We’re back with our latest Ask Me Anything episode, and Matt Houston has returned to help us answer some tough dad questions. This month, we dig into childhood health scares, navigating co-parenting tension with wisdom, finding healthier rhythms during the holidays, and the simple, everyday habits that help us stay present with our kids. From setting boundaries that protect our families to learning when to slow down, we share honest stories, practical insight, and real moments from our own journeys as dads working to stay rooted.

Presented by Trust and Will: Trustandwill.com/rooted

03:18 – AMA Setup with Matt 04:16 – Question 1: Harper’s Health Journey 07:46 – Question 2: Co-Parenting & Safety Concerns 11:31 – Hard Conversations & Consequences 14:22 – Custody, Boundaries, and Protection 18:22 – Question 3: Splitting Holidays with Family 21:14 – Scheduling vs. Expectations 25:00 – Question 4: What We Wish We Knew as New Dads 30:54 – “Winging It” as a Dad 33:18 – Question 5: Being More Present at Home 36:40 – The “Yes Day” Idea 38:56 – One-on-One Time with Kids 41:48 – Inviting Kids Into Your Hard Days 46:23 – Community, Friendship, and Dad Support 47:57 – Rapid-Fire Thanksgiving Questions 55:39 – Closing Thoughts + Thanksgiving Sendoff

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In this Rooted in Faith episode, we’re walking through Matthew 14 — the moment Jesus meets the disciples in the middle of the storm and invites Peter to step out onto the water. It’s a powerful reminder that faith isn’t proven when the seas are calm but when the waves feel overwhelming.

I’ll share some of the storms my family has been navigating lately — caring for my parents, juggling work and fatherhood, even a late-night moment driving Uber — and how each one has pushed me to fix my eyes on Jesus instead of the wind.

This episode is an invitation to examine where you’re placing your focus, what’s pulling your attention off Christ, and how Jesus responds the moment you begin to sink. If you’ve been struggling with fear, exhaustion, or spiritual amnesia, this message will encourage you to invite Jesus back into the boat and trust Him with the waves.

Presented by Trust and Will: Trustandwill.com/rooted

00:00 – Intro 01:41 – Showing Up as Dads 02:27 – Rooted in Faith Setup 03:23 – Prayer 04:10 – Reading Matthew 14 07:22 – When The Storm Hits 10:29 – Jesus Appears 13:16 – “Take Courage” 17:22 – Trusting God in Fear 19:53 – Peter Stepping Out of the Boat 25:50 – When We Start to Sink 29:47 – Jesus Saves Immediately 33:19 – Jesus in the Boat 36:49 – Final Challenge + Prayer

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In this Rooted Conversation episode, I’m talking about one of the greatest responsibilities we have as fathers — being the first man our daughters will ever love.

I’ll share stories from my own journey as a girl dad and the lessons God continues to teach me about modeling His heart through everyday moments — from how I speak and listen, to how I love my wife, to how I choose to stay when life gets hard.

We’ll look at what Scripture says in Ephesians 5 and Psalm 103, and how our tone, patience, and presence shape the way our daughters see themselves — and ultimately, how they see God.

My prayer is that this episode encourages you to love with more grace, lead with more humility, and see your role as a dad through the lens of God’s faithfulness. Because the way we love our daughters will help define what love looks like for the rest of their lives.

Presented by Trust and Will: Trustandwill.com/rooted

00:00 – Intro 01:20 – The First Man She’ll Ever Love 03:10 – Teaching Our Daughters Their Worth 05:00 – Modeling Love Through Action 08:10 – How We Love Their Mom Matters 10:05 – Showing Grace When We Fall Short 12:50 – Three Ways Daughters Learn from Us 15:45 – Faith in Action + Fasting Story 17:30 – Modeling Forgiveness and Service 20:35 – Showing Them Who God Is 24:50 – Discipline and God’s Justice 27:15 – Staying Present and Faithful 31:25 – Asking Your Kids What They Need 35:35 – Final Challenge + Prayer

Follow The Rooted Dad Podcast: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@therooteddadpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therooteddadpod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therooteddadpod X: https://x.com/therooteddadpod Listen: https://pod.link/1824347596 Join Our Newsletter: https://the-rooted-dad-podcast.kit.com/2aeb23f0ed