Driven Dads Podcast

You wouldn’t play a video game without grabbing power-ups…so why are so many dads avoiding power ups in real life?

In this episode, I unpack how everyday habits like skipping sleep, avoiding hard conversations, and bottling up stress are keeping dads stuck…and what to do instead. You’ll learn the simple Driven Dads F.a.S.T. framework (Focus and Start, Tweak) plus three practical power-ups you can activate today.

No reset button needed. Just a willingness to press start.

Keep stacking these wins.

Keep driving forward.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com

Ever planned the perfect family vacation only to have it completely fall apart? Flights get delayed, kids melt down, and suddenly, your relaxing getaway turns into an Olympic-level endurance event.

Great vacations (just like great lives) aren’t about luck, they’re about how you approach them.

In this episode, we’re diving into the three P’s of a great vacation and a great life:Planning – Setting yourself up for successPresence – Being where your feet arePerspective – Choosing how you see the moment

Because whether you’re stuck in traffic, dealing with a toddler who refuses to wear shoes, or navigating fatherhood, how you handle it makes all the difference.

Tune in for real-life travel stories, dad-life wisdom, and practical takeaways to help you enjoy the ride—both on vacation and at home.

Keep stacking wins and stay driven.

Cheers,

Will

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com

In this episode, I reflect on a major milestone: my daughter turning 16. It feels like just yesterday I was buckling her into a car seat, making sure she had her favorite stuffed animal. Now, she’s grabbing her own car keys, with a Starbucks in hand, ready to take on the road ahead.

Through the years, I’ve learned some hard-hitting lessons about fatherhood, and today, I’m sharing the five biggest takeaways that have shaped me as a dad. Whether your child is 6 months or 16 years old, these lessons will challenge and encourage you to be more intentional with your time.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

You Think You’re Teaching, But You’re Actually Learning: How kids reshape us as much as we shape them.You Can’t Parent Yesterday’s Child: Why adapting to your child’s growth is the key to staying connected.Presence Beats Perfection: What your kids actually remember (hint: it’s not the “big moments”).Your Words Become Their Inner Voice: How what we say today shapes their confidence tomorrow.Let Them See You Try: The power of apologizing and showing your kids what real leadership looks like.

3 Key Quotes:

* "Your parenting has to evolve with them. You can’t hold onto the version of them you miss. You have to love the version of them that’s right in front of you."

* "Our kids don’t need perfect dads. They need present dads."

* "One day, she won’t have me whispering these words to her. She’ll have to say them to herself. And I want her to have the right ones."

Support & Stay Connected:

* Subscribe to the Driven Dads Newsletter

* Follow me on Instagram for daily dad wisdom

Keep stacking these wins. Keep driving forward.

Cheers,

Will

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com

Parenting teens is a long game. Sometimes, it feels like every piece of advice you give goes in one ear and out the other. But trust this: your voice is there, in the background, shaping them in ways you can’t always see. In this episode, we talk about the power of consistency, patience, and being the steady presence in your teen’s life—even when it seems like they aren’t listening. Because one day, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day, those words will come right back to you.

Takeaways:✔ Why your words matter—even when it feels like they don’t.✔ How to stay consistent and model the values you want to see in your teen.✔ Encouragement for parents to keep showing up, even when it’s tough.

Join the Conversation:Have a win, a challenge, or a wild parenting story? I’d love to hear it! Reach out and let’s connect. And if this episode hit home for you, share it with another dad or parent who needs to hear it.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com

Complaining is easy. Leadership is hard. In this episode, we’re breaking down why dads complain, how it impacts our mindset, and the hidden cost most of us don’t realize we’re paying. More importantly, I share practical strategies to help you stop the habit, shift your perspective, and create a more positive home.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com