Dad Space Podcast - for Dads by Dads

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 ...

Episode 181 - Calm in the Storm - Teaching Your Kids Resilience Through How You Handle Adult Bully Encounters

Navigating Adult Bullying and Teaching Kids Resilience

Bullying isn’t just something kids face at school-it happens among adults too, often fueled by power imbalances, insecurity, or patterns learned in childhood. Adult bullies use tactics like gaslighting, exclusion, verbal aggression, and undermining others’ credibility. Th...

Episode 180 - What The Goldbergs’ Murray Teaches Us About Raising Independent Kids Today

Murray Goldberg, the gruff-yet-lovable patriarch from The Goldbergs, offers a unique lens on fatherhood rooted in the 1980s-a time before parenting books, viral videos, and constant digital connectivity. While his methods might seem outdated or blunt by today’s standards, there are foundational lessons from Murray’s character that rema...

Episode 179 - From Dad Space, With Love - Honoring the Moms in Our Lives

Dad Space Short Episode: Celebrating Moms on Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity for dads to step up, celebrate the incredible women in our lives, and set the tone for how our kids honor their mom. This year, let’s make it extra special-not with expensive gifts, but with meaningful gestures and family fun.

How Dads Can Celebrate Their Pa...

Episode 178 - The Gentle Strength Men Need as Dads - How Kindness Signals Safety and Trust

Kindness as a Superpower for Dads and Men

Kindness is often underestimated in conversations about masculinity, but it is truly a superpower for dads and men. In a world that sometimes equates strength with stoicism or dominance, kindness is a quiet force that signals safety, trustworthiness, and emotional intelligence. It’s not just ab...

Episode 177 - Overview of Daily Dad - A Powerful Resource for Modern Fathers

Overview of Daily Dad: A Powerful Resource for Modern Fathers

Daily Dad a thoughtfully curated platform designed to inspire, encourage, and equip fathers on their parenting journey. Founded by bestselling author and modern philosopher Ryan Holiday, Daily Dad brings together wisdom from a diverse group of contributors-including Brett McKay (Art of Manliness),...

Episode 176 - More Than Time - The Watch That Reminds You You’re Enough - John Cena

Today on Dad Space we unpack the story behind John Cena’s habit of carrying two watches-one for time, one for perspective-and how dads can use these lessons to find balance, self-worth, and humility in everyday life.

The Two Watches: What They Represent

The Functional Watch:

• Represents the practical side of life: schedules, commitments, the daily gr...

Episode 175 - Save Dad - How Ferris Bueller's Day Off Reinforces Why Every Father Deserves a Day Off

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off is more than a teen comedy-it’s a manifesto for seizing the day, breaking routine, and finding joy in the moment. The film’s iconic line, “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it,” is a universal reminder, but it resonates especially for dads who often carr...

Episode 174 - Raising Hard Workers in a World of Shortcuts - Why Work Ethic Matters for Our Kids

Tough Love, True Love: Raising Kids with Real Work Ethic

1. Understanding Dad’s Toughness: Love in Disguise

• Maturing means realizing that our dads’ high standards and tough love weren’t about being harsh—they were about preparing us for a world where strong work ethic stands out.
• Share a personal or listener story about a ...

Episode 173 - Two, Not Three - Teaching Kids and Ourselves, to Thrive with Simplicity

How Dads and men can avoid overwhelm, make better decisions, and set a powerful example for their children.

Ben Prober, a successful 1950s shoe salesman. His unique approach? He would only ever present two pairs of shoes to a customer at a time. If a customer wanted to try a third pair, he’d politely ask, “Of course, which of these two should I take...

Episode 172 - Safe Spaces at Home - Turning Differences into Opportunities for Connection

build trust and connection at home, even as the world outside feels increasingly polarized. Creating a safe, warm, and welcoming environment where everyone feels heard (even when you disagree) is one of the most important gifts you can give your family. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Model Respectful Curiosity

• Listen First: Show g...

Episode 171 - The Temporary Job of Fatherhood - How to Show Up Before Time Runs Out

Jobs come and go, but your family is the one role that outlasts them all—yet it’s often the first thing we neglect. In this raw conversation, we confront the uncomfortable truth: The years when your kids need you most are also the years you’re grinding hardest at work. How do you balance being present now while still providing for the futur...

Episode 170 - Guilt-Tripping and its Impact on Family Dynamics - What to do if You Are the Problem or the Target

Welcome to Dad Space, where we explore topics that matter to fathers and their families. Today, we're diving into a crucial issue that affects many relationships: guilt-tripping and its impact on family dynamics.

Understanding Guilt-Tripping

Guilt-tripping is a form of emotional manipulation where someone leverages...

Episode 169 - Counting Down With Pebbles - How One Simple Habit Can Change Your Life

A podcasting friend, Dave Beckmeyer has a weekly ritual that you need to hear about - Dave collects enough pebbles to represent the number of weeks that he has left in life, and once weekly Dave selects a pebble and carries one of these pebbles with him during the week and then tossing the pebble into a body of water at the end of the week. This we...

Episode 168 - Dads, Be Sure to Invest in Your Family - Why Relational Equity Matters

Building relational equity in your home as a dad:

Be Present and Engaged:

Minimize distractions, actively listen to your family, and fully participate in family activities. This helps create a sense of connection and belonging.

Communicate Effectively:

Encourage open dialogue by asking open-ended questions and sharing your own experiences. This foster...

Episode 167 - Dad Math and Modelling Money to Your Kids with Brandon Neely - Author of Five Smooth Stones

Five Smooth Stones: A Journey of Financial Centering

Unlock your financial potential with Five Smooth Stones, the innovative money journal designed for high achievers. This powerful tool provides clear, actionable steps to reach your financial goals with confidence.

Why Choose Five Smooth Stones?

1. Clarity and Control: Quic...

Episode 166 - The Spool of Life - Confronting Mortality as a Dad

Addressing mortality and the realization that life has a definitive end can be a profound and challenging topic for dads. Here's how to approach this theme in a way that resonates with your audience:

Understanding Mortality as a Dad

Emotional Awareness: Recognize that acknowledging mortality can evoke strong emotions. It's essential to be open about these feelings, wheth...