Pappy Hour

Another check in with the Fam. Eric, Kristin, Lauren and I sit down and talk about how we keep going even when things get tough.

This week on Pappy Hour Les Thompson tells the story of silicon valley before that was even a thing, adopting our very own Pappy Eric Thompson, and the importance of trusting your kids.

Please enjoy Les Thompson.

Cheers!!

Raised in a strict Orthodox Jewish world, married at 20, father by 22, Daniel Katz went from living by the rules to questioning everything. This episode gets deep, fast. Faith, miscarriage, identity, conscious parenting, leaving community, and what it means to choose your own life instead of the one handed to you.

Daniel shares the wild story of raising his son Aya while traveling farm-to-farm across the country, why his son eventually chose his own name, and how becoming a dad cracked his entire world open.

This one is raw, thoughtful, and unlike any episode we’ve done so far.

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If this episode moves you, share it with someone questioning who they’re supposed to be.

Joseph Greenslade thought he knew what kind of dad he wanted to be. Then life hit, infertility, a 10-day-old baby not breathing, deployments, and a moment that forced him to choose love over everything else.

This one covers chaos, fear, resilience, and what it actually looks like to show up for your kids, no matter what.

If this hits, help us keep telling stories like this.
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Ben Scott thought he could plan fatherhood. Then came years of infertility, loss, and a moment no parent is ready for.

They stayed in it.

From IVF to twins, NICU chaos, and a surprise third kid, this one is equal parts brutal and funny, including a story you won’t forget about silence, diapers, and a very bad idea.

Listen now. Follow Pappy Hour and share it with a dad who needs it.

Tommy Serak comes in a little nervous and leaves proving how simple this can be. He shares how becoming a dad started with his stepson Daniel, a connection built over something as small as getting him to eat real food, and grew into a deep bond that shaped the kind of father he’d become.

From there, Tommy walks through the shift from thinking he’d be a strict dad like his own father to realizing he’s actually a laid-back, loving one. He talks about the moment it all clicks, holding your kid and knowing you’ve got it, along with the chaos, humor, and everyday moments that come with raising three boys.

It’s an easy, honest conversation about showing up, figuring it out as you go, and leaning into the kind of dad you actually are.

Solo Pappy is where Eric and I can share personal insights on raising kids and life. This episode I talk about raising mentally tough children, the importance of struggle, and developing resilience and self-awareness. I emphasize the value of allowing kids to experience lowercase "s" suffering to learn problem-solving and independence.

wo kids. Fifteen years apart. One dad trying to stay present through all of it.

Dakota Coburn jumps in with both feet, from grinding in brutal New York kitchens to learning how to stay calm when a toddler melts down and a teenager won’t stop talking about the NBA. This one hits work ethic, pressure, discipline, and what actually matters when your kid wants your attention right now, not later.

Real talk on:

• Raising kids at opposite ends of the spectrum
• Handling tantrums without losing your mind
• Teaching discipline without turning into a drill sergeant
• Why “be there when it counts” beats being there all the time

And a reminder that stuck: you’ll spend most of your time with your kids before they hit 12. Let that land.

Support the show and help us keep these conversations going:
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If this episode hits, share it with a dad who needs it. Fresh pour every week.

We called up another one of my brothers Adam Budde and boy he has some stories.

If you missed it the first time, or just miss his voice, here he is again. This episode we revisit the conversation with Kenny Budde, Lucas' very own Pappy.

Hospice was a real comfort to us through this process, consider donating to Sacred Journey