Wed, Jan 29, 2020
You might be known as "sir" to your subordinates, "doc" to your patients, or "officer" to the person you're handcuffing. But to your kids, you're just plain old "dad"... even when you're on the big screen opposite Luke Wilson or expertly throwing knives on The Island. In Episode 7, we chat with veteran actor Terry O'Quinn about his on screen roles, as well as the role he didn't have to audition for: Hunter and Oliver's dad.
Wed, May 20, 2020
How do you define creativity? If we encourage our kids to be creative, will they be more successful later in life? Adam and Marc explore the topic of creativity with Chris Ballew, lead singer of Presidents of the United States of America, creator of Caspar Babypants, and, dare we say, friend of the show. Also, the trials of talking to our kids about how to say no when something feels off. And what was Marc's childhood buffoonery that should have cursed him with gingivitis for life?
Thu, Jun 18, 2020
Whether it's singing your heart out on stage or spending an afternoon smashing rocks into a lake with a Wiffle ball bat, our kids learn valuable lessons when they see their dad immersed in something he loves. To kick off Father's Day weekend, the guys share the qualities of a solid Father's Day, and Marc waxes philosophical about the values he took away from his own father's woodworking hobby. They welcome legendary musician, dad, and all-around soulful human being, Martin Sexton onto the show and have a marvelous conversation about passion, soul, heartbreak, and fatherhood. And we learn to stay away from the throw pillows at the Flaherty house.
Wed, Jul 29, 2020
Imagine, if you will, you're a young Latino man in your late twenties living in Los Angeles. You've just had your first child and you're pounding the pavement, working your ass off to land any acting gig you can get. And then one day the telephone rings, and the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself... three thousand miles away. That's the beginning of Emilio Delgado's journey as both a father and an esteemed actor best known for portraying the beloved Luis Rodriguez on Sesame Street. Emilio joins us on Modern Dadhood to discuss being a father to his son, stepsons, and adopted daughter-and a role model and father figure to millions of kids across the world.
Thu, Oct 22, 2020
We all have them: Those kids' books we were gifted or we picked up on a whim because the title was intriguing or the characters were familiar. But then we crack them open, and BAM- total schlock. With the sheer amount of content for children out there, it's increasingly difficult to find the good stuff; the content that inspires wonder. The types of shows, movies, and books WE remember loving as kids. Jon Klassen, father of two and celebrated author and illustrator of I Want My Hat Back, joins us to talk about his thoughts on creating books that kids and parents love. Stick around for the end, where Marc, Adam, and their kids fire off some personal book endorsements and condemnations.
Thu, Dec 31, 2020
Let me guess: You thought it was SOOO unlikely that 2020 would serve up not one, but TWO hilarious fatherhood-themed podcasts... didn't you, you Doubting Thomas, you? If 2020 has demonstrated nothing else, it's that anything is possible. In Modern Dadhood's first anniversary episode, we welcome comedian and fellow podcaster Rory Scovel of Dads: The Podcast. We laugh, we laugh, and we wax philosophical on the role of the dad and why this fatherhood conversation is important. Also, our final "Confessions" of the year.
Thu, Jan 14, 2021
A Day-Glo orange splatter of paint. A geyser of green slime. A seductive forearm tattoo named Petunia. If this doesn't conjure up some serious nostalgia, you either weren't a kid in the 90s, or your mom banned you from watching Nickelodeon. We invited Nick veteran and new dad Danny Tamberelli to the podcast to chat about growing up in the spotlight and how fatherhood is treating him 19 months into his journey. Tune in to find out whether Danny and Adam have actually been cosmically linked ever since one fateful day in 1997 at Universal Studios. Also, Marc exclaims profanities as he is doused with bodily fluids.
Thu, Mar 25, 2021
Sometimes, two people fall in love and choose to get married, one or both of those people have young children from a previous relationship, and a wonderful new blended family is formed. But it's not always so clear cut. Enter Sean Carrillo, a media maker, technical director, writer, former-famous-coffee-shop-owner, and family man. Sean also happens to be the stepfather of accomplished musician Beck and artistic polymath Channing Hansen. Sean joins the Modern Dadhood conversation to discuss his family of artists, and how his parenting experience has felt a lot like hanging out with a group of friends. Also, find out why Marc's wife is less than thrilled with her doctors.
Thu, Jun 17, 2021
Parents are teachers. Even those of us without degree in education. Our children are constantly observing us and learning from our behaviors, personalities, and how we navigate adventures, crises, relationships, and life in general. Musician, activist, and rockstar dad Ben Lee joins the conversation for a deep dive on fatherhood, leading by example, and promoting a love for lifelong learning to our children. Plus, Marc recalls a time he got the flop sweats, and Adam's children drive him to literally question his very sanity.
Thu, Jul 1, 2021
In part two of the conversation, Adam and Marc jump back into things with Ben Lee after pausing while he fields a phone call from a child in distress. The. Dadding. Never. Stops. From there, the guys explore a willingness to discuss heavy topics, leading by example, the importance of balancing skill with intuition, and speaking to the kid inside the grown-up... really, a little bit of everything. Finally, stick around to the end to hear about Marc's new musical side project: Stuffed Animal.
Thu, Jul 29, 2021
Have you ever sat down to interview one of your parents? It's not always an easy task-even for someone who interviews influential people for a living. Adam and Marc welcome guest Craig Melvin, father of two and acclaimed news anchor/personality on Dateline NBC and The Today Show, to discuss his new book "Pops: Learning To Be A Son And A Father." Listen to the end of the episode for a round of "Confessions."
Thu, Dec 16, 2021
When Brady Smith takes something on, he goes all in on it. Whether it's raising his two children, being a devoted husband, designing and painting a 12 foot wide mural, or keeping an illustrated journal EVERY DAY for 20 years, Brady gives it 100%. Adam and Marc talk with Brady-an artist, actor, and author-about his latest endeavor: creating a fun-filled action-adventure graphic novel series complete with secret portals and a bear-sized hamster. After the interview, stick around to hear Marc's latest Instant Regret.
Thu, Feb 3, 2022
Becoming a new parent can be a special kind of mayhem. Add a global pandemic into the mix, and the chaos of the first few months are elevated to a new level. But depending on your situation, those challenges may be coupled with opportunity. In Episode 59, podcaster, producer, actor, and all around creative human, Matt Gourley, joins the conversation to discuss the joys, challenges, and insanity of new fatherhood-and how this shift has helped him discover some new perspective on what's truly important.
Thu, Mar 17, 2022
There's no definitive guidebook to parenthood. (It would sure be a lot easier if there were though, huh?) In episode 62, Adam and Marc wax lyrical with comedian, actor, writer, fellow podcaster, and dad Chris Gethard about toddler poop, fatherhood fears, vulnerability, and destigmatizing mental illness. With Chris' essay Dad On Pills serving as a guidepost, the conversation explores Chris' determination to normalize the conversation around mental health. After, Marc shares a mildly macabre incident in the segment "Did I Just Say That Out Loud?" This interview with Chris Gethard is part one of two.
Thu, Mar 31, 2022
How do you prepare for the day when your toddler is old enough to uncover a part of you that they didn't know existed? Comedian, writer, podcaster, and dad Chris Gethard opens up candidly about his fear of this inevitable day in this second half of our our interview. Be sure to listen for a heart warming surprise during the conversation. After, Adam ruminates on a recent "Instant Regret" involving a beloved doll we'll call "Baby Baby." This interview with Chris Gethard is part two of two.
Thu, May 5, 2022
To some, addressing the question "what is masculinity?" is just about as intimidating as it gets. Where do you even start? Is masculinity about being strong? Brave? Physically fit? From the moment we're born we are shaped to some degree by the traditional notion of what it means to be "masculine." As dads, how do we model or communicate healthy masculinity to our sons? Comedian Michael Ian Black has spent a LOT of time thinking about this, and has become something of a thought leader on the topic. Not only has he written books about it, including 2020's "A Better Man," an open letter to his college-bound son Elijah, but he dropped in to Modern Dadhood to open our minds. This is part one of a two part interview.
Thu, May 19, 2022
The concept of masculinity is straight-up intimidating to even begin to comprehend. There's no real cut-and-dry definition. Like so many big concepts, it's far easier to throw your hands up and say, "it's too complicated!" rather than commit to understanding the topic more deeply. Luckily for us, comedian Michael Ian Black has spent countless hours exploring masculinity. In his book "A Better Man," he approaches what it means to be masculine through an open letter to his teenage son. His musings pave a clear path for any father, son, mother, daughter (or, incidentally, saber-tooth tiger) to approach the subject with an open mind and heart.
Thu, Sep 22, 2022
What do a sheep with a jetpack, a drunk uncle, and a pot smoking manatee have in common? They're all hilarious characters from the brilliant mind of actor/comedian Bobby Moynihan. The Saturday Night Live alum joins Adam and Marc to swap dad stories, drop a little sage advice about meditation, and talk about his new children's book "Not All Sheep are Boring!" Spoiler alert: some are actually quite dull. Stick around after the interview for another installment of the sensational new segment Kisses and Disses.
Thu, Oct 20, 2022
At what point in your life did you realize that you wanted to be a father? Even as a kid, actor Jon Heder recognized he was born to be a dad. When the cultural phenomenon Napoleon Dynamite unexpectedly launched him into the spotlight in 2004, Jon knew how he'd balance that with family life: family would simply always take priority. Nearly 20 years and four kids later, Jon works when he wants to, indulges selfie-hungry fans, and keeps his priorities in check.
Thu, Feb 2, 2023
Shane Burcaw wants to be a dad. He and his wife Hannah make no secret of their desire to become parents as they share some of the most private aspects of their unique interabled life together in weekly videos and podcast episodes on their YouTube channel Squirmy and Grubs. But will their ability to have biological kids be thwarted by Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), the disease that has found Shane in a powered wheelchair since he was two years old? Only testing and time will tell. Shane joins the Modern Dadhood conversation to share candidly about their journey with In Vitro Fertilization (IVF). This is part 1 of a 2 part episode.
Thu, Feb 16, 2023
You know that feeling when you really want to be a dad but you've been in a powered wheelchair since you were two years old and you aren't sure if your balls can produce enough viable sperm that you and your partner can conceive so you do some testing and find out that the doctors aren't certain either which means that you can totally TRY but you're carefully considering all your options because you KNOW you'll be awesome parents despite what all the trolls on the internet want you to believe? ... No? Well then allow influencer, author, and disability advocate Shane Burcaw (Squirmy and Grubs) to enlighten you. This is Part 2 of a 2 part episode.
Thu, Mar 30, 2023
Most new-dads-to-be do the obligatory preparation: You look through the couple of "survival guide" style books gifted to you by a friend. Watch YouTube videos on swaddling techniques. Read up on tips for potty training. Buy a new coffee maker to elevate your caffeine game. And ready your mind for the impending insanity of parenthood. But somehow, despite all the "thorough" preparation, every new parent gets sideswiped with a slew of unexpected emotions and challenges. And here's what those "survival guide" books can't possibly set you up for: Becoming a parent will change you... And it can bring on some intense emotions and self-revelations. Comedian, writer, actor, and podcaster Chris Gethard returns to Modern Dadhood to chat about the cultural shift that's enabling dads to examine these feelings. In classic Gethard style, even the heavier themes which appear in his new book "The Lonely Dad Conversations" are explored with openness, sincerity, and a lot of humor, and the same is true of our chat in this episode. Don't drop off before another installment of the beloved (sub)segment Did I Just Hear That Out Loud? [This is part 1 of a 2 part episode.]
Thu, Apr 13, 2023
[This is part 2 of a 2 part conversation] In "The Lonely Dad Conversations," comedian Chris Gethard interviews a dozen dads to explore commonalities between their fatherhood journeys. What he finds, is that, plain and simple, when we become dads, we turn pretty lame. That's not to say that becoming a parent isn't an amazing, powerful, and positive life change, but think about it... are you as cool as you used to be before you had kids? Me neither. Chris joins us to laugh, ponder, and dissect some of the recurring themes in "The Lonely Dad Conversations."
Thu, Jun 8, 2023
It was never all that easy to predict the future, but it always felt like there were at least a few things you could rely on. However, these days, the fate of even some of the more historically steadfast institutions is murky at best: for example, the notion of attending college to get a degree so you can venture out on the path to your career. What will any of that look like in five or ten years? Will affordable higher ed even exist? Will AI scoop up all the jobs? Will our kids live with us until THEY have kids? Comedian, podcaster, husband, and dad of three Dustin Nickerson can tell you that regardless of the ambiguity the future may hold, modeling a strong work ethic can have a net positive effect on the kids who witness it. Listen in as Adam, Marc, and Dustin wax philosophical about standup comedy, raising kids, strong work ethic, and the permission to laugh.