As fathers, we’re tasked with a mission that’s both daunting and deeply rewarding: guiding our kids through a world filled with influences—some good, some not so much. In a candid and heartfelt podcast discussion titled *A Father’s Job: Clearing out the Bad* (recorded August 5, 2025), hosts E.a. Maynard, Mr. Pancakes, and Tom (aka EarnHerRespect) dive into the challenges of modern fatherhood. They share practical wisdom on shielding kids from harmful societal influences while instilling resilience, healthy habits, and positive values. Using a powerful metaphor of diluting dirty water with clean, they explore how dads can protect their children’s minds and bodies from the “bad stuff” and fill them with the good. Here’s what every dad can take away from their conversation.
The Dirty Water Metaphor: Filtering Out the Bad
E.a. Maynard introduces a vivid analogy to describe a father’s role: imagine your child’s mind as a cup of clear water. Every negative influence—whether it’s a questionable TV show, an unhealthy meal, or a toxic cultural message—adds a drop of “coffee” that clouds the water. As dads, our job is to pour in “clean water”—positive values, real education, and healthy habits—to dilute or flush out the bad.
For Mr. Pancakes, this means carefully curating what his kids are exposed to. He recounts switching his son’s YouTube viewing from mythology and cryptid videos, which sparked fear, to nature-focused, educational content. “I explained to him that I changed his videos to be strictly nature, central, and educational,” Mr. Pancakes says. “Those are my way of pouring back in information that’s real and based in reality.” This approach isn’t about sheltering kids but about grounding them in truth and positivity to counteract the noise of the world.
Takeaway for Dads: Be intentional about what your kids consume—media, food, or ideas. Regularly assess their “diet” of influences and replace harmful ones with content that builds character and knowledge. For example, swap out fear-inducing videos for documentaries or shows that spark curiosity and growth.
Teaching Resilience Through Life’s Unfair Moments
One of the most poignant moments in the discussion comes when E.a. Maynard shares a story about his son at a carnival. Playing a water-gun game, his son hit the target as fast as or faster than another child, but the prize went to the other kid, likely due to the game operator’s bias toward a Spanish-speaking family. Instead of confronting the operator, Mr. Pancakes used the moment to teach his son a tough but vital lesson: “Life isn’t always fair. You’re going to lose sometimes—if it’s your fault or not.” He explained to his son, “It sucks, but it’s life. You have to deal with people making choices that don’t always agree with you.”
This story resonates with any dad who’s watched their child face disappointment. Tom adds that such experiences are “rich” for building character, offering kids insight into human nature and the value of humility. Mr. Pancakes (the co-host) emphasizes balance: teaching kids to stand up for themselves when it matters but also to “take it on the chin” in smaller moments, preparing them for life’s ups and downs.
Takeaway for Dads: Use life’s unfair moments as teaching opportunities. Help your kids process disappointment by discussing what happened, why, and how to move forward with grace. This builds resilience and prevents them from growing up entitled or fragile.
Battling the Bad in Food and Media
The conversation takes a sharp turn toward health, with the dads railing against societal pressures that normalize unhealthy lifestyles. They criticize processed foods like sugary cereals, which they argue have been falsely marketed as healthy for decades. Mr. Pancakes (co-host) shares how he eats eight eggs daily, defying outdated cholesterol myths, and has seen his blood pressure and health improve. “My doctor’s like, ‘Cholesterol is fine, everything’s good,’” he says, contrasting this with the harm of processed foods like Cheerios.
They also tackle media, expressing frustration with shows like *Pinkalicious* introducing themes they feel are inappropriate for young kids, such as a gay couple in a way that felt forced. E.a. Maynard skips ads and avoids services with commercials for his kids, saying, “If I see an advertisement for anything, my kids don’t have it.” They argue that society’s push for inclusivity sometimes comes at the cost of promoting unhealthy or confusing messages, like glorifying obesity or overemphasizing certain identities.
Takeaway for Dads: Take control of your family’s health and media exposure. Opt for whole foods—eggs, meats, homemade meals—over processed junk. Render tallow or use coconut oil instead of seed oils, and consider cost-saving measures like cloth diapers. For media, preview content and prioritize shows or books that align with your values, like daily Bible devotions or family discussions about positive books.
Leading by Example: Pouring in the Good
Tom emphasizes leading by example, whether it’s eating healthy, reading devotions with his daughters, or fostering open conversations at family dinners. “We sit and talk about stuff, talk about positive things. What did you do today? How was your day?” he says. These small traditions—reading together, eating together, discussing the day—pour “clean water” into kids’ lives, counteracting negative influences. Mr. Pancakes (co-host) adds that his family avoids processed baby food, feeding their daughter real food, which saves money and keeps her healthier. “She doesn’t get sick with common colds like everyone in her class,” he notes.
The dads also stress the importance of staying vigilant, likening it to tending a garden. Tom references a book analogy about pulling weeds (negative influences) from your child’s mind and planting “fruit-bearing seeds” (positive values). “You have to make sure you’re pulling anything you realize is a weed and throwing it out,” he says. This vigilance extends to countering mainstream narratives, like those pushing processed foods or divisive ideologies, by instilling traditional values and critical thinking.
Takeaway for Dads: Lead by example in your actions and choices. Create routines like family dinners or bedtime devotions to instill positive habits and values. Stay proactive in learning about health and culture, and teach your kids to question mainstream narratives while grounding them in reality-based, positive principles.
Embracing the Hard Stuff for Stronger Kids
The dads agree that shielding kids from all hardship creates weak adults. E.a. Maynard reflects on his own tough times, like sleeping on a friend’s couch to avoid moving back with his mom, which built resilience. “Letting your kids deal with hardships at times isn’t always crap,” he says. “A kid not having any hard times makes them less resilient.” They cite the cycle of “strong men create good times, good times create weak men, weak men create bad times, bad times create strong men” to underscore the need for balance.
Tom adds a philosophical note from Modest Mouse: “If it takes shit to make bliss, then I feel pretty blissfully.” Small struggles, like losing a carnival prize, make triumphs sweeter and prepare kids for life’s challenges. Mr. Pancakes (co-host) warns against raising “weak, woke, purple-haired creeps” who crumble without parental intervention, advocating for teaching strength and accountability instead.
Takeaway for Dads: Don’t shield your kids from every challenge. Let them face small setbacks to build character, but balance these with love and guidance. Teach them accountability for their actions—whether it’s diet, behavior, or beliefs—to prepare them for adulthood.
Final Thoughts: Be the Filter for Your Kids
Being a dad in 2025 means being a filter in a world overflowing with “dirty water.” Mr. Pancakes, Tom, and E.a. Maynard remind us that our job is to protect our kids from harmful influences—whether it’s sugary cereals, divisive media, or unfair moments—while pouring in the good: healthy food, strong values, and resilience. It’s not about creating a perfect, clear cup of water but about ensuring the good outweighs the bad. As Mr. Pancakes puts it, “Every time something bad goes in, two things positive go in also.”
So, dads, take stock of what’s filling your kids’ cups. Swap out junk food for real meals, questionable shows for educational content, and entitlement for humility. Lead by example, stay vigilant, and embrace the messy, rewarding work of raising strong, grounded kids. Your efforts today will shape the men and women they become tomorrow.
Want to dive deeper? Check out the full podcast episode for more stories and insights from Mr. Pancakes, Tom, and E.a. Maynard on navigating fatherhood in today’s world.
