In this episode, Larry and Uncle Joe are back for another live Q&A with real men from the Dad Edge Alliance bringing their real questions. This one goes deep — and fast.
The first question comes from a man walking through divorce he didn't want, trying to reconcile his faith with a marriage that's falling apart. Joe has lived this exact story — fasting, praying, sleeping in a separate bedroom for 18 months, doing everything he could — and speaks into it with the kind of wisdom that only comes from having actually been there. Larry adds his own perspective, including the heartbreaking story of losing a son to trisomy 13, and what he learned about God's ability to redeem even the worst seasons of life.
The second question comes from Shepherd — a man who is newly divorced, in a new relationship seven months in with a wonderful woman of faith, but feeling the friction of competing priorities: his kids, her desire to be put first, a potential reverse vasectomy, and the nagging question of whether this is really the right person. Joe and Larry both weigh in with hard, loving, and deeply honest answers — including Joe's own cautionary tale about getting into a relationship too fast after a divorce, and the painful price his kids paid because of it.
This is one of those Q&A episodes where every man in the audience will see himself in at least one of these questions.
Timeline Summary
[0:00] Introduction to the Dad Edge mission and the movement to raise leaders of families and communities
[1:02] Welcome to the Q&A — and a quick shoutout to the new Dad Edge shop
[2:15] Question 1 — Anonymous: I'm a Christian going through a divorce I didn't want. My wife is a strong believer too. I need guidance.
[2:34] Joe's answer: his own experience going through divorce as a believer, sleeping in a separate bedroom for 18 months, and what he learned
[4:10] Being a follower of Christ and being a mature follower of Christ are two completely different things
[5:37] Seeking the one with your two — how Joe and Ivy operate their marriage around loyalty to Christ first
[6:50] The A plus B equals C equation with God — and why that theology will wreck you
[7:37] What Joe would do differently: stop panicking, stop pushing, and focus on maturing as a man
[10:01] Larry's perspective: it's okay to be angry with God — Father Stephen Gadberry on The Sean Ryan Show
[13:11] God removes things we think are good for us — and sometimes this is a preparation for something better
[14:39] Larry's story: losing a son to trisomy 13 in 2014, the decision to keep the baby, and the stillbirth at 22 weeks
[17:33] Standing in that bathroom, looking up, and asking God why — and what came out of that season
[18:00] Joe's response: our father redeems everything — even the worst stuff
[19:39] Joe's own three marriages — and how God used all of it
[20:08] Living a life you don't deserve — Joe's reflection on grace, mercy, and what he gets to enjoy today
[21:28] Joe shares a personal health challenge he's currently walking through — and why his mercies being new every morning is not just a saying
[23:21] Question 2 — Shepherd: I'm seven months into a new relationship after divorce. She wants to be put first over my kids. I'm at a crossroads.
[28:13] Joe's answer: she doesn't have kids, so there's a disconnect — and until there's a covenant, your kids come first
[29:58] The conversation you need to have now — not after you say I do
[31:09] How Joe met Ivy — determined never to remarry, then God showed up anyway
[32:23] Larry's take: know your non-negotiables before you go further — and be honest about what they are
[35:08] This is what you signed up for — and if you love me, this is the way it's going to be
[36:17] Joe's red flags: she's pushing for the covenant before it's time, and the reverse vasectomy conversation deserves serious prayer
[37:18] Joe's cautionary tale: getting into a relationship too fast after divorce — and the price his kids paid
[40:11] His kids paid a high price for his lack of wisdom — proceed with caution, pray first
[41:04] There's wisdom in many counselors — and the value of having brothers who aren't afraid to call out your blind spots
Five Key Takeaways
Links & Resources
Closing
If there's one message from this episode that stands out, it's this: God redeems everything — even the stuff that feels like it's destroying you right now.
Joe went through divorce as a believer, three times, watching his kids pay a price for his lack of wisdom. Larry stood in a bathroom watching his son be born still, looking up and asking why. And both of them are sitting here today telling you it gets better — not because life got easier, but because God's mercies are new every morning and all things really does mean all things.
If you're in a dark season right now, don't go through it alone. Lean into the brothers around you and let them speak into your blind spots.
Go out and live legendary.
