Modern Dadhood | Unpacking Fatherhood + Parenting for Dads (and Moms!)

Try to transport yourself back to the months before you became a dad. What did the word "fatherhood" mean to you? Prior to kids, your definition may have been colored by your relationship with your own father. Would your current definition of "fatherhood" be different? Modern Dadhood welcomes Thyge Trimble, father of two, and Editor in Chief of Fatherly, to chat about his team's new book, aptly titled "Fatherhood." The book has something for everyone—whether you're a dad-to-be or a seasoned professional. Also, things get dark in a new installment of "Confessions."

Modern Dadhood Episode 56 opens with reflections on Marc and Adam's preparedness to become fathers, which includes far more than learning how to change a diaper or do a proper swaddle. The guys discuss relationships with their spouses, family values, and pushing forward when times get tough. The conversation is inspired by a new book from the editors of Fatherly entitled "Fatherhood: A Comprehensive Guide to Birth, Budgeting, Finding Flow, and Becoming a Happy Parent." Tyghe Trimble, a New York City-based dad of two and Editor in Chief of Fatherly, joins the conversation to chat about some of the topics in the book and why it's a valuable read for ALL dads. Topics include:

•  What exactly an "Editor in Chief" does
•  Why (and when) communication with your spouse can be hard
•  The value of shared values
•  The unique structure of the book "Fatherhood"
•  A staggering statistic around new fathers' social lives
•  The profound importance and many benefits of roughhousing

The guys get their "Confessions" on... and Marc takes things to a dark and hilarious place.
 

LINKS:
Fatherly
Fatherhood (excerpts from the book)
Fatherhood (the book at Powell's
Fatherhood (the book) on Amazon
Modern Dadhood Tees and Dadhoodies
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Through the last 50 plus episodes, the conversations on Modern Dadhood have ranged from silly to serious, covered topics from dealing with big emotions to what it’s like raising children when you live on a boat. The guys have been joined by an assemblage of old friends, new friends, and, on occasion, notable celebs. In episode 55, Adam and Marc take a slight detour from the usual banter/interview/recurring segment format and take a trip down memory lane. In the first of a two-part series, Marc recounts moments from five interviews that he found particularly insightful. We’ll hear Adam reveal his top five in an upcoming episode.

Episode 55 of Modern Dadhood opens with a brief conversation about Halloween before Marc tees up the format of this compilation episode: He has chosen short selections from 5 past episodes that he found particularly insightful. Additionally, he answers several questions about some of his favorite episodes and "pie in the sky" guests.

Marc's selected clips were extracted from the following episodes:

Episode 17: Expanding the Definition of Creativity (Chris Ballew)
Episode 26: Crying Over Spilt Milk (Scotty Iseri)
Episode 29: Discovering The Hidden Gems (Jon Klassen)
Episode 37: Heavy Topics, Young Minds (Patrick Coleman)
Episode 50: How To Be A Feminist Dad (Jordan Shapiro)
 

LINKS:
Stuffed Animal (Marc's kids music)
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Previously, with guest Ryan Murphy, things got downright honest when he recounted his and his wife’s long and, at times challenging journey through IUI and now with IVF. In part two of the conversation, Adam and Marc get a real-time progress report. Also, the guys unveil a new Mike-Birbiglia-inspired segment: Instant Regret. [This is part two of a two-part interview.]

[Click here to listen to Part One of Modern Dadhood's conversation with Ryan Murphy]

The guys open episode 54 by continuing their conversation about some challenges with one of Marc's twins before returning to their conversation with guest Ryan Murphy. Ryan continues to detail the IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) process which he and his wife are currently immersed in. The conversation touches on:

•  Statistics/rates of success with IVF
•  The emotional rollercoaster of hope and disappointment
•  Selecting the sex of your child
•  "Geriatric" pregnancy
•  Having a hopeful mindset
•  And more
 

Post-interview, the guys try out a brand new segment (with a spiffy new jingle): Instant Regret. (No explanation necessary.)

[Click here to listen to Part One of Modern Dadhood's conversation with Ryan Murphy]
 

LINKS:
Chukka Talk With Ryan Murphy (Apple Podcasts)
Intrauterine Insemination
In Vitro Fertilization
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Natural conception, in vitro fertilization, intrauterine insemination, adoption... Heck, even accidental pregnancy. The path to parenthood can take many forms. For some, it’s more arduous than others. Long-time friend of Marc, fellow podcaster, and all-around great guy, Ryan Murphy joins the show to share his and his wife’s journey with IVF. Things even get a little... personal here and there. At the top of the show, Adam obliges a much-need therapy session for Marc. [This is part one of a two-part interview.]

In Episode 53 of Modern Dadhood, the guys open with a discussion around a stressful and exhausting situation in Marc's home which involves one of his twins. The guys welcome one of Marc's longtime friends into the conversation. Ryan Murphy shares candidly about his and his wife's unsuccessful attempts to conceive a child naturally, which led them to IUI (intrauterine insemination) and then to IVF (in vitro fertilization). In Part 1 of the conversation, the guys discuss topics including:

•  The expectation that it will be "so easy" to get pregnant
•  "Geriatric pregnancy"
•   IUI versus IVF
•  What is a "Collection Room"?
•  A typical IVF timeline
•  And more

The conversation continues in the next episode of Modern Dadhood on 10/22/21

LINKS:
Chukka Talk With Ryan Murphy (Apple Podcasts)
Intrauterine Insemination
In Vitro Fertilization
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

For the last year and a half, many parents have been forced to adjust their work schedules to accommodate online learning, changes to child care, and more. For some of us, working from home has become second nature. For others of us, it's a chosen lifestyle. Today's guest is Pete Morse, a name you hear in the credits of each episode. Pete is a sound engineer, mixer, musician, and composer who constructed his state-of-the-art studio "Red Vault Audio" off the side of his house, awarding him the flexibility to work non-traditional hours and be more present with his wife and two young daughters. Listen to the end for a Paw Patrol-themed Did I Just Say That Out Loud?

Episode 52 of Modern Dadhood opens with the guys reminding listeners that they are NOT experts in fatherhood, and then catching up on Marc and his wife's first kid-free getaway. The guys welcome Pete Morse into the conversation. Pete is the beauty and brains behind Red Vault Audio, a studio in Portland, Maine, which Pete designed and constructed within his home. Pete describes his line of work, and the joys, challenges, and general insanity of operating a business attached to your home when you have 5- and 7-year-old daughters. The conversation covers:

•  Inspiring curiosity in your kids for what you do
•  Supporting our kid's interest in music and instruments
•  Kids crashing meetings and recording sessions
•  The importance/impossibility of setting boundaries
•  Tips for getting better audio in your Zoom meetings
•  And more!

Marc rounds out the episode with a rather alarming and mildly outrageous Paw Patrol-themed Did I Just Say That Out Loud?

LINKS
Red Vault Audio (homepage)
Red Vault Audio (Instagram)
Pete Kilpatrick Band - Songs From The Green Room (mixed and mastered by Pete Morse)
Ohmaga! Guster With The Omaha Symphony (mixed my Pete Morse)
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal
 

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

One might expect that a career spent in a hospital caring for sick children and grieving families would be a terribly depressing way to spend your life… but it’s all about perspective. Pediatric Oncology Nurse, David Metzger, uses words like "laughter" and "joy" when describing a typical day caring for children battling cancer. And at the end of his shift, he carries new lessons home to his wife and his two healthy kids, with an enlightened perspective on fatherhood and life. David joins us to share stories of love, life, and loss, and to chat about his book (and podcast) Nurse Papa.
 

Episode 51 opens with the guys catching up over a bit of a therapy session, which finds Adam venting about the constant bickering between his children. How can you diffuse the situation when literally anything you say elevates the emotion even more. When the therapy session comes to a close, the guys introduce David Metzger, R.N. to the conversation. David is a father of two, and a Pediatric Oncology Nurse at UCSF Beniof Children’s Hospital in Oakland, CA where he cares for children with cancer. He also hosts a podcast and recently authored a book of the same name, “Nurse Papa,” which chronicles many experiences, stories, and lessons he has learned as a nurse and a father. They discuss topics including:

•  The path that led David to pediatric cancer care
•  The presence and importance of humor in his line of work
•  The unique relationship between nurse and patient
•  The shift between caring for sick children and fathering healthy ones
•  How becoming a father better prepared David for his job
•  And more

Marc shares an absolute “laugh riot” of a So That’s a Thing Now which involves something called “pink sauce” before the guys close out the show in typical asinine fashion.

Links:
Nurse Papa (the book) on Amazon
Nurse Papa (the podcast) on Apple
Nurse Papa (official website)
David Metzger (Instagram)
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

What is "feminism"? What does it mean to be a feminist? Is it for women only? Do feminists hate men? As it turns out, there are many misconceptions about what it means to be a feminist. We invited professor, author,  thought leader, and dad, Jordan Shapiro, to discuss what feminism REALLY means... and how as dads, we can actively work to be better parents and better people.

Episode 50 finds Marc and Adam returning from a short Summer hiatus, and after a brief catch-up, they dive head first into a topic which they both are painfully unqualified to opine on:  feminism! The guys discuss several definitions of the term, as well as some of the misconceptions about feminism. They introduce Jordan Shapiro into the conversation. Jordan is a professor, thought leader, and author of the new book "Father Figure: How To Be a Feminist Dad". Jordan's book has received impressive reviews and accolades, and in our conversation, we cover topics such as:

•  The REAL definition of feminism
•  The importance of modeling compassion and inclusivity to our kids
•  #metoo movement
•  Cancel culture
•  Toxic masculinity
•  Gender essentialism
•  And more!

Adam shares a stabbing-themed "Did I Just Say That Out Loud?" before the guys close out the episode.
 

Links:
Farther Figure: How To Be a Feminist Dad
Jordan Shapiro (official website)
Jordan Shapiro (Twitter)
Jordan Shapiro (Instagram)
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal Music
Adam Flaherty

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Have you ever sat down to interview one of your parents? It’s not always an easy task—even for someone who interviews influential people for a living! Adam and Marc welcome guest Craig Melvin, father of two and acclaimed news anchor/personality on Dateline NBC and The Today Show, to discuss his new book “Pops: Learning To Be A Son And A Father.” Listen to the end of the episode for a round of “Confessions.”

Episode 49 opens with a brief reflection on the show; specifically, how our collective experiences as dads can share so many similarities and be so different at the same time. The guys share a bit about NBC anchor/personality Craig Melvin’s new book “Pops: Learning To Be A Son And A Father”, a book he began working on during a 2020 quarantine. For much of Craig’s life, he and his brothers didn’t have much of a relationship with their father Lawrence, largely due to his alcohol and gambling addictions. A 2018 family intervention cleared a path to recovery for Lawrence, and an opportunity to redefine relationships with his sons and grandchildren—Including Craig’s son and daughter. Craig shared candidly about his family, and the process of interviewing his father for “Pops.” Topics include:

• The inspiration for writing “Pops”
•  The fear of interviewing a parent
• The importance of other “father figures” in Craig’s life
•  The nature of addiction
•  How the notion of “it takes a village” has shifted
•  Craig’s kids’ relationship with their grandfather
•  What “Modern Dadhood” means to Craig
 

The guys round out the episode with a new batch of dadhood “Confessions”.

[Episode Transcript]

Links:
Buy “Pops” at Powell’s
Craig’s digital series “Dads Got This”
Craig Melvin on Instagram
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

What does the word "family" mean to you? Is it your immediate blood relatives with whom you share DNA? Or can "family" be chosen based on interpersonal relationships, regardless of ancestry? And who gets to decide the official definition, if not each one of us individually? Today, Adam and Marc welcome guest Paul Ramsay, a certified hypnotist, to share a compelling story about the dad he never knew, and how his experience as a son redefined the word "family" for him. Also, Marc's boys go a bit wild with some new rubber drinking straws!

Episode 48 finds the guys back together recording in person for the first time in almost 16 months. They  open the conversation by reminiscing about the past year or more, and discuss their skepticism about fully accepting a return to normalcy. The guys welcome guest Paul Ramsay into the conversation. Paul is a Certified Hypnotist and a longtime friend and collaborator of Adam's. The guys quickly turn the show over to Paul, who recounts a compelling story about his experience with an absentee father, a stepdad who swept in and selflessly filled that paternal role, and what happened when a half sibling reached out to make contact after decades of silence.

In an installment of "Did I Just SayThat Out Loud?", Marc shares an exclamation which might sound confusing (or even perverse) without explanation.

[Episode Transcript]

LINKS:
Paul Ramsay, Hypnotist
Best Hypnosis Training
Best Hypnosis Training on Instagram
The Partnerhood
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

In part two of the conversation, Adam and Marc jump back into things with Ben Lee after pausing while he fields a phone call from a child in distress. The. Dadding. Never. Stops. From there, the guys explore a willingness to discuss heavy topics, leading by example, the importance of balancing skill with intuition, and speaking to the kid inside the grown-up... really, a little bit of everything. Finally, stick around to the end to hear about Marc’s new musical side project: Stuffed Animal.

Episode 47 is the second half of a  two part conversation with songwriter, activist, and rockstar dad Ben Lee. The guys open the show with a gush-session about Ben’s wisdom, grace, and talent before diving right back into the interview. Conversation topics include:

•  How to create space for forward motion in your life
•  "Three dimensional experiences"
•  What it means to be an "activist"
•  Leading by example with our children
•  Why we should not assume that we know better than our kids
•  Writing music for kids and families

In lieu of a recurring segment, Marc announces his new solo musical venture “Stuffed Animal,” which he simply describes as “rock music for kids.” Samples of “PB+J” and “Nervous Dog” are debuted before the guys close out the episode.

Links:
Ben Lee on Instagram
Ben Lee on Twitter
Weirder Together
B is for Beer
Ben Lee in Quarantine
Stuffed Animal
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Adam Flaherty

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast