What does it mean to be a “legendary” father—especially when you’re navigating divorce, co-parenting, and the daily pressures of work and life?

In this episode of Coparenting Beyond Conflict, Sol interviews Larry Hagner, host of the Dad Edge podcast and author of The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood. Larry shares practical insights on what children truly need from their fathers: presence, emotional safety, and the willingness to repair after mistakes.

Larry explains why great parenting is a learnable skill, how staying together “for the kids” can sometimes do more harm than good, and why children often see us in a far more forgiving light than we see ourselves. He also offers concrete tools for becoming more present with your children, regulating your emotions during conflict, and communicating more effectively with both partners and co-parents.

Whether you’re a divorced dad carrying guilt, a parent struggling to stay calm under stress, or anyone who wants to create a more peaceful home, this conversation is full of compassionate and practical guidance.

Learn more about Larry Hagner and The Dad Edge: https://thedadedge.com/

Get Larry's book, The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood: https://thedadedge.com/legendary-fatherhood-book

Get the BestInterest Coparenting App: https://bestinterest.app/

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yY2JEqn0ses

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Keywords

legendary fatherhood, divorced dads, co-parenting, emotional regulation, presence, fatherhood skills, repair, psychological safety, parenting after divorce, conflict resolution, The Experience Cube, effective communication, parenting guilt, emotional safety, Dad Edge

Key Takeaways

• Children often see their parents more compassionately than parents see themselves.
• Great fatherhood is not innate—it is a skill that can be learned and strengthened.
• Repair after mistakes is one of the most important ways to build trust with children.
• Staying together “for the kids” is not always healthiest if the relationship is toxic.
• Kids spell love as T-I-M-E.
• Presence can be cultivated by fully engaging your senses in the moment.
• Conflict improves when you focus on what you want, rather than what you don’t want.
• Unspoken expectations are a major source of resentment.
• A peaceful home environment supports both parents and children.
• The quality of your life depends on the quality of the questions you ask yourself.

Chapter Highlights

00:00 – Introducing Larry Hagner and Legendary Fatherhood
01:11 – Why Your Kids See You Better Than You See Yourself
04:47 – Should Parents Stay Together for the Kids?
07:45 – Fatherhood as a Learnable Skill
11:39 – The Power of Repair
13:20 – Work Stress and Being Present with Your Kids
19:19 – Navigating Conflict and Emotional Triggers
21:57 – The Experience Cube Communication Tool
26:41 – Why Speaking Up Matters
27:04 – Creating Psychological Safety for Kids
27:58 – One Message for Parents Feeling Defeated
29:08 – Where to Find Larry Hagner

What if your co-parent’s toxic messages never even reached you? Thousands of parents are already finding peace with the BestInterest Coparenting App. As a listener, you can too. Claim 40% off an annual subscription here: https://bestinterest.app/beyond