Millennial Dads

As dads and as parents, the news of the Cornell 7 that broke this week was deeply disturbing. For both Andy and Brian, picturing our own children one day being in a situation like the one that’s been all over news feeds has us feeling sick and disgusted.

We’re using today’s episode to talk about the responsibilities of dads and parents to help raise our children to never find themselves in a situation like the one that happened at a fraternity at Cornell in 2024.

We both have unique perspectives on this issue. Brian is a father of three girls, one of which is nearing high school age. He’s also from Ithaca, NY, where Cornell is located. And while Andy’s son is still several years away from understanding what happened, the education that shapes him starts now while he’s young. Andy also understands fraternity culture, having lived in a fraternity at Indiana University for two years during his undergraduate experience.

We also talk about taking time away from parenting to explore the world, developing our children’s vocabularies, parental shame and judgement, as well as being strong for your child when they’re experiencing something uncomfortable.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: The weight of parenting and modeling respect

02:02 Sharing wins: Travel and outdoor activities with kids

05:02 The importance of modeling respect and empathy from a young age

11:07 Handling parent-shaming and teaching self-control in public

19:50 The Cornell 7 case: Lessons on entitlement and responsibility

34:14 The role of privilege and modeling behavior in preventing misconduct

45:00 The importance of teaching kids to say no and stand up for what's right

54:52 The impact of adult behavior on children's moral development

01:02:07 Closing thoughts: The power of modeling and positive influence

Millennial Dads is back with a new episode after taking a break for the summer. Hosts Andy Goh and Brian Solomon talk about the differences in generations, particularly for us millennials and the younger Gen Z and Gen Alpha populations. However, for as different as the generations can be, we have more in common than what separates us. 

We also discuss the continuing challenges of daycare, communication breakthroughs (and stonewalls), as well as balancing work and family life.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and episode overview

03:06 Building community among parents

06:06 Toddler development and language milestones

09:04 Reflections on childhood and youth experiences

11:46 Balancing time between multiple children

14:57 Dealing with teenage rules and independence

18:03 The realities of modern high school life

21:00 Reflecting on youth and rebelliousness

24:11 Dealing with teenage independence and safety concerns

26:00 Understanding generational differences in parenting

26:54 The evolution of youth culture and partying

27:59 Memories of youth and lessons learned

28:52 The systemic issues of daycare and childcare

29:47 The high cost and quality concerns of daycare

31:06 The economic impact of childcare costs

32:09 The need for systemic reform in childcare

33:00 Personal experiences with daycare challenges

33:58 The importance of community and support networks

35:07 The future of parenting and systemic change

36:01 Closing thoughts and dad jokes

In today's of Millennial Dads, hosts Andy Goh and Brian Solomon welcome Jeff Bundy, a father and musician, to discuss the challenges of parenting in today's world. Jeff is the bass player for Ethel Meserve, a punk rock band that formed in State College, PA in the late 90s.

Together they explore the difficulties of finding quality daycare, the emotional complexities of raising children, and the importance of mental health and support. Jeff shares his personal journey as a widower and how he navigates fatherhood while pursuing his passion for music. The conversation highlights the evolving nature of parenting, the significance of building friendships with children, and the need for open communication and emotional awareness.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Theme Discussion

06:49 Challenges of Parenting and Daycare Issues

11:32 Navigating Parenting Pressures and Societal Expectations

18:24 Balancing Personal Joys with Global Issues

22:19 Parenting Wins and Celebrations

25:11 Transitioning to the Main Interview with Jeff Bundy

27:29 The Journey of a Band: From Punk Roots to Present

33:43 Reunion and New Opportunities: Touring Japan

36:40 Navigating Loss: A Father's Journey Through Grief

49:14 Parenting in a New Era: Emotional Awareness and Connection

We’ll be honest with you, listeners. When we sat down to record this episode, we had a completely different topic in mind, but with the heavily publicized murder of an innocent woman on Charlotte’s (our hometown) light rail, and the political violence that has spread like wildfire, neither of us felt like we could ignore what’s going on.

In today’s episode of Millennial Dads, we decided to address some of the current events happening in our community, both locally and nationally, and how it relates to our never-ending efforts to be the best fathers we can be. It’s not easy raising kids even in the best of circumstances, but the general tone and feel of our current moment seem to add an extra layer of doubt and anxiety.

We talk about how we’re feeling about it all (not great!), while also discussing the many reasons why people of our generation are choosing to not have kids, resulting in an unsustainably low birthrate in the US. 

References:

• CBS: The trends behind the historically low US birth rate

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Millennial Dads Podcast

03:10 Celebrating Children's Victories

05:52 Facing Parenting Challenges

09:00 Navigating Sickness as Parents

12:06 Bedtime Struggles with Young Children

15:11 Current Events Impacting Parenting

19:07 Raising Children in a Complex World

23:00 The Fear of the Future and Parenting

27:10 Discussing Violence and Safety with Kids

30:08 Finding Balance as Parents

34:02 Navigating Tough Conversations with Kids

39:04 The Reality of Parenting in Today's World

41:57 Declining Birth Rates and Societal Impacts

55:18 The Challenges of Modern Parenthood

01:02:47 Finding Hope Amidst Adversity

Ever-shifting gender and family roles have brought upon the rise of the “Stay at Home Dad,” or a father who is raising their child as the primary caregiver during the working day. While generations before us have become accustomed to the mother often finding herself on baby duty, more and more, dads are taking on the responsibility themselves.

While neither Brian or Andy are stay at home dads themselves, it’s a trend they haven’t let go unnoticed. On today’s episode of Millennial Dads, we dive into the rise in daily daytime dad duty, some of the reasons for that rise, and also our own experiences having to be the primary caregiver in the family, if only temporarily.

Check any kid’s itineraries in 2025 and you’ll see there’s no end to: summer camps, sports, traveling athletic leagues, practices, showcases, and literally a million other things that need to be planned and paid for. But some parents of a certain generation are yearning to give their kids the one thing they could count on during the summers of their own youth: boredom.

Having grown up in an era before cellphones and 9/11 meant having a degree of freedom, and a lack of programming, that doesn’t seem to exist for many middle-class kids these days. Millennial parents are trying to replicate that for their kids, but is it even possible? If it is possible, is it even a good thing? Brian and Andy dive into the topic on this week’s episode of Millennial Dads!

Links:

• Millennial parents want to give their children a ‘90s kid summer. What does that mean? [USA Today]

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Millennial Dads

01:16 Navigating Parenthood Challenges

03:30 The Nostalgia of Parenting

09:40 The Over-Scheduling Dilemma

14:24 The Importance of Boredom

18:45 The 90s Kid Summer

24:30 Cognitive Bias and Parenting

29:45 The Return to Analog Experiences

35:19 Generational Differences in Nostalgia

40:54 Instilling Values in the Next Generation

46:43 Driving Lessons and Technology

52:39 The Changing Attitudes Towards Driving

56:00 Reflections on Parenting and Nostalgia

As any father knows, being a parent isn’t easy. It’s something that you have to have a vision for, work for every day, and be proactive about finding solutions and avoiding pitfalls. Parenting, however, isn’t the only place that describes.

Owning a small business shares many similarities with parenting: You are solely responsible for bringing something to life and giving it a chance to succeed, there’s no manual or guidebook on how to do it, and those who do it best are often the most devoted and consistent.

Our guest on today’s episode of Millennial Dads is CEO of Stern Security and cybersecurity expert, Jon Sternstein. Jon is also the parent of three, a nine, seven and three year old. 

We talk with Jon about balancing the needs for running a business with being a dad. Jon talks about leaving the corporate world at the same time as he and his wife found out they were expecting their first child. Brian also shares some stories about he and Jon’s time growing up in New York.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Millennial Dads Podcast

02:52 Entrepreneurship and Family Life

05:55 Balancing Work and Family

08:56 The Transition to Entrepreneurship

12:01 Daily Routines of a Busy Dad

14:51 Navigating Parenting Styles

18:05 Involving Kids in Work

20:55 Reflections on Parenting and Growth

23:48 The Humor in Parenting

27:12 Closing Thoughts and Advice

40:55 A Serendipitous Meeting

44:45 The Butterfly Effect of Relationships

45:48 Creating a Family Band

49:59 Parental Worries and Responsibilities

52:44 The Simple Joys of Parenting

56:00 Navigating Screen Time and Attention

59:57 The Importance of Connection

01:02:07 Ending on a Light Note

One of the biggest challenges any parent at almost any stage faces is making travelling with their kids as smooth and as incident-free as possible. On today’s episode of Millennial Dads, Brian and Andy shares stories from their past travels, including Andy and Oliver’s trip to Chicago (Ollie’s first plane ride!), and Brian talks about his upcoming trip to Disney.

While discussing what they want to provide for their kids on these journeys, both hosts realize that sometimes what the kids want is just the time and attention of their parent, and not the sing-along breakfast with Mickey Mouse that we parents sometimes convince ourselves is the top priority.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Millennial Dads Podcast

03:05 The Transition to Parenthood

06:02 Challenges of New Parenthood

11:58 Navigating Family Dynamics

17:59 Traveling with Kids: The Experience

23:55 Lessons Learned from Traveling with a Newborn

30:12 Planning Future Travels with Kids

33:51 Traveling as a Family: Tips and Tricks

40:39 The Chaos of Family Road Trips

43:41 Planning the Disney Adventure

46:20 The Cost of Disney Magic

50:40 Alternatives to Disney: Finding Value in Experiences

56:15 Understanding Kids' True Desires

01:00:34 Being Present: The Key to Parenting

01:04:48 The Importance of Connection Over Cost

If you’re single and able-bodied, there’s rarely any obstruction to being able to get around in any city, suburb or even rural area. Most likely, you can get anywhere you need to go whenever you want without the use of specialized equipment. 

However, once you have a child, all that changes. Strollers, car seats, changing tables in the men’s room - all of a sudden all the things you never thought twice about are front and center in ways you can’t ignore.

Joining us on this episode of Millennial Dads is urbanist Barry Greene Jr., aka Density Dad. Barry is the father of two children, a three year old girl and nine month old boy. He is also the founder and executive director of Transit First CLT, and a member of the Public Transportation Advisory Committee in Charlotte, NC.

Barry joins Andy and Brian to discuss what some of the common oversights he sees in public design, why it’s important to design useable built spaces, and what the average person can do to advocate for change.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Parenting Challenges

09:51 Advocacy for Transportation and Infrastructure

16:59 The Role of Special Interests in Urban Planning

24:09 The Importance of Parent Advocacy

31:50 Common Sense in Built Environments

36:54 Urban Family Needs and City Adaptation

38:05 Public Transportation Challenges for Families

39:25 Creating Child-Friendly Public Transit

43:05 Advocacy for Urban Family Needs

47:43 Traveling with Kids: Prioritizing Family-Friendly Experiences

51:43 Founding Transit First CLT: A Vision for Better Transit

58:43 Hopes for Future Generations and Urban Freedom

No matter how you become a parent, it’s one of the most pivotal times in anyone’s life. Gone are the carefree days of being able to make yourself the undisputed top priority, now you must put someone else’s life above your own. Brian and Andy talk about how they became first time parents, and how their worlds changed when it happened.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Early Conversations

02:13 Transition into Fatherhood

05:26 Intentional Parenting Decisions

08:27 Building Relationships with Stepchildren

11:27 The Journey of Adoption

14:25 Personal Reflections on Fatherhood

17:21 Unexpected Parenthood

20:00 Final Thoughts and Future Aspirations

25:07 Facing the Unexpected: The Journey to Fatherhood

29:53 Embracing Community: The Importance of Support

33:21 The Humbling Experience of Newborn Parenting

41:21 Relying on Community: Building Relationships for Parenthood

45:52 Teaching Resilience: The Value of Boredom in Childhood

50:02 Documenting the Journey: The Evolution of Fatherhood