Modern Dadhood | Unpacking Fatherhood + Parenting for Dads (and Moms!)

What does it mean to be a "feminist dad"? Maybe a better place to start is asking: what does it mean to be a feminist at all... and why is that term so controversial? There are many ideas and misunderstandings associated with the concept of feminism, and in August of 2021, we were fortunate to explore feminism and fatherhood with the brilliant Jordan Shapiro: author, educator, and senior fellow at the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop. In his acclaimed book, Father Figure: How to Be a Feminist Dad, Jordan unpacks how traditional ideas of masculinity shape our parenting, why inclusivity matters, and what it takes to raise "radically inclusive" kids in a rapidly changing world. Whether you’re new to the topic or ready to challenge what you thought you knew, this Rewind episode is full of big ideas and practical takeaways.Topics include:•  Fatherhood as an evolving, not fixed, role shaped by changing ideas about masculinity and gender.•  Embracing feminism in parenting by modeling inclusivity, equality, and respect for all.•  Challenging traditional masculine norms and embracing vulnerability and growth as a dad.•  Prioritizing responsibility and adaptability over authority in fatherhood.•  The importance of self-reflection and open dialogue about gender, identity, and family roles.•  And more!LINKS:Farther Figure: How To Be a Feminist DadJordan Shapiro (official website)Jordan Shapiro (Twitter)Jordan Shapiro (Instagram)Red Vault AudioCaspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Ever notice how most spray cleaners and detergents seem to be marketed straight out of the 1950s... and almost always to moms? Entrepreneur Sean Busch is on a mission to flip the script. Sean is a dad of two kids who LOVE to make messes, and he's the founder of Dad Mode, a new line of high-performance cleaning products designed specifically for dads. Sean joins us to talk about why it's important that dads meaningfully contribute to housekeeping, what “choreplay” means (and how it might just be the secret to more balance), and the potential risks and rewards of selling gendered products. Several of Adam's favorite recent episodes:Navigating Miscarriage and Grief as a Dad (Kelly Jean-Philippe)What Will Our Kids Be Saying About Us? (Pete Holmes)Dismantling Birth Care Stereotypes (Teddy the Doula)LINKSDad Mode (official)Dad Mode (Amazon)Dad Mode (Facebook)Dad Mode (Instagram)Dad Mode (TikTok)Dad Mode (YouTube)Caspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Does it get more "meta" than interviewing your own parent about parenting? For our Father’s Day 2025 Special, Adam Flaherty goes deep with a truly special and personal guest: his own father. Tom Flaherty isn’t just Adam’s dad; he's a father of four (spanning 20 years in age!), an Air Force veteran, a retired police officer, and an inspiration and beacon of hope to many people recovering from alcohol addiction. In a first for the show, Adam and his dad get real about raising kids across two generations, building resilience through tough times, and the evolving role of fathers over the decades. After the interview, Marc and Adam tackle the wild world of kids' slang in a gut-busting So That's a Thing Now about the cringeworthy phrases their children have brought home.LINKSWhat Does It Mean To Be a Modern Dad (article by Adam)Mom's Guide to Finding Herself PodcastStorypillar PodcastCaspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Think back to your childhood... Did you have a TV neighbor, friend, or mentor who you trusted? For millions of young people, that person was Luis from Sesame Street, played for over four decades by the legendary Emilio Delgado. In this Rewind episode which originally aired in July of 2020, Emilio discusses becoming a positive role model and even a father figure to kids around the world, even as he was navigating the joys and learning curves of fatherhood himself.Episode 123 of Modern Dadhood explores the powerful impact that television father figures and role models can have on our lives and on our parenting. In this Rewind episode, we're joined by stage and screen actor Emilio Delgado, best known for his decades-long portrayal of Luis on Sesame Street—a beloved character who was an advocate for positive Latino representation in media. Delgado shares insights on becoming aware of his influence as a role model, the importance of portraying authentic families and diversity on television, and his own experiences as a father, adoptive father, and stepfather. The conversation touches on balancing family life with a demanding career, the extended Sesame Street “family” behind the scenes, and integrating personal cultural values into his character.After the interview, Marc shares a side-splitting edition of Did I Just Say That Out Loud? LINKSEmilio Delgado on IMDBEmilio Delgado on WikipediaEmilio’s InstagramBaa Baa BambaQuixote NuevoCaspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Do you feel uneasy about handing your kid an internet-enabled device? Or feel like you know very little about what they're doing online? It can be really tough to broach conversations about this stuff without instantly putting our kids on the defense. We're joined by Soren Poulsen, co-founder of Raising Digital Citizens and father of two, who, alongside his wife, created the Essential Conversation Cards for Life Online. After puzzling over how to prepare their own daughter for her first phone, they developed a new approach to help families talk about digital safety, consent, bullying, and online privacy in a casual manner. Whether your kid is begging for their first device or you’re already deep in the world of screen-time debates, Soren’s insights promise to make your family conversations more productive. After the interview, Adam shares an exciting installment of So That's a Thing Now.Episode 122 of Modern Dadhood opens with a discussion between Marc & Adam about the topic of digital citizenship. The guys discus how this can be a sensitive topic to broach with young people. The guys introduce Soren Poulsen into the conversation. Soren and his wife, author Jessica Joelle Alexander, co-founded Raising Digital Citizens, an organization aims to empower families to cultivate meaningful, trust-based relationships that support children's safe and responsible engagement with the digital world. Rather than relying on fear or restrictive controls, the organization emphasizes open conversations grounded in shared values and mutual respect. Conversation topics include:•  The Essential Conversation Cards for Life Online•  What exactly "hygge" means•  The importance of parent-child communication•  Adapting conversations to different age groups and different needs•  How approaching these conversations early can have positive long-term effects•  And more!Stay to the end of the episode to learn about a new phase of life for the Flaherty family in a new installment of So That's a Thing Now.LINKSRaising Digital CitizensBuy the Conversation Cards on Amazon!Raising Digital Citizens (LinkedIn)Raising Digital Citizens (Instagram)Caspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Feeling unprepared for the challenges of fatherhood? You’re certainly not alone. In this Rewind episode, Editor-In-Chief Tyghe Trimble, formerly of Fatherly, joins us to navigate the roadmap to modern dadhood. When we chatted with Tyghe in November of 2021, he and his team at Fatherly had just released the insightful book Fatherhood: A Comprehensive Guide to Birth Budgeting, Finding Flow, and Becoming a Happy Parent. Tyghe joined us to discuss the book, as well as actionable strategies for effective communication with your partner, maintaining your social life amid the craziness of parenthood, and the art of roughhousing with your kids. Listen to the end for a sidesplitting installment of Confessions.Tyghe Trimble, a New York City-based dad of two and former Editor-In-Chief of Fatherly, joins the conversation to chat about:•  What exactly an "Editor-In-Chief" does•  Why (and when) communication with your spouse can be hard•  The importance of shared values•  The unique structure of Fatherly's book•  A staggering statistic around new fathers' social lives•  The profound importance (and many benefits) of roughhousing with your kidsAfter, the guys get their Confessions on... and Marc takes things to a dark and hilarious place.LINKS:FatherlyFatherhood (excerpts from the book)Fatherhood (the book at Powell'sFatherhood (the book) on AmazonModern Dadhood Tees and DadhoodiesRed Vault AudioCaspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Struggling with kids who are picky eaters? Want to involve your kids in meal preparation but don't know where to start? This episode is for you. We welcome esteemed professional chef (and professional dad) David Nayfeld, who brings fresh ideas to your family kitchen. With his upcoming cookbook, Dad, What's for Dinner?, David shares recipes and strategies for engaging your kids in cooking—transforming mealtime from a chore into an adventure. And for parents of kids who only like mac and cheese with a side of pre-packaged preservatives, David offers insights into making meals and snacks that are fun, healthy, and easy to prepare. Stay to the end for the first installment of a new segment, How Would You Dad This?In Episode 120 of Modern Dadhood, hosts Adam Flaherty and Marc Checket delve into the culinary and paternal worlds of David Nayfeld, a professional chef based in San Francisco. Known for his expertise in some of the top kitchens globally, Nayfeld shares insights about his upcoming cookbook Dad, What's for Dinner? which is packed with recipes designed to engage children in the cooking process.Throughout the interview, they explore key topics such as the joys and challenges of involving kids in cooking, tips for managing picky eaters, and the importance of planning nutritious meals. David also discusses his unique family dynamic, referencing his role as a father to his biological and "bonus" children and how these experiences have influenced his culinary approach. Conversation topics include:•  How inviting your kids into the food preparation process inspires them to take ownership of what they are making, (and more likely to eat it themselves!)•  Strategies for Picky Eaters•  Tricks to get kids to try new foods•  Meal planning strategies•  Family cooking activities•  And more! After the interview, listeners are invited to participate in a new segment, How Would You Dad This? where they can offer advice on common parenting scenarios. Marc ponders how you might have handled a situation involving scrambled eggs and a kid who was late to the party.[Episode art photo by Eric Wolfinger]LINKSPre-Order Dad What's For Dinner?David Nayfeld (Instagram)David Nayfeld (X)David Nayfeld (Facebook)David Nayfeld (LinkedIn)Caspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Dads, ever feel like you're on autopilot, where each day is just running through the same motions? You're not alone. Dad of three Chris Robbins joins us to discuss how Soul Degree seeks to help men interrupt the flow, get outside, and take some well-deserved time to focus on bettering ourselves. Chris also shares candidly about being a new "empty nester" along with his wife, legendary podcaster, author, and self-help thought leader, Mel Robbins. Listen to the end to learn about Marc's "bloody good" weekend! Episode 119 of Modern Dadhood opens with Adam & Marc discussing a few exciting podcast updates:1. Adam published an article on Katie Couric Media which references some great child-calming tactics gleaned from Modern Dadhood episodes!2. The guys will be attending Podcast Movement's Evolutions conference in Chicago in early April and would love to connect with any listeners or fellow podcasters there!3. The guys have released a podcast trailer for Modern Dadhood (only 5 years too late!) and the video trailer can be seen here.The guys welcome Chris Robbins into the conversation. Chris is an entrepreneur with a versatile career which took him from the corporate world to owning restaurants, becoming a death doula, opening a world-class podcasting studio in Boston, and founding Soul Degree, a men's personal development program centered around outdoor retreats. Chris shares candidly about this, along with his fatherhood experience, which includes supporting a creative collaboration between his daughter Sawyer and his legendary wife Mel Robbins. Other topics include:•  Chris and Mel Robbins becoming new "empty nesters" after dropping their youngest of three off at college recently•  The importance of slowing down, reflecting, and engaging in meaningful conversations about our lives, roles, and mental health.•  The influence of Chris' father on his own entrepreneurial and fatherhood journeys.•  The power of listening versus offering unsolicited advice.•  And more!After the interview, Marc shares a recent story of a sibling scuffle that ended in a visit to the local emergency room. (But it didn't stop him from making a great pot of chili!)LINKS:Soul Degree (official)Soul Degree (Instagram)Chris Robbins (Instagram)Mel Robbins "Let Them Theory" (book)Caspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

🎥 Watch the video trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKuKFz1u3_QAdam Flaherty and Marc Checket are two dads from suburban New England. And while they might think they’re pretty funny and cool, the world clearly does NOT need another white dude ramble-cast.  That’s why Modern Dadhood explores what it really means to be a "dad" through candid, authentic, and often hilarious conversations with diverse dads of all walks of life… including famous dads, NOT famous dads, dads-to-be, step dads, grand dads, trans dads, and more.By celebrating present, engaged parenting and commiserating over common fatherhood challenges, listeners will gain new perspectives and feel empowered to become more present and mindful fathers, raising the next generation of kick-ass, world changing kids.​The show features relatable anecdotes from the hosts' own lives, recurring segments like Instant Regrets, Confessions, and Did I Just Say that Out Loud? and plenty of thoughts on the good, the bad, and the ridiculous.Expect a healthy dose of laughter, sincerity, vulnerability, and 90s nostalgia in each biweekly episode. #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

According to most medical sources, roughly 10-20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage. Although we probably all know people who have experienced miscarriage (or have ourselves), this is a staggering statistic. But according to Kelly Jean-Philippe, host of The Miscarriage Dads podcast, men are often overlooked and undermined when it comes to grieving the devastating loss of a miscarriage. Kelly shares candidly about his family's multiple pregnancy losses, and why he is working diligently to shed light on the often-overlooked grief and needs of fathers during these challenging times. Stay to the end for an uplifting installment of Kisses and Disses!Episode 118 of Modern Dadhood broaches a subject that hasn't come up in the history of the show to date: Miscarriage. Adam opens up about his and his wife's experience with miscarriage prior to having their second daughter, explaining what a "molar pregnancy" means. The guys play back a conversation Adam had with father of two and podcaster Kelly Jean-Philippe, whose podcast The Miscarriage Dads aims to normalize the conversation about men and their need for support during the loss of a pregnancy. Topics include:• The role of a Chaplain in a hospital setting•  Kelly and his wife's miscarriage experiences•  The importance of clear communication between partners•  How society often invalidates or overlooks fathers' grief•  Kelly's goals to provide a platform for discussing fathers' grief•  And more!LINKSThe Miscarriage Dads PodcastKelly Jean-Philippe (Instagram)Support for Men After Pregnancy LossCaspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) are more than buzzwords—they’re at the heart of today’s cultural and political conversations. In a time when these topics spark both progress and polarization, it’s a conversation well worth elevating, especially for parents striving to shape the next generation. For parents who feel uncertainty around how to instill these values in your children, we've got your back. In this Rewind episode, Jermaine Moore, founder of the Mars Hill Group—a training, development, and consulting firm specializing in leadership and DEI—joins us. As a father of four, Jermaine brings not just professional expertise but also personal experience to the table. Together, we explore how to raise empathetic kids in a world that sometimes resists change.Jermaine is Co-Founder of the Mars Hill Group, a New England-based consulting firm which specializes in leadership training, workplace culture, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Jermaine is a father of four children who are currently scattered across the world, and he shares candidly about what  led him to this line of work, why it's so important and valuable, and  how we as parents can actively exercise it and celebrate it within our families in order to raise empathetic kids. The conversation covers topics including:•  What is DEI? Jermaine defines diversity, equity, and inclusion•  WHY Jermaine is passionate about DEI work•  DEI Misconceptions•  Diversity in NON-diverse areas•  The importance of exposure and representation•  "More is caught than taught"  - Modeling behavior for our kids•  Allyship and how to be a true allyLINKSJermaine Moore (LinkedIn)Mars Hill GroupMcKinsey: Diversity Wins / How Inclusion MatterseXtension Foundation: What Is DEIForbes: 15 Key Benefits of DEIDr. Joy Degruy: A Trip To The Grocery StoreJermaine Moore Presentation at Creative MorningsCaspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Join hosts Adam Flaherty and Marc Checket in this special compilation episode as they highlight the most eye-opening moments of 2024, sharing insightful and unexpected clips from a year of remarkable guest interviews. Clips include:↳ Actor George Basil (HBO's Crashing, Barbie) on how single parenthood awards him a unique relationship with his teenage daughter.↳ Timothy Gant, Jr. AKA Teddy The Doula on what it means to be a “full spectrum” doula, and the benefits of being a male in a predominately female-led field.↳ Margaret Ables of the podcast What Fresh Hell – Laughing in the Face of Motherhood, on how society can better support and promote equitable parenting.↳ Comedian Pete Holmes on his young daughter discovering his body of work as she grows up.↳ And Dr. Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General, on the epidemic of stress and loneliness in parents, and his 2024 advisory “Parents Under Pressure.”THANK YOU, dads and moms, for 🔊listening, ✅subscribing, ✍️reviewing, and  🔗sharing Modern Dadhood with people you care about, and interacting with us! Here’s to an epic 2025! LINKS:Dr. Francois Clemmons (official)Pete HolmesWhat Fresh Hell podcast (official)Teddy The Doula (Instagram)Dr. Vivek MurthyDr. Murthy's advisory "Parents Under Pressure"Caspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Have you ever read a book to your kids and been so disappointed by how uninspired the story is? Or how half-baked the visuals are? Or how poor the grammar is? Same. That's why when you come across the truly great ones, you elevate them and celebrate them. Maine author and illustrator (and father of two) Chris Van Dusen joins us to share about all that goes into creating purposeful, high quality children's literature.Episode 115 of Modern Dadhood is our holiday episode. The guys open with a discussion about The Clement Moore classic "'Twas The Night Before Christmas" and debate the merits of modifying classic material in the public domain before transitioning to their conversation with author, illustrator, and father of two, Chris Van Dusen. Chris shares his story of coming up in the art world, and the path that led him to writing and illustrating classic kids books such as Circus Ship, the Mr. Magee series, and the If I Built series as well as illustrating the Mercy Watson series for author Kate DiCamillo.After the interview, Marc shares a story of connecting in person with one of our early guests, singer/songwriter Martin Sexton.From our families to yours, we wish you happy, safe, and fun holidays. - Adam & MarcLINKS:Chris Van Dusen (Official)Chris Van Dusen (Instagram)Chris Van Dusen (Facebook)Martin SextonCaspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Any parents of teenagers? (...Or have kids who will be teenagers before you know it?) The seismic shifts that take place during the teenage years can make parenting feel impossible. Inspirational speaker Ed Gerety joins the conversation to impart some wisdom on how to raise curious, grateful, resilient, and self-sufficient teenagers in today's fast-paced world. Hand around after the interview to hear Adam share a recent Instant Regret.Episode 114 of Modern Dadhood opens with a quick chat between Marc and Adam about gratitude. Adam shares a story about his 7 year old daughter receiving a gratitude award at school, and the guys talk about modeling thankfulness to their kids. The guys transition to Adam's recent conversation with inspirational speaker Ed Gerety who has built an impressive career visiting middle schools, high schools, and companies to inspire kindness, leadership, empathy, and more. The conversation touches on topics such as:•  The significance of being truly present parents•  Creating a list of family values to guide your decisions•  Communication strategies for teenagers who don't want to talk•  The value of fostering curiosity in our kids•  Modeling empathy and vulnerability by admitting your mistakes•  Debunking myths about entitlement•  Separating behavior from identity•  And more!Listen to the end to hear Adam try to talk his way out of explaining something wholly inappropriate to his 10 year old kid in a new installment of Instant Regrets.LINKSEd Gerety (official)Shine Your Light (Ed's new book)Ed on InstagramEd on LinkedInCaspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Every new parent stumbles and bumbles their way through learning the responsibilities of their new job, and adapting to their new lifestyle. Most of the "what to expect" books for dads seem to focus on swaddling and potty training, when what we really need is resources for loneliness or advice on how to keep your cool when you're totally overwhelmed. Today's guest, Joe Gidjunis, spent so much time contemplating fatherhood, that he decided to produce a documentary series about it... and PBS loved it so much, they made it available to millions of people. A father of one and former journalist, Joe opens up about his show Grown Up Dad, and how he hopes it will help new dads find joy in being present and in control. Listen to the end for an uproarious (and disgusting) installment of Did I Just Say That Out Loud? The guys open Episode 113 of Modern Dadhood with a quick catch-up on the 2nd Annual Checket Family Halloween Party before welcoming Joe Gidjunis into the conversation. Joe is the creator and host of Grown Up Dad, a documentary series airing on PBS that explores many of the same topics that this podcast explores. Joe shares about his early ideas for a film exploring fatherhood, and how he landed on a docuseries which has found him traveling the globe, meeting dads, and diving deep on the value of present fatherhood.After the interview, Marc shares an installment of Did I Just Say That Out Loud? that has Adam splitting a gut.LINKS:Grown Up Dad (official)Grown Up Dad (PBS)Grown Up Dad (Instagram)Joe Gidjunis (Instagram)Grown Up Dad (Facebook)Grown Up Dad (LinkedIn)Caspar BabypantsSpencer AlbeeModern Dadhood (website)AdamFlaherty.tvStuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)MD (Instagram)MD (Facebook)MD (YouTube)MD (TikTok) #moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast