Startup Dad

Alex Egeler is a former engineering executive turned parent career coach. He’s also a father of four boys, a husband, and a stay-at-home dad who helps other working parents navigate meaningful careers that support, not strain their families. In this episode, Alex opens up about the unpredictable reality of parenting, the generational mental health patterns he’s determined to break, and how becoming a dad transformed how he views success. We discussed:Letting go of the career script: How Alex’s first paternity leave revealed the emptiness of his “perfect job” and led him to walk away, and how each child helped him rewrite what meaningful work really looks like.Undoing generational pressure: Why the deaths of Alex’s father and grandfather pushed him to question everything he believed about work, identity, and what it means to be a good dad.Parenting with emotional honesty: Alex shares how he learned to show all emotions and not just the “good” ones, and how that shift helped his kids build trust, empathy, and resilience.Supporting a child with bipolar disorder: Why Alex and his wife approach parenting as a tag team, how they talk openly about mental health with their 12-year-old son, and what they’ve learned about showing up differently in crisis vs. calm.Building flexible careers for parents: How Alex coaches other working parents to question old assumptions, set realistic job goals, and own their value in the job market — especially in roles that support both career and caregiving.Where to find Alex EgelerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-egeler-empathic-egg/ Empathic Egg: https://www.empathicegg.com/Where to find Adam FishmanFishmanAF 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 Alex Egeler(02:10) How becoming a dad reshaped Alex’s career path(05:08) The false promise of boundaries between work and family(09:12) When Alex realized his job wasn’t meaningful anymore(12:06) Four generations of men and mental health struggles(16:15) Grieving his father through the eyes of his own son(20:20) How Alex and his wife talk about depression with their child(24:05) The invisible support team behind every successful parent(27:15) Why stepping back from work was harder emotionally than socially(31:00) Parenting four boys including surprise twins(34:30) The sibling dynamics that no one prepares you for(38:15) Teaching emotional regulation to young kids(44:30) Using Dr. Becky’s “Good Inside” framework in daily life(54:40) The power of reframing parenting as support, not punishment(01:03:00) Lightning round: must-haves, mindsets, and momentsShow references:Inside Out: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/Batteries Not Included: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092494/ ‘Alex’s LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-egeler-empathic-egg/Stanford: https://www.stanford.edu/Fibonacci Sequence: https://www.mathsisfun.com/numbers/fibonacci-sequence.htmlGood Inside, Dr. Becky: https://www.goodinside.com/Company of Dads/Paul Sullivan: https://thecompanyofdads.com/Paul Sullivan’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJSbH8uydFoMidjourney: https://www.midjourney.com/homeChatGPT.comIf I Built a House by Chris Van Dusen: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/if-i-built-a-house-chris-van-dusen/1109327478Caillou: https://en.caillou.com/—For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Ben Erez is a former founder and product leader turned solopreneur and instructor. He teaches a popular Maven course for aspiring product managers, hosts the podcast Supra Insider, and is a proud girl dad living in Brooklyn. In this episode, Ben shares what it’s like raising a daughter while building a portfolio career on his own terms. We discussed:How solo parenting can feel easier: Why Ben finds weekday solo parenting less stressful than co-parenting, and how clarity in routine helps him stay grounded.Making the leap to fatherhood: The pros and cons exercise Ben used to think through becoming a parent and what ultimately pushed him to take the leap.What makes a portfolio career work: How Ben structures his time across fractional work, teaching, building an AI product, and podcasting without feeling overwhelmed.Structure as a path to freedom: Why routines have become essential for Ben and how they help him stay present, productive, and connected to his family.Handling disagreements as partners: Ben reflects on navigating different parenting styles with his wife and how they’ve built a process for staying aligned.Creating connection through community: How a local dad group gave Ben a deeper sense of belonging and why it’s made parenting feel a little less isolating.Where to find Ben ErezLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benerez/ X: https://x.com/viableben Where to find Adam FishmanFishmanAF 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 Ben Erez(01:12) Raising a toddler and golden retriever(04:29) Experiencing the magic of girl dad life(08:42) Building a sustainable portfolio career(14:56) Rethinking job security as a solopreneur(18:35) The pros and cons of having kids(22:36) Discovering the ease of solo parenting(27:31) Why weekends feel less flexible now(30:02) Feeling at home while traveling with kids(34:28) Bedtime routines that actually work(38:20) Handling disagreements with your partner(42:22) How a dad group changed everything(47:47) Navigating screen time and tech exposure(53:08) Lightning round: morning vs. evening routinesShow references:YouTube Kids: https://www.youtubekids.com/iPad: https://www.apple.com/Perplexity.ai: https://www.perplexity.ai/Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/Sound Machine: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A2JBMRE?th=1Table top changing pad: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KHD615KUnspeakable: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwIWAbIeu0xI0ReKWOcw3egBlippi: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5PYHgAzJ1wLEidB58SK6XwMoana: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521164/Ghostbusters: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087332/Porsche: https://www.porsche.com/usa/—For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Jamie Lee is the Founder of JME Labs, a consulting business supporting startups and small businesses. Her husband, Jeff Okita, is the VP of Product at Tilt, a leave management platform. Together, they’re raising their 14-month-old daughter while managing demanding careers and a shared vision of parenting. We talked about:Building a strong support system: How Jamie and Jeff rely on an extended team of experts, family, and tools to make daily life manageable.Creating structure through rituals and check-ins: The methods they use to stay coordinated, including weekly planning and monthly reviews.Designing life around core values: Why they prioritize individual and shared time to stay connected to who they were before becoming parents.Traveling with a baby across continents: What 15 flights and two international trips have taught them about adaptability and preparation.Reevaluating the role of work: How becoming parents led both of them to rethink what success and fulfillment mean in their careers.Connection as a two-way street: Jeff’s take on bonding as a non-birthing parent and the moments that helped him feel truly needed.Challenging traditional roles in parenting: The decisions they’ve made to balance the mental, physical, and emotional load of raising a child.Preparing for an AI-powered future: Their early thoughts on how to raise a child in a world shaped by fast-moving technology.Where to find Jamie LeeLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieannlee/ JME Labs: https://www.jamiealee.com/ Where to find Jeff OkitaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffokita/ Tilt: https://hellotilt.com/ Where to find Adam FishmanFishmanAF 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 Jamie and Jeff(02:20) What is the “extended team” in their household(04:35) Emergency childcare plans and calendar blow-ups(05:08) The four C’s of parenting: Coordination, Communication, Compromise, Creativity(06:06) Running, nursing, errands, and multitasking hacks(07:27) Rituals for communication and monthly check-ins(08:38) Me, Me, and We Nights(11:09) Where their parenting systems came from(13:33) Hiring a postpartum doula and learning on the fly(14:22) 15 flights with a baby and international travel strategies(17:39) Potato, plant, and puppy phases of babyhood(20:14) Blowouts on the road and travel horror stories(24:34) Not losing yourself post-baby(28:59) Rethinking the role of work after having a child(34:07) Building connection with your baby and rejecting the parenting default(54:57) Lightning Round: parenting quirks, pre-baby routines, and toddler travel winsResources from this episode:ChatGPT.comDie With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life by Bill Perkins: https://bndl.co/3XlKH6eBlank Check: https://imdb.to/3Vjc3T5Planet Earth: https://imdb.to/3XlYoTo—Want to sponsor this podcast? Email podcast@fishmana.comFor Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

David Apple is the Founder of Shark Tooth Biotech, a company focused on developing treatments for CMT 1A, a rare genetic disease affecting his oldest son. Previously an executive at Typeform, Notion, and Zingtree, David stepped away from startup life to become his son’s full-time advocate. He’s also a father of two, a board member of the CMTA, and a first-time children’s book author. We talked about:Leaving tech to prioritize advocacy: Why David chose to walk away from a successful career to support his son through a difficult diagnostic journey.Facing resistance in the medical system: What it took to push past early dismissals from doctors and finally get answers through genetic testing.Shifting expectations of fatherhood: How caring for a child with CMT changed David’s perception of strength, patience, and what it means to be a parent.Building a purpose-led biotech company: What inspired David to launch Shark Tooth and how he’s working to fill a critical research gap for CMT 1A.Protecting presence over legacy: Why David believes being present with his kids outweighs any long-term pursuit of recognition or success.Frameworks for family and marriage: From structured “me time” to clear communication tools, David shares the systems that help him stay grounded.Where to find David AppleLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/appledavid/ X: https://x.com/davidcappleShark Tooth Biotech: https://www.sharktooth.bio/ Where to find Adam FishmanFishmanAF 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 David Apple(03:58) Leaving a CRO role to advocate full-time(06:13) Getting real answers through genetic testing(11:20) Misconceptions about being a stay-at-home parent(14:27) How CMT shaped Ari’s creative side(16:39) Using AI tools and finding support(22:50) Why CMT research remains underfunded today(27:12) Creating Shark Tooth Biotech with real purpose(32:14) Advocacy matters more than expert opinions(39:55) Letting go of legacy, focusing now(44:04) Turning life’s obstacles into personal growth(46:35) Lightning roundShow references:CMT 1A: https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/1245/charcot-marie-tooth-disease-type-1aTypeform: https://www.typeform.com/Notion: https://www.notion.com/Zing Tree: https://zingtree.com/UCSF: https://www.ucsf.edu/Stanford: https://www.stanford.edu/https://chatgpt.com/CMTA: https://www.cmtausa.org/Animal Yoga by Flowerpot Press, Brian Fitzgerald (Illustrator): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/animal-yoga-flowerpot-press/1143842943Cystic Fibrosis: https://www.cff.org/https://www.tiktok.com/en/Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey, Neil deGrasse Tyson:  https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2395695/Paul Campillo: https://paulcampillo.com/Munchkin Warm Glow Wipe Warmer: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000CNOIQ2Momcozy Convertible Double Stroller: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJXX76MNMarine Layer: https://www.marinelayer.com/Coco Melon: https://www.cocomelon.com/Bluey: https://www.bluey.tv/Les Visiteurs: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108500/Reach an audience at the intersection of startups and parenting - For sponsorship inquiries email podcast@fishmana.com.Support the show -  For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

In this conversation, Alex Medick, the Director of Marketing at TensorWave and a dedicated single dad, shares his insights on balancing startup life with parenting two kids. He discusses how he navigated communicating with his children during his separation and the unexpected fulfillment fatherhood has brought him. Alex emphasizes giving parents grace during tough times and fondly recalls the chaotic moments that create lasting memories. He also reflects on the value of old-school parenting and creating structure for kids in today’s world.

Jordan Gal, CEO of Rosie and a five-time founder, shares insights from his upbringing in an immigrant entrepreneur household and how it informs his parenting. He discusses teaching kids about money without pressure and maintaining a family-first mindset in the startup world. Jordan emphasizes the importance of emotional management and healthy conflict in marriage. He also reflects on how their nomadic lifestyle reshaped family values, while nudging his children towards ownership and financial literacy in relatable ways.

Sol Kennedyi is the founder of BestInterest which helps co-parents navigate the messiness of that complex relationship. He is a serial founder who has built and sold multiple companies and has been the head of product at Dropcam, a PM at Google and an angel investor in companies like Coinbase, Gitlab and Instacart. In addition to being a serial entrepreneur he’s also a single, half-time dad of two kids and a co-parent. We discussed:* Navigating divorce and co-parenting* Important lessons he’s learned from his co-parenting role* The adversarial system that exists in family court and treats parents like criminals* The emotional rollercoaster of half-time parenting as a single Dad* His experience taking an extended time off to be a full-time Dad when his daughter was young* Mistakes he’s made as a parent that have helped him grow into the Dad he is today.* How your kids help you heal your own relationship with your parents* The importance of patience and slowness when raising kidsWhere to find Sal Kennedy* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/solkennedy/* BestInterest App: bestinterestapp.com* Sol’s Podcast: https://podcast.coparentingbeyondconflict.com/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:[1:55] Welcome[2:11] Professional background[3:53] Kids & divorce[6:17] Co-parenting[10:34] Advice for those going though this/co- parenting[13:26] Being a half-time dad[17:35] Strategies for setting boundaries with kids[20:33] Decision to be a full-time dad and then back into work-force[25:49] Does his own family use Best Interest?[26:07] Most surprising things you’ve discovered as a dad?[29:04] how having kids helped heal his relationship with his own parents[32:08] Advice to younger Sol[34:10] Transition from 1 to 2 kids[36:48] Frameworks for parenting[40:22] Kid’s relationship with tech[44:48] Mistake as a dad[49:05] Follow along[49:59] Lightning round[1:00:07] Thank you—Show references:Coinbase: https://www.coinbase.com/GitLab: https://about.gitlab.com/Instacart: https://www.instacart.com/Bug catcher: https://www.amazon.com/toys-Battat-Bungalow-Insect-Catching/dp/B01M0V474YBaby sock monitor (Owlet): https://owletcare.com/products/owlet-dream-sockPixar: https://www.pixar.com/Star Wars: https://www.starwars.com/Mini Cooper: https://www.miniusa.com/—For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.comProduction support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron athttp://www.armaziproductions.com/

Nikunj Kothari is a former investor with Khosla Ventures and a product and growth leader from companies like Opendoor, Shyp, and LinkedIn. He’s now out on his own advising, investing and spending time as a husband and a father of two, including a brand new son! We discussed:* The false dichotomy between ambition and parenting and the support structures needed to achieve it* The work it takes to prioritize your partner after the arrival of a new baby* How execution as a Dad is only part of the problem set* Big mistakes he’s made as a Dad* How the relationship with his own parents changed since becoming a father* Top tips for international flights with young kidsWhere to find Nikunj Kothari* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikunjk/* X: https://x.com/nikunj* Website: https://www.nikunjk.com/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:[2:00] Welcome[2:17] What Nikunj is up to these days[3:08] Four generations in the home/dad feedback[3:58] Childhood[5:25] Family now[8:33] Decision to start a family[10:35] Ambition and parent dichotomy[13:22] Would you rewind the clock?[17:33] Who needs help in the newborn stage[21:36] Paying attention to invisible labor[23:45] Mistakes as a dad/prioritize making time for partner[26:39] Funny story of his daughter sleeping through the night[30:07] Traveling with young children[34:26] Relationship to own parents in fatherhood[38:20] How parenting changed from kid to kid[40:28] Go-to activity[41:46] Aligning with partner[45;05] Kid’s relationship with tech[49:34] Favorite books to read to kids[50:44] Follow along[51:37] Lightning round[58:03] Thank you—Show references:Khosla Ventures: https://www.khoslaventures.com/Opendoor: https://www.opendoor.com/SIDS: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20352800Children’s Creativity Museum: https://creativity.org/Ms. Rachel: https://www.youtube.com/@msrachelCoco Melon: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbCmjCuTUZos6Inko4u57UQSpring is here (Bear and Mole Series) by Will Hillenbrand: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spring-is-here-will-hillenbrand/1103442878Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit: https://www.magicsleepsuit.com/Home Alone: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099785/Home Alone: 2: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104431/Dunston Checks In: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116151/Moana: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521164/Kal Ho Naa Ho:Blow up flight bed: https://www.flyawaydesigns.com/products/flyaway-kids-bed—For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.comProduction support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron athttp://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

Brian Holt, a seasoned product manager at Neon with a background in tech giants like Microsoft and Netflix, shares his parenting wisdom as a father of two. He discusses the unique challenges of preparing for a second child and the overwhelming sea of conflicting parenting advice. Holt emphasizes the importance of being a 'whole person' to enhance parental roles and reflects on the joys of nomadic living with toddlers. He hilariously praises the Snoo and magnetic snap baby clothes, while navigating the highs and lows of modern parenting with laughter and insight.

Robert Wolfe is the co-founder of Zeck a company designed to make managing board meetings easier for everyone. He’s also founded and sold both Crowdrise (to GoFundMe) and Moosejaw Mountaineering (to Wal-Mart). He’s a husband and the father of 2 sons. We discussed:* The journey from founding Moosejaw to today* Founding multiple companies with a celebrity and your brother* Raising a family while building those companies* The modern-day process for helping your kids apply to college* How kids can find the right college fit* Stories about building his companies and raising his families* What the heck a “fighting room” is used for and why you need one* How to work really hard without taking yourself too seriouslyWhere to find Robert Wolfe* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-w-0abaaa273/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:[1:57] Welcome[2:41] Zeck[4:16] The “Fighting room”[5:48] Moosejaw[11:24] Ed Norton co-founder[14:55] Childhood/relationship with brother[16:22] Met wife[17:58] Kids[18:47] Decision to start a family[19:38] Carving out time to be at his kid’s events[20:53] University of Michigan[22:34] College admission process[26:51] Advice to younger Robert[28:03] Advice to ignore[29:44] Empty nester[30:36] Kid’s relationship to tech/social media[34:01] Advice to kids/entrepreneurship[33:52] Follow along[36:28] Lightning round—Show references:Dazed and Confused: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106677/Zeck: zeck.appGoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/University of Michigan: https://umich.edu/Edward Norton: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001570/North Face: https://www.thenorthface.com/en-usPatagonia: https://www.patagonia.com/home/Keego Harbor, Michigan: https://www.keegoharbor.org/Fight Club: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137523/Shauna Robertson: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0732024/Apatow Productions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apatow_ProductionsJudd Apatow: https://www.juddapatow.com/Elf: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319343/40 Year Old Virgin: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405422/Anchorman: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0357413/Seth Rogan: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0736622/Jonah Hill: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1706767/Steve Carell: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0136797/Will Ferrell: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002071/Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/UNICEF: https://www.unicefusa.org/American Cancer Society: https://donate.cancer.org/Michigan State: https://msu.edu/Panda Express: https://www.pandaexpress.com/James Earl Jones: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000469/Be Mighty: https://bemighty.com/Nvidia: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/Jaws: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073195/Avatar: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499549/Star Wars: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/Monsters INC: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0198781/Godfather: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068646/Tyus Edney (UCLA guard): https://uclabruins.com/honors/hall-of-fame/tyus-edney/107_For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.comProduction support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron athttp://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