Ambitious Dads

In this heartfelt episode, we feature Kelly Griego, an endurance athlete, leadership professional, and devoted family man. Kelly opens up about his experience as a bonus dad to three teenagers and shares valuable insights on building strong family bonds while managing a demanding professional life. He emphasizes the importance of stability, open communication, and the mantra of "no surprises" in creating a harmonious home.Key highlights include:The journey of merging families and becoming a bonus dad.Redefining success beyond the workplace.Navigating the challenges of parenting teenagers in the digital age.Building lasting family traditions and values.Whether you're a father, a professional, or both, this episode offers practical advice for realigning ambitions with family values and maintaining balance in today's fast-paced world. Tune in to explore how therapy, personal hobbies, and shared experiences can play a crucial role in achieving harmony between career and family.🎧 Listen now to gain inspiration and practical tips for navigating fatherhood and career ambitions!Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.comTune in every week for a new episode of the Ambitious Dads Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

In this episode, Joshua Gillow opens up about his journey from working in his family's garden center to building successful landscaping businesses. He candidly shares his struggles with aligning professional goals with core family values, emphasizing the importance of introspection and emotional presence.Key highlights include:The transformative realization that led Joshua to align his ambitions with his true values.Embracing emotional intelligence to connect deeply with family and raise empathetically grounded young men.Touching stories of fostering responsibility and independence in his children through real-life lessons.The significance of leading by example and practicing self-forgiveness in parenting.Join us as Joshua shares valuable insights and personal anecdotes that underscore the importance of being present and allowing children to navigate life's challenges. Remember, every tomorrow offers a fresh start.Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.comTune in every week for a new episode of the Ambitious Dads Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

In this episode, Carl Manlan offers a refreshing perspective on how he and his wife, both thriving in the finance industry, manage to expose their children to diverse professional environments. Through storytelling, Carl reveals how he incorporates lessons from his work into his parenting, enriching his children's understanding of the world's complexities.Key Highlights:Discover how Carl guided his daughter in finding her voice and redefining success beyond traditional norms through exposure to inspiring individuals.Learn about the importance of emotional expression and understanding within family dynamics, and how shared experiences like family road trips can forge deeper connections.Gain insights into maintaining private time and managing emotions effectively, both at work and at home.This episode is a thoughtful exploration of modern fatherhood and emotional intelligence, offering valuable lessons on balancing career ambition with family life. Whether you're a parent or a leader, Carl's journey will inspire you to craft unique paths for the next generation.🎧 Tune in now and join us in redefining success in modern parenting!Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.comTune in every week for a new episode of the Ambitious Dads Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

🎙️ In this episode, we sit down with two incredible dads, Shantanu, a soon-to-be CFO in Chicago, and Greg, a strategy director in Denver. They share their candid experiences of navigating fatherhood alongside demanding careers, offering insights into setting boundaries and cherishing family time.Topics we cover:🔹 The art of co-parenting and personal growth in fatherhood.🔹 The role of therapy in navigating emotional complexities.🔹 Intentional parenting in a multicultural family setting.🔹 The importance of community support and our Founding Fathers program.Through humorous and honest anecdotes, Shantanu and Greg shine a light on the realities of parenting, celebrating the growth and fulfillment that come from embracing every chaotic and heartwarming moment.Whether you're a new dad or seasoned parent, this episode is packed with relatable stories and valuable insights. Tune in on iTunes, Spotify, or YouTube for laughter, lessons, and fatherhood tales.Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.comTune in every week for a new episode of the Ambitious Dads Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

In this compelling episode, guest Mitchell Osmond of The Dad Nation shares his transformative journey from feeling lost at home to finding balance between his career ambitions and family life. After a pivotal fight with his wife and a profound experience at a funeral, Mitchell was inspired to reassess the legacy he was leaving behind.Join us as Mitchell discusses:His struggle with depression, debt, and a dysfunctional upbringing.The development of the "Iron Five" mentorship framework, emphasizing the power of community and mutual growth.Strategies for balancing professional success with being a present and engaged father and husband.Practical tools for emotional regulation and resilience in managing relationship conflicts.The importance of meaningful connections and strategic conversations with loved ones.Mitchell also shares a free resource to help deepen emotional connections with your partner through carefully crafted questions.Don't miss this heartfelt exploration of reclaiming your home, health, and happiness. Tune in now and be inspired to create a meaningful legacy for your family.Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.comTune in every week for a new episode of the Ambitious Dads Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

In this episode of the Ambitious Dads Podcast, we sit down with leadership advisor Rens van den Broek to explore how he successfully navigates his high-paced career while prioritizing family life.Rens challenges the notion that prioritizing loved ones negatively impacts career growth. He shares his personal philosophy of fostering open communication about family commitments in the workplace, inspiring others to seamlessly align personal and professional values. This episode is a treasure trove of insights on setting boundaries, embracing self-care, and redefining success through family prioritization.Join us as we discuss:The importance of clear communication with partners and colleagues.Overcoming societal expectations and embracing shared parenting responsibilities.Emotional regulation and its impact on children.The challenges and triumphs of modern fatherhood.Whether you're a working parent or aspire to balance your career and family life better, this episode offers valuable perspectives and practical advice.Tune in now and be inspired to cultivate mutual respect in work and home life! 🌟Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.comTune in every week for a new episode of the Ambitious Dads Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

In this episode, "Raising Kids with Brain Science & Heart," we explore Dr. Robert Melillo's unique journey as a neuroscientist and father. Discover how his personal experiences with his children's ADHD and other neurodevelopmental challenges transformed his professional career and parenting philosophy.Dr. Melillo shares valuable insights on:Balancing professional ambition with personal growth as a father.The critical role fathers play in early brain development.How to address neurodevelopmental imbalances and nurture potential.Embracing the whimsical, messy moments of fatherhood that offer profound learning opportunities.Whether you're a parent, educator, or someone interested in the intricacies of brain science, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable advice to help you support the mental and emotional well-being of your children.Tune in to hear Dr. Melillo's inspiring anecdotes and expert insights on nurturing a child's development with both brain science and heart.Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.comTune in every week for a new episode of the Ambitious Dads Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

In this episode, our special guest, Prakash Raman—a dedicated coach and father—shares his personal journey of defining family values and fostering a supportive community. We explore the delicate dance of nurturing family bonds while pursuing professional goals, and how tools like the emotions wheel can help modern dads navigate this complex landscape.We dive deep into understanding children's emotions and behaviors, the impact of societal expectations, and the importance of candid feedback from family. Prakash and Jeff share strategies for managing emotional regulation, especially during high-stress moments, and reflect on the emotional growth that arises from parenting challenges.Tune in as we discuss reconciling past experiences with our children's unique paths and crafting a realistic vision of success that balances career and family commitments. This episode is packed with insights and practical strategies for ambitious dads striving to be present and intentional in their parenting journey.Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.comTune in every week for a new episode of the Ambitious Dads Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

In this episode, former NFL athlete and American Ninja Warrior, Anthony Trucks, shares his incredible journey through fatherhood, business, and personal growth. Anthony opens up about his commitment to being a role model for his children and the importance of authenticity and integrity in parenting.Join us as we delve into:The concept of "dark work" and setting boundaries as a cornerstone of effective parenting.The challenges and strategies of raising children with unique needs, like ADHD.Balancing guidance and allowing children to discover their own paths.The humor and heart in the chaos of fatherhood, creating cherished family memories.Instilling life skills over mere athletic achievements and nurturing a culture of effort and discipline.Anthony's family's upcoming travel adventures across Asia, embracing experiences that broaden horizons and deepen connections. ✈️🌏Don't miss out on this heartfelt and insightful conversation that highlights the profound impact of example-setting on the next generation. Whether you're a parent or aspiring to be one, Anthony's wisdom is sure to resonate with you.Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.comTune in every week for a new episode of the Ambitious Dads Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

In this episode of the Ambitious Dads Podcast, we delve into the heart of modern fatherhood. Join us as Chase Friedman and Ramphis Castro, two inspiring dads from our Founding Fathers program, share their honest journeys of juggling professional dreams with family responsibilities.🌟 In this episode, we explore:🔹 The constant tug-of-war between work obligations and family life.🔹 How fatherhood has reshaped career paths and priorities.🔹The rarity and necessity of open, vulnerable conversations among fathers.🔹The importance of supportive communities in navigating fatherhood.Chase and Ramphis open up about their experiences in California and Puerto Rico, offering insights into the complexities of being a dad today. From the guilt of missed opportunities to the joy of precious family moments, they share it all.👨‍👧‍👦 Whether you're a dad, a parent, or someone navigating work-life balance, this episode is for you. Discover the metaphorical roles we play in our children's lives and the impact of our upbringing on our parenting styles.Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.comTune in every week for a new episode of the Ambitious Dads Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

Navigating the intricate dance between leadership and fatherhood? This week on Ambitious Dads, I'm thrilled to have an insightful conversation with Robert Mulhall, CEO of Kripalu. Together, we delve into the challenges and joys of balancing high-pressure leadership roles with the unpredictable demands of fatherhood.🔹 Discover how Robert manages co-parenting his spirited seven-and-a-half-year-old son amidst work deadlines and snow days. He shares personal stories and valuable lessons on flexibility, emotional intelligence, and the power of apologies in parenting.🔹 Learn about the evolving role of fathers as emotionally intelligent role models and the importance of self-affirmation. Inspired by Glennon Doyle’s "Untamed," we explore how nurturing our children's instincts and embracing their wild side can foster courage and emotional awareness.🔹 Parenting is a journey filled with humorous twists and turns. We discuss the balance between guiding our children and allowing them the freedom to express themselves. Open dialogue can help break stigmas, fostering a more emotionally aware generation.Join us for this enriching discussion on the art of fatherhood, where laughter and wisdom go hand in hand. 🎧Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.comTune in every week for a new episode of the Ambitious Dads Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!

I didn’t start the Ambitious Dads Podcast because I had all the answers. I started it because I was asking the same questions most dads are. How do I show up better at home when work pulls me in a thousand directions? How do I break cycles I swore I wouldn’t repeat? How do I stay patient when I feel anything but? After a surprising infertility journey into fatherhood — and a lot of late-night doubts — I realized I couldn’t figure this out alone. So I started having conversations with other dads who were trying to live, lead, and love more intentionally. This podcast is an extension of those real talks. No posturing. No pretending. Just honest stories, lessons, struggles, and maybe a little hope that we’re all doing better than we think.Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.comTune in every week for a new episode of the Ambitious Dads Podcast. Subscribe on your favorite podcasting platform and never miss an episode!