Raising Men

Shaun Dawson
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  • Parenting
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Raising Men is a podcast about parenting, masculinity, and the lifelong journey of raising sons—and ourselves—to be men of courage, character, and purpose. Hosted by Shaun Dawson, each episode features real conversations with parents, leaders, and thinkers redefining what it means to raising men in today’s world.

  1. 2d ago

    When Bedtime Becomes a Nightly Standoff with Dr. Samuel Latimer

    In this episode of Raising Men, host Shaun Dawson sits down with Dr. Samuel Latimer, a clinical and social psychologist who works on family conflict. Shaun brings him a real bedtime problem. His strong-willed four-year-old daughter loses her bedtime book under a standing rule, then falls apart about it, roughly seven nights in ten. Latimer starts by taking the blame off the table. Temper tantrums at this age are universal across cultures, so a meltdown is not a report card on your parenting. From there the two of them rebuild the routine. They look at the campground version of bedtime, where the light drops and everybody turns in together. They look at whether leaving the room has quietly become the punishment. And they land somewhere simpler than any sticker chart. The most powerful part of a bedtime routine may be a parent modeling sleep itself. Shaun makes a commitment on air, and promises to report back. Key Takeaways 1. Temper tantrums at four are universal across cultures. A meltdown at bedtime is not a verdict on your parenting, and remembering that is most of what keeps you grounded. 2. Before you change anything, work out whether the fight is about the thing you took away or about wanting a parent in the room longer. The fix is different for each one. 3. Let the house do some of the work. Bring the indoor lights down gradually in the last hour, the way the light drops on a campground and everybody turns in together. 4. If you leave the room to cope, leaving can start to feel like the punishment. Stay physically present, close your eyes, put a hand on her leg, and calm yourself in front of her instead of away from her. 5. The most powerful part of the routine may be a parent modeling sleep. Lie down and breathe, and during the day run the whole bedtime routine as a game, with your child as the parent and the stuffed animals as the kids. Quotes "It's not bad parenting, it is universal across cultures." - Dr. Samuel Latimer "The most powerful part of the bedtime routine is us modeling sleeping itself." - Dr. Samuel Latimer "Are there things that you or I are doing that are reinforcing the cycle?" - Dr. Samuel Latimer Chapters 00:00:00 Welcome Back Dr. Samuel Latimer 00:00:42 The Loggerhead Stage At Four 00:01:54 Dinner And The Wormies Begin 00:03:12 The Bedtime Book Gets Taken 00:04:52 Tantrums Are Universal Not Failure 00:06:28 Is It Removal Or Attention 00:08:46 The Campground Model Of Bedtime 00:11:48 The Same Time Either Way 00:12:47 Stay In The Room Breathing 00:15:05 When Leaving Becomes The Punishment 00:16:22 Modeling Sleep Is The Routine 00:19:45 Rehearsing Bedtime With Stuffed Animals Books, Links and Frameworks Mentioned Ancient Wisdom for Modern Boys with Dr. Samuel Latimer: https://raising.men/episodes/ancient-wisdom-for-modern-boys-with-dr-samuel-latimer

    When Bedtime Becomes a Nightly Standoff with Dr. Samuel Latimer

  2. 5d ago

    Why Boys Learn to Hide Their Joy with James Bullard

    In this episode of Raising Men, host Shaun Dawson sits down with James Bullard, a storyteller, performer, coach and host of the Radical Joy podcast. Together they explore why boys learn to hide their joy, and how parents can help their sons keep it. James grew up in rural Alabama as the boy who was always a little too happy. He shares how his mother protected that spark, and why he believes joy works like a muscle that grows with use. Shaun opens up about the day he turned his cheek when his young son went to kiss him, and what that moment taught him. They also talk about updating outdated dreams, letting go of old grievances, and why so many of us fear success. You’ll walk away with a simple way to support your son, even when his choices surprise you. Kids need to feel safe, supported and seen. Key Takeaways Treat joy like a muscle. James says it gets stronger when you use it and weaker when you hold it back, so let your son see you enjoy things out loud.Showing a feeling and having it are connected. Shaun found that holding back affection from his son also dulled the love he felt, so show it when you feel it.Kids notice small differences. A toddler who kisses mom and gets a turned cheek from dad takes that in long before he has words for it.Update the dream. James asks men what they want today, as a parent and spouse in this season of life, because letting go of an outdated dream is not failure.Save your “no” for safety. Ask whether a choice will actually hurt your child. If it won’t, support it, and your no will carry weight when it really counts.“Joy, like so many other things, I like to think about it like a muscle. If you train it, it grows.” - James Bullard “Letting go of an outdated dream is not failure.” - James Bullard “Children need exploration. They need discipline, they need structure, they need boundaries. What they don’t need is judgment.” - James Bullard 00:00:00 Facing Obstacles with Curious Questions00:00:39 Meet Storyteller and Coach James00:02:09 The Happy Kid Seemed Weird00:04:01 Letting Go of Needing Certainty00:05:34 Why Grown Men Hide Joy00:09:42 A Mother Who Protected Joy00:11:24 Turning a Cheek to Love00:14:48 Letting Go of Outdated Dreams00:17:17 When Grievance Becomes a Prophecy00:24:13 The Real Fear of Succeeding00:28:44 Support as the Guiding Principle00:33:03 The Christmas Whoopsie Doll Story Books, Links and Frameworks MentionedJames Bullard coaching (personal, business leadership, creativity and storytelling): https://thebullardbrand.comRadical Joy podcast (Apple Podcasts, Spotify and wherever you listen)Navigating the Pink Light with Mayra Clay and Marc Krusin: https://raising.men/episodes/navigating-the-pink-light-with-mayra-clay-and-marc-krusin

    Why Boys Learn to Hide Their Joy with James Bullard

  3. Oct 29

    Finding Purpose in Life's Transitions with Ryan Riley

    In this episode of Raising Men, host Shaun Dawson sits down with returning guest Ryan Riley, author of the Books for Boys series, to talk about finding purpose in life's transitions. Ryan's new company, Metaphor, built a self-reflection survey for people in a season of change, and Shaun takes it live and answers every question out loud. Ryan explains why the survey opens with one blunt line: "I know who I am." He also tells of a friend who dropped his only son at college and felt like he'd thrown a paper airplane he spent years folding. Together they unpack drift, Ryan's word for slowly moving off course, and why small daily corrections matter more than big ones. Shaun is honest about where he scores low, from speaking up for what he needs to making time to reflect. Parents will walk away with a few honest questions worth asking themselves before chasing whatever comes next. Key Takeaways Big transitions, like a child leaving for college, can take away a parent's sense of purpose overnight. Ryan's advice is to look inward first, before you go looking outside for the next thing.Purpose is what lets you say no. Shaun borrows this from Navy SEAL Eric Davis: once you know what you're for, you stop doing ten percent of everything.Drift is Ryan's word for slowly moving off course, and it's neither good nor bad. You handle it the way you steer a car, with constant small corrections instead of one big swerve.A rough moment with your kids is a correction to make. It isn't a verdict on you as a parent. What matters is adjusting day by day so you keep the course you planned.Excellence means making your errors smaller, not being perfect. Shaun's archery example: at first excellence is just hitting the target, and later it's nine bullseyes out of ten."In those moments of transition, in the moments where things really matter most, you need to turn around and look inward." - Ryan Riley "For me, the greatest compliment that I have is that my boys that are twenty to twenty seven still want to call me dad." - Ryan Riley "Drift is a constant variable and drift occurs, drift happens. Drift is neither good nor bad." - Ryan Riley Chapters00:00:00 Welcome Back to Raising Men00:00:40 Why Metaphor Built This Survey00:02:49 Purpose Lets You Say No00:05:05 Starting With Who You Are00:08:03 The One Word Compliment Story00:10:55 There Is Almost Always Time00:12:15 Drift and Daily Course Corrections00:14:07 Excellence Means Making Errors Smaller00:18:06 Speaking Up for Your Needs00:22:35 What Do I Want Next00:32:28 Courage to Be Uncomfortably Open00:36:41 Look Inward Before Looking Outward Books, Links and Frameworks MentionedWhen Boys Drift Before they Collapse with Ryan Riley: https://raising.men/episodes/when-boys-drift-before-they-collapse-with-ryan-rileyBeyond the Battlefield: A Navy SEAL's Guide to Raising Good Men with Eric Davis: https://raising.men/episodes/beyond-the-battlefield-a-navy-seal-s-guide-to-raising-good-men-with-eric-davis

    Finding Purpose in Life's Transitions with Ryan Riley

  4. Oct 26

    Staying Calm When Your Kids Push Your Buttons with Colleen O'Neill

    In this episode of Raising Men, host Shaun Dawson sits down with Colleen O’Neill, a board-certified pediatric occupational therapist who spent more than a decade working with kids and families in New York City. Together they dig into how to lovingly set a firm boundary, and why staying calm yourself comes before correcting your child.  Key Takeaways Decide in advance what you’re asking for and why. When you know your reason is fair, you can hold your ground calmly even when your child pushes back.Kids who push buttons are often looking for a limit. Colleen sees the most meltdowns, at home and in schools, when the adult can’t set one.When your son tunes you out, stop and get on his level. Ask “Did you hear that? Yes or no?” Then ask what he thinks, or whether he needs more time.Refill your own tank first. Colleen compares giving with nothing left to vacuuming a room without plugging in the vacuum: lots of motion and nothing happening.Only say no when you have a real reason. Shaun’s default became yes, and his kids now trust that his no means no, so there are far fewer arguments.“It’s like vacuuming a room without plugging in the vacuum. You’re just going through the motions, but there’s nothing turned on.” - Colleen O’Neill “They’re looking for a limit. It’s kind of the child’s job to see where are the limits.” - Colleen O’Neill “Decide in advance what you’re asking for and why. Just so you know that you’re coming from a fair place.” - Colleen O’Neill00:00:00 Welcome and Meet Colleen O’Neill00:01:33 The Middle Ground on Boundaries00:03:05 Starting With the Adult First00:06:27 What 1-2-3 Magic Taught Shaun00:09:31 Why Parents Need to Lead00:10:50 The Castle and the Sandbox00:13:57 The Yes Dad First Rule00:15:41 Know Your Reason in Advance00:19:22 Only Say No With Reason00:24:05 Why Firm Boundaries Are Loving00:28:29 A Home Without Any Boundaries00:31:50 The Principle of Self Kindness Books, Links and Frameworks MentionedHow to Lovingly Set a Firm Boundary by Colleen O’NeillMy Feelings Workbook by Colleen O’Neill1-2-3 Magic by Thomas W. Phelan Links and WebsitesBiologically Aligned Parenting with Geoff Owen: https://raising.men/episodes/biologically-aligned-parenting-with-geoff-owen Frameworks and ConceptsRegulate yourself first, then support your child from that place (Colleen O’Neill)Lovingly setting a firm boundary (Colleen O’Neill)The 1-2-3 Magic count, with one minute in the room per year of ageThe castle and the sandbox (Shaun’s picture of a safe space held by benign authority)The “yes, Dad” first rule (Shaun)Children’s biological need for the adult to lead (Geoff Owen)  #RaisingBoys #SettingBoundaries #RaisingMen #ParentingTips #Parenting #MomsOfBoys #BoyMom #DadLife #EmotionalRegulation #ParentingBoys #FirmBoundaries

    Staying Calm When Your Kids Push Your Buttons with Colleen O'Neill

  5. Oct 22

    Real Wins in Youth Sports with Dr. Carla Caturia

    In this episode of Raising Men, host Shaun Dawson sits down with Dr. Carla Caturia, elite mental performance coach and founder of The House of RISE. She's back for a short follow-up on helping young athletes handle pressure, and it starts with her own story. Carla played varsity basketball, and her dad had coached her since she was born. When a younger, better teammate arrived, the pressure from her coach, her dad and herself got to be too much, and she quit. Today she teaches kids the tools she never had. First, notice what your inner critic is saying. Then get back to neutral after a mistake by simply observing the shot. Shaun shares how that same detachment turned golf from a misery into a chess match for him. You'll walk away with a simple way to help your son judge himself less, enjoy the game more and count the real wins. Key Takeaways Kids carry pressure much earlier than they used to. A nine-year-old can be running the schedule Carla had in high school, and parents who say they never push can still create that pressure by filling every afternoon.Start by asking what he was thinking. When a boy throws his racket or falls apart after one strikeout, help him name what his inner critic was saying in that moment.Aim for neutral before positive. After a mistake, skip "that was terrible" and simply observe it: "Wow, that was a shot." Positive self-talk comes later, once he truly believes in himself.Focus on what he can control. The same swing can pop up, strike out or clear the fence, so put his attention on the process and the present moment instead of the outcome.Redefine the win. Did he play better than last time, or stay calm when he usually wouldn't? Carla calls those the real wins, and says the trophy is the icing on the cake."The championship win, or just the W period, is like the icing on the cake. It really is: did I come out here better than I did last time?" - Dr. Carla Caturia "Did I stay calm when I normally would have not stayed calm? Those are the real wins." - Dr. Carla Caturia "We can still work hard yet enjoy it and feel it and be present there." - Dr. Carla CaturiaChapters00:00:00 Welcome Back Dr. Carla Caturia00:00:46 Her High School Basketball Story00:01:45 Cracking Under Pressure and Quitting00:03:49 Building Resilience in Our Kids00:04:15 Packed Schedules Create Hidden Pressure00:05:38 Hearing Your Inner Critic First00:07:01 Finding Neutral After a Mistake00:08:13 Wow, That Was a Shot00:09:48 Shaun's Golf and Observational Detachment00:13:20 The Real Wins Beyond Winning00:15:20 Trying Versus Letting Our Kids00:16:44 Play for Enjoyment or Money Books, Links and Frameworks MentionedBuilding High Achieving Resilience with Dr. Carla Caturia: https://raising.men/episodes/building-high-achieving-resilience-with-dr-carla-caturiaRaising Elite Athletes Without Losing Perspective with Jonathan V. Last: https://raising.men/episodes/raising-elite-athletes-without-losing-perspective-with-jonathan-v-last

    Real Wins in Youth Sports with Dr. Carla Caturia

  6. Oct 19

    Ancient Wisdom for Modern Boys with Dr. Samuel Latimer

    In this episode of Raising Men, host Shaun Dawson sits down with Dr. Samuel Latimer, a clinical and social psychologist and founder of Fostering Growth and Cooperation. Together they ask what ancient wisdom can teach modern parents about raising boys who feel needed. Dr. Samuel draws on traditional societies like the Maya, who bring toddlers into household chores from the very start. Shaun shares how teaching his son golf only worked once he stopped coaching and started playing alongside him. They talk through co-sleeping, picky eating, and why natural consequences often teach more than taking away a phone. The thread through all of it is simple. Boys grow strong when they have a real job in the family today. Big plans for later can wait. You'll walk away with practical ways to invite your son into the work of your home, and a fresh look at which modern habits are worth questioning. Key Takeaways Give your son a real job in the house now. Dr. Samuel sees young men leaving for college who can't manage laundry or dishes, and he traces it to boys who were never needed at home.Say yes when the little ones grab the broom. Two, three and four year olds want to help, and the Maya treat that urge as worth years of patience, even when the job gets done badly.Correct less than you think you should. Shaun's golf outings with his son only clicked once he stopped instructing and simply played beside him, letting him learn by watching and trying.Let natural consequences do some of the teaching. Taking away a phone is a manufactured consequence. Roaches in a kitchen nobody cleaned is a natural one, and kids connect to what is happening right now.Ask whether a modern rule is wisdom or just habit. Shaun and his wife questioned why their son had to sleep alone, learned co-sleeping is the historical norm, and he still grew up remarkably independent."We expect too much independence of our toddlers and little ones, but too much dependence of our teenagers." - Dr. Samuel Latimer "No, we need you. You are a valuable part of this household, and we need you." - Dr. Samuel Latimer "Carry it because you're needed. You are needed right now to bring this in the door." - Dr. Samuel Latimer Chapters00:00:00 Welcome and Meet Dr. Latimer00:00:40 When a Sick Kid Interrupts00:01:51 A Father's Day Episode Unravels00:03:27 Ancient Parenting Lessons for Today00:05:56 Boys Who Can't Do Basics00:07:04 How the Maya Teach Chores00:13:39 Fad Diet Toys and Apps00:15:55 Learning Golf Side by Side00:21:56 Natural Consequences and Kitchen Roaches00:24:50 Co-Sleeping and Raising Independent Kids00:31:41 Why Picky Eating Is Modern00:35:27 You Matter to This Family Links and WebsitesFostering Growth and Cooperation (Dr. Samuel's practice, membership, and family and couples therapy): https://www.fosteringgrowthandcooperation.comReclaiming the Generational Rearview Mirror with Ted Dawson: https://raising.men/episodes/reclaiming-the-generational-rearview-mirror-with-ted-dawson

    Ancient Wisdom for Modern Boys with Dr. Samuel Latimer

  7. Oct 16

    Benign Authority and Showing Up for the Small Moments with Geoff Owen

    In this episode of Raising Men, host Shaun Dawson sits down with Geoff Owen, founder of Aligned Parenting and author of The Parenting Assumption, to test-drive his new AI parenting agent. Built on Biologically Aligned Parenting, the agent gives parents somewhere to turn when a hard moment hits at 11 o'clock at night. Shaun brings a real one. His four-year-old daughter is warm and close when it's just the two of them, then pushes him away the moment her mom is home. Geoff reads that behavior as a signal about what she needs from her environment. He explains benign authority, the steady place a parent stands no matter what a child says. Shaun also owns a moment he missed on the morning they recorded, when his daughter asked for breakfast and he answered from his office. You'll learn why rudeness doesn't always need correcting, and why answering promptly matters so much. Key Takeaways Read difficult behavior as a signal. Geoff asks what's missing from the child's environment, and what you can supply so the behavior stops being necessary.Stand in benign authority. That's Geoff's term for the calm, settled place a parent stands no matter what a child says or does, and your child depends on you to hold it.You don't have to answer every rude moment. Keep providing the right environment and carry on, and over time the behavior starts to settle.It isn't your child's job to confirm you're a good parent. If a four-year-old's words wound you, ask why you've handed her that power.When your child calls and the task can wait, stop and go to them. "In a minute" doesn't make sense to a young child, and being close beats shouting down the stairs."It's not her job to confirm your ability and success as a parent." - Geoff Owen "When a child's rude to you, you've got to do something about it. When actually you don't." - Geoff Owen "The things that we want from our children, they've already got. It's all there, just like the seed." - Geoff Owen Chapters 00:00:00 Introducing Geoff Owen's AI Agent00:02:05 Testing a Sample Parent Prompt00:04:20 Behavior as a Signal Explained00:06:02 Shaun's Daughter Pushes Him Away00:09:39 What the AI Agent Recommends00:12:55 Handling It as a Team00:14:13 Stepping Into Your Benign Authority00:19:47 When Your Child's Words Hurt00:21:31 Obedience or Cooperativeness from Children00:22:39 The Seed and the Oak00:28:42 A Missed Morning Breakfast Moment00:32:41 Honoring the Five Innate Expectations Books, Links and Frameworks Mentioned Links and Websites Geoff Owen's parenting agent: https://geoffreyowen.com/askBiologically Aligned Parenting with Geoff Owen: https://raising.men/episodes/biologically-aligned-parenting-with-geoff-owen

    Benign Authority and Showing Up for the Small Moments with Geoff Owen

  8. Oct 12

    When Boys Drift Before they Collapse with Ryan Riley

    In this episode of Raising Men, host Shaun Dawson sits down with Ryan Riley, an entrepreneur, TEDx speaker and author of the Books for Boys character and leadership series. Ryan explains how boys drift before they collapse, and how parents can catch emotional withdrawal early. He defines drift simply: change outpacing our awareness. Shaun and Ryan talk about why so many dads struggle to find connection, and why pushing an 18-year-old out the door can set him up to fail. Ryan is a father of five, and he shares the hard lesson of a family crisis he didn't see coming. He walks through his model of moving from daddy to mentor to peer, and explains why being your teenager's friend backfires. There's also a $300 toilet paper story you won't forget. You'll walk away with practical ways to stay present, make small corrections early and be the anchor your son can count on. Key Takeaways Ryan defines drift as change outpacing your awareness. Drift is neutral in itself. It only becomes dangerous when it goes on long enough that you're left reacting instead of choosing.Parent the way you drive a car, with a light hand on the wheel. Small, steady corrections keep things smooth, while noticing late leads to the panicked overcorrection that causes the crash.Be an anchor. An anchor sits in the mud at the bottom and doesn't move, and your son needs to know you're that constant presence when he needs you.Move from daddy to mentor, and later to peer, rather than to friend. A mentor is someone your son calls for help, listens to for advice, and who lets him make mistakes without judging him.Set your son up for success long before he turns 18. A standing promise like "call me, no questions asked" only works in a crisis if you said it a thousand times before he needed it."I define drift as when change outpaces our awareness." - Ryan Riley "You can't begin setting your kids up for success right when they're ready to go out of the house. It has to begin early." - Ryan Riley "The worst thing you can do is move from daddy to friend." - Ryan Riley Chapters00:00:00 Why Parents Miss the Turn00:00:37 Welcome and Meet Ryan Riley00:02:37 Why Dads Struggle to Connect00:06:06 The Myth of Leaving Home00:12:22 Defining Drift as Outpaced Awareness00:14:04 Parenting Like Steering a Car00:19:12 Why Boys Need an Anchor00:25:23 Daddy, Mentor, and Peer Roles00:32:47 Why Parents Shouldn't Be Friends00:34:00 The $300 Toilet Paper Lesson00:37:36 Teach Principles and Let Go00:42:14 Teaching the Love Before Rules Books, Links and Frameworks Mentioned When Boys Drift Before They Collapse, Ryan Riley's TEDx talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7FimtYmzQqcInstagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/ryan.riley.fhBooks for Boys: https://booksforboys.club/

    When Boys Drift Before they Collapse with Ryan Riley
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About

Raising Men is a podcast about parenting, masculinity, and the lifelong journey of raising sons—and ourselves—to be men of courage, character, and purpose. Hosted by Shaun Dawson, each episode features real conversations with parents, leaders, and thinkers redefining what it means to raising men in today’s world.

Information

  • Creator
    Shaun Dawson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Shaun Dawson
  • Show Website
    Raising Men

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