Ep 13: Leadership Starts at Home

In this episode, parenting isn’t treated as a formula. It’s revealed as a series of choices.  

Dr. Miles Mettler shares how his journey through health and behavioral sciences, leadership, and faith led to a powerful realization: you can react out of instinct or you can respond with intention – and that choice shapes everything in your home. If you want to bring out the best in your kids, it starts with bringing out the best in yourself. 

From growing up on a South Dakota farm to serving with Focus on the Family, Miles unpacks the real work of parenting: owning mistakes, building trust, and choosing thoughtful responses over automatic reactions. It’s in those small, everyday moments – the tone you use, whether you pause to listen, whether you admit when you’re wrong – where the trajectory of a family is formed. 

What you’ll hear in the episode: 

• Why success at work can mask failure at home 

• The moment that changed how he chose to express love to his kids 

• How small decisions shape long-term trust and communication 

• The impact of reacting critically vs. responding with grace 

• The shift from talking more → to truly listening 

• Why letting kids fail (at the right time) builds maturity 

• The role of apology in restoring connection and credibility 

• How faith was modeled through consistency, not just conversation 

• How parenting evolves over time – and what that means for grandparents 

This episode is a reminder that parenting isn’t about perfection. It’s about choosing wisely in the moments that matter most. You can try to control outcomes or you can lead with intention, humility, and trust – and that decision can change everything. 

Featuring: Dr. Miles Mettler 

Role: Focus on the Family Ambassador