Fathering Our Future

Your kids may trust you completely when they are little, but will they still trust you when they grow up?In this episode, I talk about a simple moment with my youngest daughter that hit me hard. She was tired, I picked her up, and she completely relaxed in my arms. In that moment, I realized I was a safe harbor for her. But I do not want to only be that while my kids are young. I want to remain a safe place as they grow, ask harder questions, face real struggles, and need a father they can trust.This episode is a direct challenge for Christian fathers to become more stable, present, disciplined, and spiritually grounded. I talk about guarding your heart, stepping back from social media, getting outside, working with your hands, and building simple routines that reflect what matters most.In this episode you will learnWhy your children need you to be emotionally and spiritually safe.How social media can quietly steal your presence at home.Why guarding your heart matters for biblical fatherhood.How simple routines help dads lead with consistency.Why integrity, discipline, and faithfulness build long-term trust with your children.If you want your kids to keep running to you as they grow older, this episode will help you think honestly about the kind of father you are becoming.

As fathers, we cannot rely on a "been there, done that" mindset. Our children are growing up in a world shaped by smartphones, artificial intelligence, and cultural changes that many of us never experienced. If we want to lead our families well, we must keep learning.In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tim Elmore, author, and leadership and generational expert, for one of the most insightful conversations I have ever had about fatherhood. We discuss how dads can better understand Gen Z and Gen Alpha, adapt their parenting without compromising biblical values, and build strong relationships that last into adulthood.In this episode you will learn:• Why great fathers are both timely and timeless• How to ask, listen, empathize, and guide your children• The three personality types of children and how to lead each one• Why dads should risk more, rescue less, and praise wisely• Five experiences that help children grow into mature adults• How to connect with your children so they still want to call you years from nowIf you want practical fatherhood advice rooted in biblical parenting and real-world wisdom, this is an episode you will want to revisit again and again.Check out Tim's newest book, The Future Begins with Z. https://amzn.to/4wwuxsR (Amazon)

Why don’t my kids listen? If you’ve ever asked that question as a dad, you’re not alone. Every father reaches a point where he wonders how to get his kids to listen, obey, and follow direction without constant frustration.In this episode, I break down what actually works when it comes to getting your kids to listen. This is not about yelling louder or repeating yourself more. It is about learning how to lead your children in a way that builds trust, respect, and long-term obedience.I walk through the two things that make the biggest difference in Christian fatherhood: modeling the behavior you expect and having the patience to teach it over time.In this episode you will learnHow to get your kids to listen without yellingWhy children follow your actions more than your wordsThe mistake many dads make when trying to disciplineHow to lead your home with patience and consistencyBiblical principles for raising obedient and respectful childrenIf you want to grow as a father, strengthen your relationship with your kids, and lead your family well, this episode will give you practical fatherhood advice you can start using today.

Many fathers want to help their children succeed, but sometimes our help can quietly become control. If we are not careful, we can do so much for our kids that we never teach them how to do things for themselves.In this episode, I talk about why healthy fatherhood includes preparing our children for independence. I share how dads can raise capable, confident kids by giving them responsibility, teaching practical life skills, and allowing them to grow through mistakes. From cooking in the kitchen to packing lunches to handling chores, small daily moments can become powerful discipleship opportunities.As Christian fathers, our goal is not to create children who always depend on us. Our goal is to raise children who can walk with wisdom, responsibility, and faith long after they leave our home. This is biblical parenting that builds strength, maturity, and confidence.Items mentioned in the podcast that help you empower your child’s autonomy:Kitchen Knife Set for Kids - https://amzn.to/4vAEfdj (Amazon)Clothes Folding Board - https://amzn.to/3ODK20K (Amazon)

When it comes to being a great husband, there are a few days we need to remember: her birthday, Valentine’s Day, your wedding anniversary, and of course, Mother’s Day.I grew up watching my dad spend lots of money on purses, perfumes, and other luxuries for my mom on Mother’s Day, while simply sharing the credit with me and my sister. That’s what I thought I was supposed to do… until I cracked the code.Mother’s Day will be here sooner than you realize, and I want you to be ready. This week, I’m sharing the formula for giving your wife the perfect Mother’s Day gift every year. I’ll keep it simple and walk you through exactly what I did last year with my three oldest kids, who were between 4 and 8 years old.Being a great dad is tied to being a great husband. Now you’ll be able to show your kids just how much their mom means to you by working together with them to give her the perfect Mother’s Day gift.

If our kids don’t take our words seriously, it’s not because they’re stubborn. It’s because something is broken in how we communicate as dads.In this episode, I talk about what it really means to be a father of your word. Not just saying the right things, but actually following through in a way that builds trust, respect, and strong relationships with your children. I walk through a real story with my son and how one simple opportunity revealed a powerful lesson about discipline, consistency, and grace.Too many dads either enforce rules without compassion or offer grace without structure. Neither works. Your kids need both.In this episode you will learn:How to enforce discipline without damaging your relationshipWhat it looks like to include a “window of grace” in parentingWhy consistency matters more than intensity in disciplineIf you want to lead your family well, you must value your words. This episode will challenge you to slow down, think before you speak, and become the kind of dad your kids can trust.

Every dad would say, "I would die for my kid."It sounds powerful. It sounds noble. And in many ways it is true. Most dads would step in front of danger without hesitation.But what about the everyday moments?The challenge is not simply being willing to die for our kids in one dramatic moment. The real challenge is choosing to live for them every single day.In this episode you will learn:• The difference between dying for your kids and living for them• Why personal success alone does not automatically benefit your children• How intentional sacrifice builds generational impact• What it truly means to give yourself for your childrenIf you are ready to live for your kids, take a good step forward and get a copy of Following Our Father: https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/digital-devotional-following-our-fa

Most dads want to be a good dad. But what if that’s the wrong goal?In this episode, I challenge one of the most common and most misleading pursuits in fatherhood. Because being a “good dad” isn’t determined by how much we provide, how hard we work, or how many things we do right.It’s determined by our relationship with our child.Using biblical insight and real-life fatherhood perspective, we unpack:Why “good dad” is a status you don’t get to assign yourselfThe danger of doing all the right things while missing what your kids actually needHow provision, protection, and presence can still fall shortYou can give your kids the world, but if they needed your shoulder and didn’t get it, you missed the point.This conversation will challenge you to stop chasing fatherhood checklists and start building the kind of relationship your kids will one day thank God for.If you are ready to be the dad your kid needs you to be and the dad God has created you to be, grab a copy of Following Our Father today: 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/

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

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 boundariesIf you’re tired of drifting, tired of hiding, tired of “white-knuckling” it, this episode is for you.Connect with Tom:www.Tom-Lyman.comInstagram: @TomTheJoyHourGuy—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-faGet 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

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.—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

Most New Year resolutions fail because we start with the wrong definition of success.As Christian dads, we are quick to set goals, chase improvement, and measure progress by outcomes we never stopped to question. But before we decide what to pursue in 2026, we need to ask a better question:What does excellence actually look like from God’s perspective?In this episode, I walk through what it means to approach resolutions as a disciple first, not as a man driven by comparison, envy, or cultural pressure. Drawing from Joshua 1:8 and Deuteronomy 6, I challenge dads to rethink success, commit to Scripture, and lead their families with intentional faith rather than unchecked ambition.If you want to grow as a disciple, lead your home with clarity, and pursue the kind of excellence God actually calls us to, this conversation will give you a clear starting point for the year ahead.Faith Resolutions for Christian Dads in 2026:• Commit to reading the Bible from Genesis to Revelation• Talk weekly with another man about what you are reading• Read Scripture or a Bible-based devotional with your children most days of the weekResources mentions:Tiny Truths - https://amzn.to/4iUZYqa (amazon)God's Big Picture Bible Storybook - https://amzn.to/4oYvN2O (amazon)–Get your FREE 7-day devotional to realign your identity as a dad:https://fatheringourfuture.com/2025/03/22/free-7-day-devotional/Get your free eBook, Cut the Crap: Direct Tips for Becoming a Dad:https://fatheringourfuture.com/2024/08/04/free-download-for-new-dads/Get your copy of Following Our Father: A Devotional for Dads on Amazon:https://amzn.to/48jD9sHSupport Fathering Our Future and help equip dads who want to lead well:https://fathering-our-future.kit.com/products/anthony-vandagriff