The DadPod

 In this episode, we get honest about dividing up the workload at home—between us, our wives, and our kids. We talk about where we fall short, how work and life shifts change what we can contribute, and why there’s no one-size-fits-all system. Beneath the jokes about bad habits is a real effort to show up better, create balance, and make sure our partners aren’t carrying more than they should. We also dive into something often overlooked—giving each other space to decompress and recognizing that not all exhaustion looks the same. 

Social media isn’t neutral—platforms are designed to keep attention longer than intended, shaping behavior and mindset 

 “What you scroll feeds your soul” — how daily content consumption impacts values, mood, and identity

 Jon shares real-world experience raising older kids without social media and what that actually looks like 

 The importance of intentional media choices, including conversations around music and platforms like Spotify 

 Why parents need to be willing to be the “bad guy”—and how letting kids blame you can actually protect them socially 

 Navigating peer pressure and comparison culture without relying on social media 

 Setting boundaries around sleepovers, church retreats, and time away from home

 Building a strong community of trusted families and friends to reinforce shared values 

 Teaching kids practical safety strategies, including having code words for uncomfortable or unsafe situations 

 Long-term mindset: making decisions now that your kids may not appreciate today—but will thank you for later

Jon works in addiction recovery for men, giving him firsthand insight into the impact of pornography and technology addiction.

As a father of older kids, he has already navigated many of the tech challenges younger parents will soon face.

Technology boundaries at home

All phones and laptops are kept in the parents’ room overnight.

Children do not take devices into their bedrooms.

Devices are not allowed in bathrooms.

Parents model the same rules themselves.

Tools and resources

Discussion of apps that help manage or recover from pornography addiction.

Using technology intentionally rather than reactively.

Video games and online risks

Certain games allow open chat with strangers.

Risks of unmoderated communication with unknown players.

Strategies to safeguard kids while still letting them enjoy gaming.

Helping kids navigate the digital world

Teaching healthy habits early.

Creating open conversations instead of secrecy.

Parents staying involved and informed about the technology their kids use.

What were some of the best ways we spent our time in 2025?

Board games with kids

Family time and spouse time

Reviewing our year, what went well, what went poorly

Shifting identity when challenges arise and being able to adapt

What systems and habits worked well with family and personally

Exercise, tracking macros, setting bedtime routines

New year’s resolutions – good or bad? Do they work?

Goals do need to specific and you also need to be in the right mindset to make a change, likely why starting on Jan 1st is often ineffective

Only 9% of people keep their new year’s resolutions

Small steps allow you to make increment changes that snowball into big change

Some dads talk:

Friends for your children

Public vs charter vs homeschool

Can we choose their friends? What can we control?

Parental involvement is key

How do we create a home environment that allows our children to open up with us

*Santa Spoilers*

Gift giving, toys vs books vs college funds

Christians and Santa Claus – are we lying to our kids or allowing some imagination to thrive and our kids to have fun?

What media do we allow our children to consume?

We discuss K-Pop Demon Hunters

Are we over-spiritualizing media? Are we teaching discernment or opening them to bad influence?

Some dads talk: 

Fatherhood around the holidays

Holidays with immediate family vs extended family

Creating new traditions 

Gift giving

Choosing hard things allows you to keep commitments to yourself and build confidence and helps create the person that you strive to be

This can help defeat depression and anxiety

We believe this is supported biblically, if we are made in God’s image, we should be pursuing work, hard things, improvement and conquering things in our own lives

Charlie provides an alternative point of view on the hard things and how the reward you obtain can differ depending on how your brain is wired

Chris relates this topic to athletics as well as the difficulty in being present and focused with your family at the end of a hard day

Daniel talks about John Eldredge and how men are after three things in life: A battle to fight, an adventure to live and a beauty to rescue 

David talks about choosing your hard

You’re not a failure until you quit