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Why are you a father?
Why should you show up when it’s hard?
Why does being a dad actually matter?

In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Paul Wandrey of the Why Dad Podcast to unpack the question most men never slow down enough to answer.

We talk about grief, miscarriage, losing a child, emotional exhaustion, anger, therapy, and the pressure to be the “strong oak” for your family. But what if real strength isn’t about being unbreakable?

This episode dives into:

• How loss reshapes a man’s identity as a father
• The myth of emotional stoicism in men
• Processing grief without shutting down
• Holding boundaries without losing connection
• How to redefine strength as a husband and dad
• Why defining your “why” changes everything

If you’ve ever felt tired, frustrated, disconnected, or unsure how to lead your family well… this one is for you.

Stronger. Mindful. Present.

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00:00 Becoming a Dad: The Steeper Learning Curve & the Big “Why?”

00:37 Welcome to The Daughter Podcast + Meet Paul

01:48 What “Why Dad?” Really Means (Kids’ Questions, Future Fathers, Showing Up)

04:10 Intentional Fatherhood & Paul’s Co-Host Perspective (Before You Have Kids)

06:07 Sponsor Break: People Will Hunt

06:53 Paul’s Origin Story: 1 of 9, Military/Catholic Upbringing, Seminary Years

08:43 Loss, Grief, and Fatherhood Tested: Miscarriage & Isla’s 22-Week Birth

12:38 Turning Pain Into Purpose: Becoming the Best Dad + Starting a Podcast

14:47 Processing Miscarriage as a Couple: Dad vs. Mom Experience

23:21 Honoring Amelia: Naming, Art, and Learning How to Support Sarah

26:55 The “newborn smell” & instant bonding as a dad

29:32 Racing to the hospital: unexpected labor at 22 weeks

31:02 In the OR: helplessness, waiting, and Isla’s final moments

33:31 After the loss: choosing to heal together (not break apart)

35:47 Redefining strength for dads: grief, pressure, and leading as one

41:01 Tools that helped: therapy, anger triggers, and parenting with empathy

46:48 Modeling growth (not perfection) + the host’s own dad journey

52:47 Looking 50 years ahead: health, presence, and lasting connection

56:16 Advice to dads in grief: find your “why” and keep recentering

58:42 Where to find Why Dad + final thanks, subscribe, and newsletter outro

Guest Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of the guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, any organizations, companies, or institutions mentioned, or corporate entities represented by the host.

Our aim is to provide a platform for diverse perspectives and open dialogue. While we strive for accuracy and balance, it's important to recognize that opinions may vary. We encourage critical thinking and further expl

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Want to be a guest on The DAUGHTERED Podcast? Want to collaborate? Send Oscar Pena a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/daughteredpodcast

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What if the most powerful influence on your daughter’s future isn’t what you tell her — but how you show up when life gets stressful?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Lindsay Emmerson, a psychologist and parent coach, to break down the science behind how children actually learn from their parents — and why modeling matters more than lectures.

We explore:

• The difference between reactive vs intentional parenting
• Why “being strict” can create compliance without character
• The parenting style research that leads to the healthiest long-term outcomes
• A practical 3-step triage plan for handling discipline moments without damaging connection
• How fathers can hold high standards while still building emotional safety

This is not theory or gentle parenting trends.
It’s psychology-backed, real-world guidance for dads who want to lead with strength, clarity, and presence.

If you’ve ever walked away from a moment with your daughter thinking “that’s not how I wanted to handle that” — this conversation is for you.

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00:00 Introduction: The Impact of Fathers on Daughters

01:05 Welcome to the Daughter Podcast

01:42 Meet Dr. Lindsey Emerson

03:15 Parenting as a Learned Skill

06:38 The Five Cs Parenting Framework

11:11 The Importance of Authoritative Parenting

32:58 The Role of Consistency and Communication

36:18 Establishing Consequences

36:47 The Importance of Authoritative Parenting

37:42 The Five C's of Parenting

38:47 Intentional Parenting and Self-Check

40:55 Introducing the Three-Step Triage Plan

41:31 Step One: Respond, Don't React

45:49 Step Two: Teach, Don't Punish

57:08 Step Three: Monitor and Reinforce

01:02:10 Final Thoughts and Resources

Guest Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of the guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, any organizations, companies, or institutions mentioned, or corporate entities represented by the host.

Our aim is to provide a platform for diverse perspectives and open dialogue. While we strive for accuracy and balance, it's important to recognize that opinions may vary. We encourage critical thinking and further exploration of the topics discussed.

Support the show

Catch up w/ The Daughtered Podcast

Oscar on Instagram

Few Will Hunt. 10% OFF use GIRLDAD

Want to be a guest on The DAUGHTERED Podcast? Want to collaborate? Send Oscar Pena a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/daughteredpodcast

Send us a text

Season 3 of The Daughtered Podcast is here—and it goes deeper than ever.

This season isn’t about how to raise strong daughters.
It’s about how raising daughters shapes stronger, more mindful, more present men.

In this short solo episode, host Oscar Peña—father of three daughters—shares what’s ahead in Season 3, including weekly conversations with psychologists, educators, endurance athletes, and fathers who are doing the real work of growth at home.

This season explores presence over provision, emotional regulation, humility, leadership in the home, and the quiet work of becoming the man your daughters need you to be.

New episodes drop weekly.
This is an invitation to slow down, reflect, and grow—together.

Support the show

Catch up w/ The Daughtered Podcast

Oscar on Instagram

Few Will Hunt. 10% OFF use GIRLDAD

Want to be a guest on The DAUGHTERED Podcast? Want to collaborate? Send Oscar Pena a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/daughteredpodcast