The Dad Edge Podcast

Do you ever feel like there's a relentless critic living inside your head?
 
The one that questions your worth, second-guesses your decisions, and tells you that you're not enough — as a husband, father, or leader?
 
In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, I sit down with Ashleigh Di Lello, founder of Bio Emotional Healing, to unpack the neuroscience behind the inner critic, self-sabotage, chronic stress, and identity. Ashleigh shares her extraordinary story — from being told at 13 she wouldn't survive a rare viral illness, to rebuilding her body and career as an elite dancer, to losing everything again after a failed surgery left her in chronic pain. What she discovered about the brain, the nervous system, and self-compassion doesn't just apply to injury — it applies to every man stuck in anxiety, pressure, and silent self-judgment.
 
This isn't about positive thinking. It's about understanding how your nervous system works, how identity is formed, and how to rewire the patterns that keep you reactive, disconnected, and exhausted. If you're tired of white-knuckling life and ready for real tools grounded in neuroscience, this episode is for you.
 
 
Timeline Summary
[0:00] The inner critic most men silently battle
[2:05] Ashleigh's diagnosis at 13 and being told she wouldn't survive
[18:45] Using mental rehearsal to rebuild neural pathways
[26:43] Losing her career after a failed surgery
[30:45] Studying neuroscience to "flip the pain switch"
[35:12] What harsh self-criticism does to the brain
[44:16] The five-minute "container" exercise
[59:06] Rewriting identity through intentional self-talk
 
 
Five Key Takeaways
Harsh self-criticism activates fight-or-flight and blocks growth.
Self-compassion is neurological safety — not weakness.
Your brain validates whatever identity you reinforce.
You can't lie to your brain, but you can guide it.
What you suppress gains power — structured processing creates freedom.
 
Links & Resources:
Ashleigh Di Lello Website: https://www.ashleighdilello.com
Follow Ashleigh on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashleighdilello/
Collagen (1st Phorm – what I personally use): https://1stphorm.com/products/collagen-with-dermaval/?a_aid=dadedge
Dad Edge Alliance Preview Call: https://thedadedge.com/preview
Dad Edge Business Boardroom (Mastermind): https://thedadedge.com/mastermind
Episode Shownotes: http://thedadedge.com/1443
 
 
Closing Remark
If this episode hit home — if you recognized that voice in your head — I challenge you to try the five-minute container exercise this week. Lead yourself with steadiness. Lead your family with clarity.
 
If you found value in today's conversation, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Every share helps us impact more fathers, families, and future generations.
 
From my heart to yours — go out and live legendary.

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Dr. Ross Greene, clinical psychologist and creator of the Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) model, to unpack why traditional rewards and punishments often make behavior worse — not better. We dive deep into why "because I said so" stops working, what your child's frustration is actually communicating, and how to shift from authoritarian control to collaborative leadership that builds trust, accountability, and critical thinking.
 
If you've ever thought, "Why is this not working anymore?" this episode will give you a radically different lens — and practical tools you can use immediately.
 
 
Timeline Summary
[0:00] Why power struggles are so common in parenting
[2:00] Introducing Dr. Ross Greene and the CPS model 
[6:17] Why rewards and punishments don't solve the real problem 
[8:33] Concerning behavior as a frustration response 
[12:04] The 3-step collaborative problem-solving process explained 
[16:19] Real-life example: solving teeth brushing battles with a 3-year-old 
[30:56] Curfew conflict and how to navigate teenage resistance 
[37:16] How collaborative parenting builds critical thinking 
[41:56] Why authoritarian parenting may cause long-term harm 
[47:06] Developmental variability — why every child is different 
[49:23] Why noncompliance is informative, not defiance 
[56:31] Accountability through collaboration — not punishment 
 
 
Five Key Takeaways
Concerning behavior is a signal, not a character flaw. It communicates an unsolved problem. 
Rewards and punishments modify behavior — they don't solve the underlying issue. 
The 3-step CPS process (Empathy, Define Adult Concern, Invitation) reduces conflict and builds trust. 
Noncompliance is information. It tells you an expectation may exceed your child's current skill set. 
Collaborative leadership builds accountability, emotional regulation, and critical thinking. 
 
 
Links & Resources
Dad Edge Alliance Preview Call: http://thedadedge.com/preview
Dad Edge Business Boardroom (Mastermind): https://thedadedge.com/mastermind
Dr. Ross Greene — Lives in the Balance (Free Resources): https://livesinthebalance.org
Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1442
 
Closing Remark
 
If this episode challenged how you think about discipline, accountability, and leadership at home, don't just sit on it — put it into practice. Try the empathy step tonight. Lead with curiosity. Solve one unsolved problem.
 
If this conversation impacted you, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. The way we parent today shapes the leaders of tomorrow.
 
From my heart to yours — go out and live legendary.

In this powerful behind-the-scenes conversation, I sit down with Marc Hildebrand — former LAPD sergeant turned high-performance coach — to unpack what men are actually thinking before they decide to step into brotherhood. We break down the hidden anxiety, ego, embarrassment, and "mind talk" that keeps men isolated, stuck, and spinning in quiet defeat.
 
You'll hear raw audio from one of our members, Tim Cox, as he shares what life looked like before he joined — the mental spiral, the weight gain, the doctor's warning, the loneliness, and the breakthrough that changed everything. This episode isn't just about business or health. It's about identity. It's about the stories we tell ourselves. And it's about the moment a man decides he's no longer doing life alone.
 
 
Timeline Summary
[0:00] Why men feel defeated before they ever ask for help
[3:37] Marc Hildebrand's transformation from overweight LAPD sergeant to coach
[9:20] Tim's confession: anxiety, mind talk, and feeling like a fraud
[11:01] The danger of "should" statements and internal pressure
[17:22] Ego, embarrassment, and the fear of being seen
[24:58] The doctor's ultimatum: insulin or change
[27:01] Dopamine, food, and emotional coping
[30:52] Rock bottom isn't a place — it's a decision
[34:22] Why you shouldn't wait until crisis hits
[37:54] "You're not alone" — the most powerful realization
[41:03] The myth of the lone wolf
[44:21] Inside Base Camp: the first 6 weeks of transformation
[46:19] The BRAVE Man Code framework explained
[49:57] Thinking differently and leveling up identity
[53:39] Why Larry left a lucrative corporate career to build The Dad Edge
 
 
Five Key Takeaways
Rock bottom is not a location — it's a decision to stop going lower.
Ego often disguises itself as embarrassment and self-protection.
Isolation amplifies anxiety — brotherhood dissolves it.
Health transformation starts with identity, not tactics.
You don't have to wait for crisis to change direction.
 
 
Links & Resources
Dad Edge Alliance Preview Call: http://thedadedge.com/preview
Dad Edge Business Boardroom (Mastermind): https://thedadedge.com/mastermind
Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com
 
 
Closing Remark
If you've been telling yourself you'll change when it "gets bad enough," this is your sign not to wait. You're not alone — and you don't have to figure this out by yourself.
 
If this episode hit home, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Let's change the trajectory of fathers, families, and future generations.
 
From my heart to yours — go out and live legendary.

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Mat Lewczenko — entrepreneur, coach, and author of The Entrepreneur's Regret — to unpack what it feels like to be winning on paper while quietly losing at home. Mat shares his story of growing up as a Polish political refugee, building success through grit and discipline, and eventually finding himself at the top of his professional game… but emotionally empty, disconnected, and on the verge of self-sabotage.
 
We talk about the silent epidemic facing high-performing entrepreneurs — entrepreneurial drift — and what it takes to reclaim your nights, weekends, relationships, and sanity. This episode is a wake-up call for any man chasing more while feeling less.
 
 
Timeline Summary
[0:00] The concept of "Rock Top" — succeeding outwardly while unraveling inwardly
[1:41] Mat's family escaping Poland as political refugees before martial law
[3:02] Growing up in an immigrant household built on pride, discipline, and ownership
[10:10] Early lessons on earning what you want and respecting what you own
[17:47] The tension between giving kids a better life without raising them soft
[24:58] Mat's pivot from theater professor to real estate entrepreneur
[30:29] The breaking point — winning at work while losing at home
[31:31] The porch conversation where his wife said, "You don't get to do this"
[35:29] Realizing he couldn't even name his core values
[36:33] The North Star Values process and regaining alignment
[40:52] The three pillars — Leadership, Love, and Life
[41:30] Why being "all in" where you are eliminates guilt and fragmentation
[45:28] The danger of climbing the wrong mountain
[47:06] Why you must go back through the clouds to choose a new summit
[54:28] Small hinges swing big doors — 15 intentional minutes a day
[58:32] Presence over presents — how to win back connection at home
 
 
Five Key Takeaways
Rock Top is real — you can be crushing it professionally while quietly collapsing personally.
Clarity of core values simplifies decision-making and eliminates internal friction.
Entrepreneurial drift happens gradually, then suddenly — awareness must come before crisis.
Being fully present where you are removes guilt and fragmentation.
Small, consistent intentional actions create massive relational change.
 
 
Links & Resources
The Dad Edge Business Boardroom: https://thedadedge.com/mastermind
Mat Lewczenko on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mat-lewczenko/
Mat Lewczenko on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mat.lewczenko/?hl=en
Mat's Podcast (Buzzsprout): https://www.buzzsprout.com/1956169/episodes
Mat Lewczenko — Additional Resource: https://ifgrxppecbxjqjkoyvl7.app.clientclub.net/courses/offers/82985e7c-be3c-41c2-b004-8e703e688431?fbclid=IwRlRTSAP-xitleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAo2NjI4NTY4Mzc5AAEe9kqpb3eiIFwdvocjWzIhjjxamujPzRooAIcu6RVT7W6_R-3B3c7XJyb5y5Q_aem_pxafoSiJqIhIG7u_vMzVeQ
Mat's Book – https://a.co/d/02QOVPcr
Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1440
 
 
Closing Remark
 
If you're climbing fast but feeling empty at the top, this episode is your invitation to reassess the mountain you're on. You don't have to lose your family to win in business. If this conversation hit home, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Let's build success that we don't regret.
 
From my heart to yours — go out and live legendary.

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, I sit down with Thomas "TJ" Baird — a 32-year Army veteran with 20 deployments — to talk about the real battle that followed the battlefield. TJ shares what it was like growing up with a father who was frequently deployed, only to find himself repeating that same pattern with his own daughter.
 
But this isn't just a military story — it's a fatherhood story. It's about PTSD, pride, brotherhood, humility, and the moment a man decides he's done living in the dark. TJ opens up about the night he realized he needed help, the ultimatum that changed everything, and the internal war between staying stuck and choosing the path toward peace. If you've ever struggled in silence or felt the weight of your past shaping your present, this episode will hit home.
 
 
Timeline Summary
[0:00] The image that defines the episode — destruction on one side, sunrise on the other
[2:10] 32 years of service and 20 deployments across the globe
[9:20] Realizing he was becoming the father he once resented
[24:17] His daughter telling him at age six, "Dad, you're too scary"
[26:28] Writing Warrior Dad as a tribute to his daughter
[35:07] The battlefield moment — seeing war to the west and sunlight to the east
[42:12] Why most men stay stuck instead of choosing growth
[47:38] The turning point — giving himself permission to get help
[50:40] Walking into behavioral health as a senior enlisted leader
[52:06] Leading by example so younger soldiers wouldn't suffer in silence
 
 
Five Key Takeaways
You can unknowingly repeat the very patterns you once resented.
There is always a path toward peace — but you have to choose it.
Growth requires surrendering ego and asking for help.
Brotherhood and accountability accelerate healing.
Your family is waiting at the finish line — not your career.
 
 
Links & Resources
Dad Edge Alliance Preview Call (RSVP): http://thedadedge.com/preview
Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1439
 
 
Closing Remark
If this conversation resonated with you — if you've been carrying something heavy in silence — let this be your sign to step toward the light. You don't have to do it alone. Please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast if this episode impacted you. From my heart to yours, go out and live legendary.