Fatherhood Fables

Join us on Fatherhood Fables for an intimate and inspiring conversation with my dear friend David Noroña. Listen in as we journey through David’s transformation from actor (“Jack Ryan,” “Designated Survivor,” “One Tree Hill,” “The Mentalist”) to educator and co-founder of the Bethel Conservatory of the Arts. With a mix of humor and wisdom, David opens up about his experience raising four children, ranging from a lively five-year-old to three teenagers, and celebrating over a quarter-century of marriage. We touch on the magic of storytelling, and David shares a powerful exercise that identifies the ‘title’ of one’s life story, which, for him, encapsulates the essence of being a ‘creative father fathering creatives.’ This profound concept shapes our discussion, highlighting the significant role storytelling plays in both our personal and professional lives.

As we explore the complex terrain of modern fatherhood, we tackle the trials and triumphs of parenting teenagers, discussing how to adapt our parenting approaches as our children assert their independence. Embracing the challenges, we talk about maintaining a strong marriage partnership, dealing with the rebellion, and the delicate balance required to nurture yet discipline as our kids mature. This heart-to-heart is an essential listen for any parent navigating the ever-changing landscape of raising children, reminding us of the lasting impact we have on shaping future generations.

In this episode, Ryan discusses the origin story of the Fatherhood Fables podcast with his friend Michael Buss. Ryan shares his personal journey, from working long hours in the film industry to facing personal challenges that brought him to a season of burnout. He also share’s how he was fathered by God through that season, and that when you let God “give pain a purpose” he can birth beautiful things in our lives. The aim of launching this podcast is to emphasizes the crucial role fathers play in shaping future generations, and to strengthen families through these conversations and stories of "strong fathers."