TNMU #242: Raising Boys to Be Men with Monica Swanson

After almost 5 years and nearly 250 episodes, The Next Man Up podcast is drawing to a close. In this final episode, Mark is joined by current co-host, John Gregory, and previous co-hosts Josh Wilson and Alen Auguste, as the 4 discuss their “why” for doing the podcast, favorite memories, and the impact they hope to leave on the men and fathers listening in.

Mastering the craft of fatherhood requires a number of things. For today’s guest, two of those things are to rebel and create. Ned Schaut — husband, father of 5, author of two books and host of the Rebel and Create Podcast — joins the show today to talk about why those two words are so influential for him. We cover a number of other topics familiar to this show, including the much anticipated release of his new book and the impact he hopes it will have on young fathers.    Connect with Ned: Websites:  rebelandcreate.com adventureoffatherhood.com  Ned’s TedX Talk Rebel and Create Podcast

Manhood and journey, two words used often on this show, come together to form an inspiration and movement for today’s guest. Kent Evans is the father of 5 boys, the author of 3 books, and founder of Manhood Journey. He joins us today to talk about the work he’s doing to encourage and equip fathers to pursue biblical fatherhood and why it’s so important that men embrace the manhood journey.   Connect with Kent: Website: manhoodjourney.org Kent’s books on Amazon

Guys, this is an episode for you and your wife. Author, podcast host and mom of 4 boys, Monica Swanson joins the show today to share some of her story and how she’s helping moms (and dads) become better parents and raise boys and girls to become Jesus following character trained men and women. Monica’s mom perspective is a great addition to the voices on this show and the resources she’s developed will help you and your wife continue to grow as parents.   Connect with Monica: Website: https://monicaswanson.com/  IG: https://www.instagram.com/monicaswanson_/?hl=en FB: https://www.facebook.com/TheGrommom/ Character Training Course    

Who is the child you want to give to the world? That one question changed the life of today’s guest, both as a dad and as a professional. Matt Barnes is a Learning Coach who helps parents grow Self-Governing, Self-Driven Learners. He’s also a father of three kids, all of whom he describes as self-governing beasts. Matt is disrupting the way we think about education and inviting dads to take a strategic approach to the future men they are raising.    Connect with Matt: Matt Barnes on Linked In theeducationgame.com    Extended Notes: Most of our problems stem from how we think, which comes from how we’re educated There’s been an inversion of the primary place of education, from the home to the institution of schooling The institution of school is designed to encourage finding the right answers and regurgitating them Truth lies within the family; it is not up to the institution to define truth for kids; the key question is who decides what truth is? Media is the greatest influence in kids today; dads need to engage with that media and disrupt the messages kids are receiving; invite kids into a conversation about the message and the messenger Preparing self-leaders will allow them to learn their way out of any situation Matt’s Key Question: Who is the child you want to give to the world? Noticing and working with your child’s interest allows you to build a learning journey with them, for their own self learning and discovery The school room is uniquely designed to frustrate boys; Dads must engage early and often as the strategist for their son’s life

Have you ever chosen a word for the year? Something to help guide you and provide focus as you navigate the next 12 months? Maybe you’ve never heard of this idea before. In this first episode of the new year, Mark and John get into their experience with this process, what it’s meant to them, and how you can adopt it for yourself, for your marriage and with your kids as well.   A resource to use: https://www.fillingthejars.com/word-for-the-year/   Extended Notes: A word to help focus the next 12 months, different from goals or values Can help establish a fixed posture as you go throughout the year Over time, these words can build and capture your journey from year to year Choose a word in the way you typically make a decision, work with what works for you This can be a way to receive something Father wants to give you Allow the word to inform the entirety of your life Can also do this with your marriage, with your family, and with each of your kids If you do this, you must regularly remind yourself of the word; this activates the brain to help maintain the focus and receive what’s there

Cancel culture is a topic that is current and deserves to be addressed. Bringing back a familiar voice is a good way to do it. Alon Auguste joins us again to do what he always does—speak into current culture with a timely and timeless message. It’s almost a guarantee that you haven’t engaged with this topic in the way Alon does in this episode. Which is why no matter your understanding of this cultural issue, this episode is a must listen. (Originally aired as episodes 170 & 171)

Craig Fullen, champion of the Joyful Mindset, joins the show today to talk about who he is, what he does, and his passion to become the best version of himself and help others do the same. For him, it is best encompassed in the idea of a Joyful Mindset. Join us for this great discussion with Craig. (Originally aired as episodes 98 & 99)   Follow Craig on Twitter @craigfullen

Our guest today is Rich Johnson. He’s a husband, father of 4, pastor, yoga instructor, and you will soon see why he’s someone who is easy to respect and admire. And he’s a black man. Which makes him uniquely qualified to talk about race, both as a man, and also as a father guiding his kids through society today. Let Rich be your guide as we navigate through this big topic of race and racism. (Originally aired as episodes 115 & 116)   Instagram @richjohnsononline

Coach, pastor, and former counselor Twyla Stanifer joins the show today to talk about healthy manhood and identity. How to think about what healthy manhood is and how to engage women, at work and at home, from a place of health and security are just a few of the topics we get into in the first half of this conversation. In the second half, we get deeper into the work she is doing today around understanding how our beliefs — about God, ourselves, others — impact our actions and the results we get in life. We also get into how important it is to help boys understand how to identify what they’re feeling and their belief systems in order to become healthy men. (Originally aired as episodes 111 & 112)   NMU Dads Group Signup: https://thenextmanup.com/dadgroup/