MILKLESS

Max and Matt dive deep into the emotional complexities of work trips — how they feel before, during, and after leaving their families behind. The lead-up is filled with guilt and anxiety, and while the trip itself might offer a bit of relief, there’s no escaping the emotional rollercoaster of being away from the kids and the tension with partners. From the chaotic reentry period to the guilt of mi...

In this episode, Max and Matt tackle one of the trickiest challenges of parenting—striking the balance between giving your kids a great life and ensuring they develop gratitude. On the one hand, you want to give them everything you can; on the other, being deprived of something can be a powerful teacher of gratitude. But when you have the means to give your kids what they want, how do you navigate...

In this episode, Max and Matt dive into the complexities of self-criticism and why we’re so hard on ourselves. From feeling like we’re not doing enough to the constant nagging voice that says we’re failing, they break down the science behind those inner thoughts and how they can both push us to succeed and drive us crazy. The dads explore the brain’s Default Mode Network, the fine line between anx...

In this episode, Max and Matt tackle the chaos of sibling rivalry with a side of humor and some eye-opening research. As Max navigates the constant tug-of-war between his three kids, from stolen toys to full-on brawls over forgotten objects, the dads dive deep into the survival instincts driving sibling conflict. They share insights on how to deal with the constant squabbles, why fairness is an il...

In this episode, Max and Matt sit down with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, renowned therapist and author of The Way of Play , to dive into the transformative power of play for kids (and parents!). With her new book launching today, Dr. Bryson shares how play can be a powerful tool for emotional growth, resilience, and connection. From teaching kids emotional skills through action figures to using play as...

Ok, so Santa is obviously real. Everyone knows that. This episode is for the parents who are navigating the tricky world of holiday magic. Max and Matt are joined by Kristen Kelly and Jen Sarbach, the dynamic duo behind The Wall Street Skinny , to dive into the ever-complex world of Christmas traditions, myths, and how we handle them as our kids grow older. We're talking about rituals, the No...

As we close out Season 3 and the year, Max and Matt reflect on the journey they've been on with Milkless. They share lessons learned, funny moments, and the parenting tools that have helped them survive (and thrive) through all the chaos. From big emotional moments to sleepless nights, this episode dives into what it really means to be a dad—and how to not totally lose it. Whether it's g...

Max breaks down his recent experience with his 4-year-old daughter’s sleep regression, and Matt’s got his back as they dive into the exhaustion, the tough choices, and the real moments that come with kids and their changing sleep patterns. From bedtime battles to unexpected sleep snuggles, this episode is packed with all the struggles (and laughs) that come when the sleep routine goes off-track. I...

This is Part Two of a two part episode. If you haven't heard part one, go back and start with Episode #84! Thanks! One of the main reasons Matt and Max started this podcast was to become better parents themselves, and both of them think this might be the most helpful episode they've ever been a part of. Tina Payne Bryson, PhD - the renowned co-author of Best Sellers like Whole Brained Ch...

One of the main reasons Matt and Max started this podcast was to become better parents themselves, and both of them think this might be the most helpful episode they've ever been a part of. Tina Payne Bryson, PhD - the renowned co-author of Best Sellers like Whole Brained Child, No Drama Discipline, The Yes Brain, The Power of Showing up, and the upcoming The Way of Play - joins the pod for a...

We're diving into the sticky topic of boys today. We tackle the often-overlooked struggles boys face in today’s world, inspired partly by Richard Reeves from the Brookings Institution (youtube link below). While we wholeheartedly celebrate the progress made for girls and women—a movement that is crucial and long overdue—we also need to shine a light on the alarming new statistics regarding bo...

In the second episode with Dr. Morgan Cutlip, we dive deeper into the complexities of attachment styles and the mental load that accompanies parenting. Dr. Cutlip shares her insights on the invisible burdens we carry and how they impact our relationships. From balancing emotional well-being to the logistics of daily life, we explore the fine line between nurturing and overextending ourselves. As M...

Dive in with the brilliant Dr. Morgan Cutlip, a psychologist and mother of two. Together, we tackle the often invisible mental load that comes with raising kids - and Max finds out who has been refilling the liquid soap dispensers in his house. Morgan helps us navigate the fine art of sharing the parenting load without turning it into a wrestling match. We discuss the surprising ways the mental lo...

We're talking about misinformation with a recent study to round us out as we dive in by soon-to-be doctor of Psychology, Evan Orticio. Matt and Max tackle the crucial topic of equipping our kids with the skills to navigate the chaotic seas of falsehoods and dubious claims. Is shielding them from misinformation doing more harm than good? Spoiler alert: it might be time to lean in instead of sh...

Part Deux of a two-parter! In this half of the episode, Matt opens up about the looming threat of losing his cool as the kids grow and their needs evolve, while Max reflects on the challenges of balancing individual attention with collective chaos. Whether it’s mastering the art of co-parenting during the newborn phase or navigating the inevitable sibling rivalry, Matt and Max are once again joine...

This episode dives deep into the emotional rollercoaster of expanding one's family. Max and Matt are joined by returning guest, Samuel "Iceman" Stolper, who's days away from welcoming baby number two. Together, they unpack the highs, lows, and unexpected gut punches of bringing a second (or third) child into the mix. From sibling dynamics to parental sanity checks, they explore...

Matt and Max unpack the unexpected magic of a one-on-one hotel stay with only one of your kids. During a soccer tournament in Boise, Max finds himself bonding with his son over card games, Coldplay, and a healthy dose of nostalgia. But as they reminisce about their mini-adventure, the boys dive deep into the bittersweet nature of those one-on-one moments that make parenting so rich—while also grap...

There really is nothing better than those hours that pass with your kids when nobody is trying to get anything done, nobody is multitasking, and everybody is totally present. We spend so much time thinking about how to "parent right," yet some of our best interactions with our families come when nobody is really thinking too hard about anything at all. But man, can that vibe be elusive!...

We've all been there. We're innocently driving the kids to school, and from the backseat you hear: "Daddy, what's that?" You look out the window and calmly respond, "Honey, that's four bloody skeletons hanging from a tree with their skin peeling off." Mysteriously, bedtime is suddenly incredibly hard. Don't get us wrong, Halloween is fun as hell, and it...

Max reveals a game-changing parenting strategy: losing it on his kids… in a good way. When his kids do something overly kind, he doesn't just give a pat on the back—he matches the intensity of a negative dad-freak-out, but flips it to pure joy. The result? Kids who get a huge reaction and a ton of attention when they least expect it. Matt chimes in with his own stories of dialing up the energ...

The Boys tackle the struggle of giving kids independence without losing the emotional connection. Matt shares a recent bedtime standoff with his 6-year-old that led to a breakthrough in how he handles her growing need for autonomy (spoiler: there’s a silent ‘f*** you’ involved). Meanwhile, Max reflects on the pressure to always be the "good dad" and how that sometimes leads to over-paren...

Matt and Max talk about when Matt had to break some news to his daughter about the nonexistence of a magical creature she had believed to be real for as long as she'd been alive.  Warning: Matt cries a little bit. Love, Max Buy Violet Archer on Amazon Here Milkless on Instagram Milkless on TikTok LISTEN + WATCH VIOLET ARCHER Follow on Instagram

Matt and Max talk about why they took a random week off. Spoiler Alert: Max's dad was med flighted for an emergency surgery. They talk about aging parents and how they look at their own health. When=Now Episodes are a second bonus episode we drop some weeks. The topic is something that's going on in our life right now. Less research, more gritty, no editing, and more free flowing.  Enjoy...

As parents, we're often told how important it is to guide, nurture, and protect, but what about just being silly? Humor plays a critical role in child development, and in this episode, Max and Matt get rounded out as they dive into a study highlighting the importance of being a parent who embraces humor. Whether it’s being the silly parent, encouraging kids to crack jokes, or just watching fu...

This is part 2 of a two parter. So if you haven't listened to episode #67, maybe hit that one first. This is a continuation of a wide-ranging conversation with Caitlin Murray of Big Time Adulting ( @bigtimeadulting ). We started off talking about how social media sometimes makes us feel like lousy parents, but in part two we wander into everything from the heartache of getting ready for schoo...