Father On Purpose Podcast

Faithful. Gentle. Loving. Godly. Patient. These are the kinds of words we hope our kids would use to describe us. But if they were being totally honest, what’s the one word they'd actually write down? Would it be something we’re proud of—or something that hits a little too close to home, like angry, stressed, or even absent? In this episode, Kent and Lawson walk through a simple but eye-opening exercise that reveals how our day-to-day choices as dads shape how our kids experience us. The good news? Whatever word they might choose today, it’s doesn't have to be the final word. With time, intentionality, and God’s help, we can grow into the kind of fathers who reflect the heart of Christ in our homes. There’s no guilt trip here—just a real opportunity to reflect, reset, and grow. So whether you walk away from this conversation feeling encouraged or convicted, lean in. You are not a father on accident. So go be a father on purpose. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shop Range LeatherMJ15https://rangecoffee.com/ https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/ Don't Bench Yourself on Amazonhttp://manhoodjourney.org/sobfhttps://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools ------------------------------------------------------------------------- About our hosts: Kent EvansWise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around YouDon't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to QuitLawson Brown

Happy Father's Day! To celebrate with you, we decided to compile a "best of" podcast episode from this past year. This will give you something to do on this special day, since you definitely don't have anything better to do...right? It's like an annual recap. Take a trip down memory lane with us to some of our favorite highlights from our past year of podcasting. Thank you for being along for the ride. As always, remember: you are not a father on accident. So go be a father on purpose! Links below to the episodes in order of clips used, go back and give them a listen! https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/fathers-day-2024/https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/the-forge-movie-with-alex-and-stephen-kendrick/https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/ep-165-walking-through-adversity-with-darren-walter/https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/what-jeff-zaugg-learned-about-awesome-dads/https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/jim-ramos-helps-men-get-dialed-in/https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/orv-kimbrough-and-the-keys-to-freedom/https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/dont-bench-yourself/https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/josh-kubler-on-gospel-centered-parenting/https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/cameron-arnett-on-playing-the-part-of-jesus/https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/becoming-a-curious-father-with-mark-batterson/https://manhoodjourney.org/podcast/mac-powell-on-being-a-present-parent/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shop Range LeatherMJ15https://rangecoffee.com/ https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/ Don't Bench Yourself on Amazonhttp://manhoodjourney.org/sobfhttps://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About our hosts: Kent EvansWise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around YouDon't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit Lawson Brown

In today's episode, we have the privilege of sharing our conversation with pastor and author Mark Batterson. Mark Batterson serves as lead pastor of National Community Church in Washington, DC. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Regent University and is the author of 24 books including the New York Times bestselling The Circle Maker as well as In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, and, most recently, A Million Little Miracles. As Mark likes to say, "There's only 2 ways to live your life - as if nothing is a miracle, or as if everything is." His advice to dads is pretty straightforward: love your family as God has loved you. While this is simple, that doesn't mean it's easy. We get into some practical ways to love our kids as our Father has loved us. "How are your kids going to learn to say sorry if they don't hear it from you?" "We have to help our kids cultivate holy, non-anxious curiosity." "You can't force feed your kids Scripture...but you can live it." "We create the world our kids live in through our words." These are just some of the nuggets of wisdom from today's episode with Mark. We hope this conversation is encouraging, enlightening, and inspires you to go forth as a dad with refreshed love and kindness towards your kids. Check out Mark's latest book: https://www.markbatterson.com/books/a-million-little-miracles/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shop Range LeatherMJ15https://rangecoffee.com/Don't BenchYourselfDon't Bench Yourself on Amazon http://manhoodjourney.org/sobfhttps://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- About our hosts:

Today's episode is a little different than normal. We need your help. As many of us know, the world is suffering from a fatherlessness crisis. Homes without dads abound, and with that reality comes many consequences. We want to stop that. However, the first step towards winning a battle is always realizing that you're in one. That's why we're releasing the State Of Biblical Fatherhood report. With over 6,000 survey responses, this report will help shed some light on what it looks like when homes are left without Christian dads to lead them. This isn't just doom and gloom though. We want to light a fire under you. Your family needs you, now more than ever. Go read the report and share it with your friends, your family, and your pastor. Just click the links below. We also want to extend the opportunity for you to join the Fatherhood Guard. The Fatherhood Guard is our group of monthly supporters who make it possible for us to do things like creating this report and all the other work we do. Your support is making a difference in homes and families worldwide. For any monthly donation, you get to be one of our core supporters, and maybe even get a cool hat...but of course we know you wouldn't do it just for that...would you? But truly, the greatest gift you get is the chance to pay it forward. As of 2025, we have reached over 2 million dads with some piece of content. Help us reach the next 2 million. You have the ability to get this show in the hands (the ears?) of more and more dads by supporting our work. Consider joining the Fatherhood Guard today by going to https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/. We always say it, but we never want to forget it: you are not a father on accident, so go be a father on purpose. http://manhoodjourney.org/sobfhttps://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shop Range LeatherMJ15https://rangecoffee.com/Don't BenchYourselfDon't Bench Yourself on Amazon https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- About our hosts:

Ever tried to warn your kids about something and had them roll their eyes so hard it echoed? As dads, we’ve been down some rough roads—and part of our job is helping our kids avoid the same potholes. But how we offer that wisdom can make all the difference. Come on too strong and we sound like a lecture. Stay too quiet and we miss a chance to guide them. If you want to be heard and influential with your kids, this one's for you. In today's episode, Kent and Lawson dive into how to offer wise counsel that connects, using Solomon’s masterclass in Proverbs 7 as a guide. They tackle questions like: At the end of the day, our kids don’t need a fortune-teller. They need a father who’s humble, present, and willing to step in, without being a know-it-all. Let's dive in. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shop Range LeatherMJ15https://rangecoffee.com/Don't BenchYourselfDon't Bench Yourself on Amazon https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------- About our hosts:

Ever heard the phrase, "you are what you eat?" What if we told you this: you are what you think. Not quite as catchy, but perhaps even more true. The reality is, for better or worse, we become what we behold. Our thought patterns are among the most important aspects of how we view ourselves, the world around us, our relationship to God, and everything else we go through or interact with on a daily basis. Thankfully, Scripture has a lot to say about where we should "set our minds" (Colossians 3, Romans 8, and Philippians 4, to name a few examples). Just like the dial on an FM radio, we can choose where to tune our minds, and like it or not, whatever you “tune into” most consistently becomes the soundtrack of your life, and ultimately, the shape of your character. Let's dive into what God's Word says about our thoughts, and explore some of the obvious (and sometimes not-so-obvious) ways we can honor God with where we fix our minds. Shop Range LeatherMJ15https://rangecoffee.com/Don't BenchYourselfDon't Bench Yourself on Amazon https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/

Struggling to connect and communicate well with your kids? You’re not the only one. In this episode, Kent and Lawson explore why meaningful communication isn’t just about saying the right words. It’s about aligning your heart, ears, and mouth. Drawing from Luke 6:45, they unpack how what's stored in your heart inevitably spills out in your speech—for better or worse. Today's episode will help you learn how to shift from correction to connection with your kids. If you want your words to build trust instead of barriers, this one's for you. Become a member of the fatherhood guard: https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/ Buy Kent's latest book Don't Bench Yourself here: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15

This week, we’re helping dads everywhere not blow it on Mother’s Day. Whether you’re honoring your amazing wife and mother of your children, or your own mom (and don't forget your mother-in-law!), we’ve got tactical moves and biblical wisdom to help you show up like a pro. From handwritten notes to surprise chores and kid-powered tributes, this episode will give you some tools to make sure the moms in your life feel truly seen. We’ll also look at how Jesus honored His mother—even while saving the world. Because let’s be honest...“I forgot” is not a spiritual gift. Happy Mother's Day to all you mom heroes out there! Become a member of the fatherhood guard: https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/ Buy Kent's latest book Don't Bench Yourself here: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15

Ever feel like fatherhood is just an endless loop of laundry, lunch-packing, and late-night Lego injuries? You’re not alone—and you are making a difference. In this episode, we talk about the quiet strength it takes to do the “mundane” work of being a dad, and why that work might be more meaningful than it seems. From holding down a job that might not spark fireworks to praying for your family when you're running on fumes, we highlight five things godly dads don’t get tired of doing. As Colossians 3:23 reminds us, the most ordinary things become sacred when done for the Lord...even remembering to grab your quarter from the Aldi cart for the hundredth time. So if you're worn out, hang in there. You’re building something eternal, one routine at a time. Become a member of the fatherhood guard: https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/ Buy Kent's latest book Don't Bench Yourself here: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15

In this special 200th episode (woo-hoo!), we wanted to talk about one of the most crucial topics when it comes to being a godly dad. If you ever feel like you're not good enough, you don't have it all figured out, or you're just confused on where to go next as a dad, we've got news for you: you're right. If it were completely up to us, we'd never be the fathers God has called us to be. The beauty of being a Christian is that we don't have to do it on out own. We are simply the vessels that God uses. Today, let's remind ourselves that we are not the source of wisdom, strength, or life, but we're the pipes that carry the flow of God's grace to our children. https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/Don't BenchYourselfDon't Bench Yourself on AmazonShop Range LeatherMJ15

Being a godly dad is tough. No one who's been down that road would argue with you there. However, it's easy to fall into the "good old days" trap of thinking this is just a recent development. Instead of trying to figure out who's had it the hardest over the course of history, let's make sure we understand why it's so hard: because Satan doesn't like godly dads discipling their kids. If you're a dad, we've got news for you. You're in a fight, and your enemy is the Enemy. However, God will equip you to take on these challenges as you trust in him. Today, let's confront the enemy's attacks on us and our families through the power of God's Word. Free Survival Gear reading plan: https://manhoodjourney.org/survival-gear Buy Kent's latest book Don't Bench Yourself here: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15

Wisdom is one of the most talked about and heavily emphasized topics in Scripture. But what is it? While there are many aspects to a good definition of wisdom, we believe one of simplest and most concise ways to think about it is this: wisdom equals alignment with God's will. As you search for wisdom, the only place to start is with a firm foundation on God's Word. In today's episode, we look at the ways Scripture personifies Wisdom, what it means to build your life on the Rock, and how all of this applies to being a godly dad. Buy Kent's latest book Don't Bench Yourself here: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15

Today, we have a very special guest. Cameron Arnett is an accomplished actor, author, speaker, director, and producer. Most importantly, he is a Christ follower. Our conversation with Cameron goes deep. We talk about how to be a godly dad when you never had one of your own, what it's like being a Christian in what can be a very dark industry, how God rescued Cameron from the evil he was a part of in Haiti, what it means to put Christ over career, and much more. Cameron's biggest piece of advice: we are all actors, the Bible is our script, and the part we're playing is that of Christ. How well do you play your part? Let's talk about that in today's episode. Learn more about Cameron and his work: https://www.cameronarnett.com/about Learn more about The Forge: https://kendrickbrothers.com/the-forge-movie/ Buy Kent's latest book Don't Bench Yourself here: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15

Do you ever feel like you're your own worst enemy? Like the biggest fights you have are happening inside your own heart? In today's episode, we wrap up our Lessons In Lyrics series, and we attack those very struggles, using the song "The War Inside" by Switchfoot as our template. We know as Christians that "our battle is not against flesh and blood" (Ephesians 6:12), but sometimes, our own flesh can be our biggest hurdle to following Christ closely (Romans 7:15). We hope this song encourages you and challenges you, as it did for us, and helps you become even more of a Father On Purpose. "The War Inside" on Spotify: here "The War Inside" on Apple Music: here Buy Kent's latest book Don't Bench Yourself here: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15

Do you ever feel like you're your own worst enemy? Like the biggest fights you have are happening inside your own heart? In today's episode, we wrap up our Lessons In Lyrics series, and we attack those very struggles, using the song "The War Inside" by Switchfoot as our template. We know as Christians that "our battle is not against flesh and blood" (Ephesians 6:12), but sometimes, our own flesh can be our biggest hurdle to following Christ closely (Romans 7:15). We hope this song encourages you and challenges you, as it did for us, and helps you become even more of a Father On Purpose. "The War Inside" on Spotify: here "The War Inside" on Apple Music: here Buy Kent's latest book Don't Bench Yourself here: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15

Welcome back to our "Lessons In Lyrics" series. Today, we take a look at a song by one of Kent's all-time favorite bands, NEEDTOBREATHE. "The Heat," title track from the band's Sophomore effort, is a powerful song about finding peace in the chaos, being present, forgiving yourself, and much more. We hope you get as much out of it as we did, and that you'll continue to let great music be an asset to you as a husband, father, and Christ follower. "The Heat" on Spotify: here "The Heat" on Apple Music: here Buy Kent's latest book Don't Bench Yourself here: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15

Welcome back to our "Lessons In Lyrics" series. Today, we take a look at a song by one of Kent's all-time favorite bands, NEEDTOBREATHE. "The Heat," title track from the band's Sophomore effort, is a powerful song about finding peace in the chaos, being present, forgiving yourself, and much more. We hope you get as much out of it as we did, and that you'll continue to let great music be an asset to you as a husband, father, and Christ follower. "The Heat" on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/7JjVN8JcRJXRhcOnHh5v5a?si=27a0a68fbb1e41c0 "The Heat" on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-heat/262075351?i=262075649 Buy Kent's latest book Don't Bench Yourself here: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15

For the next few weeks, we're going to be exploring some fatherhood and discipleship principles found within the lyrics of some of our favorite songs. We're calling this series "Lessons In Lyrics." In today's episode, we kick that off with a song by Mac Powell, called "River Of Life." This song crams so many worthwhile topics into it, we couldn't wait to unpack some of them. While we do have a few more ideas up our sleeve, let us know if you have any songs you'd like us to tackle! Send us your song ideas here: info@manhoodjourney.org. "River Of Life" on Spotify: here "River Of Life" on Apple Music: here Buy Kent's latest book Don't Bench Yourself here: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15

For the next few weeks, we're going to be exploring some fatherhood and discipleship principles found within the lyrics of some of our favorite songs. We're calling this series "Lessons In Lyrics." In today's episode, we kick that off with a song by Mac Powell, called "River Of Life." This song crams so many worthwhile topics into it, we couldn't wait to unpack some of them. While we do have a few more ideas up our sleeve, let us know if you have any songs you'd like us to tackle! Send us your song ideas here: info@manhoodjourney.org. "River Of Life" on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/0B1GuT4svftHFzZ8wXcBau?si=4db591d56dc64e4f "River Of Life" on Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/river-of-life/1578012319?i=1578012320 Buy Kent's latest book Don't Bench Yourself here: Don't Bench Yourself on Amazon Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15

God Of Wonders, Soul On Fire, I Need A Miracle...do any of those phrases sound familiar to you? If they don't, let us give you a hint: they're all song titles. Third Day is one of those bands in the Christian world that defined the sound of a generation, and in today's episode, we have the pleasure of chatting with Third Day co-founder and lead singer, Mac Powell. He's also a husband and a father to five kids, and when we asked him for his biggest piece of parenting advice, he said, "Realize that you were made for this." We walk through topics like how to be present with your kids when life and business get in the way, what it's like to love your teenage kids even (especially?) when they think you're lame, and many more mines of wisdom Mac has to share. Just like Mac said, as parents, we're never gonna completely figure it out, but we can't let that stop us from trying to figure it out. Go see Mac on tour! Visit macpowell.com for tickets and more info. Check out Mac's daughter's band, Scout And The Saints: Apple: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/scout-and-the-saints/1578418987 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6Xila5oS5dlhSgQh3vXpKl?si=OtNItVT7S-mUKXsCmXPn_g