Ever walk away from a conversation and realize you did almost all the talking…again? As dads, we often think our "advice" is what will change our kids, when in reality, it might just be the questions we ask...or don't ask. In this episode, Kent and Lawson unpack why some men dominate every conversation, why others never ask anything deeper than small talk, and why a humble, curious dad is a great listener instead of a constant lecturer.
Kent tells the story of a simple question that completely disarmed him: "What kind of tension does that cause for you?" That one line forced him to search his own heart, not just react with an opinion. From there, the guys walk through why Jesus asked so many questions, how Proverbs 20:5 paints your child's heart like deep water, and what it looks like to draw it out instead of just "fixing" everything with quick advice.
You'll hear super practical examples of questions you can use this week with your kids, your wife, and even that talkative uncle at Christmas. Things like, "What was that like for you?", "Could you explain that to me a bit more?", and "What about that excites you or concerns you?" Plus, Kent shares his "clay on the wheel" analogy for shaping a conversation with your child using their words and their goals, not just yours.
If you've ever wondered why your kids don't open up, or you want to be a dad who talks less and understands more, this episode will help you step into holiday gatherings—and everyday moments at home—with a heart that is both curious and humble.
We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nktheEfq93o
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Meet the Hosts
Kent Evans is the Executive Director and co-founder of Manhood Journey, a ministry that helps dads become disciple-makers. After a twenty-year career as a business leader, he embarked on biblical fatherhood ministry projects. He’s authored four books. The most recent, Don’t Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit. He and his wife April have been married for three decades and they have five sons.
Lawson Brown married his high school sweetheart, and is a father of two adult daughters. He’s a business leader and a former (always!) Marine. He’s served as a small group leader, helped launch ministries and a church plant where he served as its Men’s Ministry leader. His faith journey has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men who’ve been brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.
FEATURING GREAT GUESTS
Gary Chapman
Ken Blanchard
Chip Ingram
“I listen to the father on purpose podcast and you guys are amazing. Thank you for all you guys do and please keep it up. Us Fathers need this NOW more than ever.”
–Joel C.
“Thank you for the effort and time you put into leading us dads toward the Kingdom of God. I have learned and put to use so much by listening to the podcast.”
–Cole S.
RECENT PODCASTS
What does it look like to stay faithful as a dad while navigating high-pressure work, culture, and calling? This week Kent and Lawson sit down with Disney legend turned Chosen creative executive Rick Dempsey for a conversation packed with wisdom, humor, and behind-the-scenes stories (yes… including a helicopter ride with Phil Collins). Rick shares how he viewed decades at Disney as a mission field, how localization taught him to connect more deeply with his kids, and why the "deposit vs withdrawal" principle Steve Jobs taught him might be the most important parenting idea you hear this year.
He opens up about choosing intentional fatherhood even with a global job and why your 60s and 70s might be your most influential decades for the Kingdom. If you've ever wrestled with time, calling, influence, or what legacy really looks like, this conversation will encourage and challenge you in all the right ways.
https://www.comeandseefoundation.org
We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/pDfwmt1-qrM
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What if the best Christmas you ever gave your family had nothing to do with what was under the tree? In this episode, Kent and Lawson talk honestly about money pressure, comparison, and the expectation that "good dads" should deliver a huge Christmas every year. They share stories from tight-budget Decembers, laugh about Buzzsaw Louie and Tesla wish lists, and then slow down long enough to ask a better question: What is all this gift giving actually teaching our kids?
Walking through passages like Psalm 107 and Acts 20, they unpack the difference between generosity and consumerism, why it is more blessed to give than receive, and how to reset unrealistic expectations before Christmas morning. You will pick up practical ideas like simple Advent rhythms, service-based "gifts," low or no cost traditions, and creative ways to bless neighbors, teachers, and exhausted young parents without adding financial stress.
Whether this year has been lean or abundant, this conversation will help you point your kids away from "who got the biggest gift" and back to the Savior who never changes. As we head into this year's Christmas season, remember, you are not a father on accident, so go be a father on purpose.
We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jbRAn65x8EM
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What if the most powerful thing you could bring to Thanksgiving this year wasn't your famous [insert random comfort food], but a grateful heart your kids can actually see?
In this episode, Kent and Lawson help dads get super practical about gratitude, right in the middle of a noisy, entitled world. Using the word GRATEFUL as an acrostic, they walk through eight anchors for a dad's heart: Grace, Reflection, Appreciation, Thanksgiving, Empathy, Faith, Understanding, and Love.
You will hear stories about tiny frogs in a muddy trail, anonymous generosity on YouTube, benefit dinners that do not go as planned, and friends who choose gratitude in the middle of crushing loss. Together, Kent and Lawson connect these real-life moments to Scripture and to simple ideas you can try with your own family this Thanksgiving.
Whether you want a quick conversation starter around the table, a game to play with your kids, or just a reset for your own attitude before the holiday rush, this episode will help you trade comparison and entitlement for a grateful, open-handed way of living.
We'll also include the Scriptures we referenced below, in case you want to go back and study them for yourself.
G - Grace: "For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace." — John 1:16 (ESV) R - Reflection: "I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds." — Psalm 77:12 (ESV) A - Appreciation: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (ESV) T - Thanksgiving: "Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!" — Psalm 100:4 (ESV) E - Empathy: "Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." — Romans 12:15 (ESV) F - Faith: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." — Hebrews 11:1 (ESV) U - Understanding: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." — Proverbs 3:5 (ESV) L - Love: "We love because he first loved us." — 1 John 4:19 (ESV)
We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/f6LfEomB-Jk
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What’s Your Mission as a Dad?
Being a godly dad is hard work. Challenges abound, and sometimes, we just need some ideas, encouragement, and a little laughter along the way. So, we created the Father On Purpose Podcast to have real, fun, and practical conversations about being dads. Fatherhood is awesome, sacred, and hard all at the same time. We don’t have all the answers, but together as dads, we’ll try to figure it out.
