The SkilledDad Podcast: Recent Episodes
SkilledDad
We didn't get a manual before our kids arrived and we strapped them into the car seat to take them home. We're figuring it out, but choosing not to go it alone. That's why we created SkilledDad. SkilledDad is a resource for dads of all seasons to learn the things that they can do and engage, so that they can equip the next generation for success. We interview dads just like you and hear their story. They may not all be famous. They may not all have written books. But they are writing their story everyday. Subscribe to TheSkilledDad podcast and join our host, Zach Reeser as he meets with and learns from other dads' stories, what they have learned, and what we can apply on our journey to becoming the SkilledDad.
In this impactful episode of the SkilledDad Podcast, Zach Reeser welcomes Bronson Dant, a father of four, author, and fitness coach. The conversation kicks off with Bronson sharing a pivotal moment in his life that sparked his fitness journey and reshaped his identity. They dive into the importance of aligning one's identity with reality, the role of emotional intelligence in personal growth, and the critical balance between logic and emotion.
As the conversation unfolds, Bronson and Zach discuss practical steps for dads who want to improve their health and set a positive example for their children. Bronson offers valuable insights into understanding deep emotional convictions as a foundation for lasting change.
The episode concludes with a powerful challenge for listeners: identify your core convictions and take actionable steps towards becoming a more skilled and confident dad.
In this episode of the Skilled Dad Podcast, host Zach Reeser interviews Alan Stevens, an international profiling and communication specialist. Alan shares his journey of mastering communication skills to build better personal and professional relationships. He discusses his role as a father, emphasizing preparing sons for manhood rather than turning them into men.
Alan highlights his experiences, including his involvement in the Aboriginal culture, which taught him the values of love, humility, and respect. He also introduces the Campfire Project—a global initiative fostering safe spaces for men to express emotions without judgment and build stronger communities.
The episode focuses on the importance of empathetic listening and effective communication. Alan provides practical tips for fostering better relationships by asking meaningful questions and truly listening. The discussion underscores the critical role of fathers in setting examples and nurturing children to become their best selves.
Zach encourages listeners to apply these insights in daily life, improving communication and emotional connections within families. Don't miss this conversation that aims to empower dads and enhance understanding of human connections and growth.
Learn more about Alan and the Campfire project by going to thecampfireproject.com.au/
In this episode of the SkilledDad Podcast, host Zach Reeser welcomes Purdeep Sangha, a best-selling author and host of two podcasts: The Complete Man Podcast and CEO Anonymous. Purdeep shares insights about the importance of mentorship, the evolving concept of masculinity, and the significant role internal fulfillment plays in men's lives. They discuss the impact of societal changes on men's roles and family dynamics, touching on immigration, the feminist movement, and the degradation of extended families. Purdeep emphasizes the necessity of integrating knowledge into practical life and living by principles that can be observed by others, especially children. He recounts lessons from his spiritually motivated grandfather and explores the balance of discipline and compassion in parenting. The conversation also delves into challenges faced by modern dads, particularly the balance between professional achievements and family life. Purdeep discusses his experiences with his own children, stressing the importance of fun and engagement in parenting, while also navigating issues around boundaries and influence from extended family. Zach and Purdeep explore how respect for elders and thorough mentorship can shape character, urging listeners to engage more deeply with their family dynamics and community. They wrap up with Purdeep sharing recommended resources and tips for growing both personally and professionally as a father and leader. Listeners are encouraged to look inward for fulfillment and to take actionable steps toward becoming SkilledDads.
In this episode of the SkilledDad Podcast, host Zach Reeser welcomes Joe Pomeroy, a fellow podcaster and family-focused Dad. They dive deep into the challenges and strategies of "balancing" work and family life. Joe shares valuable insights on prioritizing family without compromising financial stability and gives a heartfelt account of his journey from business-centric to family-centric living.
The conversation covers practical tips like creating a family vision, making small, impactful changes, and the power of sincere apologies. Alongside, Zach and Joe discuss the emotional aspects of fatherhood, emphasizing continuous growth, honesty, and the significant impact of being present. This episode is filled with actionable advice and personal anecdotes aimed at helping dads navigate their dual roles at work and home effectively. Joe also offers a special gift for listeners, adding an element of intrigue. Join the conversation for an engaging and valuable discussion on becoming a more skilled and balanced dad.
Learn more about what Joe is doing at ForwardWithJoe.com.
You can also follow him on the socials: @forwardwithjoe
It wasn't long ago that some of the things that are weird today were common place in everyday life. Things like eating around the table as a family, knowing your neighbors, and holding the door for people. Now, many of those things are more the exception than the rule.
On this episode, Jared Haley joins the podcast and we discuss this very topic. Jared is a dad of four, a speaker, and a leader focused on helping others have strong and healthy families.
Jared is also the host of the Strong By Design podcast. Join us as we discuss the power of being "intentionally weird" in today's world.
Learn more about what Jared is doing by checking out his Instagram @Jaredsaria
Being a dad can be "busy." But how do we know if our busyness is actually getting it done or if we are just wasting energy?
On this episode we sit down with Christopher Lind to break down some strategies to maximize your time for impact so that you know your busyness is actually productive toward what you are wanting to achieve.
Christopher is a father of SEVEN and an executive that brings a unique prospective that helps bring people to the intersection of business, technology, and the human experience. He also hosts his own technology focused podcast called Future Focus.
Chris is a blast to be around and delivers his wealth of knowledge in an entertaining and easy to understand way.
Join us in this conversation and see what you can take away to help move you from busyness to impactful results.
Learn more about Christopher on LinkedIn and Substack.
There's often something we know we should do, but just don't do it. Things "come up" or we outright ignore it. Then something happens that finally gets us going and we wondered why it took us so long.
On this episode, Zach sits down with Sean Robinson. Sean is a dad, speaker, author and mindset coach who found himself repeating some of the patterns that he grew up with and realized these patterns were blocking him from being the dad and man he wanted to be.
We discuss how he moved from battling addiction to being a focused dad, that helps others overcome some of their obstacles.
We also discuss how running one race unlocked a new vision of his life that would lead to a better finish line.
Learn more about what Sean is doing at seanrobinson.ca. You can also follow him on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube.
How much sports data do you know? How about your level of knowledge on your car?... Now how much do you know about yourself.
Unfortunately, we don't have a built in check engine light going on until things start getting out of whack. So making sure that we can keep that engine running well to ensure that we can keep doing our job as Dad well takes some work. But where do we start?
How about the understanding our gut? Not the "do you have guts" gut. The one that has a massive impact on almost everything we do.
On this episode, Christian Yordanov joins the SkilledDad podcast to walk us through how the gut impacts our short and long term health, what we can do to fortify ourselves, and even how gut health correlates to Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Christian is a Dad, a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner (FDN-P), coach, and the author of "How to Actually Live Longer."
From rock star lifestyle, to rock star health expert, Christian brings his knowledge and experience with a fun and charismatic approach that makes this topic is to talk about and understand.
Check out more about what Christian is doing at ChristianYordanov.com
Subscribe to the SkilledDad podcast to stayed updated on our most recent episodes or watch the podcast on our YouTube channel.
You can also join us on Instagram and Facebook.
Being Dad shouldn't be DIY. Let's build together!
As dads, there are a number of new challenges we face that are new, exciting, and sometime scary. As the guest of this episode, Victor Giusfredi, says," There's no grail without dragons."
So what do we do when the dragons start to show? Some freeze, some flee, and some fight.
Victor has faced a number of dragons on his journey living in multiple countries, facing some marital challenges, and finding himself as a single dad with his kids under his care. After hitting a low point towards disaster, he had an experience that turned him around and brought him a new perspective on life.
Join the conversation as Victor shares his story and discusses how he now uses his experiences to help others as a mindset and relationship coach.
As a listener to the SkilledDad Podcast, you can also download his book, "No Grail Without Dragons," for FREE.
Learn more at victorgiusfredi.com and use promo code SKILLEDDAD at checkout.
Follow Victor on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about what he is doing!
"Life doesn't happen to us, life happens for us." The way we perceive the ups and downs, and more importantly how we learn from and respond to them can make all the difference and getting back to the "up" moments.
On this episode, our guest Wayne Boatwright shared this perspective and how it applies to his journey. After living a life that was on a high peak, a decision he made would change his life forever that would lead to a fast and furious fall from that peak.
As a dad of two, Wayne shares his journey of learning to regain the trust of his loved ones after spending six years in San Quentin prison. His story serves as both a cautionary tale to those of us that are dads, as well as a story of how even the darkest moments can be used to serve others on our way back up.
Wayne shares some great tips on how to stay connected with your kids regardless of your situation, and also how to regain lost ground if you find yourself in a place where you have lost trust.
Wayne also serves as a Board Member for Man 2 Man Urban Youth Advocate, where he uses his vast business and legal background to help philanthropic organizations succeed in their missions.
Follow SkilledDad at SkilledDad.com
Has anyone asked you what your three or four “truths” are? The codes that drive you and help guide your decision making? Someone asked this question to our guest Terry Tucker, and his ability to break them down and lay them out will leave you ready to run through a wall.
Terry is an inspiring and powerful individual that is focused on motivating and helping others succeed. What Terry shares is worth the listen!
Learn more about Terry and what he is doing at motivationalcheck.com
Sometimes the biggest thing in our way is ourselves. Things can build up over time and start to create limiting beliefs that go unchecked and start to stack. This clutter can become head trash that blocks our clear thinking and motivation.
On this episode, Kyle Gillette joins the SkilledDad podcast and share some of his story as a girl dad and a professional that works with leaders to learn how to take out the head trash so they can thrive.
Learn more about what Kyle is doing to help others at https://gillettesolutions.com.
You can also follow Kyle on LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok
When it comes to being dad, we have choices to make every day. Some of small, some are big, and some have to be made over and over again with discipline and commitment.
On this episode, Queon (Q) Wilcox joins the SkilledDad podcast and shares his story on why and how he started his podcast, Mediocre Dads where he lays out the concept that mediocrity is a choice. He breaks down when realized it was time for him to step up and deploy his skillset to impact others, while making himself better right along side others.
Q brings the heat with his perspective and we encourage to check out his podcast wherever you like to listen.
You can also follow him on Instagram @MediocreDads
Follow us on IG and FB @SkilledDad
Do you treat your time the same way that you treat your money? Do you budget your money and know where every dollar goes, or have a plan for those dollars? If not, honestly you should (you will likely have more dollars if you do). How about your time? If you have ever said, "I don't have the time," then give this a listen as you haven't been and won't be the first. We offer a brief perspective on what we have heard on the podcast and a perhaps a different way to look at time so that you can master the skill of maximizing your most important, yet irreplaceable resource.
Right now you've got the advantage when it comes to wrestling with your kids. They are smaller, lacking strategy, and haven't learned the chicken wing move yet. But what happens when they get as big or bigger than you? Now you may be smaller, they've learned some moves (from you), and they have the youthful advantage.
We need to ensure that we can stay in peak shape for moments like this, or games of basketball, or pickleball, or whatever it is you like to do that isn't videos games.
On this episode of the SkilledDad Podcast we sit down with Jeff Spitzer, to discuss just this and more. He is a father of five with a powerful story of resilience and overcoming. From finding himself as a young single father with full time custody to watching his kids graduate and become adults, Jeff has learned a lot and shares some of his stories with us on this episode.
To help stay in the fight, Jeff also shares some knowledge from his health coaching background on how we can make sure we keep ourselves in place where we can keep up no matter the age.
You can learn more about what Jeff is doing by following him on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn, or by checking out his website (https://myh3h.com/hlm).
We love connecting dads with each other and doing our part to make a positive impact in others' lives. To help us continue on our mission, we would appreciate it if you would rate and share our shows. This helps others find the podcast and hopefully makes an positive difference for families across the world!
Do you ever send someone a text message or call and leave a voicemail only to hear... nothing. Crickets. A lot of things may go through your head and you may altogether stop your communications.
Before you do, here's a quick story from someone who kept on sending those messages and what they found out later.
The SkilledDad Podcast aims to bring you insights, inspiration, and information from stories, books, and experiences that can benefit us all.
Find out more and build with us at SkilledDad.com
SkilledDad Daily:
Trust is the key to movement with others. Whether you business relationships or personal relationships, things will move at the speed of the level of trust.
Trust is also one of those things that takes time to build and take little time to lose. After sitting down after a recent interview, I had a big takeaway related to this concept and what we can do before the bucket is ever spilt.
This is the first episode of the daily version of the SkilledDad podcast. We aim to provide insights, takeaways, and anecdotes in five minutes* or less each day in conjunction with our full length interviews.
We want you to have a place to go to to to help get you thinking, reflecting, and or fired up!
It may be April Fool's Day, but it's also the start of a new quarter. Here's a quick reminder not to be fooled in to believing you are rolling solo.
Tyler Graham is a father of six... yes six, and the founder of Burn Untamed, a platform dedicated to helping fathers be intentional with themselves and their families.
In this episode, Tyler and Zach hash out a number of topics around the dad experience, as well as the grind culture mentality, the importance of words, and the power of vision. Tyler also breaks down the vision creation methodology that he uses for his family and those he works with.
Check out what Tyler is doing by visiting BurnUntamed.com!
"A good friend is the one who wants to have the honor to get in the mud with you".
On this episode of the SkilledDad Podcast, Zach sits down with the show's first "returner," Bryan Graf, where they discuss the importance having good men around you. As adults, it can get trickier finding and making those friends that maybe came easier in life before kids. We break down this topic among others while having a lot of fun.
Bryan Graf was one of the first guests when SkilledDad began and has been behind the scenes ever since. And it all started from a random conversation in a coffee shop. Bryan is also the Co-Founder and host of the Gear & Beet Show with 515 Productions.
Come join us as we have fun, make bad attempts at humor (that we think are pretty good), and hit on a somewhat uneasy topic with humor and realness.
We would love for you to share your thoughts on this episode by rating the podcast. You can also follow us on YouTube and Instagram.
Forget worrying about finding the number one parenting bookout there. You should check out the No. 2 Parenting Book: Practical Tips For The Pooped Out Parent by Dr. Andrea Mata!
Why? Because this book is a funny and informative guide writtenspecifically to have each chapter read in about five minutes for the average reader. Just enough time, as Dr. Mata says, for a “mom poop. Not a dad poop.”
Join us on this episode where Dr. Andrea Mata joins the SkilledDad podcast and breaks down some of the origin of her book, what she has learned as both a parent and a professional that works with parents, and also why the time spent in the bathroom varies so drastically between moms and dads…
You can also check out her book, The No. 2 Parenting Book,HERE.
Want to see more of what Dr. Andrea Mata is doing? You canfollow here on social media under the name @DRDREMATA.
You can also watch this episode on YouTube by going HERE.
We hope you take something away from this story that you canapply.
Follow @SkilledDad on Instagram to stay connected
How can you be a thought leader, if you don't take the time to truly stop and think? This was a question that Luke LeFevre asks on this episode of the SkilledDad Podcast. Luke is a creative guru, the founder of HolyWork.com, and a father of four. With a focus on helping creatives and business leaders, Luke shares part of his story as a dad and what he has learned along the way. He also breaks down his Holy Work framework that helps you decipher how to address that consistent pull towards something we can sometimes get and when and how to take action. Check out what Luke is doing with HolyWork.com to learn more.Follow Luke and his updates on Instagram and LinkedIn!
We're excited for the year to come and we want to share some of the updates to SkilledDad that you can expect to see in 2024.
As SkilledDad grows, we ask you to join us as we drive to help one million dads make a positive impact wherever their feet are, by focusing on the three pillars of soft skills, hard skills, and community.
To do this, we are going to be trying new some new things. Join us on this episode to find out what they are and how you can be a part of it!
How often do you get to sit down with fun people that you enjoy being around and just take time to talk about life? Hopefully, you are doing it often. If not, this episode is a good reminder of the value of good conversation. I get to do just that on this episode with Brian Lawrence, a dad of four boys and a man focused on helping other leaders win at their business and in their family.Brian shares some stories from his experience raising four boys. The things he's learned and where he continues to build on. We're excited to have you join us as we discuss slaying the right dragons and more.Some key topics we hit on:The progression of alarm when having multiple kidsHow to stay ahead of the curve when both you and the kids are changingEmbracing the idea of failureBeing a thermostat, not a thermometerWhat it's like when you realize you are now the "older" parents in the groupHow to keep a positive mindset when others get negative around parentingGetting into "Dad Mode" and determining what that means for youLearn more about what Brian and what he is doing by following him on LinkedIn @BrianLawrence.Want to see this podcast in action? Check it out the SkilledDad YouTube ChannelFollow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at skilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Dads make a difference. Period. Full-stop. What kind of difference they make (positive or negative) is going to depend on the choices we as dads make and how we approach challenges that will come. That's how we grow and then be equipped to teach. Too often this growth is happening alone as lone wolf dads.On this episode Zach sits down with Cam Hall, Founder of Fight the DadBod and host of the Dads Making a Difference podcast, where we talk through this very concept. Cam shares how he found himself in some challenging situations, what he did to overcome them, and how he is able to use what he learned to help other dads.Some key topics we hit on:The impact that dads make for all around themKey things we have learned from hundreds of conversations with other dadsMaking friends as adultsWhy Lone Wolves rarely surviveand More...Learn more about what Cam is doing by following him on Instagram @FightTheDadBod and @DadsMakingADifference. Don't forget to check out the Dads Making a Difference podcast, wherever you like to stream from!Want to see this podcast in action? Check it out the SkilledDad YouTube ChannelFollow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at skilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
One of the most important skills we can have as parents is the ability to ask good questions. Asking good questions is key and so is listening carefully to the questions our kids ask us. Sometimes they ask (A LOT) and sometimes it may take something to spur those questions in them. Sometimes we need a conversation starter. On this episode, Zach sits down with Kacy Maxwell, a dad who turned a story inspired by a bedtime ritual into a published book. Learn more about where the story, The Boy With Horns, came from and the journey to turning that into a book that helps kids start the conversation about how they see life and challenges they may have. Kacy is an energetic, creative, and all around fun guy to be around. Join us as we break down the book, takeaways from Kacy's story, and some fun anecdotes along the way. Afterwards, see what conversations you may be able to start with your kids.
Get your own copy of The Boy With Horns on Amazon or other booksellers. And no, we don't get a cut from any book sales. Just the pride in knowing we can share good info that may help some of our listeners start good conversations with their kids. You can also learn more about Kacy Maxwell and follow his insights @Kacy.Maxwell on Instagram or on LinkedIn.
Follow @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at skilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Finding who we are as individuals is an ever changing and challenging thing. As dads, helping our kids find out who they are is an even bigger task. On this episode Zach sits down with Kris Hammons, who shares his story and how he is moving from presence to purpose. Kris is a motivational speaker and writer who brings a unique and powerful perspective. Using his own experiences, he uses and shares his story when speaking on dwarfism, leading, and growing grit to help educate and light the fire inside others. We are excited to have Kris on The Skilled Dad Podcast and hope that you can take something away from what he shares and apply to your life and your journey toward becoming a SkilledDad. Follow Kris and what he is doing on LinkedIn HERE where he regularly posts content and also on Instagram @KrisHammons. You can also stay updated by joining his newsletter at growing-grit.com.
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at skilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
When the pressure is one, every second counts! As a dad, every moment we have with our kids is building something, good or bad. What we help instill and build will influence the direction that our kids will go as they grow. When it comes to the power of moments under pressure, when lives are on the line, Chuck Ferry is an authority. As a career firefighter, he understands that each minute that passes can mean the difference between life and death. That's why he took what he learned and developed a better way to for firefighters to save lives and stay safe at the same time. As a dad, he learned the power of moments and instilling the values with his family that will help them be equipped to take on the challenge of life with confidence. Join our conversation as we learn about the takeaways of how working under pressure translates to being a dad that equips, prepares, and building a strong family that can endure the heat of what life may bring. Some Things We Discuss:
Instilling values that build a strong foundation
And more...
Learn more about Chuck and Forcible Entry and what they are doing by following them @forcibleentryinc or at their website at ForcibleEntry.com
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at skilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
When we step into being a Dad, we are stepping into the unknown. Now think about stepping into the unknown with someone with someone who already is several years old and you are coming into their lives. For over 16.5 million men in the United States, stepping in as the "step-dad" is part of their story. This role of Bonus Dad is a powerful one that can leave a powerful impact for those that choose to own it. On this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast, Zach sits down with his friend and co-soccer coach, Andrew Harshey. Andrew is one of those brave and admirable men that has owned his role as Bonus Dad and shares part of his journey on how it changed his life. Pop in those ear buds and turn up the volume, as Andrew brings the energy and laughs as he shares a portion of his journey toward becoming a SkilledDad. Some Things We Discuss:
Becoming Dad later in the game
Navigating the different challenges unique to Bonus Dads
Tips on relationship building with the new family
And more...
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at skilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
On this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast, Zach sits down with Trey Sheneman. A dad of two, Trey has an epic story that exemplifies how you can drive to success by cutting through the noise of adversity. As a leader at home and at work, Trey is a blast to be with and you are sure to walk away inspired, entertained, and left with a pocket full of taglines to use for your next marketing campaign. While this episode has a bit of an audio hiccup, we invite you to cut through the noise and join in as the takeaways and insight of this conversations are sure to leave you with some valuable tools to walk away with. So grab a seat, hop on the treadmill, or do whatever you want to do while listening to our conversation with this cutting edge, energetic, and rap-tastic dad, Trey Sheneman to see what you can learn from his story and apply on your journey toward becoming the SkilledDad. Some Things We Discuss:
Leading with vision
Preparing for the unexpected conversations
Developing Personal OKRs (don't know what an OKR is? Take a listen)
Using your professional skills as dad skills
Top book recommendations to keep you sharp
And more...
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Father's Day is here and you have probably received all the lists of "What Dad Wants" in your mailbox and inbox. Here's a challenge for a different take for this year's Father's Day and beyond. Share the challenge with other dads you know and let's get after it together. Happy Father's Day to all the Skilled Dads! @SkilledDad SkilledDad.com
On this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast, Zach sits down with the ever smiling man's man, Josh Heerdt. Josh shares his story of being a dad of two awesome kids, as well as his perspective on the beauty and challenges of raising a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). How this has impacted him, his marriage, and his view of the world from a different lens. Josh's story, perspective, and takeaways are powerful and insightful. We hope these takeaways help equip you to have a discussion with friends that have a child with autism, or relate to you if you are also raising a child diagnosed with ASD.
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at skilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Search and Rescue Paramedic. Mechanical Wizard. The MacGuyver Dad that you want around if you get lost in the mountains. Logan Price. This dad of many talents is like a ninja who quietly approaches, then drops some wisdom bombs on you while pulling you out of the wreckage and then helping you fix your Jeep! A long time friend, Logan sits down with Zach and they have some fun catching up and breaking down some of the stories and lessons learned since becoming a dad and growing as a man. Then he turns the tables on Zach! Logan was impacted by the stories he has heard from other men on this podcast, and realized that something in his story may help someone else and wants to pay it forward. Let's go! While we may think that because we are quiet, naturally introverted, or find we are an extraverted introvert, we all have something to bring to the table. Logan does just that and we invite you to join the conversation. Some things we discuss in this episode include:
Using what we have learned about ourselves to shape our kids
"Broing" out with your boys
Courage and decision making
Learning, adapting, diving back in
A re-occurring theme of "there"
And more...
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Raising little humans is no task for the faint of heart. And often we are reminded how much of an impact we make on these little humans. And how much we have to learn... As a father of three under three, a skilled musician, and master of the barber's chair and image wizardry, Eli Matteson has learned plenty through his experiences. As the youngest dad to join us thus far on the Skilled Dad podcast, he has a lot to share on how becoming a dad has impacted his journey. On this episode Zach sits down with Eli in the Treehouse Studio and they have some fun breaking down a some of his story. He has some powerful takeaways and realizations that are good reminders and lessons that many of us can relate to. Eli may be young, but don't let that fool you with what he brings to the table. After hearing Eli's story, make an appointment at The Blockhouse in Franklin, TN, grab a drink, and hop in the chair to get to know the man behind the mic! Some things we discuss in this episode include:
Using your own experience to decide your communication style
Being the main attraction in the room, not just in it
Some things you can do if you experience a loss
Investing in yourself while investing in your family
Where you should get a haircut in Nashville (@theblockhousetn)
And more...
Follow Cameron Cushman and see some of the ways he is helping others: Follow @Eli.The.Hair.Guy on Instagram
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
A Tipping Point, as defined by Malcolm Gladwell, is "A place where the unexpected becomes expected, where radical change is more than possibility. It is - contrary to all our expectations - a certainty." Some call it the "I've had it moment." Whatever you refer to it as, it is the point we hit where we make a choice to do something different. For Cameron Cushman, that tipping point came when his daughter stopped asking him a simple question. As a father of four, an Army veteran, and a highly skilled cinematographer and filmmaker, Cameron doesn't often get to tell his own story. On this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast, Zach sits down with Cameron where he shares part of that story. After spending time in Afghanistan, Cameron returned home with something that would leave him facing new and long lasting challenges. It was a moment with his kids that inspired him to do something different that unknowingly would change his life, and eventually the lives of others, from that point after. Cameron's story embodies the example of not giving up or giving in to our circumstances. It shows the power of a story and how that story can help others to be inspired, motivated, and at times make the choice to persevere in the face of adversity. We thank Cameron for what he has done for our country, for what he is doing for others, and for sharing some of his story with us on this podcast to help equip and inspire other dads with an example of using our skills for positive change for the good of others. Some Dad skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:
Debating the quality of pizza
Showing your kids what perseverance is
How what you bring to the table can change the lives of others and why you should start now
Understanding the power of the outdoors
And more...
Follow Cameron Cushman and see some of the ways he is helping others:
Personal Website: cameroncush.com
Organization Website: ironfreedom.org
Follow @CameronCush on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Vimeo
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Since launching The Skilled Dad Podcast, we have heard some incredible stories and have been able to view the commonalities that many of us have within those stories. On this abbreviated episode of The Skilled Dad, Zach reflects on some of the things he has learned by sitting down and hearing the stories of other dads. He also sets the table for what to expect over the holiday season and into 2022.
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Sometimes date nights are the thing to do. Other times, its sitting down with your wife to do a podcast on her perspective of becoming The Skilled Mom. On this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast, Zach is joined by his wife Sonya. A multi-talented swiss army type of a woman, Sonya sits down with us and shares some of her tips on bucking the seasonal gunk that can make its way into the house, as well as stories of her experience transitioning from corporate warrior to full time time mom and how that has required her to redefine what success means. Finally, using her knowledge as a Nutritional Therapist, she also introduces us to a concept that can be used to help lay a solid foundation for a baby and mom before getting pregnant, regardless of which number kid this may be. We share some funs stories and part of our story as husband and wife and the fun things we get to experience day to day in our life as parents. Join us in our conversation as Sonya literally kicks back, and see what you can take away and apply to your life, on your journey to becoming The Skilled Dad (and Skilled Mom). Some Dad skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:
How to prepare a healthy foundation when planning for a baby
Things you can do to beat the cold season
Evolution of measuring success
Ways to wow her and its not what you think
And more...
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Some things are harder than we anticipate. Many things are a lot easier than we think. Sometimes, the best way to find out is to roll up the sleeves, challenge yourself, and dive in to figure it out. In the era of desk jobs and virtual worlds, being able to retain that tangible creative goodness falls to the wayside and we can miss out on learning some great new hard skills or general enjoyment of creation. So in this episode we get our hands dirty and dig into a variety of seemingly unrelated, yet relatable and important topics. On this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast, Zach is joined by his friend Alex Stern, a man of many talents with near MacGyver like qualities and an early season dad. He eloquently walks us through how his state has figured out how to proudly identify those from the area and how you can bypass the system to qualify. While we have some fun with that one (and there is a business opportunity in there for someone...), Alex also shares some of he and his wife's journey to becoming parents after many years of waiting and persevering. We also cover the importance of both self-reliance and comradery, among other topics. As always, we have a good time, laugh a lot, and get real too. We invite you to join the conversation and see what you can takeaway and apply to your life, on your journey to becoming The Skilled Dad. Some Dad skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:
Grandfathering into "Native" stickers
Keeping focused when getting pregnant takes time
Ways to supports friends that are facing challenges
Setting up personal board meetings
Stepping out of virtual to tangible creation
Getting past the comfort zone and diving in
The value of doing
And more...
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
It's easy to stand against something, but often harder to stand for it. As dads and parents, one of the biggest things we are for, is our kids. So what can we equip them with and instill in them to help them walk that road to a healthy future? Some of the pieces may look different for each of us, but there are commonalities that we can both share and learn from others. On this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast, Zach is joined by Harrison Conley, a dad of three boys and an impactful leader in his community. Harrison brings a presence that leaves you feeling calm, curious, and wanting to learn more. He shares with us a great tradition his grandfather started that has played a key role in his life and continues on to his boys as he takes the reigns of the dad leadership role with his family. Refreshing, wise, and dang fun to be around, come join the conversation as we sit down with Harrison to learn from his story and see what we can take away and apply to our own. Some Dad skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:
Instilling core principles
Carrying on tradition
Quality time or Quantity time? Yes.
Following in foot-steps or choosing to make your own path
And more...
Check out what they are doing at Cottonwood Church the links below:
Website: cottonwood.org
Follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
What would you ask your dad if you invited him for a conversation on your podcast? Well, we should have asked you this question before Zach invited his own dad on to The Skilled Dad podcast. On this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast, Zach sits down with Greg Reeser to tap into the opportunity to get his dad behind a mic and learn a different perspective of his story. Greg is an extremely creative and widely talented man that ranges from giving design tips around furniture design and fabric selection (which comes in handy with the family upholstery business), fixing dang near anything mechanical, to dreaming up a concept and making it a reality, to name a few. Join us as we sit down in the Treehouse Studio, where Zach is reminded that there is always something new to learn about your parents. So about the question of what you would ask your dad if you invited him for a conversation on your podcast? We challenge you to think about it. Then, if you are able, take the step to ask your dad, step-dad, or the one you consider dad to sit down for that conversation... whether you have a podcast or not. You may discover something you didn't know that changes your own perspective about life through their eyes. Some Dad skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:
Two weeks in ten minutes - just getting it done
Mindset matters in the low seasons and ramping up for the high
Five(ish) tools everyone should have no matter where live
Tools of faith, patience, and good 'ol hard work
Involvement is the ultimate learning tool
Some history on the Treehouse Studio
And more...
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Many of us are competitive. Competition is healthy and can be a great motivator. Who, however, are you competing against? Whether in dad mode, business mode, or whatever mode you are in, do you find yourself competing against something else? Who or what you are competing against can make a drastic difference in your success and we tap into this idea on this episode. And watch out if you are invited to a kickball league... On this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast, Zach is joined by his friend P.J. Simmons. P.J. is a dad of two with one on the way and carries an insight and level of calm that is something to be admired. Zach and P.J. spent some time in the business trenches together and built a friendship that has provided great encouragement, insight, and some go get 'emness. Join us as we sit down in the Treehouse Studio and dive into a number of topics related to being a man, husband, and dad. Some Dad skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:
What to watch out for if invited to a kickball league
Upping your game in whatever mode you are in
Creating forced proximity and friendships
Maintaining a close group of friends
Revising your comparison game
Finding your strength
And more...
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Provide. Prepare. Protect. As dads, that's a big part of our duty. Our guest on this episode, Brian Graf, demonstrates that above and beyond at home and in his community as a law enforcement office and member of the S.W.A.T. team. Brian sits down with, Zach and shares some of his stories and learnings both as a dad, veteran, and law enforcement office. He lays out a great perspective and reminder that of the idea, if not you then who? Join us in our conversation as we break down a number of concepts taken from his story, while also having some good laughs along the way. Brian is an awesome leader, man, and dad that we are honored to know and appreciate him sharing some of his story on The Skilled Dad Podcast to help equip others. We want to thank all of our military and law enforcement dads (and moms) out there who are helping to protect our country and communities, while also building the future at home. Some Dad skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:
Building Trust So You Get "That" Phone Call
Responding vs. Reacting
Leaders are Readers
Creating and Applying Vision To Your Family
Using OKRs at Home To Reach Goals... All The Possible Solutions, Not Just The One
Balancing Being a "Fun Dad" and Not Just The Fun Dad
And more...
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Not all of us make it to the Major League, but many of us have spent time on the fields in the Little Leagues. Regardless of the type of field, rink, or court, you have frequented, there are transferable concepts and shared experiences we all share as parents. On this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast, Zach is joined by Payton Junkin, a dad of three who helps impact the world as his day job... one person at a time. Payton brings an energy to the table that you wish you could hook jumper cables too for a quick recharge. Which is good, because with the schedule his house runs, it has to come in handy. Payton also has a great perspective on the balance of the win with the growth and learning of the youngin' that you are raising. DISCLAIMER: There is an exuberant reference to Alabama football on this episode. Please note that the views, opinions, and expressions are solely those of the the speakers and do not expressly represent the views and opinions of the host (Go Vols!!) or The Skilled Dad. Some Dad skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:
A Dad is more than genetic code
Not being a dugout dad
Making a difference by focusing on the one
And more...
Interested in learning more about the work Payton is doing and his organization, Help One Now? Check out the links below:
Website: Helponenow.org
Follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube at @helponenow
Follow Payton Junkin: Instagram and Facebook Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Keep calm and dad on! You've probably heard the original phrase, "Keep calm and carry on" which was coined in England and used as a motivational slogan in preparation for WWII. Well, in this episode we are adopting and adapting that slogan and it fits in many ways. In this episode Zach sits down with James Austin, a dad of three boys, who has a thrilling story of being a globetrotter before becoming a dad, then finding himself welcoming his first son while living abroad. From those experiences, James shares his stories on what differences in parenting in other countries can look like and how these adventures among others have helped shape his perspective on being a dad. James brings a fantastic balance of fun, depth, and insight to this episode. So grab a hot cup of tea and join us as we dive into some of James' story on his journey to becoming The Skilled Dad. Just listening to it may help you in keeping calm while you dad on. Some skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:
International perspective on parenting
Engaging those that have been there before you
Testing and iterating in parenthood
Making the mental shift to dad
Carrying on in the face of health challenges
Training your kids to take action
And more...
Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Have you heard of the duck on the pond? Calm on top of the water and cranking like a madman under the surface? We have talked to a lot of guys about this concept and found that this is a shared sentiment among many. Feelings stir up a lot of feelings and Jake Smith Jr. explains his take on why they aren't what you may think. On this episode Zach sits down with Jake Smith Jr. who is the President of Plumline, a spiritual development company that offers guided internal expeditions to find healing and discover meaning. He is also a husband, dad, and impactful leader. Jake lives in Franklin, TN with his wife of 20 years, and their three children. Join us as we take a bit of journey as Jake shares his expertise on what he has learned while helping hundreds of people with his work and how it has helped him be a better dad. Some skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:
Understanding the difference between feelings and "emotionalism"
Creating a shared language with our family
Understanding underlying components of our kids' (and our) emotional responses
Realizing that your mind and strength are not enough. Three things you can start applying today.
Caring properly about yourself so that you can care properly for others
Creating connection regardless of activity
Repair, Repair, Repair...
Learn more about Plumline and the work Jake does and how you can get involved by going to www.goplumline.com. Follow Jake Smith Jr.:
Instagram: @jakesmithjr
Facebook: @jakesmithjr
Twitter: @jakesmithjr
Follow us and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com and on Instagram, FB, and Twitter @skilleddad Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Episode Summary: Josh Turner is a leader, husband, dad, and man focused on helping equip other men. He made it his job when he started the 10Ten Project. Josh also knows what it is like to work as a dad with a child that has a very rare disease and finds ways to create their connection and provide for her needs. Whether it his epic beard, his future release of pine smelling cologne, or the lessons he has learned from raising his son to adulthood, Josh speaks a powerful message through his story. Join Zach and Josh on this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast where we have a great time breaking some things down and discussing some bold and challenging concepts around manhood, leadership, and being a dad. Some skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:
Gaining perspective that everyone is human and comparison is overrated
Getting over the fear and being bold for getting support
Focusing on your kids interests for connection
How to engage your band of brothers to play a pivotal role in your kids lives
Recognizing when your actions made a bigger impact than you thought
Developing a growth path and rights of passage for your son
Book referenced in this episode: Raising A Modern Day Knight - Robert Lewis
Follow Josh Turner:
Instagram: @joshuaturner
10Ten Project - 10tenproject.com and @10tenproject
Follow us and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com and on Instagram @skilleddad Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
Episode Summary: When you go from one to two kids, it can be a transition. When you go from two to three, you are officially outnumbered. So what does it look like when you have six? Zach McCann joins us on this episode of The Skilled Dad Podcast to give us an inside look on exactly that. Zach has a great story and we only have time for a small portion of it. Join us in our conversation where we touch on what they have learned about the similarities and differences they see in their kids and how they can celebrate the individual in each of them. We also breakdown some tips on how they have found a way to create a team dynamic where everyone has a role to play and much more. Some skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:
Ideas on setting up commission structures around chores
Maintaining accountability with your kids (even when we as parents blow it)
Observations on three age group phases (from age 0-12)
Training to be better, not just trying
Recognizing tipping points and how to follow-up on dad missteps
Addressing actions vs. character
How to reset from work to home
Ways to promote critical thinking skills with our kids
Product referenced in this episode: Greenlight Debit Card for Kids - greenlightcard.com
**NOTE: We have no affiliation with Greenlight and are not sponsored in anyway. If someone has had a good experience with a product, sometimes we talk about it and what to equip others with something to look into.
Follow us and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.
As dads we face a lot of things. Some of these things are bigger than others. On this episode, Zach sits down with Jon French, who is a dad, husband, and leader with a powerful story that is set out to bring hope to others. We hit on things like what to do when faced with the question of considering a mini-van, how to set the expectations with middle school boys, aligning time with family, and things a dad can do if they find themselves facing the battle with cancer. We cover a lot of ground on a variety of topics and lots of takeaways. Join our conversation and see what you can learn, engage, and equip others with on your journey to becoming The Skilled Dad. Some skills you will learn in this episode:
Perspectives on the dreaded mini-van
Putting your cape on and showing up
Time as the currency of relationship
Using the Like Switch formula to build relationships
Some things that can be considered if facing cancer
Being bold and stepping into the awkwardness of making friends with other dads
Keep fightin'
Much more...
Referenced in the Podcast:
The Like Switch - Jack Schafer
Rejection Therapy video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vZXgApsPCQ
More on Jon's Cancer Journey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhCu9FFaJk0
More at TheSkilledDad.com
NOTE: All opinions, tips, and suggestions that are shared on the the podcast are expressly those of the host and the guest. We always recommend seeking professional help and guidance when necessary if you are facing challenging scenarios.
The Skilled Dad Podcast CLIP From Episode Three with Mark Hamilton How often do we go after the mountain and miss the stream on the way? Whether it be a vacation, a weekend, or whatever you have your sights set on, what are the things you might be missing? This clip is a portion of a conversation with Mark Hamilton and hits on a tool that they use to make sure their family isn't missing the little adventures on their way to the big one. Download the full episode with Mark Hamilton to hear more of the story! Follow The Skilled Dad on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook @skilleddad TheSkilledDad.com
Every time we ventured into the mountains to chase Elk, we found more stories than big game. Mark Hamilton joins Zach to recount the lessons we have learned from our shared stories as friends, adventurers, and dads. We look at Parkinson's Law and how time is filled with something good or something else. And Mark drops a paradigm shifter that his kids taught him on a perspective of what we focus on and may not want to miss. Join our conversation and see what you can learn, engage, and equip others with on your journey to becoming The Skilled Dad. Some skills you will learn in this episode:
Parkinson's Law: what it is and how why it is important to understand it.
The value of Macro Adventures vs. Micro ones
Plans are great, until they aren't. How to overcome when it all goes south.
Much more...
More at TheSkilledDad.com
We dive into the pool in this conversation around raising boys, the concept of emotional availability, and what NOT to do if your son falls into a river. Justin Meeker is a father, husband, business leader, and a lot of fun to be around. His story has some powerful takeaways to take to heart. Join our conversation and see what you can learn, engage, and equip others with on your journey to becoming TheSkilledDad.
Some skills you will learn in this episode:
The concept of "emotional availability"
Feeling stir up feelings... and why that is important
Intro to the Enneagram
What is bravery?
Much more...
Book Reference: Voice of the Heart - Chip Dodd
More at TheSkilledDad.com
WARNING: In this episode there is brief discussion of experience with the loss of a child. If you have experienced this before, please be aware that this will come up and proceed in the best way that you see fit.
Jason Kimbrow is a husband, dad of four, and dang fun guy to be around. Jason is also a strong leader and has made an impact on many people and families over the years. Together we discuss the importance of the moment with the limited time we have with our kids and he lays out the cool side of his dad creativity. Join our conversation and see what you can learn, engage, and equip others with on your journey to becoming TheSkilledDad.
Some skills you will learn in this episode:
How to keep the family connected amongst the chaos
Creating a dedicated time full of "yes" for the kids
Understanding the Power of Moments
Seeking teachable moments
Sound advice on what to do when in a low spot in life
Much more...
Follow Jason on Social:
Instagram - @JasonKimbrow
Twitter - @JasonKimbrow
Facebook - @JasonKimbrow
More at TheSkilledDad.com
Seven years ago, Matt Cass and I were both preparing to become dads and were looking for resources. We couldn't find many geared toward dads, so we thought we would make one. We didn't... So for the first episode of The Skilled Dad it is only right that we sit down with Matt to discuss his story, learnings, and thoughts around what he would share with himself seven years ago when he was getting ready to become a dad. Sit back and let his wisdom and smooth voice put you at ease and equip with you thoughts on what you can apply to your own journey.
Some skills you will learn on this episode:
Learning to be where your feet are
Letting go and having fun
Much more...
Learn more at TheSkilledDad.com
Welcome to The Skilled Dad Podcast. On this show we sit down with dads from all over to hear their story, learn from their experience, lessons, and wins, and apply our takeaways so that we can equip the next generation for success. We cover topics related to being a man, husband, and dad from the dad perspective. Their stories are powerful and so is yours. We invite you to learn from them. Your story is powerful and we encourage you not to keep it to yourself. Join in and subscribe to this weekly podcast hosted by Zach Reeser and see what you can learn that will help you on your journey to becoming The Skilled Dad.