Startup Dad

Dr. Emilio Galán is a former medical student, entrepreneur, and now a full-time stay-at-home dad. He took a drastic turn in his career, moving from building a successful AI-driven company to focusing on family life after stepping away from the startup world. Dr. Galán shares how he navigated autoimmune health challenges, the difficult decision to leave his medical career behind, and the challenges of being a stay-at-home parent to his young children. We discussed:The pivot from entrepreneurship to fatherhood: Dr. Emilio Galán’s decision to leave his startup career behind and become a stay-at-home dad after stepping away from his company.Balancing health challenges with career demands: How Dr. Galán manages four autoimmune conditions and the toll his previous career took on his body.Building a family-first life: The struggles and rewards of becoming a full-time parent to two young children and how this shift allowed him to reconnect with his family.The philosophy of “Wipe the Butt”: Dr. Galán explains his approach to parenting, teaching responsibility, and maintaining boundaries while staying emotionally available to his kids.Finding contentment in the "dopamine desert": How Dr. Galán adjusted to life without the constant hustle of the startup world and learned to find joy in small, everyday moments.Self-care as a priority: How Dr. Galán incorporates practices like flexibility exercises and the Happy Body method to manage his physical and mental well-being while raising his kids.Where to find Dr. Emilio GalánLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliogalan/ X: https://x.com/emilio_galanWhere 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) Welcome Dr. Emilio Galán, former co-founder of Robin Healthcare, now a stay at home dad(03:03) Early life and aspirations of becoming a doctor(06:12) The struggles and realities of medical school(09:04) Founding Robin: the start of his entrepreneurial journey(12:51) Transitioning from startup life to stay-at-home dad(17:26) Finding balance: self-care, family, and health(21:16) Navigating parenthood, resentment, and expectations(31:51) Advice for founders who are parents(37:43) The long-awaited family project: creating meaningful work(38:49) Understanding emotions, needs, and communication(39:34) Creative expression and setting requests in parenting(42:21) Celebrating personal growth and change as a dad(43:55) Contrarian take: why shyness doesn’t exist(47:08) Contrarian take: the “Wipe the Butt” philosophy(50:51) The taco episode: a parenting breakdown moment(58:21) Lightning round: parenting insights and funny dad momentsResources From This Episode:The Happy Body Method: https://thehappybody.com/the-happy-body-program/ Jordan Peterson: https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com/Gabor Maté: https://drgabormate.com/Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: https://www.selfleadership.org/Nonviolent Communication: https://www.cnvc.org/Alexa: https://alexa.amazon.com/Google Home: https://store.google.com/us/product/google_home Land Before Time (Fil): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100507/Jumanji (1995) (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113497/Dead Poets Society (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097165/Patch Adams (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129290/Frida Baby (Butt Frida): https://www.fridababy.com/products/windi-the-wind-reliever Frida Baby (Nose Frida): https://www.fridababy.com/products/nosefrida-the-snot-sucker —Support Startup DadFor sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Michael Goodbody, a former marketing executive at Robinhood, has traded the corporate world for global adventures, homeschooling his kids while traveling through 21 countries. He discusses the challenges and joys of teaching in unique settings, like a beach in French Polynesia. Michael reflects on redefining success by prioritizing happiness over grades, and he shares his thoughts on parenting far from family and managing work-life balance. He also reveals unexpected joys and insights gained from this enriching journey.

Andrew Song is the co-founder of Make Sunsets, a climate startup working to slow global warming by deploying reflective aerosols in the stratosphere. A longtime startup operator, Andrew has spent his career taking contrarian paths, from early work in AI to now building one of the most debated climate interventions in the world. At Make Sunsets, he focuses on translating complex science into practical action, raising capital through unconventional channels, and pushing forward a mission-driven company designed to buy humanity time as temperatures rise.But Andrew’s most demanding role is being a full-time single dad to his two young sons. After gaining sole custody due to their mother’s struggles with bipolar disorder, Andrew has learned to navigate parenting, entrepreneurship, and mental health advocacy all at once. Living in the Bay Area near extended family, he relies on community, resilience, and regimented prioritization to raise his boys while building a startup on hard mode. We discussed: Why climate change became personal: How Andrew’s motivation to cool the planet is rooted in building a safer future for his kids.Building a startup on hard mode: What it’s like to raise venture capital, run a climate company, and be a full-time single dad at the same time.Navigating mental health and custody: Andrew’s experience gaining sole custody of his sons and why normalizing conversations around mental illness matters.Creating a village of support: How living near family and leaning on community makes single parenting and entrepreneurship possible.Choosing purpose over comfort: Why Andrew believes it’s possible to live modestly in the Bay Area while prioritizing meaningful work.Raising resilient, curious kids: From RV road trips to using AI as a learning tool, how Andrew encourages independence, curiosity, and grit at home.Where to find Andrew SongLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajsong/ Twitter: https://x.com/ASong408Where 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 Andrew Song, co-founder at Make Sunsets(02:25) What Make Sunsets does and why Andrew started the company(04:05) How reflective aerosols work to cool the planet(07:01) Funding climate tech through individual “climate dads”(09:04) From AI to climate intervention: Andrew’s unconventional career path(10:49) Almost becoming a Catholic priest and choosing fatherhood instead(13:27) Gaining sole custody and navigating parenting amid mental illness(17:36) Explaining a parent’s absence to young children with honesty(19:28) The isolation of being a single-dad-founder and seeking community(20:47) Building a startup while raising two kids alone(23:24) Living modestly in the Bay Area on a startup salary(30:06) Relying on family support and rebuilding the “village”(35:55) Traveling the West Coast in an RV with toddlers(45:37) Lightning round: Legos, road trips, AI, and minivansResources From This Episode:Make Sunsets: https://www.makesunsets.com/Termination Shock - Neal Stephenson: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57094295-termination-shockTerraform Industries: https://www.terraformindustries.com/Y Combinator: https://www.ycombinator.com/Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/ChatGPT: https://chat.openai.com/Sora: https://openai.com/soraAlva Learning App (Educational app used by Andrew’s kids): https://www.alvalearning.com/Scale AI: https://scale.com/Monarch Money (Personal finance app Andrew references): https://www.monarchmoney.com/World Book Encyclopedia: https://www.worldbook.com/Doom: https://doom.com/Pinocchio: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1488589/Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/Joshua Tree National Park: https://www.nps.gov/jotr/index.htmiPad: https://www.apple.com/ipad/—Support Startup DadFor sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

This special episode looks back at the most powerful moments from Startup Dad in 2025. Host Adam Fishman reflects on a year of raw, honest conversations with 46 founders, operators, and leaders who are also Dads (and sometimes, Moms) navigating the chaos of startup life while raising families.From redefining balance and sharing mental load to leading through crises and building parenting systems that actually work, this episode captures the hard-earned wisdom from a community trying to do both: build companies and raise kids without losing their minds. We discussed: What balance really means: Why Startup Dad guests reject work-life balance in favor of integration, trade-offs, and showing up fully wherever they are.Systems that protect what matters: From calendar blocks to structured rituals, the frameworks Dads use to stay present and sane.Raising resilient kids: Why letting kids fail, struggle, and make decisions is key to building confidence and grit.Mental load and invisible work: How Dads are learning to share not just chores, but the cognitive labor of running a household – and how far we still have to go.Building true partnerships: What it takes to communicate clearly, divide responsibilities, and support each other in parenting and work.Letting kids lead: From college choices to daily decisions; why modern fatherhood means preparing kids to own their path.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) Startup Dad’s biggest year yet and what’s coming next(02:12) Why balance is a myth and integration is the goal(09:23) Letting kids struggle so they grow stronger(13:54) When everything falls apart and you keep going anyway(21:55) What it really means to be the lead parent(25:41) The invisible work that’s burning parents out(30:05) Tech boundaries that actually work at home(37:37) Guardrails for parenting when you’re tired and overwhelmed(44:31) Becoming a dad doesn’t happen all at once(47:05) Helping your kid own their journey after high school(50:09) Making marriage and startups work at the same time(52:10) Why you need a village (even if it’s a group chat)Support Startup DadFor sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

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.