Episode 47
There are moments in life—and in podcasting—where a conversation hits you right between the eyes, and you know it’s more than just an interview. It’s a wake-up call. That’s exactly what happened when I sat down with Jeff Zaugg, founder of Dad Awesome, on the latest episode of Successfully Unsuccessful. Jeff showed up with a contagious energy and a fire in his heart for dads—especially the ones running hard in business and life but maybe missing the deeper connection at home. His story of evolving from a hesitant kids' ministry leader to launching 375 podcast episodes and leading a movement of over a thousand men is powerful, not just because of what he’s built, but because of why he built it: to bring intentionality and wonder back into fatherhood.
Jeff and I dove deep into the contrast between “dad angry” and “dad awesome.” As high-performing business owners and executives, we know what grind mode looks like. We thrive on performance. But what if that same drive is robbing our families of our full presence? Jeff challenged us to get curious, not just about our businesses, but about our kids. He unpacked practical rhythms—like lighting a candle and speaking blessings over our children—to shift from a transactional relationship to a transformational one. His metaphor comparing a trickling RV showerhead to a thundering waterfall of God’s love painted a crystal-clear picture: are we living with a scarcity mindset, hustling for validation, or are we standing under the abundance of God’s grace as loved sons? That image wrecked me in the best way.
But here’s what really rocked me—when Jeff shared how his ministry nearly ran out of money. Not a story of failure, but formation. In that moment, I realized that success isn’t about security or wealth; it’s about stewardship and obedience. For those of us in leadership, chasing vision, and building companies, this is our call: to lead with a heart of purpose, to build with eternity in mind, and to father our kids like it’s the greatest role we’ll ever play. Jeff’s story reminded me that legacy isn’t left by what we earn—it’s shaped by how we love. If you’re ready to stop hustling and start living out of wholeness, this episode was made for you.
