The Girl Dad Show: A Professional Parenting Podcast

The Girl Dad Show: A Professional Parenting Podcast

By Young HanBusinessEntrepreneurshipEducationSelf-ImprovementParentingKids & Family
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The Girl Dad Show: A Professional Parenting Podcast episodes

  • 30 Years in Startups Taught Him This About Parenting and Success | Steve Bennet | Ep 210
    In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Steve Bennet, founder and managing director of Bodega Partners, longtime startup CFO, investor, professor, and father and grandfather, for a powerful conversation on entrepreneurship, mentorship, and life after decades in Silicon Valley.
    With over 30 years of experience and involvement in more than 150 technology startups, Steve has seen the full spectrum of success and failure. From companies acquired by IBM, Comcast, and Citrix to ventures that didn’t make it, he brings a rare perspective on what actually drives long-term success in business and in life.
    But this conversation goes beyond startups.
    Steve shares why teaching and mentoring students has become one of the most fulfilling parts of his career, how his perspective on success has evolved over time, and what it means to balance family life while navigating high-pressure roles in venture capital and entrepreneurship.
    He and Young dive into the realities of startup challenges, the incentives behind venture capital, and the difficult decisions founders face as they grow their companies. They also explore parenting through a long-term lens, why letting kids make mistakes matters, and how experience shapes the way we guide the next generation.
    This episode is about perspective. What changes after 30 years of building, investing, and teaching. And what actually matters at the end of it.
    ✨ All episodes of The Girl Dad Show are proudly sponsored by Thesis, helping founders go further, together.
    🔗 CONNECT WITH STEVE BENNET
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevebennet/
    X: https://twitter.com/ProfessorVC
    Blog: http://www.professorvc.com/
    🔗 CONNECT WITH YOUNG HAN
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/younghan/
    X: https://twitter.com/younghan_
    Website: https://www.alwayshan.com
    🔗 CONNECT WITH THE GIRL DAD SHOW
    Website: https://thegirldadshow.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheGirlDadShow/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGirlDadShow
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegirldadshow
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-girl-dad-show
    36 min
  • He Left Wall Street to Build a 55+ Location Wellness Brand | Andrew Pudalov | 209
    In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Andrew Pudalov, founder of Rush Bowls, a fast-growing, health-focused franchise built around fresh, nutritious bowls and smoothies.
    Andrew’s journey didn’t start in food. He spent 15 years climbing the ranks in New York City’s competitive finance world before making a bold decision to pursue a more purpose-driven path. In 2004, he opened Boulder, Colorado’s first all-natural bowl and smoothie bar, combining his passion for health, performance, and great-tasting food.
    More than two decades later, that single idea has grown into Rush Bowls, a nationwide brand with over 55 locations, serving communities with wholesome, crave-worthy meals and an active lifestyle mission.
    In this conversation, Andrew shares what it really takes to walk away from a stable career and build something from the ground up. He and Young dive into the realities of franchising, scaling a brand while staying true to its core values, and why the wellness industry continues to grow.
    Beyond business, Andrew reflects on fatherhood and how becoming a parent has shifted his perspective on time, priorities, and success. They discuss the challenge of balancing family life with entrepreneurship, the importance of being present, and how building a business and raising a family often require the same mindset: patience, discipline, and long-term thinking.
    ✨ All episodes of The Girl Dad Show are proudly sponsored by Thesis, helping founders go further, together.
    Takeaways
    Andrew Pudalov left a 15-year finance career to pursue entrepreneurship
    Rush Bowls grew from a single shop into 55+ locations nationwide
    The wellness food space continues to expand with strong demand
    Franchising requires systems, infrastructure, and long-term vision
    Building a purpose-driven brand creates lasting differentiation
    Parenting reshapes how founders think about time and priorities
    Balancing family and business is an ongoing challenge, not a destination
    🔗 CONNECT WITH ANDREW PUDALOV
    Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-pudalov-07697010/
    🔗 CONNECT WITH YOUNG HAN
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/younghan/
    X: https://twitter.com/younghan
    Website: https://www.alwayshan.com
    🔗 CONNECT WITH THE GIRL DAD SHOW
    Website: https://thegirldadshow.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheGirlDadShow/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGirlDadShow
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegirldadshow
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-girl-dad-show
    34 min
  • Finance Leader to AI Founder | Martin Zych | Episode 208
    In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Martin Zych, founder of xPanda.ai, an AI-powered financial analyst platform helping businesses automate financial insights and decision-making.
    Martin shares his journey from working in finance and accounting at high-growth tech companies to becoming an entrepreneur building tools that leverage artificial intelligence to improve how companies understand their numbers. Before founding xPanda.ai, Martin also built Jirav, a financial planning and analysis platform used by thousands of companies and accounting firms to automate reporting and forecasting.
    Beyond business, this conversation dives into Martin’s approach to fatherhood and how he balances building companies while raising two children. He discusses the importance of setting boundaries between work and family, spending meaningful time with his kids, and intentionally teaching them resilience, problem-solving, and independence.
    Young and Martin also explore Martin’s early entrepreneurial ventures, his creative approach to branding using animal logos, and his belief in lifelong learning through new skills and experiences. Whether experimenting with biohacking, building new companies, or even trying stand-up comedy, Martin believes curiosity and continuous growth are key to both business and life.
    ✨ All episodes of The Girl Dad Show are proudly sponsored by Thesis, helping founders go further, together.
    Takeaways
    Martin Zych transitioned from finance and accounting into entrepreneurship
    xPanda.ai is building an AI-powered financial analyst platform
    Martin helped companies raise more than $250M during his finance career
    Setting boundaries between work and family is essential for founders
    Teaching kids resilience and problem-solving is a top parenting priority
    Lifelong learning drives both personal and professional growth
    Creative branding and storytelling can differentiate a business
    🔗 CONNECT WITH MARTIN ZYCH
    LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/martinzych
    X: @martinzych
    X (Company): @xpanda_ai
    🔗 CONNECT WITH YOUNG HAN
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/younghan/
    X: https://twitter.com/younghan
    Website: https://www.alwayshan.com
    🔗 CONNECT WITH THE GIRL DAD SHOW
    Website: https://thegirldadshow.com/
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheGirlDadShow/
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGirlDadShow
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegirldadshow
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-girl-dad-show
    Thanks for watching! If you enjoyed the episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and share with someone navigating both entrepreneurship and parenthood.
    36 min
  • From Lawyer to Pool Tech CEO | Jack Nelson | Episode 207

    In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Jack Nelson, CEO of Skimmer, a private equity–backed technology company powering pool service businesses across the country. Jack shares his journey from practicing law to leading a fast-growing technology company serving thousands of pool professionals nationwide.

     

    Jack opens up about how his background in law and business shaped his decision-making style, why he values being deliberate in both leadership and parenting, and what it takes to scale a company in a traditional industry that’s rapidly evolving through technology.

     

    Beyond business, this conversation dives into fatherhood and family life. Jack talks about raising two young kids while building a high-growth company, the importance of patience as a parent, and how kindness and respect serve as guiding principles both at home and at work. He and Young also discuss industry trends in the pool service market, the role of AI in future innovation, and how entrepreneurs can balance ambition with presence in their family lives.

     

    ✨ All episodes of The Girl Dad Show are proudly sponsored by Thesis, helping founders go further, together.

     

    Takeaways

    Jack Nelson transitioned from law into tech entrepreneurship

    Skimmer is helping modernize the pool service industry

    Deliberate decision-making is a core leadership principle

    Parenting and entrepreneurship require patience and adaptability

    Work-life balance is an ongoing process, not a fixed formula

    Technology and AI will continue shaping traditional industries

    Kindness and respect matter in both family and business

    Learning and curiosity drive long-term success


    🔗 CONNECT WITH JACK NELSON

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skimmer-pool-service-software

     

    🔗 CONNECT WITH YOUNG HAN

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/younghan/

    X: https://twitter.com/younghan_

    Website: https://www.alwayshan.com

     

    🔗 CONNECT WITH THE GIRL DAD SHOW

    Website: https://thegirldadshow.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheGirlDadShow/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGirlDadShow

    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegirldadshow

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-girl-dad-show

    40 min
  • Balancing Business and Fatherhood | Miguel Alexander Centeno | Episode 206
    In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Miguel Alexander Centeno, founder and managing partner of Tax Hack (now Centurion Firm), veteran tax strategist, and father of three, for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, parenting, and building a meaningful life.
    Miguel shares his journey from Big 4 tax manager at PwC to leading one of the fastest-growing private firms in America, recently named to the INC.5000 list. Along the way, he has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives, been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, and Fox Business, and built a respected brand in the tax advisory space. But behind the credentials is a father navigating the complexities of raising children at different stages while running a high-performance business.
    Miguel opens up about becoming a young dad, how his immigrant background shaped his work ethic and values, and the lessons he wants to pass on to his kids. He and Young discuss balancing independence and support in parenting, teaching resilience, slowing down to cherish time with family, and why parents must prioritize their own well-being to model success properly.
    This episode dives into branding, specialization, legacy, and what it really means to define success beyond survival.
    ✨ All episodes of The Girl Dad Show are proudly sponsored by Thesis, helping founders go further, together.
    Takeaways
    Miguel has been a father throughout his entire entrepreneurial journey
    Branding and specialization are critical for business growth
    Parenting requires balancing guidance with independence
    Immigrant values shape discipline and resilience
    Teaching hardship and perseverance builds character
    Slowing down and cherishing time with kids matters
    Self-care is essential for parents
    Success is bigger than money or status
    🔗 CONNECT WITH MIGUEL ALEXANDER CENTENO
    🌐 Website: http://www.mytaxhack.com
    📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taxhack
    🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@taxhackaccountinggroup2945
    💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/taxhack/mycompany/
    🐦 X: https://www.x.com/TaxHackAmerica/
    🔗 CONNECT WITH YOUNG HAN
    👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/younghan/
    🐦 X: https://twitter.com/younghan_
    💻 Website: https://www.alwayshan.com
    🔗 CONNECT WITH THE GIRL DAD SHOW
    🌐 Website: https://thegirldadshow.com/
    📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheGirlDadShow/
    📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGirlDadShow
    🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegirldadshow
    💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-girl-dad-show
    42 min
  • Hard Work, Family & Legacy: The Alpha Roofing Story | Pete & Ryan | Episode. 204
    In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Pete and Ryan, owners of Alpha Roofing, for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and what it takes to build a legacy-driven business while staying grounded as parents.
    Pete and Ryan share how their childhoods, early exposure to hard work, and experiences in sports shaped their discipline, resilience, and leadership styles. Ryan reflects on growing up in the roofing industry from a young age, while Pete discusses the importance of truly understanding insurance and advocating for homeowners. Together, they open up about the challenges of modern parenting, teaching determination in a world of comfort, and why failure is often the best teacher.
    The conversation also dives into building strong company culture, taking bold risks in business, and why legacy for them means more than revenue. It means raising kids with character, creating opportunities for their families, and enjoying life along the way.
    ✨ All episodes of The Girl Dad Show are proudly sponsored by Thesis, helping founders go further, together.
    Takeaways
    Ryan has been in roofing since he was 12 years old
    Pete emphasizes understanding insurance and protecting homeowners
    Childhood influences shape long-term work ethic
    Sports helped build discipline, resilience, and teamwork
    Teaching determination to kids is harder in today’s world
    Failure is one of the best teachers
    Strong culture is built on teamwork and support
    Building a business is about creating a family legacy
    Communication matters in parenting and leadership
    Time outdoors helps them recharge and stay grounded
    🔗 CONNECT WITH PETE & RYAN (ALPHA ROOFING)
    📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alpharoofingtexas?igsh=dzdpbnhyZzU2bmU4
    💻Website: https://www.alpharoofingtexas.com/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22459121660&gbraid=0AAAAABjODiL3hCQAqG3_8JNaXgHujtJbD&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-v3H4aCskgMV1nJ_AB3jzBbgEAAYASAAEgKx_vD_BwE
    🔗 CONNECT WITH YOUNG HAN
    👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/younghan/
    🐦 X: https://twitter.com/younghan
    💻 Website: https://www.alwayshan.com
    🔗 CONNECT WITH THE GIRL DAD SHOW
    🌐 Website: https://thegirldadshow.com/
    📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheGirlDadShow/
    📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGirlDadShow
    🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegirldadshow
    💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-girl-dad-show
    Thanks for watching! If this episode resonated, please like, subscribe, and share it with a parent or entrepreneur who could use the message.
    53 min
  • Navigating Franchising, Failure, and Fatherhood | Red Boswell | Ep. 202
    In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Red Boswell, President of the International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG), longtime franchise executive, and father of three, for a wide-ranging conversation on entrepreneurship, parenting, and building a life rooted in growth and strong relationships.
    Red brings more than 30 years of executive leadership across franchising, marketing, and entrepreneurship. As President of IFPG, he has helped grow the organization into the #1 franchise broker network, recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine for seven consecutive years. Prior to IFPG, Red founded and scaled a 148-unit pet-service franchise system, launched a franchise and marketing consulting firm, and held senior growth and CEO roles within global franchise organizations.
    At the heart of this episode is Red’s perspective on fatherhood and family. He shares what it’s been like raising three entrepreneurial-minded children, navigating the transition into an empty-nest season, and why communication and intentionality are essential as kids grow more independent. Red also opens up about learning through failure, the importance of knowing yourself as a leader, and how maintaining a strong partnership with his wife has anchored both his personal and professional life.
    They explore franchising as a vehicle for opportunity, the often-underestimated role of franchise consultants, and why balancing ambition with family presence is key to long-term fulfillment. Red also touches on the hobbies and passions that keep him energized, from off-road electric skateboarding to water sports.
    ✨ All episodes of The Girl Dad Show are proudly sponsored by Thesis, helping founders go further, together.
    Takeaways
    Why knowing yourself is foundational to entrepreneurship
    How failure becomes a catalyst for growth
    Raising kids with an entrepreneurial mindset
    Navigating the empty-nest transition
    Communication as the backbone of strong relationships
    The power of franchising as a growth vehicle
    Why family and work-life balance matter more than ever
    🔗 CONNECT WITH RED BOSWELL
    👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/redboswell/
    🔗 CONNECT WITH YOUNG HAN
    👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/younghan/
    🐦 X: https://twitter.com/younghan_
    💻 Website: https://www.alwayshan.com
    🔗 CONNECT WITH THE GIRL DAD SHOW
    🌐 Website: https://thegirldadshow.com/
    📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheGirlDadShow/
    📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGirlDadShow
    🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegirldadshow
    💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-girl-dad-show
    37 min
  • Navigating Parenthood and Business | Dave Hansen | Episode 202
    In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Dave Hansen, CEO of ClientTether, longtime sales leader, and father of four, for an honest conversation about parenting, leadership, and building meaningful relationships in both business and family life.
    Dave shares his unconventional path from tech into franchising, what he’s learned from leading sales teams for over 20 years, and how coaching franchise systems has shaped his view on people, growth, and accountability. But at the heart of this conversation is fatherhood.
    Dave opens up about becoming a young parent, navigating one of his son’s leukemia diagnoses, and how that experience permanently shifted his perspective on presence, structure, and what truly matters. He and Young explore why validating effort matters more than outcomes, how structure and discipline create freedom for kids, and what it looks like to prepare children not just for careers, but for life.
    They also dive into Dave’s aspirations as his kids move toward adulthood, his vision for traveling and working remotely as an empty nester, and why creativity, hobbies, and hands-on experiences (yes, including blacksmithing) still matter.
    ✨ All episodes of The Girl Dad Show are proudly sponsored by Thesis, helping founders go further, together.
    Takeaways
    Dave Hansen is CEO of ClientTether and a father of four
    His transition from tech into franchising reshaped his career
    Relationships are everything in business and parenting
    Parenting is a constant journey of learning and adaptation
    Validating effort builds confidence in children
    Structure and discipline set kids up for long-term success
    A child’s leukemia diagnosis changed Dave’s parenting lens
    Creating meaningful opportunities for kids matters more than titles
    Life after kids includes new seasons, goals, and adventures
    Creativity and hands-on hobbies help build well-rounded humans
    🔗 CONNECT WITH DAVE HANSEN
    👥 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidahansen/
    🔗 CONNECT WITH YOUNG HAN
    👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/younghan/
    🐦 X: https://twitter.com/younghan_
    💻 Website: https://www.alwayshan.com
    🔗 CONNECT WITH THE GIRL DAD SHOW
    🌐 Website: https://thegirldadshow.com/
    📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheGirlDadShow/
    📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGirlDadShow
    🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegirldadshow
    💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-girl-dad-show
    37 min
  • Identity, Security, and Raising Resilient Kids | Eric Dresdale | Episode 201
    This week on The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Eric Dresdale, co-founder and president of Entropy Labs, for a powerful conversation that spans quantum security, entrepreneurship, recovery, and parenting.
    Eric’s journey is anything but linear. Raised in a medical family, he struggled early with traditional academics and identity before finding his footing through entrepreneurship. Along the way, he built and scaled multiple fintech and cybersecurity companies, including founding Next Step Network, a platform serving families navigating addiction and mental health, which was later acquired. Today, his work focuses on cryptographic infrastructure and quantum security, an area he describes as an existential issue for the global economy.
    But the heart of this episode is about identity.
    Eric shares how his experiences with addiction, recovery, and leadership shaped his view of success, not as titles or outcomes, but as having a strong sense of self. Together, he and Young explore what it means to raise kids who understand boundaries, develop emotional intelligence, and build agency in a world that constantly pressures them to conform.
    This episode is a reminder that parenting and leadership are deeply connected. The same clarity, communication, and self-awareness required to build meaningful companies are the traits that help raise resilient, grounded children.
    ✨ All episodes of The Girl Dad Show are proudly sponsored by Thesis, helping founders go further, together.
    🔗 CONNECT WITH ERIC DRESDALE
    👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-dresdale/
    🔗 CONNECT WITH YOUNG HAN
    👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/younghan/
    🐦 X: https://twitter.com/younghan_
    💻 Website: https://www.alwayshan.com
    🔗 CONNECT WITH THE GIRL DAD SHOW
    🌐 Website: https://thegirldadshow.com/
    📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheGirlDadShow/
    📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGirlDadShow
    🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegirldadshow
    💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-girl-dad-show
    56 min
  • Building a Healthy Business Without Sacrificing Family | Trace Miller | Episode 200
    In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Trace Miller, Founder and CEO of Konala, a fast-growing healthy fast food concept built around one simple idea: make nutritious food delicious, convenient, and accessible.
    Trace’s story starts long before Konala. As a child, nutrition played a critical role in helping him overcome serious health challenges, shaping how he thinks about food, discipline, and long-term well-being. That perspective eventually led him from running a food truck to building Konala, a drive-thru protein bowl concept designed for people who want to eat better without slowing down their lives.
    Throughout the conversation, Trace shares how family support has been foundational to his journey, why patience is one of the most underrated skills in both parenting and business, and how he stays present with his kids while scaling a brand. He also opens up about personal growth, continuous learning, and what it takes to build a business that actually solves a real problem.
    This episode is a reminder that success does not have to come at the expense of health or family. With the right values and intention, you can build something meaningful while still showing up for the people who matter most.
    ✨ All episodes of The Girl Dad Show are proudly sponsored by Thesis, helping founders go further, together.
    🔗 CONNECT WITH STEPHEN MELLOTT
    🌐 Website: https://konala.com/
    👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trace-miller-29a3b8111/?skipRedirect=true
    🔗 CONNECT WITH YOUNG HAN
    👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/younghan/
    🐦 X: https://twitter.com/younghan_
    💻 Website: https://www.alwayshan.com
    🔗 CONNECT WITH THE GIRL DAD SHOW
    🌐 Website: https://thegirldadshow.com/
    📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheGirlDadShow/
    📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheGirlDadShow
    🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@thegirldadshow
    💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-girl-dad-show
    41 min

About The Girl Dad Show: A Professional Parenting Podcast

From the publisher's feed

Are you a young professional thinking about starting a family, but don't know where to start? Or perhaps a working parent wracking their mind for more ways to balance the boardroom with the playroom?