The Mitten Dad Show

You've seen the four-circle ikigai diagram everywhere — on LinkedIn, in self-help books, in productivity courses. What you probably haven't heard is that it has almost nothing to do with the original Japanese concept. In this episode, Matt Tilmann breaks down what ikigai actually meant to the Okinawan elders who inspired the global bestseller, and why the version most creators are using is pointin...

You muted the group text but kept mentally checking it. You accepted a calendar invite two months ago because Future You seemed capable.  Now it's Friday, and your brain still has 37 tabs open. That's mental clutter — the invisible kind. You can't donate it or shove it in a closet. And it's exhausting, even when it looks completely normal from the outside. In this episode, I walk through Calm...

Travel isn’t just about seeing new places — it’s about experiencing a different version of yourself.  In this episode, Matt explores how travel temporarily clears mental clutter and reveals what we’re missing in daily life, offering practical questions to carry insights from trips into everyday routines. Key topics: The science behind the “vacation effect”: reducing cognitive load, digital in...

If your days feel chaotic, it might not be a discipline problem — it might be an infrastructure problem. In this episode, we break down why chaos is really a systems failure, and what it takes to build calm back into your workflow. Key Topics Why context switching costs more than you think (40% of productive time lost; 23 minutes to recover from a single interruption) The Calm Infrastructure Stack...

Feeling like your career path looks like it was designed by someone with career ADHD?  You're not alone—and you're definitely not broken. In this episode, we dive deep into why nonlinear careers are actually MORE valuable in 2025, not less.  We'll explore why traditional "pick a lane and stick with it" advice was designed for a world that no longer exists, and how your scattered resume i...

Everyone’s talking about mental health—but who’s actually doing the work? In today’s fast-paced episode, I’m breaking down 5 big stories that go beyond awareness and into real action: ✈️ Delta Airlines faces backlash after a woman is removed mid-panic attack 🧠 UCLA students launch a peer support movement that’s changing campus culture 🏈 The NFL puts real money behind therapy and addiction recove...

Episode Summary: Ever had those nights when you finally sit down to work on your passion project, only to feel completely drained? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Mitten Dad Show , host Matt Tilmann dives into the realities of creativity when exhaustion takes over. From the late-night battles with your inner critic to finding small sparks that keep you going, Matt shares honest reflection...

Welcome back to another episode of The Mitten Dad Show! Imagine taking the words you write and transforming them into auditory learning experiences—seamlessly.  That’s exactly what Google’s ⁠NotebookLM⁠ is doing, and it’s rapidly changing how we consume and interact with written content. For my birthday, I recently shared 40 quotes that I found inspirational to ⁠celebrate my 40th birthday in a rec...

Welcome back to another episode of The Mitten Dad Show! Imagine taking the words you write and transforming them into auditory learning experiences—seamlessly.  That’s exactly what Google’s NotebookLM is doing, and it’s rapidly changing how we consume and interact with written content. For my birthday, I recently shared 40 quotes that I found inspirational to celebrate my 40th birthday in a recent...

In this episode of The Mitten Dad Show , Matt Tilmann explores the often-overlooked phenomenon of “Missing Days” in content creation. Inspired by Ryder Carroll, the creator of the Bullet Journal method, Matt shares how shifting your perspective on those days away from your creative work can enhance your process and reduce stress. Whether you’ve missed a day, a week, or longer, this episode offers...

Feeling overwhelmed by mental clutter? Tune into this week’s episode of "The Mitten Dad Show," where Matt Tilmann shares the powerful technique of a brain dump to clear your mind and enhance focus. Discover how unloading your thoughts can lead to increased productivity, reduced stress, and a surge in creativity. Perfect for parents and anyone juggling the demands of busy lives. Don't...

Ever feel like you're juggling too many balls, and you're just one slip away from dropping them all? It's 5 PM—you've missed another workout, dinner isn't thought of yet, and your inbox is overflowing. As days roll into weeks, the stress builds, perhaps turning into sleepless nights and missed moments with family. What if you could rearrange things to close each day with a sens...

Welcome back Mitten Dad Show listeners! For this episode's topic, I share a recent shared experience I've had with my oldest daughter while waiting for her school bus. I think you'll appreciate it and if you have kids, I encourage you to do the same and stay curious! And even if you don't have kids, I would equally encourage you always to be open to the world around you! If you&#39...

“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience." - Eleanor Roosevelt We just wrapped up our family summer vacation, and while it was still fresh, I wanted to do a quick episode talking about the power of gifting experiences for our children, and the impact it not only has on them but us. If listening...

In this episode, we dive into the world of unexpected career transitions. Matt shares his own journey, from obtaining a degree in theatre to working in finance, and invites listeners to share their unique career paths. Key Topics: Unexpected Career Transitions: A personal account of our Matt's journey from theatre to finance, and an open invitation for listeners to share their experiences. The...

Tired of living in a cluttered space? In this episode of The Mitten Dad Show, host Matt Tilmann shares seven essential steps to help you master the art of decluttering. Based on our popular article at mittendad.com , we'll walk you through the entire decluttering process, from setting goals to making decluttering a habit. Matt also discusses the benefits of decluttering, and overcoming common...

Over on the Mitten Dad website, I recently posted about a series of tweets that had gone viral, where the original poster had mentioned how every time she would ask dads for their email addresses for party invitations for her three-year-old, they would always provide the email addresses of their partner instead. Why was that? Tune in for more, and be sure to send a voice memo in with how your fami...

Welcome to The Mitten Dad Show! Formerly known as The Script-Notes Show, since I last published an episode, a few things have gone on, such as a new addition to our family, and the pandemic has put many things in perspective. I switched it to Mitten Dad as an homage to my home state of Michigan, giving the content a Midwest flair. But also because, as many out there know, your perspective on life...

There’s no denying that this has been a trying time worldwide, with everyone having to deal with the coronavirus crisis in their own way. However, one thing that I don’t think gets mentioned enough is the mental toll it might be taking on everyone, particularly those in the healthcare industry. Other podcasts have been having listeners call in with their stories, giving them a chance to vent, and...

Welcome to another episode of The Script-Notes Show!  We got back into the swing of things with a new blog post about the new Form W-4 for 2020, as well as some financial and business news to get you going for the week ahead.  Enjoy, and as always, thank you for listening, and be sure to subscribe wherever you're listening!  Also, we are still taking financial resolutions for the co...

Welcome to a brand new year and Episode 50!  I know I’ve been on hiatus a bit due to work travel and our family’s forthcoming arrival. So with that, thought this would be a great time to ask for your resolutions, particularly from a financial sense!  Please leave a voicemail with the link below, or feel free to send an email to matt@script-notes.com! If you have your own podcast, be sure...

When it comes to money, sometimes you just can’t beat plain old common sense. Today’s episode features some good tips to keep in mind for your financial life. Today's episode is also brought to you by Undebt.it , one of the best tools available for helping you to get out of debt!

While the economy as a whole may be in question on a daily basis, one thing that may be getting some clarity this fall is gas prices .    Have you started using GasBuddy yet?  If not, it's a great way to be able to keep up to date on the latest prices at the pump.  Now, with their Pay With GasBuddy Card, you can also find additional savings at the pump, including occasional dea...

Earlier today, the yield curve inverted, which previously has always been a sign leading up to a recession. I wanted to talk about a post from MarketWatch that I thought had some good information about it. Opinions seem to vary about what this might portend to, however, it should still be something to keep an eye on, especially over the next month or so. Always be sure to seek the advice of your i...

Hot off the heels of the Equifax Data Breach Settlement, yesterday it was announced by Capital One that a hacker may have compromised information from 100 million applications.  This episode covers some tips and steps you can take if you think you may have been affected.    Looking for some entertainment for your upcoming road trip?   Check out Audible - get a free book and 30...