All Episodes
Episodes
From Youth Pastor to Lifelong Mentor: My Interview with Joey Womble about Fatherhood
Joey Womble was Mike's youth pastor at 18, and watching him parent changed everything Mike understood about fatherhood. In this personal conversation, Joey shares hard-won wisdom from four decades of...
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5 Ways We Neglect Our Kids (Without Realizing It)
We're not trying to be bad parents, but we're more distracted than ever—and our kids are paying the price. From devices to pride, Mike breaks down five common ways dads neglect their kids without even realizing it....
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Practicing Gratitude: Noticing the Good in the Imperfect
Despite having more wealth, technology, and comfort than any generation in history, we're less happy than people were in the 1950s. Why? This Thanksgiving week, we explore why gratitude has become a radical practice...
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How We Fight: The Father Friend Model
A big purpose without a strategic plan is a big flop. This episode walks you through the Father Friend Model—a developmental roadmap from birth through adulthood. Learn the 7 core insights and 4 quadrants that show...
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Cause, Courage, and Culture: Why We Fight for Our Kids
Why do we fight for our kids? Because the stakes have never been higher. In this episode, we explore how a clear cause fuels courage—and why fathers need both to navigate today's cultural battles. We're not just...
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When Your Son Becomes A Dad: An Interview with Brandon Ayers
Becoming a dad changes a man instantly — and in this episode, I get to watch that transformation in my own son. Brandon and I talk honestly about the moment Mabel arrived, the joy, the weight, the wonder, and how God...
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Fathered by God: Becoming the Father I Never Had
In this episode, Mike shares one of his most personal stories yet—the pain of growing up without an engaged or affectionate father, and the redemptive journey of discovering what true fatherhood looks like through God...
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The Power of a Father's Words
Your voice as a father does more than correct or instruct—it shapes identity. In this episode, Dr. Mike Ayers unpacks the lasting impact of a dad’s words, weaving together personal stories, biblical insight, and...
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More Than the Game: Interview with Professional Baseball Scout Darwin Pennye
Baseball, faith, and fatherhood all share one thing—perspective. In this Father Friend episode, Dr. Mike Ayers sits down with Kansas City Royals scout and longtime coach Darwin Pennye to talk about how sports can...
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Building Unshakeable Worth Through Unconditional Love
Every child longs to know they are enough. In this Father Friend episode, Dr. Mike Ayers explores how a father’s vision and voice shape a child’s identity, either building insecurity through conditional love or...
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Being A Leader Worth Following: Servant Authority in Fatherhood
Every dad has authority—but how you use it determines whether your kids follow from fear or trust. In this Father Friend episode, Dr. Mike Ayers unpacks the difference between positional leadership and personal...
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5 Ways to Cultivate Courage in Kids
In the wake of Charlie Kirk's assassination, Dr. Mike Ayers reminds dads that courage isn’t built in comfort—it’s forged in risk, failure, and persistence. In this Father Friend episode, he unpacks why modern...
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