Extraordinary Dads

• "I'm the Dad he wishes he was." Steve, Martial Arts School Owner

  In this conversation, Steve, owner of the Santa Cruz GracieJiu-Jitsu Martial Arts School, shares insights into his life as a father and martial arts instructor. He discusses balancing parenting and self-care, education choices for his sons, and the lessons learned from Jiu-Jitsu that apply to life and fatherhood. Steve reflects on his own upbringing, the death of his mother, his absentee father, and how that motivates him to strive to be a better dad for his children. He also talks about the complicated evolution of his relationship with his dad in adulthood and how forgiveness and redemption are playing a part in the ongoing healing of that relationship. More information on Santa Cruz Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Martial ArtsSchool: www.graciesantacruz.comKeywords: parenting, jiu-jitsu, education, homeschooling, bullying, self-defense, personal growth, self-care, absentee father, forgiveness, redemption, entrepreneurship

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• "It's shaping me. I also get to change and grow." - Jeremy, Music Producer Dad

  In this conversation, Jeremy (a DIFFERENT Jeremy than last time!), a music producer and entrepreneur shares his experiences as a single dad with joint custody. He dwells on the importance of patience, presence, and creativity in his parenting approach. Jeremy reflects on the influence of his parents and heritage, and shares his viewpoint as a Black father in a predominantly white community. Jeremy’s conversation highlights the growth, learning and awesomeness  that comes with being a dad.Check out Jeremy's production studio Sonivore at www.sonivores.com, or follow his Instagam @sonivore.Apologies for the creaky chair noise throughout this episode, folks! We kinda botched the studio setup for this recording, and the mic captured a bunch of ambient noise. We learn and we move on!Keywords: parenting, joint custody, patience, creativity, emotional intelligence, cultural identity, music, family dynamics, black fatherhood, personal growth

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• "Froggy Baby Daddy!" - Jeremy, New Dad

  In this engaging episode of the Extraordinary Dads podcast, we sit down with Jeremy, a new dad navigating the joys and challenges of parenting an 18-month-old. Jeremy shares his experiences of balancing work and family life, the unexpected realities of fatherhood, the importance of patience and presence, and the pressures and expectations that come with striving for perfection. He reflects on the influence of his own upbringing and the support of his family, offering insights into the evolving journey of being a dad. Join us for this heartfelt conversation about the trials and triumphs of early parenthood.Keywords: parenting, fatherhood, labor, work-life-balance, perfectionism, mindfulness, presence, hybrid work, working from home, self-care, screen time, devices, grandparents, family support, job search, community support, summer camps.

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• "If you've met one person on the spectrum, you've met one person on the spectrum." - Chad, Autism Dad

  In this episode Chad, an “Autism dad,” shares his journey of parenting a neurodivergent child, and how it has shaped his marriage and family life. Chad discusses how his own diagnosis has brought insight and empathy into his approach to parenting his child. This episode offers a candid look at the unique joys and struggles of raising a neurodivergent child, emphasizing the importance of understanding, patience, partnership and love in fostering a supportive family environment. Donal and Matthew continue their conversation about non-religious rites of passage and spiritual development for kids.All this, plus lost chickens and Freemasons!Keywords: Parenting, Fatherhood, Teenager, Neurodivergence, Autism Spectrum, Perspective, Marriage, Family, Personal Growth, Celebrate the Small Victories, Kindness to Self, Rites of Passage, Bar Mitzvah, ConfirmationReferences:The Virtues Guide, published 1991 - no longer in print, but copies can be found on ebay or other used book sellers.

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• "Dada Car!" - Max, Firefighter Dad

  In this conversation, Max, a “fire killer,” shares his experiences navigating the challenges of parenthood while managing a demanding job. He discusses the unique schedule of a firefighter, the importance of communication and partnership with his wife, and the ups and downs of parenting a young child with a challenging sleep schedule. Max reflects on lessons learned from his own upbringing, the sacrifices his dad made, and the value of community support. The discussion also touches on the role of grandparents and the unique challenges faced by parents raising kids far from immediate family. And the cutest moment of the interview, when Max reveals that whenever his son sees a fire truck, he calls it a Dada Car. Keywords:fatherhood, parenting, firefighter, work-life balance, sleep schedule, communication, challenges, proud moments, mental health, community support, family dynamics

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