Parenting is our Founder Superpower | Neil Vidyarthi & Lauren Dugan (Parents of 2, Feel Good Games)

Aug 7, 2025

59:17

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Lauren Dugan and Neil Vidyarthi are the husband-and-wife co-founders of Feel Good Games, creators of Little Magic Stories, an AI storytelling platform designed to spark creativity and independence in kids. They’re also parents of two boys (ages 3 and 8), longtime partners in both life and work, and startup veterans bringing a playful, grounded perspective to the founder-parent journey.

In this episode, Neil and Lauren talk about how parenting fuels their creativity, how they’ve evolved their marriage while running a company together, and why their son insists he’s the real CEO. We discussed:

From bedtime stories to startup idea: How their son’s early-morning storytelling sessions inspired the vision for Little Magic Stories, and why they included him as “co-creators” from day one.
Building a company with your spouse: What Neil and Lauren have learned about navigating startup stress, creative tension, and parenting chaos as co-founders and partners and the systems they use to stay grounded.
Parenting with freedom and play: Why they embrace a “gardener not engineer” model of parenting, how they balance screen time and independence, and the moments that made them rethink control and creativity.
The case for structured chaos: From timeboxing and project boards to flexible rituals and tag-team parenting, Neil and Lauren share the habits that help them stay focused while juggling business, marriage, and raising two kids.
Redefining success as parent-founders: Why they believe having children has made them more ambitious, not less, and how they’ve reshaped their values around creativity, joy, and freedom.

Where to find Lauren Dugan

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurendugan/
X: https://x.com/lauren_dugan?lang=en
https://www.instagram.com/laurencdugan/

Where to find Neil Vidyarthi

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilv/
X: https://x.com/neilvidyarthi
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neilv9999/

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 Neil Vidyarthi and Lauren Dugan
(02:56) The dynamics of working with family
(05:29) Balancing work and family life
(13:52) Inspiration behind Feel Good Games
(18:30) Advice for founders and parents
(33:30) Parenting challenges and social media
(34:20) Ash's CEO video
(36:09) Parenting philosophies and boundaries
(39:20) Kids and technology
(43:12) Creative uses of AI in parenting
(44:50) Parenting mistakes and lessons
(47:59) Connecting with Feel Good Games
(49:43) Lightning round: routines, quirks, and family time

Show references:

Yoto: https://eu.yotoplay.com/
Wipes Warmer: https://urbanessentials.com.ph/products/prince-lionheart-ultimate-wipes-warmer-dispenser
Great Wolf Lodge: https://www.greatwolf.com/
Super Mario Brothers: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6718170/
My Neighbor Totoro: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096283/
The Karate Kid: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087538/
Beetlejuice: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094721/

Todoist: https://www.todoist.com/

Polygon: https://www.polygon.com/

Avail: https://www.avail.co/landlords/features

Feel Good Games: https://www.feelgoodgames.xyz/

Little Magic Stories: https://www.littlemagicstories.com/

Robert Wolfe’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bsi-iOjodM

Pokemon: https://www.pokemon.com/us

Pomodoro: https://pomofocus.io/

Time Boxing: https://clockify.me/timeboxing

The Freedom App: https://freedom.to/