The Modern Dads Podcast

New York Times personal finance columnist and author Ron Lieber talks to the Modern Dads Podcast about his book, The Opposite of Spoiled, Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money. We talk about what is means to be spoiled and the steps parents can take to avoid spoiling their child. Ron also gives advice for parents thinking about allowance, giving, birthday presents, and saving for college.     The Parents Phrase Book author Whit Honea joins again to suggest that the opposite of spoiling your children is not depriving them of life's experiences.

  Dad 2.0 Summit Co-Founders Doug French and John Pacini join us to preview this year's event in San Francisco. We talk about the purpose of the conference and reflect on the impact the experience has had on dads, media, and the decision-makers in boardrooms across America. Doug and John also make some speaker announcements and tease us with some uniquely San Francisco treats for attendees.    Whit Honea joins us again to reflect on what he’s taken from his Dad 2.0 experiences.

  Dad and author Adam Mansbach joins us to talk about his latest book, You Have to F*****g Eat, the long awaited sequel to his fake children's book for adults, Go the F**k to Sleep. We discuss his critics and the Twitter exchange he had with children's entertainer Raffi about the sanctity of childhood. We also talk about his thoughts on swearing as a valid and colorful form of expression, and what he's teaching his daughter about code switching and language appropriate for the situation.

This is the season of giving and we are talking to two moms that have dedicated their careers to supporting those in need. #GivingTuesday Community Manager Chrysula Winegar joins us to talk about this global day dedicated to giving back. Baby Buggy Executive Director Katherine Snider talks about her organization's support of children and families in need across the United States. We also discuss Baby Buggy's new Fatherhood Initiative that seeks to help low-income and non-custodial dads provide for their children. Dads 4 Change Co-Founder Whit Honea joins again to talk about his new organization that seeks to encourage empathy and action with strength and grace.

It's our second annual Movember episode, and we once again focus on men's health, and more specifically men's mental health. Three of our favorite dads, Ryan Hamilton, Lorne Jaffe, and Ron Mattocks join us to talk about their individual experiences with anxiety, depression, and bi-polar disorder, and the various ways each has found treatment and support. The Parents Phrase Book author Whit Honea joins again to talk about why he is working so hard to make sure his two young sons know that feelings matter, their own and those of the people around them.

Two of our favorite dads and online voices Jeff Bogle and Mike Reynolds join us to talk raising daughters. We talk about the uphill climb our daughters still face in the 21st century and the role that we as dads can play in challenging the long-held beliefs and stereotypes that are foisted upon women and girls. Josh Kross chimes also chimes in with why he thinks chivalry as we know it is dead (but there might be hope)

Father of 2, blogger, and Daddy Doin' Work author Doyin Richards joins us to discuss his mission to engage moms in evolution of fatherhood. We talk about the inspiration and perspective he has gained from his online community and his message about dads that is resonating with moms around the world. The Parents Phrase Book author and father of two Whit Honea joins us to reflect on what he has gained by choosing his family first and what he has "lost" by prioritizing his work second. Special thanks to NYC Dads Group member and father Chris Persley for joining as co-host. Find out more about Chris at The Brown Gothamite. 

ThirdPath Institute Founder Jessica Degroot joins us to talk about making time for work, family, and play. We discuss "The New Normal" where dads AND moms are thinking creatively to find ways to be successful in our careers, to be the parents we want to be, and to find time for ourselves. We also talk about the upcoming season of Thursdays with Thirdpath, a monthly webinar series that will focus on men's stories to demonstrate an integrated approach to work and life.   The Parents Phrase Book author Whit Honea joins after the discussion to talk about the ways he and his wife continue to negotiate these issues as they both pursue meaningful careers and parent their two boys.

Author Michelle Icard joins us to talk about a time in our kids' lives that many parents dread, middle school. She tells us that these years can be fun and exciting if we leave the baggage from our own middle school years at the door and modify our parenting style as our kids mature. We also talk helping our kids respond to "mean" kids and the social media tools that can we can embrace with our kids.    The Parents Phrase Book author Whit Honea also joins us to talk about his son's transition from elementary school to middle school and the realization that his son may be ready, but he's not!   Show References The Letter I Gave My Daughter on Her 10th Birthday, by Jeff Bogle Empowering children to deal with mean-spirited taunts (with advice from Michelle Icard) Want to keep your new middle-schooler out of trouble? Then let them take risks, by Michelle Icard

Jim Higley prepares for life as an empty-nester and new role at Camp Kesem, an innovative camp for kids affected by a parent's cancer. Mike Adamick talks about his new book Dad's Book of Awesome Science Experiments. Whit Honea shares the perfect response to kid's boredom and introduces geocaching, the modern day scavenger hunt.