Tools to Become the Dad You Want to Be in 2026

In this special episode, we're dropping you into a live segment from our Ignite 2026 online summit with our brother and coach, Matt Drinkhahn, host of The Eternal Optimist podcast. Matt walks us through what it actually takes to live in alignment with your true identity as a family man with a business — not a businessman with a family. He shares the story of a life-altering accident that stripped away his old identity (tall, athletic, successful in business) and forced him to rebuild who he was from the inside out, rooted in faith, fatherhood, and core values. From there, Matt gets intensely practical. You'll be guided through the same exercises he uses with high performers to: Name and disarm your deepest fears Rewrite the script of your inner critic Build tiny daily tweaks that compound into massive change Use a simple "emotional artifact" to stay present with your wife and kids This isn't theory. It's reps, practice, and a long-game approach to becoming the man 2026 requires of you. In this episode, you'll learn: Why tying your identity to business, status, or your body sets you up for collapse How acceptance (not denial or hustle) unlocked a new identity for Matt after spinal surgery A journaling prompt to expose the voice of your "villain" or inner critic A simple script for welcoming fear to the table so it loses power over you How to craft one tiny daily tweak that keeps your calendar and habits aligned with your true identity Why an "emotional artifact" (a small object in your pocket or on your desk) can anchor you in presence with your family If you're serious about making 2026 your most aligned year yet — not just with goals, but with who you are as a husband, father, and leader — this conversation is a powerful place to start. ___________________________________________________  🚀 You're building a business—but are you building your family with the same intention? These books helped us do both. 📘 Grab the list here: https://frontrowdads.com/podcast-books

Have you ever felt like you're working harder than ever, but somehow missing what truly matters? Every year around this time, we bring back one of our most impactful conversations—a powerful master class with Hal Elrod originally recorded in 2019. This episode has become a yearly ritual for many of our guys, a reset they return to again and again as they head into the new year. Each time you listen, you'll hear something new—because you're in a new season. In this episode, Hal shares the radical changes he made after a life-altering health scare to reclaim his time, focus on what truly matters, and design a life of deep connection. He also walks through practical steps to clarify and achieve your family goals in the year ahead. We cover: Practical strategies to align your actions with your values. The power of rituals like family meetings to foster open communication. Why learning to say "no" is the ultimate act of self-love and prioritization. The critical role of health and emotional mastery in being present. How community and accountability drive transformation. Why listen now? This annual encore has inspired countless listeners to rethink how they approach their family life and priorities. Whether it's your first time or your fourth, it's the perfect episode to set the tone for a year of alignment, connection, and fulfillment. ____________________________________  🚀 You're building a business—but are you building your family with the same intention? These books helped us do both. 📘 Grab the list here: https://frontrowdads.com/podcast-books  

The Power of a Legacy Letter — One Thing Every Father Should Do (w/ Blake Brewer — Founder of LegacyLetter.com) When Blake Brewer was 19, a family snorkeling trip in Hawaii changed his life forever. Moments after losing his father in a tragic accident, his mother handed him a letter that his dad had been writing for months — a letter filled with wisdom, encouragement, and love. That letter became Blake's guiding light. Today, he's on a mission to help one million dads do the same — to write a legacy letter that becomes the most powerful gift a father can give. In this conversation, Blake and Jon explore how one letter can outlive you, shape your children's character, and give them strength long after you're gone. You'll learn: • The story behind Blake's father's final letter — and how it shaped his purpose • What makes a legacy letter different from any other message to your kids • Why a father's written words carry power that lasts generations • The core phrases every child needs to hear from their dad • What stops most men from writing their letter — and how to overcome it • Simple steps to start writing your own legacy letter today If you've ever wondered how to create something that truly lasts — something your kids will treasure forever — this episode will show you the way. _____ 📚 Read what high-performing dads are reading. These are the most impactful books in our brotherhood. Tried, tested, and implemented. https://frontrowdads.com/books

How to Design a Family First Life - Before Kids (w/ Chandler Bolt — Founder of selfpublishing.com) How high-achieving newly married men design a family-first life before kids arrive. Chandler shares the blueprint he and his wife are implementing now: build the village, align your circles (work, friends, faith), and create a home that becomes the hub for family and community. He explores identity shifts, integrating ambition with family values, and the big question entrepreneurs ask: How do I build a great business without sacrificing a great family? You'll learn: • The Pre-Kids Family Blueprint: how to architect life around marriage & future kids • Why integration beats balance — combining work, community & family in one place • How to design a "home as hub" — the modern village model • Smart moves now: church, neighborhood, office, travel and future homeschooling • The truth about kids + ambition (and the fears most founders won't admit) • How blue-collar grit shaped Chandler — and how to pass it on without hardship • The "We're rich. You're not." mindset for raising grounded kids • Why legacy assets like books & family videos matter long-term If you want to build a thriving business and a thriving future family — this is your playbook. Special link: selfpublishing.com/frontrow Chandler's team has helped 7,000+ authors create books that transform their families and careers. _________________________________ 📚 Read what high-performing dads are reading. These are the most impactful books in our brotherhood. Tried, tested, and implemented. https://frontrowdads.com/books

Coaches & Consultants at 7–8 Figures with a Book-Driven Funnel (w/ Chandler Bolt, founder of selfpublishing.com) SelfPublishing.com How top coaches and consultants turn one book into a client engine. Chandler shares the 4 Ps (Person, Pain, Promise, Price), book-to-funnel integration, and the counterintuitive "free audiobook → booked calls" play. Grab the FRD bonus: selfpublishing.com/front row. His team has helped publish 7,000+ books. You'll learn: How to pick the right book for your offer using the 4 Ps. Exactly where a book plugs into your funnel (opt-ins, sales calls, stages) to drive revenue. Why publishing in all formats—print/Kindle/audio—multiplies reach (and why audio often converts best). The "two-copy" referral play that turns readers into recruiters. What to expect on timeline & budget so you actually ship (real-world ranges shared). _______________________________________________ 📚 Read what high-performing dads are reading. These are the most impactful books in our brotherhood. Tried, tested, and implemented. https://frontrowdads.com/books

In today's quick-hitting episode, Front Row Dad member Eric Farewell shares why every man needs a mentor, a coach, and—most of all—community… and how the right brotherhood can change the next 50 years of your life. Mentor vs. Coach vs. Community: who does what (and why money-only mentors miss the mark) Experience-share > advice: the FRD "bands" model that builds ownership instead of ego Why community beats going it alone: presence on the hardest days, not fixes or platitudes Ceremony & play: identity, laughter, and the rituals that make men steadier at home and work How to choose your people: values alignment, accountability, and men who help you tell the truth Short, practical, and real—press play to get a simple filter for finding (or strengthening) your band of brothers  

Mike Dillard has built three eight-figure businesses and spent two decades teaching entrepreneurs how to invest, grow passive income, and build long-term wealth. In this episode, he shares his hard-won lessons about building wealth in a world reshaped by AI, inflation, and disruption. In this conversation, you'll learn: Why accumulation and real assets beat risky bets in the long run. How AI will reshape the economy—bringing both deflation and massive unemployment. Why Bitcoin and gold are essential hedges against a declining dollar. The power of automation tools that take human emotion out of money management (and how to set them up). A tax strategy that lets you invest up to $140K per year—completely tax-free on the gains. How entrepreneurs can break free from the "make it, spend it, risk it" cycle and build lasting wealth. This is a playbook for anyone who wants to protect their family, create consistency in uncertain times, and set up a financial system that literally makes you richer every day. ________________________________________________________  🚀 You're building a business—but are you building your family with the same intention? These books helped us do both. 📘 Grab the list here: https://frontrowdads.com/podcast-books  

If growth has come with a hidden bill—your time, your presence, your peace—this episode gives you a better plan. Today I'm joined by Justin Donald—Lifestyle Investor—long-time friend and FRD brother. What I love about Justin: he plays the game for freedom, not flex. Inside the episode: Cashflow First: A clear path to cover core bills with cash-producing assets so your calendar can breathe again. Every Dollar Works: Why mentors, masterminds, and pros are investments—when you demand ROI on knowledge, not just deals. Owner/Operator Reset: Use the "take a year off" thought experiment to surface missing systems, leadership, and SOPs. The Allocation Reality: How the wealthiest tilt toward low-risk, steady plays—and keep only a small slice for high-risk shots. Naval's Four Levers: Add people, capital, code, or media so your upside isn't limited to your hours. Teach Without Preaching: Spark money wisdom at home—so your kids inherit a mindset, not just assets. Listen now → Financial Freedom Beats Net Worth  

In this quick-hitting episode, Front Row Dad member Eric Farewell spotlights four books that shaped him as a man, husband, and father—and how his family turned car rides into a "great books" classroom. You'll hear: Vulnerability over image — Rising Strong (Brené Brown) and dropping the mask Who you were before the mask — The Road Back to You (Ian Morgan Cron) and a shared language at home Family learning on wheels — Shoe Dog (Phil Knight) and sparking business curiosity in his kids The pattern breaker he gifts most — No More Mr. Nice Guy (Dr. Robert Glover) on needs, boundaries, and honest leadership Short, practical, and real—press play, pick one, and start a reading habit that strengthens your home ______________________________________________________   📚 Want to win at home and in business? These are the books that helped high-performing dads create deeper relationships and stronger lives—without sacrificing success. 👉 Get the list: https://frontrowdads.com/podcast-books