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The Company of Dads Podcast

Paul Sullivan, former NY Times columnist, explores the lives, stories, joys, and challenges of Lead Dads – fathers who lead in raising children, supporting their partner, and balancing their career. New episode drops every Tuesday.

Paul Sullivan

Interview with Chip Leighton / Host of The Leighton ShowHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhat happens when a corporate executive with an MBA, a steady career, and a very normal dad life accidentally becomes one of the internet’s funniest fathers? Paul sits down with Chip Leighton—the creator behind the painfully relatable dad content so many parents secretly see themselves in—to talk about why his humor hits so hard, what teenagers are really like, and how laughter can make parenting feel a little less lonely. Chip shares how a few TikToks turned into millions of followers, a bestselling book, and a new release, Dad, Can You Not? But beneath the jokes is something every parent needs to hear: your kid is probably more normal than you think, and you’re probably doing better than you think too. This one is funny, honest, and full of those “wait… that happens in your house too?” moments.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP156: Dad, Could You Not? A Survival Guide for Parenting Teens

Interview with Sonia Bestulic / Founder of Flourish with SoniaHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhat if the biggest challenges facing kids today aren’t about behavior or performance - but about how disconnected we’ve become from ourselves? Drawing on decades of work with thousands of families, globally recognized thought leader, speech pathologist, and author Sonia Bestulic has built a framework for raising empowered children through self-leadership, intuition, and trust. She shares why so many parents feel stuck in guilt and self-doubt, how traditional systems often miss a child’s true brilliance, and what it really means to build strong foundations for lifelong flourishing.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP155: Raising Humans, Not Checklists: Five Keys to a Flourishing Childhood

Interview with Ben Sacco / Author of "Disruption in Schools: Understand me Before You Mark me"HOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANHow do we really know what our kids are trying to tell us - even when they can’t put it into words? Ben Sacco, author of Disruption in Schools: Understand Me Before You Mark Me, reframes how we think about classroom behavior. He explains why “disruption” is often a sign of adversity - not misbehavior - and how parents can spot the real signals beneath a child’s shutdowns, boredom, or the classic “school was good” response. Ben also shares practical strategies for recognizing when behavior is actually communication, helping parents and teachers respond with clarity, compassion, and consistency.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP154: Disruption, Belonging &amp; Better School Communication

Interview with David Homan / Founder of Orchestrated ConnectingHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhat if the secret to strong parent communities isn’t perfection, but integrity, vulnerability, and follow-through? David Holman is the author of Orchestrating Connection and founder of a decade-old community built on one rule: only surround yourself with people you’d trust to watch your kids. As a divorced father of two, David shares how vulnerability can actually build confidence, especially for dads who feel pressure to “know it all.” He opens up about support networks, single fatherhood, follow-up etiquette, and the lessons he learned from a dad who always showed up.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP153: No More Ghosting: Building Trust, Community, and Confident Dads

Interview with Erin Coupe / Author of "I Can Fit That In"HOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhen Erin Coupe’s husband decided to leave a thriving real estate career to support her growing business, their family dynamic - and their definition of success - changed forever. Erin, a global speaker and author of the book I Can Fit That In, helps high performers move from self-sabotage to self-leadership through neuroscience, mindset mastery, and authentic living. She explains how rewriting the stories we tell ourselves, designing daily rituals that fuel purpose, and creating lives rooted in conscious choice can lead to a deeper, more sustainable kind of success - one that starts from within and radiates through your work, your family, and your leadership.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP152: How Inner Alignment Can Redefine Success

Interview with Brian Mann / Co-Founder of Glitched StatesHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhat if we’ve been using the wrong words to talk about our mental state? Brian Mann, co-founder of Glitched States and Kemble & Mann Creative Intelligence Labs, is on a mission to replace stigma with strength. He’s building a new vocabulary for mental health - one that turns “disorders” into dimensions of human experience. He discusses how reframing anxiety as Signal Sense or OCD as Deep Detail can transform the way parents, kids, and families understand themselves.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP151: Rebranding the Mind: Changing the Language Around Mental Health

Interview with Dr. Harvey Karp / Author, Creator of the SNOO Smart SleeperHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhat if raising happier kids and getting better sleep were simpler than you think? Dr. Harvey Karp - world-renowned pediatrician and creator of the SNOO Smart Sleeper - shares the science behind calmer homes and well-rested parents. With decades of experience, he unpacks common mistakes around sleep and discipline while offering practical, science-backed advice for working parents - especially dads - who want to bring more peace and joy into family life.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP150: Better Sleep &amp; Happy Children – The Secret To Both

Interview with Michael Taverna / Founder of The Ad VillageHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANChildren are the most valuable - and vulnerable - targets for online advertisers. Every day, brands and tech companies use sophisticated tools to track, profile, and influence kids, shaping their choices before they even know they’re being sold to. Michael Taverna is the founder and CEO of The Ad Village, a mission-driven platform that flips the script on digital advertising. After years managing multimillion-dollar campaigns for global brands, Michael saw firsthand how manipulative online ads could be. Now, he’s building a “digital Robin Hood” that reclaims ad space from corporations and replaces harmful ads with safe, uplifting messages for families.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP149: Protecting Kids from Harmful Online Ads

Interview with Jim Chastain / Founder of Reality CheckHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANMen want to grow, but too often feel like they can’t without losing a part of themselves. Jim Chastain is a father of two, founder of the market research firm Reality Check, and now a researcher of men and modern masculinity. He discusses the five core insights that hold men back - from the pressure to always prove rather than improve, to the conflicting narratives of what a man “should” be. Jim explains why growth is often stigmatized as weakness, how social expectations keep men stuck, and why “only-ness” can be more isolating than loneliness.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP148: Breaking the Masculine Myth

Interview with Lindsay Tanne / Founder of LogicPrepHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANApplying to college is stressful - for students and parents. But does it really need to be? This week, Paul sits down with Lindsay Tanne, founder of LogicPrep, a globally recognized educational consultancy she started as a student at Harvard, growing a team of advisors, coaches, and tutors who’ve helped thousands of families successfully navigate the college admissions process. She discusses the most (and least) helpful ways parents can support their kids, and protecting mental and emotional health during this high-stakes journey.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP147: Guiding Kids (and Parents) Through College Admissions

Interview with Zack Pumerantz / Director of Investments for I.M. FinancialHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhat happens to your money mindset when you become a parent? Zack Pumerantz is a father of two, former FanDuel exec, and now a financial advisor dedicated to helping fellow parents build strong financial foundations and lasting wealth. He shares practical strategies tailored for dads, insights on how financial pressures shift once kids enter the picture, and how to spot (or miss) key money opportunities along the way. This is a great guide for every parent trying to do right by their family’s future - without losing their financial footing.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP146: Bearing the Burden of Financial Fatherhood

Interview with Ed Tilton/ President of Begin Again InstituteHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANAs parents we worry about how our kids use screens, but how fathers engage with technology can either break old patterns or pass them on. Ed Tilton, president of the Begin Again Institute, works with men to heal from past trauma and stop harmful behaviors before they impact the people they love most. A husband and father himself, Ed shares powerful insights on how dads can build healthier relationships - with their kids, with tech, and with themselves. Listen in for a conversation about connection, communication, and how to stop repeating cycles you didn’t choose.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP145: Breaking the Cycle: Healing Fathers and Helping Children

Interview with David Morgenstern Founder and CEO of GaddiesHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhat does it mean to be a father in today’s world, especially when your identity doesn’t fit the traditional mold? David Morgenstern shares his fatherhood journey as a gay dad, discussing the challenges and triumphs of creating inclusive parenting spaces. He sheds light on his work as leading gender-inclusive initiatives at Nike, and his impact with his own clothing company - Gaddies. This powerful conversation explores the intersection of identity, fatherhood, and community support.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP144: Parenthood, Identity, & Creating Inclusive Parenting Spaces

Interview with Courtney Cecil / CEO of the Working Moms MovementHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANBalancing work, parenting, and partnership takes effort. Courtney Cecil, an expert in work-life balance, shares her insights on how companies can better support parents in the workforce, how to create a more equitable household, and the importance of intentionality in carving out time for yourself and your partner. Creating space in your workday, delegating household responsibilities, and making time for your marriage - Courtney offers practical tips to help working parents navigate the complexities of modern family life.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP143: Designing a Life That Works for Your Family

Interview with Larry Sprung / Founder and Wealth Advisor at Mitlin FinancialHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANSure, building a business takes work—but so does being present for your family. Larry Sprung, dad and founder of Mitlin Financial, has spent the last 20 years doing both. He designed his life and company around his values, setting boundaries, finding flexibility, and making time for joy Listen for practical tips, real talk, and a reminder that work-life balance isn’t a myth - it just takes intention.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP142: Building a Life of JOY

Interview with Pete Hunsinger / CRO of Condé Nast - EntrepreneurHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWant to know how to be a Lead Dad with a demanding career, four kids and a great marriage? One thing's certain: Getting it right doesn't happen without effort. As a publisher for Condé Nast in the heyday of glossy magazines, Pete Hunsinger spent a large amount of his career working to get that balance right. Now, looking back on it all - with the added perspective of being a new grandfather - Pete shares what he learned. Listen for a master class in how to be an in-demand dad.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP141: Lessons From A Lead Dad in the Mad Men Era

Interview with Titania Jordan / Chief Parent Officer and CMO at BarkHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANSure, there's a lot our children can learn on the internet, but there are plenty of websites, apps, and traps that they need to avoid. And it's our job as parents to help them. Titania Jordan, a mom and the Chief Parent Officer and CMO at Bark, an internet safety company, has tips on best internet practices, crucial conversations, and even tech that can help monitor and limit our kids’ device usage. Listen and get ways to protect your kids.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP140: How Parents Can (and Should) Control Childhood Tech

Interview with Mike Malloy / Founder of Malloy IndustriesHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANParents have two resources they are always trying to protect and secure - time and money. As a Lead Dad, Mike Malloy structured his work life around reserving time for his family and fatherly duties. After creating a process to keep life on track domestically, he applied the same principles to Malloy Industries and was able to help other companies save time and money while operating more efficiently. What’s his secret? Listen to this week’s episode for actionable advice.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP139: 5 Tips For Being an Entrepreneurial Lead Dad

Interview with Mike Hermus / Founder of HaleSpringHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANMany people who require mental health treatment rarely receive it. Of those that do, some are receiving what they can get - but not necessarily what they need. Mike Hermus - father, entrepreneur and Founder of HaleSpring - shares his personal experience with mental health, and how it pushed him to develop a way to help others. From connecting patients to better treatment options to discussing how parents can support their children’s mental health, Mike embraces his passion and gives great actionable advice for being a part of the solution.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP138: Expanding the Security for Mental Health

Interview with Alisha Simpson-Watt / Collaborative ABA ServicesHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhy do kids behave the way they do? How can we as parents guide them effectively? Alisha Simpson-Watt—an expert in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and founder of Collaborative ABA Services—shares insights on understanding children’s behavior, and offers great advice on reinforcing positive behavior, handling challenges, and supporting your child’s growth.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP137: Decoding Our Children’s Behavior Through ABA Therapy

Interview with Margot Machol Bisnow / Author of Raising an EntrepreneurHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWe all want to see our child follow their passons and achieve their goals. But what if they are passionate about something we don’t understand? What if their goals don’t align with our goals for them? Margot Machol Bisnow - Author and mother of 2 entrepreneurs - has spoken with many families that let their kids follow passions that led to entrepreneurial success. She offers great points to consider.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP136: Passion vs. Career: How to Help Your Child Follow Both

Interview with Kevin Goodnight / Founder of Dadvoted Fatherhood CoachingHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANBeing a devoted dad is a challenge we often feel we fall short on. But what if we’re closer than we think? Kevin Goodnight - author, fatherhood coach, and founder of Dadvoted - helps dads meet their goals, understand their generational impact, and realize it’s all within reach. His insights are invaluable.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP135: How To Become A More Devoted Dad

Paul Sullivan’s final thoughts on 2024HOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANAs we wrap up 2024, Paul reflects on the progress The Company Of Dads has seen - highlighting a few key experiences as a Lead Dad both personally and professionally. He and Skip Cherryholmes discuss what they look forward to in the coming year, and the ultimate goal of finding more ways to bring dads together in 2025. Here’s to another great year, and the ever-growing community of Lead Dads across the world!---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP134: The Company Of Dads – Holiday Recap

Interview with Steven Miyao / MidCareer Parent CoachHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANIs there a greater challenge for a father than balancing a demanding career that is no longer as rewarding as it once was with being the involved parent that his children need? You want a change, but you have obligations. What do you do? Steven Miyao, a coach and father of two, takes fathers through a 'life-first approach'. Learn what that means and why total change isn't necessary.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP133: What To Do When Your Job Is Too Much

Interview with Sara Deren / Founder of Experience CampsHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANOver 6 million children will lose a parent or sibling before they turn 18 years old. It's a large number, but a lonely lot. Sara Deren, who married into a summer camp family, has been working to reduce their isolation. Her Experience Camps has now helped 1,500 kids in 7 states and keeps them connected all year. What's she's learned can help us all be more compassionate.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP132: What A Unique Summer Camp Can Teach About Empathy

Interview with Elissa Strauss / Expert on What Care Does For UsHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANMale caregivers are increasing in number. They're Lead Dads to their children and their wives. They're more vocal in the office. They're taking on roles that have been traditionally assigned to women based on outdated gender stereotypes. And care has changed them in positive ways. So why does it seem so strange for men to be taking on these roles? And why do they get mocked for doing so? Elissa Strauss, author of "When You Care: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Other," has great insight. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP131: Why You Should Care About Care

Interview with Timothy Smith / a.k.a. The Financial DadHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhy don't parents talk more about personal finance with their children? You talk to them about all the ways to keep them safe - dating, drugs, drinking, doing the right thing in tough situations. All super important, and so, too, is understanding financial choices - and the consequences they can have. Tim Smith, the Financial Dad, says too many parents don't understand personal finance themselves. He's here to offer actionable advice. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP130: How Do You Talk To Your Kids About Money?

Interview with David Graham / eSports Entrepreneur and Parental AllyHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANThere are outdoor sports like football, soccer and tennis. And there are eSports like Fortnite and League of Legends. As parents, should we care which ones are children engage in? The answer from a leading eSports entreprenuer may surprise you. It starts with the question: How do we help our kids develop life skills? Listen for 5 tips.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP129: What If Video Games Aren't Killing Your Kids' Minds?

Interview with Corinna Jenkins Tucker, Expert in Sibling RelationshipsHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANAre sibling behaviors like pushing, intimidating just harmless rivalry? When does that rivalry go too far and become aggression? Should parents ignore the fighting? Should they step in and settle it for their kids? What are the best tactics to manage and diffuse the conflict as a parent? Listen as these and more get answered.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP128: All Siblings Fight. When Has It Gone Too Far?

Interview with Kevin Baker, Leader on Tween and Teenage empowermentHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANTweens can be moody. Teens can be withdrawn. As a father, you have a role to play in helping them through these periods of growth and change. Don't step back, lean in, says Kevin Baker, a thought leader and coach on tween and teen empowerment. Listen to 5 thoughts he has to help all parents.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP127: How Dads Can Help Their Tweens and Teens: 5 Ways

Interview with Jason Armishaw / Publisher of Start The Talk newsletterHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANYour pre-teens and teens are getting messages about sex from their friends, from social media, from the school and community environment they're growing up in. To think differently is to be in denial - one that can be dangerous. Listen to 5 tips from Jason Armishaw, a sex educator focused on helping parents have the conversation at home. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP126: Here are 5 Tips To Make The Sex Ed Talk Easier

Interview with Matt Maynard / Family Therapist and Parent CoachHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhen it comes to parenting advice, your friends and most therapists aren't going to give it to you straight. Matt Maynard, a New Jersey-based family therapist, is not one for beating around the bush. In this podcast, he gives 5 actionable pieces of advice ripped from his new book, "Honey We F’ed up the Kids: A Step by Step Process on How To Be a Less Sh*tty Parent" Learn what to do, not to do, and when a win is a win. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP125: Are You Screwing Up Your Kids?: 5 Suggestions

Interview with Elliott Rae / Father AdvocateHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANFathers need to step out and be more present, at home and in the office. This is the crux of the Parenting Outloud campaign that Elliott Rae has launched in London. He realized just how bad support for dads at work was when his now 8-year-old daughter was born prematurely. It started with having to leave his wife to go back to the office and got worse from there. He's set out to change that. Listen now.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP124: Why Dads Should "Parent Outloud": 5 Answers

Interview with Marc Hoffman / Advocate for Children with ADHDHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANIn second grade, Marc Hoffman's teacher told him he wouldn't amount to anything. It crushed him but his parents and brothers rallied behind him. He ended up going to Williams College, one of the top liberal arts colleges in the U.S., and becoming a widely respected advocate for kids with ADHD and other learning challenges. Today he helps parents and kids thrive - often showing them how to push back against reluctant school districts. Listen to what you can do.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP123: How To Help Your Child With Learning Challenges

Interview with Neal Conlon / Men's Group Leader and CoachHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANNeal Conlon is one interesting guy. Out of high school, he went into the Marines where he served for nearly 8 years. Getting out, he chased status. He had success being an entrepreneur, raising capital and helping lead growth companies. Then he hit reset. Today he runs Omnis Rising, a community to support men, and Press Forward Coaching to help men get past the obstacles in their lives. Hear why.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP122: What Does It Mean to Press Forward?

Interview with Will Hoffman / Rare Disease AdvocateHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWill Hoffman is a runner and when his son was diagnosed with NF - an incurable genetic condition that causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body - he ran towards the problem. With his son, with others, he tried to figure out what he could do and that was to raise money. But he had other children and had to balance that. Learn what he does to make it all work. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP121: What To Do If You Child Has A Rare Disease

Interview with Anthony Franzese / Seeker of Fatherhood WisdomHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhat does it mean to be a Successful Working Parent? It's a question Anthony Franzese, a healthcare sales executive, had when he became a father. So he went on a quest: if you have fatherhood questions, ask a parent - or 52 of them. That's what Anthony did and nearing the end of the year he has some revelations. Listen in. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP120: What Does It Mean To Be A Successful Working Parent?

Interview with Verne Marble / Veteran, Advisor, FatherHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANVerne Marble is one of four and the father of four. His childhood was a bit haphazard. But he's a committed father who was clear-eyed about what mattered for his family. After college he wanted to serve his country but a few years into his Naval service he made a change so he could be more present for his family. Listen to what he did and why the lessons in those early years have informed what he's done in business and in life. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP119: What You Can Learn From A Challenging Childhood

Interview with Abby Davisson / Expert on Money and LoveHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANShould love and money be linked together? If you want to be happy in life, Abby Davisson argues 100 percent. She wrote about it with one of her Stanford Business School professors - but that interest came out of a project she worked on with a fellow student, who is now her husband. They have two kids, too. Learn how to work through the areas that people always argue about when it comes to love and money.  ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP118: How To Manage The Intersection Between Love & Money

Interview with Michael Ray / International Fatherhood AdvocateHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANMichael Ray provided security for music superstars - Jon Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston, INXS. Bruce Springsteen was the nicest. Then, on the cusp of turning 50, he became a father. Less than two years later, going through a cancer scare, he became a solo dad, when his daughter's mother left them both. Today, a decade later, he's a leading voice for father's rights in Australia and beyond. It all began when he was told he couldn't braid his young daughter's hair before her ballet recital. Listen to how he's changing hearts and minds.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP117: Barbells to Braids: How A Bouncer Led An Awakening

Interview with Sean Keenan / Lessons from a Divorced Dad HOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANSean Keenan, an economist by training, has a harrowing story about a divorce that went to such a dark place. The least of it was it drained his savings account. His two children were put at the center of a horrifying alimony and custody battle. The accusations and allegations are extreme and terrifying for any parent. He’s not exactly coming out of it now, but he does have residential custody of his son and daughter. Here's what he learned.  ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP116: Lessons From A Divorce That Never Ends

Interview with Adrienne Prentice / Parent Coach for CompaniesHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANAdrienne Prentice loved being a lawyer and was working her way up within the general counsel's office. She went on parental leave when her first child was born - and returned to find her position had changed. She wasn't invited to certain meetings or assigned to cases that involved travel. The assumptions that were made bothered her deeply. That motivated her to create Keep Company, which works with law firms to put better caregiver policies in place. Listen to what workers can do to help themselves.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP115: How Not To Get Sidelined on Parental Leave

Interview with Dan Doty / Founder of Evryman, Engaged Fatherhood LeaderHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANBefore the pandemic, Dan Doty was one of the best known advocates for helping men live better, fuller and more fulfilled lives. He was a founder of EVRYMAN, which led group retreats but was ascending to a near-spiritual level of support for men. He was as comfortable talking to Joe Rogan as he was on The Today Show. But all wasn't what it seemed for Dan as a father and husband. While he was helping other men, he wasn't helping himself. A journey into the woods, literal at times, changed how he approached himself and his work. Now he's ready for a comeback. Listen to how he changed and you can too. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP114: Be A Better Husband And Father On Your Terms

Interview with Jon Macaskill / Navy Seal, Advocate of Mindful MeditationHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhen a doctor told Jon Macaskill, a decorated Navy Seal with decades of combat experience, that meditation could ease his mental health struggles, he laughed. He didn't want to hear anything about that "hippie sh@t" - he was an elite warrior who led other elite warriors into and out of combat. So why was what he was doing now not working for him, the doctor asked? That got Jon thinking and led him on a journey to become an advocate for mindfulness within the Seal Teams and for men and fathers more broadly. Learn how this "hippie sh@t" can help all men.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP113: Can Macho Men Meditate?

Interview With Dr. Amy Beacom / Parental Leave ExpertHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANCompanies can have the most generous, equitable parental leave policies - plans polished and perfected to allow mothers and fathers time to bond with their new baby and return to work feeling valued. And then a manager ruins it all with a snide comment. Or calls during leave. Or has no plan for return whatsoever. Enter Amy Beacom, founder of The Center for Parental Leave Leadership. Listen to her tips on how not to be that manager and learn to lead a better way. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP112: How Not To Ruin Parental Leave, If You're A Manager

Interview With Zach Watson / Fair Play Coach, Recovering ManchildHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANTwo words could change your married life for the better: mental load. It's a phrase coined by Eve Rodsky that has spawned a movement to rethink how work in the home is allocated. It's not so much about what gets done as who thinks of that what. Zach Watson, a star dad creator on Instagram and Tik Tok, has so fully embraced the teachings of Fair Play that he recently left his tech sales job to go all in on coaching men in the Fair Play method of being a partner. At the crux of it is discussing who carries the mental load for which tasks. Listen to learn how to improve your communication and happiness in marriage. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP111: Want To Learn To Be a Better Husband?

Interview with Todd Demsey / PGA Tour Player Who Walked Away From The GameHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVAN"Thirty weeks a year on the road - it's not worth it.," said Todd Demsey who wasn't a consultant or traveling salesman. He was a PGA Tour golfer living every golfer's dream. It was his dream, too - until his children were too old to travel with him. So he gave it up and moved to a beach town in the shadows of Ponte Vedra Beach, home of the PGA Tour. And there he's been making golf clubs, giving lessons and most of all spending time with his kids. He has no regrets - and may have a second chance at playing. Listen to what he's gained. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP110: Would You Give Up Your Athletic Dream For Your Kids?

Interview with George Grombacher / Founder of the LifeBlood podcast, Father of ThreeHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANSuccess usually begets more obligations to fit on top of what you're already doing - without more time to do them. That happened to George Grombacher, who was a financial adviser when he launched Lifeblood, a podcast that delves into health, wealth, relationships, work and life. It took off and was airing daily. He's adding another podcast; he just wrote a book called The Purpose Book. But he's also a father of three, married to a working mom and getting daily exercise. How's he do it? No secret formula. Listen in to learn what you can change.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP109: How To Maximize Productivity and Parenting

Interview with Sir Royce Briales / Founder of Welcome To FatherhoodHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWelcome To Fatherhood began when Sir Royce Briales asked his childhood friend, Dr. Raheem Young for fatherhood advice. The two Chicago dads began talking and Sir Royce wondered how he could share more broadly Dr. Raheem's advice. It was all about knowledge transfer and Sir Royce realized that transfer wasn't happening for fathers like it should. What began as a meeting in Chicago has gone national thanks to Zoom. Whatever the format, Sir Royce said there's one goal the groups go back to again and again. Listen in.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP108: Change The Fatherhood Narrative You Learned As A Child

Interview with David Landman / Goldman Sachs HR leader, Workplace AdvocateHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANAfter a 20-year career as a human resources leader at Goldman Sachs, David Landman recently left and has launched a consultancy that is working to bring more fulfillment, belonging and connection to the workplace. Armed with experience from one of the top Wall Street banks - a firm that has been more rigid than most on working in the office - David is a wealth of strategies on how both managers and workers can get what they need out of work. Listen to his tips on discussing life issues with managers and hear what managers want from working parents.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP107: How To Get What You Want At Work

Interview with Katherine Goldstein / Community Leader, Care FellowHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANNot to be cute, but how much does America care about care? We talk about it. We stress about it. We know we need it. But what steps can we take to bring about action? Katherine knows from researching and writing "A Playbook to Transform How America Cares" Listen to what she learned and we can do.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP106: Let's Talk About Making Care Better In America

Interview with Jason Abrams / Dad of Two on His Company's LeaveHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANAmtrak offers paid parental leave to mothers and fathers. Jason Abrams has taken his full allotment of leave twice now - a rarity among men. His exit from and return to work were seamless. It required some planning. Listen to lessons for other men undecided on taking parental leave.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP105: What Men Get From Parental Leave

Interview with Barney Banks / Tik Tok's IAmMrBanks, Diaper DudeHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANBarney Banks' fatherhood fame started humbly: he was trying to entertain his son while changing his diaper. He showed the video to his mother-in-law who suggested he post it to Tik Tok. It resonated - to the tune of millions of views. What's happened in the year since shows what we fathers are craving: connection. Listen to Barney talk about the broader message of his family content.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP104: What's To Be Learned From One Dad's Diaper Fame?

Interview with Nate Thompson and Alex Schwartz / Fathers and Workplace ThinkersHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANPeople want to work differently. We know this. So why are some companies so behind in adaptaing - not to mention those companies putting a stake in the ground for return to office? Nate and Alex, both dads, had traditional office-based careers pre-pandemic. But after work shut down they began to think strategically about what the workforce of the future would look like. Listen to their story - and learn from their future of work mindset model.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP103: The Workplace Is Disrupted. Here's How To Navigate It

Interview with Anna McKay / Back-to-Work Expert for ParentsHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANParents pause their careers all the time. They do it to devote all their time to their families. But at some point, they may want to return. If they're an attorney or accountant, there's a path. For others, though, it's challenging. As the founder of Parents Pivot, Anna has tips for Lead Parents who want to return to work this year. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP102: What Do You Need To Restart Your Career?

Behind The Scenes Of The Company of DadsHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANThis is our holiday episode and we’re sitting down with The Company of Dads itself – the people who make this possible: Helder, Emily, Terry and Skip. We talk about the best fatherhood moment in the past year and why so much has changed.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP101: How Fatherhood Is Changing - From Our Team

Interview with Kristen Shockley / Our First Guest, Professor at Auburn / Work-Life ExpertHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWelcome to our 100th Podcast! To celebrate, we're talking to Kristen Shockley, our first guest almost two years ago. We talked back then about her research during the pandemic and what led to harmony at home. (Spoiler: people who only worked and weren't involved with caregiving were less productive in their jobs.) Talking to her was a great way to kick off our weekly podcast where we strive to bring insights, stories, and even a bit of humor to the changing pre-pandemic dynamic at home, at work and in our communities. Listen to new thoughts and ideas on work and life from Kristen here.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP100: What Have We Learned In Two Years at Work and at Home

Interview with Kurt and Trent Long / Father-Son EntreprenuersHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANKurt and Trent Long, father-son founders of a company called BUNKR that digitally encrypts your passwords and documents, have lessons for other families looking to work together and build a business. Kurt is a serially successful entrepreneur whose family and friends have always been around his businesses. He recognizes the strengths his children have and leverages them. For his part, Trent knows that at work Kurt is Kurt - not dad - and that's helped them with respect from other employees at work and family harmony outside of the office. Listen to their lessons for parents and children.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP99: How Dads and Children Can Work Together

Interview with Nick Bloom / Hybrid Work Expert, Stanford EconomistHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANThe Five Day Office Week is Dead - so says Nick Bloom, an economics professor at Stanford University and an expert on work-from-home practices. Yet some CEOs keep fighting a losing battle to bring it back. There is no evidence, Bloom says, that this will lead to anything good - and lots of research showing that inflexible work arrangements will cost companies millions when key employees leave and need to be replaced. So listen up managers and workers alike to ways to improve worker happiness and a company's bottomline!---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP98: Why CEOs Fight Hybrid Work - Even When They're Wrong

Interview with Brad Harrington / Boston College Center for Work and Family HOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANMany companies still focus on working moms with their outreach and employee resource groups for parents. But research from Boston College's Center for Work and Family shows that doing only that is missing the mark. Not only are fathers taking paternity leave that companies have offered them, both they and working moms are using those benefits as proxies to assess whether they'd even want to work for that company. So why are some companies still acting like it's 1983? Listen to Brad Harrington's insights from over two decades of research in the field.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP97: Why The Best Companies Treat Dads and Moms Equally

Interview with Michael Perry / Creator of An App To Organize FamiliesHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANMichael Perry was living the tech founder's dream. He'd sold an app he created to Shopify, where he had a senior role. Then he and his wife started to have children, and the juggle became a struggle. It gave Michael an idea: What if he created an app to help families organize, delegate and communicate all the big and small tasks of family life? Listen to learn what Maple, the result, is looking to do to help with the logistics of life.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP96: How Did The Turkey Get On Your Table? This App Knows

Interview with Jason Frishman / Narrative Therapist, Founder of JourneyMenHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANCan fathers journey through life with responsibility, meaning, intention and partnership? That's Jason Frishman's goal: A therapist based in Vermont, he wants to help men create and sustain authentic relationships with one another and live a more meaningful life. He wants to help them become engaged participants in their family, community and work lives. Listen to how redefining masculinity helps the entire family.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP95: You May Be Telling The Story of Your Life Wrong

Interview with Michael Frerichs / Illinois Treasurer, Father of ThreeHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANMichael Frerichs was elected state treasurer in 2014 and has been reelected twice. For all that time he lived in a farming town in southern Illinois where he grew up. When he met his second wife, she was working for Kellogg in Chicago. They commuted, so she could be close to work and he could be with his daughter from his first marriage. Then they had twins. And the choice was: ask her to move to his town or relocate to Chicago so she could continue on the executive path. Listen to what they did and how it impacted their careers - for the better.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP94: How A Politician Changed His Life To Be a Lead Dad

Interview with Jeff Wickersham / Warrior Dad, Fatherhood CoachHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANSometimes unexpected bad outcomes lead to great personal growth. A decade ago, Jeff Wickersham was let go from his job at American Express. It was his livelihood; it was some part of his identity as a provider. But he turned that loss into a moment to connect more deeply with his sons and wife and that spawned the idea for what became Morning Fire Coaching - a program to help fathers be more fully present in their family's life. From that came the Warrior Dad experience - an immersive program meant to reawaken a father's priorities in life. Listen to the three most common challenges fathers face and solutions that any man can apply.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP93: How To Unleash What's Holding Dads Back

Interview with Blessing Adesiyan / Workplace Challenger, Founder of MH WorkLifeHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANBlessing Adesiyan is at the forefront of changing how workplaces think about care for workers. A chemical engineer by training who held senior roles at companies like BASF, Dupont, and Cargill, Blessing shared some thoughts about being a working mother and invited people on social media for coffee. What she thought would be a small gathering of like-minded moms back in 2018 turned into a gathering that overwhelmed a local coffee shop. That was the beginning of a movement that has gained speed during the pandemic. Now with MH WorkLife, she is reimagining the care infrastructure at companies and for employees. Listen to how she's doing it and what you can learn.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP92: What Does Care At Work Look Like?

Interview with Ryan Carters / Pro Cricketeer, Dad CoachHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANAt 18, Ryan Carters was a professional cricket player in Australia. He was a father in his early 20s. In his late 20s, after graduating from Harvard, he became a consultant for McKinsey, one of the top management consulting firms in the world. Good life. What didn't fit, though, was how fathers were expected to work and interact with their family. It drove him to start DadFIt, an organization that aims to turn fatherhood into a team support and give dads the support mothers give each other. Listen to how to build your own Dad Team.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP91: How To Turn Dadding Into a Team Sport

Interview with Jimmy May / Navy Seal, Father of ThreeHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANJimmy May is highly regarded in the world of Navy Seals, one of the most elite fighting groups in the world. For 22 years, he was often deployed 300 days a year. But in a job with no work-life balance, he rarely saw his children and got divorced twice. Since retiring he's making up for lost time, with an intensity that only an elite Seal could have. Listen to how he is becoming the father his kids need now - and what he is doing to help other Seals.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP90: A Navy Seal's Way To Reclaim His Role As Dad

Interview with Mita Mallick / DEI Expert, Leading Voice for ChangeHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANMita Mallick is challenging the lazy statements company leaders have made about diversity policies and laying out a plan to make workplaces more inclusive and to build stronger, better working teams. And when it comes to policies around care, she wants to invite men in to be part of the solution. Listen to how things can change for the benefit of the whole workforce.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP89: How To Bust 13 Myths At Work That Hold Us Back

Interview with Terry Smith / Author of See You LaterHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANAfter going through his second divorce, Terry Smith got full custody of his daughter. Watching her come to terms with what happened pained him. So Smith, an artist, wrote a book, See You Later, with her to help children and parents talk about divorce in a better way. With 18 percent of fathers in the U.S. being divorced, widowed or otherwise single, Terry is helping fathers explain to their children what may be hard for them to understand. Listen to ways to soften the blow of parents splitting.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP88: How A Dad Used His Divorce To Help Kids

Interview with the Authors of Raising A Kid Who CanHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANA psychiatrist, a psychologist and a child therapist all walk into a parenting group, and... it's a good set-up for a joke, but it's the feeling you might get listening to Catherine McCarthy, Heather Tedesco and Jennifer Weaver, three experts and friends, who wrote a book about creating independent kids - and less cloying, worrying and meddling parents. They're as wise as they are funny. Listen in. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP87: How To Raise A Child Who Becomes An Independent Adult

Interview with Deanne Aussem / Wellbeing Leader At PWCHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANCreating a wellbeing platform for a large, multinational company like PwC, the professional services firm, has been a decade in the making. But it positioned the company well in the post-Covid shift to how, where and when we're working. The company's Parenting Inclusion Network offers equal benefits for mothers and fathers - but more than that, it works with parents (and caregivers more broadly) to integrate work and life. Listen to Deanne Aussem, who heads the firm's wellbeing initiative, talk about what works and what still needs to be done - with tips for other companies starting out.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP86: How One Company Created Parenting Equity at Work

Interview with J.R. Havlan / Emmy Award Winner & First Time Camp WorkerHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANJ.R. Havlan got an offer he couldn't refuse: come work as the communications director at sleepaway camp. The eight-time Emmy Award-winning writer might seem a tad overqualified for the job but he jumped at the chance: he'd be around his two kids and fully focused on one job - a rarity in a world of disruptions. But he learned some things that he - and any Dad - could use in the school year. Listen now.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP85: What Working At Summer Camp Taught This Dad

Interview with Doug Patton / Inventor and DadHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANDoug Patton is an inventor with over 200 products to his name, ranging from a biomedical device used worldwide for eye surgery to an electric candle sold by Disney. But he’s always been an involved father, to his daughter Heather and his son Sean. When she was a baby and a restless sleeper, he would get up early with her and sketch inventions with her rocking on the kitchen table. His son, who just graduated from college, has worked with him since he was 12. The three have come together to work on a passion project for Doug, a putter that brings sophisticated sound technology to golf. Listen to Doug talk about how his children came to work with him and what’s it meant for him as a father and entrepreneur.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP84: Want Your Kids To Work In the Family Business?

Interview with Jennifer Wallace / Author and Advocate for AdolescentsHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANIt's all or nothing. Harvard or bust. A's may not be enough. This is achievement culture and it's hurting kids. Jennifer Wallace, author of “Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic--and What We Can Do About It”, has a plan to help adolescents and their well-meaning but intense parents change the dynamic. Listen to her tips.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP83: Want To Raise Smart, Resilient Kids? Don't Do This

Interview with Chris Michalak / Healthcare CEO and Lead DadHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANIn one year, Chris Michalak lost his marriage, his job and his dog. He became a single Lead Dad with custody of his sons. He kept it secret at work - it was a different time. Fifteen years later, he became CEO of VIrgin Pulse, a healthcare company, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. His personal experience years earlier informed how he led - and allowed him to lean into remote work for everyone's benefit. Listen to what he did and how it helped his company.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP82: How a CEO's Life Prepared Him For WFH Leadership

Interview with Jay Rosenblatt / Filmmaker and FatherHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANHow do our kids change as they age? All fathers observe it in real time but Jay Rosenblatt recorded it. Starting when his daughter was 2, he interviewed her on camera every year on her birthday until she was 18. The result is a beautiful record of a father-daughter bond. Listen to what we can all learn from his endeavor.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP81: How Do You Measure Time As A Father?

Interview with Rocco Carreiro / Author and Financial AdviserHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANThe three cords are work, family and self. And author Rocco Carreiro said all three need to be bound together for men to be happy and productive as Lead Dads, entrepreneurs or employees, and spouses or partners. No surprise: it's not easy to give your all to your business, your family and yourself? There are tradeoffs; it's hard. Listen as we unpack this.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP80: What Are The Three Cords Of Fatherhood?

Interview with Linda Nielsen / Professor and Expert on Fathers & DaughtersHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANDo babies really bond better with moms? Do dads sacrifice less than moms? Are dads less empathetic, less compassionate, and less skilled at communicating than moms? These are all myths that hold fathers back, says Linda Nielsen, a professor at Wake Forest University. She's been researching the subject for 30 years. Listen to how to correct the record.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP79: Challenging Myths and Lies About Dads

Interview with Professor David Smith / Naval Aviator, Gender Rights ExpertHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANA Naval Academy graduate, David is an associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School where he focuses on inclusive leadership and gender in the workplace. His life in academia started after his stint as a Naval aviator, flying combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. How did he come to his research? He saw his wife, a fellow Naval Academy graduate, struggle far more than he did, despite being just as well educated and trained. Learn how to be a more inclusive leader.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP78: Lessons On Inclusive Leadership From a Naval Aviator

Interview with Reshma Saujani / Advocate For Women and GirlsHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANReshma Saujani is an amazing force for working parents, an advocate for girls and a thinker on work today. She founded the nonprofit Girls Who Code, which worked to close the tech gap for women by teaching girls to be programmers. In the pandemic, she started a second nonprofit called the Marshall Plan for Moms, now known as Moms First. It advocates for child care, paid leave, and equal pay. Want to know what Lead Dads can do to support Working Moms at home and at work? Listen in.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP77: How To Be A Better Ally To Working Moms

Interview with Jeff Zaugg / Advocate For Fathers And The FatherlessHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANJeff Zaugg is the founder of DadAwesome, a nonprofit that’s all about helping fathers embrace their role as dads and be more present. Why? Because kids are watching us and they know when we are loving being their dad - and when we're distracted. Jeff also started Fathers for the Fatherless – a nonprofit that stages a series of 100-mile bike rides to bring fathers together to raise money for children who don’t have fathers. Listen and be inspired.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP76: What's It Mean To Be DadAwesome?

Interview with Justin Breen / Entrepreneur, Lead Dad, Date Night ProHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANJustin Breen is a communications innovator from Chicago and the author of Epic Life: How To Build Collaborative Global Companies While Putting Your Loved Ones First. The book details what makes entrepreneurs not just great but happy and fulfilled. (Hint: it's not more stuff.) He is also a marathon level romantic – having orchestrated 52 dates in 52 weeks with his wife Dr. Sarah Breen - and without their kids. Listen for his insight.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP75: What Does An Epic Life Mean For Dads?

Interview with Brooks Barron / The Inheritance of Good Fatherhood ExamplesHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANBrooks Barron was destined for a high-achieving corporate life. He graduated from Princeton University as his father had and went on to Stanford's business school. Enormous wealth and professional accolades were his for the taking. But there was something about his Colorado childhood, its inspiring lessons, that called to him. He took a different path, working outdoors in teaching and leadership roles built around the natural world. A young father, Brooks has thoughts on how to help visionary leaders discover their soul's purpose and unleash their full aliveness.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP74: How To Get Clarity As a Dad

Interview with Todd Detwiler / Illustrator and Author of How To DadHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANThere is no shortage of books on parenting but they're written for mothers - only to be read by the rare father. Todd Detwiler set out to change this with his illustrated - and funny - book: How To Dad. It begins with his own Covid parenting stumbles as he worked to figure out what he should do, and when and how to do it. Of all the dadding advice, the section on air travel with kids is worth the price! Listen to how new and experienced dads can learn something new this Father's Day.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP73: Fatherhood Is Funnier Than You Think

Interview with Shawn Lesser and Brent Herd / Men's Mental Health AdvocatesHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANShawn and Brent are fathers who have had professional success and family success. But like many men, they’ve also had mental health struggles. Brent’s came first. Shawn, who was bringing together investors in some of the nicest places in America, had his crisis last year. When it happened, Shawn's wife reach out to Brent. They'd been youth baseball buddies but that light friendship was enough for Brent to help Shawn through a dark period. From that experience of openness and caring came the creation of The Real, a mental health advocacy group aimed at fathers who are suffering. Listen to how they plan to remove the stigma around getting treatment and help Dads get the help they need.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP72: How Two Baseball Dads United for Men's Mental Health

Interview with Kevin Olmsted / Author and Advocate for Anorexia AwarenessHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANKevin Olmsted wrote the book "Scared Dad Feeding: How My Daughter’s Anorexia Took Me To Hell and My Guidebook for How I Got Back" about his family's experience. But he was moved to write it to help other dads get through what his family is still navigating: helping a child who lost 30 pounds in 60 days and is still working through the mental health struggles of anorexia. To get her the care she needed, Kevin left his career in the wine business and became a Lead Dad who devoted all of this time to his family. Listen to what he learned and how it can help Dads in a similar situation.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP71: How To Save Your Child

Interview With The Band of Sisters / Advocates For ChangeHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANThe Band of Sisters are six senior female executives who have seen it all and not all that they’ve seen has been good. They've written “You Should Smile More: How to Dismantle Gender Bias in the Workplace" - the title a phrase all six women were told in their careers. Listen to two of the sisters, Angelique Bellmer Krembs and Lori Tauber Marcus, give actionable ways to eliminate the lazy bias of corporate America.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP70: Smile More? How To Dismantle Gender Bias At Work

Interview with Jaclyn Wong / Expert on Career, Relationship & Family DecisionsHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANBalancing the competing pressures of modern work and caregiving roles is hard for everyone. Professional couples fall into three categories that may not be good for them long term. Consistent compromises. Autonomous actors. Tending traditional couples. Learn what each one means for you and also understand how far you can go to change this dynamic when there are structural and cultural issues aligned against couples switching up roles.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP69: What Working Couples Need To Know To Make It Work

Interview with Kelly McGinnis / President of the Working Parent InstituteHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANParental burnout is only recently a topic that is getting talked about openly. All parents can struggle with it but Lead Dads and Working Moms are juggling working, parenting, living, being a spouse and a friend every day. Kelly McGinnis is leading a reevaluation as the president of Incredible Family, which supports working parents and aims to prevent parental burnout, and the Working Parent Institute, which is a resource for companies looking to do better. Learn some actionable actionable tips to reduce burnout and get aligned as working parents.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP68: How Dads Get Support for Parental Burnout

(This is part 6 of a 6 part mini-series: The Global Dads Council.)How do you unlock dads at work and allow them to be full parents? Research shows it makes workers more productive, and builds loyalty and engagment with the company. Yet companies have been slow to adapt to the post-pandemic world of work. It's easy to blame Boardroom Dads for being out of touch but it's a problem that rapidly needs to be solved for companies and communities. Listen to the Global Dads Council off tips on how to coach men to be fully engaged Dads at Work.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

[BONUS] GDC EP6: Why Isn't Work More Open to Men Being Dads?

Interview with Jeff Siegel / Health and Wellness Coach for MenHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANBeing a father is loaded with expectations - many stemming from how society pushes men into a certain way of being a father. Jeff Siegel, a health and wellness coach with Harvard credentials and mindfullness training, is pushing back against those assumptions. He wants men to let go of heroic images of fatherhood and be the best dad they can be. Learn his 4 ways men can become conscious dads.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP67: How To Be a Conscious Dad in 4 Steps

(This is part 5 of a 6 part mini-series: The Global Dads Council.)Fathers can play a positive role in guiding their children through school-age sports. Sometimes it can be as easy as playing with them in the backyard. Othertimes it can be more organized games and leagues. But so often, just being out there with them - or driving them home - can open up a world of conversations. Hear how dads around the world get the best out of kids' sports - and avoid the cliches of living vicariously through their children.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

[BONUS] GDC EP5: How Can Dads Encourage Sports in a Healthy Way

Interview with Charlie Rosier / Founder of Babbu, Childhood Learning ExpertHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhat do you do when you want to entertain your toddler with something educational but you don't know where to go or whether the resource you find will be any good? Stuck at home during the pandemic, Charlie Rosier, a single parent with a toddler, pondered this question. The result is Babbu, an early child resource. Listen to 3 ways it can help Lead Dads - and their young children.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP66: 3 Things Dads Can Do To Help Their Kids Learn

(This is part 4 of a 6 part mini-series: The Global Dads Council.)Working parents, moms and dads, need time for self-care. But how do you get that space when there is so little free time? Work. Parenting. Spousal time. They eat up a day! Does it just come down to managing guilt? Or is there something else holding us back to relaxing and being better men? Bryan Tan from Singapore leads off this discussion. Listen for 5 actionable tips. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

[BONUS] GDC EP4: How Much Me Time Can Dads Expect?

Interview with Sara Madera / Relationship Coach, Parent ThinkerHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANWhat comes first: Gender equity at work or at home? In this week's podcast, I discuss the issue with Sara Madera, founder of Plan Creatively, which works with working moms to manage the demands of career and parenthood. We talk about the role Lead Dads play in this at home and in the workplace. Listen to what we agreed and disagreed on.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP65: How Parents Can Maximize Work and Home

(This is part 3 of a 6 part mini-series: The Global Dads Council.)The Global Dads Council Takes On Work-Life BalanceAround the world, fathers want to work differenly. We're at an inflection point in the work-life debate. Allowing men to be dads at work is about unlocking families' potential and finding what's right at home and in the office. It's the missing link around gender equality. But there are strong culture factors aligned against this shift. Listen to the panel as it offers suggestions and solutions to get beyond culture barriers and find a better way forward as we enter The Next Normal.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

[BONUS] GDC EP3: Working Around The World - and Defining Balance Globally

Interview With Brett Edwards / Hollywood Actor, Dallas Lead DadHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANBrett Edwards plays tough guys on screen. He was in American Sniper, the film based on a Navy Seal's life. He's been in CSI, Narcos and Westworld. But the hypermasculine roles he plays on screen are just that, roles. At home, he is a Lead Dad to his two daughters and his wife, who runs her own consulting firm. Listen to why separating the two personas is so important to him.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

EP64: A Hollywood Hero's Lessons On Being a Lead Dad

(This is part 2 of a 6 part mini-series: The Global Dads Council.)The Global Dad Council Debates Balancing Being a Dad and a PartnerWhat's easier to master - fatherhood or the art of being a great husband? Neither is easy but being a great husband can often take a backseat to the more immediate needs of a child. The good news is there are some easy fixes. The bad news is you need to be aware that there is a problem. Listen to ways we can understand each other better and keep the key relationship in our family strong.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

[BONUS] GDC EP2: The Best Tips To Be a Good Father and a a Good Partner

Interview With Alison Graham, Global Exec, Lead Dad AdvocateHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANAlison Graham, a native Australian, came to the States 25 years ago and has had a remarkable career in tech - Unisys. Computer Associates. IBM. Salesforce. Amazon Web Services. She credits her Lead Dad husband - who was also working in tech - with being the go-to parent when she was traveling at different times in her career. Hear what he did that mattered. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/