What would you ask your dad if you invited him for a conversation on your podcast? Well, we should have asked you this question before Zach invited his own dad on to The Skilled Dad podcast.

On this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast, Zach sits down with Greg Reeser to tap into the opportunity to get his dad behind a mic and learn a different perspective of his story. Greg is an extremely creative and widely talented man that ranges from giving design tips around furniture design and fabric selection (which comes in handy with the family upholstery business), fixing dang near anything mechanical, to dreaming up a concept and making it a reality, to name a few.

Join us as we sit down in the Treehouse Studio, where Zach is reminded that there is always something new to learn about your parents.

So about the question of what you would ask your dad if you invited him for a conversation on your podcast? We challenge you to think about it. Then, if you are able, take the step to ask your dad, step-dad, or the one you consider dad to sit down for that conversation... whether you have a podcast or not. You may discover something you didn't know that changes your own perspective about life through their eyes.

Some Dad skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:

Two weeks in ten minutes - just getting it done

Mindset matters in the low seasons and ramping up for the high

Five(ish) tools everyone should have no matter where live

Tools of faith, patience, and good 'ol hard work

Involvement is the ultimate learning tool

Some history on the Treehouse Studio

And more...

Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.

Many of us are competitive. Competition is healthy and can be a great motivator. Who, however, are you competing against? Whether in dad mode, business mode, or whatever mode you are in, do you find yourself competing against something else? Who or what you are competing against can make a drastic difference in your success and we tap into this idea on this episode. And watch out if you are invited to a kickball league...

On this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast, Zach is joined by his friend P.J. Simmons. P.J. is a dad of two with one on the way and carries an insight and level of calm that is something to be admired. Zach and P.J. spent some time in the business trenches together and built a friendship that has provided great encouragement, insight, and some go get 'emness.

Join us as we sit down in the Treehouse Studio and dive into a number of topics related to being a man, husband, and dad.

Some Dad skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:

What to watch out for if invited to a kickball league

Upping your game in whatever mode you are in

Creating forced proximity and friendships

Maintaining a close group of friends

Revising your comparison game

Finding your strength

And more...

Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.

Provide. Prepare. Protect. As dads, that's a big part of our duty. Our guest on this episode, Brian Graf, demonstrates that above and beyond at home and in his community as a law enforcement office and member of the S.W.A.T. team. Brian sits down with, Zach and shares some of his stories and learnings both as a dad, veteran, and law enforcement office. He lays out a great perspective and reminder that of the idea, if not you then who?

Join us in our conversation as we break down a number of concepts taken from his story, while also having some good laughs along the way. Brian is an awesome leader, man, and dad that we are honored to know and appreciate him sharing some of his story on The Skilled Dad Podcast to help equip others.

We want to thank all of our military and law enforcement dads (and moms) out there who are helping to protect our country and communities, while also building the future at home.

Some Dad skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:

Building Trust So You Get "That" Phone Call

Responding vs. Reacting

Leaders are Readers

Creating and Applying Vision To Your Family

Using OKRs at Home To Reach Goals... All The Possible Solutions, Not Just The One

Balancing Being a "Fun Dad" and Not Just The Fun Dad

And more...

Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.

Not all of us make it to the Major League, but many of us have spent time on the fields in the Little Leagues. Regardless of the type of field, rink, or court, you have frequented, there are transferable concepts and shared experiences we all share as parents.

On this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast, Zach is joined by Payton Junkin, a dad of three who helps impact the world as his day job... one person at a time. Payton brings an energy to the table that you wish you could hook jumper cables too for a quick recharge. Which is good, because with the schedule his house runs, it has to come in handy. Payton also has a great perspective on the balance of the win with the growth and learning of the youngin' that you are raising.

DISCLAIMER: There is an exuberant reference to Alabama football on this episode. Please note that the views, opinions, and expressions are solely those of the the speakers and do not expressly represent the views and opinions of the host (Go Vols!!) or The Skilled Dad.

Some Dad skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:

A Dad is more than genetic code

Not being a dugout dad

Making a difference by focusing on the one

And more...

Interested in learning more about the work Payton is doing and his organization, Help One Now? Check out the links below:

Website: Helponenow.org

Follow on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube at @helponenow

Follow Payton Junkin: Instagram and Facebook

Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.

Keep calm and dad on! You've probably heard the original phrase, "Keep calm and carry on" which was coined in England and used as a motivational slogan in preparation for WWII. Well, in this episode we are adopting and adapting that slogan and it fits in many ways.

In this episode Zach sits down with James Austin, a dad of three boys, who has a thrilling story of being a globetrotter before becoming a dad, then finding himself welcoming his first son while living abroad. From those experiences, James shares his stories on what differences in parenting in other countries can look like and how these adventures among others have helped shape his perspective on being a dad.

James brings a fantastic balance of fun, depth, and insight to this episode. So grab a hot cup of tea and join us as we dive into some of James' story on his journey to becoming The Skilled Dad. Just listening to it may help you in keeping calm while you dad on.

Some skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:

International perspective on parenting

Engaging those that have been there before you

Testing and iterating in parenthood

Making the mental shift to dad

Carrying on in the face of health challenges

Training your kids to take action

And more...

Follow The @SkilledDad and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com, Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter

Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.

Have you heard of the duck on the pond? Calm on top of the water and cranking like a madman under the surface? We have talked to a lot of guys about this concept and found that this is a shared sentiment among many.

Feelings stir up a lot of feelings and Jake Smith Jr. explains his take on why they aren't what you may think. On this episode Zach sits down with Jake Smith Jr. who is the President of Plumline, a spiritual development company that offers guided internal expeditions to find healing and discover meaning. He is also a husband, dad, and impactful leader. Jake lives in Franklin, TN with his wife of 20 years, and their three children.

Join us as we take a bit of journey as Jake shares his expertise on what he has learned while helping hundreds of people with his work and how it has helped him be a better dad.

Some skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:

Understanding the difference between feelings and "emotionalism"

Creating a shared language with our family

Understanding underlying components of our kids' (and our) emotional responses

Realizing that your mind and strength are not enough. Three things you can start applying today.

Caring properly about yourself so that you can care properly for others

Creating connection regardless of activity

Repair, Repair, Repair...

Learn more about Plumline and the work Jake does and how you can get involved by going to www.goplumline.com.

Follow Jake Smith Jr.:

Instagram: @jakesmithjr

Facebook: @jakesmithjr

Twitter: @jakesmithjr

Follow us and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com and on Instagram, FB, and Twitter @skilleddad

Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.

Episode Summary:

Josh Turner is a leader, husband, dad, and man focused on helping equip other men. He made it his job when he started the 10Ten Project. Josh also knows what it is like to work as a dad with a child that has a very rare disease and finds ways to create their connection and provide for her needs. Whether it his epic beard, his future release of pine smelling cologne, or the lessons he has learned from raising his son to adulthood, Josh speaks a powerful message through his story. Join Zach and Josh on this episode of The Skilled Dad podcast where we have a great time breaking some things down and discussing some bold and challenging concepts around manhood, leadership, and being a dad.

Some skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:

Gaining perspective that everyone is human and comparison is overrated

Getting over the fear and being bold for getting support

Focusing on your kids interests for connection

How to engage your band of brothers to play a pivotal role in your kids lives

Recognizing when your actions made a bigger impact than you thought

Developing a growth path and rights of passage for your son

Book referenced in this episode:

Raising A Modern Day Knight - Robert Lewis

Follow Josh Turner:

Instagram: @joshuaturner

10Ten Project - 10tenproject.com and @10tenproject

Follow us and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com and on Instagram @skilleddad

Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.

Episode Summary:

When you go from one to two kids, it can be a transition. When you go from two to three, you are officially outnumbered. So what does it look like when you have six? Zach McCann joins us on this episode of The Skilled Dad Podcast to give us an inside look on exactly that. Zach has a great story and we only have time for a small portion of it. Join us in our conversation where we touch on what they have learned about the similarities and differences they see in their kids and how they can celebrate the individual in each of them. We also breakdown some tips on how they have found a way to create a team dynamic where everyone has a role to play and much more.

Some skills and tips we discuss in this episode include:

Ideas on setting up commission structures around chores

Maintaining accountability with your kids (even when we as parents blow it)

Observations on three age group phases (from age 0-12)

Training to be better, not just trying

Recognizing tipping points and how to follow-up on dad missteps

Addressing actions vs. character

How to reset from work to home

Ways to promote critical thinking skills with our kids

Product referenced in this episode:

Greenlight Debit Card for Kids - greenlightcard.com

**NOTE: We have no affiliation with Greenlight and are not sponsored in anyway. If someone has had a good experience with a product, sometimes we talk about it and what to equip others with something to look into.

Follow us and engage in the conversation at theskilleddad.com

Stories are powerful. Learn from theirs. Share yours.

As dads we face a lot of things. Some of these things are bigger than others. On this episode, Zach sits down with Jon French, who is a dad, husband, and leader with a powerful story that is set out to bring hope to others. We hit on things like what to do when faced with the question of considering a mini-van, how to set the expectations with middle school boys, aligning time with family, and things a dad can do if they find themselves facing the battle with cancer.

We cover a lot of ground on a variety of topics and lots of takeaways.

Join our conversation and see what you can learn, engage, and equip others with on your journey to becoming The Skilled Dad.

Some skills you will learn in this episode:

Perspectives on the dreaded mini-van

Putting your cape on and showing up

Time as the currency of relationship

Using the Like Switch formula to build relationships

Some things that can be considered if facing cancer

Being bold and stepping into the awkwardness of making friends with other dads

Keep fightin'

Much more...

Referenced in the Podcast:

The Like Switch - Jack Schafer

Rejection Therapy video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vZXgApsPCQ

More on Jon's Cancer Journey - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhCu9FFaJk0

More at TheSkilledDad.com

NOTE: All opinions, tips, and suggestions that are shared on the the podcast are expressly those of the host and the guest. We always recommend seeking professional help and guidance when necessary if you are facing challenging scenarios.

The Skilled Dad Podcast CLIP

From Episode Three with Mark Hamilton

How often do we go after the mountain and miss the stream on the way? Whether it be a vacation, a weekend, or whatever you have your sights set on, what are the things you might be missing? This clip is a portion of a conversation with Mark Hamilton and hits on a tool that they use to make sure their family isn't missing the little adventures on their way to the big one.

Download the full episode with Mark Hamilton to hear more of the story!

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