Hypothetical Equestrian Punctuality with McKittrick Simmons

In this deeply personal and reflective episode of Dadville, Dave Barnes and John McLaughlin welcome McKittrick Simmons for a conversation that spans from playful nicknames to profound grief, friendship, and identity. The episode opens with humor around McKittrick’s famously mispronounced name and evolves into a moving exploration of his father’s sudden death at age 41 when McKittrick was just 12—a trauma that shaped his entire life. He shares how that loss led him to a deeper relationship with God, the importance of male mentorship, and the transformative power of intentional, vulnerable friendships. The conversation delves into the 'Valley' house in Atlanta, where McKittrick lived with a group of men who modeled radical honesty and emotional intimacy, a model that profoundly influenced John McLaughlin’s own friendships. The episode culminates in a powerful reflection on aging, authenticity, and the 'age of imitation' ending at 50. McKittrick shares his desire to stop performing and finally become himself—fully, vulnerably, and authentically—while embracing the mystery of being known by God and others. The emotional core is the idea that true connection, whether through friendship, fatherhood, or faith, is not about perfection but about being seen, loved, and witnessed in our brokenness.