Father On Purpose Podcast

Ep. 237: Feeling Alone as a Dad? Here's How to Build A Network Of Godly Counsel

Ever feel like you're carrying everything alone and you're not even sure how it got this way? Scripture is clear: wise men don't walk solo. In this episode, Kent and Lawson talk about how to surround yourself with godly counsel, why "I don't have time" is usually a smokescreen, and what's really going on underneath it (apathy, arrogance, or insecurity). You'll also get a simple, free tool you can use right away: the Iron Circle Worksheet, created with our partners at Man in the Mirror. It helps you identify the growth areas you actually need help with, then connect those needs to real men who can sharpen you. If you want 2026 to look different, this is a great place to start: build your circle, get wisdom, and stop trying to do life alone.   Download the Iron Circle Worksheet TODAY: https://manhoodjourney.org/iron-circle Learn more about our new partners here: https://maninthemirror.org/   Here are some of our favorite episodes that hit on the same themes of community and walking through life surrounded by godly counsel: Episode 214: https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/whose-shoulders-are-you-standing-on/ Episode 188: https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/building-stronger-relationships/ Episode 162: https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/sharing-a-piece-of-yourself-with-others/   We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/X0dZgWc37aU   -----------------------------------------------------------------------   Range Leather: Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15 Grab some fresh beans! https://rangecoffee.com/   Fatherhood Guard – Connect with dads from over 20 states and at least 2 countries by joining the Fatherhood Guard. Grab your welcome hat at https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/     Buy Kent's latest book: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon   Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools   Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: info@manhoodjourney.org   -------------------------------------------------------------------------   About our hosts: Kent Evans is the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After a twenty-year career as a business leader, he embarked on biblical Fatherhood ministry projects. He's appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.   Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.

Ep. 236: God Directed Our Steps – Lessons for Dads Looking Back on 2025

Are you heading into 2026 feeling like you're supposed to have a big New Year's resolution, yet something about that whole system feels off?   In this episode, Kent and Lawson do something different. They "interview" each other about 2025 and talk honestly about what God taught them, where life was hard, and where God showed up with unexpected strength, healing, provision, and joy. You'll hear stories about 30-year anniversaries, job changes, parenting kids in different seasons, weddings, health scares, and the kind of perspective shift that happens when you stop and remember what God has already done.   This conversation is also a simple template you can use with a brother, a friend, your dad, or your adult son. Sit down, trade notes, and look for God's fingerprints on the year you just lived. As you start a new year, remember this: you're not going to become the dad your family needs by accident. Let's walk into 2026 with gratitude, wisdom, and purpose.   Learn more about our new partners here: https://maninthemirror.org/ Download the Iron Circle worksheet here: https://manhoodjourney.org/iron-circle/   We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QooqOzaa4xs   -----------------------------------------------------------------------   Range Leather: Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15 Grab some fresh beans! https://rangecoffee.com/   Fatherhood Guard – Connect with dads from over 20 states and at least 2 countries by joining the Fatherhood Guard. Grab your welcome hat at https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/     Buy Kent's latest book: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon   Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools   Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: info@manhoodjourney.org   -------------------------------------------------------------------------   About our hosts: Kent Evans is the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After a twenty-year career as a business leader, he embarked on biblical Fatherhood ministry projects. He's appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.   Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.

Ep. 235: Don't Walk Alone This Christmas

What if one five-minute message could strengthen another man's faith, marriage, and fatherhood? In this unique and unexpected episode of Father On Purpose, Lawson steps out solo (kind of...) to share a heartfelt encouragement rooted in Scripture, brotherhood, and years of walking alongside Kent Evans. You'll also get some behind the scenes experience from producer Alex, Kent's oldest son. If you learn one thing from this episode, we hope it's this: no dad is meant to do life alone. God gave us the gift of community to sharpen, steady, and strengthen us. This episode also serves as a special thank you to Kent Evans, co-founder of Manhood Journey and the mind behind Father On Purpose. From Lawson, Alex, and the countless dads whose lives have been changed by Kent, we are truly grateful.   Lawson introduces the idea of an "Iron Circle," a small group of men who walk with you through fatherhood, marriage, and faith. Drawing from Proverbs 27:17, Ecclesiastes 4, and 1 Thessalonians 5, he challenges dads to intentionally encourage the men God has placed in their lives, not someday, but now.   You'll hear why encouragement is not optional for Christian men, how Kent's obedience helped shape Manhood Journey, and why Scripture, not personality, must always be the foundation of biblical fatherhood. If you've ever felt isolated as a dad, this episode is for you. You are not meant to father alone, so go hunt for community that helps you on your journey of becoming a Father On Purpose. Merry Christmas from Kent, Lawson, and Alex!   Learn more about the Iron Circle here: https://manhoodjourney.org/iron-circle/   Become an Anger Free Dad today: https://manhoodjourney.org/anger-free-dad/   We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/P0jtKZaIZPM   -----------------------------------------------------------------------   Range Leather: Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15 Grab some fresh beans! https://rangecoffee.com/   Fatherhood Guard – Connect with dads from over 20 states and at least 2 countries by joining the Fatherhood Guard. Grab your welcome hat at https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/     Buy Kent's latest book: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon   Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools   Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: info@manhoodjourney.org   -------------------------------------------------------------------------   About our hosts: Kent Evans is the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After a twenty-year career as a business leader, he embarked on biblical Fatherhood ministry projects. He's appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky.   Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.  

Ep. 234: When the Credits Roll - How to Start Better Conversations With Your Kids

What if family movie night could do more than kill time? Today, Kent and Lawson try something brand new: a simple plan for hosting a Christmas movie night that ends with a meaningful conversation, not everyone sprinting to bed. They use It's a Wonderful Life as the example, then show you how to do the same thing with any movie that fits your family. You'll hear how to pull out character lessons from George Bailey, Mary, and even the villain, Mr. Potter, plus how to tailor questions for an 8-year-old, a teenager, or a college kid home for break. Grab the free discussion guide below, use it to tee up the night, and turn a familiar tradition into a discipleship moment. You are not a father on accident, so go be a Father On Purpose.   Download the Family Discussion Guide here: https://bit.ly/movie-discussion-guide   We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_gYbkISx0hY   -----------------------------------------------------------------------   Range Leather: Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15 Grab some fresh beans! https://rangecoffee.com/   Fatherhood Guard – Connect with dads from over 20 states and at least 2 countries by joining the Fatherhood Guard. Grab your welcome hat at https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/     Buy Kent's latest book: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon   Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools   Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: info@manhoodjourney.org   -------------------------------------------------------------------------   About our hosts: Kent Evans is the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After a twenty-year career as a business leader, he embarked on biblical Fatherhood ministry projects. He's appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.

Ep. 233: How to Ask Questions That Draw Out Your Child's Heart

Ever walk away from a conversation and realize you did almost all the talking…again? As dads, we often think our "advice" is what will change our kids, when in reality, it might just be the questions we ask...or don't ask. In this episode, Kent and Lawson unpack why some men dominate every conversation, why others never ask anything deeper than small talk, and why a humble, curious dad is a great listener instead of a constant lecturer.   Kent tells the story of a simple question that completely disarmed him: "What kind of tension does that cause for you?" That one line forced him to search his own heart, not just react with an opinion. From there, the guys walk through why Jesus asked so many questions, how Proverbs 20:5 paints your child's heart like deep water, and what it looks like to draw it out instead of just "fixing" everything with quick advice.   You'll hear super practical examples of questions you can use this week with your kids, your wife, and even that talkative uncle at Christmas. Things like, "What was that like for you?", "Could you explain that to me a bit more?", and "What about that excites you or concerns you?" Plus, Kent shares his "clay on the wheel" analogy for shaping a conversation with your child using their words and their goals, not just yours.   If you've ever wondered why your kids don't open up, or you want to be a dad who talks less and understands more, this episode will help you step into holiday gatherings—and everyday moments at home—with a heart that is both curious and humble.   We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nktheEfq93o   -----------------------------------------------------------------------   Range Leather: Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15 Grab some fresh beans! https://rangecoffee.com/   Fatherhood Guard – Connect with dads from over 20 states and at least 2 countries by joining the Fatherhood Guard. Grab your welcome hat at https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/     Buy Kent's latest book: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon   Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools   Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: info@manhoodjourney.org   -------------------------------------------------------------------------   About our hosts: Kent Evans is the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After a twenty-year career as a business leader, he embarked on biblical Fatherhood ministry projects. He's appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.