Front Row Dads with Jon Vroman

Alison Armstrong has been studying men since 1991. What started as a personal mission to stop bringing out the worst in them turned into over three decades of research, workshops, and books that have changed how thousands of people understand relationships, masculinity, and what really drives human behavior. In this episode, she sits down with Jon Vroman and goes deep on what none of that research prepared her for — what it looks like when these dynamics show up between fathers and their children. What you'll learn: The 6 Dominant Drivers — building, knowing, sharing, growing, expressing, and enjoying — and how to spot yours Why your dominant driver is visible to everyone except you How a dad's drive to build can unintentionally crush a child whose driver is joy The "hidden why" behind everything you do — and why it lives in your blind spot Why Alison banned her husband from Disneyland (and what that taught her about overprotective fathers) What her stepson meant when he said "Greg was the man" — and why Greg may never have known The shame conversation every father needs to hear: why penance is easy but forgiveness takes courage Jon also shares an unscripted moment from his son's birthday that brings everything Alison teaches into sharp, personal focus. Learn more about Alison's work at alisonarmstrong.com  

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be stressful. Front Row Dad Jason Bronstad (married 21 years) breaks down how to ditch the performative stuff and actually reconnect with your wife. He shares practical moves any dad can do this weekend — a connection signal, a no-agenda date, and one powerful question most men are afraid to ask. Want to keep leveling up your marriage? Grab the top book recommendations from 300+ Front Row Dads — including the relationship books that changed the game for us — https://frontrowdads.com/books/  

What does real brotherhood look like for dads? One of the most powerful parts of Front Row Dads is something called a Band — a small group of men who meet regularly to go deep on life together. Not surface-level stuff. Not backyard BBQ small talk. The real stuff. The hard stuff. The stuff most men never talk about with anyone. In this episode, we're sharing something we've never released publicly before: a portion of an actual Band meeting. Our meetings usually run about 3 hours. This is just over an hour — a sample of what it sounds like when men do the work together. You'll hear Jon Vroman, Hal Elrod, Justin Donald, Dane Espegard, and Tim Nikolaev show up, put in the reps, and have the kind of conversations that change how you show up as a man, a husband, and a dad. They talk about: → Faith and what it means to pray out loud for the first time at 50 → Losing your spark — and the work it takes to get it back → The difference between surviving a year and actually thriving → Goals, dreams, and the accountability most men are missing → Why brotherhood isn't optional anymore And yes — there's plenty of humor. They give each other a hard time. They laugh. They interrupt. Tim almost walks out of the meeting. That's part of it too. But what you'll really hear is what it sounds like when men trust each other enough to tell the truth. A lot of guys tell us that joining a Band has been one of the most impactful decisions of their life. This episode will show you why. If you know another dad who needs this kind of brotherhood in his life — share this with him.  

If you've ever felt guilty about taking time away from your family to work out — this one's for you. Front Row Dads Scott Groves and Jason Bronstad share real wisdom from inside our community on how they solved the fitness vs. family dilemma. You'll walk away with: A new way to think about fitness and family time Permission to start even if you're out of shape The power of finding an activity you can do with your kids Why having other dads in your corner changes everything ___________________________________ Join us for our Family Boarding Meeting Masterclass: https://frontrowdads.com/fos-masterclass

This is a ~20-minute episode built around one powerful idea: Your stories create your reality. Most dads know how they want to show up — patient, present, calm. But when your kid pushes your buttons or interrupts your work… you lose it anyway. The gap isn't willpower. It's wiring. In this episode, VIP Front Row Dad Scott Groves interviews Front Row Dad member Adam Coelho, who breaks down the neuroscience behind why we react — and the simple daily practice he uses to rewire his brain so he actually shows up the way he wants to. Here's what Adam teaches his kids (and himself) every single day: "Your story creates your reality." Before bed, his son literally says: "I will have good dreams tonight" — because he used to be afraid of nightmares. That's not positive thinking. That's neuroplasticity in action. The framework Adam shares: Get clear on your vision — Who do you want to be as a dad? How do you want to feel? Create mindset affirmations with evidence — Don't say "I'm patient" if you don't believe it. Say "I'm patient, curious, and kind" and find ONE example from your life. Then find another. Your brain will start looking for more. Talk about your vision — Tell your band, your wife, your kids. It forces clarity and plants seeds in other people's minds. The real shift: From "I have to be present with my kids" → "I get to be present with my kids." It's not just language. It's literally rewiring how your brain sees the world. Get Adam's free envisioning guide here - https://Askwhatspossible.com/frd   📚 What Front Row Dads Are Reading: 👉 frontrowdads.com/books  

The 30-Minute Connection Ritual  👉 htt[ps://frontrowdads.com/connection This is a quick ~11-minute episode built around one powerful idea: Schedule 30 minutes a week to reconnect with your wife — no phones, no distractions, just presence. Because in a hard season, you can't always fix the problem… but you can protect the connection. In this week's episode, two Front Row Dads, Jason Brondstad and David Aceves break down the simple weekly ritual David uses to stay on the same team with his wife — especially when life feels heavy. Here's the ritual: Put 30 minutes on the calendar (weekly) No phones. No screens. No distractions. Ask two questions: "How are you really feeling?" "What are you really struggling with?" And when there's nothing to "fix," lead with presence: "What do you need right now?" "Do you want to be hugged?" 👉 Download the FREE 30-Minute Connection Ritual one-pager and try it this week: https://frontrowdads.com/connection  

Get the FREE 5-Step Guide to More Date Nights (No Babysitters Required) 👉 https://frontrowdads.com/babysitting _______________________________________________ This is a quick 15-minute episode that could completely change how you get date nights. In this Front Row Dads Podcast episode, Front Row Dad Mike Green interviews fellow FRD member Samuel Shreve, who shares the simple babysitting co-op system his family uses to get consistent nights out — without paying babysitters or stressing about trust. In just 15 minutes, you'll learn: Why babysitting is one of the biggest blockers to marriage time How a babysitting co-op removes cost, friction, and awkwardness The time-based token system that keeps everything fair How to start this with just 2–4 families Why this is something you can set up tonight 👉 Want the full breakdown? Download the FREE Babysitting Co-Op Starter Kit and get the exact 5-step system Samuel uses. 🔗 https://frontrowdads.com/babysitting If you've ever said, "We should do date nights more often," this episode shows you how. ____________________________________________ Live masterclass for fathers: learn practical systems to strengthen your marriage, parenting, and home life with the Family Operating System. Join us here: https://frontrowdads.com/masterclass  

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

Mike Dillard has built three eight-figure businesses and spent two decades helping entrepreneurs learn how to invest, grow passive income, and build long-term wealth. In this conversation, he turns his attention to something even more urgent: parenting in a divided world. We dive into the fallout of Charlie Kirk's assassination, what it reveals about free speech and cultural division, and how social media is shaping what the next generation believes. You'll walk away with practical insights on how to start the conversations your kids aren't having in school—conversations that build discernment, resilience, and the ability to think for themselves. ______________________________________________________ 📚 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: podcast-books

Today I dive deep with Danny Morel — a billion-dollar real estate leader who rebuilt after an affair and now helps men shift from hustle to wholeness. What you'll get: How to end "driven but empty" by healing the wound under ambition The Desire → Courage turn that stops the endless chase Marriage moves that create safety without fixing (and drop defensiveness) Parenting that blends guardrails + freedom, with consequences that connect Breaking porn/food/shame loops by changing state at the root Moving from force to power so work flows and home thrives If you've built the life but still feel the weight—this conversation is for you. It's not about doing more. It's about becoming whole. __________________________________________________________ 📚 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

Today's guest is Laurie Handlers — Tantra educator, talk show host, and intimacy coach. She's the author of Sex & Happiness: The Tantric Laws of Intimacy and leads programs through Butterfly Workshops, Inc. and the International School of Temple Arts. In this ~40-minute episode, you'll learn: Why long-term sex gets better only with intentional effort (after the honeymoon & kids). The starter "effort stack": schedule date night, learn to dance, have the conversation. How to decode complaints into clear requests—without hurting feelings. The training mindset: treat intimacy as a skill (courses/coaching > guessing). The presence playbook: breathe together, watch her face, phones down. The 10/10 framework women name: Presence, Connection, Safety, Communication, Skill. A simple boundary script and the repair rule: "First to return to love wins." Listen now. ________________________________________________________________ 📚 Read what high-performing dads are reading. These are the most impactful books in our brotherhood. Tried, tested, and implemented. Grab them here: Https://frontrowdads.com/podcast-books