Heart of Dad Podcast

In the episode, Heart of Dad founder, Matt Fox, reflects on some of the big themes from a year of the podcast:Dads are willing to go deepDads are doing their best (and are always learning)Dads feel guilt, but it's not always helpfulDads feel over-stretchedDads long for moreDads can feel lost and lonelyDads don't want simple labelsThe Heart of Dad Group is an active community of business owning dads who want to find more harmony between work and home.If you’re an ambitious business owning dad who finds it difficult to balance all that life has to offer, then we have something for you. Each week, we dive into what you can do to:Love your work and business, like it used to be before you had kids, but without burning outFeel like family life is both front and centre and fun, rather than a choreFeel in great physical and mental shape, so you can put yourself first, without feeling guilty or feeling selfishJoin us at:  www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad Apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

After realising he was an angry dad, David Willans set out to be a better dad. He blogs about what he finds at BeingDads and every two weeks he sends an email out with articles, stories, questions and insights to help other dads. Follow him on twitter. In this episode, we discussIf I'm not being the dad I want to be, what's the opposite?How he started Being Dads, by getting curious about other dadsFatherhood as a massive driver of changeThe power of unconditional loveCreating a legacy with his boysHis moment of truthSeeing 'patience' as the key to successPutting the basics in place for wellbeingWorking together as a familyBeing fascinated with going deepAsking himself 'what will I regret more' as a filter for choicesHow men need to show up differently as dadsYou can find out about David's work at www.beingdads.comThe Heart of Dad Group is an active community of business owning dads who want to find more harmony between work and home.If you’re an ambitious business owning dad who finds it difficult to balance all that life has to offer, then we have something for you. Each week, we dive into what you can do to:Love your work and business, like it used to be before you had kids, but without burning outFeel like family life is both front and centre and fun, rather than a choreFeel in great physical and mental shape, so you can put yourself first, without feeling guilty or feeling selfishJoin us at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad Apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Craig Herd has been called The Business Architect. He works exclusively with Family Men to build a business and life that works. Craig is also host of the “Built to Last” podcast where he shares battle hardened, apex strategies and stories to help men level up when they are tired of the “Hustle.”He lives in Scotland, with his wife and son.In this episode, we discussFatherhood as leading by exampleGiving people a track to run onHow meeting Simon Sinek changed everything he thought about leadershipThe crisis in 2017 that led him to a fresh start in lifeWorking in a warehouse to make ends meetThe consequences of not being honest with ourselvesRewriting our self-storyGetting addicted to progressResisting changeHis inspiring vision for his family and business lifeThe grief and loss of multiple miscarriageWhat men need to do to manage themselves in crises betterYou can find out about Craig's support group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/businessandfamilymenThe Heart of Dad Group is an active community of business owning dads who want to find more harmony between work and home.If you’re an ambitious business owning dad who finds it difficult to balance all that life has to offer, then we have something for you. Each week, we dive into what you can do to:Love your work and business, like it used to be before you had kids, but without burning outFeel like family life is both front and centre and fun, rather than a choreFeel in great physical and mental shape, so you can put yourself first, without feeling guilty or feeling selfishJoin us at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad Apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Charlie Madison is a fun guy who is learning how to chill out, trust God, and not burn stuff down.He's a father of 4 boys, affectionately known as the final four. They are his life.Charlie and Cassie have been married for 16 or 17 years. He's not exactly sure but it's in that range.His current mission is to create a company that helps entrepreneurs spend more time with their family by giving them new clients from people they already know. It's called Referrals While You Sleep.In this episode, we discussBeing brought up by his great grandparentsThe impact of loss of loved onesReconnecting with this parentsCreating his first business out of high schoolHis journey with alcohol and his recoveryHow his relationship with his wife has evolved as he has been in recoveryFatherhood and presenceBuilding an intentional business around his commitment to be present with his familyHis 180 plan and how he's going to get thereYou can find out about Charlie's latest business at http://www.referralswhileyousleep.com/ or look him up on Facebook at Charlie Madison, Nashville.Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contactJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Chris Fenning is a husband, father, and author, on a mission to improve the communication between IT and business teams.Chris believes that everyday interactions, project progress, and company profitability, can all be improved by helping IT professionals become great communicators. Over the past fifteen years Chris has worked in more than fifteen countries on three continents, and helped businesses in six different industries.He has helped improve the communication skills of individuals and teams around the world in organizations from start-ups to FTSE 100 and Fortune 50 companies.When he isn't working you can find him walking in the countryside with his wife and daughter.In this episode, we discuss:Finding adventure in lockdownLiving out of 4 suitcasesHow fatherhood is relentlessly revealingHow infertility impacts 1 in 8 couples (and is largely unseen)The daily conversation when you're trying to conceive The journey of 6 rounds of treatmentThe lack of support for menThe scale of disruption to lifeMiscarriage traumaWhen Dani was caught in a terror incident The moment he thought he'd give up (and why he didn't)The hidden suffering with infertilityYou can find out more about Chris at www.chrisfenning.com or connect with Chris on LinkedIn.His wife, Dani's blog is here: https://thegreatpuddingclubhunt.com/Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contactJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Best known as the founder of Beast Gear, Ben Leonard is the classic millennial entrepreneur. He built a business on a laptop, in a cupboard, in his spare time.The difference? Ben grew an international 7-figure business and successfully exited after 3 years; the business holy grail.Now Ben is doing it all over again, this time creating a brand of parent's accessories based off his own lived experience as a dad.In this episode, we discuss:How he sees fatherhood as gratitudeHis journey in creating and then selling Beast GearHis origins as an ecologistThe health scare that sparked the genesis of his businessThe primacy of brand positioning Leveraging others' expertiseThe moment he knew it was going to work out wellHow he sold his businessThe creative spark that drives his endeavoursHis foray into products for parentsHow his relationship with his parents has impacted himThe joy and downside of being all consumed by our businessHis long term vision for impactYou can find out more about Ben atwww.benleonard.prowww.benleonard.pro/fbg (Ecom Made Easy facebook group)www.benleonard.pro/yt (YouTube)Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contactJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Daniel's story is one of going from struggle as a youth to being an inspiring, resilient dad, software engineer and mentor to foster parents. He grew up in foster care from ages 2 - 5, and was beaten, verbally abused and told he wouldn't amount to anything. Up until about 15 years ago, he didn't give a shit about anyone or anything.He was eventually saved by the Hall family and his wife Tina.Daniel has had a long career as a top-level software engineer and is a passionate advocate for fostering and adoption. Together with Tina, he has six adopted special needs children and he says they have been and continue to be his biggest teachers.In this episode, we discuss:How he sees fatherhood as humblingComing from a traumatic childhood and how it affected his decision to. be a fatherLearning he had a purpose in lifeFlipping his upbringing to bring kindness into the worldListening with more than your earsFinding coding as his way into lifeThe struggle of putting the tech down when you have childrenReconnecting with his birth familyTraining other foster parentsThe moments when it becomes too muchCreating a ritual of forgiveness and appreciationThe power of random acts of kindnessYou can find out more about Daniel at https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielbhall/ Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

David Foster is a Master Coach, author and inspirational speaker. Since 2012 he has helped business owners and coaches throughout the world create more balance, clarity and freedom so they can live inspired lives they love leading. He specialises in helping ambitious coaches grow independent practices full of great clients without sacrificing balance so they have a growing business, better relationships with their family and enjoy all that life has to offer.David has dedicated his life to being a present parent, creating a loving family unit and inspiring people all over the world connect with themselves and their families before it’s too late. He lives in Essex with his wife, Trix, and their two sons, Rocco and Enzo.In this episode, we discuss:The catalyst for major change in his lifeThe influence of his entrepreneur dad on his life choicesCreating a new business at the same time as the birth of his sonFinding his way into fatherhoodMale grief and loss through miscarriageSeeing how our life is a function of the choices we makeThe opportunities to create balance in lifeMaking and honouring commitments to what we want in lifeHow our highest values determine where we place our attentionThe discomfort we experience at the edge of changeFatherhood and leadershipYou can find out more about David at www.davidfoster.coach and on social media my searching for David Foster.Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contactJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

For the next few episodes, I'll be sharing some coaching sessions I've done with previous guests on the podcast. We dive deeply into a topic that's close their heart.In this episode, I meet again with John McIntosh who, at the time of recording was trying to find his way between trusting his intuition and putting pressure on himself to keep momentum with his business and other areas of his life.We explore together, what he really wants and needs, and what might be holding him back.About JohnJohn is an experienced HR Professional and a trained Executive Coach with a supervised practice.Over the last ten years he's been working with businesses to understand the employee proposition, and deliver a range of solutions; latterly focusing on Employee Health and Wellbeing.He's recently set up his own Wellbeing Strategy consultancy business... and is still finding his feet after 30 years in the corporate world.John has 50/50 custody for his 11 year old son, who stays with him every other week.John is also currently undertaking an MSc in Workplace Health and Wellbeing at the School of Medicine, Nottingham.Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contactJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

For the next few episodes, I'll be sharing some coaching sessions I've done with previous guests on the podcast. We dive deeply into a topic that's close their heart.In this episode, I meet again with Tim Jameson who, at the time of recording in April 2020, was looking to launch his game-changing social media platform, but wrestling with challenges of time.We explore together, what he really wants and needs, and what might be holding him back.About TimTim has a wide variety of interests and life experience, with musician and writer at the top of the list; he’s what some might call a “multipotentialite”.He loves thinking and communicating about a variety of topics, ranging from philosophy and psychology, to leadership, emerging technologies and ‘the future world’.Describing himself as an “insuppressible people ponderer”, Tim’s main aim is to help people slow down and reach a place of peaceful fulfilment within themselves, regardless of life circumstance.Tim is also the founder of MakeLifeClick - a new values driven, social media platform.Tim lives in Sussex with his wife and three children.You can find out more about Tim at www.makelife.clickhttps://runtherace.co.uk/Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Esmond is a transformational life coach and entrepreneur. Having spent more than a decade working in finance, he now bases himself in Bali where he is co-creating a psychedelic mental health start-up, and where he works as a transformational coach. He works especially with privileged and successful men between 35-55 years old, facilitating insight and clarity through a subtractive process of seeing through resistant and unrecognised thinking that may be in the way of realising dreams, and a fully emotional experience of life.Esmond is passionate about supporting his clients to realising the truth of who they are, to a deeper connection with themselves, their women, their children, and lives fully lived.Esmond is a father of one.In this episode we discuss:His move to Bali and starting 3 different businesses out thereHis early life assumption that he'd be a salary man working in finance all his lifeHis transformational life experience in 2016 that started his journey to awakeningHis boarding school experience that changed everythingRecognising the cycle of anxiety, shame, depression in his lifeHis relationship with his dad and the assumptions about his futureThe trappings of wealthTurning his back on golfThe conception of his daughter as the threshold for healingCo-parenting his daughterExploring psychedelics for mental healthWhen things fell apart in 2019The powerful Acacia Tree Ceremony that set him on new path of growthHis daughter's sensitivity to his depressionFinding full commitment to healing Finding the glimmer of light in depression and suicidal thinkingYou can find out more about Esmond at www.esmondbaring.comInsta - @esmondbaring FB - Esmond BaringLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/esmondbaring/Sign up for the free Heart of Dad Summit at www.heartofdad.com/summitJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Richard Gordon Kelly (RGK) is a Father, Partner, Coach. His purpose is “making a difference in people’s lives”. Bringing his enthusiasm, positiveness to people and organisations by being committed to what makes them feel truly alive. Over, the past 20+ years’ in business with success in leading training, continuous improvements, and transformation programs. Richard works with individuals, teams (sport & business) and organizations across a variety of fields. As a lifelong learner, Richard loves reading the latest research and practices in coaching, leadership, and organization development. He continues to grow in his understanding of the Three Principles. He has recently co-created the “Men Don’t Talk Group Belgium” and hosted several “The Power of Now Webinars” with the Entrepreneur’s Network.Richard is a dad of 2.In this episode we discuss:The shock of separation and ensuing depressionHis New Year's Eve revelation that changed everythingHis daughter's inner wisdom when he was at a low ebbHis tough time with formal schoolingThe relief of a dyslexia diagnosis and going to Uni in his 20sA sacred and deep connection with his dadAnger at his parents' illness and his lossThe inspiration behind his men's group initiativeYou can find out more about Richard at https://www.richardgordonkelly.com or search for him on Facebook.Sign up for the free Heart of Dad Summit at www.heartofdad.com/summitJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

How to train your creativity muscle as a parent…There was a time when I thought, I didn’t have it as a parent. That creative spark to make a game of anything. That ability to find the light and funny that diffuses a situation. That idea, that rescues the day (or at least the hour…!)I started to see that there were some simple things getting in the way.Anyone who follows Jamie Smart will know him as a master of creative expression in his work as a coach and a business owner. Prolific, nimble, innovative…And of course Jamie is a dad too.So I thought, who better to explore the topic of creativity and fatherhood with me.In this short episode, we explore how creativity is one of the keys to finding deeper connection and peace of mind as a parent.Sign up for the free Heart of Dad Summit at www.heartofdad.com/summitJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Devon Bandison is one of the most sought after personal and business coaches in the world. He works with Fortune 100 Companies and people from all walks of life, including professional athletes and teams, CEO’s, salespeople, small business owners, film makers, producers, the top business and life coaches in the world and parents.Devon was born and raised in New York City and shares the same energetic heartbeat, big personality and commitment to excellence as his hometown. Growing up, his love and hard work in sports resulted in him receiving a basketball scholarship to Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. After graduation he spent years working in the front lines of NYC. Devon worked with an organization responsible for developing behavioral health programs for youth, families and first-time fathers in some of the toughest neighborhoods throughout the city that never sleeps. As Director of this organization he was responsible for the clinical and leadership development of social workers, psychiatrists and managers in order to serve their clients. He also created leadership and organizational development programs during his tenure that led to him launching his own coaching company.In this episode we discuss:How fatherhood is leadership and leadership is influenceChecking our 'audio is matching our video'The joy and ritual of pizza nightMaking a different choice about experiencing divorceThe enduring power of love Letting go of seriousness and controlThe call to develop as dadsSticking with his dad through very troubled timesCreating the possibility of different relationships with our familyLoyalty and integrity as the foundations of leadership in fatherhoodThe paradox of true authenticityGetting really clear on priorities to underpin a created lifeThe crucible moments in life that define usCreating our legacy today, a step at a timeFinding 'space in between the notes' by slowing downCo-creating the bridge - the dialogue about inequality and finding identityThe risk of spiritually by-passing the reality of events in the worldThe 'best seats in the house'You can find out more about Devon at https://www.devonbandison.com and https://www.fatherhoodisleadership.comJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

In the lead up to the heart of dad summit which starts on 30th November 2020, I’m releasing some short episodes of the podcast. Today’s is a brief interview I did with Dr Dicken Bettinger where we discuss the power of presence. If you want to join us for this and other powerful conversations about fatherhood at the summit You can sign for the free at www.heartofdad.com/summit

Direct and to the point, Micheal describes himself as a Higher Performing Leader Of Married Dads.He was ready to end his life after struggling from stress, depression, anxiety and overwhelm. He was running a business, juggling a marriage, trying to balance life, and it all got too much.After turning his life around he started on a journey to help men take back control of their lives – levelling up in work, family, intimacy and achieving peak performance throughout life – so they can step up and become better fathers, husbands and leaders.Michael is married and has 3 children.In this episode we discuss:The problem with do as say rather than do as I doBeing a role model for his children Having a dad who wasn't interested in himFear of losing it allThe pressure we put on ourselves to keep on smiling The moment everything started to changeBeing an insight junkieThe change in pressures when his first child was bornMaking conscious transitions from work to home lifeLooking after his energy and doing things for himselfThe power of the morning ritualYou can find out more about Micheal at https://www.facebook.com/iammichealhilton/Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

John was a full time working dad working in Government comms until 2011 when he left his job to become his kids' main carer.Over the years he has been a stay at home dad, worked part time and now works for his own micro-business running Dadbloguk.com, current holder of the Online Influence Award Best UK Dad Blog.He started the blog in 2012 to highlight the sexism and challenges he faced as a man holding the babies and it has steadily grown to become his sole source of income.He is married to Gill who works f/t and have two daughters, Helen aged 11 and Izzy aged 8.In this episode we discuss:The absence of flexible working opportunities that led him to leave his jobThe insidiousness of presenteeismThe impact of being a dad under lockdownHaving more time to reflectHaving identity wrapped up in taking care of the familyBeing concerned with what other men thinkThe loneliness of being a male carerThe imbalance in child care provision and supportThe financial impact of stopping his career and the gender pay gapTreading the fine line of privacy when bloggingThe influence of his step-father in his lifeRighting a childhood wrong; retaking his GCSEBeing a social media influencerReclaiming the agenda for dadsYou can find out more about John at https://dadbloguk.com https://www.facebook.com/dadblogukhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/john-adams-4451855a/Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Joel is an award-winning teacher, author, speaker, and frequent podcast guest who loves helping young leaders overcome obstacles and grow through courage, confidence, and humility.By sharing personal stories of failure and success, using humor and engagement, Joel teaches leadership principles that audiences can apply as soon as they leave the event. His book, Inverted Leadership: Lead Others Better By Forgetting About Yourself was a #1 best-seller on Amazon.Having studied and played soccer at both Covenant College (Georgia) and Oxford University (England, UK), Joel has a B.A. in History and a passion for literature as well as a love for sports. These interests and his experience as a high school teacher come across through his presentations, as he often references historical examples and quotes from C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, John Wooden, and Coach K.Joel currently lives in Alabama with his wife, his two daughters, and their two rescue dogs Bruiser and Butterscotch. When he’s not busy speaking, writing, teaching, or coaching, Joel is longing for the day when he can go on his dream vacation of visiting Hobbiton in the Shire.In this episode we discuss:His experience and interest in supporting 'blended families'What defines a 'blended family' and the trauma that is often at the heartThe complicated communication webs of blended familiesGiving the benefit for the doubtHis experience of divorce in childhood Recalibrating his relationship with his elder daughter when it went off trackBeing willing to listen to criticism and to evaluate it for its meritMaking things right when we get them wrongTransforming his relationship with angerThe challenging dynamics of father and brother relationshipsThe possibility of redemption when we screw upHis moment of truth with his ex father-in-law after his divorceModerating his soccer-coach rageHis bond with his dad and the contrast with his brother's relationshipThe extraordinary moment of belief his dad showed in himThe reconciliation between his dad and brother in the last year of his lifeWhat he misses about his dad and the life lessons he learned from himChanging the perception of step-families from negative / neutral to positiveYou can find out more about Joel at: www.joelwhawbaker.comwww.reallifeleading.comwww.stepdadding.comJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Marc works as Executive Coach & Agile Strategy Facilitator. He dedicates his passion and energy to enable companies to accelerate their strategic growth, leveraging agile frameworks to create a collective-learning culture. He is a former Senior Executive, investor, and a disruptive thinker, and he has mentored and trained teams around the globe; focusing mainly on deploying strategies in a disruptive way and training teams to develop a growth-mindset culture. The result is the creation of self-autonomous high-performance teams that drive innovative leadership capabilities to accelerate growth.Marc is a dad of 1.In this episode, we discuss:Quitting the corporate world and building his own business Making a choice to stay in Finland to be close to his daughter after his relationship endedHaving a values crisis that led him away from the corporate worldWriting your own funeral speech as a way of creating his visionFocusing on what kind of father he wants to be His burnout experience at 30The turning point, when he realised he couldn't be the dad he wanted toRedesigning his life from scratch ​The bigger the struggle, the more glorious the triumphBeing present with his daughter and others in his lifeThe Dead Sea and the Gallilean Sea story - allowing the river of thought to flow to stay presentThe oneness he felt with his daughter and his choice to stay in Finland after divorceThe grounding effect of being a Mediterranean man living in the northSeeing his dad speaking when he was child as a key moment of inspiration for how we can influence others for the goodThe positive impact of his grandparents on his life view and carrying his ancestors' legacy into the worldDeeper connection with oneness as the source of all creativity and inner peaceDrawing out his life plan, aged 7 - never doubting that he would be ok, inspite of the fear of the friction that our egos create in lifeExploring the nature of life with his daughter Focusing on what really matters in your life - juggling rubber balls vs crystal ballsYou can find more about him at https://www.themindsetstrategist.com/You can follow his podcast called Coaching Talks Podcast in all major platforms like iTunes (https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/coaching-talks-podcast-with-marc-siles/id1437812789) or Spotify (https://spoti.fi/2wf0p8m.) Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Will McInnes is the CMO at Brandwatch, a leader in digital consumer intelligence and one of Europe's most successful VC-backed software firms.Prior to that he founded NixonMcInnes, an early innovator in social media marketing.His book Culture Shock, published by Wiley, outlined a blueprint for practical approaches to digital transformation.He's dad to two boys and loves riding bikes with them, exploring new places and general adventures outdoors.In this episode, we discuss:His journey at BrandwatchThe thrill of moving from MD of his own business to the CMO roleBeing a wing person rather than a leaderCraving team successThe body knows before the mindWalking away from business and the excitement of the new challengeHis New York adventure and taking his young family with himHaving to come home when his relationship foundered Re-integrating his life in the UKThe upsides and downsides of being demandingThe weight of working through divorceThe lack of punctuation points in lifeBeing in relentless pursuit of the next thingAccepting vs resisting ageingDifferent ways to leverage your passions as you ageOpening metaphorical doors for his sonsWearing his feelings on his sleeveThe edge of directiveness vs inclusivenessGrowing up with a very strong female role modelThe anger switch when scoring own goalsIntegrating his new relationship into life with his childrenBonding with his family through playing Rose, Thorn, Bud You can find out more about Will on Twitter: @willmcinnesJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Chris is the Founder of the Life Empowerment Organization, a company that takes over 10 years of experience in the mental health, parenting, couple and family therapy, and preschool world and provides powerful resources to help people empower their lives. He is also a proud husband and father, which is his greatest accomplishment in life. In this episode, we discuss:His journey from computer science to psychologyWorking with Headstart and what he saw about dadsHow to get dads more involved in their kids' livesTheory vs practice when being a dadThe primacy of relationship and connectionTaking the pressure of ourselves as dad - humanising all experienceGuilt as a signpost for self-reflectionThe major pivot in his life - finding his home in psychology Dealing with anger as a teen and into adulthoodHelping people play to their strengthsTaking responsibility and healing relationshipsHis dad's support at a really tough timeHow providing is more than economicHow men aren't raised as nurturersThe importance of mentorsThe gift of giving back to the worldLoss of control and angerNot entering our children's worldThe importance of self-regulationAnger as a mask for shameSelf-sacrifice vs making time matterAutopilot vs empowermentBeing the type of leader you'd want to followGetting stuck in the day to dayBecoming the dad you long to be

Piers is the founder of Quality of Mind a pioneering way to enable exponential human potential. Piers has been a coach for 20 years and works with businesses and private clients. Piers is a Dad to 2 children.In this interview, we discuss:His pioneering journey into coaching and his fascination with peopleFinding his way through divorceWhat feels real vs what is trueResilience in the face of the enormous changeGetting unshackled to live life more richlyWhat 2 year olds have to teach us about experienceManaging the narrative of divorce with childrenHow to be the dad he wanted to be when not living with themNot being attached to what your role of dad isGuilt not being an effective behaviour modifier Kids are always providing feedbackRecalibrating his role as a dad post divorceUsing feelings as a compass for connection and flow: moving beyond justification and judgementWhoosh vs drip-drip recalibration in lifeEmbracing the full 4D experience of life His relationship with his dad and the 5 generation family businessNavigating blended-family lifeYou can find out more about Piers at www.qualityofmind.biz - Realising Exponential Human Potential- www.makingchangework.co.uk - Unlocking Personal & Operational Performance- www.feelhappynow.co.uk- Transformation Coaching for Private Clients- www.separationsimplified.co.uk - Harmonious Separation for couples- www.piersthurston.com - for an overview

Ben Killoy, is a U.S. Marine Veteran turned blogger, life coach, speaker, and now podcaster who seeks to bring Military Veteran Dads home to their families. He resides in Milton, WI, with his wife and three beautiful kids! Ben, went through what most transitioning veterans go through of redefining identity and rediscovering your passion and purpose for life. A seminar changed it all for him, and realigned him to his passion for leadership. Since then he has been on a mission to master leadership principles and use his passion for leadership to help dads understand who they are, develop the skills to overcome adversity, and own their life and choices truly come home to their life.In this episode we explore:His life in the marinesThe impact of pushing back on dreams and falling into jobsFalling in love with leadershipLosing his job becoming the catalyst for following his dreamThe impact of not dealing with emotionsThe impossible tension for military dadsTranscending feeling isolatedTaking action outside of comfort zonesConnection and conversation as the magic sauce for changeLearning to fit in rather than being yourselfChoosing the harder path as the route for growthThe life turning point at Marine bootcampGrowing into being a dadPrioritising seasons of life, particularly our children's early yearsLearning to take deep responsibility for our livesChocolate cookies and his grandmother - learning deep loveFeeling into his masculinity and finding peaceThe gold hidden in triggersGoing beyond military stereotypesFinding his inner huggerLearning from his dad about the power of connectionSeeing purpose emerge through adversityOur greatest legacy is created through our presence with our kidsThe power of seeing and prioritising life through seasonsYou can find out more about Ben at https://www.militaryveterandad.com/​Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Nico Czinczoll Managing Partner of Core 42 and the founder of the Homecoming Academy. He is a trusted advisor to executives and management teams of large corporations and hidden champions. After a successful career in multi-national corporations he consults and coaches leaders at companies like Zalando, Infineon, BASF, Wintershall, Deutsche Bahn, Thalia, buch.de, BP, Gazprom, Bertelsmann and mid-size businesses.Nico lives in Berlin with his wife and son.In this interview, we discuss:His work in organisational culture, body and psycheHis interests in psychology and computer scienceHis journey into contemplative practices to explore who he is in the worldBringing better decision making and more awareness of body and psyche into the worldOur projections from childhood on to organisations and using models for decision making which are not fit for purposeGetting to the heart of who we are in the worldContemplative practice as a support for being a dadThe value of getting to know what throws us off the railsHow his practice supports him keep his equilibrium in lifeRecalibrating his relationship with his own dadThe longing for a guide through lifeThe tension between the need for safety and edge in psychological developmentThe gift and choice of spending the first 7 months of his son's life at homeFinding balance in the family triangle and continually adjusting as needs involvedHis commitment to be present with his son You can find out more about Nico at https://www.thecore42.com/ and https://www.homecomingacademy.com/Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Nathan helps business leaders and professionals stuck in their 9-5’s, take the lead on their careers, work out what they bring when they’re at their best and create fulfilment in the work they do. He does this using the tools and ideas he’s learned as a business coach, trainer, speaker, and soon to be author. He has a vulnerability and courage gathered from a multitude of highs and lows, personally and professionally which he’s deeply reflected upon. Whether it’s travelling the world, client break throughs or severe health challenges and hospitalisation, regardless, as a result he now shares this back as a Leadership and Career coach challenging peoples thinking so they can become more incredible than yesterday.Nathan is married and has one daughter.In this episode, we discuss:Nathan's insights on leadership, permaculture and home schoolingHis crisis of leadership and finding his 'why' after leaving a toxic work environmentHis own recalibration, and helping people find the 'thing' they are here to doDesigning travel into the family planThe toxicity of 'shoulds' and making 1 degree shiftsLearning from knocking at the wrong doorsGoing beyond 'not'Tapping into your wisdom to orientate yourself in your careerFinding the physical manifestation of our thinkingWanting to touch 100 million people with his workBringing his family along, respecting different communication stylesComing through a horrendous health situation and eating cleanThe tension his dad created in his careerThe road into and out of drug useAlways finding our way back into balance Everything is a solution to a problem - the evolutionary drive

John is an experienced HR Professional and a trained Executive Coach with a supervised practice.Over the last ten years he's been working with businesses to understand the employee proposition, and deliver a range of solutions; latterly focusing on Employee Health and Wellbeing.He's recently set up his own Wellbeing Strategy consultancy business... and is still finding his feet after 30 years in the corporate world.John has 50/50 custody for his 11 year old son, who stays with him every other week.John is also currently undertaking an MSc in Workplace Health and Wellbeing at the School of Medicine, Nottingham.In this episode, we discuss:The difficulty of starting a business during the pandemicFeeling a failure after his unexpected separation from his wifeChoosing not to be angry Coming to a 50% custody arrangementLearning to put his oxygen mask on first and being able to ask for supportBeing a really hands on dadHis unusual childhood, growing up in Latin AmericaHow important relationships are to himPutting himself in his son's shoes after the separationStarting a new relationship and working through what that means as a parentRealising he was overdoing it at work and his son was sufferingLearning to listen to his body and developing self-compassionYou can find out more about John at https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnmcintoshseesawltd/Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Russell, is a Sales Manager for a large IT firm. He separated from his wife of 14 years in 2018 and has three boys, 15, 12 and 10. He says they are the highlight and bane of his life and he loves them dearly. His job is high influence and requires travel to countries all over Europe which can make the arrangements for seeing his boys difficult.He is an active triathlete, ex rugby player and member of Leicester Tigers Rugby Club. He loves going on walks with his boys and black lab, Koko.In this episode, we discuss:The pressure to produce as a career dadHaving to shift focus to home and his career stallingGetting divorced and the challenge of the court systemThe impact of unemployment and financial distressGoing from stressed and absent dad to fun dadCompletely changing his relationship to money and material acquisitionNot getting dragged into his ex-wife's narrativeThe dark period of not finding workThe karma of helping othersThe saving grace of therapyGetting the right support for managing debtGetting his esteem back and appreciating the smaller things in lifeRecalibrating his relationship with his second son after a difficult timeHolding on to his own truth during divorceLetting go of anger and living in the momentYou can find out more about Russell at https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-lewin-0473293/Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Armando Cruz is a connoisseur of experiences. He's a husband, father, adventurer, best selling author. He's also an ultra-marathoner, lifestyle physical therapist, and legacy coach.In this episode, we discuss:His specialism in helping people shift out of chronic painPivoting his business online during lockdownHelping people have better relationships with their bodyHis realisation about missing out on a level of fulfilment took him in a new directionPushing through a period of serious depression and the risk of bankruptcy How a retreat in Thailand changed everythingDeveloping his RICH system.The difference between how we behave with clients vs our familiesFocusing each day on his big 3 questions: my time / family time / work timeHis jazz quartet analogy for family lifeAsking his children for their input on his relationship with themCreating dad adventuresYou can find out more about Armando at http://cruzcountry.com/ and http://legacycodebook.com/Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Josh is CEO of J B Cole and a digital transformation / digital evolution specialist focussed on the growth of Industry 4.0 in traditional Industry.He helps B2B organisations increase revenue, improve efficiency and boost employee effectiveness through effective use of digital technologies and a robust digital strategy and approach.Over the last 12 years of running J B Cole UK, Josh has worked on over 250 web and digital change projects with SME’s and a number of well-established brands and agencies around the world. Leading a team of talented and creative professionals has allowed him to bring these visions to life. In 2016 and 2017 he was awarded recognition in the BIMA100 for achievements in the digital industry whilst still under the age of 30 and currently sits as Chair of BIMA Manchester, helping shape the future digital sector in the region. He also co-founded Hertfordshire’s leading digital network Digi-Cluster and co-hosts 9others roundtables in Manchester. Aside from his business, Josh is also the father of two beautiful young children.In this episode, we discuss:Building his business with and around his familyPivoting his business and being in the feeling of a start upBeing a lockdown dad - balancing not wanting to miss out on his kids and not missing out on himselfManaging overwhelm and the risk of burnoutPushing through the tough timesManaging a business when you have a new bornBeing more vocal about his own needsThe pressure of putting on a brave faceCreating a positive environment for his kidsManaging the fear of things going off the railsYou can find out more about Josh at https://jbcole.co.uk/ and https://uk.linkedin.com/in/joshbollandJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Ben Dueck is a Canadian entrepreneur with a wide variety of experience throughout his career. He started his first business as a teenager and has spent time in a variety of work environments ever since.He has worked in the church, in non-profits, at a summer camp, in post-secondary education, in the Chamber of Commerce network, and as a small business owner more than three times, if you count his teenage venture.To his everlasting regret, he missed the birth of his second daughter when he was taking courses for his Master of Arts in Leadership degree.Above everything, he also enjoys being a father to three children (16, 10, and 5), and a husband to Kendra. He is thankful is most recent entrepreneurial venture allows him to be at home more often to be a husband and father.His most recent entrepreneurial venture is launching Cantera Leadership, where he focuses on helping to transform leaders, teams, and organizations. He does this primarily through Executive Leadership Coaching, Team Workshops and Facilitation, and Employee Engagement Consultation.In our episode, we discuss:His diverse career before coachingThe tension between having a steady income and following your passionHaving 3 children at very different ages and stagesBeing a dad while supporting his wife through post natal depressionThe depth of his relationship with his own dad and being held to high standardsStrength building and playing to our strongest suitRecognising and nurturing our children's talentsYou can find out more about Ben at https://

Mark is a strategist, speaker and facilitator exploring meaning, purpose and participatory leadership through human rewilding and life centred design.He spent 15 years growing purpose-led brands for Virgin as Head of Global Brand Strategy. Here he launched new Virgin companies around the world and advised and supported the unique ecosystem of Virgin brands to better embody the ‘mother’ brand values.More recently he has been exploring and researching ‘wildness’ and how it can support a more meaningful engagement with the world.During this time he brought together many of the UK’s biggest conservation and children's charities to create The Wild Network a people-powered movement to get kids outdoors.Together they launched the feature length film Project Wild Thing which has been seen by 1.5 million people worldwide. Mark now creates experience led journeys to support agents of systems change by helping them to become more human, stepping into the wildest and best version of themselves as leaders.Mark lives in Devon with this wife and two children.In this episode we discuss:Mark's Black Country heritage and his early connection with natureSeeking connection in the mountainsFalling in love with the river DartGoing in deeper connection with ourselves through our connection with placesMid life transitions and how you show up for your kids during your own crisesOur children's gift of being in the presentDealing with turbulence in his careerCreating space for connectionThe anger that arises when our inner child isn't metEarly warning signs of overwhelmHow the past can show up an impact our livesHow we can create the conditions for our children to discover themselvesThe importance of thresholds, coming into manhoodYou can find out more about Markhttps://www.marksears.co.ukon Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/m_a_r_k_s_e_a_r_s/ and LinkedIn https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mark-sears-52b96517Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Dominic Mason is a Business and IT transformation consultant, turning round and delivering difficult or failing projects. He is also a regular sea and pool swimmer, training most days.In our episode, we discuss:His mission to stay fit following damaging his spineBuilding resilience and detachmentHow swimming is the perfect antidote to stressHow his family has adapted to live with his son's immune-compromised conditionResisting the urge to control and relaxing into your children's independenceHow his relationship with his dad was forged through eclairs and practical jokesFinding intimacy and connection as a dad through cuddles and humourYou can find out more about Dom at https://www.linkedin.com/in/domlewismason/Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

After starting his career in banking, Paul left his job to be a stay at home dad to 6 week old twin boys.When they were 18 months old he decided to give up banking completely and train as a teacher (with the thinking that it would allow him to spend more time with his boys).After a difficult divorce where Paul fought for and won 50/50 custody of his sons he then married Emily who, it transpired, he had initially met on his first day of teaching. Having added a daughter to their brood they are now parents to twin teenage boys and a pre teen girl!Over the years Paul worked his way up to being a senior manager within teaching which inevitably meant he was now not getting the family time he desired.Between them Paul and Emily created the Parent Guide to GCSE which works with and supports parents in a way that schools do not.Starting their business has enabled both of them to leave their jobs and look to a future where they dictate their schedules and therefore achieve the family time and business success that they both desire. We discuss:The origins of his business and wanting more time with his childrenThe proving ground that helped him make the leapInvolving kids in decision making Being a business partner with his wifeDivorcing when his twins were 5The battle for equal access and the inequality in the court systemThe overwhelm of busy-nessForming a bond as a dad doing the early life care for his boysForging his own independence as a child while his parents were abroadYou can find out more about Paul at https://www.parentguidetogcse.com.Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Igor is a divorced and newly remarried father of two (18 and 15) who has been working for 25 years in IT sector despite of being just 44 years young. He says, as you can imagine the divorced part brought a lot of challenges into the process of building his relationship with his kids. He says he made a lot of errors and was able to learn from them - the challenges are what pushes us forward, after all!We discuss:The bumpy ride of divorceWith little children how problems are little and with big children they are big!Not taking gossip and criticism personallyFeeling torn between being 'fun dad' and the longing to be more present in his kids' livesBuilding self-sufficiency in our childrenSeeing that everyone is doing their best, given their state of mindThe unproductive cycle of guiltShifting and dehumanising perspectives in his relationship with his dad The power of deep listeningYou can find out more about Igor at igor.furdik@gmail.com or find him on Facebook or LinkedIn.Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

In this episode, Sam Wilde interviews me to uncover the big WHY that's behind the Heart of Dad movement. I get really honest about some of my own struggles as a dad, that fuelled my desire to start a deeper conversation about being a dad.In this episode, I discuss:My experience of the birth of my sonThe emotional challenges and stress of being a new dadThrowing myself into work and career change as an avoidance strategyMy embarrassing Candy Crush storyThe pressure I put on myself to be a different kind of dadThe unspoken challenges of being a dadThe level of expectation on dadsPolarised images of dad in societyThe challenge of opening up to our vulnerability and being realCreating a safe space for men to talkCreating the best possible relationship with my childHow love and acceptance of ourselves is key to a better relationship with our childrenBreaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma of emotionally absent dadsHow to start the journey of being a more connected dadJoin the community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad or apply to be on the Podcast at https://heartofdad.com/contact

David Schnurman is the CEO of Lawline, the leading provider of online Continuing Legal Education (CLE) in the US.The company recently celebrated serving over 130,000 attorneys with over 3,000,000 courses completed. David is also the past president of Entrepreneurs Organization New York.David is the author of the book “The Fast Forward Mindset: How to Be More Fearless & Focused to Accelerate Your Success." This book shares a very simple formula to consistently break through your walls and fast forward your entrepreneurial success and happiness.He recently gave a TEDxYouth talk to high school students to inspire them to reach their full potential in life.David is a frequent speaker to business organizations, colleges, and high schools on topics ranging from entrepreneurship, mindset, leadership, and culture, and has published articles on these topics in Forbes.His success has been recognized by his peers in entrepreneurship and the legal industry, and has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur.com, Crain’s NY, the New York Post, and Law.comLastly, David has a love for adventure and discovery. He has run several marathons. He has hiked the mountains of Patagonia, paraglided in the Colorado mountains, gone skydiving, and taken flying lessons. He currently lives in Spain with his wife Kelli and three beautiful children.We discuss:Life under quarantine in SpainRating yourself as a way of living up to the life design you've createdFinding a balance between routine and spontaneityThe attention span of parenting: bailing vs digging inThe joy of creativity, our own and our children'sLiving life with no regretsLessons learned in building a successful business and how Covid-19 has changed the cultureBeing a self-help addict and the moment he decided to become an entrepreneurNavigating his relationship with his father and knowing his own mindWhat you do when you hit a wallPerfect = the enemy of good enoughYou can find out more about David at https://www.ffwdmindset.com and on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidschnurman/Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Ankush Jain is coach and author based in London, England and most importantly, he recently became a proud father to his first child - a baby boy.In this episode we discuss:His journey to becoming a coachOvercoming shyness as the first step into his journey of personal developmentHow babies are great teachersThe massive shift in his relationship with his dad, after his uncle diedDropping anger and resentment as a way of deepening relationshipsThe 'ace in the hand' of being able to reset from stressful situationsThe challenges of being a new dadThe gifts and challenges of working from homeCreating space for yourself within your relationshipHow men can be really hard on themselvesYou can find out more about Ankush at www.ankushjain.co.ukJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Billy Mann, Father, Husband, Entrepreneur, Business Owner, Coach, Blogger, Soon to be Author and All-Round lover of life.Billy has spent all of his life in business in one form or another. He literally grew up in his family business (we lived over it) and has worked serving people in one form or another as far back as he can remember. People have always been his passion. As life has it, it took a life changing event to see something new and he has spent the last 10 years dedicated to understanding what it really means to enjoy our lives, creating what it is that reflects our joy.Now, along with running a very successful salon with very happy staff (it's a really joyful place to work for us all) to helping others to find that sweet spot inside, he's busily creating a coaching business to help business owners discover what it means to really live and love their business and their staff. Having spent 27 years employing people both as a freaked out, stressed out boss to having a more productive and profitable business taught him that people always come first and a great relationship with staff builds a great business...That comes from being a great boss and that's not as tough as it may seem. In this episode we discuss:The seduction of working all hoursThe slow shift or prioritiesThe health crisis that shifted everythingHow the quality of relationship with your kids is everythingHelping the family to evolve as needs changeTransforming his relationship with angerA moment of the most poignant connection with his dadThe extraordinary redemption in his relationship with his mum after her deathYou can find out more about Billy on Facebook or by emailing: billymanncoaching@gmail.comJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Dicken Bettinger, Ed.D., received his doctorate in counseling psychology and practiced as a licensed clinical psychologist. Dicken’s whole career of 44 years has focused on psychological well-being. Dicken co-founded a training, counseling, and education center in Vermont. Dicken was a senior staff at Pransky and Associates in La Conner, Washington for 16 years, where he developed and led corporate and university leadership trainings, team development, and executive coaching. In 2012 Dicken founded his own business called 3 Principles Mentoring. He offers 4-day immersion retreats for individuals and couples and offers development for 3 Principles practitioners. He enjoys leading group seminars in the US and throughout Europe. Dicken is the co-author of a book called Coming Home: Uncovering the Foundations of Psychological Well-being. Dicken has been happily married for 50 years. He has two adult children and four adored grandchildren. He enjoys photography, hiking, canoeing, and traveling.In this episode we discuss:How focusing on self-development isn't always helpfulLeaving behind his 'space cadet' labelMoving beyond feeling bothered by his kidsHow a chance encounter with a book changed his lifeSeeing how he could no longer blame his kids for his upsetTransforming bed time battlesDropping the inner tyrantWatching his whole family come into mental healthHow the mind clearing opens us up to new solutionsYou can find out more about Dicken at www.3principlesmentoring.comJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Mark Harrison has worked in the learning and development world (specifically in e-learning) for over 30 years and was co-founder of Kineo one of the top digital learning agencies in the World.He is married and has one daughter now aged 23 and is working out what being semi retired actually means!In this episode we discuss:How we all connect differently with our childrenTaking your children on work tripsFeeling far away and the impact of work travelInvolving your child in your work as a route to closenessHow children can help us to de-stressHow children are our 'why'What having a warped sense of need to achieve does to usMaking up our own ideas of parentingYou can find out more about Mark at https://www.linkedin.com/in/markharrison10 Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

By day, Rene Power is a marketing consultant, trainer and speaker working with directors of family run manufacturers and professional services companies to advance their marketing and business growth. He has run Vision B2B Marketing and Training Ltd based just outside Manchester since October 2015 after a 20 year career working client side in manufacturing and marketing agencies came to an end. By night and at weekends he is an active 45 year old, husband and dad of four. Rene feels he is defined by being a success in work and is driven to be a role model in the importance of hard work and application to his children. The struggle and balance is real as Rene shares his experiences in running a consultancy business, securing planning and training work and also looking at monetising knowledge and amplifying his reach in hitting the online coaching at scale market.In this episode we discuss:Starting his business as he had his 3rd childTaking one for the team and supporting his wife through PNDThe power of networkingPutting in the ground workNot speaking about what's unbearableGuilt when finances are tightFocusing on experiences rather than thingsThe stark choices that can mea missing out on your kidsThe importance of knowing your 'why'How self-care is crucial to survivalThe difference between friends who are employed and those who are entrepreneursYou can find out more about Rene at https://visionb2b.co.uk Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Ray Richards is a social entrepreneur and a founder of tech wellbeing company, Do Something Different, the Life Done Different.ly podcast and Port Moor Cottage, a men’s wellbeing retreat that floods. His work seeks to understand how we can all find balance in our lives through the lens of the unknown and the known, how we can all benefit from taking small slightly uncomfortable steps into the unknown and turning that experience into the known. His work explains how that process of expanding our comfort zone is crucial for our wellbeing.In this episode we discuss:How work and play can become indistinguishable The nature of adventure in creating a businessThe hangover of exiting a successful businessThe importance of being around in the teen yearsBeing able to take time out, guilt freeShielding children from stressThe genesis of passion projectsHow being on a mission inoculates against guiltThe importance of knowing your 'why'Putting your oxygen mask firstLearning from his father and being differentLetting go of the need to be successful You can find out more about Ray at https://www.lifedonedifferent.ly/ and https://dsd.meJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Heart of Dad Season 1 has come to and end. Thank you to all my contributors and listeners. I'm honoured that you've taken the time to be a part of this project.When I started this podcast, I had no idea whether other dads would want to step into the conversation or if they did, if they'd be open to explore the questions that I had on my own mind about being a dad and an entrepreneur.12 Episodes later, and I've been humbled, awed, moved and delighted by how all my guests have shown up to have these amazing explorations of fatherhood and business.This brief endnote, pulls together some of the insights and reflections I've had:The conversation that started this podcastThe taboo of saying 'this is hard'Keeping our eye on the ballThe power of showing upThe wisdom we all have within usSelf-care and taking your timeWhether guilt is even an issueThe gift of intentionalityWe're all doing the best we can, given how we see the worldFind out more and apply to be on the podcast at https://www.heartofdad.comJoin our community at https://www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad

Gary is a father to an adult daughter and a step-father to his ten-year-old stepson.Despite training to be an engineer Gary has always been more interested in helping others overcome their feeling of being lost and stuck and lead a happier more fulfilling life.A winding career path has taken him from the British Royal Air force to car navigation engineer, EU proposal writer, company owner, life coach, and yoga teacher.His daughter has been his greatest teacher and her presence, wisdom and love helped him to face anxiety, depression and overcome the pain of losing his own father at nine years old.In this episode we discuss:How the break up of his relationship brought an unexpected richness to his relationship with his daughterThe guilt felt in separationThe archetypes of men and women in relationships Bankrupting himself in the process of helping his mumHow his father's death impacted Gary's experience of fatherhood Wrestling with not feeling good enoughThe pressure and exhaustion of managing a new relationship alongside being a parentHow with his daughter's coming of age, he's now a dad, not a parentThe gift of being a step dadThe creative force of childrenFinding freedom through his spiritual path and his daughter's support for thisLetting go of the need to be successful You can find out more about Gary at https://activate-yourlife.com/ and http://whatyouvebeenlookingfor.com/Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

David Key is an Amazon #1 Best Selling Author, Award Winning Coach, Principles Teacher, NLP Trainer and Master Trainer of Hypnosis dedicated to helping people realise their goals both personally and professionally. Over the last few years some 55,000 people from over 40 countries have invested in one of David's award-winning, dynamic and innovative online and in-room coaching programs.Now David is teaching a new understanding in psychology - The Three Principles. Through coaches like David Key it has the power to transform the world.A leading teacher and practitioner of the revolutionary new paradigm known as The Three Principles, David was one of a select group of coaches to be personally mentored by Doctor George Pransky, the man who was famously described by English philosopher and writer Colin Wilson as "the greatest psychological mind of our time".The Principles - in David's own words - have 'turned conventional Freudian analysis on its head, sweeping away a century of misunderstandings about the way in which we human beings experience and process reality'.The insights he has gained have transformed David's life, both personally and professionally, and he now spends all his time taking the message to other trainers and coaches, to businesses and private individuals.David is also Ambassador for A Slice of Happiness - This is a pro bono program specifically designed to transform the mental health and well-being of the homeless population. (This is a pilot research project funded by 3GPRC)David lives in Hertfordshire with his wife and two daughters.In this episode we discuss:His journey from challenging roots in childhoodThe transformational insight that got him into personal developmentThe grief and then unexpected turnaround in his marriage that came from an affair The pivotal moment than woke him up to where his experience was coming fromHow we moved from being thick skinned and self-protective to being open to all life bringsNeeding to learn to be a loserBeing caught up in a story of what a good dad looks likeHow stress and rumination take you away from the present momentThe impossibility of predicting the futureHow we all search for peace of mind, but don't know itThe intellect vs inspirationYou can find out more about David at www.davidkey.comJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Amechi Udo, dad of two, helps mid and senior level professionals make desired career transitions through coaching and training.His company, Your Career Matters, was formed out of his own desire to create a career that allowed him to integrate his home and work life.In this episode we discuss:The tensions and opportunities when both parents are entrepreneursHow early memories of his dad shaped his own direction as a fatherHaving to get practical and take work when his daughter was bornThe often hidden grieving process we go through about life and ambition when we have children The importance of having support from a close friend when family isn't able to support in the way you wantMen's roles in pregnancy and childbirthThe power of his own birth story and name, and wanting his children to know their storyHow returning to entrepreneurship when his son was born was a relaxed experienceHow being around for his family is a non-negotiableBeing honest with his kids about when he can and can't be present The easiest way to connect with Amechi is to email him at amechi@yourcareermatters.co.uk with “Career Transition Conversation” in the headline. Amechi regularly shares career transition tips and insights on LinkedIn where you can also connect with him.Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

Jag is an "end to end digital learning expert" - on a mission to bring an end to lacklustre video and boring online content. He is pioneering the use of social learning in organisationsHe is a husband and father of one.In this episode we discuss:Making the leap from employment to entrepreneurshipHow priorities changed with the arrival of his sonWhat being a dad means, particularly in the early years Finding his way into patienceMaking things work in your favourDealing with everyday pinch pointsHow starting a business was an intention to create a better life for him and his family How his family is his Board, looking ahead to what's needed in the next 20 yearsStaying in shape mentally and physically when driving your own businessYou can find out more about Jag at http://justjag.me.uk/Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

In this episode I interview Martin Morrison.Martin Morrison is a ghostwriter, editor, speaker and coach who specialises in mindset transformation, mental programming and helping others discover how to live a more purposeful life.His slogan is "Express Your Truth With Clarity", and Martin ensures he is expressing his truth clearly in everything that he says or does.Martin's own physically and emotionally violent childhood taught him that we all face challenges whether we close up into a ball or go out fighting. He chose to take the bull by the horns and live his life as authentically as possible.It would be decades before Martin finally managed to clear out all the negative "programs" implanted into his mind as a child, the subconscious self-loathing, but once he began his own journey of mindset transformation, the effect it had on his own life was profound.Now he helps others to do the same.Martin is a father to 4 children.In this episode we discuss:The journey into entrepreneurshipHow martial arts are a route to mindfulnessThe joy of going with the flow The impact of relationship breakdown before the birth of his daughterAdjusting to being a time-sharing dad and the pressure of comparisonHow having children forced him away from alcoholismGoing beyond breakdown and depressionThe perils of emphasising things that don't matterThe turning point when a mentor pointed him to a truth about his own fatherHow a difficult moment with his son over maths homework opened his eyes to a situation that was going off trackThe spiritual and physical redemption that came through a commitment to AA (Alcoholics Anonymous)You can find out more about Martin at http://www.martinmorrison.me and LinkedIn/martinjmorrisonJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

In this episode I interview Giles Croft.Giles is a psychology graduate and former NHS surgeon who spent more than a decade exploring a number of career paths, including healthcare information management, cycling journalism, public speaking and opening a high street shop with his wife.His curiosity about the human condition led him to coaching and a deeper dive into how our psychology works from the inside-out.He now works with clients to help them resolve stress related conditions, without recourse to medication.His greatest teacher is his 5 year old daughter, Rhonwen.In this episode we discuss:How being in the work doldrums opened up his relationship with his daughterHow finding balance is no longer the issue, it's about presenceThe joy of going with the flow How losing and finding a ballet shoe provided an extraordinary turning point in his lifeHow dropping labels for experience, including bad moods, frees us up to be present and feel more aliveWhat to do when you lose the plotThe lightness of not taking difficult times so seriously Why making time for yourself is so importantYou can find out more about Giles at http://gilespcroft.com and https://www.facebook.com/drgilespcroft Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

In this episode I interview Jason Oates.Jason has been married to Laura for 20 years. They have 3 children Luke 17, Rachel 15, and James 12. Jason is an active Sport Coach and has coached over 80+ Seasons from youth to college athletes, as well as being a Personal Performance Coach.He's the creator and host of 'Whistle and a Clipboard Podcast' which he's been running for 5 years.Jason is also the Co-owner of Fusion Contractors LLC, a general construction company with 14 years in business. In this episode we discuss:How children can be a release from the stress and worries of workHow having your children involved in your work can foster a sense of pride and skillsThe myth of busy-ness and how it's all a matter of priority and perception How guilt is sometimes just a story we're buying intoHis changed relationship with anger and seeing how in most situations, it makes things worseThe impact of miscarriage on your relationshipThe profound and empowering moment you accept you will be known as a fatherCoping with anxiety that your child will come to harm, as a new dadFinding connection in the ritual of breakfastThe pitfalls of coaching your own children and seeing the wisdom they have to shareYou can find out more about Jason at http://whistleandaclipboard.com/ or subscribe to his podcast here https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whistle-and-a-clipboard-the-coaching-communities-resource/id825358250Join us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact

In this episode I interview Rob Ashton.Rob is the founder of Emphasis, which he started in a 10x10 ft square cage more than 20 years ago and has since grown to become a world leader in text-based communication training. At the last count, his company was working in 32 countries around the globe. He says words and their effects on us fascinate him, claiming that getting them wrong lies at the heart of a huge number of misunderstandings, conflicts and failures in relationships – at work and at home. Yet so much of what passes for communication advice seems to be based on little more than pseudoscience and wishful thinking. He lives in Brighton with his wife and two teenage children.In this episode we discuss:How we overlook the power and pervasiveness of written communication in all aspects of professional and personal lifeThe big misunderstanding most of us have about written communicationThe big shift that happens when your child is born The conflict of being present as a dad vs driving the business to provide for the familyThe pressure of the boss in your headThe impossibility of compartmentalising family and businessTaking business on holiday and the nightmare scenario that brought a key shift in his approach to taking breaksHow taking our business really personally doesn't serveThe pros and cons of involving kids in the business and the joy of car conversations Navigating the compulsion to work and personal mission vs family missionThe pros and cons of being and staying connectedHow being maxed out reduces your emotional resilience The challenge of nurturing friendships while having kids and running a businessHow having a mission makes most problems recedeFind out more about Rob here: www.writing-skills.comwww.robashton.comJoin us in our community at: www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdad and apply to be on the podcast here: www.heartofdad.com/contact