Evan Sanchez: How "I Was Afraid of You" Changed Everything About My Parenting

Ever wonder how to create the kind of psychological safety where your kids genuinely feel comfortable coming to you with anything? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Evan Sanchez, a father who discovered his daughter was neurodivergent in college and transformed his deepest parenting regrets into his greatest strengths.

Evan shares his honest journey from reactive dad to intentional father, including:

• Why his daughter's confession "I was afraid of you because you'd always get so angry" became his wake-up call
• The surprising connection between taking care of yourself and creating psychological safety for your kids
• How understanding neurodivergence changed everything about his approach to parenting
• The unexpected power of asking "what" and "how" questions instead of giving advice

Plus, Evan reveals his game-changing approach to showing up calmly for your children, even when life feels completely overwhelming.

Key takeaways:
• The "put on your own mask first" mindset shift that can transform your entire family dynamic
• Why creating psychological safety isn't just touchy-feely—it's essential for strong relationships
• How to support your kids' interests even when they're completely different from your own
• The power of giving yourself grace while still committing to growth as a father

Evan Sanchez is the creator of New Grad Launchpad, helping parents show up meaningfully for their adult children. As a father of two college students—including a neurodivergent daughter—he's learned firsthand how self-care and emotional regulation create the foundation for strong parent-child relationships.

Whether you're struggling with your own emotional reactions or wondering how to better support a neurodivergent child, this episode will challenge you to see that being present doesn't require perfection—it just requires showing up consistently with calmness and intention.

Ready to become the psychologically safe dad your kids need? Let's explore how taking care of yourself first creates the space for extraordinary fatherhood!

Evan Sanchez Links:
• https://newgradlaunchpadcoaching.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanssanchez

Time Stamps:
• 00:00:00 - Evan's heartbreaking realization: "I was afraid of you"
• 00:05:47 - The hat story: Honoring grandfather and beloved dog Harvey
• 00:12:17 - Discovering neurodivergence: When everything finally made sense
• 00:24:34 - The comparison trap: Why we judge ourselves and others
• 00:36:51 - Creating psychological safety: Lessons from business and parenting
• 00:45:18 - Evan's essential advice for overwhelmed dads