From Hot Mess to Monetized: My 2.5-Year YouTube Journey and the Lessons Every Dad Needs to Share His God-Given Talents
Nov 06, 2025
Hey there, fellow dad. If you're reading this, chances are you're like me—a guy who's been grinding through the daily hustle of family life, work, and faith, all while feeling that pull to put something bigger out into the world. Maybe you've got stories from your career, wisdom from raising kids, or insights from your walk with God that you know could light a fire under another dad out there. But starting? Sharing? Putting yourself on camera? It feels daunting, right? Well, pull up a chair, because I'm about to lay it all out for you.
My name is Ryan Fields-Spack, a former fire captain and paramedic who's traded sirens for scripts and now focuses on helping dads like us level up in faith, family, and finances. As of right now, in late 2025, I've officially hit that YouTube monetization milestone on my channel. It took me two and a half years—starting back in March 2023 with a video that was, let's be honest, a total hot mess. Picture this: awkward lighting, a shaky phone setup, and me rambling like I was talking to an empty room (which I basically was). Fast forward to today, and I've got over 1,700 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours under my belt. It's not about raking in cash from ads—though that's a nice perk—it's about the impact, the legacy, and using the platform God gave us to teach and inspire our peers.
If you're a dad staring at that "Record" button, wondering if your voice matters in a sea of influencers, this blog is for you. I'm not here to sell you a course or hype up overnight success. Instead, I'll share the five hard-earned lessons from my journey that can help you showcase your God-given talents and teach fellow dads who are walking a similar path. These aren't just tips; they're the roadmap I wish I'd had when I started. Let's dive in.
Lesson 1: Don't Chase the Audience—Document Your Life for Legacy and Growth
Listen, dad: when you first hit "upload," nobody's watching. And that's a good thing. I kicked off my channel with zero expectations of going viral. My debut video? It was me fumbling through thoughts on life as a paramedic dad, with bad audio and worse editing. But here's the key: I wasn't doing it for likes or views. I was documenting the passions, achievements, and lessons God had woven into my life.
Think about it—why has the Lord equipped you with your unique experiences? As a former first responder, I've seen chaos and calm, life and loss. You've got your own battles and victories: maybe it's mastering a trade, navigating marriage through tough seasons, or guiding your kids toward faith. Turn on the camera and capture it. Not for the algorithm, but for yourself, your growth, and your family.
In our tech-driven world, these videos become a digital time capsule. One day, your kids or grandkids might pull them up to see Grandpa's fire in his eyes as he talked about stewardship or resilience. God forbid we leave too soon, but imagine the gift of your voice echoing through generations. And practically? Recording forces you to refine your thoughts, build confidence, and get comfortable on camera. I went from that shaky first take to speaking with ease because I treated it like a journal, not a performance.
So, if you're holding back because "who would care?"—start anyway. Document your God-given insights on fatherhood, faith, or finances. Your peers need to hear it, even if it's just one dad at first. Nobody's critiquing you out of the gate. Just start, and watch how it sharpens you into the teacher you're meant to be.
Lesson 2: Build a Simple System to Lower the Barriers and Stay in the Game
Alright, let's get practical. You can't showcase your talents if setting up to record feels like prepping for a space launch. My early days? I'd stack boxes for lighting, prop my phone on a mini tripod, clip on a $10 lapel mic, and spend 30 minutes just to film 15 minutes of content. It worked—for a while—but it was exhausting.
After about a year and a half, I invested in a proper setup: a Sony ZV-E10 camera, a decent mic, and some lights. Now, I flip a switch, fire up Riverside for recording, and I'm rolling in minutes. This system didn't happen overnight; it came from patience and commitment, knowing I'd stick with this no matter what.
But dad, if you're just starting, keep it simple. Your phone's camera is more than enough—heck, it's better than what pros used a decade ago. Sit by a window for natural light, grab a cheap lapel mic for clear audio (sound trumps video quality every time), and you're set. The goal? Make recording as easy as brewing coffee. Lower that barrier, and you'll do it more often.
Why does this matter for sharing your God-given gifts? Because consistency flows from simplicity. If God's calling you to teach peers about virtuous living or financial freedom, a clunky setup will kill your momentum. Invest wisely as you grow, but start where you are. Your message—on improving relationships with God, your wife, or your kids—deserves to get out without tech headaches holding you back.
Lesson 3: Experiment Boldly—Throw Ideas at the Wall and See What Sticks
One of the biggest myths in content creation? You need a perfect niche from day one. Wrong. Over two and a half years, I've pivoted at least seven times, talking about everything from mindfulness and meditation (built courses, total flop) to emergency response tips from my fire department days (crickets). I even dove into dad life with babies—tips for new fathers—and guess what? One video, "10 Tips for New Dads," is blowing up now, over two years later. Evergreen content like that pays off.
I've interviewed guests on finance, shifted to faith-based discussions, and more. Some stuck; most didn't. But that's the point: throw as much "crap" at the wall as you can. Experiment with topics tied to your talents—maybe it's biblical principles for business, or practical ways to build family bonds. Don't fear failure; each flop teaches you what resonates.
For you, dad, this means leaning into your unique perspective. God's given you experiences no one else has—use YouTube to test them out. Talk to your peers: dads a few years behind you, hungry for guidance on righteousness, earning more to provide and give, or deepening family ties. One iteration might flop, but the next could connect deeply. And remember, algorithms love variety at first—it helps you find your groove.
Lesson 4: Discover Your "Why"—The Fuel for Consistency and Impact
This one's huge, dad. Without a clear "why," you'll burn out. It took me time to nail mine: speaking to you—the dad two or three years behind me, wrestling with faith, marriage, kids, and money. I want to help you become more virtuous, strengthen your relationship with God, love your wife better, raise righteous kids, earn more for your family, and give generously. That's my avatar, my drive.
Once you find yours? Consistency follows. I post every Thursday morning, no excuses. Our Dad Ledger podcast records Tuesdays. It keeps the channel active, signals reliability to viewers (and YouTube), and builds habit. Miss one? It stings—because my "why" is bigger than me.
For you, showcasing God-given talents means defining who you're teaching. Peers facing similar dad struggles? Men seeking biblical wisdom in a chaotic world? Lock in that avatar, and let it motivate you. God's placed you here to guide them—consistency honors that calling. Reply to comments, engage; it all compounds into real community.
Lesson 5: Never Give Up—Your Unique Knowledge Is Meant to Be Shared
Finally, the gut-check: don't quit. The Lord didn't give you your experiences—your skills, stories, and insights—for nothing. You have a knowledge set that's one-of-a-kind, shaped by His hand. It'd be a tragedy not to share it with peers who need it.
I've pushed through plateaus, flops, and silence because I believe this: whether one person watches or a thousand, it's worth it. Monetization? Great milestone, but I'm not illusions about AdSense riches. The real win? Motivating you to start your channel, deepen your faith, or engage more with your kids. Pull out that earpod, get eye-level with your little one, and listen—that's impact.
Dad, if God's stirring your heart to teach—on stewardship, resilience, or family—use this platform. Spread His word through your lens. Persistence pays; keep prodding, and you'll touch lives. You're meant for this.
Wrapping It Up: Your Turn to Step Up and Shine
There you have it—my raw, unfiltered journey from zero to monetized, boiled down to five lessons for dads like us. Don't do it for the views; build a system; experiment freely; find your why; and never, ever give up. These have transformed me from a novice to a creator with purpose.
If this resonates, what's holding you back? Grab your phone, hit record, and start sharing those God-given talents. Tell me in the comments: Do you have a channel? What's your "why"? How do you stay consistent?
And if you're hungry for more dad wisdom, check out my interview with Dr. John Deloney from Ramsey Solutions. We dive deep into improving as fathers—faith, family, finances. It's gold.
Thanks for reading, brother. Keep pushing; the world needs what only you can offer. See you on the next milestone. God bless.