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In Episode 47 of The Dad Compass Podcast, we break down a powerful section from Life’s Little Instruction Book by H. Jackson Brown Jr. called “A Father’s Instructions for Life.”

This episode turned into a real reflection on fatherhood, leadership, and the standards we model at home.

We talk about:

Are we raising tough kids or honorable kids?

Are we building character… or just managing behavior?

Why admitting mistakes as dads matters

The difference between rules and standards

Teaching money habits, self-control, and delayed gratification

Anger, discipline, communication, and leading by example

The legacy we’re actually leaving behind

This one is honest, practical, and full of real-life parenting moments — from bedtime negotiations to money lessons to how we handle conflict, stress, and growth as fathers.

👇 Question for the comments:
If you had to write your own Father’s Code, what are 5 rules/standards you’d put on it?

🎙️ The Dad Compass Podcast
Real conversations about fatherhood, growth, discipline, family, and life.

Chapters
00:00 Intro – A Father’s Instructions for Life
01:24 Character Over Comfort (Never cheat, admit mistakes, don’t gossip)
01:49 Tough Kids vs Honorable Kids
04:39 Never Cheat / Accountability as Parents
05:04 Admitting Mistakes (Extreme Ownership in parenting)
10:17 Don’t Gossip (and what that really means)
12:05 Losing Small Battles to Win the War
15:51 Financial Wisdom & Self-Control
16:04 Live Beneath Your Means
20:09 Credit Cards: Convenience vs Debt
22:59 Delayed Gratification & Modeling Discipline
25:34 Presence, Leadership, and Faith
27:19 Learn to Listen (really listen)
29:09 Never Take Action When You’re Angry
35:05 Enter a Room with Purpose and Confidence

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Are you parenting based on what feels right for your family… or based on what other people expect?

In this episode of The Dad Compass Podcast, Patrick O and Dmitry dig into the “Keeping Up With The Joneses” trap in modern parenting—how neighbors, family, school culture, and social media can quietly turn parenting into a performance.

We get real about:

Parenting for results vs compliments

Spanking vs beating (and the guilt + context nobody wants to talk about)

Kids swearing, “respect,” and the public vs private parent dilemma

Handling judgment in public (including parenting with autism in the mix)

The stat that hits hard: most of your time with your kids happens before 18

The modern struggle: putting the phone down and actually being present

If you’re a dad trying to lead your home with conviction instead of chasing approval—this one’s for you.

👇 COMMENT THIS:
Do you parent more for your kids… or for other people’s opinions?

👍 Like, Subscribe, and share this with a parent who needs the reality check.

#fatherhood #parenting #dadlife #discipline #podcast

Chapters -
00:00 Parenting for you or for them? (Episode question)
00:25 “It’s both” — when opinions twist your parenting
00:50 Social media & spanking: what’s “bad parenting” now?
01:15 Spanking, guilt, and why kids aren’t “learning”
02:02 Spanking vs beating + why some parents stop
03:34 Swearing around kids: rules, respect, and judgment
04:11 “I don’t want people looking at me…” (the real reason)
05:08 Teacher call nightmare + “respect” in the real world
06:41 Kids comparing you to other parents (Joneses trap)
07:29 Honest convos: money, limits, and what’s realistic
09:00 Would you feel weird doing the “kid stuff” in public?
09:50 The stat that hits: 90% of time is before 18
10:29 You learn late… then you’re grandparents (perspective shift)

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Fatherhood can turn a calm moment into a blow-up in seconds. If you’ve ever gone from fine to nuclear, this episode is for you.

In this solo episode of The Dad Compass Podcast, Dmitry breaks down the real reason dads get explosive: stress response + identity threat + overload—and the exact tools to stop reacting and start leading with control.

We cover the hidden triggers behind dad rage, why anger isn’t leadership, and how to use the 10-second gap to reset before you say something you can’t take back. You’ll also get a simple repair script (what to say after you yell) and a 7-day challenge to change the emotional temperature in your home.

If you want to be a stronger, calmer, more respected father—without becoming soft—this is the episode.

Comment your #1 dad trigger (the thing that flips your switch) and I’ll read a few in the next episode and break down real solutions.

#fatherhood #dadlife #parenting #anger #mensmentalhealth

Chapters -

00:00 Why Dads Snap: The Explosive Dad Problem
05:51 Reactivity Is a Stress Response (Dad Anger Explained)
11:26 Why Fatherhood Feels Overwhelming (5 Triggers That Set Dads Off)
16:00 The 10-Second Gap Method (How to Stop Yelling Fast)
21:55 Repair After Yelling (How to Apologize Like a Strong Dad)
26:47 7-Day Challenge to Stop Reacting (Lead Calm, Stay Respected)