Every man can and should be pursuing genuine excellence and mastery in at least one important aspect of his life.

It is one of the core elements of a fulfilling, meaningful, and joyful life.

In this episode of the Formidable Family Man podcast, host Greg Denning welcomes artist Mark McKenna to discuss his journey from a young art enthusiast to a professional wildlife painter.

They explore themes of mastery, identity, and the importance of exposure to greatness in the artistic process.

Mark shares his experiences in art classes, the pivotal moments that shaped his career, and the challenges he faced in pursuing a life dedicated to art.

The conversation emphasizes the continuous pursuit of improvement and the role of teaching in Mark's artistic journey.

In this conversation, Mark shares his journey from a teaching career to becoming a full-time artist, emphasizing the rediscovery of his passion for oil painting and the pivotal moments that shaped his artistic path.

He discusses the importance of mentorship, the challenges of transitioning to a professional artist, and the joy of creating art that resonates with others.

Mark and Greg also reflect on the pursuit of mastery in various aspects of life, encouraging listeners to embrace the process and learn from failures.

• Mark McKenna is a world-class artist specializing in wildlife.
• The journey of mastery in art involves dedication and practice.
• Identity plays a crucial role in an artist's development.
• Exposure to great art and artists can inspire and motivate.
• The pursuit of greatness is a continuous journey without a final destination.
• Artistic fulfillment often comes from the process, not just the end result.
• Support from family can significantly impact an man's path.

• Pivotal moments can change the course of one's career.

• Hindsight reveals the importance of seemingly unrelated experiences.
• Art is a way to give back and contribute to the world.
• Winning the Gilly Fales Award opened doors for Mark's career.
• Mentorship can drastically improve artistic skills and opportunities.
• Connections made in workshops can lead to significant career advancements.
• Transitioning to full-time art requires proof of concept and financial viability.
• The art community is supportive and collaborative, not cutthroat.
• Pursuing mastery is a lifelong journey filled with growth and learning.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Formidable Family Man Podcast

10:08 The Role of Identity in Artistic Development

18:41 Exposure to Greatness: Influences and Inspirations

27:22 The Pivot Point: Choosing Art Over Dentistry

32:30 Teaching as a Pathway to Artistic Fulfillment

41:04 The Journey of Becoming a Professional Artist

50:00 Turning Points and New Opportunities

56:18 Transitioning to Full-Time Artist

01:02:05 Exploring New Avenues in Art

In this episode of the Formidable Family Man podcast, host Gregory Denning emphasizes the critical importance of leadership within the home, especially in light of external political changes.

He encourages men to take charge of their families, reflecting on their roles as protectors and providers.

Greg discusses the challenges of leadership, the necessity of self-evaluation, and the importance of daily practices to foster personal growth and effective family leadership.

He concludes with a strong call to action for men to commit to leading their families with purpose and dedication.

Key takeaways

• The most important leadership happens in your home.
• Many men are not leading in their homes as they could.
• Hope is not a strategy; proactive leadership is essential.
• Life is challenging, and we must choose our hard.
• Being a protector and provider involves more than just finances.
• Daily self-evaluation is crucial for effective leadership.
• True leadership requires commitment and action.
• Creating a positive family culture is a leader's responsibility.
• Men often underestimate their influence in their families.
• Personal development is a lifelong journey that benefits the family.

• "Who's leading in your house?"
• "Choose your hard."
• "I don't beat myself up."
• "It's not that hard."
• "Be the king in your kingdom."

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Home Leadership

02:54 Choosing Your Hard: The Path to Leadership

05:51 Evaluating Personal Leadership

12:13 The Role of a Protector and Provider

17:56 Daily Practices for Effective Leadership

23:59 Commitment to Family Leadership

keywords

family leadership, personal development, home leadership, fatherhood, self-evaluation, protector, provider, personal growth, leadership roles, family dynamics

In this episode of the Formidable Family Man podcast, Greg Denning discusses the concept of boredom and emphasizes that it is a personal choice.

He shares strategies for overcoming boredom through education, creativity, and engagement with the world around us.

Greg encourages listeners to take responsibility for their own experiences and to cultivate a mindset of curiosity and service.

He highlights the importance of skill development and lifelong learning, urging families to create a culture that values engagement and meaningful activities.

Takeaways

• Boredom is a personal issue and a choice.
• Education is a lifelong journey; never stop learning.
• Encourage children to think critically and solve problems.
• Creativity and curiosity are essential to combat boredom.
• Technology should be used as a tool for creation, not just consumption.
• Service to others can provide fulfillment and purpose.
• Skill development is crucial for personal growth.
• Engagement in meaningful activities leads to a richer life.
• Create a family culture that values engagement and learning.
• Life is too short to waste on boredom; embrace every moment.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Boredom and Personal Responsibility

05:47 Strategies to Combat Boredom

11:51 Engaging with Technology and Entertainment

18:03 Skill Development and Lifelong Learning

24:05 Conclusion and Call to Action

keywords

boredom, personal responsibility, education, self-improvement, creativity, curiosity, technology, service, skill development, engagement

In this conversation, Greg Denning and Ashton Buswell discuss the importance of prioritizing family time and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

They emphasize the need to make family time a priority and create special experiences with loved ones. They also discuss the importance of open communication with family members and the value of creating regular one-on-one time with each child.

Ashton shares his strategies for managing work and family time, including setting boundaries and being present in the moment.

They also discuss the importance of finding fulfillment and impact in work, rather than solely focusing on financial success.

Ashton Buswell shares his background and the core foundations that have shaped him, including moving around a lot, his faith, and his love for wrestling.

He emphasizes the importance of consistent effort over time and the value of meaningful connections with family members.

Ashton also discusses his training habits and rituals, including the importance of premium fuel and being okay with being hungry.

He shares strategies for balancing work and family, such as scheduling the most important things first and investing in experiences.

Overall, Ashton highlights the importance of being intentional and prioritizing what truly matters.

Takeaways:

• Consistent effort over time is key to success in all areas of life.
• Meaningful connections with family members are crucial for personal growth and happiness.
• Prioritize the most important things in life and schedule them first.
• Choose premium fuel for your body and be okay with being hungry.
• Invest in experiences and create lasting memories with loved ones.
• Make family time a priority and create special experiences with loved ones
• Communicate openly with family members and create regular one-on-one time with each child
• Set boundaries and be present in the moment to manage work and family time effectively
• Find fulfillment and impact in work, rather than solely focusing on financial success

Sound Bites

• "I want my kids to see that dad did all these things... I want you to find a man that's going to be pushing themselves and doing the best they can in all areas of life."
• "One thing you got seriously going for you is not only did you wrestle at a high level, you're doing it again. And your kids get to watch you not only compete, which is cool, but they get to watch you train."
• "Consistent effort over time always wins."
• "Make that a premium experience. That is one of the best times of the week."

• "Do you want to talk about life or the galaxy?"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:11 The Power of Consistent Effort and Meaningful Connections

08:23 Training Habits and Rituals for Success

16:35 Balancing Work and Family: Prioritizing What Matters

26:50 Choosing Premium Fuel and Embracing Hunger

33:34 Investing in Experiences: Creating Lasting Memories

36:13 Prioritizing Family Time and Creating Special Experiences

39:13 Open Communication and One-on-One Time with Family Members

41:52 Managing Work and Family Time with Boundaries and Presence

50:35 Finding Fulfillment and Impact in Work

keywords: family, fitness, finances, moving, faith, wrestling, consistency, connections, training habits, premium fuel, hunger, work-life balance, investing in experiences, work-life balance, family time, prioritization, open communication, one-on-one time, boundaries, presence, fulfillment, impact, financial success

In this episode of the Formidable Family Man podcast, Greg Denning emphasizes the importance of being a Formidable Family Man, focusing on family values, personal growth, and the expectations of wives.

He discusses the need for men to lead their families effectively, prioritize health and finances, and maintain strong emotional connections with their spouses and children.

The conversation encourages men to embrace their roles, celebrate their progress, and strive for continuous improvement in their family lives.

*Join* The Formidable Family Man Tribe

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Takeaways

• Being formidable is about earning respect and producing results.
• Family should always be the top priority for men.
• Wives often wish their husbands would lead more effectively.
• Emotional connection is crucial for a healthy marriage.
• Men should actively engage with their children and their interests.
• Financial stability is an important aspect of family leadership.
• Men need to be aware of their impact on family dynamics.
• Celebrating progress is essential for motivation and growth.
• Coaching and community support can help men improve.
• Pain can be transformed into power for personal development.

Chapters

00:00

Introduction to the Formidable Family Man Podcast

03:01

The Essence of Being Formidable

06:07

Understanding Wives' Expectations

11:45

Leading from the Front: The Role of a Husband

18:10

The Triple Trifecta: Fitness, Family, and Finances

24:01

Celebrating Progress and Embracing Change

Summary

In this episode of the Be The Man podcast, host Greg Denning interviews parenting expert Sean Donahue. They discuss the challenges and joys of parenting, as well as the importance of being present and connected with your children. They also touch on the impact of screens on children and offer strategies for building trust and maintaining a strong relationship with your kids. The conversation highlights the need for parents to adapt to their children's interests and to avoid imposing their own expectations on them. The conversation explores the importance of parenting and provides actionable tips for being a better dad. The main theme is the need for parents to connect with their children on an emotional level and speak to their hearts. The concept of the 'heart talk' is introduced as a powerful tool for effective communication and discipline. The conversation also touches on the dangers of parenting in fear and the importance of allowing children to pursue their own interests and dreams.

Keywords

parenting, screens, trust, connection, adapting to children's interests, parenting, fatherhood, heart talk, communication, discipline, fear, pursuing dreams

Takeaways

• Parent the child you have, not the child you want
• Screens are a major challenge for parents and require proactive strategies
• Building trust and maintaining a strong relationship with your kids is crucial
• Adapt to your children's interests and avoid imposing your own expectations on them Parenting is about connecting with your child's heart and speaking to their emotions.
• The 'heart talk' is a powerful tool for effective communication and discipline.
• Punishments and lectures are often ineffective in changing behavior; connecting with the child's heart is more impactful.
• Parenting in fear can hinder a child's growth and independence.
• Allowing children to pursue their own interests and dreams is important for their development.

Titles

• The Joys and Challenges of Parenting
• Adapting to Your Children's Interests
• Connecting with Your Child's Heart: The Power of the 'Heart Talk'
• Effective Communication and Discipline: The 'Heart Talk' Approach

Sound Bites

• "Parent the child you have, not the child you want"
• "Make your life more exciting and engaging than a screen"
• "Screens are the parenting battle of our generation"
• "I'm just trying to have fun and freaking exercise."
• "It's okay to quit some things."
• "If you're parenting in fear, then you're not parenting in wisdom."

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Background

03:48

Starting a Business and Overcoming Challenges

08:37

The Obstacles of Screens and Strategies for Parents

11:04

Parenting the Child You Have

15:20

Creating Excitement and Engagement in Family Life

21:28

The Impact of Screens on Children

23:55

Mistakes and Misunderstandings in Parenting

29:23

The Importance of Having Fun and Exercising

30:22

Allowing Children to Work at Their Own Pace

31:51

Parenting in Fear vs Parenting in Wisdom

33:38

Moving Away from a Screen-Based Childhood

35:30

Setting Boundaries for Technology Use

38:49

Encouraging Children to Pursue Their Dreams

50:08

The Power of the 'Heart Talk'

54:43

The Ineffectiveness of Lectures and Punishments

58:04

The Importance of Fatherhood

Summary

In this episode, Greg Denning addresses a question from a wife who wants to know how to get her husband more interested in spending time with the family. Greg emphasizes the importance of being present and engaged with your spouse and children, rather than being distracted by devices or other activities. He encourages men to create a family lifestyle that they genuinely enjoy and find ways to bond with their family through shared interests and activities. Greg also highlights the negative impact of video games and the need for men to take ownership of their role as leaders in the family.

Keywords

marriage, family, spending time, presence, engagement, distractions, shared interests, activities, video games, leadership

Takeaways

• Be present and engaged with your spouse and children
• Create a family lifestyle that you genuinely enjoy
• Find ways to bond with your family through shared interests and activities
• Be aware of the negative impact of video games
• Take ownership of your role as a leader in the family

Key ideas

• The Negative Impact of Video Games
• Taking Ownership as a Family Leader

Sound Bites

• "How do I get my husband more interested in spending time with us?"
• "Video games make boys and men less successful."
• "Help your kids become the kind of people that you want to spend time with."

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Importance of the Question

07:03

The Need for Presence and Engagement

13:24

The Negative Impact of Video Games

19:18

Bonding Through Shared Interests and Activities

24:58

Taking Ownership as a Family Leader

29:39

The Distraction of Video Games

36:44

Conclusion and Call to Action