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What does it take to be not just a good father, but a transformational one? Former NFL quarterback Jeff Kemp brings decades of wisdom to this intimate conversation about the journey from boyhood to manhood to fatherhood—and it may not be what you expect.

Growing up as the son of NFL star and vice-presidential candidate Jack Kemp, Jeff struggled with the pressure of comparison. "I became insecure because I could never be as good a big deal as my dad," he confesses. This vulnerability opens the door to the episode's most powerful revelation: authentic fatherhood begins not with perfection but with understanding your identity as a beloved son of God.

Jeff introduces us to the concept of "Level 5 Friendship"—the missing ingredient in many men's lives. "A Level 5 friend is trusted, loyal, confidential, intentional, committed and consistent," he explains. "Most men don't have a Level 4 friend or a Level 5 friend." Through his organization Men Huddle, Jeff helps fathers create intentional communities where they can be vulnerable about their struggles without fear of judgment.

The conversation takes an emotional turn when Jeff shares the story of his father's deathbed blessing. After reading his father a three-page list of thanks for everything his dad had taught him, Jack offered his son a final prayer that affirmed Jeff's identity, purpose, and surrender to God's will. This powerful moment illustrates how a father's words can anchor a child's identity for a lifetime.

Perhaps the most surprising insight comes when Jeff suggests that apologizing may be a father's most powerful tool. "My best fathering as a father of grown sons is an apology," he says. "I'm modeling the gospel when I say 'I messed up.'" This humble approach creates a culture of grace that reflects God's heart toward us.

Whether you're a new dad, a seasoned grandfather, or still healing from father wounds of your own, this conversation offers a new vision for manhood and fatherhood. Discover how receiving God's love rather than trying to earn it can transform not just how you parent, but how you live.

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Ready to be the parent or grandparent you’ve always dreamed of becoming? Subscribe and Tune into my podcast each week, and check out my resources, heartfelt encouragement, and practical tools to help you make a lasting impact on the ones you love most. Click this link below:

https://www.thefatherdifference.com/links

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Have you ever felt your identity slipping away as your once-adoring child transforms into a boundary-testing teenager? That profound shift when your sweet little one who hung on your every word now questions, challenges, or even rejects your guidance can leave you wondering not just how to parent effectively, but who you are when your role seems to be changing beneath your feet.

This episode dives deep into one of motherhood's most challenging transitions: maintaining connection with your changing child while preserving your own sense of self. Pastor Ed McGlasson offers a paradigm-shifting perspective on motherhood that transcends traditional parenting advice. Rather than focusing solely on techniques to manage your child's behavior, he illuminates how securing your own identity creates the foundation for authentic connection with your evolving child.

"Children need a lighthouse when the storm is raging around them," McGlasson explains, painting a powerful image of what steadfast motherhood looks like amid adolescent turbulence. This metaphor captures the essence of effective parenting during seasons of change—remaining steadfast not because you're controlling outcomes, but because you're anchored in something deeper than your children's responses to you.

Drawing from spiritual wisdom and practical experience as both a parent and counselor to countless families, McGlasson reveals how mothers can distinguish between their identity and their role, creating space for both authentic connection and healthy boundaries. You'll discover specific prayers and mindset shifts that help you remain effective even when parenting feels like navigating uncharted waters.

Whether you're currently navigating the choppy waters of parenting a teenager, preparing for those years ahead, or reflecting on your journey with now-adult children, this episode offers transformative insights into how motherhood can be both profoundly influential and deeply fulfilling—not despite your child's changes, but through them.

Support the show

Ready to be the parent or grandparent you’ve always dreamed of becoming? Subscribe and Tune into my podcast each week, and check out my resources, heartfelt encouragement, and practical tools to help you make a lasting impact on the ones you love most. Click this link below:

https://www.thefatherdifference.com/links

Send us a text

What if the next sentence you speak to your child could rewrite years of silence?

I walk through four anchors for any dad who feels forgotten. First, it’s not too late to step back into your children’s lives, even if anger or distance stands in the way. Second, your blessing still matters; a father’s voice can call out design, not just describe behavior. Third, words either imprison or unlock destiny, so we trade chronic sarcasm for a practice of specific, consistent affirmation. Finally, we receive identity before we give it—like Jacob becoming Israel and renaming Ben-Oni to Benjamin—so our blessing springs from a deeper source than willpower.

You’ll hear practical ways to repair trust. We talk about shifting the family culture—from teasing to training, from criticism to coaching—and how short, daily blessings plant courage. If your own father never blessed you, I'll guide you to a prayer to receive that identity from God so you can pass it on with integrity.

Visit www.thefatherdifference.com/links for a free book download and information about personal coaching.

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Support the show

Ready to be the parent or grandparent you’ve always dreamed of becoming? Subscribe and tune into this podcast each week, and check out our resources, heartfelt encouragement, and practical tools to help you make a lasting impact on the ones you love most. Click this link below:

https://www.thefatherdifference.com/links