Ever tried to have a quiet conversation with your wife while a toddler was around? Good luck. We love kids, but they sure can get in the way sometimes. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the threats parenting presents to marriage.

Why This Matters

Marriages change after you have kids. Men must prioritize their relationship with their wives in order to weather the challenges that parenting presents.

Common Threats to Marriage After Becoming a Dad

· Exhaustion: Kids wear us out physically, emotionally, and mentally. That impacts your marriage.

· New areas of conflict: Arguments can get us thinking “me” not “we.”

· Losing sight of each other: Don’t live like roommates. Set aside intentional time to connect with your wife.

· Mis-ordered priorities: Our wives’ needs should always come before kids’.

· Forgetting you’re a team: Work together with your wife to raise kids well.

Important Episode Timestamps

00:00 – 02:03 | Anniversary Plans Gone Wrong
02:03 – 05:15 | When Kids Interrupt Everything
05:15 – 07:02 | Life Before and After Kids
07:02 – 09:20 | The Big Question: What Threats Do Kids Bring to Marriage?
09:20 – 13:31 | Threat #1: Exhaustion
13:31 – 17:12 | The Power of Prioritizing Date Night
17:12 – 22:13 | Threat #2: New Arenas for Conflict
22:13 – 26:33 | Threat #3: Living Like Roommates
26:33 – 33:15 | Threat #4: Misordered Priorities
33:15 – End | Pro Move of the Week: Put your wife first this week. Plan a date. Schedule quiet time together. Remind her that she is your top priority.

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 70 – What Do Happily Married Couples Think About?

Episode 48 – How Do I Overcome Challenges in My Marriage?

5 Threats Parenting Presents to Marriage

5 Barriers to Fun in Your Marriage

9 Ways to

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“Money doesn’t grow on trees! Pull my finger!” Some dad phrases are goofy. But others? They can be quite hurtful, even if we don’t mean for them to be. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about common phrases we need to cut out.

Why This Matters
Words aren’t neutral with our kids. They are either helpful or hurtful.

Phrases That Make Kids Feel Small and Unheard

1. "Stop crying or I’ll give you something to cry about."
Instead, try: "It's okay to feel sad/frustrated/scared. Tell me what's going on."

2. “What’s wrong with you?”
Instead, try: "That choice wasn't like you. Help me understand what happened.

Phrases That Can Hurt Our Connection With Our Kids

3. "When I was your age…"
Instead, try: "You are growing up in a different world than I did. Explain it to me like I’m a martian.

4. “You are making me crazy.”
Instead, try: "I’m feeling really frustrated right now. I need a minute, and then we can talk about.”

Phrases That Can Mess Up How Our Kids See Authority and Even God

5. "Because I said so."
Instead, try: "Focus on natural consequences and clear boundaries: "If you don't pick up your toys, they'll be put away for a week."

6. “I’m disappointed in you.”
Instead, try: "I'm disappointed with that choice you made, and I know you can do better."

Important Episode Timestamps

00:00 – 02:36 | Dad Phrases We All Say
02:36 – 04:09 | Southern Sayings and Dad Humor
04:09 – 05:08 | The Big Question: What Should Dads Stop Saying?
05:08 – 08:52 | “Stop Crying or I’ll Give You Something to Cry About”
08:52 – 10:00 | “What’s Wrong with You?” and “What Were You Thinking?”
10:00 – 13:05 | “When I Was Your Age” and “You’re Making Me Crazy”
13:05 – 17:52 | “Because I Said So” and the Problem with Authority
17:52 – End | “I’m Disappointed in You” and the Weight of Words

APD Pro Move:
This week, before you correct, question, or even joke with your child, pause for just one second and ask yourself, 'Is what I'm about to say hurtful or helpful for my kid?

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 61 – What Prob

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If your son has a TikTok or Instagram account, he’s likely aware of the manosphere. Even if he’s off social media, his friends probably aren’t. The world of hyper masculine, misogynistic, anti-feminist content is becoming increasingly popular with young men, but why? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the dangerous content of the manosphere and how it’s resonating with boys and young men.

Why This Matters
There’s nothing beneficial about the manosphere, so we should learn how to help our family avoid its poison.

What Do Most Boys Want?
Kids, especially boys, are asking themselves these questions:

1. “Who am I?”
Boys are looking for identity.

2. “Where do I belong?”
Boys want to fit in.

3. “How do I influence the world?”
Boys are looking to leave their mark.

Important Episode Timestamps

00:00 – 02:03 | What Is the Manosphere?
The hosts define key terms and unpack how online communities shape men’s beliefs about masculinity.

02:03 – 04:11 | The Good, the Bad, and the Confusing
The dads tackle the mixed messages the manosphere sends.

04:11 – 06:32 | When Men Feel Unseen
Many men turn to the manosphere when they feel misunderstood by culture.

06:32 – 09:15 | Influencers and Echo Chambers
Certain voices online gain power by amplifying anger and oversimplifying manhood.

09:15 – 12:05 | Real Strength vs. Online Posturing
Authentic masculinity is marked by service and humility.

12:05 – 15:12 | Why Young Men Are Vulnerable
Loneliness, fatherlessness, and social media pull teens into toxic content.

15:12 – 18:37 | Calling Dads to Engage
Fathers must teach boys what real manhood looks like.

18:37 – 22:43 | Modeling Healthy Masculinity
The dads share stories and practical ways to show strength through gentleness and integrity.

22:43 – End | Pro Move: “Ask your son who he is following on social media. Ask him if he’s heard of the manosphere, incels, and “red pills” and find out what he thinks about it.”

All Pro Dad Resources

5 Ways We Want Our Sons to Rethink Manhood

5 Destructive Messages We Send Our Sons

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The rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm have been steadily increasing for the last decade. The COVID-19 pandemic did nothing to slow it down. If anything, it made it worse. How are dads to deal with their kids’ mental health? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by Dr. Chinwé Williams to talk about how to raise emotionally resilient kids.

Why This Matters

Empathy is powerful, but a lot of us are bad at it. Learning to be a more empathetic father makes us a better father.

Key Takeaways

· Our kids need help.

· Anxiety is the No. 1 mental health issue.

· Cyberbullying and harassment are common.

Practical Tools for Dads

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or wondering how to help your kids build emotional resilience, start with these steps:

1. Know the red flags.
Sleep disturbances, changes in food intake, mood shifts, and avoidance of friends are all signs dads can look for that indicate kids may be struggling with their mental health.

2. Stay calm-ish.
“You actually don’t have to feel calm to be calm.” – Dr. Williams

3. Initiate a pause or break.
Pausing for 10–90 seconds gives you a long enough break to make a wise decision, have calm-ish reactions, and keep you from saying things you may regret with your kids.

4. Emotional connection matters.
If we want emotionally resilient kids, we must be emotionally present with them. “It sounds squishy or soft… but it really is powerful.” – Dr. Williams.

Important Episode Timestamps
00:00 – 01:13 | Introducing Dr. Chinwé Williams
01:13 – 02:17 | A Personal Story of Panic Attacks
02:17 – 03:55 | The Power of Empathy
03:55 – 05:04 | Why Resilience Matters
05:04 – 09:04 | What’s Behind Rising Anxiety
09:04 – 12:31 | The Role of Social Media and Global Stressors
12:31 – 15:30 | Spotting Behavioral Red Flags
15:30 – 19:41 | Calm-ish Parenting and the Power of Pause
19:41 – 26:47 | Emotional Connection Over Perfection
26:47 – End | Pro Move: Ask your child, “What would be your best day ever?” Then start thinking of ways to make that happen and put it on the calendar.

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 86 – Kathleen Edelman: Learn and Leverage Your Kids’ Natural Wiring

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Search “songs about daughters” on Spotify. There’s no shortage of lyrics about a dads’ love for his little girls. That bond is worth singing about! In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the responsibility of being a girl dad and all the fun, challenges, and joys that come with it.

Why This Matters

Through their behavior and intention, dads demonstrate to daughters how they should be treated, valued, and loved.

Key Takeaways

· National Institute for Health: “Girls report higher levels of self-esteem when they perceive their dads as active and helpful.”

· Institute for Family Studies: “Well-fathered daughters are less likely to get pregnant as teenagers.”

Truths about Dads and Daughters

1. Girls will see Dad as the male standard

2. Girls tend to be sweeter than boys

3. They open up a new world

4. Being the protector and comforter

5. Girls make you a better man

6. It’s fun to be their cheerleader

Important Episode Timestamps
00:00 – 00:43 | Butterfly Kisses and Dad Emotions
00:43 – 02:21 | Music, Memories, and Growing Up
02:21 – 04:44 | Little Moments That Hit Hard
04:44 – 06:20 | Daddy-Daughter Dance Memories
06:20 – 09:11 | Our Daughters’ First Love
09:11 – 11:42 | Setting the Standard for Relationships
11:42 – 13:49 | Protector and Comforter
13:49 – 16:24 | Sensitivity and Emotional Intelligence
16:24 – 19:05 | Daughters Change Dads
19:05 – End | Pro Move of the Week:
Set aside 1-on-1 time this week with each of your daughters. Let them set the agenda and just enjoy being with your girl.

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.

All Pro Dad Resources:

How to Have An Adventure With Your Daughter

7 Father–Daughter Bonding Activities

Daddy–D

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We’ve all heard the old saying, “Silence is golden.” And sometimes, it absolutely is. But when Dad doesn’t know what to say or do, how does that impact his kids? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about dads being distracted, dumbfounded, and disengaged.

Why This Matters

Silent dads are distant dads, and kids don’t need distance. They thrive on connection.

3 Kinds of Dad Silence

1. Distracted Dad
This happens when dads are physically present but mentally absent.

2. Dumbfounded Dad
This happens when dads get totally stumped or confused by something their kid does.

3. Disengaged Dad
This dad might take care of the essentials, but he’s usually not invested in his kids’ daily life.

Action Steps for Each Dad

If you’re prone to silence, follow these steps:

For the Distracted Dad:

1. Put down the device

2. Make eye contact

3. Repeat back what they said

4. Schedule "connection time"

For the Dumbfounded Dad:

1. Embrace "I don't know"

For the Disengaged Dad:
1. Acknowledge your state

2. Ask open-ended questions

3. Use "I" statements for feelings

Important Episode Timestamps

00:19 – 02:26 | Was Your Dad Talkative or Quiet?
02:26 – 03:21 | The Problem of Dad Silence
03:21 – 04:59 | Everyday Distractions
05:00 – 06:36 | The Distracted Dad
06:36 – 08:07 | The Fallout of Distraction
08:07 – 13:25 | The Dumbfounded Dad
13:25 – 16:12 | The Power of Saying ‘I Don’t Know’
16:12 – 17:30 | The Disengaged Dad
17:50 – 22:41 | Action Steps for Each Dad Type
23:00 – End | Pro Move of the Week

All Pro Dad Resources:

7 Ways to Instantly Improve Your Relationship With Your Kids

5 Dangers of Distracted Parenting

The Secret Wish of Every Teenager

3 Reasons You Need to Be the Calmest Person in the Room

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Kids these days, right? Each new generation is presented with challenges. Generation Alpha is facing some big ones, and dads need to understand them all. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about how we can support our kids and grandkids through all their battles.

Why This Matters

The better we understand this generation, the better we can love them.

Who Is Generation Alpha?

· These kids were born between 2010 and 2024

· They are largely the children of millennials

· They are the most diverse generation in U.S. history

· One of the biggest differences between Gen Z and Gen Alpha is the emergence of AI as an everyday factor of life

· 58% of Generation Alpha gets a smartphone before age 10

Issues Gen Alpha is Facing

1. Lack of Coping Skills

2. Rise of Subjective Truth

3. An Increasingly Complex World

4. Isolation

5. Negative Effects of Screens

Action Steps for Dads

1. Give more freedom where appropriate.

2. Teach your kids that we cannot trust our own hearts.

3. Take inventory of what information they ingest.

4. Encourage face-to-face interaction.

5. Set boundaries around screen time.

Important Episode Timestamps

00:00 – 02:25 | Meet Gen Alpha
02:25 – 02:51 | Big Question of the Day
07:24 – 09:04 | Teaching Truth in a Confusing World
12:14 – 13:43 | The Dating Homework Assignment
14:31 – 16:36 | Growing Up on Screens
17:40 – 19:25 | The Pocket Knife Lesson
21:37 – 22:10 | “Follow Your Heart” Isn’t Enough
23:12 – 25:40 | Setting Boundaries Around Screens
26:00 – End | Pro Move: Pick one person in your kids’ life and set up an in-person hang out with them.

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 44 – How is Your Phone Use Affecting Your Kid?

Episode 39 – Is My Kid Addicted to Screen Time?

5 Challenges We Need to Help Generation Alpha Face

4 Warning Bells as AI Continues to Influence the World

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Do parents have favorites? Even if you say you don’t, research shows you probably do. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about dads showing favoritism, even unknowingly, harms everyone in the house.

Why This Matters
Siblings who receive less favored treatment tend to have poorer mental health and more strained family relationships.

Key Takeaways

· You probably DO have a favorite kid: A BYU study shows 80% of parents show preferential treatment

· Behavior is a factor: The American Psychological Association says “agreeable and conscientious” kids are usually favored.

· Sorry, boys: Both mothers and fathers are more likely to favor daughters.

Action Steps for Dads
Perception is reality, so avoid even appearing to have a favorite kid by doing these things:

1. Analyze yourself.

2. Avoid unfair assignments and punishments.

3. Examine your wallet.

4. Divide your time as evenly as possible.

5. Schedule regular check-ins.

6. Hear them out.

Important Episode Timestamps
00:00 – 03:40 | Who’s the Favorite?
03:40 – 04:32 | Research on Parental Favoritism
04:32 – 06:11 | Why Easier Kids Get the Edge
06:11 – 08:27 | Daughters and Favoritism Trends
08:27 – 11:13 | Long-Term Impact on Sibling Bonds
11:13 – 15:18 | A Teenager’s Perspective
15:18 – 18:20 | Time, Perception, and Fairness
18:20 – 26:38 | Avoiding Unfairness in Parenting
26:38 – End | Pro Move Think about how you might be favoring one kid over the other. Make a plan to even things out so that there is harmony in your home.

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 37: “Have I Taken the Time to Get To Know My Kid For Who They Are?”

Episode 63: “How To Help My Kids Navigate Their Emotions”

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