Ep. 531: Marriage Retreat Part 2 of 4: Decreasing Conflict

Fatherhood Field Notes

In this heartfelt solo episode, host Ned Schaut continues his four-part series on lessons from a recent marriage retreat. Speaking directly to fellow fathers, Ned shares raw stories and practical takeaways on how to stop defending yourself, start asking for forgiveness, and bring your best energy home to your family. From learning the three questions that heal conflict, to navigating moments of being misunderstood with his teenage son, Ned unpacks what it means to lead through serving. With a mix of vulnerability, humor (including an unforgettable skinny-dipping story), and fatherly wisdom, this episode equips dads to fight for connection, love, and unity in their marriages and families.

Three questions for healing conflict:

1. "By the tone of your voice, sounds like I hurt you. Is that true?"
2. "Please tell me how I made you feel."
3. "I'm so sorry. Will you forgive me?"

Chapters:

• 00:00:00 - Welcome and Introduction
• 00:01:00 - The Power of Fighting for Connection in a 20-Year Marriage
• 00:02:00 - How People Leave Your Presence: Being Interested, Interesting, and a Blessing
• 00:04:00 - Decreasing Conflict: Three Questions That Heal Hurt Feelings
• 00:06:00 - The Power of Asking for Forgiveness Without Defending Yourself
• 00:08:00 - Feeling Misunderstood: A Father-Son Conversation
• 00:10:00 - The Different Hats of Fatherhood: Parent, Friend, and Mentor
• 00:11:00 - Creating Unforgettable Memories: The Skinny Dipping Story
• 00:12:00 - A Man's Identity: Created to Fight for Love and Connection
• 00:13:00 - Final Encouragement: Your Kids Need to See You Fight for Their Mom

Links and Resources:

• Craig Hill's books
• John Tyson's "Primal Path" program