#27 End-of-year Q&A: Intimacy After Kids, Unresolved Grief in Marriages, Gen-Z Culture Crisis

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Episode Summary:

Sam and Cole kick off the end of year with a candid check-in on their holiday struggles—from carb overload and doom scrolling to the surprising benefits of cold plunging (yes, they know it's cringey).

In this Q&A episode, they tackle listener questions on crucial fatherhood topics including:

• Helping kids find their voice while avoiding the extremes of authoritarian or overly permissive parenting
• Modeling apologies and accountability to your children—and why completing unfinished emotional business with your own parents is essential
• Navigating intimacy after kids and the importance of maintaining connection with your spouse through major life changes
• Dealing with grief in relationships and how unresolved pain impacts your marriage
• Building character in the age of social media and why kids need unremarkable experiences to develop substance

Sam and Cole get real about their own struggles, disagreements, and growth areas—from finances to fitness to faith. They emphasize the importance of civil conversation, doing the hard emotional work, and not compromising your values for convenience.

Plus: Starbucks controversy, bodybuilding confessions, and why they're looking for the right sponsors (Rogue Fitness, Spindrift, Vivo Barefoot, Glock, etc.).

Looking ahead to 2026 with practical content on implementing real change in your life as a father and man.