The Real Dad Podcast

Ever feel like your identity has been completely swallowed by parenthood? You're not alone. Mark kicks off this episode with the wild tale of his whirlwind trip to California—a dream content creation opportunity that came with equal parts excitement and anxiety. Between the language barriers, tight deadlines, and nagging suspicion that he might be getting scammed, Mark barely had time to process that he was living out his professional dream. But the real struggle wasn't the work itself; it was the guilt of leaving his family behind and the realization that these experiences would be more meaningful with his wife by his side. This adventure opens up a candid conversation about maintaining your personal identity while being a parent. We dive into the refreshing perspective that while we love our children deeply, it's perfectly normal to find aspects of parenting challenging. As one therapist puts it, "Parenthood has a right to all of my time, money, love and devotion—but not all of my identity." This sentiment hit home for all of us who've felt the pressure to make parenting our entire existence. The most powerful moments come when discussing those rare parenting wins that make the struggles worthwhile. Dave shares how his 13-year-old son has transformed from competitive to compassionate during their runs together, while Mark witnesses his nephew showing remarkable empathy by comforting a devastated quarterback after a crushing loss. Brian adds insight from his niece about how her parents built her confidence by encouraging her to handle difficult situations herself rather than intervening. These stories remind us why we do this work—those fleeting moments when we glimpse the adults our children are becoming, shaped by the values we've been quietly modeling all along. Join us for an honest, heartfelt conversation about finding joy in the parenting journey while holding onto who you are beyond being "just" a mom or dad.

Ever noticed how your kids can be completely different people when they're around someone new? In this captivating episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of childhood social development and the magic that happens when we gently push our kids beyond their familiar boundaries. We share candid stories about those surprising moments when our children exceeded our expectations socially. From a daughter making new playground friends completely independently to a normally reserved son transforming into a confident soccer player when grandparents were watching, these experiences highlight the incredible adaptability of children when given the right opportunities to shine. The conversation takes a thoughtful turn as we reflect on our own adult social anxieties. We realize that the awkwardness we feel trying to insert ourselves into new groups or strike up conversations with strangers is exactly what our children navigate regularly. This awareness sparks an important discussion about empathy and modeling—how can we expect our kids to be socially courageous if we ourselves avoid uncomfortable social situations? We tackle the particular challenge facing children who attend the same school from kindergarten through eighth grade, potentially stuck with the same peer group for nearly a decade. When difficult personalities or negative dynamics emerge, having outside friendships becomes crucial for a child's social development and self-esteem. Through personal experiences and honest reflection, we explore strategies for helping kids build diverse friendship circles that extend beyond their school environment. Whether you're raising a social butterfly or a more reserved child, this episode offers practical insights for nurturing social confidence while respecting your child's unique personality. Join our conversation about finding that sweet spot between protection and independence, and discover how stepping back occasionally might be exactly what your child needs to step forward socially.

Ever wondered what happens when dads get together and speak their unfiltered truth about parenthood? This episode captures the raw, hilarious reality of fatherhood that rarely makes it into parenting books. The conversation kicks off with candid Father's Day reflections, where Mark shares a touching moment of coming home to find his children had created a surprise celebration with homemade signs and streamers. Another dad reads his son's brutally honest school questionnaire: "My dad's favorite color is, I don't know" and the priceless "My dad makes the best... he only cooks sometimes." These moments of unintentional comedy from children become treasured memories, despite the occasional roasting of dad's abilities. Dive into the fascinating world of "dad math" as one father explains driving an hour to save $70 on a deck box at Costco. The hosts share survival strategies for weekend warehouse shopping with kids, including the mortifying moment when a child starts chanting "dead fish!" at the seafood counter. You'll laugh as they debate the merits of different Costco locations and admit to driving astronomical distances just to avoid crowds. The podcast takes an unexpectedly insightful turn when discussing strategies for handling children's meltdowns. Who knew that singing during tantrums engages both emotional and rational parts of a child's brain? Or that deliberately naming colors incorrectly will distract even the most upset toddler? These field-tested techniques come from the trenches of parenthood, not theoretical parenting manuals. Marriage communication gets a hilarious examination when the dads share the memes they exchange with their wives—ranging from flirtatious jokes to pointed "hard pill to swallow" parenting reminders. Their honest assessment of unrealistic parenting advice (like dimming all house lights 90 minutes before bedtime) will have you nodding in agreement. Join this authentic conversation about the beautiful mess of fatherhood. Whether you're a parent looking for solidarity or someone curious about the unvarnished truth of raising kids, this episode delivers laughs, insights, and the comforting reminder that perfect parenting doesn't exist—but real, loving fatherhood absolutely does.

A wedding day becomes the ultimate test of fatherly strength when Mark's three-year-old son, serving as best man, demands to be held throughout the entire ceremony. "I'm holding him in the cradle position for what felt like eternity," Mark recounts, "sweating in my suit while trying to focus on my vows and looking like I'm enjoying every second." It's a perfect metaphor for parenthood - finding beauty in challenging moments while creating memories that will last a lifetime. Set against the picturesque backdrop of Whispering Springs glamping resort, the podcast hosts share an intimate, laugh-filled retelling of Mark and Robin's long-awaited wedding after nine years of engagement. Their seven-year-old daughter stepped in as maid of honor while their son brought charm, chaos, and a handful of sticks to the ceremony. The universe seemed to align perfectly, delivering beautiful weather despite ominous forecasts just days before. The celebration was made more meaningful by thoughtful tributes to absent loved ones. Pictures honoring Mark's grandmother and Robin's father were placed on ceremony benches, while Robin carried her father's ashes wrapped around her bouquet. "I'm so grateful that we're able to give her the wedding of her dreams," Mark reflects, even if his own experience felt at times like "a rat on fire." Perhaps the most valuable takeaway comes in Mark's advice for future couples: "You really need to carve out five or ten minutes of just you and your wife time... after you've signed the papers, when guests are at cocktail hour. No photographers, no wedding party, just the two of you." In a day filled with obligations and performances, these stolen moments become the true heart of celebration. Whether you're planning a wedding, navigating parenthood, or simply trying to balance life's chaos with its beauty, this episode reminds us that imperfection often creates our most treasured stories. As Mark puts it, "Everything in our story has played out perfectly the way it's supposed to."

Ever had that moment when you suddenly realize your child has become their own person? That's exactly what we explore in this episode, sharing the hilarious and heartwarming ways our kids surprise us with their emerging personalities and unexpected passions. Mark takes us through a weekend of revelations - from his three-year-old son becoming inexplicably obsessed with bull riding after a chance encounter at a restaurant ("Not now mom, I'm watching bull riding!") to his daughter secretly mastering ballet and stunning everyone as the lead in her recital. These moments of discovery aren't just entertaining; they're windows into who our children are becoming when we're not looking. We dive deep into the world of kids and sports, questioning our motivations as dads for enrolling them in activities and debating the fine line between healthy encouragement and toxic pressure. Why do sports mean so much to us? Is it about reliving our glory days, teaching valuable life skills, or simply providing opportunities for our kids to find what lights them up? The conversation takes an unexpectedly touching turn when we reflect on our own childhood experiences with sports and our fathers' involvement (or lack thereof). We discover how these memories shape our approach to parenting today, particularly in how we show up for our kids' activities and handle the crucial moments after games or performances. Whether you're cheering from the sidelines, helping with homework, or sitting through countless bull riding videos on YouTube, this episode reminds us that parenting isn't about shaping our kids into who we want them to be—it's about creating space for them to reveal who they truly are, and the privilege we have in witnessing those magical moments of self-discovery.