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In this episode of Dads Against the Narrative, hosts Jack Nofel and Alex Lange sit down with special guest Greg Denning—a father of seven, world-schooler, and founder of the "Formidable Family Man" movement. Greg shares his powerful journey from a turbulent childhood filled with divorce and instability to crafting an extraordinary life on his own terms.

The trio dives deep into the philosophy of intentional fatherhood, discussing why "inviting" your children to grow is more effective than forcing them, and how to build lasting resilience in kids from toddlers to teenagers. Greg breaks down his "Triple Trifecta" framework for success and challenges fathers to stop playing the victim, embrace playfulness, and work harder on themselves than anything else.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Pain vs. Suffering: Understanding that while pain is inevitable, suffering is optional—and how to step out of the "victim" mindset.
• The Triple Trifecta: Greg’s blueprint for the complete man, focusing on Fitness (Mind, Body, Spirit), Family (Marriage, Parenting, Legacy), and Finances.
• Raising Resilient Kids: Why letting your children fail and "get punched in the face" (literally and metaphorically) is crucial for their confidence.
• Modeling Over Mandating: How to inspire your kids to read, train, and succeed by setting the example rather than issuing demands.
• The Power of Play: Why fathers need to stop being so serious and reconnect with their childlike spirit to bond with their kids.
• World Schooling & Unconventional Living: Greg’s experience traveling the world with his family and questioning the status quo of education and lifestyle.

Memorable Quote:
"Nothing will get better in my life until I get better... If I work harder on myself, it's the best thing I can do for my wife, my children, and my community." — Greg Denning

Guest Info:
• Greg Denning: Founder of the Formidable Family Man, World Schooler, and Mentor.
• Instagram: @greg.denning

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It’s time to cut through the noise and the empty resolutions. In this episode of Dads Against the Narrative, Jack Nofel and Devin Linder strip away the clichés of "New Year, New Me" to talk about what actually drives growth: Wins, Losses, and Mastering the Mundane.

We reflect on the highs and lows of 2025—from major family moves and health scares to business struggles and fitness injuries—and how every "loss" was just a lesson in disguise. If you’re tired of starting over every January, this episode is your wake-up call to stop resolving and start evolving.

In this episode, we cover:

• Win or Learn: Why your losses in 2025 are the fuel for your 2026 success.
• Mastering the Mundane: Why real growth happens in the boring, daily habits (clean your room, drink your water!).
• Marriage & Emotional Intelligence: How to stop competing with your wife’s emotions, hold space as a leader, and bring intimacy back to the forefront.
• The "Keep It Simple, Stupid" Rule: Stripping away the complexity of self-care and fatherhood to focus on the basics that work.
• Setting a Motto, Not a Resolution: Why you need a code to live by, not just a list of wishes.

This isn't about becoming a different person; it's about showing up as the man, father, and husband you were always meant to be. Let’s get to work.

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In this episode of Dads Against the Narrative, hosts Jack Nofel and Alex Lange are joined by Steve Eckert to discuss what it truly means to step up as a father in the modern world. The conversation centers on the "Red Pill" moment in fatherhood—the realization that you must diverge from societal scripts to raise strong, independent children.

Key Takeaways:

• The "Red Pill" of Fatherhood: Steve shares his pivotal decision to sacrifice his own personal career ambitions (like becoming a pro fighter) to instead focus entirely on building a legacy through his children [02:28]. He argues that true legacy is built "in the living room, not in the bank account" [11:32].

• Homeschooling as a Lifestyle: The group discusses homeschooling not just as an educational choice, but as a "freedom lifestyle." They reject standard curriculums in favor of life skills, entrepreneurship, and critical thinking. Steve explains that he doesn't want his children to conform to a system that breeds mediocrity [13:56].

• Raising Savages: A major theme is the necessity of physical discipline and resilience. Steve describes how his family works out together daily and uses physical consequences (like burpees) to teach accountability. He shares a story about his son getting smashed by adults in Jiu-Jitsu for months to learn the value of losing and resilience [31:01].

• Questioning the Narrative: The hosts and Steve discuss the importance of teaching kids how to think, not what to think. This includes questioning everything from government narratives to scientific consensus, and even moving their families to Mexico to find more freedom and safety, contrary to popular belief [53:39].

• The Ultimate Purpose: The episode concludes with the powerful sentiment that a man's highest purpose is to be a father and leader, creating a home environment where order conquers chaos [59:02].

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