Modern Dadhood | Unpacking Fatherhood + Parenting for Dads (and Moms!)

Though the phrase “work/life balance” has taken on new meaning in recent years, the concept is one that many parents struggle to achieve. Balance is a very individual thing, but at its core, it’s about identifying what’s important to us and consciously making time for those things. Matt Fox coaches men to live happy and fulfilled lives as dads and working professionals. Matt joins Modern Dadhood t...

First time dads-to-be might receive a satiric book from a friend or relative on "how not to screw up" as they experience the first year of fatherhood. And sure, there's value in step-by-step instructions on executing the perfect swaddle... but what about remembering to communicate respectfully with your partner when you both are at the end of your rope? And what about being a role model to your ch...

It's easy to get frustrated when your kid loses their mind over something that you know is inconsequential. The old adage "don't sweat the small stuff" doesn't really apply when they don't have enough life experience to know what the "small stuff" even is. As parents, with decades of life experience under our belts, it's our job to help them examine the actual magnitude of their problems. (And if...

The concept of masculinity is straight-up intimidating to even begin to comprehend. There’s no real cut-and-dry definition. Like so many big concepts, it’s far easier to throw your hands up and say, “it’s too complicated!” rather than commit to understanding the topic more deeply. Luckily for us, comedian Michael Ian Black has spent countless hours exploring masculinity. In his book A Better Man ,...

Episode 65 of Modern Dadhood opens with a brief discussion about being run down and defeated by our children. The guys gab for a bit before introducing comedian Michael Ian Black into the conversation. Michael is a father of two college-age children, Elijah and Ruthie, and is best known for his roles in Wet Hot American Summer, The State, and the comedy troupe Stella. Additionally, he hosts the po...

What does it mean to be a dad? Does it require a certain degree of commitment to loving, protecting, and raising your offspring to bestow the title of dad? Or at its most basic, are you a dad if you've used your penis to procreate with a woman? In episode 64, Tessa White, a transgender woman and parent of 5, joins the Modern Dadhood conversation to declare proudly that you don't even have to be a...

How do you prepare for the day when your toddler is old enough to uncover a part of you that they didn't know existed? Comedian, writer, podcaster, and dad Chris Gethard opens up candidly about his fear of this inevitable day in this second half of our our interview. Be sure to listen for a heart warming surprise during the conversation. After, Adam ruminates on a recent Instant Regret  involving...

There’s no definitive guidebook to parenthood. (It would sure be a lot easier if there were though, huh?) In episode 62, Adam and Marc wax lyrical with comedian, actor, writer, fellow podcaster, and dad Chris Gethard about toddler poop, fatherhood fears, vulnerability, and destigmatizing mental illness. With Chris’ essay Dad On Pills serving as a guidepost, the conversation explores Chris’ determi...

Does this sound familiar: You painstakingly prepare a delicious, balanced dinner. Next, you curate the food on plates in a way that definitely highlights your attention to detail. Then, finally, you set the culinary masterpiece in front of your kids to a chorus of moans and gags. Instead of a “looks delicious!” you get an “ew gross!"... Heartbreaking, right? Thankfully, there are dads like Joel Fe...

Ever find yourself scrolling, and suddenly you’re thumb to face with someone so striking it stops you in your tracks? You click through and find that even though their content may not directly apply to you, the creator has a magnetic energy that draws you in? That’s Owen Janes, a sales professional-turned-influencer whose social media presence shares an important message of love, acceptance, and s...

Becoming a new parent can be a special kind of mayhem. Add a global pandemic into the mix, and the chaos of the first few months are elevated to a new level. But depending on your situation, those challenges may be coupled with opportunity. In Episode 59, podcaster, producer, actor, and all around creative human, Matt Gourley, joins the conversation to discuss the joys, challenges, and insanity of...

When Brady Smith takes something on, he goes all in on it. Whether it’s raising his two children, being a devoted husband, designing and painting a 12 foot wide mural, or keeping an illustrated journal EVERY DAY for 20 years, Brady gives it 100%. Adam and Marc talk with Brady—an artist, actor, and author—about his latest endeavor: creating a fun-filled action-adventure graphic novel series complet...

Through the last 50 plus episodes, the conversations on Modern Dadhood have ranged from silly to serious, covered topics from dealing with big emotions to what it’s like raising children when you live on a boat. The guys have been joined by an assemblage of old friends, new friends, and, on occasion, notable celebs. Two episodes ago (Ep 55), Marc ushered a trip down memory lane sharing 5 of his fa...

Try to transport yourself back to the months before you became a dad. What did the word "fatherhood" mean to you? Prior to kids, your definition may have been colored by your relationship with your own father. Would your current definition of "fatherhood" be different? Modern Dadhood welcomes Thyge Trimble, father of two, and Editor in Chief of Fatherly , to chat about his team's new book, aptly t...

Through the last 50 plus episodes, the conversations on Modern Dadhood have ranged from silly to serious, covered topics from dealing with big emotions to what it’s like raising children when you live on a boat. The guys have been joined by an assemblage of old friends, new friends, and, on occasion, notable celebs. In episode 55, Adam and Marc take a slight detour from the usual banter/interview/...

Previously, with guest Ryan Murphy, things got downright honest when he recounted his and his wife’s long and, at times challenging journey through IUI and now with IVF. In part two of the conversation, Adam and Marc get a real-time progress report. Also, the guys unveil a new Mike-Birbiglia-inspired segment: Instant Regret. [This is part two of a two-part interview.] [ Click here to listen to Par...

Natural conception, in vitro fertilization, intrauterine insemination, adoption... Heck, even accidental pregnancy. The path to parenthood can take many forms. For some, it’s more arduous than others. Long-time friend of Marc, fellow podcaster, and all-around great guy, Ryan Murphy joins the show to share his and his wife’s journey with IVF. Things even get a little... personal here and there. At...

For the last year and a half, many parents have been forced to adjust their work schedules to accommodate online learning, changes to child care, and more. For some of us, working from home has become second nature. For others of us, it's a chosen lifestyle. Today's guest is Pete Morse, a name you hear in the credits of each episode. Pete is a sound engineer, mixer, musician, and composer who cons...

One might expect that a career spent in a hospital caring for sick children and grieving families would be a terribly depressing way to spend your life… but it’s all about perspective. Pediatric Oncology Nurse, David Metzger, uses words like "laughter" and "joy" when describing a typical day caring for children battling cancer. And at the end of his shift, he carries new lessons home to his wife a...

What is "feminism"? What does it mean to be a feminist? Is it for women only? Do feminists hate men? As it turns out, there are many misconceptions about what it means to be a feminist. We invited professor, author,  thought leader, and dad, Jordan Shapiro, to discuss what feminism REALLY means... and how as dads, we can actively work to be better parents and better people. Episode 50 finds Marc a...

Have you ever sat down to interview one of your parents? It’s not always an easy task—even for someone who interviews influential people for a living! Adam and Marc welcome guest Craig Melvin, father of two and acclaimed news anchor/personality on Dateline NBC and The Today Show, to discuss his new book “Pops: Learning To Be A Son And A Father.” Listen to the end of the episode for a round of “Con...

What does the word "family" mean to you? Is it your immediate blood relatives with whom you share DNA? Or can "family" be chosen based on interpersonal relationships, regardless of ancestry? And who gets to decide the official definition, if not each one of us individually? Today, Adam and Marc welcome guest Paul Ramsay, a certified hypnotist, to share a compelling story about the dad he never kne...

In part two of the conversation, Adam and Marc jump back into things with Ben Lee after pausing while he fields a phone call from a child in distress. The. Dadding. Never. Stops. From there, the guys explore a willingness to discuss heavy topics, leading by example, the importance of balancing skill with intuition, and speaking to the kid inside the grown-up... really, a little bit of everything....

Parents are teachers. Even those of us without degree in education. Our children are constantly observing us and learning from our behaviors, personalities, and how we navigate adventures, crises, relationships, and life in general. Musician, activist, and rockstar dad Ben Lee joins the conversation for a deep dive on fatherhood, leading by example, and promoting a love for lifelong learning to ou...

Episode 45 of the podcast takes a slight detour from the usual format. The guys turn their mics over to their wives and hand over a bowl full of questions for the podcast’s first-ever Mom Takeover. Sarah Flaherty and Jamie Checket chat about everything from dad tropes and mom myths to “aha!” moments and moody kids. Finally, some real talk from the moms behind the dads behind Modern Dadhood. Perhap...