Fatherhood Field Notes

Ned Schaut

Fatherhood Field Notes is where we hear real stories from real men living real lives every week. Fatherhood is not only about being a dad, it incorporates providing and serving a home, loving and serving a spouse, engaging and serving in a community, as well as intentionally serving your children. Fatherhood is an adventure, one full of fun, wild, and messy stories. In this podcast, we will hear stories from real men who have found themselves living the Adventure of Fatherhood. The Craft of Fatherhood episodes are 5-10 minute episodes where your guide Ned Schaut shares stories on his own fatherhood journey.

  1. Ep. 562: Will your kids CHOOSE you? with Chris McCall

    4D AGO

    Ep. 562: Will your kids CHOOSE you? with Chris McCall

    In this episode of Fatherhood Field Notes, Ned sits down with Chris McCall—worship leader, missionary, and instructor at YWAM Kona—for a deeply honest and faith-centered conversation about what it means to lead a family without relying on formulas. Chris shares his unconventional journey from construction work and pastoring to raising support as a missionary, ultimately redefining what it means to provide as a father. Rather than tying provision to income, he reframes it as obedience to God, stewardship, and fruitfulness—trusting that when he follows faithfully, his family will be taken care of. Throughout the conversation, Ned and Chris explore key tensions every father faces: Control vs. surrender — letting go of the need to “figure it all out” and instead walking in daily dependenceFormulas vs. relationship — rejecting step-by-step parenting systems in favor of truly knowing and studying your wife and each child as individualsProtection vs. preparation — gradually giving kids real responsibility in safe ways so they grow into capable, confident adults Chris offers a powerful framework for fatherhood: “The things I love, I study.” By learning each child’s unique interests and wiring, fathers can connect more deeply and lead more effectively. The episode also dives into: Building emotional awareness in marriage (sometimes your wife needs a hug, not a solution)Breaking generational mindsets around money and identityInvolving kids in your mission so family becomes a shared purpose, not separate livesCreating intentional rhythms of connection, both daily and over time This is a conversation about leadership, humility, and intentional living—challenging fathers to move beyond default patterns and step into a more relational, purposeful, and spiritually grounded approach to raising their families. --------- Check out Chris' music profile on Instagram and the web: @chrismccallmusic www.chrismccallmusic.com --------- An epic experience for boys becoming men: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book hereCheck out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?www.adventureoffatherhood.comwww.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage experience for young men This episode was brought to you by Genesis - a rite of passage for boys becoming men - by Rise Up Kings.

    1h 3m
  2. MAR 27

    Ep. 561: Consider Your Kiddos' Perspective

    In this Friday short episode of The Craft of Fatherhood, Ned dives into a powerful but often overlooked concept in parenting: perspective. As kids grow into teens and young adults, fatherhood shifts from simply making decisions to guiding thinking and shaping character. Ned challenges dads to move beyond just asking for their child’s “opinion” and instead seek to truly understand their perspective—not to always change the outcome, but to better understand the heart and reasoning behind it. He emphasizes that while fathers still carry the responsibility to make hard decisions, growth often comes through asking better questions instead of giving immediate answers. He breaks this down into three practical approaches: Step into your child’s shoes and understand what they want and whyAsk clarifying questions and invite mutual openness to each other’s perspectiveFocus on character over control, asking: Who are they becoming through this? Through real-life examples, Ned highlights the importance of allowing space for failure within the safety of the home, building trust so kids will return to you when things go wrong. The episode closes with a simple but powerful challenge: Create intentional, distraction-free moments to ask your kids about their perspective on everyday topics—not just when there’s a conflict or decision to make. This is an episode about shifting from control to connection, from authority alone to intentional influence—and raising kids who think, process, and grow into who they’re meant to become. --------- Got a son ready to enter manhood? He needs a rite of passage. Check out Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's books hereCheck out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/https://www.rebelandcreate.com/ Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage experience for young men This episode was brought to you by Genesis - a rite of passage for boys becoming men - by Rise Up Kings.

    11 min
  3. Ep. 560: Seth Garten - Go for the Ride! Supporting Your Kid to be State Wrestling Champion

    MAR 24

    Ep. 560: Seth Garten - Go for the Ride! Supporting Your Kid to be State Wrestling Champion

    A state championship was his daughter's dream and massive victory. For Seth Garten, learning as a dad-coach when to speak, when to stay silent, and how to guide his child through failure were some of his own personal wins in the process. This episode is a masterclass in timing, trust, and raising faithful, resilient kids who know who they are in Christ. This episode highlights a critical leadership principle for fathers and coaches: proper timing matters more than instruction. Seth shares how emotional awareness, delayed feedback, and trust-based communication helped his daughter grow from early losses to taking the Idaho State Championship her senior year of high school. Seth's approach emphasizes identity formation, accountability agreements, and modeling behavior—core frameworks applicable to parenting, coaching, and leadership. Key Takeaways Timing > Truth — The right words at the wrong time do damageAfter loss, kids don’t hear coaching—they hear identityAsk the child or athlete: “Are you ready?” instead of forcing feedbackMastery requires sacrifice—sometimes from the whole familyYour kids will mirror your discipline, not your adviceIdentity must be rooted deeper than performance Go for the ride and dive in for this deep conversation between Ned and Seth about coaching our own kids and youth as we help them to know their God-given identity. --------- Check out Seth's Family First Fitness on Instagram: @familyfirstfitness37 --------- An epic experience for boys becoming men: Genesis by Rise Up Kings This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book hereCheck out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?www.adventureoffatherhood.comwww.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage experience for young men This episode was brought to you by Genesis - a rite of passage for boys becoming men - by Rise Up Kings.

    1h 12m
  4. MAR 20

    Ep. 559: 3 Simple Ways to Increase Your Patience With Your Family

    In this Friday Craft of Fatherhood short, Ned shares an honest look into a midweek moment of fatigue, fatherhood, and personal growth—centered around one powerful theme: patience. Living in Hawaii while navigating the demands of running a business in another time zone and family life, he unpacks the tension between exhaustion and intentional presence as a father. Prompted by his ongoing journey through The Primal Path with his son, and John Tyson’s book “Five Shifts of Manhood,” Ned explores how patience isn’t just about waiting—it’s about becoming. Through everyday interruptions (including a profoundly timed pause for his daughter), he makes the case that fatherhood is less about control and more about responsiveness, humility, and growth. So here are the 4 things: Take a pause: Slow down your reaction time.Celebrate: Look for two wins your family member has had recently.Build in Time for Yourself. Break away unwind. Go take a walk, ride your bike, whatever. Just "take five". This episode is a reminder that the “craft” of fatherhood is forged in ordinary, imperfect moments—when we choose to slow down, stay present, and lean into the work of becoming the men our families need. --------- Got a son ready to enter manhood? He needs a rite of passage. Check out Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's books hereCheck out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/https://www.rebelandcreate.com/ Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage experience for young men This episode was brought to you by Genesis - a rite of passage for boys becoming men - by Rise Up Kings.

    12 min
  5. Ep. 558: Dave Ronning - The Importance of Play and Margin in Parenting

    MAR 17

    Ep. 558: Dave Ronning - The Importance of Play and Margin in Parenting

    Ned sits down with Dave Ronning, faithful Christian and Kona real estate professional, to talk about how to incorporate playfulness into your parenting style. They uncover 5 actionable ideas that will help you connect with your kids and create lasting memories. Did you know that playfulness is not just for kids, that it’s vital for parents too? Engaging in playful activities can rejuvenate our spirit and strengthen our connections with our children (and even with God). According to Dave, play allows us to tap into our inner self, reminding us of who we are beyond our responsibilities. Dave and Ned talk about how play: Strengthens Bonds: Playful interactions create lasting memories and deepen relationships.Encourages Openness: It fosters an environment where children feel safe to express themselves.Promotes Emotional Well-being: Play can reduce stress for both kids and parents, making family time enjoyable. Dave also shares some powerful personal stories from his own life where he became aware of and connected to the "little David" inside himself. He also shares about a particular traumatic event for his son that resulted in some impactful growth and vision for them both. Want to dive deeper into the topic of playfulness in parenting? Check out our full conversation with Dave Ronning for more insights. --------- This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book hereCheck out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?www.adventureoffatherhood.comwww.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage experience for young men This episode was brought to you by Genesis - a rite of passage for boys becoming men - by Rise Up Kings.

    1h 14m
  6. MAR 13

    Ep. 557: Extreme Ownership - Kingdom Family Edition

    On this Friday Craft of Fatherhood episode of Fatherhood Field Notes, Ned shares about a recent shift he's implemented in his family's morning routine: a ten minute time sharing something they're thankful for within the family, then naming somebody they could be praying for... and then doing it. This comes on the heels of asking questions about how we can be really modeling to our kids a lifestyle that will affect the next 100 years, even 1000 years of our family legacy. It's huge. Listen to day and let us know in the comments and your reviews what changes you've been making in your family routine. Then share this episode with a dad! --------- Got a son ready to enter manhood? He needs a rite of passage. Check out Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's books hereCheck out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/https://www.rebelandcreate.com/ Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage experience for young men This episode was brought to you by Genesis - a rite of passage for boys becoming men - by Rise Up Kings.

    14 min
  7. Ep. 556: REWIND - UFC Fighter, Hall of Famer and Dad Urijah Faber

    MAR 10

    Ep. 556: REWIND - UFC Fighter, Hall of Famer and Dad Urijah Faber

    By popular demand, we dug deep into the archives to bring you a rewind of an oldie but a goodie from 2020 when Ned sat down with former UFC fighter and Hall of Famer Urijah Faber. Urijah and Fatherhood Field Notes Guide, Ned Schaut, sit down to talk Fatherhood and Dad Life. In 2019 Urijah came out of retirement and fought Ricky Simmons, knocking him out in 46 seconds. But 2019 was also the year that Urijah became a father, one of his life goals... and true to his character, when he goes in, he goes all in. Now in 2020 his family grew with the birth of his second child. Urijah is an intentional man, making the most out of life. You can watch the interview here on YouTube. --------- This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book hereCheck out the TEDx ---------- Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?www.adventureoffatherhood.comwww.rebelandcreate.com Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Follow us: Instagram: www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: www.facebook.com/rebelandcreate Mentioned in this episode: Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage experience for young men This episode was brought to you by Genesis - a rite of passage for boys becoming men - by Rise Up Kings.

    50 min
4.9
out of 5
75 Ratings

About

Fatherhood Field Notes is where we hear real stories from real men living real lives every week. Fatherhood is not only about being a dad, it incorporates providing and serving a home, loving and serving a spouse, engaging and serving in a community, as well as intentionally serving your children. Fatherhood is an adventure, one full of fun, wild, and messy stories. In this podcast, we will hear stories from real men who have found themselves living the Adventure of Fatherhood. The Craft of Fatherhood episodes are 5-10 minute episodes where your guide Ned Schaut shares stories on his own fatherhood journey.

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