This week on Man Up, Joe Stopulos shares the second and final part of his Heroic Fatherhood conversation with his father, Mike Stopulos — an interview recorded a couple of years ago and aired now in his memory. Where Part 1 traced the men who shaped Mike (his own father, Jim "Papa Jim" Stopulos, and his father-in-law, Carl Liebscher), Part 2 turns to Mike's own fatherhood: raising six kids, leading a family through faith, and the long view that only grandchildren can give. If you missed the first half, go back and listen before diving in. Inside this episode: Why Mike and his wife, Mary Fran, decided she would step away from a thriving career at John Deere — where she worked as an actuary on a management-science track and out-earned him — to stay home with the kids, and the generational blessing that one hard decision created. The "blur" of early fatherhood, and Mike's advice to savor it: invest in experiences and memories over presents, because the time together is what kids carry for life. How parenting has to evolve with the culture — from Nintendo, MTV, and latchkey kids to Facebook — without ever abandoning the moral compass at its core. The "plenty of rope" and "big fence" philosophy: setting boundaries far enough out that kids can explore, stumble, and learn from failure, while never compromising on what protects their souls. The shift from parent to friend as children grow into adults — and why, in raising kids, "there are no mulligans." Becoming "Papa": loving grandchildren unconditionally, donuts and trips to Freddy's, and earning the kind of respect that puts a "what would Papa do?" voice on their shoulder. The faith that anchored it all — never missing Sunday Mass, daily Mass through Lent, and Mike's conviction that strong moral roots will draw kids back even when they stray. Joe closes with a personal reflection on his dad's example, the outpouring of love at his funeral, and the tribute episodes still to come. Man Up is dedicated to inspiring and helping men live lives of heroic virtue. Support for Man Up is provided by Construction Professionals. Learn more and start building at https://cpcustomhomes.com/ Listen, give, and learn more about the Iowa Catholic Radio Network at https://iowacatholicradio.com/ #ManUp #HeroicFatherhood #CatholicDads #Fatherhood #CatholicFatherhood #CatholicMen #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicPodcast #FaithAndFamily #RaisingKids #CatholicFamily #Grandfather #CatholicRadio #Catholic Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: Be Not Afraid with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce RiebeBe Not Afraid in Spanish with Fr. Fabian MoncadaCatholic Women Now with Chris Magruder and Julie NelsonMaking It Personal with Bishop William JoensenMan Up! with Joe StopulosSunday Dive with Katie PatrizioThe Catholic Morning Show with Dr. Bo BonnerThe Daily Gospel Reflection with Fr. Nick SmithThe Uncommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud MarrFaith and Family Finance with Gregory WaddleWant to support your favorite show? Click Here Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
