The Portfolio Career That Made Him a Better Parent | Ben Erez (Dad of 1, PM Coach/Product Advisor)
Startup Dad
Intro
Host Adam Fishman introduces Ben Erez and previews topics: parenting, portfolio career, routines, and bedtime.
Ben Erez is a former founder and product leader turned solopreneur and instructor. He teaches a popular Maven course for aspiring product managers, hosts the podcast Supra Insider, and is a proud girl dad living in Brooklyn.
In this episode, Ben shares what it’s like raising a daughter while building a portfolio career on his own terms. We discussed:
- How solo parenting can feel easier: Why Ben finds weekday solo parenting less stressful than co-parenting, and how clarity in routine helps him stay grounded.
- Making the leap to fatherhood: The pros and cons exercise Ben used to think through becoming a parent and what ultimately pushed him to take the leap.
- What makes a portfolio career work: How Ben structures his time across fractional work, teaching, building an AI product, and podcasting without feeling overwhelmed.
- Structure as a path to freedom: Why routines have become essential for Ben and how they help him stay present, productive, and connected to his family.
- Handling disagreements as partners: Ben reflects on navigating different parenting styles with his wife and how they’ve built a process for staying aligned.
- Creating connection through community: How a local dad group gave Ben a deeper sense of belonging and why it’s made parenting feel a little less isolating.
Where to find Ben Erez
Where to find Adam Fishman
- FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/
- Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/
In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introducing Ben Erez
(01:12) Raising a toddler and golden retriever
(04:29) Experiencing the magic of girl dad life
(08:42) Building a sustainable portfolio career
(14:56) Rethinking job security as a solopreneur
(18:35) The pros and cons of having kids
(22:36) Discovering the ease of solo parenting
(27:31) Why weekends feel less flexible now
(30:02) Feeling at home while traveling with kids
(34:28) Bedtime routines that actually work
(38:20) Handling disagreements with your partner
(42:22) How a dad group changed everything
(47:47) Navigating screen time and tech exposure
(53:08) Lightning round: morning vs. evening routines
Show references:
YouTube Kids: https://www.youtubekids.com/
iPad: https://www.apple.com/
Perplexity.ai: https://www.perplexity.ai/
Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/
Sound Machine: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A2JBMRE?th=1
Table top changing pad: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KHD615K
Unspeakable: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwIWAbIeu0xI0ReKWOcw3eg
Blippi: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5PYHgAzJ1wLEidB58SK6Xw
Moana: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521164/
Ghostbusters: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087332/
Porsche: https://www.porsche.com/usa/
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