Feeling overwhelmed, reactive, or constantly "on" as a dad?

It's not a discipline problem - it's a system problem. In this episode we dive into the real reasons fatherhood feels so draining and how you can regain control with small, daily habits. Learn how nervous system regulation and identity-driven routines create a ripple effect of calm, connection, and leadership in your home.

• Discover the Dad Central 10-Minute Daily System that transforms your home with intention, not intensity.
• Learn how to reset your nervous system to lead your family with calm presence.
• Get practical examples of easy habits you can start today - even with a packed schedule.

Join our free Fatherhood Fundamentals Email Course and start building habits that support the dad you want to become. Sign up here: https://dadcentral.ca/

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Power of habits in creating change
00:00:13 – Show introduction and purpose
00:00:53 – Sponsor message and subscription reminder
00:01:24 – "Small Habits, Big Change" overview
00:02:33 – Three focus areas: habits, nervous system, daily system
00:02:51 – Habit science and practical strategies
00:05:19 – Principles of sustaining habits
00:06:09 – Stress reduction rituals
00:07:35 – Nervous system regulation as leadership
00:09:49 – Regulation practices and why they matter
00:12:10 – Dad Central 10 Minute Daily System explained
00:13:36 – Connecting with family
00:14:56 – Leading the home environment
00:16:34 – Episode recap and takeaways
00:17:45 – Resources and listener questions
00:18:28 – Closing remarks

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"Dad Central is a podcast that supports fathers in navigating fatherhood, reducing stress, building confidence, managing parenting stress, and improving parenting skills, including discipline, co-parenting, custody issues, calm parenting, and effective communication with children, to foster happy children and strong parent-child relationships."

Have you ever caught yourself saying, "I'll never be like my dad" - but still find yourself reacting just like he did?

Many fathers want to break unhealthy generational patterns but end up parenting from a place of avoidance instead of purpose. This episode dives deep into why defining yourself by what you won't do can sabotage your growth, and how building a new identity is the key to real, lasting change.

• Learn the 4 hidden reasons dads fall into inherited parenting patterns even when they try not to.
• Discover why willpower alone fails and how identity-based change creates real transformation.
• Get a practical tool to help reframe your identity and become the dad your family brags about.

Listen now to discover the mindset shift that will help you break cycles and build a legacy you're proud of - starting today.

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Get our free 3-lesson fatherhood course: https://dadcentral.ca/

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Defining identity by avoidance vs. growth
00:14 – Welcome and episode overview
01:03 – Main topic: You Are Not Your Father
02:21 – Inherited patterns and challenges for dads
04:00 – Four reasons inherited patterns persist
05:14 – Intentional parenting, breaking cycles
06:23 – Pitfalls of avoidance-based identity
08:48 – Reframing: Choosing a new identity
09:03 – Habits and identity
10:05 – Stress and default patterns
11:54 – Practical identity statements
12:28 – Identity exercise example
14:16 – Recap and takeaways
15:18 – Encouragement and support
16:12 – Importance of dad community
17:34 – Closing remarks

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"Dad Central is a podcast that supports fathers in navigating fatherhood, reducing stress, building confidence, managing parenting stress, and improving parenting skills, including discipline, co-parenting, custody issues, calm parenting, and effective communication with children, to foster happy children and strong parent-child relationships."

Have you ever reacted to your kids in a way that made you think, "I swore I'd never be that dad"?

If you're entering a new year carrying guilt, frustration, or patterns from your own childhood, this episode is for you. Drew and Ed unpack why perfection is the wrong goal for fatherhood, and how intention, healing, and awareness can help you break generational cycles and show up differently for your kids.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How unhealed father wounds quietly shape your reactions as a dad
• Why triggers aren't failures, but signals pointing to growth
• Practical ways to replace reaction with intention and build new parenting patterns

Listen now to learn how to let go of last year, break unhealthy cycles, and become a more present, grounded dad - one intentional choice at a time.

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Get our free 3-lesson fatherhood course: https://dadcentral.ca/

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Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Perfection vs. Intention in Fatherhood & Show Introduction
• 00:38 – Letting Go of Last Year: Breaking Old Cycles
• 02:05 – Encouragement & Support for Dads Seeking Change
• 02:57 – Topic 1: Healing Father Wounds
• 06:39 – Reflection: What Did You Need from Your Dad?
• 08:30 – Topic 2: Understanding Your Triggers
• 11:56 – Resource Mention: Seven Steps to Stop Yelling
• 12:09 – Topic 3: Creating New Patterns
• 14:34 – The 4A's Framework for Changing Patterns
• 16:39 – Key Takeaways & Encouragement for Dads
• 17:49 – Monthly Resource: Fatherhood Fundamentals Email Course
• 18:14 – Closing Remarks & Listener Questions Invitation

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"Dad Central is a podcast that supports fathers in navigating fatherhood, reducing stress, building confidence, managing parenting stress, and improving parenting skills, including discipline, co-parenting, custody issues, calm parenting, and effective communication with children, to foster happy children and strong parent-child relationships."