{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Raising Men","title":"Battles Before the Battlefield: Aaron Blaine on Becoming the Father He Never Had","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":4818,"description":"Retired Green Beret and Wild Ops Box founder Aaron Blaine joins Raising Men to talk about the battles he faced long before combat — growing up fatherless, angry, and adrift — and how pain, discipline, and purpose forged him into the man and father he is today. In this conversation, Aaron and Shaun unpack lessons from military life, the transition back home, and the inner healing that led to his mission of helping fathers and sons reconnect through Wild Ops Box. From men’s circles and emotional breakthroughs to teaching his kids the power of boundaries, Aaron shows that leadership at home begins with self-awareness and serviceKey TakeawaysPain can be a catalyst for growth — our response determines whether it breaks us or builds us.Kids mirror our emotions — a calm home starts with calm parents.Boundaries are love — saying no teaches children self-respect and limits.Connection needs structure — rituals, shared experiences, and written family values keep a home aligned.Service above self — true masculinity means protecting, guiding, and serving before leading.Pull Quotes“You get to choose what it does to you. You get to choose how you react — that’s an active choice that can propel you forward.”“We make vows to our wives, but maybe we should make vows to our kids — that’s the most permanent relationship we’ll ever have.”“Discipline without direction is just control — but discipline with purpose changes lives.“Kids don’t care what we say; it’s what they see and feel us do that really matters.”Timestamps / Chapter Markers00:00 — Leading From the Front at HomeWhy allowing kids to shape the vision of the household builds accountability and leadership.00:31 — From Fatherless to Green BeretAaron Blaine’s early life, losing his father, and the path that shaped his resilience.02:03 — Trauma as a Catalyst for GrowthHow pain, loss, and chaos became fuel instead of a life sentence.05:57 — Choosing Growth Over DestructionWhy adversity can either break you—or make you...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/2uuITx2j-lZJp2iIhjw55xbaGtfwoyDcHPS-ELTBlxA/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9mZmQ1/ZGM3MjJkNTdmODY0/MjE0MmYyYWQzMDE0/ZDhiMi5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}