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. + 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. - Connect with the Dad Pod http://www.dadpodpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/thedadpod/ https://www.facebook.com/thedadpodpodcast

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; - the power of friendships. - Connect with the Dad Pod http://www.dadpodpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/thedadpod/ https://www.facebook.com/thedadpodpodcast

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/ - Connect with the Dad Pod http://www.dadpodpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/thedadpod/ https://www.facebook.com/thedadpodpodcast

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 - Connect with the Dad Pod http://www.dadpodpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/thedadpod/ https://www.facebook.com/thedadpodpodcast

“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 - Connect with the Dad Pod http://www.dadpodpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/thedadpod/ https://www.facebook.com/thedadpodpodcast

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/ Connect with the Dad Pod http://www.dadpodpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/thedadpod/ https://www.facebook.com/thedadpodpodcast

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. Connect with the Dad Pod http://www.dadpodpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/thedadpod/ https://www.facebook.com/thedadpodpodcast

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/ Connect with the Dad Pod http://www.dadpodpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/thedadpod/ https://www.facebook.com/thedadpodpodcast

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/ - Connect with the Dad Pod http://www.dadpodpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/thedadpod/ https://www.facebook.com/thedadpodpodcast

“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 - Connect with the Dad Pod http://www.dadpodpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/thedadpod/ https://www.facebook.com/thedadpodpodcast

“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. - Connect with the Dad Pod www.dadpodpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/thedadpod/ https://www.facebook.com/thedadpodpodcast

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 - Connect with the Dad Pod www.dadpodpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/thedadpod/ https://www.facebook.com/thedadpodpodcast

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. _ Connect with the Dad Pod www.dadpodpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/thedadpod/ https://www.facebook.com/thedadpodpodcast

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 _ Connect with the Dad Pod www.dadpodpodcast.com https://www.instagram.com/thedadpod/ https://www.facebook.com/thedadpodpodcast

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.