The Dad Shorts Podcast

Ep. 76: Into the Dadlands (Part 3) w/ Jake Hancock & Ed Barlow

The adventure continues in Part 3 of our Dad-themed Dungeons & Dragons saga. Our party—Bob Belcher, Phil Dunphy, and Uncle Phil—faces off against the manager’s minions: a Bass Pro cultist, a remote control golem, a spectral referee, and more. With the help of burger puns, blessing spells, and duct-taped weapons, the dads battle their way through chaos, comedy, and some truly questionable strategy.Timestamps:00:00 – Theme song and intro02:00 – The ref’s whistle is destroyed03:20 – Phil Dunphy uses a suggestion spell06:00 – The ref gets pantsed09:00 – Uncle Phil takes a TV remote to the face11:00 – The dads get blessed13:00 – Duck Dynasty takes serious card damage16:20 – The ref throws a flag18:00 – Bob gets hit with an arrow20:00 – Uncle Phil’s weapon breaks23:00 – A Fresh Prince callback gets emotional25:00 – Bob gets healed, then delivers the final blow29:00 – The fight ends, but the manager awaits30:00 – Debrief and tips for playing D&D with family34:00 – Final thoughts and sign-off

Ep. 75: Into the Dadlands (Part 2) w/ Jake Hancock and Ed Barlow

What do you get when you cross Dungeons & Dragons with a crew of suburban dads, a magical remote control, and a haunted sporting goods store? You get the Dad Shorts Podcast's most epic adventure yet. In this part-two episode, Jake Hancock returns to the show, joined by returning guest Ed Barlow, as the gang continues their chaotic quest through the Dadlands. With magical weapons in hand and character sheets barely understood, Bob Belcher, Phil Dunphy, and Uncle Phil take on gym rats, spectral referees, and clipboard-wielding orcs. It's part fantasy campaign, part parenting therapy, and all fun. Whether you're a seasoned dungeon master or just a dad trying to survive the sporting goods aisle, this one’s for you. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Theme Song Double Feature02:15 – Meet Our Party03:00 – Jake’s First D&D Game with His Kids06:10 – Recap07:20 – Uncle Phil Appears,08:50 – Thumb Wrestling10:20 – The Sporting Goods Store12:15 – “To the Manager”15:25 – The Bad Guys Arrive20:10 – First Contact22:00 – The Whistle Blows24:45 – Combat Begins31:00 – Bob Belcher Delivers 35:00 – Gym Rat Schmear45:00 – Wrap-Up & Tease for the Epic Conclusion in Part 3 New to D&D? Don’t worry. So are we. Kind of. Join the fun and bring your imagination (and snacks).

Ep. 74: Into the Dadlands (Part 1) w/ Jake Hancock

In this epic crossover of fatherhood and fantasy, the Dad Shorts crew welcomes Jake Hancock — father of four, student ministry leader, and undercover board game warlord — for an unforgettable ride through parenthood, perspective, and… a dad-themed Dungeons & Dragons adventure? From hot dog philosophy to spiritual legacy, this episode brings the laughs, the feels, and a heroic showdown against The Over-Dad. Part interview, part fantasy campaign, 100% dad gold. Timestamps 00:00 – American Sushi and Sandwich Logic: Are corn dogs actually sushi? 00:55 – Meet Jake Hancock: Four kids, student ministry leadership, and pastoral dad vibes 02:52 – From Teacher to Ministry Director: How Jake stays “in the dirt” with students 05:04 – Dad Uniforms & Husky Jeans: Carhartt, carpenter pants, and Levi’s saving grace 07:07 – Jake’s Dad Advice: Don't make big decisions with kids under 3 09:01 – The Bathroom Never Forgets: Diapers out, disaster in 09:55 – Coffee with 3 Dads (Jim Gaffigan? Deion Sanders?) 12:20 – Spiritual Fatherhood Gets Real: Being present > performing routines 16:50 – Prepping Kids for a Hostile World: Hard convos, not hideaways 21:00 – Confessions of a First Draft Kid: Parenting mistakes and honesty 22:17 – 🎮 Let the Game Begin: A wild D&D-inspired Dadventure starts 25:10 – Weapons of Dadstruction: Meet Tenderizer, Pigskin of Pain & Deadly Deals 33:00 – The Sporting Goods Gauntlet: Rival dads, rogue escalators, and bonus XP 40:55 – The Final Door: A trophy case, a bat, and one truly dramatic leap 44:28 – 👑 Danny Tanner, The Over-Dad: Dad monologues, epic threats, and a throne room standoff 👀 Coming Next Week: Part 2 of this Dad D&D special, featuring surprise guests and even more dad-fueled chaos.

Ep. 73: March Madness, Dad Tears, & Sports Memories

Welcome back to Dad Shorts Podcast, where Scott & Zach rank life’s most important things—starting with what truly makes dads cry! This week, we dive into March Madness, unforgettable dad bonding moments, and how to connect with kids who aren't into sports. Plus, we dream up the ultimate March Madness Bracket—because everything in life deserves one! Episode Highlights: (00:00:00) – Welcome to the madness! What else in life deserves a bracket? (00:04:40) – March Madness memories & why the tournament is so special (00:07:26) – Creating quality time with kids—without forcing your hobbies on them (00:27:23) – Top 10 March Madness Moments we’ll never forget! (00:38:44) – Teasing next week’s BIG guest: Jake Hancock from Christ Church in the Valley! Join the Conversation! What would you put in your Dad March Madness Bracket? Drop your thoughts in the comments or find us on Facebook (@DadShortsPodcast)! Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share—because this episode is totally free. (Unless it’s over 30 minutes. Then it’s extra free. )

Ep. 72: Deep Thoughts & Ridiculous HYPERtheticals w/ Michael DeFazio

Get ready for an episode packed with dad wisdom, laughter, and some truly bizarre questions! This week, we sit down with Michael DeFazio to talk about parenting, faith, and the importance of having deep conversations with our kids. Oh, and we also tackle some of the wildest hypotheticals imaginable—including bear fights, cannibalistic survival dilemmas, and whether a lifetime of rain is worth saving a friend. (00:07:19) – How to study the Bible: Making faith accessible (00:11:02) – Michael’s best dad story (get ready to laugh!) (00:16:48) – Coffee with three dads from history—who makes the cut? (00:20:52) – Raising kids to stand firm in their beliefs (00:40:04) – The Cannibal’s Quandary: A truly disturbing “what if?” (00:44:08) – Bear attack or lifetime of rain—would you take one for the team? (00:49:05) – The office scandal you didn’t commit (but everyone believes) Join the Conversation! What would you do in these crazy situations? Drop your thoughts in the comments or hit us up on Facebook (@DadShortsPodcast) and TikTok (coming soon!). Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share—especially if you enjoy a good dad joke with your deep conversations. Listen now, because this episode is totally free. (Unless it’s over 30 minutes. Then it’s extra free.)