In this episode of 'Parenting Great Kids,' Dr. Meg Meeker welcomes back Larry Hagner, the creative force behind the Dad Edge podcast and author of 'The Spirit of Fatherhood.' Larry shares his journey of overcoming a tumultuous childhood with absentee and toxic father figures to becoming a devoted father himself. They discuss the complexities of fatherhood, the misconceptions men have about parenting, and practical tips for building strong connections with children. You’ll get deep and practical advice for men striving to lead extraordinary lives as fathers. Key moments: 02:47 The Birth of Dad Edge 06:01 Challenges and Realizations in Fatherhood 08:08 Understanding Men's Inner Struggles 18:49 Understanding the Father's Perspective 19:59 A Personal Story of Change 21:06 The Power of Compassionate Communication 23:43 Shifting Perspectives for Better Relationships 29:25 Practical Tips for Connecting with Kids 36:47 Final Thoughts and Resources Need parenting advice? Grab one of Dr. Meg's coaching spots here. Watch today’s episode 📺  Follow us 📲 About our guest: Larry Wagner, author and founder of The Dad Edge Podcast, navigated a challenging childhood with absent and toxic father figures, which shaped his unwavering commitment to being a present and positive father. Becoming a father himself in 2006, he quickly realized that mere desire wasn't enough to excel in his roles as a dad and husband. Determined to master these roles, Larry embarked on a journey of learning and self-improvement. In 2015, he launched The Dad Edge Podcast, interviewing over 700 experts on parenting, mindset, patience, communication, and more. Now, as a proud father of four boys and husband to his soulmate Jessica for 18 years, Larry shares his hard-earned wisdom, inviting other fathers to join him in the continuous quest for personal and familial excellence. Our sponsors: K12 Powered Schools: State-certified teachers and trained online educators. Go to K12.com/DRMEG today to learn more and find a tuition-free K12-powered school near you. Crunch Labs: Welcome to your least boring summer ever! Join us in a 12-week virtual summer camp featuring weekly videos, livestreams and mega-experiments from Mark Rober and special guests.  Born Shoes: Step into comfort by visiting BornShoes.com and take advantage of our exclusive offer. Use promo code DRMEG to enjoy a 15% discount and free ground shipping on all full-price shoes. Acorns makes it easy to start automatically saving and investing for your future. Head to acorns.com/drmeg or download the Acorns app to start saving and investing for your future today!  Cozy Earth: Our goal is to help you create a sanctuary within your home, a refuge from the demands of the outside world. Head to cozyearth.com and use promo code DRMEG for an exclusive 35% off.  Air Doctor: Breathe Easier, Live Better With AirDoctor! Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code DRMEG, and you’ll receive UP TO $300 off air purifiers!  Phyla Biotics: Visit phylabiotics.com, enter code DRMEEKER at checkout, and start your journey to healthier skin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices