The 'Why, Dad?' Podcast

In this episode of the Why Dad podcast, hosts Paul Wandrey and Andrew Stolpestad engage in a deep conversation with Larry Hagner, founder of the Dad Edge and author of The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood. Larry shares his personal journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a dedicated father of four boys. The discussion emphasizes the importance of connection, community, and the pursuit of meaningful relationships in fatherhood. Larry provides practical advice for new dads, highlighting the significance of prioritizing marriage and fostering psychological safety in conversations with children. The episode concludes with insights on building a legacy of love and leadership for future generations.

What we cover:

• Larry’s fatherhood origin story and turning point
• Why good intentions aren’t enough
• Fatherhood as a learnable skill
• The importance of men’s community
• Psychological safety for kids
• Why strong marriages create safe homes
• Leading your family instead of drifting

Find Larry Hagner:

• Website: https://thedadedge.com
• Podcast: The Dad Edge Podcast
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedadedge
• Mastermind: https://thedadedge.com/mastermind
• Book: The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood

Who you choose to build a life with shapes far more than your present. It shapes your legacy.

In this episode, Paul and Andrew have an honest, wide-ranging conversation about how choosing a partner influences the kind of family, values, and future you leave behind. They talk about commitment, alignment, communication, growth, and what it really means to build a legacy of love that extends beyond your own lifetime.

From marriage and dating to parenting and long-term vision, this episode challenges dads and aspiring dads to think beyond chemistry and convenience and ask a deeper question. Are we building something together that’s worth passing on?

If you’ve ever wondered how your relationship choices affect your kids, your future, and the kind of man you’re becoming, this one’s for you.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How the partner you choose influences your legacy
• Why alignment of values matters more than perfection
• Commitment as a daily choice, not just a feeling
• Growing together instead of drifting apart
• Communication as the foundation of long-term connection
• Legacy as love, growth, and continuity, not just a name
• What single men and aspiring dads should be thinking about now
• How couples can intentionally shape the future of their family

Whether you’re married, dating, or thinking about the future, this episode invites you to reflect on what kind of legacy you’re building and who you’re building it with.

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Wickersham, dad of two, creator of the Warrior Dad Experience, and author of Warrior Dad: Love Your Children, Lead Your Family, Leave Your Legacy. Jeff shares the moments that shaped his mission, including the loss of his mom and the heartbreaking wake up call that pushed him to serve fathers.

We talk about what’s really happening to dads today: isolation, overwhelm, ego, and the “librarian of the mind” problem where we consume nonstop but rarely take action. Jeff breaks down how to build momentum through simple habits, why consistency beats intensity, and why “work life balance” is a trap. If you want to lead your family with strength, presence, and purpose, this one will hit home.

Guest: Jeff Wickersham

Jeff is a father of two, performance coach, creator of the Warrior Dad Experience, and author of Warrior Dad: Love Your Children, Lead Your Family, Leave Your Legacy.

What we cover

• Jeff’s origin story and the mission behind Warrior Dad
• The biggest challenges dads face right now (isolation, ego, overwhelm)
• The “librarian of the mind” trap: consuming content without implementing it
• How to build consistency with habits that are simple and sustainable
• Why “work life balance” isn’t the goal and what to aim for instead
• Why brotherhood and community are accelerators for growth
• Practical ways to take action immediately on what you learn
• Jeff’s definition of being a good dad: answer the “bids” for attention, lead with standards + love, be their biggest fan

Find Jeff Wickersham

• Website: https://thethewarriordad.com
• Book on Amazon (search): Warrior Dad: Love Your Children, Lead Your Family, Leave Your Legacy
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeff_wickersham/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-wickersham/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.wickershm

In this episode, Paul and Andrew delve into the significance of community for men, particularly fathers. They discuss the paradox of being more connected yet feeling lonelier than ever, emphasizing the need for genuine relationships and support systems. The conversation explores what constitutes a healthy community, the importance of fraternity, and how men can benefit from surrounding themselves with like-minded individuals. They also share their vision for building a local community of dads and the steps they are taking to foster connections among men.

Takeaways

• Community is essential for emotional and mental survival.
• Men thrive when they are part of a fraternity.
• Having diverse perspectives in a community enriches personal growth.
• Loneliness is a growing issue despite technological connectivity.
• Men need spaces to share experiences and challenges.
• Building a community requires intentional effort and engagement.
• Fraternity among men fosters accountability and support.
• Shared interests and goals strengthen community bonds.
• Community can help navigate the complexities of fatherhood.
• Investing in relationships outside of family is crucial for personal development.