Stew Bradley is a former linebacker in the National Football League and played for the Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals and the Denver Broncos. Following a successful NFL career he joined Goldman Sachs and then found his way into co-founding the early stage venture firm El Cap Holdings. He's also a husband and the father of two kids. In today's conversation we discussed:
* His unique career path in navigating from professional football to finance and investing
* His earliest memories and emotions around becoming a Dad
* The Fallacy of Control as a parent
* What it's like raising an autistic child and what he and his wife did to understand and learn
* Negotiating parenting with both neurotypical and neurodivergent kids
* His framework and approach around "putting in the reps" both professionally and personally
* The differences in a successful career and being successful as a parent
* How he recharges his batteries amidst the chaos of parenting
Listen or watch Startup Dad on Apple, Spotify, YouTube, and Overcast.
—
Where to find Stew Bradley
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stew/
- Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/stewbradley
- El Cap Holdings: https://elcap.xyz/
Where to find Adam Fishman
- Newsletter: startupdadpod.substack.com
- Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/
—
In this episode, we cover:
[1:51] Welcome Stew!
[2:20] His childhood
[3:39] Stew’s unique career path
[9:44] All about his wife & kids
[11:04] Decision making for Stew’s wife to be full-time mom
[12:47] Earliest memories of becoming a dad
[14:06] Emotions around becoming a dad
[15:24] The Fallacy of Control
[19:00] Advice for younger Stew
[21:09] Raising a child with Autism
[24:38] What did you do to understand Autism?
[27:27] Negotiating parenting neurotypical and neurodivergent
[32:44] Favorite book to read to the kids?
[34:03] Frameworks and “putting in the reps”
[40:03] Where he and his wife don’t always align
[43:58] Success in career vs. parenting
[45:56] What did you give up to be a dad?
[48:02] What is a mistake you made as a dad?
[50:56] How do you recharge your batteries?
[54:03] How to follow along with his journey
[54:50] Rapid fire
—
Show references:
The Tao of Steve: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0234853/
Neurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of Neurodiversity by Steve Silberman: https://www.amazon.com/Neurotribes-Legacy-Autism-Future-Neurodiversity/dp/0399185615
The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism by Naoki Higashida: https://www.amazon.com/Reason-Jump-Inner-Thirteen-Year-Old-Autism/dp/081298515X/
El Cap Holdings: https://elcap.xyz/
Goldman Sachs: https://www.goldmansachs.com/
Philadelphia Eagles: https://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/
Denver Broncos: https://www.denverbroncos.com/
Arizona Cardinals: https://www.azcardinals.com/
Steadfast: https://www.steadfastequity.com/
Goonies: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089218/
How To Train Your Dragon: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892769/
Baby Shark: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcdwLMPsaU2ezNSJU1nFoBQ
Magic Eraser: https://www.mrclean.com/en-us/shop-products/magic-erasers/magic-eraser-original/
Training Potty Seat: https://www.amazon.com/000-NextStep2-Training-Slow-Close-Removable/dp/B07ZQT2R9N
—
For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
startupdadpod.substack.com
