What fuels a High Octane Dad? In this episode, we're covering the full spectrum, from the garage to the music room. First, we dive into the world of vehicles, debating if the Ford Maverick is the perfect dad truck and why we get nostalgic for the cars of our youth. We explore the classic "midlife crisis car," the challenges of content creation at car events like Nopi Nationals, and how we balance it all with work-life responsibilities.Then, we switch gears (pun intended!) and get real about re-learning how to play guitar as busy dads. We discuss everything from finding the right gear to the challenges of practice and the therapeutic power of music. It's a conversation about the hobbies that keep us sane, the importance of personal growth, and finding balance in the beautiful chaos of family life.➡️ **GET YOUR HIGH OCTANE DADS MERCH:**shop.highoctanedads.com**CHAPTERS:**00:00 - Introduction: Cars & Guitars00:28 - Part 1: The Car Conversation (Vehicle Nostalgia)02:55 - Why Modern Trucks Are Too Big05:38 - The Midlife Crisis Car Phenomenon08:26 - Balancing Family Life and Car Hobbies11:07 - The Importance of Coffee Culture18:23 - Nostalgic Car Events & Community22:08 - Our Autocross Racing Experiences27:56 - The Constant Work/Family/Hobby Juggle32:28 - Part 2: The Guitar Journey Begins39:13 - Overcoming Challenges When Learning Music47:42 - Our Favorite Guitar Techniques and Tools52:28 - Nostalgia and Our Favorite Songs to Play57:38 - How to Balance Hobbies and Life01:05:22 - Final Thoughts: Fitness, Music, and Growth#dadlife #hobbies #midlifecrisis #learningguitar #carculture

This week, it's back to just Chris and James talking coffee, cars, and cardio. The guys discuss finding the motivation to hit the gym, building better fitness habits using lessons from "Atomic Habits" , and the nagging injuries that can derail your progress. Is pickleball the next big thing for dads?.On the automotive front, we've got more project car problems, from a completely destroyed transmission mount on the Caprice to a failing alternator. The guys also take a trip down memory lane, discussing rare thirdgen F-bodies like the L69 Trans Am and debating if modern cars will ever be as sought-after as today's classics.Plus, we give our spoiler-free review of the new F1 movie and break down the massive, unexpected shakeups in both Formula 1 and NASCAR.Want to support the show? We finally have merch! Grab your "Zero to 60 Eventually" shirt here: ► https://shop.highoctanedads.com/ TIME STAMPS / CHAPTERS:01:50 - New "High Octane Dads" merchandise, including Gildan cotton shirts and a popular "zero to 60 eventually" design.04:50 - A debate begins over what qualifies as "black coffee" and if adding sweetener changes it.08:30 - Does light or dark roast coffee have more caffeine?10:15 - Accuracy of AI-generated search results and how realistic AI videos have become.14:30 - The main topic of fitness, diet, and mental health is introduced, inspired by the Dad Bods and Beards Podcast17:45 - The hosts discuss different forms of cardio, with James detailing his experience using the stair climber and climbing virtual landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.19:30 - James talks about a recurring foot injury, which he believes is sesamoiditis, and the importance of proper shoes and insoles for working out.30:56 - New ways to stay active, such as the growing popularity of pickleball.33:12 - Concept of "habit stacking" from the book Atomic Habits as a way to build new routines.42:30 - Car history, with the idea of creating a podcast series on the history of third-generation F-body cars from 1982 to 1992.49:40 - Chris details his recent project car issues, including destroying a transmission mount and having his alternator fail.59:50 - Spoiler-free thoughts on the new F1 movie.1:02:45 - Major news in motorsports, including Christian Horner's departure from the Red Bull F1 team and Daniel Suarez leaving Trackhouse Racing in NASCAR.In this episode of the High Octane Dads Podcast, we discuss everything from dad fitness and workout motivation to project car maintenance and the latest motorsport news. If you're into muscle cars, F-body Camaros and Trans Ams, drag racing, Formula 1, or NASCAR, this episode is for you. We also cover building better habits, overcoming gym injuries, working on your dad bod, and the constant struggle of keeping your classic car on the road.#HighOctaneDads #CarPodcast #FitnessForDads #F1 #ProjectCar #MuscleCar #NASCAR

Join us for Episode 37 of the High Octane Dads podcast for some serious gearhead talk with our special guest, Ajay Brown! With 11 years of experience working with Ferrari, Ajay shares his incredible journey from a tech school student to working on exclusive race cars.This episode is for every guy who loves the smell of gasoline, the thrill of motorsports, and the satisfaction of wrenching on their own project. We dive deep into the real talk of the car world.In this episode, we cover:Prancing Horse Podcast Stories: What it's like working with one of the most legendary car brands in the world. We hear all about the Prancing Horse Podcast The Rise of Drag-and-Drive: We explore why events like Sick Summer and the "cheap car challenge" are bringing the grassroots passion back to drag racing. It's not just about who has the deepest pockets, but whose car can survive the road trip.Motorsports Mania (F1, NASCAR, Le Mans): We debate the current state of F1, the future of NASCAR, and celebrate the privateer Ferrari team that just won the 24 Hours of Le Mans.Project Cars & Shop Talk: Hear about Ajay's supercharged Harley Davidson F-150 hot rod , and the hosts' own third-gen Trans Am projects. We also get into the latest tech, like all-electric AC systems for classic cars.The Great Debate: Electric vs. Gas: Will EVs ever replace the internal combustion engine? We discuss the future of the auto industry, the limitations of current EV infrastructure, and why we'll be burning dinosaurs for the foreseeable future.Ultimate Driving Songs: What's the one song that makes your foot heavier? The guys share their go-to tracks for a spirited drive.Check out our guest:Podcast: https://prancinghorsepodcast.buzzsprout.com/ Available on: Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your podcasts.If you're a fan of F1, NHRA, NASCAR, project cars, or just love talking about all things automotive, this episode is for you.Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Hive Octane Dads Podcast00:27 AJ Brown and the Prancing Horse Podcast01:34 Passion for Cars and Personal Projects03:47 Favorite Car Movies and Their Impact06:34 Local Car Events and Community Engagement07:16 The Supercharged F-150: A Personal Project10:07 Drag and Drive Events: A New Challenge11:42 The Appeal of Grassroots Racing14:14 The Importance of Reliability in Racing17:10 Daily Drivers and Their Challenges24:41 AJ's Journey with Ferrari26:03 Transitioning from Dealership Life to Family Time29:06 The Importance of Vulnerability and Asking for Help30:02 Continuous Learning and Personal Growth32:54 The Role of AI in Everyday Life34:46 AI in Medicine: Opportunities and Concerns36:42 The Future of AI and Human Interaction39:41 Celebrating Motorsport Achievements41:42 The Unique Mindset of Race Car Drivers45:30 The Evolution of F1 and Its Current Season50:42 Reviving American Motorsports53:29 The Future of IndyCar and Unique Personalities56:26 Innovations in Automotive Technology59:10 Dream Cars and Personal Preferences01:01:52 The Future of Electric Vehicles01:06:12 The Balance of Performance and Sustainability01:10:56 Driving Songs and Personal Connections 01:15:01 Closing Thoughts and Future Collaborations

Get ready for another high-octane session! In episode 36, Chris takes us down a frustrating rabbit hole of fixing the air conditioning on his 25-year-old Suburban, a saga involving a broken belt, a seized tensioner pulley, and the wrong parts from the auto store. Meanwhile, James shares his own car project updates, including a potential fan issue on his Firebird and the never-ending saga of his OBS truck.The guys also dive into the world of buying and selling cars on the side, from finally selling a Volvo to navigating the wild world of Facebook Marketplace. Plus, get the inside scoop on potential High Octane Dads merchandise, including custom hats and limited-run t-shirts. If you're a dad who loves wrenching on cars, sharing project stories, and balancing family life with your passions, this episode is for you.Drop a comment if you're interested in some HOD merch, and don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more!Podcast Timestamps:0:36 - Chris details his Gen 4 fan upgrade on his Trans Am for better cooling.1:18 - The Volvo is finally sold! Chris talks about clearing out project cars to fund a trailer.2:05 - The beginning of a long story: Chris tries to fix the air conditioning on his Suburban.2:55 - The initial diagnosis: a missing AC belt.3:36 - After replacing the belt, the new one starts smoking immediately.5:10 - The real culprit is discovered: the tensioner pulley is completely seized.6:20 - The parts store saga: trying to find the correct replacement tensioner and the woes of cheap aftermarket parts.8:00 - Getting the job done in the parking lot and getting covered in grease.9:26 - Merch Talk! James announces a buddy is making custom High Octane Dads hats with leather patches.10:00 - The guys brainstorm ideas for limited-run t-shirts to celebrate subscriber milestones.12:23 - Shout-out to the regular listeners and the idea of doing something special for the OG supporters.14:47 - Call for listeners to comment if they're interested in t-shirts or hats.15:35 - Chris pitches a new "HOD" logo idea with a spinning tire and smoke.17:50 - James's Car Updates: Driving the Firebird more, but now the fan sounds like it's grinding.20:15 - Update on the high-mileage Tahoe trade-in and the struggles of selling on Facebook Marketplace.24:45 - Mower Talk: The difference a 54-inch zero-turn makes and embracing the "dad life" of lawn care.28:25 - The guys daydream about their next potential cars, from a C5 Corvette to a CTS-V Wagon.32:00 - The nostalgia and appeal of the 4th Gen WS6 Trans Am.33:32 - A proud dad moment: James's son gets excited about rat rods at a local cruise-in.36:30 - Juggling car projects and real-life interruptions.37:00 - Revisiting the idea of using an electric power steering pump from a Volvo on a project car.40:30 - Life Hacks for the Home Garage: Using old anti-fatigue salon mats for laying on the driveway.42:40 - The T-Shirt Dilemma: When you have too many old shirts you can't bring yourself to throw away.45:30 - The universal struggle of ruining good clothes while working on cars.51:00 - Family Movie Time: Discussing "How to Train Your Dragon" and the "Lilo and Stitch" live-action movies.53:16 - James shares his thoughts on the Earnhardt documentary on Prime Video.55:00 - Work Life: The pros and cons of working from home vs. the office and workplace dress codes.57:40 - An in-depth discussion on their favorite footwear: flip-flops, Crocs, and Vans.59:30 - James's new collection: mini F1 Lego car sets.01:01:00 - NASCAR talk: Recapping recent wins by Trackhouse Racing drivers Ross Chastain, Daniel Suárez, and Shane Van Gisbergen.01:03:00 - The mental health benefits of a change of scenery while working from home.01:06:24 - Wrapping up and looking ahead to future episodes and potential guests.

Join James and Chris on Episode 35 of the High Octane Dads podcast, the ultimate show for car-loving dads! Dive into the latest automotive news, including the exciting return of the Hemi V8 in 2026 Ram trucks and why the V6 just didn’t cut it for towing. Hear about James’ wild ride with a Buick Envision’s drive-by-wire scare and the headaches of modern car tech. The guys also geek out over NASCAR, from Ross Chastain’s epic 40th-to-1st win to Cletus McFarland’s ARCA adventures. Plus, get the scoop on local car shows, a Metallica concert recap, and a sweet Marketplace find—a tubbed-out Corvette race car! Perfect for gearhead dads aged 24-65, this episode blends car culture, family life, and practical tips. Don’t miss the upcoming F1 movie cruise-in and Dale Earnhardt documentary talk. Subscribe for more high-octane stories, and join our community of car-obsessed parents!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Automotive Trends01:52 The Return of the Hemi04:35 Concerns About New Technology in Vehicles09:20 Experiences with Modern Cars19:01 Local Car Events and Community Engagement27:26 Upcoming Movie and Car Cruise Events30:20 Nostalgia in Film: The Evolution of Fast and Furious31:45 NASCAR: A Thrilling Comeback and New Faces33:27 Streaming Sports: The Shift to Prime Video34:40 Concert Experiences: Metallica and the Joy of Live Music36:27 The Impact of Streaming Services on Viewership39:11 Cletus and the New Generation of NASCAR Drivers42:08 The Challenges of Professional Racing44:57 Marketplace Finds: Unique Car Deals and Waffle House Specials50:55 Sim Racing: The Future of Racing Practice57:21 Community Building: Engaging with Listeners and Guests#AutomotiveNews #Hemi #RamTrucks #CarTechnology #CarEvents #CarCommunity #CarCulture #FastAndFurious #NASCAR #PrimeVideo #Metallica

Episode 34 of the High Octane Dads podcast is here! James and Chris talk about the realities of being busy dads, from high school graduations to the never-ending to-do list. Chris shares his struggles and plans for upgrading his dual fan relay harness. Tune in for relatable dad stories and some gearhead talk! Chapters00:00 Navigating Family Milestones and Challenges03:00 The Value of Education: Degrees vs. Trades05:13 Personal Experiences with Education and Career Choices08:08 Exploring Career Paths: Trade Schools and Vocational Training11:05 The Importance of Passion in Career Decisions13:46 Work-Life Balance: Finding Fulfillment in Jobs16:39 Automotive Adventures and Community Connections19:17 Diagnosing Car Issues and Sharing Experiences32:52 Brake Light Troubles and Wiring Woes35:07 The Unique Features of the 1986 Model36:51 Finding Rare Parts and Emblems38:00 Tail Light Challenges and Solutions43:00 Exploring 3D Printing for Car Parts49:02 Promoting the Octane Dads Brand56:18 Funny Stories from Family Trips59:40 Upcoming Events and Car Shows#carmods #DIYCar #Fatherhood #PodcastForMen #AutomotivePodcast #HocktangDads

Join Chris and James in Episode 33 of the High Octane Dads Podcast as they dive into a range of relatable topics! From humorous stories about feeling old after interactions with younger generations to the everyday challenges and rewards of fatherhood, including teaching kids to drive and dealing with unexpected car troubles. The dads also share their thoughts on staying healthy, the pros and cons of working from home versus the office, and the surprising power and nostalgia of handwritten notes and old journals. Plus, they discuss their experiences with podcasting, future content ideas like creating reels, and an exciting upcoming collaboration with the Drag Drive Repeat podcast. Tune in for laughs, relatable dad moments, and some genuine conversation!   Chapters:00:00 - Intro & Applebee's Nostalgia   00:44 - Water Outage & Funny Kid Moments   02:00 - Feeling Under the Weather   03:25 - Kids Getting Sick & Trip Worries   05:00 - Germs, Local Honey & Immune Systems   06:34 - Being "Peopled Out" - Introvert Life   09:07 - The Southern Goodbye & Phone Call Avoidance   10:14 - Lawn Mower Woes & Procrastinating Calls   12:19 - The Quest for the Perfect Planner & Pens   15:11 - Rocket Book & Digitizing Notes vs. Handwriting   17:26 - The Joy of Journaling & Finding Old Notes   21:11 - Old Sketchbooks & The Challenge of Drawing   22:56 - Learning Guitar & Overcoming Self-Doubt   26:37 - Photography, Videography & New Opportunities   28:09 - Podcast Growth & The Impact of Creating Content   31:07 - Ideas for Reels & The "Not Quite 40" Feeling   33:25 - Gray Hairs & When You Realize You're "Old"   35:37 - Kids Growing Up: Seniors, Sixth Graders & Preschoolers   36:49 - The Ever-Changing Challenges of Parenting   38:20 - Teenagers, Cars & Driving Lessons   43:05 - First Car Accident Stories & Learning the Hard Way   47:24 - Classic Car Insurance Chat   48:04 - Announcements: Drag Drive Repeat Podcast Collab & Mother's Day Reminder!   50:22 - New Mic Talk & Testing Gear   51:58 - Outro

In this episode of the High Octane Dads podcast, hosts Chris and James catch up after a brief hiatus to discuss their latest car projects and family life. Chris shares his adventure buying a 2002 Monte Carlo SS pace car edition for his daughter after her Volvo accident, complete with amusing encounters at gas stations with fellow car enthusiasts. The guys debate the merits of dill versus sweet relish in deviled eggs, discuss workout routines and managing work-life balance as dads with automotive passions. They reflect on their changing relationship with social media, upcoming car events like LS Fest, and the challenges of finding time for car projects while prioritizing family. This casual, authentic conversation captures the essence of balancing automotive hobbies with the demands of fatherhood.

Get the latest motorsports updates with the High Octane Dads! In this episode, we cover NASCAR's Darlington throwback weekend, Formula 1 shake-ups, and Cletus McFarland's Freedom 500 with its $200K prize choices. Plus, hear our hilarious teen driving stories that every car-loving parent will relate to!We dive into the eternal car guy debate: should you daily drive your dream car or preserve it? Share your thoughts in the comments! And for all you project car enthusiasts - we discuss finding motivation to work on your builds while balancing family life.Topics include:NASCAR Darlington Throwback Weekend & Xfinity dramaFormula 1 updates and team changesFreedom 500 & Cletus McFarland at TalladegaTeen driving mishaps every parent fearsDaily driving vs. preserving your investmentProject car priorities and finding time#cars #motorsports #NASCAR #Formula1 #CleetusMcFarland #carguys #projectcars #Freedom500 #teendrivers #carguy #musclecars #autochat #automotivepodcastGet the latest motorsports updates with the High Octane Dads! In this episode, we cover NASCAR's Darlington throwback weekend, Formula 1 shake-ups, and Cletus McFarland's Freedom 500 with its $200K prize choices. Plus, hear our hilarious teen driving stories that every car-loving parent will relate to!We dive into the eternal car guy debate: should you daily drive your dream car or preserve it? Share your thoughts in the comments! And for all you project car enthusiasts - we discuss finding motivation to work on your builds while balancing family life.Topics include:NASCAR Darlington Throwback Weekend & Xfinity dramaFormula 1 updates and team changesFreedom 500 & Cletus McFarland at TalladegaTeen driving mishaps every parent fearsDaily driving vs. preserving your investmentProject car priorities and finding time#cars #motorsports #NASCAR #Formula1 #CleetusMcFarland #carguys #projectcars #Freedom500 #teendrivers #carguy #musclecars #autochat #automotivepodcast

Join James and Chris on Episode 30 of the High Octane Dads Podcast as they dive into the latest racing news and automotive debates! Get the inside scoop on NASCAR's Martinsville predictions, F1 drama with Yuki Tsunoda replacing Liam Lawson, and Ferrari's disqualification woes.

The guys debate the eternal question: resto-mod classics or modern performance cars? Plus, laugh along with tales of Waffle House adventures, dad taxes on kids' fries, and nostalgic music discussions. Whether you're dreaming of a CTSV wagon or reminiscing about cruising in your third-gen Camaro, this episode has something for every car enthusiast dad.

Subscribe for weekly automotive talk, project car updates, and honest conversations about balancing family life with car passion! #HighOctaneDads #CarGuys #AutoPodcast #NASCAR #F1Racing #RestoMod #ThirdGenCamaro #DadLife