💥 Episode Summary:
“You get your marriage right, and everything else gets easier.”
In this powerful and vulnerable conversation, Steve sits down with Larry Hagner, founder of The Dad Edge Podcast, to unpack how marriage is the first domino—and when it’s strong, it creates momentum in fatherhood, business, and your own sense of purpose.
Larry shares his real, raw story of failure, shame, and ultimately, redemption as a husband and father. You’ll hear how a single moment with his 4-year-old son changed everything… and how God used his rock bottom to launch one of the most impactful fatherhood movements in the world.
If you’re a high-performing man who feels disconnected at home or stuck in the daily grind, this is your episode.
🧠 What You'll Learn:
✅ Why your marriage is the foundation of your leadership
✅ The 3 things every child needs from their dad: Seen, Heard, and Safe
✅ How to be your kid’s “3 a.m. call”
✅ Why “more and better” communication isn’t enough
✅ What it really means to lead your wife—and how that fuels her respect
✅ The hidden reason you feel like you’re stuck in The Drift
✅ Why most men wait until crisis—and how to take action now
🔖 Chapter Markers:
00:00 – Introduction
00:38 – The First Domino: Why Marriage Impacts Everything
01:12 – Meet Larry Hagner: 10 Years of The Dad Edge Podcast
03:30 – Rock Bottom: Becoming the Monster You Swore to Protect From
05:52 – The Shame, the Shift, and the Spark
08:10 – Why Men Struggle: “I Should Just Know How to Lead”
10:39 – Authenticity Opens Doors
13:02 – Tough Love: “If You Fight for Your Limiting Beliefs, You Get to Keep Them”
15:16 – Victim Mentality: The Twin Brothers Parable
17:34 – Survival Mode & Emotional Withdrawal
19:54 – The 3 Things Every Child Needs from Dad
22:14 – Generative Questions That Open Your Kids' Hearts
24:35 – Creating a Safe Space for Hard Truths
26:55 – If You’re Feeling Disconnected: Start Here
29:11 – Pre-Gaming the Hard Talks with Shared Activity
31:32 – Why Marriage Comes First
33:44 – Understanding Her Needs vs. Yours
35:50 – What is The Drift?
38:16 – Don’t Wait for Crisis
40:36 – Podcasts Aren’t Enough: You Need Reps
42:44 – Bonus: How to Get Larry’s Courses for Free
43:20 – Final Words: The 3 Men Every Man Needs
📘 Guest: Larry Hagner
🎤 Host of: The Dad Edge Podcast
📖 Author of: The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood (Out Sept. 16)
🌐 Website: www.thedadedge.com
🎁 Preorder Bonus: TheDadEdge.com/LegendaryBook
🔗 Ready to Forge a New Identity?
🔥 Apply to join the FORGE:
👉 www.sbaumgartner.com/forge
📩 DM "FORGE" to @realstevebaumgartner on Instagram
You’ll be invited to a quick clarity call with Steve or a member of his team to see if The Forge is the right fit for your mission.
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