You're spending more time with your kids than your dad ever spent with you — and somehow the guilt is worse than ever.

Connor and Pastor Scott tackle the myth of the perfect dad head-on: where it comes from, why social media is lying to you, and why your kids don't need a flawless father. They just need a present one.

In this episode:

• Why 57% of parents report burnout — and what's actually driving it (Ohio State University, 2024)
• The science of "Dad Brain" — how fatherhood literally rewires your brain and why your role is irreplaceable
• Why consistency beats intensity every single time
• What it looks like to be a steady, predictable anchor in your kid's chaotic little world

Anchor Verse: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." — 2 Corinthians 12:9

The world will tell you you're not enough. God says your weakness is exactly where He shows up.

Why the First 3 Years Matter More Than Most Dads Realize

Think your toddler won't remember these early years? Science says otherwise — and it's not even close.

In this episode, Connor and Scott break down three research-backed facts about early childhood brain development that every dad needs to hear. Your toddler's brain is running at twice the speed of yours. 80% of their brain development happens before they turn three. And the neural pathways tied to motivation, self-regulation, communication, and self-esteem? They're being wired right now — or they're not.

This isn't a guilt trip. It's a wake-up call. You're not waiting for your moment — you're in it.

We get real about the mirror effect (when you see your worst habits show up in your kids), the myth of "I don't have time," and why small, consistent deposits beat grand gestures every time. Plus, Scott shares the daily affirmation he speaks over his son that stops tantrums in their tracks — and why identity-shaping matters more than behavior modification.

Whether you're a new dad, expecting your first, or feeling like you're already behind — this one's for you.

In this episode: ‣ Why your 3-year-old's brain is twice as active as yours ‣ The 1,000-day window that shapes who your child becomes ‣ How dads accidentally pass down frustration, anger, and anxiety ‣ Daily habits that build unshakable father-child bonds ‣ The phone habit that's silently teaching your kids they're not a priority ‣ Speaking identity over your children before they can speak it themselves ‣ Encouragement for the dad who feels like he's already behind

📖 "Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth." — Psalm 127:4

New episodes weekly. Subscribe and share with a dad who needs to hear this.

Welcome to Raising Arrows.

We're Connor and Scott — two young dads, husbands, and Christ-followers figuring out fatherhood in real time. In this first episode, we introduce ourselves, our families, and why we felt called to start this podcast.

The truth? There's not a lot of real, faith-driven content out there for dads in the trenches of early fatherhood. No fluff. No "expert from a distance" energy. Just two guys walking through the toddler years, leading their families, chasing God's vision for their homes, and sharing what they're learning along the way.

"Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth." — Psalm 127:4

Whether you're expecting your first, holding your newborn, or chasing a toddler right now — this podcast is for you.

New episodes dropping weekly. Hit subscribe so you don't miss what's next.