🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!

🟫 How Mindset Shapes Legacy | Featuring Jeff Vulpis and Bryan Ward | Ep. 306

👉 Jeff Vulpis is a mindset coach, speaker, and living example of resilience. He knows firsthand what it means to fight and comeback from rock bottom.

👉 After spending nearly 2 years homeless, living out of a rest area, Jeff made a life altering decision,

he would not be defined by his circumstances.

👉 Through faith, unshakable discipline, and a constant commitment to growth,

he rebuilt his life piece by piece, proving that the mindset is everything!

👉 Today, Jeff works with high performers, executives, realtors, bodybuilders, and comeback driven leaders who refuse to settle for mediocrity.

👉 His coaching is raw, real, and direct, teaching people how to handle pressure, eliminate excuses, and develop the kind of mental toughness required to win in every area of their life.

👉 What sets Jeff apart isn’t just his story, it’s the power he draws from it. He doesn’t teach generic methods, he teaches what he lived, and experience, forged in the fire of hardship and refined through years of personal transformation.

👉 His clients walk away not only inspired but free of excuses, and equipped with tools to dominate any season with clarity, confidence, and an unbreakable mindset!

👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.

Links are in my bio or in the show notes!

Dad Up!

Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.

📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:

✅ Dad Up Instagram:

https://instagram.com/daduppodcast

✅ Dad Up YouTube:

https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast

✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562

✅ Dad Up LinkTree:

https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe

📞 Contact with Jeff Vulpis:

✅ Jeff Vulpis Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/jeffvulpis

✅ Jeff Vulpis Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/jeffery.vulpis

✅ Jeff Vulpis LinkedIn :

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffvulpis

✅ Jeff Vulpis YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@jeffvulpis?si=Hp2lu8ejYNK2Tnhu

🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!

🟫 Preparing Your Kids For The Future Of College | Featuring Shellee Howard and Bryan Ward | Ep. 305

👉 My guest today is Shellee Howard, the founder and CEO of College Ready, a Certified Educational Consultant, two-time bestselling author, international speaker, and host of the Parents, Is Your Teen College Ready? podcast.

👉 Shellee helps high-achieving families navigate the often overwhelming college admissions process—without ending up buried in debt. What makes her approach so powerful is that it’s not just theory.

👉 As a single mother of four, she personally guided her children through the admissions journey—balancing academics, scholarships, and unique ambitions.

👉 From Ivy League halls to international study programs, her kids all graduated college completely debt-free.

👉 Now, Shellee takes that lived experience and proven system to families around the world.

👉 She works with busy professionals—doctors, lawyers, engineers, and business leaders—who want the very best for their teens but don’t have the time to figure it all out on their own.

👉 With her “Stand Out Strategy,” she aligns academic goals with financial planning, emotional readiness, and return on investment—so parents can confidently send their kids to the right school for the right reasons, without the crushing burden of loans.

👉 Her work has been featured on FOX, CBS, NBC, and in major national publications.

👉 Today, she’s here to share her insights on how families can create a clear path to college success, while building a legacy of financial freedom and opportunity for their children.

👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.

Links are in my bio or in the show notes!

Dad Up!

Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.

📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:

✅ Dad Up Instagram:

https://instagram.com/daduppodcast

✅ Dad Up YouTube:

https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast

✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562

✅ Dad Up LinkTree:

https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe

📞 Contact with Shellee Howard:

✅ Shellee Howard Website:

College Counseling Services | Graduate Debt-Free with Expert Guidance

✅ Shellee Howard Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/collegereadyplan

✅ Shellee Howard Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/CollegeReadyPlan?mibextid=wwXIfr

✅ Shellee Howard LinkedIn :

https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleehoward

🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!

🟫 Lighting The Way: Faith, Family & Filmmaking| Featuring Nathan and D’Lytha Myers and Bryan Ward | Ep. 304

👉 Nathan and D’Lytha Myers are a dynamic husband-and-wife creative team whose talents span acting, directing, producing, and teaching.

👉 Nathan D. Myers is an award-winning creator with credits as an actor, director, and production designer. He was the Lead Designer of the Capernaum Studios & Gardens project featured in The Chosen (seasons 1–3), recently designed the feature Matter of Time with Sean Astin, and has helmed projects for Great American Pureflix and other major productions.

👉 As Founder of Grafted Studios, Inc. and Co-Founder of the Fort Worth Actors Studio, Nathan has built a reputation for mentoring talent while continuing to act, direct, and write. His multiple award-winning musical feature Aria Appleton Shines (releasing this year) highlights his work as both a filmmaker and songwriter. Beyond the screen, he is also an author and homeschool dad of two.

👉 D’Lytha Myers is the Director of Fort Worth Actors Studio and co-creator/producer of Aria Appleton Shines.

👉 A seasoned actress, she has graced both stage and screen since 2002, performing at Casa Mañana, in regional theatre productions such as Man of La Mancha, Oklahoma!, and Cinderella, and in the feature film Rain alongside Academy Award winner Faye Dunaway. With a B.F.A. in Musical Theatre (University of Oklahoma), an M.A. in Drama (Texas Woman’s University), and international study at The Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, she brings a depth of craft and training to her work.

👉 Today, she balances her creative pursuits with homeschooling their daughter and son.

👉 Together, Nathan and D’Lytha embody the blend of artistry, faith, and family—building legacies both on-screen and at home.

👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.

Links are in my bio or in the show notes!

Dad Up!

Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.

📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:

✅ Dad Up Instagram:

https://instagram.com/daduppodcast

✅ Dad Up YouTube:

https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast

✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562

✅ Dad Up LinkTree:

https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe

📞 Contact with Nathan & D’Lytha:

✅ Aria Appleton Website:

https://www.ariaappleton.com/

✅ Nathan & D’Lytha Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/ariaappleton/?hl=en

✅ Nathan & D’Lytha Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/ariaappletonfilm/

✅ Aria Appleton Movie Trailer:

https://www.ariaappleton.com/trailer/

🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!

🟫 From At-Risk Youth To Empowered Families| Featuring Richard Ramos and Bryan Ward | Ep. 303

👉 Richard is an accomplished author, speaker, and parent coach with over three decades of experience in leadership development, family dynamics, and community building.

👉 His work has left a profound impact both nationally and internationally, particularly in empowering high-risk youth, parents, and families to create safe, supportive environments that foster personal growth and community transformation.

👉 Through his innovative leadership curriculum, Richard has trained more than 2,000 parent mentors and authored influential works, including Parents on a Mission and From the Margins to the Mainstream.

👉 A recognized authority in preventing community violence and promoting healthy family environments, Richard blends personal experience with professional expertise to guide families through the complexities of parenting, stepparenting, and building meaningful connections at home.

👉 His passion for equipping families to lead with confidence and resilience has touched communities worldwide.

👉 Richard’s mission is simple yet powerful: to help families not only survive life’s challenges but truly thrive, strengthening relationships, fostering leadership, and creating lasting change in their homes and communities.

👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.

Links are in my bio or in the show notes!

Dad Up!

Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.

📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:

✅ Dad Up Instagram:

https://instagram.com/daduppodcast

✅ Dad Up YouTube:

https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast

✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562

✅ Dad Up LinkTree:

https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe

📞 Contact with Richard Ramos:

✅ Richard Ramos Website:

https://www.richardrramos.com/

✅ Richard Ramos Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/pomleadership/

✅ Richard Ramos YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@richardrramos?si=IzQoze-2GY9rbW2A

✅ Richard Ramos Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-parent-whisperer/id1818393904

🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!

🟫 Empowering Kids Through Song | Featuring Michael Hemsworth and Bryan Ward | Ep. 302

👉 In this inspiring episode of the Dad Up Podcast, I sit down with lifelong music educator, author, and father, Michael Hemsworth.

👉 With over 20 years of experience as a music school director in California, Michael has helped thousands of families navigate the challenges and rewards of music education.

👉 As a father of three and the author of Mr. Michael’s Music Maker Manual, Michael brings a powerful dual perspective—both as a teacher and a parent.

👉 We dive into how parents can use music to cultivate intrinsic motivation, build resilience, and unlock creativity in their kids—not just in music lessons, but at home and in life.

👉 Michael shares practical tips, heartfelt stories, and deep insights into how music can become a lifelong tool for connection, growth, and personal development.

👉 Whether you’re a parent of a budding musician or simply looking for ways to better connect with your child’s creative side, this episode will equip you with encouragement and actionable advice you can start using today.

👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.

Links are in my bio or in the show notes!

Dad Up!

Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.

📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:

✅ Dad Up Instagram:

https://instagram.com/daduppodcast

✅ Dad Up YouTube:

https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast

✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562

✅ Dad Up LinkTree:

https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe

📞 Contact with Michael Hemsworth:

✅ Michael’s Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/mrmichaelmusicmaker

✅ Michael’s Linktree:

https://linktr.ee/mrmichaelmusicmaker?utm_source=linktree_profile

✅ Mr. Michael’s Music Maker Manual is available now and free to read on Kindle Unlimited: Read the book

Learn more at:

✅ Michael’s Website:

www.newsongsmusic.com/manual

🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!

🟫 From Fatherhood To The Ninja Warrior Stage| Featuring Brian Beckstrand and Bryan Ward | Ep. 301

👉 This week on Dad Up, I’m joined by Brian Beckstrand. He is a husband, father of five, and the original ninja dad behind one of the most inspiring families to ever hit the American Ninja Warrior course.

👉 What started as a backyard obstacle setup to keep his kids active has become something far greater, a family mission.

👉 Since Brian’s debut on American Ninja Warrior in 2013, the Beckstrand family has turned ninja into their family language, their bond, and their shared legacy.

👉 With four of his children and his wife now competing on the national stage, Brian steps back to the sidelines this season to cheer on 16-year-old Baylee as she makes her ANW debut in Season 17.

👉 But this story isn’t just about strength and agility, it’s about parenting with intention, building connection through challenge, and inspiring families to chase greatness together.

👉 Brian also shares how they’ve expanded their passion by opening two Ninja Fitness gyms in Southern Utah, empowering hundreds of other families to discover the power of movement, mindset, and unity.

👉 Tune in as we dive into how ninja became more than a sport, it became the heartbeat of a legacy.

👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.

Links are in my bio or in the show notes!

Dad Up!

Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.

📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:

✅ Dad Up Instagram:

https://instagram.com/daduppodcast

✅ Dad Up YouTube:

https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast

✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562

✅ Dad Up LinkTree:

https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe

📞 Contact with Brian Beckstrand:

✅ Brian’s Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/beckstrand_family_ninjas

✅ Beckstrand Website:

Welcome to The Grip Ninja – The Grip Ninja

🎙️ Welcome to a new episode!

This is episode 300!!

🟫 Emmy-Winning & Former Sesame Street Exec Gets Real On Being A Dad | Featuring Jordan Geary and Bryan Ward | Ep. 300

👉 In this episode of the Dad Up Podcast, I sit down with Jordan Geary, an Emmy Award-winning creative producer and former senior leader at Sesame Workshop, the iconic team behind Sesame Street.

👉 With 20+ years of experience in children’s and family content, Jordan shares powerful insights on fatherhood, creative leadership, and building legacy through storytelling.

👉 As the Senior Creative Producer at Sesame Workshop, Jordan has helped shape hit shows like:

• 🧩 Helpsters

• 🤖 Mecha Builders

• 📖 Ghostwriter

• 🧱 Bea’s Block

👉 He’s also produced more than 300+ digital shorts for Sesame Studios, bringing rich, inclusive content to kids everywhere.

👉 In our conversation, we dive deep into: ✅ What it takes to create meaningful children’s television

✅ The power of storytelling in kids’ media

✅ The balance between parenting and creative work

✅ Lessons on fatherhood, legacy, and leadership

✅ Behind-the-scenes of producing

award-winning kids content

👉 Jordan has earned numerous awards including an Emmy, six Telly Awards, and served as President of the Children’s Media Association.

👉 His expertise in both animation and live-action makes him a true force in family entertainment.

👉 Whether you’re a creative dad, a fan of Sesame Workshop, or passionate about quality content for children, this episode is packed with inspiration and insight.

👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.

Links are in my bio or in the show notes!

Dad Up!

Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.

📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:

✅ Dad Up Instagram:

https://instagram.com/daduppodcast

✅ Dad Up YouTube:

https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast

✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562

✅ Dad Up LinkTree:

https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe

📞 Contact with Jordan Geary:

✅ Jordan Geary Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thejordangeary

✅ Jordan Geary Website:

Home - Jordan Geary

✅ Jordan Geary Links:

Jordan Geary

🎙️ Welcome to a new episode! I’m excited to share these reality star guests with you.

🟫 Dads Who Lead | Featuring Tom Pfanner and Bryan Ward | Ep. 299

👉 I am joined by Tom Pfanner, The Leadership Dad, a husband, father of three, combat athlete, and former Division 1 strength coach who’s on a mission to help fathers lead with strength and purpose.

👉 After becoming a father at 18 and facing the heartbreak of being pushed out of his son’s life, Tom has rebuilt not only a strong, blended family, but a legacy.

👉 Now, as the founder of Dads Who Lead, Tom equips men to become trusted, respected leaders in their homes.

👉 With 7 years of experience as a public educator, Tom saw the critical lack of real-world readiness among today’s youth.

👉 His calling? Helping dads understand teenage rebellion and break generational cycles before it’s too late.

👉 If you’re a father who’s navigating the teenage years or rebuilding after adversity, this conversation is for you.

👉 Tom brings real talk, lived experience, and practical wisdom to empower you to lead your family with clarity and courage.

👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.

Links are in my bio or in the show notes!

Dad Up!

Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.

📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:

✅ Dad Up Instagram:

https://instagram.com/daduppodcast

✅ Dad Up YouTube:

https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast

✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562

✅ Dad Up LinkTree:

https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe

📞 Contact with Tom Pfanner:

✅ Tom Pfanner Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/dadswholead

✅ Tom Pfanner Website:

https://www.dadswholead.com

✅ Tom Pfanner YouTube:

https://youtube.com/@theleadershipdad?si=z8iydVJoo1m7VJxe

🎙️ Welcome to a new episode! I’m excited to share these reality star guests with you.

🟫 Parenting Teens With Purpose | Featuring Mike Barsamian and Bryan Ward | Ep. 298

👉 In this powerful episode of the Dad Up Podcast, I’m joined by Mike Barsamian, widely known on Instagram as @miketheparentcoach.

👉 Mike is a certified parent and teen coach who helps high-achieving, emotionally exhausted parents reconnect with their teens through powerful tools, presence, and purpose.

👉 He’s the founder of the Present Solution for Parents and creator of the PACE Setter Parent Method, a system that teaches parents how to shift from control and conflict to connection and clarity.

👉 With a background in mentoring, coaching, and real-life parenting wins and losses, Mike brings both professional insight and relatable experience to the table.

👉 His coaching style blends practical strategies with deep empathy—helping parents understand what their teen’s behavior is really communicating and how to respond in ways that build trust and long-term connection.

👉 Mike shares daily wisdom and actionable advice through his fast-growing Instagram account, leads nationwide coaching sessions, and facilitates live workshops that are changing family dynamics one conversation at a time.

👉 In this episode, Mike opens up about the most common challenges parents face today, what it really takes to raise emotionally healthy teens, and how dads, in particular, can step into their leadership role at home with intention and heart.

👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.

Links are in my bio or in the show notes!

Dad Up!

Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.

📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:

✅ Dad Up Instagram:

https://instagram.com/daduppodcast

✅ Dad Up YouTube:

https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast

✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562

✅ Dad Up LinkTree:

https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe

📞 Contact with Mike Barsamian:

✅ Mike Barsamian Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/miketheparentcoach

✅ Mike Barsamian Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/MichaelBarsamian

✅ Mike Barsamian LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-barsamian

✅ Mike’s Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/present-solution-podcast/id1795139566

🎙️ Welcome to a new episode! I’m excited to share these reality star guests with you.

🟫 The Power of Presence, Pain, and Purpose in Fatherhood | Featuring Kaleb Stoppel and Bryan Ward | Ep. 297

👉 In this powerful episode of the Dad Up Podcast, I’m joined by Kaleb Stoppel.

👉 Dr. Kaleb Stoppel is a devoted husband, father of two, and former educator who has spent his life investing in others, whether in the classroom, on the athletic field, or through community service.

👉 After serving 15 years in education, including as a high school assistant principal and athletic director, Kaleb’s life was forever changed on March 4, 2022, when he was shot while protecting students and staff during a school shooting.

👉 His journey of healing, reflection, and rediscovery since that day has given him a renewed sense of purpose.

👉 For Kaleb, nothing matters more than being present for his family.

👉 That mindset led him to join the Fathers’ Club, an organization focused on helping dads engage more meaningfully with their children, schools, and communities.

👉 Through this work, Kaleb found a powerful platform to advocate for mental health awareness, especially among men who often struggle silently.

👉 He believes fatherhood is not about having it all figured out. It is about showing up, being real, and leading with love.

👉 Today, Kaleb continues to serve others as a financial advisor, helping individuals and families build secure, purpose-driven lives.

👉 Whether in his professional role or personal life, he is passionate about helping men reconnect with what matters most and reminding them that healing, growth, and hope are always possible.

👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.

Links are in my bio or in the show notes!

Dad Up!

Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.

📞 Contact with Bryan Ward:

✅ Dad Up Instagram:

https://instagram.com/daduppodcast

✅ Dad Up YouTube:

https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast

✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562

✅ Dad Up LinkTree:

https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe

📞 Contact with Kaleb Stoppel:

✅ Kaleb Stoppel Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/kaleb.stoppel

✅ Kaleb Stoppel LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kalebstoppel

✅ Kaleb Stoppel Website:

Kaleb Stoppel, Financial Advisor | Edward Jones