Ever had something small go wrong and suddenly you’re spiraling into insecurity, shame, or old stories you thought you were done with? Yeah… me too. Today I share a simple moment in my kitchen that unexpectedly poked an old wound and sent me into a whole internal narrative about not being good enough.
But this episode isn’t really about caulking a backsplash.
It’s about the lies men believe, the wounds we carry into adulthood, and why healing matters way more than we think.
In this episode we talk about:
• How tiny moments trigger big wounds
• Why our brains write stories we never chose
• How men often cope through numbing, distancing, or performing
• What “intimacy disorder” really means
• How Jesus meets us in our pain and speaks truth
• Why healed men become better husbands, fathers, and friends
• Why your healing is never just for you—it’s for the mission
We also finish Step 7 of the Seven Steps of Discipleship:
pouring your life into someone else.
From Genesis to Jesus’ final words, God has always called men to expand His kingdom, not retreat into self-protection.
Strong families begin with healed men.
Strong men begin by telling the truth.
And healed men are sent men.
Download the free 7 Steps of Discipleship PDF: dadtired.com/7steps
Join us at the Dadology Conference (San Diego): dadtired.com/dadology
Partner with Dad Tired as we close out the year: dadtired.com/donate
Rite of Passage Alaska Trip (for dads + teenage sons) — limited spots
Host a One-Day Dad Tired Conference at your church: dadtired.com/conference
Today's Sponsor: One Year Bible
If you’ve ever felt exhausted as a dad — like you’re genuinely trying but something still feels “off” — today’s episode is going to give you language, clarity, and a fresh blueprint for fatherhood.
I sit down with Jeremy Pryor, one of the leading voices on shaping a multigenerational family on mission. Jeremy argues that most modern dads are using a brand-new cultural blueprint for family… and it’s not working.
This conversation is full of hope, honesty, and practical steps to help you create a home your kids will want to belong to for generations.
What You’ll Learn
Key Takeaways
• Strong families begin with healed men.
You cannot lead your home if you’re disconnected from Jesus or from your own heart.
• Ideas matter.
Most dads inherited a blueprint that leads to isolation — not mission.
• Connection is built through rhythm, not random effort.
Weekly feasts, 1:1 traditions, family stories, and regular check-ins matter.
• Your kids need your protection — spiritually, emotionally, digitally.
Today’s culture demands intentional defense, not passive hope.
• Legacy starts now.
You’re building something your grandkids will feel — whether intentionally or by default.
Resources Mentioned
Free Step 6 PDF: dadtired.com/7steps
Jeremy Pryor’s Family Teams Resources: familyteams.com
Jeremy’s Book: Family Revision
Sponsor: Backgate Prayers — Use code DADTIRED
Make a donation to the ministry here.
In this week’s episode, we shift the conversation from inner healing to how that healing actually plays out inside your marriage. Jerrad opens up about the quieter, less flashy season Dad Tired has entered, and why he’s more encouraged than ever as he hears private stories of repentance, courage, and healing from men around the world.
Then we turn to the heart of Step 005: your marriage is meant to display Christ’s love for His church. Not primarily your happiness. Not comfort. But a living, breathing picture of the gospel inside your home. When we lose sight of that, everything in marriage starts to unravel. When we stay focused on it, everything begins to fall into place.
From there, we get ultra-practical. Jerrad unpacks four clear, measurable ways husbands can model Christ’s love toward their wives — ways you can start evaluating and practicing this week.
What We Cover
Four Ways Christ Loves His Church… and How We Model Them
(With verses for your study)
Free Download: Step 005 PDF
We created a full PDF to help you process Step 005 on your own or with a Garage Group:
dadtired.com/7steps
This includes:
Partner With the Mission
Dad Tired is at 7% of its 2026 fundraising goal. If this ministry has helped you and you want to stand with the thousands of quiet, faithful men doing the work no one sees, you can give at:
dadtired.com/donate
Episode Sponsor: Tyndale — The One Year Bible
Start reading the Bible daily in a simple and sustainable way.
Choose from multiple paths and editions: men’s, women’s, journaling, prayer, chronological, and more.
Learn more at: oneyearbible.com
Links Mentioned
You can have a good life — not an easy life, but one filled with deep peace and joy that circumstances can’t shake. In this episode, Jerrad unpacks Step 4 of the Seven Steps of Discipleship: Forming Spiritual Habits — a conversation about how men grow through intentional, daily rhythms that train the soul for godliness.
Jerrad shares how his own healing journey began with one powerful declaration: “I’m a truth teller.” That single identity statement became the foundation for transformation. From there, he talks about how building small, consistent habits — rooted in who you’re becoming, not just what you’re doing — can reshape your entire life.
Through stories, scripture, and real talk, this episode will help you:
Later in the episode, Jerrad is joined by Kaleb Allen, one of the most disciplined men he knows, to talk about practical spiritual disciplines — from Bible reading and prayer to solitude, gratitude, and Sabbath — and how these rhythms keep your soul grounded when life gets chaotic.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, inconsistent, or spiritually dry, this episode is your invitation to start building a life you’re proud of — one small habit at a time.
🎯 Key Scripture: 1 Timothy 4:7–8
“Train yourself for godliness. For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way—holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”Announcements:
🎁 Sponsor:
Cozy Earth – Get the best sleep of your life with Cozy Earth’s bamboo sheets and pajamas (Leila’s favorite gift ever). Use code DADTIRED for 40% off your order at CozyEarth.com
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What if the reason you keep reacting, withdrawing, or losing patience isn’t about your present—but your past?
In this episode, Jerrad unpacks Step 3 of the Seven Steps of Discipleship: Addressing Past Wounds—a practical and gospel-centered conversation about facing the pain we’ve carried instead of burying it. With honesty and compassion, he walks men through why ignoring our wounds doesn’t make them disappear; it just makes them leak into our marriage, our parenting, and our leadership.
Through biblical truth, personal story, and real-world guidance, Jerrad helps you see that this step isn’t about fixing yourself—it’s about inviting God into the places you’ve avoided for too long.
With a mix of vulnerability and hope, this episode will help you:
Whether you’ve minimized your pain, masked it with work, or felt like your story doesn’t matter, this episode is a reminder that strong families begin with healed men—and healing starts when you face what’s been buried.
Prayer:
“Father, reveal the wounds I’ve tried to hide. Give me courage to bring them into the light, and remind me that Your grace is big enough to heal every part of my story.”
Scriptures Mentioned:
Psalm 34:18
James 5:16
John 8:32
Isaiah 61:1
2 Corinthians 12:9
Resources & Links:
🎯 Download the free Seven Steps of Discipleship PDF
💡 Register for the Dadology Parenting Conference (April 24–25, 2026 — San Diego)
🙌 Support the mission: dadtired.com/donate
🎙️ Learn more about Dad Tired Conferences
We’d like to thank Samaritan’s Purse and Operation Christmas Child and The Go Bible for sponsoring today’s episode.
What if healing isn’t found in isolation, but in the presence of brothers who know the worst about you and love you anyway?
In this episode, Jerrad unpacks Step 2 of the Seven Steps of Discipleship: Find Your Brotherhood: a conversation about why God never intended men to walk alone. Through biblical truth, personal story, and raw honesty, he explores why confession, friendship, and brotherhood aren’t optional extras in the Christian life, they’re essential for healing.
Later in the episode, Jerrad is joined by Nick, a Dad Tired listener who shares how brotherhood changed everything for him, from addiction and isolation to freedom and deep friendship. Together they paint a picture of what real, gospel-centered friendships can look like for men who are ready to stop pretending and start healing.
With a mix of vulnerability and hope, this episode will help you:
Whether you’ve been burned by shallow friendships or you’re just tired of trying to follow Jesus alone, this episode is a reminder that strong families begin with healed men, and healed men don’t heal alone.
Prayer:
“Father, help me find and build the kind of friendships that bring healing. Give me brothers who will know me fully and love me still.”
Scriptures Mentioned:
Genesis 2:18
James 5:16
Proverbs 27:17
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
John 15:12–13
Resources & Links
🎯 Download the free Seven Steps of Discipleship PDF
💡 Register for the Dadology Parenting Conference (April 24–25, 2026 — San Diego)
🙌 Support the mission: dadtired.com/donate
🎙️ Learn more about Dad Tired Conferences & Speaking
We'd like to thank Samaratin's Purse and Operation Christmas Child for sponsoring today's episode.
What if following Jesus actually costs you everything?
In this first episode of our new 7-part series, The Seven Steps of Discipleship, Jerrad unpacks Step One — Count the Cost — and challenges men to slow down, read the small print, and honestly consider what it means to follow Jesus.
You’ll learn why Jesus told the crowds to “count the cost” before following Him, what it looks like to build your faith on a real foundation, and how to take a personal inventory of what discipleship might cost you.
Later in the episode, Jerrad sits down with his friend Ryan, who shares his real-time story of moving from compartmentalized faith to full surrender — and what it looks like when God takes the head seat at the table of your life.
This is Part 1 of the Seven Steps of Discipleship:
1️⃣ Count the Cost
2️⃣ Brotherhood
3️⃣ Address Wounds
4️⃣ Build Habits
5️⃣ Cherish Your Spouse
6️⃣ Raise Your Kids
7️⃣ Live the Bigger Calling
Resources Mentioned:
Dadology Parenting Conference
Donate To The Ministry
FREE PDF worksheet
The One Year Bible
Lectric Bikes
Most dads want to disciple their kids—but sometimes we don’t know where to start. In this episode, Kaleb shares a simple rhythm he’s been using in his own home: teaching the Apostles’ Creed. Whether it’s on car rides, walks, or at bedtime, this ancient confession of faith has become a bridge to talk about who God is and what we believe as a family.
As Kaleb walks through each line of the Creed, he focuses on one most of us overlook: “He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.” He unpacks what that means for our daily discipleship—how it shapes the way we pray, parent, and live under the reign of King Jesus.
Through personal stories, biblical teaching, and practical insight, this episode will help you see how even ancient words can lead to modern transformation right in your own home.
With a mix of theology and real-life dad moments, you’ll learn to:
Prayer:
“Father, thank You that Jesus reigns as King—and that His finished work means I can rest, lead, and love my family with confidence and peace.”
Scriptures Mentioned
Acts 1:9–11
Ephesians 4:10
Daniel 7:13–14
Philippians 2:5–11
Hebrews 7:25
Resources & Links
Today’s Sponsor: The Hands-On Bible by Tyndale
Operation Christmas Child
Bring A Dad Tired Conference To Your Church
Become a Monthly Partner
Join us in Alaska for a Father Son Trip
What if the greatest gift you could give your son isn’t a car, a college fund, or a successful life—but a deep sense that he is beloved?
In this episode, Jerrad sits down with Peter Goodwin and Connor Ketchum from The Quarry Project, a father–son camp in Alaska helping dads disciple their boys into biblical manhood. Together, they unpack what it really means to raise sons who know who they are, where they come from, and what they’re made for.
Through honest stories, theological insight, and real-world examples, they explore how today’s dads can break generational cycles and become the kind of fathers who bless rather than wound.
With a mix of vulnerability and hope, this episode will help you:
Whether you had a great dad or no dad at all, this episode is a powerful reminder that strong families begin with healed men—and your son’s journey into manhood starts with you.
Prayer:
“Father, help me see my son the way You see me—beloved, chosen, and full of purpose.”
Scriptures Mentioned
Isaiah 51:1–2
Luke 3:21–22
Ephesians 1:5–6
Proverbs 22:6
Deuteronomy 6:6–7
Resources & Links
Today’s Sponsor: The One Year Bible by Tyndale
Register for the Dad Tired x Quarry Project Father–Son Trip
Invite Jerrad to Speak at Your Church
Become a Monthly Partner
What if the clutter around you- your messy car, chaotic desk, or unfinished projects—was actually revealing something deeper happening inside you?
In this episode, Jerrad challenges men to look beneath the surface and see how the outward disorder in our lives often mirrors the inward chaos of our souls. Before stepping into the mission God’s calling us to, He’s inviting us to bring order, attention, and faithfulness to the small things right in front of us.
Through personal stories, honest reflection, and a practical framework, Jerrad helps listeners see that spiritual leadership starts with stewardship. You can’t lead your family well, love your wife faithfully, or change the world for Christ if your life is cluttered and chaotic.
With a mix of conviction and grace, this episode will help you:
Whether you feel distracted, disorganized, or just stuck, this episode is a wake-up call to bring order to the chaos—and become the kind of man God can trust with more.
Prayer:
“God, is there anything in my life that grieves You?”
Scriptures Mentioned
Psalm 139:23–24
Proverbs 4:23
Luke 16:10
1 Corinthians 14:33
Colossians 3:23
Resources & Links
Today’s Sponsor: Samaritan’s Purse – Operation Christmas Child
Invite Jerrad To Speak At Your Church
Become A Monthly Partner
Watch on YouTube
Feeling the pull to lead your family and faith well, but not sure where to start? In this episode, Jerrad breaks down a simple, clear, and repeatable 7-step process to help men move from drifting to disciple.
Whether you’re new to following Jesus or just hungry for deeper growth, this framework will help you count the cost, build brotherhood, heal your wounds, and lead with purpose.
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m ready to step up, I just don’t know how,” this episode is for you.
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to Dad Tired
01:10 – Why men are feeling the call to lead again
03:45 – The problem with shallow men’s ministry
06:00 – What God is stirring in this season
09:00 – How to know if God is prompting you
11:30 – Step 1: Count the Cost
14:00 – Step 2: Build the Brotherhood
16:30 – Step 3: Heal the Wounds
19:00 – Step 4: Create the Habits
21:30 – Step 5: Cherish Your Wife
24:00 – Step 6: Train Up Your Kids
27:00 – Step 7: Find a Bigger Calling
29:30 – Why this matters for the next generation
31:00 – How you can join the mission
What does it really mean to follow Jesus when the cost is high?
In this week’s episode, Jerrad reflects on the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk; not just as a political figure, but as a brother in Christ who boldly proclaimed the gospel until his final moments.
Drawing from Luke 9 and his own experiences at the Dad Tired retreat, Jerrad challenges men to slow down, quiet the noise, and seriously ask: Am I all in with Jesus?
You’ll hear:
This episode is a sobering call to examine our “but first” excuses and to step fully into the life Jesus is calling us to live.
What if the very thing you fear most—suffering—was actually the place God wanted to meet you most deeply?
In this episode, Jerrad opens a new series through 1 Peter, a letter written to Christians facing intense persecution under Nero. With raw honesty and pastoral encouragement, he reminds us that suffering isn’t a sign that God has abandoned us—it’s often the very soil where our faith takes root.
Drawing from Peter’s opening words, Jerrad shares personal stories of walking with grieving families, parenting through pain, and clinging to identity in Christ when the world speaks lies. More than tips or quick fixes, this episode centers us on the truth that even in suffering, we can bless God—because our hope and inheritance are secure in Jesus.
With insight from 1 Peter 1:1–5 and the broader historical context, you’ll discover:
Whether you’re grieving, discouraged, or just need a reminder of where your true hope lies, this episode will help you lift your eyes to the One who guards both your inheritance and your soul.
Scriptures Mentioned
1 Peter 1:1–5
Exodus 14–15
Philippians 1:6
2 Corinthians 4:16–18
John 16:33
Psalm 34:18
Resources & Links
Today’s Sponsor: World Watch News
Invite Jerrad To Speak At Your Church
Become A Monthly Partner
What if the hardest thing you’ve ever faced wasn’t 60 days in the wilderness, but the weight of leading your family through suffering?
In this episode, Jerrad sits down with Alone Season 5 winner, Sam Larson, whose victory on national TV was followed by a far heavier reality at home: all three of his children being diagnosed with CLN3 Batten Disease, a rare terminal illness.
With raw honesty and gospel hope, Sam shares how grief stripped away every illusion of control, what it means to father children with a limited timeline, and how Jesus became more real than ever in the middle of heartbreak.
With insight from 2 Corinthians 12, Matthew 5, and Romans 8, you’ll discover:
Whether you’re walking through grief, feeling the crushing weight of fatherhood, or just longing for purpose in your everyday life, this episode will remind you that Jesus has conquered even the darkest parts of our story—and He is with you.
Scriptures Mentioned
2 Corinthians 12:9–10
Matthew 5:4
Romans 8:18–25
John 16:33
2 Corinthians 4:16–18
Psalm 34:18
1 Peter 1:6–7
James 1:2–4
Philippians 1:6
Resources & Links
Today’s Sponsors: World Watch News
Visit Sam’s church: Redemption Hill Bible Church – Hickman, Nebraska
Invite Jerrad To Speak At Your Church
Become A Monthly Partner
What if the biggest battle you’re fighting isn’t around you, but inside your own head?
In this episode, Jerrad gets real about the lies men quietly believe every day—the voices that whisper (or shout), “You’re not enough, you’ll never change, you’re unlovable, you don’t matter.” Drawing from personal struggles, conversations with friends, and the truth of Scripture, he unpacks how to recognize these destructive thoughts and replace them with what God actually says.
With insight from John 8:44, Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and Ephesians 2:10, you’ll discover:
Whether you’ve felt the sting of shame, the weight of failure, or the loneliness of “I have to do this on my own,” this episode will help you step back onto the solid ground of God’s truth and live as the healed man He created you to be.
Scriptures Mentioned
John 8:44
Romans 8:1
2 Corinthians 5:17
Ephesians 2:10
Proverbs 24:16
Philippians 1:6
1 John 3:1
Romans 5:8
1 Corinthians 6:19–20
1 Peter 2:9
2 Corinthians 12:9
Ecclesiastes 4:9–10
Galatians 6:2
John 15:5
Resources & Links
Today’s Sponsors: Courage For Life Study Bible
Invite Jerrad To Speak At Your Church
Become A Monthly Partner
What would your wife and kids say if someone asked, “Is your dad full of joy?”
In this episode, Jerrad gets honest about why so many dads feel grumpy, short-tempered, and exhausted, and why joy often feels out of reach. Sharing personal stories, biblical truth, and ten practical steps, he unpacks how Christian dads can move from frustration to deep joy rooted in Jesus.
With insight from Psalm 16:11, Galatians 5:22–23, and John 15:10–11, you’ll discover:
Whether you’ve been stuck in grumpiness or just long to be a more joy-filled dad, this episode will help you step back into the life God designed for you.
Scriptures Mentioned
Resources & Links
What would it look like if every part of your life was lived in the light. No shortcuts, no secrets, no lies?
In this episode, Jerrad challenges men to step into radical honesty, starting with the smallest details. Drawing from his own healing journey, he unpacks why healed men are truth-tellers, how integrity builds confidence, and why it matters to look more like your Heavenly Father—the Father of light—than the father of lies.
With biblical insight from 1 John 1:6–7, Proverbs 10:9, and Luke 16:10, you’ll discover:
Whether you’re holding onto a hidden struggle or just want to live with more integrity, this episode will help you take your next step toward freedom.
Scriptures Mentioned:
Resources & Links:
Watch on YouTube HERE
What if the most powerful discipleship moments with your kids weren’t planned, but hidden in the everyday?
In this heartfelt solo episode, Jerrad Lopes shares the honest struggle of staying connected with your kids; especially as they grow into pre-teens and teens. From the exhausting early days of parenting toddlers to the emotional complexity of raising a 14-year-old, Jerrad opens up about his own wins, failures, and surprising lessons learned.
Through a spontaneous UTV adventure in the Arizona desert, he discovered a truth that changed how he parents: deep connection isn’t built in big, perfectly planned moments, it’s formed in the small, mundane ones. With biblical insight from Deuteronomy and the example of Jesus, Jerrad shows how ordinary life can become the best classroom for pointing your kids to Christ.
This episode is an encouragement to slow down, notice the moments you might be missing, and remember that God uses the everyday to shape both your kids’ hearts and yours.
What You’ll Learn:
Mentioned in This Episode:
Today’s Sponsors:
Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/l6cKcqatpt8?si=yIQMZfIQxc-W2pPF
What if your emotions weren’t the enemy—but the invitation to grow into the man God’s calling you to be?
In this powerful solo episode, Chris Hilken explores the complicated relationship men have with their emotions. Most guys tend to fall off one side of the horse: either rejecting their emotions altogether or letting them run the show. But what if there’s a better way?
With biblical insight and real-life examples, Chris makes the case that emotions aren’t something to obey or ignore—they’re something to redeem. He shares a practical framework for navigating emotions like anger, fear, and sadness through a gospel lens, helping men avoid the extremes of emotional numbness or chaos.
This episode is a call for men to stop being passive with their emotions and start learning how to steward them like Jesus did—intentionally, righteously, and powerfully.
What You’ll Learn:
Mentioned in This Episode:
Today's Sponsor: Classical Conversations
Most men have learned how to clean up well.
We look calm. Composed. Put together.
We show up to church, crack a few jokes, keep the peace; and no one would know what’s actually happening in our hearts.
But Jesus isn’t fooled by appearance. He sees straight through the polish and into the pain.
In today’s episode, Kaleb unpacks what it means to “clean the inside of the cup.”
He shares a raw story about how God confronted him in the middle of the night, while he was busy rehearsing a bitter argument in his head, and revealed just how much unhealed junk was still living in his heart.
This isn’t about behavior management. It’s about soul work.
Because your wife doesn’t need a perfect version of you. Your kids don’t need a dad who looks impressive.
They need a man who is whole on the inside.
In this episode:
"Woe to you… You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. First clean the inside of the cup…”
— Matthew 23:25–26
Resources:
Go deeper:
If this episode hit you—share it with a friend or take 30 seconds to leave a review. It helps us reach more men who are ready to do the hard work of becoming whole.