Dad Space Podcast - for Dads by Dads

Episode 225 - In The Shadow of Silence, A Novel About the Ripple Effects of Depression on Those Around Us

About the author

Raymonde Dumont, MD, LMFT, is a pediatrician as well as a family therapist. She practiced and taught for several years at Harvard Medical School, and at the Joslin Diabetes Center. Her work focused on the effects of a person's illness through their entire family. She showed that mental health and family ...

Episode 224 - How Podcasts Can Help You Be a Better Dad - Legacy, Lessons and Learnings

Podcasting has quietly become a powerful tool for dads who want to leave a meaningful legacy, connect with their kids on a deeper level, and grow as fathers themselves. In today’s fast-paced, distracted world, podcasts offer something truly special: a chance to step back, reflect, and intentionally shape the story we tell our children about what ...

Episode 223 - Father Figures - The Impact of Grandpas, Uncles, and Stepdads

Indirect adult male influences - like coaches, grandpas, uncles, and cousins—play a crucial role in shaping kids by modeling respectful, healthy behaviors, emotional openness, and integrity beyond what they might experience at home. As men, we can actively help our extended families and their children by making ourselves available, participating in their liv...

Episode 222 - The Monkey Trap Mindset - How Letting Go Sets Dads Free

The famous “monkey trap” story—using a hollowed coconut with a hole just big enough for a monkey’s hand, baited with a treat, to supposedly catch monkeys because they won’t let go of the prize—has been widely repeated, but there’s no reliable evidence that this technique is actually used in the wild. It’s best understood as a parable or metaphor rather than a real...

Episode 221 - Out of Place but Learning to Balance, What a Post Turtle Can Teach A Dad

Sometimes in life, we find ourselves as human post turtles. Maybe it’s that coworker who somehow got promoted to manager and you’re scratching your head wondering how. Or that pop star who’s suddenly the face of everything, but can’t carry a tune in a bucket. The idea is the same—they didn’t get there on their own. Someone lifted them up, put them...

Episode 220 - An Introvert’s Perspective - The Quiet Truth For Dads About Energy and Connection

An Introvert’s Perspective: The Quiet Truth About Energy and Connection

In this episode, the conversation centers on a familiar frustration for many introverts—the misconceptions people have about what it means to be quiet, reserved, or private. The host explores three common phrases that introverts often hear and why they can be both unhe...

Episode 219 - Trust, Truth, and Tense Talks - Dad Strategies for Marriage Recovery

Trust is the foundation of any healthy marriage—but when it’s broken, even everyday conversations can feel like navigating a minefield. This episode explores the warning signs that trust is eroding, why it matters for dads, and practical ways to rebuild connection with your partner and kids. Whether you’re just noticing distance or working to heal aft...

Episode 218 - The Pencil’s Tale - Five Lessons Every Dad Should Share and Teach Their Kids

The story itself appears to be an anonymous parable, sometimes called "The Pencil Maker’s Parable," but has been attributed to adaptors such as Jimmy Reed and featured in inspirational columns and children’s teachings.

Here is the tale:

The Pencils Tale.

Once upon a time, an old pencil maker took his newest pencil aside just before he was about ...

Episode 217 - Movember, A Birthday, Some Coffee and a Huge Thank you to You

Hey, thanks for pressing play! It is Nov 13th - Dave's birthday, we share a coffee together, we talk Movember and why this is important and we say thanks to you - thanks for being apart of this podcast and for making this your home for all things Dad - this space is for you!

If this podcast has brought value to you - please consider sending some coffee back t...

Episode 216 - Another Great Dad Podcast - The All Pro Dad Podcast

The All Pro Dad Podcast is a weekly show dedicated to helping fathers navigate the challenges of parenting with intention, humility, and love. Created by Family First, the nonprofit behind the All Pro Dad movement founded by Mark Merrill and Coach Tony Dungy, the podcast extends the mission of helping dads “love and lead their f...

Episode 215 - Jennifer Celeste Briggs - Parenting Differently, Autism, Finding Balance and Being Enough

Jennifer Celeste Briggs has a BA in English Literature from Swarthmore college. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and two daughters. Her daughter Sarah has a genetic anomaly and autism. When Sarah was four, Jenny decided to run a Son-Rise Program for her, calling it Sarah-Rise, and training at the Autism Treatment Cente...

Episode 214 - What Search Has Said About the Dad Space Podcast - Our Mission to Support Dads Continues

The Dad Space Podcast, hosted by Dave Campbell in Ontario, Canada, is a community-focused show created "for dads, by dads." Dave—himself a father of three adult children and an empty nester—aims to provide a welcoming space for fathers to connect, share stories, and support one another on their unique parenting journeys. The ...

Episode 213 - Why Friendships Matter - Making and Keeping Dad-Friends

Episode Theme Overview:

Friendships are vital for mental health, emotional support, and overall well-being, especially for fathers who often face unique stresses and isolation. This episode explores why dads need trusted dad-friends, how friendships help us navigate fatherhood, and practical tips for making and maintaining these important connections.

K...

Episode 212 - Navigating Work-Family Balance - Tools for Modern Fathers

In this episode of Dad's Space Podcast, host explores the real challenges dads face in balancing work and family life. Reflecting on long commutes, demanding jobs, and emotional disconnect, we question if true work-life balance exists or if "work-life harmony" is a more realistic goal.

The conversation dives into the struggles of transitioning from work mode to ...

Episode 211 - From Dad to Grandpa - Graduating Into A New Role, Learning New Ways and Remembering the Old Days

Episode Summary

In this heartfelt episode of Dad Space, host Dave Campbell explores the rewarding transition from fatherhood into grandparenthood. Whether you’re just becoming a grandpa or have been one for years, this episode dives into the identity shift, embracing the new role while honoring your past as a dad. J...

Episode 210 - Talking to Sons About Masculinity and Healthy Manhood

Pillar 1: Redefining Masculinity

Key Talking Points:

• Reflection on what “being a man” meant in your generation — toughness, stoicism, protection — and how that definition is shifting.
• Explores the myths of “boys don’t cry” and why they hold men back.
• Tell their sons: “You don’t have to be perfect, just be real.”

Episode 209 - Marital Connections - Keys to Lasting Love as Parents

Hey Dads, welcome back to Dad Space, the weekly spot where we gather to talk about the heart of fatherhood — growth, connection, and everything in between. This November, we’re proud to be part of the Movember Movement, focusing not just on men’s physical health, but also on relationships, mental wellness, and emotional resilience.

Today, we’re diving into ...

Episode 208 - What Every Dad Needs to Know About Mental Wellness - Movember on Dads Space

Episode Summary:

In this Movember edition of Dad Space, we dive deep into what every dad needs to know about mental wellness — from breaking stigmas to building habits that keep you grounded. Modern fatherhood brings its share of pressures, but it also offers an opportunity to redefine what real strength looks like. Join us as we discuss ho...

Episode 207 - Why Movember Matters - Dads and the Men’s Health Movement

Movember matters deeply to fathers and families everywhere because it’s not just about moustaches—it’s about men showing up for their health, their families, and each other. The movement, founded through movember.com, focuses on tackling the biggest health issues facing men today: mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer.