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

Have you ever read a book to your kids and been so disappointed by how uninspired the story is? Or how half-baked the visuals are? Or how poor the grammar is? Same. That's why when you come across the truly great ones, you elevate them and celebrate them. Maine author and illustrator (and father of two) Chris Van Dusen joins us to share about all that goes into creating purposeful, high quality children's literature.

Episode 115 of Modern Dadhood is our holiday episode. The guys open with a discussion about The Clement Moore classic "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" and debate the merits of modifying classic material in the public domain before transitioning to their conversation with author, illustrator, and father of two, Chris Van Dusen. Chris shares his story of coming up in the art world, and the path that led him to writing and illustrating classic kids books such as Circus Ship, the Mr. Magee series, and the If I Built series as well as illustrating the Mercy Watson series for author Kate DiCamillo.

After the interview, Marc shares a story of connecting in person with one of our early guests, singer/songwriter Martin Sexton.

From our families to yours, we wish you happy, safe, and fun holidays. - Adam & Marc

LINKS:
Chris Van Dusen (Official)
Chris Van Dusen (Instagram)
Chris Van Dusen (Facebook)
Martin Sexton
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Modern Dadhood (website)
AdamFlaherty.tv
Stuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (YouTube)
MD (TikTok)

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

Any parents of teenagers? (...Or have kids who will be teenagers before you know it?) The seismic shifts that take place during the teenage years can make parenting feel impossible. Inspirational speaker Ed Gerety joins the conversation to impart some wisdom on how to raise curious, grateful, resilient, and self-sufficient teenagers in today's fast-paced world. Hand around after the interview to hear Adam share a recent Instant Regret.

Episode 114 of Modern Dadhood opens with a quick chat between Marc and Adam about gratitude. Adam shares a story about his 7 year old daughter receiving a gratitude award at school, and the guys talk about modeling thankfulness to their kids. The guys transition to Adam's recent conversation with inspirational speaker Ed Gerety who has built an impressive career visiting middle schools, high schools, and companies to inspire kindness, leadership, empathy, and more. The conversation touches on topics such as:

•  The significance of being truly present parents
•  Creating a list of family values to guide your decisions
•  Communication strategies for teenagers who don't want to talk
•  The value of fostering curiosity in our kids
•  Modeling empathy and vulnerability by admitting your mistakes
•  Debunking myths about entitlement
•  Separating behavior from identity
•  And more!

Listen to the end to hear Adam try to talk his way out of explaining something wholly inappropriate to his 10 year old kid in a new installment of Instant Regrets.

LINKS
Ed Gerety (official)
Shine Your Light (Ed's new book)
Ed on Instagram
Ed on LinkedIn
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Modern Dadhood (website)
AdamFlaherty.tv
Stuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (YouTube)
MD (TikTok)

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

Every new parent stumbles and bumbles their way through learning the responsibilities of their new job, and adapting to their new lifestyle. Most of the "what to expect" books for dads seem to focus on swaddling and potty training, when what we really need is resources for loneliness or advice on how to keep your cool when you're totally overwhelmed. Today's guest, Joe Gidjunis, spent so much time contemplating fatherhood, that he decided to produce a documentary series about it... and PBS loved it so much, they made it available to millions of people. A father of one and former journalist, Joe opens up about his show Grown Up Dad, and how he hopes it will help new dads find joy in being present and in control. Listen to the end for an uproarious (and disgusting) installment of Did I Just Say That Out Loud?
 

The guys open Episode 113 of Modern Dadhood with a quick catch-up on the 2nd Annual Checket Family Halloween Party before welcoming Joe Gidjunis into the conversation. Joe is the creator and host of Grown Up Dad, a documentary series airing on PBS that explores many of the same topics that this podcast explores. Joe shares about his early ideas for a film exploring fatherhood, and how he landed on a docuseries which has found him traveling the globe, meeting dads, and diving deep on the value of present fatherhood.

After the interview, Marc shares an installment of Did I Just Say That Out Loud? that has Adam splitting a gut.

LINKS:
Grown Up Dad (official)
Grown Up Dad (PBS)
Grown Up Dad (Instagram)
Joe Gidjunis (Instagram)
Grown Up Dad (Facebook)
Grown Up Dad (LinkedIn)
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Modern Dadhood (website)
AdamFlaherty.tv
Stuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (YouTube)
MD (TikTok)

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

What do happiness hacks, magic mushrooms at Bonnaroo, and suburban dadding have in common? Comedian Pete Holmes, that's what. Pete (You Made It Weird podcast, HBO's Crashing) has been a "pie in the sky" guest for since the wee beginnings of Modern Dadhood, and the conversation didn't disappoint. Pete opens up about being a vulnerable dad, the importance of emotional transparency, working six-year-old Lila into his jokes, and more. Listen to the end for an Instant Regret which left Marc feeling like a dink.

Episode 112 of Modern Dadhood opens with the fastest catch-up in the history of the show, so the guys can get straight into their conversation with comedian Pete Holmes, who has been on the Modern Dadhood bucket list since the show was conceived. Pete brought the goods, and the dudes had an in-depth conversation about what it means to be a dad. The conversation took many twists and turns, and includes topics such as:

Listen to the end to hear about Marc's recent Instant Regret!
•  How to balance being a friend and a parent to your kid
•  The emotional extremes of parenting
•  The value of teaching your kids that you are a human
•  Modeling behaviors we want to see our kids embody
•  Embracing vulnerability to foster a stronger relationship with your kid
•  And more!
 

LINKS
Pete Holmes (official)
You Made It Weird (Apple Podcasts)
I Am Not For Everyone (Netflix)
Faces And Sounds (HBO)
Crashing (HBO)
Comedy Sex God (book)
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Modern Dadhood (website)
AdamFlaherty.tv
Stuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (YouTube)
MD (TikTok)

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

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a stressful, emotional path to becoming a parent. Adding a surrogate to the equation introduces a new set of risks and stressors. For Ryan O'Connell and his wife, when the stars aligned and their healthy, perfect baby was born, it was nothing short of a miracle... and then they hit the lottery a second time. During our conversation, Ryan opens up about the deeply personal and intricate process of having children via surrogacy, shedding light on the highs and lows that come with it. We explore the emotional challenges, legal complexities, and moments of triumph that the O'Connells faced along the way. Listen to the end for an ego-deflating installment of Kisses and Disses.

Episode 111 of Modern Dadhood opens with a quick catch-up with the guys about the back-to-school process and the crazy, overwhelming nature of parent life. The guys waste no time getting into Adam's conversation with fellow girl-dad Ryan O'Connell, an event manager and prolific blogger. Ryan lives in New Jersey with his family, including his two daughters, nine and four.

Ryan opens up about the highs and lows of dad life, navigating the world of surrogacy, and the emotional rollercoaster involved in starting a family. We discuss the challenges and triumphs he and his wife faced on their path to parenthood, including their experiences with surrogates and the intricate medical and emotional processes involved. Topics include:

•  The process of finding a surrogate
•  What attributes make a couple and potential surrogate click?
•  A brief overview of IVF
•  The potential risks and setbacks of working with a surrogate
•  The emotional and physical toll of miscarriages
•  The legal and financial side of surrogacy
•  And more!

Listen to the end for an ego-deflating installment of Kisses and Disses.

LINKS
Giddy Up America (Ryan's blog)
Ryan O'Connell (LinkedIn)
Reproductive Possibilities (surrogacy agency)
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Modern Dadhood (website)
AdamFlaherty.tv
Stuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (YouTube)
MD (TikTok)

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

Do you feel perpetually behind? Or so stressed each day that it’s debilitating? Well, it turns out you’re not alone. (Far from it, actually.) The US Surgeon General reports that 48% of parents say that most days, their stress is “completely overwhelming.” How do we know this? Because the Nation's Doctor told us himself. US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, joins us to discuss his new advisory report “Parents Under Pressure,” which explores why so many parents are struggling, and what we as a country can do to begin to reverse this trend.

In Episode 110 of Modern Dadhood, the guys catch up briefly on the beginning of the school year, and offer a quick explanation for why the episode release schedule has been a little slow lately. They reflect on interviewing Dr. Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General and dad of two, about his new Advisory, "Parents Under Pressure," including what inspired him to write it, how his own fatherhood experience informed the topic, and what he sees as solutions to reducing stress and improving the well-being off parents. Topics include:

•  What factors are causing so much stress in parents?
•  Parenting should be seen as a team effort, not an individual pursuit
•  The lack of support available to dads specifically
•  High levels of loneliness, especially among single parents
•  How do technology and social media play a role?
•  Societal capability to make significant changes
•  Dr. Murthy's thoughts on solutions / interventions
•  And more
 

LINKS
Read The Advisory "Parents Under Pressure"
US Surgeon General (official)
Dr. Vivek Murthy (Instagram)
Surgeon General (Twitter/X)
Surgeon General (Facebook)
"House Calls" Podcast
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Modern Dadhood (website)
AdamFlaherty.tv
Stuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (YouTube)
MD (TikTok)

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

Still riding the high of seeing Beck perform with a live orchestra (and getting the rare chance to say hello to him post-show), Adam chose to resurface our 2021 interview with Beck's step-dad, the multi-talented Sean Carrillo, for this week's Rewind episode. Sean's story of marrying into a family with two kids who were only 10 and 12 years his junior, is a wonderfully unique tale of a blended family of artists which, at times, felt more like a group of peers hanging around, inspiring each other.
 

At 60 years old, Sean Carrillo's career has taken him from the performing arts to commercial and film production, directing, and editorial, to curating live events... and that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Sean has been a stepfather for  40 years, and his family dynamic is far from typical. His wife Bibbe Hansen is a performance artist and actress, a protégé of Andy Warhol when she was young. Bibbe’s late father is Al Hansen, the renowned Fluxus artist. And his stepchildren are artist Channing Hansen, and musician Beck—a longtime favorite of Adam’s.

Sean shares about growing up in Los Angeles in the 60s and 70s, meeting Bibbe while a member of the performance art group ASCO, and marrying her in the early 1980s when Beck and Channing were 12 and 10 years old, respectively. In a particularly unique step-parenting situation, Sean found that hanging with Bibbe and the boys, along with Rain Whittaker, a family friend who they took under their wing, felt more like hanging out with a group of peers than a  traditional parents/kids dynamic. Topics include:

•  The idea of marrying someone with kids close to you in age
•  Beck and Channing’s biological father David Campbell
•  Los Angeles’ Troy Cafe, owned by Sean and Bibbe
•  Did being a stepfather change when Beck and Channing began seeing commercial success?
•  Beck and Channing as fathers
•  And more
 

LINKS:
Sean Carrillo
Bibbe Hansen
Beck
Channing Hansen
Beck and Al Hansen: Playing With Matches
Troy Cafe
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee

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

Have you ever wondered about the true value that a doula brings to pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond? We're joined by Timothy Gant Jr., also known as "Teddy The Doula," a trailblazing male doula from Houston, Texas. Timothy shares his journey into the traditionally female-dominated field, the unique challenges and joys of his practice, and the vital role of educating and empowering dads-to-be.

Episode 108 of Modern Dadhood opens with the guys swapping stories about their evenings, with Marc venting about being emotionally beaten down by his kids, and Adam enjoying some beach time and booking a dream guest. The guys transition the conversation to the topic of doulas, and introduce Timothy Gant Jr., known professionally as Teddy The Doula, into the conversation. Teddy shares openly about his full-spectrum doula practice, and how being a man in a female-dominated industry awards him some unique opportunities. Topics discussed include:

•  What unique challenges come with being a male doula?
•  Why did Timothy pursue his passion in the face of adversity?
•  What are the unique benefits of having a male doula?
•  The importance of education around pregnancy and childbirth for both partners.
•  The various ways that a doula can support and advocate for the new parents
•  And more!

LINKS
Teddy The Doula (Instagram)
Teddy (the documentary)
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Modern Dadhood (website)
AdamFlaherty.tv
Stuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (YouTube)
MD (TikTok)

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

This "Rewind" episode doubles as our Father's Day 2024 episode! The guys chat about what an ideal Father's Day would look like, play a fun quiz game, and then throw back to the 2022 interview with trans dad Tessa White who shares candidly about her unique journey of trans fatherhood. Tessa opens up about her family's dynamics, the challenges she faces with public scrutiny, and the profound impact of a meaningful pin she received, which reads "She/Her/DAD."

The guys open Episode 107 of Modern Dadhood with a chat about what an ideal fathers day would look like (spoiler alert... pretty much anything as long as the kids aren't fighting!) They discuss beers on the beach at night, a giant ball of snakes, and then play a Father's Day Quiz before throwing to their 2022 interview with trans dad Tessa White. Tessa owns an HVAC company in Oklahoma City, is a transgender woman and proud LGBTQ+ advocate and activist, and is a parent to 5 children (including two sets of twins) who call her DAD. The powerful conversation touches on topics including:

•  The meaning of the phrase "She/Her/DAD" found on a pin by Dads Hug Too
•  Navigating the world as a trans woman and a parent
•  The debate over transgender athletes
•  Trans discrimination, and the effects on Tessa's kids
•  Giving kids some space and distance to accept who their father is
•  Pronouns, including nonbinary pronouns
 

Happy Pride Month, and Happy Father's Day to EVERYONE who identifies as a dad.
 

Links:
Dads Hug Too
PFlag Oklahoma City
OKC Pride
Diversity Center of Oklahoma
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal

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

According to Men's Coach and Somatic Practitioner Sean Hotchkiss, everyone carries traumatic experiences with them from when they were young. These can be major emotional traumas like the divorce of your parents, or they can be micro traumas... but when they are left unresolved, they can shape who we are as adults (and parents), how we navigate life, and how we relate to others. In this episode honoring Mental Health Awareness Month, Sean Hotchkiss joins the conversation to discuss the real value of expressing anger and the benefits of unpacking our traumas of the past, all the way down to a cellular level.

Episode 106 of Modern Dadhood, Adam and Marc open the show by welcoming new listeners, and giving shout-outs to Hark Audio, where Adam recently created his first Harklist, and Pocket Casts for generously highlighting Modern Dadhood in the Kids & Family category. The guys acknowledge Mental Health Awareness Month and introduce the guest into the conversation. Sean Hotchkiss is a Men's Coach, Somatic Practitioner, and Embodiment Guide. He works with men (many of whom are dads) to uncover and process traumas of their past. The conversation gets deep, covering topics like:

•  What it means to be a somatic practitioner and embodiment guide
•  What inspired Sean to transition from fashion writing to coaching
•  What are the most common sources of trauma for men?
•  How are repressed traumatic experiences accessed and processed?
•  Who can benefit from this kind of coaching?
•  And more!

Marc rounds out the episode with a quick installment of Did I Just Say That Out Loud?


LINKS
Sean Hotchkiss (official website)
Sean Hotchkiss (Instagram)
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Modern Dadhood (website)
AdamFlaherty.tv
Stuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (YouTube)
MD (TikTok)

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