Fatherhood Field Notes

Ep. 542 Tom Amato: The One Prayer That Will Transform How You See Yourself

Ned sits down with his former high school Bible teacher, Mr. Tom Amato, who has dedicated 54 years to working with youth. At 78 years old, Mr. Amato shares profound wisdom about unconditional love, the power of presence, and what it truly means to be a father. He reveals how he emerged from six years of total darkness and bitterness to discover God's infinite love, and how that transformation shaped his approach to loving others—especially children. This conversation challenges fathers to move beyond transactional relationships with their kids, to see themselves through God's eyes, and to understand that showing up with authentic, selfless love is one of the most powerful things we can do. Mr. Amato's insights on human needs, love languages, and walking beside others rather than controlling them offer practical wisdom for any father wanting to create deeper connections with their children. This isn't just another parenting conversation—it's a masterclass in what it means to love like God loves. --------- * Transform Your Body with Ned & RUK Fitness: RUK Fitness [https://go.riseupkings.com/rukfitness-optin] * This episode is sponsored by The Adventure of Fatherhood [https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/] * Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here [https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/product-page/adventure-of-fatherhood-book] * Check out the TEDx [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L3cr-W8BGo&t=1s] ---------- * Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? * https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/ [https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/] * https://www.rebelandcreate.com/ [https://www.rebelandcreate.com/] Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes [https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes [https://www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate [https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate/]

Ep. 541 Russell Kimura: Stop Doing THIS If You Want Your Daughter to Open Up

Russell Kimura, creator of Fathers with Daughters and girl dad of three, shares his journey of learning to show up with intention for his daughters. In this rich conversation, Russell reveals why consistency beats perfection, how to create emotional safety without sacrificing leadership, and why fathers must commit to connection over convenience. He opens up about the tension of releasing control as daughters grow independent, the power of modeling faith through action rather than religious systems, and practical ways to stay connected during the chaotic teenage years. Russell challenges dads to rebel against cookie-cutter parenting, embrace the messiness of real relationship, and prepare for their future role as father-in-law. This episode will inspire you to audit your commitments, become a student of your family, and pursue your daughters with the same intentionality you once pursued your wife. Guest Links: * Russell Kimura on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-kimura-9610ab8/] * Russell on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/russ_kimura] * Fathers with Daughter on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/fathers_with_daughters/] --------- * This episode is sponsored by The Adventure of Fatherhood [https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/] * Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here [https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/product-page/adventure-of-fatherhood-book] * Check out the TEDx [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L3cr-W8BGo&t=1s] ---------- * Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? * https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/ [https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/] * https://www.rebelandcreate.com/ [https://www.rebelandcreate.com/] Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes [https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes [https://www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate [https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate/]

Ep. 540 Tom Pfanner: The 5 Levels Every Dad Must Master (Before It's Too Late)

When Thomas Pfanner's eighth-grade son walked out of his life for six months, he realized something had to change - and it wasn't his son. In this powerful conversation, Thomas breaks down his FORGE framework (Faith, Ownership, Respect, Groundbreaking Adventure, and Expectation) from his new book "Dads Who Lead," revealing why teen rebellion happens and how fathers can shift from being the "police officer dad" to becoming a trusted guide. We dive deep into the critical mistake most dads make (focusing on changing the kid instead of changing themselves), the concept of your "dad brand," why listening is more powerful than lecturing, and how to create groundbreaking adventures that build unshakeable bonds. Thomas shares practical strategies for handling the daily friction of homework, screens, and expectations, while maintaining the bigger vision for who our kids are becoming. Whether your kids are still young or you're in the thick of teenage rebellion, this episode offers a roadmap for showing up as the father your family needs - starting with mastering yourself first. Guest Links: * Dads who Lead [https://tinyurl.com/9rfzbjzu] By Tom Pfanner * Website [https://dadswholead.com/] --------- * This episode is sponsored by The Adventure of Fatherhood [https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/] * Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here [https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/product-page/adventure-of-fatherhood-book] * Check out the TEDx [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L3cr-W8BGo&t=1s] ---------- * Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? * https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/ [https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/] * https://www.rebelandcreate.com/ [https://www.rebelandcreate.com/] Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes [https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes [https://www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate [https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate/]

Ep 539: Why a Messy Garage Means You're Winning at What Actually Counts

In this raw and unfiltered episode, Ned opens up about the chaos of everyday fatherhood—from dead rats in the trash to staying up late with his twelve-year-old daughter on her last night of being twelve. He challenges the pressure dads feel to do everything perfectly, reminding listeners that presence trumps perfection every single time. Ned shares how he's learned to say yes to the moments that matter most, even when it means the yard looks rough and the garage is a mess. This is a rallying cry for dads to stop keeping score, to invest deeply in the season they're in, and to lead their families with love—not guilt. If you've ever felt like you're not doing enough, this episode will remind you that you have what it takes. LINKS AND RESOURCES: * Primal Path by John Tyson - https://www.primalpath.com [https://www.primalpath.com] * Craft of Fatherhood Website - www.craftoffatherhood.com [https://www.craftoffatherhood.com]

Ep. 538 Zack Ponder: The Shift That Changed Everything for My Family

Zack Ponder shares his raw journey from struggling entrepreneur with a DUI to becoming a present father who homeschools four kids while his wife battles cancer. A former special education teacher who worked with profound autism students, Zack discovered God through the daily challenges of non-speaking, violent students and translated those insights into his books "Special Days" and the upcoming "Happy Days" devotional. Now splitting time between his construction business in North Idaho and Southern California where his wife receives treatment, Zack opens up about the transformation from doing the right things to actually being present, learning to ask "what" instead of "why" when facing hardship, and discovering that his podcast interviewing special needs parents became unexpected training for finally seeing and hearing his own wife. He discusses the critical shift that happened six months ago when he truly embraced fatherhood in the hospital, realizing that if he didn't keep it together and lead, his family would fall apart. Zack vulnerably shares about living with in-laws for ten months, the reality of needing God moment-by-moment through daily challenges, and why he believes comfort is the enemy of growth for fathers. Guest Links * The Unspecial Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unspecial-podcast/id1829866470 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-unspecial-podcast/id1829866470] * Instagram: @unspecialllc [https://www.instagram.com/unspecialllc] or @zackponder [https://www.instagram.com/zackponder] * Website: unspecialllc.com [http://unspecialllc.com] * Zack's book: Special Dayz: Finding God in Special Education [https://www.amazon.com/Special-Dayz-Finding-God-Education/dp/B0FB2MXLGG/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OZ0O5WBV1R7J&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.IZpSBjrYfLnUvHFhMLTFHZYGe6idunOe2lfVk16BdzZ2uZss_WBQL5wx35VEfNffqNQ4ljsaWbwIxYOPXNRQFX7Oq8bfamaa1p8jy4UKZNXnp-_gphdMV6r4ACQtdIYHJPQtAOC8KGSWTjTkyZuLmID2MityMBHBqUsLl6FQeSVqizt5UcdEBhxzWVc-TjyB1dm9-6O3Znhmoy4Hx1OmtbFZfOekT6x2qghIf2sKh6E.rZ8oMUpe1IGILuR-vsdJW4H7EQilj3NXE1IU-J-qB38&dib_tag=se&keywords=special+dayz&qid=1757452818&sprefix=special+dayz%2Caps%2C202&sr=8-1] --------- * This episode is sponsored by The Adventure of Fatherhood [https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/] * Order The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book here [https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/product-page/adventure-of-fatherhood-book] * Check out the TEDx [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1L3cr-W8BGo&t=1s] ---------- * Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood? * https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/ [https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/] * https://www.rebelandcreate.com/ [https://www.rebelandcreate.com/] Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: * Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes [https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotes/] * YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes [https://www.youtube.com/@Fatherhoodfieldnotes] * Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate [https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate/]