In this episode, we sit down with Paul Sullivan, accomplished journalist, author, and founder of The Company of Dads, the first platform dedicated to supporting lead dads. Paul shares his journey from writing for esteemed publications like The New York Times and Golf Magazine to creating a community that redefines modern fatherhood.

We dive into:

• Paul's inspiring transition from a thriving journalism career to becoming the "lead dad" in his family.
• What it means to be a lead dad and how it differs from traditional parenting roles.
• The pressures and expectations dads face today, and why many feel isolated or underprepared for the role.
• The joy of uninterrupted moments with family and how to create them in a busy life.
• How The Company of Dads is fostering connection, support, and advocacy for fathers who take the lead at home.

Paul's personal stories, wisdom, and practical advice offer a fresh perspective on the evolving role of dads in the family. Whether you're a lead dad, working parent, or someone striving for balance, this conversation is packed with insights to inspire and empower.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why focusing on one thing at a time can bring unparalleled joy to parenting.
• The importance of vulnerability and authentic conversations in redefining fatherhood.
• How embracing the lead dad role can enhance your family life and support your partner's career.

About Our Guest:

Paul Sullivan is a journalist with over 25 years of experience, having written for publications like The New York Times, Money, Conde Nast Portfolio, The International Herald Tribune, Barron’s, The Boston Globe, and Food & Wine. From 2000 to 2006, he was a reporter, editor and columnist at the Financial Times. He got his start as a reporter at Bloomberg and Institutional Investor.

He’s the author of two books, Clutch: Why Some People Excel Under Pressure and Others Don’t and The Thin Green Line: The Money Secrets of the Super Wealthy.

As the founder of The Company of Dads, Paul is on a mission to create a supportive community for fathers taking on the primary caregiving role.

Tune In To Hear Paul’s Story:

Discover how embracing the lead dad identity reshaped Paul’s life and why he believes it’s time to break outdated stereotypes of fatherhood.

The Company of Dads newsletter: The Dad

Website - The Company of Dads

Paul's socials:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sullivanpaulj/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-company-of-dads/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/thecompanyofdads/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/sullivanpaulj/

FB - https://www.facebook.com/thecompanyofdads

FB - https://www.facebook.com/paul.sullivan.522/

X - https://twitter.com/companyofdads

X - https://twitter.com/sullivanpaul

About the Host:

Hi, I'm Fred Van Riper—husband, father, former construction professional, and creator of the Connection Architecture Process. I help growth-oriented leaders become more clear, confident, and connected through transformational leadership development.

I work with leaders who are successful on paper but know there's another level available—leaders who want to architect genuine connection rather than hope for it. Whether you're leading teams, building businesses, or navigating the complexities of modern fatherhood, everything starts with how you lead yourself.

This podcast explores the intersection of leadership, connection, and authentic living. No corporate fluff. No outdated "authority" models. Just real conversations about the invisible forces that shape how we show up—and practical tools to transform them.

My approach combines unconventional methods with proven frameworks because breakthrough moments happen when we bypass the analytical mind and access our authentic leadership wisdom. Think leadership archaeology, emotional weather systems, and connection as a competitive advantage.

Ready to go deeper?

The Connection Blueprint is my flagship 3-week leadership development experience launching September 2025. This live "course" is designed for leaders who see connection skills as leadership development, not crisis management. Reserve your spot here.

Want immediate insight? Book a free Strategy Call to explore how the Connection Architecture Process applies to your specific leadership challenges.

Looking for resources you can dive into right now? Check out my complete toolkit.

Everything begins with how you lead yourself. Your success, how you handle failure, conflict, and challenging emotions—it all connects back to how connected you are to yourself and others. Let's architect that connection together.

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Disclaimer: The content contained herein is for inspirational, educational, and entertainment purposes only. Nowhere in this podcast do we diagnose or treat a viewer/listener with any kind of psychological, mental, emotional or physical disorder as might be diagnosed and treated by a personal psychologist or other professional advisor. The content is not intended to be a substitute for working with a therapist but is for the purpose of educating the viewer about new approaches to working on personal problems. Viewers/listeners should use this podcast at their own risk, with the understanding that we are not liable for its impact or effect on its users. Viewing/listening to the podcast does not form a practitioner/client relationship between the viewer/listener.