity, lead intentionally, and make sure your family thrives instead of drifts.     TIMELINE SUMMARY [0:00] - Welcome to the Dad Edge movement and back-to-school chaos [1:02] - Kids’ homework struggles and funny math frustrations [2:21] - A message for kids listening in the car: your dad loves you deeply [3:44] - Why most dads want to succeed—not fail—in fatherhood [4:26] - Transitioning from summer to school as a leadership opportunity [5:21] - Balancing school, sports, homework, and family commitments [6:20] - Reflections on August episodes with Jessica and the power of marriage conversations [7:53] - Strategy #1: Own one routine (breakfast, bedtime, school prep, homework help) [9:32] - Reducing invisible labor for your wife by owning key tasks [10:23] - Why bedtime routines are gold for connection (even if you’re exhausted) [11:31] - Asking open-ended questions that spark real conversations [12:57] - Adapting routines for different kids’ personalities and needs [14:41] - Bedtime as a place of safety, vulnerability, and connection [15:21] - Strategy #2: Connection cues in car rides, drop-offs, and pickups [16:18] - Side-by-side conversations and the power of turning off the radio [17:05] - Strategy #3: Weekly huddle with your wife (planning + intimacy) [18:19] - Reducing stress by clarifying who owns which tasks at home [19:39] - Using weekly huddles as both a planning and intimacy tool [20:31] - Free weekly huddle resource (coming soon) [20:53] - Tools for protecting kids online with Bark (sponsor) [21:52] - Closing encouragement and reminder of available resources     5 KEY TAKEAWAYS   1. Own One Routine Whether it’s bedtime, breakfast, or homework, fathers who fully own one routine lighten their wife’s mental load while deepening connection with their kids. 2. Bedtime Is Golden Even when you’re exhausted, bedtime is a unique opportunity for authenticity and safety. One open-ended question can spark conversations that matter. 3. Connection Cues Matter Car rides, drop-offs, and side-by-side moments are often when kids open up most. Turning off the radio and asking thoughtful questions makes a difference. 4. Weekly Huddles Reduce Stress A short check-in with your wife about what’s working, what’s draining, and what needs adjusting creates alignment and strengthens intimacy. 5. Leadership Is About Presence, Not Perfection You don’t need to do everything—you just need to be intentional with what you choose to own. Presence, clarity, and consistency are what families need most.       LINKS & RESOURCES Bark (Protect your kids online): https://www.thedadedge.com/bark Dad Edge Podcast Website: https://www.thedadedge.com/podcast Join The Alliance: https://www.thedadedge.com/alliance Dad Edge Tools & Resources: https://www.thedadedge.com/tools       If this episode gave you practical tools for leading your family during the school year, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Together, we’re raising a generation of fathers who lead with clarity, intention, and love.

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