Fatherhood changes everything, especially our expectations.

Many dads step into parenting with ambition, personal standards, and a vision for what excellence looks like, only to feel frustrated when they cannot seem to measure up once children enter the picture.

In this episode, we revisit expectations and why so many fathers quietly wrestle with feeling like they are falling short.

Looking at Luke 14 and the principle of counting the cost, we talk about what it means to see the full scope of fatherhood. This includes not only the daily responsibilities, but also the long term calling of raising and discipling children.

You will hear:

• Why unrealistic expectations create frustration
• The shift from individual success to family leadership
• How fatherhood reshapes priorities and convenience
• Why you do not have to win every daily battle
• The importance of seeing the long term vision for your children

If you have ever felt overwhelmed, behind, or inadequate as a dad, this conversation will help you reframe your expectations and lead your family with clarity and patience.

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My devotional for dads, Following Our Father, is now available in a digital format and it is only $6! https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/digital-devotional-following-our-fa

Are your kids doing things for you because they love you… or because they feel like they have to manage your emotions?

In this episode, I unpack a powerful conversation that forced me to look in the mirror as a father. Using Micah 6 as a backdrop, we explore the difference between how pagan cultures tried to appease their unstable gods versus how our Heavenly Father actually relates to His children.

Then we bring it home.

Because the real question is not theological. It is practical.

Do your kids feel safe around you… or do they feel like they have to keep you happy to keep peace in the house?

I share personal childhood stories that highlight the difference between affection and appeasement, and why that distinction matters more than most dads realize.

If you want your kids to love you out of connection, not fear, this conversation will challenge you in the best way.

NEW PRODUCT! Grow your connection with your kids through communication with Talk Time, a digital set of 50 question cards designed to spark meaningful and memorable conversation.

https://fatheringourfuture.com/talk-time/

Many parents say it without thinking: “Go to your room.”

But biblically, psychologically, and developmentally it’s a mistake.

In this episode, I explain why isolating children during discipline does more harm than good. Scripture shows us that isolation erodes identity, value, and hope. Add modern research on loneliness and child brain development, and the conclusion is unavoidable: connection, not isolation, is how kids learn, grow, and heal.

If we discipline our kids without connection, we aren’t teaching reflection, we’re teaching shame. And shame doesn’t produce wisdom; it produces withdrawal.

I am challenging a deeply ingrained parenting tactic and offering a better way. A way that more closely mirrors how our Heavenly Father disciplines us.

If you are ready to become a dad aligned with our Father in heaven, grab a copy of my devotion, Following Our Father: https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/digital-devotional-following-our-fa

I was raised to believe backtalk was disrespectful and had to be shut down immediately.

But when I started looking at Scripture, especially the psalms of lament, I realized something uncomfortable: God invites questions, frustration, and hard conversations from His children.

So why don’t we?

In this episode, I explain why silencing your kids may be damaging trust, weakening your influence, and working against real discipleship, and what to do instead.

If you’re a dad who wants strong relationships, not silent obedience, this conversation matters.

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Grab a copy of my digital devotional if you are ready to align yourself with our heavenly Father. Click here.

You’re a Christian dad. You want to teach your kids about the Bible but the Old Testament makes you uncomfortable because it can feel intense with the bloody stories, tough questions, and a God who seems “angry.” That’s ok. I’ve got you.

This episode I connect with Chad Bird, Scholar in Residence at 1517, who specializes in the Old Testament. He helps clear up some misconceptions about the Old Testament and provides guidance on how to talk about the Old Testament to our children. You’ll learn:

• The Bible is one unified salvation story
• Moralism is not the point of the Scriptures
• How to see Jesus in the Old Testament stories
• How to answer questions like, “Why does God kill so many people?”

If you want to learn more about Chad, follow him and check out some of his resources below.

Facebook: @writingsofchadbird

Instagram: @chadlbird

YouTube: @chadbird1517

https://www.1517.org/articles/is-your-sunday-school-training-good-little-pharisees

www.1517.org/oneyear

Hitchhiking with Prophets (Book): https://amzn.to/4b24YHN (Amazon)

Untamed Prayers (Book): https://amzn.to/3ZkY7C2 (Amazon)

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Get your FREE 7-day devotional download:

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2025/03/22/free-7-day-devotional/

Get your copy of my devotional for dads, Following Our Father:

https://amzn.to/45m9ldR (Amazon)

Get your free gift, a copy of Cut The Crap (E-book):

https://fatheringourfuture.com/2024/08/04/free-download-for-new-dads/

MERCH:

https://fatheringourfuture.printify.me/products

Become a financial partner with Fathering Our Future and make a direct impact on dads:

https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/anthony-vandagriff

You’re getting a double dose of boundaries this week because boundaries aren’t “nice to have,” they’re protection.

In this episode, my friend and life coach Tom Lyman, shares boundaries that helped rebuild his life after years of addiction, and how those same boundaries can help you become a stronger man, husband, and father.

Tom walks through five key areas every man needs boundaries:

• Spiritual boundaries

• Digital boundaries

• Time boundaries

• Relationship boundaries

• Emotional boundaries

If you’re tired of drifting, tired of hiding, tired of “white-knuckling” it, this episode is for you.

Connect with Tom:

www.Tom-Lyman.com

Instagram: @TomTheJoyHourGuy

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Get your FREE 7-day devotional download:https://fatheringourfuture.com/2025/03/22/free-7-day-devotional/

Get your digital copy of my devotional for dads, Following Our Father:https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/digital-devotional-following-our-fa

Get your free gift, a copy of Cut The Crap (E-book):https://fatheringourfuture.com/2024/08/04/free-download-for-new-dads/

Become a financial partner with Fathering Our Future and make a direct impact on dads:https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/anthony-vandagriff

Most dads think freedom comes from removing limits.

That mindset quietly creates dissatisfaction, broken priorities, and strained families.

In this episode of Fathering Our Future, Anthony Vandagriff explains why boundaries do not confine dads. They define what matters and protect what God has already given.

Using Proverbs 4:23, real life stories, and practical examples, this episode unpacks:

• Why chasing more without boundaries never satisfies

• How boundaries actually create freedom for dads and kids

• What fathers need to intentionally keep out and keep in

• How guarding your heart reshapes ambition, gratitude, and purpose

If you want to grow without losing your marriage, your integrity, or your relationship with your kids, this episode will reset your thinking.

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Be sure to get your copy of Following Our Father (Digital Version) for just $6 HERE.

As we head into a new year, I know how easy it is for dads to feel pressure to change everything at once. I don’t want to give you a list of resolutions. I want you to focus on one fatherhood discipline that actually matters and is worth protecting.

In this episode, I explain why prioritizing time around the table with your family is far more formative than most dads realize. Research shows that children who regularly share meals with their family tend to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially. This research also connects to a powerful biblical picture from Psalm 23 that reshaped the way I think about presence, provision, and leadership in the home.

I will talk about what it really looks like to be present at the table, how to protect that time in a busy household, and how simple, intentional moments can strengthen your relationship with your kids over time.

If you’re going to commit to one discipline as a father in 2026, this is the one that deserves your attention.

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I also have a new special offer where you can get my devotional, Following Our Father, in a digital format. Check the link for details: https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/digital-devotional-following-our-fa