The Girl Dad Show: A Professional Parenting Podcast

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Patrick Dendy, a former professional athlete turned financial advisor. Patrick shares how his background in sports shaped his grit, patience, and mindset—and how those lessons now guide his work in helping families, especially dads, secure their financial futures.

Patrick opens up about the challenges of balancing family life with business, the importance of role modeling for his children, and why soaking in life’s fleeting moments matters more than chasing every career milestone. He also shares his belief in free thinking, financial literacy, and enjoying life while planning for the future.

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

Key Takeaways

Patrick’s journey from pro athlete to financial advisor

Sports taught him perseverance, grit, and patience

Family time always takes priority over business commitments

Childhood is fleeting—be present and soak it in

Role modeling matters more than lectures in parenting

Financial literacy is a core value he teaches his daughters

Parallels between sports and business leadership

Golf as both an outlet and a way to build relationships

🔗 CONNECT WITH PATRICK DENDY

👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-dendy-82071a16/

🔗 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

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han interviews Ryan Parsons, CEO of Evive Brands and co-founder of The Brothers That Just Do Gutters. Ryan opens up about his entrepreneurial journey—from starting a small gutter business with his brother to leading a multi-brand franchise platform—while raising six kids with his wife.

Ryan shares the lessons he’s learned from building businesses, the power of franchising to scale impact, and why leadership and values are at the center of everything he does. Beyond business, he reflects on his Christian upbringing, the importance of supportive partnerships, and why he believes in quantity time (not just “quality time”) with his children.

Together, they explore:

How franchising helped scale a family business into a platform brand

The balance between entrepreneurship and parenting six kids

The surprising ways parenting reveals selfishness—and how it builds growth

Why screens aren’t a replacement for creativity and connection

The value of community, faith, and living below your means

His vision for Evive Brands and the legacy he wants to leave behind

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

🔗 CONNECT WITH RYAN PARSONS

👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brothersgutters/

🔗 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

In this episode, Young Han interviews Jonathan Grzybowski, co-founder and CMO of Penji, about the intersection of fatherhood and entrepreneurship. Jonathan shares his journey of becoming a father, the challenges of balancing business and family life, and the importance of supportive relationships.

Jonathan Grzybowski is the CMO and co-founder of Penji, an Inc. 5000 creative subscription service empowering businesses, agencies, and teams with affordable top-tier creative talent.

Beyond Penji, Jonathan is a storyteller and content creator, hosting Dear Dads and Free Ideas, where he shares authentic insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, and family life.

As a husband, father, and entrepreneur, Jonathan’s mission is simple: help those who help others.

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

Key Takeaways

Being a father changes your perspective on life

Parenthood is full of both challenges and joys

Balancing family and business requires intention and planning

Empathy and communication are essential in relationships

Creativity should be encouraged in children’s growth

🔗 CONNECT WITH Jonathan Grzybowski

👥 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/grzybowskij/

💻 Website: https://penji.co/

🔗 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

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Jim Cook, a Silicon Valley veteran with over 30 years of experience scaling startups, including guiding Mozilla from Series A to IPO. Jim is the founder of BenchBoard and the creator of Cook’s PlayBooks newsletter, where he coaches leaders and equips them with frameworks to bridge the gap between vision and execution.

Jim shares how he’s balanced high-stakes executive roles with being present for his family, why sales skills are essential in every career, and how travel helps build empathy in children. He discusses the importance of modeling good behavior, setting boundaries, and staying authentic in both leadership and content creation. Jim also critiques the unhealthy 996 work culture and explains why teaching financial literacy to kids is one of the best investments parents can make.

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

Key Takeaways

Over 30 years of leadership experience in Silicon Valley, including scaling Mozilla from Series A to IPO.

Balancing family and career is crucial during children’s formative years.

Sales skills are valuable in every profession, not just sales roles.

Travel fosters empathy and cultural understanding in children.

Modeling behavior is more impactful than simply telling kids what to do.

Setting boundaries between work and family leads to healthier relationships.

The 996 work culture promotes burnout and imbalance.

Financial literacy for kids is a must.

Authenticity resonates more with audiences than polished perfection.

🔗 CONNECT WITH JIM COOK

🌐 BenchBoard Website: https://www.benchboard.com/

👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cookflix/

📩 Cook’s PlayBooks Newsletter: https://www.cooksplaybooks.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

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Adi Prakash, Founder & CEO of Sentient Ventures and former Amazon executive. Adi shares his journey from leading strategy at Amazon Web Services to launching his own AI-native firm, designed to help companies scale smarter, faster, and more sustainably.

The conversation dives deep into the realities of transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship, the role of family support during big career shifts, and the lessons Adi has learned as a parent. From modeling behavior for children to embracing work-life integration over the elusive “balance,” Adi offers actionable insights for both business leaders and parents.

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

Takeaways:

Chase presence, not perfection in parenting

Children reflect their parents’ behaviors and attitudes

Work-life balance is a myth; integration is key

Compartmentalizing time can boost focus

Family support is essential during transitions

Entrepreneurship requires perseverance and planning

Success is about not quitting, even in uncertainty

🔗 CONNECT WITH ADI PRAKASH

🌐 Website: https://sentientventures.ai

👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adityaprakash/

🔗 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

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Minh Tran — engineer-turned-entrepreneur — who built a successful niche business selling officially licensed college-logo duct tape. Minh’s story is one of grit, heart, and deep community roots.

From navigating the challenges of being a minority business owner to balancing fatherhood and entrepreneurship, Minh shares powerful reflections on what success really means — and why he wants his kids to grow up knowing the value of hard work, memories, and emotional honesty.

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

Takeaways

Minh believes in paying it forward and investing in community

He faced real challenges as a minority entrepreneur

Strong relationships drive business success

His family is central to every decision he makes

Creating lasting memories matters more than just financial wins

Emotional expression is key to strong parenting

His wife is his greatest supporter and biggest fan

He wants to ignite

🔗 CONNECT WITH MINH TRAN

👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvtran1/

🔗 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

This week on The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Umang Shah — marketing executive, fractional CMO, and founder of Inovari — for a thoughtful conversation about what happens when your entire worldview shifts after becoming a parent.

Umang Shah is a seasoned marketing executive with 20+ years of experience leading global marketing innovation across industries like tech, retail, CPG, life sciences, and financial services. He’s held leadership roles at companies like Microsoft, Walmart, Campbell’s, Medidata, and Northwestern Mutual. Named one of Adweek’s 50 Vital Leaders in Tech, Media, and Marketing, Umang now runs his own consultancy, Inovari, where he helps startups and growth-stage companies stay perpetually relevant.

Together, they unpack how fatherhood has impacted Umang’s career decisions, health, and lifestyle, and why the pandemic was a major turning point for realigning priorities. They talk about the emotional and mental adjustments required to show up fully — both at home and at work — and why being present is sometimes the hardest but most valuable thing you can do.

Whether you’re a new parent, a seasoned one, or someone thinking about how to better balance your ambition with the rest of your life, this episode offers candid reflections and real-world insight.

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

Takeaways

Parenthood forces a reset on what really matters

Success doesn’t mean much without well-being

Kids model what we do, not what we say

Flexibility in consulting can be freeing, but not without its pressures

Enjoying the ride is often more important than controlling it

🔗 CONNECT WITH UMANG SHAH

👥 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/shahumang

🔗 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

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Jennifer Paradis, CEO of @Signatures Apparel, whose entrepreneurial journey spans wellness, manufacturing, and everything in between. From launching her first company at 24 to acquiring and transforming Signatures Apparel into a thriving enterprise, Jennifer has done it all while raising her children as a single mom.

Jennifer opens up about how her blended family upbringing and early exposure to business shaped her leadership style, the personal challenges that redefined her relationship with work, and why she sees mistakes as one of life’s greatest teachers. She shares the mindset shifts that helped her build a high-growth company rooted in transparency, resilience, and human-centered values, while also remaining deeply present as a parent.

✨ This episode is proudly sponsored by Thesis, providing high-impact, tailored consulting solutions designed to optimize performance and drive sustainable growth.

Takeaways

How Jennifer's blended family taught her adaptability and empathy

Why she celebrates mistakes as key moments for growth

The path from wellness entrepreneur to manufacturing CEO

How her health journey shaped her leadership and risk tolerance

Why she believes in empowering team members, not just managing them

Balancing parenting with business ownership as a single mom

The importance of letting kids carve their own path

How joy, hobbies, and boundaries help her stay grounded

The legacy she hopes to leave through both family and business

🔗 CONNECT WITH JENNIFER PARADIS

👥 LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-paradis-b98289317/

🔗 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

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Jason Mok, VP and GTM leader at Brex and a devoted single dad. Jason currently serves as GM of Brex’s Startups business and oversees Strategic Partnerships. Before Brex, he was an Operating Partner and GM at Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), where he led the firm’s first $400M Seed Fund, and spent 16 years at Silicon Valley Bank championing early- and growth-stage founders.

Jason’s story spans decades of leadership in banking, venture capital, and fintech—but at the heart of it is a father navigating the complexities of work, legacy, and raising good humans.

In this episode, Jason opens up about teaching his kids about money, setting boundaries between work and family, and how success as a parent isn’t about control—it’s about the relationship you build as they grow up.

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

Takeaways

Jason Mok is a single dad and fintech exec at Brex

Brex offers a financial stack for startups and enterprises

Jason’s path includes SVB, a16z, and years of startup advisory

Parenting requires consistent self-reflection

Teaching kids about money is non-negotiable

Being present matters more than being perfect

Self-care supports strong parenting and leadership

Boundaries between work and family take real intention

Legacy is built through quality relationships, not just career wins

🔗 CONNECT WITH JASON MOK

👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonmok/

🔗 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

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Diraj Goel, serial entrepreneur, advisor, and CEO of GetFresh Ventures. After scaling companies like WebCT, Vision Critical, and Hootsuite to exits and 9-figure revenues, Diraj now helps founders grow real businesses without burning out—or burning capital.

He’s built a life where business growth and family time both matter. From his 35-hour work week philosophy to tactical growth strategies that challenge traditional startup thinking, Diraj's story is packed with practical advice for founders who want to scale smart and live well.

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

Takeaways:

• Why Diraj left corporate to launch GetFresh Ventures

• His 35-hour work week approach—and how it creates space for family

• What founders misunderstand about growth and capital

• The mindset shifts that shaped his parenting and leadership

• How ADHD affects his thinking and productivity

• Redefining success beyond exits or valuations

• Why you shouldn’t fear starting a family while building a business

🔗 CONNECT WITH DIRAJ GOEL

👥 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diraj/

🔗 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