Better Call Daddy

How does an independent podcaster get on the radar of Forbes? In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Frank Racioppi, Forbes contributing writer and founder of Earworthy, to pull back the curtain on podcast press, podcast reviews, and what editors actually want to see.

Frank takes us from his childhood in New Jersey to becoming one of the most passionate champions of the independent podcast community.

He explains why he left corporate podcast coverage behind to spotlight indie creators, and why a genuine, human interview beats a polished but empty one every time.

Reena and Frank also get into the cutthroat side of traditional media versus the collaborative spirit of the podcasting community, and why collaboration beats competition for anyone trying to grow a show.

Whether you're launching your first podcast or you're a seasoned host hunting for media exposure, this episode is packed with practical advice on how to stand out in a crowded market.

"Independent podcasters have a unique voice that deserves to be heard." – Frank Racioppi

"The best interviews are the ones where you create a genuine connection with your guest." – Frank Racioppi

Frank Racioppi is the owner and manager of Earworthy, a podcast review publication, and a contributing writer for Forbes. He is dedicated to promoting independent podcasters and sharing their stories with the world.

Frank Racioppi is a South Jersey-based author who works as a podcast journalist, and is the author of the following books: "Stop For My School Bus...Or Else" "Away from Home" "Hit Pause For Life" "A Suburban Prison" "Ear Worthy" "The COVID Hotel" "For The Love Of Books" You can find my books on Amazon.

🔗 Connect with Frank: LinkedIn | https://podalization.substack.com/

Frank Racioppi will be speaking at Illuminate tomorrow with Freddy Cruz. If you’re an independent podcaster, this is a great opportunity to hear more from Frank and connect with other people in the podcasting community.

Better Call Daddy is hosted by Reena Friedman Watts alongside her dad, Big Daddy Wayne Friedman. Join them for stories of inspiration, resilience, and the wisdom that comes from experience.

🔗 bettercalldaddy.com | LinkedIn | Instagram: @reenafriedmanwatts

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SEO keywords: Frank Racioppi, Earworthy, how to get featured in Forbes, independent podcasting, podcast press, podcast reviews, podcast growth tips, how to get podcast publicity, Forbes contributor, podcast interview tips, podcast community, Better Call Daddy, Reena Friedman Watts, Big Daddy Wayne Friedman

Happy International Podcast Day! To celebrate, Reena Friedman Watts sits down with a fellow podcaster and gifted storyteller.

Jim Littlefield Dalmares is a storyteller, podcaster, and author (Seeing Ability) who turns his experiences as a father into stories that help other parents feel less alone. On Better Call Daddy, he shares the story behind "A Breath for Sophia" and his journey raising a child with disabilities.

Jim talks about the emotional rollercoaster of his daughter's premature birth and what it taught him about acceptance, love, and community. He explains why parents do better when they stop trying to "fix" their child and start supporting their unique path. He also covers sibling dynamics, navigating the medical system, and finding your tribe.

Whether you're a new parent facing the unexpected, a caregiver, an advocate, or a podcast fan who loves a great story, this episode offers practical, heartfelt guidance.

"Your life will change when you stop trying to fix your child and start accepting them for who they are."

"There are communities out there to support you, and you're not alone in this journey."

Jim is a storyteller, podcaster, and author. He hosts the Seeing Ability podcast, where he shares stories and insights from parents and professionals in the disability community, and he wrote the book Seeing Ability.

https://a.co/d/0iHc0x4T

Better Call Daddy is hosted by Reena Friedman Watts with Big Daddy Wayne Friedman.

@bettercalldaddypodcast

Related Episodes

David Hirsch Special Fathers Network

https://bettercalldaddy.podbean.com/e/pedaling-through-parenthood-special-fathers-network-david-hirsch/

Florence Ann Romano

https://www.podparadise.com/episodes/16095321/

Keywords: International Podcast Day, A Breath for Sophia, Seeing Ability book, Jim Littlefield Dalmares, storyteller, podcaster, author, fatherhood, parenting a child with disabilities, special needs, premature birth, disability advocacy, acceptance, sibling relationships, navigating the medical system, disability community, Seeing Ability podcast, Better Call Daddy, Reena Friedman Watts

Former FBI intelligence analyst John Petrozzelli, host of the Done With Dating podcast, shares advice on dating after divorce, co-parenting, and what the Boston Marathon bombing investigation taught him about people.

Reena Friedman Watts and Big Daddy Wayne Friedman sit down with John to talk about life after the Bureau, fatherhood, and dating as a divorced parent. John worked on high-profile cases, including the Boston Marathon bombing investigation, and explains how that work shaped the way he reads people and relationships.

He also talks about raising kids while working in law enforcement, why honesty guided his parenting, and why co-parenting after divorce has to put the kids first. Then the conversation turns to dating today, especially for single parents.

John explains how he uses his investigative skills to match people on Done With Dating and why he tells listeners to do the inner work before looking for a partner.

Listen if you're dating after divorce, curious about a career in law enforcement, or looking for honest perspective on parenting and relationships.

"Truth and honesty are the cornerstones of everything I do, both in my career and as a father."

"I believe in love, and I want others to have hope that their person is out there waiting for them."

John Petrozzelli is a former FBI intelligence analyst and the host of the Done With Dating podcast. He combines his investigative background with his understanding of human behavior to help people find lasting relationships.

Connect with John: donewithdating.co 

Better Call Daddy is hosted by Reena Friedman Watts, with Big Daddy Wayne Friedman

Connect with Reena: bettercalldaddy.com | LinkedIn | Instagram: @reenafriedmanwatts

Keywords: ex-FBI analyst, dating after divorce, dating as a single parent, co-parenting advice, John Petrozzelli, Boston Marathon bombing investigation, matchmaking podcast, Done With Dating, Better Call Daddy, Reena Friedman Watts, Big Daddy Wayne Friedman

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Roberto Vela III, a former oil field worker turned SpaceX aerospace technician, to talk career reinvention, military discipline, and fatherhood.

Roberto shares how he answered Elon Musk's open call for talent and landed a job at SpaceX, describing the chaotic, high energy experience of interviewing alongside hundreds of other hopefuls.

He talks candidly about the pressure of working in the aerospace industry, where every launch carries massive stakes and the margin for error is razor thin.

The conversation traces Roberto's path from military paratrooper to aerospace technician, and how his time in the service built the resilience, composure, and work ethic that prepared him for a career at one of the most demanding companies in the world. He recounts witnessing rocket launches and explosions firsthand, the tight camaraderie among people working at the edge of what is possible, and even lighter perks of the job, like SpaceX providing food for employees during long shifts.

Roberto also opens up about fatherhood, sharing how becoming a young dad reshaped how he thinks about legacy, purpose, and the values he wants to pass on to his children. He talks about the importance of work ethic, adaptability, and staying curious in a fast changing world, from his unconventional career path to teaching himself photography.

Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, career changes, military to civilian transitions, the space industry, or raising kids with strong values, this episode has something for you.

What's In This Episode

Memorable Quotes

From Roberto Vela 

"Everything I'm building is for my children. I want them to have the tools to succeed."

"If I can learn something that's very hard, then I think other people can."

"I want them to have the generational work ethic."

From Reena Friedman Watts

From Big Daddy Wayne Friedman

Timestamps

About Roberto Vela III

Connect with Roberto Vela III

Roberto Vela III, Co-Founder & CTO, Starport Space

Connect with Reena Friedman Watts

Keywords: Roberto Vela III, SpaceX employee, aerospace industry career, military to civilian transition, paratrooper, career reinvention, fatherhood and legacy, entrepreneurship podcast, Better Call Daddy podcast, Stoke Space

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts welcomes Jenny Wuckert, a dynamic musician from Winnipeg, Manitoba, who wears many hats as a punk band member, airline employee, and freelance marriage commissioner.

Jenny shares her journey from being a shy kid to rocking the stage with her band, Toaster Bath, and opens up about the transformative power of music in her life.

The conversation delves into Jenny's experiences in the local music scene, her love for punk rock, and the cathartic release she finds in performing.

She offers valuable advice for young musicians, emphasizing the importance of finding comfort in collaboration and the joy of playing music with friends.

As they explore the challenges of being a woman in the punk scene, Jenny recounts the hurdles she faced from gender biases to the importance of authenticity in a world that often rewards performance over honesty.

She reflects on her evolution as an artist and the significance of creativity in navigating life's ups and downs.

Jenny also candidly discusses her health challenges, including her battle with endometriosis, and the importance of self-advocacy and community support.

Her heartfelt stories about caring for her grandmother and the lessons learned from her parents add depth to this engaging episode.

If you're interested in music, personal growth, or the punk rock scene, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

"Music is a way to express yourself and overcome fear."

"Find people you're comfortable with to play music; it makes everything flow more naturally."

"If there's anything that I could share with today's youth is that there are so many different ways that you can go about learning something new."

"You might go in totally different directions than what you thought."

"You can be shy, you can have idiosyncrasies, but trying to live life to the fullest and to try to be creative at what you're doing, that's what life's all about."

Jenny Wuckert is a multi-talented musician and freelance marriage commissioner based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. A member of the punk band Toaster Bath, she has been an active participant in the local music scene for years, using her voice to advocate for authenticity and creativity while navigating personal challenges.

Thank you Jon Waldman for the intro

Check out his episode too

Keywords: Jenny Wuckert, punk rock, Toaster Bath, Winnipeg music scene, endometriosis, self-advocacy, women in music, creativity, Better Call Daddy podcast

In this milestone 500th episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Will McKee, Jiu Jitsu black belt and founder of Asylum Jiu Jitsu in Aledo, Texas.

Will shares his transformative journey from a 255-pound medical operations manager to a confident, mission-driven Jiu Jitsu practitioner shedding 60 pounds and rebuilding his mental health along the way.

Will opens up about the physical and mental transformation he's experienced through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), emphasizing self-confidence, resilience, and discipline.

He explains how he coaches kids to embrace competition without pressure, creating a gym culture where every student child or adult can grow, learn, and overcome real obstacles.

The conversation dives into Jiu Jitsu culture at large: the balance between competition and personal growth, the importance of a safe training environment, and the darker sides of martial arts culture that Asylum Jiu Jitsu was built to push back against.

Despite its name, Will explains, Asylum isn't a cage it's a place of refuge, structure, and freedom, closer to a monastery than an asylum in the traditional sense.

Will also reflects on his own mental health struggles and how Jiu Jitsu became his sanctuary during the hardest chapters of his life. He shares stories of student progress, his approach to mentorship, and his mission to be the coach he wished he'd had growing up — shaped in part by his relationship with his own father.

If you're interested in martial arts, BJJ, mental health, fitness transformation, or raising resilient kids, this milestone episode of Better Call Daddy delivers all of it.

"Jiu Jitsu is about helping people. I want to create a safe place for everyone to train."

"It's not about winning or losing — it's about learning and growing from every experience."

Will McKee is a Jiu Jitsu black belt and founder of Asylum Jiu Jitsu, based in Aledo, Texas. After a career in medical operations, Will transformed his own life through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and has since built a gym culture centered on safety, mentorship, and personal growth for students of all ages. His mission: prove that Asylum isn't a cage — it's a space for freedom, discipline, and community.

Keywords: Asylum Jiu Jitsu, Will McKee, BJJ, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Aledo Texas, martial arts mental health, Jiu Jitsu weight loss, Better Call Daddy podcast

Instagram: Asylum Jiu Jitsu | Will McKee, BJJ

Website: bettercalldaddy.com | LinkedIn: Reena Friedman Watts | Instagram: @reenafriedmanwatts

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What if the biggest limitation in your life isn't your circumstances, but what you've been taught to believe is possible?

On this episode of Better Call Daddy, Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Dr. Ravi Iyer, a physician with more than four decades of experience, for a thought-provoking conversation about human potential, authenticity, integrity, suffering, emotional wealth, family, artificial intelligence, and the future of humanity.

Dr. Iyer's lifelong curiosity began as a child when he started questioning how life works—and what happens when it doesn't. That curiosity eventually led him into medicine and decades of exploring the human experience.

He opens up about his complicated relationship with his father and the tension between love and fear, sharing how those early experiences shaped his understanding of integrity, possibility, relationships, and what it means to live authentically.

The conversation goes far beyond medicine.

Reena and Dr. Iyer explore how language shapes our reality, why our words matter, what suffering can teach us, and why emotional wealth may be more valuable than financial wealth. Dr. Iyer shares his powerful perspective on integrity: being your word, no matter what, and helping other people become more of who they are capable of being.

Then they tackle one of the biggest questions of our time:

What happens to truth, reality, and human connection in the age of artificial intelligence?

As AI becomes increasingly influential, Dr. Iyer argues that society will need people who can help distinguish reality from misinformation—what he calls “authenticators of reality.”

Ultimately, this episode asks a bigger question:

How much more is possible for each of us if we stop accepting the limits we've been given?

If you've ever questioned your purpose, struggled through suffering, felt limited by expectations, or wondered how AI will change what it means to be human, this conversation will make you think.

“People can be freed from their own prisons that they create.”

“Integrity is actually being your word, no matter what.”

“Joy and suffering are equal portions of life.”

“The best you can do is do what you can do.”

“Life shows up differently for an autistic person as compared to life shows up differently for Elon Musk than it is thus for me.”

00:00 — Introduction to Dr. Ravi Iyer

Dr. Ravi Iyer is a physician and author who has spent more than four decades exploring medicine, human possibility, personal growth, and the complexities of the human experience. His work focuses on helping people question their limitations, live with greater integrity, and recognize the possibilities available to them.

Better Call Daddy is hosted by Reena Friedman Watts, a former reality TV producer turned podcast host. The show features honest, unexpected conversations about family, relationships, personal growth, resilience, business, authenticity, and the messy parts of being human.

Website: Better Call Daddy

YouTube: Better Call Daddy on YouTube

LinkedIn: Reena Friedman Watts on LinkedIn

Instagram: Reena Friedman Watts on Instagram

Dr. Ravi Iyer

Dr. Ravi Iyer, Ravi Iyer MD, Dr. Ravi Iyer podcast, Better Call Daddy, Reena Friedman Watts, human potential, human possibility, human potential podcast, personal growth, authenticity, integrity, emotional wealth, AI and humanity, artificial intelligence and society, AI misinformation, future of AI, AI and human connection, authentic leadership, living authentically, overcoming limitations, lessons from suffering, love and suffering, father son relationship, childhood experiences, purpose and meaning, personal development, physician podcast, inspirational podcast, life lessons, human connection, truth and misinformation

#BetterCallDaddy #DrRaviIyer #HumanPotential #HumanPossibility #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Integrity #Authenticity #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalWealth #HumanConnection #ReenaFriedmanWatts

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Kiko Zang, business executive, tech founder, and opinion leader building human-centric consumer products.

Kiko is the Founder & CEO of Chomp, a social game that rewards honesty instead of punishing it and she's on a mission to fix what she calls the "performative internet."

Kiko opens up about her path from boarding school in China to New Zealand and the United States, the anti-authoritarian streak she carried as a kid, and the long road to understanding her own identity across cultures.

The conversation gets candid as she discusses her experience with open relationships and how it reshaped her views on love, trust, kindness, and loyalty then turns to the bigger picture: why social media rewards performance over authenticity, why women in particular self-censor online, and why honest human belief may be the scarcest, most valuable data in the age of AI.

Kiko also shares her founder journey from COO at Orca (one of Solana's largest decentralized exchanges, where she helped raise $19M and grow the platform to $1B+ in 24-hour trading volume) to building Chomp, which drew 50,000 beta users sharing millions of honest answers and raised $3.6M from backers including BlueYard, JSquare, and Accomplice placing her among the 2% of female-led startups to raise venture capital. Chomp launches on iOS in 2026.

Equal parts personal memoir and founder story, this episode covers identity, relationships, resilience, the loneliness epidemic, the funding gap for female founders, and what it takes to build something real in a "dead internet" full of bots and AI slop.

Keywords: Kiko Zang, boarding school identity, open relationships podcast, cultural identity, female tech founder, women in venture capital, social media and authenticity, dead internet theory, Chomp app, Solana Orca DEX, honest opinions app, read the room, loneliness epidemic, Better Call Daddy podcast, Reena Friedman Watts

"I think the most universal experience is feeling misunderstood."

"It's important to find a space where you can embrace all of who you are."

Kiko Zang is a business executive, tech founder, and opinion leader passionate about building human-centric consumer products.

Career

Commentary Topics

Selected Media Appearances

#CulturalIdentity #OpenRelationships #BetterCallDaddy #SocialMedia #Authenticity #StartupJourney #Resilience #BoardingSchool #ChompApp #FemaleFounders #Web3 #DeadInternet

Award-winning aerospace speaker and communicator Ken Ruffin joins Better Call Daddy host Reena Friedman Watts for a conversation about the moon landing, rocket propulsion, and the future of space exploration.

Ken Ruffin, founder and CEO of Didymos Consulting LLC (dba Ruff-in-Space) and a longtime leader within the National Space Society, shares how being woken up as a child to watch Neil Armstrong's historic moonwalk sparked a lifelong passion for space, and how Star Trek shaped his transition from aerospace engineering into a career as a space communicator.

This episode covers rocket propulsion technology, nuclear electric propulsion, the future of NASA, commercial space travel, and commercial space stations. Ken and Reena also explore the cultural impact of space exploration and why curiosity and education matter for inspiring the next generation of scientists, engineers, and dreamers.

If you're interested in space exploration, aerospace engineering, NASA's future missions, commercial spaceflight, rocket science, space industry careers, or the story behind the Apollo 11 moon landing, this conversation is for you.

"Nothing satisfies me like space, nothing from 1974 to this date."

"Dreams can come true if we put the energy into it."

(00:00) Introduction to Ken Ruffin, award-winning aerospace speaker and communicator

(05:15) Memories of the Apollo 11 moon landing

(15:30) How Star Trek influenced Ken's ambitions

(25:00) Rocket propulsion and nuclear electric propulsion

(35:45) The future of NASA and commercial space travel

(45:00) Inspiring future generations through curiosity and education

Ken Ruffin is the Founder & CEO of Didymos Consulting LLC, dba Ruff-in-Space, a firm specializing in space industry public outreach, connecting job seekers with commercial space employers, and connecting investors with commercial space executives across the USA and beyond. A former aerospace engineering student, Ken has served as president of the National Space Society of North Texas (NSS-NT) since 2011, and sits on both the NSS Board of Directors and the NSS Board of Strategic Advisors as a Space Ambassador. Under his leadership, NSS-NT has been ranked the #2 NSS chapter in the world for seven years and the #1 chapter in the world for six years for public outreach, starting in 2013. Ken has presented to nearly 250 audiences across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and beyond, and has been interviewed dozens of times by DFW TV news stations on the present and future of space travel.

Website: https://www.didymosconsulting.com/

LinkedIn: Didymos Consulting LLC, dba Ruff-in-Space Email: [email protected]

Website: bettercalldaddy.com |

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reenafriedmanwatts/ |

Instagram: instagram.com/reenafriedmanwatts

Youtube https://www.youtube.com/c/bettercalldaddy

#SpaceExploration #NASA #RocketScience #AerospaceEngineering #MoonLanding #CommercialSpaceTravel #BetterCallDaddy #NuclearPropulsion #NationalSpaceSociety #SpaceIndustryCareers

What happens when an Uber ride turns into a profound conversation about spirituality, dreams, and the meaning of life?

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts sits down with Charles Cade founder of TrueViews Transportation, former rideshare driver, and self-described spiritual messenger — to talk about God, connection, and the lessons that show up in the most unexpected places.

Charles opens up about his personal mission and the wisdom he's picked up along the way, reminding us that every encounter, even a routine car ride, can carry a lesson if we're paying attention.

Charles also pitches his idea for a reality show built around positive behavior instead of drama, and talks about his ongoing work in animal rescue and logistics. His path from a difficult childhood to a career full of unexpected turns — has shaped how he thinks about forgiveness, karma, and living in step with God's teachings.

Reena and Charles dig into community, the ripple effects of our everyday choices, and the quiet power of kindness. Charles's core message: heaven and earth are connected, and it's on us to bring a little more heaven into daily life.

"Everything happens for a reason."

"Why not try to make earth a little more heavenly?"

Instagram

[Website] | [LinkedIn] | [Instagram] | [YouTube]