Dad Space Podcast - for Dads by Dads

Episode 200 - How Labels Shape Our Kids - The Words We Choose Matter

Labels applied to children—whether intended as praise or criticism—can profoundly shape a child's sense of identity, their behavior, and what opportunities they believe are open to them. This topic is the subject of several important articles and resources for parents, which underline why careful language, especially from dads, is essential for a child's long-term ...

Episode 199 - Wait Until Your Dad Gets Home - Why Kids Should Run Toward, Not From, Dad

A healthy and welcoming home tone starts with dads and partners being intentional about how everyone feels when Dad arrives and how discipline is communicated. Here are four main strategies, with supporting ideas, that can transform the “wait till your father gets home” sentiment into one of anticipation and warmth, plus podcast title suggestions...

Episode 198 - How Dads Can Help Kids Cope With Disturbing Events Online

To address horrific events in the news as a Dad with children—especially with the flood of real-time, sometimes graphic information online—requires honest, age-appropriate conversation, parental guidance on media, and intentional emotional support. Here’s how to help kids process unfettered access to traumatic world events:

Guiding Your Kids Through Traumatic...

Episode 197 - Happy Dad, Healthy Family, Joyful Fatherhood Without Guilt

Dads often neglect their own happiness in favor of family needs, but prioritizing personal joy and open communication is critical for the well-being of the entire family and the health of relationships.

Making time for hobbies, self-care, and sharing these needs with a partner—as well as letting go of guilt—helps dads stay recharge, remain engaged, and model he...

Episode 196 - Chris Kruger - Black Hawk Helicopters, Multiple Deployments, Anger and Fear, Lessons for Dads

About the author

Chris Kruger grew up just outside Spokane, Washington, and joined the Army before turning 21, driven by a sense of purpose and a thirst for challenge. Over the next 22 years, he forged a diverse and demanding military career—starting as an infantryman and eventually becoming a Blackhawk maintenance tes...

Episode 195 - Kelly Farley - Grieving Dads, He Lost His Baby Too, Survival Guide for the Grieving Dad

If you have ever loved a child, then you understand what it’s like to love someone more than you love life itself. If you have ever lost a child, then you understand more about hell than anyone could possibly be expected to know. This isn’t something you get over. Only those who have lost a child can understand the depths to which t...

Episode 194 - Shellee Howard - Get Your Kids College Ready with a Plan and a Question - Who Are You

Shellee Howard

College Ready Founder and CEO

Shellee has traveled around the world helping students plan for their “perfect match” college. She knows what it takes to compete in the Ivy schools as well as finding the best fit for all students. Shellee believes that no two students are the same, and each student must have their ...

Episode 193 - He Lost His Baby Too, Who Cares for the Father When Loss Hits Your Home

Who cares for Dads when the unthinkable happens - well it happened to me when we lost our child during pregnacy - I almost lost my wife as well. I recently had a guest author on my Living The Next Chapter Podcast.

If you want to hear Elizabeth's interview follow this link for more:

https://youtu.be/IGtexvEVVn8

https://www.elizabeth-johnstone.com/

El...

Episode 192 - When Parents Aren't Getting Along - When Relationships Impact Family

4 Key Points for Dads: "When Parents Aren’t Getting Along – When Relationships Impact Family"

Acknowledge What Kids See and Feel

Children are deeply sensitive to tension and arguments between parents—even when you think you’re hiding it. Recognize that your kids notice changes in tone, body language, and distance. It’s important to reassure them that bo...

Episode 191 - Bret Davis - Author of Bretisms - Philosophies For a Life with Less Anxiety and More Confidence

Bret Davis is the author of a new book called "Bretisms" - A collection of thoughts over 30 chapters designed to be your new daily read! "You can't trip over things that are behind you" and more help you to hit the reset button and create space for yourself as a Dad.

This is a shortened version of Bret's appearance on my aut...

Episode 190 - Alex Lloyd Hunter - The Dad Shift, parents campaigning for better paternity leave in the UK

The Dad Shift is a group of men, dads and other parents campaigning for better paternity leave in the UK

The UK’s pat leave problem

The UK’s statutory paternity leave is bad. Really bad. In fact, it’s the worst in Europe.

Dads and non-birthing parents get only two weeks off, paid at less than half the minimum wage. Self em...

Episode 189 - J Hall - God Help Me, I'm a Young Dad - Ten big ideas for Dads

J Hall is an author, educator, podcaster from Oklahoma City where he lives in with his wife, two dogs, and a rotating cast of adult children who stop in for meals and occasional dog-sitting. Most importantly, he is a grandpa, and he will certainly bore you to tears telling you how awesome his grandson is.

J is the author of two books - God Help Me! I’m ...

Episode 188 - Maury Wood - Grit and Wit For Dads - Give Your Kids Permission to Ask Questions Without Fear

life’s too short to take seriously all the time — and way too long not to laugh at yourself along the way.

Grit & Wit is where real-life stories meet a little sarcasm, a little wisdom, and a lot of "well, that didn't go as planned." It’s faith, family, and finding the good stuff — even when you’re dodging laun...

Episode 187 - Sally McQuillen - Loving and Losing a Wild Child, Addiction, Rehab and Dangerous Choices

Sally McQuillen, LCSW, CADC, is a psychotherapist in private practice specializing in addiction, grief, and trauma recovery. 

She provides ongoing support for addiction recovery, as well as support for those recovering from the impact of a loved one’s addiction. She sees adults seeking relief from mood symptoms, helps them navi...

Episode 186 - Mista Yu (Yusef Marshall) - What Men Deal With, Helping Dad's, Introverted Parenting

About Yusef Marshall

Yusef Marshall (Mista Yu) was born in Brooklyn, NY and has multiple degrees in Business Admin and Mgmt as well as degrees in Computer Programming, Certified Business Coaching, and Culinary Arts.

Mista Yu has also authored his first and only published book "The Heart of The Stepfather" in 2016. His story on ...

Episode 185 - Kindness, Strength, and Presence - What Father’s Day Means in 2025

Father’s Day 2025 marks a special milestone-the third anniversary of the Dad Space Podcast. As dads everywhere celebrate this year, it’s a perfect moment to share uplifting sentiments that honor the journey of fatherhood. Fatherhood isn’t about perfection; it’s about showing up with love, patience, and presence every day. Whether you’re reading bedtime ...

Episode 184 - Theo Von - I Wish Someone Told Me to Have More Pride in My Family When I Was Younger

A recent of Theo Von's podcast made me think about the relationship between Dad's and Kids and Kids with their Dad's - check out the full clip here:

https://youtu.be/p-pqzPeAwvs

In a deeply personal reflection, comedian and podcaster Theo Von opens up about his relationship with his father, revealing the complex emotions and regrets he’s...

Episode 183 - Andrew Goldsmith - Lessons from US Army Infantry and Army Ranger School Applied To Being a Dad

Andrew Goldsmith grew up in Los Angeles, California. In 2004, he joined the US Army infantry where he served as a machine gunner, team leader, and squad leader during nearly five years of service. Andrew deployed to Iraq twice, in 2006 and 2008, and graduated US Army Ranger School in 2008.

After leaving the Army in 2009, Andre...

Episode 182 - Teaching Boys to Be Men - The Role of Protection and Responsibility

The opposite of toxic masculinity is often described as positive masculinity or healthy masculinity. This form of masculinity encourages men to be emotionally expressive, supportive, and inclusive, rather than aggressive, controlling, or emotionally closed off. Positive masculinity is about being secure in oneself, communicating in ...