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Raising Men

Raising Men

Written by: Shaun Dawson
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 Raising Men is a podcast about parenting, masculinity, and the lifelong journey of raising sons—and ourselves—to be men of courage, character, and purpose. Hosted by Shaun Dawson, each episode features real conversations with parents, leaders, and thinkers redefining what it means to raising men in today’s world.© 2026 Shaun Dawson Parenting Relationships
Episodes
  • The Imperative Habit of Raising Conscious Young Men with Dave Rossi

    The Imperative Habit of Raising Conscious Young Men with Dave Rossi
    Jan 7 2026
    A deep dive into how Dave Rossi — entrepreneur turned mindfulness teacher and author of The Imperative Habit — reframes success, presence, and internal awareness for parents raising boys today. This episode explores how achievement culture shapes a boy’s identity, why inner peace matters more than winning, and how small daily rituals can help boys grow into grounded, self-aware young men. Dave brings practical habits, consciousness principles, and real-life insights that help families shift from performance to presence. Key Takeaways / Topics CoveredSpiritual vs. Animal Self – We all have two modes: survival-driven instincts (fear, jealousy, scarcity) vs. conscious choice anchored in logic and values. Growth is choosing the latter.Competition Should Elevate Everyone – When competition becomes about defeating others, it becomes poison — true winning is improving yourself.Model Courage, Not Control – Kids internalize what they see far more than what they are told. Demonstrate discipline, resilience, and presence. Treat Kids as Equals – Respect their autonomy; give information and let them choose, even when that means allowing struggle. Praise Courage Over Achievement – Strength is facing internal resistance — physical or emotional. That’s what creates self-mastery.Avoid Shame as a Motivator – Shame never produces growth. Pausing to reflect before reacting is a spiritual act.Suffering Has a Purpose – Often pain is the catalyst for transformation and discovering one’s true path. raising-men-podcast-recording-w…Timestamps / Chapter Markers00:44 (Introducing Dave Rossi, entrepreneur and author)01:14 The Fixed Pie vs. Variable Pie Mentality(Competition and abundance)03:09 The Squirrel Nut Theory(Hoarding vs. Spiritual Power)05:31 Redefining Winning(Improving from the experience vs. prevailing)06:40 The Paradox of Animal vs. Spirit(Cognition over instinct)07:53 Spiritual Self-Mastery(Mind over body signals)10:48 The Running Challenge(Cultivating mental override in a 6-year-old)12:42 The Spiritual Principle of Equality(Treating your son like a client/boss)14:26 Empowerment and the 40% Capacity Rule(Letting him choose the push)17:30 The Dangers of Parental Attachment and Shame(The need for his choice)19:52 Modeled Behavior as the Most Powerful Influence20:25 The Reflex to Shame and the Spiritual Act of Withdrawal23:14 The Two Brains: Conan vs. Sherlock Holmes24:26 Emotional Biometrics and the Sabre-Toothed Tiger26:30 Overcoming Programmed Fear(The bridge jumping example)28:55 Unconventional Parenting: Letting a Teenager Choose Risk31:22 Accountability and Acceptance of Consequences(The ADD example)33:45 Coping with Extreme Behavior(Addiction, empathy vs. compassion)37:04 The Lesson of Suffering(Letting a child hit rock bottom)41:19 The New Book on Healthy Masculinity(Shedding archetypes and masking)44:11 The Strength of Vulnerability(The boxer analogy)47:20 Building Muscle Memory(Behaving the way you want to be)48:01 Nietzsche and the Ubermensch(The tightrope walk to self-mastery)50:35 Cultivating Courage and Awareness(Praising courage over achievement)52:41 One Principle: Treat Your Children Like Equals54:19 Closing RemarksSupporting ContentBooks by Dave Rossi:The Imperative Habit: 7 Non-Spiritual Practices Towards Spiritual BehaviorAlphas Die Early (upcoming/new release mentioned in the podcast)Website: DaveRossiGlobal.comRelated books mentioned in the episode: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor FranklJourney of Souls by Michael NewtonBookThe Imperative Habit: 7 Non-Spiritual Practices Towards Spiritual Behaviourhttps://bookshop.org/p/books/imperative-habit-7-non-spiritual-practices-towards-spiritual-behavior-for-happiness-health-love-and-success-dave-rossi/af5d3267632de76fKey Ideas from the Book (w/ Sources)Dave teaches seven non-spiritual habits that build spiritual behavior rooted in presence and self-awareness.https://bradkearns.com/dave-rossi-consciousness-spirituality-finding-happiness-from-within-and-what-brads-hiding-from-the-listening-audience/Examples include:Accept what is (Habit #1)Do not fear outcomes (Habit #2)Happiness as a state of being, not emotion https://bradkearns.com/dave-rossi-consciousness-spirituality-finding-happiness-from-within-and-what-brads-hiding-from-the-listening-audience/Dave’s personal story: multimillion-dollar entrepreneur who felt empty, leading to collapse, rebuilding, and inner discovery. https://theimperativehabit.comBlog theme: true happiness is internal; most people chase external validation unaware their “compass” is miscalibrated. https://www.daverossiglobal.com/public/learn/how-did-i-get-here/
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    55 mins
  • Lessons in Leadership, Tech, and Letting Go with Damian Gomes

    Lessons in Leadership, Tech, and Letting Go with Damian Gomes
    Dec 31 2025
    In this conversation, Shaun sits down with Damian Gomes — a father, technologist, and long-time Scout leader — to explore what it means to raise two sons who couldn’t be more different. From leading Boy Scouts and teaching leadership through failure to navigating remote schooling during the pandemic, Damian shares the lessons, struggles, and surprising gifts of modern fatherhood. One son thrived in self-paced learning and now builds AI systems with his dad; the other is still discovering his path through art and curiosity. Together, they reflect on letting kids fail safely, adapting parenting styles, and staying conscious and present even when patience runs thin.Key Takeaways / Topics CoveredLeadership Is Learned Through Chaos: Scouting teaches “storming, norming, performing” — a real-world model for how boys (and adults) learn to lead, adapt, and collaborate through trial and error.Independence Requires Letting Go: Damian’s older son thrived once school became self-paced. The hardest part was letting him fail, fall behind, and figure it out without rescuing him too early.Parent Each Child Differently: What worked for one son — freedom and code — failed for the other. Fatherhood isn’t a formula; it’s an evolving experiment in empathy and adaptation.Redefining Education and Failure: Damian learned that the goal of learning isn’t perfection but persistence. Retaking a failed quiz became a metaphor for life — you haven’t failed until you stop trying.Conscious Fatherhood Is a Daily Practice: His guiding principle: staying self-aware enough to choose a new reaction rather than repeating old patterns. That pause — between emotion and response — is where growth happens.Pull Quotes“You’re not just building automation systems — you’re helping two young men find their own operating systems for life.” — Shaun Dawson“If you give them the plan, what are they learning? Let them carry on tradition by word of mouth — that’s where the leadership happens.” — Damian Gomes“I’d rather my sons fail at home, with us around to help them, than discover they don’t have the skills later when it really matters.” — Damian Gomes00:35 Official Introduction01:41 Involvement and Value in Boy Scouts03:51 Cubmaster to Scout Leader: The Transition05:37 "Storming, Norming, and Performing" in Leadership09:52 Scouting's Offer to Modern Boys14:44 Contrived Structure for Organic Skills16:52 The Value of Inventing the Solution17:47 Doubling Down on Scouting During Challenges21:39 The Pandemic's Impact on Family Dynamics24:33 The Shift to Self-Paced Virtual Learning27:40 Rethinking Failure and Retaking Tests30:13 Homeschooling vs. Virtual School Decisions32:38 The Older Son's Success Story37:03 The Hardest Part: Allowing for Failure38:55 The Younger Son's Struggle for Structure42:26 The Future of Learning43:08 Hopes for Sons' Memories45:08 One Principle for Raising Men47:35 Closing RemarksSupporting ContentOrganizations & ConceptsBoy Scouts of America – emphasizing youth leadership and structured independence.YPT (Youth Protection Training) – mandatory training for all Scout leaders.EDGE Method – Explain, Demonstrate, Guide, Enable — a Scouting framework for mentorship and teaching.Education & TechFlorida Virtual School – one of the first large-scale online K–12 programs mentioned in the episode.Duval Virtual Instruction Academy – Damian’s local district’s virtual learning platform.Automation Watchdog – Damian and his son’s company, building systems that verify automation and AI performance.Mark Rober’s YouTube Channel – inspiration for Damian’s younger son’s curiosity in science and engineering.Open Source Software Movement – central to his son’s learning and development path.Books & Ideas“Mindset: The New Psychology of Success” by Carol S. Dweck – on learning through growth and persistence.“The Conscious Parent” by Dr. Shefali Tsabary – echoes Damian’s principle of awareness and conscious parenting.“The Scoutmaster’s Other Handbook” by Mark A. Ray – practical modern guide to leadership and youth development through Scouting.
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    48 mins
  • The Psychology of Raising Emotionally Healthy Boys with Dr. Daniel Singley

    The Psychology of Raising Emotionally Healthy Boys with Dr. Daniel Singley
    Dec 24 2025
    In this thoughtful and often funny conversation, Dr. Daniel Singley—founder of The Center for Men’s Excellence and creator of MenExcel—joins Shaun to unpack what it really means to raise emotionally healthy boys in a rapidly changing world. Together, they explore how traditional models of masculinity can evolve without abandoning strength, why fatherhood is the “tip of the spear” for redefining what it means to be a man, and how dads can model emotional resilience and connection in everyday life.Dr. Singley shares evidence-based insights on the transition from “dude to dad,” the power of emotional flexibility, and the importance of community for fathers. This episode is a practical and deeply human look at how we can raise sons—and become men—of both heart and strength.Key Takeaways / Topics Covered1. Masculinity isn’t under attack—it’s under construction. Healthy masculinity requires flexibility, not rigidity; the ability to be strong in some contexts and empathetic in others.2. Fatherhood is the frontline of modern manhood. Early involvement during pregnancy and infancy predicts stronger emotional connection, better outcomes for children, and greater well-being for fathers.3. Emotional literacy is courage, not weakness. When fathers model emotional awareness—naming their feelings, owning their mistakes—they teach their sons that vulnerability is strength.4. Community is critical for men’s mental health. Isolation is as damaging as smoking a pack a day; fathers need intentional friendships and spaces to be honest with other dads.5. Kindness is strength. Dr. Singley’s parting message: “Have the strength to be kind”—because cruelty often stems from fear, and choosing compassion is an act of real courage.Timestamps / Chapter Markers00:00 Introduction: Cultivating Strength and Sensitivity in Raising Boys01:18 Dr. Singley's Journey: Why Study the Psychology of Men and Fatherhood?03:08 The Consequence of Ignoring Cisgender Masculinity in Academia05:33 The Rising Tide: Empowering Men and Boys Doesn't Harm Other Genders06:55 Is Masculinity a Problem? Under Attack or Under Construction?07:54 The Core Issue: Rigidity in Traditional Masculine Roles09:11 The Benefits of Flexibility: Longevity, Relationships, and Mental Health10:45 Addressing the Pushback: The "Pussification" of the American Male13:43 Finding a Balanced Vision: Serving Yourself vs. Holding Yourself Back16:39 Workplace Benefits of Balanced Masculinity (Strengths with Heart)18:22 The "Fair Play" Card Exercise and Its Role in Domestic Roles20:21 Early Fatherhood: Why It's the "Tip of the Spear" for Contemporary Masculinity23:46 Fatherhood as an Opportunity to Cultivate Caregiving Muscles25:40 Key Predictors for Father Involvement: Pregnancy and Co-Parent Support27:48 The Vicious/Virtuous Cycle of Co-Parenting Support29:04 Shaun's Story: The "No Divorce for a Year" Deal31:17 Shaun's Story: Catching Inflexibility in Action (Kissing His Son)32:22 Equating Physicality with Sexuality (and Its Impact on Parenting)34:10 Parenting with Intention: Be Thoughtful, Not on Autopilot36:24 Practical Tools: The 10-Year Vision and Modeling Behavior38:20 The Greatest Gift: Owning Mistakes and Naming Underlying Emotions41:30 Upgrading Your OS: Why Flexibility is Essential for Modern Men42:59 Navigating the Extremes: The Paradox of Ideological Purity47:10 Reflections on Fatherhood: What Dr. Singley Did Right49:27 The One Step: Overcoming Isolation and Building Community51:13 The Hidden Danger: Loneliness and the Anxiety of "Bro-Dating"54:41 Closing Principle: Have the Strength to Be Kind56:16 Outro and ConclusionSupporting Content & ReferencesCenter for Men’s Excellence – Dr. Singley’s organization focused on men’s mental health and father-inclusive psychology https://www.menexcel.comAmerican Psychological Association, Division 51: Society for the Psychological Study of Men and Masculinity https://www.apa.org/about/division/div51Fair Play by Eve Rodsky – referenced for practical tools in balancing domestic roles https://www.fairplaylife.comStrengths with Heart by Tom Rath (referenced in discussion on leadership and empathy) https://www.strengthswithheart.comUS Surgeon General’s Report on Loneliness and Social Isolation (2023) – cited in Dr. Singley’s point about community and health https://www.hhs.gov/surgeongeneral/priorities/loneliness/index.html
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    57 mins
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