Dad Improvement

This week I had the pleasure of chatting with Chris Avery, who is preparing to run the perimeter of America while bringing his family along for the journey.

Chris shares his motivations for this ambitious goal, emphasizing the importance of not just personal achievement but also involving his family in the experience.

The conversation explores themes of balancing personal goals with family responsibilities, the impact of endurance running on relationships, and the mindset shifts necessary for success. Chris discusses the significance of community support, learning from failure, and the importance of teaching children through example.

He highlights the need for grace in personal growth and the bigger purpose behind their journey, ultimately inspiring listeners to pursue their own dreams while fostering strong family bonds.

If you would like to follow Chris's journey:

Instagram HERE

Facebook HERE

Website HERE

00:00 The Journey Begins: Running the Perimeter of America

05:26 Finding Balance: Family and Personal Goals

07:51 Engagement and Patience: The Impact of Running on Family Life

10:15 Discipline vs. Drive: The Motivation Behind Endurance Running

13:19 Building Resilience: Lessons from Running and Parenting

16:03 Inclusion: Making Family a Part of Your Goals

30:25 Incorporating Family into the Journey

31:59 Mindset Shifts in Endurance Running

37:16 Finding What Matters: Filtering Out the Noise

39:25 Teaching Kids About Purpose and Resilience

44:02 Common Mistakes Men Make in Pursuit of Success

50:15 The Importance of Community and Grace

54:58 Final Thoughts on Fatherhood and Life Lessons

58:04 Outro

In this episode, Alisa Sparks shares her inspiring journey from budgeting for military aircraft to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the interior design industry.

She discusses the challenges and triumphs of scaling her business, the importance of systems and processes, and how she integrates work and family life.

Alisa emphasizes the significance of designing spaces that are both beautiful and functional, especially for families with children.

She also offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the need for resilience and adaptability in the face of challenges.

To work with Alisa click HERE

Chapters

00:00 From Finance to Design: A Career Transformation

03:03 The Journey of Entrepreneurship: Building a Business from Scratch

06:07 Franchising Success: Mentoring New Entrepreneurs

09:02 Scaling Challenges: Lessons Learned in Business Growth

11:57 Creating Systems: Ensuring Consistency Across Locations

14:49 Regional Differences: Adapting Design to Local Markets

18:05 Learning from Mistakes: Business Lessons from Expansion

21:12 Work-Life Integration: Balancing Family and Business Life

23:24 Nurturing Family Dynamics

24:45 The Leap into Entrepreneurship

27:15 Balancing Data and Gut Instincts

28:40 The Reality of Entrepreneurship

30:20 Identifying Weaknesses and Cultivating Talent

32:53 Learning Through Failure

34:02 Future Trends in Interior Design

36:30 Designing for Families with Children

40:43 Proud Moments in Business

44:40 Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

46:58 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

In this episode, Chris shares his journey of personal transformation through the '100 Blocks' training program. This initiative, which Chris has been practicing for a decade, focuses on four key pillars: nutrition, hydration, physical activity, and stress management. Chris explains how he developed this program to create sustainable habits that not only improve health but also foster a sense of accountability and purpose, especially as a father. He emphasizes the importance of setting realistic goals and the value of community support in achieving personal growth.

If you'd like to connect with Chris click HERE

00:00 Introduction to 100 Blocks Training

02:51 The Four Pillars of Health

06:15 Building Sustainable Habits

12:33 Adapting 100 Blocks with Family Life

20:14 Finding Purpose in Training

28:01 The Importance of Morning Routines

38:06 Lessons from Losses and Grace in Training

41:37 The Importance of Community in Personal Growth

44:41 Life at Treehouse Brewery: Crafting Spirits and Experiences

51:37 Balancing Work, Family, and Fitness

01:03:27 Outro

In today's episode, Luke Mickelson shares his inspiring journey of founding Sleeping in Heavenly Peace, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing the issue of child bedlessness.

He discusses the emotional impact of delivering beds to children in need, the importance of community involvement, and how anyone can make a difference by volunteering or starting a local chapter.

Our conversation highlights the profound effects of providing a safe and comfortable place for children to sleep and the fulfillment that comes from helping others.

If you would like to donate or help build beds for your community click HERE

Key Takeaways From This Episode:

Child bedlessness is a significant issue affecting many children.

Building beds for kids can have a profound emotional impact.

Community involvement is crucial for addressing child bedlessness.

The act of delivering beds brings joy and hope to families in need.

Volunteering can fill a personal void and provide fulfillment.

Every child deserves a safe and comfortable place to sleep.

The organization has grown significantly since its inception.

Corporate partnerships can enhance community service efforts.

Volunteers often find deep satisfaction in helping others.

Anyone can make a difference by getting involved locally.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Child Bedlessness

04:17 The Impact of Building Beds for Kids

07:20 Personal Journey and Motivation

10:20 Delivering Hope: The Story of Haley

13:08 Community Involvement and Volunteerism

16:26 The Broader Implications of Sleep

19:18 Creating a Movement: Expanding the Mission

32:17 The Impact of Media on Charity Growth

34:03 Building a Community Through Bed Donations

36:16 Corporate Partnerships and Team Building Events

41:12 The Joy of Volunteering and Making a Difference

48:05 Tiny Moments and Taking Action

50:55 How to Get Involved and Make a Difference

58:14 Outro

In this episode of the Dad Improvement Podcast, I interview Amy Briggs, the creator of Aviva, an innovative app designed to streamline family scheduling for busy parents.

Amy explains how Aviva integrates various family commitments into one cohesive calendar, reducing the mental load on parents.

She shares personal anecdotes that highlight the challenges of parenting logistics and discusses the app's features that help avoid scheduling conflicts.

The conversation also touches on the importance of shared visibility in family planning, empowering dads to take an active role, and the future of parenting technology.

Listeners will learn how Aviva can transform their family organization and enhance their quality of life.

If you are looking to try Aviva click HERE

00:00 Introduction to Aviva: A Game Changer for Parents

06:11 The Integration of Family Schedules

11:23 Personal Experiences: The Need for Aviva

16:21 Enhancing Family Communication and Involvement

21:21 The Impact of Aviva on Parenting Dynamics

27:59 The Importance of Family Communication

30:25 Enhancing Parental Organization with Aviva

32:41 The Future of AI in Parenting

35:26 User Feedback and Feature Requests

42:54 Getting Started with Aviva

49:36 Exciting Future Developments for Aviva

51:37 Outro

In this episode of the Dad Improvement Podcast, Shellee Howard shares invaluable insights on parenting, college admissions, and financial planning for education. She emphasizes the importance of reading to children, understanding their aspirations, and planning for college early.

Shellee discusses the significance of finding a child's 'why' and how to support them through their educational journey. She also provides practical advice on navigating financial aid, scholarships, and the complexities of 529 plans and FAFSA.

The conversation highlights the importance of proactive planning and open communication between parents and children regarding education and future aspirations.

If you would like to work with Shellee at College Ready you can click HERE

30 Minute call with Shellee click HERE

For Shellee's books click HERE

Shellee's Nonprofit click HERE

00:00 The Importance of Reading to Children

03:24 Navigating College Admissions: A Personal Journey

07:23 Understanding Different Student Needs

13:12 Finding Your Child's 'Why' in Education

17:22 Planning for College: The Right Time to Start

21:25 Financial Strategies for College Funding

34:25 Understanding 529 Plans and Financial Strategies

40:27 The Importance of FAFSA and Financial Aid

47:30 Scholarship Strategies and Early Planning

56:32 Exploring Global Education Options

01:01:25 Advice for Parents: Engaging with Your Child

01:03:45 Outro

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