Dads in Real Life Podcast

Breathwork for Dads: Managing Stress, Anxiety & Energy Through Better Breathing

Why do people drive like maniacs? Travis kicks things off with a fun (and relatable) question—but we quickly dive deep into something that affects every parent: stress and anxiety.
In this episode, we explore how breathwork can be a game-changing tool for managing stress—at home, at work, and in parenting. With over 10 years of experience as a breathwork coach, Robert shares:
🧠 What breathwork actually is (and isn’t)
😤 How stress affects your breathing—and how your breathing affects your stress
🛠️ Real-world examples from Travis’s early experiences with anxiety, customer service, and public speaking
🧘 Pocket-sized breathwork practices you can do throughout your day
⚙️ How to develop better breathing mechanics to improve your energy, focus, and calm
Whether you’re a parent navigating the daily grind or just looking to handle stress more effectively, this episode is packed with practical, science-backed breathing strategies to help you stay grounded.
Breathe better, feel better, parent better.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more tools on fatherhood and personal growth. #Breathwork #DadLife #StressRelief #AnxietyRelief #ParentingPodcast #MindfulParenting

Entrepreneurship & Dad Life: Turning Skills Into Side Hustles

Entrepreneurship isn't always about Lambos and laptop lifestyles. For many dads, it’s about creating options, building freedom, and providing for their families in a way that aligns with their values.
In today’s episode, we get real about:💼 How we each stumbled into entrepreneurship💡 The real reasons dads start side hustles or passion projects🛠️ How to find income opportunities by identifying your skills, market demand, and what people will actually pay for📈 Why work is hard no matter what—and how to make it meaningful by doing something you actually care about
Whether you’re dreaming of building your own thing or just trying to bring in a little extra for your family, this episode will give you clarity, motivation, and some practical tools to get started.
Comment below: What’s a skill or interest you’ve thought about turning into a side hustle?
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more conversations about fatherhood, purpose, and finding your lane.
#DadLife #Entrepreneurship #SideHustle #ParentingPodcast #WorkLifeBalance #PurposeDrivenWork

Kidney Stones, ER Chaos & Life Lessons: Our Most Painful Stories

Today’s episode starts off light with a fun question: What would you do if you won the lottery tomorrow? 💰 But it quickly turns into one of our most real and raw conversations yet.
Travis kicks off story time with the day’s big question: “What’s the most pain you’ve ever felt?” Spoiler: both of us had the same answer—kidney stones.
We share:😖 Travis’s brutal experience being turned away multiple times from the ER before finally needing surgery🚗 Robert’s 2AM trip to the ER, choosing to tough it out without strong meds so he could drive himself home🧠 What we learned through these painful experiences—and how those lessons apply to any season of life
It’s a mix of laughter, cringing, and real talk about pain, perseverance, and perspective. Because sometimes, life puts you between a rock and a hard place (literally)... but there's always something to take away from it.
Drop a comment: What’s the most pain you’ve ever felt, and what did it teach you?
Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more real conversations about fatherhood, life, and everything in between.
#DadLife #LifeLessons #KidneyStoneStory #StoryTime #ParentingPodcast

Parenting Through Every Season: Letting Go, Growth & Life Lessons

Today, we’re getting personal about our current season of parenting—what we’ve learned, what’s surprised us, and what we love most about watching our kids grow.
But first… let’s talk school drop-off line stress. 🫠 From the chaos of morning routines to the pressure of getting everything just right, we’re learning that when we stop micromanaging, our kids actually learn and grow on their own.
Travis asks Robert: “As your kids move out of the cute toddler stage and into school age, what do you love most about this season of life?”
Robert shares insights from parenting kids at different stages—from toddlerhood to middle school:🔹 The power of healthy boundaries with friends🔹 Self-awareness & understanding that friendship tension is part of life🔹 When stubbornness becomes a strength in resilience & perseverance🔹 Learning that failure isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of growth🔹 His daughter’s wisdom: “Just because you’re not good at something in the beginning doesn’t mean you stop.”🔹 Seeing our kids show empathy for us as parents (yes, it happens!)
This conversation is a reminder that every season of parenting matters—the effort we put in today shapes their future relationships, resilience, and confidence.
💬 What’s one thing you love about your kids in their current season of life? Drop a comment below!
If you found this episode valuable, like and subscribe so you don’t miss out on future dad conversations.
#Parenting #Fatherhood #ParentingPodcast #Growth #LifeLessons #DadLife #RaisingKids

How Our Wives Made Us Better Dads: Growth, Partnership & Parenting

Behind every great dad is a strong partnership, and today, we’re giving credit where it’s due—our wives.
 
In this episode, we dive into:
✅ How growing up with our spouses prepared us for fatherhood
✅ Why opposites attract—not just in love, but in strengths & weaknesses
✅ The evolution of our relationships & parenting over the years
✅ How we built a home that feels like a safe space, rather than somewhere to escape from
✅ The power of patience, communication, and consistency in marriage & parenting
✅ Why early marriage arguments were more about a lack of tools than real conflict
✅ How we’ve learned to choose “us” over “me” in tough moments
 
Plus, we wrap up by sharing the best parenting tools our spouses have introduced to us—because sometimes, the best lessons come from the people closest to us.
 
What’s one lesson your spouse has taught you that’s made you a better parent? Drop a comment below!
 
Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more conversations on fatherhood, marriage, and personal growth!
 
#Parenting #Fatherhood #Marriage #DadLife #Partnership #ParentingPodcast

Balancing Passion Projects & Parenthood: How to Make It Work

Is it really possible to chase a passion project while balancing life as a husband and parent? Between work, family, and household responsibilities, carving out time for personal goals can feel impossible. But with intentional planning, communication, and flexibility, you can make it happen.
Today, we dive into:✅ How to structure your day to make time for your project✅ The challenge of working from home & blending work-life balance✅ The power of weekly planning sessions with your spouse✅ Why a “flex day” can help you stay on track without stress✅ Setting clear daily outcomes so you know when to switch from work mode to family mode✅ Managing distractions and time-sucks that steal focus
We also talk about realistic goal setting—because at work, you have performance reviews, but at home, you’re your own boss. Learning to set goals, measure progress, and adapt your schedule is key to success.
Let’s talk about how to pursue your passion without sacrificing your family.
Drop a comment below—how do you balance responsibilities and personal goals?
Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more conversations on parenting, personal growth, and making life work!
#Parenting #PassionProjects #WorkLifeBalance #DadLife #ParentingPodcast

Parenting Without Burnout: Managing Energy & Transitions as a Family

As parents, life moves in seasons—school to summer, grade to grade, changing friendships—but how do we manage these transitions without running ourselves into the ground? Today, we’re talking about parental energy management—how to balance work, responsibilities, and self-care so we can actually be present for our kids when they need us most.
It’s easy to come home exhausted, drained from work, and push that tired, short-tempered energy onto our family. But what if we could set boundaries, communicate better, and proactively manage our energy instead? We dive into:
✅ How to balance personal energy levels as a parenting team✅ Why communication with your spouse is key to avoiding burnout✅ Ways to set boundaries throughout the day to protect your attention✅ How to be present and emotionally available when kids get home from school✅ Tips to prevent exhaustion from leading to unnecessary blow-ups
By intentionally managing our schedules, communicating our needs, and creating space to recharge, we can show up as better parents, partners, and role models. Let’s talk about how to make it happen.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real talk on parenting, balance, and personal growth!
#Parenting #DadLife #EnergyManagement #ParentingPodcast

Rethinking Hustle Culture: When Success Costs Too Much as a Dad

Hustle culture told us success meant grinding 14-hour days, climbing the corporate ladder, and chasing financial freedom—but at what cost? In today’s episode, we take a hard look at how hustle culture shaped us as dads, how our definition of success has evolved, and the sacrifices we aren’t willing to make anymore.
We grew up watching our fathers provide—leaving at 8 AM, coming home at 6 PM, showing love through stability. We admired their suits, their offices, their sense of importance. But what we didn’t see were the lost moments with family, the relationships strained by the relentless pursuit of "more."
As young, single men, we were drawn into the grind. But becoming dads changed everything. We had to redefine success—not just in dollars, but in time spent raising our kids, being present partners, and truly living instead of just working. We talk about:
✅ Our first exposure to hustle culture and why it was so attractive✅ The hidden costs of financial success no one talks about✅ The pressure social media puts on parents to "do more"✅ How we redefined success as family men first, business owners second✅ Where to draw the line—what are we actually willing to sacrifice?
If you've ever felt the weight of hustle culture pulling you away from what truly matters, this episode is for you. Let’s redefine success together.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real talk on fatherhood and balance!
#DadLife #HustleCulture #RedefiningSuccess

Dads, Celebrate Your Wins: Why Rest & Recognition Matter

Why is it so hard for dads to celebrate their own wins? Whether it’s at work, at home, or in fatherhood, many of us struggle to acknowledge our hard work. In today’s episode, we dive into why dads feel guilty about celebrating, how we’ve traded rituals of rest for the hustle lifestyle, and why we constantly feel the need to stay busy.
We explore the impact of never stopping to recharge—why burnout happens when we never pause to celebrate or rest. Plus, we break down the way we celebrate (or don’t) in our families. Why do we only go all out on birthdays, Mother’s Day, or Valentine’s Day? How can we celebrate each other more throughout the year?
We also share practical tips on communicating your need for rest and recognition with your spouse, and why celebrating both yourself and your partner leads to stronger relationships and a more fulfilling family life.
Dads, it’s time to stop running on empty. Give yourself permission to celebrate.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real talk on parenting and personal growth!
#DadLife #CelebrateYourWins #ParentingPodcast

Dads, Respect Yourself: Why Self-Care Makes You a Better Father

As dads, we’re wired to put our family first—but what happens when we always put ourselves last? In today’s episode, we dive into the struggle of self-respect and why so many dads neglect daily self-care. There’s often guilt or even a stigma around men taking time for themselves, but the truth is: if you go down, the whole ship goes down.
We break down the real cost of not taking care of yourself and how prioritizing your health—physically, mentally, and emotionally—makes you a better husband, father, and leader for your family. We share the power of having a family vision to reinforce self-care, plus practical tips and routines to help you get started.
If you won’t do it for yourself, do it for your family. A stronger you means a stronger them.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more real talk on fatherhood and personal growth!
#DadLife #SelfCareForDads #ParentingPodcast