Executive coach Jeff Hittner, founder of Ambitious Dads, joins Rod to unpack why so many high-performing men feel confident at work yet uncertain at home. Jeff shares his personal journey into intentional fatherhood, the six big gaps he sees in modern dads (balance, confidence, emotional regulation, community, clarity, and aligned co‑parenting), and how to raise emotionally intelligent kids without losing your identity. We go deep on triggers, repair, redefining what it means to “provide,” and integrating your leadership skills from the office into the living room. If you’ve ever thought, “I’d die for my family,” Jeff challenges you to grow for them—starting today. Practical, vulnerable, and immediately actionable.
In this episode:
Jeff’s intentional path to fatherhood and why it changed his definition of “dad.”
The Six Gaps modern fathers face (and how to close them): balance, confidence, emotional regulation, community, clarity/vision for home, co‑parenting expectations.
Triggers → tools: spotting overreactions, tagging out, apologizing, and repair.
The new meaning of “provider”: nurture and presence alongside finances.
Integrating leadership: using your strengths from work to create calm, clear systems at home.
How to talk with your kids sooner (and better) about hard topics.
Resources Mentioned
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success — Carol Dweck
Ambitious Dads (blog, podcast, programs) — ambitiousdads.com
Coaching site — jeffhittner.com
Connect with Jeff
Web: ambitiousdads.com | jeffhittner.com
Podcast: Ambitious Dads
Connect with Rod
Podcast hub: 4fitfatherhood.com
IG: @4fitfatherhood
CTA
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00:40 Welcome • The four pillars & why fatherhood changes the world
02:46 Jeff’s story: intentional fatherhood & redefining “father”
04:50 From 50 to 200 interviews: what ambitious dads are missing
07:19 Confidence at work vs. uncertainty at home
08:23 The “low bar” of dad success—and raising the standard
09:14 The Six Gaps: balance, confidence, emotions, community, clarity, co‑parenting
12:37 Kids mirror us; building emotional self‑awareness & repair
15:53 First steps: notice overreactions (triggers) & ask for help
19:54 Buckets, valves, and overreaction vs. effective response
29:42 Change is uncomfortable: helping kids (and dads) stick with it
31:34 Provider, redefined: nurture + presence, not just income
35:09 Why two incomes are common—and rewriting role expectations
38:48 Integrating work leadership at home (authenticity & energy)
55:01 Prepping the “hard talks” (sex, tech, culture) before school does
1:01:21 The message Jeff hopes his sons will say about him
1:03:12 Rapid fire: book, unlearn, one word, reconnection, brotherhood
1:05:23 Where to find Jeff & Ambitious Dads