

The Company of Dads Podcast
Paul Sullivan
Paul Sullivan, former NY Times columnist, explores the lives, stories, joys, and challenges of Lead Dads – fathers who lead in raising children, supporting their partner, and balancing their career. New episode drops every Tuesday.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 26, 2023 • 21min
EP88: How A Dad Used His Divorce To Help Kids
Interview with Terry Smith / Author of See You LaterHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANAfter going through his second divorce, Terry Smith got full custody of his daughter. Watching her come to terms with what happened pained him. So Smith, an artist, wrote a book, See You Later, with her to help children and parents talk about divorce in a better way. With 18 percent of fathers in the U.S. being divorced, widowed or otherwise single, Terry is helping fathers explain to their children what may be hard for them to understand. Listen to ways to soften the blow of parents splitting.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

Sep 19, 2023 • 31min
EP87: How To Raise A Child Who Becomes An Independent Adult
Interview with the Authors of Raising A Kid Who CanHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANA psychiatrist, a psychologist and a child therapist all walk into a parenting group, and... it's a good set-up for a joke, but it's the feeling you might get listening to Catherine McCarthy, Heather Tedesco and Jennifer Weaver, three experts and friends, who wrote a book about creating independent kids - and less cloying, worrying and meddling parents. They're as wise as they are funny. Listen in. ---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

Sep 12, 2023 • 34min
EP86: How One Company Created Parenting Equity at Work
Interview with Deanne Aussem / Wellbeing Leader At PWCHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANCreating a wellbeing platform for a large, multinational company like PwC, the professional services firm, has been a decade in the making. But it positioned the company well in the post-Covid shift to how, where and when we're working. The company's Parenting Inclusion Network offers equal benefits for mothers and fathers - but more than that, it works with parents (and caregivers more broadly) to integrate work and life. Listen to Deanne Aussem, who heads the firm's wellbeing initiative, talk about what works and what still needs to be done - with tips for other companies starting out.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

Sep 5, 2023 • 36min
EP85: What Working At Summer Camp Taught This Dad
Interview with J.R. Havlan / Emmy Award Winner & First Time Camp WorkerHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANJ.R. Havlan got an offer he couldn't refuse: come work as the communications director at sleepaway camp. The eight-time Emmy Award-winning writer might seem a tad overqualified for the job but he jumped at the chance: he'd be around his two kids and fully focused on one job - a rarity in a world of disruptions. But he learned some things that he - and any Dad - could use in the school year. Listen now.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

Aug 29, 2023 • 34min
EP84: Want Your Kids To Work In the Family Business?
Interview with Doug Patton / Inventor and DadHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANDoug Patton is an inventor with over 200 products to his name, ranging from a biomedical device used worldwide for eye surgery to an electric candle sold by Disney. But he’s always been an involved father, to his daughter Heather and his son Sean. When she was a baby and a restless sleeper, he would get up early with her and sketch inventions with her rocking on the kitchen table. His son, who just graduated from college, has worked with him since he was 12. The three have come together to work on a passion project for Doug, a putter that brings sophisticated sound technology to golf. Listen to Doug talk about how his children came to work with him and what’s it meant for him as a father and entrepreneur.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

Aug 22, 2023 • 36min
EP83: Want To Raise Smart, Resilient Kids? Don't Do This
Interview with Jennifer Wallace / Author and Advocate for AdolescentsHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANIt's all or nothing. Harvard or bust. A's may not be enough. This is achievement culture and it's hurting kids. Jennifer Wallace, author of “Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic--and What We Can Do About It”, has a plan to help adolescents and their well-meaning but intense parents change the dynamic. Listen to her tips.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

Aug 15, 2023 • 26min
EP82: How a CEO's Life Prepared Him For WFH Leadership
Interview with Chris Michalak / Healthcare CEO and Lead DadHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANIn one year, Chris Michalak lost his marriage, his job and his dog. He became a single Lead Dad with custody of his sons. He kept it secret at work - it was a different time. Fifteen years later, he became CEO of VIrgin Pulse, a healthcare company, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. His personal experience years earlier informed how he led - and allowed him to lean into remote work for everyone's benefit. Listen to what he did and how it helped his company.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

Aug 8, 2023 • 31min
EP81: How Do You Measure Time As A Father?
Interview with Jay Rosenblatt / Filmmaker and FatherHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANHow do our kids change as they age? All fathers observe it in real time but Jay Rosenblatt recorded it. Starting when his daughter was 2, he interviewed her on camera every year on her birthday until she was 18. The result is a beautiful record of a father-daughter bond. Listen to what we can all learn from his endeavor.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

Aug 1, 2023 • 27min
EP80: What Are The Three Cords Of Fatherhood?
Interview with Rocco Carreiro / Author and Financial AdviserHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANThe three cords are work, family and self. And author Rocco Carreiro said all three need to be bound together for men to be happy and productive as Lead Dads, entrepreneurs or employees, and spouses or partners. No surprise: it's not easy to give your all to your business, your family and yourself? There are tradeoffs; it's hard. Listen as we unpack this.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/

Jul 25, 2023 • 39min
EP79: Challenging Myths and Lies About Dads
Interview with Linda Nielsen / Professor and Expert on Fathers & DaughtersHOSTED BY PAUL SULLIVANDo babies really bond better with moms? Do dads sacrifice less than moms? Are dads less empathetic, less compassionate, and less skilled at communicating than moms? These are all myths that hold fathers back, says Linda Nielsen, a professor at Wake Forest University. She's been researching the subject for 30 years. Listen to how to correct the record.---Get our free newsletter covering all things fatherhood delivered straight to your inbox: https://thecompanyofdads.com/thedad/