Ep. 7- Jeff Zaugg is dadawesome.

Jim Barnard sits down with Jeff Zaugg, founder of DadAwesome, for a wide open conversation about fatherhood, ministry, resilience, and what it takes to keep showing up over the long haul. Jeff shares the story behind DadAwesome, the Fathers for the Fatherless campaign, and the practical ways he helps dads move toward heaven and home. They also talk honestly about hard seasons, including family conflict, church transition grief, financial strain, and the cost of leading a mission driven life.

Key topics

• In this episode, Jeff shares how DadAwesome started as a 10 week experiment and grew into an 8.5 year ministry with nearly 450 podcast episodes.
• Jeff explains the heart behind the mission - turning fathers’ hearts toward heaven and toward home.
• They discuss the six year Fathers for the Fatherless campaign, which took Jeff and his family across the country in an RV and helped raise and give away $1 million.
• They reflect on the emotional and relational cost of leaving a long church staff role and losing about half of their friendships in the process.
• Jeff describes the RV season as both the hardest and most alive he has ever felt, with surprises like mechanical breakdowns, a snowstorm, and life on the road with four girls and a newborn.
• The conversation covers the launch of Jeff’s book, including delays, Amazon problems, cut chapters, and the value of humility in producing something meaningful.
• Jim highlights how practical and story rich the book is, especially the way Jeff uses vivid examples to anchor big truths.
• Jeff explains how DadAwesome helps men through conversations, challenges, and coaching, and how everyday dads can become “activators” for others.

Key frameworks

• Hearts toward heaven, toward home - Jeff’s core leadership framework for fatherhood.
• Conversation, challenges, coaching - The three ways DadAwesome helps dads engage.
• Soft heart at the rocking chair - A long view of fatherhood centered on legacy.
• Stay on mission - Even in grief or transition, keep serving and looking outward.
• Flexibility with strength - A lesson Jeff pulls from the tree fort story and applies to leadership and life.

Action items

• Read DadAwesome and look for one concrete fatherhood practice you can apply this week.
• Start a deeper conversation with another dad instead of keeping things surface level.
• Find a way to stay on mission in your local church or community, even during grief.
• Build a circle of honest friends who can handle hard truth before crisis hits.

Resources & Links:

• dadawesome website
• dadawesome book on amazon
• dadawesome instagram
• dadawesome youtube
• dadawesome on apple podcasts
• tiller coaching.