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Feeling the pull to lead your family and faith well, but not sure where to start? In this episode, Jerrad breaks down a simple, clear, and repeatable 7-step process to help men move from drifting to disciple.
Whether you’re new to following Jesus or just hungry for deeper growth, this framework will help you count the cost, build brotherhood, heal your wounds, and lead with purpose.
If you’ve ever thought, “I’m ready to step up, I just don’t know how,” this episode is for you.
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to Dad Tired
01:10 – Why men are feeling the call to lead again
03:45 – The problem with shallow men’s ministry
06:00 – What God is stirring in this season
09:00 – How to know if God is prompting you
11:30 – Step 1: Count the Cost
14:00 – Step 2: Build the Brotherhood
16:30 – Step 3: Heal the Wounds
19:00 – Step 4: Create the Habits
21:30 – Step 5: Cherish Your Wife
24:00 – Step 6: Train Up Your Kids
27:00 – Step 7: Find a Bigger Calling
29:30 – Why this matters for the next generation
31:00 – How you can join the mission
What does it really mean to follow Jesus when the cost is high?
In this week’s episode, Jerrad reflects on the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk; not just as a political figure, but as a brother in Christ who boldly proclaimed the gospel until his final moments.
Drawing from Luke 9 and his own experiences at the Dad Tired retreat, Jerrad challenges men to slow down, quiet the noise, and seriously ask: Am I all in with Jesus?
You’ll hear:
This episode is a sobering call to examine our “but first” excuses and to step fully into the life Jesus is calling us to live.
What if the very thing you fear most—suffering—was actually the place God wanted to meet you most deeply?
In this episode, Jerrad opens a new series through 1 Peter, a letter written to Christians facing intense persecution under Nero. With raw honesty and pastoral encouragement, he reminds us that suffering isn’t a sign that God has abandoned us—it’s often the very soil where our faith takes root.
Drawing from Peter’s opening words, Jerrad shares personal stories of walking with grieving families, parenting through pain, and clinging to identity in Christ when the world speaks lies. More than tips or quick fixes, this episode centers us on the truth that even in suffering, we can bless God—because our hope and inheritance are secure in Jesus.
With insight from 1 Peter 1:1–5 and the broader historical context, you’ll discover:
Whether you’re grieving, discouraged, or just need a reminder of where your true hope lies, this episode will help you lift your eyes to the One who guards both your inheritance and your soul.
Scriptures Mentioned
1 Peter 1:1–5
Exodus 14–15
Philippians 1:6
2 Corinthians 4:16–18
John 16:33
Psalm 34:18
Resources & Links
Today’s Sponsor: World Watch News
Invite Jerrad To Speak At Your Church
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What if the hardest thing you’ve ever faced wasn’t 60 days in the wilderness, but the weight of leading your family through suffering?
In this episode, Jerrad sits down with Alone Season 5 winner, Sam Larson, whose victory on national TV was followed by a far heavier reality at home: all three of his children being diagnosed with CLN3 Batten Disease, a rare terminal illness.
With raw honesty and gospel hope, Sam shares how grief stripped away every illusion of control, what it means to father children with a limited timeline, and how Jesus became more real than ever in the middle of heartbreak.
With insight from 2 Corinthians 12, Matthew 5, and Romans 8, you’ll discover:
Whether you’re walking through grief, feeling the crushing weight of fatherhood, or just longing for purpose in your everyday life, this episode will remind you that Jesus has conquered even the darkest parts of our story—and He is with you.
Scriptures Mentioned
2 Corinthians 12:9–10
Matthew 5:4
Romans 8:18–25
John 16:33
2 Corinthians 4:16–18
Psalm 34:18
1 Peter 1:6–7
James 1:2–4
Philippians 1:6
Resources & Links
Today’s Sponsors: World Watch News
Visit Sam’s church: Redemption Hill Bible Church – Hickman, Nebraska
Invite Jerrad To Speak At Your Church
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What if the biggest battle you’re fighting isn’t around you, but inside your own head?
In this episode, Jerrad gets real about the lies men quietly believe every day—the voices that whisper (or shout), “You’re not enough, you’ll never change, you’re unlovable, you don’t matter.” Drawing from personal struggles, conversations with friends, and the truth of Scripture, he unpacks how to recognize these destructive thoughts and replace them with what God actually says.
With insight from John 8:44, Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 5:17, and Ephesians 2:10, you’ll discover:
Whether you’ve felt the sting of shame, the weight of failure, or the loneliness of “I have to do this on my own,” this episode will help you step back onto the solid ground of God’s truth and live as the healed man He created you to be.
Scriptures Mentioned
John 8:44
Romans 8:1
2 Corinthians 5:17
Ephesians 2:10
Proverbs 24:16
Philippians 1:6
1 John 3:1
Romans 5:8
1 Corinthians 6:19–20
1 Peter 2:9
2 Corinthians 12:9
Ecclesiastes 4:9–10
Galatians 6:2
John 15:5
Resources & Links
Today’s Sponsors: Courage For Life Study Bible
Invite Jerrad To Speak At Your Church
Become A Monthly Partner
What would your wife and kids say if someone asked, “Is your dad full of joy?”
In this episode, Jerrad gets honest about why so many dads feel grumpy, short-tempered, and exhausted, and why joy often feels out of reach. Sharing personal stories, biblical truth, and ten practical steps, he unpacks how Christian dads can move from frustration to deep joy rooted in Jesus.
With insight from Psalm 16:11, Galatians 5:22–23, and John 15:10–11, you’ll discover:
Whether you’ve been stuck in grumpiness or just long to be a more joy-filled dad, this episode will help you step back into the life God designed for you.
Scriptures Mentioned
Resources & Links
What would it look like if every part of your life was lived in the light. No shortcuts, no secrets, no lies?
In this episode, Jerrad challenges men to step into radical honesty, starting with the smallest details. Drawing from his own healing journey, he unpacks why healed men are truth-tellers, how integrity builds confidence, and why it matters to look more like your Heavenly Father—the Father of light—than the father of lies.
With biblical insight from 1 John 1:6–7, Proverbs 10:9, and Luke 16:10, you’ll discover:
Whether you’re holding onto a hidden struggle or just want to live with more integrity, this episode will help you take your next step toward freedom.
Scriptures Mentioned:
Resources & Links:
Watch on YouTube HERE
What if the most powerful discipleship moments with your kids weren’t planned, but hidden in the everyday?
In this heartfelt solo episode, Jerrad Lopes shares the honest struggle of staying connected with your kids; especially as they grow into pre-teens and teens. From the exhausting early days of parenting toddlers to the emotional complexity of raising a 14-year-old, Jerrad opens up about his own wins, failures, and surprising lessons learned.
Through a spontaneous UTV adventure in the Arizona desert, he discovered a truth that changed how he parents: deep connection isn’t built in big, perfectly planned moments, it’s formed in the small, mundane ones. With biblical insight from Deuteronomy and the example of Jesus, Jerrad shows how ordinary life can become the best classroom for pointing your kids to Christ.
This episode is an encouragement to slow down, notice the moments you might be missing, and remember that God uses the everyday to shape both your kids’ hearts and yours.
What You’ll Learn:
Mentioned in This Episode:
Today’s Sponsors:
Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/l6cKcqatpt8?si=yIQMZfIQxc-W2pPF
What if your emotions weren’t the enemy—but the invitation to grow into the man God’s calling you to be?
In this powerful solo episode, Chris Hilken explores the complicated relationship men have with their emotions. Most guys tend to fall off one side of the horse: either rejecting their emotions altogether or letting them run the show. But what if there’s a better way?
With biblical insight and real-life examples, Chris makes the case that emotions aren’t something to obey or ignore—they’re something to redeem. He shares a practical framework for navigating emotions like anger, fear, and sadness through a gospel lens, helping men avoid the extremes of emotional numbness or chaos.
This episode is a call for men to stop being passive with their emotions and start learning how to steward them like Jesus did—intentionally, righteously, and powerfully.
What You’ll Learn:
Mentioned in This Episode:
Today's Sponsor: Classical Conversations
Most men have learned how to clean up well.
We look calm. Composed. Put together.
We show up to church, crack a few jokes, keep the peace; and no one would know what’s actually happening in our hearts.
But Jesus isn’t fooled by appearance. He sees straight through the polish and into the pain.
In today’s episode, Kaleb unpacks what it means to “clean the inside of the cup.”
He shares a raw story about how God confronted him in the middle of the night, while he was busy rehearsing a bitter argument in his head, and revealed just how much unhealed junk was still living in his heart.
This isn’t about behavior management. It’s about soul work.
Because your wife doesn’t need a perfect version of you. Your kids don’t need a dad who looks impressive.
They need a man who is whole on the inside.
In this episode:
"Woe to you… You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. First clean the inside of the cup…”
— Matthew 23:25–26
Resources:
Go deeper:
If this episode hit you—share it with a friend or take 30 seconds to leave a review. It helps us reach more men who are ready to do the hard work of becoming whole.
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What if the pain you’ve buried is the very thing blocking you from becoming the man God created you to be?
In this raw and emotional episode, Jerrad sits down with Dr. Brad Johnson—also known as BJ Communicates—to talk about grief, father wounds, and how trauma shapes us more than we realize. BJ shares the heartbreaking story of holding his newborn son as he took his last breath, walking through the fog of loss in his marriage, and later grieving the death of his own father before reconciliation could happen.
Together, they unpack how fatherlessness, unprocessed emotions, and generational pain keep men stuck—and why ignoring it doesn’t make it go away. They talk about how grief shows up in unexpected ways (like road rage and burnout), why most men lack true friendships, and how healing begins with honest conversations.
This episode is an invitation to stop carrying what God has called you to cast—and to believe that the best version of you is on the other side of your pain.
What You’ll Learn:
Mentioned in This Episode:
Watch this interview on Youtube: https://youtu.be/7_ZcEkDxWBM
What if the lie you're believing is the very thing keeping you from peace?
In this powerful and convicting episode, Jerrad sits down with bestselling author Gary Thomas to dismantle one of the most common, but rarely admitted lies Christian men believe: God owes me. Together, they talk about the quiet entitlement that sneaks into our faith, why peace feels so elusive, and how the Gospel offers something far deeper than comfort or success.
Jerrad and Gary explore how social media fuels discontent, how unspoken expectations erode intimacy with God, and why healing begins when we face our sin instead of hiding it. They share personal stories, biblical truth, and hard-won wisdom for men who want more than just behavior change, they want transformation.
This episode is a much-needed reminder: God’s not holding out on you. He’s already given you more than you deserve.
What You’ll Learn:
Mentioned in This Episode:
Gary Thomas’ new book: The Life You Were Reborn to Live
Gary’s website: https://www.garythomas.com
Book Jerrad to speak: https://www.jerradlopes.com
Grab Dad Tired and Loving It: https://amzn.to/3YTz4GB
Watch and subscribe on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7_ZcEkDxWBM
Watch this conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ihMjsKPxdA8
What if your greatest strength… is also the thing that wears you out the most?
In this honest and inspiring conversation, Jerrad sits down with Michael Seifert—founder of PublicSq. and EveryLife—to talk about identity, pressure, purpose, and the hidden cost of success. Though Michael leads some of the most mission-driven companies in America, he opens up about the soul battles behind his ambition—and why Sabbath rest might be his greatest act of obedience.
They talk about legacy, fatherhood, and how a rebellious teenager found Jesus at a ranch in Northern California. Michael shares how a single week transformed his relationship with his dad, the real reason behind his inner drive, and the moment he realized that working for the praises of man would eventually break him.
This episode is a reminder that God doesn’t just care about what you build—but who you're becoming while you build it.
What You’ll Learn:
Mentioned in This Episode:
🔗 Resources:
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/B50C1AlD3ao
What if the things that slow you down… are the very things God wants to use to form you?
In this slow, soulful conversation, Jerrad sits down with Jake Weidmann—a master penman (yes, that’s a real thing) and artist whose life and work are marked by discipline, creativity, and deep intentionality. From carving sacred art to raising four kids, Jake shares how slowing down has reshaped not just his craft—but his soul.
They talk about the connection between beauty and time, why being creative has nothing to do with being “artsy,” and how discipline and delight can co-exist in the life of a godly man. Jake opens up about the doubts that haunted his early career, what it means to “exult in monotony,” and the emotional moment he hoisted an Amish barn beam onto his shoulder—realizing he was quite literally taking up his cross.
This episode is a breath of fresh air in a world that worships speed.
What You’ll Learn:
Mentioned in This Episode:
🔗 Resources:
Book Jerrad to speak: https://www.jerradlopes.com
Grab Dad Tired and Loving It: https://amzn.to/3YTz4GB
Watch the episode on YouTube and subscribe!
WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/Uovkiigw4gw
What if the thing that nearly destroyed you… became the thing God used to heal others?
In this raw and redemptive episode, Jerrad sits down with Sammy Perez, a man who grew up without a dad, entered the system at age 8, and spent much of his early life in prison. But that’s not where the story ends. Through a prison cellmate, an unexpected visitation, and the unlikely love of a spiritual father, Sammy’s life was completely turned around.
Together, they talk about father wounds, the ache for belonging, how prison both broke and saved him, and the long road to healing as a man and dad. Sammy shares the tear-filled moment he gave his life to Jesus behind bars, the first time he saw his son through glass, and how God turned his pain into purpose.
This is one of the most powerful stories we’ve ever told.
What You’ll Learn:
Mentioned in This Episode:
🔗 Resources:
Book Jerrad to speak: https://www.jerradlopes.com
Grab Dad Tired and Loving It: https://amzn.to/3YTz4GB
Learn more about Prison Fellowship: https://www.prisonfellowship.org
Watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7LBcbLyOcIU
What if being a “man” had nothing to do with bench press numbers or beard length—and everything to do with becoming a safe place?
In this vulnerable and soul-stirring episode, Jerrad sits down with Brant Hansen to talk about what it really means to be a man. From playing the flute and battling shame to protecting the vulnerable and bringing peace to your home, Brant flips the typical narrative of masculinity on its head.
They unpack the ache many men feel to be better, why muscle doesn’t equal maturity, and how a man’s deepest strength might just be his gentleness. Brant shares the heart behind his book The Men We Need, what it means to be a “keeper of the garden,” and how every man, no matter his story, can begin again.
This one gets deep fast.
What You’ll Learn:
Mentioned in This Episode:
🔗 Resources:
Watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zSgexS8GG30
In this honest and gritty conversation, Shane Winnings and Jerrad talk about the ache behind every man’s desire to be a good dad—and why good intentions still leave so many guys feeling like they’re failing.
Shane shares his own story of growing as a father while leading a national movement to fight fatherlessness. They unpack how wounds from our own dads often fuel our desire to be better, but why motivation alone won’t cut it. From military discipline to spiritual revival, from being physically present to emotionally absent, this conversation gets real fast.
They also dive into Shane’s bold new campaign Make Dads Great Again, what’s sparking revival in Gen Z men, how fatherhood videos are breaking algorithms and breaking men open, and why the greatest threat to your calling might be your unchecked hustle.
What You’ll Learn:
Mentioned in This Episode:
Book Jerrad to speak: https://www.jerradlopes.com
Grab Dad Tired and Loving It: https://amzn.to/3YTz4GB
Today’s Sponsors:
DwellBible.com/DadTired
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VDz2Q6cuwsk
Why do so many dads feel like they’re failing, even when they’re doing their best?
In this honest and soul-stirring conversation, John Eldredge helps us trace the ache beneath our anger, our addictions, and our constant striving. He explains why most men are still chasing love and validation they never received, how childhood wounds shape adult behavior, and why true healing—not behavior modification—is the key to becoming the man your family needs.
Jerrad and John unpack father wounds, mother wounds, emotional detachment, and the deep desire for adventure that often gets twisted into sin. If you've ever felt like you're just trying to survive—numbing your pain, doubting your worth, or holding your breath through life—this conversation will help you breathe again.
What You’ll Learn:
Mentioned in the Episode:
Today's Sponsors:
What if the part of you that you hate the most is the part God is most eager to heal?
In this episode, Jerrad opens up about a moment that nearly ended him, and the journey that brought him back. He shares a powerful story from his two-week intensive recovery experience, including the surprising object that became a symbol of grace and compassion. If you’ve ever carried shame, hidden pain, or felt like your sin disqualifies you from being loved, this conversation is for you.
Whether you’re a husband, father, or man who’s just tired of pretending, this episode is an invitation to drop the shame and discover the healing God offers to the parts of you that feel unlovable.
What You’ll Learn:
Mentioned in the Episode:
Invite Jerrad to speak: https://www.jerradlopes.com
Read The Dad Tired Book: https://amzn.to/3YTz4GB
Watch this episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/WDK9O0VZ7lo
What if your marriage wasn’t just surviving—but actually healing you?
In this powerful episode, Jerrad sits down with author and speaker Gabe Lyons (The Fight for Us) to talk about the real work of building a thriving marriage—especially when life throws curveballs like special needs parenting, trauma, and unspoken pain.
They unpack:
If you’ve ever felt stuck in your marriage or unsure how to lead your family spiritually—this conversation is for you.
📘 Check out Gabe’s new book: The Fight for Us: Overcome What Divides and Build a Marriage That Thrives
Today's Sponsor: Classical Conversations Homeschooling
