Two Dads in Tech

Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson and Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk sit down with Aaron Hodes, sales leader, father of two, and lifelong Chicagoan, for one of the most vulnerable and emotionally honest episodes of Two Dads in Tech to date.

Aaron opens up about becoming a dad, the loss of independence, and the moment he had a panic attack at work that forced him to confront stress, anxiety, and identity for the first time in his life.

This episode dives deep into:

The identity shift that comes with fatherhood

Why the transition from one kid to two feels overwhelming

The invisible mental load carried by parents

Therapy, panic attacks, and anxiety in high-pressure careers

Tying self-worth to job performance — and breaking that cycle

Loneliness while working remotely and the need for community

Maintaining friendships as life stages change

Aging parents, grief, and realizing they’re not invincible

Gratitude, reflection, and loving people while you still can

This conversation is raw, reflective, and deeply relatable — especially for dads, professionals, and anyone quietly carrying more than they let on.

—

🕒 Detailed Show Notes

(0:00) Cold open & behind-the-scenes chaos(1:00) Introducing Aaron Hodes(2:45) Family background, marriage & becoming a dad(3:40) Identity loss and independence after kids(4:30) The unseen labor of parenting(5:10) Going from one kid to two — “zone defense to man-to-man”(6:20) Scheduling life around children(7:00) Gratitude for family support systems(8:30) Fitness, routines & mental health anchors(9:45) Loneliness while working remotely(10:30) Finding community as a dad in sales(11:45) Back injury after second child & mental overload(12:50) Carrying responsibility for work, kids, and marriage(14:00) Friendships changing with life stages(16:00) Being intentional with time and relationships(18:00) Therapy, CBT & separating self-worth from work(20:30) The panic attack at work — what it felt like(22:30) Anxiety hitting for the first time as an adult(24:00) Aging parents & realizing they’re not invincible(26:30) Grief, grandparents, and unconditional love(29:00) Gratitude as a daily practice(31:00) Loving people loudly and without hesitation(33:00) Final reflections & where to find Aaron

—

🔗 Links

• Aaron Hodes – https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronhodes/

• Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk

• Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson

• Two Dads in Tech – https://twodadsintech.com

• Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP

• Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964

Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson and Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk are joined by Brendan Hufford, founder of Growth Sprints, B2B SaaS content strategist, and father of four boys, for one of the most grounded and honest conversations yet on Two Dads in Tech.

This episode isn’t about hacks or software, it’s about doing the work that actually matters.

Brendan shares what it’s really like to build a successful company after leaving teaching, while raising four boys, showing up as a husband, and confronting the constant feeling of falling short, in fitness, family, faith, and focus.

They dive deep into:

Why marriage and parenting require intentional effort, not autopilot

How kids mirror your habits faster than your advice

The guilt-driven fuel many high performers run on, and why it breaks down

Learning to work on your marriage instead of just existing inside it

Morning routines, chaos, and leading a household of boys

Therapy, self-awareness, and unlearning unhealthy motivation

Faith as something woven into life, not forced or performative

What Brendan refuses to repeat from his own upbringing

The single piece of advice every dad and husband needs to hear

This is a conversation about presence over perfection, effort over optics, and why the hardest work in life usually happens after business hours.

—

🕒 Detailed Show Notes

(0:00) New direction for Two Dads in Tech & focusing on human impact(1:15) Listener feedback: why stories matter more than software(2:00) Introducing Brendan Hufford (Growth Sprints, father of four)(3:00) Sports banter & Caleb Williams discussion(4:10) “How did you get here?” — life, family, business(7:30) Moving to Chicago & early career decisions(10:00) From teaching to B2B SaaS content strategy(12:30) Knowledge sharing vs selling online(16:45) Morning routines in a house with four boys(18:30) Kids mirroring habits (nail-biting story)(22:40) Marriage as work — not autopilot(23:30) Why most couples stop actively working on their marriage(27:30) Making more money but still feeling behind(31:00) Guilt as fuel — and why it’s dangerous long term(33:00) Therapy, introspection, and healthier motivation(36:00) Faith woven into life, not imposed(43:45) What not to repeat from your upbringing(47:00) Advice for dads and husbands(50:30) Journaling, reflection, and self-awareness(52:00) Where to find Brendan & final reflections

—

🔗 Links

• Brendan Hufford – https://brendanhufford.com

• Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk

• Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson

• Two Dads in Tech – https://twodadsintech.com

• Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP

• Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964

#twodadsintech #fatherhood #marriage #parenting #podcast #dads #family #relationships #growth #mindset #business #life

Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson and Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk ring in the New Year with one of the most honest and reflective episodes of Two Dads in Tech yet.

After 56 straight weeks of publishing, the dads look back on what consistency actually costs—and what it gives back. From parenting seasons and marriage growth to audience-building, faith, and choosing joy in the middle of stress, this episode captures what it really looks like to build something slowly and intentionally.

They talk openly about:

Why consistency matters more than talent

The episode that changed how they think about parenting and technology

Letting go of perfection and just showing up

Faith as a lived value, not a talking point

Parenting seasons, patience, and learning to truly support your partner

What happens when your kids reflect your behavior back to you

Why audience-building compounds faster than almost anything else

How Two Dads in Tech quietly became a real business

Stress vs joy—and learning which one deserves your attention

This is a year-end / New Year’s episode about momentum, reflection, and staying the course—even when you don’t fully know where it’s leading.

—

🕒 Detailed Show Notes

(0:00) New Year’s Eve energy & 365 days passing(1:00) December birthdays & parenting realities(2:20) Holidays, exhaustion & returning to work(3:50) Doing a year-in-review for Two Dads in Tech(4:20) The most impactful episode of the year (Nir Eyal)(5:30) Parenting vs technology & practical boundaries(7:00) Saying the hard things—and when a story needs its own episode(8:30) Sharing personal history & speaking openly(10:00) Faith as a lived part of life(11:20) Gratitude for the podcast team & operational consistency(13:00) When the podcast felt like a chore—and why that’s normal(14:30) Discovering the episodes that truly energize them(15:30) Why consistency comes before clarity(16:30) Parenting seasons & giving your partner freedom back(18:00) Kids being sick & patience as a daily practice(20:00) A child calling out unhealthy communication(22:00) Marriage, respect & modeling behavior for kids(24:30) Being more present—phones down, attention up(26:00) Owning parenting responsibilities with confidence(27:30) Where they fall short as dads & partners(29:00) Simple at-home dates & quality time(31:00) Professional wins & audience leverage(32:30) Building real revenue from community(34:30) Stress vs joy—and choosing perspective(36:00) Gratitude, reflection & Happy New Year

—

🔗 Links

• Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk

• Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson

• Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com

• Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com

• Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP

• Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964

Troy Munson and Daniel Berk close out the year with one of the most honest and wide-ranging episodes of Two Dads in Tech yet.

What starts as chaotic humor, Mad Libs, AI-generated chaos, and dad jokes, quickly turns into a serious conversation about technology addiction, the metaverse, robots in our homes, and how much of life we’re quietly giving away to comfort.

In this episode, they talk about:

Why technology consumes more of our lives than we realize

How the metaverse and virtual worlds are closer than we think

Robots living inside homes, and the privacy implications

Elon Musk, extreme wealth, and the Mars debate

Global warming, flooding cities, and living with environmental reality

Social media dependence and why walking away isn’t that simple

What they want to leave behind in 2025

Choosing discomfort, intentional living, and real experiences over convenience

Vision boards, bucket lists, and redefining success as parents

This is a reflective, end-of-year episode about slowing down, asking better questions, and being more intentional with technology, time, and life — one conversation at a time.

—

🕒 Detailed Show Notes

(0:00) Mad Libs chaos & AI-generated nonsense(2:30) Humor, absurdity & why play matters(5:00) Kids, parenting stories & real-life chaos(8:30) The metaverse and online-only relationships(10:00) Why we’re closer to virtual worlds than we think(12:30) Robots inside homes & privacy concerns(14:30) Elon Musk, wealth & colonizing Mars(16:00) Sponsor: Zapier & automations(19:30) Extreme wealth vs real-world problems(20:00) Global warming & flooding cities like Charleston(22:40) “What are you leaving behind in 2025?”(25:00) The comfort trap & technology addiction(27:30) Choosing discomfort intentionally(28:30) Solo hikes, disconnecting & mental clarity(30:00) Vision boards & redefining success(32:30) Why vulnerable episodes resonate most(34:40) Making the world slightly better, one episode at a time(35:00) Merry Christmas & year-end wrap-up

—

🔗 Links

• Get started with Zapier now: https://bit.ly/4ooQhlb 

• Daniel Berk –   / danielberk 

• Troy Munson –   / troymunson 

• Two Dads in Tech Newsletter –

Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson and Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk return with one of the most wide-ranging and thought-provoking episodes of Two Dads in Tech yet.

It starts with a hot take: ChatGPT may not live up to the hype. From there, the conversation expands into the evolving AI race, why tools like Gemini are quietly outperforming expectations, and how AI is reshaping creativity, design, data analysis, and content creation.

But this episode goes deeper.

The dads unpack the Dead Internet Theory, fake engagement, AI-generated comments, and why it’s becoming harder to tell what — and who — is real online. They talk openly about LinkedIn burnout, creator exhaustion, and the pressure to perform authenticity instead of living it.

Along the way, they explore:

Why brand power (Roomba, Band-Aid, Kleenex) outlives innovation

How AI is unlocking creativity for non-technical people

The difference between being busy and actually moving your life forward

Why most people build lives they can tolerate, not lives they want

The importance of journaling, habits, and mental health check-ins

Why asking friends “are you okay?” matters more than ever

This episode blends AI, philosophy, mental health, and modern life into a brutally honest conversation about where we’re headed — and how to stay human along the way.

—

🕒 Detailed Show Notes

(0:00) Hot take: ChatGPT may not live up to the hype(1:00) Roomba, bankruptcy & brand saturation(2:00) Competition kills novelty — AI parallels(3:00) Gemini vs ChatGPT: real usage comparisons(4:00) AI image & video generation gets scary good(5:00) Using AI for thumbnails, design & creativity(6:00) AI empowering non-technical creators(8:30) The Dead Internet Theory explained(10:00) Fake engagement, bots & AI comments(12:00) Can social media survive authenticity fatigue?(14:00) LinkedIn burnout & algorithm obsession(16:00) Why real communities beat platforms(19:30) Being busy vs making progress(21:30) Building a life you tolerate vs a life you want(23:00) Sponsor: Zapier & automations(26:00) Brand names becoming everyday language(28:30) TikTok tragedy & mental health reminders(30:00) Men bottling emotions & journaling(33:00) Habits vs your “true self”(35:00) Fitting in vs being authentic(38:30) Final reflections & community call-to-action

—

🔗 Links

• Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk

• Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson

• Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com

• Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com

• Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP

• Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964

Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson and Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk are back with one of the most thought-provoking episodes of Two Dads in Tech yet.

It starts with a simple question: if $30,000 hit your account right now and you had 24 hours to spend it—what would you actually do? But quickly, the conversation turns into something much bigger.

From widening driveways and buying Jeep Wranglers, to traveling across Europe, living in Spain, dreaming about Tokyo, and questioning what retirement really means, this episode dives deep into meaning, community, faith, and personal values.

The dads explore:

Why retirement isn’t about stopping work—but choosing meaningful work

Travel as a tool for perspective, not escape

Why real language learning only happens through discomfort

Meditation, prayer, and staying grounded in a hyper-connected world

Parenting without forcing beliefs—and allowing kids to choose their own path

Why assuming positive intent makes the world better (with boundaries)

The danger of avoiding life’s hardest questions

This is an episode about slowing down, thinking deeper, and choosing intentionality—in parenting, belief systems, and everyday life.

—

🕒 Detailed Show Notes

(0:00) Cold open and chaotic banter(1:30) Widening driveways, home projects & the $30k problem(3:00) The rule: 24 hours to spend $30,000(4:00) Travel vs stuff—Europe is cheaper than you think(6:00) Spain, Portugal, Italy & the digital nomad pipeline(7:30) What “retirement before 40” actually means(9:00) Building community instead of chasing money(10:30) Living abroad vs owning property(12:00) Cities with water, mountains & culture (Hong Kong, Seattle)(14:00) Meditation, prayer & grounding practices(16:00) Jeep Wranglers, community, and “Jeep ducking”(20:00) Traveling with kids & why Tokyo feels different(23:00) Language learning through immersion (China & Spain stories)(26:00) Why Duolingo won’t make you fluent(27:30) Raising kids with values—without forcing belief(30:00) Studying religion, culture & philosophy(32:00) Assuming positive intent (without being naïve)(35:00) Why discomfort is necessary for meaning(38:00) Avoiding life’s biggest questions(41:00) Cliffhangers, philosophy & wrap-up

—

🔗 Links

• Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk

• Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson

• Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com

• Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com

• Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP

• Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964

#twodadsintech #podcast #life #parenting #fatherhood #meaning #travel #faith #mindset #values #community #dads

Troy Munson – LinkedIn and Daniel Berk – LinkedIn celebrate one year of Two Dads in Tech — 52 weeks of honest conversations about tech, fatherhood, marriage, mental health, and what it really means to balance it all.

In this milestone episode, they unpack everything from back injuries and parenting chaos to toxic masculinity, suicide prevention, and the strange world of going viral online.

They also talk openly about:

The fear that “my kids will think I worked too much”

Why men struggle to talk about mental health and emotions

Breaking toxic masculinity and redefining what strength means

How creating online leads to unexpected opportunities

Parenting exhaustion, brushing teeth battles & dad guilt

Using tools like Zapier & Beehiiv to power content & growth

It’s raw, funny, honest, and deeply human — exactly what Two Dads in Tech has been for a year straight.

• Daniel Berk’s LinkedIn –   / danielberk 

• Troy Munson’s LinkedIn –   / troymunson 

• Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com

• Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8F...

• Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

• Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com

• Get started with Zapier now: https://bit.ly/4ooQhlb 

(0:00) Sponsor: Zapier & automation for creators(1:00) Back pain, holidays & getting old(3:00) Diet, inflammation & dad health hacks(4:00) Parenting fear — “My kids will think I worked too much”(7:00) Redefining masculinity: protectors, not suppressors(9:00) Teaching sons emotional intelligence(13:00) Suicide awareness & men’s mental health(

Welcome to episode 51 of Two Dads in Tech — packed with laughter, honesty, and the occasional deep thought between bites of turkey.

From debating whether turkey is overrated, to the funniest and pettiest things they’re thankful for, to family traditions and awkward dinner questions — this episode has everything you love about Two Dads in Tech: humor, vulnerability, and genuine human connection.

They also touch on:

Why Thanksgiving dinners are secretly surface-level (and that’s okay)

What questions actually spark good family conversations

The art of embracing embarrassment

Learning how to open up emotionally as men and dads

How gratitude evolves with age and kids

The truth about public speaking fears and personal growth

This episode is equal parts hilarious and heartfelt — a reminder that sometimes, the best conversations happen around the dinner table.

🕒 Show Notes

(0:00) Thanksgiving vibes & family plans(1:10) Is turkey actually overrated?(3:00) What is “confit” and why does Troy know this?(5:00) Meeting LinkedIn friends IRL(7:00) Daniel’s rise on X (Twitter) and viral moments(10:00) The problem with online opinions(12:00) The “Top 10 Thanksgiving Questions” game(16:00) Replacing old traditions with new ones(18:00) The pettiest things we’re thankful for(20:00) Serious vs funny family conversations(22:00) Opening up emotionally and learning to express yourself(25:00) Favorite quotes and personal mantras(27:00) Potato debates: mashed vs baked vs tots(29:00) Health habits, less alcohol, more time(33:00) Quick-fire life questions: marriage, money & mindset(36:00) Gratitude, family, and getting older

🔗 Links

• Daniel Berk’s LinkedIn –   / danielberk 

• Troy Munson’s LinkedIn –   / troymunson 

• Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com

• Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com

• Spotify –

Troy Munson and Daniel Berk –  dive deep into beehiiv’s biggest update yet — the Winter Release Event — and break down how it’s completely reshaping the creator economy.

From websites, link-in-bio pages, and AI web builders to digital products, native ads, and automation — beehiiv is becoming the all-in-one operating system for creators, businesses, and media companies.

Daniel, who works at beehiiv, walks through how the platform evolved from a simple email tool to a complete content ecosystem, while Troy shares what it’s like using beehiiv firsthand for Two Dads in Tech and Eat With Troy.

They cover:

Why beehiiv is replacing tools like Substack, Mailchimp & Patreon.

How creators are using beehiiv to launch full businesses.

The truth about migrating from other platforms.

How beehiiv’s new AI website builder and analytics work.

The secret to list hygiene, onboarding, and email automation success.

The rise of the “Content Economy” — and why beehiiv wants to own it.

This is the episode for anyone building an audience, starting a media company, or creating a newsletter in 2025.

—

🕒 Show Notes

(0:00) What is beehiiv? & the Winter Release Event recap(1:20) The Apple-style keynote & major product launches(3:00) New tools — websites, link-in-bio, dynamic content, and AI web builder(4:00) Native ad network + web analytics(6:00) beehiiv as the “operating system” for the content economy(8:00) Who beehiiv is (and isn’t) for — perfect ICP breakdown(11:00) Media companies, creators, and SaaS businesses using beehiiv(13:00) Migration from Mailchimp, Substack, etc.(15:00) Free plan, trials & how to profit from beehiiv(16:00) How to monetize newsletters the right way(18:00) List hygiene, domain reputation, and best email practices(20:00) Automations, drip sequences, and onboarding tips(22:00) Competing with Patreon and the power of Stripe(24:00) beehiiv’s future roadmap — podcasting & full creator OS(26:00) Agency partners, onboarding, and support(28:00) How to start today + beehiiv resources

—

🔗 Links

Get started on beehiiv: https://www.beehiiv.com/?via=ccef5a

beehiiv’s Winter Release Event:   • beehiiv Winter Release 2025 | Full Event 

Very Good Newsletters on beehiiv: https://www.goodnewsletters.io/

Very Good Websites on beehiiv: https://www.goodwebsites.io/

Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com

Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com

Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8F...

Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson and Daniel Berk –  https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk return for a fast-paced, idea-filled episode of Two Dads in Tech.

From mass layoffs at Amazon to side projects going viral, this conversation captures the modern tech dad experience — trying to build something real while the world keeps changing. Troy shares how his new project Eat with Troy blew up to 200 K views and free restaurant deals in a week, while Daniel accidentally created a 10,000-member running community in 24 hours.

They dig into:

Why tech layoffs might actually spark the next wave of creators.

How to launch a viral side project in under a minute.

What most founders get wrong about content and authenticity.

Building family rhythms around work, hobbies, and travel.

It’s the perfect blend of startup energy, dad banter, and creator mindset — a reminder that you don’t need permission to build something great.

—

🕒 Show Notes

(0:00) Audio chaos and Amazon layoffs(2:00) At-will employment and why it’s brutal in America(5:00) Starting Eat with Troy — best wings in Wisconsin (7:00) AI tools and comment scraping for restaurant ratings(8:00) Going viral overnight — 200 K views in 4 days(10:00) How founders lose their voice on the internet(12:30) Why being “uncomfortable” online is a good sign(14:00) Creating Runners of ECS — 1,000 members in 24 hours(16:00) Merch, branding, and why good swag matters(18:00) Parent moments — snow, skiing, and dad adventures(20:00) Running half marathons & training through sickness(24:00) Marathon plans and consistency as a mindset(26:00) Trips, vacations, and family balance (32:00) Daniel’s brother — professional poker player (38:00) Fatherhood, travel, and supportive partners(40:00) Palmetto Parents growth and newsletter tactics(42:00) Closing thoughts and big plans for 2026

—

🔗 Links

• Daniel Berk’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk

• Troy Munson’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson

• Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com

• Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com

• Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP

• Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964

• Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai

#twodadsintech #fatherhood #tech #entrepreneurship #layoffs #creator #startups #viralcontent #parenting #business #sidehustle #podcast #founderstory #dadlife