Durable Dad with Tommy Geary

Does your job define you? Who are you without your job? It's easy for men to get convoluted on their worthiness outside of their job. But when we're able to separate ourselves and understand that our career is independent from our identity, we're able to approach problems at work with a stoic, clear head. We don't take feedback personally. We don't allow projects to interf...

Viktor Frankl's book, Man’s Search for Meaning, gives a different perspective on the question we ask all the time.  I think I had this idea that I’d read the book and have all the big answers. But it’s actually a lot easier than that.  Frankl said that, “Man should not ask what is the meaning of his life, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked.” Because we create our meaning....

What do you do with a comment that catches you off guard? One that really throws you for a loop? Some of us might lash out. Say something we later regret. Or we might freeze and wish we said something after the fact. But there's a third option that allows us to respond from a place of calm wisdom. There are 2 things we can do to make sure we're caught off guard less often so we can act i...

Embracing hardship is a non-negotiable part of life. We can quit on our goals and tell ourselves we're choosing the "easy path," but there's a sneaky hard in quitting – staying exactly where you are.  As the specter of National Quitters Day looms, I tackle the temptation to join the ranks of those who've let go of their aspirations. This episode is an unflinching look at w...

What better topic to discuss at the start of the new year than your death? :) Nothing, you'll come to learn, will ignite change and ruthless prioritization better than remembering your inevitable death. Join me in the exploration of the ancient practice of Momento Mori, and why it's so powerful to keep the end of your life top of mind. This episode promises to reshape your perspective an...

Joy is like happiness on steroids. Most men would like more of it in their lives, but it's not a topic we talk about a lot. Here's 4 ways to conjure up and spread some joy. Happy Holidays! If this episode helped you think differently, share it with another guy who’d benefit from the conversation. And if you haven’t already, follow the podcast so these episodes stay in your rotation. Just...

Today we're going to talk about doing year-end reviews. A lot has happened over the last 365 days and we don't want to just move forward without getting some of that knowledge and wisdom and bringing it with us into the new year. We answer what is a year-end review and  the effect it has on our mindset. It doesn't matter if you crushed 2023 or if is was a rough year, you'll lea...

Have you ever asked yourself, "What makes a good dad?"  No being a hot head and... what else?  On this episode of the Durable Dad we go on the journey of defining a path in fatherhood. We also dive into the depths of growth, both physical and emotional, as an integral part of parenthood. From pushing our children to develop holistically, teaching them kindness, patience, and respectfulne...

Funks happen to the best of men. But most guys don't use this super easy tactic to dig their way out of it quickly. Counting your wins is like the secret weapon we all harness but forget to use. Learn why our brains need to be reminded daily of our good deeds, and why we default to self sabotage and and stress without it. Each day arms you with a goldmine of wisdom and motivation. Don't...

There's a lot of confusion around masculinity in our current environment. Guys tend to stifle it so they offend or disrespect others. But it's not healthy for a man to shut down characteristics that are part of his DNA. This stifling creates a lack of confidence or an overflow of anger and aggression. This episode will shed light on why men want to embrace and make use of their masculine...

There's a reason Ram Dass said, "If you think you're enlightened, go spend a week with your family." Emotions can run high when we're all packed in a house with too much food and booze. We parent differently, vote differently, and value different things in life. But it doesn't have to be hard to stay level-headed and end holiday weekends on a high note when we practic...

"Discomfort is the currency of our dreams." This is what one of my coaches taught me years ago, and we're going to break it down today. We discuss vices we all have, and why learning to leave our desires unmet is the path to becoming the man we want to be. Tune in to understand why our brains are designed to seek comfort, and why living an uncomfortable life is the way to go.  If th...

Ever wonder why you or your wife hold a grudge, or why last week's disagreement comes raging out at unexpected moments? Relationships cycle through three phases – Harmony, disharmony, and repair. And the faster you repair, the stronger your connection grows with your spouse. Learn how to articulate your frustrations without resorting to blame or shutting down, and discover the power of '...

Guys have an innate desire to solve. Especially when our wife is struggling. The problem is, she doesn't need our solutions. She needs us to see her. Connect with her.  Today's podcast will teach you why our initial reaction is to fix her problems, and exactly how to change that reaction so we can understand and support her instead. Tune in to learn about the power of 'seeing before...

We want to be on the same page with our wife. But it's hard to get there when we're speaking different languages. Today's podcast will teach you how to communicate in a way that will allow your wife to not only hear you, but she'll understand and connect with you. Your relationship with your life partner is potentially the most important relationship to nurture. Yet most of us...

Lofty goals don't have to be daunting. In fact, the less intimidating we can make that first step, the more likely we are to achieve our goal. These small, manageable targets may appear insignificant at first, but when applied consistently, they initiate a profound change in our behavior and habits. If you're looking to kickstart a life change or establish a new habit, this episode is yo...

Do you take on too much? A lot of men do. It drains our energy and sucks our time.   This episode will help you to develop a filter so you have a clear grasp on when to say 'yes' and when to say 'no.' You'll get a roadmap that guides you to respectfully decline every opportunity that does not roll up to your priorities.  It's about making conscious decisions that alig...

Ever felt that your day-to-day obligations are weighing you down? We are diving deep into the quest for passion in this episode. You'll learn why passion isn't found outside of us – we create it ourselves. And you'll walk away knowing exactly how to do that. You'll transform your obligations into desires and hone in on what lights you up. You'll find ways to align your val...

Today, we dissect the age-old wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita and its insights on the purpose of work. We'll bring to light the damage we create by focusing on the reward rather than the process. Drawing parallels to our roles as fathers, we challenge the common perception of parenting success, advocating instead for a present-focused mindset that takes in the moments and detaches from the result...

What if we've been using logic all wrong, letting it confine us and create barriers rather than connect us and move us forward? This episode will teach you how we misuse logic. You'll discover that true logic lies not in rigid pathways, but in exploring all available options, remaining open to differing perspectives, and noting the vitality of emotions, ethics, and situational awareness...

Want to architect your life with purpose? Today we're going to break down chapter two of Stephen Covey's book, Seven Habits of Highly Effective People . We unveil how the simple yet powerful principle of "beginning with the end in mind" can influence your choices, propel you towards your goals, and shape your legacy. We also underscore the importance of crafting a personal cred...

Are you quick to say yes, even when it goes against your own interests or values?  Do you try to avoid looking like a jerk?  We'll unpack the 'Nice Guy Syndrome' and how it can hinder your personal growth and relationships.  Together, we explore the small, significant steps you can take towards unveiling the real man within you. You'll learn how to break free from 'Nice Gu...

Is your confidence hinged on external validation? Join me as we confront this lifelong  issue of confidence and where our value comes from. We'll explore the potential pitfalls of relying solely on external validation, which can result in self-esteem dips when life doesn't stick to the script. This episode will transform your perspective on your self worth, and you'll navigate the w...

Who's coming with you? This is one of the most important questions we all forget to ask. On this podcast, we uncover why you need more than just goals and processes to achieve success.  Plus, I'm throwing in a handy worksheet to help you identify your roadmap. We're shining a light on our inner saboteurs. Those sneaky voices that keep us stuck and stop us from achieving our goals. W...

Are you PUMPED about what your future holds?  We all have the ability to answer that with a heartfelt "yes." This episode unearths the untapped potential within your mind. We dig into how the prefrontal cortex, if left undirected, defaults to stress and worry, and learn how to guide it towards a clear vision of success. Get ready to redefine your future, whether it's excelling as a...