"Being there. Being present. Being available and not turning kids down." - Larry, Dad of Dads!
In this episode Donal and Matthew welcome Matthew's own dad, Larry. We had the pleasure of interviewing him while he visited recently, and he shared his continuing experience of being a dad to grown kids, as well as being a grandparent. Larry reflects on "old school" parenting, proud moments, regrets, and how the expectations of dads and family has changed over the decades. Keywords:grandfather, grandparents, fatherhood, parenting, family dynamics, changing expectations for dads, military father, generational influence, emotional intelligence, family values, communication
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47:46
"Money as a means to family experiences." - Tom, financial advisor
In this episode, we chat with Tom who shares his experiences and insights as a father, discussing the joys and challenges of parenting twins, his approach to teaching them values, and the importance of being present in their lives. He reflects on lessons learned from his own upbringing, emphasizing the significance of work-life balance, and instilling a healthy relationship with money in his children.Keywordsparenting, fatherhood, self-care, family values, financial advice, money management, work-life balance, personal growth
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55:23
"Grow where you're planted" - Dan, Old Dad
In this episode we meet Dan, a 68 year-old father of an 8 year old. Dan talks to us about his experience dadding past 60, about how age has shaped his approach to parenting. Dan works as a Catholic chaplain who ventures into indigenous and shamanic traditions, and we get to hear how he makes space for spiritual development in his daughter's life. Keywordsfatherhood, parenting, spirituality, emotional intelligence, older dads, family dynamics, communication, boundaries
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49:36
"Logic and reason!" - Erik, Young Dad
In this episode we talk with 30 year-old dad Erik, the father of three children between 4 to 12 years old. He gives us an inside peek into the life and evolution of a young dad. Erik gives us the low-down on his application and adaptations of Gentle Parenting, mistakes and corrections over the years, getting support from family as an 18 year-old with a baby on the way, reflections on the death of his own father, and more.We cover a lot of territory, so buckle up!Keywordsyoung dad, emotional awareness, family dynamics, gentle parenting, support systems for young parents, losing a father
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1:02:23
"What is the sound of two dads flapping?" - Matthew & Donal kick things off
Annnnnnd here we go! This is our first full episode following our format for conversations: Dads on mics. Drinks in hand. Running down three questions for each episode: What's working for you right now? What's challenging for you recently? What's a recent occurrence in your parenting that you're proud of?No guest this time! Just the two of us. We went all over the place! Bedtime routines, instilling reading habits, homeschooling, finding what ignites kids' passion, the need for self-care and downtime. There's a little bit of everything in here from our recent adventures in dadding. Grab yourself a drink and get cozy with us, dads.Keywordsbedtime routine, reading habits, dads groups, parenting, education, supportive learning environment, parenting challenges, self-care, downtime, supporting children
We're ordinary dads who have an avid interest in connecting and sharing experiences with other dads about the extraordinary act of parenting. Each episode we interview a different dad to explore the brightest highs and darkest lows in the lives of every-day dads, revealing unsung stories of caring, resolve, love, disappointment, and everything in between. We’re here to learn and celebrate practical habits that regular dads have discovered to feel more successful as a parent, while also acknowledging the challenges and short-comings that happen along the way.