Christian Dad's Podcast
Christian Dad's Podcast
James Pellicane
Welcome to the Christian Dad Podcast, your place to find sound encouragement and practical advice so you can win as a Dad. Whether you have toddlers or teens, I want to help you enjoy, not endure your family. Learn how to make the most of these parenting years and be the Dad your kids really need.
#66 What My Dad Did Right: A Daughter's Honest Take on Strong Dad & Raising a Resilient Kid
In this heartfelt episode of the Christian Dad Podcast, James Pellicane sits down with their 16-year-old daughter Lucy to discuss the things her dad got right as a father. Lucy shares openly about how being pushed into physical challenges like martial arts, skiing, mountain biking, and early morning rowing built resilience and adaptability. She also reflects on the blessing of being raised in the church, the importance of faith-filled family leadership, and how her dad prepared them for adulthood through financial responsibility, investing, high expectations, and treating them as future adults rather than babies.Itunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/jo/podcast/66-what-my-dad-did-right-a-daughters-honest-take-on/id295386637?i=1000776723242Youtube: https://youtu.be/Bay9X1mR0rkFor more information about James Pelllicane https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/coaching
Jul 14
29 min
#65 The Power of Coaching: 25 Years of Wisdom with Dan O'Dell
Join James Pellicane on the Christian Dad Podcast as he sits down with longtime friend, client, and successful real estate agent Dan O'Dell from Kansas City. With over 25 years in coaching. Dan shares powerful insights on why coaching is an investment—not an expense—in your faith, family, business, health, and personal growth. Dan opens up about the importance of humility, receiving truth from a godly coach, and how coaching has strengthened his marriage, health, and ability to serve others. Whether you're a dad considering coaching, a business leader, or simply want to grow as a husband and father, this episode is packed with practical wisdom, vulnerability, and inspiration.For more information about James Pellicane https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/coachingYouTube https://youtu.be/PK3NEYSux7cSpotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/2mKRYqXHFmJ5XpR0Le0ijq?si=Fj_1T6LPSh2T6_gZVn5USQApple https://podcasts.apple.com/jo/podcast/65-the-power-of-coaching-25-years-of-wisdom-with-dan-odell/id295386637?i=1000774256476
Jun 25
29 min
#64 Lead Your Family and Raise Adults, Not Entitled Kids
From implementing parent-controlled feeding that had all their kids sleeping through the night by two months, to ending the “Fettuccine Alfredo era,” banning whining with “Cure-All” (liquid cod liver oil), building real competence through family activities, and drilling academics on Saturday mornings — this episode shows dads exactly how to lead their families with confidence.Discover how to raise respectful kids who love God and launch capable, self-controlled adults — without regrets. Filled with humor and honest stories — including the touching altar call moment with his three-year-old, the broken leg drama, and boldly bucking bad advice from doctors and teachers — James equips dads with powerful strategies to build strong family culture and instill lasting character in their children.Timestamps:0:07 - Parent-controlled feeding from Baby Wise (all kids sleeping through the night by 2 months)8:43 - The famous “No More Fettuccine Alfredo” restaurant moment + food leadership10:07 - Ending custom meals and bringing order to the home16:34 - “Cure-All” (liquid cod liver oil) for whining + building gratitude20:11 - Building competence through activities: rollerblading, skiing, biking to school22:59 - Pushing through kid resistance (bike to school meltdown story)34:00 - Creating “Ewing Academy” – Saturday flashcards & academics37:04 - Final encouragement: Start with ONE area, be unified, and lead without regretshttps://youtu.be/1Hu_sWb7Qe0https://podcasts.apple.com/jo/podcast/christian-dads-podcast/id295386637Coaching information: https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/coaching
Jun 5
38 min
#63 How a Strong Dad Led Our Family: Leadership, Training, and Letting Go | Noelle Pellicane (19)
In this heartfelt and practical conversation, James Pellicane sits down with her daughter Noelle (19) to talk about real fatherly leadership in the home. They dive deep into Proverbs 22:6 — “Train up a child in the way he should go” — and what that actually looked like in their family.Noelle shares honestly about:Being forced to do things she didn’t want to do (martial arts, intense driving training, etc.)The difference between welcomed and unwelcomed leadershipWhy strict parenting feels terrible in the moment but pays off laterHow to shift parenting styles as kids get olderMoney training: natural consequences, and giving independenceWhat parents of teens and adult children should focus on nowA must-watch for every parent who wants to raise capable, independent adults while keeping a strong relationship.To see show on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v5MzptvZ9UYItune: https://podcasts.apple.com/jo/podcast/62-permissive-leadership-is-still-toxic-why-being-unclear/id295386637?i=1000764240514 For more information about James:https://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/coaching
May 12
39 min
#62 Permissive Leadership Is Still Toxic: Why Being Unclear Is Unkind to Your Kids
What if the most toxic kind of leadership isn’t yelling or controlling… but staying silent?In this powerful episode, we expose how the absence of clear leadership quietly destroys families. Using Scripture from Ephesians and Colossians, the tragic story of King David’s family, and real-talk practical steps, we show why being unclear is actually unkind.You’ll walk away with five game-changing moves every dad can start today. If you want to stop reacting and start leading your family with love and clarity, this episode is for you.https://youtu.be/v5MzptvZ9UYhttps://www.happyhomeuniversity.com/coaching
Apr 29
30 min
#61 Eliminate Whining: The Secret Sauce to Raising Grateful, Resilient Kids
Tired of constant complaining from your children (or maybe even yourself)? In this powerful episode, James Pellicane reveals the "secret sauce" to end whining in your family for good. Drawing from Scripture—especially 1 Corinthians 10 and Numbers 21—she shows why God takes complaining so seriously and how it blocks us from His best blessings. Discover three game-changing principles every parent needs: Model gratitude yourself (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree) Stop rewarding whining with attention (and start rewarding winning attitudes instead) Make complaining counterproductive with clear consequences If you want a whining-free family and kids who thrive with positive attitudes, this episode will transform your parenting. To watch on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@ChristianDadPodcast Pellicane Coaching: happyhomeuniversity.com/coaching
Mar 4
17 min
#60 Toddler Bedtime Rebellion: When Dad's Wounds Let the 2-Year-Old Win
Dad's old abandonment wounds are sabotaging Mom's push to get their 2-year-old out of the family bed—leading to 2 a.m. meltdowns, that hit Dad right in the gut. In this raw coaching session, host James calls it straight: You're not your absent dad, boundaries aren't abandonment, and your big-hearted "benefactor" nature is getting played by a toddler who knows exactly which button to push. With baby #2 arriving soon, the stakes are high. Game plan essentials: Apologize to your wife, lock arms on unity, return her to bed consistently (no rewards for chaos), lock the door if you have to, and commit—even when it hurts. Stop the midnight rescues. Step up, lead your home, and give your wife and kids the leadership now before the battles get bigger.
Feb 19
32 min
#59 - Biblical Discipline for Toddlers: A New Dad's Guide to Consistent, Loving Correction
In this raw and heartfelt episode, new dad Josh D'Ambrosio sits down with host James to share his unexpected journey into fatherhood—one forged through personal hardship, renewed faith, and the wild reality of raising a spirited 2-year-old. Josh presses James for hard-won wisdom on what actually works when the toddler years hit. James lays it out plainly: staying fully present even when work pulls hard, locking arms with your spouse on a unified front, and intentionally building self-control and respect from the earliest age. With unflinching honesty, they dive into real discipline that gets results—including the when, why, and how of spanking as a calm, private, and dignified act of teaching rather than angry punishment. You'll hear practical strategies on staying consistent so kids aren't confused, staging everyday scenarios at home to prepare them for life, handling disrespect without losing your cool, and pairing clear consequences with generous rewards—all while protecting a warm, loving home and keeping parents from burning out. If you're a dad in the trenches (or about to be), this is the no-nonsense, faith-grounded conversation you didn't know you needed. Timeline 00:00 Introduction to Josh D'Ambrosio's Journey 04:33 Navigating Fatherhood as a New Dad 07:15 Discipline and Parenting Techniques 10:04 The Importance of Consistency in Parenting 12:53 Balancing Work and Family Life 15:40 The Role of a Father in Child Development 18:21 Challenges of Parenting a Two-Year-Old 30:12 Unified Parenting Strategies 32:12 Creating Scenarios for Learning 36:06 Rewards and Consequences in Parenting 38:54 Managing Disrespectful Behavior 41:57 The Importance of Timing in Discipline 49:02 Understanding Child Behavior and Needs To Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/PsTzC_zvwrQ https://podcasts.apple.com/jo/podcast/59-biblical-discipline-for-toddlers-a-new-dads/id295386637?i=1000741536482 https://open.spotify.com/episode/7x7QnQcoINiSFuwU7TVY0x?si=uEYZwI86RtuK9KSLtw_ceQ Pellicane Coaching: happyhomeuniversity.com/coaching
Dec 16, 2025
55 min
#58 - From Parent to Peer: Raising Kids Who Become Your Friends
In this powerful and practical conversation, Bill Farrel — pastor, author of 61 books, father of three sons, and grandfather of eight — shares the proven principles that helped him raise confident, capable young men who are now three of his closest friends. Bill walks through the two core commitments that shaped his parenting: being fully present and becoming a student of each child. He discusses how parents can manage busy careers while staying relationally close, how to understand a child's motivation and stress points, and why every kid needs individualized leadership, not cookie-cutter parenting. You'll also hear Bill's insights on launching young adults, guiding teens through puberty, shifting your role from coach to consultant to friend, and handling dating, decision-making, and conflict with wisdom instead of control. If you want to raise children who grow into responsible, confident adults—and actually enjoy being around you—this rich, honest conversation will equip and encourage you. To enjoy on Youtube: https://youtu.be/VXcKT8NJsrA Pellicane Coaching: happyhomeuniversity.com/coaching
Dec 2, 2025
54 min
#57 - When a Husband Feels Discounted: James & Arlene talk
What happens when a husband feels unseen, unheard, and flat-out discounted in his own home? He stops leading. He stops speaking up. He quietly gives up on the role God gave him. If you've ever felt dismissed in your marriage, or if you're the one doing the dismissing (even unintentionally), this episode is for you. Christian dads, you're not alone. Hit play, lean in. To enjoy on Youtube: https://youtu.be/bqf5Z3FeCmw Pellicane Coaching: happyhomeuniversity.com/coaching
Nov 19, 2025
38 min
Load more