Beautiful Chaos: Surviving the First Days of Dad Life | The Dad Chapter Ep. 1

In this first episode, Kendrick Keough (dad of two), TJ Boyd (dad of one), and Kevin Hough (future dad and current intern working for coffee and survival tips) sit down and get real about what it's like before, during, and after you step into fatherhood. Spoiler: nothing — we mean nothing — can actually prepare you.

We’re not handing out certificates. We’re not your therapist. We’re just three guys figuring it out like everybody else — and laughing through the madness before it sends us to an early grave or a Jersey diner at 2AM wondering what just happened to our lives.

This first episode, we rewind to where it all started — a random birthday text that somehow turned into a podcast. We dive into how fast your life flips the second you realize that kid is coming home with you — no nurses, no manuals, no "tap outs" when it gets real. Just you, a car seat you barely figured out, and a brand-new definition of chaos.

Kendrick talks about the moment his daughter’s head crowned and the reality check that followed. TJ breaks down that first night home when it hit him — hard — that you’re now in charge of keeping a tiny human alive. And Kevin, our unpaid intern still trying to earn his official Dad Card, fires off all the rookie questions: When does it actually feel real? How do you deal with the madness? Is it normal to wonder what the hell you just signed up for?

We cover everything nobody warned us about: the pure shock of sleep deprivation, the crushing loss of “me time,” and the harsh reality that once you're home, you're officially the on-call janitor, chef, and personal assistant to a seven-pound dictator.

There's a lot of talk about embracing the chaos. Because here's the truth: you can fight it, or you can own it. Trust us, surrendering is a lot less painful. Kendrick shares how giving in to the madness became his superpower. TJ talks about learning to close his eyes at 3AM, think about being 60, and realizing he’s gonna miss these days when they're gone. Kevin — well, he’s still trying to figure out how to install the car seat without losing a thumb.

We also get into some top-tier dad fails. Like Kendrick almost torching his house over a tray of "healthy" chicken nuggets (solid idea, terrible execution), and TJ confessing that he once told his wife he was tired during labor. Yeah. Tired. During labor. He’s lucky we even let him back on the mic.

We don’t sugarcoat the sacrifices either. Gym memberships? Canceled. Video games? Gathering dust. PB&J crusts for dinner? Absolutely. Getting peed on at 2AM and considering it a regular Thursday? Welcome to the club. It’s not glamorous, but somehow, it’s still the best thing that’s ever happened to us.

We also break down what it means to be a dad today. This isn’t the 1950s anymore. Being a dad now means showing up — exhausted, broke, frustrated — but showing up anyway. You’re Batman. She’s Batman. The kid’s probably Batman too. There are no days off.

If you’re already a dad, about to become one, or just a guy who knows he’s got a storm coming, this one's for you. We’re not here to preach. We’re here to shoot it straight, swap some war stories, and maybe make your first diaper explosion a little less terrifying.

Because at the end of the day, if we can help even one new dad feel a little less lost (or at least laugh while he's getting peed on at 3AM), then we’re doing something right.

Thanks for hanging with us today. You're officially part of The Dad Chapter crew now. Buckle up — it’s chaos, it’s beautiful, and it’s only just getting started.

Follow us on Instagram @thedadchapter for behind-the-scenes moments, updates, and whatever else we can scrape together between diaper changes. If you’re feel