In this deeply insightful episode of Raising Men , host Shaun Dawson sits down with Andrew Reiner, a teaching professor at Towson University, cultural critic, and leading voice on the emotional lives of boys. Drawing from his books, Better Boys, Better Men and the upcoming Boys Reconnected , Reiner unpacks a quiet epidemic: why boys are disproportionately falling through the cracks of our educational system and struggling with an invisible mental health crisis. Andrew and Shaun dismantle the dam...
Jun 22, 2026•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 47
In this special Father’s Day edition of Raising Men , host Shaun Dawson sits down for an intimate, deeply personal conversation with his own father, Ted Dawson. A former high-profile television sports broadcaster who navigated major media markets in the 1980s and 1990s, Ted shares his reflections on the immense cultural weight of being a primary financial provider. Together, the father and son look through the generational rearview mirror to discuss the evolving dynamics of fatherhood. They expl...
Jun 18, 2026•42 min•Ep. 46
Joined by his very own son and the original inspiration for the podcast, Lake Dawson, Shaun explores the world directly through a child's eyes. Filled with humor, heart, and a highly coordinated effort by Lake to secure some studio donuts, this Father's Day episode serves as a powerful reminder that presence and authentic connection always outpace perfection in parenting. 00:00 Introduction to Raising Boys 01:04 Understanding Good Role Models 02:29 Navigating Technology and Screen Time 03:55 The...
Jun 15, 2026•10 min•Ep. 45
In this solo episode of Raising Men , host Shaun Dawson wrestles with a heavy and deeply honest question brought to him by a friend: What do you do when you want to support your teenager's passions, but their only apparent passion is doing drugs? Key Takeaways The Modern Environment Amplifies Temptation: Unlike past generations who had to seek out vices, today's teenage boys face an inescapable, highly potent "virtual firehose" of pornography and pure THC vapes directly in their backpacks. A Per...
Jun 11, 2026•16 min•Ep. 44
Tosha Schore is a parent educator, author, and the founder of Parenting Boys Peacefully . She specializes in helping parents navigate the "bad guy myth" by reframing boy aggression as a signal of fear rather than a character flaw. Tosha provides practical tools for building deep connections and setting loving limits. 5 Key Takeaways: Reframing aggression as a communication of fear or lack of safety. The transformative power of the "Special Time" practice. Identifying patterns and signs before me...
Jun 08, 2026•52 min•Ep. 43
In this insightful Q&A episode of Raising Men , host Shaun Dawson dives deep into the complex personal growth challenges that modern fathers face on the playground and at home. Drawing from the collective insights of previous conversations, Shaun addresses two powerful, listener-submitted questions regarding early childhood cultural conditioning and the struggle for verbal emotional intimacy. He unpacks how deeply emotional boys are at birth and how quickly societal frameworks, like the "man...
Jun 04, 2026•17 min•Ep. 42
Jon Hord is the founder of the Engaged Father Project . A former high-achieving corporate VP who walked away from a 100-year-old family company after a health-induced epiphany, Jon now coaches dads to move from "reactive survival" to "radical intentionality." 5 Key Takeaways: The "Provider Trap": Connecting your value solely to your income. The "Deathbed Scenario" as a tool for major life decisions. Responding vs. Reacting: How to handle high-stress "Playbook 2" moments. Measuring backwards: Foc...
Jun 01, 2026•54 min•Ep. 41
In this mailbag edition of Raising Men , host Shaun Dawson addresses two critical parenting dilemmas: emotional withholding and managing high-energy boys. Shaun unpacks the phenomenon of "emotional narrowing," explaining how rigid, fear-based discipline can inadvertently turn a home into an emotional desert. Drawing on insights from trauma-informed parenting, the episode highlights why genuine authority is built on relationship and trust rather than compliance. Later, Shaun shifts to the neurobi...
May 28, 2026•14 min•Ep. 40
In this episode of Raising Men, Shawn sits down with Lisa Johnson , a high-conflict divorce strategist, certified domestic violence advocate, and co-founder of Been There, Got Out . After enduring a decade-long legal battle with her ex-husband—including more than 100 court appearances—Lisa transformed her painful experience into a mission to help parents navigate high-conflict divorces and protect their children from emotional harm. She shares the lessons she learned about parental alienation, e...
May 25, 2026•51 min•Ep. 39
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 t...
May 21, 2026•13 min•Ep. 38
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 The "Masculinity Crisis" vs. The Reality Gap : Discussion on how men don’t necessar...
May 18, 2026•48 min•Ep. 37
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. Questions: "I want my son to be resilient, but I don't want to be a 'cold' dad. How do I provide comfort without making him 'soft'?" "I’m a new dad and I’m struggling to feel that 'instant connection' everyone talks about. I feel guilty, like...
May 14, 2026•14 min•Ep. 36
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 intelligenc...
May 11, 2026•38 min•Ep. 35
Key Topics Covered Moving from inherited parenting patterns to helping sons build their own operating systems for life Balancing reactive responses with logical and empathetic thinking through the Two-Brain Metaphor Redefining masculine strength as a drawbridge of trust rather than a wall of armor Understanding why boys adopt social masks and silent postures in public settings to feel safe Prioritizing heart-level connection to open the "drawbridge" to a child’s inner world Using the power of re...
May 07, 2026•12 min•Ep. 34
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 Take...
May 04, 2026•45 min•Ep. 33
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. Questions: "I’m terrified of my son being a 'predator' or 'toxic.' Should I be teaching him consent now, or wait until he’s older?" "He’s always on his phone. I feel like he’s living in an 'algorithmic mised...
Apr 30, 2026•17 min•Ep. 32
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 ...
Apr 27, 2026•49 min•Ep. 31
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 ...
Apr 23, 2026•9 min•Ep. 30
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 ...
Apr 20, 2026•47 min•Ep. 29
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. Key takeaways Boys' nervous systems react more intensely to stress ...
Apr 16, 2026•16 min•Ep. 28
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 ang...
Apr 13, 2026•46 min•Ep. 27
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 ...
Apr 09, 2026•14 min•Ep. 26
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, mentorsh...
Apr 06, 2026•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 25
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...
Apr 01, 2026•42 min•Ep. 24
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 The Masculinity Crisis & The Zero-Sum...
Mar 25, 2026•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 23
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 ev...
Mar 18, 2026•56 min•Ep. 22
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 t...
Mar 11, 2026•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 21
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, mind...
Mar 04, 2026•48 min•Ep. 20
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 a...
Feb 25, 2026•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 19
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 T...
Feb 18, 2026•53 min•Ep. 18
