Dare to Dad
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Dare to Dad episodes

  • Adolescence, Part 1: Identity – Confusion & Peer Pressure

    In this episode of the Dare to Dad podcast, hosts Dr. Lester Clowes and Dr. Bobo Blankson dive into the topic of adolescent identity, using the new Netflix series 'Adolescence' as a springboard for discussion. From exploring the roles and interests of teenagers to offering practical advice for parents, this episode is packed with insights to help fathers support their children through this transformative - and sometimes terrifying - stage of life.

    If you received value from today's episode, then please follow our show and leave us a 5-star review. It’s a tremendous help in our show getting discovered by other Dads out there that need to hear these conversations. Also, we’re ramping up our efforts to get our message out to other platforms. Here’s a list of them below, and we’d love your support if you’re already browsing these spaces.

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@daretodadpodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daretodadpodcast/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daretodadpodcast/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daretodadpodcast

    TIME STAMPS

    01:34 Podcast Focus: Netflix Series 'Adolescence'

    02:24 Segment One: Identity

    10:24 Exploring Confusion and Identity

    22:18 Parental Support and Curiosity

    27:03 Curiosity, Courage, and Compassion

    28:57 Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode

    33 min
  • Part 2: 3 Ways You're Teaching Your Kids the Wrong Life Lessons

    Three Ways You're Teaching Your Kids the Wrong Life Lessons (Part 2)

    In this insightful episode of Dare to Dad, Dr. Lester Clowes and Dr. Bobo Blankson discuss how parents might inadvertently teach their children harmful life lessons. They talk about emotional suppression, how to model emotional intelligence, and the misconception that busyness equates to success. By sharing personal anecdotes and practical strategies, they emphasize the importance of vulnerability, emotional literacy, and healthy work-life balance. The episode aims to equip dads with the tools to foster a supportive and balanced environment for their kids.

    If you received value from today's episode, then please follow our show and leave us a 5-star review. It’s a tremendous help in our show getting discovered by other Dads out there that need to hear these conversations. Also, we’re ramping up our efforts to get our message out to other platforms. Here’s a list of them below, and we’d love your support if you’re already browsing these spaces.

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@daretodadpodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daretodadpodcast/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daretodadpodcast/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daretodadpodcast

    TIME STAMPS

    02:18 Lesson 2: Teaching Kids to Hide or Fix Emotions

    05:31 Modeling Emotional Regulation for Kids

    08:13 Validating Children's Emotions

    15:22 The Consequences of Emotional Suppression

    20:26 Normalizing Emotions and Confusion

    21:44 Lesson 3: Busyness Does Not Equal Success

    24:31 Modeling Balance for Kids

    27:57 Teaching Resourcefulness

    34:52 The Law of Diminishing Returns

    41:13 Final Thoughts and Recap

    45 min
  • Part 1: 3 Ways You're Teaching Your Kids the Wrong Life Lessons

    3 Ways You're Teaching Your Kids the Wrong Life Lessons

    In this episode of Dare to Dad, hosts Dr. Lester Clowes and Dr. Bobo Blankson dive into how parents may unintentionally impart the wrong life lessons to their kids. They focus on three key lessons: emphasizing process over achievement, fostering a growth mindset over perfectionism, and ensuring parental modeling of healthy attitudes towards success and failure. Both hosts share personal anecdotes about their parenting journeys and offer actionable advice on supporting children's holistic development. They also address common misinterpretations and clarify their stance on the importance of achievements within a balanced framework.

    If you received value from today's episode, then please follow our show and leave us a 5-star review. It’s a tremendous help in our show getting discovered by other Dads out there that need to hear these conversations. Also, we’re ramping up our efforts to get our message out to other platforms. Here’s a list of them below, and we’d love your support if you’re already browsing these spaces.

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@daretodadpodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daretodadpodcast/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daretodadpodcast/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daretodadpodcast

    TIME STAMPS

    01:23 Welcome to Dare to Dad

    02:00 Episode Notes and Announcements

    03:05 Catching Up: Personal Updates

    05:53 Three Ways You're Teaching Your Kids the Wrong Life Lessons

    07:10 Lesson 1: Your Worth Comes from Achievement

    08:31 Focusing on the Process, Not the Outcome

    14:55 Parental Modeling and Growth Mindset

    18:47 Balancing Praise and Real-World Lessons

    23 min
  • 4 Tip to Survive (and Thrive) the Holiday Season

    4 Tips to Survive (and Thrive) the Holiday Season

    In this episode of Dare to Dad, hosts Dr. Lester Clowes and Dr. Bobo Blankson provide dads with actionable tips to navigate the stress and challenges of the holiday season. They emphasize the importance of self-check-ins, focusing on moments instead of perfection, prioritizing self-care, and leading with gratitude and empathy. Through personal anecdotes, they highlight the need for intentionality and planning to ensure joyful and meaningful holiday experiences. The episode concludes with advice on how to effectively engage with kids and extended family members through curiosity and mindful conversations.

    If you received value from today's episode, then please follow our show and leave us a 5-star review. It’s a tremendous help in our show getting discovered by other Dads out there that need to hear these conversations. Also, we’re ramping up our efforts to get our message out to other platforms. Here’s a list of them below, and we’d love your support if you’re already browsing these spaces.

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@daretodadpodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daretodadpodcast/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daretodadpodcast/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daretodadpodcast

    TIME STAMPS

    01:45 Holiday Season Challenges and Joys

    06:47 Tip 1: Check In with Yourself

    13:42 Tip 2: Focus on Moments, Not Perfection

    19:17 Tip 3: Prioritize Self-Care

    27:31 Tip 4: Lead Through Gratitude and Empathy

    30:06 Navigating Holiday Gatherings with Empathy

    39:14 Encouraging Gratitude and Giving in Kids

    41:05 Letting Go of Control to Gain Influence

    46 min
  • GameWell: What Parents Need to Know About Video Games & Teen Loneliness

    To register for the entire summit and gain access to every session, head over to www.gamewell24.com!

    In this episode of Dare to Dad, co-hosts Dr. Lester Clowes and Dr. Bobo Blankson interview Dr. Yueh from the Digital Wellness Lab, in the second episode of a two-part series exploring her research on the intersection between digital media and adolescent well-being. They explore the intricate relationship between video gaming and loneliness among adolescents, challenging common perceptions and providing insights for parents. Dr. Yueh shares findings from her recent research, highlighting differences in gaming behaviors between boys and girls, and offers practical advice for parents on how to navigate their children's gaming habits and social interactions.

    01:33 Introduction of Dr. Yueh

    02:42 Overview of Dr. Yueh's Research

    03:57 Video Games as Social Avenues

    09:13 Findings on Boys' vs Girls' Gaming Behaviors

    15:38 Potential Risks and Parental Guidance

    16:46 Final Thoughts and Advice for Parents

    26:14 Closing Remarks

    29 min
  • GameWell 2024: Research on Parent Boundaries & Digital Media

    To register for the entire summit and gain access to every session, head over to www.gamewell24.com.

    In this episode of Dare to Dad, hosts Dr. Lester Clowes and Dr. Bobo Blankson welcome Dr. Zoe, a scientist from the Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital, to discuss her research on adolescent media use. The conversation focuses on balancing positive and negative interactive media impacts, effective parental strategies for managing media use, and the crucial role of parental modeling and autonomy support.

    01:54 Zoe's Background and Research Focus

    03:03 Paper Discussion: Navigating Fairness and Boundaries

    06:11 Role of Adolescents' Perceptions

    16:11 Q&A: Gender, Race, and Age Differences

    20:31 Conclusion and Takeaways

    23 min
  • From Pro Gamer to Parent: The Journey of Dennis Fong

    We have an exciting sneak preview from the upcoming GameWell 2024 summit! An interview with Dennis Fong, and his journey from the world's first professional gamer to entrepreneur and parent. 

    To learn more about Dennis's work in combating toxicity in gaming, check out www.ggwp.com. 

    And to register for the entire summit, head over to www.gamewell24.com! 

    Join us in this episode as we dive into the inspiring life of Dennis Fong, the first professional eSports gamer. Dennis shares his journey from mastering games like Doom and Quake to winning accolades such as John Carmack's Ferrari. He discusses balancing his dual roles as a gamer and entrepreneur, recalling how life's challenges shaped his parenting philosophy. We explore his commitment to fostering passion in his 14-year-old son and his latest venture, GGWP, an AI-driven platform to combat toxicity in gaming. This episode is packed with insights on balancing career and family, promoting healthy gaming, and the broader impacts of gaming on personal development and community-building. Dads looking for guidance on embracing their children's gaming interests will find this conversation particularly enriching.

    00:00 Introduction to Dennis Fong: The First eSports Gamer

    03:46 Winning John Carmack's Ferrari

    05:01 Balancing Gaming and Entrepreneurship

    07:42 Parenting and Gaming: A Full Circle

    13:04 Founding GGWP: Tackling Toxicity in Gaming

    19:46 Balancing Gaming and Education

    23:11 Parenting with Honesty and Directness

    26:08 Reflecting on Gaming Addiction

    29:37 Encouraging Productive Gaming

    34:00 Using Gaming to Explore New Interests

    38 min
  • Your Family & Video Games... A HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!

    Register for the summit at www.gamewell24.com!

    In this episode of 'Dare to Dad,' we start with an exciting announcement about our upcoming Virtual Summit for parents on October 25th and 26th. We dive into the importance of discussing digital wellness and video games, reflecting on past feedback and personal experiences with gaming. Featuring insights from the Digital Wellness Institute, leading experts in the field, and our own perspectives, we explore how video games can be harnessed for good while ensuring the safety and well-being of kids. Join us in this crucial conversation, register for the summit, and learn how to become an active participant in your child's gaming world.

    24 min
  • Interview w/ Coach Ian Stover - How Dad's Can Support Their Child Athlete

    In this episode of Dare to Dad, hosts Dr. Lester Clowes and Dr. Bobo Blankson interview Coach Ian Stover. Ian has spent more than 20 years coaching soccer and goalkeepers across all levels of the sport. They discuss the impact of parental pressure on young athletes and emphasize the importance of ensuring that sports remain fun for children. They delve into the evolution of youth sports, the role of parents, and how to choose the right coach. Coach Ian shares his insights on balancing being a dad and a coach, and the significance of allowing children to define their own sports journey. The episode also explores gender differences in sports and offers advice for parents whose children aren't top-tier athletes.

    Link to Dan Blank's Amazon Author Page - The soccer author mentioned during the show. 

    If you received value from today's episode, then please follow our show and leave us a 5-star review. It’s a tremendous help in our show getting discovered by other Dads out there that need to hear these conversations. Also, we’re ramping up our efforts to get our message out to other platforms. Here’s a list of them below, and we’d love your support if you’re already browsing these spaces.

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@daretodadpodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daretodadpodcast/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daretodadpodcast/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daretodadpodcast

    TIME STAMPS

    01:59 Special Guest: Coach Ian's Background

    05:14 Coach Ian's Coaching Philosophy

    12:19 The Influence of Social Media on Youth Sports

    16:41 Choosing the Right Coach for Your Child

    20:23 Balancing Fatherhood and Coaching

    24:24 Dealing with Kids Losing Interest in Sports

    31:57 Should Every Kid Play Sports?

    35:44 Balancing Pressure and Enjoyment

    39:29 Understanding Your Child's Goals in Sports

    41:43 The Role of Parents in Supporting Athletic Dreams

    51:33 Coach Ian’s Final Piece of Advice for Dads

    1 hr 3 min
  • 3 Dad Hacks for Going Back to School

    3 Dad Hacks for Going Back to School

    In this episode of Dare to Dad, hosts Dr. Lester Clowes and Dr. Bobo Blankson provide three actionable strategies for dads to help their kids transition smoothly back to school. They emphasize “giving kids space and grace” to ease the transition, the need to “plan instead of react” by collaboratively time-blocking activities, and for Dads to “ask how to serve” to best support their families. The episode underscores the importance of curiosity, planning, and mutual support to create a positive and structured school year.

    If you received value from today's episode, then please follow our show and leave us a 5-star review. It’s a tremendous help in our show getting discovered by other Dads out there that need to hear these conversations. Also, we’re ramping up our efforts to get our message out to other platforms. Here’s a list of them below, and we’d love your support if you’re already browsing these spaces.

    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@daretodadpodcast

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/daretodadpodcast/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daretodadpodcast/

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@daretodadpodcast

    TIME STAMPS

    01:40 Reflecting on Summer and Feedback

    04:56 Dad Hack #1: Give Your Kids a Break

    15:18 Dad Hack #2: More Planning, Less Reacting

    27:08 Dare to Serve: A Dad's Perspective

    35:39 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts

    39 min

About Dare to Dad

From the publisher's feed

Dare to Dad is a podcast dedicated to helping fathers “level up” their parenting. It was created by life and parent coach, Dr. Lester Clowes, and adolescent medicine pediatrician, Dr. Bobo Blankson. Armed with years of professional experience, practical tools, and personal stories (5 daughters between the two of them), Clowes and Blankson “dare” dads to be the best versions of themselves in a world that seems to expect them to settle for less. Nope, not these dads. And not YOU. Leveling up fatherhood, one episode at a time!