As fathers, we strive to be role models, providers, and guides for our children, but the truth is, we all stumble along the way. Failure—whether it’s a personal misstep, a parenting oversight, or a professional setback—is an inevitable part of life. In a recent episode of the Call with Dads podcast, hosts E.A. Maynard, Mr. Pancakes, and Tom dove into the topic of failure, sharing candid stories of their own struggles and how they’ve used those experiences to grow as men and fathers. Drawing inspiration from the 90s sitcom Home Improvement, they explored how embracing failure can lead to resilience, wisdom, and better parenting. Here’s what every dad can take away from their conversation.

Failure often carries a stigma, but the Call with Dads hosts see it differently. E.A. Maynard opened up about his challenging past, including two periods of homelessness. “I’ve screwed up so badly,” he admitted, “but I’ve rebuilt, lost, rebuilt, and I’m fine.” His journey underscores a powerful truth: failure doesn’t define you—it’s what you do afterward that matters. Mr. Pancakes, a military veteran, echoed this sentiment, explaining how the military views failure as a critical learning tool. “You have to fail,” he said. “That’s why we trained over and over. Failures are supposed to be there.” In the military, exercises are designed to expose weaknesses, allowing teams to analyze and improve. Tom, a firefighter, added a philosophical twist: “The only failure is staying at the bottom. Any individual failure fails in comparison to the scope of the entirety of the human life.”

One of the most powerful tools for overcoming failure is surrounding yourself with the right people. Mr. Pancakes credited his military network for helping him through tough times. “You have people from all walks of life… sergeants, lieutenants, captains who’ve been where you are,” he said. This mentorship provided guidance and perspective, helping him turn failures into stepping stones.Tom, drawing from his experience in the fire service, agreed. “Experience is highly valued in those types of communities,” he noted, emphasizing how mentors who’ve “been there, done that” can offer sage advice. This principle applies to parenting, too. By surrounding your kids with positive role models—whether family, friends, or community members—you create a support system that helps them navigate their own failures.

One of the hosts’ most poignant discussions was about breaking negative cycles. Mr. Pancakes shared how he ignored his parents’ advice to settle down young, instead chasing “worldly experiences” that led to regrets. “I know it’s wrong because I did it,” he said, determined to guide his daughter differently. But he acknowledged the challenge: “If I tell my daughter that, she’s gonna do exactly what I did.” Tom suggested leading by example, quoting motivational speaker Jim Rohn: “You could drive over to the wrong side of town and show [your kids] where people who make those types of decisions end up.” The hosts agreed that kids watch what you do more than they listen to what you say. E.A. Maynard shared how he explains his mistakes to his son, hoping to steer him toward better choices. “I want you to be better because I made these mistakes,” he tells his seven-year-old.

A recurring theme in the podcast was the importance of controlling the influences around your children. Mr. Pancakes shared a parenting failure that hit home: he and his wife allowed their daughter to play at a friend’s house, assuming she was safe, only to discover she’d watched unapproved Disney movies. “We let the reins a little loose,” he admitted, realizing they should’ve checked in more often. This experience taught him to be more vigilant about media exposure.E.A. Maynard echoed this, describing how he limits his kids’ TV time and carefully selects who they spend time with. “The people you allow around you, the things you hear, the things you watch—they matter,” he said. He even caught his mother putting on Cocomelon for his daughter, a show he doesn’t allow, reinforcing the need to communicate boundaries clearly.

The hosts’ nonprofit work with the American Liberty Foundation and their podcast reflects their commitment to turning personal failures into positive impact. Mr. Pancakes highlighted the foundation’s mission to rebuild American culture, noting, “America’s number one in divorce, sex crimes, pornography consumption… We should be number one in education.” By sharing their stories and lessons, they aim to help other dads and families avoid similar pitfalls.E.A. Maynard repurposed a failed podcast project into a homeschooling co-op for his kids, proving that setbacks can lead to new opportunities. Tom, in a lighthearted nod to Home Improvement, created a “Wilson GPT” to offer parenting advice, demonstrating how technology can amplify their efforts to guide others.

Final Thoughts from Wilson (Sort Of)

In a fitting close, Tom shared a response from his Wilson GPT, crafted to sound like the wise neighbor from Home Improvement: “You didn’t fail. You trusted, you learned, and now you grow from it. That’s parenting.” This encapsulates the episode’s core message: failure is part of the journey, but it’s how you respond that defines you as a dad.

Where to Connect:

  • Tom: Find him on X (@EarnerRespect) or at marriage-material.com for family-oriented merchandise.
  • Mr. Pancakes: Follow him on Facebook, Instagram, X, Truth Social, or LinkedIn as PancakesWithDad, and visit pancakeswithyourdad.com or american-liberty-foundation.org for more on his nonprofit work.
  • Call with Dads: Check out callwithdads.com for podcast episodes on YouTube, Rumble, and other platforms. Reach out with questions or to request the podcast on your favorite player.

As dads, we’ll never be perfect, but we can be present, learn from our mistakes, and guide our kids with intention. Failure isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of growth. So, wipe the mud off your face, keep going, and show your kids how to do the same.

Listen to the full episode at callwithdads.com and share your own stories of learning from failure in the comments!

https://callwithdads.com/learning-from-failure-turning-setbacks-into-strengths-for-dads