Healthy Parenting Handbook with Katie Kimball
121: The Dad Shift: How to Become the Father Your Kids Actually Need with Jon Hord
May 05, 2026
Episode 121
Katie Kimball
Do you think you could be vulnerable enough to ask your kids, “How could I be a better parent?” Even the thought of that makes my chest tighten a little bit, but in this episode, Jon Hord is going to encourage dads—and moms—to do just that.
This conversation is such a powerful look at what it means to parent with intention instead of just reacting to whatever the day throws at you. Jon shares his own story of going from stressed, overwhelmed, and not showing up the way he wanted… to becoming a dad who is actively creating a new version of himself.
And the best part? This is not about perfection. It is about awareness, small shifts, and having the courage to grow.
If you have ever felt like you are just trying to get through the day without losing your patience, or wondered if you are really showing up the way your kids need, this episode will hit home in the best way.
In this episode, we cover:
- Why “being a good parent” might actually be aiming too low
- The simple but uncomfortable question that can transform your relationship with your kids
- What to do when your child gives you honest feedback… and it stings
- How stress (especially from work) quietly shapes the parent you become at home
- The difference between reacting to your kids and actually leading them
- Why your childhood patterns show up in your parenting, whether you realize it or not
- A practical way to pause in hard moments instead of escalating them
- What it looks like to become the “new version” of yourself as a parent
Resources We Mention for Intentional Fatherhood
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121: The Dad Shift: How to Become the Father Your Kids Actually Need with Jon Hord
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