The Real Dad Podcast

Ever had that moment when you suddenly realize your child has become their own person? That's exactly what we explore in this episode, sharing the hilarious and heartwarming ways our kids surprise us with their emerging personalities and unexpected passions.Mark takes us through a weekend of revelations - from his three-year-old son becoming inexplicably obsessed with bull riding after a chance encounter at a restaurant ("Not now mom, I'm watching bull riding!") to his daughter secretly mastering ballet and stunning everyone as the lead in her recital. These moments of discovery aren't just entertaining; they're windows into who our children are becoming when we're not looking.We dive deep into the world of kids and sports, questioning our motivations as dads for enrolling them in activities and debating the fine line between healthy encouragement and toxic pressure. Why do sports mean so much to us? Is it about reliving our glory days, teaching valuable life skills, or simply providing opportunities for our kids to find what lights them up?The conversation takes an unexpectedly touching turn when we reflect on our own childhood experiences with sports and our fathers' involvement (or lack thereof). We discover how these memories shape our approach to parenting today, particularly in how we show up for our kids' activities and handle the crucial moments after games or performances.Whether you're cheering from the sidelines, helping with homework, or sitting through countless bull riding videos on YouTube, this episode reminds us that parenting isn't about shaping our kids into who we want them to be—it's about creating space for them to reveal who they truly are, and the privilege we have in witnessing those magical moments of self-discovery.

When life floods your basement, parenthood doesn't stop. One dad's weekend disaster opens a candid conversation about managing crises while still showing up for our kids, complete with insurance nightmares and children who see a flooded basement as the world's most exciting indoor water park.The swimming lessons saga continues with a breakthrough moment – a child finally excited to participate – only to be nearly derailed by the unpredictable emotions of siblings. This rollercoaster perfectly illustrates how even the smallest parenting wins can quickly transform into complex emotional negotiations that leave us questioning our approach.Vulnerability emerges as the episode's powerful undercurrent. From one father's experience with siblings therapy revealing unexpected barriers between even the closest family members, to wrestling with daughters' growing independence around clothing choices, the conversation delves into territories where perfect answers don't exist. The dads share their struggles with projecting their own insecurities onto their children while trying to break generational patterns.Perhaps most valuable is the honest examination of male friendship and emotional support. These fathers exemplify the rare but vital practice of men allowing themselves to be vulnerable with each other, challenging the notion that men must navigate parenthood's complexities alone or solely rely on their partners for emotional processing.For parents trying their best while feeling overwhelmed, this episode offers the gentle reminder that intentionally working on yourself may be the most powerful gift you can give your children. As one dad suggests, simply listening to parenting conversations like these is evidence you're already succeeding at the thing that matters most – actively choosing to parent, not just have kids.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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! 

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! 

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. 

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? 

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!

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? 

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...

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

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? 

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.   

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!) 

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

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! 

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

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? 

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? 

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!?

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. 

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! 

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

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! 

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! 

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".  

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

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! 

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

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 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!

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.

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 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...

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. 

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

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?

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. 

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?

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!