Two stories. One thread: broken trust.
In this episode of The Dad Compass, Dmitry V and Patrick O unpack the Annunciation Catholic School shooting in Minneapolis—where two children, Fletcher Merkel (8) and Harper Moyski (10), lost their lives—and the Netflix documentary Unknown Number: The High School Catfish. We go deep on motives, missed warning signs, bullying, fatherhood responsibility, digital safety, and how to talk to your kids about tragedy without feeding fear.

We keep it real: raw language, honest dad talk, and practical takeaways.

⚠️ Content Warning: explicit language, mature themes (violence, suicide, cyberbullying).

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Cold open & audio check chaos (real life pod vibes)
00:23 Setting the stakes: church, safety, and a Netflix cyberstalking shocker
01:26 Why this hurts: empathy, anger, and fatherhood
02:30 The poem “But Not The End” (missed warning signs)
05:13 Case facts: Annunciation Catholic School shooting (timeline, 116 rounds, under 2 minutes)
06:05 Victims named: Fletcher Merkel (8) & Harper Moyski (10)
07:05 Manifesto, ideology, and notoriety seeking (why this matters for dads)
09:00 Bullying, isolation, and faith-school context
15:20 Stats that matter (who commits school shootings, how often, what patterns)
16:40 School safety today: locked doors, buzz-ins, realistic preparedness
18:05 Fatherhood data point: unstable/absent dads & risk factors
18:44 Are shooters ever fathers? Parental accountability & rare cases
20:39 Real-life parenting moments (communicating without assumptions)
22:30 Boundaries, hard talks, and consistent presence
24:49 What accountability looks like after tragedy
30:00 “Fatherhood Unscripted”: forcing the hard conversations (why it works)
41:00 Netflix: Unknown Number—The High School Catfish (story setup)
44:14 Actual quotes from the harassment (viewer discretion)
48:11 Motive & psychology: control, dependency, and digital “Munchausen-by-proxy” vibes
52:20 Fallout: small town, trust collapse, and long-term healing
57:42 Control vs. sadism? What the film suggests
59:20 What “Munchausen” really means (quick explainer)
1:01:20 Parenting playbook: digital hygiene, boundaries, and emotional check-ins
1:05:24 Closing reflections: do the hard conversations, every week
1:06:47 (Comic relief) Stripper-name lightning round 🤦‍♂️
1:08:39 Subscribe + “Compass on” sign-off

🎯 Key Takeaways

Name the loss. Say Fletcher and Harper’s names; center the victims, not the perpetrator.

Spot the signals. Isolation, self-harm, violent idolization, and grievance scripts are red flags.

Dad playbook. Be present, set boundaries, ask direct questions, and follow up weekly.

Digital safety ≠ surveillance. It’s trust, literacy, and clear rules (with consequences).

Talk faith & fear. Give kids language for anxiety and a path to hope.

📌 Resources Mentioned

Netflix: Unknown Number: The High School Catfish

Quick explainer: Munchausen syndrome & Munchausen by proxy

Crisis support (US): 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline)

👍 If this helped:

Subscribe for more unfiltered fatherhood conversations.

Comment: What’s one hard conversation you’ll have with your kids this week?

Share this with a dad who needs a nudge.

Hosts: Dmitry V & Patrick O
Show: The Dad Compass — Fatherhood. Faith. Real talk.

Bullying isn’t what it used to be. Back in the 80s and 90s, it was face-to-face, on the playground, or at school. Today, kids face cyberbullying, online hate, and constant pressure from social media.

In this episode of The Dad Compass Podcast, Dmitry and Patrick get real about how bullying has evolved — from dodgeball stories and “old school” trash talk, to navigating modern challenges like TikTok drama, parental controls, and school overreach.

Chapters -
00:00 – Intro | Bullying Then vs. Now  
00:37 – Trash talk in the 90s vs. cyberbullying today  
02:40 – Patrick’s son Jackson accused of bullying  
05:10 – Parenting through tough conversations  
07:25 – Parents stepping in & school involvement  
10:27 – Did trash talk build character or trauma?  
12:43 – The emotional side of parenting through bullying  
14:25 – Choosing better friends & resilience  
16:34 – Schools disciplining kids for out-of-school behavior  
19:14 – The heavy impact of bullying on kids  
20:58 – Social media, Snapchat, and online hate  
23:20 – Comment section “bullies” and internet drama  
25:23 – Politics, arguments, and shit-talking as adults  
27:53 – Do bullies still carry “weapons”? Dodgeball stories  
30:26 – Recap of Jackson’s situation & lessons learned  
32:53 – Fatherhood Unscripted: sick kids, school stress  
35:14 – Teaching teenagers confidence (first job story)  
37:34 – Autism, Florida trip, and family resilience  
38:49 – Handling online hate & LGBTQ conversations  
42:04 – Active shooter drills & school trauma  
47:22 – Dmitry’s personal bullying story (immigrant struggles)  
49:13 – Eyelashes, but donka donk & humor in bullying  
50:16 – More comment reactions  
50:44 – Funny question: Search history leaked?  
52:31 – Health talk & doctor roulette  
53:26 – Recap: Bullying sucks, be a better person  
55:10 – Final thoughts: Walk in others’ shoes  
56:27 – Life lessons & closing message  
57:16 – Outro | Subscribe to The Dad Compass


🔑 Highlights:

90s bullying vs. today’s cyberbullying

Patrick’s real story about his son being falsely implicated in online bullying

How parents can guide kids through resilience and better friend choices

Why online hate in comment sections feels like modern-day bullying

The balance between character-building and trauma in today’s school culture

Active shooter drills & whether schools are preparing kids — or scaring them

Parenting laughs, dodging politics, and a reminder to treat people better

👨‍👧‍👦 Whether you’re a dad, step-dad, or just trying to understand what kids face today, this conversation blends honesty, humor, and fatherhood lessons.

👉 Subscribe to The Dad Compass Podcast for more unscripted conversations about parenting, resilience, and modern fatherhood.

#Bullying #Cyberbullying #ParentingPodcast #Fatherhood #TheDadCompass #DadPodcast #Parenting #Resilience #BullyingAwareness #DadsOfTikTok #modernparenting

Schools in Crisis? The Dad Compass Podcast –  Schools in Crisis?! Bullying, Politics & Safety in 2025 EP 26 

Back to school isn’t what it used to be. In this episode, two dads from different generations (Patrick at 42, Dmitry at 33) dive into how schools have changed over the last 20 years—and what that means for our kids today.

From bullying and safety concerns to politics in the classroom, LGBTQ+ conversations, and teacher burnout, we explore what it’s like raising kids in today’s educational landscape. Dmitry shares his family’s big shift—after three years of homeschooling, his daughter is headed back into traditional school for the first time, while his son starts kindergarten.

💬 Expect honest dad talk, humor, and real questions like:

• Are kids safer or more vulnerable today?
• How much politics should influence classrooms?
• Where’s the line between protecting kids and over-sheltering them?
• And most importantly: how can dads show up for their kids in a changing world?

This episode isn’t about finger-pointing—it’s about navigating fatherhood in the middle of a culture war over schools.

fatherhood podcast, back to school 2025, bullying in schools, school safety, school politics, lgbtq in schools, parenting podcast, dads and education, modern parenting, teacher politics

 fatherhood podcast, back to school 2025, bullying in schools, school safety, school politics, lgbtq in schools, parenting podcast, dads and education, modern parenting, teacher politics 

In this episode of The Dad Compass Podcast, we dive into a viral short we posted that hit 32K views—featuring a man’s emotional story about a 40-year-old spool of wire… and how his partner hilariously missed the deeper meaning.

From that clip, we jump into real talk about growing up without fathers, the life skills we had to figure out on our own (shaving, driving, the awkward “sex talk”), and the unexpected people who stepped in to fill those father-figure roles.

We also share raw, personal stories about our childhoods, emotional moments as dads, the challenges we work to prevent for our own kids, and yes… even a few twisted laughs along the way.

If you’ve ever learned a life skill the hard way, felt unseen in a conversation, or wondered how your childhood shaped your parenting—this one’s for you.
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00:00 The Emotional Weight of a Spool of Wire
02:24 Men's Emotional Expression and Vulnerability
04:23 Personal Reflections on Emotional Responses
06:54 The Impact of Fatherhood on Emotional Connections
09:03 Childhood Experiences and Their Influence
11:17 Navigating Conversations About Emotions
13:33 The Significance of Life's Metaphors
15:40 The Role of Humor in Parenting
17:52 Challenges of Parenting Without a Father Figure
20:11 The Importance of Support in Parenting
22:15 Education and Parenting Responsibilities
24:23 Navigating Sex Education with Children
26:22 The Role of Schools in Sex Education
28:18 Reflections on Growing Up Without a Father
30:11 The Influence of Role Models in Parenting
32:13 Lessons Learned from Childhood Experiences
34:20 The Importance of Financial Stability in Parenting
36:15 The Value of Emotional Connections
38:00 The Humor of Fatherhood
39:24 Final Thoughts on Parenting and Life Lessons

💬 JOIN THE CREW
Comment below ⤵️ – Which pet peeve tops your list?  Best story wins a Dad Compass sticker!

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🌐 FOLLOW US
TikTok ▸ *@the_dad_compass_podcast*  
Instagram ▸ *@dmitry_unscripted*  
Facebook ▸ *The Dad Compass Podcast*

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🎙 GEAR & RESOURCES
• Mics: Shure SM7DB
• Interface: RODECASTER DUO - RODECASTER PRO
• Camera: Sony A6700  
• Editing:RiverSide


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#fatherhood #parentinghumor #dadlife #petpeeves #thermostatwars #sonya6700 #ShureSm7db #rodecasterpro 

🔔 **Subscribe & hit the bell** for weekly doses of fatherhood honesty & humor!  
🎧 Listen on Spotify • Apple 

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## EPISODE 23 – Dad Pet Peeves
From *thermostat tampering* to that teaspoon of milk left in the jug, Patrick & Dmitry count down the internet’s TOP‑10 Dad Pet Peeves… then admit their own.  We’re talking:

0:00  Cold open & why we’re already annoyed  
0:55  What’s YOUR biggest dad peeve?  
2:00  #10 Lights blazing in an empty room  
4:50  #9  Thermostat Wars – why 69 °F is sacred  
7:15  #8  “Close. The. Door.” (and stop creaking it!)  
10:20 #7  Slow left‑lane drivers 🤬  
13:05 *Bonus rant:* yelling across the house  
17:30 #6  Kitchen & garage clutter crimes  
24:40 #5  TV volume that jumpscares you  
28:10 #4  “Resting my eyes” … kids still need help  
30:55 #3  Wi‑Fi hogs & streaming slow‑downs  
34:05 #2  Cart RETURNS – put it in the corral!  
36:45 #1  The microscopic drop of milk 🥛  
40:20 Fatherhood Unscripted – wins & fails of the week  
48:45 Question of the Week: *If you got arrested… what would friends assume you did?*  
55:00 Wrap‑up & call‑outs

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### 🔥 KEY TAKEAWAYS
* You’re not alone—every dad has a “thermostat security system.”  
* Small habits (like replacing the trash bag) teach big responsibility.  
* Humor defuses frustration; call out pet peeves *with* your kids, not *at* them.

---

### 💬 JOIN THE CREW
Comment below ⤵️ – Which pet peeve tops your list?  Best story wins a Dad Compass sticker!

---

### 🌐 FOLLOW US
TikTok ▸ **@the_dad_compass_podcast**  
Instagram ▸ **@dmitry_unscripted**  
Facebook ▸ **The Dad Compass Podcast**

---

### 🎙 GEAR & RESOURCES
• Mics: Shure SM7DB
• Interface: RODECASTER DUO - RODECASTER PRO
• Camera: Sony A6700  
• Editing:RiverSide


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#fatherhood #parentinghumor #dadlife #petpeeves #thermostatwars #sonya6700 #ShureSm7db #rodecasterpro #ozzyosbourne #hulkhogan

🎙️  EP 22 — STREETLIGHTS vs SCREENLIGHTS  
80s/90s nostalgia collides with modern kid‑life: Blockbuster nights, Saturday‑morning cartoons, BMX freedom … versus TikTok feeds, GPS pings, and helicopter parents.  Did childhood level‑up or glitch out?  Dmitry & Patrick swap stories, stats, and plenty of dad‑jokes to find out.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━  
⏱️  CHAPTERS  
00:00  Cold‑Open Hook — “What is childhood like now?”  
00:55  Host Catch‑Up & 301.6 lb Radio‑Station Joke 😂  
03:05  Top 3 Nostalgia Triggers (Cartoons, Blockbuster, Friends)  
08:48  Streaming & Binge Culture vs. Appointment TV  
09:52  Free‑Range Kids ➜ Captive Kids (Common‑Sense Chat)  
18:27  How Far We Roamed: Safety Then vs. Now  
24:05  Modern Check‑Ins, Curfews & Teen Driving Rules  
27:52  *Fatherhood Unscripted* — Bonding with Teen Sons  
36:48  Group‑Chat Hangouts & Phone Zombies  
40:46  Wrestling Memories, Live‑TV Must‑Watch Moments  
48:57  Imagination: GI Joes to Tablets — Lost or Expanded?  
50:50  Respect, Authority & Participation‑Trophy Debate  
57:52  Food Flashbacks: Goulash, Kid Cuisines, Kraft vs. Generic  
1:05:15  One “Old‑School” Thing We’d Pass to Our Kids  
1:10:47  One Modern Tool We *Love* for Raising Kids  
1:18:10  Building Forts & Real‑World Play  
1:25:25  Helmets, Risk‑Taking & Epic Bike Wrecks  
1:29:18  Recap, Audience Challenge & Sign‑Off  
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━  

🗣️ **SOUND OFF!**  
Comment below: *What’s the single biggest difference you see in childhood today?* Funniest or most eye‑opening takes get read on a future episode.

👍 **SUPPORT THE SHOW**  
• Smash **LIKE** if you felt the nostalgia hit  
• **SUBSCRIBE** + 🔔 for weekly fatherhood real‑talk  
• **SHARE** with the 90s kid in your life

🎧 **LISTEN ON THE GO**  
Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Amazon Music

🌐 **CONNECT WITH US**  
TikTok — @the_dad_compass_podcast  
Instagram — @dmitry_unscripted  
Facebook — The Dad Compass Podcast

🔑 **BOOSTED TAGS**  
80s kids, 90s nostalgia, childhood then vs now, parenting podcast, millennial dads, free range parenting, helicopter parents, screen time debate, nostalgia podcast, dad life 2025, The Dad Compass

Ever had your child put you on the spot with a question that slices straight through the dad-bod armor? 💥 Dmitry’s daughter did exactly that:

👉 “How do you feel about being a father?”

Cue 60 minutes of uncensored truth bombs, hilarious pet peeves (pugs vs. bulldogs!), and gut-check stories about spanking guilt, career overload, and why the silence hits harder than toddler screams.

👊 WHAT YOU’LL HEAR:
• Raw confessions about loving (and sometimes hating) dad life  
• The daycare money trap & learning to say “NO” without losing it  
• Patrick’s 100-hour workweeks vs. family time (ouch)  
• Rapid-fire “Would You Rather” that spirals into clown noses and dragon scales  
• Fatherhood Unscripted: movies, milestones, and a VERY deafening dog

👨‍👧‍👦 Whether you’re diaper-deep in newborn chaos or looking back on college-age kids, this episode is your permission slip to admit it’s hard *and* still the greatest gig on earth.

👍 Smash LIKE if it hits home, SUBSCRIBE for weekly dad-centric chaos, and DROP A COMMENT:  
**How do *you* honestly feel about being a father today?**

#DadPodcast #Fatherhood #DadLife #ParentingUnfiltered #MenMentalHealth #WorkLifeBalance #Humor

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
⏱️ CHAPTERS  
00:00  Cold-Open - Daughter’s Big Question & Dog-Bark Chaos  
01:30  “Pugs Are Creepy” – Pet Hot-Takes & Laugh-Break  
02:25  Patrick’s Lonely Day & Real-Time Regrets  
04:50  Love vs. Exhaustion – Breast-Feeding Fails & Sleepless Nights  
05:45  Young Parents & The Day-Care Money Pit  
08:15  **TRIGGER** – Story of Neglect That Shook Us  
12:30  Career-First Mistakes & Overtime Confessions  
16:20  Rapid-Fire #1: Things We Never Expected About Being Dads  
21:15  Dmitry’s Turn – Temper Checks & Hug Therapy  
26:00  Fatherhood Unscripted – Movie Nights & Zombie Frenzy  
31:20  Rapid-Fire #2: Spanking Guilt, Anger Control, Marriage Balance  
47:00  “Pants Down in Class?” – Teaching Social Norms  
50:10  How We (Try to) Balance Work, Marriage & Kids  
53:00  **Would-You-Rather** – Clown Noses, Whisper vs. Shout, Fur vs. Scales  
58:40  Final Takeaways + Your Comment Challenge  
1:00:00  Compass Off – See You Next Week!  

🎧 Subscribe for unfiltered fatherhood every week.

🔔 Hit that bell for new episodes and follow us across platforms.

🎙 Available on: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Tiktok

DADS SHARE THEIR BEST ADVICE HERE! | Navigating Fatherhood, Summer Chaos & Work-Life Balance

Ready to crush dad life without losing your sanity? 🚀 In this episode of The Dad Compass Podcast, co-hosts Dmitry and Patrick dive into real-world, no-BS strategies for balancing fatherhood, work, and “me” time—especially during the high-energy summer months.

We unpack practical tips on:

Scheduling kid-friendly adventures without burning yourself out

Decision-making hacks (coin flips & spin wheels) that end family arguments in seconds

Tech & screen-time boundaries that actually stick

Turning everyday moments—fireworks, parades, putt-putt—into core memories for your kids

Battling “dad burnout” and carving out guilt-free personal time

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS & CHAPTERS
00:00 Balancing Fatherhood and Personal Time
06:47 Navigating Family Activities and Expectations
16:14 Finding Time for Yourself as a Parent
25:46 Using Creative Solutions for Parenting Challenges
35:01 The Impact of Technology on Parenting
44:33 Reflecting on Life Choices and Experiences


🎯 WHO SHOULD WATCH?
• Exhausted dads looking for actionable parenting hacks
• Moms who want an inside look at the dad perspective
• Anyone juggling remote work + kids during summer break
• Listeners who love honest, humorous takes on modern parenting

👇 JOIN THE COMPASS CREW
💬 Drop your favorite dad hack in the comments!
👍 LIKE this video if you’ve ever needed a break from “Dad, can we…?”
🔔 SUBSCRIBE for weekly episodes packed with parenting tips, humor, and real talk.
📲 Follow us on TikTok & Instagram: @thedadcompass for daily dad inspo.

Join hosts Dmitry and Patrick on The Dad Compass Podcast as they hilariously dive into the mysteries and appeal behind "dad bods," revealing brutally honest truths about balancing fitness with fatherhood. Hear Dmitry's unforgettable (and hilarious) wake-up call about reaching a fitness breaking point, Patrick’s proven intermittent fasting tips for busy dads, and outrageously funny stories including BBQ adventures gone wrong and unexpected parenting mishaps.

Laugh along with relatable, honest, and unscripted fatherhood conversations, featuring healthy lifestyle tips, dad humor, and candid advice on staying fit amid the chaos of parenting. Plus, you definitely don't want to miss Dmitry’s epic traffic cone strength story and some fun facts that will leave you stunned—and laughing!

🎯 Key Highlights & What to Expect:

• Dmitry’s hilarious "out-of-breath" wake-up call about weight loss
• Patrick’s practical intermittent fasting strategy for dads
• Hysterical BBQ adventures and parenting fails
• Why dad bods are surprisingly appealing
• Tips to realistically maintain fitness as a father

🎙️ About The Dad Compass Podcast:
The Dad Compass Podcast offers authentic, humorous, and deeply relatable conversations as two dads navigate fatherhood, fitness challenges, mental health, and personal growth. Tune in weekly for heartfelt insights, genuine humor, and endless entertainment!

👍 JOIN THE CONVERSATION! Comment below and share your funniest "dad bod" story or your best fitness tip for busy dads—we can't wait to read them!

📲 Connect with The Dad Compass Podcast:

• Instagram: Dmitry Ver Allison (@dmitry_unscripted_) • Instagram photos and videos
• TikTok: the dad compass podcast (@the_dad_compass_podcast) | TikTok
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/61575183145418/

#DadBod #DadHumorPodcast #HealthyLifestyleTipsForDads #FatherhoodComedy #MensHealth #TheDadCompassPodcast #DadLife

This week on The Dad Compass, we dive into something a lot of dads won’t talk about — what happens when we slip. When a drink turns into 10, when the stress we’re carrying gets too damn heavy, and when the only escape feels like the bottom of a bottle.

From funny drunk stories to serious wake-up calls, we unpack the real reasons men sometimes spiral — and what it takes to reset.

🔥 Highlights:

Beer triggers (grilling, football, fatherhood)

Personal stories from blackout nights to court dates

Therapy insights on “drinking with intention”

Raw reflections on memory, legacy, and being seen by your kids

💬 Question of the Week: “What’s your personal wake-up call when you know you're drifting too far from your best self?”

If this hits home, hit subscribe and share it with a dad who needs to hear it.

🔗 #DadLifeUnfiltered #MenMentalHealth #DrinkWithIntention #OffTheWagon #FatherhoodStruggles #DadCompassPodcast


Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties
02:54 Fatherhood and Family Dynamics
06:07 Experiences at the Crayola Experience
09:05 Struggles with Alcohol and Stress
11:59 Therapy Insights and Triggers
14:59 Concert Night and Drinking Experiences
17:59 Reflections on Past Behavior and Consequences
31:23 Reflections on Drinking Habits
34:30 The Struggles of Fatherhood and Alcohol
39:20 Consequences of Excessive Drinking
42:35 Learning from Past Mistakes
49:20 Drinking with Intention
55:52 Navigating Conversations and Emotions
01:00:37 The Weight of Memories and Alzheimer's
01:07:48 Closing Thoughts and Community Engagement