Better Call Daddy

"Every journey has its challenges, but it's how we rise that defines us." — Gaby Velasquez

"Never be ashamed of where you came from."

"This ends with me."

"I always show up, even though I show up late."

In this timely episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts and her dad, Vinnie Friedman, welcome the incredible Gaby Velasquez, a survivor with a remarkable story of resilience and hope. Gaby shares her journey of overcoming adversity, from her traumatic experiences as an undocumented immigrant to her inspiring mission of helping others find their voice.

Finding Strength Through Adversity

The Power of Storytelling

Key Themes

Episode Highlights

Episode Keywords

Daddy Drama, Inspirational Stories, Overcoming Adversity, Immigrant Experience, Learning English, Domestic Violence, Human Trafficking, Empowerment, Family Legacy, Jerry Springer, Personal Growth, Healing Trauma, Women Empowerment, Life Skills, Parenting Advice, Resilience, Community Support, Cultural Identity, Storytelling, Positive Mindset

Connect with Gaby Velasquez

Connect with Reena Friedman Watts

"The world would be a better place if more people had a strong relationship with their father." — Wayne Friedman

Building a Legacy of Love

Embracing Opportunities

Advice for Moms and Dads

Key Themes

Episode Highlights

(00:00) Welcome to the Better Call Daddy Show

Connect with Sonia Cacique

Connect with Reena Friedman Watts

"Relationships are everything, and community is the backbone of progress." — Charles Stein

Building Bridges Through Technology

The Power of Community Engagement

This live conversation also drew thoughtful engagement from past Better Call Daddy guest Priscilla Mensah, who tuned in for the entire interview, added insightful questions, and expressed strong interest in STEM education and community outreach—a powerful reminder of how these conversations ripple outward and spark collaboration beyond the mic.

With unmistakable bonus dad energy, Charles reminds us that leadership isn’t just about titles—it’s about presence, kindness, and lifting others as you climb.

Key Themes

Episode Highlights

What role do relationships play in your career or community?

Connect with Charles Stein

"You can overcome your past and create a brighter future." — Linda Krystal

In this powerful episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts and her dad, Wayne Friedman, sit down with Linda Krystal, an abuse survivor on a mission to help others heal from trauma. Linda shares her incredible story of resilience, forgiveness, and the importance of love in overcoming a painful past.

Breaking the Cycle

Key Themes

Episode Highlights

Connect with Linda Krystal

Connect with Reena Friedman Watts

"Winning for my dad wasn’t just motivation—it was my love language."

From Hungary to the ring, Sheena shares how her father’s guidance and her judo roots shaped her into a fierce competitor in MMA and power slapping. This episode is packed with hard-hitting insights, family legacy, and lessons in discipline you don’t want to miss.

In this exciting episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts and her dad, Wayne Friedman, welcome Sheena Bathory—black belt in judo, MMA competitor, and rising power slap champion.

Sheena takes listeners on her incredible journey from her traditional upbringing in Hungary to competing at the highest levels of combat sports. With her father as her coach, she learned the value of discipline, respect, and legacy, lessons that shaped both her training and her life. Sheena reflects on how her father’s old-school mentality pushed her to always strive for excellence and never settle.

Delve into the world of power slapping, where Sheena breaks down the mental and physical preparation required to compete at the highest level. She explains why technique beats brute strength and how her judo background gives her a unique edge in the ring.

Sheena opens up about her bond with her father, sharing heartfelt stories about how his guidance and discipline influenced her career choices. She also discusses the impact of his passing and how it fuels her drive to honor his legacy through her achievements.

How a traditional upbringing shapes personal development

The importance of discipline and respect in sports and life

Navigating personal and professional challenges

Building a legacy through hard work and dedication

Empowerment and the evolution of women in combat sports

(00:00) Welcome to Better Call Daddy

(01:20) Meet Sheena Bathory: From Judo to Power Slapping

(10:45) The Role of Family in Shaping a Champion

(20:30) Technique vs. Strength: Insights from the Ring

(30:00) Overcoming Challenges and Personal Growth

(40:15) Honoring a Legacy: Sheena's Journey Forward

(50:00) Wisdom from Wayne: The Value of Hard Work and Respect

Instagram: Sheena’s Instagram

Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

Thank you for tuning in to Better Call Daddy—where wisdom, strength, and heart meet!

“You can go from the depths of despair to a life of purpose.” — Ben Freedland

In this gripping episode of Better Call Daddy, host Reena Friedman Watts and her dad, Wayne Friedman, sit down with Ben Freedland—a man who’s lived multiple lives: Coconut King, federal inmate, devoted father, and now a respected government consultant.

Incredibly, during the recording of this interview, Ben was experiencing a spinal fluid leak. The moment we wrapped, he went straight to the hospital. He’s now out, recovering, and we’re grateful to share this episode—made even more powerful knowing what he was enduring in real time.

Ben opens up about being known as “the Jew” in prison, surviving solitary confinement, and the pivotal moment a compassionate chaplain changed the direction of his life. He shares how he reclaimed his identity, leaned into faith, and found mentors who helped guide his transformation.

Today, Ben is a proud and present father. He reflects on how parenting fuels his purpose, shapes his decisions, and inspires the legacy he’s dedicated to building for his children.

From privilege to crime during the recession

Faith, identity, and mentorship behind bars

Surviving solitary confinement and unexpected turning points

The responsibilities and rewards of fatherhood

Choosing redemption, purpose, and storytelling

(00:00) Welcome to the Better Call Daddy Show

Connect with Reena Friedman Watts

“Personal finance is personal.” — Anthony Weaver

Anthony shares his journey from teaching mathematics to exploring the nuances of money management, discussing how his relationship with money has evolved over time.

He reflects on the importance of understanding the psychology behind spending and saving, emphasizing that personal finance is not just about numbers, but about the choices we make based on our values and experiences.

Understanding Money Mindsets

He shares valuable insights on:

Life Lessons & Future Aspirations

Wayne adds his wisdom, highlighting the balance between saving for the future and enjoying the present, reminding us that life is precious and should be lived fully.

Keywords & Core Themes

Episode Highlights

Connect with Anthony Weaver

Connect with Reena Friedman Watts

“You have to be able to go for it, and you never know what can come from it.” — Wayne Friedman

In this episode of Better Call Daddy, Reena Friedman Watts and her dad, Wayne, sit down with Priscilla Mensah a creative visionary who transformed her career from web development to soap making, content creation, and TV pitching.

Priscilla opens up about her bold journey to develop and pitch her dream travel show about global soap-making traditions, motherhood, and cultural storytelling.

She shares how she turned a personal passion into a compelling TV concept blending craftsmanship, culture, community impact, and adventure.

Priscilla breaks down her unforgettable trip to the North Fork TV Festival, where she pitched her show to executives from:

Kelsey Grammer’s production company

Former Amazon Video leadership

Top industry decision makers in TV, film, and digital media

She reveals what she learned about:

How to pitch a TV show conversationally

Why personal stories convert better than polished scripts

How networking opens unexpected doors

Why embracing the unknown fuels creative breakthroughs

As a millennial mom, Priscilla shares the real challenges of pivoting careers while raising kids, exploring her cultural heritage, and building a show that empowers communities worldwide. This episode dives into resilience, entrepreneurship, and personal transformation—and how to keep going when the path isn’t clear.

Wayne also weighs in with his signature wisdom, reminding us that relationships beat algorithms, and that every interaction is an opportunity if you show up with curiosity and heart.

Soap Making, Storytelling, Travel Show Development, Pitching to Hollywood, Women in Film, Motherhood, Entrepreneurship, Cultural Heritage, Networking, Creativity, Personal Growth, Documentary Grants, Millennial Moms, Reinvention, Content Creation, Podcasting, TV Festivals

(00:00) Better Call Dream Daddy returns—more father-daughter wisdom

Instagram: Priscilla’s Instagram

Better Call Daddy Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

Thank you for tuning in to Better Call Daddy where wisdom, creativity, and heart meet.

“You can’t be afraid to jump.” — Clay Novak

"Let’s get left of the boom. We should be doing the same thing for veteran suicide."

This Veterans Day, join Reena Friedman Watts and her dad, Wayne, as they sit down with Lt. Col. Clay Novak (Ret.), combat veteran, author of the new book Rebellis, and co-host of The Elsa Kurt Show. Clay shares his hard-earned lessons on leadership, resilience, fatherhood, and life after combat — and weighs in on today’s politics and world events.

Elsa Kurt, known as The Blonde Kamala, a political commentator, co-host of the podcast, and married to a police officer and veteran. Together, they bring candid, no-holds-barred insights on freedom, service, and navigating the modern world.

Clay shares his journey from military life to becoming a podcaster and author, revealing the lessons learned along the way.

He discusses the challenges and camaraderie of military service, the stark contrasts between his experiences and those of veterans from previous generations, and how these insights inform his writing and advocacy work today.

With humor and sincerity, Clay opens up about the realities of combat, the importance of community for veterans, and the critical issue of suicide prevention within the veteran population. He emphasizes the need for belonging and the role that camaraderie plays in helping veterans cope with life after service.

Keywords

"Freedom isn't free, it's built by the brave." — Tom Fox

"I have two metrics for a successful podcast: how much did I learn, and how much fun did I have?"

Tom Fox shares his journey from aspiring podcaster inspired by the legendary Studs Terkel to becoming a prominent figure in the compliance podcasting space. He reflects on how his upbringing shaped his views on fatherhood and the pivotal role of mentorship in navigating life's challenges.

With warmth and sincerity, Tom Fox opens up about his experiences in recovery and the profound impact it has had on his parenting style and personal growth.

Tom emphasizes the significance of community and support, particularly in the context of Alcoholics Anonymous, highlighting the power of shared experiences in fostering resilience.

Join Reena and Tom for an enlightening conversation that celebrates the art of connection, the importance of being present, and the legacy we leave behind. This episode is a testament to the transformative power of vulnerability, compassion, and the unwavering support of family.

Keywords

(00:00) Reena Friedman Watts introduces the Better Call Daddy Show

Connect with Tom Fox

Connect with Reena Friedman Watts

Podcasting for Business Nov 11-12th

Registation link https://app.eventraptor.com/events/452611597626642430