Good evening, everyone!

I am incredibly excited to share my recent guest appearance on the ABCs of Parenting Adult Children podcast! Hosted by James Moffitt, we released the audio and video episodes this past week. We covered a lot of ground regarding fatherhood, leadership, and breaking generational cycles.

You can watch and listen to the full episode using the links below:

• Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/95pNwfqAXcw
• Listen on Buzzsprout: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2511157/episodes/19075632

Please take a moment to check it out, and be sure to share these links with the parents, mentors, and leaders in your circle!

The Vital Role of Fully Engaged Fathers

During our conversation, James and I jumped right into a topic that is foundational to why I started Parent-Child-Connect. We discussed the critical importance of a father’s presence in the home.

Growing up in Ruston, Louisiana, I saw firsthand how a lack of strong, positive male role models impacted the guys around me. When fathers are absent, young men naturally look for validation, identity, and acceptance elsewhere, and far too often, they find it on the streets, through validation of unhealthy behavior, or an obsession with attention, even when negative.

When I was younger, I used to travel with my dad to his prison ministries. Talking to the fathers behind bars blew my mind. Many of them were facing a decade or more of incarceration, completely cutting them out of their children’s lives. It taught me early on that a father’s presence isn’t just about being a financial provider; it requires being fully engaged emotionally, psychologically, and spiritually. When fathers are missing or detached, it is a leading cause of the deep-seated issues we see in society today. The effects are both cyclical and rippling.

Breaking the Cycle and Taking Ownership

James and I spoke openly about the concept of generational curses. Many men from older generations were hardwired with a “tough guy” persona. They were taught things like real men don’t cry, don’t show raw emotion, and must pull themselves up by their bootstraps.

But as parents, we have to realize that our children learn empathy, respect, grace, and forgiveness by seeing us model them. We can take the mysticism out of a “generational curse” the moment we choose to take ownership of our lives. You have the power to stop it. In my own family, my brothers and I had to learn over the years that showing love goes beyond roughhousing; it’s about giving hugs, being vulnerable, and actively (and verbally) sharing our love and affection for each other.

Flipping the Script: Leading Last

James asked me about the philosophy behind my upcoming leadership book, Lead Last. In environments like the Marine Corps, people often think leadership is about walking into a room, commanding a formation, and being the loudest person there.

But Lead Last (launching June 2, 2026) flips that traditional view on its head. True leadership, especially within a family, is about servant leadership. It’s about humility, prioritizing others’ needs, and providing your children with the resources and guidance they need to eventually step up and be better than you are. It’s being the quiet force that pushes everyone else forward, creating an impact that lasts long after you’re gone.

When our children make mistakes, servant leadership teaches us to approach them from a position of grace and reconciliation rather than demands and control. If you back a child into an unwinnable corner, they will fight their way out or take the path of least resistance. We have to create space for them to make things right.

Navigating a Chaotic World and Building Emotional Intelligence

We live in a noisy world, and one of the most practical pieces of advice I can offer parents is to take a hard look at what influences your kids before you start lecturing them. Pay attention to their surroundings, their friend groups, and their digital intake. There is a very real wave of “brain rot” consuming young minds through unmonitored social media and algorithms that train them to have a completely one-sided view of the world.

To combat this, we have to actively build emotional intelligence at home. In my house, I practice moving past basic, open-ended questions like “How was school?” and instead ask my kids, “How did you feel about your day?” Teaching children to identify, label, and navigate their emotions gives them the tools to confidently handle real-world challenges, like peer pressure or conflict on the school bus. We love using the Yale Mood Meter in our house to help our children with this exercise. Find whatever works for your house and do it.

Continuing the Conversation

I also had the opportunity to share the heart behind my children’s books: Crow from the Shadow, Billy Dipper’s Time to Shine, and Horace the Horsefly (the first two feature beautiful illustrations by my talented brother, Josh!).

I wrote these books to create intentional moments of connection. Each book includes “Continue the Conversation” questions in the back because the ultimate goal is for parents, caregivers, and mentors to sit down with their children, bridge the communication gap, and instill lifelong lessons together.

To the Parents of Adult Children

James threw me a great curveball at the end, asking for advice for parents of adult children between the ages of 18 and 30.

My message to you is simple: You still matter, and your role is just as critical now as it was when they were small. The dynamic changes shape. You shift from an authority figure to a trusted mentor and guide. As young adults navigate massive milestones like careers, marriage, and starting their own families, they need to draw from the decades of experience you’ve already accumulated. Keep investing that time. Reach out, call them, listen to their day, and simply be the support system they need as they step into adulthood.

Let’s Connect!

Your presence and engagement as a parent mean everything to a child’s success, no matter how old they get. Thank you to James Moffitt for having me on the show and hosting such an impactful dialogue.

Please head over to the show’s channels, subscribe, and leave a review to help more families find these resources:

• Podcast Website: https://www.parentingadultchildren.org
• YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@abcparentingadultchildren
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parentingadultchildren125/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581576308055
• Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ParentingAdultChild/

As always, you can keep up with my latest frameworks, developmental plans, and book updates right here at Parent-Child-Connect. Let’s keep building the next generation of impactful leaders together.