Two Dads in Tech

Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson and Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk return for one of the rawest Two Dads in Tech episodes yet. From the shock of watching traumatic world events unfold online, to the weight of polarization in America, to the very real personal cost of chasing success—this conversation pulls no punches. They dig into trauma, health, equity, time management, and even the eerie possibilities of digitizing human consciousness. Equal parts heavy, honest, and hopeful, it’s a look at fatherhood, tech, and mental health when the world feels upside down.— Show Notes: (0:00) Cold open: “I quit” and starting mid-conversation (0:22) Banter, birthdays, and shoutouts (1:50) Processing a heavy week in America (3:10) Polarization, faith, and feeling unsafe (5:01) Why this week “happened to me” vs. just the world (6:14) Accidentally watching traumatic videos online (7:23) Real-life trauma flashbacks and PTSD triggers (8:43) Collective group-mind reactions and viral responses (10:03) Polarization: saint or devil narratives (10:34) V for Vendetta, movements, and amplified voices (12:28) History lens: superpowers, cycles, and U.S. division (14:08) Why America has never been fully “united” (16:07) Are we a healthy country? Defining the terms (17:27) Humans are becoming less healthy, not more (19:06) Knowledge is power—and apathy (21:23) Inequity, access, and why Flint still matters (23:13) The personal cost of chasing success (25:12) Fatherhood pressure not to miss moments (26:12) Mental health sacrifices for startup grind (28:09) Why yoga, prayer, and “wasting time” are life hacks (29:31) Time management, Elon’s 5-minute rule, and wasted blocks (31:22) Why consistency beats bursts of productivity (32:23) Cryogenics, ethics, and digitizing consciousness (34:12) Coping vs. reality when recreating loved ones digitally (35:45) Movie recs: Goosebumps and Transcendence (36:02) Sponsor Momentous: protein, creatine, collagen peptides (37:07) Wrapping up: why this episode may have more nuggets than most— Links: • Daniel Berk's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk • Troy Munson's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson • Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com • Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com • Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP • Listen on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964 • Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai

Episode 39: Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson – and Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk – sit down with Scott Leese – https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottleese – for one of the rawest and most vulnerable conversations yet. From surviving nine surgeries and an opioid addiction, to building billion-dollar startups and walking away from easy LinkedIn money, Scott opens up about resilience, authenticity, and the grind of sales. This episode dives into chronic pain, consulting truths, fatherhood fears, and why balance is harder—and more important—than ever. Equal parts battle story and blueprint, it’s a must-listen for anyone chasing success without losing themselves along the way.—Show Notes: (0:00) WWE-style intro for Scott Leese (2:24) Breaking down his consulting scope: sales, ops, recruiting, coaching (6:09) Authenticity on LinkedIn and walking away from thousands per post (9:38) Protecting reputation before money changes who you are (12:00) Scott’s hospital years: autoimmune disease, surgeries, and survival (14:27) Opioid addiction and going cold turkey at 27 (16:16) From near death to sales: why startups were his lifeline (20:29) PTSD, chronic pain, and the fear of leaving kids fatherless (22:10) Fatherhood, health scares, and changing priorities (25:13) Cold plunges, saunas, and 41 food allergies (27:00) Grounding rituals and staying even-keeled in business (33:17) Consulting truths: urgency, feedback, and big-market bets (39:01) The unicorn that gave him freedom to go solo (41:20) Lessons he wishes he’d learned earlier about aiming bigger (42:58) Feeling “almost accomplished” and launching a landscaping biz (44:33) The comparison trap, stoicism, and keeping perspective (46:16) Biggest advice: shrink the delta between idea and action (48:04) How much is a LinkedIn account really worth? (50:57) Instagram success: $300K in consulting from a new channel— Links: • Scott Leese’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottleese • Daniel Berk’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk • Troy Munson’s LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson • Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com • Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com • Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP • Listen on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964 • Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai

Episode 38: Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson – and Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk – sit down with Nir Eyal – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nireyal – for a deep dive into distraction, focus, and fatherhood. From the famous “superpower story” with his daughter, to why attention is the skill of the century, Nir unpacks how to control your time, your triggers, and your tech. The conversation covers parenting in the age of screens, the difference between use and abuse, and how AI might reshape learning and family life. Plus: reconciling Hooked and Indistractable, building better habits, and why being present is the ultimate superpower.— Show Notes: (0:00) Welcoming Nir Eyal, author of Hooked and Indistractable (1:15) The “superpower story” that changed how Nir views attention (3:55) Tech vs. parenting: when phones compete with kids (6:00) Why attention—not information—is the true skill of the century (10:20) Stories of millennial parenting and putting devices down (13:00) The 7-day digital disconnect challenge for families (14:20) Screen time vs. screen abuse: making the distinction (19:30) Internal triggers and why distraction starts within (27:30) How Nir uses AI for writing, notes, and parenting perspectives (30:00) The future of learning, AI, and education reform (36:00) Sponsor shoutout: Momentus supplements (36:30) Nir on handling distraction spirals in real time (45:20) Reconciling Hooked vs. Indistractable: use vs. misuse (48:45) Closing gratitude and where to find Nir online— Links: • Daniel Berk's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk • Troy Munson's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson • Nir Eyal's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nireyal • Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com • Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com • Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP • Listen on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964 • Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai— Learn More About Nir: • Check out his book: http://geni.us/indistractable • Indistractable bonus content: http://www.nirandfar.com/indistractable/ • Indistractable summary article: https://www.nirandfar.com/skill-of-the-future/ • Timeboxing article: https://www.nirandfar.com/timeboxing/ • Values article: https://www.nirandfar.com/common-values/ • Free habit tracker tool: https://www.nirandfar.com/habit-tracker/ • Free schedule maker tool: https://www.nirandfar.com/schedule-maker/ • List of top articles: https://www.nirandfar.com/best-articles/

Friendships in adulthood can feel like dating, especially when it comes to making couple friends as parents. The hosts explore the delicate balance between screen time and childhood play, discussing tech's impact on kids today. They share personal stories about faith and rebellion, shedding light on the complexities of spirituality. The conversation swings from amusing anecdotes about TikTok trends to the longing for simpler times spent outside, all while pondering if one can truly thrive without technology.

This week, lively discussions revolve around the complexities of parenting friendships and the challenges of making couple friends. A debate ensues over whether to personalize LinkedIn requests, alongside a look at the awkwardness of marriage in public. Listeners are treated to insights about IPO myths and brand controversies, including the backlash American Eagle faced. The hosts humorously dissect the worst sales advice ever while stressing the importance of adaptability in sales and job hunting. Plus, they share nostalgic PB&J thoughts and even some hairline honesty!

Episode 35: Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson – and Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk – sit down with Anthony Natoli – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonynatoli – for one of the most vulnerable and powerful episodes yet. From gambling addiction and $100k in debt, to fitness transformation and mindset mastery, Anthony takes us through the dark valleys and high peaks of his life. He opens up about rebuilding from rock bottom, becoming a future father, and why inner peace—not external success—is the ultimate win. If you're building something big while trying to keep your head and heart in check, this one’s for you.— Show Notes: (0:00) Anthony joins the pod — with chocolate and charisma (1:45) Losing 34 pounds and the deeper mental win (4:10) “I’m 32, live in Jersey, and I optimize for joy” (6:00) Addiction patterns: gambling, food, and emotional escape (8:45) Childhood trauma, insecurity, and the pursuit of control (10:30) Gambling $1,000 parlays while in debt (12:20) Rock bottom: debt, weight gain, and a Brooklyn mom’s ultimatum (18:30) Joining GA and the turning point that saved his life (21:00) How recovery helped him find love—and himself (26:15) “You are enough”—the message Anthony wishes he heard sooner (29:00) Nataloli’s Nuggets: helping reps sell without burning out (30:45) The dream: a dog rescue, coffee shop, and gym (35:00) Finding time when life is full — and why influencer advice often misses the mark (40:45) Building ‘Offline’: an app to gamify unplugging (45:00) Stella Sweets, charcuterie boards, and resisting cookie temptation (47:00) What kind of dad Anthony wants to be—and why he’s ready— Links: • Anthony Natoli's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonynatoli • Daniel Berk's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk • Troy Munson's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson • Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com • Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com • Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP • Listen on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964 • Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai

Episode 34: Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk – and Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson – dive headfirst into one of their spiciest topics yet: Should everyone have kids? They unpack the data on parenting and happiness, question cultural expectations, and get deeply personal about their own dad journeys. Along the way, they roast tech influencers, ponder digital dystopias, and ask why Gen Z seems over it all. It's philosophical, funny, and brutally honest — just how you like it.— Show Notes: (0:00) Podcasting with sick kids in the background (1:05) Why this might be our most controversial topic (2:10) “Should everyone have kids?” (4:50) Circumstantial happiness vs. purpose (7:00) The data on kids and happiness (it’s rough) (9:22) Would you be more fulfilled without kids? (11:30) Emotional cost of raising kids in chaos (13:40) Is entrepreneurship in your DNA or environment? (16:15) Teaching kids the mindset to build (18:00) The parenting paradox: burnout and joy (20:30) Dysfunction, divorce, and the cost to children (23:10) The “love tax” of raising kids (25:25) Should the world even have more people? (27:00) Tech utopias, AI gods, and digital disillusionment (30:15) Influencer culture and the fake front (33:10) Work sucks and Gen Z knows it (35:00) Building something bigger than yourself (37:30) Why legacy matters more than convenience (39:00) Final thoughts on parenting and privilege— Links: • Daniel Berk's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk • Troy Munson's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson • Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com • Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com • Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP • Listen on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964 • Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai— Follow the Two Dads: Subscribe, like, and share if you’re building, selling, or scaling in B2B SaaS. New episodes drop weekly.Want title ideas for this one too?

Episode 33: Daniel Berk – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk – is back with Troy Munson – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson – for a wide-ranging convo that spans euro trips, retirement blueprints, and AI clones. They riff on building wealth without burnout, why vacations matter more than birthday parties, and what happens when your AI twin outlives you. Also: the iPhone is mid, social media might be a drug, and Jeff Bezos (almost) gets a handshake.— Show Notes: (0:00) Subscribe on YouTube or else (0:29) Troy’s intervention? Rebrand talk and show structure (1:09) Why guests are hard (and unpaid help wanted) (2:42) Troy’s month in Europe vs. real life in South Carolina (4:55) Retire by 45 — or maybe 40? (7:03) Kids, wealth planning, and living now (9:04) What does “retirement” even mean anymore? (10:00) Angel investing, advising, and startup stakes (12:35) The Beehive bet and life after SaaS (14:04) Building wealth as a parent — risk and responsibility (16:00) Side hustle mentality and the $100K confidence (17:19) Digital afterlife and AI twins: what happens when you die? (19:02) AI clones at work — Adam Robbins goes full simulation (20:02) Scarlett Johansson vs. AI voices (21:03) Legal gray zones of deepfake content (22:00) TikTok shop, AI influencers, and automated income (23:14) Should the U.S. delete TikTok? (25:13) Gen Y, Yik Yak, and nostalgia apps (27:12) Gamified loneliness and doomscrolling depression (28:30) Are creators addicted, too? (30:50) Should social media exist at all? (34:15) What if the internet had a time limit? (36:00) Is distribution just another name for social media? (37:08) The future of wearables and AR (39:01) Is iPhone just… boring now? (41:26) Leaving Apple? Notes, texts, and bubble shaming (44:31) Merch plug, Bezos jokes, and outro banter— Links: • Daniel Berk's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk • Troy Munson's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson • Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com • Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com • Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP • Listen on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964 • Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai

Episode 32: Daniel Berk (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk/) goes solo dad this week, joined by meme mastermind Charlie Light — the guy behind viral Twitter personalities like John W. Rich, Hunter Cold Calls, and Chase Passive Income. They break down the business behind meme accounts, how to turn tweets into six figures, and what it’s really like building a content empire while raising toddlers. Also: LinkedIn cringe, alpha male memes, and the secret identity of Chet Newsletter Guy.— Show Notes: (0:00) Daniel flies solo — with meme legend Charlie Light (1:05) From John W. Rich to Chase Passive Income (2:06) The grind: posting 40 tweets a day (4:00) How new meme accounts are born (6:58) The secret sauce of viral growth (8:17) Explaining meme work to your kids (9:03) Dad life, coworking spaces, and working from your phone (11:26) Real-life ideas → meme gold (12:18) How meme accounts actually make money (13:38) Consulting, ghostwriting, and the $500k/year Twitter hustle (15:05) Ghostwriting clients and meme secrets (17:28) Finance background → Twitter alpha (19:21) What about TikTok, LinkedIn, Instagram? (22:10) Why LinkedIn loves low-effort memes (24:14) Twitter pays, but LinkedIn converts (25:09) Meet Chet Newsletter Guy (it’s not who you think) (27:14) Balancing parenting and always-on content (30:19) 5 hours > 80-hour grinds (32:14) Work vs. vacation — for parents, it’s all the same (33:06) So you want to start a meme account? Here’s how (35:37) Where to find Charlie online— Links: • Daniel Berk's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk/ • Charlie Light's Twitter – https://twitter.com/charlierich • Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com/ • Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com/ • Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP • Listen on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964 • Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai/— Follow the Two Dads: Subscribe, like, and share if you’re building, selling, or scaling in B2B SaaS. New episodes drop weekly.Let me know if you want title ideas for this one too.

Episode 31: Troy Munson (https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson/) and Daniel Berk (https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk/) jump from cold call sprints to billion-dollar acquisitions, all while hiking the Dolomites and dodging SEO doom. They dive deep on why the internet is broken (again), how social virality actually works, and why email lists might be your startup’s last lifeline. Plus: parallel dialers, parenting backpacks, and a running comeback you didn’t see coming.— Show Notes: (0:00) Mics are hot and jerseys are tight (2:00) Would you take $1M to never visit Rhode Island? (4:05) Ragebait on Twitter and Gen Z podcasts (6:00) Cold call challenge: 10 meetings in a day (8:20) Parallel dialers, P1 data, and qualifying leads (11:00) Empathy on cold calls? Wild idea, we know (13:00) Breaking out of a founder funk (15:00) Sales vs. marketing: who actually gets training? (17:00) The psychology of persuasion and compounding success (20:00) AI bots banned from crawling websites (22:10) SEO is dying. What now? (24:30) Email lists are everything (26:00) Building social engagement inside your startup (29:00) Beehive’s secret growth engine (31:30) Sponsor shoutout: Tango (https://tango.us) (32:15) AI isn’t magic — it’s leverage (34:00) Cloudflare vs. OpenAI — who wins? (36:00) Hiking Italy with kids (and packs) (38:00) Delegating the podcast grind (39:00) Grammarly buys Superhuman — wait, what? (41:00) Mental vs. physical health: Daniel’s return to running (43:00) Wrapping it up + why you should just subscribe already— Links: • Troy Munson's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/troymunson/ • Daniel Berk's LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielberk/ • Two Dads in Tech Newsletter – https://twodadsintech.com/ • Shop Two Dads in Tech – https://shop.twodadsintech.com/ • Listen on Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/30GQP8FPJoKpLGpYBahlFP • Listen on Apple – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/two-dads-in-tech/id1785662964 • Check out Dimmo – https://www.dimmo.ai/— Follow the Two Dads: Subscribe, like, and share if you’re building, selling, or scaling in B2B SaaS. New episodes drop weekly.