Fatherhood with a Twist: Thriving as a Dad, Stepfather and Business Partner with Joseph Davis Bliss and Alana Bliss

Subscribe and Listen Now All right, fellas. Today’s episode is a special one with a bit of a twist. First, I’m joined by an amazing husband and his loving wife, who just happen to have a pretty crazy love story. You will literally hear the love and respect they have for each other. Not just as business partners but how they are thriving as a blended family and how they handled the co-parenting situation early on, which most step-parents will tell you can be very tricky. For context: When Joseph came into the picture, Alana was already married with 3 kids, and they all worked together (including Alana’s now ex-husband) in Costa Rica. I won’t spoil the rest. You’ll have to hear it for yourself. Here are a few things you need to know about them. Joseph Davis Bliss is the Founder of Dads Here Now, where he offers coaching and mentorship to like-minded dads who want to show up as their best selves for their families. This is very much in line with what we’re doing here at Front Row Dads. Alana Bliss has been a certified Permaculture designer and teacher for nearly 20 years. Together, they are creating an eco-village and community designed around sustainable multifamily neighborhoods which is pretty awesome. I’ll simply tee up the episode by saying: How they handled the beginning stages of their relationship is really beautiful. And what they’re doing together as eco-friendly business partners is equally amazing. And when you hear Joseph talk about not being able to tell her kids “Because I said so” and how he’s earned their respect, it’s pretty incredible. In our conversation, you’ll learn:

• The incredible story of how they met in Costa Rica and how Joseph became a stepfather and role model to Alana’s kids.
• The importance of showing your kids what a present and loving relationship looks like.
• How to disarm personal conflicts in a loving and supportive manner.
• How Joseph earned the respect of Alana’s kids as a new parent and stepfather.

Here are my favorite moments from our conversation:

• How they met in Costa Rica
• Resolving conflict with love, respect and communication
• What allows an eco-village to thrive
• Embracing the flaws of our loved ones.
• Success in business is meaningless if it comes at the cost of our family’s well-being.
• Why fathers should stop saying “because I said so.”
• Establishing boundaries and earning respect as a stepfather.

“I realized how petty a lot of the things we fight about are, and how it’s not just worth it, because you never know when someone’s last day is.” - Alana Bliss Share on X “When people are attacking you or saying things that can cause pain, you have to remember that most of that is not even about you. Everyone has a different way of processing their pain.” - Joseph Davis Bliss Share on X “I couldn't ever just say ‘because I said so.’ If every biological father also stopped saying that they'd find a lot more success in their life and their parenting life.” - Joseph Davis Bliss Share on X “If you can't accept someone for where they’re at, then you might as well not be in a relationship because you have to accept people for who they are.” - Alana Bliss Share on X

Joseph Davis Bliss and Alana Bliss Links & Other Resources

• Dad’s Here Now
• Follow Joseph Davis Bliss on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
• Follow Alana Bliss on Instagram | Facebook
• Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz

Joseph Davis Bliss and Alana Bliss Bio

Joseph Davis Bliss is a father of 5 and has been an entrepreneur and business owner for over 8 years. He’s dedicated to his family in a way that has brought himself and others prosperity at home and success in achieving more profound and meaningful family relationships. Alana Bliss has been a certified Permaculture designer and teacher for nearly 20 years. Alana and Joseph met in Costa Rica, where they lived on a regenerative land project, taught internships and workshops, and facilitated a volunteer program with people worldwide for several years. They operated an ecological design business in Minneapolis, MN, for about 4 years and had two kids together. Since then, they have moved to TN and are planning an ecological neighborhood and developing the legal structure of that community-oriented land project. Want to learn more about Front Row Dads?  We are in the business of building better families. While most dads would say that family matters most, the challenge is they feel guilty knowing their careers get the best of them, and their family seems to get the rest of them. We help Dads become family men with businesses, not businessmen who have families, so they can thrive personally AND professionally. Subscribe to the Front Row Dad podcast to learn about fatherhood, marriage and how to level up your game at home, or if you’re ready for the best coaching and true brothers to grow with, Join The Brotherhood. Are you getting all the shows? Subscribe today! Want to leave a review? THANK YOU! https://FrontRowDads.com/review If you would like a transcript of the show please email info@frontrowdads.com