We had two weeks off from school and work, so when the holiday excitement finally wore off Shea asked if we could talk about Christmas on the podcast.
Excited to spend any time I can with him, I agreed immediately.
So strap in for this week's Shea led episode!
In this episode of the Dad Improvement Podcast, I speak with Ben Brown, a seasoned fitness coach with over 20 years of experience.
We discuss the importance of working with the general population, the impact of parental behavior on children's health, and the necessity of accountability and community in achieving fitness goals. Ben emphasizes the need for realistic expectations, personalized approaches, and the significance of identity change in fitness.
We also explore time management, overcoming the all-or-nothing mentality, and the importance of creating a supportive environment for change. Ben shares valuable insights on how to design a life aligned with fitness goals and offers practical advice for dads looking to improve their health and well-being.
To work with Ben at Body Systems click HERE
For his guide to figuring out if you have low testosterone click HERE
00:00 Introduction to Ben Brown and His Journey
03:36 The Fulfillment of Training General Population
05:12 Understanding the 'Why' Behind Fitness Goals
07:32 The Importance of Parental Influence on Kids' Health
09:29 The Role of Accountability in Fitness Coaching
11:26 The Nuances of Coaching: Beyond Basic Information
13:36 Setting Realistic Expectations in Fitness
15:20 The Importance of Experience in Coaching
17:13 Identifying Low-Hanging Fruit for Fitness Improvement
19:11 Time Management and Prioritization in Fitness
21:13 Compromises in Fitness as a Parent
23:37 Reframing the 'I Don't Have Time' Mindset
25:33 Overcoming Dichotomous Thinking in Fitness
28:48 Mindset and Realistic Goals
31:24 Building Consistent Habits
33:49 Identity Change and Commitment
37:06 Social Influences on Health Choices
42:30 Designing a Supportive Lifestyle
46:01 Intentional Decision Making and Reflection
50:50 Strength Training for Longevity
53:18 Outro
Dan is the host of the Get Your Marriage On Podcast, and co founder of the Intimately Us app with his wife.
Dan is a marriage coach that helps couples level up in their marriage through connection, communication and intimacy.
His Intimately Us app helps couples use technology to connect everyday in small or sometimes even "sexy" ways! I cannot recommend this app enough, and if you have been around for a while, you've heard me talk about it.
If you would like to work with Dan or listen to his podcast check out his website HERE
00:00 The Joy and Purpose of Parenthood
02:10 The Birth of Intimately Us
06:56 Transforming Intimacy Through Communication
12:55 Understanding Emotional Communication in Marriage
18:53 Breaking Down Misconceptions About Masculinity and Emotions
25:12 The Connection Between Emotional and Physical Intimacy
31:04 Reconnecting During the Holiday Chaos
31:16 The Power of Consistency in Relationships
32:20 Staying Centered Amidst Chaos
35:46 Navigating Pressure in Intimacy
43:23 Understanding Desire Differences in Marriage
52:31 Exploring Eroticism in Relationships
56:34 Outro
Did you know that hiring agencies make it almost impossible to get solid substitute or long term staffing for preschools?
I did not.
But Paul Buckley, founder of Ratio Staffing is trying to put that to a stop.
He created Ratio Staffing to help preschool and early education centers connect with the right people for the job and vice versa.
This week we dive into why hiring for preschools is such a nightmare and what Ratio Staffing is doing about this.
If you would like to see more from Ratio Staffing, or you would like to send their information on to your local early education centers, please check them out HERE
If you are a school please use the Promo Code: DAD and get 60 days free!
00:00 From Biotech to Preschool: A Unique Journey
04:41 The Importance of Connection in Teaching and Management
07:42 Navigating Parenting: The Balance of Support and Independence
10:37 The Necessity of Experiencing Pain for Growth
13:43 Transitioning Careers: The Leap into Entrepreneurship
16:42 Building a Business: Addressing the Teacher Shortage
19:39 Creating a New Model for Teacher Recruitment
22:36 The Challenges of Staffing in Preschools
25:41 Revolutionizing Substitute Teaching
28:34 The Future of Preschool Staffing Solutions
34:39 Creating Better Days for Kids and Teachers
36:34 The Importance of Ratio Staffing
38:23 Streamlining the Hiring Process
40:07 Cost-Effective Staffing Solutions
41:37 Empowering Teachers to Take Time Off
43:11 Fostering Respect and Support for Educators
45:13 Choosing the Right Preschool
48:28 Key Indicators of a Quality Preschool
54:08 Identifying Red Flags in Preschools
58:33 Advice for Aspiring Preschool Teachers
01:03:27 Outro
This week I was lucky enough to sit down with the host of Unleashed Success podcast Corey Corpodian. We chat about his upcoming book, I AM: Animal Affirmations and how dads can use affirmations, mindset, and self-talk to help their kids grow emotionally strong and confident.
Learn how small daily habits can unleash success for both you and your children.
If you are looking for Corey's book check HERE
00:00 From Orthodontist to Entrepreneur: A Personal Journey
05:28 The Birth of a Book: Empowering Children Through Stories
08:12 Building Emotional Intelligence: The Role of Affirmations
11:15 The Power of Visualization in Parenting
14:28 Creating a Positive Environment for Kids
17:17 The Importance of Parental Involvement in Emotional Development
20:12 Leading by Example: The Journey of Self-Improvement
29:07 The Importance of Energy in Parenting
32:48 Power Poses and Emotional Fitness
36:55 Asking Generative Questions for Better Parenting
39:09 The First Step in Action and Leadership
42:47 Leading by Example for Future Generations
46:38 Affirmations for Dads: Courage and Love
49:38 Outro
This week I sit down with author Patton Dodd to talk about his powerful memoir "The Father You Get"
Patton shares the deeply personal story behind the book, exploring faith, family, fatherhood and the ways our past shapes who we become as parents.
It's an honest, moving conversation about healing, forgiveness, and learning to show up for the next generation with greater intention.
00:00 The Journey to Writing a Memoir
03:51 Reflections on Fatherhood and Personal Growth
07:03 Understanding the Impact of a Father's Absence
09:50 The Importance of Vulnerability in Parenting
12:51 Finding Father Figures and Mentorship
15:54 Learning from Life Experiences and Community
18:56 Parental Humility and Building Trust with Children
29:23 The Complexity of Father-Son Relationships
30:43 Uncovering Family Secrets
34:52 Understanding the Past to Heal the Present
36:53 Breaking the Cycle of Trauma
40:06 The Power of Reflection and Conversation
43:52 Finding Silence in a Noisy World
46:51 The Fight Against Digital Distraction
47:54 Sharing Your Story for Healing
54:43 Outro
This week I sit down with author Dr. Kate Lund as she explains how to build resiliency in our children and also in ourselves.
Kate understands the difficulties facing parents today and has written and spoke about how to weave through them with sustainable strategies.
If you would like to get any of Dr. Kate's books or hear more from here please check out her website HERE
00:00 Dr. Kate's Journey: From Patient to Psychologist
03:34 Building Resilience in Children and Parents
06:48 Navigating Parenting Challenges: The Role of Resilience
09:39 The Importance of Modeling Mistakes
12:50 Earning and Delayed Gratification in Parenting
15:43 Finding Balance: Hard Work vs. Passion
18:47 Supporting Children in Sports and Social Situations
21:37 Addressing Emotional Buildup in Children
30:21 Navigating Parenting Challenges
32:58 Building Resilience in Parenting
37:33 Managing Stress Responses
41:13 Embracing Flexibility in Parenting
45:13 Celebrating Positive Moments
52:24 Key Takeaways for Parents
54:01 Outro
This week I dive into how to be more productive with your remote work with Steven Puri.
Steven is the cofounder of The Sukha Company where he runs a community of 34,000 productivity-minded people.
The Sukha Company helps people focus on their work in ways that benefit them, be more productive and allow them more time to spend with there families!
Steven comes from Dreamworks and 20th Century Fox, and has incredible stories of his time there in this episode as well!
If you would like to check out the Sukha App click HERE
00:00 Navigating Work-Life Balance at Home
08:11 Creating Effective Workspaces
14:03 Harnessing Flow States for Productivity
20:10 The Power of Music and Sound in Focus
26:13 Real-Life Success Stories and Lessons Learned
30:00 The Power of Smell and Memory
31:40 Rocky: The Underdog Story
34:16 Breaking Hollywood Norms in Storytelling
38:42 The Unconventional Hero: Raiders of the Lost Ark
41:36 Collaboration and Idea Sharing in Creative Work
47:46 Balancing Work and Family Life
50:25 Understanding Your Chronotype for Productivity
53:24 The Cost of Convenience: A Reflection on Time and Life
56:54 The Legacy of Our Choices: Social Media and Life's Purpose
01:02:21 Finding Purpose: The Birth of Sukha and Its Mission
01:07:40 The Value of Time: Prioritizing Family Over Work
01:13:47 Advice for New Dads: Maximizing Time with Family
01:14:51 Outro
It is The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood because it is not a destination but a journey of always bettering ourselves as fathers and husbands!
This week Larry Hagner of The Dad Edge was nice enough to take time away from his own podcast, fathering his 4 boys, husband duties, and authoring of his book to speak with us about what it means to pursue a legendary fatherhood.
Larry is a force in the father world with 10 years worth of work in this field under his belt, he knows a thing or two because he's seen a thing or two!
If you'd like to hear more from Larry please check out his website HERE
If you would like to order his newest book The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood you can do that HERE
If you order his book in September he will toss in two of his courses as well. The two courses are Creating More Patience and Creating An Extraordinary Marriage both of which are incredible tools!
00:00 The Busy Life of a Dad
07:15 Embracing Fatherhood Beyond Financial Support
10:09 The Evolution of Fatherhood
13:24 Building Emotional Intelligence in Kids
16:23 The Importance of Parental Presence
19:18 Creating Safe Spaces for Communication
22:17 Learning from Our Children
25:21 The Journey of Parenting and Self-Reflection
33:51 Creating Psychological Safety in Parenting
35:08 Effective Communication with Kids
36:59 Encouraging Open Dialogue about Failures
41:12 Building Self-Confidence through Problem Solving
44:49 The Importance of Emotional Safety
50:32 Navigating Dark Times Together
54:03 The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood
01:02:47 Outro
"Never assume connection with your kid."
-Todd Sarner
I was able to have an enlightening chat with Todd Sarner this week on the podcast. Todd explains secure attachment between us and our children and how it is the foundation upon which the rest of parenting is built. As long as our children feel secure to come to us, then we are doing a good job.
If you would like to get in touch with Todd to work with him or hear more about what he does, please check him out HERE
Or check out his YouTube Channel HERE
Coming in hot this week folks!!!!
I just finished reading The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt, and I have to say, it has me worried and nervous about the future of technology and social media as my son grows up in this new era of possibilities...
Luckily for us, Jonathan has done all the work already and figured out what the main issues may be and how to combat them.
This episode is me sending up the Bat Signal so as to get as many people on board with this line of thinking as possible.
I have to preface, I am no expert in any of this. Just a dad that feels very strongly about this topic. That being said, take this with a grain of salt, and look into it for yourselves to come to your own conclusions!
Improvement > Perfection
This week I get to have a conversation with Cecily May who is also known as The Embodied Parent Coach.
Together, we explore:
- The importance of Self-Reflection in Parenting
- The role of repair as parents
- The CARE Method
- Understanding our own triggers
- The challenges of parenting
If you're a parent, we're talking to you! Today's episode will leave you feeling more inspired and confident that you got this!
For more from Cecily click HERE
To follow her on Instagram click HERE
00:00 Introduction to Parenting Conversations
02:49 Cecily's Journey into Parenting Education
08:23 The Importance of Self-Reflection in Parenting
13:28 The Role of Repair in Parenting
15:01 Understanding the CARE Method
19:37 Empowerment through the CARE Method
22:00 Navigating Mistakes and Growth in Parenting
25:33 The Blame Framework in Parenting
30:22 Reflections on Parenting and Self-Discovery
33:10 Understanding Triggers and Activations in Parenting
35:44 The Importance of Communication and Modeling
39:45 Navigating Transitions and Uncertainties
43:43 The Challenges of Modern Parenting
47:21 Curiosity and Individuality in Parenting
55:02 Addressing Common Parenting Challenges
55:43 Understanding Connection in Parenting
59:57 Navigating Developmental Milestones
01:02:41 Managing Activity Transitions
01:08:11 Tackling Bedtime Routines
01:15:43 The Importance of Repair in Parenting
01:17:03 Outro
You don't get to episode 100 without starting with the first one.
Two and a half years ago this logic convinced me to do the first episode. Now, I have finally made it to episode 100!!!
This week I speak about what the last 100 episodes have meant to me and I also speak with my 6 year old son and my wife!
Sit back and enjoy this week's 100th episode extravaganza!!!
This week I have Jeff Hittner, who is the interviewer and writer behind The Ambitious Dads.
Jeff interviewed 50 highly ambitious fathers in order to get the answers he wanted about defining success in and out of the household. Since then he has gone on to interview over 200 fathers and continues to learn and define what it means to be a good father.
We talk work/life balance, how to navigate life's challenges, keeping a growth mindset and define what it means to be an Ambitious Dad.
If you would like to check out Jeff's coaching or his Ambitious Dads Project click HERE
If you would like to read more about what Jeff has learned please check out his writing HERE
If you would like to connect with Jeff on Linkedin click HERE
00:00 Introduction and Background
04:39 Life in Spain During the Pandemic
07:30 Work-Life Balance vs. Work-Life Integration
10:32 Intentional Fatherhood and Mentorship
13:13 Defining Good Fatherhood
16:16 Emotional Awareness and Growth
18:53 Vulnerability and Lifelong Learning
24:26 Embracing Vulnerability in Parenting
25:56 The Importance of Growth Mindset
27:10 Redefining Parenting Norms
28:33 Navigating Co-Parenting Challenges
30:46 Understanding Misaligned Parenting Expectations
32:18 Building Confidence Through Community
34:48 The Value of Shared Experiences
36:25 Conversations as a Tool for Growth
39:08 The Power of Asking Questions
41:01 Defining Good Fatherhood
44:07 Intentional Parenting Philosophy
44:58 Outro
We have all heard various women refer to their husband as their extra child.
Real life is not a 90's sitcom. The days of the bumbling, lovable buffoon of a father is not a good look.
It's time for us husbands to step up and put in the effort to lead our families right alongside our wives!
Improvement > Perfection
It's Father's Day this weekend so I thought what better time to talk about the the aspects of fatherhood that I love!
AKA I didn't want to do any research or work on anything new, so why not talk about something that's easy...
Hope everybody has a great weekend and takes it easy. (I know you won't, because you're a dad, and that's not how you roll...)
For more follow HERE
This week I had the absolute pleasure of talking to Mike Shea, or as most know him, The Busy Parents Dietitian.
Mike helps busy parents become the best versions of themselves through diet and exercise so that they have more energy for their families.
I find Mike's quest to be extremely admirable since he is shaping this generation of parents into more knowledgable people who aren't falling for fad diets and crash course exercise regiments. He's also turning parents into role models for their children in such a way that the following generation will think nothing of it to eat healthy and train regularly. It's just a part of life for them now!
If you would like to follow Mike on Instagram click HERE
If you would like to work with Mike click HERE
00:00 Introduction to Dietetics and Nutrition Coaching
05:27 Niche Focus: Helping Busy Parents
08:28 Understanding the Importance of 'Why' in Health Goals
11:52 Small Changes for Big Wins
14:38 The Plate Method: Simplifying Nutrition
17:27 Overcoming Diet Myths and Misconceptions
20:46 The Long Game: Sustainable Weight Loss
23:41 The Importance of Consistency and Realistic Goals
26:32 Transformative Impact of Health on Family Life
33:43 Transforming Health into Confidence
37:28 Shifting Mindsets: Overcoming Self-Limiting Beliefs
42:09 The Ripple Effect: Parenting and Healthy Habits
49:13 Creating a Legacy of Health and Fitness
57:12 Outro
1. Start early!
2. Put the screens away!
3. Ask generative questions.
4. Be doing something they like to do.
5. Be shoulder to shoulder instead of face to face.
6. Be curious not judgmental.
For more follow HERE
Nobody is going to be motivated 100% of the time.
So, what do we do when we don't feel like doing the hard work that will make us successful?
We use discipline.
But Sean, isn't that something you're born with?
Nope. It's a skill, and like any skill you can get better at it.
Well then, how do we get better at staying disciplined?
You listen to this episode.
Improvement > Perfection
I had the pleasure of sitting down with Daniel Miller this week.
We talked about parenting, self care, how to stop fighting against things we have no control over, and even some tennis. (Did I mention that he's ranked top 10 in doubles in the country!?)
I really enjoyed my time speaking with Daniel because I could tell that he was genuine in his message, he truly practices what he preaches!
He speaks to letting go of control of things we have no control over and practicing acceptance in order to be more at peace in your own life. (Easier said than done) But, after sitting down with him I can clearly see that it is worthwhile to work on these skills!
His new book, The Way Of The Wave is out now and you can order it HERE
If you'd like to follow Daniel click HERE