The Dad Edge Podcast

David Gerber opens this episode with a story that stops you in your tracks: a wild lioness charging at 50 miles an hour, stopping just six feet from him, in the African wilderness where he spends weeks each year tracking lions on foot, not to hunt them, but to experience a level of presence and aliveness he says he's never found anywhere else. David is an executive coach at Novus Global who works with pro athletes, CEOs, and high performers, but the real heart of this conversation is what led him there: a divorce five and a half years ago that broke him open and led to a genuinely dark period in his life, one he's candid about in detail.
We get into his framework for why so many successful, high-performing men quietly rate their own lives a "seven out of ten," comfortable enough to avoid change but never truly alive, and what it actually takes to break out of that pattern. David shares practical tools, including an exercise he calls "making friends with the worst case scenario" and his own process of writing a forgiveness letter to his ex-wife, alongside a genuinely moving exchange about his own complicated relationship with his father. If you've ever felt like you're winning at a life you secretly resent, this conversation offers a real, unflinching way through it.
 
Timeline Summary
[1:02] David's story of a wild lioness charging within six feet of him while tracking on foot in Africa
[9:47] Larry announces a rare, small-group preview of the Dad Edge Business Boardroom Brotherhood
[11:25] Why David has never seen anyone run from a charging lion, and how courage functions like an energy
[14:34] A full introduction to David: executive coach at Novus Global, author of "The Lion Is You"
[16:51] The origin of the book's title and David's lifelong fascination with lions
[17:41] David shares a period of significant suicidal ideation following his divorce
[22:33] Unpacking what made the divorce and its aftermath so difficult for him personally
[23:47] David shares taking a hair loss medication around the time of his divorce and its effect on him
[26:43] Larry announces the first-ever Dad Edge Day with the Arizona Cardinals, November 15th
[29:33] Introducing "the drift," and why winning at a resented life is more dangerous than failing
[36:15] The "1 to 10 scale" most people rate their lives on, and why most land on a comfortable seven
[36:36] The story of "Mike," who sold his company for $42.4 million and still felt unfulfilled
[38:19] The question Mike's wife asked him that changed everything: "does this mean you can have donuts with dad at school?"
[41:11] What actually calls a man to change without a crisis forcing his hand
[46:11] The exercise of identifying what's blocking you from being present
[50:35] David's "making friends with the worst case scenario" exercise
[53:11] Why David now considers his divorce the best thing that ever happened to him
[54:36] The forgiveness letter David wrote to his ex-wife, and what writing it did for him
[57:31] Larry shares his own story of reconciling with his biological father after years apart
[59:02] Larry's son Mason asks how Larry was able to forgive his own father
[1:01:05] David's closing message: find the people closest to you and ask if you need to do deeper work
[1:04:09] Where to find David and his book
 
Five Key Takeaways
The most dangerous thing for a high performer often isn't failure, it's winning at a life they secretly resent. Many successful people rate their own lives a comfortable seven out of ten, good enough to avoid real change.
A crisis isn't the only thing that can call someone toward a better life. Getting honest about what you deeply want, and don't currently have, can spark the same shift without requiring rock bottom first.
"Making friends with the worst case scenario" means imagining the thing you fear most happening, and recognizing that even then, you'd likely find a way through it, and possibly grow because of it rather than in spite of it.
Forgiveness doesn't require the other person's response or validation. Writing something down and releasing resentment can restore your own integrity and peace, whether or not it changes the relationship itself.
True presence requires doing real inner work, understanding your nervous system and emotional patterns, not just deciding to "be more present" as an abstract intention.
 
Links & Resources
The Lion Is You: Lessons from the Wild on Coming Alive Again by David Gerber: https://www.amazon.com/Lion-You-Lessons-Coming-Alive/dp/1971795003
David Gerber: https://www.davidagerber.com
David Gerber on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/davidgerber
Novus Global: https://novusglobal.com
The Dad Edge Day at State Farm Stadium: https://thedadedge.com/nfl
Dad Edge Business Boardroom Brotherhood Preview: https://thedadedge.com/guest
The Dad Edge Podcast: https://thedadedge.com/1533
 
Closing
What's staying with me from this conversation is David's line that the most dangerous life isn't the one that fails, it's the one you win at while secretly resenting it. If you're sitting at a comfortable seven right now, wondering if that's just what life is supposed to feel like, let this be the nudge to ask what you actually, deeply want. And if you're in a season that feels much darker than a seven, please don't carry that alone. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988. Go out and live legendary.

I opened this episode by asking Kaseena Birnbaum about something I'd heard her talk about online: the 72 hour rule, a simple commitment she and her husband made years ago to never go more than three days without prioritizing physical intimacy in some form. What made this conversation different from a lot of marriage talks I've had is how honest Kaseena was about how hard that was for her to actually implement, even though it ended up being, in her words, the single thing that changed their entire marriage.
We got into what was really underneath her own resistance early on: unaddressed resentment, unspoken expectations, and a cultural upbringing that made talking openly about sex feel shameful. Kaseena shared the exact moment her husband finally understood that her "no" wasn't rejection of him, just exhaustion in that moment, and how that reframe changed everything for both of them. We also talked through the small, everyday behaviors, being observant, following through on your word, creating emotional safety, that build the kind of trust and attraction that makes physical connection feel natural instead of like an obligation.
 
Timeline Summary
[1:02] Kaseena's unusual name and a lighthearted detour into the pressure of naming your own kids
[3:49] Introducing the 72 hour rule and what changed after Kaseena and her husband started following it
[6:20] Why implementing the rule was far harder for Kaseena than she expected
[9:21] A full introduction to Kaseena: marriage coach, content creator, and mother of two
[10:06] Resentment as "the polyp," and why it quietly grows until it becomes something much bigger
[11:26] Unpacking unspoken and unmet expectations as the root of most disconnection
[16:12] Larry announces the first-ever Dad Edge Day with the Arizona Cardinals, November 15th
[16:49] Naming an expectation your spouse never actually agreed to isn't really their failure
[17:51] The Instagram story that resonated with Larry: flirting all day, then feeling "smoked" by evening
[19:53] Understanding the "baby mode" reaction men fall into after being turned down
[24:03] The moment Kaseena's husband learned that her "no" wasn't rejection, just exhaustion
[25:48] What specific behaviors outside the bedroom actually build attraction and trust
[29:06] Larry announces a rare, small-group preview of the Dad Edge Business Boardroom Brotherhood
[31:05] Getting curious instead of triggered when your spouse is having an off day
[34:23] The two or three things Kaseena hears most often from clients in crisis
[37:35] How Kaseena coaches couples: identifying the one shift that will move the needle fastest
[41:13] Why small, consistent follow-through matters more than big romantic gestures
[42:19] The grocery list example: how small broken promises quietly erode trust
[43:47] Why offering two specific options works better than an open-ended "what can I help you with"
[45:01] What Kaseena is most excited about next for her mission and message
[48:10] Where to find Kaseena and the 72 hour rule challenge
 
Five Key Takeaways
Resentment behaves like a polyp: not every instance turns into something serious, but nearly every serious breakdown started as an unaddressed resentment that was left to grow.
Most disconnection in a marriage traces back to expectations that were never actually communicated out loud. If your spouse doesn't know what you expect, you can't fairly hold them accountable for missing it.
A "no" to intimacy is often a no to the current moment, not a rejection of your spouse as a person. Understanding that distinction can remove years of unnecessary hurt and insecurity.
Trust is built or broken in small, ordinary moments, following through on what you said you'd do, being observant, noticing when something's off, far more than through grand gestures.
When your spouse is overwhelmed or triggered, respond with curiosity instead of reacting personally. Getting curious about what's really going on defuses conflict far faster than matching their energy.
 
Links & Resources
Making Marriage Sexy: https://www.instagram.com/makingmarriagesexy
The Dad Edge Day at State Farm Stadium: https://thedadedge.com/nfl
The Dad Edge Podcast: https://thedadedge.com/1532
The Dad Edge Boardroom Mastermind: https://thedadedge.com/guest
 
Closing
What's staying with me from this conversation is how simple Kaseena's reframe actually is: a no is usually a no to the moment, not a no to you. So much unnecessary hurt in a marriage comes from taking things personally that were never meant that way. Whether it's the 72 hour rule, addressing an expectation you've never said out loud, or just getting curious instead of defensive the next time your spouse is having a hard day, small, consistent shifts are what actually rebuild connection. Go out and live legendary.

This week's Alliance Q&A is one I think a lot of you will relate to, even if you've never said it out loud. A member named Eric brought a question on behalf of a close friend who's in a genuinely rough season with his marriage, arguments about a job, about help around the house, about who's doing enough for the kids. Rather than treat it as a surface-level scheduling problem, we spent this entire episode digging into what's actually happening underneath, because I've coached enough men to know the surface complaint is almost never the real issue.
We get into the real needs driving most marital conflict, why a woman needs to feel seen, heard, and safe, and why a man needs respect, appreciation, and physical affection, and what happens when both partners stop meeting those needs and start reacting to each other instead. I introduce the concept of the emotional bank account, a term I credit to researcher John Gottman, and share a personal example of learning the hard way that not all acts of service are created equal. We also talk through "nice guy syndrome" and its unattractive cousin, people-pleasing, and I introduce a book that's helped me completely reframe how I show up for Jessica: G.S. Youngblood's three-part framework of responding instead of reacting, leading with structure, and always providing safety.
 
Timeline Summary
[1:02] Introducing today's Alliance Q&A and the friend's marriage situation Eric is bringing forward
[2:24] The staggering statistic: only about 12% of married couples have a genuinely thriving marriage
[3:16] Eric lays out the surface-level arguments: the job, help around the house, time with the kids
[6:19] Establishing the marriage timeline and when things started to unravel
[8:16] Asking whether the job is really the issue, or just where the resentment gets pointed
[8:38] Larry announces the first-ever Dad Edge Day with the Arizona Cardinals, November 15th
[10:40] The real needs at play: seen, heard, and safe for her; respected, appreciated, and affection for him
[12:14] Whether he's actually meeting those needs, and the common trap of guessing instead of asking
[13:58] The reactive cycle: unmet needs on one side triggering unattractive behavior on the other
[15:09] Introducing the five love languages and why they aren't one-size-fits-all
[15:51] Introducing the emotional bank account and why not all acts of service move the needle
[16:09] Larry's own car wash story, and the moment he learned what actually mattered to his wife
[18:49] The question worth asking your spouse: what exactly is happening when you feel most loved
[21:41] Naming "nice guy syndrome" and the pattern of doing things with a hidden expectation attached
[23:22] Confirming he's a people pleaser, and why that trait is deeply unattractive to a woman
[23:48] Introducing G.S. Youngblood's book and its three-part framework for masculine leadership
[24:07] The first principle: respond, don't react
[24:26] The second principle: lead with structure instead of asking open-ended questions
[25:54] The third principle: always provide safety through calm, grounded tonality
[26:20] Wrapping up and reflecting on how these ideas apply directly to Eric's friend
[27:33] Reminders: Roommates to Soulmates starting September 16th, and the Business Boardroom Brotherhood preview
 
Five Key Takeaways
Surface-level arguments, about a job, about chores, are rarely the real issue. Almost always, there's an unmet need underneath that both partners are struggling to name directly.
A woman's core needs tend to center on feeling seen, heard, and safe. A man's core needs tend to center on respect, appreciation, and physical affection. When either side stops meeting those needs, both partners start reacting instead of connecting.
Not all acts of service are created equal. The emotional bank account concept means some gestures barely register while others, often smaller and more specific, become huge needle-movers. Ask your spouse directly what actually makes them feel loved.
"Nice guy syndrome" and people-pleasing are deeply unattractive traits, not because kindness is bad, but because doing things with a hidden expectation attached (do this, then maybe she'll be nice to me) isn't genuine generosity.
A grounded, masculine approach to leadership in a relationship comes down to three things: responding instead of reacting, leading with structure instead of vague open-ended questions, and consistently providing emotional safety through your tone and presence.
 
Links & Resources
The Masculine in Relationship: A Blueprint for Inspiring the Trust, Lust, and Devotion of a Strong Woman by G.S. Youngblood: https://www.amazon.com/Masculine-Relationship-Inspiring-Devotion-Woman/dp/1699443386
The Dad Edge Day at State Farm Stadium: https://thedadedge.com/nfl
The Dad Edge Podcast: https://thedadedge.com/1528
The Dad Edge Boardroom Mastermind: https://thedadedge.com/guest
 
Closing
If you take one thing from this episode, let it be this: stop guessing at what your spouse needs and just ask. Eric's friend, like so many of us at some point, has been doing things with the hope that they'll move the needle, without ever finding out what actually would. Go ask your wife directly what she was doing, and what you were doing, the last time she felt most loved and connected to you, and then go do more of that. Go out and live legendary.

Baruch HaLevi opens this conversation with a statistic most listeners have never heard: every 13 minutes in America, a man dies by suicide, and men account for roughly 80% of all suicide deaths. For Baruch, this isn't abstract. He's lost family members to suicide across multiple generations, and he candidly shares that he himself came close to the same fate about a decade ago, during a period of profound identity loss after stepping away from 20 years as a rabbi.
Grounded in the work of Holocaust survivor and psychiatrist Viktor Frankl, Baruch and Larry talk through what actually helps a man in genuine despair: finding a "why not," the specific reason to keep going, learning to sit with guilt without letting it curdle into shame, and the necessity of real, honest community instead of empty check-ins. Both men share their own history with suicidal crisis directly. If you or someone you love has ever been in a season that felt unbearable, this conversation offers a clear, compassionate way through it, but given the depth of what's discussed, please take care with how and when you engage with it.
 
Timeline Summary
[1:24] Introducing the statistic behind Baruch's mission: a man dies by suicide every 13 minutes in America
[2:41] Baruch shares that his father and grandmother both died by suicide, and that it's deeply personal to his work
[4:50] Larry and Baruch each share their own history of suicidal crisis
[7:07] Discovering Viktor Frankl's work as a turning point during his own darkest season
[11:11] Rebuilding identity from the ground up after stepping away from a lifelong profession
[12:22] A full introduction to Baruch: logotherapist, rabbi, author of "The Guy in the Glass"
[13:40] The origin of the book's title, tied to a poem given to Baruch by his grandfather
[16:21] Larry announces the first-ever Dad Edge Day with the Arizona Cardinals, November 15th
[18:24] Baruch reflects on why his father reached the point he did
[27:46] Introducing the concept of a "why not" as a foundation to keep living
[29:49] Discussing how the idea of "finding your why" has become diluted in modern culture
[31:19] Viktor Frankl's concept of self-transcendence: living for something beyond yourself
[36:50] Larry announces a rare, small-group preview of the Dad Edge Business Boardroom Brotherhood
[38:00] How genuine community changes the experience of shame and crisis
[41:11] Why hiding in isolation during a hard season is actually a disservice to others
[45:37] The loss of Baruch's closest friend, and the concept of "bearing witness" to another man's life
[47:45] Unpacking the phrase "shame dies in safe conversations," and the difference between guilt and shame
[49:53] Details on Baruch's book, his mission, and where to find his work
[51:37] What Baruch would say directly to a man in a moment of crisis
[53:24] Larry shares an important reframe he once heard from his own therapist
 
Five Key Takeaways
Finding a concrete "why not," a specific reason not to give up, can be as important as finding a broader life purpose when someone is in genuine crisis.
Guilt and shame are not the same thing. Guilt corrects behavior and can be redemptive; shame attacks a person's fundamental worth and has no redemptive value. Healthy communities make room for guilt and accountability without slipping into shame.
Self-transcendence, living for something or someone beyond yourself, is described as the deepest source of meaning available to a person, more foundational than personal happiness or self-actualization alone.
Withdrawing into isolation during a hard season doesn't protect the people who care about you, it deprives them of the chance to show up for you, and it removes the example of bravery that could help someone else going through the same thing.
Genuine connection, being truly seen and known by another person, is one of the most protective forces against despair. Real community requires honesty, not surface-level check-ins that accept "I'm fine" as a real answer.
 
Links & Resources
Baruch HaLevi: https://bhalevi.com
The Guy in the Glass by Baruch HaLevi: https://bhalevi.com
The Dad Edge Day at State Farm Stadium: https://thedadedge.com/nfl
The Dad Edge Boardroom Mastermind: https://thedadedge.com/guest
The Dad Edge Podcast: https://thedadedge.com/1530
 
Closing
If you are having thoughts of suicide, or you're worried about someone who might be, please don't wait. Call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available 24 hours a day, every day. You are not a burden, and the people who love you would rather have you, in any season, than lose you. If you're not in crisis yourself but this episode brought something up for you, please talk to someone you trust, or a licensed therapist, today rather than carrying it alone.

John Sapiente never planned to become a charitable force in the veteran community, he just wanted to play golf with a celebrity at a charity gala. That single decision in 2013 led him to a life-changing weekend with military families, a friendship with Folds of Honor founder Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, and eventually the creation of Volition America, a lifestyle apparel brand that has raised over $2 million for veteran and first responder families by donating 13% of profits, a number tied to the 13 folds of the American flag.
In this conversation with Larry, John shares the origin story behind brand partnerships with Puma, Cobra Golf, and Luminox, the moment he surprised a wounded Navy SEAL with a custom Jeep on July 4th, and his approach to raising four kids while running two manufacturing companies and a nonprofit-adjacent brand. He's candid about the tradeoffs of building a business empire, protecting Mother's Day as sacred family time, and 30 years of weekly date nights with his wife. If you've ever wondered what it looks like to turn a single meaningful moment into a lasting mission, this episode is a direct look at how that actually happens.
 
Timeline Summary
[1:02] The 2013 charity golf event that sparked John's "patriotic awakening"
[4:58] Meeting wounded veterans and hearing taps played during a tournament, and the impact it had
[9:22] Becoming friends with Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, founder of Folds of Honor
[10:07] The origin of "volition" as a word and a brand philosophy: the power of choice
[12:31] A full introduction to John: founder of Volition America, raising over $2 million for veterans
[14:32] Raising a confident, self-sufficient daughter, and the values he prioritized as a father
[21:56] The family rule that sports never come before Mother's Day
[25:43] Referencing Dr. John Delony's take on travel sports ruining the family dinner table
[26:46] The mandatory Sunday family dinner tradition that started when the kids were young
[28:34] The family rule that every kid needs "a battle," something they're passionate about, one at a time
[29:19] A son's question about whether John was disappointed he chose band over sports
[31:10] Supporting a daughter who hated soccer but lit up when she found dance
[32:13] The father-son talent show plan built around a shared love of Michael Jackson
[34:01] Thirty years of marriage and the weekly date nights that started when their kids were young
[36:15] Why "if you have to think about your last date night, it's been too long"
[43:40] Introducing Volition America and the $2 million raised for Folds of Honor
[47:20] The story of surprising Navy SEAL Jeff Samuels with a custom Jeep on July 4th
[50:25] How brand partnerships with Puma, Cobra Golf, and Luminox actually came together
[53:21] Upcoming brand extensions: a cigar line with Gurkha and a new wine label
[55:55] Where to find Volition America and support the mission
 
Five Key Takeaways
A single moment of unexpected exposure, in John's case a charity golf outing, can become a life's mission if you stay open to what it reveals. He wasn't looking for a cause; the cause found him.
Kids need something they're passionate about, one thing at a time, not necessarily a sport. Supporting a child's actual interest, whether it's marching band or dance, builds more confidence than pushing them toward what you expected.
Protecting non-negotiable family time, like Mother's Day or a weekly date night, requires real boundaries. John's family skipped championship games that landed on Mother's Day because some things matter more than convenience.
You cannot build a major business while being a 50/50 present parent every single day. Real tradeoffs exist, and the goal is being genuinely present in the time you do have rather than pretending you can do everything equally.
Purpose-driven business partnerships can create value for everyone involved. Brand collaborations built around a genuine mission bring new audiences to both the cause and the partner brand, not just a marketing gimmick.
 
Links & Resources
Volition America: https://volitionamerica.com
Folds of Honor: https://foldsofhonor.org
The Dad Edge Podcast: https://thedadedge.com/1529
Roommates to Soulmates: http://thedadedge.com/soulmates
The Board Room Mastermind: Guest Session: http://thedadedge.com/guest 
 
Closing
What stays with me from this conversation is how one afternoon of golf, entered into for the wrong reasons, turned into a mission that's raised over $2 million for the families of fallen and disabled service members. John didn't set out to build a movement, he just stayed open to what that weekend showed him. Whether it's a cause, a kid's unexpected passion, or a weekly date night you've let slide, the same principle applies: show up for the thing in front of you, and let it become what it's going to become. Go out and live legendary.