{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Hot Topics Ep. 6 - Being a Father Figure","description":"In this heartfelt episode of Hot Topics, hosts J. Fotsch and Will Cox sit down with Zach Troutman\u2014coach, community leader and founder of Follow the Leader\u2014to discuss the impact of intentional fatherhood, mentorship and vulnerability. Zach opens up about growing up without his dad, losing his best friend to suicide and how these experiences shaped his mission to provide stability, openness and support for his children and others. Key points include the power of transparency in fatherhood, how grief can be channeled into advocacy and mentorship and why dads must model emotional awareness for their kids. Zach also shares how his approach to parenting\u2014screen-free weekdays, consistent structure and honest conversations\u2014helps build strong, emotionally resilient sons. Through his coaching and suicide prevention work, he inspires others to love deeply, lead intentionally and step in as father figures where needed.   Episode Highlights [02:56] \u2013 \u201cBeing their dad has opened me up because I don\u2019t want any of the dirtiness inside of me to get on them.\u201d [05:57] \u2013 \u201cI wanted to keep Adam\u2019s name alive\u2026 to create safe spaces for students, adults, businesses.\u201d [10:39] \u2013 \u201cSometimes people don\u2019t understand\u2014like, I can\u2019t meet you where you\u2019re at if I don\u2019t know where you\u2019re at.\u201d [17:58] \u2013 \u201cGod, if they make a mistake today, let it be their mistake and not because they followed someone.\u201d [25:23] \u2013 \u201cI don\u2019t want my kids to ever think their Blackness is a handicap. I\u2019m like, no\u2014it\u2019s a superpower.\u201d [30:54] \u2013 \u201cIt is literally set up for us to be mediocre parents... but being a great father, you gotta be intentional.\u201d    Resources\ud83d\udce9&amp;nbsp;Sign up for the&amp;nbsp;Good Dads Newsletter&amp;nbsp;and never miss a podcast! \ud83c\udf10&amp;nbsp;Learn more at&amp;nbsp;gooddads.com \ud83d\udce7&amp;nbsp;Questions or comments?&amp;nbsp;Reach out to&amp;nbsp;Good Dads&amp;nbsp;at&amp;nbsp;info@gooddads.com ","author_name":"Good Dads Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/www.gooddads.com\/","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/36946550\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/189475570"}