The Dad Edge Podcast

In this Christmas Eve solo episode, I shift gears from our recent focus on online safety and talk about one of the most common—and painful—issues I see in long-term marriages: roommate syndrome. That quiet drift where intimacy fades, connection feels awkward, and marriage starts to feel more like co-parenting logistics than a romantic partnership. If you've ever laid in bed next to your wife feeling disconnected, unwanted, or unsure how things got this way, this episode is for you.   I share my own experience falling into roommate syndrome after years of marriage, kids, exhaustion, and unmet expectations. We talk about resentment, covert contracts, why nagging is often a cry for connection, and how most men were never taught how attraction actually works in marriage. I also explain why marriage—like jiu-jitsu or any skill—requires training, intentional effort, and doing what most men aren't willing to do if you want a relationship that's truly on fire.     Timeline Summary: [0:00] What roommate syndrome feels like when intimacy has faded. [1:39] Why so many marriages slowly slip into "friend zone" dynamics. [2:02] The statistic that 57% of married couples experience this season. [2:28] How resentment, logistics, and exhaustion kill connection. [3:07] Closing out the online safety series and shifting topics. [3:50] Why Larry chose to release this episode on Christmas Eve. [4:26] Introducing roommate syndrome as a core marriage issue. [5:03] Larry's 22-year marriage and personal experience with disconnection. [6:17] How kids, work, and busyness slowly erode intimacy. [6:53] When sex starts to feel transactional or obligatory. [7:13] Why "nagging" is often a bid for attention and being seen. [7:33] Sitting on opposite ends of the couch scrolling instead of connecting. [7:56] Covert contracts and resentment in marriage. [8:17] Why solving instead of listening makes wives feel unseen. [8:56] Awkward date nights and avoiding real conversations about intimacy. [9:18] A client story that began with signed divorce papers. [9:41] How real change happens when a man does the work. [10:15] Why becoming the man you're meant to be changes everything. [10:57] Marriage requires training just like work or martial arts. [11:14] Understanding attraction and speaking the right "currency" in marriage. [11:51] Loving your spouse the way they receive love. [12:11] Introducing the Roommates to Soulmates live course. [12:56] Creating confidence, attraction, and intimacy without neediness. [13:17] Why uncommon marriages require uncommon effort. [13:38] The reality that only 10–12% of marriages feel "on fire." [14:03] Rejecting the belief that passion naturally dies over time. [14:32] Marriage as a skill set that can be learned and mastered. [15:05] Course details, limited spots, and next steps. [15:25] Christmas message and encouragement to live legendary.     Five Key Takeaways: Roommate syndrome doesn't happen overnight—it's the result of neglecting connection, intimacy, and intentional effort.  Resentment grows when expectations go unspoken and needs are assumed instead of communicated.  Attraction in marriage is a learned skill, not something that automatically sustains itself over time.  Men must lead attraction with confidence, not needy or transactional energy.  Exceptional marriages are uncommon because they require uncommon effort, training, and intentional action.      Links & Resources: Roommates to Soulmates Course: https://thedadedge.com/soulmates 1st Phorm (Dad Edge Partner): https://1stphorm.com/dadedge Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1418     Closing Remark   If this episode hit home and reminded you that marriage doesn't have to settle into mediocrity, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. You weren't meant to be roommates—you were meant to build a marriage on fire. From my heart to yours, have a Merry Christmas and continue to live legendary.

In today's episode, I sit down with Brent Gleeson, former Navy SEAL, combat veteran, entrepreneur, leadership expert, and author of his newest book All In. But this conversation isn't about résumés or accolades. It's about grief, discipline, marriage, fatherhood, and the systems that allow a man to truly live "all in" where it matters most.   Brent opens up about losing his father unexpectedly in 2023—a moment that forced deep reflection and radical change. We talk about the three pillars his dad lived by, how eliminating alcohol completely transformed Brent's marriage and leadership, and why discipline isn't about doing more—but about saying no to the wrong things. This episode is a masterclass in systems, habits, and intentional living for men who want to lead their families with clarity and conviction.     Timeline Summary: [0:00] Introducing Brent Gleeson and why this conversation goes far beyond achievements. [2:09] Losing his father in 2023 and the three pillars that shaped Brent's life. [2:57] How discipline is modeled—not preached. [3:28] Why saying yes to everything means saying no to the right things. [5:11] Family, work, and fitness as non-negotiable pillars. [8:05] The economic pressure and personal stress leading into 2023. [10:33] Being present for his father's final moments and the impact of that loss. [13:28] Going "all in" after grief and eliminating alcohol completely. [15:03] Why alcohol was no longer serving his marriage, health, or leadership. [17:21] How quitting drinking changed Brent's temperament, joy, and presence. [20:03] Larry shares his own experience stepping away from alcohol. [23:00] The cue–routine–reward framework for breaking habits. [28:39] Introducing Brent's "Remarkable Results Pyramid." [30:37] Why marriage must come first in the family system. [33:18] Committing to growth by intentionally cringing at who you were six months ago. [36:05] Why kids are always watching how parents treat each other. [39:30] Brent's 20–20–20 morning routine and disciplined evening habits. [41:25] Preparing daily to show up better as a husband, father, and leader. [46:03] Adjusting routines without abandoning discipline. [50:43] Why overscheduling kids destroys family balance. [54:27] Saying no to excessive activities and rejecting comparison parenting.     Five Key Takeaways   Discipline is about alignment, not intensity. What you say no to matters just as much as what you say yes to.  Grief can be a catalyst for clarity. Losing his father forced Brent to re-evaluate habits, priorities, and presence.  Eliminating alcohol radically improved marriage and leadership. Removing numbing behaviors created more joy, patience, and connection.  Systems create results. Whether in business, marriage, or parenting, outcomes come from well-designed systems—not willpower.  Marriage must come first. When the relationship between mom and dad is prioritized, the rest of the family system functions better.      Links & Resources Brent Gleeson's Book — https://a.co/d/7DOrJPE Dad Edge Soulmates Program: https://thedadedge.com/soulmates 1st Phorm (Dad Edge Partner): https://1stphorm.com/dadedge Episode Show Notes & Resources: http://thedadedge.com/1419 Bark Monitoring for Families: https://thedadedge.com/bark   Closing Remark If this episode challenged you to rethink discipline, habits, or what it really means to go all in as a husband and father, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Your support helps us reach more men who are ready to lead with intention instead of drift.

What if the real scoreboard for fatherhood isn't your bank account, your job title, or your kids' trophies—but how much your adult kids actually want to spend time with you? In this deeply moving conversation, I sit down with Tim Campbell, an 82-year-old father, author, and living example of what long-term connection and trust with your kids can look like—even after a lifetime of hardship.   Tim shares his journey of being married for 50 years, raising three children—two with significant disabilities—and navigating medical crises, bullying, fear, and exhaustion that would have broken most families. We talk about growing up with a Marine father who lacked emotional tools, the moment Tim realized he had become the dad he swore he'd never be, and how he rebuilt trust one moment at a time. This episode is a masterclass in breaking generational patterns, showing up authentically, and understanding why trust is the real gold in fatherhood.     Timeline Summary: [0:00] Rethinking the true scoreboard of fatherhood and legacy. [1:20] Introducing Tim Campbell and his 50-year marriage. [2:19] Raising three kids, two with significant disabilities, and surviving medical crises. [3:09] Why trust and connection are the biggest themes of Tim's fatherhood journey. [3:29] Growing up with a Marine father and limited emotional connection. [4:16] How crisis can either weld a marriage together or tear it apart. [4:41] Tim introduces his book Holding Up the Sky. [5:02] Writing a healing, imaginary conversation with his late father. [7:00] How trauma early in marriage revealed character and long-term strength. [8:25] Learning you don't have to win every argument to win the long game. [12:23] Vowing to break generational patterns from his own childhood. [14:09] Wanting to be a better dad—but not knowing how at first. [16:24] Realizing fear turned him into the father he never wanted to be. [17:11] A breaking-point moment that forced real change. [18:19] Why leveling with your kids builds trust during hard moments. [18:52] Learning from the next generation, not just the previous one. [21:17] Larry shares his own parenting experience with a child with disabilities. [22:44] A bullying moment involving Tim's son and how he responded. [23:45] "Trust is the real gold" and how it compounds over time. [24:41] Parenting adult children with disabilities and letting go. [26:23] Knowing you did fatherhood right when adult kids still want connection. [28:16] Revisiting the final chapter of Holding Up the Sky. [30:58] Imagining his father's response and finding peace. [33:06] Authenticity, masks, and being human with your kids. [36:01] Why sharing your own childhood stories builds instant connection. [37:13] Where to find Tim, his book, and additional resources.     Five Key Takeaways Trust is the real currency of fatherhood. It opens the door to love, communication, and long-term connection.  Crisis reveals character. Hard seasons can either fracture a family or weld it together depending on how we show up.  Fear can turn us into the parent we swore we'd never be if we don't consciously course-correct.  Getting down to your child's level—literally and emotionally—builds safety and trust.  Adult children choosing to stay connected is the truest measure of success.      Links & Resources Tim Campbell's Book — Holding Up the Sky: https://holdingupthesky.net Tim Campbell Website: https://timcampbellodysseys.net Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1416 Bark Monitoring for Families: https://thedadedge.com/bark   Closing Remark If this episode reminded you what really matters in fatherhood, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. And remember—titles fade, money comes and goes, but trust with your kids is the gold that lasts a lifetime.

In this deeply emotional solo episode, I continue our December series focused on protecting kids from online predators. I walk you through two real and devastating cases that show exactly how grooming, sextortion, and long-term digital harassment happen—often without parents having any idea it's occurring. These aren't edge cases. This is the reality of the digital world our kids are growing up in.   We break down a Roblox grooming case involving an eight-year-old girl, how predators slowly build trust and move conversations to private apps, and why platform bans don't actually stop them. I also share the heartbreaking story of Amanda Todd, a seventh grader who was hunted online for years by a predator who weaponized images, social media, and bullying across schools and borders. This episode is hard to listen to—but necessary—because awareness is the first step in protecting our kids.     Timeline Summary: [0:00] Why online grooming often goes unnoticed until it's too late. [1:48] How predators now access kids directly in their bedrooms through devices. [2:46] Why this generation of parents is navigating entirely new digital dangers. [3:52] Parenting the first generation of kids growing up fully online. [4:20] Introducing a real Roblox grooming case involving an eight-year-old girl. [5:24] How predators use in-game chat and "helping" to gain trust. [6:18] The move from public game chat to private apps like WhatsApp. [6:44] Grooming tactics that feel like friendship to kids. [7:09] How exploitation and sextortion begin once trust is built. [8:07] Why platform bans don't stop predators from returning. [9:06] Key lessons parents must understand about Roblox and open chat systems. [10:06] Larry shares a personal experience with a suspicious "wrong number" text. [11:54] Why text messages and private apps are also major risk areas. [12:25] Introducing the Amanda Todd case from British Columbia. [12:52] How sextortion followed Amanda across schools and years. [13:58] Why Amanda wasn't bullied—she was hunted. [14:27] The mental health toll of long-term digital harassment. [15:18] Amanda's nine-minute YouTube video explaining her story. [15:49] Arrest, conviction, and sentencing of her predator years later. [16:41] Why one image can give predators long-term control. [17:39] How predators weaponize anonymity, time, and technology. [18:38] Why Bark has helped Larry catch issues proactively for seven years. [19:26] How parents can honor victims by protecting their own kids. [20:11] Final call to action to monitor devices and stay engaged.     Five Key Takeaways Online grooming happens slowly and quietly, often disguised as friendship and "help" inside games like Roblox.  Predators almost always move kids from public chats to private apps, where there is no moderation or logging.  One image is all a predator needs to control, extort, and emotionally destroy a child over time.  Platform bans do not protect kids, because predators can create new accounts in minutes.  Parental awareness and monitoring can change outcomes, and proactive conversations can prevent lifelong trauma.      Links & Resources Bark Monitoring for Families: https://thedadedge.com/bark Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1415 Mentioned Link: https://www.amandatoddlegacy.org/aydin-coban.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com   Closing Remark These stories are hard—but they matter. The best way we can honor kids who've been hurt or lost is by protecting our own. Please rate, review, follow, and share this episode, and most importantly, stay involved in your kids' digital lives. From my heart to yours—let's do better.

What if the most dangerous addiction in the world isn't drugs, alcohol, or gambling—but revenge? In this eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Dr. James Kimmel Jr., Yale School of Medicine researcher, attorney, and author of The Science of Revenge, to unpack what actually happens in our brains when we feel wronged, humiliated, or disrespected.   Dr. Kimmel breaks down the neuroscience behind revenge, why it lights up the brain the same way cocaine does, and how seeking retaliation gives us a temporary dopamine hit that ultimately leaves us worse off. We talk about anger, forgiveness, sibling rivalry, marriage conflict, parenting mistakes, and why forgiveness isn't weakness—it's one of the most powerful tools we have to reclaim peace, leadership, and self-control as men and fathers.     Timeline Summary    [0:00] Why revenge may be the most dangerous addiction in the world. [2:10] Introducing Dr. James Kimmel Jr. and his research on revenge and forgiveness. [3:02] How revenge activates the same brain circuitry as drugs like cocaine. [4:38] Dr. Kimmel's background as both a lawyer and Yale researcher. [6:33] Marriage, faith, and building a family with shared purpose over 37 years. [9:12] Advice on long-term marriage and selecting the right partner early. [13:23] Why revenge seeking escalates conflict in families and relationships. [16:17] Defining revenge as an addictive, pleasure-seeking process. [17:17] How grievances activate the brain's pain and reward systems. [21:25] Why emotional pain registers as physical pain in the brain. [23:13] Dopamine, craving, and why revenge never actually satisfies. [25:32] How the prefrontal cortex gets hijacked during revenge seeking. [28:06] Revenge cycles in marriage and intimate relationships. [31:20] Losing control: when logic shuts down during retaliation. [33:27] Larry shares a real-life road rage trigger moment. [37:39] How quickly fight-or-flight turns into revenge seeking. [39:52] Why only about 20% of people become "revenge addicted." [42:16] Differences between men and women when seeking revenge. [43:28] Why revenge plots dominate movies like John Wick and The Lion King. [47:07] Sibling rivalry and how revenge shows up between brothers. [54:23] Parenting discipline vs. revenge-driven punishment. [58:25] Why forgiveness is essential for breaking the revenge cycle.     Five Key Takeaways Revenge activates the same brain circuits as drugs and gambling, making it addictive and compulsive for some people.  Emotional wounds register as real physical pain in the brain, triggering a desire to self-medicate through retaliation.  Revenge provides temporary relief but increases anger, anxiety, and depression after the dopamine fades.  Parents can unintentionally cross the line from discipline into revenge, especially when ego and shame are triggered.  Forgiveness is not weakness—it's neuroscience. It's one of the most powerful ways to reclaim control, peace, and leadership.  Links & Resources The Science of Revenge: https://bit.ly/4q1khVd Bark Monitoring for Families: https://thedadedge.com/bark Podcast Shownotes: http://thedadedge.com/1414     Closing Remark   If this episode challenged the way you think about anger, conflict, and forgiveness, please take a moment to rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Your support helps us reach more men who want to lead with intention instead of reaction.