Bandit Dads: The Good, The Bad, and the Pop Culture Dad (an Out Think the Classics Minisode)

"The role models, we just didn't have a whole lot....I wanted to be present."

I'm lucky; I have a dads' group. I have a group of dads that I've been with for sixteen years. We started when the kids were 19 months old, and we went through fatherhood together, and we continue to do that....which means I have a group of guys to help mentor me through....That support and that mentorship, that's huge."

-Shannon Carpenter

“When we started watching Bluey, I was transfixed. I was so excited to see that kind of parenting reflected in a mass media outlet in that way, to just see that kind of idea reflected back and know there are people out there who take this more fun and loose approach to this kind of parenting. I remember screaming, 'This is a documentary!'”

-Dan Jenkins

Welcome back to “Out Think the Classics,” my own personal quest to contextualize classic pop culture for modern families.

After our first series of Out Think the Classics, Exploring Evil, we ventured on to minisodes around representation and love in pop culture. We're thrilled to begin with an exploration of Dads, with special guests Shannon Carpenter (Author and Stay-at-Home-Dad) and Dan Jenkins (Creative Director, themed entertainment). We discuss:

• Carpenter and Jenkins' role models as Dads
• Dads in pop culture who were good role models and not so great
• How Bluey and more modern representations feel more like their own Dad styles
• "Dads just do it different," what that means, and how it plays out in daily life
• Where can Dads go for community?

Up Next

Out Think the Election, a 4-part podcast series on the history of media's role in elections, media literacy, and dialogues around the the hot topics your family will face this year.

Subscribe to get a sneak peek of our next series Out Think the Election! 

The Out Think Team

Cindy Marie Jenkins, (she/her), Host & Creative Producer

Shannon Carpenter (he/him) is the author of The Ultimate Stay-at-Home Dad Manual and is a graduate of the famous Second City, where he refined his humor writing to capture the attention of audiences everywhere. Whether writing social satire, essays, or books, he is always able to find your funny bone and leave you with a lasting impression. 

"If we can change a tire, we can change a diaper."

He has appeared on Good Morning America, CNN, MSNBC, The Wall Street Journal, Slate, NPR, Forbes, The Atlantic, and numerous other publications. Redbook magazine has named him as one of America’s “Adventure Dads.” Finally, BuzzFeed recognized him as one of the funniest women of the week in 2020, which was weird because he is not a woman. However, he is very funny.

Dan Jenkins (he/him) is my own partner, and I don't use that term lightly. He's a Creative Director in the themed entertainment industry, and our kids refer to him as "The Fun One."

Avi Glijanksy, Podcast Producer

Adam Emperor Southard, Theme Composer (also a fantastic photographer in Michigan)

Annie Collins, PR & Marketing Manager

Angela Zhong, Logo Designer/Out Think Media

Maria Pasquarelli, Canva Coordinator

Produced by CMJ Communications LLC, DBA Out Think Media

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Show Notes

1. "A Goofy Movie: A Staple of Black Culture | READUS 101," La'Ron Readus, 9 Feb 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFpidaNMGsA.
2. Bluey
3. Turf Valley Show
4. Mr. Mom trailer (1983)

Listen to Episodes 1-6 of "Out Think the Classi