Jan. 30, 2026

Presence Over Perfection For Dads: The Engaged Father Project

Presence Over Perfection For Dads: The Engaged Father Project

Presence Over Perfection For Dads: The Engaged Father Project Ep 389, January 30, 2026

Rediscovering Fatherhood: The Engaged Father Project with Jon Hord

In this episode of Real Men Feel, host Andy Grant discusses intentional and emotionally regulated parenting with guest Jon Hord, founder of the Engaged Father Project. Jon shares his personal journey from a stressed, reactive parent to a deeply present, intentional father. He highlights the importance of self-reflection, vulnerability, breaking old patterns, and emotional regulation.
Through his work, Jon aims to help fathers align their daily actions with their ideal version of fatherhood, reducing regret and enhancing their familial relationships. The conversation emphasizes the power of vulnerability, the importance of showing love and gratitude, and breaking free from damaging stereotypes about fatherhood.

Understanding the Disconnect

Andy begins by exploring the common struggle many fathers face: the desire to be present, grounded, and authentic. However, men often find themselves distracted and reactive. Jon identifies the root of this disconnect as the reluctance to look inward and confront personal flaws. Accepting imperfections can be painful, but Jon emphasizes the growth and change on the other side are invaluable.

Emotional Suppression Versus Regulation

Jon recounts his own experiences with emotional suppression, a common male behavior ingrained from childhood. He explains how this often stems from societal stereotypes that prevent men from showing vulnerability. Jon highlights how acknowledging and expressing vulnerabilities can lead to significant personal growth and healthier relationships with one’s children.

The Engaged Father Project

The conversation shifts to Jon’s creation of the Engaged Father Project. Through his personal journey and experiences as a father, Jon recognized the pressing need for fathers to consciously define their roles away from traditional stereotypes. The Engaged Father Project encourages fathers to become clear on the type of dad they aspire to be, ensuring their daily actions align with those aspirations.

Fostering Emotional Communication

Andy and Jon discuss the power of open emotional communication, not just with children but with oneself. Jon underscores the importance of expressing love and gratitude genuinely, a practice often overlooked or casually executed. By fostering this open communication, fathers can build stronger emotional connections with their children.

Daily Practices for Transformation

Jon shares a few practices that fathers can adopt to nurture their personal transformation journey. He suggests starting the day with an intention-setting exercise and ending it by noting daily wins, which can foster mindfulness and presence in everyday interactions with children.

The Path to Change

Throughout their discussion, Jon reiterates a powerful message: it’s perfectly okay for fathers not to have everything figured out. The first step towards meaningful change often begins with the willingness to ask for help and accept imperfection as part of the journey.

Join the Conversation

As this heartening conversation concludes, Andy expresses gratitude to Jon for pioneering a movement that prioritizes presence over perfection in fatherhood. The discussion makes it clear that fatherhood is a path of continual growth and learning, and being willing to embrace vulnerability is a vital part of it.
For men seeking a community to discuss life, relationships, and emotions openly, Andy invites you to join Authentic AF at realmenfeel.org/group to connect with others committed to authenticity, courage, and connection.
Watch this episode on YouTube.
Listen on Apple Podcasts.
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Authentic AF Community | http://realmenfeel.org/group
Presence Over Perfection For Dads: The Engaged Father Project - Real Men Feel ep 389 with Jon Hord

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