The Dudela Podcast | Fatherhood Real Talk for New Dads

What should I actually be focusing on right now?

That was the question a dad to be emailed us this week, and if you have ever been in that waiting season, excited and overwhelmed, wondering what really matters before the baby comes, this one is for you.

In this episode of The Dudela Podcast, John and Michael share a real, two part answer shaped by their first year as dads. From nesting chaos and diaper debates to emotional connection and personal growth, this conversation is funny, honest, and packed with practical takeaways.

You will hear stories about the reality of helping during nesting mode, what it means to show up for your partner when you cannot fix everything, and how defining the kind of dad you want to be changes everything once your baby arrives.

This is equal parts reflection and field guide, real talk for new and expecting dads trying to prepare for a role no one can truly prepare you for.

• Why focus on your partner is the single best advice for every dad to be

how to prepare for fatherhood

This episode is for you.

🧡 Resources Mentioned:

What do you do when you realize you're trying to lead a family without ever having been shown how? Where do you go when you want to be a strong husband and father, but you're running on empty?

In this episode of The Dudela Podcast, we sit down with Matt Thomas — father of four, leadership coach, and founder of Marrow — to talk about the life-changing power of mentorship, male friendship, and intentional community. Matt opens up about what happens when dads isolate, why we are not built to go it alone, and how real growth often starts in the places we’re most tempted to hide.

This conversation is part storytelling, part challenge, and all heart. From young fatherhood and failed plans to mountain retreats and hard-won wisdom, Matt offers a vision of fatherhood that is full of strength, surrender, and support.

Here’s what we unpack:

If you’ve ever searched:

how to be a better dad

This episode is for you.

📱 Follow Matt Thomas and Learn More About Marrow - linkedin.com/in/matthomasco

🫶 Join the Spit Up Society Discord

What happens when a routine-driven fitness guy becomes a new dad and suddenly the schedule gets thrown out the window?

In this episode we sit down with Ryan George: husband, dad to an 11-month-old, and the voice behind a growing fitness and fatherhood presence online. Known for his passion for routines, workouts, and goal setting, Ryan opens up about how becoming a dad forced him to pivot, communicate better with his wife, and give himself grace.

We talk about routines, marriage, fitness, grace, and how to still pursue goals when life looks nothing like it used to. This conversation is real, practical, and encouraging for any dad navigating the early years.

Here’s what we cover:
• Why the first three months of fatherhood can feel like a funk
• How Ryan and his wife align their fitness goals and schedules
• What it looks like to build an environment at home for success
• The role of grace when workouts, meals, and routines fall apart
• Communication habits that keep a marriage steady in the chaos
• The value of goal setting for fitness, family, and business
• How to celebrate wins and not get buried by setbacks
• Why being a present dad is more important than a perfect routine

If you’ve ever searched:
new dad routine podcast
fitness for new dads
dad life and workout balance
grace in early fatherhood
marriage communication with kids
goal setting as a parent
how to stay consistent as a dad
new dad funk first 3 months
Christian fatherhood and fitness
practical dad podcast

This episode is for you.

📱 Follow Ryan George
Instagram: @Ryan_Jos3ph
Instagram: @MariaaGeorge (his wife)

🫶 Join the Spit Up Society Discord
A space for dads who are showing up, learning, and doing their best every day
👉 thedudelaco.com/join

What happens when a driven hard working man trades the hustle of the outside world for the daily rhythm of home life?

In this episode we sit down with Bryan Romeo, husband, father of three, and the voice behind @thedomesticdadlife. Formerly known online as The Catholic Dad, Bryan has since rebranded to reflect his calling as a full time, in the trenches, domestic dad. We talk about identity, ego, humility, marriage, and what it looks like to truly lead your family not just by providing but by being present.

This conversation is warm, honest, and unfiltered. His toddler even interrupts the episode (and we left it in) because that’s what real life looks like.

🍼 Here’s what we cover:

• The transition from career ambition to finding purpose at home

• Bryan’s journey from Catholic Dad to Domestic Dad

• Why showing up at home is its own kind of difficult

• How to lead with love and loosen your grip on control

• Making space for faith in daily fatherhood

• What spiritual leadership in the home can look like

• The small daily habits that shape long term legacy

• Finding new rhythms in marriage parenting and prayer

• Letting go of perfection and choosing presence instead

• Embracing interruptions and finding joy in the moment

🎯 If you’ve ever searched:

how to be a present dad

stay at home dad podcast

Christian fatherhood

leading your family with faith

how to show up at home

letting go of ego in marriage

faith based parenting

masculinity and fatherhood

Catholic parenting podcast

spiritual leadership for dads

real life dad podcast

modern stay at home dad

raising kids with purpose

being home with toddlers

fatherhood identity

husband and father roles

parenting with grace

redefining success as a dad

This episode is for you.

📱 Follow Bryan Romeo

@thedomesticdadlife

🫶 Join the Spit Up Society Discord

A space for dads who are showing up learning and doing their best every day

👉 thedudelaco.com/join

Episode 7: Showing Up Present: Sobriety & New Dad Life with Corey Davis

Becoming a dad changes everything—and for Corey Davis, it also meant launching a new business, deepening his sobriety journey, and redefining what it means to be fully present as a father.

In this honest, thoughtful, and deeply helpful episode of The Dudela Podcast, Corey shares his story of getting sober at 22, building Soba Golf (a wellness-driven, sober-friendly golf community), and raising two daughters just 13 months apart. We talk about the real struggles of new parenthood, how to build presence in the chaos, and why community may be the most important part of the journey.

Whether you're a new dad, a girl dad, a sober dad, or just trying to be more present—this one hits hard in the best way.

Here's what we covered:

• Corey’s journey to 15 years of sobriety—and what made him finally get help

• What Soba Golf is, who it’s for, and how it’s changing the game

• Why community is essential for dads, not just for sobriety

• What to do when parenting feels intense and overwhelming

• Finding peace when you miss your kid five minutes after bedtime

• How to stay connected to your wife through the chaos of parenting

• The tension between being a dad and being your own person

• Why it’s okay to not feel present—and what you can do about it

• Practical advice for the newborn phase, night shifts, and sleep

• What your kids learn from how you treat yourself and your partner

If you’ve ever searched:

how to be present as a dad, how to stay sober as a parent, sober dad community, what to do when parenting feels overwhelming, postpartum marriage advice, how to stay connected after baby, how to be a good dad, parenting with purpose, dad guilt at night, sobriety and fatherhood, golf without drinking, dad community support, mindful parenting podcast, sober podcast for men, how to survive the first year of parenting, present parenting tips, spiritual parenting for dads, dad burnout, when both parents are exhausted

This episode is for you.

Want to connect with Corey or learn more about Soba Golf?

Follow him at @sobagolfco and visit soba.golf

✨ Want more connection and community like this?

Join the Spit-Up Society Discord where we’re talking real fatherhood every day:

👉 thedudelaco.com/join

Deadlifts to Diapers: Your Dad Fitness Plan

No time to work out? Lower back always sore? Kids always screaming? Welcome to dad life. In this episode of The Dudela Podcast, we’re joined by Jordan Murphy—former college football player, certified strength coach, and full-time dad of two—for the ultimate guide to realistic fitness for real dads.

From sneaking in 36-minute workouts to building a home gym with nothing but a kettlebell and a dream, Jordan gives actual strategies that work when your hands (and arms) are full of kids.

Here's what we break down in this episode:

• How to work out with no time and no gym

• The 36-minute dad workout formula

• Creating a home gym setup on a budget

• Why your lower back is your most valuable asset as a dad

• Simple meal prep hacks (including life-saving breakfast burritos)

• How to bounce back after vacation, illness, or burnout

• Why fitness is about longevity—not six-packs

• How your kids learn about health by watching you

• Ways to support your wife’s fitness without being “that guy”

• Plus: cold showers, protein bars, and the now-famous curl belt at stoplights

If you’ve ever Googled:

dad workout plan, how to get fit after baby, home workouts for new dads, dad bod recovery, tired dad fitness, fitness after twins, how to stay fit with kids, quick workouts for busy dads, stay-at-home dad workout, husband workout routine, dad health hacks, mental health for dads, dad energy tips, how to support wife postpartum, dad diet plan, parenting and fitness, home gym on a budget, realistic fitness goals for dads

This episode is for you.

Want the actual workout circuits Jordan uses?

Join the Spit-Up Society Discord and check the new workout channel

👉 thedudelaco.com/join

We'll be posting weekly workouts, dad hacks, and wellness tips from real dads doing their best in the chaos. No shame. Just gains.

Dad Guilt? Feeling Like You’re Failing as a Father? This Episode Is for You.

We’re joined by Elliot from @TheHusbandDad, and we’re diving DEEP into what it means to be a dad in 2025, and how to show up for your kids and your partner without burning out.

From fatherhood guilt and dad pressure, to marriage after babies and the evolving role of husbands...this episode is a must-listen for every modern father.

Whether you're a first-time dad, twin dad, stay-at-home dad, working dad, or just doing your best with zero sleep, Elliot shares actionable tips and honest stories that every dad (and every couple) needs to hear.

Here's what we covered:

• What is dad guilt and how do you manage it?

Listen now if you've ever searched:

how to be a better dad, dad guilt after yelling, dad guilt after divorce, stay at home dad burnout, dad guilt with newborn, tired dad, new dad podcast, parenting podcast for men, twin dad podcast, exhausted father, dad resentment, working dad guilt, husband not helping with baby, balancing marriage and fatherhood, what’s it like being a dad, overwhelmed dad, dad community, dad mental health, positive fatherhood, modern dad struggles, raising kids with intention, how to help your wife after baby, funny dad stories, dad fails, honest dad podcast, Christian dad podcast, being a present father, how to support your wife in motherhood, how to co-parent well, marriage after kids, dads on social media, funny parenting podcast, best podcast for new dads, dad rage, emotional labor for dads

🔗 LET’S CONNECT!

•Follow Elliot: ⁠@thehusbanddad⁠

•Join the Spit-Up Society: ⁠thedudelaco.com/join⁠

Wondering if you can actually travel with a baby or toddler? Scared of meltdowns on planes? Stressed about packing bottles, diapers, and strollers? You are NOT alone, Dad! This week we’re breaking down exactly how to travel with little ones, what to expect, and how to keep your sanity while showing your kids the world.

We get real about traveling with babies, toddlers, and twins — the good, the bad, and the truly hilarious moments. From prepping your travel day to handling public diaper blowouts, we’ll help you plan, pivot, and keep things fun.

This week’s episode covers:

- How to pack for a trip with a baby

- Flying with a baby for the first time (and how to stay calm!)

- Road trip with a toddler or infant

- How many diapers to pack for flights

- TSA rules for baby formula and breastmilk

- What to do if your car seat gets lost

- Travel gear essentials for dads

- Keeping baby’s routine on the road

- Renting baby gear vs. bringing it all

- Managing expectations (yours and theirs!)

- Creating family memories while traveling

- Strategies for managing naps, feedings, and sleep

- Why you should still travel with your kids

- and MORE!

Ready to build a lifetime of memories — even with a diaper bag in hand? Hit play and let’s go, Dad.

LINKS:

- Join the Spit-Up Society (our free dad community): TheDudelaCo.com/join

- Follow us on Instagram: @the_dudela_official

- Get gear recommendations and travel checklists at: TheDudelaCo.com

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

traveling with a baby

traveling with a toddler

flying with a baby

packing list for traveling with baby

first flight with a baby

road trip with baby

tips for traveling with kids

best baby travel gear

how to travel with a baby

how to travel with a toddler

baby travel hacks

dad travel podcast

traveling with twins

family travel with kids

baby sleep while traveling

how to pack for travel with kids

travel with kids podcast

how to travel with an infant

traveling with a baby under 1

tips for flying with a newborn

ALL the things new dads NEED to hear (but rarely do) — from pregnancy shock to showing up well

This week, we sat down with Leila from the Learning to Mom podcast to get real about what it’s actually like becoming a parent — especially when you didn’t see it coming.

We talked through:

Laila’s surprise pregnancy story and journey to choosing life

What prenatal depression looks like (and why it often gets missed)

What partners actually need to do during pregnancy

How shame and fear can shape early parenthood

What women wish dads understood during those early months

Encouragement for dads who feel unprepared

Why you don’t “lose yourself” — you grow

Whether you're expecting twins (like John), navigating emotions, or wondering how to support your partner better, this episode is packed with honesty, laughs, and gut-check wisdom from both sides of the parenting equation.

🍼 JOIN the Spit-Up Society (our free dad community): TheDudelaCo.com/join

🎧 Listen to Learning to Mom:

https://www.learningtomompodcast.com/

Follow Laila: @learningtomom.podcast

Get other Dudela updates: TheDudelaCo.com

----------------------------------------------

dads during pregnancy, partner support for pregnancy, how to help pregnant wife, prenatal depression symptoms, unexpected pregnancy story, dad podcast for new fathers, christian parent podcast, learning to mom podcast, pregnancy mental health, twin dad, first-time dad advice, podcast for expecting dads, partner’s role in pregnancy, pregnancy shame, how to support pregnant partner

In this episode, we sit down with Catie Schwein, certified doula, founder of Beyond Birth Denver, and mom of two, to unpack everything dads didn’t know they needed to know. We talk about what doulas actually do (hint: it’s way more than just birth support), how they help moms and dads through pregnancy, labor, and postpartum, and how Catie’s background as a PA led her into this world.

Catie shares the biggest misconceptions about doulas, the surprising tools she keeps in her birth bag (ever heard of a labor comb?), and her top tips for first-time dads trying to figure out how to help. We also cover the difference between OB and GYN, when to hire a doula, and what dads should never forget to pack in the hospital bag.

Whether you're weeks away from welcoming a baby or just trying to understand your role in the delivery room, this episode is full of honest insight, funny moments, and practical advice for navigating dadhood with confidence.

Guest: Catie Schwein

Instagram: @beyondbirthdenver

Facebook: Beyond Birth Denver Community Group

Follow us:

Instagram: @the_dudela_official

TikTok: @the_dudela_official

YouTube: @TheDudela-Official

Subscribe, rate, and tell your buddy who just found out he’s gonna be a dad.