Paul Kix built a career telling powerful human stories—from ESPN to bestselling books. But becoming a father pushed him to rewrite the narrative of masculinity itself. In this conversation, Paul shares what he’s learned about raising boys to be strong and gentle, confident and vulnerable. We go deep on identity, authenticity, inner courage, and why sometimes the bravest thing a dad can do is admit he doesn’t have all the answers.

Key Takeaways / Topics Covered

• Masculinity must include kindness, empathy, and emotional presence, not just strength.
• Modeling repair, not perfection — kids learn by watching how we handle mistakes.
• Vulnerability is true tensile strength — like bridges built to flex without breaking.
• Therapy, reflection, and emotional self-awareness are part of modern fatherhood.
• Raising biracial sons means helping them define identity from the inside out, not from labels society imposes.
• Saying no to broken systems (raffles, rewards, status pressure) teaches kids integrity and independence.
• Authentic storytelling builds connection — peers relate more to flaws than achievements.
• Reinvention is possible — pivot your skillset instead of clinging to dying industries.
• Courage = pushing past fear while staying grounded through reflection and spiritual guidance.

Pull Quotes

Timestamps / Chapter Markers

• 00:22 Official Introduction (Introducing Paul Kix, journalist and author)
• 00:54 Storytelling and the Narrative of Fatherhood (Holistic masculinity, kindness, and modeling repair)
• 02:44 Pivoting to Partner: A Wife's Need
• 04:20 From Farmer to Modern Man (Embracing therapy and vulnerability)
• 07:51 The Tensile Strength of Bridges (Flexibility vs. brittle tension)
• 11:21 Performative vs. Quiet Confidence (The ultimate flex: Barry Sanders)
• 14:55 Reinventing Career After Corporate Media (Starting the newsletter/digital course)
• 20:29 Staring Down Fear and Catastrophizing (The path to true self)
• 24:05 The Power of Authenticity and Chronicling Flaws (Finding "the gripe")
• 28:34 Raising Biracial Sons (Identity, the "one-drop rule," and the shift in discourse)
• 35:36 The School Fundraiser Dilemma (Principled stand vs. bullying)
• 38:57 Similar Stand in Little League (Questioning the raffle)
• 44:36 The Decision: Legoland and Life Lessons (Minimizing hardship)
• 46:58 Kids Absorb What You Do (Henson quote)
• 47:51 One Principle for Raising Men (The Kingdom of God is within you)
• 52:43 Closing Remarks

Supporting Content

• You Have to Be Prepared to Die Before You Can Begin to Live https://www.paul-kix.com/books
• The Saboteur https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/533685/the-saboteur-by-paul-kix

Paul’s Storytelling Newsletter (highly praised in the episode!) https://paulkix.substack.com/

Storytelling Course: Storytelling You https://www.paul-kix.com/storytelling-you

https://www.storytellingyoukickstarter.com/

Other references

• Brooklyn Bridge tensile strength metaphor (via therapist)
• Ralph Waldo Emerson on purpose & self-trust
• Luke 17: “The kingdom of God is within you”