The Dad Pod Podcast: Recent Episodes
The Dad Pod Podcast
“Learn to forgive yourself.”
Ben Beakes is dropping wisdom to wrap up season 2 of the Dad Pod.
Ben is the founding and managing partner of Three Point Strategies, a government affairs, and public relations firm. He and the guys chat about the pride he felt in watching his son navigate being bullied by an adult, the importance of surrounding yourself with mentors, and why we must teach our kids the value of perseverance.
- Dave and Bobby both struggle to understand why their kids would willingly eat stickers and leaves when they don’t consistently eat real food.
We’ll be back in 2022 with Season 3 of Dad Pod. Until then, enjoy the ride; it goes much too quickly.
www.dadpodpodcast.com
Byron Johnson joins the guys this week on the Dad Pod!
Byron is the Director of the Institute for Studies of Religion, a Distinguished Professor of the Social Sciences at Baylor University, and an accomplished author and grant writer.
Dave has referenced Byron many times on the show and his study of a maximum-security prison in Louisiana. Byron chats with the guys about that incredible study, the lessons he learned about true joy and fatherhood from the prisoners he spent time with, and the importance of a faith community.
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Bobby doesn’t read the fine print when he enrolls his daughter in Pre-K & Dave compares his mustache to the mustaches in the local fire department.
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It’s the latest edition of The Dads Go Deep! No guest this week, but Dave & Bobby cover a lot of ground, including:
- their connections to NBA icon Jerry West;
- Dave’s inability to move on from an honorable mention at his 1998 elementary school social studies fair;
- making the transition from employee to dad at the end of each day;
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the power of friendships.
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Steve Lemig joins the show this week!
Steve is the founder of a top fatherhood blog called wilderdad.com. He is a writer, outdoor athlete, and dad. Steve talks with the guys about the ways he coped with a difficult upbringing (being raised in spiritual and political cults), the joy of sharing hobbies with your kids, and the honor of providing his family with something he never had - a safe place.
- Bobby shares his excitement at pawning off his kids’ nonstop questions on their teachers & Dave gets insulted when Bobby thinks that he doesn’t know anything about NASCAR.
Connect with Steve:
https://www.stevelemig.com/
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How do fathers successfully raise daughters and become better people, themselves, in the process? Dr. Michelle Watson has dedicated her life to answering this question.
A newlywed at 60 years of age, Michelle is an author, speaker, and trained psychologist but, as the title of her podcast, “The Dad Whisperer,” implies, she’s an expert on father/daughter relationships.
Michelle chats with the guys about practical steps we can all take to build deeper relationships with our kids, the importance of honesty in parenthood, and the transformational power of telling our children the story of our lives - including how she has reframed her own childhood abuse as a powerful chapter in her life journey.
- Bobby is confidently wrong at recalling names correctly & Dave admits how much he looks in the mirror.
Learn more about Michelle and get access to her books, podcast, and additional resources at:
https://drmichellewatson.com
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“True learning happens between the poles, not just between the ears.”
Is travel an essential part of a healthy family? Rainer Jenss says YES.
In 2009 Rainer and his wife sold their house and took their two young children on a year-long trip around the world! The experience had such a profound impact on Rainer that he has since dedicated himself to advocating for family travel, founding the Family Travel Association, an organization committed to helping families incorporate travel into their lives.
Rainer has worked for National Geographic, serving as publisher for National Geographic Kids, CNN International, and Business Travel International. His work has appeared in USA Today, Bloomberg Business, New York Times, ABC News, and The Wall Street Journal, to name a few. Rainer chats with the Dad Pod guys about the powerful positive outcomes travel can have on a family and the importance of letting your children have input on vacation plans.
- Bobby ends the show by naming every person he’s ever met & Dave and Rainer bond over their unique last names.
Check out the Family Travel Association and plan your next family trip:
http://www.familytravel.org
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Brian Casto is this week's guest on the Dad Pod Podcast!
Brian is an educator (and is a finalist for the West Virginia State “Teacher of the Year” award) and a father of three. Brian’s work with educational videos, including his latest venture, “Where in West Virginia is Mr. Casto?” has helped make history fun and accessible to middle school students around the country. Brian chats with the guys about learning from his kids more than he ever imagined, the vital role that a teacher can play in a child's life, and how despite his parents still holding on to a landline, his refusal to call it.
- Bobby doesn’t brush his teeth NEARLY enough, and Dave reveals that his dad once did his college homework for him and jumps the gun on wanting Bobby to congratulate him on a recent award.
Check out Brian's video series:
https://www.facebook.com/whereinwv/
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Fatherhood and finances this week on the DPP!
Jacob Tenney is a father of five, a professor, and a financial planner - he joins the guys this week to share insight into some important shifts we can all make in the way we think about our money.
- Bobby hopes Jacob won't bill the show for the free financial advice & Dave thinks he's a financial expert despite purchasing an extremely expensive bed.
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Is the Dad BOD inevitable?
Matt Wilbur says no!
Matt co-owns thefitnessrebellion.com. He joins the guys this week to talk about the essentials of time management for building a fitness routine, setting goals, and helping dads become more present in their own lives and the lives of their kids.
+ Bobby’s parents wasted money taking him places as a child because he has no memories before the age of 10 & Dave admits he’s always wanted to get into a fistfight, even though he’d most likely lose.
Learn more about Matt and the Fitness Rebellion
https://www.thefitnessrebellion.com/
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Writer, author, and all-around good-guy Patrick Carman joins the guys this week on the Dad Pod!
Pat is a New York Times best-selling author. He has written 40 novels, and has more than 5 million books in print in 23 countries. Pat has spoken to over one million kids in 2500 schools across the country. His most recent project, GoKidGo, is a series of podcasts all modeled in an Avenger’s style universe.
Pat chats with the guys about the importance of reading to a child (even in 8th grade), his love of fatherhood, and the power of story.
- Bobby could land a voice acting job ... as a dog & Dave gets roasted for his fear of the Goosebumps movies.
Check out GoKidGo:
https://www.gokidgo.com/
Learn more about Pat and check out his books:
https://www.patrickcarman.com/
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“Create Moments That Matter For Everybody.”
The guys are joined on the show this week by Craig Kessler, the Chief Operating Officer for Top Golf.
In addition to his career as COO for one of the most successful companies in the US, Craig is about to launch his first book, "The Dad Advice Project: Words of Wisdom From Guys Who Love Being Dads." Craig and his wife have three boys (born in four years!), and he chats with the guys about his decision to write a book, the influence of his wife in family dynamics, waving to his grandma while appearing on Judge Judy and most importantly, his desire to make his team at home as strong as his team at work.
- Can Bobby trick his daughter by subbing out french fries with veggie fries (no) & Dave admits his wife is better than him at everything they do.
Pre-order Craig's book, "The Dad Advice Project: Words of Wisdom From Guys Who Love Being Dads," on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3yh23oI
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“Make that dinner hour count - it’s vital.”
The guys are joined this week by popular TV anchor Tim Irr.
Over the past 26 years, Tim has been a fixture at WSAZ NewsChannel 3 - the #1 rated TV station in its viewing area. Tim shares about how he made his demanding schedule work while raising a family, the joy & heartbreak of watching your kids grow up, and admits that people still (often) mispronounce his last name.
+ Bobby & Dave discuss the healing process that can come after miscarriage.
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What happens when your dreams have to change?
Today on the podcast the boys sit down with Brandon Bates. Brandon left a career in television news and transitioned to a job in medical sales to find a better work/life balance. Topics w/ Brandon include realizing when to let go of your dream, understanding the intoxication of fame, and dealing with hair loss (which Dave can’t stop obsessing about.) Dave & Brandon also bond over their refusal to give up skinny jeans.
- Bobby bonds with his children over food the way he did with his own father while Dave puts his wife on call for her past love of Vienna Sausages.
Keep up with Brandon on Instagram
Follow Brandon on YouTube
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V-Day! And, no, not a late Valentine’s Day episode...
Bobby gets a vasectomy!!
On this episode of the Dad Pod, Dave grills Bobby on the fascinating details of his recent vasectomy.
- Bobby tries to explain his attempts to reschedule the surgery and later flosses while his wife Emma appears on the show & Dave theorizes that vasectomies are perhaps generational.
We hit the therapy couch with Richard Reeser this week on the Dad Pod.
Richard has been a clinical psychologist for over 40 years - even counting a young Bobby Iddings as a patient! He chats with the guys about a dad's role in childhood development, breaking down the barriers that keep people from trying therapy, and how current parental fear of the internet’s influence on children mirrors the fear once placed upon television.
- Bobby forgets that Danny Tanner wasn't a very good role model in real life & Dave wonders if having Bobby as a patient made Richard consider therapy for himself.
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Dan Straily is back!
The Dad Pod becomes the Dan Pod as we get an update on our favorite pro athlete’s life and career.
Dan (Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, Baltimore Orioles) currently lives in South Korea and pitches for the Lotte Giants of the KBO. He chats about how much he loves having his family with him this year in Korea, gives a new meaning to the kid phrase, “I’m all done,” and shares how his family survived quarantining together in an extremely small apartment.
+ Bobby fancies himself a traffic controller after implanting red light/green light rules for his daughter & Dave promotes train safety and feels like a broken record scolding Bobby for never knowing what episode the show is on.
Check out Dan's Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-journeyman-podcast/id1513817531
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Ryan Ramsby works in the electrical supply industry, but his real passion is revealed in the trail running apparel company he co-owns, Roam & Run. Ryan discusses how the loss of his father fueled his love for running and drives his desire to travel and have adventures with his family.
+ Bobby focuses on outcome over process in parenting and Dave advocates for glamping instead of camping.
Check out Roam & Run at https://www.roamandrun.com/
Ryan Fell joins the show this week!
Ryan, a trained pharmacist, is a father of two young children. He chats with the guys about the difficulty of navigating the world of parenthood and medication, how he's still alive after not sleeping for years, and why being a dad has offered him some of his happiest moments.
- Bobby realizes he’s a “if you think it’s hard now, you just wait until...” kind of dad, and Dave shares about a recent tragedy within his family.
Professional Disc Golf player Will Schusterick visits the pod.
Will turned pro at the age of 16, is a 3-time US Disc Golf Champion, and is part owner of Prodigy Disc Company. Considering the challenges on the disc golf course, fatherhood has brought a whole new level of pressure to Will's life. Will and his wife Latricia recently welcomed their son Liam, who was born prematurely and continues to battle health challenges in the hospital. Will talks about how his life has changed and the unexpected journey he finds himself on.
- Bobby explains a heartfelt but complicated grading system on being a good person & Dave admits that he Facebook stalked Will years ago.
Update on Liam Since we talked with Will, Liam has been continuing his fight - he's had open-heart surgery, battled a partially collapsed lung, swelling, and blood clots. Liam is now coming off of some medications and receiving breathing treatments. Keep Will, Liam, and his wife Latricia in your prayers!
Dr. Chris Kincaid joins the Dad Pod! Chris is a married father of two, works in family medicine, and is the co-owner of Lonely Hero Board Games. Chris chats with the guys about working hard to give your kids a better childhood than you had, the difficulty of being a Doctor during Covid-19 and why chasing a passion is essential + Bobby is more like Mark Zuckerberg than we knew & Dave outs his wife for lying during pre-marital counseling.
Season two!! Dr. Rena Malik joins the show to kick off season 2 of the DPP. Dr. Malik is a urologist from Maryland and chats with the guys about infertility, kidney stones, and preps Bobby for his impending vasectomy ✂️ + Dave gets nervous that he pees too much at night.
Check out Rena's work at https://www.instagram.com/renamalikmd/
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DID YOU KNOW:
Your child’s brain continues to grow and develop into their teenage years?
We’re talking all things brain with this week’s guest Mark Brooks, the Co-Founder & President of Brainiac Kids, a company creating brain-healthy snacks that kids actually enjoy eating. Mark discusses the extensive science behind his products, the signs of a healthy brain, and the rewarding but challenging task of running a for-profit company built to serve communities of every demographic.
- Bobby ate pizza every day for three years of his life & Dave admits to keeping his son’s birthday money for himself.
**Want to try Brainiac? Dad Pod Podcast listeners can enjoy a special 30% discount using code DADPOD30 at checkout on brainiackids.com
This episode concludes season 1 of the Dad Pod Podcast. We'll see you in January 2021!
New podcast episode!
Jennifer Anderson, registered dietician and creator of the wildly popular Kids Eat in Color (www.kidseatincolor.com), joins the guys for a special episode to help parents navigate the wild world of child nutrition. Jennifer drops nonstop tips, tricks, and encouragement - be ready to take notes!
- Bobby gushes about the simplest college classes he took (variations of “gym”) & Dave gets insulted when it’s suggested he doesn’t like cheese.
"What have you done today to make others feel included & valued?"
The guys learn the importance of asking our kids (and ourselves) that question with Mitch Prinstein (author, educator, scientist, dad), discussing his best-selling book, Popular. "I read it cover to cover," says Angela Duckworth, author of Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, in her review of Popular. "I learned as much about the science as I did about myself."
- Bobby admits to stealing his daughter's Halloween candy - aside from the pieces he lets her eat for breakfast... & Dave shares strange documentary recommendations.
We’re talking board games!
Chris Goodlet (thecharityboardgamer.com) joins the show to talk about having “high five” moments with our kids, why board games play a pivotal role for him, and how a charitable life is a good life + Bobby thinks buying an expensive stroller on Facebook marketplace makes him frugal & Dave discusses his love for the board game Mall Madness and honors the recent passing of his grandfather.
Harrison Crum (crummymarathoners.com, Marathon Training for Beginners Podcast) joins the show to chat about running, fatherhood, and coping. While training with his mother to run their first 1/2 marathon, she unexpectedly passed away. To honor her, he decided to run her 1/2 and upped his commitment to a full marathon. This ignited a love for running and the community it provides. Harrison discusses the importance of teaching our kids to do hard things, the power of a hobby, and how he and his wife are working to build a supportive running network for beginners + Bobby doesn’t fully condemn cargo shorts as he should & Dave takes credit for Bobby’s happy marriage.
The second episode from the guys in their ongoing series - The Dads Go Deep.
Dave & Bobby sit down with friend of the show, Jay Sisson (Eps. 2, 13), to have a conversation centered around Dave’s favorite book, The Power of Moments.
Topics range from:
• how we navigate the positive & negative moments of parenting (14:00)
• fighting the urge to be reasonable - knowing great moments take work (21:00)
• the guys’ defining moments as fathers, so far (29:00)
All of that + Dave casually mentions that he watched the R-rated film Panic Room w/ his infant son, Jay gives a stirring speech about the Boy Scouts, and Bobby still has not recovered from changing his first solo diaper.
Our perspectives are powerful influencers of our actions, and are often earned through times of hardship. J.T. Whitman joins the guys to discuss multiple personal battles with cancer, the way his challenges helped his own father through dark times, and how he and his wife have leaned on their faith as they struggled to get pregnant (they’re going to be parents any day now!) + Bobby contemplates “how many chuggas before a choo” for the train community & Dave reveals that a song he wrote, “Dream Girl,” nearly ruined his life.
Michael Farmer is a pastor, after-school program director, adoption advocate & community leader. Michael & his wife adopted an 11-year-old... and then found out they were pregnant! Michael joins the guys to chat about navigating that wild introduction to fatherhood, his passion for service, the importance of teaching grace, and being careful about how we define what “safe” is for our kids + Bobby wishes he could feed his daughter nothing but spaghetti & Dave claims he used to be able to dunk a basketball.
Thomas Holland is a Psychology Doctoral candidate, soon-to-be Military Psychologist and father of a one-year old. Thom joins the pod to chat about our least favorite 4-letter word: F.E.A.R. Where does fear come from? How can dads learn to love the new identity they gain in parenthood? + Bobby gets passionate about something called “Baby Mum-Mums” & Dave begrudgingly admits that Thom’s son has better hair than he does.
If we grow when we learn, get ready to grow! Leadership expert and bestselling author Mark S. Babbitt joins the pod to talk about empowering our children, why enabling curiosity is essential to growth, and setting boundaries in life. *Mark has been named a top 100 leadership speaker, a top 50 leadership innovator and is a father of five + Bobby thoroughly enjoyed watching “The Fast & the Furious” alone & Dave strongly advocates for bath faucet covers.
Dan Straily is a professional baseball player (Oakland A’s, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, Miami Marlins, Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies) currently playing with the Lotte Giants of Korea’s KBO League. Dan chats with the guys about the difficulty of playing international ball without seeing his family, the give & take balance between fatherhood & profession, and his love of little moments with his son + Bobby is allowing his daughter to put parmesan cheese on everything & Dave repents from being a diaper snob.
Will Messer is a licensed therapist, social worker, and a certified Enneagram (personality test) trainer and coach. Will joins the show to chat with the guys about the power of the Enneagram, the invisible hurdles that dads face in deciding to seek therapy, the importance of therapeutic relationships, and how he deals with his own insecurities + Dave shares his absurd Google search history & Bobby simultaneously praises & dismisses having a routine.
First episode from the guys in a new ongoing series - The Dads Go Deep.
Dave & Bobby sit down with friend of the show Jay Sisson (Ep. 2) to have a raw & real conversation centered around Lindsay C. Gibson’s book, Recovering from Emotionally Immature Parents.
Topics range from:
• the danger in labeling (3:40)
• being consistent but not being obsessed with perfection (11:40)
• self care vs. being selfish (19:45)
• guiding our children through racial and societal unrest (25:45)
The tough conversations are the conversations that matter.
High school teacher, and father of two, John Mulvaney joins the guys this week to talk about his role as “school dad” in the lives of his students, the experience of losing his own father and how McDonalds’ french fries demonstrate the sacrificial love of his mom + Bobby’s nervous laugh saves Dave from crying, Bobby kisses up to his wife, and Dave reveals his limited knowledge of country music titles.
Entrepreneur & brand new dad (of 6 weeks!) Jason Bowers joins the guys to talk about the difficulties of having a child during a pandemic, his anticipation of conversations with his son that he didn't get to have with his own father, and his desire to be present + Dave accidentally hates on vans and exposes Santa Claus while Bobby flexes about having a neighbor with an in-ground swimming pool.
Mason Beuhring joins for the show for a challenging & important episode. Mason talks about the pain of experiencing a miscarriage & the hope he’s found on the other side + Bobby reveals that he named all of his toys after furniture items, and Dave hates on button-up pajamas.
Professional sportscaster Adam Cavalier joins the show to chat about his dislike for the term “girl dad,” his appreciation of his wife’s sacrifices and why he’s still hiding Easter eggs + Bobby didn’t sleep at all on his beach vacation & Dave opens up about his inability to stop crying while reading children’s books.
Let’s be honest: Dads know NOTHING ...about OBGYNs! So this week, we’re bringing the doctor to you: Dr. Jared Brownfield talks about balancing personal infertility struggles w/ a profession dedicated to helping others start their own family.
Jared also discusses his experiences being a foster dad, while Bobby votes “no” to the clean plate club, and Dave tells a PG-13 story about sports cars.
The guys visit with Chuck McGill, Assistant Athletic Director at Marshall University, for a wide-ranging chat:
How do you navigate a prolonged ICU stay? What if your son prefers insects to sports? All of that + Dave learns the value of children's programming & Bobby FINALLY nails a joke.
William Erps is a father of four, former pastor and current Chaplain Captain in the Air Force. How should a dad navigate a big move (and career change) with his family? How did it feel when he found out that after three girls, his fourth child would be a boy? Why do kids love Waffle House? All of that + Bobby delivers the cringiest dad joke in history.
Dr. Mordecai Brownlee hangs out with the boys to discuss:
- Balancing career & fatherhood
- How to talk to our kids about racial issues
- Why teaching compassion is so important
Don't miss this important conversation!
It's the 2020 Father's Day edition of the Dad Pod Podcast! And there's no better way to celebrate Father's Day than to talk to our dads. Bobby talks w/ Bob and Dave talks w/ Kev. Wisdom abounds.
Dave's at the beach for the first time as a dad. Also - should youth sports consume your summer?
The Dad Pod - a podcast by dads, for dads, about being dads. Meet Bobby & Dave and hear the vision for The Dad Pod.