In this episode of the Dad’s Project Podcast, Nick sits down with Freeman Beals, a lifelong river guide, dad to a toddler, and certified NLP practitioner, to talk about real fatherhood, the kind that makes you face yourself.Freeman shares how growing up on the river taught him to adapt, how fatherhood reshaped his emotional reactions, and why breaking old patterns requires rewiring, not just willpower.They explore everything from spontaneous travel, mental load, and value shifts to how dads can reframe frustrating moments (like a toddler launching a milk cup) using neuro-linguistic programming.Topics Covered:- What rafting teaches us about adapting in life and parenting- How to shift your reactions using NLP (live on the show!)- Why dads need to rewrite the playbook—not follow an outdated one-The battle between provider guilt and presence at home- Healing old patterns with self-forgiveness and curiosity- A simple daily gratitude hack that rewires your brain- The value of male vulnerability and why you’re never aloneFreeman’s 3 Dad Principles:1️⃣ Rewire, Don’t Repeat2️⃣ You’re Not Alone3️⃣ We’re Writing the Playbook Now💬 Quote of the Episode:“You’re not reacting that way because you don’t care, you’re reacting because you do.”
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