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Don't you see how lucky you are? Don't you see how rich you are?
As we chase wealth, we often forget that we are rich.
There is a wall between you and your feelings. A wall between you and your family. It's time for it to come down.
Slow down. Be present. Be safe.
Every parent wants to raise a kid who can handle hard things. But resilience isn't built by protecting our kids from every struggle. In today's episode, Ryan shares how parents can help their kids become more adaptable, emotionally steady, and capable of figuring things out for themselves.
They are still so young, still figuring stuff out, still trying to make sense of their bodies and the world, still doing their best (even when they're screwing up, even when they're driving you crazy).
You have to decide that the kids are the center of your life—not conferences, not meetings, not being ‘in the room where it happens.'
In a world full of misinformation and misdirection, isn't this the inheritance we want to pass down? To show our children how to master their minds and hold onto their inner freedom no matter the situation?
You want to make good time. You don't want to be delayed. You don't want to linger. But why?
Make sure they know how to decide, and to be OK with it, even if they decide wrong.
Of all the things parents have to worry about, their kid picking up a banned book shouldn't be one of them. In today's episode, Ryan and Sam talk about banned books, what happens when kids discover something adults have labeled “inappropriate,” and the parenting opportunity hidden inside that moment.
You work all day. What you do is important…and more important, it's what pays for your whole life. But what happens when you get home?
Who cares? Not you…because you assume someone else will care.
It can be revealing, when you put it all down on paper. Whether it's looking at your monthly spending or your daily eating habits, sometimes you don't know until you see it all recorded.
Sure, more money is better than less…but only to a point, only within reasonable boundaries. Full episode with Ron Chernow: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
Our job is to support our kids, to root for them, to let them become who they are. But that's not a blank check.
Kids approach creativity with a freedom most adults have forgotten. In this episode, Ryan talks with bestselling author Austin Kleon about why having children can enrich your creative life, finding time for creative work, and why parenting and creativity do not have to compete with each other.Austin Kleon is a writer, author, artist, speaker, and blogger. He is most known for his New York Times bestselling books Steal Like An Artist:10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative, Show Your Work!, Keep Going, Steal Like An Artist Journal, Newspaper Blackout, and now his new book: Don't Call It Art: 10 Ways To Create Like A Kid Again
While we don't have our families as much as we like, as inevitable as partings are, as constant as the missing is, we do get to carry them with us
Right now, you have them. That does not last forever.
Send us Fan MailWaco Hoover is an entrepreneur and investor with over 20 years of experience in venture capital, M&A, entertainment, media and live events.He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1997-2001 as an infantry Marine, combat water survival instructor and infantry scout. He served several deployments across Southeast Asia.After separation from the military, Hoover graduated from New York University, cum laude and completed Harvard Business School executive education programs. He then became an entrepreneur and investor who now has over 18 years of experience in venture capital, M&A, entertainment, media and live events.He is currently Chair of the Be The One initiative for the American Legion. He is also a co-owner of Veteran Entertainment Television, advisor to Founders Factory, a London based venture capital firm, Managing Partner at Xperiential Group, and serves on the board of Irreverent Warriors, a non-profit preventing veteran suicide. He has advised global brands including MGM Resorts, Informa, Vivendi, and Las Vegas Sands Corp. He was a co-founder and investor in businesses sold to Informa, Emerald, Endeavor Business Media and Onstream Media.Hoover speaks at industry events including VenuesNow, PTTOW!, CEMA, The American Legion, Military Influencer Conference, SXSW, Pollstar, TSE 100, Society for Independent Show Organizers, National Sports Forum and XLIVE.He lives in Southern California with his wife, son and two yellow labs, Tucker and Winnie. In his spare time, he enjoys surfing, diving, and mountaineering as often as possible. He is a member of The American Legion and recently hosted the Be the One Symposium at the 104th American Legion National Convention in Charlotte.-Podcast Chapters:00:00 The impact of VetTix events06:52 Purpose-driven profitability and social impact08:35 Importance of mission-based assessments14:43 Landing an Internship in France17:57 Addressing Veteran Suicide Rates18:48 Launching MCON for military support23:34 Building for Long-term Success27:17 Reflecting on fatherhood and service28:29 Reflecting on family and parenting31:19 Discovering Stoicism and Key Books35:36 Leadership advice and billboard location-Quote to open episodes:“Failure shows us the way – by showing us what isn't the way.”– Ryan Holiday from The Obstacle is the Way-Mentioned in the episode:Scott Huesing - Episode 127 appearanceJason Galui - Episode 125 appearanceMCONVet TixIMPCT Group-Waco's Resources:Website: https://impctgroup.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/waco-hoover-3928a014/ MCON: https://mcon.live/-Podcast Summary:Podcast Summary: Passing The Torch — Waco HooverThe conversation focused on the personal and professional journey of a United States Marine Corps veteran, now CEO and founder of IMPCT Group, and co-founder and partner of MCON. The episode explored key life transitions, organizational impact in the veteran community, and the importance of fostering meaningful connections.Key Themes and Discussions⬛ Family and FatherhoodA key theme that emerged was the importance of family, particularly the joys and challenges of fatherhood. Experiences as a parent to two young boys were described as deeply fulfilling, emphasizing the value of being present for family and children's formative years. The discussion explored how personal upbringing and a father's military experience influenced approaches to parenting and personal growth 25:52–29:41.⬛ Veteran Wellness and Social ConnectionThe discussion explored the results of a recent study conducted with Vet Tix, highlighting how event tickets for veterans (such as concerts or sports) are less about the event itself and more about fostering connections and a sense of belonging. Several points were raised, including the significant improvements measured: a 70% increase in wellness and 86% improvement in family bonds, demonstrating that social connection is a crucial driver of veteran wellness 02:52–04:21.⬛ Purpose-Driven Impact and the Role of IMPCT GroupOne concept discussed was the idea of “purpose-driven profitability” and how businesses can achieve both financial and social returns by embedding purpose into their core operations. The episode delved into how Impact Group works with organizations to create strategies that generate economic opportunities for the military community, aiming to unlock $1 billion in economic opportunity by 2035 06:52–08:34.⬛ MCON: Creating Community and Celebrating Military ServiceThe conversation detailed the creation and growth of MCON, a large-scale event designed to celebrate military culture, facilitate healing, and combat isolation. The motivation for MCON stemmed from a perceived lack of large-scale, celebratory events within the military community similar to those in other industries. The festival's goal is to both celebrate positive aspects of military service and provide resources and support for those in need 16:11–20:16.⬛ Leadership and Personal Development InfluencesThe discussion explored the influence of books such as The Obstacle Is the Way and the Daily Dad newsletter by Ryan Holiday. These works informed perspectives on overcoming adversity, showing up for family, and the ongoing question of personal development: “Who are you becoming?” 25:24–33:13.⬛ Community, Collaboration, and LegacySeveral points were raised regarding the need for greater collaboration and efficiency among organizations serving the veteran community, especially as funding becomes scarcer. The conversation closed with reflections on legacy, leadership advice (“take an interest in others”), and the ongoing goal to connect with other mission-driven leaders 36:33.Overall, the episode offered both practical insights and reflections on leadership, family, the veteran experience, and the power of collective action to foster thriving, resilient communities.Support the showConnect with Passing The Torch: Facebook and IG: @torchmartinMore Amazing Stories:Episode 41: Lee Ellis – Freeing You From Bond That Make You InsecureEpisode 81: Kurt Warner – Perseverance, Humility, and Lighting the Way Episode 90: Michelle 'MACE' Curran – How to Turn Fear into Fuel------------© 2026 TORCH LEAP®, LLC. All rights reserved.
In this episode of For The Dads with Former NFL Linebacker Will Compton, the boys crack a cold one to raising tough kids, break down which of the guys can man the grill the best and discuss the recent doggie drama in the Young household — all while keeping the episode fun, fresh and of course, under an hour. The episode kicks off with Will recapping his time away from the boys while he was sick before getting into some hilarious topics like: Giving Intern Chris a Swirly How long is too long for your inlaws to stay? A Voicemail from a PT6 member who MAY go to jail Other highlights include: Football is ALMOST back A heartfelt lesson of the week
Our kids don't always need another lecture. They don't always need us to explain it one more time. They need us to help them see it.
Where could you be more affectionate and connected and loving? And more importantly, what do you think it would change if you did?
You don't have to spoil your kids, but as we've said, you can and must take them seriously.
Long walks, travel delays, upset stomachs, public meltdowns, and at least one parent swearing they are never leaving the house again. In today's episode, Ryan and Sam talk about why the hardest trips often build the most character and somehow become the memories everyone wants to relive.
We all wrongly think of these milestones as points our kids will reach someday, as opposed to transitions that are already ongoing.
You deserve time with them. But you're going to have to fight for it and protect it.
You only get so much time with them. This is how you're going to spend it?
Constantly fretting and being anxious about your kids does not make them feel like you care about them and doing it now certainly doesn't compensate for any neglect in the past.
Your emotions, moods, choices and the examples you set are affecting your kids, always.
A family road trip will test your patience, your plans, and your ability to stay calm when everything starts going sideways. In today's episode, Ryan reflects on the unexpected problems, meaningful moments, and parenting lessons that came from driving the West Coast with his family. He also shares the rule he tries to follow so that, no matter what happens, everyone still wants to take the next trip.
Every family has an uphill they're climbing, even as we're climbing our own.
Our job as parents is to give our kids access to ideas and worlds, to surround them with books, to encourage them to go where their interests take them—even if we sometimes disagree, even if some of them make us uncomfortable.
Don't wait. Don't hold back. Tell them. Tell them again.
Make the memory. Play the game. Because this is what it's about.
If the point is for our family to be together, if the point is for us to have fun together, to relax together, to get closer together, we need to start much earlier.
Your kids don't need you to pretend you have it all figured out. In this episode, Ryan talks with Jon Gustin, creator of The Tired Dad, about losing your temper, apologizing, repairing after mistakes, and why showing your kids that you're human can make them feel safer, not less secure. Jon Gustin is the founder of The Tired Dad LLC and the voice behind The Tired Dad, a movement built around showing up for what matters most. His book, The Tired Dad.: 100 Reflections on Showing Up for What Matters Most, is out now!Follow Jon Gustin on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.Listen to The Tired Dad & Tired Mom Podcast | Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube
What matters isn't how you see yourself or how others see you. What matters is that you be what, and who, they need you to be.
You can always find a way if you try. And it's going to be an important moment.
It's not our job as parents to give them everything they want. It is our job to help them with these very reasonable feelings. Listen to the full podcast episode with Dr. Becky Kennedy
How many of us wish we could tear ourselves away from our phones and spend more intentional time with our kids and families?
Children are a ticking clock. They are on their way to not being children.
Family fun hits different when there's a flight to catch. In this episode, Ryan and Sam talk about what happened when a spontaneous stop at a state park turned into tired kids, dragging feet, a looming flight, and Ryan suddenly rushing everyone through the family detour he had been excited for.
It can seem like they don't like what you like. It can even seem like they don't like you. That's what children do, after all, they try to discover what they like.
We say our kids are important—but words don't matter. Our choices are what matter.
They need literature. They need to know the myths. They need to know the riveting moments of human history.
How often are you saying “no” when they want to connect, when they want to do something, when they ask for attention or time together?
Our job is to drag them around, to expose them to things, to get them to where they need to be…but aren't they also doing the same thing for us?
Kids have big emotions. Parents do too. The work is not pretending those feelings are not there, but learning how to stay in the driver's seat when they show up. In this episode, Ryan talks with Dr. Becky Kennedy about deeply feeling kids, why so much “bad behavior” is really a lack of skills, and how parents can respond with more patience.Dr. Becky Kennedy is a clinical psychologist, bestselling author, and the founder and CEO of Good Inside, a parenting platform that gives parents practical tools for raising emotionally healthy kids. Named “The Millennial Parenting Whisperer” by TIME, Dr. Becky is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be and host of the chart-topping podcast Good Inside with Dr. Becky.
Enjoy it while you have it. Because you're losing a little bit of it everyday.