Rise and Dad Podcast

What happens when a gay dad, mental health therapist, and certified sex therapist sits down to talk about fatherhood, relationships, and raising two daughters? In Episode 29 of the Rise & Dad Podcast, Kevin sits down with Jamie, a father of two who, alongside his husband Tom, built their family through surrogacy. Jamie shares his journey from growing up knowing he wanted to be a father, even w...

Dad, entrepreneur, producer, and former restaurant owner Michael Halter has spent years building businesses and creative projects, but one of his most important roles has been being a stay-at-home dad to his two kids, now 17 and 13. In this episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast, Michael opens up about what happens when the little kids you've spent years raising suddenly become teenagers with lives o...

Dad content creator and marathon runner Kyle Bradshaw has built a following by sharing honest reminders about fatherhood while running the streets of Florida. In this episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast, Kyle shares why some of the most meaningful parts of being a dad happen in the ordinary, everyday moments. Kyle opens up about raising a six-year-old son and two-year-old daughter, adjusting to th...

Former Seattle Seahawks legend and Super Bowl XLVIII Champion Cliff Avril has accomplished almost everything on the football field, but in this episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast, he shares why being a father is the achievement he's most proud of. Cliff opens up about raising two boys, balancing life after the NFL, parenting teenagers, teaching respect, building character, and why becoming a dad...

In this candid episode of the Rise & Dad Podcast, host Kevin DelRo sits down with Phil Bailey — media agency owner, restaurateur, former basketball player, and father of three (Quincy, 2; Kobe, 1; Jaxxon, 14). Phil shares a raw and hopeful fatherhood journey: becoming a dad at 22, stepping into recovery, learning co‑parenting, and building intentional daily rituals (cooking nightly, bedtime wh...

In this episode of the Rise & Dad Podcast, host Kevin DelRo talks with Pat Barber, the creator of the Fathers Guild, CrossFit coach‑trainer, and father of four boys (13, 10, 7, 3). Pat breaks down his middle‑ground approach to modern fatherhood: personal development first, practical rituals second. He shares experiments he runs on himself (the “no‑yelling” month, daily 10‑second hugs), his tak...

In this thoughtful episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast, host Kevin Del Ro sits down with his neighbor Bharath — a Seattle-based product manager, Mumbai native, and father of two daughters (Sahana, 6, and Sameera, 3). Bharath opens up about growing up in India, his relationship with his dad, navigating grief while raising young kids, and the intentional practices he uses to build connection and res...

In this episode of the Rise & Dad Podcast, host Kevin Del Ro talks with David Kaplan — founder of Death & Co., hospitality leader, and dad to six-year-old Aria. David opens up about blending leadership and parenting, the power of bringing kids into your work life, how therapy strengthened his marriage and fathering, and practical ways he stays present for his daughter even while running a...

In this thoughtful episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast, host Kevin Del Ro sits down with Michael Bartley — filmmaker, founder of creative agency 100%, SIFF board member, and father of identical 10-year-old twins Jack and Charlie. Michael opens up about being adopted and choosing his family name, how creativity and agency leadership shape his parenting, and the practical systems he uses to raise in...

In this heartwarming and unprecedented episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast, Kevin Del Ro interviews his own 5-year-old daughter, Rui! 👧 Hear fatherhood and parenting advice straight from the source as Rui shares her clear and insightful perspective on what it's like to be a kid, what dads should know, and the importance of love and connection. 🚀 In this episode, Rui provides surprisingly profoun...

A dad that says 'I love you' is NOT the norm." 🤯 Prepare for a deeply REAL conversation on The Rise and Dad Podcast. Kevin Del Ro welcomes Lloyd, a Filipino dad, to discuss navigating fatherhood, from immigration and IVF struggles to the profound impact of being a truly seen parent. 🚀 In this episode, we explore: ✅ A powerful reminder of the importance of presence and emotional expression. ✅ I...

Forget the Scoreboard! 🏆 Discover a healthier way to approach youth sports in this episode of The Rise and Dad Podcast. Kevin welcomes Jonathan from Healthy Sports Parents to challenge the conventional wisdom and redefine success on and off the field. 🚀 In this episode, we explore: ✅ Why chasing wins can actually HURT your child's development ✅ The importance of teaching kids to compete agains...

Dads, are you feeling overwhelmed by the grind? 🤔 Join Kevin Del Ro on The Rise and Dad Podcast as he speaks with Travis, a senior software engineer, business owner, and father of three boys, about his remarkable journey. From growing up with a single, legally blind mother to becoming a thriving and intentional father, Travis shares his hard-earned wisdom. 🚀 In this episode, we explore: ✅ How T...

Former NBA player Anthony Toliver shares his insights on fatherhood, career, and faith in this episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast with Kevin Del Ro. Discover how this entrepreneur and family man balances the demands of business and being a present dad. 👨‍💼🏀➡️👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 🚀 In this episode, we explore: ✅ The challenges of being a traveling NBA player and a father ✅ Prioritizing family and bui...

What's it really like being a girl dad in today's world? Join Kevin Del Ro on the Rise and Dad Podcast as we dive deep into the joys and challenges of raising daughters with guest, Jon, an AI software professional and girl dad extraordinaire! 🚀 In this episode, we explore: ✅ Balancing Act: Jon shares his secrets for juggling a demanding career in AI, coaching his daughters' sports teams, and pri...

In this introspective episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast, Kevin Del Ro welcomes William, a seasoned product management professional and dedicated dad to a five-year-old daughter. William shares his experiences on balancing career ambitions with the joys and anxieties of modern fatherhood. 🚀 In this episode, we explore: ✅ Navigating the challenges and rewards of being an older parent. ✅ How the...

In this powerful episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast, host Kevin Del Ro sits down with Stoli, a single dad, Seattle Public Schools administrator, and talented street photographer. Stoli shares his unique journey into fatherhood, the challenges and triumphs of raising his 8-year-old son, Messiah, and how fatherhood transformed his life and got him off the streets. And most importantly how #BlackFat...

Struggling to connect with your kids? Join Kevin Del Ro on The Rise and Dad podcast as he talks with Strider, the Founder of Dad Braids (www.instagram.com/dad.braids) about overcoming challenges and finding unique ways to connect with his daughter. 🚀 In this episode, we explore: ✅How Dad Braids became a symbol of connection during a difficult time. ✅The importance of emotional intelligence and...

In this relatable episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast, Kevin Del Ro chats with Josh, a "cool, young, fun dad" and commercial driver, about the joys and challenges of raising a teenage daughter. From grind mode to teenage years, Josh shares his wisdom and experiences. 🚀 In this episode, we explore: ✅ Josh's unique journey to fatherhood as an adopted child learning to create his own bloodline. ✅...

In this episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast, we sit down with Rome, a stay-at-home dad, content creator, and impact ambassador. Rome shares his incredible journey of fatherhood, including the challenges of raising a child with Pfeiffer syndrome, balancing his own health struggles, and the role of social media in advocating for his daughter. Rome’s story is one of resilience, intentionality, and se...

Amazing episode on Mike's unique journey with surrogacy, his career in the celebrity and creative industries, and his two kids, River and Sloane. In this episode, we sit down with Mike Rosenthal, a talented photographer, director, and the co-founder of It's Good, a social-powered food and travel app. Mike opens up about his unique journey through fatherhood, including his upbringing, the challenge...

What's it really like to be a new dad? Join Kevin on The Rise and Dad Podcast as he gets raw and honest with Sean, a tech professional and father of a 3-month-old, about the rollercoaster of newborn life. 🚀 In this episode, we explore: ✅ Newborn Challenges: The raw, unfiltered truth about the first few months. ✅ Building a Support System: Finding your tribe when family isn't nearby. ✅ Mental H...

What's it like to be an intentional dad in today's world? Join us on The Rise and Dad Podcast as we dive deep into fatherhood with guest Kris, a product marketer, musician, and all-around awesome dad! 🚀 In this episode, we explore: ✅Intentional Fatherhood: What it means to be present and engaged. ✅Toddler Negotiation: Strategies for dealing with strong-willed kids. ✅Marriage and Parenting: Nav...

Dan kept it real with us talking about raising kinds in America and co-sleeping. 🚀In this episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast, we’re joined by Dan, a dad of two, a software sales professional, and a high school soccer coach. Dan shares his unique perspective on fatherhood, including the joys and struggles of raising his two kids, Sofia and Kroi, and his approach to parenting with unconditional lo...

This episode with Ryan is a banger! His family is as blended as you can get -- Ryan had a son in a previous relationship, met & married a woman with 2 children from a prior relationship, and then they came together and had their own. That's something! 🚀In this episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast, we sit down with Ryan, a two-time WNBA champion (assistant coach), former college basketball play...