The Dad Edit

Episode 39: Youth Sports for Dads - When Kids’ Sports Become a Money Trap

Episode 39: Youth Sports for Dads - When Kids’ Sports Become a Money Trap Youth sports used to feel simple: sign up for a local team, practice a couple nights a week, play games on the weekend, and enjoy being part of something. But for a lot of families today, kids’ sports have become expensive, competitive, time-consuming, and stressful. In Episode 39 of The Dad Edit, Andrew, Ryan, and Jeff talk about the rising pressure around youth sports, from hockey and football to gymnastics, boxing, jiu-jitsu, dance, and travel teams. The conversation explores how dads can support their kids’ interests without letting sports take over the family’s finances, schedule, or identity. The guys reflect on their own childhood experiences with sports, the confidence and friendships that came from being part of a team, and the reality that not every family had the money or access to participate fully. They also talk about the modern pressure on parents to buy better equipment, pay for private coaching, join extra leagues, travel for tournaments, and keep kids “competitive” before they even know what they truly love. This episode is for any dad trying to figure out how to encourage his kids, expose them to new activities, build discipline and resilience, and still keep sports fun. Because youth sports can teach kids teamwork, accountability, confidence, and follow-through but they should not bankrupt the family or become a parent’s second chance at an old dream. At the heart of the episode is one question every sports parent should ask: Who are youth sports really for the kids, or the parents? Listen in for a real, funny, and honest conversation about kids’ sports, parenting pressure, money, discipline, and helping children find what they love without losing the joy along the way.

Episode 38: 90s TV Dads - The Sitcom Fathers Who Raised a Generation

Episode 38: 90s TV Dads - The Sitcom Fathers Who Raised a Generation Growing up in the 90s, a lot of us learned about fatherhood from TV dads before we ever became dads ourselves. From Uncle Phil in Fresh Prince to Tim Taylor in Home Improvement, Danny Tanner in Full House, and Carl Winslow in Family Matters these sitcom fathers shaped how an entire generation viewed parenting, masculinity, family, and showing up for your kids. In Episode 38 of The Dad Edit Podcast, we dive into the impact of 90s sitcom dads, the lessons those shows quietly taught us, and why modern media feels so different today. We talk about fatherhood, nostalgia, family values, community, growing up without role models, and how TV once created shared family experiences that still influence us as fathers now. This episode covers:• The most influential sitcom dads of the 90s • Why shows like Fresh Prince, Boy Meets World, and Full House mattered so much • How TV shaped our expectations of fatherhood and family life • The difference between 90s family sitcoms and modern media culture • Why today’s kids are growing up with YouTubers instead of TV role models • The importance of presence, community, and positive male influence If you grew up watching TGIF, sitcom reruns, or family TV nights, this episode is going to hit home. Listen now and join the conversation about modern fatherhood, parenting, masculinity, and raising good kids in today’s world. Join us for our monthly Dad Walk in London, Ontario, every third Saturday at 11AM at Kiwanis Park. Follow us on Instagram @thedadpodcast for updates and future episodes.

Episode 37: FAFO Parenting for Dads - Natural Consequences vs Gentle Parenting

Episode 37: FAFO Parenting for Dads - Natural Consequences vs Gentle Parenting As dads, how do we raise strong, respectful, emotionally aware kids without becoming too controlling… or too passive? In this episode, Andrew, Jeff, Ryan, and Brian have a real, unfiltered conversation about: * Gentle parenting and emotional intelligence * Natural consequences and accountability * Why kids need discomfort to grow * Discipline vs. punishment * Participation trophies and resilience * Teaching responsibility without shame * Letting kids fail safely * Preparing children for the real world * The importance of balance in fatherhood  This isn’t a parenting expert lecture. It’s four dads talking honestly about modern parenting, discipline, emotional regulation, boundaries, consequences, and what it actually means to raise capable kids in today’s world. If you’re a father trying to navigate parenting styles, raise resilient children, build stronger family relationships, and become a more intentional dad, this conversation is for you. The Dad Edit Podcast is a podcast for fathers focused on self-improvement, parenting, masculinity, mental health, relationships, and real conversations about modern fatherhood. Join us for our monthly Dad Walks in London, Ontario, every third Saturday at 11AM at Kiwanis Park. Follow, rate, and share the podcast if these conversations resonate with you.

Episode 36: Messy Parenting for Dads — When You’re Just Trying to Keep Up

Episode 36: Messy Parenting for Dads — When You’re Just Trying to Keep Up What does real fatherhood actually look like? Because it’s not the version you see on Instagram. In this episode of The Dad Edit, we break down the truth about messy parenting the chaos, the pressure, and the constant feeling that you’re falling behind as a dad. From sleepless nights and shifting routines to the weight of providing, leading, and “being enough,” this conversation gets honest about what modern fatherhood really feels like.  We talk about: * Why so many dads feel like they’re failing (even when they’re not) * The gap between “perfect parenting” online and real life at home * How expectations create frustration in fatherhood * Balancing work, family, fitness, and personal goals without burning out * Why presence matters more than perfection * What kids actually remember (and what they don’t)  If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to juggle it all career, family, finances, and your own identity, this episode will remind you: You’re not behind.You’re not alone. And you don’t have to be perfect to be a great dad. Because real parenting isn’t clean, structured, or predictable. It’s messy. And that might be the point. 🎧 Follow The Dad Edit for real, unfiltered conversations about fatherhood, self-improvement, and building a life that actually matters.

Episode 35: Trust for Dads - When Your Teen Stops Telling You Everything

Episode 35: Trust for Dads - When Your Teen Stops Telling You Everything What happens when your child stops telling you everything? One day they’re sharing every detail school, friends, thoughts, feelings. Then suddenly… it’s “fine,” “nothing,” “I don’t know.” In this episode of The Dad Edit, we unpack one of the most difficult and confusing transitions in fatherhood when communication with your child starts to fade. This shift can feel like rejection. Like distance. Like you’re losing connection. But the truth is… it’s growth. We break down: * Why kids (especially teens) stop opening up to their parents * How social pressure, emotional development, and independence play a role  * Why this phase can hit dads harder than expected * How to stay connected without pushing your child away * The difference between controlling your child and coaching them * Practical ways to build trust so they still come to you when it matters most  This episode is for fathers navigating: * Teenagers becoming more distant * Short answers and silence at home * Wanting to stay involved without overstepping * Building a strong father-child relationship that lasts into adulthood  Because being a great dad isn’t about knowing everything anymore. It’s about being the one they trust when things actually matter. If you’re raising kids or heading into those teenage years, this conversation will help you stay grounded, patient, and present through the transition.