Father Friend

Father Friend

Hosted by: Dr. Mike Ayers - Parenting Expert, Educator, Father

I'm Dr. Mike Ayers—welcome to Father Friend, a podcast to help you become the kind of dad your kids trust, respect, and want to be around. With 30+ years as a father, educator, and speaker, I bring research-rooted,...

Episodes

Regret-Free Fathering

Season #1

Most dads don't struggle with fatherhood because they don't care — they struggle because they're overwhelmed, distracted, and losing a war they didn't know they were fighting. In this episode, Mike Ayers unpacks the...
View Episode

Ten Signs You're a Better Dad Than You Think

Season #1

Most dads carry a running mental list of their failures — the moments they lost it, the conversations they fumbled, the seasons they weren't fully there. This episode is about the other list. The one you never give...
View Episode

The 7-12 Window: What Might Be Your Most Important Years as a Dad

Season #1

Most dads think the hard work happens when their kids hit the teenage years. But the research tells a different story. The seven-to-twelve window — what I call the Confidence Builder stage — is when your child is...
View Episode

Lead or Be Left Behind: The Strength Your Kids Need from You

Season #1

Every dad is leading his kids — the question is whether he's doing it on purpose. In this episode, Mike Ayers unpacks the one thing your children need from you more than anything else: a father who is strong enough to...
View Episode

Raising Confident Kids

Season #1

Every dad wants to raise a confident kid. But confidence isn't something you manufacture — it's something you help your child discover. In this episode, Mike unpacks three questions every child is silently asking as...
View Episode

Before Someone Else Does: How Dads Talk to Their Kids About Sex and Dating

Season #1

An interview with Pastor Casey Coats, cLife Church, Rockwall, TX.The earlier you start talking to your kids about sex and dating, the better — and most dads start way too late. Pastor Casey Coats and his wife Lauren —...
View Episode

7 Commitments of a Father Friend

Season #1

Most fathers don't fail because they don't love their kids. They fail because they've never really decided what kind of father they want to be. What does it mean to actually be a great dad? In this episode, Dr. Mike...
View Episode

#45 Putting and Keeping First Things First

Season #1

Every dad starts out with the best intentions. But somewhere between the deadlines, the promotions, the packed schedules, and the sheer weight of life — the most important things start getting the least attention....
View Episode

#44 What's Your Your Discipline Style? 6 Principles for Loving Discipline

Season #1

Every dad faces the challenge of discipline—but few topics in parenting are more misunderstood or misapplied. Some fathers discipline from anger and frustration, creating fear instead of trust. Others avoid it...
View Episode

#43: Pushing, Pressure or Helping Them Reach Their Potential? 6 Questions Every Dad Should Ask

Season #1

When does healthy encouragement cross into crushing pressure? This episode tackles every dad's toughest balancing act: pushing our kids toward their potential without shoving them over the edge. Through real...
View Episode

#42: How Your Kids See You At Every Stage

Season #1

Remember when your kids thought you could do anything? When you were Superman, the strongest person in their universe? That changes. And if you don't understand how, you'll keep showing up the same way year after...
View Episode

#41: Raising Boys Into Men In a Culture That Can't Define Either

Season #1

Our culture can't define what a man is—so how are we supposed to raise boys to become men? In this episode, we tackle the question most parents are afraid to ask: What does healthy masculinity actually look like?...
View Episode