Ned continues the "What is Sacred?" series by turning the focus inward—to the very space we call home. With heartfelt storytelling and real-life reflections, Ned challenges fathers to consider: Is your house just a building, or is it a sacred space where peace is cultivated? Through vivid anecdotes—like helping his son buy a first car instead of insisting on a clean garage—Ned explores how the tone we set, the stress we carry, and the way we treat each other inside our homes shapes legacy. This ...
Jun 20, 2025•10 min•Ep. 509
In this powerful and convicting episode, John D. Gillespie shares his remarkable journey from American seminary halls to planting churches in rural England. With a voice forged through decades of ministry, fatherhood, and spiritual battle, John invites fathers to reject comfort culture and embrace the calling of servant leadership. He unpacks why the home is not your castle—it’s your Calvary , and how the Western mind has often become a wall to God's work. With seven children, 22 grandchildren, ...
Jun 17, 2025•53 min•Ep. 508
Ned Schaut continues the What Is Sacred? mini-series by diving deep into the often-overlooked gift of the human body. Through candid storytelling (including the discovery of a dead rat in his garage gym), Ned challenges fathers to reflect on how they’re treating their physical health—and what message that sends to their kids. This episode unpacks the idea that the body is sacred, meant to be honored, stewarded, and respected. From making school lunches to squeezing in a workout, Ned asks, “Would...
Jun 13, 2025•7 min•Ep. 507
In this heart-forward episode of Fatherhood Field Notes , host Ned Schaut sits down with Hawaii-born real estate pro and former touring musician, Chris Stimac, to unpack the power of presence , partnership , and purpose in fatherhood. From the stage lights of Europe to the ocean tides of Kona, Chris opens up about choosing intentional family life over fame—and how that one choice redefined his success. Together, Ned and Chris explore how fatherhood calls men to show up , lead by example, and inv...
Jun 10, 2025•37 min•Ep. 506
Ned kicks off a powerful four-part series exploring what’s truly sacred in our homes. With candid, heartfelt reflection, Ned challenges fathers to think deeply about the values they’re passing down—intentionally or not. From the importance of respecting mom to evaluating whether we’ve made money or time too sacred, this episode urges dads to lead with integrity, honor, and self-awareness. Ned offers actionable wisdom drawn from real-life parenting moments, biblical insight, and a clear call: rai...
Jun 06, 2025•9 min•Ep. 505
In this raw and energizing episode of Fatherhood Field Notes , JD Denham shares the moment he realized he was “sick and tired of being sick and tired”—a pivotal shift that led him to reclaim his health, identity, and leadership as a father. JD opens up about transforming from a burned-out dad into a mission-driven man using discipline, faith, and fitness as his foundation. From leveraging peptides to spark vitality to the deeper work of emotional and spiritual alignment, this conversation is pac...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 504
Ned Schaut challenges dads to examine whether family is truly their top priority or simply something they say. Reflecting on a dirt bike outing with his son and insights from coaching and literature, he unpacks the tension between building success and being present at home. Through personal stories and striking metaphors—like climbing the ladder of success only to find it’s leaning against the wrong building—Ned urges fathers to align their actions with their values and invest intentionally in w...
May 30, 2025•6 min•Ep. 503
What does it mean to truly be present as a father? In this heartfelt and candid conversation, Levi Harris— CEO of Death Grip Wax and a professional mustache competitor—opens up about fatherhood, faith, and the fine art of grooming and guiding. From navigating deep grief through miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy to learning how to be mentally and emotionally present for his kids, Levi shares raw stories of struggle, surrender, and spiritual growth. He talks about the importance of modeling hea...
May 27, 2025•54 min•Ep. 502
Ned Schaut leans all the way into the calling of fatherhood by reflecting on the intentional steps he's taking with his 16-year-old son. With a heart full of purpose and a mindset of mentorship, Ned shares his real-time journey of helping his son build a life roadmap—one rooted in clarity, values, and vision. He opens up about fasting, family conversations, and creating opportunities for exploration beyond the traditional classroom. Ned also touches on the delicate dance between giving our kids ...
May 23, 2025•10 min•Ep. 501
In this deeply personal and milestone 500th episode of Fatherhood Field Notes , Ned Schaut sits down with a guest unlike any other—his own father, Richard Schaut. Together, they reflect on the profound journey of fatherhood, from the chaos of raising young kids to the quieter, legacy-focused years of grandparenting. Through honest storytelling and gentle humor, they explore the simple but powerful truth that the role of a father is unconditional love . Richard shares insights from his years as a...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 500
Ned Schaut shares a simple but profound realization: the morning drive to school with his 15-year-old son is a fleeting opportunity—one that won’t last forever. As Ned steps into the Uber Dad life while his wife is away, he uncovers a powerful truth about fatherhood: sometimes the most impactful connections are forged not through epic moments, but in the quiet rhythm of everyday life. Through authentic storytelling and heartfelt reflection, Ned invites fathers to examine the season they're in, a...
May 16, 2025•4 min•Ep. 499
Ned Schaut sits down with Ben Kormanik—father and CEO of K-Construction—to explore what it means to be a present, intentional father in a world full of distractions. Ben shares a raw story about walking with his son through the struggles of pornography, emphasizing grace over shame and connection over control. With heartfelt honesty, Ben reflects on how fathers can become allies to their children, creating trust that opens the door to redemption, healing, and true mentorship. This episode is a h...
May 13, 2025•44 min•Ep. 498
Ned dives deep into a powerful lesson that emerged from the everyday chaos of fatherhood: when something matters most, pause. Juggling a busy week of parenting, workouts, and time-blocking, Ned reflects on two moments where choosing presence over productivity reminded him what truly matters. He challenges listeners to be interruptible, to listen to the cues from their children, and to embrace the tension between being driven and being present. This short but impactful episode offers a relatable,...
May 09, 2025•7 min•Ep. 497
Ned Schaut sits down with Johnny Gillespie to unpack what it means to heal generational wounds and shape a legacy. Johnny reflects on the impact of being raised by a good father, shares how that foundation influenced his own journey into fatherhood, and invites us into the sacred and messy moments of parenting teenagers. With raw honesty and spiritual insight, Johnny reminds us that trauma must be either transformed or transferred—and as dads, we have the power to break the cycle. This episode i...
May 06, 2025•57 min•Ep. 496
Ned opens up about a critical and deeply personal question: What belief system am I passing down to my children? Reflecting on his teenage son’s transition into manhood, Ned wrestles with the profound responsibility of fatherhood—not just in the early years, but throughout the lifelong journey of guiding a young man into adulthood. Through powerful storytelling and introspective insight, he explores how we as fathers can intentionally shape the belief systems our children carry into the world. T...
May 02, 2025•10 min•Ep. 495
Ned sits down with Joe Carr, Co-Founder of Serenity Kids, to dive deep into the powerful intersection of fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and nurturing the next generation—starting with what we feed our babies. Joe shares how embracing his inner free spirit, fostering emotional awareness in his home, and addressing major gaps in the baby food market led to building a thriving business rooted in love and purpose. Together, they explore practical ways to help kids feel their emotions while still hold...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 494
Ned Schaut opens up about a day that didn’t go as planned—and how that disruption became a powerful reflection on fatherhood. From dealing with work curveballs to showing up for his injured daughter and stranded son, Ned wrestles with what it means to be present, sacrificial, and flexible as a dad. Is your time more important than your spouse’s? Are you truly serving, or subtly seeking credit? Through raw honesty and reflection, Ned encourages fathers to embrace the chaos with grace and lead wit...
Apr 25, 2025•8 min•Ep. 493
Ned sits down with Dylan Nonaka – Marine veteran, real estate leader, jiu-jitsu coach, and intentional father – to explore the essence of true fatherhood. Dylan shares his journey from military service to mentoring his own sons with unapologetic leadership and tough love. The conversation dives deep into what it means to be a leader at home, how to raise kids to handle adversity, and why equality in parenting isn't always the answer. You’ll walk away fired up to lead your family with more purpos...
Apr 22, 2025•46 min•Ep. 492
Ned shares a raw and relatable story about a small moment with big impact—forgetting something important to his daughter and reacting in frustration. Through reflection and a powerful late-night chat with fellow dads, Ned dives into the often-overlooked difference between being justified and being effective in our parenting. With authenticity and vulnerability, he challenges fathers to look beyond their own stress and ego to cultivate connection, trust, and tenderness—especially with their daugh...
Apr 18, 2025•8 min•Ep. 491
Ned sits down with Darrell Irwin—entrepreneur, father of three, and bold follower of Christ—to explore the deeper calling of fatherhood. Together, they unpack what it truly means to raise children with purpose, legacy, and resilience. Darrell opens up about building a family name that means something , why kindness must be actively demonstrated, and how faith—not fear—drives his parenting philosophy. He shares actionable wisdom on breaking generational cycles, defining family vision, and nurturi...
Apr 15, 2025•57 min•Ep. 490
Ned Schaut unpacks a transformative season of life—what started as an unexpected sabbatical turned into a time of powerful clarity. Ned shares the life-altering experience of attending a five-day Rise of Kings marriage retreat and the decisions that followed: quitting what doesn’t serve and leaning harder into purpose. This episode is for every dad who’s in the thick of it—juggling family, work, and the desire to live with more intention. If you're ready to press pause, realign, and reclaim your...
Apr 11, 2025•10 min•Ep. 489
Ned is joined by Kyle Rodgers—father, veteran, and founder of the Alpha Wave Project. Kyle shares his journey from military missions to his mission at home, raising daughters with peace, intention, and values. He talks about his family’s daily gratitude practice at the dinner table, living as a “standard bearer” of family values, and why knowing your kids deeply matters more than simply loving them. This conversation is full of tools and truths for dads striving to lead their families well. Link...
Apr 08, 2025•46 min•Ep. 488
Ned opens up about a recent, unexpected sabbatical that offered him deep clarity on life, priorities, and fatherhood. What started as a packed schedule of trips and commitments turned into a heartfelt revelation: even the good things can get in the way of the best things. Ned reflects on time away from his kids, a transformative marriage retreat, and why he stopped sending a weekly text he'd done for a decade. With raw honesty, he encourages fellow fathers to pause, reassess, and realign—because...
Apr 04, 2025•11 min•Ep. 487
Emmy-winning meteorologist and productivity coach Ted Phaeton joins Ned Schaut to unpack the power of intentional fatherhood. Ted shares how boundaries, structure, and seasonal awareness can transform the way we lead our families. With heart and clarity, Ted opens up about his mission to help high-achieving men take control of their time so they can show up fully in their homes. From practical insights on time management to deep reflections on unconditional love, this conversation is a mastercla...
Apr 01, 2025•52 min•Ep. 486
Ned is hitting pause on the podcast—not because he’s stepping away, but because he’s stepping in. In this special episode, he shares why he’s taking a short break to recalibrate, refocus, and make sure his best creative energy is first poured into his wife and kids. From moving into a new home to planning adventures with his family, to reevaluating where his time is best spent, Ned is leaning into the very thing he’s been preaching: showing up fully for those placed in his care. He’s not done—fa...
Feb 21, 2025•5 min•Ep. 485
Ned keeps it real in this one—talking about the ups and downs of showing up for your kids. One moment, they’re shutting you out, and the next, you’re catching waves together, having the best conversation. The key? Keep showing up. He also talks about burning out after pushing too hard and how rest and a good workout can change everything. Simple stuff, but it makes all the difference. --------- Transform Your Body with Ned & RUK Fitness: RUK Fitness This episode is sponsored by The Adventure...
Feb 07, 2025•11 min•Ep. 484
Ever tried herding cats? That's parenting in a nutshell. Ned talks about the dad-life balancing act, sharing tips on carving out family time amidst the chaos. We're talking planning a family retreat (bribery may be involved), setting the mood (dad jokes encouraged, but use sparingly), and getting everyone on the same page (good luck with that). It's all about taking the initiative, even if your family's idea of "fun" is initially just staring at you blankly. Remember, dads, the goal is connectio...
Jan 31, 2025•16 min•Ep. 483
This episode of Fatherhood Field Notes features an incredible conversation with Stephen Kaplan—Navy SEAL, leader, business owner, husband, and father. Steve dives into the deep waters of what it means to truly honor and respect, the two things that define a man, and how to live with a multi-generational mindset. Packed with raw stories, powerful wisdom, and practical advice, this episode is an authentic look at embracing your fatherhood role with conviction and purpose. Connect with Stephen Kapl...
Jan 28, 2025•54 min•Ep. 482
Johnny Nuñez is a dad, fighter, and entrepreneur who joins the podcast to talk about balancing his ambition with being a dad. He shares life lessons from the MMA ring and how he raises honest and strong kids. Johnny opens up about the ups and downs of being a dad, how he teaches his kids discipline, supports his wife's dreams, and redefines what it means to leave a legacy through intentional parenting. This conversation will inspire dads to step up, lead with courage, and embrace the beautiful ...
Jan 21, 2025•44 min•Ep. 481
Ned discusses the weight of fatherhood decisions, inspired by wisdom from St. Benedict's rule. Drawing on insights from a seasoned guest with over 25 years of fathering experience, Ned tackles the delicate balance between leading a family with authority and serving with humility. Let’s explore the pitfalls of passive fatherhood and the importance of making choices rooted in love, teamwork, and selflessness. Links and Resources: The Rule of Saint Benedict by St. Benedict --------- Transform Your ...
Jan 17, 2025•13 min•Ep. 480
