Dad Spotlight - Helping You Be The Best Dad, Father and Parent You Can!

In this episode of The Dads Toolbox, Dr. Robert Zeitlin, rejoins us and turns the table on Don Jackson to talk about school and transitions for fathers when it comes to sending your kids to school for the first time. Dr. Robert Zeitlin is a father, speaker, psychologist and the author of [amazon text=Laugh More, Yell Less&asin=099629290X]. You may remember Dr. Robert Zeitlin from his earlier interviews with us about his book and about depression and seasonal affective disorder. We truly love having Dr. Robert Zeitlin as a member of the Dads Toolbox team and we think you will truly love seeing a different side to Don Jackson and also a different side to how we deal with transitions in general.

IDEO is a,the design firm that behind these design-thinking challenges, runs online courses including Insights for Innovation, the one that led me to interview Don on the subject of transitions

As Dr. Robert Zeitlin interviews Don Jackson, he explores the background of Don’s blog Daddy Newbie as well as the reason for Don’s love of baseball and coaching in general. Don Jackson talks about how coaching his son allows him to stay connected to him now that he is in school.

When Don’s son went to school, he reflected that he remembered how much he was dreading the transition that he was going to go through without having his son by his side every day. What he tried to do was do little things like: when he wanted to see what his son was doing, he waited a few extra minutes to see what was happening instead of going right away. While Don knew that this was only small in nature, it was a start.

When he dropped his son off for the first day, he went back to his car, and just sat there. He found himself tearing up, being emotional thinking about all of the things that will come now that his son was in school. Now that some time has gone by he has found that he has to take things in steps instead of getting overwhelmed by what was happening in this transition.

While Don knows that if anything ever happens to his child he will be the first person to be there to help him, but he notes that there is a dichotomy between this and what you have to do as a parent to support your child and allow your child their autonomy and their freedom.

As Don thinks ahead at when his son will be in kindergarten full time, he knows that he will have to break down this transition into parts. He will have to learn how to talk with his son about his own school experience. After this it is going through each day one day at a time.

When you are going through this, make sure that you are able to be all in and be there in that moment. Leave all of the adult stuff behind, and be there with your kids as those moments will be fleeting and gone before you know it.

Don says that he is still working on a bit of everything as it comes to the transition that he is going through, but really he is working on his patience. He said that it is too easy to get caught up in adult life, and while your kids are oblivious on what is happening around them, we are not. We have to keep in mind that the only things that will live on beyond us is our kids.

Robert talked to us about his concept, Pop Up PD

He entered his Pop-Up PD idea with The Teachers Guild

Dr. Robert Zeitlin also has a very  exciting school project called: XQ Super School Project, where he entered a design for a new school called

Welcome back to The Dads Spotlight, where we share with you great information to help you be the best dad possible. The Real Brian joins us this week to talk to us about we can find passion in life!

The Real Brian has been behind the microphone for more than 20 years in radio, MC’ing, and now podcasting to name a few.  

Brian hosts multiple podcasts, including Profitcast, Podcasters’ Paradise, and Arrow Squad. Brian is a musician, roasts his own coffee, enjoys biking, sci-fi, superheroes, gaming, basketball, and, his wife and greyhounds!

We talked to Brian about passion and finding the passion in everything that you do on a daily basis.

His podcasts

* Arrow Squad

* Audiobooks Podcast

* Podcasters Paradise Podcast

* Profitcast

 

For Brian, the journey that he went on was a long one. It was one that started by him looking at the men around him. He found that many of the men around him were not happy. Somewhere along the way the dreams that these men had to change the world were lost.

As Brian looked at these men and was on his own journey, he knew that he had to do something that he could do to encourage and empower others.

To find your passion, The Real Brian says you need to ask yourself:

* What is your passion?

* What most excites you?

* What goes along with your strengths and talents?

* What is realistic?

* What do you really want?

The Real Brian talked about taking the DISC or other personality test to get a better picture on yourself. Taking tests like this allows you to narrow your passions.

The Real Brian says it’s like waking up on Christmas morning now that he has found the passion for his life.

The Real Brian also shared that having a good mentor helps in finding your passion too. Sometimes finding a mentor is challenging, but do not give up. If you are trying to find a mentor Brian mentioned that mindset is key when it comes to finding a mentor. You need to have an abundant mindset instead of a poverty mindset. He also shared that you really have to rewire your brain to be as positive of a person as you can be and build relationships with many people.

* Meet People

* Build a genuine friendship – not just for something

* Ask

 

 

If you have not yet gotten your free guide: 15 Low Cost Ways To Engage With Your Kids – Pick it up today

As always, please swing by to visit us on iTunes and Stitcher to stay connected to the most up-to-date happenings with the podcast. Also, if you are on iTunes  and you are a listener, please leave us a review as this helps other people find us too!

In this episode of the Dads Toolbox we had the chance to bring back Chris Baccus of Sustainable Dad to spend some time with us talking about meal delivery services and his experiences using a number of them!

Chris Baccus spent about a month reviewing a number of the main meal delivery services for his own website. He looked at six meal delivery services including Blue Apron, Plated, Sun Basket, Gobble, Green Chef and The Purple Carrot. You can read more about his experiences over at Sustainable Dad.

Chris Baccus mentioned that he found that most of these programs would cost about $60 for a week of meals. Many of the meals were a bit “adventurous” when it comes to family meals, but for Chris Baccus and his wife these meals were a great fit. You pick from 5 or 6 options, they show up about in a few days.

In making the meals he found that most took about 30-45 minutes though he did say that Blue Apron meals did on average take over an hour to make the meals.

With all of these services you typically will get 2 meals free when you first sign up.

Chris Baccus said the meal portions for the most part were filling. Sun Basket was one that provided a lot of food with each meal that you ordered. Gobble was one that he found that the portions were quite small.

Chris mentioned that if you are a big meat eater, you will find that the meat provided in these will be small.

If you are not a large chef, Chris Baccus mentioned that the companies give you all of the ingredients and instructions that you need to be able to make the meals. He did say that you should not get discouraged if you do not get food that looks exactly like the picture. He said that you do need to have some familiarity with cooking to be able to make these meals, but he said that these will allow you to expand your ability to cook different types of food.

 

Does this sound good to you, here are some deals for you to try them out for yourself:

* Get 3 Meals Free from Sun Basket! Fresh organic ingredients and easy recipes delivered, with Paleo, Gluten-free and Vegetarian options.

Have you ever used these meal delivery services? If so , what were your thoughts?

 

This is not Chris Baccus’ first time to the Dads Toolbox. If you missed any of his previous visits, check out:

Episode 48 – Mexican Food With Chris Baccus

Episode 32 – Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes You Will Love With Chris Baccus

 

We have been talking a lot lately about fitness and getting healthy and if you have been listening lately you know that we have been trying to help you get fit along with us! Is this the time that you want to get fit? If so, click on the below link to get fit with us!

SIGN UP TO GET FIT WITH CHRIS & DON

[amazon text=The Whole Life Fitness Manifesto &asin=1928055079]– registration for the phase 5 has started and the fitness journey begins with this episode – Learn more about Dai’s program and community.

Want to hear more from Dai? Listen to some of the other episodes that he has been on in the past!

* A Fitness Challenge with Dai Man...

Welcome back to The Dads Spotlight, where we share with you great information to help you be the best dad possible. Doug French, co-founder of the Dad 2.0 Summit joined us this week to talk about the conference, but also what the conference stands for and what it is doing to help dads to be better and more engaged. 

We know that we have talked about Dad 2.0 in the past but for those of you that this is your first time hearing about it The Dad 2.0 Summit is an annual conference where marketers, social media leaders, and blogging parents connect to discuss the changing voice and perception of modern fatherhood.

The conference also works to defy stereotypes by promoting active, engaged fathers and encouraging dads to take active roles in their children’s lives. The Dad 2.0 Summit is an open conversation about the commercial power of dads online, as well as an opportunity to learn the tools and tactics used by influential bloggers to create high-quality content, build personal brands, and develop viable business models.

This year the conference sounds like it will be an exciting one with

* 9 breakouts

* 14th roundtable

* Brad Meltzer as the Opening Speaker

* Derreck Kayongo as the closing speaker

* Amazing events

and more….

 

The entire schedule is now live at the Dad 2.0 Summit website

 

There will be over 400 conference attendees this year and the conference continues to grow every year.

 

If you are not a blogger, but want to be a better dad, this is a great conference to help you find a tribe and find others that have a similar passion for being a dad as you have. Doug mentioned that there is a vibe that you will get at this conference that will show you that this group is family. There are a lot of hugs and it is like a family reunion every time we get together.

The conference also talks to what needs to be done to bring forth great examples of fatherhood and help dads be the best that they can be.

There are some great sponsors that are returning to the conference as well as some new ones as well.

A special shout out to all of the sponsors

* Dove Men+ Care

* Kia

* Kidde Fire Safety

* LEGO

* Best Buy

* Meta Wellness

* Lee Jeans

* Rheam

* Domain.ME

* Hello Products

* Memoryweb

* Responsibility.org

* Restonic Mattress

* Smarty Pants

In this episode we had the chance to interview Amy Lang of BirdsandBeesandKids.com about how you can easily talk to your kids about issues surrounding safety and security. One of the issues that we touch on is the importance of talking to your kids about what parts of their bodies are their own and what is ok touching and what is not. Also, as parents what should we do if our child comes to you and says that someone has touched them in an inappropriate way.

Since 2005, nationally know sexuality and parenting expert Amy Lang, MA has helped parents of all beliefs make the birds and bees talks a regular and fun part of their family lives. Her goal is to help 1 million kids grow up to be whole and healthy adults by teaching their parents how to have easy and effective conversations with them about sexuality, love and relationships.

Amy Lang has been on the show two times in the past and has shared amazing information each time. If you missed either of them here is where you can find them:

* Episode 19 – Amy Lang on teaching kids about sex, love and relationships

* Episode 30– Amy Lang on talking to our daughters about sex, changing bodies & more

 

Some Great Sev Talk Resources To Help You!

Ages 2-5

* [amazon text=It’s Not the Stork!: A Book About Girls, Boys, Babies, Bodies, Families and Friends&asin=0763633313]

* [amazon text=What’s the Big Secret?: Talking about Sex with Girls and Boys&asin=0316101834]

* [amazon text=It’s MY Body: A Book to Teach Young Children How to Resist Uncomfortable Touch (Children’s safety series %26 abuse prevention)&asin=0943990033]

* [amazon text=I Can Play It Safe&asin=1575422859]

Ages 6-11

* [amazon text=It’s So Amazing!: A Book about Eggs, Sperm, Birth, Babies, and Families (The Family Library)&asin=0763668745]

* [amazon text=The Girl’s Body Book: Third Edition: Everything You Need to Know for Growing Up YOU&asin=1604335750]

* [amazon text=The Boy’s Body Book: Third Edition: Everything You Need to Know for Growing Up YOU&asin=1604335742]

* [amazon text=It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health (The Family Library)&asin=0763668729]

* [amazon text=Will Puberty Last My Whole Life?: REAL Answers to REAL Questions from Preteens About Body Changes, Sex, and Other Growing-Up Stuff&asin=1570617392]

Ages 12 and older

* [amazon text=Body Drama: Real Girls, Real Bodies, Real Issues, Real Answers&asin=1592403263]

* [amazon text=Dating Smarts: What Every Teen Needs To Know To Date, Relate Or Wait&asin=B00N9MQ1YA]

* [amazon text=Spare Me ‘The Talk’!: A Guy’s Guide to Sex, Relationships, and Growing Up&asin=099043060X]

* [amazon text=It’s Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health (The Family Library)&asin=0763668729]

* [amazon text=S.E.X.: The All-You-Need-To-Know Progressive Sexuality Guide to Get You Through High School and College&asin=1600940102]

Parenting Books

* [amazon text=Birds + Bees + YOUR Kids – A Guide to Sharing Your Beliefs about Sexuality, Love, and Relationships: Everything YOU Need To Know Before Middle School!&asin=B00TEFLG0K]

* [amazon text=The Me, Me, Me Epidemic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capable, Grateful Kids in an Over-Entitled World&asin=0399169970]

* [amazon text=NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children&a...

Welcome back to The Dads Spotlight, where we share with you great information to help you be the best dad possible. Tyler Durman is referred to as the “Teen-Whisperer and he has interviewed thousands of teens over the last few years to gain a better perspective on what teens are looking for from us as parents and he is coming to the Dad Spotlight this week to share his expertise with us!

Each year, educators who have witnessed Tyler’s ability to connect with the age group deemed “impossible” invite him to speak at their schools. Tyler Durman has been able to bond with thousands of students through transparency and personal experiences, Tyler speaks at over 400 schools a year and his comedic approach to storytelling breaks down barriers with even the most hardened teens, allowing him to connect with them in a way they’re not able to with most adults, or even fellow peers.

 Recently, Tyler Durman wrote a book capturing the words that he collected over the years from the teenagers he spoke with. In [amazon text=Counterintuitive: What 4 Million Teenagers Wish We Knew&asin=0986197351] you are given a rare window into the lives of the teenagers that Tyler interviewed as they confessed and confided things they had never told anyone before. This book is the perfect tool for any parent or teacher who wants to understand how to effectively communicate with their teen.

Tyler Durman share his thoughts on his book but went beyond this and shared even more to help each and every one of us as we work with our own children.

 

Demo with Students from Tyler Durman on Vimeo.

Do you have a question about cameras? Want more tips about taking great photos of your kids. Sign up for our Family Photography Newsletter!

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We have been talking a lot lately about fitness and getting healthy and if you have been listening lately you know that we have been trying to help you get fit along with us! Is this the time that you want to get fit? If so, click on the below link to get fit with us!

SIGN UP TO GET FIT WITH CHRIS & DON

[amazon text=The Whole Life Fitness Manifesto &asin=1928055079]– registration for the phase 5 has started and the fitness journey begins with this episode – Learn more about Dai’s program and community.

Want to hear more from Dai? Listen to some of the other episodes that he has been on in the past!

* A Fitness Challenge with Dai Manuel

* Fitness and Nutrition With Dai Manuel – The Dads Tool Box

* Sugar Detox With Dai Manuel – The Dads Tool Box

* Fitness With Dai Manuel – The Dads Tool Box

If you are getting ready to get fit and looking to also start eating healthy we wanted to tell you about another great company that we learned about:

Get 40...

In this episode of the Dads Toolbox, we are bringing back Adam Cohen of DadaRocks.com to talk about selecting the perfect camera for your family. Also, we hope to help you with understanding what you should be looking for in a camera and maybe even getting some good insight into which camera you might want to consider!

Taking pictures is a part of life and all of us as dads want to create as well as capture memories to cherish for a lifetime and Adam Cohen has a ton of experience that he shares with all of you today.

Some of the Cameras Mentioned Today!

There are a ton of great cameras on the market today. We talked about some that we all are loving. A few of the ones that you could consider include:

* [amazon text=Samsung NX1&asin=B00V5UDU60]

* [amazon text=Samsung NX500&asin=B00SYKXMKS]

* [amazon text=Samsung NX 30&asin=B00HV6KGNM]

* [amazon text=Samsung NX 3000&asin=B00K88XMYK]

* [amazon text=NIKON 3200&asin=B016VOV714]

 

Do you have a question about cameras? Want more tips about taking great photos of your kids. Sign up for our Family Photography Newsletter!

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We have been talking a lot lately about fitness and getting healthy and if you have been listening lately you know that we have been trying to help you get fit along with us! Is this the time that you want to get fit? If so, click on the below link to get fit with us!

SIGN UP TO GET FIT WITH CHRIS & DON

[amazon text=The Whole Life Fitness Manifesto &asin=1928055079]– registration for the phase 5 has started and the fitness journey begins with this episode – Learn more about Dai’s program and community.

Want to hear more from Dai? Listen to some of the other episodes that he has been on in the past!

* A Fitness Challenge with Dai Manuel

* Fitness and Nutrition With Dai Manuel – The Dads Tool Box

* Sugar Detox With Dai Manuel – The Dads Tool Box

* Fitness With Dai Manuel – The Dads Tool Box

If you are getting ready to get fit and looking to also start eating healthy we wanted to tell you about another great company that we learned about:

Get 40% off on Healthier Snacks. Find a fun and convenient way to discover all-natural or organic surprise snacks delivered to your home or office for FREE. Subscribe Now at LoveWithFood.com!

We also completed the the 21 Day Sugar Detox that we have been talking to you about over the past few weeks and in our interview with Diane Sanfilippo. Just because we are done, you can do this too! Check out the

Welcome back to The Dads Spotlight, where we share with you great information to help you be the best dad possible. We all see some people that are in the public eye and wonder what they are like as parents, but we never get the opportunity to hear more. Today that changes!

Today we had the opportunity to interview Stephen Lee, who was one of the top four finalists on last season’s Masterchef on Fox.

Stephen Lee is an Urban Gardener from Palm Springs, CA and as I mentioned a top finalist on Masterchef. What was interesting in the interview is that you will see a whole new side of Stephen Lee from what you may have seen in Masterchef. Stephen Lee talks to us about fatherhood, the show, his sustainable food mission, and more.

If you have never seen Stephen Lee on Masterchef before, I found this great video bringing a number of clips together from the season!

You can also follow Stephen on Facebook, Twitter or in other places online!

 

 

We have been talking a lot lately about fitness and getting healthy and if you have been listening lately you know that we have been trying to help you get fit along with us! Is this the time that you want to get fit? If so, click on the below link to get fit with us!

SIGN UP TO GET FIT WITH CHRIS & DON

[amazon text=The Whole Life Fitness Manifesto &asin=1928055079]– registration for the phase 5 has started and the fitness journey begins with this episode – Learn more about Dai’s program and community.

Want to hear more from Dai? Listen to some of the other episodes that he has been on in the past!

* A Fitness Challenge with Dai Manuel

* Fitness and Nutrition With Dai Manuel – The Dads Tool Box

* Sugar Detox With Dai Manuel – The Dads Tool Box

* Fitness With Dai Manuel – The Dads Tool Box

If you are getting ready to get fit and looking to also start eating healthy we wanted to tell you about another great company that we learned about:

Get 40% off on Healthier Snacks. Find a fun and convenient way to discover all-natural or organic surprise snacks delivered to your home or office for FREE. Subscribe Now at LoveWithFood.com!

We also completed the the 21 Day Sugar Detox that we have been talking to you about over the past few weeks and in our interview with Diane Sanfilippo. Just because we are done, you can do this too! Check out the program for yourself!

If you have not yet gotten your free guide: 15 Low Cost Ways To Engage With Your Kids – Pick it up today

As always, please swing by to visit us on

In this episode of the Dads Toolbox, we are bringing back Jeff Bogle of OWTK.com to talk about music that you will want to check out personally and with your kids in 2016!

Below are some of the artists that he shares with us this week. Take a listen and let us know which is your favorite and what music you are excited about for 2016!

Artists to watch out for in 2016

Trees – First time collaboration between Billy Kelly and Molly Letford. Learn more on their website or purchase the CD on [amazon text=Amazon&asin=B01AB9IV64]!

Gustafer Yellowgold – Learn more his their website or purchase the CD on Amazon [amazon text=Dark Pie Concerns&asin=B012D2WXDO]

Strawberry Love was another song on this CD that Jeff really loved!

The two bands Jeff is very excited about for 2016 are:

 

The Not-Its – Are you Listening –  Learn more his their website or purchase the CD on Amazon [amazon text=Are you Listening&asin=B01AINL6RE]

Bird on a Wire

 

Moona Luna – Panorama –  Learn more his their website 

The Pop Ups – The Great Pretenders Club –  Learn more his their website or purchase the CD on Amazon [amazon text=The Great Pretenders Club&asin=B015JX99GI]

Want to learn about more great music for kids? Jeff shares some great other artists in Episode 14.

 

We have been talking a lot lately about fitness and getting healthy and if you have been listening lately you know that we have been trying to help you get fit along with us! Is this the time that you want to get fit? If so, click on the below link to get fit with us!

SIGN UP TO GET FIT WITH CHRIS & DON

[amazon text=The Whole Life Fitness Manifesto &asin=1928055079]– registration for the phase 5 has started and the fitness journey begins with this episode – Learn more about Dai’s program and community.

Want to hear more from Dai? Listen to some of the other episodes that he has been on in the past!

* A Fitness Challenge with Dai Manuel

* Fitness and Nutrition With Dai Manuel – The Dads Tool Box

* Sugar Detox With Dai Manuel – The Dads Tool Box

* Fitness With Dai Manuel – The Dads Tool Box

If you are getting ready to get fit and looking to also start eating healthy we wanted to tell you about another great company that we learned about:

Get 40% off on Healthier Snacks. Find a fun and convenient way to discover all-natural or organic surprise snacks delivered to your home or office for FREE. Subscribe Now at LoveWithFood.com!

We also completed the the 21 Day Sugar Detox that we have been talking to you about over the past few weeks and in our interview with

Welcome back to The Dads Spotlight, where we share with you great information to help you be the best dad possible. Sometimes we like to be able to introduce you great dads that are doing amazing things and Chris Gilligan is a great example of this!

Chris Gilligan is executive producer and director of Disney Junior’s fairytale-inspired animated series “Goldie & Bear.” Chris Gilligan is a 25-year veteran of film, television and animation, Gilligan’s credits include Disney’s “[amazon text=James and the Giant Peach&asin=B003L4Y5BW],” “[amazon text=Ice Age: The Meltdown&asin=B000GUJZ00],” “[amazon text=Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who&asin=B006VWOQVA],” “[amazon text=Robots&asin=B00005JNQS]” and Oscar-nominated “[amazon text=Frankenweenie&asin=B00A8KJK7G].” Gilligan currently serves as co-owner of independent feature film company Wild Invention, executive producers of the multi-nominated “[amazon text=The Loneliest Planet&asin=B00A92MG88]” and “[amazon text=The Lifeguard&asin=B00DJYKGNK].”

 

On top of all of this Chris Gilligan lives in New York City with his wife and two children.

 

Have you ever heard of Goldie and Bear before? If not, it is a show to check out with your young kids today.

o

The above episode of Goldie & Bear premiers today, January 25 on Disney Junior. You can find episodes on the WATCH Disney Junior app and WATCH Disney Junior.com. The show is set in the magical world of Fairy Tale Forest and is for kids age 2-7. The show reunites the fairy tale characters of Goldie and Bear, after the renowned porridge incident featured in “Goldilocks and The Three Bears.”

“Goldie & Bear” captures the timeless appeal of sharing stories through fairy tales, folk tales and nursery rhymes. Each episode features two 11-minute stories that showcase the new, unexpected friendship between Goldie and Bear as they seek out fun and adventure along with their friends and neighbors, all of whom are drawn from beloved storybook characters. Whether it’s helping the Big Bad Wolf learn to consider others before blowing down their houses, helping Jack and Jill get up that hill, or rescuing accident-prone Humpty Dumpty after his great fall, Goldie and Bear enjoy living in a fairytale world filled with real-life situations, humorous mishaps and heartfelt moments.

 

We have been talking a lot lately about fitness and getting healthy and if you have been listening lately you know that we have been trying to help you get fit along with us! Is this the time that you want to get fit? If so, click on the below link to get fit with us!

SIGN UP TO GET FIT WITH CHRIS & DON

[amazon text=The Whole Life Fitness Manifesto &asin=1928055079]– registration for the phase 5 has started and the fitness journey begins with this episode – Learn more about Dai’s program and community.

Want to hear more from Dai? Listen to some of the other episodes that he has been on in the past!

* A Fitness Challenge with Dai Manuel

* Fitness and Nutrition With Dai Manuel – The Dads Tool Box

* Sugar Detox With Dai Manuel – The Dads Tool Box

*