The Dad Edge Podcast

In this Q&A episode, I'm joined once again by Uncle Joe for a deep, honest conversation around one of the most painful places a man can find himself—feeling unwanted, disconnected, and hopeless in his marriage. We respond to a question from a husband who hasn't felt physical or emotional connection from his wife in over two years, and we unpack what really breaks down in marriages long before intimacy disappears.
 
This conversation goes far beyond surface-level advice. We talk about why most men were never trained for marriage, how resentment quietly builds, why treating marriage like a contract destroys connection, and how changing your internal narrative can shift everything. We also bring in perspectives from men inside the Dad Edge Alliance to show how humility, coachability, and intentional skill-building can restore trust, safety, and leadership at home. If your marriage feels distant or stuck, this episode offers clarity, hope, and a path forward.
 
 
Timeline Summary
[0:00] Welcoming listeners to the third Q&A episode of January 2026
[1:19] Uncle Joe returns and the power of community-driven wisdom
[2:13] Introducing a listener's marriage question about rejection and hopelessness
[2:55] Why only 12% of married couples report feeling deeply connected
[3:33] Asking the most important question: what have you actually learned about marriage?
[4:26] Joe reflects on personal failure, divorce, and hard-earned lessons
[5:14] Why hope exists if attraction once existed
[5:35] How complacency and busyness quietly push marriage to the back burner
[6:02] Marriage compared to learning an instrument—you can't wing it
[7:21] Resentment, skill gaps, and whether marriages can truly be restored
[8:05] Marriage as a covenant, not a contract
[8:55] How destructive inner narratives shape behavior and connection
[9:43] Transactional expectations and why they kill intimacy
[10:41] Why "nice guy" energy erodes respect and attraction
[11:30] Listening to understand instead of listening to defend
[12:12] Mutual submission, humility, and shared leadership in marriage
[13:15] Alliance member insight on asking for feedback from your wife
[14:16] Faith, unity, and intentionally doing life together
[15:49] Receiving feedback without ego or defensiveness
[17:14] Emotional bank accounts and the power of daily deposits
[18:50] Gottman's 5:1 and 10:1 ratios for healthy marriages
[19:40] Giving your wife permission to coach you
[20:45] Why conflict isn't the enemy—avoidance is
[22:00] Reframing the role of a wife as a strengthener, not a subordinate
[23:17] "It's not me vs. you, it's us vs. the problem"
[23:43] Larry shares a personal season of anger and choosing humility
[25:16] How couples can build something better than what they had before
[25:51] Episode wrap-up and where to find resources
 
 
Five Key Takeaways
Most men were never taught how to lead a marriage, and guessing your way through it creates disconnection. 
Marriage breaks down through narratives and resentment long before intimacy disappears. 
Treating marriage like a covenant—not a contract—changes everything. 
Emotional deposits made consistently rebuild trust and safety over time. 
When couples unite against the problem instead of each other, restoration becomes possible. 
 
 
Links & Resources
Dad Edge Alliance: https://thedadedge.com/alliance
The Legendary Marriage Book: https://thedadedge.com/legendarybook
Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1429
 
 
Closing Remark
If this episode resonated with where you're at in your marriage, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. You don't have to figure this out alone—skill-building, humility, and brotherhood can change the direction of your marriage and your family. From my heart to yours, go out and live legendary.

What does real leadership actually look like at home—not just at work? In this episode, I sit down with Mick Hunt, leadership and culture coach, to break down what emotional intelligence, boundaries, and masculine presence really mean for husbands and fathers.
 
Mick shares powerful insights on why being the "nice guy" often kills polarity and attraction in marriage, how emotional intelligence is a strength (not a soft skill), and why men need intentional transition rituals to show up fully present for their families. We talk about journaling as a daily leadership practice, setting boundaries without control, and how a father's emotional presence shapes the safety and confidence of his kids. This conversation is practical, grounded, and deeply relevant for men who want to lead with backbone and heart.
 
 
Timeline Summary
[0:00] Introducing Mick Hunt and why leadership matters most at home
[2:06] Morgan Freeman narrating Mick's videos and the unexpected connection
[2:27] Why emotional intelligence is a critical leadership skill
[3:01] How the "nice guy" approach kills polarity and attraction
[3:29] Daily practices Mick uses to stay emotionally present with his kids
[4:09] The importance of transition rituals between work and home
[6:04] Mick's marriage story and reconnecting after decades of friendship
[9:07] Emotional intelligence as awareness, regulation, and response
[11:01] Why empathy doesn't mean losing authority as a husband or father
[14:05] Self-awareness as the foundation of emotional leadership
[15:18] Growing up with an emotionally unavailable father
[17:13] Mick's simple daily journaling practice
[19:17] Why writing trains the brain to separate fact from emotion
[21:07] Boundaries as love—not control—in marriage and family
[23:54] Defining boundaries through core values
[24:16] Protecting "me time" to show up better for others
[27:33] Why skipping transition time hurts marriages and families
[28:38] A real story of ignoring boundaries and paying the emotional cost
[31:27] Masculine presence and modeling healthy marriage for kids
[33:11] Being the emotional anchor of the household
[35:30] Teaching daughters confidence and sons how to care
[38:44] Where to find Mick and his leadership resources
 
 
Five Key Takeaways:
Emotional intelligence is a leadership advantage, not a weakness, for men at home and at work. 
Being agreeable isn't the same as being emotionally present, and "nice guy" energy often kills attraction. 
Transition rituals protect your family from your stress, allowing you to show up grounded and present. 
Boundaries rooted in core values create safety, not distance, in marriage and parenting. 
A father's emotional presence shapes confidence, safety, and leadership in his children. 
 
 
Links & Resources
Mick Hunt Official Website: https://mickhuntofficial.com
Instagram: @mickunplugged
LinkedIn: @mickhunt
Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1428
 
 
Closing Remark
If this episode challenged how you think about leadership, boundaries, or emotional presence at home, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. The most important leadership role you'll ever have is the one your family experiences every day.

Why do kids raised in the same home react so differently to the exact same situation? In this episode, I'm joined by Alyssa Campbell, author, educator, and founder of Seed & Sew, to unpack what's really happening beneath our kids' behaviors—and why understanding their nervous systems changes everything about how we parent.
 
Alyssa returns to the show to talk about her new book Big Kids, Bigger Feelings, and we go deep into the overlooked developmental stage of kids ages 5–12. We discuss why "shouldn't they know better?" is the wrong question, how regulation and access to skills are two different things, and why each child's unique sensory profile determines how they experience stress, connection, discipline, and learning. This conversation will give you clarity, compassion, and practical tools to parent each child for who they actually are—not who you expect them to be.
 
 
Timeline Summary 
[0:00] Why kids raised by the same parents can behave so differently
[2:33] Introducing Alyssa Campbell and her work in emotional intelligence
[3:27] Alyssa's first book Tiny Humans, Big Emotions and its success
[3:49] Celebrating Alyssa hitting the New York Times bestseller list
[4:11] Introducing the new book Big Kids, Bigger Feelings
[5:00] Why ages 5–12 are a massively overlooked developmental stage
[6:03] Central nervous systems and why kids respond differently to the same stimulus
[7:36] "Knowing better" vs. having access to skills in the moment
[9:15] Dysregulation in adults—and why kids struggle even more
[14:24] Why kids under 25 don't have fully developed prefrontal cortexes
[16:03] How screens and overstimulation dysregulate kids
[18:12] Why nervous system awareness builds empathy instead of frustration
[22:45] The nine sensory systems every parent should understand
[24:01] Vestibular, proprioceptive, and interoceptive senses explained
[26:17] Sensory sensitivity vs. sensory seeking
[28:12] Introducing the Seed Quiz as "GPS for your kid's brain"
[29:05] How the Seed Quiz works for kids, parents, and families
[31:10] Real-life school example of regulation transforming behavior
[33:09] Why behavior improves when regulation improves
[35:25] Trauma, environment, and how nervous systems evolve
[41:03] Why understanding nervous systems transforms marriages too
[42:06] Parenting two kids with opposite sensory needs
[44:48] Why the same parenting response can calm one child and escalate another
[45:30] Tapping out to your partner when regulation styles differ
[47:01] Where to find Alyssa, her books, and Seed & Sew resources
 
 
Five Key Takeaways:
Every child has a unique nervous system, which determines how they experience stress, connection, and learning. 
Knowing what to do and being able to do it in the moment are not the same thing, especially when kids are dysregulated. 
Behavior improves when regulation improves, not when punishment increases. 
One-size-fits-all parenting often backfires because kids need different inputs to calm and connect. 
Understanding nervous systems builds empathy, patience, and more effective parenting strategies. 
 
 
Links & Resources
Seed Quiz (Free Tool): https://seedquiz.com
Seed & Sew Website: https://www.seedandsew.org
Seed & Sew on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seed.and.sew/
Seed & Sew on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seedandsew.org
Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1427
 
 
Closing Remark
If this episode helped you understand your kids—and yourself—on a deeper level, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Parenting isn't about getting it right every time; it's about learning how to show up for the unique humans we're raising.

In this second Q&A episode of 2026, I'm joined once again by Joe Bailey for a raw, honest, and deeply practical conversation with men inside our Dad Edge Alliance. We tackle two of the most common—and emotionally charged—challenges dads face: navigating marriage when divorce feels like it's on the table, and learning when to step in (or step back) as parents with our kids.
 
Joe brings wisdom forged through failure, humility, and redemption as he shares lessons learned from three divorces and what it actually takes to rebuild trust, emotional safety, and leadership in marriage. We also dig into parenting—specifically how often we default to "no," how helicopter parenting robs kids of growth, and how learning to pause can transform our connection with our children. If you're a dad who wants to lead with ownership instead of ego, and presence instead of control, this episode is for you.
 
 
Timeline Summary 
[0:00] Welcoming listeners to the second Q&A of 2026 with Joe Bailey
[1:37] Live Q&A format with Alliance members on the call
[2:03] Anonymous question: marriage arguments escalating and divorce being discussed
[2:52] Joe shares his experience with three divorces and hard-earned lessons
[3:49] Taking full ownership as the leader of the relationship
[4:18] Winning the argument vs. winning your wife's heart
[5:02] Separating identity from failure in marriage
[5:21] Why agreement gives things power over your life
[5:40] Emotional safety, being seen, and being heard
[6:04] How your inner world creates your outer world
[6:55] Why asking "What are you willing to do?" matters more than "Can we fix this?"
[8:03] Leading with humility, apology, and commitment to growth
[8:26] The importance of being coachable as a man and husband
[9:35] Larry explains why the Dad Edge Alliance exists
[10:37] More context: resentment and imbalance with kids and responsibilities
[11:16] Why we're trained for careers—but not for marriage
[12:15] Marriage compared to training and skill development
[13:29] The mental load and resentment that silently builds in relationships
[14:35] Larry shares his own wake-up moment with his wife
[16:19] How to approach conversations with curiosity instead of defense
[17:19] Expecting resistance and understanding trust rebuilds slowly
[18:46] A real coaching story where separation was reversed after consistency
[21:03] "Waiting for the other shoe to drop" and consistency over time
[22:12] Second question: saying "no" too often to kids
[23:12] Helicopter parenting and letting kids solve problems
[24:27] Letting kids work it out unless safety is at risk
[26:02] Stepping in when conflict becomes dangerous
[28:16] Boys, aggression, and healthy outlets
[29:45] Is saying "no" about safety—or convenience?
[30:51] Searching for the "yes" and using delayed yeses
[31:38] The day kids stop asking—and why it matters
[32:16] How selfishness often drives our "no"
[33:22] Episode wrap-up and directing listeners to the show notes
 
 
Five Key Takeaways
 
Marriage leadership starts with ownership, not blame or defensiveness. 

Your inner world shapes your marriage, and emotional chaos creates relational chaos. 

Trust is rebuilt through consistency over time, not quick fixes or intensity. 

Kids grow through problem-solving, and dads don't need to jump in unless safety is at risk. 

Saying "yes" whenever possible builds connection, while reflexive "no's" often come from selfishness or convenience. 

 
 
Links & Resources
Dad Edge Alliance (Apply & Book a Call): https://thedadedge.com/alliance

Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1426

 
 
Closing Remark
If today's episode gave you clarity, hope, or a new way to lead at home, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. You don't have to white-knuckle marriage or fatherhood alone—brotherhood, humility, and consistency change everything.

Most couples don't drift apart because they stop loving each other—they drift apart because no one ever taught them how to stay connected. In this episode, I sit down with Mark and Brianna Carey, a powerhouse husband-and-wife team who work with couples on intimacy, communication, and emotional safety, to unpack what really happens to marriage after kids enter the picture.
 
We talk openly about why intimacy breaks down in the early years of parenting, why sex is rarely the real problem, and how resentment quietly builds when couples stop having honest conversations. Mark and Brianna share powerful insights around postpartum realities for both men and women, desire discrepancy, emotional safety, tonality, and the small misfires that slowly turn partners into roommates. If you want real tools to rebuild connection—not surface-level advice—this conversation will meet you right where you are.
 
 
Timeline Summary 
[0:00] Why couples drift apart without ever stopping loving each other
[2:08] Introducing Mark and Brianna Carey and their work with couples
[3:15] Why sex is often the symptom—not the problem—in marriage
[4:00] How kids, stress, exhaustion, and resentment fuel disconnection
[6:03] Brianna's background in sexual health education and intimacy coaching
[8:02] Why women often don't feel empowered to talk about sex
[10:34] Desire discrepancy and why it's normal in long-term relationships
[11:17] Invitation to the Dad Edge Alliance and Boardroom
[14:00] Emotional intimacy and the depth of real connection
[15:12] Assumptions, misfires, and missed bids for connection
[17:15] Why individuality actually fuels attraction in marriage
[18:25] Communicating directly about intimacy without pressure
[21:31] The first domino of disconnection after having kids
[22:54] Children as magnifiers of unhealed wounds and identity shifts
[24:58] Postpartum realities for women—and why it's rarely discussed
[25:17] Postpartum identity struggles for fathers
[26:03] What "roommate syndrome" feels like for both partners
[27:22] Feeling "touched out" and navigating physical boundaries
[30:11] The pressure of the six-week postpartum clearance myth
[33:02] How resentment forms and why it's so dangerous
[34:00] Why talking about divorce can actually strengthen commitment
[36:33] "Name it to tame it" and removing fear from hard conversations
[43:14] Why most conflict is unresolvable—and how to manage it
[45:07] Trauma, tonality, and recurring relationship patterns
[47:49] How tone changes meaning more than words
[50:19] Intent vs. impact and closing the communication gap
[54:07] How Mark and Brianna work with couples together
[55:24] Why intensity of support must match intensity of problems
[58:27] Webinar announcement and upcoming relationship resources
 
 
Five Key Takeaways
Intimacy fades when couples stop communicating—not when attraction disappears. 
Desire discrepancy is normal, but silence around it breeds resentment. 
Postpartum challenges affect both partners, including identity loss and emotional disconnect. 
Tone and emotional safety matter as much as words when navigating conflict and intimacy. 
Connection—not performance—is the fastest path back to intimacy. 
 
 
Links & Resources:
Dad Edge Alliance: https://thedadedge.com/alliance
Intimacy Evolution Website: https://www.intimacyevolution.com
Webinar Registration: https://intimacyevolution.kit.com/9a33bf4eaa
Intimacy Evolution on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/intimacy_evolution
Brianna Carey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianna_carey
Mark Carey on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mark__carey
Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1425
 
 
Closing Remark
If this episode helped you see your marriage differently—or gave you language for conversations you've been avoiding—please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Strong marriages aren't built by guessing; they're built through connection, courage, and intentional leadership.