Raising Arrows

The $300,000 Question

It now costs over $300,000 to raise a child in America. Let that satisfying number sit for a second. In this episode, Connor and Pastor Scott tackle the financial pressure that keeps new dads up at night — sometimes even more than the baby does. They break down how to make that massive number feel manageable, the needs-versus-wants conversation most couples never actually have, and the real tension between working overtime to fill the savings account or clocking out to make it home for bath time. Connor gets honest about finances never being his strong suit and playing catch-up as a young father, while Scott shares what it looked like to trust God's provision when he and Shay had next to nothing as newlyweds. Anchored in Matthew 6:31-32, this episode walks the line between practical budgeting and genuine faith — because prayer without action is wishful thinking, and action without prayer is just stress with a spreadsheet. Scripture Referenced: Matthew 6:31-32 · James 2:26 · Hebrews 11:6 · Luke 12:15 Background Music: Sunset Static Background Music License Music: Sunset Static by Joshua Moses https://joshuamosesmusic.bandcamp.com License: Creative Commons — Attribution 4.0 International — CC BY 4.0 Free Download / Stream: https://links.al/JmY Music promoted by Audio Library: https://links.al/youtube

Surviving the 'Roommate Phase' in Marriage

Two-thirds of couples say their relationship satisfaction tanks after having a baby. Two-thirds. So if you and your wife feel more like co-workers running a daycare than the people who fell in love — you're not broken, you're normal. But normal doesn't mean you stay there. In this episode, Connor and Pastor Scott get honest about the roommate phase that quietly takes over your marriage when a newborn moves in. Connor shares how a sermon on date nights exposed that every conversation had become about Beau, and Scott breaks down the Gottman Institute's four horsemen — contempt, criticism, defensiveness, and stonewalling — and why scorekeeping is the gateway to all of them. They talk love languages as a practical tool (not just a buzzword), the spiritual reality that the enemy either hates your marriage or has learned to love it, and why Ephesians 5:25 isn't a suggestion — it's marching orders. If you haven't had a real conversation with your wife in weeks, this is your sign. Scripture Referenced: Ephesians 5:25

The Identity Crisis No One Warns You About

No one satisfies you before the baby arrives and says, "Hey — the guy you've been for the last 25 years? He's gone now." But that's exactly what happens. In this episode, Connor and Pastor Scott get brutally honest about the identity crisis that hits the moment your child is born. Connor opens up about the guilt spiral of wanting just five more minutes alone in a parking lot, and Scott shares how the anxiety of "everything just changed" hit him on day one. Together they unpack why grieving your old life doesn't make you ungrateful, how to reframe fatherhood as your highest calling instead of your biggest loss, and the difference between godly conviction and toxic shame. Anchored in 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Christ's call to daily die to self, this is the conversation every new dad needs but no one is having with him. Scripture Referenced: 2 Corinthians 5:17 · 2 Corinthians 7:10 · Luke 9:23 · Luke 7:23

The Myth of the Perfect Dad

You're spending more time with your kids than your dad ever spent with you — and somehow the guilt is worse than ever. Connor and Pastor Scott tackle the myth of the perfect dad head-on: where it comes from, why social media is lying to you, and why your kids don't need a flawless father. They just need a present one. In this episode: * Why 57% of parents report burnout — and what's actually driving it (Ohio State University, 2024) * The science of "Dad Brain" — how fatherhood literally rewires your brain and why your role is irreplaceable * Why consistency beats intensity every single time * What it looks like to be a steady, predictable anchor in your kid's chaotic little world Anchor Verse: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." — 2 Corinthians 12:9 The world will tell you you're not enough. God says your weakness is exactly where He shows up.

Why the First 3 Years Matter

Why the First 3 Years Matter More Than Most Dads Realize  Think your toddler won't remember these early years? Science says otherwise — and it's not even close. In this episode, Connor and Scott break down three research-backed facts about early childhood brain development that every dad needs to hear. Your toddler's brain is running at twice the speed of yours. 80% of their brain development happens before they turn three. And the neural pathways tied to motivation, self-regulation, communication, and self-esteem? They're being wired right now — or they're not. This isn't a guilt trip. It's a wake-up call. You're not waiting for your moment — you're in it. We get real about the mirror effect (when you see your worst habits show up in your kids), the myth of "I don't have time," and why small, consistent deposits beat grand gestures every time. Plus, Scott shares the daily affirmation he speaks over his son that stops tantrums in their tracks — and why identity-shaping matters more than behavior modification. Whether you're a new dad, expecting your first, or feeling like you're already behind — this one's for you. In this episode: ‣ Why your 3-year-old's brain is twice as active as yours ‣ The 1,000-day window that shapes who your child becomes ‣ How dads accidentally pass down frustration, anger, and anxiety ‣ Daily habits that build unshakable father-child bonds ‣ The phone habit that's silently teaching your kids they're not a priority ‣ Speaking identity over your children before they can speak it themselves ‣ Encouragement for the dad who feels like he's already behind 📖 "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth." — Psalm 127:4 New episodes weekly. Subscribe and share with a dad who needs to hear this.