

Startup Dad
Adam Fishman
Adam Fishman (author of a top business newsletter on Substack with 11K+ subscribers) interviews executives, entrepreneurs, and company leaders in technology companies who are also fathers. They discuss the tough aspects of work, parenting, family, the mistakes made and lessons learned along the way. All episodes at www.startupdadpod.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 28, 2024 • 41min
Dads and Moms Answer Questions about The Best Books for 2024, Holiday Recipes and More!
Dive into a treasure trove of book recommendations perfect for gifting this season! Discover top picks for both adults and kids that inspire growth, empathy, and connection. Enjoy delightful stories of family cooking, including a beloved holiday recipe for apple cider. The chat highlights cherished traditions and the joy of including children in the kitchen. Plus, hear humorous anecdotes about creating memorable family moments through storytelling and cooking together!

Nov 21, 2024 • 1h 3min
Fostering A Love Of Cooking In Your Kids | Martin Glover (Dad of 1, Founder of Dad What Cooks)
Martin Glover is an IT professional by day and the founder of cooking Website Dad What Cooks by night. He turned a love of bread baking, barbecuing and being the primary cook in the family into a fantastic Website and recipe guide for Dads everywhere. He’s on a mission to help Dads learn cooking skills and be more involved in the kitchen starting with making it less intimidating. In addition to his cooking pursuits and work in IT he’s also a husband and the father of one daughter (who also loves to cook). We discussed:* The origin story of Dad What Cooks* His journey from raising a newborn to becoming an empty nester* How he found community with other Dads at a young age* How he became passionate about cooking* How to get your kids interested in cooking and building memories in the kitchen* Important kitchen safety with kids* The biggest mess he’s made with his daughter* His absolute favorite recipes and core holiday dishes* What to do with all those holiday leftovers—Where to find Martin Glover* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dadwhatcooks* Website: https://www.dadwhatcooks.comWhere to find Adam Fishman* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/—In this episode, we cover:[1:38] Welcome[2:16] Professional background[3:31] Origin of Dad What Cooks[6:08] Martin’s childhood[7:02] Family now[8:41] Decision to start a family[9:08] Earliest memory of becoming a dad[10:47] Journey from newborn to empty nester[12:42] How did you find a dad’s group?[14:54] Did you cook before Dad What Cooks?[17:09] Getting kids interested in cooking[21:40] Safety in the kitchen[23:00] Building memories in the kitchen[24:09] Biggest mess in the kitchen[25:43] Most surprising things as a dad[26:41] Advice for younger Martin[28:07] Advice to ignore[29:04] Absolute favorite recipe[30:19] Basic tips for cooking as a family[35:40] Core holiday dishes[37:04] What do do with leftovers[39:49] Mastering BBQ & bread[45:34] Most important utensils to have[46:24] Kitchen guilty pleasure[47:41] Where he and his partner don’t align?[49:27] Kid’s relationship to technology[52:22] Mistake as a dad[53:34] Follow along[54:36] Lightning round—Show references:How To Actually Build Lasting Memories With Your Kids, Tod Francis on Startup Dad: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-actually-build-lasting-memories-with-your-kids/id1693312339?i=1000656304243Great British Baking Show: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1877368/Halloumi Fries Recipe: https://www.dadwhatcooks.com/ultimate-kfc-style-halloumi-fries/Boxing Day: https://www.britannica.com/topic/Boxing-DayYorkshire Puddings: https://www.food.com/recipe/gordon-ramsays-yorkshire-pudding-424498Ninja Foodie: https://www.ninjakitchen.com/page/pressure-multi-cookers?srsltid=AfmBOorQ710y6UY5FSM0lUSfSvRmX0a7c67qMFcmz02Lpp5vpp3Nba69Garlic Press: https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Dishwasher-Efficient-Crusher-Imperial/dp/B098WNQ44MPasta Maker: https://www.amazon.com/Adjustable-Thickness-Settings-Spaghetti-Fettuccini/dp/B07HB2KL4CDiaper Genie: https://diapergenie.com/You're Pregnant Too,Mate!: The Essential Guide for Expectant Fathers By Gavin Rodgers: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/youre-pregnant-toomate-the-essential-guide-for-expectant-fathers-gavin-rodgersWhere you send your kid’s artwork to make a book - Artkive: https://www.artkiveapp.com/Spongebob Movie: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0345950/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1Goonies:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089218The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095705/Airplane!: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080339/Only Fools and Horses: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0081912/—For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://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

Nov 14, 2024 • 60min
The Ultimate Guide To Children's Books | Bianca Schulze (Mom of 3, Author, Children's Book Review)
Bianca Schulze, founder and editor of The Children’s Book Review, shares her insights as a literacy advocate and author of the 'Don't Wake the Dragon' series. She discusses how to raise readers at home, offering valuable tips for nurturing a love of literacy within families. Bianca also shares her top book recommendations for 2024 and reflects on the significance of diverse literature. Additionally, she emphasizes supporting local bookstores and balances her roles as an author and mom, blending humor with heartfelt parenting anecdotes.

Nov 7, 2024 • 58min
Helping Kids Discover Passions Without Pushing Too Hard | Carlo Navarro (Dad of 5, Fractional Exec)
Carlo Navarro is a fractional executive and father of five, blending a career in startups with parenting. He shares insights on helping kids find their passions without imposing parental expectations. Carlo humorously navigates the chaos of taking family photos while managing health challenges in a large household. He emphasizes the importance of emotional dialogue, managing technology use, and balancing support for children's individual interests. His experiences highlight the joys and complexities of modern parenting.

Oct 30, 2024 • 57min
Turning Divorce, Alcoholism And Violence Into Dadversity | Nathan Jefferson (Dad of 2, Founder of Dadversity)
Nathan Jefferson, a father of two and the founder of Dadversity, shares his transformative journey from a troubled upbringing with abusive stepfathers to becoming a supportive dad and entrepreneur. He dives into the importance of building strong father-child bonds through community initiatives. Nathan discusses balancing business ambitions with family life and the emotional toll of fostering connections among dads. His insights reveal how personal struggles can fuel a mission to empower others, ensuring they break the cycle of hardship.

Oct 24, 2024 • 1h 5min
Teaching Your Kids Cultural Empathy And Understanding | Phil Carter (Dad of 2, Growth Advisor)
Phil Carter, a consumer subscription growth expert and father of two, shares insights on fostering cultural empathy in kids. He discusses the unique challenges of parenting during the pandemic and the joys of international travel with children. Phil highlights the significance of family meetings for enhancing communication and connection. He also emphasizes the importance of protecting couple time amidst parenting chaos, offering a glimpse into his family's journey to Tanzania and the cultural lessons learned along the way.

Oct 17, 2024 • 57min
Fighting Off The 'Should Gremlins' | Rob Taylor (Dad of 4, Coach, Founder of Dads in Business)
In this engaging discussion, Rob Taylor, a growth advisor and father of four, shares his journey in establishing the Dads in Business community. He opens up about the loneliness new dads often face and dives into the concept of 'should gremlins'—the societal pressures that create guilt around parenting. Rob emphasizes the importance of personal agreements within families and highlights the need for better resources for fathers. He also shares impactful stories from his community, showcasing the power of connection among dads.

Oct 10, 2024 • 1h 9min
Leveraging FOMO to be Present and Purposeful | Michael Perry (Dad of 2, Founder and CEO, Maple)
Michael Perry is a serial founder and entrepreneur. He is currently the founder and CEO of Maple, an all-in-one app that helps parents get and stay organized. Prior to Maple he founded Live For Fame, Giving and Kit which he led for 6 years before selling to Shopify and then continuing with them for another four years. He was early in the leveraging AI to transform marketing for small businesses. Michael is also a husband and the father of two children. In our conversation today we discussed:* Remote work as a founder and parent* His thoughts on Amazon’s return-to-work policies* The feelings that arose for him when becoming a father* Advice he’d give his younger self* Decision-making frameworks to make the best use of his time* What it means to leverage FOMO to be present and purposeful* How having kids changed him as a founder and a manager* The relationship he wants his kids to have with technology—Where to find Michael Perry* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlperry/* X: https://twitter.com/michaelperry* Maple: https://growmaple.com/Where to find Adam Fishman* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/—In this episode, we cover:[1:43] Welcome Michael[2:33] Professional background[13:51] Maple[23:01] How he met partner and their decision to have kids[28:29] IVF journey[32:57] Earliest memory of becoming a dad[36:53] FOMO[40:37] Amazon’s return to office policy[46:51] Frameworks[51:17] Area where you and partner don’t align?[55:07] Kids' relationship to technology?[1:02:06] Where to follow along with Michael’s journey[1:03:18] Lightning round[1:08:32] Thank you—Show references:Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/Shopify: https://www.shopify.com/Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/?ref=lgoBigCommerce: https://www.bigcommerce.com/Madison, Maine: https://www.madisonmaine.com/Santa Barbara, CA: https://santabarbaraca.com/IVF: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/about/pac-20384716Snoo: https://www.amazon.com/SNOO-Smart-Sleeper-Happiest-Baby/dp/B0716KN18ZFrozen: https://frozen.disney.com/Spiderman and his Amazing Friends: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0083481/Star Wars: https://www.starwars.com/—For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://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

Oct 3, 2024 • 57min
Don’t Wait Until It’s Convenient | Sean Ellis (Dad of 2, Author, Advisor, Founder, Growth Phenom)
Sean Ellis, an author and founder, shares his wisdom on balancing parenting with a successful career. He discusses maintaining strong relationships with his daughters through their teenage years and into adulthood. Highlighting his philosophy of taking action over waiting for convenience, he touches on navigating challenges like autoimmune disorders and depression. Sean also explores the balance between allowing kids independence and knowing when to step in. His insights from coaching youth soccer reveal parallels in leadership and parenting, making for an enlightening conversation.

Sep 26, 2024 • 1h 2min
The Historical Changes Happening To Fatherhood Right Now | Dan Doty (Dad of 3, Fatherhood Unlocked)
Dan Doty is the founder of Fatherhood Unlocked – a company that is helping Dads win at work, build deeper family connections and thrive in relationships. He’s also a writer, wilderness guide and has been an inner city high school teacher. Through his work Dan is at the forefront of the global men’s movement to help Dads be better at all aspects of life. His most recent project, Fatherhood Ready, is a course and community that helps prepare men for fatherhood. He’s also a husband and the father of three kids! In our conversation today we discussed:* The exciting and historical changes in the role of fatherhood* Why the role of fatherhood is changing* The differences between how we were raised by our fathers and how they were raised by theirs* The transition into fatherhood as a rite of passage* Parenting in the time of great technical and societal change* All about Fatherhood Ready and what it means to prepare for fatherhood—Where to find Dan Doty* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-doty-18a50719/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodunlocked/* Fatherhood Unlocked: https://www.fatherhoodunlocked.com/Where to find Adam Fishman* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/—In this episode, we cover:[1:48] Welcome[2:10] Dan’s Professional background[4:24] Most surprising aspect of your work?[6;38] Childhood and destiny[9:58] Balancing of bonding & wilderness[12:03] Dan’s life now[14:20] Their decision to start a family[20:24] What is driving this historical change?[23:08] Dan’s wife as a spiritual guide and intuitive[25:14] Sense of “fit”[26:52] Earliest memory of becoming a dad[29:09] Differences in emotion from kid to kid[30:29] Rite of passage into fatherhood[35:37] Advice to younger Dan[37:48] Advice to ignore?[38:37] Fav book to read to kids?[40:34] Frameworks[43:46] Area where you and partner don’t align?[44:26] Role of fatherhood in this time?[48:16] What’d he give up to be a father?[50:25] How does he recharge his batteries?[52:00] Mistake as a father?[54:04] How does he recover when losing his temper?[57:07] Where to find Dan[58:53] Lightning round[1:01:11] Thank you—Show references:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodunlocked/Fatherhood Unlocked: https://www.fatherhoodunlocked.com/Fatherhood Ready: https://www.fatherhoodready.com/Meat Eater: https://www.netflix.com/title/80126646Evryman: https://evryman.com/RIchard Reeves: https://richardvreeves.com/REI: https://www.rei.com/Match.com: match.comAnthony Bourdain: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Bourdain0.0 Productions: https://zeropointzero.com/Will To Change by Bell Hooks: https://bellhooksbooks.com/product/the-will-to-change/Jason Mraz: https://jasonmraz.com/Martha’s Vineyard: https://www.mvy.com/Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.htmlMoana: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521164/Princess Bride: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093779/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_the%2520princess%2520brideMaine: https://www.maine.gov/portal/index.html—For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://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