23. Divorced Dad and Stepdad, Modeling Healthy Masculinity with Josh Cearbaugh
Divorce can tear families apart, or it can be the start of something new. For Josh Cearbaugh, father of five in a blended family, it was both.
In this episode, I sit down with Josh Cearbaugh, a father of five in a blended family with kids ages 7 through 16. Josh has walked through addiction, divorce, and the painful work of rebuilding trust. What I love about his story is how real it is. He doesn’t sugarcoat the devastation kids feel when a marriage ends, or how long it takes to earn trust as a stepdad. He shares why patience, humility, and emotional honesty matter more than “my house, my rules.”
We talk about the messy realities of co-parenting, the small battles like different household rules that can unravel families, and how he and his ex protected their kids by refusing to put them in the middle. Josh also opens up about modeling healthy masculinity, teaching his boys that vulnerability is strength, and showing his daughters they never have to settle for less than they deserve.
In this episode, we explore:
How divorce impacts kids and what helps them feel safe
Why blended families require patience and flexibility
The long road to trust as a stepdad
Healthy masculinity and what it looks like at home
How dads can model emotional intelligence for both sons and daughters
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame: https://amzn.to/4gv9sY9
Big Little feelings: https://biglittlefeelings.com/?srsltid=AfmBOoplbvWnHz0ecR3h83gIQRnS7Zh-OE_YTstz0LDvXrdTdy6tkiG2
Watch the Full Episode
Josh Cearbaugh is a life coach and advocate for men’s personal development based in San Marcos, TX. He’s the founder of Cearbaugh Consulting, helping men break internal barriers to reach their full potential. Josh also hosts the Multifaceted Masculinity Podcast, where he dives into topics like healthy masculinity, emotional intelligence, vulnerability, and personal growth.
He’s a husband and father of five (2 boys & 3 girls — ages 7, 10, 10, 13, and 16). His family life fuels his work in helping men show up more fully for themselves and their families.
🌐 Website: joshcearbaugh.com
🎙 Podcast: Multifaceted Masculinity
📸 Instagram: @joshcearbaugh
Joe Carr is an entrepreneur, advocate, and passionate educator on fatherhood and partnership. Driven by a desire to provide high-quality, nutrient-dense baby food for his daughter Della, Joe and his wife founded Serenity Kids baby food brand after experiencing their own health transformations through clean eating. Now, alongside his work in revolutionizing baby nutrition, Joe is on a mission to help new dads navigate the transformational journey of fatherhood. Through his podcast and social media platform Dadicated Joe, he shares real, honest conversations about showing up for your children, supporting your partner, and embracing the identity shift that comes with becoming a dad.
👉 Get 15% off your first Serenity Kids order with code: DADICATED15 https://myserenitykids.com/
