The ManKind Podcast

262 - Why Intentional Fathering Is How We Heal the Father Wound with Ian and John

Episode 262

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 57:00

Text Us Your Feedback! (Likes, Dislikes, Guest/Conversation Recommendations).

There's a wound most men carry and rarely name: the father wound. In this episode, Boysen sits down with Ian Schwartz and John Harrington — co-founders of the Intentional Fathers Initiative — to talk about why intentional fathering isn't just good parenting advice, it's how generational wounds actually get healed.

Ian and John build what they call "father-focused men's work" — spaces where men bring their real challenges as fathers into the container of men's work: naming the father wound directly, examining what was passed down, and choosing, on purpose, what to carry forward and what to leave behind. They talk about violence in its many forms, including the quiet kind — a father who's present in body but absent everywhere that matters. They break down the four pillars of men's work (accountability, integrity, vulnerability, authenticity) applied to fatherhood, and make the case that self-care isn't optional — it's what makes healing possible at all.

If you're carrying a father wound, raising kids of your own, or both — this conversation offers a real path forward, not just a reframe.

Learn more about their work at the Intentional Fathers Initiative 

Hearing the call? We're here. https://mkpusa.org

BetterHelp: Get 10% Off Your First Month Of Therapy
The ManKind Podcast has partnered with Betterhelp to make it easier for listeners to access licensed mental health therapists who can aid them in their mental health journey. Brandon and Boysen stand by this service as they use BetterHelp for their therapy needs.
#Sponsorship #Ad

Support the show