In this heartfelt episode of Burning the Ships, I’m sharing the story of a life-changing father-daughter retreat that Emma and I took to Utah. From conquering cross-country travel anxiety to bonding over unexpected adventures in Las Vegas and the red rock deserts of St. George, I reflect on what it means to lead, love, and learn as a father.
This isn’t just about a trip—it’s about intentionally creating moments that bring you closer, stretch your comfort zone, and build lifelong connections.
Whether you’re a parent, a mentor, or simply someone looking to deepen your relationships, this episode is a reminder that courage, curiosity, and connection can change everything.
Key Talking Points of the Episode
00:00 Introduction
03:10 JJ’s Joke of the Week
04:49 The Dad Edge
06:51 Pushing through Emma’s anxiety about new people and places
11:59 Landing in Vegas and hitting the ground running
15:34 Cirque du Soleil + unexpected fine dining surprise
20:51 Driving to Utah: Red rock, open skies, and new perspectives
22:43 Emma’s transformation from nervous to the heart of the group
25:43 ATV riding in the desert—top 10 life experience
27:26 The highlight of the trip: Leading a living room singalong with 20 strangers
31:30 Teaching kids to lean into fear and become leaders
35:20 Parenting pivot: Letting kids learn through experience
38:22 Creating family core values on the ride home
41:58 Why every parent should plan a 1-on-1 trip like this
Quotables
“She leaned into the fear and just said, I’m going to be courageous. And she lit up the room.”
“We’re going to approach life with a good attitude, treat it as an adventure, and figure stuff out.”
“If I use everything she does—even the good stuff—as a chance to teach, she’ll start to feel like nothing is ever good enough.”
Links
608B Capital
