Franklin Swann Notes

Episode Summary: The Power of Fatherhood and Vulnerability

In this heartfelt episode of "Bear Crawl with Dads," we had the pleasure of speaking with Franklin, a dedicated father and business owner from Tyler, Texas. Franklin shared his fatherhood journey, the challenges, and triumphs of running a family business, and the importance of being present and intentional as a dad.

Key Takeaways:

· Family Business Legacy: Franklin discussed his 128-year-old family business in furniture and interior design, highlighting the inherent pressures and his desire to contribute meaningfully rather than just taking over.
· Fatherhood Insights: We delved into Franklin's experiences as a father, his relationship with his dad, and the lessons he's learned along the way. He emphasized the value of patience, presence, and the power of apologizing to your children.
· Intentional Parenting: Franklin shared his daily practice of writing love notes to his wife and children, a simple yet profound act that strengthens his family bonds and ensures his loved ones know how much they are cherished.
· Vulnerability Among Men: Franklin opened up about his podcast, "The World Needs Men," which aims to provide a space for men to share their struggles and support each other in their roles as fathers and husbands.
· The Importance of Community: The episode highlighted the significance of men having a community where they can be vulnerable and honest about their challenges without fear of judgment.
· 
Reflections:

This episode was a powerful reminder of fathers' impact on their families and the importance of vulnerability and intentionality in parenting. Franklin's story and commitment to being the best dad he can be were genuinely inspiring. Creating a supportive community for fathers is beneficial and necessary for the well-being of families everywhere.

Remember, there is always time to reconnect with your children or your father. As we continue our journey to be better dads, let's take a page from Franklin's book and lead with humility, gratitude, and love.

00:00:03 - Introduction to the Podcast
00:00:14 - Welcoming Listeners to "Bear Crawl with Dads"
00:00:24 - Discussing the Spectrum of Fatherhood
00:00:34 - Introducing Guest Franklin from Texas
00:01:20 - Franklin's Background and Family Business
00:02:07 - Franklin's Age and Schooling
00:02:24 - Visiting All Saints School for Innovative Education
00:02:47 - Franklin's Experience with Texas Football
00:03:36 - The Legacy of Franklin's Family Business
00:03:57 - Expectations and Pressures in a Family Business
00:04:09 - Franklin's Decision to Join the Family Business
00:04:52 - The Challenges of Running a Family Business
00:05:56 - The Pressure of Continuing a Family Legacy
00:06:07 - Franklin's Faith and Personal Growth
00:06:45 - Franklin's Relationship with His Brother
00:07:04 - Franklin Reflects on His Father's Influence
00:08:01 - Franklin's Father's Intentional Parenting
00:09:33 - Franklin's Father as a Grandfather
00:10:08 - The Importance of Quality Time and Presence
00:10:50 - Franklin's Take on His Father's Parenting Style
00:11:29 - Franklin's Brother's Relationship with Their Father
00:12:12 - Franklin's Gratitude Towards His Father
00:13:01 - The Impact of Fathers and the Importance of Gratitude
00:13:54 - Franklin's Advice to Fathers and Sons
00:14:20 - Franklin Shares a Personal Story About His Father
00:15:36 - The Significance of Fathers Being Present
00:16:08 - Franklin's Challenges as a Father
00:16:59 - Franklin's Son Calls Him Out
00:17:10 - Learning from Parenting Mistakes
00:18:01 - The Power of Apologizing to Your Children
00:19:16 - The Legacy of Fathers and Sons
00:19:51 - The Importance of Intentionality in Fatherhood
00:20:47 - Franklin's Morning Routine for Family Connection
00:21:31 - The Impact of Writing Love Notes to Family
00:22:25 - Encouraging Fathers to Reconnect with Their Children
00:22:47 - Franklin's Passion for Helping Fathers
00:23:01 - The Launch of Franklin's Podcast for Men
00:24:18 - Franklin's Journey from a Dark Place to Helping Others
00:25:33 - The Importance of Men Sharing Their Struggles
00:26:27 - The Power of Vulnerability Among Fathers
00:27:22 - Franklin's Experience with Men Opening Up
00:28:02 - The Comfort of Knowing Other Fathers Share Similar Struggles
00:29:12 - Franklin's Greatest Challenge as a Father
00:29:56 - Franklin's Strategies for Staying Centered and Present
00:30:33 - The Impact of Franklin's Morning Routine
00:31:29 - Franklin's Daily Love Notes to His Family
00:32:46 - The Significance of Franklin's Love Notes Tradition
00:33:27 - The Power of Intentionality in Franklin's Life
00:34:01 - Franklin's Mission to Support Fathers Through His Podcast
00:35:20 - The Importance of Men's Vulnerability and Support
00:36:07 - Franklin's Podcast as a Platform for Men's Stories
00:37:15 - The Healing Power of Men Sharing Their Pain
00:38:10 - The Loneliness Men Face and the Need for Connection
00:39:35 - The Importance of Real Conversations Among Men
00:40:31 - The Impact of Vulnerability and Honesty in Male Friendships
00:41:33 - Franklin's Personal Experience with Men's Vulnerability
00:42:35 - The Need for Authenticity and Support in Fatherhood
00:43:27 - Franklin's Personal Transformation and Desire to Help Others
00:44:23 - The Launch of Franklin's Podcast and Its Reception
00:45:33 - The Power of Shared Struggles and Vulnerability Among Men
00:46:39 - Franklin's Experience with Men Opening Up on a Fishing Trip
00:47:49 - The Isolation of Men and the Importance of Sharing Burdens
00:48:42 - Franklin's Journey to Helping Men Through His Podcast
00:49:35 - The Importance of Men's Groups and Honest Conversations

RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Franklin Swann’s Podcast, “The World Needs Men”
Follow Franklin Swann on “The World Needs Men” on Instagram
Follow Franklin Swann on Facebook
Swann Furniture and Design, Tyler, TX
 
 
 
WHERE WE CAN CONNECT:
Follow Bear Crawl with Dads on Instagram
Follow Bear Crawl with Dads on Twitter
Connect with Bear Crawl with Dads on Facebook
Follow Ross Purdy on LinkedIn
Bear Crawl with Dad’s website

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