The Dad Edge Podcast

In this solo December episode, I continue a month-long series dedicated to educating parents about the real dangers our kids face online. After last week's story about Adam Tate, today I share two more real cases—one involving sextortion and another involving swatting—that every parent needs to understand. These aren't rare events. They're happening quickly, quietly, and often right under our noses while our kids sit in their bedrooms playing games like Roblox, Fortnite, and more.

You'll hear the heartbreaking story of 17-year-old Ryan Lass from San Jose, who took his own life within hours of being extorted by an overseas criminal network. Then we break down the tragic case of Andrew Finch, a 28-year-old father of two who was killed after a swatting prank triggered a full SWAT response to the wrong house. Both stories highlight how dangerous the digital world has become—and why we must be proactive, aware, and deeply involved in protecting our kids' online lives.

[0:00] Introduction

[1:02] Why December episodes are focused on online safety and protecting kids.

[1:50] Recap of last week's episode about Adam Tate and the Sean Ryan interview.

[2:32] Why sinister online activity is escalating and why parents must stay informed.

[3:02] Introducing two new stories: a sextortion case and a swatting case.

[3:48] Explanation of "swatting" and why even young kids are now doing it.

[4:48] Beginning Ryan Lass's story — a high school senior extorted online.

[5:38] How a predator posed as a woman and launched a rapid blackmail attack.

[6:07] FBI findings and identification of the international criminal ring.

[7:41] Why Ryan's case matters: he was targeted, not reckless.

[8:37] How modern predators manipulate teens using panic and pressure.

[9:02] Parents' blind spots about who kids are connected to online.

[10:17] Reminder that kids are connected to global predators—not just friends.

[11:03] Introduction to Andrew Finch's swatting case.

[12:06] The false 911 call describing a violent hostage situation.

[12:57] How Andrew Finch was shot despite having no involvement.

[14:01] Why swatting is deadly—and how it grew out of gaming communities.

[15:39] The seriousness of online conflict and its real-world consequences.

[16:33] How swatting and predator activity now infiltrate gaming platforms.

[16:54] Why Bark is one of the most effective tools for monitoring kids' devices.

[17:19] The need for proactive online supervision—like helmets for digital life.

[18:18] A recent incident with my own son that Bark helped me catch early.

[19:09] The urgency of protecting our kids from online predators.

[19:32] Directing listeners to the show notes and resources at thedadedge.com/1412.

[20:10] Additional resources including PenTester, YouTube links, and conversation guides.

[20:27] Free "Conversations for the Car" PDF for kids ages 5–18.

[20:45] Encouragement for parents: we fight this fight together.

1. Predators are organized, trained, and global. Kids on gaming systems are interacting with far more than just "friends."
2. Sextortion happens extremely fast. In Ryan's case, the window from first contact to death was only hours.
3. Swatting is no longer just a gaming prank—it's deadly. The Andrew Finch tragedy shows how quickly it can turn fatal.
4. Parents must stay vigilant, informed, and engaged. Safety now requires ongoing conversations and digital monitoring.
5. Tools like Bark can save lives. Monitoring texts, DMs, and online chats can catch danger long before it escalates.

In this powerful and deeply emotional episode, I sit down with my good friend Sean Cochran, CEO of Men for Life, to have one of the rawest conversations we've ever shared on this podcast. Sean opens up about losing his first child to abortion at 19 and the seven-year spiral that followed—addiction, gambling, overdoses, isolation, and hitting rock bottom on the floor of a dirty hotel room. His story is one of unimaginable darkness, but also unbelievable redemption.

We explore how culture has silenced men in the abortion conversation, the devastating emotional impact so many men carry in secret, and Sean's journey from shame to recovery, fatherhood, and ultimately becoming a national voice for men who feel unseen in this space. We also dive into the mission behind Men for Life, the data behind father involvement, and how redefining authentic masculinity can change families and communities for generations.

[0:00] Sean begins sharing why abortion is not just a "women's issue."

[2:03] The staggering data on how many men are affected by abortion every year.

[3:56] Sean's personal story begins—19 years old, his girlfriend is pregnant.

[5:06] Learning the abortion would happen despite his desire to keep the baby.

[6:34] The counselor who told him "this doesn't affect you"—and how that shaped years of silence.

[8:05] Addiction escalates: cocaine, ecstasy, gambling, and stealing.

[9:25] Hitting rock bottom in a hotel room and believing he would die.

[10:59] A moment of surrender and prayer that changed everything.

[12:50] Entering treatment, beginning healing, and naming his son "Michael."

[15:38] Rebuilding: finishing college, law school, starting a family.

[17:04] Adopting three children—and the powerful contrast between two mothers' choices.

[18:28] Realizing he was failing as a lawyer, husband, and father—and shutting down his law practice.

[21:00] Discovering men everywhere carry hidden abortion wounds after speaking publicly for the first time.

[23:03] How Sean was led—against his own plans—to become CEO of Men for Life.

[26:05] The mission: creating a fatherhood program that transforms young men and saves lives.

[28:00] Why authentic masculinity is rooted in service, courage, sacrifice, and Christ-like leadership.

[30:00] How men can get involved and support Men for Life.

1. Men are deeply impacted by abortion, yet culture has told them their voice doesn't matter.
2. One in five men will lose a child to abortion by age 45—and most carry that pain alone.
3. Sean's seven-year spiral was fueled by unprocessed grief, shame, and the belief that he "didn't matter."
4. Father involvement changes outcomes: when men see an ultrasound and go through a fatherhood program, 97% choose life.
5. Authentic masculinity isn't domination—it's service, courage, sacrifice, and living for something bigger than yourself.

In today's conversation, I sit down with Ian Cron — a psychotherapist, priest, bestselling author of The Road Back to You, and one of the world's leading experts on the Enneagram. This episode hit me far harder than I expected. Ian doesn't just explain the Enneagram… he helps us understand how our personality type shapes our marriage, our parenting, our leadership, and even the stories we tell ourselves.

But things get incredibly real when Ian puts me through a live guided inner-work exercise. Within minutes, he led me straight into one of the deepest beliefs I carry about success, provision, and worth — taking me face-to-face with the 12-year-old version of myself who still drives far more than I realized. It was raw, vulnerable, uncomfortable… and one of the most powerful moments I've had behind this microphone. If you've ever wondered why you do what you do, why you push so hard, or why your strengths sometimes undermine you, this conversation will stop you in your tracks.

[0:00] – Introducing the episode and why today's conversation hit harder than expected.

[1:27] – Ian Cron's background as a psychotherapist, priest, and Enneagram expert.

[2:12] – Ian explains the nine personality types in plain language.

[2:42] – Why I chose to get vulnerable and let Ian guide me through inner work.

[3:25] – A moment of intense authenticity as I sit face-to-face with my younger self.

[11:51] – Nature vs. nurture — where personality comes from.

[13:34] – Why self-awareness is essential for good living, marriage, and parenting.

[15:31] – Applying Enneagram wisdom to understanding kids and their inner worlds.

[17:22] – How knowing my wife's type changed our marriage.

[18:27] – "What's best about you is also what's worst about you."

[19:59] – Ian analyzes my type (3w2) and explains why he knew so much about me instantly.

[21:42] – How threes may unintentionally run over people while chasing goals.

[22:50] – Parenting kids who aren't wired like you — and avoiding making them copies.

[24:12] – Why every type has strengths, weaknesses, and a path toward health.

[26:32] – Understanding your kids' Enneagram types and customizing your parenting.

[27:48] – When kids should take the Enneagram test.

[29:03] – My own reflections on turning 50 and becoming more self-aware.

[30:19] – How to begin inner work and understand your type's shadow side.

[31:21] – The shift from first-half-of-life achievement to second-half-of-life meaning.

[32:36] – Do Enneagram types change over time?

[33:58] – Ian shares the hard truths about being a Type 4 and the work it required.

[35:51] – What makes the Enneagram "painfully accurate" — and why it stings at first.

[43:03] – Why dating app "compatibility" algorithms may be misleading.

[46:16] – The danger of being married to someone exactly like you.

[47:15] – Why I talk to the "achiever" part of myself and how Ian explains this phenomenon.

[49:21] – Understanding internal "parts" and learning to lead them well.

[52:06] – The moment my 12-year-old self emerges during the guided exercise.

[1:02:14] – Why self-knowledge is the beginning of wisdom.

[1:03:27] – Ian's resources: assessments, coaching, books, and his Typology podcast.

[1:04:45] – Final reflections and directing listeners to the show notes.

1. The Enneagram reveals core motivations, not just behaviors. Understanding your type gives you a mirror into why you act, think, and feel the way you do.
2. Self-awareness is foundational to healthy marriage and parenting. When you understand your patterns, blind spots, and triggers, you show up more intentionally for the people you love.
3. Your strengths also contain your shadow. "What's best about you is also what's worst about you" — and growth requires facing both sides honestly.
4. Inner-work exposes old parts still running your life. The guided exercise revealed a wounded 12-year-old part of me still driving my need to achieve and provide.
5. Your type doesn't change, but you evolve within it. True maturity comes from learning to lead your personality, not letting it lead you.

In this first solo show for December, the host, Larry Hagner, comes to the audience with anger and urgency to discuss a massive, sinister online threat targeting children through seemingly innocent games like Roblox and Minecraft. Drawing heavily from a recent Sean Ryan Show interview with ethical hacker Ryan Montgomery (Episode 255), the host alerts parents to the dark fringes of the internet and a dangerous group, 764, described as a dark web cult with an "indifference" belief that lives and families mean nothing.

The episode features the heartbreaking, public post from Adam and Amanda Tate whose 15-year-old son, Bryce Tate, tragically took his own life after being a victim of sextortion. The host details how these criminals build trust, escalate quickly (the Tate tragedy occurred in just three hours), and use threats of public exposure to manipulate vulnerable children. Beyond sextortion, the episode warns about extreme acts of self-harm, pet-killing, and even violence against family members being coerced for things as trivial as Roblox Robux.

The host emphasizes that parental awareness is the only defense. He strongly recommends using a parental monitoring software like Bark (about $15/month) to monitor online chats, text messages, and social media, allowing parents to get immediate alerts and intervene before tragedy strikes. This is a passionate call to action for fathers to educate themselves, have ongoing, fruitful conversations, and protect their children's lives.

TIMELINE SUMMARY

[0:00] Introduction

[1:47] Episode disclaimer for parents

[2:22] Alerting parents to the "massive threat" in games like Roblox and Minecraft

[3:35] How innocent games can be tampered with and made evil

[3:59] Introducing the Sean Ryan Show and the interview with Ryan Montgomery

[4:37] Episode 255 of The Sean Ryan Show: "Roblox and Minecraft. Hacker exposes the largest online video games."

[5:22] Warning: Roblox is not safe; introduction to the online group 764

[6:07] The 764 group's belief in indifference and not caring about the welfare of children

[6:51] Sharing the story of Bryce Tate (15) and his parents, Adam and Amanda Tate

[8:57] The discovery: Bryce was a victim of sextortion—a serious and growing threat

[9:49] The extortion phase: demanding $500 and threatening to share photos.

[10:22] Bryce, believing his world was destroyed, was manipulated into taking his own life

[11:11] The rapid timeline: the first message to the final tragic act occurred in just three hours

[12:02] Episode recommendation: Sean Ryan/Ryan Montgomery interview

[13:13] Discussing extreme acts: forcing a 14-year-old girl to hang herself naked on video

[14:08] Forcing kids to tattoo usernames, burn themselves, and kill their pets or parents/siblings on video

[15:10] The shocking detail: kids are being coerced for Roblox Robux, not even real money

[16:49] Bark: Parental Monitoring Software

[19:11] Call to parents: Make an effort to have ongoing conversations with your kids

[19:35] The modern threat: the bully can be in your kid's bedroom, 25 feet away, and you have "no idea"

[20:25] Conclusion: The only protection our kids have is us; a passionate final call to action.

5 KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. The Threat is Real and Sinister Online platforms like Roblox and Minecraft are being exploited by a large, sadistic group (764) on the dark web that preys on vulnerable children, escalating from sextortion to coercing extreme acts of self-harm and violence for Robux or recognition.
2. Speed is Critical—Intervention Must Be Immediate. The sextortion process is incredibly fast. A child can be manipulated into a catastrophic decision in as little as three to six hours, as seen in the Bryce Tate tragedy, highlighting the crucial need for immediate digital awareness and monitoring.
3. The Stakes Are Life and Death. These criminals are professionals who exploit children's innocence and sense of shame, often leading victims to take their own lives. The host argues this is a heinous crime, describing the acts as being "murdered... through his phone".
4. Awareness is the Only Defense. Parents cannot protect their children unless they know what is happening. The host urges parents to research the topic (especially the Sean Ryan Show interview with Ryan Montgomery) to understand the depth of the technological and psychological infiltration.
5. Protect Your Kids with Technology and Ongoing Conversation. While open, ongoing conversations are vital, parental monitoring tools like Bark are essential for a safety net. Bark monitors 30+ apps and texts, sending immediate alerts to parents, allowing intervention within minutes to stop a fast-moving threat.

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