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Father Friend

Father Friend

Written by: Dr. Mike Ayers - Parenting Expert Educator Father
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About this listen

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, faith-based wisdom on fatherhood, masculinity, and raising strong, emotionally healthy kids. We tackle real questions—discipline, sex talks, faith, leadership, etc. You'll get help with kids from crib to college to lean in, lead well and love big. New each Monday. Subscribe on Apple, Spotify or anywhere you get your podcasts. Find more at fatherfriend.net or on social @thinkingdads.Dr. Mike Ayers - Parenting Expert, Educator, Father Parenting Relationships
Episodes
  • When Your Teen Lies: Consequences, Vision, and Staying Steady
    Jan 12 2026

    Your teenager is lying to you. Now what? In this episode, I break down four responses that hold the tension between giving consequences and speaking vision. You'll learn why disappointment doesn't mean you're failing, how to separate the behavior from the person, and why these messy teenage years aren't a problem to solve but a tension to manage. If you're navigating lies, pushback, or rebellion right now, this one's for you.

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    15 mins
  • How To Stop Passing Down Your Pain in 2026
    Jan 5 2026

    Here's the truth: A child's deepest wound is an unhealed parent.

    In this New Year reset episode, Dr. Mike Ayers shares his own journey of discovering how his childhood wounds were shaping his parenting—and how God used fatherhood to expose what needed healing. You'll learn why self-awareness is the foundation of intentional fatherhood, how to identify the hidden scripts running in your head, and practical steps to break the cycle so your kids inherit your healing instead of your pain.

    Whether you grew up in a broken home or a stable one, this episode will challenge you to do the internal work that transforms not just your parenting, but your entire legacy.

    In this episode:

    • Why your unhealed wounds become your child's deepest pain
    • The hidden mental scripts that sabotage your parenting
    • Three steps to confront the dark side and find freedom
    • How to make 2026 the year your healing becomes their inheritance

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    15 mins
  • 5 Lessons From The Man Who Raised Jesus
    Dec 22 2025

    Joseph had one job: raise the Messiah. No pressure. Despite limited mentions in scripture, this humble carpenter profoundly shaped Jesus through daily presence and intentional fathering. In this episode, we unpack five timeless lessons from the man who raised the Savior—principles about honor, responsibility, investing time, true masculinity, and authentic faith. Whether you're a new dad or seasoned veteran, Joseph's example will challenge how you show up for your family. Your daily investment matters more than you know.

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    14 mins
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