Eight months ago I started listening to a podcast that would forever change my life.
That podcast is Front Row Dads (FRD). It’s for family men with businesses, NOT businessmen with families. That missions statement alone commanded my attention the very first time I heard it.
However, let me rewind and tell you my story before I speed into FRD and all its glory 🙂
Eight months ago I was a good dad. Some might argue better or worse, but from my personal standards, I was doing enough to be a good dad. Not a great dad.
- I worked about 50-ish hours/week on my businesses.
- I created time for my children every single day, including breakfast and dinner.
- I was present every night and weekends.
- I relieved my wife of stay-at-home duties as much as possible.
Again, from most peoples’ standards I was doing the dad thing right.
However, my standards would change the instant I heard that first FRD podcast. I remember hearing Jon [the founder’s] voice say those words:
“We’re family men with businesses, not business men with families.”
The first time I heard that I had a powerful moment of self-realization. Even though I loved my kids and created time for them, I wasn’t truly putting them first. I always had the thought of business on my mind. As an entrepreneur this is hard to shake… and most of us don’t even realize we’re in this mindset. Business just consumes us.
So that day was a game-changer. I continued to listen to the other core values being listed in the FRD mission, including:
- Vibrant Health
- Emotional Mastery
- Thriving Relationships
- Intentional Parenting
Within seconds I had heard enough. This is what my life was missing… and this is what I needed more of. I remember thinking:
“Damn, these guys are talking about the [exact] stuff I’m up against.”
Since then, I’ve tuned into FRD every single week. Every podcast is centered around one of the core values, often with an existing front row dad member. The interviewee is also typically a father, or mother in some cases, which speaks to the context of content. As parents, I think we’re all a little biased when it comes to taking advice from non-parents! So rest assured, you’re usually listening to someone who’s gone through the same ups and downs you face on a daily basis.
The podcast provides great variety as well. Sometimes I get insight on fatherhood, and other times I get insight on marriage or self awareness. Regardless, I generally get insight on something related to being a better version of myself. That’s why the FRD podcast is so compelling. It always offers something I can learn and potentially apply to my life.
Ultimately, it helps me self identify with who I want to be – a better father.
Membership
Fast forward to the present day, and I’m officially a FRD brotherhood member. This is a paid membership that offers deeper access and involvement with 100+ other guys in the group. It’s a combination of virtual interaction and occasional offline engagement. In other words, we do a lot of stuff online and then find time to meet up in-person whenever possible. Three months in to it and the brotherhood has already given me new tools, perspective and grounding to become the best family man I can possibly be. Period.
So now I’ll flip the script back towards YOU.
Are you living up to your true father potential?
Now some of you may be thinking, “I’m already a great dad. What could I possibly learn from this?” Or even better, “I don’t really have time for this.” If that’s you, stop reading this article right now. You’ve got it figured out and the FRD brotherhood is not for you. Keep doing you.
For the rest of you that might be thinking, “Wow, this sounds really interesting.” I encourage you to listen to a podcast or two, especially if you’re an entrepreneur. My hunch is that you’ll get instant value and pull your headphones out with something you can immediately apply to your family life. In fact, I almost guarantee it.
Or, if you’re indifferent on the topic I would pause and ask yourself a few questions that helped me commit:
Do you invest as much time into your family as you do your business?
If not, why?
Are you fully present with your family? By fully present, I mean no phone in sight.
If not, what on your phone (or mind) could possibly be more important than your family’s attention?
Do you believe your “hard work” and long hours are necessary to provide for your family?
If so, when will you have put the time in to focus back on them?
There are plenty of other examples I could throw at you, but I think you get the point. If you’re not prioritizing your family you should dig deep and really ask why? The #1 regret for people on their deathbed is, “I wish I didn’t work so much.” Don’t be part of that growing statistic.
To be clear – this is not a pitch, nor do I get any kind of kickback here. The only thing I get is the potential of inspiring other dads to take action. If you think you have room to grow as a father and husband you should invest. And you can invest for free via the podcast or open Facebook group.
The podcast is an easy place to start. Three episodes I recommend specifically include:
How Every Dad Can Decrease Stress & Live Longer
- This changed how my wife and I view dieting at large, plus the concept behind “functional medicine.” There were also some awesome insights around staying grounded, embracing the Earth’s patterns, learning from kids, and the future of mushrooms!
049: The 5 Hour School Week: Rethinking Education, Family Dynamics and Global Adventures
- This inspired my thought process around schooling for our children as they approach primary education ages. The concept of traveling + home-schooling is becoming more and more prevalent, and this podcast gives you a great example of a family that does it well.
The Impact of Alcohol with Jason Scheckner and Brad Beracha
- This was a powerful podcast that goes deep on analyzing your relationship with alcohol. As a father, I think it’s important to reflect on not only my relationship with alcohol, but ALSO how my children perceive my relationship with alcohol. There is some really good stuff in there to think about.
Each of those go deep on their respective topics, and I chose them because they’ve all made in instant impact on my family life.
The Time is Now
Again, if you are a father with a business who found this remotely interesting, I would encourage you to dig in today. Don’t put this off or add it to your task list. Instead, fire up a podcast and get engaged. Otherwise, you may look back in 10 or 20 years and regret why you didn’t.
Learn more at:
frontrowdads.com
Front Row Dads Podcast:
View on iTunes
Ali Jafarian
Ali is a father, husband and serial entrepreneur with a deep drive to create. He writes, records, codes and builds things to inspire the artist in all of us.
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