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On this episode of Dad Hat Shenanigans, Brent sits down with Shaun Dawson—tech entrepreneur, pilot, and host of the Raising Men podcast—for a real conversation about raising boys in a world that feels increasingly stacked against young men.

You’ll hear a hilarious family story (the cherry slurpee incident), but the heart of this episode goes much deeper: how dads can model healthy masculinity, teach emotional regulation, and help boys grow into resilient, grounded men—without falling into the cultural extremes.

In this episode:

• Why boys are struggling more in modern culture
• The false choice: “masculinity is toxic” vs. “be a jerk”
• Vulnerability + resilience as real strength
• “Barbarian brain” vs. “Sherlock brain” and how dads can slow down reactions
• Pattern interrupts that de-escalate conflict fast
• Connection-seeking behavior (and how to respond to the need underneath)
• The mindset shift: “Excellence is failure”

Connect with Shaun: Links to Shaun Dawson and Raising Men are in the show notes / description.

Thanks for listening to Dad Hat Shenanigans—real dads, real stories, and the unfiltered truth of being a dad.

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E041 of the Dad Hat Shenanigans Podcast: The Unfiltered Truth of Being a Dad

Want to be a guest on Dad Hat Shenanigans: The Unfiltered Truth of Being a Dad? Send D Brent Dowlen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/dadhatshenaniganspodcast


Guest Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of the guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, any organizations, companies, or institutions mentioned, or corporate entities represented by the host.

Our aim is to provide a platform for diverse perspectives and open dialogue. While we strive for accuracy and balance, it's important to recognize that opinions may vary. We encourage critical thinking and further exploration of the topics discussed.

This post & video is designed for educational and/or informational purposes only and should not be used in any other manner.

Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you, and I appreciate your support!

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Ever wonder how to raise kids who believe they can achieve anything instead of settling for "realistic" expectations? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Troy Horn, a former touring musician and Broadway performer who walked away from fame to become the dad his kids needed—and discovered that teaching limitless thinking might be the greatest gift any father can give.

Plus, Troy reveals his revolutionary approach to supporting your children's "impossible" dreams—from professional gaming to content creation—and why showing them the actual work involved makes all the difference.

Key takeaways:
•The mindset shift from "what are the odds?" to "why not you?"—how to become your child's champion for limitless beliefs
•Why allowing your kids to fail early and often at home creates the resilience they need to succeed later
•How to move past your own limiting beliefs about what's possible in today's rapidly changing world
•The power of asking "why would you not choose to be the greatest of all time?" instead of settling for less

Troy Horn is a former touring musician, Broadway performer, and television actor who left the entertainment industry to focus on fatherhood and helping others. He's the author of "Mental Toughness for Young Athletes," which has reached hundreds of thousands of families worldwide, and his upcoming book "Middle Management" for adults navigating their second stage of life. As a father of three (two boys and one daughter), Troy brings both the wisdom of someone who achieved his dreams and the perspective of choosing what truly matters.

Ready to stop limiting your children's possibilities and start championing their biggest dreams? Let's explore how teaching them that failure is just practice creates the foundation for extraordinary success!

Connect with Troy Horne
https://troyhorne.com
https://awesomegang.com/troy-horne
https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-horne
https://www.instagram.com/troyhorneofficial
https://www.facebook.com/TroyHorneOfficial
https://x.com/troyhorne
https://a.co/d/fvx9twZ Mental Toughness For Young Athletes

Sponsors:
My Pillow
Free MyPillow Promo Code "TFM" for up to 80% off your entire order at MyPillow!
To get the best specials ever go to MyPillow.com/TFM or call 800-796-9775 and use promo code "TFM"

Support our podcast:
Support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thefallibleman

Want to Share Your Message with the World?
Looking to be a guest on a podcast and reach a wider audience? Or maybe you host your own podcast and want to find amazing, high-quality guests—without the hassle?
If you answered yes, PodMatch is exactly what you need. Join Here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/dhsp

E040 of the Dad Hat Shenanigans Podcast: The Unfiltered Truth of Being a Dad

Want to be a guest on Dad Hat Shenanigans: The Unfiltered Truth of Being a Dad? Send D Brent Dowlen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/dadhatshenaniganspodcast

Guest Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of the guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, any organizations, companies, or institutions mentioned, or corporate entities represented by the host.

This post & video is designed for educational and/or informational purposes only and should not be used in any other manner.

Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you, and I appreciate your support!

Send us a text

Ever wonder how to build your children like you build your business—with intentionality, strategy, and purpose? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Chaz Wolfe, a serial entrepreneur and father of four who discovered that the same mindset that creates successful businesses can create extraordinary children.

Chaz shares his incredible journey from entrepreneur obsessed with building businesses to intentional father building future generations, including:

•The UNO game revelation that completely shifted how he sees fatherhood—it's not about playing games, it's about building the men and women his children will become
•Why he realized he's literally building his grandchildren's parents right now, every single moment
•The father-son fishing trip questions that revealed his 6-year-old son's surprising wisdom about what makes a great man
•How asking "What makes you feel most confident?" led to his son winning second place nationally in BMX racing

Plus, Chaz reveals his game-changing approach to curiosity as a dad—treating each child like a unique individual who needs their own custom playbook for becoming their best self.

Key takeaways:
•The mindset shift from "I'll do dad stuff" to "I'm building my children block by block, step by step"
•Why people do what they want to do—and how that changes everything about your approach to intentional fatherhood
•How to create meaningful conversations with your kids using simple but powerful questions
•The power of being curious about your children instead of just managing their behavior

Ready to stop just "doing dad stuff" and start intentionally building the adults your children will become? Let's explore how curiosity, intentionality, and treating each child as a unique individual creates the foundation for raising kids who know they matter!

Sponsors:
My Pillow
Free MyPillow Promo Code "TFM" for up to 80% off your entire order at MyPillow!
To get the best specials ever go to MyPillow.com/TFM or call 800-796-9775 and use promo code "TFM"

Support our podcast:
Support us on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/thefallibleman


Want to Share Your Message with the World?
Looking to be a guest on a podcast and reach a wider audience? Or maybe you host your own podcast and want to find amazing, high-quality guests—without the hassle?
If you answered yes, PodMatch is exactly what you need. Join Here: https://www.joinpodmatch.com/dhsp


Follow Us at
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dadhatshenaniganspodcast
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DadHatShenanigans


E039 of the Dad Hat Shenanigans Podcast: The Unfiltered Truth of Being a Dad

Want to be a guest on Dad Hat Shenanigans: The Unfiltered Truth of Being a Dad? Send D Brent Dowlen a message on PodMatch, here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/dadhatshenaniganspodcast


Guest Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of the guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the host, any organizations, companies, or institutions mentioned, or corporate entities represented by the host.

Our aim is to provide a platform for diverse perspectives and open dialogue. While we strive for accuracy and balance, it's important to recognize that opinions may vary. We encourage critical thinking and further exploration of the topics discussed.

This post & video is designed for educational and/or informational purposes only and should not be used in any other manner.

Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you, and I