Ep. 41 - “Rites of Passage: Raising Real Men in an Age of Weakness” – with Dan Smith of Voyage Rites

Ep. 42 – “You Can’t Control Her: The Leadership Shift That Saves a Marriage” – with G. Vidal

What happens when a man realizes… he’s the problem?"You don’t fix your marriage by fixing your partner.You fix it by becoming the man the relationship requires."In this raw and powerful conversation, I sit down with G. Vidal—father, husband, and creator of Alpha Dad Consulting—to unpack the moment his marriage nearly fell apart… and the decision that changed everything.After discovering betrayal early in his marriage, G spiraled into control, insecurity, and desperation—trying to fix everything around him. But it wasn’t until a mentor told him a hard truth—“You can’t control her. You can only control yourself.”—that his life began to transform.What followed wasn’t quick. It took years.Years of rebuilding trust.Years of changing behavior.Years of becoming a different man.And on the other side?A 15-year marriage.Four kids.A brotherhood of men.And a rediscovered creative fire—now expressed through music, leadership, and fatherhood.🔥 In this episode, we explore:-Why most men misunderstand leadership in marriage-The difference between control and responsibility-How attraction and trust are rebuilt (not demanded)-What it actually takes to recover from betrayal-The hidden cost of putting your wife at the center of your identity-Why men need purpose and creative expression—not just responsibility-How your children learn more from what you do than what you say🧠 This conversation is for you if:-You feel stuck or disconnected in your marriage-You want to become a more intentional husband and father-You’re navigating trust, conflict, or rebuilding-You know you’re capable of more—but haven’t acted on it yet-You’re ready to take ownership of your life, your leadership, and your future🔗 Connect with G. Vidal:Instagram: G. Vidal Musichttps://www.instagram.com/gvidalmusic/Music (Spotify / Apple): G. Vidalhttps://open.spotify.com/artist/4XPLpKJfEvfRkfpaUUKxH9?si=gzAdYbooQ_-Ll3-efq-olQYouTube: Alpha Dad Consultinghttps://www.youtube.com/@alphadadconsultingCheck out G's latest single: https://open.spotify.com/album/6BCuSt8CSpEFLA2GPMAGfp?si=tHl48TD1S5WmABrWf2TA8A📢 If this episode resonates:Share it with a dad, a husband, or a man who needs to hear it.And don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on leadership, fatherhood, and raising legends.Onward!-Dave MomperLeadership Coach and New Dadwww.thrivalconcepts.com#WhoaDadGoDad #RaisingLegends #IntentionalFatherhood #DadLeadership #LeadershipAtHome #ModernFatherhood #PresentDad #FatherhoodJourney #FamilyLeadership #MarriageLeadership #OwnYourShit #PersonalResponsibility #RebuildTrust #LeadYourMarriage #MarriageTransformation #EmotionalOwnership#MasculineLeadership #MenOfCharacter #PurposeDrivenMen #SovereignMen #ModernMasculinity #MarriageAdvice #RelationshipAdviceForMen #SelfImprovementDaily #GrowthMindset

Ep. 41 - “Rites of Passage: Raising Real Men in an Age of Weakness” – with Dan Smith of Voyage Rites

In this episode of WHOA DAD! GO DAD!, I sit down with Dan Smith, founder of Voyage Rites, to explore one of the most important—and overlooked—responsibilities of fatherhood: guiding boys into manhood.Listen in to learn the 5 Things Fathers Must Do Before the Rite of Passage, and then how to construct bona fide rites of passage that signfy and invite manhood.This convo is so important to me. I see an impending lack of good men in the world, and simultaneously a rising tide of intentional fathers. In this pod we unpack what’s missing in modern culture when it comes to raising strong, grounded, and sovereign men—and why so many boys today are left searching for identity, purpose, and direction.Dan shares his personal journey from law enforcement and the FBI to building a movement focused on rites of passage for young men, along with the deeper realization that changed everything for him as a father of three boys.We dive into:-Why boys don’t automatically become men—and what’s been lost over the last 100+ years-The hidden impact of the Industrial Revolution on fatherhood and masculine development-How modern culture encourages passivity—and what it means to raise a sovereign young man-The psychological need for rites of passage (and how boys try to replace them in unhealthy ways)-What fathers can do today—at every stage of childhood—to prepare their sons for manhood-The difference between being a “good dad” and being an intentional fatherWe also break down Dan’s framework for guiding boys through a structured journey—from early childhood, to preparation, to initiation, and ultimately into adulthood.This is a conversation about responsibility, clarity, and stepping fully into the role of a father—not just as a provider, but as a true guide in their leadership journey.If you’re a father—or plan to be—this episode will challenge how you think about raising your sons and daughters.🔗 Connect with Dan Smith & Voyage Rites:Linedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-smith-307469322/Website: https://voyagerites.comExplore events, programs, and resources for fathers and sons🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on fatherhood, leadership, and raising legends.Onward!-Dave MomperLeadership Coach and Brand New Dadwww.thrivalconcepts.com#WhoaDadGoDad #RaisingLegends #IntentionalFatherhood #DadLeadership #LeadershipAtHome #ModernFatherhood #PresentDad #FatherhoodJourney #MarriageAndFamily#RiteOfPassage #RaisingMen #MasculineLeadership #StrongFathers #BoysToMen #PurposeDrivenMen #MenOfCharacter #SovereignMen #LegacyBuilding#ParentingBoys #FathersAndSons #NextGenerationLeaders #FamilyLeadership #LeadYourFamily

Ep. 40 - “From One Child to Two: Expanding the Container of Fatherhood” – with Mark Guay

In this episode of WHOA DAD! GO DAD!, I sit back down with Mark Guay—my very first guest and now my first repeat guest—as he stands on the edge of a major family transition: welcoming his second child (a baby girl) literally any day now.  We talk in real time—before the birth—about what changes when you’re no longer stepping into fatherhood for the first time: the mix of excitement and pressure, the honest fear that comes from knowing how intense the first months can be, and the way parenting forces you to confront your own patterns as they get mirrored back through your child.  Mark opens up about the realities that don’t make it into highlight reels: past postpartum and health scares, the mental load of protecting a marriage while raising kids, and the responsibility of “expanding your container” as a man and father. We also get into deeper territory—rites of passage for boys, loneliness and resilience in young men, and why so many modern conversations about masculinity stop short of solutions.  Two quotes that really caught my attention:  “Every new child demands a bigger container. The work is becoming the man who can hold it.” “Protecting your marriage while raising children isn’t automatic—it’s leadership.” If you’re a dad in growth mode—or you’re preparing to become one—this conversation is a grounded look at what it means to lead your home with presence, emotional ownership, and real support for the mother of your children.  Connect with Mark on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwguay/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markwguay/] Tap into Mark's "7 Dimensional Breathing" course: https://markwguay.me/7dbreathing [https://markwguay.me/7dbreathing] Onward! -Dave Momper Leadership Coach and Brand New Dad www.thrivalconcepts.com [www.thrivalconcepts.com]  #WhoaDadGoDad #RaisingLegends #IntentionalFatherhood #DadLeadership #LeadershipAtHome #ModernFatherhood #PresentDad #DadLife #GirlDad #SecondChild #SecondBaby #BabyNumberTwo #NewbornLife #GrowingOurFamily #TwoUnderTwo #ParentingJourney #FatherhoodJourney #MarriageAndFamily

Ep. 39 - “Stop Raising Soft Kids” – with author Jeff Nelligan

In this episode of WHOA DAD! GO DAD!, I sit down with author and parent to three badass men, Jeff Nelligan, to talk about a hard truth: the clock on fatherhood starts earlier than we think—and resilience doesn’t magically appear at 18. Jeff shares how raising three sons (now all military officers, including one who pursued a waiver for professional rugby) shaped his latest short, punchy book: Four Lessons for My Three Sons: How You Can Raise a Resilient Kid. We also get into why so many young adults are struggling right now—and Jeff brings stats that should stop every parent in their tracks: -Gen Z is roughly 71 million people -45% of 18–32-year-olds still live at home -40% have a chronic condition before age 30 -Roughly 1 out of 3 report feeling hopeless/depressed/“despairing” -56% are overweight or obese -48% say they’re online almost constantly -Kids ages 10–18 average 8 hours 47 minutes/day on a device (not including homework) -Kids ages 3–5 average ~110 minutes/day of screen time -And when it comes to early work-life readiness (surveys Jeff cites): 6 out of 10 Gen Z hires are fired within the first year, 40% within the first two months, and about 1 out of 3 bring a parent to meet the hiring manager From there, our conversation moves into what fathers can actually do: micro-tests of independence, controlled discomfort, real accountability, and a repeatable way to build kids who can handle pressure and responsibility. What you’ll hear in this episode: -Why Jeff believes 75% of the time you’ll ever spend with your kids is gone by age 12 -How to build “acclimation to responsibility” through small reps -The leadership mantra Jeff learned in infantry training: assess, adapt, advance -The four pillars Jeff used to shape his sons: courtesy & conduct, confidence, resilience, and ambition -Three practical actions you can implement immediately: device control, nightly walks, and reading rituals -A powerful closing reflection: what Jeff hopes his sons say about him someday—humor, guidance, and grit If you’re raising young kids and you feel the stakes of the modern world—distraction, softness, anxiety, and confusion—this episode is a direct, practical reminder: Resilience is trained, not wished for. Grab Jeff's Book- "Four Lessons From My Three Sons: How You Can Raise A Resilient Kid:" (https://a.co/d/0ej5vTxi) Connect with Jeff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-nelligan-8277654/ Onward! -Dave Momper Leadership Coach and Brand New Dad www.thrivalconcepts.com #WhoaDadGoDad #LeadershipForFathers #RaisingLegends #IntentionalFatherhood #FathersWhoLead #DadLeadership #ModernFatherhood #PresentDad #RaiseResilientKids #ResilientParenting #RaisingStrongKids #BuildCharacter #ParentWithPurpose #FutureReadyKids #ConfidenceBuilding #AccountabilityMatters #HardThings #GenZ #ParentingInTheDigitalAge #ScreenTime #DigitalDiscipline #YouthMentalHealth #StrongFamilies #LeadershipAtHome #CharacterOverComfort #DisciplineEqualsFreedom #AssessAdaptAdvance #MenOfCharacter #LegacyThinking #BuildTheFuture

Ep. 38 - “Teach Your Kids to Struggle Well” – with Eric Wilson

Welcome to Episode 38 with Eric Wilson (Eric’s Dad Stats: Two sons, two daughters, age range early 20s to early 30s)In this episode of WHOA DAD! GO DAD!, I sit down with Eric Wilson—a father of four, a business builder, an elk hunter, and a man of deep conviction. Eric’s journey is nothing short of a masterclass in fatherhood, leadership, and personal transformation. We talk about the evolution of partnership—Eric and his wife built multiple successful businesses together—and what it means to raise kids who are not just self-sufficient, but principled, resilient, and deeply thoughtful. Eric opens up about hard parenting seasons, where consequences were real, and what it took to maintain connection through it all. This conversation is an invitation to all fathers to embrace the hard things, lead from integrity, and prepare our kids to thrive in a world that won’t always be easy. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to raise capable, thinking, grounded adults—you’ll find answers in Eric’s hard-earned wisdom. Key Themes: -Teaching your kids how to struggle well-Building businesses with your spouse -Modeling principled decision-making -The long view of fatherhood (and why it never really ends) -Raising kids to become deep thinkers, not just rule followers Quote That Stuck With Me: “Every choice you make has a consequence. And your life is a series of consequences that came from your choices.” Connect with Eric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericwilsonvision/ https://www.ericwilsoncoaching.com/ Onward! -Dave Momper Leadership Coach and Brand New Dad www.thrivalconcepts.com #Fatherhood #MensWork #IntentionalParenting #RaisingLegends #ModernFatherhood #PresenceOverPerfection #DadLife #ParentingPodcast #LeadershipAndFatherhood #EmpoweredFathers #SoftTalkAwareness #HolisticPerformance #MindsetMatters #WHOADADGODAD