The Dudela Podcast | First Time Dad Help and Fatherhood Real Talk

Everyone talks about the registry. Everyone talks about the nursery colors. Almost nobody tells you the real number. At Dudela, we believe part of being a steady dad is being a prepared one. That means having the money conversation before the bills show up, not after. In this episode of The Dudela Podcast, John and Michael break down the true cost of bringing a baby home, from the moment you see t...

The Emotional Side of Fatherhood Nobody Talks About Everyone talks about the baby's emotions. Everyone talks about mom's emotions. Almost nobody talks about dad's. At Dudela, we believe one of the most important jobs of a father is becoming emotionally steady. Not emotionless. Not perfect. Steady. In this episode of The Dudela Podcast, John and Michael dive into one of the most overlooked parts of...

Most parenting resources focus on moms. Most dads are told to just figure it out. That's exactly why Dudela exists. In this special rewind episode, John and Michael look back at where Dudela started, how two first time dads found themselves navigating emergency C sections, NICU stays, difficult pregnancies, sleepless nights, and the overwhelming transition into fatherhood, and why they felt called...

You do not get to pick the family you are born into. But you do get to build the family you lead. In part one of our Family Matters series, John and Michael talk about the me to we shift that happens when you go from single guy to husband to dad. Your priorities change fast. Time gets tighter. Opinions multiply. And if you do not define your family values, routines, and traditions, something else...

Solo episode from John. Just two minutes. We built the thing we wish we'd had in the third trimester and I want to tell you about it. If your partner is anywhere between week 28 and 40 and you've been feeling like you're missing something you can't quite name, this one's for you.   Get the Dudela Prep Kit here   Or if that link does't work, type this url into your browser: https://dudelaco.gumroad...

Parents, in laws, and grandparents can be one of the biggest blessings in early parenthood. They can also be the biggest source of stress if expectations are unclear. What does it actually look like to design your family on purpose and not just react to life? In part three of our Family Matters series, John and Michael sit down with Josh Mackey, husband, dad of two daughters, and pastor in Denver,...

What happens when you grow up without a steady dad in the house, and you decide you are going to change the story for your kids: In this episode of The Dudela Podcast, John and Michael sit down with Howie Hutchinson, a husband and dad of two in Denver, to talk about fatherhood after divorce, step parents, and rebuilding a relationship with your dad as an adult. Howie shares what it was like growin...

Parents, in laws, and grandparents can be one of the biggest blessings in early parenthood. They can also be the biggest source of stress if expectations are unclear. In part two of our Family Matters series, John and Michael talk about how to navigate family involvement during pregnancy, the hospital, and those first few weeks at home. We start with the good stuff. Date nights and babysitters you...

Mom and baby are healthy. But am I? A dad to be emailed us this question and it is one of the most common things no one talks about in the early months. Everyone asks how mom is doing and how baby is doing. Almost no one asks how dad is holding up. John and Michael unpack the mental side of new fatherhood, the tension of wanting to feel healthy again, and the question every new dad wrestles with....

Some dads live for the work trip. Some dads hate it. Most of us feel both at the exact same time. In this episode, John and Michael talk about the weird mix of freedom and guilt that hits the moment you close the hotel door. No bedtime. No monitor. No toys on the floor. And then out of nowhere you miss your kids more than you expected. John shares his first extended trip away from the girls and wh...

It is the everyday reality for so many families. Two careers. One home full of little people and big needs. John and Michael share what the juggle really looks like in their house and the simple systems that keep the wheels on. From daycare drop offs and dinner triage to shared calendars, phone limits, and a weekly reset for marriage, this is honest help for working parents who want to show up at...

It is our final pod of the year and we are looking back at a wild first year of fatherhood. John and Michael share favorite moments, travel wins and fails, and three big lessons that changed how we show up at home. Presence beats performance. Grace is not optional. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Expect real stories, honest laughs, and practical ideas you can use tonight. We talk baby milestone...

What happens when two tiny humans arrive early and your whole world becomes monitors, milk schedules, and a love you did not know your heart could hold In this episode we sit down with Viv to tell the real story of our first year with twins. From high risk appointments and a calm C section at thirty four weeks to those first hours in the NICU, we share the choices we faced and the grace that met u...

Money talk that does not make you want to hide. John and Michael unpack the first financial moves that help a young family breathe. Start a 529 and let compounding do the heavy lifting, learn why Colorado offers a match and how fifteen a month per child gets the ball rolling, and see how friends and grandparents can contribute with a simple link. Hear how a whole life policy for each child can bui...

What should I actually be focusing on right now? That was the question a dad to be emailed us this week, and if you have ever been in that waiting season, excited and overwhelmed, wondering what really matters before the baby comes, this one is for you. In this episode of The Dudela Podcast, John and Michael share a real, two part answer shaped by their first year as dads. From nesting chaos and d...

What do you do when you realize you're trying to lead a family without ever having been shown how? Where do you go when you want to be a strong husband and father, but you're running on empty? In this episode of The Dudela Podcast, we sit down with Matt Thomas — father of four, leadership coach, and founder of Marrow — to talk about the life-changing power of mentorship, male friendship, and inten...

What happens when a routine-driven fitness guy becomes a new dad and suddenly the schedule gets thrown out the window? In this episode we sit down with Ryan George: husband, dad to an 11-month-old, and the voice behind a growing fitness and fatherhood presence online. Known for his passion for routines, workouts, and goal setting, Ryan opens up about how becoming a dad forced him to pivot, communi...

What happens when a driven hard working man trades the hustle of the outside world for the daily rhythm of home life? In this episode we sit down with Bryan Romeo, husband, father of three, and the voice behind @thedomesticdadlife. Formerly known online as The Catholic Dad, Bryan has since rebranded to reflect his calling as a full time, in the trenches, domestic dad. We talk about identity, ego,...

Episode 7: Showing Up Present: Sobriety & New Dad Life with Corey Davis Becoming a dad changes everything—and for Corey Davis, it also meant launching a new business, deepening his sobriety journey, and redefining what it means to be fully present as a father. In this honest, thoughtful, and deeply helpful episode of The Dudela Podcast, Corey shares his story of getting sober at 22, building S...

Deadlifts to Diapers: Your Dad Fitness Plan No time to work out? Lower back always sore? Kids always screaming? Welcome to dad life. In this episode of The Dudela Podcast, we’re joined by Jordan Murphy—former college football player, certified strength coach, and full-time dad of two—for the ultimate guide to realistic fitness for real dads. From sneaking in 36-minute workouts to building a home g...

Dad Guilt? Feeling Like You’re Failing as a Father? This Episode Is for You. We’re joined by Elliot from @TheHusbandDad, and we’re diving DEEP into what it means to be a dad in 2025, and how to show up for your kids and your partner without burning out. From fatherhood guilt and dad pressure, to marriage after babies and the evolving role of husbands...this episode is a must-listen for every moder...

Wondering if you can actually travel with a baby or toddler? Scared of meltdowns on planes? Stressed about packing bottles, diapers, and strollers? You are NOT alone, Dad! This week we’re breaking down exactly how to travel with little ones, what to expect, and how to keep your sanity while showing your kids the world. We get real about traveling with babies, toddlers, and twins — the good, the ba...

ALL the things new dads NEED to hear (but rarely do) — from pregnancy shock to showing up well This week, we sat down with Leila from the Learning to Mom podcast to get real about what it’s actually like becoming a parent — especially when you didn’t see it coming. We talked through: Laila’s surprise pregnancy story and journey to choosing life What prenatal depression looks like (and why it often...

In this episode, we sit down with Catie Schwein, certified doula, founder of Beyond Birth Denver, and mom of two, to unpack everything dads didn’t know they needed to know. We talk about what doulas actually do (hint: it’s way more than just birth support), how they help moms and dads through pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, and how Catie’s background as a PA led her into this world. Catie shares...

Turning dudes into dads — one diaper at a time. Meet John and Michael, two new dads navigating fatherhood with humor, honesty, and a whole lot of spit-up. In our first episode, we unpack what Dudela is all about and why new dads need this now more than ever.