Ep 405 The Hard Truths of Fatherhood: Grit, Growth, and Raising Great Kids ft. Larry Hagner

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On today’s episode of the Strong By Design podcast, Chris and Jared are joined by Larry Hagner — founder of The Dad Edge, a global movement and top-rated podcast dedicated to helping men live legendary lives. Together they dive into raw, real conversations about fatherhood, leadership, and what it looks like to truly show up at home.

Larry opens up about raising four boys, the bittersweet reality of kids leaving the nest, and how powerful rites of passage have shaped his sons into confident young men. He shares eye-opening lessons from SEAL-led father-son crucibles, where trust and communication were tested in ways that mirror life’s biggest challenges.

The guys also unpack how cultural portrayals of dads as clueless or weak undermine the vital role fathers play — and why leading by example in fitness, faith, and family is non-negotiable. Larry delivers hard truths about fatherhood, like prioritizing your marriage over your kids so they witness what a loving partnership looks like.

They explore practical wisdom for marriage, including Larry’s “cube” conflict resolution method and why most wives don’t want quick solutions — they want your connection and empathy. Jared and Chris both relate with stories from their own homes, making this a rich, relatable conversation for every dad or husband.

Plus, hear about Larry’s extraordinary Daddy Daughter retreat designed to forge unbreakable bonds that last a lifetime. This episode is packed with humor, humility, and profound insights that will challenge and inspire you to become a better man, husband, and father.

Tune in, share it with a friend, and take another step toward becoming strong by design — at home and beyond.

Time Stamps

01:01 – Welcome to the Strong By Design podcast!

02:05 – Join Coach Chris Wilson, Jared Haley and special guest, Larry Hagner
03:53 – Larry talks about his children and the origin of ‘The Dad Edge’
08:53 - Dive into the varying personalities among children
11:43 – Understanding the concept of a rite of passage
19:44 – A look back at standout guests from ‘The Dad Edge Podcast’
25:20 – What you’ll learn in the Extraordinary Marriage course
32:48 – Discover the most popular skill taught in the course
43:05 – Inside ‘The Cube’: A framework for resolving conflict in relationships
50:20 – Recognizing and respecting differences in temperament
52:38 – A look at strong, intentional leadership within the home
57:13 – Why prioritizing your marriage truly matters
1:02:50 – Staying in touch: Connect with Larry Hagner online
1:05:42 -Please share, and leave ratings & reviews for the SBD podcast!

Resources

The Dad Edge Website

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