Life of Dad

Episode #14 of Life of Dad brings a fourth chair to the studio as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James (who just opened for Nate Bargatze on tour) welcome world-renowned comedian and impressionist Frank Caliendo.

Frank leads a laugh-filled conversation covering fatherhood, his start doing impressions, his high-profile comedy career while raising kids, his favorite kids' shows, and much more. Get ready for hilarious impressions including Morgan Freeman, John Madden, Adam Sandler, and multiple U.S. presidents!

Along the way, the guys read through listener comments including one emailer who has strong opinions about how often Lee showers. As always, the episode is filled with stories from the Life of Dad community, relatable parenting moments, and the unexpected tangents that make everyday life as a dad so entertaining. Funny, heartfelt, and packed with the kind of stories every dad has lived through, Episode #14 is a reminder that even a regular Monday can turn into one for the books.

Episode #13 of Life of Dad takes a trip to everyone's favorite warehouse store as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James dive into the world of Costco. From family shopping trips and bulk buying to executive memberships, impulse purchases, food court favorites, and the things that somehow always end up in the cart, the guys share the funny realities of shopping for a growing family.

Along the way, they swap stories about the surprisingly practical things dads convince themselves to buy, debate whether Costco's biggest deals are actually worth it, and laugh through conversations about everything from rotisserie chickens and gold bars to the little moments that turn an ordinary shopping trip into a family tradition. As always, the episode is filled with stories from the Life of Dad community, relatable parenting moments, and the unexpected tangents that make everyday life as a dad so entertaining.

Funny, relatable, and packed with the kind of conversations every parent has had while wandering the warehouse aisles, Episode #13 is a reminder that sometimes a simple Costco run becomes a family adventure—and somehow you always leave with more than you planned.

Comedian Brian Bates joins the guys this week to celebrate his brand-new Nateland comedy special, Worried (watch here: https://youtu.be/-LfFqaVj3uQ), before the conversation naturally turns into everything from becoming an older dad and the "resting worried face" of parenthood to teaching teenagers to drive, disastrous family photos, and why growing older changes the way you think about raising kids.

They also swap stories about life on the road, whether 16 is too young to drive, the future of self-driving cars, the great Wendy's vs. McDonald's fries debate, butter storage, and plenty of the unexpected rabbit trails that make hanging out with dads so much fun.

Episode #11 of Life of Dad finds hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James talking about the unexpected things that somehow become important as life and fatherhood move along. From mowing shoes, lawn care, and backyard projects to gardening, camping, and the little quirks that slowly become part of everyday life, the guys swap stories about the hobbies, habits, and routines they never saw coming.

The episode also features stories and questions from the growing Life of Dad community, along with conversations about raising kids, family milestones, outdoor adventures, and the moments that remind you how quickly life changes. As always, the laughs come from the unexpected detours, relatable parenting moments, and the everyday experiences that every family seems to share.

Funny, relatable, and full of the conversations that happen when friends get together, Episode #11 is a reminder that sometimes the smallest things—from a perfect lawn to an old pair of mowing shoes—end up carrying some of the best stories.

Episode #10 of Life of Dad celebrates everything that comes with summertime as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James swap stories about family vacations, pool days, backyard adventures, beating the heat, and the unforgettable moments that seem to happen every summer. From the running joke of “Hot Dad Summer” to the little traditions that kids remember for years, the guys reflect on why this season feels different once you become a parent.

The episode also features stories and questions from the growing Life of Dad community, along with conversations about summer travel, childhood memories, family routines, and making the most of the time kids are home from school. As always, the laughs come from the unexpected detours, relatable parenting moments, and the everyday experiences that turn into family stories.

Funny, lighthearted, and full of summer nostalgia, Episode #10 is a reminder that some of the best memories aren’t the big vacations—they’re the simple moments that happen when everyone is together.

Episode #9 of Life of Dad welcomes its first live studio audience as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James tackle one of the most relatable questions dads have ever submitted: What’s something you just can’t bring yourself to throw away? From boxes of old cables and random keepsakes to sentimental collections and “just in case” items, the guys share their own stories and hear plenty of hilarious responses from the Life of Dad community.

The conversation also wanders into family traditions, parenting moments, growing kids, summer memories, and the everyday experiences that somehow turn into unforgettable stories. Along the way, the guys revisit Lee’s infamous dentist visit, answer listener questions, and enjoy the added energy of having a live audience in the room for the first time.

Funny, relatable, and full of the kinds of conversations every dad has had at some point, Episode #9 is a reminder that sometimes the hardest thing to let go of isn’t the clutter—it’s the memories attached to it.

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Hosts: 
- Tom Riles (https://www.instagram.com/lifeofdad/)
- Mike James (https://www.instagram.com/funnymanmikejames/)
- Lee Kimbrell (https://www.instagram.com/leekimbrellcomedy/)

Podcast produced by Nateland Entertainment
Recording & Editing by Nateland Entertainment
https://www.nateland.com
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https://www.lifeofdad.com

Episode #8 of Life of Dad continues the conversation about one topic many dads tend to avoid: their own health. Hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James talk about everything from routine checkups and mental health to exercise, diet, sleep, and the challenge of taking care of yourself while trying to take care of everyone else.

The episode also features stories and questions from the growing Life of Dad community, including dads who ignore injuries, put off doctor visits, and eventually realize that staying healthy isn’t just about them—it’s about being there for their families. Along the way, the guys swap stories about fitness goals, aging, stress, parenting, and the everyday habits that are easier to overlook than they should be.

Funny, honest, and encouraging, Episode #8 is a reminder that one of the best things a dad can do for his family is take care of himself, too.

Episode #7 of Life of Dad welcomes the show’s first guest, Stephen Bargatze, as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James take a trip down memory lane and compare what growing up looked like then versus now. From driving farm trucks as kids and disappearing for hours without anyone knowing where you were to the everyday responsibilities children used to have, the group shares stories that would be almost impossible to imagine today.

The conversation also explores how parenting, grandparenting, and family life have changed over the years. Stephen reflects on lessons learned raising a family, while the guys compare childhood experiences across generations and laugh about the things that were once considered completely normal. Along the way, they swap stories about road trips, family memories, growing up in smaller communities, and the different expectations placed on kids then and now.

Funny, nostalgic, and full of the kinds of stories families tell around the dinner table, Episode #7 is a reminder that while the world keeps changing, the memories that shape us—and the lessons we pass on—have a way of sticking around.

Episode #6 of Life of Dad continues the conversation about the journey to fatherhood as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James focus on the final stretch before a baby arrives. From labor-inducing pizzas and Costco hot dogs to power walks, castor oil, and every other piece of advice expectant parents receive, the guys share stories about the strange lengths people will go to when they’re ready to meet their baby.

The episode also features stories from the Life of Dad community about labor, delivery, and the moments parents knew it was finally time to head to the hospital. Along the way, the conversation drifts into learner’s permits, road trips with kids, grandparents, family traditions, hospital stories, and the realization that some of the biggest moments in parenting rarely go according to plan.

Funny, honest, and full of the kinds of conversations dads have when nobody else is around, Episode #6 is a reminder that while every birth story is different, the anticipation, excitement, and uncertainty leading up to it are something parents everywhere can relate to.

Episode #5 of Life of Dad continues the conversation about fatherhood with hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James as they talk about money, responsibility, and the many strange ways dads try to justify their purchases. From sleepless nights with a baby and life on the road to family movie nights, school drop-off autopilot, and old high school nicknames, the guys share more stories about the everyday chaos that comes with being a dad.

The episode also features more comments and stories from the growing Life of Dad community, including diaper disasters, dad jingles, ridiculous “practical” purchases, and money-saving hacks that may or may not actually save any money. Along the way, the guys get sidetracked into Pierce Brosnan’s toaster, bidets, Chia Pets, flamethrowers, expired spices, and the difference between providing for your family and simply being present with them. Funny, honest, and heartfelt, Episode #5 ends with a powerful Dad of the Week story about Tim Frost and his son Odin, reminding us that fatherhood is about showing up, finding joy, and loving your family through whatever life brings.