Introduction
Hey there, friends and followers of Common Ground! Mike here. First, I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to each of you for being part of this incredible journey so far. I’ve got some exciting news to share—I’m launching a brand-new podcast specifically designed for fathers in their 30s and 40s. Get ready for "DadMode: God, Grit, and Goals"!
Why I Started 'DadMode: God, Grit, and Goals'
We all have an image in our minds of the kind of fathers we want to be—wise, strong, compassionate, and spiritual leaders in our households. I call this vision the 'Aspirational Gap,' the distance between who we are now and who we want to become.
A Bit of Personal History
You know, when I was younger, I thought the three pillars of life were sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll. Yeah, it's a cliché, but it's true. I was on a different path, and let’s just say, it wasn’t leading anywhere good. Fast forward a few decades, and I’ve come to realize that the actual pillars—the ones that hold up a fulfilling, responsible life—are God, Grit, and Goals. This transformation in understanding has fueled my desire to help others, and it’s a big reason I’m stepping into the podcast world—to create a space where we can all grow closer to our ideal selves as dads.
The Core Elements: God, Grit, Goals
So what’s "DadMode" all about? It’s built on three core principles that I believe every dad needs in his toolkit.
God: Look, I believe God is good—plain and simple. Jesus has forgiven us, and that's something to carry in our hearts as fathers. That forgiveness is essential because as men, we're often hardest on ourselves and failure leads to giving up. Each of us has a choice to make about the kind of dad we want to be - present or absent aka "too busy". Are you gonna be the strict type, the forgiving type, or maybe a bit of both? Whatever your style, the Bible is packed with stories that can guide us in these choices. And hey, even if you're a bit skeptical about the Bible, stick around. These stories offer timeless lessons on fatherhood that you might find surprisingly relevant. We'll dive into these tales in the upcoming episodes, pulling out nuggets of wisdom that are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago.
Grit: Life's a rollercoaster, no doubt about it. Especially when you're a dad of six. Just to give you a little backstory, I was 46 when the 2008 housing crisis hit. Lost my entire life savings and had to start from square one. At that time, my oldest was 15 and my youngest was just 5. Imagine trying to keep it all together with six kids looking up to you and a stay-at-home wife looking at you. So when I talk about needing grit, I've lived it. Whether you're dealing with bedtime negotiations for the younger ones or navigating teen drama—or both at the same time—you need that mental toughness. If I could steer my family through financial ruin, you can handle whatever fatherhood throws your way. In this podcast, we'll dive into proven strategies to help you build that grit and stand strong for your family.
Goals: Look, when I was younger, my goals were pretty simple: getting paid and getting laid. But life changes, you grow up, and suddenly you have a family looking up to you. So what's your vision for them now? Is it spiritual growth, financial stability, or maybe just spending more quality time together? And let's be real, sometimes the goal is just making it through the day without losing your cool. No matter what your goals are today, they serve as your compass, guiding you through the complexities of fatherhood. We'll dig into how to set those goals and, more importantly, how to achieve them, one day at a time.
Navigating the Aspirational Gap with God, Grit, and Goals
God’s Wisdom: Faith isn't just for Sunday mornings; it’s a daily practice that influences our actions and decisions as fathers. Each episode will feature a 'Spiritual Corner' where we talk about applying biblical wisdom to everyday dilemmas.
Grit’s Resilience: Nobody said fatherhood was easy, but a little grit goes a long way. We'll share stories and tips on developing the resilience you need to get through those tough parenting moments.
Goals’ Vision: Each episode will include a 'Goal-Setting Session,' where we'll discuss the importance of having a roadmap for your family's spiritual and emotional well-being.
Practical Application
I’ll be inviting guest speakers—seasoned fathers, pastors, psychologists, and more—to provide actionable insights. We’ll tackle real-life scenarios from balancing work and family to addressing the challenges and rewards of Christian parenting in this modern age.
Conclusion
So there you have it, folks. I can't wait to embark on this new adventure with you. Please click below to subscribe to my podcast "DadMode: God, Grit, and Goals" and let me know what topics you’d love to hear about. Together, let’s bridge that Aspirational Gap and become the dads we’re meant to be.
Until then, keep the faith and stay grounded.
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