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

Whether it's singing your heart out on stage or spending an afternoon smashing rocks into a lake with a Wiffle ball bat, our kids learn valuable lessons when they see their dad immersed in something he loves. To kick off Father's Day weekend, the guys share the qualities of a solid Father's Day, and Marc waxes philosophical about the values he took away from his own father's woodworking hobby. The...

This conversation with Army Officer Kevin White is an extended version of the conversation featured in Modern Dadhood Episode 18. We understand that with the short-form nature of our show (30 minute episodes), sometimes the conversations with our guests leave our listeners wanting more. Kevin White, Officer in the US Army and father of one, was particularly candid, and we thought you'd like to hea...

The military lifestyle can be hard. Uncertainty and risk are ever-present, and that stress can affect family members just as much as the active duty soldier... Perhaps even more. US Army Officer and dad of one daughter, Kevin White, shares openly about his family's experience navigating a challenging, rewarding, and often nomadic military lifestyle. Plus, Marc shares about a recent trip to the ER....

How do you define creativity? If we encourage our kids to be creative, will they be more successful in life? Adam and Marc explore the topic of creativity with Chris Ballew, lead singer of Presidents of the United States of America, creator of Caspar Babypants, and, dare we say, friend of the show. Also, the trials of talking to our kids about how to say no when something feels off. And what was M...

Gender inequality. Vulnerability. Consent. No doubt, these can be tough subjects to broach with our sons. But if we hope to raise our boys to be respectful, emotionally healthy men, then these are conversations which must be had. Adam explores these themes and more with father of six and Chief Development Officer of A CALL TO MEN, Ted Bunch. Plus, Marc has yet another awkward, dairy-themed encount...

Humor can be a welcomed distraction for the writer, reader, performer, and audience alike. And in times of despair, it can be hard to make heads or tails of what’s funny. Matt Fisher, comedian, writer, and on-screen talent with The Dad, joins the podcast to wax about why the role of dad is so ripe for comedy. Things get a wee bit deep as we discuss how a shift from sarcastic and cynical comedy to...

Nostalgia, man. It can be brought on by an errant lego or a beloved movie. A longing affection for days gone by can be nearly overwhelming, especially when we catch our own children staring, transfixed at a Matchbox car. For Adam and Marc, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are a catalyst for a nostalgic trip. In this special, partly live episode, our hosts meet with Steve Lavigne, one of the origin...

For most dads, when our first child is born, a switch flips inside our brains which alerts us that we're now responsible for protecting another human... and we'll go to extremes to fulfill that responsibility. But how do we protect our kids from an intangible, invisible threat that upends our daily routines and challenges our stability? Kevin Sturtevant shares the story of his six-year-old son Sam...

The mission of Modern Dadhood is to meet and learn from dads whose fatherhood experiences are different than our own. In this episode, guest Stephen Stratton gives us some new perspective and helps us realize the transgender taboo we grew up with doesn't exist in the same way for our kids. If we can bypass the stubborn notion that we might offend someone by asking the wrong question, we might find...

This world is full of distractions. And those nagging distractions often pull us away from the people we care about the most. Tyler Ramsey, solo artist and former songwriter and lead guitarist for Band Of Horses, has actively worked to create a life for his family that reduces distraction and promotes living in the moment. In this episode, he shares that when he’s not touring the world on a bus, a...

This conversation with rapper Spose is an extended version of the conversation on the topic of music that demands our kids' attention, featured in Modern Dadhood Episode 5.   We understand that with the short-form nature of our show (30 minute episodes), sometimes the conversations with our guests leave our listeners wanting more. Our conversation about Spose was a particularly fun one, which we f...

Are you a dad who loves pulling pranks? Are you unable to stop goofing around with your kids, even when it's past their bedtime? Would your spouse say that you're the "fun dad"? If so, this episode is for you. We rap with legendary radio personality Greg Kretschmar about how to maintain authority as the dad, when you also seek the mischief and companionship of a friend. Episode 9 finds Adam and Ma...

We understand that with the short-form nature of our show (30 minute episodes), that sometimes the conversations with our guests leave our listeners wanting more. Well, we're here to deliver. In an extended cut of our conversation with actor Terry O'Quinn, he candidly speaks about his experience growing up in a family of 11 with a father who was a prominent and sometimes intimidating figure, and r...

You might be known as “sir” to your subordinates, “doc” to your patients, or “officer” to the person you're handcuffing. But to your kids, you're just plain old "dad"... even when you're on the big screen opposite Luke Wilson or expertly throwing knives on The Island. In Episode 7, we chat with veteran actor Terry O’Quinn about his on screen roles, as well as the role he didn't have to audition fo...

Making your own way, seizing the day, putting yourself out there. Describe it however you like, but Peter Jude Ricciardi is here to tell you that if you put in the effort, step out of your comfort zone, and don't be afraid to "fake it 'til you make it," you can achieve great things. The best part? Your kids are observing and learning from your work ethic! In episode 6, we discuss the merits of tal...

Have you had it up to your ears with “Into The Unknown”? Or is your kid more of the “Shake it Off” type? Music can create memories, influence decisions, drive creativity, and can even become the lens through which you view the world around you. We thought someone who writes, performs, and produces awesome songs might possess unique insight into why certain music captivates our kids. Rapper (and da...

Some parents take their kids to Disney. Some visit Grandma in Boise every July. And some move their family into a small boat for most of the year. Justin Kelcourse, a real estate agent and father of two, shares with us how he and his partner manage to raise their family on a boat.   In Episode 4, Marc shares the top three most useful travel tips that he put to use on a recent family vacation with...

Dads have emotions too, and sometimes those emotions make your eyes leak all over your face. It's nothing to be ashamed of, but it is something that makes you wonder: Are other dads out there letting their emotions all hang out? We chat with Christian Hayes, father of two, ex-rock star and current restauranteur star about emotional vulnerability. In this episode of Modern Dadhood, Marc and Adam ca...

People have to work, no mystery there. What is a mystery, though, is how best to make sense out of busy schedules when kids are in the picture. Do you want to know who holds the key to that mystery? Us too! That's why we talked with Josh Cecot, someone who juggles an irregular schedule as the General Manager of a restaurant with being a husband and a dad of two. In this episode of Modern Dadhood,...

Welcome to Modern Dadhood, an ongoing conversation about the joys, challenges, and general insanity of being a dad in this moment. Meet the hosts Adam Flaherty and Marc Checket, and enjoy the first installment of "So, That's a Thing Now!" In our introductory episode, Adam Flaherty and Marc introduce themselves, reveal the inspiration behind starting Modern Dadhood, and set the stage for what you c...