Tom Willerer, COO at Reforge and father of two teenagers, shares insights on parenting as a team sport, raising responsible teenagers, letting kids make their own decisions, and putting your partner's needs above your own. He discusses his journey into tech, starting a family, managing kids and career, and the challenges of having a limited support network.

Ryan Johson is the Chief Product Officer at CallRail a marketing and AI technology company. He was an early pioneer in the AI industry doing fascinating work on computer vision for anomaly detection in videos and images. Ryan is a husband and father of two kids and a fellow Midwesterner.In this episode we discuss:His Midwestern upbringing and the work ethic that instilled in himThe challenges of maintaining friendships with parents who have kids at different ages than yoursThe worst parenting advice he's ever receivedHow to foster interests in his kids without coming on too strongHow he and his wife navigated the decision for one of them to step back from the workforce during the pandemicMuckle-Wells Syndrome - his daughter's rare autoinflammatory disease and the process for figuring it out and getting her treatmentMistakes he's made as a dad and lessons learned—Where to find Ryan Johnson- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandjohnson/- Twitter (aka X): https://twitter.com/rydavidjohnson Where to find Adam Fishman- Newsletter: https://www.fishmanafnewsletter.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/- Twitter (aka X): https://twitter.com/fishmanaf- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/—In this episode, we cover:[1:47] Ryan's professional background[5:56] Ryan's Midwestern childhood[8:54] His family's influence on his career[10:30] How he met wife and an introduction to his kids[11:45] Maintaining friendships with parents of different aged kids[14:20] Worst parenting advice he's ever received[16:05] About Becky, his wife[18:00] Why his wife stepped back from work during the pandemic and the conversation around that decision[23:00] Their decision to start a family[24:08] His earliest memory of being a dad[26:04] The most surprising parts of being a dad[27:46] Which of his kids are like him or his wife[28:23] Fostering kid’s interests in art, sports and other creative pursuits[32:08] His daughter’s auto inflammatory disease[41:44] Where he and his wife don’t align sometimes[43:44] Sacrifices he's made as a parent[46:12] His version of work/life balance[48:50] Mistakes made and lessons learned as a dad[51:00] Rapid fire round—Show references:Oracle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_CorporationChatGPT: https://chat.openai.comGeneral Motors: https://www.gm.com/University of Michigan: https://umich.edu/Albion College: https://www.albion.edu/Muckle-Wells Syndrom: https://rarediseases.org/rare-diseases/muckle-wells-syndrome/Mario Kart: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mario_KartCallRail: https://www.callrail.com/The NoseFrida: https://frida.com/products/nosefridaSaginaw, Michigan: https://www.saginaw-mi.com/—Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.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

Ben Williams, VP Product at Snyk, discusses the stigma of therapy in the UK, his experiences with racism, meeting his wife on a dating app, the challenges and joys of being a dad, growing up in a strict household, the rollercoaster of fatherhood, and the differences in parenting between the UK and the States. Hilarious stories about birthing class are also shared.

In this special, 10th episode I interviewed husband and wife team Josh Herzig-Marx and Carla Naumburg, PhD. Josh is a product executive and coach, a former VP of Product, founder and ex-Googler. He is also the "default" parent to two teenagers having chosen to step back as Carla leaned more into the workforce as a best-selling parenting book author. Carla is a clinical social worker and mother. She’s the author of four non-fiction books, including her international bestseller, How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids (Workman, 2019), as well as You Are Not a Sh*tty Parent, and the forthcoming How to Stop Freaking Out, the (completely swear-free) middle-grade adaptation of How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids.  In this episode we discuss:Transition stages for kids and puberty during the pandemicThe argument that led to their decision to start a familyIVF and fertilityHow you can't learn to be a parent from a pamphletUnderstanding privilege and balance as a parentTheir decision for Josh to be the default parentWhether you're in Teen or Tween mode and what to doParenting FrameworksWhat it means to be a good parentRapid fire!—Where to find Josh Herzig-Marx- Twitter (aka X): https://twitter.com/herzigma- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuaherzigmarx/ Where to find Carla Naumburg- Carla's Website: https://www.carlanaumburg.com/- Carla's Books: https://www.carlanaumburg.com/books/ Where to find Adam Fishman- Newsletter: https://www.fishmanafnewsletter.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/- Twitter (aka X): https://twitter.com/fishmanaf- Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fishmanaf—In this episode, we cover:[2:10] Personal background[4:36] How did you meet?[6:54] Family/kids[8:12] Kid’s transition stages/puberty[11:46] Decision to start a family[15:30] IVF[19:04] Earliest memories of becoming a parent[24:04] Work/life balance[26:05] Privilege[31:50] Being the default parent[38:28] Teen vs. Tween mode[39:18] Parenting frameworks[48:20] What is a good parent/unconditional love[52:52] Rapid fire round—Show references:You're Not a Sh*tty Parent: https://www.carlanaumburg.com/books/youre-not-a-shtty-parent/ How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t With Your Kids: https://www.carlanaumburg.com/books/how-to-stop-losing-your-sht-with-your-kids/ Ready, Set, Breathe: https://www.carlanaumburg.com/books/ready-set-breathe/ All of Carla's Books: https://www.carlanaumburg.com/books/ —Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.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

Matt Greenberg is a product and engineering executive and was most recently the CTO at Reforge. He was previously the VP of Engineering at Credit Karma. Matt is a husband and father of three boys and one dog. In this episode we discuss:Matt's father being his hero and the wisdom he gained from himThe work required in raising three boysThe decision to have a third kidWhat to do when you get a phone call that your kid has wandered off in the neighborhoodAn exciting home birth experience involving the fire departmentThe exponential growth of love after having kidsParenting three kids and starting Reforge during the pandemicHaving an autistic son and getting him diagnosedAssessments, IEPs, and other support for autistic kids—Where to find Matt Greenberg- Twitter (aka X): https://twitter.com/matt_muffin- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattgreenberg/ Where to find Adam Fishman- Newsletter: https://www.fishmanafnewsletter.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/- Twitter (aka X): https://twitter.com/fishmanaf- Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fishmanaf—In this episode, we cover:[1:58] Matt's background[3:53] Current life/Reforge/Engineering Leaders[5:44] Matt's childhood[7:03] Random funny parenting stories[8:24] Matt's parents[10:27] Advice from Matt's Dad[12:44] Matt's partner and how they met[14:00] All about Matt's kids[14:26] Their decision to have kids[17:37] Who is in charge of the dog[19:16] Earliest memory of Fatherhood and a wild home birth experience[24:15] His most surprising thing as a Dad[27:24] Managing three kids during Covid with his partner[31:24] Autism[37:20] Advocacy/IEPs/supporting your Autistic child and parenting frameworks[53:45] Where he's not always 100% aligned with his partner[58:56] Rapid fire —Show references:How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish - https://www.amazon.com/How-Talk-Kids-Will-Listen/dp/0380811960/ The Birth Partner, by Penni Simkin - https://www.amazon.com/Birth-Partner-5th-Childbirth-Companions/dp/1558329102/—Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.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

Mike Duboe is a General Partner at Greylock, one of the most well-known venture firms in Silicon Valley. Prior to that he was a Growth leader at Stitch Fix through their IPO and Tilt which was acquired by AirBnB. He is a husband and the father of two kids. In this episode we discuss:Cultural influences from his grandparents and parentsGetting into alignment on the right time to have kidsHaving your second kid 2 months into the pandemic!Building resiliency in your familyThe ongoing challenge of balancing with two working parentsCreating constraints to prioritize your timeHow to make time for your spouseBeing the social chair of your marriageWhat he'd do differently if they had a third kid—Where to find Mike Duboe- Twitter (aka X): https://twitter.com/mduboe- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeduboe/ Where to find Adam Fishman:- Newsletter: https://www.fishmanafnewsletter.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/- Twitter (aka X): https://twitter.com/fishmanaf- Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fishmanaf—In this episode, we cover:[1:50] Mike’s Background [7:54] Key Differences Between Growth and Venture[11:15] Mike’s childhood and upbringing  [14:46] Mike’s wife and kids[16:58] Aligning on the time to start a family [19:36] His earliest fatherhood memories[21:31] Most surprising part about being a dad [24:08] The ongoing challenge of balancing the lives of two working parents[28:25] Frameworks for parenting [30:30] Disagreements on parenting philosophy [33:22] Having your second kid at the start of the pandemic[35:38] Biggest mistakes made as a father [37:15] Rapid fire round[41:41] Parting words —Show references:Bill Murray-Lost in translation: https://youtu.be/eNK7N3AwVFQGreylock: https://greylock.com/—Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.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

Darius Contractor, CGO at Otter.ai, shares insights on parenting, sacrifices, and watching kids' first experiences. From career influences to family decisions, he reflects on frameworks for parenting and acknowledging mistakes. A candid discussion on freak out moments, successes, and disagreements with partners rounds off this episode.

Brian Balfour is the founder and CEO of Reforge, former VP of Growth at Hubspot, and a venture partner at Long Journey Ventures. He is one of the foremost experts on Growth and also a husband and the father of two young kids. In this episode we discuss:His parents opinion of his professionOther family members' influence on his entrepreneurial spiritHis decision to start a family and whether he took to fatherhood right awayThe tragedy of losing his first child at birth and challenges of conceivingHow to protect your time as a CEO and a fatherBrian's frameworks for parentingHow to align with your partnerLife during the pandemic with a partner who is a nurse, young kids and a fast-growing startup—Where to find Brian Balfour- Twitter: https://twitter.com/bbalfour- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bbalfour/- Personal Website: https://www.brianbalfour.com Where to find Adam Fishman:- Newsletter: https://www.fishmanafnewsletter.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/fishmanaf- Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fishmanaf—In this episode, we cover:[1:40] Intros[2:06] Professional background[3:28] Personal background[6:38] Parents' opinion of his career[9:33] Uncle’s influence on his entrepreneurial spirit[11:59] About his family[14:39] Decision to start a family[18:07] Whether or not he took to Fatherhood right away[18:30] Losing a child at birth[21:29] The “Instagramification” of parenting[22:52] Parenting reality check[25:26] Most surprising thing about Fatherhood?[28:08] How to protect your time as a parent and a CEO[30:21] More discussion of losing a child and Brian's coping strategies[37:09] Parenting frameworks[41:34] Aligning as a couple[45:11] Life during pandemic[48:58] Rapid fire round—Show references - www.reforge.com- H.A.N.D. - Helping After Neonatal Death—Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.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

Fareed Mosavat is Chief Development Officer at Reforge, former Director of Product at Slack, Instacart, Zynga and more. He's a husband and father of two teenagers (!). In this episode we discuss:Lessons from being raised by his MomHis decision to start a familyEarliest memories of being a DadRegrets he's had as a fatherTweens vs. Teens and which is worseEstablishing family guard railsWhat he and his wife don't agree onHilarious rapid-fire round—Where to find Fareed Mosavat- Twitter: https://twitter.com/far33d- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fareed/ Where to find Adam Fishman:- Newsletter: https://www.fishmanafnewsletter.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/fishmanaf- Threads: https://www.threads.net/@fishmanaf—In this episode, we cover:[1:35] Introductions[2:25] What is a CDO?[5:19] Fareed’s career background[8:19] Childhood[11:04] Lessons from Mom[13:49] How he met his partner[16:36] Their decision to start a family[20:51] More about his wife[21:39] Earliest memories of being a Dad[27:50] Work/life balance and a career story[32:33] Regrets[36:38] Tweens vs. Teens and which is worse[39:46] Establishing family guard rails[43:44] Where he and his partner don't agree[46:23] Rapid fire round—Companies referenced: www.reforge.comProduction support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.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

Buster Benson is Principle Product Manager at Medium, the platform creating a new model for digital publishing. He a published author of the book Why Are We Yelling? The Art of Productive Disagreements, the founder of 750Words, and most importantly the father of two boys. In this episode we discuss:Joining and leaving companies in pursuit of being a better fatherStarting a family while being broke with no insuranceHome birthingHaving a kid who doesn't sleep for more than 30 minutes at a timeSeparation and divorceHow to talk to your kids about divorceMaintaining an amicable relationship with your ex and connection to your kids—Where to find Buster Benson:- Twitter: https://twitter.com/buster - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/busterbenson/- 750 Words: https://750words.com/- Amazon: Why Are We Yelling? Where to find Adam Fishman:- Newsletter: https://www.fishmanafnewsletter.com- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/fishmanaf—In this episode, we cover:[1:26] Introduction[2:30] Background[6:22] Decision to start a family[7:49] Homebirth[9:28] Homebirth community[11:06] About Buster’s kids[12:47] Why parenting is hard[14:40] Buster’s earliest fatherhood memories[17:53] Surprising fatherhood things[19:45] External pressure[21:45] Frameworks for parenting[24:14] ADHD/Diagnosis[25:13] The story of his separation and divorce[28:43] Telling the kids about their separation[31:04] Advice for separation[34:46] Agreements in parenting[36:42] Managing complex demands[39:46] Mistakes in fatherhood[43:33] Rapid fire round—Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.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