Claim OwnershipA Pair of Dads
Subscribed: 0Played: 0
Subscribe
© All rights reserved.
Description
Raising kids, strengthening relationships, and finding joy in the everyday—A Pair of Dads is where fathers come together to talk about it all. Hosted by Benny Lai, this podcast invites fellow dads and others to share their joy, insights, and experiences in parenting and life. Sometimes, we step back to observe the world around us, but at its core, this is a podcast about fatherhood, family, and the pursuit of a meaningful life.
48 Episodes
Reverse
Imagine a future where AI and robots do all the work, healthcare is free, and money is obsolete. While Benny sees a world of abundance where we are free to explore our passions, Roel fears a boring dystopian without the challenges that make us human. Can humanity thrive without the "headache" of making a day’s pay?
After seeing a TikToker walk 100km in 24 hours, Benny and CK debate the line between being "inspiring" and just plain "demoralizing."From Benny’s grueling run with his students that left his knees inflamed to the reality of aging joints, this episode explores how dads can still push their limits without breaking their bodies.It’s a candid look at the struggle to keep the "passion in sync with the physical body
Does believing you control every outcome lead to better performance or just more stress?Benny introduces a perspective that challenges the standard corporate narrative: you can’t control everything.By looking at professional success through the lens of external factors, Benny and Ian discussed how to maintain mental well-being in high-pressure environments. If you’ve ever felt the weight of an outcome you couldn't change, this inter-generation episode offers a way to breathe a little easier.
Even on a guys' trip in Vietnam, the "Dad Brain" never truly shuts off. Between navigating traffic and historical sites, the conversation inevitably turns back to the kids at home. The dads discuss the balance of being interested in their children’s lives without being overbearing. From secondary school "Open Houses" to letting kids make their own mistakes, they reflect on the challenge of "leaving them alone" while staying connected.
Is it better to read about history in a book or stand where it actually happened? Benny and Roel contrast their prior knowledge of the Vietnam War with the visceral experience of seeing it firsthand. They discuss the "heavy" feeling of the museum and why it’s important to acknowledge the "inhumane" actions of the past to appreciate the peace of the present. It’s a deep dive into the educational power of "tangible" history.
Join Benny and Roel as they dodge construction smoke and motorcycles on a 27-minute trek to the War Remnants Museum. Between debating whether Google Maps actually knows where they are facing, the duo reflects on the "familiar strangeness" of returning to the city where the idea for this very podcast was born. It’s a candid look at travel, friendship, and the art of not getting lost—even when you have no idea where you’re going.
We're thrilled to welcome our first guest from the US, Dr. Theresa Lyons, a computational chemist from Yale, for a game-changing discussion on autism.Dr. Lyons challenges the outdated narrative that an autism diagnosis is permanent, explaining why it's crucial to look beyond symptoms and explore functional medicine testing for issues like gut health and heavy metal exposure.This episode provides hope and practical strategies for parents with children of all ages. Dr. Lyons also shares how her unique "Navigating Autism Matrix" ensures parents don't miss anything while working to help their child achieve greater independence.
What happens when the line between fan and friend disappears? In this episode, Benny and his Gen Z guest, Ian, dive deep into the world of "parasocial relationships". From the extreme behavior of K-pop "sasaeng" fans to the growing trend of marrying AI holograms, they explore why more people are seeking emotional connections with entities that don't even know they exist. Is this a harmless comfort for the lonely, or are we digging a grave for real human connection?
In this special Christmas episode, join Benny as he sat down with the remarkable Shirli Ling, an entrepreneur, content creator, and actress who became a grandmother at the young age of 36. In this powerful episode, that was recorded primarily in Mandarin, Shirli shares her incredible, unapologetic life journey, often contrasting it with her own challenging childhood to highlight the "so much love" she poured into raising her children as a single parent. Shirli's fierce resilience shines through as she discusses her refreshingly open approach to sex education with her kids , setting boundaries with her son's in-laws , and her pragmatic, "street smart" philosophy on finances and earning money. She opens up about the emotional turmoil of divorce and the hard-won wisdom of being the first to "put down the ego" for the children's sake. This conversation, conducted mainly in Chinese, offers an inspiring look at true personal strength, showing how going through life's toughest experiences can make one more pragmatic and resilient. Shirli is a woman who lives life completely on her own terms.
Ching and Rick, the passionate founders of Until 11:11, discuss why dating has become "very mechanical" and transactional.They open up about their mission: to host social mixing events for singles that go beyond mere networking, focusing on increasing "organic touch" and emotional attachment.They share success stories (even if their couples are 'low-key' about it) and reveal their plans to turn their unique numerology-driven matching concept into a reality dating show.
In this second part of the 2-part GTD in Sentosa series, hosts Benny and Roel dive into the controversial trend of Gen Y and Gen Z choosing pets over children.They confront their own "cringy" judgments about "fur baby" culture and discuss whether their generation's judgmental mindset is hypocritical.Join us as they explore the real reasons they had children and why the younger generation might be seeing bad examples in today's parents.
This episode has everything: old war history, the future of work, and a painful National Service story.While exploring Sentosa’s hidden trails, Benny recounts the most exposed moment of his life during a 32km commander march. Warning: it involves torn boxers and a very red backside.Plus, they explore why Roel thinks AI cooks are the solution to Singapore’s manpower crisis.
In a world that tells you to find 'The One,' why are so many Gen Zs in Singapore choosing to go solo? Ian and Sarah share their perspectives on whether the traditional relationship model is broken. They discuss how self-focus, personal development, and the fear of compromise are shaping a generation's view on commitment.
For some, games aren't a hobby—they're the priority. Join us as we dissect the exorbitant cost of modern gaming, from $100 titles to endless subscriptions.Benny explores the shift from "pay once" to "pay to look good" (or even "pay to win") with his guests, and why the industry is driving a major skills disparity between young people focusing on AI vs. those absorbed in chasing the next digital trophy.
Are you carrying your employees’ emotional baggage? Our hosts tackle the evolution of their management styles.Roel explains why he consciously shifted away from his earlier habit of deeply probing staff members about their personal problems. He shares why trying to be both a boss and a therapist is a "waste of time" that often leads to burnout.Learn the new mantra for professional management: "Don't probe. Listen."
After a long career at one place, you start to feel it: The 10-Year Itch.CK experienced it at HP, and now he's feeling the stagnation in his current institution, leading to a self-requested deployment. But leaving isn't just a career move—it's personal.We scrutinize the cost of uprooting when your workplace is also your social world. Tune in as we debate the difficulty of maintaining boundaries when friends are colleagues and colleagues are friends, and whether those deep personal bonds make taking a leap for professional growth exponentially harder.
In a new series, Go-The-Distance, GTD, Benny and CK took the conversations outdoors!In this first episode, what started as a conversation "about nothing" during a night hike, quickly turned into a deep dive on ethics and appearances.The duo explores the charged issue of domestic helper uniforms, the symbolic nature of Alfred the butler analogy for employment, and the sticky question of whether seemingly benign games, like the arcade claw machine, are actually unregulated scams. What do you think?
Actress Chermaine Kumar argues that while diversity efforts are important, "wokeism works against itself" by focusing too heavily on what divides us.She and Benny discuss the importance of having more open conversations to foster true understanding, rather than being quick to label every misunderstanding as "racism." \Hear Chermaine's definition of true racism and why she believes we need better dialogue to bring the majority and minority communities together.
In one of the most insightful moments of the episode, both dads discuss their differing parenting stance: when your kids face major life decisions (like career or education decisions), should we burden them with too many considerations that might become obstacles?This pair of dads wonder if parents should take a step back and provide only guiding questions so the children can explore the options and develop their own thoughts and narratives, ultimately making a decision that belongs entirely to them.
Benny sits down with his guests to discuss the future.In a wide-ranging discussion, they share their honest thoughts about why staying in Singapore "just doesn't make financial sense".Get a raw, personal perspective on the economic reality pushing young adults to save, hustle, and ultimately plan their lives abroad.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States