Life of Dad

Episode #23 of Life of Dad welcomes comedian Tim Convy from The Consumers podcast and the band Ludo as he joins Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James to talk about raising two young boys, becoming a dad in his 40s, and the little luxuries that help him recharge. They compare notes on parenting at different ages, watching their own parents become grandparents, and how much their priorities have changed since having kids.The guys also get into the things they still like having to themselves, from morning coffee and listening to records to working in the yard and building LEGO sets. Mike brings his LEGO hobby on the road, while Lee has big dreams for a garage fridge stocked with drinks. Keeping anything nice in a house full of kids is another story, and everyone has had to make a few adjustments.Tim also looks back on finding success with Ludo, starting over in stand-up, and learning to appreciate the experiences he once rushed past. That same appreciation runs through the conversation about life at home, where time for music or a favorite hobby takes a little more planning. These days, the guys’ idea of luxury might fit in a coffee mug or a carry-on, but they’re still willing to make room for it.

This week on Life of Dad, Tom, Lee, and Mike take inspiration from James Bond Day to tackle a very important question: are they still cool? With Pierce Brosnan’s toaster proudly on display, the guys debate what makes a dad cool, how their kids would rate them, and whether caring less about what people think is the whole secret. Tom remembers his exact peak of coolness, Lee reveals his freshly painted toenails, and Mike finds out that wearing socks can apparently ruin an outfit.The guys also get into garage sale disagreements, hunting for grocery deals, and Tom rescuing his own belongings before someone buys them. Between the laughs, they talk about the difference between being a “cool dad” and being a good parent, giving teenagers room to make their own decisions, and balancing work with the family moments you don’t want to miss.Episode #22 is a reminder that being cool looks a little different when you’re a dad. Sometimes it’s making your daughter laugh in the grocery store or watching your son handle his first job interview. And sometimes it’s wearing the comfortable shoes—even if your friends spend the whole podcast giving you a hard time.

Episode #21 of Life of Dad welcomes comedian Jay Flake as he joins Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James for a conversation about raising three daughters, youth sports, and realizing you might not be quite as tough as you used to be. Jay shares what life is like in a house full of girls, sitting through all-day cheer competitions, and how being a dad has changed him over the years.The guys also get into the wild world of youth sports, from over-the-top parents and coaching kids to Jay's years as a referee and official. They swap stories about bad calls, getting yelled at from the sidelines, watching your own kids compete, and how quickly parents can convince themselves their kid is headed for the pros. The conversation also takes plenty of unexpected turns as Jay talks about his family, his path into stand-up, and the experiences that have shaped him as both a comedian and a dad.After raising three daughters and spending years on the other side of the whistle, Jay has seen fatherhood from just about every angle. Episode #21 is about learning to roll with the changes that come with raising kids—and finding out that getting a little softer along the way might not be such a bad thing.

This week it's back to Tom, Lee and Mike catching up on school routines, kids growing up, and why a quiet house can leave you wondering what to do with yourself. From teaching their sons to drive and shave to figuring out how to be both the fun dad and the disciplinarian, the guys compare notes—including Frankie laughing at Lee’s serious voice and the day Tom actually followed through on throwing away the pancakes.The back-to-school conversation takes them through questionable haircuts, playground chaos, and the music that shaped their younger years, including Mike barking like DMX in the school hallways. They also talk about juggling packed family schedules, how technology has changed school and childhood, and finding a balance between preparing kids for the future and giving them room to make mistakes.Episode #20 is a reminder that watching your kids grow up means doing some growing up yourself—even if you still don’t feel like an adult. One minute you’re wishing for a little peace and quiet, and the next you’re eating a sad salad alone, wondering when everybody’s coming home.

This week on Life of Dad, Tom, Lee, and Mike are joined by entrepreneur, creator, and FamilyMade co-founder Andrew East. Andrew talks about raising three kids with his wife, Shawn Johnson East, what he’s learned from being a girl dad and a boy dad, and why his kids seem determined to find increasingly dangerous hobbies. The guys also get into getting cut from sports, learning how to handle failure, and Andrew’s ability to stay positive and find something useful even when things don’t go according to plan.Andrew also shares some of the ideas behind his and Shawn’s book, Courage to Commit, including what his NFL career taught him about perseverance, why waiting for the “perfect” opportunity can keep you from moving forward, and the value of choosing something worthwhile and continuing to show up for it. They talk about commitment in marriage, knowing when it actually is time to move on, teaching kids to work through frustration and failure, and how the highs and lows can both shape you for the better.Episode #19 is a reminder that sometimes getting cut, failing, or ending up somewhere you didn’t plan can turn out to be exactly what you needed. And through all of it, the million little moments with your kids are usually the ones that stick.