Girl Dad: The Podcast

What if one of the most powerful parenting tools you have is your own nervous system? In this episode, somatic science expert and co-author of Manifestation for Dummies Brian Trzaskos explains how the body, mind, and beliefs work together, and why that matters for your health, your relationships, and the way you show up for your daughter. Brian moved from physical therapy into the science of manif...

What if school taught kids to start a business instead of just studying one? In this episode, Patrick Wood, founder of Foundry Education, explains why most classrooms haven’t changed in 50 or 60 years, and what dads can do at home to give their daughters the real-world skills, money smarts, and confidence they won’t always get in school. Patrick walks through his “Learn it, Build it, Defend it” fr...

What if one simple jar could change how your family spends time together? In this solo episode, Madeline Anderson shares the story behind Shotgun Sunday, the family tradition built around an activity jar, a little mystery, and a lot of quality time. She walks through exactly how it works, the categories that keep it fresh, and why trying new things together is one of the fastest ways to bond with...

What would you do with one more day? Trap Gambino knows that question better than most. After losing his daughter to illness, he's turned his grief into a mission: helping fathers slow down, show up, and love their daughters out loud while they still can. In this deeply moving conversation, Trap opens up about the regrets that come with loss, why men need permission to take the mask off and ac...

What you say to your daughter becomes the voice she hears in her own head. In this episode of Girl Dad: The Podcast, J.R. Kenna, a Pittsburgh dad, softball coach, and work-from-home father, shares how intentional words, goal setting, and everyday habits shape confident, resilient daughters. J.R. talks about coaching his daughter's softball team, having healthy conversations about body image and st...

This episode explores the impact of praise on your daughter's motivation and self-esteem, emphasizing the importance of effort-based praise over outcome and navigating appearance praise. Madeline Anderson shares research insights and practical tips for parents to foster a growth mindset and healthy self-image in their daughters. In this episode: The effects of outcome praise versus effort prai...

Liz Ortenberger, CEO of SafeNest, joins the show to help fathers navigate one of the hardest jobs in parenting a daughter: keeping her safe without keeping her sheltered. From modeling respectful behavior at home to spotting the early red flags of people who are more likely to be violent, Liz breaks down what actually protects daughters and it starts long before the "big talk." This conv...

What does it actually take to build a demanding career and show up as a present, intentional dad? In this episode, commercial real estate professional Josh Rothstein shares how he blends the two, from waking up early to protect quality time, to bringing his daughter into his work world so she can see him in action. Josh opens up about the emotional milestones of parenting, how he uses everyday wor...

Your daughter wants you to be happy. It might sound selfish, but it's actually one of the most important things you'll ever give her. Most dads were handed a myth: being a good father means disappearing — your needs go to the bottom of the list, permanently, and if you still want things for yourself, that's selfish. In this solo episode, I'm breaking that myth apart. I'll show...

Most high-performing dads have built something impressive, like a career, a business, a reputation. But somewhere along the way, the thing that matters most quietly started slipping. Kevin Davis knows that story from the inside. In this episode, the author of How I Lost My Left Nut and Other Life Lessons and founder of Maxed Out Man joins us to talk about what it really takes to win at home, not j...

What does it actually look like to raise a daughter with intention in today's digital world? Chris Collard joins us for an honest, thoughtful, and genuinely joyful conversation. Chris is an Austin-based girl dad to Elle, and this episode is full of the kind of wisdom that only comes from living it. We talk about intentional parenting, the transformative power of nature, navigating technology and s...

This episode is for every dad — whether your daughter is three, thirteen, or thirty. Because what she needs from you changes with every season of her life. But the thread that runs through all of it? You. In this solo episode, I'm walking you through exactly what your daughter needs from you at every stage, from the foundation years where she is learning whether the world is safe, through the...

What a dad says, and doesn't say, about his daughter's body matters more than he knows. In this powerful episode, Amber Caudle shares her personal journey through disordered eating, what it taught her about the role of home environment in a girl's relationship with food and her body, and the practical things dads can do right now to protect their daughters from diet culture and negative self-image...

What does it actually feel like to grow up with a girl dad who truly shows up? In this episode, I sit down with my darling friend Cassidy Meyer for a conversation straight from the daughter's perspective. Cassidy shares how her dad's acts of service, family traditions, and unwavering support shaped the woman she is today, and what she wants every dad listening to know about what his daughter actua...

In this solo episode, I'm breaking down one of the most important truths in fatherhood: inaction is not neutral. Every time you choose not to have a meaningful conversation with your daughter, not to spend one-on-one time with her, not to bring up the uncomfortable topics, you are making an active choice. And that choice has consequences. The outside world is not waiting for you to be ready. S...

Let's be honest — puberty talks can feel awkward for dads. But here's the thing: your daughter needs to hear from you. Jen Elledge, founder of The Talk Institute, joins us to walk dads through exactly how to approach conversations about puberty, body changes, and sex education in a way that builds trust, reduces shame, and keeps the door open for years to come. This one is practical, reassuring, a...

What does it really mean to raise your daughter with intention? Brendan Wall joins us for an honest, heartfelt conversation about fatherhood — the differences between raising sons and daughters, the power of unconditional love, and the practical strategies that help dads build trust and respect with their kids before the teenage years even begin. This one is full of wisdom, humility, and real talk...

It's the one-year anniversary of Girl Dad: The Podcast — and to celebrate, host Madeline Anderson is going solo to share 10 lessons that emerged from a full year of conversations with fathers, daughters, coaches, and experts. These aren't opinions. They're patterns. The things that kept coming up, over and over, no matter who was at the mic. Did you know that daughters with close, comm...

This episode is very personal and special for me. I'm sitting down with my own dad, the OG Girl Dad, for a heartfelt conversation about fatherhood, family, and the spaces and traditions that shaped us. We talk about Club Wahine, Grandpa Land, and the everyday choices that turn a busy life into a connected family. If you've ever wondered how to build lasting memories with your kids, even am...

What if the same strategies that make a great school leader also make a great dad? In this episode, Brian Kulak draws on his years as a teacher and principal to share what he's learned about teenagers — and how fathers can use those insights to build deeper trust and connection with their daughters. From the power of small moments to leading by example, this conversation is full of practical,...

How do you build a relationship with your daughter that makes her feel truly safe, seen, and loved? Relationship coach Mike Elliott joins us to break down the principles of secure attachment, and what dads can do right now to show up better for their girls. From understanding gender differences in communication to making everyday relational deposits, this conversation is packed with practical, hea...

In Part 3 of our Anxious Generation Deep Dive series, Madeline is breaking down Jonathan Haidt's solutions and reforms — and giving you the practical, relationship-first strategies you need to raise a resilient, grounded daughter in today's digital world. We cover everything from creating phone-free zones to rebuilding the kind of independence and real-world play that girls need to thrive. In this...

Unlock Your "Why": Transform Your Life & Parenting with Dr. Gary Sanchez In this powerful episode, Dr. Gary Sanchez, founder of the Why Institute, reveals how understanding your 'why' can revolutionize your decisions, boost your confidence, and help you guide your daughters toward authentic self-discovery. 🎯 What You'll Learn: The 8-minute method to discover your unique...

What does it really mean to build a legacy? Jessica Carroll shares the life-changing lessons she learned from her losing her father. She talks about living with intention, prioritizing health, and showing up fully for the people who matter most. In this conversation, you'll discover: - Why your daily decisions are your legacy in action - The 3 P's of Fatherhood that change everything - How...

In this solo episode, Madeline Anderson explores the unique challenges girls face with social media, revealing why anxiety and depression rates in teen girls have skyrocketed since 2010—and what parents can do about it. Did you know girls are three times more likely than boys to experience social media-related anxiety? Madeline breaks down the science behind social comparison, the devastating impa...