Be the Dad They Call
May 31, 2026 3:11 pm
Hey friends,
New episode of The Men’s Collective Podcast is out.
This week, I sat down with Wendy and Terry Snyder from Fresh Start Family for a conversation on fatherhood, discipline, repair, and what it means to become the kind of parent your kids trust when life gets messy.
Most dads do not want to yell.
Most dads do not want to parent from fear.
But when the house gets loud, your nervous system is shot, and your child is melting down, old patterns can take over fast.
This episode is about a different way.
We talk about:
• Why discipline means teaching, not punishment
• Why connection before correction matters
• How to stay firm without using fear
• Why repair builds trust
• How dads can lead with both strength and warmth
• What it means to be the dad your kids call when life gets hard
One of my favorite lines from the conversation was this:
“The long-term goal is to be their emergency contact.”
That hit me.
Because the goal is not to control our kids.
The goal is to become safe enough, steady enough, and connected enough that when life gets hard, they know they can come to us.
Also, quick reminder.
The next Men’s Collective cohort starts at the end of this month.
I’m looking for a few more men to invite in.
This is for men who feel stuck, disconnected, reactive, tired, or like they keep carrying everything alone.
Over the course of the cohort, we work on:
• Nervous system awareness
• Emotional regulation
• Slowing down reactivity
• Building better patterns at home
• Becoming more grounded, present, and connected
• Showing up with more clarity as a man, husband, father, and leader
This is not about fixing yourself.
Because, thankfully, you are not a broken appliance. Human beings keep trying to treat themselves like malfunctioning garage doors, and somehow that has not worked.
This is about learning how to notice what is happening inside you, understand your patterns, and begin responding differently.
If you are interested in joining the next cohort, you can learn more here:
Blessings,
Therapist & Mind+Body Coach
2900 Bristol St, Suite J-101
Costa Mesa, CA, 92626
YouTube: Travis Goodman
The Men's Collective: MensCollective.co
Instagram: @Travis.Goodman.LMFT
Podcast: The Men's Collective
P: 949-282-4764