Dads: The Podcast

LeVar Burton presents SOUND DETECTIVES – a funny, engaging, and thought-provoking podcast that invites elementary school-aged kids to explore the magic and mystery of sound.Breaking News – Across the globe, sounds are mysteriously going missing! Waves aren’t crashing, crickets aren’t chirping, and the familiar jingle of the ice cream truck is a distant memory. Follow Detective Hunch (Vinny Thomas) and his new sidekick Audie the Ear (Jess McKenna) as they solve sound mysteries and track down the nefarious Sound Swindler… all with a little help from LeVar Burton himself!Equal parts fun and informative, SOUND DETECTIVES encourages listeners to engage with the sound mysteries that surround us, while unlocking the door to people and cultures around the globe. Join the team on this semi-improvised comedy caper and help return the mystery sounds before the world falls silent!Listen to SOUND DETECTIVES on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

Rory Scovel wants to thank all of you dads and non-dads out there for listening to Dads: The Podcast. You can listen to Rory’s new Team Coco podcast Pen Pals now. Every week, Rory Scovel and Daniel Van Kirk respond to the letters you send them - you can seek advice, tell a story, vent. Be sure to check out the latest episode with the very funny Casey Wilson, where she dishes out advice on flings, depression, and meatball subs!

We’re wrapping up our first season with one of our favorites: Chris Gethard! Known for his daring, experimental comedy, Chris has been doing jokes about landscaping and fatherhood since moving out to the ‘burbs—and he has feelings about it. He also talks about telling some of his most graphic, embarrassing stories in front of his parents and the time his dad taught him that violence actually CAN solve problems.

When comedian and radio host Tom Papa dropped his eldest daughter off at college, he cried for two whole days—and now he would like for his wife to stop bringing it up, thank you very much! He talks to Ruthie and Rory about why his spouse seems to delight in his displays of he-motion. Plus: he explains how the pandemic has made him more laissez-faire as a dad. That’s right—Papa don’t preach!

Like many comedians, Colton Dunn used to think that his busy lifestyle and career would never be able to accommodate children, or even a spouse. But oh, how wrong he was! Now a married father of two, the “Superstore” actor talks to Rory and Ruthie about how he's learned to manage the pressure that comes with having other mouths to feed—plus those annoying DINK (double income, no kids) couples who plaster their social media feeds with travel pics.

Vanessa Ragland parents two children while running one of LA’s premier comedy venues, Dynasty Typewriter. So why doesn’t she feel like a grown-up yet? The actress and comedian gets to the heart of the matter with Ruthie and Rory while also spilling some tea about her dad, whose post-retirement turn as an open-mic guitarist has been getting the ladies all hot ‘n bothered.

Real “Dad Heads” need no introduction to Justin Halpern! As the author of the bestselling book “Shit My Dad Says,” Justin has endless stories about his father, a man who hardly ever cried. A man who would go out on the Sea of Cortez with a band of outlaws one month out of every year and return with hundreds of pounds of fish. Plus, Rory and Justin bond over what can only be described as dad rage.

Ravi Patel is on a quest for the good life! In his HBO Max docuseries “The Pursuit of Happiness,” the actor and director goes on a globetrotting search for answers to life’s big questions. He talks to Ruthie and Rory about how casting his parents in his productions has brought his family closer together, even if his dad now calls himself a “celebrity speaker.”

Rory and Ruthie are joined by Tig Notaro and two mostly quiet special guests: her twin sons! Tig’s path to motherhood included a strip mall parking lot and the realization that even in the worst of times, you can still find love. She also talks about why her boys don’t know anything about what she actually does for work—except that it sometimes involves going into outer space.

“Daily Show” correspondent Roy Wood Jr. hails from a distinguished family of broadcasters—and his four-year-old son is next! Roy talks to Rory and Ruthie about how the precocious kid has been honing his reporting skills during the pandemic (not to mention learning Mandarin and cursive). Roy also talks about how learning about his family’s history has changed his parenting, including when he recently went on “Finding Your Roots.”

Comedian Adam Cayton-Holland’s dad is practically a superhero! By day, he’s a civil rights attorney who’s gotten people out of Guantanamo Bay. At night, he’s a regular audience member at Adam’s shows, developing his refined taste in stand-up comedy. Adam talks to Rory and Ruthie what it was like to grow up with such a supportive dad. He also explains how good taste in comedy is trickling down to his own toddler son, who’s been busy working out material in front of the neighborhood kids.

Aisha Tyler had a highly unique childhood—for starters, she grew up in an ashram with hippie parents. And as a kid who loved to get lost in science books, there was no greater foil than her dad: a motorcycle-riding “juggernaut” named Jim. Aisha talks to Ruthie and Rory about how her upbringing shaped her incredible career, including her recent pivot to making artisanal booze. Bottom line: Jim Tyler ain’t nuthin’ to f**k with.

Growing up, Mikel Jollet always looked up to his badass dad—he broke the law, rode motorcycles, and dressed like Steve McQueen. The musician talks to Ruthie and Rory about how his path diverged from his father’s and what it was like to lose him, the subject of his recent memoir “Hollywood Park.”

Being queer, Sabrina Jalees used to think the road to parenthood would be sad and hard; what she found instead was her “destiny.” The actor and comedian talks to Rory and Ruthie about how a fateful trip to Mexico, a surf lesson, and the film Moana changed everything. Buckle in, it's a wild ride!

When he’s not consuming human flesh, Andy Richter’s busy being a great dad. He joins Ruthie and Rory to talk about what it takes to raise two teens, parenting while divorced, and growing to trust his kids. Plus, he saves Ruthie’s mom’s life (kind of).

It’s the lovable and huggable Ron Funches! A newly married man, Ron talks to Ruthie and Rory about fresh starts. From embracing a healthier lifestyle, to the story of how his son’s autism diagnosis led to his comedy career, this is a conversation about new beginnings.

It’s our first non-dad guest: comedian Fortune Feimster! The North Carolina native is here to share stories with Rory and Ruthie about her dad—a man who goes by the name of Tiny. Plus, she and Rory bond over their shared Southern roots. We’re talkin’ etiquette, shaggin’ (not the Austin Powers kind), church, and fried food! Can’t you just taste the hush puppies and creamed corn?

Hold on to your jean shorts—it’s David Cross! The actor and comedian of “Mr. Show” renown talks with Rory and Ruthie about growing up with an absentee father and the fear of inheriting the bad dad gene. Plus, David talks about his start in stand-up and why his daughter will never be allowed to see his act.

This week a multi-hyphenate dad drops in: John Leguizamo! The legendary actor, comic and playwright joins Rory and Ruthie for a conversation about the erasure of Latin American history, dealing with bullies as a parent, and working with some of the greatest directors of all time. Plus: he explains how his paternal instincts kick in when he’s on set.

For their first episode, hosts Rory Scovel and Ruthie Wyatt are joined by their podfather, Conan O’Brien! Conan recalls what it was like to grow up with an "evil scientist" for a dad as well as the dopamine rush of making him laugh for the first time. He also talks about why his own kids are totally unimpressed by their famous dad. Plus: he accidentally reveals his patricidal tendencies.