Dr. Mike Ayers is a speaker, educator, retired pastor, and leadership coach with more than 30 years of experience helping individuals and families grow with purpose and authenticity. He teaches leadership and business administration at Grayson College in North Texas and directs the Father Friend network. As creator of the Father Friend Model, Mike is passionate about equipping dads to lead their families with strength, emotional connection, and intentional love. He holds a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership and blends biblical wisdom, leadership principles, and practical insight into a relatable approach to modern fatherhood. Mike considers being a dad to his three children—Ryan, Brandon, and Kaley—his greatest joy and accomplishment. He lives in Texas with his wife, Amy, a licensed professional counselor (LPC).

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Author, Speaker, and Educator Dr. Mike Ayers Releases New Book on Intentional Fatherhood Through Morgan James Publishing

FATHER FRIEND: How Intentional Dads Lean In, Lead Well, and Love Big at Every Stage
Available January 27, 2027 | Preorders Available Now

ROCKWALL, Texas — Author, speaker, educator, and fatherhood advocate Dr. Mike Ayers announces the upcoming release of Father Friend: How Intentional Dads Lean In, Lead Well, and Love Big at Every Stage, published by Morgan James Publishing and scheduled for release on January 27, 2027. Preorders are available now.

Drawing from more than 30 years of experience as a father, educator, leader, and mentor, Ayers introduces the “Father Friend” framework, a practical and emotionally grounded model designed to help fathers navigate every developmental stage of a child’s life with intentionality, connection, and purpose.

At the heart of the book is a powerful four-stage model of fatherhood: Leader, Coach, Mentor, and Father-Friend. Ayers argues that children need different things from fathers at different ages, and that great dads learn to adapt their leadership while remaining emotionally present and deeply engaged.

“Most dads genuinely want to do well, but many were never shown how to lead with both strength and emotional connection,” said Ayers. “This book helps fathers understand what their children need most at each stage of life and how to build lasting influence and relationship over time.”

Blending personal stories, practical guidance, leadership principles, psychology, faith, and real-life parenting insight, Father Friend addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing families today, including emotional disconnection, anxiety and depression in children, identity formation, masculinity, communication, and long-term relational trust between fathers and children.

Dr. Ayers currently teaches leadership and business administration at Grayson College in North Texas and is the creator of the Father Friend framework and podcast, Father Friend: Fatherhood on Purpose. Through speaking engagements, writing, and media appearances, he equips dads to raise strong, emotionally healthy families rooted in intentional love, leadership, and presence.

Ayers will speak at conferences throughout 2026 and 2027 in support of the book launch, with additional media appearances, launch events, and speaking engagements to be announced.

Father Friend: How Intentional Dads Lean In, Lead Well, and Love Big at Every Stage releases nationwide on January 27, 2027 and will be available through major retailers including Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

For media inquiries, interviews, speaking requests, or preorder information, visit www.fatherfriend.net

Media Contact:
Dr. Mike Ayers

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