Inside my House of Bricks Live conversation with Adam House Sr.

“If you don’t learn from failure, you’ll repeat it in more expensive ways later.”

When Adam House Sr. invited me to join him on House of Bricks Live, I knew we would dig deeper than surface-level success. I didn’t expect how healing and energizing the conversation would be for others and me. We explored a lifetime of leadership and parenting insights from a Marine, including hard-won lessons from rejection, resilience, and redefining manhood. Whether you’re a parent, a leader, or someone just trying to grow gracefully, this episode offers a wealth of value.

From the “Battlefield” to the Bookshelf: A Marine’s Lessons in Leadership and Parenting

My story isn’t typical. From growing up in Ruston, Louisiana, to becoming a U.S. Marine Corps Major and children’s author, I’ve learned that authentic leadership starts with knowing yourself and being willing to fail forward.

This episode is full of leadership and parenting insights from a Marine who:

• Faced near-failure moments in the military
• Learned how to lead with empathy instead of ego
• Found purpose in empowering families and future leaders

One of the biggest takeaways is that failure is a better teacher than success.

Why I Founded Parent-Child-Connect

As a father and Marine, I realized that leadership at home is just as critical as leadership in the field. That’s why I created Parent-Child-Connect—a movement that equips parents, educators, and mentors to build trust and purpose-driven relationships with the next generation.

We touched on everything from:

• Getting kids off screens and back into meaningful conversation
• Military parenting tips that actually work
• Balancing passion, profession, and presence

These are real-life leadership and parenting insights from a Marine who is still learning every day.

Lead Last: Why Counterintuitive Leadership Works

In the interview, I shared a sneak peek into my upcoming book, Lead Last: 21 Counterintuitive Principles for Becoming an Effective Leader. This project stems from one key belief:

Leadership isn’t about being first; it’s about putting others first.

Some highlights we explored:

• How rejection shaped my writing journey
• Why emotional intelligence beats command-and-control
• What it takes to lead both humans and AI with empathy

This book and episode are musts if you’re looking for practical, tested leadership and parenting insights from a Marine.

Growth Starts with Unlearning

We also dug into an uncomfortable truth: Some of the habits that served us in survival mode don’t serve us in growth mode.

Whether it’s:

• Toxic toughness
• Misguided views of manhood
• Or equating success with perfection…

…True strength lies in letting go, learning anew, and leaning into vulnerability. That’s where authentic leadership—and parenting—begins.

Calling All Veterans: You’re Not Alone

We closed with a vital conversation on veteran transitions, an often-overlooked topic. Many service members struggle to find identity and purpose after hanging up the uniform.

Through platforms like Mission 22 and House of Bricks, we’re amplifying these voices and offering support. Real leadership is about advocacy and action.

Watch the Full Episode:

Final Takeaway

Whether you’re leading a team, a classroom, or a household, these leadership and parenting insights are meant to help you grow purposefully, lead with humility, and raise the next generation with confidence.

Explore More:

Discover free tools for parenting and leadership at www.parent-child-connect.com.

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