Executive coach Jeff Hittner, founder of Ambitious Dads, joins Rod to unpack why so many high-performing men feel confident at work yet uncertain at home. Jeff shares his personal journey into intentional fatherhood, the six big gaps he sees in modern dads (balance, confidence, emotional regulation, community, clarity, and aligned co‑parenting), and how to raise emotionally intelligent kids without losing your identity. We go deep on triggers, repair, redefining what it means to “provide,” and integrating your leadership skills from the office into the living room. If you’ve ever thought, “I’d die for my family,” Jeff challenges you to grow for them—starting today. Practical, vulnerable, and immediately actionable.

In this episode:

• Jeff’s intentional path to fatherhood and why it changed his definition of “dad.”

• The Six Gaps modern fathers face (and how to close them): balance, confidence, emotional regulation, community, clarity/vision for home, co‑parenting expectations.

• Triggers → tools: spotting overreactions, tagging out, apologizing, and repair.

• The new meaning of “provider”: nurture and presence alongside finances.

• Integrating leadership: using your strengths from work to create calm, clear systems at home.

• How to talk with your kids sooner (and better) about hard topics.

Resources Mentioned

• Mindset: The New Psychology of Success — Carol Dweck

• Ambitious Dads (blog, podcast, programs) — ambitiousdads.com

• Coaching site — jeffhittner.com

Connect with Jeff

• Web: ambitiousdads.com | jeffhittner.com

• Podcast: Ambitious Dads

Connect with Rod

• Podcast hub: 4fitfatherhood.com

• IG: @4fitfatherhood

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• 00:40 Welcome • The four pillars & why fatherhood changes the world

• 02:46 Jeff’s story: intentional fatherhood & redefining “father”

• 04:50 From 50 to 200 interviews: what ambitious dads are missing

• 07:19 Confidence at work vs. uncertainty at home

• 08:23 The “low bar” of dad success—and raising the standard

• 09:14 The Six Gaps: balance, confidence, emotions, community, clarity, co‑parenting

• 12:37 Kids mirror us; building emotional self‑awareness & repair

• 15:53 First steps: notice overreactions (triggers) & ask for help

• 19:54 Buckets, valves, and overreaction vs. effective response

• 29:42 Change is uncomfortable: helping kids (and dads) stick with it

• 31:34 Provider, redefined: nurture + presence, not just income

• 35:09 Why two incomes are common—and rewriting role expectations

• 38:48 Integrating work leadership at home (authenticity & energy)

• 55:01 Prepping the “hard talks” (sex, tech, culture) before school does

• 1:01:21 The message Jeff hopes his sons will say about him

• 1:03:12 Rapid fire: book, unlearn, one word, reconnection, brotherhood

• 1:05:23 Where to find Jeff & Ambitious Dads