Startup Dad

Daniel Borok is a Managing Partner at nvp capital, an early-stage venture firm investing in founders building the next generation of vertical AI companies. With a focus on B2B applications, Dan spends his days meeting visionary entrepreneurs, making high-conviction bets at the pre-seed and seed stages, and helping early teams build durable companies. Before nvp, he held operating and investing roles across finance and tech, giving him a sharp eye for both product-market fit and founder grit.But Dan’s most demanding portfolio companies might be his two young kids. He and his wife, Abby, a real estate investor, are raising their family in Manhattan’s West Village, just blocks from where he grew up. Whether he’s sprinting to catch the school bus, navigating dual-career logistics, or caddying for his daughter in junior golf tournaments, Daniel brings the same thoughtful, systems-driven mindset to parenting as he does to investing. We discussed:Why mornings are sacred: How Daniel and his wife start every day as a family, despite their busy careers.Balancing careers and family: From nannies to grandparent backup, Dan shares how they manage the scheduling puzzle.Letting kids fail on the golf course: Dan reflects on caddying for his daughter and learning to let go of control.Raising kids in New York City: Why Dan believes the city is one of the best places for kids to grow up.The importance of practice at work and home: Lessons from sports that translate into career and parenting growth.Why he tracks family time like OKRs: Dan shares the analog system he uses to ensure he’s prioritizing what matters most.Where to find Daniel BorokLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dborok/ X: https://x.com/danielborokWhere to find Adam FishmanFishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introducing Daniel Borok, Managing Partner at nvp capital(02:10) Balancing two careers in a dual-working household(04:35) How the family manages childcare and travel schedules(07:10) Starting a family later in life(08:45) Raising kids in Manhattan vs. the suburbs(14:40) The family’s big sports focus and weekend logistics(17:34) Dan’s experience as his daughter’s golf caddy(20:12) Most surprising parts of parenting(23:43) How Dan thinks about tech exposure for his kids(26:26) Using a weekly checklist like OKRs for parenting(30:35) How he uses AI to reflect on weekly habits(35:01) How he uses AI tools with his kids(37:39) Helping kids discover their passions(39:31) Applying sports practice frameworks to venture investing(42:03) Lightning round: walkie-talkies, golf tees, dishwasher chaosResources From This Episode:nvp capital: https://nvpcap.com/ The Disengaged Teen (Book by Jenny Anderson and Rebecca Winthrop): https://www.thedisengagedteen.com/ Training a Tiger (Book by Earl Woods): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/546636.Training_a_Tiger Atomic Habits (Book by James Clear): https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits Scooby Doo, Where Are You! (TV Show): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063950/ Bunk’d (TV Show): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4591680/ The Goonies (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089218/ iPad: https://www.apple.com/ph/ipad/ —Support Startup DadFor sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Oji Udezue is an AI Product Expert at ProductMind, and a veteran product leader with more than 25 years of experience across Typeform, Twitter, Calendly, Atlassian, Bridgewater, and Microsoft. He’s known for his deep thinking on product craft, leadership, and the future of work. He’s also the co-author (with his wife, Ezinne Udezue)  of Building Rocket Ships, a guide for builders and operators navigating high-stakes decision-making in fast-moving environments.In this episode, we explore Oji’s philosophy on parenting through the lens of resilience, how it’s shaped, why it matters, and the role adversity plays in preparing kids for the real world. Oji shares a perspective informed by his multicultural upbringing, his frameworks for fostering independence, and the intentional choices he and his wife have made while raising two teenagers in a dual-career household. We discussed:Building resilience: What resilience means to Oji and why discomfort and challenge are essential for kids.Independence through decisions: How his 10,000-hour framework helps kids practice choice-making and responsibility.Learning through mistakes: Why micro-failures matter and how parents can stop rescuing children from small consequences.Kids as expanders: How children rise to expectations and adapt when treated as capable from an early age.Shepherding, not owning: Why parents should guide their kids’ path rather than shape them as extensions of themselves.Balancing careers and family: How he and his wife navigate dual careers and maintain steady routines and connections.Where to find Oji UdezueLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ojiudezue/ X: https://x.com/ojiudezueWebsite: https://www.productmind.co/Where to find Adam FishmanFishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introducing Oji Udezue(03:12) Starting a family while holding high-pressure, fast-growing careers(05:26) Early parenting years: maintaining identity and bringing kids into adult life(07:16) Defining resilience and why modern parenting often gets it wrong(10:45) The 10,000 hours of independent decisions framework(13:16) Lessons from Nigerian boarding school and developing early autonomy(17:15) Letting kids fail safely: micro-failures, consequences, and growth(19:51) Evaluating resilience through reactions under pressure(22:31) Kids and career visibility: why children don’t care what you do for work(24:27) Individuation: why Oji’s teens want their own paths, not his(26:21) Rituals, routines, and staying connected in a dual-career household(28:13) Advice for new parents: clarity of purpose, instinct, and overcoming fear(31:17) Core parenting frameworks: oxygen mask, expanders, and shepherds(43:10) AI, technology, and raising creative lateral thinkers in a changing world(50:19) Lightning round: humor, parenting quirks, and closing reflectionsResources From This Episode:Building Rocket Ships (Book by Oji Udezue & Ezinne Udezue): https://a.co/d/0nMe2WM  ProductMind (Substack Newsletter): https://productmind.substack.com/ ProductMind.co (Website): https://productmind.co/ Lenny’s Podcast (Episode featuring Oji & Ezinne): https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-ai-is-reshaping-the-product-roleThe Time Machine (Book by H.G. Wells): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2493.The_Time_MachineTypeform: https://www.typeform.com/Calendly: https://calendly.com/Atlassian: https://www.atlassian.com/Bridgewater Associates: https://www.bridgewater.com/Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/Amazon Echo: https://www.amazon.com/echo Big Hero 6 (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2245084/—Support Startup DadFor sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Allison Daminger is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she specializes in gender, family dynamics, and social inequality. She’s also the author of What’s on Her Mind: The Mental Workload of Family Life, which explores the often invisible cognitive labor that drives the daily operations of households.In this episode, we talk about the concept of cognitive labor, how it’s defined, why it’s disproportionately placed on women in heterosexual partnerships, and the emotional and mental toll it takes. Allison shares insights from her years of research, including interviews with over 170 individuals in diverse family structures, shedding light on how cognitive labor impacts both professional and personal lives. We discussed:What is Mental Load and Cognitive Labor: Defining and explaining these concepts and her research.Understanding cognitive labor: How the mental work of anticipating needs, making decisions, and following through often falls disproportionately on women.Real-world examples: The everyday household tasks where cognitive labor shows up and how couples can divide this invisible work more equally.The Superhuman and The Bumbler: How gendered expectations shape household dynamics, with women often taking on the “Superhuman” role and men the “Bumbler” role.Breaking the mental load myth: Why cognitive labor isn’t about personality traits but about societal pressures and norms that influence how responsibilities are shared at home.Strategies for rebalancing: Practical ways couples can collaborate on household responsibilities, including setting up routines, improving communication, and managing expectations.Where to find Allison DamingerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisondaminger/ Website: https://www.allisondaminger.com/Substack: https://allisondaminger.substack.com/Where to find Adam FishmanFishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introducing Allison Daminger, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison(02:44) Defining cognitive labor in the home and workplace(04:27) Real-life examples of cognitive labor(07:56) The invisible mental load: What it means for parents(13:42) Research on cognitive labor and family dynamics(19:53) Household dynamics and gender roles in domestic labor(26:01) Rationalizing the imbalance in cognitive labor at home(46:56) Exploring gender roles in household leadership(48:11) Motherhood and cognitive labor: The unseen work(48:43) Ideologies vs realities of balanced households(49:15) Career dynamics and household roles: The juggling act(49:54) Challenges in achieving cognitive labor equality(55:04) Balanced households: Structures for satisfaction(01:15:36) Personal insights and reflections on cognitive labor(01:27:47) Lightning Round: Final Thoughts and Quick TipsResources From This Episode:What's On Her Mind (Book by Allison Daminger): https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Her-Mind-Mental-Workload/dp/069124538X The Daminger Dispatch (Newsletter): https://allisondaminger.substack.com/ The Second Shift (Book by Arlie Hochschild): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51848.The_Second_Shift Fair Play (Book by Eve Rodsky): https://www.amazon.com/Fair-Play-Game-Changing-Solution-When/dp/0525541942 Love To Dream Swaddle: https://lovetodream.com/ The Little Mermaid: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097757/ University of Wisconsin, Madison: https://www.wisc.edu/NYT Wirecutter: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/gifts/—Support Startup DadFor sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Jamie Nacht, co-founder and CEO of Havium, shares insights on parenting while building a startup with his wife, Cristin. He humorously discusses the effectiveness of routines like Pizza Fridays and bedtime rituals. Jamie advocates for 'screaming it out' alongside kids during tantrums to help them process emotions. He emphasizes teaching negotiation skills and reframing challenges to promote resilience. With a belief that 'anything is possible,' Jamie inspires a growth mindset in his children, merging parenting with entrepreneurial spirit.

David Simnick, the founder of Soapbox and father to one-year-old Noah, shares his journey into fatherhood and the adjustments it demands. He dives into the importance of clear family communication and shared responsibilities with his wife, which helps balance their busy lives. Dave reveals how parenting has honed his time management skills and shifted his professional focus. Highlighting resilience learned from watching his son walk, he advocates for an anti-perfect parenting mindset, blending love, structure, and humor into daily life.

Chet Kittleson, a serial founder and co-creator of Tin Can, shares his journey of building an analog phone for kids that promotes screen-free voice connections. He discusses the importance of teaching children healthy relationships with technology and how to embrace boredom for creativity. Balancing family life with entrepreneurship, Chet reveals how he involves his kids in his work and maintains household systems reminiscent of a startup. With a hopeful view of an analog revival, he inspires parents to prioritize intentional, engaging family experiences.

In this episode of Startup Dad, Adam Fishman sits down with Colin Anawaty, technologist and founder of Flying A Capital. He’s also a single dad of two boys, navigating the challenges of fatherhood and entrepreneurship after divorce.Colin opens up about how his kids have become his greatest teachers, why he believes accountability and independence should start young, and how joining a men’s group helped him prioritize relationships, including the one with himself. From Montessori principles to Mario Kart lessons, Colin shares how parenting frameworks and founder mindsets overlap in surprising ways. We discussed: Parenting through divorce: What it’s like to reset life as a single dad and how his kids’ resilience has inspired him.Learning from mistakes: How modeling vulnerability and apologizing to his kids has built trust and maturity.Resilience vs fragility: Why Colin believes kids are more robust than we give them credit for.Why no dad has it all figured out: Colin’s honest take on navigating career, parenting, and personal growth.The role of technology and AI: From skepticism to playful experiments, turning kids’ crayon drawings into Pixar-style characters.Where to find Colin Anawaty:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colinanawaty/ X: https://x.com/colinInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/colinanawaty/Where to find Adam FishmanFishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ X: https://x.com/fishmanafInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introducing Colin Anawaty(02:13) Adjusting to life as a single dad of two young boys(05:37) Why Colin joined a men’s group and what he learned(09:43) Taking stock of good and bad parenting lessons from past generations(11:49) Kids as teachers and the power of apologizing as a dad(14:31) Why kids are more resilient than we think(16:29) Teaching accountability at an early age(20:22) Montessori principles at home: independence, structure, fewer toys(23:50) Parenting lessons from Mario Kart and screen time boundaries(28:22) Bonding through haircut sessions with his boys(31:27) Helping his 6-year-old overcome fear of surfing(33:51) Social media dangers for kids and for parents(37:43) What relationship Colin wants his kids to have with technology(40:54) Using AI for parenting frameworks and creative projects(46:17) Why no dad has it all figured out(49:10) Lightning round: Parenting gear, funniest moments, and dad quirksResources From This Episode:5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom: https://a.co/d/0H7Evju The Big Book of Silly Jokes for Kids: https://a.co/d/12730G0 The Expectant Father: The Ultimate Guide for Dads-to-Be: https://a.co/d/ji8u48g The New Father: A Dad's Guide to the First Year: https://a.co/d/chjTYyA Montessori Method: https://montessori.org/ Dad Jokes Instagram (Logan Lisle): https://www.instagram.com/loganlisle/ Potty Training Seat: https://a.co/d/54kwn6oLEGO: https://www.lego.com/ The Karate Kid: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087538/ Endless Summer: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060371/ Swiss Family Robinson: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054357/ Cars: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317219/ The Grinch: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2709692/ Inside Out: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/ Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087469/ Nintendo Switch: https://www.nintendo.com/switch/ Duke Nukem: https://2k.com/games/duke-nukem/20th-anniversary/ Super Mario Bros: https://mario.nintendo.com/characters/ Mario Kart: https://mariokart8.nintendo.com/ Milo and Chip: https://www.youtube.com/@miloandchip/videos Athena Health: https://www.athenahealth.com/Alex’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOa9mS-CIuQJosh Jones-Dilworth & Culturati: https://culturati.info/—For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.comFor Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

In this engaging discussion, Chad Pytel, founder and CEO of thoughtbot and a father of two teenagers, shares his insights on blending parenting with business. He emphasizes the significance of designing household systems collaboratively to foster independence and responsibility in teenagers. Chad advocates for the importance of family rituals, like dinner together, as vital for connection. He challenges traditional screen time limits, arguing for a balanced approach that values creative use over restriction, and highlights the need for personalized parenting strategies.

Jonathan Jamil, founder and CEO of Springboard, shares his story of growing up in a two-bedroom apartment with six family members, building a business powered by stay-at-home moms, and raising two daughters while redefining what success means.In this episode, Jonathan opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, the lessons he has carried from his upbringing, and the realities of being a dad and founder at the same time. We discussed:Why work-life balance doesn’t exist: Jonathan explains why he believes balance is a myth, and instead focuses on being fully presentRedefining success as a father and founder: He shares how his definition of success shifted from chasing cars and houses to prioritizing comfort, family health, and presence.Breaking generational patterns with love: From hugs to family vacations, Jonathan reflects on how intentional affection and kindness help him parent differently than he was raised.Partnership and parenting: He talks about how he and his wife share the load, why he ignores outdated cultural norms around gender roles in parenting, and the promise he kept to support her becoming a stay-at-home mom.Why nice guys don’t finish last: Jonathan describes how leading with empathy and kindness has shaped Springboard’s culture, strengthened client trust, and fueled growth.Where to find Jonathan JamilLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jjthatcxguy/ Springboard: https://www.springboardhq.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejonathanjamil/ X: https://x.com/jjthatcxguyWhere 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) Welcome Jonathan Jamil(03:55) Starting Springboard and working with stay-at-home moms(06:41) Why Springboard never posts job listings(08:33) Building a business while raising a newborn(10:19) Why work-life balance doesn’t exist(13:27) Redefining success as a dad(14:46) Why you can’t parent alone without community(16:06) Advice to his younger self before becoming a dad(18:23) Never stop dating your wife(20:35) The power of vacation and taking breaks(24:14) His simple fatherhood framework: Show up, listen, love(26:22) Espresso-fueled speeding ticket during the colic phase(28:54) Parenting disagreements: Screen time and sugar(30:56) Tech boundaries and raising daughters in a digital world(32:55) Using AI to plan family vacations(34:39) Why “nice guys finish last” is a myth(37:14) Lightning round: Parenting wins and toy assembly failsResources from this episode:Jambys: https://www.jambys.com/Disney Store: https://www.disneystore.com/toys-plush/toys/ Lime Green Bed Sheets: https://www.amazon.com/Lime-Green-Bedding/s?k=Lime+Green+BeddingCocomelon: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbCmjCuTUZos6Inko4u57UQWreck-It Ralph: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1772341/Ratatouille: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382932/Home Alone: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099785/ The Santa Clause: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111070/Play-Doh: https://shop.hasbro.com/en-ca/play-dohToyota Sienna: https://www.toyota.com/sienna/Siqi Chen’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I2Nm5Mkj0s0Cape May: https://www.capemay.com/Ocean City: https://www.ocnj.us/Rehoboth Beach: https://www.rehobothbeachde.gov/Disney World: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/UPPAbaby: https://uppababy.com/Boppy: https://www.boppy.com/Jamby’s: https://www.jambys.com/—For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.comFor Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

In this episode of Startup Dad, I sit  down with Adam Lieb, the founder and CEO of Gamesight, a marketing technology company that helps video game studios connect with players and launch their biggest titles. Adam started his first gaming business at just 11 years old and has spent his entire career building in the industry ever since.As a dad of 11-year-old twins and husband to Camille, a lawyer who now leads the legal team at Gamesight, Adam shares what it’s like to grow a company and a family at the same time. From the challenges of raising twins to why he doesn’t believe in separating work mode from dad mode, Adam offers an honest look at the overlap of parenting and entrepreneurship. We discussed: Raising twins while building a company: Why he compares it to running three startups at once.The sleep training strategy: How it became the most important defensive move for survival with twins.Work mode vs dad mode: Why Adam believes in being the same person everywhere.AI at home: Creative ways his kids use AI for learning, projects, and fun.The mantra “show up and try”: Why presence is the foundation for leadership and parenting.Where to find Adam Lieb:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamslieb/ X: https://x.com/adamslieb Where to find Adam FishmanFishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ X: https://x.com/fishmanafInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introducing Adam Lieb(02:16) What Gamesight does and how Adam started in gaming(05:32) Raising 11-year-old twins with his wife, Camille(07:38) Running “three startups” at once: company and twins(09:34) Working with his wife inside the business(10:01) What’s unique about having twins, and why sleep training mattered(16:05) Why doesn’t Adam separate dad mode and work mode(18:30) Cheering from the baseball field while sending emails(20:13) The mantra that guides parenting and leadership: show up and try(24:30) Lessons learned since becoming a dad and mistakes along the way(26:17) The balance between coaching your kids and supporting them(29:16) Aligning with his wife on parenting philosophy(31:29) Setting limits on video games and tech at home(39:46) Raising kids with AI and creative projects they’ve built(47:16) Lightning round: indispensable products, useless gear, quirks, and dad superpowersResources From This Episode:Gamesight: https://gamesight.io/ Collapsible Wagon: a.co/d/dmFVnSI Table For Two: https://buytablefortwo.com/ Alexa: https://alexa.amazon.com/ Happy Gilmore: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116483/Happy Gilmore 2: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt31868189/ The Lord Of The Rings: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120737/ —For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.comFor Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com