The SkilledDad Podcast

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 book out 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 written specifically 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 can follow 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 can apply. 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 kids How to stay ahead of the curve when both you and the kids are changing Embracing the idea of failure Being a thermostat, not a thermometer What it's like when you realize you are now the "older" parents in the group How to keep a positive mindset when others get negative around parenting Getting into "Dad Mode" and determining what that means for you Learn 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 Channel Follow 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 them Key things we have learned from hundreds of conversations with other dads Making friends as adults Why Lone Wolves rarely survive and 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 Channel Follow 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 The value of getting reps/ experience Why learning new skills is imperative as a dad 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.

Imagine stepping into a hospital where someone throws a gown at you and starts telling you what to do in a language you don't understand. And you happen to be there to help bring your first child into the world. On this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast, Zach sits down with Alex Van De Sompele, who lived this very experience. A mid-western native who now lives in Sweden, Alex shares his story and experience of being a dad abroad. What its like raising a child in a foreign country, the challenges, and the benefits among other lessons he has learned along the way. Join the conversation and see what you can take away from this laid back and incredibly driven dad of two that is working to make an impact across the pond. Some Things We Discuss: Dad "styles" in other countries What its like to have over 200 days of paternity leave Planning the future for your child when you are just getting started And more... Learn more about what Alex is doing by following him @meekly.se. 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