Executive coach Jeff Hittner, founder of Ambitious Dads, joins Rod to unpack why so many high-performing men feel confident at work yet uncertain at home. Jeff shares his personal journey into intentional fatherhood, the six big gaps he sees in modern dads (balance, confidence, emotional regulation, community, clarity, and aligned co‑parenting), and how to raise emotionally intelligent kids without losing your identity. We go deep on triggers, repair, redefining what it means to “provide,” and integrating your leadership skills from the office into the living room. If you’ve ever thought, “I’d die for my family,” Jeff challenges you to grow for them—starting today. Practical, vulnerable, and immediately actionable. In this episode: Jeff’s intentional path to fatherhood and why it changed his definition of “dad.” The Six Gaps modern fathers face (and how to close them): balance, confidence, emotional regulation, community, clarity/vision for home, co‑parenting expectations. Triggers → tools: spotting overreactions, tagging out, apologizing, and repair. The new meaning of “provider”: nurture and presence alongside finances. Integrating leadership: using your strengths from work to create calm, clear systems at home. How to talk with your kids sooner (and better) about hard topics. Resources Mentioned Mindset: The New Psychology of Success — Carol Dweck Ambitious Dads (blog, podcast, programs) — ambitiousdads.com Coaching site — jeffhittner.com Connect with Jeff Web: ambitiousdads.com | jeffhittner.com Podcast: Ambitious Dads Connect with Rod Podcast hub: 4fitfatherhood.com IG: @4fitfatherhood CTAIf this hit home, share it with a dad who’s leading at work and wants to lead with love at home. Rate the show ★★★★★ and drop a review—it helps more fathers find the conversation. 00:40 Welcome • The four pillars & why fatherhood changes the world 02:46 Jeff’s story: intentional fatherhood & redefining “father” 04:50 From 50 to 200 interviews: what ambitious dads are missing 07:19 Confidence at work vs. uncertainty at home 08:23 The “low bar” of dad success—and raising the standard 09:14 The Six Gaps: balance, confidence, emotions, community, clarity, co‑parenting 12:37 Kids mirror us; building emotional self‑awareness & repair 15:53 First steps: notice overreactions (triggers) & ask for help 19:54 Buckets, valves, and overreaction vs. effective response 29:42 Change is uncomfortable: helping kids (and dads) stick with it 31:34 Provider, redefined: nurture + presence, not just income 35:09 Why two incomes are common—and rewriting role expectations 38:48 Integrating work leadership at home (authenticity & energy) 55:01 Prepping the “hard talks” (sex, tech, culture) before school does 1:01:21 The message Jeff hopes his sons will say about him 1:03:12 Rapid fire: book, unlearn, one word, reconnection, brotherhood 1:05:23 Where to find Jeff & Ambitious Dads
