Max and Matt get honest about parenting on autopilot—when you're technically doing everything right but feel totally disconnected from your kids. They unpack the invisible exhaustion that builds up from work, stress, and just keeping the family machine running—and how easy it is to slip into a mode where you're reacting, not connecting. They talk about how small moments of presence (like a 15-second eye gaze!) can rewire your entire day, why we confuse doing "enough" with actually showing up, and how a toddler’s sheep-scented toot became the emotional reset one dad didn’t know he needed. They also get into parenting guilt, meditation, sibling rivalry, and how sometimes the biggest shift is the smallest gesture. Let’s gooo!

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Max and Matt are back with Bettina Schultz-Jobe to dive deeper into the messy, emotional world of education choices. They unpack the tension between protecting kids and preparing them for the real world, the guilt around nontraditional schooling, and why no one path—public, private, homeschool, or micro-school—is a magic bullet. They get into how important it is for kids to build resilience without being bulldozed, why "fit" matters way more than prestige, and how parents have way more power (and responsibility) than they think when it comes to raising curious, lifelong learners. From playground politics to project-based learning to why the right school is like the right bike helmet (you just have to want to wear it), they break down how to make education work for your unique kid. Let’s gooo!

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Max and Matt sit down with guest Bettina Schultz-Jobe to explore one of the hottest parenting questions out there: What should school actually look like? They dive into homeschooling, hybrid models, micro-schools, and the wild world of education alternatives beyond the standard public school path. Bettina shares her journey from therapist to school founder, what she’s learned about how kids learn best, and why some traditional school settings might be killing our kids’ natural love for learning. From balancing structure with freedom to the challenge of building real social-emotional skills, they talk about how different environments shape kids—not just academically, but as full humans. They also tackle hard questions about socialization, bullying, screen time, and the myth that there’s one “right” way to educate your kid. Let’s gooo!

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Max and Matt get raw and real about every parent's worst nightmare — when playtime goes sideways and lands you in urgent care. Matt recounts the heart-wrenching experience of holding down his two-year-old daughter while she got stitches, and the emotional aftermath that rocked the whole family. They unpack the guilt, the helplessness, the fear, and the surprisingly powerful role of storytelling in helping kids (and parents) make sense of scary stuff. From traumatic dreams that seem to echo real-life events, to the quiet confidence kids lose and regain after getting hurt, they dive deep into what it means to be present, supportive, and human through it all. And yes, there’s plenty of love, reflection, and even a few laughs along the way (dead dogs in swimming pools? Don’t ask). This episode is about parenting through pain, building resilience, and rewriting hard memories with empathy and connection. Buckle up — this one hits hard and heals a little, too.

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Max and Matt dive headfirst into the mental mush that is modern life and ask the big question: are we all getting dumber… or does it just feel that way? They unpack the "reverse Flynn effect" (yes, it’s a thing), why IQ scores might be slipping, and how tech, social media, and even GPS might be slowly draining our brains. But instead of panicking, they explore what we can actually do about it—especially as parents. From building friction into our kids' lives to rediscovering slow learning as adults (yes, even number theory), they talk about reclaiming our attention, our curiosity, and our time. They also get real about AI, addiction to distraction, and why being intentional might be the only way out of the algorithm trap. Let’s gooo!

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Max and Matt open up about the weird limbo of life after college — when you’ve checked all the boxes but still feel totally unmoored. They talk about that creeping feeling of “Is this it?” even when things look fine on paper, the identity crisis that hits when your career path doesn’t match who you really are, and the invisible pressure to keep pushing forward even when you're not sure where you're going. From chasing purpose to confronting the emotional hangover of growing up, they break down why so many people feel lost after doing everything “right.” They also talk about friendships in adulthood, the struggle to stay curious, and how slowing down might actually be the way forward. Let’s gooo!

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Max and Matt get into the wild world of kids and competition—when it's fun, when it turns toxic, and when parents accidentally make it worse. They talk about the pressure kids feel to be “the best,” whether competition builds resilience or just stress, and how to help kids navigate winning, losing, and everything in between. From the awkwardness of letting your kid win (or not) to the questionable ethics of “participation trophies,” they unpack the emotional rollercoaster of raising kids in a world that’s always keeping score. They also dive into the unexpected role of mindfulness and meditation—can teaching kids to slow down and breathe actually help with the pressure? Or is it just another thing for parents to stress about? Plus, they get real about their own childhood experiences with competition and how that shapes the way they parent today. Let’s gooo!
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Max and Matt take on the surprisingly tricky topic of self-image and how much parents shape the way their kids feel about how they look. They unpack the fine line between building confidence and accidentally creating little narcissists, why telling your kids they're beautiful might actually be a good thing, and how much of this is just about helping them avoid a future existential crisis in front of the mirror. They also wrestle with questions like: Is making your kid do their hair just basic hygiene or enforcing pointless social norms? How much should parents step in when their kid looks like a complete mess? And is there really any harm in letting your kid wear the same shirt two days in a row? From the dad mirror effect to the chaos of parenting in a world obsessed with appearance, they break it all down—while probably overthinking it. Let’s gooo!

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Max and Matt wrestle with the awkward tension of self-care, gratitude practices, and what it really means to put yourself first as a dad. They dive into the discomfort of talking about feelings, why terms like "self-care" and "gratitude practice" feel off-putting, and whether the resistance to these ideas is generational, cultural, or just straight-up nonsense. From the pressure to be a "good dad" while also keeping a piece of yourself intact to the absurdity of ranking your priorities in life, they explore why taking care of yourself isn’t just important—it’s essential. They also get into dad martyrdom, the social dynamics of making time for friends, and how a simple recurring event on the calendar might just be the key to happiness. 

Let’s gooo!

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Do parents really have a favorite child? The research says… maybe. This week, Max and Matt discuss a fascinating new study exploring favoritism among siblings, why it happens, who it happens to, and how it affects kids long-term. They break down what makes one child the "favorite", why firstborns often get special treatment, and how parents can unintentionally send signals that stick with kids for life.

They also share their experiences as dads, from managing sibling rivalries to checking their own biases, and tackle the big question: If favoritism is natural, how do you make sure your kids don't feel like they're getting the short end of the stick? Plus, it's a hilarious look at birth order stereotypes, bedtime confessions, and how kids remember praise vs. rejection.

If you've ever wondered whether your kids think you play favorites (or you still swear your parents had a favorite), you won't want to miss this honest and slightly chaotic conversation!

#Parenting #Siblings #MomLife #DadLife #FamilyDynamics #RaisingKids #ParentingTips #BirthOrder #Fatherhood #Motherhood

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