Why, Dad?

In this episode of the Why Dad? podcast, we sit down with Oscar Peña, host of the Daughtered podcast, for an honest conversation about fatherhood and raising daughters. Oscar shares his personal evolution as a dad, shaped by missed presence, hard self-reflection, and the wake-up call of being home during COVID. Together, they unpack what daughters truly need from their fathers: presence over perfe...

The world feels fractured, polarized, and increasingly disconnected. For dads, that raises a hard question: how do we raise kids with strong values, resilience, and empathy in the middle of all this? In this episode of Why Dad?, Paul and Andrew sit down with Chip Webster, father, entrepreneur, and founder of the nonprofit Unity in Service. Chip shares lessons from raising two sons, decades of lead...

In this episode of the Why Dad podcast, hosts Paul and Andrew welcome Rob Unger, a father and community leader, to discuss the realities of fatherhood. Rob shares his experiences of parenting two daughters, the importance of honesty in building connections, and the challenges many dads face, including depression and co-parenting. The conversation emphasizes the significance of communication, the l...

In this episode of the Why, Dad? podcast, hosts Paul Wandrey and Andrew Stolpestad explore the profound question of whether to have children. They delve into the societal and personal implications of parenthood, discussing the joys and challenges of raising a family. The conversation touches on the importance of understanding one's motivations and the impact of children on personal growth and rela...

In this episode of the Why Dad podcast, hosts Paul Wandrey and Andrew Stolpestad engage in a deep conversation with Larry Hagner, founder of the Dad Edge and author of The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood. Larry shares his personal journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a dedicated father of four boys. The discussion emphasizes the importance of connection, community, and the pursuit of m...

Who you choose to build a life with shapes far more than your present. It shapes your legacy. In this episode, Paul and Andrew have an honest, wide-ranging conversation about how choosing a partner influences the kind of family, values, and future you leave behind. They talk about commitment, alignment, communication, growth, and what it really means to build a legacy of love that extends beyond y...

In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Wickersham, dad of two, creator of the Warrior Dad Experience, and author of Warrior Dad: Love Your Children, Lead Your Family, Leave Your Legacy. Jeff shares the moments that shaped his mission, including the loss of his mom and the heartbreaking wake up call that pushed him to serve fathers. We talk about what’s really happening to dads today: isolation, ov...

In this episode, Paul and Andrew delve into the significance of community for men, particularly fathers. They discuss the paradox of being more connected yet feeling lonelier than ever, emphasizing the need for genuine relationships and support systems. The conversation explores what constitutes a healthy community, the importance of fraternity, and how men can benefit from surrounding themselves...

In this episode, Paul and Andrew sit down with Troy Fink : husband, dad of three, pastor, founder, and CEO of Gammit Tech , the team behind Loovy , a smart potty training device built to make one of the toughest early parenting seasons a little more fun and a lot less chaotic. Troy shares his story of becoming a dad at 19, walking through addiction, and how surrendering his life to God reshaped ev...

In this episode of the Why Dad Podcast, hosts Andrew Stolpestad and Paul Wandrey delve into the complexities of family dynamics, discussing the importance of communication, setting boundaries, and the role of chosen family. They share personal stories and insights on navigating family drama, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding. The conversation also touches on the balance between su...

In this episode, Paul, Andrew, and Marchem Pfeiffer discuss the challenges of burnout and recovery for dads. Marchem shares his personal journey from military service to becoming a leadership coach, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy, healing, and accountability. They explore the impact of workplace PTSD, the overlap between leadership and parenting, and the necessity of building a suppor...

Takeaways Crucial conversations are essential for personal growth and relationship building. Avoiding tough conversations can lead to resentment and miscommunication. The HEAR framework (Hedge, Empathize, Acknowledge, Reframe) is a useful tool for effective communication. It's important to prepare for crucial conversations to ensure they are productive. Emotions will always be present in tough con...

Cory Carlson — Links & Resources Website / About / Coaching & Books : Cory Carlson ( corymcarlson.com )  LinkedIn : Cory Carlson on LinkedIn LinkedIn Books :  • Win at Home First  • Rise and Go

In this episode of Why Dad? , Paul and Andrew slow things down and invite listeners into a casual conversation about what’s been going on in their lives. Topics include: 🌽 Surviving the Minnesota “corn sweats” 👶 Paul’s first weeks of paternity leave with both kids at home 🍋 Evie’s lemonade stand and the surprise competition that taught Paul a lesson in letting kids live in the moment 🚗 Andrew’...

Why play matters : Play is how kids communicate their inner world. It’s not just fun—it’s expressive, healing, and relational. Responding vs. reacting : How slowing down and tuning in builds trust and emotional regulation. Connection before correction : When children act out, it’s often a bid for connection—not defiance. Scheduled unstructured time : Just 15–30 minutes of fully present, screen-fre...

Takeaways Showing up means being present physically and mentally. It's important to take time for yourself before engaging with family. Micro moments of presence can be just as impactful as macro moments. Barriers to showing up include work stress and distractions. Creating routines can help facilitate being present. Apologizing to children strengthens the parent-child bond. Modeling behavior for...

What We Talk About: What parenting a teenager teaches you about emotional honesty Rebuilding your creative life as a form of self-care How small acts of art can create connection Giving your kids permission to see you as human Balancing business, boundaries, and being present Creating without pressure and parenting without perfection Resources & Mentions: PodcastConnections.co — Noémi’s podcast bo...

👵 Why involved grandparents can boost kids’ confidence, social skills, and emotional wellbeing 🎯 The gap between how you want to parent and how your parents might grandparent 🧁 The power of Sunday muffins, last-minute babysitting, and everyday grandparent magic 💬 What happens when expectations go unspoken and why clear communication is everything 🫱 Creating space for healthy boundaries with e...

🔗 Connect with Matt Edmundson Website & Full Bio mattedmundson.com LinkedIn Accessible via his site, but confirmed: linkedin.com/in/mattedmundson Instagram @mattedmundson The eCommerce Podcast (hosted by Matt) Also widely available on Spotify and other platforms

🧠 Topics Covered: What gentle parenting actually means The difference between permissive and respectful Why “being the adult” doesn’t mean being the boss Handling triggers without shame How we model emotional regulation Where we’ve gotten it wrong—and what we’ve learned Why connection gives your discipline more power 🎯 This episode is for: Dads trying to be intentional but overwhelmed Parents un...

🔑 What We Talk About: Why “being there” isn’t always easy, but it always matters How dads carry pressure to fix things instead of just be there The pilot-in-turbulence metaphor that redefined Nick’s parenting mindset Learning to shift from resentment to gratitude in daily chaos Accepting failure and showing your kids that love is consistent, not perfect 💥 This Week’s Challenge: Next time you wal...

What We Talk About: 🧠 Why mental health maintenance (not just crisis response) is essential 🥦 How nutrition, sleep, and blood sugar affect emotional regulation 🏋️ The connection between movement, play, and showing up well as a dad 🧃 Why your discipline slips when your energy does 💬 Modeling emotional health for your kids by doing your own inner work 🎯 Letting go of shame and starting small wh...

🔑 What We Talk About: 👴 Parenting for 40, not just for 18 ⚖️ Punishment vs. consequences — and why they're not the same 🧠 Why the best parenting moments happen after the meltdown 🎯 How to raise kids who love learning and trust their own reasoning 📚 What we get wrong about grades, homework, and school 🤐 Why discipline in the moment usually fails 💬 How to model curiosity and emotional regulat...

In this episode, Paul and Andrew dig into one of the most powerful (and often under-discussed) parenting skills: teaching our kids how to think . From silly moments like mistaking cows for horses to deeper reflections on autonomy and identity, they explore how critical thinking shows up in everyday parenting—and how easy it is to accidentally shut it down. You’ll hear personal stories, lots of que...

Disclaimer: Please don't close your eyes as instructed if you are driving or doing anything else dangerous. In this episode of the Why, Dad? Podcast, we explore the transformative power of gratitude and how it shapes us as fathers. "Putting the Gratitude in Attitude: The Power of a Gratitude Mindset" dives into the essential role gratitude plays in our lives, from strengthening our parenting to im...