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In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to discuss whether dads should trust AI for difficult parenting questions. They explore where AI can be helpful, where it can mislead parents, and why wisdom from experienced people still matters most when raising kids.

Why This Matters

AI can provide information, but it can never replace the wisdom, discernment, and personal knowledge that great parenting requires.

Key Takeaways

• AI is a helpful research tool, but it shouldn't become your primary parenting advisor.
• Your child is unique, and no AI can understand your family's history, personality, or circumstances the way you can.
• The best parenting advice comes from trusted relationships, experienced parents, qualified professionals, and proven research, not algorithms alone.

Practical Tips for Dads

1.    Before asking AI, talk with someone who knows you and your family personally.

2.    When AI gives advice, verify the original research and sources before acting on it.

3.    Build a circle of trusted mentors, experienced parents, and professionals you can turn to for life's biggest parenting questions.

Important Episode Timestamps

[00:00] Is It Wise for Parents to Turn to AI for Tough Parenting Questions?
[00:49] How Confident Are Dads in AI-Generated Answers — and Should They Be?
[02:47] Why Bobby Doesn't Trust AI — and Why That's Actually a Smart Instinct
[04:21] The Hallucination Problem: When AI Gets It Wrong With Total Confidence
[06:16] AI Doesn't Know Your Kid — and That's a Bigger Problem Than Most Dads Realize
[07:47] The Sycophancy Problem: AI Is Designed to Tell You What You Want to Hear
[09:15] The CEO and the Intern: Why Dads Shouldn't Let a Machine Run Their Family
[13:21] Where Dads Should Actually Go for Parenting Advice
[16:46] Why Trusted Friends and Real Counselors Will Always Outperform Any Algorithm
[19:17] This Week's Pro Move: Before asking AI your next big parenting question, ask one trusted parent or mentor who knows you and your child personally. Compare the two answers—and let wisdom from someone who truly cares carry the most weight.

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.

All Pro Dad Resources:

12 Ways Dads Can Lead Their Children

3 Character Traits to Affirm in Your Kids

5 Reasons Dads Should Be Ready for Teachable Moments

Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

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EXTRAS:

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This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

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We would love to hear from you, follow this link to send us a message directly. Include a voice message and you might even be featured in a future episode!

Is your daughter struggling to tie her shoes? Did your son strike out to end the game? Did they fail the big driver’s test? Kids are going to fail throughout life. What will you say in the moment? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to discuss why failure is an essential part of childhood. They explore why dads naturally want to protect their kids from failure, how failure builds resilience and wisdom, and offer practical ways to help children grow stronger through disappointment instead of rescuing them from it.

Why This Matters

Every child will fail. The question isn't whether it will happen—it's what happens after it does. Learning from failure is the first step to embracing it. 

Key Takeaways

• Normalize failure. Failure isn't a reflection of your child's worth—it's evidence they're learning, growing, and taking healthy risks.
• Encourage healthy risk-taking. Kids develop resilience when dads create safe environments where trying, failing, and trying again are celebrated.
• Respond better than you rescue. The goal isn't to remove failure but to walk with your child through it, affirming their value while helping them reflect and grow.

Practical Tips for Dads

1.    Separate identity from performance. Remind your kids they're loved regardless of success or failure.

2.    Praise effort, courage, and character. Celebrate the willingness to try more than the outcome itself.

3.    Process failure together. Listen first, acknowledge emotions, ask thoughtful questions, and help your child discover what they learned before moving on.

Important Episode Timestamps
[00:00] How Do We Help Our Kids Learn From and Embrace Failure?
[00:46] Striking Out and Running and Wrong Way
[04:04] What J.K. Rowling's Story Teaches Dads About Failure and Success
[05:30] How Do Your Kids Actually Handle Failure and Where Did They Learn That?
[11:38] The Danger of Failure Becoming an Identity Instead of an Experience
[13:38] Why Dads Should Read the Room After Failure
[17:02] Remove the Stigma: Failure Is a Byproduct of Ambition
[18:07] Encourage Failure on Purpose — Give Kids Low-Stakes Chances to Fail
[21:37] Affirm Their Worth, Applaud Their Effort, and Redefine Success
[26:54] This Week's Pro Move:
This week, ask your child, "What did you fail at today?" Then tell them about one of your own failures and what it taught you. 

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.

All Pro Dad Resources: 

Episode 36 – Mike Norvell: How Do I Help My Kids Through Success and Failure? 

Episode 32 – Dan Orlovsky: How Should Dads Behave in the Bleachers?

10 Things to Teach Your Kids About Failure

7 A’s to Help Your Kids Overcome Failure

Giving Your Teenager the Freedom to Fail

Instagram: @thetedshed

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Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

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It’s very easy for dads to start correcting and slip into controlling. It almost always backfires. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to wrestle with the harsh truth that dads like to control things, and that could be harming our kids. 

Why This Matters

While control may produce short-term compliance, it often leads to long-term resistance or dependence. 

Key Takeaways

• Control often grows out of fear. Fear of embarrassment, failure, disrespect, or what a child's behavior might become years down the road can cause dads to overcorrect in the moment.
• You can influence your children, but you cannot control them. Boundaries, consequences, and guidance matter, but manipulation, intimidation, and guilt ultimately undermine growth.
• Influence is more powerful than force. Force may change behavior temporarily, but influence shapes character and maturity over time.

Practical Tips for Dads

1.    Identify your parenting triggers. Know the situations that consistently cause you to overreact and prepare healthier responses ahead of time.

2.    Replace control with choices. Give clear options and clear consequences rather than relying on threats, pressure, or raising your voice.

3.    Choose your battles wisely. Focus your energy on issues that truly matter, such as character and respect, while allowing room for age-appropriate mistakes and independence.

Important Episode Timestamps

[00:00] Why Control Backfires With Your Kids and What Actually Works Long Term

[00:23] You Can't Make a Kid Do Anything

[04:39] The Line Between Teaching and Controlling

[06:45] Fear Is What's Really Driving Controlling Behavior in Dads

[09:18] When Dads Perform for Others Instead of Parenting Their Kids

[11:16] You Can Influence Your Kids But You Can't Control Who They Become

[13:46] Knowing and Responding to Your Triggers

[18:58] Be More Realistic — You Can't Expect Kids to Know What You Never Taught Them

[19:42] Choices, Consequences, and Slowing Down

[22:11] This Week's Pro Move
The next time you're tempted to control your child's behavior, pause and offer a clear choice with a clear consequence instead. Then calmly follow through and let responsibility do the teaching.

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.

All Pro Dad Resources:

4 Kinds of Parental Control Dads Use 

Episode 100 – What Phrases Should Dads Stop Using?

Episode 34 – How Can I Stop Being So Controlling?

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Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

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EXTRAS:

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This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

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Staying up late, eating junk food, and hanging out with friends. Sleepovers are the source of so many good memories for many people. But they aren’t danger-free. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to ask if sleepovers are good for kids, if the upsides outweigh the risks, and what dads need to know about overnight stays.

Why This Matters

Today’s parents are thinking about sleepover safety more than ever. Dads are considering supervision, peer influence, pornography exposure, and emotional readiness before automatically saying yes to sleepovers.

Key Takeaways

• Just because sleepovers are common doesn’t mean they are automatically wise for every family. 

• Sleepover can be fun, but also offer prime environments for sexual assault, pornography exposure, and pressure to use drugs or alcohol.

• There are healthy alternatives to traditional sleepovers, like “late overs” instead of overnight stays.

Practical Tips for Dads

1.    Ask intentional questions before sending your child to a sleepover.
Ask the host family about supervision, the presence of older siblings, phone access, house rules, and whether you have common values. 

2.    Prepare your kids ahead of time.
Talk openly about unsafe situations, pornography exposure, inappropriate behavior, and create a code word or phrase they can use if they want to come home immediately.

3.    If you host sleepovers, set clear boundaries.
Keep kids in common areas, establish a smartphone curfew, secure firearms, and check in throughout the night.

Important Episode Timestamps 

[00:00] Are Sleepovers Good for Kids?
Ted frames a conversation about approaching sleepovers not from fear but from wisdom, helping dads make intentional decisions for their own families.

[00:51] Sleepover Stories From the Guys — From Innocent to Eye-Opening
The dads share their own childhood sleepover memories, ranging from sleeping bags at the Jersey Shore to an unexpected discovery in an older brother's room.

[03:44] Sleepover Regrets 
Ted reflects honestly on how his own middle school sleepovers introduced him to alcohol, pornography, and tobacco.

[07:28] Real Benefits of Sleepovers That Make Them Worth Considering 
The dads walk through the genuine upsides of sleepovers — deeper friendships, independence, shared memories, unstructured fun, and the social inclusion kids naturally crave — and why most parents still view them positively.

[10:32] Why More Parents Are Starting to Question Sleepovers 
Bobby shares YouGov research showing a growing shift in parental concern over sleepovers, with worries about lack of supervision, bullying, gun access, and exposure to drugs and alcohol driving a more cautious approach.

[11:24] Sobering Statistics Every Dad Should Know Before Saying Yes 
Research shows that 90% of child sexual abuse is committed by someone the child already knows, and that a significant portion of abuse involving children is actually carried out by other juveniles. The dads discuss sleepover safety concerns.

[15:47] The Most Important Thing To Do Before Letting Your Kid Sleep Over 
BJ makes the case that preparation matters more than prohibition. Dads should have ongoing, honest conversations with their kids about what's appropriate, what to do if they feel unsafe, and what they might be exposed to.

[19:22] The Code Word Strategy That Gives Kids a Safe Exit Without Losing Face 
Bobby and Ted explain the code word system they both use with their kids.

[22:00] Smart Alternatives to Traditional Sleepovers and Tips for Hosting Safely 
Bobby walks through practical alternatives like the "late-over" or "sleep-under" concept and shares specific child sleepover safety guidelines.

[26:04] This Week's Pro Move
Make a pros and cons list for your family about sleepovers and create clear rules for any future overnight stays.

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.

All Pro Dad Resources:

7 Ways to Host an Awesome Sleepover

iMOM: The Pros and Cons of Sleepovers. Should You Say Yes?

For a mom's perspective on this topic, check out Episode 76 of the iMOM Podcast: Sleepovers: Yes or No?

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Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

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EXTRAS:

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This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com

We would love to hear from you, follow this link to send us a message directly. Include a voice message and you might even be featured in a future episode!

“There’s a big exam on Friday. Will I get invited to the party? Will I even get into college?” There are so many things bouncing around our teens’ heads. No wonder anxiety is at an all-time high. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to discuss why anxiety and depression are affecting so many teens today.

Teens today are carrying enormous emotional pressure, often silently. Dads play a critical role in helping teens feel safe, understood, and supported as they navigate anxiety, stress, and emotional struggles.

• Teen girls often feel intense pressure around appearance, relationships, and perfection.
• Teen boys frequently hide anxiety because they fear looking weak or vulnerable.
• Doomscrolling and nonstop exposure to negative content can increase anxiety and emotional stress.
• Emotional struggles are not always obvious, especially in quiet or high-performing kids.
• Dads need to prioritize listening, empathy, and emotional safety over simply “fixing” problems.

1.    Listen and empathize first.
Don’t minimize your teen’s feelings, even if their worries seem small to you. Their experiences are real to them.

2.    Create emotional safety.
Let your kids know they can talk honestly without fear of judgment or shame.

3.    Teach that stress is normal.
Help teens understand that challenges, pressure, and setbacks are part of life and can build resilience.

4.    Avoid rescuing too quickly.
Support your kids through struggles without solving every problem for them.

5.    Pay attention to hidden anxiety.
Quiet kids and boys especially may hide emotional struggles behind silence, anger, or withdrawal.

6.    Limit unhealthy influences.
Monitor social media, doomscrolling, and comparison-heavy content that increases emotional pressure.

7.    Teach healthy coping mechanisms.
Encourage exercise, sleep, deep breathing, positive thinking, outdoor activity, and face-to-face relationships.

8.    Reinforce value outside performance.
Help your teens know they are loved for who they are, not just what they achieve.

Important Episode Timestamps 

 [00:00] Why Are So Many Teens Struggling with Anxiety and Depression? 
Ted introduces the episode's central question and sets up a practical conversation for any dad raising an anxious child. 

[00:40] Did You Struggle with Anxiety Growing Up?
BJ, Bobby, and Ted share their own middle and high school anxiety stories.

[02:54] What the Research Says About Anxiety in Teen Boys vs. Girls
Pew Research found that anxiety and depression rank as the top struggle for both boys and girls, making it vital dads learn how to help kids with anxiety.

[04:22] Girls and Boys Experience Anxiety Differently 
Girls face unique pressures around appearance, comparison, and performance, while boys deal with anxiety in other areas.

[08:19] Why Dads Must Create a Safe Space for Sons to Talk About Anxiety 
Ted shares how he discovered his son's anxiety through a family friend and makes the case that dads must know how to help sons with anxiety.

[09:28] Social Pressure, Bullying, and the Peer Comparison Trap 
BJ and Bobby break down how fitting in, physical and social bullying, and the pressure to keep up with peers quietly fuel anxiety.

[11:25] How Doomscrolling Is Making Teen Anxiety Worse
BJ explains why Harvard Health research shows girls are hit harder by doomscrolling than boys.

[13:17] The Chemical Reality: Why Teen Girls Can Become Anxious About Being Anxious 
Bobby shares research from the Child Mind Institute explaining how puberty and emotional sensitivity can cause girls' anxiety to compound while boys' tend to bottle things up.

[15:03] Listen, Empathize, and Normalize Anxiety Instead of Trying to Fix It 
The dads walk through what it actually looks like to show up for an anxious kid.

[19:22] The Pro Move
Ask your teen, “What gives you the most anxiety right now, and how do you usually deal with it?” Then listen carefully, empathize honestly, and resist the urge to immediately fix the problem.

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 2 – How Can I Help My Anxious Kid?

Episode 111 – What Should I Do When My Kids Are Scared?

5 Ways Parents Cause Their Teens Anxiety

Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

Get All Pro Dad merch!

EXTRAS:

Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com

We would love to hear from you, follow this link to send us a message directly. Include a voice message and you might even be featured in a future episode!

We’ve all been there. You hear your kid use a four-letter word for the first time. Or belittle someone else. Do your kids understand the power of their words? In this episode of the All Pro Dad podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about how often our kids use words without thinking about the consequences and what dads can do to shape kids’ language. 

Why This Matters

The words we use shape relationships, build trust, and influence how kids see themselves and others.

• Kids learn the power of language primarily by listening to the adults around them.
• Compliments and encouragement often have a longer-lasting impact than we realize.
• A child’s language often reveals deeper heart issues, influences, or emotional struggles.
• Parents should pay attention to the influences shaping their kids’ communication, including friends, music, movies, and online content.

1.    Model the language you want your kids to use.
Praise your spouse, encourage others openly, and speak respectfully even when frustrated.

2.    Practice “reverse gossip.”
Speak highly of people behind their backs and let your kids hear it regularly.

3.    Build gratitude into family rhythms.
Use moments like dinner conversations to encourage thankfulness and affirmation.

4.    Address hurtful language quickly.
Teach kids the difference between joking around and attacking someone’s dignity.

5.    Talk about the “why” behind words.
Ask questions that uncover the heart posture behind the language your kids use.

6.    Monitor influences carefully.
Pay attention to the friends, media, music, and online content shaping your child’s communication habits.

7.    Teach honesty as a core family value.
Help kids understand that trust is built through consistent truthfulness.

Important Episode Timestamps

[00:00] How Can We Teach Our Kids the Power of Language? 
Ted frames a conversation about how the words dads model at home shape the way their kids speak for years to come.

[00:49] The Words We Wish We Could Take Back: Honest Stories From the Guys BJ, Ted, and Bobby share cringe-worthy moments when their words caused unintended harm.

[04:12] The Surprising Power of the Right Word at the Right Moment
The dads reflect on times a well-timed compliment or word of affirmation made a lasting impact on someone.

[06:01] Why Kids Already Know 42 Taboo Words by Age Five 
Ted shares unsettling research about how early children absorb harsh language.

[07:23] How to Model the Power of Language at Home Every Day 
The dads discuss practical ways dads can demonstrate uplifting language in action.

[10:17] Reverse Gossip, Doug Compliments, and Other Ways to Build People Up
Bobby introduces the concept of reverse gossip, Ted shares the Doug Compliment tradition, and BJ explains why passing along praise is one of the most powerful things a dad can do.

[13:11] How Careless Words at Home Become Bullying Behavior Everywhere Else Ted and BJ connect the dots between the language kids use with siblings at home and the bullying behavior that shows up at school.

[14:48] Cursing, Tone, and What Really Tears People Down 
BJ offers a nuanced take on cursing, arguing that tone, posture, and dehumanizing language do far more damage than any particular word.

[19:01] Why Lying Is the Most Damaging Language of All
The dads explain why dishonesty is the most common way to destroys trust, and why creating a home where kids feel safe to tell the truth is one of the most important things a dad can do.

[21:30] This Week's Pro Move: Ask your kids why they think some kids use curse words. Talk about where language comes from, how words affect others, and what kind of people your family wants to be through the way you speak.

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.

All Pro Dad Resources

Mark Merrill on CBS News: What To Do When Your Kid Starts Swearing

Episode 3 – What Are The Words My Kids Long to Hear?

Episode 8 – What Are 7 Things A Son Needs From His Dad?

Episode 9 – What Are 7 Things A Daughter Needs From Her Dad?

Episode 118 – What Do Dads Need to Stop Saying to Their Kids?

Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

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EXTRAS:

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Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com

We would love to hear from you, follow this link to send us a message directly. Include a voice message and you might even be featured in a future episode!

All dads are a work in progress. We've yelled when we shouldn't have. We've been impatient and overreacted. If you could go back and tell your younger self something, what would it be? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about most dad wisdom comes through experience and giving yourself grace is a must. 

Why This Matters

Many dads carry pressure they were never meant to carry. We think we have to get everything right, fix every problem, and shape every detail of our kids’ futures. But parenting is less about control and more about presence, consistency, and connection. Looking back on fatherhood helps dads identify what truly mattered—and what didn’t—so they can parent with more peace, wisdom, and intentionality today.

Key Takeaways

·       Parenting gets healthier when dads learn to respond instead of react.

·       Kids do not need constant entertainment or problem-solving from parents in order to grow.

·       Empathy helps children process emotions without removing accountability.

·       Dads often underestimate how quickly childhood passes.

·       Consistency, humility, and apologizing to your kids build trust and security.

·       Bringing kids into your world creates lasting memories and deeper relationships.

·       Kids are born with unique temperaments that dads are meant to nurture, not completely reshape.

·       Choosing family over work and distractions pays lifelong dividends.

Practical Steps for Dads

1.    Pause before reacting when your kids frustrate you. Create space for wisdom instead of responding emotionally.

2.    Let your kids experience boredom and manageable problems instead of rescuing them immediately.

3.    Practice empathy by helping your kids identify and process emotions calmly.

4.    Be intentional about enjoying the current season of parenting instead of rushing toward the next stage.

5.    Apologize when you fail. Humility strengthens your relationship with your children.

6.    Prioritize your family over unnecessary work, distractions, and commitments.

7.    Create one-on-one experiences with your kids by bringing them into your world whenever possible.

8.    Focus on nurturing your child’s personality instead of trying to force them into someone they are not.

Important Episode Timestamps
[00:00] What Would You Go Back and Tell Younger You as a Dad?

[00:37] Relax and Stop Rushing to the Next Season of Parenting

[05:15] It's Okay for Your Kids to Be Bored — and You Don't Have to Solve All Their Problems

[06:52] Pause Before Responding and Lead With Empathy

[08:24] Kids Come Out a Way — Stop Trying to Completely Reshape Them

[10:10] Keep Being Real and Keep Being Fun — Your Kids Need Both

[13:35] Keep Apologizing When You Fail — It Models More Than You Know 

[15:06] Embrace Failure — Good Dads Fail Their Way Into Wisdom

[17:47] Embrace the Hard — Raising Kids Is the Most Important Thing You'll Ever Do 

[18:14] This Week's Pro Move: Write a Letter to Your Younger Dad Self
Take five minutes this week and write down what you would tell your younger self as a dad—both wisdom and encouragement—and keep it somewhere you will see regularly.

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 22 – What Do I Wish I Had Know Sooner as a Dad?

Dan Orlovsky: 4 Things I’d Tell My Younger Self About Being a Dad

Tony Dungy: What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self?

5 Things I Wish I Knew in My 30s and 40s

Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

Get All Pro Dad merch!

EXTRAS:

Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com

We would love to hear from you, follow this link to send us a message directly. Include a voice message and you might even be featured in a future episode!

Hunting lions. Camping outdoors alone. Whatever happened to rites of passage? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about why creating milestone moments matters for kids as they mature into adulthood. 

Why This Matters
Modern kids may be missing out on meaningful transitions into adulthood.

Key Takeaways

• Rites of passage help kids develop identity, courage, responsibility, and belonging.
• Modern milestones often happen passively, but meaningful growth usually requires challenge and intentionality.
• Kids build confidence when they overcome hard things and are recognized for their growth and maturity.

Practical Tips for Dads

1.    Ask yourself what kind of adult you want your child to become when they leave your home.

2.    Create intentional experiences, challenges, or ceremonies that help shape courage, resilience, and responsibility.

3.    Celebrate growth and maturity when your child overcomes something difficult or reaches a new stage of life.

Important Episode Timestamps 

[00:00] Should Dads Be Intentional About Rites of Passage for Their Kids?

[00:38] The Most Extreme Rites of Passage Around the World

[07:47] Why American Kids Have Lost Their Rites of Passage

[08:05] What a Real Rite of Passage Looks Like — and Why It Has to Be Personal

[11:43] The Emotional Cost of Never Being Told You've Become a Man

[15:46] What a Navy SEAL Taught Us About Why Rites of Passage

[19:45] Ushering Kids Into Adulthood: Doing It With Them vs. For Them

[21:40] The 3 Things Every Meaningful Rite of Passage Should Include

[25:39] How to Start Building a Rite of Passage for Your Kid Right Now

[26:20] This Week's Pro Move:
Think about a rite of passage you can create for your child and take a step toward making it happen. 

Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.

All Pro Dad Resources:

Crafting a Rite of Passage For Your Son

Susan Merrill: Sons’ Rites of Passage 

Mark Merrill: The Blessing

Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

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EXTRAS:

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Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

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We would love to hear from you, follow this link to send us a message directly. Include a voice message and you might even be featured in a future episode!

He thinks he’s helping. She feels like she’s carrying everything. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster to unpack why so many couples miss each other when it comes to initiative—and what dads can do to step up in ways that actually build connection.

Why This Matters

When dads take initiative at home, it strengthens partnership, reduces stress, and builds deeper connection with both their spouse and kids.

Key Takeaways

• The real issue isn’t just physical tasks—it’s the unseen mental and emotional load many wives carry.
• Initiative isn’t about doing more—it’s about communicating presence, awareness, and partnership.
• Small, consistent actions—like emotional check-ins and owning responsibilities—can transform the tone of a home.

Practical Tips for Dads

1.    Check in intentionally: Slow down, ask meaningful questions, and listen without trying to fix everything.

2.    Own a lane: Take full responsibility for a part of family life—don’t just “help,” lead it.

3.    Go first in repair: After conflict, take initiative to reconnect and reset the relationship.

Important Episode Timestamps
[00:00] What Does It Look Like to Take Initiative With Your Wife and Kids?

[00:51] Why Good Intentions Without Initiative Leave Your Wife Feeling Alone

[02:27] Why So Many Marriages Fall Apart After the Kids Leave Home

[04:04] The Power of Emotional Check-Ins

[05:17] Taking Initiative With Date Nights, Vacations, and the Decisions Your Wife Is Tired of Making

[06:44] Pick a Lane: How Owning Household and Kid Logistics Changes Everything

[09:49] Stop "Babysitting" Your Own Kids: What Real Parenting Initiative Looks Like

[12:42] How Taking Initiative With Your Kids Relieves Stress and Strengthens Your Marriage

[13:48] Repair and Reconnection: Why the Stronger Person Always Goes First

[15:56] This Week's Pro Move
Pick one area at home and take full ownership—don’t announce it, just do it consistently and let your actions speak.

Quotable:
“Good intentions with low initiative makes her feel really alone.” –BJ

Sponsor:

The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 106 – What is a Passenger Parent and Am I One?

Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

Get All Pro Dad merch!

EXTRAS:

Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com

We would love to hear from you, follow this link to send us a message directly. Include a voice message and you might even be featured in a future episode!

 Posting photos of your kids feels harmless—but what if there’s more at stake than we realize? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about “sharenting,” why we do it, and how to know if we’ve gone too far.

Why This Matters
How dads share their kids’ lives online shapes their children’s privacy, identity, and future relationship with social media.

Key Takeaways
• “Sharenting” is common—most parents do it—but few stop to consider their true motivation.
• Sharing can build connection and preserve memories, but it can also risk privacy, safety, and future embarrassment.
• Kids are watching how we post, and our habits will shape how they use social media someday.

Practical Tips for Dads

1.    Pause before posting and ask: “Why am I sharing this—and who is it really for?”

2.    Protect your child’s privacy by limiting identifiable details like location, school, or routines.

3.    Involve your kids in conversations about what should and shouldn’t be shared online.

Important Episode Timestamps
[00:00] What Is Sharenting and Are You Doing It? 

[00:48] How Much Do Dads Actually Share About Their Kids Online? 

[06:21] What Is Sharenting? The Origin of the Term and Why It Matters 

[09:11] Why Parents Share Their Kids Online — and When the Reasons Are Good 

[11:23] The 5 Reasons Parents Overshare About Their Kids on Social Media

[13:06] The Privacy Problem: What Happens When Everything About Your Kid Is Public? 

[15:47] The Real Privacy Risks of Posting Your Kids Online 

[19:58] Are Your Kids Your Content? Questions Every Dad Should Ask Before Posting 

[25:35] How to Share More Safely: Practical Tips for Protecting Your Kids Online 

[30:58] This Week's Pro Move: Have a conversation with your kids about sharing information online—then decide together who you want your family to be online.

All Pro Dad Resources:

Episode 95 – What Challenges is Generation Alpha Facing?

Episode 110 – Should Kids Be Social Media Influencer?

Episode 119 – How Dangerous is Doomscrolling?

Connect with Us:

Ted Lowe on LinkedIn

Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn

BJ Foster on LinkedIn

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts

Get All Pro Dad merch!

EXTRAS:

Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com