Raising Men

In this special mailbag edition, Shaun dives deep into two core questions that surface at the very beginning of the fatherhood journey: how to establish foundational non-negotiables for raising a son of character, and how to navigate the intense emotional mirroring of toddlers.

Relying on the collective wisdom of past guests—such as Sean Harvey, Emily Huston, Ryan North, and Paul Kix—Shaun maps out what it truly means to raise a "gentleman with a backbone." He unpacks why character must always trump performance and how true kindness serves as an expression of raw strength. Moving into the...

This episode of Raising Men features an intimate deep dive with Jordan Ritter Conn, a senior staff writer at The Ringer and author of the groundbreaking 2026 book, American Men. After spending five years embedded in the lives of four vastly different men, Jordan discusses the "missing roadmap" of modern masculinity and the internal struggle men face when they fail to meet inherited ideals.

1. Key Topics Covered

This episode dives into the "refining fire" of parenting, where Shaun Dawson explores the collective wisdom of past guests to answer two heavy-hitting listener questions about balancing strength with warmth and navigating the silent guilt of new fatherhood.

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In a culture that has "clear-cut" the traditional forests of masculinity, 40% of young men now report having no one to turn to for guidance. We are navigating a landscape where traditional rites of passage have vanished, leaving parents to choose between "toxic" archetypes or the empty alternative of no masculinity at all.

In this episode, Shaun sits down with Dan Doty, a pioneer in men’s development and leadership with over 20 years of experience in wilderness therapy and emotional intelligence. Dan breaks down why we are facing a crisis of "arrested development" in men and provides a pr...

Key Topics Covered

Chapter Markers:

00:00 - Introduction: Our Sons are Becoming Us
01:04 - Q1: Is...

In this episode of Raising Men, Sean Dawson sits down with Ralph Brewer, founder of the Help for Men Brotherhood and creator of Dad Starting Over. Ralph shares his journey from divorce and single fatherhood to building a global community helping men navigate relationships, masculinity, fatherhood, and personal growth. The conversation explores the hidden struggles many men face—from sexless marriages and identity loss to the importance of brotherhood and taking ownership of one’s life. 

Key Takeaways

In this episode of Raising Men, Shaun Dawson explores the complex topics of masculinity, consent, and digital influence in parenting. He offers practical advice on teaching boys emotional sensitivity, consent through play, and building internal discipline to navigate social media algorithms.

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In this conversation, Todd Adams — Executive Director of Men Living and co-host of Zen Parenting Radio — unpacks what “conscious masculinity” truly means when you’re raising boys today. From the man box, to modeling emotional literacy, to partnership dynamics, to navigating conflict and consent, Todd brings grounded, practical wisdom for parents who want to raise strong, emotionally capable young men. This episode is about presence, modeling, and doing your own work — because our sons learn far more from who we are than what we say.

Key Takeaways

1. The Man Box & Conscious Masculinity

Todd explains the...

In this episode of Raising Men, host Shaun Dawson reflects on a powerful conversation with Deland McCullough. Shaun shares a poignant story about a young entrepreneur in Chicago who built a thriving barbershop but nearly lost everything because he lacked a permit—and, more importantly, because his "default mindset" told him the world was designed to take his success away. This narrative serves as a backdrop to explore the resilient spirit of Deland who faced NFL-ending injuries only to rebuild his life as a coach. Shaun discusses the critical role parents play in teaching their sons two vital lessons: th...

In today’s episode of the Raising Men podcast, we sit down with Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm and host of the Calm Parenting Podcast. For more than two decades, Kirk has helped over a million parents stop the power struggles and build stronger relationships with their children. In this conversation, we explore how traits that make boys “difficult” today—arguing, stubbornness, intensity—can become the very strengths that lead to leadership, creativity, and resilience in adulthood. Kirk shares practical scripts, powerful reframes, and a refreshing perspective on parenting strong-willed kids. 

Key Takeaways

In this Q&A episode of Raising Men, host Shaun Dawson dives into some of the most pressing parenting challenges shared by listeners. Drawing on insights from past guests like Steve Biddulph, Eric Davis, Ryan Walton, and Devin Kuntzmann, Shaun unpacks why boys often express emotions through anger, how parents fall into reactive patterns when exhausted, and what it really takes to raise resilient, emotionally strong young men.

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In this episode of Raising Men, Shaun sits down with mindfulness teacher, author, and parenting expert Hunter Clarke-Fields, bestselling author of Raising Good Humans and host of the Mindful Mama Podcast. Together they explore what it really means to raise a “good human,” why parents’ emotional regulation matters more than perfect parenting, and how mindfulness can transform the parent–child relationship. Hunter shares honest stories from her own parenting journey—including struggles with anger, learning to regulate herself, and repairing relationships with her kids—while offering practical tools parents can apply immediately. 

Key Takeaways

In this solo Q&A episode, Shaun Dawson answers some of the most common and emotionally charged parenting questions from the Raising Men community. Drawing on insights from past guests including child development experts, military leaders, and veteran fathers, Shaun unpacks how to raise boys with both strength and emotional health. This episode covers how to respond to a sensitive son, how to handle defiance without crushing a child’s spirit, and whether a surrogate male mentor can help fill the gap when a father is absent. 

Key Takeaways

In this episode of Raising Men, Shaun sits down with former NFL player and current Las Vegas Raiders running backs coach Deland McCullough. Deland shares a powerful journey that began with adoption, fatherlessness, and adversity in Youngstown, Ohio. Through football, mentorship, relentless work ethic, and a deep commitment to helping young men reach their potential, Deland built a remarkable career as a player, educator, and coach. His story explores masculinity, emotional development, mentorship, and the generational impact men can have when they choose to lead with purpose. 

Key Takeaways

In this episode of the Raising Men podcast, Shaun sits down with former Navy SEAL, master sniper instructor, and author Eric Davis, whose book Raising Men helped inspire the very foundation of this show. Eric shares the deeply personal story that drove him to explore masculinity, fatherhood, and the role men play in shaping the next generation.

The conversation explores the modern masculinity crisis, why traditional models of manhood are failing many young men, and how fathers can intentionally raise resilient, purpose-driven sons. Drawing on his experiences in SEAL training, entrepreneurship, and parenting, Eric introduces his framework...

In this deep dive, Shaun sits down with lifelong friend and former professional athlete Emily Huston to discuss the silent crisis of identity and mental health facing boys and men today. From the high-pressure world of elite sports to the "cliff effect" of retirement, Emily shares her journey through depression and professional burnout to build Home Team—a marketplace and community designed to bridge the systemic gaps in athlete care.

Key Topics Covered

In this honest and wide-ranging conversation, Ryan Walton of Daring to Dad joins Shaun to unpack why so many men find themselves coasting through life — and what it really takes to show up with courage, presence, and emotional integrity for our children. Drawing from fatherhood, personal failures, and deep inner work, Ryan challenges modern dads to confront the parts of themselves they often avoid, cultivate resilience in their sons, and reclaim joy as a masculine virtue. This episode invites every father to stop drifting and start daring — in small daily decisions and in the deepest parts of their lives.

In this episode of Raising Men, host Shaun sits down with retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling, a leader who spent nearly four decades commanding soldiers in some of the most challenging environments imaginable. But beyond the battlefield, Mark is also a father who once wrote a series of journal entries to his young sons while preparing for war during the first Gulf War—letters he hoped would guide them if he didn’t make it home.

Years later, those handwritten reflections became the foundation for his book If I Don’t Return: A Father’s Wartim...

 If you’ve ever had a toddler throw themselves on the floor because you cut their toast the wrong way, you know how intense those early years can be. But what if toddlerhood isn’t something to survive? What if it’s one of the richest seasons for growth—both for our kids and for us? Today on Raising Men, Shaun sits down with Devon Kuntzman, parenting coach, author of Transforming Toddlerhood, and the leading voice helping parents move from chaos to connection. Devon brings practical tools, mindset reframes, and compassionate strategies that help parents decode behavior, regulate themselves, and raise...

Ryan North, co-founder of One Big Happy Home, shares his journey raising six children—four of whom were adopted from the child welfare system—and how those experiences shaped his trauma-informed approach to parenting. This episode explores the "connection-first" methodology, the essential balance between nurture and structure, and the vital distinction between raising "nice" boys and "good" men.

1. Why Trauma-Informed Parenting Matters for Every Dad

Ryan explains why trauma-informed principles apply far beyond adoption and foster care — because every child faces adversity, stress, and emotional wounds in today’s world. 

2. Connection vs. Control

Ryan...

In this episode, Shaun sits down with Dr. Gloria Vanderhorst, a psychologist with decades of experience working with preschool boys often mislabeled as "problematic". They explore the "emotional desert" many boys are forced into by a culture that unintentionally shames their natural sensitivity. Dr. Vanderhorst explains how parents can move beyond surface-level behavior to address the root emotional needs of their sons, ultimately helping them grow into men of both strength and tenderness.

Key Takeaways

In this episode, Shaun sits down with Jonny Miller, the founder of Nervous System Mastery and host of The Inner Frontier Podcast. As a tech leader and father of two, Shaun explores the messy reality of staying regulated when kids push every "magic button" we have. Jonny reframes the nervous system not as something to be "beaten into submission," but as the primary lens through which we experience our relationships, our creativity, and our capacity to lead our families.

Key Takeaways

In this episode, Shaun Dawson sits down with Steve Biddulph, a world-renowned psychologist, educator, and author of the global bestsellers Raising Boys and The New Manhood. With over three decades of experience, Steve explores the "quiet crisis" facing boys today—from school environments that disadvantage their slower biological development to a digital landscape that is rewriting the rules of adolescence. This conversation is a roadmap for parents who want to raise emotionally healthy sons of character, courage, and conviction.

Key Takeaways

Retired Green Beret and Wild Ops Box founder Aaron Blaine joins Raising Men to talk about the battles he faced long before combat — growing up fatherless, angry, and adrift — and how pain, discipline, and purpose forged him into the man and father he is today. In this conversation, Aaron and Shaun unpack lessons from military life, the transition back home, and the inner healing that led to his mission of helping fathers and sons reconnect through Wild Ops Box. From men’s circles and emotional breakthroughs to teaching his kids the power of boundaries, Aaron shows that leadership at home b...

In this episode, Shaun sits down with Jennifer L.W. Fink—writer, nurse, mother of four boys, and author of Building Boys. Jennifer brings decades of lived experience and research to help us understand what boys really need: space, presence, and parents who see them as they truly are. Together, they explore why boys are often misunderstood, how parents can respond with calm instead of fear, and what it means to raise great guys in a world full of mixed messages.

Topics Covered

Paul Kix built a career telling powerful human stories—from ESPN to bestselling books. But becoming a father pushed him to rewrite the narrative of masculinity itself. In this conversation, Paul shares what he’s learned about raising boys to be strong and gentle, confident and vulnerable. We go deep on identity, authenticity, inner courage, and why sometimes the bravest thing a dad can do is admit he doesn’t have all the answers.

Key Takeaways / Topics Covered

 A deep dive into how Dave Rossi — entrepreneur turned mindfulness teacher and author of The Imperative Habit — reframes success, presence, and internal awareness for parents raising boys today. This episode explores how achievement culture shapes a boy’s identity, why inner peace matters more than winning, and how small daily rituals can help boys grow into grounded, self-aware young men. Dave brings practical habits, consciousness principles, and real-life insights that help families shift from performance to presence.

Key Takeaways / Topics Covered

In this conversation, Shaun sits down with Damian Gomes — a father, technologist, and long-time Scout leader — to explore what it means to raise two sons who couldn’t be more different. From leading Boy Scouts and teaching leadership through failure to navigating remote schooling during the pandemic, Damian shares the lessons, struggles, and surprising gifts of modern fatherhood. One son thrived in self-paced learning and now builds AI systems with his dad; the other is still discovering his path through art and curiosity. Together, they reflect on letting kids fail safely, adapting parenting styles, and staying conscious and present even w...

In this thoughtful and often funny conversation, Dr. Daniel Singley—founder of The Center for Men’s Excellence and creator of MenExcel—joins Shaun to unpack what it really means to raise emotionally healthy boys in a rapidly changing world. Together, they explore how traditional models of masculinity can evolve without abandoning strength, why fatherhood is the “tip of the spear” for redefining what it means to be a man, and how dads can model emotional resilience and connection in everyday life.

Dr. Singley shares evidence-based insights on the transition from “dude to dad,” the power of emotional flex...

In Part Two, Sean reflects on losing his stepfather and guiding his sons through grief, legacy, and growth. He shares stories of finding laughter in pain, of writing a eulogy that helped him truly understand the man who raised him, and of passing those lessons forward. Together, Shaun and Sean unpack how fathers can model empathy, resilience, and strength through vulnerability—and why raising sons of character starts with being honest about our own humanity.

Key Takeaways / Topics Covered

In this first half of our conversation, The Kids Are Sleep co-host Sean Harvey joins Shaun to talk about the messy, meaningful side of marriage and modern fatherhood. From late-night talks with his wife Shannon to the daily rhythm of keeping love alive while raising two boys, Sean opens up about what real connection looks like when life gets chaotic. They explore how humor, honesty, and presence keep a family grounded—and how redefining masculinity starts at home.

Key Takeaways / Topics Covered

In this conversation, Eli Weinstein unpacks the emotional journey men go through as they shift from “just a guy” to a present, grounded, emotionally intelligent dad. Drawing from his work as a therapist, author, and host of The Dude Therapist, Eli breaks down the fears, expectations, and heart-level responsibilities that come with modern fatherhood — and how men can rise to them with honesty, humility, and strength. His new book, Dudes to Dads, gives fathers a roadmap to show up with clarity and connection in the moments that matter most.

Topics Covered

In this conversation, Dr. Michelle Watson Canfield shares her insights on the unique dynamics between fathers and daughters, emphasizing the importance of emotional connection and communication. She discusses practical tools for fathers to improve their relationships with their children, particularly daughters, and highlights the significant influence fathers have on their children's emotional health. The conversation also touches on the challenges fathers face in understanding and responding to their children's emotional needs, and the necessity of self-regulation in parenting.

Key Takeaways / Topics Covered

In this episode of Raising Men, host Shaun Dawson sits down with Christopher Veal — author of The Whole Man: Evolving Masculinity, Marine veteran, and host of The Vulnerable Man Podcast — to explore what it really means to be a “whole man.” Together, they unpack the myths of masculine strength, the courage behind vulnerability, and how fathers can model emotional integrity for their kids.

Key Takeaways

Simon shares how mindfulness transformed his life after years of mental-health struggle and burnout — helping him become a more present father, husband, and therapist. Together, Shaun and Simon explore how mindfulness, emotional awareness, and healthy masculinity shape the next generation of men.

Key Takeaways

In this conversation, Shaun Dawson and Luke Entrup explore what it really means to guide boys into manhood in a culture that has lost its rites of passage. Luke shares how fathers can reclaim the ancient practice of initiation to raise sons of character, courage, and conviction. Together, they discuss how emotional intelligence, mentorship, and time in nature can help boys develop “heart-connected power” — strength balanced with compassion.

Key Takeaways

In this conversation, Shaun sits down with Ken Mossman, leadership coach and host of Mojo for the Modern Man, to dismantle one of the most enduring myths in manhood — the “lone wolf” and “self-made man.” Together, they explore what it truly means for men to live with courage, connection, and curiosity in an age of isolation.

Key Takeaways / Topics Covered

In this conversation, Caleb Scott shares his journey into fatherhood, discussing the unexpected challenges and emotional experiences that come with becoming a dad. He emphasizes the importance of community support, grace, and accountability in parenting. The discussion also touches on conflict management, resilience in children, and the significance of being present in their lives. Caleb reflects on the balance needed in parenting, learning from mistakes, and the invaluable gift of time spent with children. Ultimately, the conversation highlights the complexities of fatherhood and the growth that comes from navigating its challenges together.

Key Takeaways / Topics Covered

Shaun Dawson opens Raising Men with a simple truth: our sons aren’t just watching us—they’re becoming us. This is where the journey begins to raise men of purpose, strength, and heart.

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Join Shaun Dawson in the important conversations shaping the next generation of men. Raising Men is a space for parents, mentors, and leaders committed to building character, courage, and conviction in today’s boys. Each episode dives deep into real stories and practical wisdom from thinkers, leaders, and fellow parents — all sharing tools for becoming more intentional guides in a world that often confuses masculinity with noise. Because raising men isn’t just about them — it’s about who we’re becoming, too.

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