We sat down with 4-time Grammy winner Sara Watkins to solve a problem every professional faces: How do you maintain a 30-year career without burning out or losing your creative edge? From founding Nickel Creek at age eight to touring with icons like Jackson Browne, Sara has mastered the "communal dance" of longevity.

In this session, we tackle the high-stakes pressure of performance anxiety. Sara reveals the counterintuitive secret that transformed her art: how motherhood taught her to stop "sweating the small stuff," making her a more fearless performer. We break down her blueprint for navigating complex team dynamics, the power of "side-person" leadership, and why she treats music as an essential life skill—like math or cooking—to avoid the traps of forced practice. If you’re struggling to balance ego with collaborative success, Sara’s "osmotic" approach to learning will revolutionize your workflow. This is your masterclass in staying grounded while scaling your talent.

Check out Sara here: https://www.sarawatkins.com/

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Welcome to a special video edition of Dadville! We’re kicking things off with Dave’s high-energy celebration of Arsenal’s Premier League victory and a deep dive into why sports culture feels like family.

Then, we pivot to the "frontal assault" of summer parenting. As school rhythms fade, we share our best survival "tips and tricks" to keep the chaos at bay. Discover the power of tangible bucket lists—featuring everything from Walmart trips to visiting local glass-blowing studios—and learn how to manage screen time by treating it as "capital" earned through reading or chores. We also discuss Jon's $100 piano challenge and why local summer camps are a strategic win for every parent.

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Today we’re hanging out with the legendary Anjelah Johnson-Reyes. You’ve seen her viral "Nail Salon" bit and her iconic characters from Mad TV, but in this episode, we get into the nuts and bolts of her career and life as a mom. Anjelah shares her fascinating process for building a comedy hour, from recording every set to "cut the fat" to the daunting anxiety of starting a project from scratch.

We dive into her self-produced special, Ugly Baby, and how she "sleuthed" her own audio archives to find the perfect family footage. Beyond the stage, we talk about her husband Manuel’s "resplendent" hair and her daughter Rosie’s hilarious two-year-old sass. Most importantly, Anjelah offers a powerful perspective on parenting: Your child isn't "giving you a hard time," they’re going through a hard time.

Watch Angela's New Special, Ugly Baby, HERE!

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Today, we’re hanging out with our friend Erin Napier, who is busy saving Laurel, Mississippi, one 25,000-square-foot hotel at a time. We dive into the "unfortunate" (that’s code for ugly) projects and the heart behind her latest restoration, The Heirloom, which survived a "devastating" fire just weeks before opening.

Erin spills the tea on her first year as a homeschooling mom—turns out it only takes two hours a day, leaving plenty of time for her daughter to job-shadow a vet. We also discuss her strict "no-weekend-work" policy and why Ben is a nearly perfect husband, despite his chaotic habit of leaving every single cabinet door open.

From air-conditioned mattresses to dodging a massive Great Pyrenees puppy at the breakfast table, Erin reminds us that—no matter what the world says—not everything is an emergency. Come for the design tips, stay for the wisdom on building a life, not just a brand.

Follow Erin: https://erinandben.co/

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Welcome to Momville! In this episode, we’re hanging out with the legendary Lori McKenna, a three-time Grammy winner who somehow balanced raising five kids with a world-class songwriting career. We dive into her "internal rhythm" of 74 BPM and the hilarious reality of her early days showing up to open mics with a minivan and actual peanut butter on her guitar.

Lori gets real about her 30-year marriage to Gene, their legendary four-degree thermostat war, and her self-described "underwhelming" mom status. From failing at selling Tupperware to writing hits for Taylor Swift, she shares how she won the lottery without ever buying a ticket. Whether you're obsessed with an empty kitchen sink or currently orbiting your adult children, join us for some funny thoughts and deep talks.

Visit Lori: https://www.lorimckenna.com

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LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS HERE! The legendary Sissy Goff and David Thomas join us this week. Things get off to a wild start when host Dave realizes that a woman who changed his life decades ago is actually David’s sister. Once the shock wears off, the group discusses the duo’s new book about raising capable kids in a world that feels increasingly fragile.

They explore why today’s kids are hesitant to do hard things, like getting a driver’s license, and how the pandemic created a cocoon of safety. You will hear about the importance of practicing flexibility—even if it means causing a dinner table crisis by moving one seat to the left—and why parents must manage their own anxiety while watching their children struggle. From aggressive New York bagel shops to eighth-grade boys sleeping in a gas leak pose, this episode is all about trading protection for preparation.

Check out their new book: https://www.raisingboysandgirls.com/capablebook

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This episode features a "PowerPod" collaboration between the fellas and the creators of the 3% podcast, Jamie and Blake. The conversation explores radical honesty, specifically the "3% concept"—the practice of sharing the final, shame-filled layer of truth that individuals typically withhold from even their closest friends. The participants discuss the transition from childhood "proximity friendships" to the foundational intentionality required to sustain deep male connections amidst the busyness of fatherhood.

Drawing on therapeutic insights within the sources, they examine how children often sacrifice their authenticity for attachment, a pattern contributing to the modern loneliness epidemic. A significant focus is placed on intentional parenting, highlighting the transformative power of a father’s apology. By embracing vulnerability and "killing the fourth wall" of parental perfection, fathers foster genuine connection and freedom within their families.

Check out the 3% Podcast: https://threepercentco.com

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The fellas are back with our dear friend Ben Rector. It’s a classic dad-session—think driveway-wine-in-camping-chairs vibes. Ben drops some hilarious truth bombs, like his daughter's most accurate description of what he's like. He also breaks down his quest to look less like an accountant with his new robust beard and a legendary sock shootout method to find the perfect pair.

But it’s not all oatmeal-sifting rituals and badminton losses. The guys get into the "real" stuff, too. Ben talks about his career shift—choosing depth over scale so he can actually be present for his kids' math homework. It’s a funny, deep, and totally relatable look at suburban fatherhood.

Go see Ben (and Jon) on tour: https://www.benrectormusic.com

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How quickly could you get a horse to downtown Boston?

Well, today's guest McKittrick Simmons posed that very question to Dave and it really framed their 20+ friendship in a new way. After meeting his new friend, Jon McLaughlin, McKittrick breaks down the "neutron bomb" of intentional friendship and why "no theologians allowed" Bible studies are the secret to growth. Whether navigating the "beta test" of parenting, escaping the "shadow world," or bearing witness to friends, this deep dive is for you.

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This week the fellas join up with former world number one tennis player and US Open champion Andy Roddick to discuss his legendary career and the transition into fatherhood. Jon is very excited!

Roddick reflects on holding the world’s fastest serve record, his humorous rivalry with Roger Federer, and the "light" feeling of retiring at age 30. He shares candid stories from the "School of Earth," including traveling the world alone at age twelve and why he believes parents must let their children fall sometimes to build resilience.

Roddick offers profound wisdom for sports parents, emphasizing the need to "control the controllables" and sharing Andre Agassi's advice on simplifying the path to excellence. From hosting Saturday Night Live to being the "third best player" on his high school team, Roddick brings his signature wit to a conversation about discipline, legacy, and the "white-knuckling" reality of parenting.

Visit Andy Roddick: https://www.youtube.com/@ServedPodcast

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