The Intentional Dad Ep. 3 - Teaching Empathy and Resilience

In this episode of The Intentional Dad, hosts Jason Hynson and J. Fotsch sit down with Herb Cody, a dedicated father from Nixa, Missouri, to discuss how life’s challenges shape empathy, resilience and intentional fatherhood. Herb shares his personal journey of navigating fatherhood through life-altering experiences, including his own near-fatal accident and his wife’s traumatic brain injury. He explains how he balanced being both a father and caretaker, how his community stepped in to support his family and how he instilled resilience and compassion in his children. This episode is a powerful look at overcoming adversity, staying present as a dad and fostering emotional strength in your children. Episode Highlights [02:39] "I had to be mom and dad while taking care of my wife’s recovery. I don’t even remember how I did it—I just knew I had to." [05:36] "The community really stepped in. Other parents, friends, even teammates’ families—it reminded me that none of us have to do this alone." [07:06] "You never know what someone else is going through. Be there for them. Stand up when you see someone struggling." [10:59] "You can’t plan for life-changing moments. You just have to be there, show up, and figure it out one step at a time." [12:14] "We called it ‘Herb-achi Night’—just a fun way to bring laughter into our home when times were hard." [16:04] "I didn’t know what to say or do, but I was there. And sometimes, that’s enough." Resources 📩 Sign up for the Good Dads Newsletter and never miss a podcast! 🌐 Learn more at gooddads.com 📧 Questions or comments? Reach out to Good Dads at [email protected]