Top Dad

Episode 199: Drawing Inspiration: an Interview with Forrest Dickison, Author of Crispin’s Rainy Day In this episode, we sit down with Forrest Dickison—illustrator, artist, and now author of the delightful new children’s book, Crispin’s Rainy Day. Forrest shares his journey from illustrator to author, and we dive into his creative process, his inspirations, and the magic of storytelling for kids. E...

Episode 198: Building Core Memories 80’s Style 🔙⏰ Great Scott! It’s Back to the Future Day, and we’re diving into the time-traveling DeLorean to relive our favorite 80s moments. In this episode, we’re talking about the highs and lows of flying solo as a dad, bonding with our kids over classic 80s movies (yes, Uncle Buck is required viewing), and why music makes everything better—even epic bedtim...

Episode 197: Chicken Salad, Cosmic Fries, and the Ultimate Dad-Approved Food! In this deliciously fun episode of the Top Dad Podcast, we’re dishing on our recent trips to some seriously cool restaurants—like CosMc's, where the fries are out of this world 🚀, and Chicken Salad Chick 🐥, where yes, dads can enjoy chicken salad and still maintain our manly image. Food is the glue that holds fami...

“Trunk or Treat, 5th Grade Farewells & Dude Perfect: Top Dad’s Guide to Crushing Dad Life” In this episode of Top Dad , we dive into all things dad as we tackle the fall favorite—Trunk or Treat—and give our hot takes on how to dominate the candy distribution game. Next, we relive the emotional rollercoaster of 5th Grade Going Away Parties (yes, it’s a thing now) as our little ones gear up to l...

Episode 195 : “Dad Swears &Hardware Showdowns: The Ultimate Dad Debate” In this jam-packed episode of Top Dad , we tackle some of the biggest debates in dad life: • A Dad’s Guide to Swearing : When is it okay to swear around the kids, and how do we teach them about it? When is it ok to let your kids swear???! • Meijer Review : The lesser-known step-cousin of Target and Walmart—where does it ra...

Episode 194: Errands, IKEA, & Dads Getting Stuff Done Like a Boss Dads, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and tackle that to-do list! In this episode of the Top Dad Podcast, we’re talking all things “Dad Errands”—from navigating the maze that is IKEA to piecing together flat-packed furniture without losing your cool. Plus, we’re embracing our inner homemaker with a trip to Joanne Fabrics, beca...

Episode 193: Surviving Heat Waves and Bug Bites—The Dad's Guide to Summer Struggles Summer isn’t all BBQs and pool parties—sometimes it’s heat waves that melt your will to live and bug bites that turn your kids into human pin cushions! In this episode of the Top Dad Podcast, we’re tackling the not-so-fun parts of summer: how to survive those blistering heat waves without losing your cool and...

Episode 192: The Dad Awakening—Realizing You’re Not in Your Twenties Anymore Dads, it’s time for a reality check—you're not 21 anymore, and your back probably reminded you of that this morning! In this episode of the Top Dad Podcast, we're diving into the bittersweet realization that we’re not as young as we used to be. From creaky joints to realizing you’ve become the guy who complains...

Episode 191: Back to School Blues & The Great Sidewalk Debate: A Dad’s Guide to the Returning your Children to School.  School’s in session, and so is a whole new set of challenges for dads everywhere! In this episode of the Top Dad Podcast, we’re diving into how to mentally prepare for the big back-to-school shift in family dynamics. From the chaos of getting everyone out the door on time to...

🎙️ Episode 190: The End is Near—of Summer, That Is! Pre-Back to School Survival Guide for Dads As summer starts packing its bags and the school year creeps closer, it's time to shift gears from poolside lounging to homework helpin'. In this episode of the Top Dad Podcast, we’re diving into the deep end of the dad pool with tips and tricks to make the transition from summer fun to school...

🎙️ Episode 189: When to Yell at Other People's Kids + A Dad's Guide to the movies Welcome to another insightful and hilarious episode of the Top Dad Podcast! In this episode, we're tackling a tricky but important topic: when is it okay to yell at other people's kids when they're over at your house? We'll share our experiences, dive into the dos and don'ts, and of...

🎙️ Episode 188: Disaster Dads: Preparing for the Unexpected In this episode of "Disaster Dads," we dive into the world of preparedness for the most unpredictable scenarios, from natural disasters like tornadoes to the fantastical but thrilling concept of a zombie apocalypse.  Join us as we explore practical tips, essential gear, and strategic plans to ensure your family’s safety and well...

🎙️ Episode 187: "When Inclusion Goes Awry: Navigating the Challenges of Parenting and Inclusion"  Welcome back to the Top Dad podcast, where we tackle the toughest parenting topics with humor, honesty, and a dash of dad jokes. This week, we're diving into a serious but essential topic: what to do when inclusion goes wrong. As parents, we all strive to teach our kids the importance o...

🎙️ Episode 186: "Seltzers, Sand Traps, and Summer Shenanigans: The Ultimate Dad's Guide" Welcome back to the Top Dad podcast, where we take dad jokes seriously and summer fun even more so! In this episode, we dive into the sun-soaked world of summer lovin'—dad style. Join us as we crack open some ice-cold seltzers, share our best (and worst) golf stories, and dish out top-notch...

🎙️ Episode 185: When is it no longer cool for your kids to call you Daddy? Join us on Top Dad as we dive into the emotional journey of kids transitioning from "Daddy" to "Dad." Plus, hear about Ken's wild summer at the Y and lakeside with Uncle Bert, and Matt's European escapade through Switzerland and Paris. Don't miss out on the laughter and insights! 🌟 #TopDa...

🎙️ Episode 184: Dad Moves: Mastering Chaos in Real Estate Buckle up, dads! In this episode of Top Dad, we dive into the hilarious chaos of buying, selling, and moving into a new house when you're in your 40s. From questionable fatherly insights to unpacking pandemonium, join us for laughs and plenty of Dad jokes as the Top Dads navigate the real estate world. 🤣📦 Thank you for listening and...

🎙️ Episode 183: Funny Dads, Garage Sales, and Swiss Adventures Despite the fact that Father's Day might not always get the same fanfare as Mother's Day, we're here to celebrate the incredible dads who make life a grand adventure. From  dad jokes to dad vacations, and all the way back to garage sales... we wouldn't change a thing about the Top Dad's. Thank you for listening...

🎙️ Episode 182: The subscriptions we love to hate!  Ever feel like your subscriptions have a love-hate relationship with your wallet? 💸 This week on the podcast, we're spilling the tea on the subscriptions we love to hate. From those sneaky auto-renewals to services we can’t quite quit, join us as we break down the ones that keep us hooked (and sometimes annoyed)! Then, we switch gears and l...

🎙️ Episode 181: So your kid wants to play on the travel team...? ⚽️🏀⚾️🏒  In this episode of Top Dad, we athletically dive head-first into the world of travel sports teams! Is your child eager to join a travel team, and you're unsure what it means for your family? We've got you covered!  We'll discuss the pros and cons, time commitments, financial implications, and the impact on...

🎙️ Episode 180: Dad Power and Bad Days  We all have bad days that just seem to drag on, and every little thing that could go wrong does go wrong, but when life gives you lemons, you make lemonade. The Top Dads discuss a little-known superpower called "Dad Power". The ability to perform miraculous parenting miracles with little sleep, zero patience, and ultimately turn those bad days into...

🎙️ Episode 179: The Top Movie Moms 🎬 Moms I love in Films...MILFS? The Top Dads rank their top movie moms in cinema as a tribute for our first episode after Mother's Day 2024.  Only movie moms qualify for our TOP MOVIE MOMS list; no TV moms here (those will probably come next year), just the best of movie matrons.    Follow along as the Top Dad's discuss their rankings and reasonings fo...

🎙️ Episode 178: Page-Turning Dads with lawnmowers 📚 Are you a Dad who reads while mowing the lawn? For many top dads, the weekly chore of taming the grass offers a rare opportunity for quiet reflection and literary escape. Join us as we explore the joys of multitasking, where the hum of the lawnmower becomes the soundtrack to a world of imagination and adventure. So grab your headphones, fire up...

🎙️ Episode 177: Plumbing Wisdom for the Everyday Dad 🪠 The Top Dads talk plumbing, and there has not been a better duo of plumbers since the Mario Brothers. Let’s face it: Dads are often the unsung heroes when it comes to fixing things around the house, and plumbing is no exception. So, we've got you covered whether you’re dealing with a toilet that won’t stop running or a shower that’s seen...

🎙️ Episode 176: Bears Beats Basketballgalactica 🏀 The Chicago Bears have the First and Ninth picks in the 2024 NFL Draft... who do the Top Dads think they will pick?  Top Dad Matt hits full dad mode with lunch and play with his boys, Zoo Field Trips, and has trouble describing a Merry Go Round... it's awesome.  Top Dad Ken gives his rendition of how to deal with a physical altercation at Bas...

🎙️ Episode 175: Springtime and the Abdominal Thrust ✅ In this lively episode of Top Dad, we combine the thrill of golf's most prestigious tournament with the joys of springtime as it blooms anew. Join us as we recap the highlights and surprises of the Masters tournament, celebrating the triumphs and heartbreaks of the world's top golfers. But the excitement doesn't stop there! As t...