Father On Purpose Podcast
Father On Purpose Podcast

Father On Purpose Podcast

Manhood Journey

Overview
Episodes

Details

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. We've been honored with guests such as Chip Ingram, Stephen Kendrick, Gary Chapman, Clarence Shuler, and many more. 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. Find out how you're doing as a godly dad: https://bit.ly/GodlyDadQuiz

Recent Episodes

Ep. 255: Smartphones, Fitting In, and Trusting Your Dad With Alex Evans
MAY 15, 2026
Ep. 255: Smartphones, Fitting In, and Trusting Your Dad With Alex Evans
What happens when your kids grow up and finally understand why you parented the way you did? In this special father-and-son episode, Kent sits down with his oldest son Alex for an honest conversation about parenting decisions that didn't always make sense in the moment: delayed cell phones, cultural boundaries, fitting in, dating, technology, and learning to wait. From Alex's perspective as a grown man, worship pastor, and husband, many of those frustrating "why can't I?" moments now carry a completely different meaning. This episode dives into: delayed gratification Christian parenting in a culture obsessed with fitting in helping kids stand apart instead of blend in raising sons who can think biblically the hidden lessons behind family rules why parenting is about more than behavior management If you've ever wondered whether your kids will someday understand the hard choices you make as a parent, this conversation is for you. Want to shape the direction of the show this year? Leave us a voicemail and tell us what you're facing as a dad: manhoodjourney.org/podcast Scroll down to "What's Your Story?" and leave us a message! You're not a father on accident. Go be a father on purpose. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about our new partners here: https://maninthemirror.org/ Download the Iron Circle worksheet here: https://manhoodjourney.org/iron-circle/ We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ev0W5OeQiZ8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Range Leather: Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Visit rangeleather.com/mj to score 10% off your next order! Grab some fresh beans! https://rangecoffee.com/ Fatherhood Guard – The Fatherhood Guard is now 100+ members strong! Join the fight for God-honoring fatherhood. Connect with dads from over 25 states and at least 3 countries by joining today. Grab your Range Leather welcome hat at https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/ Buy Kent's latest book "Don't Bench Yourself" on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1qBF3RJ Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- About our 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 appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.
play-circle icon
52 MIN
Ep. 254: Trusting the Architect to Build Long After We're Gone
MAY 8, 2026
Ep. 254: Trusting the Architect to Build Long After We're Gone
What does a 700-year-old cathedral in Italy have to do with Christian fatherhood? Turns out…a lot. While traveling through Europe, Lawson recorded a couple short videos outside the famous Florence Cathedral that sparked some powerful thoughts about legacy, faithfulness, and the kind of work dads are really called to do. In this episode, Kent unpacks the biblical idea that fatherhood is bigger than one lifetime. Just like the craftsmen who spent generations building cathedrals they would never fully see completed, dads today are building something eternal in their homes and families. Today's show is all about: multi-generational faithfulness trusting God with outcomes building a legacy that lasts staying faithful when you can't yet see the fruit why Christian fatherhood is never wasted work If you've ever wondered whether your daily effort as a dad really matters, this episode is a needed reminder: God is the architect, but faithful fathers still help build the house. Want to shape the direction of the show this year? Leave us a voicemail and tell us what you're facing as a dad: manhoodjourney.org/podcast Scroll down to "What's Your Story?" and leave us a message! You're not a father on accident. Go be a father on purpose. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about our new partners here: https://maninthemirror.org/ Download the Iron Circle worksheet here: https://manhoodjourney.org/iron-circle/ We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/67AHPkUtK_w ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Range Leather: Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Visit rangeleather.com/mj to score 10% off your next order! Grab some fresh beans! https://rangecoffee.com/ Fatherhood Guard – The Fatherhood Guard is now 100+ members strong! Join the fight for God-honoring fatherhood. Connect with dads from over 25 states and at least 3 countries by joining today. Grab your Range Leather welcome hat at https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/ Buy Kent's latest book "Don't Bench Yourself" on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1qBF3RJ Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- About our 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 appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.
play-circle icon
37 MIN
Ep. 253: You Don't Have What It Takes to Be a Great Dad…And That's the Point (With Mike Poelzer)
MAY 1, 2026
Ep. 253: You Don't Have What It Takes to Be a Great Dad…And That's the Point (With Mike Poelzer)
What if the biggest problem in your fatherhood isn't your past… it's your direction? In this episode, we sit down with pastor, husband, Upward Sports league director, and dad of four, Mike Poelzer, for a deeply honest conversation about what it looks like to lead your family on purpose. Mike shares from a different angle than you might expect. He grew up with a strong, faithful foundation—and over time, he realized just how rare that actually is. Instead of making guys feel behind, it gives us something better: a clear picture of what we're aiming for. This is not a "be exactly like Mike" conversation (although, he's not a bad example!) but more of a challenge to change your family tree. We talk about: How to lead your family when you don't feel ready Why small, consistent steps matter more than big changes The role encouragement plays (and why most men avoid it) What it means to think beyond today and lead generationally This isn't about having it all together. It's about getting pointed in the right direction—and taking the next step. Learn more about Mike's church: https://www.springcreek.church/ Connect with Upward Sports and their mission to combine youth sports with Christ-centered growth: https://www.upward.org/ Want to shape the direction of the show this year? Leave us a voicemail and tell us what you're facing as a dad: manhoodjourney.org/podcast Scroll down to "What's Your Story?" and leave us a message! You're not a father on accident. Go be a father on purpose. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about our new partners here: https://maninthemirror.org/ Download the Iron Circle worksheet here: https://manhoodjourney.org/iron-circle/ We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gwsycwqRiuU ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Range Leather: Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Visit rangeleather.com/mj to score 10% off your next order! Grab some fresh beans! https://rangecoffee.com/ Fatherhood Guard – The Fatherhood Guard is now 100+ members strong! Join the fight for God-honoring fatherhood. Connect with dads from over 25 states and at least 3 countries by joining today. Grab your Range Leather welcome hat at https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/ Buy Kent's latest book "Don't Bench Yourself" on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1qBF3RJ Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- About our 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 appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.
play-circle icon
50 MIN
Ep. 252: What's Really in Your Heart? (Hint: It's Not Just Feelings...)
APR 24, 2026
Ep. 252: What's Really in Your Heart? (Hint: It's Not Just Feelings...)
NEW RANGE DISCOUNT rangeleather.com/mj (enter your email for 10% off!) What's really going on in your heart right now? Not just how you feel…but what's actually driving your thoughts, your decisions, and your reactions as a dad. In this episode, we unpack what the Bible really means by "the heart" and why it's way bigger than emotions. Kent shares a surprisingly honest moment about envy (yeah…even in your 50s), and it leads to a deeper conversation about what's happening beneath the surface. The truth is, most of the struggles we face as men aren't behavior problems…they're heart problems. We also talk about: Why Scripture describes the heart as your center, not your feelings How envy, comparison, and insecurity actually take root Why behavior change alone doesn't last A simple way to start "guarding your heart" in real life How to help your kids process what's going on beneath the surface If you've ever thought, "That's not who I am," then this episode might challenge that in the best way, because who you are is revealed over time…and your heart is the source of it all. Want to shape the direction of the show this year? Leave us a voicemail and tell us what you're facing as a dad: manhoodjourney.org/podcast Scroll down to "What's Your Story?" and leave us a message! You're not a father on accident. Go be a father on purpose. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about our new partners here: https://maninthemirror.org/ Download the Iron Circle worksheet here: https://manhoodjourney.org/iron-circle/ We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gwsycwqRiuU ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Range Leather: Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Visit rangeleather.com/mj to score 10% off your next order! Grab some fresh beans! https://rangecoffee.com/ Fatherhood Guard – The Fatherhood Guard is now 100+ members strong! Join the fight for God honoring fatherhood. Connect with dads from over 25 states and at least 3 countries by joining today. Grab your Range Leather welcome hat at https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/ Buy Kent's latest book "Don't Bench Yourself" on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1qBF3RJ Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- About our 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 appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.
play-circle icon
48 MIN
Ep. 251: The Guardrails That Could Save Your Marriage (Before It's Too Late) With Jim Ramos
APR 17, 2026
Ep. 251: The Guardrails That Could Save Your Marriage (Before It's Too Late) With Jim Ramos
How close are you to a line you never thought you'd cross? Most guys don't wake up one day and decide to wreck their marriage. It starts small. A conversation. A joke. A complaint. One tiny step at a time. In this episode, we sit down with Jim Ramos to talk about his new book Guardrails—and why the strongest marriages aren't built on good intentions… they're built on clear boundaries. We get into: Why most affairs start way earlier than you think The danger of how you talk about your wife (even as a joke) Practical guardrails every man needs at work, online, and at home What it actually looks like to "live above reproach" How to protect your marriage before you're in trouble This one isn't about rules. It's about wisdom. The goal isn't to see how close you can get to the edge…it's to build a life that never gets near it. Support Jim and strengthen your marriage with his new book "Guardrails: Ten Boundaries For An Unbreakable Marriage": https://a.co/d/06ZwD2U2 ***Special Giveaway Alert*** If you would like a free copy of Jim's new book "Guardrails," head over to the Manhood Journey YouTube channel and look out for a short titled "Book Giveaway" coming soon! Want to shape the direction of the show this year? Leave us a voicemail and tell us what you're facing as a dad: manhoodjourney.org/podcast Scroll down to "What's Your Story?" and leave us a message! You're not a father on accident. Go be a father on purpose. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about our new partners here: https://maninthemirror.org/ Download the Iron Circle worksheet here: https://manhoodjourney.org/iron-circle/ We've launched video now! Check out the video version of today's episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/De7s4r5dnJA ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Range Leather: Support the show and upgrade your fatherhood swag. Shop Range Leather and get 15% OFF with code MJ15 Grab some fresh beans! https://rangecoffee.com/ Fatherhood Guard – The Fatherhood Guard is now 100+ members strong! Join the fight for God honoring fatherhood. Connect with dads from over 25 states and at least 3 countries by joining today. Grab your Range Leather welcome hat at https://manhoodjourney.org/donate/fatherhood-guard/ Buy Kent's latest book "Don't Bench Yourself" on Amazon: https://a.co/d/1qBF3RJ Read the new State Of Biblical Fatherhood report here: http://manhoodjourney.org/sobf Find tools to share the report here: https://manhoodjourney.org/sobf-tools Have a topic you want us to touch on? Well, get in touch! Send us an email at: [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------------------- About our 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 appeared on television, radio, web outlets and podcasts. He's spoken at parenting and men's events, and authored four books. The first, Wise Guys: Unlocking Hidden Wisdom from the Men Around You, was written to help men learn how to find mentors and wise counsel. The latest, Don't Bench Yourself: How to Stay in the Game Even When You Want to Quit, aims to help dads stay present in their roles as fathers and husbands even when they feel like giving up. Kent's life has been radically affected by godly mentors and his lovely wife, April. They have been married thirty years and have five sons and one daughter-in-law. He lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Lawson Brown is husband to his high school sweetheart, a father of two young adult daughters, has been a business leader since 1995, and is a former Marine. He served as a small group leader for teenage boys for many years, helped start the Christian media ministry City on a Hill Productions, then later Sanctuary – a new church in Kennesaw, GA – where he served as its leader for Men's Ministry. Lawson's journey of faith has always been centered in a grounding from his wife, Audrey, and supported throughout by many men whom he's found as brothers along the way. His family is nearing an empty nest phase and has recently relocated to the Florida Gulf Coast beaches area.
play-circle icon
46 MIN