A Father's Voice

There's something they don't tell you about homeownership.most days you will be a cleaner. That's expected.Other days maybe a gardener, or even a designer.however, some days you will need to be be a plumberAnd some days you will find yourself as an electricianMaybe even a construction worker, rebuilding or adding new parts to your home.As a homeowner it feels like there are constant projects, new ideas, or fixes, that need to be done.And what we learn is that many of these projects can be fixed, or even ignored through the work of our own hands. Many homeowners have found that they have the skills necessary to do a lot of the basic work around the house. I personally have changed my own water heater, cleaned my AC unit, and drilled plenty of holes in, and through my walls.However there is one area that I have no power over, there's no amount of work I can do to fix it, and no easy way to correct it when it starts to fail.And that is my home's foundation. The very core of my house, arguably the most important part, which cannot be fixed through my work alone.And yet, many homeowners, as the foundation starts to fail, and cracks begin to appear, do all they can to ignore the foundation, but eventually, it shows. and we realize one truth, we cannot work our way out of this situation.Hi, my name is Ryan Guerra, and this is A Father's Voice. And today we talk with Joe Cwikla. Joe and I have bonded over a love for wrestling (yes, I know it's fake) and have enjoyed plenty of vulnerable and real conversations over the past year or so.When I first met Joe I thought he was a pretty serious and stand offish guy. Maybe even a bit rude. He seemed like your typical manly man, little emotions, loved bbq, and probably hunting or something. Definitely not someone who I would usually be connecting with.And honestly, I was absolutely wrong about him. He's a caring man, who loves people, and greatly values helping and serving others. He probably loves hunting (I've never asked), and does bbqs some of the best meat I have ever eaten, but his care for others, and willingness to be vulnerable draws men to him like a moth to flame, and he has welcomed many men into his home for food, conversation, and wrestling shows.However, getting to know him over the past year has show me that him getting to this point was a journey, and took him time, patience, and a willingness to change. He is one of the poster children for trying to simply work his way through his struggles,and it came to the realization that he couldn't simply work his way out of the hurt he was holding onto for him to finally focus on his own inner healing.This isn't easy for a man to do, especially one like Joe, but he did it, and it's cultivated in considerable growth for him as a man, husband, and father.I'm proud to call Joe a friend. I wholeheartedly appreciate our friendship and loved this conversation we had. and I'm thankful he allowed for me to share this on the podcast. I believe this will be a very relatable conversation to all who listen, and I hope it blesses you as much as it blessed me.and so I present to you, my conversation with Joe Cwikla Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before we start the episode I need to set a disclaimer. This conversation walks through a man's journey with mental health including topics such as depression, anger, and suicide. This is why this episode is marked explicit. This conversation goes to some dark places, but with the intention of showcasing the rawness of the journey, and the realness of the redemption from it. There is no judgement if you must skip this episode. Please take care of yourself.If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255.Hey man, how you doing?A simple question, which usually is followed by a simple answer:I'm good man.This conversational dance is almost hardwired into society at this point.Now, like an extension of saying “hello”, the “how are you” question and the “I'm good” response have become just another step in the choreography of light conversation.There are obvious variations of how to respond to this:When it's a normal day. I'm GoodWhen we are struggling. I'm holding it togetherWhen we are in pain. Could be worseWhen we want to complain. Can't complain, wouldn't help anyway.Granted, the question itself is not designed for the long form answer, usually asked in passing, or on the go. It's largely just a courtesy at this point.But then, what if we aren't good?What if we aren't holding it together?What if it feels like it's gotten worse?And what if we need the time and space to complain, and be heard?Is anyone listening?Hi, my name is Ryan Guerra and this is a Father's Voice. And today I talk with Michael Lopez. Michael is someone I've had the pleasure of getting to know over the previous year. We had connected through a bible study at my church, and then also talked some about season 1 of this podcast and how it was helpful and encouraging for him. I knew some of his story, and I knew early on that I believed his story would bring value to father's lives everywhere, and I'm thankful he said yes to being interviewed.My vision for season 1 was about interviewing great fathers I knew and hearing how they became who they are. My vision for Season 2 is about interviewing father's who have come through hardship, and are still standing. This season is for the warriors, the heroes. This season is for the ones who took the challenge of fatherhood, and fought, and continue to fight, hard for their family.Michael has gone through it, and through the grace of God, still lives to tell his story today.My conversation with him today is a very dark one. We discuss in detail about his depression, his anger, and his plans for taking of his own life.But, every hero's journey has a redemption arc. And for Michael we discuss how at the brink of ending it all, God got ahold of his heart, reignited his passion for life, and started a long process of healing that birthed out the man who is a leader in my church and at his work, a compassionate individual, and a role model for men struggling with mental health issues everywhere.Michael is not shy about his struggles, and we go into vivid detail of them. I want to warn you that this conversation will get difficult to hear, but I'm proud and thankful that Michael shared his struggles with me, because along with hearing of his struggles, we get to experience his victories. Of which there are many.I am honored to have him on the show, and so I present to you, my conversation with Michael Lopez. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today's episode is a bit different.I invited Pastor Andrew Delgado onto the show with the intention of talking to him about how he ended up with 4 wonderful girls who all all adore him.What I got was an hour long conversation about redemption, surrender, and grace.Every episode I attempt to cut down to be a concise length and straightforward message.But today's episode I leave relatively unedited. Our conversation bounces around a lot, touching different subjects, but what is said is straight from the heart of one of the pastors of my church, and a man who I believe was put on this earth to be an example and lead men who didn't grow up with great father's.I don't want to take up any more time, So let's get to it. I present to you, my conversation with Pastor Andrew Delgado. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What's most important to us?is it our family?Is it our career?Our spirituality?Our word?Our legacy?Ask one hundred different people, and I'm sure you'd get similar answers.But watch 100 different people, and I'm positive you'd see many different ones.Because our words may say one thing, but our actions speak for itself.And as fathers, our kids do far more watching, than listening.It's rarely what fathers say, or give, but instead it's what fathers do which is remembered.Our actions, build our legacy.Hi, my name is Ryan Guerra and this is a Father's Voice. And today I talk with Jordan Parker. Jordan is a good friend, and a man I appreciate having in my life because he is a bit further down the road than I am. His kids and career are reflections of where I'd like to be in another 5-7 years. He's consistent, caring, and knowledgable, and I can tell by how his kids interact with him that he is a good father.Our conversation today takes a look at parenting as a long term process. One where the decisions we make today should have the future in mind, because what we choose to say, and how we choose to act, will continue cementing our legacy in our kids lives, and will help guide them as they grow from young kids, to teenagers, and then to adults.Jordan is typically a quieter person, not one for the spotlight. But when he speaks, I listen, because I have seen through our conversations that he carries a wisdom that comes from experience and learning.I am very excited to have him on the show, and I am honored to present to you, my conversation with Jordan parker. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On paper, having a child is easy.Two compatible people find one anotherthey have unprotected sexa few times maybethen 9 months later out comes a baby.It's a very natural thing.For some.But not for everyone.In the U.S. there are approximately 6.7 million people dealing with some form of infertility each year. That's 1 out of every 8 couples that are actively trying to have a baby.It turns out, having a child isn't that simple.Hi, my name is Ryan Guerra, and this is A Father's Voice. And today I talk with Chris Gwaltney about his story. Chris is one of my closest friends. We have laughed together, we have mourned together, and I have walked alongside him and his wife Ashley through their long process of trying to have a baby.Spoiler alert, they are the proud parents of a beautiful boy. But it was not easy getting to this point, and though they finally have their wonderful little miracle, there are still moments of struggle and moments of weakness.Every father runs into different issues with their families, and every dad experiences their own versions of the highest of highs, and the lowest of lows of parenting. All of our journeys look different, and yet there's a camaraderie that can happen when we open up and share what these moments look like. Chris is that person for me, and I am thankful he is in my life.Like episode 3, this is not an easy conversation to have. Most men don't want to relive these moments, but Chris is a rare breed of man. A man who is willing to share his family's experience to help us all learn and grow from it.I am honored he is entrusting me with his story. I present to you, my conversation with Chris Gwaltney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes a good father?What dictates whether we succeed or not?How can we know we are doing well?Is it affirmation from those around us?Confirmation in who we are?How our kids act in public?In episode 2 with Anthony Felix we discussed that largely, we cannot know if we are successful as a father until our kids grow up and start raising their own kids.So by this measure, as we become dads, we now have to look back and and come to terms with the good, and the painful of growing up with our fathers.Many things we didn't realize we were holding onto are brought to light in parenthood.Joyful moments of playing with our fathersGrowth moments where we learned valuable lessons, both from him and because of him.But also moments of pain and questioning, as we reflect through the deeper recesses of our memories, and come to terms with the fact that our dads are and were then just like us, human.Hi, my name is Ryan Guerra, and I am the host of A Father's Voice.Today I talk about this with one of my closest friends Rob Arauza, as we dissect this idea of looking back over our childhood as a whole, and learning from it, to be the best father's that we can be.If you look at Rob standing next to his dad you see the past and future from them both. It's uncanny how similar they appear. Both great dads. both care for their kids. Both value family.Rob's father checks all the boxes of a great man and father. He is a man who works hard, someone who fought to provide for his family, someone who fought to leave a legacy for his children.Simply put, he has done the best he could, and he did well.And yet still, when we look back there are these holes, because no dad is truly perfect. And so how do we, as adults, navigate these holes, while honoring our fathers, and yet still acknowledging that we needed something as a child we never got.This is a very difficult conversation to have. And I'm thankful Rob trusted me with it. Because we both respect his dad, and want to honor him through this conversation as we process what life was like growing up with one of the best.So let's get started. I am honored to present to you my conversation with Rob Arauza. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When is the last time you had to apologize for doing something wrong?Do you remember what it was? Do you remember how you felt?Was that apology genuine?Was it to your friend? Was it to your spouse or partner? Was it to your child?An apology is a powerful thing, but when used too much it can seem less genuine, when used too little it can seem like you care less than you should.Not to mention some people don't want apologiesSome times apologies aren't necessaryBut when used properly, saying I'm sorry, meaning it, and changing, can be an influential step towards deeper relationships.I am your host, Ryan Guerra, and this is a Father's Voice.This episode I talk with Anthony Felix about how one drawing made by his son opened his eyes to the type of man he was, and what he did to change. We discuss what things used to stress him out, and how finding margin within his life was a large part of the solution to many problems.Anthony is a good friend and an excellent father who I look to for great conversations and God honoring advice whenever we are able to sit down for a meal. He actively seeks out wisdom, and with it carries the patience to put the knowledge he gains into practice.I'm excited to have Anthony on the show with me today. This conversation is one I have sat with for a few weeks now, and I feel like each time I listen to it I get something new out of it. I believe when this is over, you will feel the same.So let's get started. I am excited to present to you my conversation with Anthony Felix. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Vulnerability.A word that carries such power. A word with so much meaning.Something many of us flee from or run towards.It's a word that can strike fear in our hearts,Or a word that can open doors to growth in many wonderful ways.But what does it look like to be vulnerable?I often hear that it's deeper than just talking about sports or the news. That it's more than the weather or what our kids are doing.Some of us think it makes us weakSome of us think it makes us strongSome of us don't even know how to be vulnerable to othersAnd Some of us don't want to, for fear of what it means, or the consequences of opening up to someone.I am your host, Ryan Guerra, and this is a Father's Voice.And today I talk with James Jones as we try and get a further understanding of what it means to be vulnerable. We discuss why it's important to him, how it's helped, and how he practices it in his life.James is a good friend and an excellent father who I believe emulates what being open and emotionally available with his children looks like. He has a spirit about him of someone who is comfortable with who he is, and he's never been afraid to have vulnerable conversations with me and other men around him.I'm excited to have James on the show with me today, and I think this conversation with him sets a perfect foundation of everything that's discussed in future episodes.So let's get started. I am excited to present to you my conversation with James Jones. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part 0 of a Six Episode Podcast for Fathers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.