The Real Dad Podcast

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Welcome to "The Real Dad Podcast," the hilarious and heartfelt podcast that dives into the ups and downs of fatherhood. Join HGTV Personalities Dave Kenny and Joey Fletchler, alongside their two best friends, Brian and Mark, as they share their candid and vulnerable experiences as dads. Each week, these four fathers cover a wide range of "Dad" related topics, from the joys of watching your child grow up to the challenges of balancing work and family life. With their unique blend of humor and authenticity, Dave, Joey, Brian, and Mark provide a refreshing perspective on what it means to be a dad in today's world. Tune in for the laughs, stay for the heartfelt conversations about the struggles and triumphs of parenting. Whether you're a seasoned dad or a soon-to-be father, "The Real Dad Podcast" is the perfect place to connect with other dads and get the support you need. Join us on this journey of fatherhood, and subscribe to "The Real Dad Podcast" today!

The Real Dad Podcast


    • May 23, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 1h AVG DURATION
    • 151 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Real Dad Podcast

    Navigating Tough Parenting Moments

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 80:08 Transcription Available


    Calm in Chaos: How a Deep Breath Changes Everything

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2025 68:32 Transcription Available


    Ever wondered how other parents handle the mess, stress, and incredible moments that come with raising kids? Buckle up for an unfiltered journey through modern fatherhood that's as entertaining as it is insightful.This episode dives deep into the parenting trenches – from incredible hacks for managing sick kids (strategic towel placement is a game-changer) to an honest conversation about creating meaningful family memories at Great Wolf Lodge. One dad shares how simply leaving phones in the hotel room transformed their water park experience into something truly special, allowing genuine connection that wouldn't have happened otherwise.We explore the fascinating "Four-Second Method" for calming children during emotional outbursts – a technique backed by child psychologists that's shockingly simple yet remarkably effective. Several dads share their real-world experiments with this approach, revealing surprising successes that challenge traditional parenting responses.The conversation takes a thought-provoking turn as we examine how technology and short-form media are reshaping children's attention spans. A teacher on our panel shares firsthand observations about declining student engagement and increasing apathy toward activities that don't provide immediate gratification. We wrestle with difficult questions about screen time, emotional regulation, and finding balance in a digital world.Between heartfelt discussions, you'll find plenty of laughs – including one dad's brilliant laser tag strategy that earned his son victory (and bragging rights) without the child ever knowing the truth. It's the perfect blend of practical advice, vulnerable sharing, and the kind of humor that can only come from parents in the trenches together.Whether you're a parent seeking solidarity or simply curious about the realities of raising kids today, this episode offers a refreshingly honest window into modern fatherhood. Subscribe now and join our growing community of real dads navigating life's greatest adventure.

    From Tantrums to Triumph: A Parent's Journey Through Resistance

    Play Episode Listen Later May 8, 2025 47:01 Transcription Available


    Beating your kids at sports might just be one of the most satisfying feelings in parenting. From swatting away basketball shots to dominating at board games, our hosts share those sweet moments of victory that won't last forever—so enjoy them while you can!This episode takes a deep dive into the daily struggles parents face, particularly when children resist activities we know are good for them. Dave recounts his epic battle getting his seven-year-old daughter back to swimming lessons after a break, sharing both the frustrations and the creative solutions (including fish tank bribery!) that finally got her back in the water. It's a perfect example of how modern parents navigate the balance between gentle encouragement and firm boundaries.We explore the fascinating world of modern parenting challenges, from managing screen time for a gaming-obsessed 12-year-old to responding when your child declares "you're a bad parent" because you won't let them attend a birthday after-party. The hosts discuss those triggering moments when our children push our buttons, reflecting on how our own childhood experiences shape our parenting approaches today. As one dad notes, "I am the parent that I wanted my parents to be," highlighting the generational healing many of us attempt through our parenting.The conversation turns to sports and family traditions, with dads sharing their hopes for connecting with their children through athletics. Whether it's watching playoff hockey together, teaching kids to play baseball, or celebrating when your three-year-old finally makes a basket on the trampoline hoop, these moments of connection matter deeply. Even when your child decides to cheer for your team's bitter rivals just to be contrary (as one host's son does), there's joy in sharing these experiences together.Listen now for authentic, unfiltered conversations about fatherhood that will make you laugh, reflect, and feel less alone in your parenting journey. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review to join our community of real dads navigating the challenges and joys of raising the next generation!

    Navigating Modern Masculinity

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 69:33 Transcription Available


    The Big Questions Kids Ask

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 52:38 Transcription Available


    When joey's seven-year-old daughter Murphy asked him "What is life?" at bedtime, it sparked a profound journey into how we navigate our children's biggest questions. This thought-provoking episode delves into the challenges of explaining concepts like death, existence, and meaning to young minds still forming their understanding of the world.Following a family therapy session, joey shares a fascinating approach to helping children with "labyrinth minds" - those who bounce between big questions seeking answers that may not exist. The therapist's brilliant strategy involves "board meetings" where parents and children write down questions, brainstorm possible answers, and use a "thermometer" to find responses that feel right, even when they're not 100% certain. This acceptance that life's biggest questions rarely have definitive answers becomes a valuable lesson for both children and parents.The conversation takes a deeply personal turn as the hosts reflect on breaking generational cycles in parenting. Growing up in homes where emotions were often suppressed, these dads are consciously creating space for emotional expression and vulnerability with their own children. Joey's newfound comfort in saying "I love you" to his ailing father demonstrates how these shifts in parenting approach can heal across generations.Of course, no episode would be complete without the hosts' trademark humor. A heated debate about toast preferences (is level four too crunchy?), the drama of the "matching plate era," and the race against time when milk hits cereal all provide comic relief while reinforcing the podcast's authentic approach to fatherhood.Whether you're wrestling with how to explain mortality to a curious child or just trying to survive breakfast with kids who suddenly care deeply about plate colors, this episode offers both wisdom and solidarity. Because sometimes the most meaningful parenting happens not in having all the answers, but in being willing to explore life's biggest questions together.What questions are your children asking that leave you searching for the right words? We'd love to hear your experiences in the comments or on social media.

    When The World Stops: How Losing Power Helped Us Find Connection

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 62:50 Transcription Available


    The Echo of Our Inner Voice: How Parents Shape Children's Self-Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 87:46 Transcription Available


    Growing Pains: Letting Go When They're Ready to Fly

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 54:04 Transcription Available


    That moment when your tween doesn't want you hovering nearby during basketball with friends anymore - it's a parenting milestone that catches many dads off guard. The guys dive deep into how children's growing independence challenges us emotionally even as we recognize its importance to their development.From potty training adventures (complete with questionable aim) to first-time babysitting gigs, the dads share candid stories about their kids' journeys toward autonomy. Mark celebrates his 12-year-old son successfully completing a babysitting course and taking responsibility for his siblings, while Dave laments his toddler's determination to pee standing up despite his anatomical challenges.The conversation turns thoughtful as they explore how today's grandparent relationships differ from their childhoods. Where once grandparents were central figures in daily life, today's connections often feel more scheduled and formalized. They wonder how they'll approach grandparenting themselves someday and hope they'll maintain close bonds with their adult children.One particularly resonant topic emerges around intentional independence-building: how sending a 7-year-old into a restaurant alone with cash or having kids order their own food creates confidence-building opportunities. The dads acknowledge their own anxieties often hold children back from these formative experiences that develop crucial life skills.As your kids grow, how do you balance protection with freedom? At what age did you start letting them spread their wings? Join the conversation and share your own parenting journey.

    Patience Unlocked: Finding Your Child's Why

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 73:38 Transcription Available


    What happens when we stop immediately saying "no" to our kids and instead take a moment to understand the reasoning behind their choices? This episode dives deep into a parenting approach that might revolutionize how your children develop decision-making confidence.The dads share a revealing story about a snowy day boot selection that sparked an important realization: constantly meeting children with "no" teaches them their decision-making abilities are flawed. This pattern often follows them into adulthood, creating hesitant adults afraid to make wrong choices. By simply asking "Why did you pick those boots?" or "What made you choose that?" we acknowledge our children as thinking beings with legitimate perspectives.Throughout the conversation, we contrast modern parenting styles with the "blissful ignorance" our parents enjoyed—a time when kids roamed neighborhoods unsupervised and many worries remained unspoken. Today's parents carry information overload and heightened awareness that leads to constant anxiety, something our children sometimes actively resist. One fascinating observation reveals how children intentionally slow down when parents rush, their way of saying "your anxiety isn't my problem."The episode balances philosophical insights with practical advice on developing patience, repairing communication after heated moments, and understanding the unique parent-child dynamics that develop in every household. We explore how the different strengths between parenting partners can create complementary approaches to childcare routines like bedtime or tooth-brushing.Whether you're struggling with a defiant toddler or trying to build more respect-based communication with older children, this conversation offers both validation and actionable strategies to shift your approach. Subscribe now and join our growing community of parents navigating the beautiful chaos of raising humans who feel confident in their decisions.

    The "Art" of Parenting, Why Your Child isn't a Blank Slate

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 41:02


    The age-old debate of nature versus nurture takes center stage as we explore Dr. Russell Barkley's fascinating perspective that children arrive in this world with over 400 psychological traits waiting to emerge—traits completely independent of parental influence. This revelation challenges the modern parenting culture that places enormous guilt on parents who believe they must engineer perfect outcomes."Your child is not a blank slate on which you get to write," Barkley reminds us. "You are a shepherd. You don't design the sheep." This powerful metaphor resonated deeply with all of us, prompting reflection on how we sometimes push our values onto our children rather than recognizing and nurturing their inherent qualities. We share personal stories of discovering our children's unexpected strengths—like Cooper's natural spatial reasoning abilities that surprised his parents who had worried about his academic development.The conversation takes a lively turn as we dive into the art of wrestling with our kids. From bedtime roughhousing rituals to bathroom door challenges ("You want to go?" my daughter asks while I'm on the toilet), we explore how physical play creates unique bonds between fathers and children. We laugh about the different "powers" our kids imagine during these wrestling matches and how our partners often approach physical play differently than we do.Perhaps most touching is our discussion about acknowledgment—that moment when a parent walks through the door after work. Some children rush to greet dad with excitement, while others barely look up from their activities. We consider how our own behaviors might influence these reactions and share a touching story about a family where everyone chants the father's name upon his arrival home.Whether you're wrestling with your toddler, discovering your child's unique talents, or simply hoping for a warmer welcome when you return from work, this episode offers both practical wisdom and emotional reassurance for the parenting journey. Remember—sometimes the most powerful thing we can do as parents is not to shape our children, but to witness, support, and celebrate who they naturally are.

    Parenting & Wedding Planning, the Art of Keeping Your Sanity

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 71:58


    Parenting doesn't just change your life—it changes who you are. This week, we break down the biggest ways fatherhood shifts relationships, from communication struggles to learning how to actually support your partner (instead of just thinking you're helping). We also tackle the challenges of balancing marriage, work, and kids, plus the unexpected ways our wives and children have shaped us. And if you're planning a wedding while raising kids… good luck, Mark's got some cautionary tales.

    What to Expect When You're Expecting with Mike Holmes Jr.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 70:21


    Very Special Guest Mike Holmes Jr. joins the party via shaky satellite uplink and it's Holmes on the Homies of the Dad Den! Birth Stories! Relationship Advice! Being parented by a famous dad!  All right here, right now, on The Real Dad Podcast! 

    LEARNING to PARENT while DEFINING your ROLE as a DAD

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 83:51


    Are Kids Only Good When They're Compliant?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 54:19


    We're just regular Dads without super powers; four guys who get colds when it's cold out and don't know the exact words for what the surface around a pool is called, so sometimes it drives us a little nuts when the kids JUST WON'T LISTEN! 

    kids dads compliant t listen just won
    How Dads Deal With Grief

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 56:25


    The dads wrestle with growing up and growing old: Joey's therapist helps him process grief, Dave's son gets his babysitting certification and Mark struggles with basic vocabulary. 

    Is Loving My Kids Too Much Making Them Weak?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2025 51:12


    The Dads check in with some podcast heavy-hitters (via Dave's data plan) to discuss growing out of lay-downs, tracking cellphones, and how our boomer parents (tried to) show their love. But does any of it even matter if your Numerology is wrong and your kid is meant to be your sworn enemy? 

    How Can We Raise Our Kids To Be The Best Versions of Themselves?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 79:25


    Brolaw Brother-in-law Ian joins the Dads (minus Mark) to talk kids with unique brains, how growing up has changed, and how to run your family like an all star sales team!

    Parenting: It's All About Picking Your Battles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2025 62:52


    As Winston Churchill once said: "Never give in—never, never, never, never..."But did he ever have to drag his four year old, kicking and screaming to get a hair cut? 

    Unlocking New Dad Levels

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 50:09


    What are you saving up your fatherly experience points for? Are you going to be a Car Dad and learn how make that HEMI purr? How about a BBQ Dad so you can master the fine art of smoking a sausage? Or perhaps, you just want to be able to do a Rubix Cube real good...

    My Kids Are Pushing Their Boundaries...

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2024 51:42


    It's good that our kids aren't scared of the adults anymore, right?  Right?... RIGHT!? 

    Battling Through Grief and Mental Struggle While Parenting

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 75:47


    Grief comes in many forms, sometimes in anticipation, and almost always when you're not expecting it... So how do wrestle with humanity of our own old Dads while trying to keep the show going for our kids? 

    Bitcoin For The Average Dad

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2024 110:47


    Cryptocurrency expert Professor X joins the Dads for a beginner's guide to Bitcoin, the Blockchain, and Kung Fu fighting a thousand Agent Smiths in a torrential downpour, all while looking damn fine in your black trench coat and sunglasses.   

    When Do I Start Letting My Kids Drink and Swear?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 83:41


    How quickly do we want our kids to grow up and what's going to cause it? Booze? Swears? (The fun ones, not the the bad ones)...or maybe even the glittering promise of Youtube stardom? (Don't Forget to Like & Subscribe!) 

    Will Screen Time Be My Kids' Sport?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 75:17


    A Haiku to describe this week's episode:Screens instead Sports?Pwning N00bs for Scholarships?  Brent Walker is back! 

    Dave's Near Death Experience

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 61:21


    Dave digs deep and shares a harrowing near death experience while competing in a half marathon and the Editors dig deep and admit they posted the last two episodes out of order. Welcome back Mark! (again). Welp! 

    Am I The @sshole?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 71:26


    Nah....but it'd be fun to try it out, wouldn't it? 

    Maybe We're Expecting Too Much From Our Kids?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 47:53


    Whether it's following in the family trade, high tension gender reveal parties, or life or death martial arts showdowns, are we expecting too much from our kiddos? 

    The Mental Load Divide in Parenting

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 75:04


    Whether it's an overfull plate of celebrity home show appearances (Mark), or an earth-shattering meltdown at a post-apocalyptic Swiss Chalet (Dave), the stresses on your parenting mental health are a complicated caboodle. So how do you divvy up the Parenting Mental Load?  You know you can't do it alone, and for many of you there's someone sitting just sitting two pillows down the couch, but just how much are you willing to share? 

    Ungrateful Kids!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 88:09


    Those darn kids with their stocked snack drawers, fancy dance classes, and name brand cereal!  They've got it all, why can't they step up the the plate and JUST DO IT (TM) ?Well wait, maybe it's not just platitudes, maybe it's our own bad attitudes? Perhaps we've gotta look in the mirror, go easy on our Dad Bods, and show a little of our own Dad Gratitude!?

    Creating Community

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 57:30


    Mark and his Chaotic Good energy are off this week, so the remaining Dad's have an intimate chat about A+ Coaching, Making Friends as Adults, and The Big Man Upstairs. 

    Will Therapy Even Help?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 81:49


    Are you feeling like you're pushing a mountain up a mountain? Having a hard time "choosing happiness"? Struggling to go from nervous to nervous-cited? Well, don't let the title fool you, it's time to try out the magic C-Word...COMMUNICATION, with the Real Dads! 

    Back To School with Brent Walker!

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 83:53


    "Professor" Brent Walker is back to talk Dress Codes, Compliment Sandwiches, and starting Forest Fires with your buddies! 

    A Big Ol' Spaghetti Dinner!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 55:45


    Mama Mia! It's a big, sloppy Spaghetti Dinner on this episode of The RDP: An amuse-bouche of wedding shenanigans, a salad course of Mid-Thirties Athletic Recovery, Forkfuls of Road Trip advice, and finally Weird Erections for dessert! 

    Let's (Probably) Dad!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 64:21


    Being a Dad can be tough, whether you're high stakes camping with Grandma, dealing with a "Dexter phase", or your kid swipes bike-riding bragging rights from under your nose. But it's all going to be okay. Probably! 

    Brian's Balls (The Wait is Finally Over!)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 62:26


    Mark's back from his sabbatical, so the dads can finally talk about what's on ALL our minds: Brian's Vasectomy! Plus: The Olympics, Breakfast Cereal, and the tricky definition of the word "gaping".  

    A Big Bowl of Campbell

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 74:54


    Special guest dad Ian Campbell sits in for Mark for a wide ranging chat of fears, thrills, phones, and... fungus?

    Will The Real Dad Podcast Please Stand Up?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 61:44


    The Dads do their best Siskel & Ebert Impressions and review Eminem's new album "The Death of Slim Shady" and Pixar's latest offering "Inside Out 2", then discuss what effect Shady's loathsome lyricism might have on a kid, and what effect Inside Out 2 had on Mark. SPOILER: He Cried! 

    Take Me Out To The BALL Game!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 71:51


    Vasectomies, Organized Sports, and tips for becoming a Confident Conversationalist! All things that take BALLS, this week on The Real Dad Podcast!  

    HAYES-ED and Confused

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2024 70:24


    The Dads are (finally) joined by Jordan Hayes to ponder the age old questions: How much info is too much info? How much info is not enough? And how do we have tough conversations when we're still chewing on the topics ourselves? 

    The Safety Dance with Jeff Gill

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 88:47


    The Dads discuss safety on the job site & safety on the home front, all the while graced by the wit and wisdom of Jeff Gill, Operations Manager for The Kawartha Home Hardware Group of Stores, our new sponsors!

    The Daddies are Baddies! - The Sex Episode!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 93:56


    SEX! Just in time for Father's Day, it's The Sex Episode! Sex before marriage! Sex after kids! Sex in the morning and in the afternoon! Then the guys teach Mark how to cook dinner.

    Mental Health Pro Tips from Peter Bloemendal

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 66:50


    Stuck in a Sand Trap when it comes to your family's mental health?  The Real Dads tee up some Real Talk with Peter Bloemendal, Director of Clinical Services with the Canadian Mental Health Association.  

    Why did you want to Dad?

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 64:26


    Why did you want to become a dad? Was it to build a loving and open family? Improve on your own Dad's Dadding? Or perhaps you wanted to start your own country of tiny minions on a tropical island...

    I Don't Want to Make a Decision

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2024 64:53


    All I want for Mother's Day is to not have to make a decision. So what do you feel like eating? Nope, not that, or that, or that. I don't know, just not your long list of options. 

    Do My Kids Really Know Me

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2024 73:01


    Welcome to our 100th episode. There's nothing special planned for this episode, which is pretty fitting because we don't do much planning ahead. Maybe that's because we don't have the bandwidth for it currently, or maybe it's intentional because we always find we have the best conversations when we simply hop into the booth and start talking about what's going on in our lives. Raw and authentic.Thanks for being here. Whatever your reason is, we hope you feel like this is an investment in yourself and your relationships as much as we do. At the very least, Mark's gonna make you laugh. Love you

    Growing Through the Process

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 51:10


    I don't think we need to comment on the first 15 minutes do we? How to you handle the struggle? Do you try to enjoy the process even when it's really hard? Is loving the process a real thing?

    What Makes You Feel Like Dad

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 46:23


    Mark's back! And we couldn't be more happy. The longing for this man was out of control. Mark has changed though. Join us to hear about how he's transforming into full MAN, and what makes each of us really feel like a Dad. 

    Leaving the Kids on a Good Note

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2024 71:46


    If you're someone who goes to work everyday, then each day you are saying goodbye to your kids. Do you make an effort to make sure that goes a certain way? If it doesn't go well, how does that affect you or how do you think it affects your kids?

    Am I Too Old to Have Kids? w/Luke Kenney

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2024 68:14


    It is our great honour to welcome Dave's brother Luke into the studio. The very first Patreon. The man who felt bad for us and bought us comfy chairs for the booth. The man with a big heart and a ton of knowledge. Welcome to the show Lukey!

    4 Dads, 4 Messages

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 68:13


    We tried our best to get together this week, but life is real busy right now so we decided to mix it up. We won't know what each of us talked about until this episode airs. Here's hoping it doesn't suck!

    Kevin Choquette from @ravinbuilders

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 22:06


    Final stop in Vegas! That's right, we're still here!  Well, the podcast is anyway, and last but absolutely not least we had Kevin Choquette from @ravinbuilders stop by for a chat. We  were so pleasantly surprised with the conversations we had in the middle of a busy home show and our time with Kevin was no exception. The connection was instant and we had an incredibly vulnerable conversation that was (unfortunately)  mostly not recorded.  We will have him back on the pod soon for redemption. Thanks again Kevin. 

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