BEASTDAD

BEASTDAD returns with a look at Money - a foundational consideration for all dads. Most people know that having kids isn't cheap, so in this episode we explore the biggest "cost centers" that go through re-evaluation along with a growing family, including housing, transportation, the grocery bill, and leisure. We offer no financial advice, but hope that understanding some of the bigger costs that accompany fatherhood can be helpful - especially in a time of economic uncertainty.&n...

In BEASTDAD #21, Mike and Nick explore "the new abnormal" and working from home in this career-focused episode. While working from home definitely has its perks, there are lots of new situations that must be grappled with. These include navigating online meetings, being a leader among teams who are isolated and stressed, and the ever-vanishing separation between home and work. We also spend a fair bit of time anticipating "the future of work" - especially its effects on thin...

You can’t have a comeback if you don’t leave first! In Beastdad #20, Mike & Nick return after a break to debrief on the impact of COVID-19 on their health, goals, and experiences. For many of us, the social and psychological impact of COVID-19 has been severe - even if we didn’t get it. The impact to our careers, social life, mental health, and general way of life can’t be understated. When all the daily essentials and simple pleasures of life are suddenly taken aw...

In BEASTDAD 19, Mike and Nick analyze the “dad look”. In this episode, we look at grooming and dress in the context of career, play, and fitness. Should you wear that sleeveless Metallica T-Shirt to the company BBQ? Should you join a start-up so you can wear a hoodie at work? Should you shave? What is moisturizer and how is it different from hand sanitizer?Most people have an idea of what a “dad” looks like - and this episode is all about breaking down barriers an...

YES CHEF. Dads have become more involved in the kitchen than ever before. In BEASTDAD 18, Mike and Nick discuss their very different approaches to buying and preparing food for their families. Mike’s is pragmatic and spartan, while Nick’s is technical and extravagant. New dads often play the part of hunter AND gatherer, so this episode focuses on transitioning from restaurants to home cooking, dietary needs, food spending, saving time in the kitchen, and essential kitc...

Friendship can be complicated. In BEASTDAD 17, we try to simplify it - simple men that we are. Friendships and relationships obviously change over time, but becoming a dad will generally mark a major change in your social life. Aside from the obvious (e.g. partying all night becomes less frequent - hopefully), many new dads are surprised by how suddenly and dramatically relationships can change when a baby first arrives on the scene. Things can be particularly tough if you'r...

In Episode 16 of the BEASTDAD Podcast, Mike and Nick take the “Big 5” Personality test to explore personality and fatherhood, using Dr. Jordan Peterson’s online assessment tool - available at understandmyself.com. "C.A.N.O.E" represents the Big 5 personality traits: Conscientiousness, Agreeability, Neuroticism, Openness, and Extroversion. It is considered to be one of the best self-assessment tools, and is really useful for understanding individual strengths and development areas -...

In BEASTDAD podcast episode 15 we welcome our guest, Coach Steve Roy (@thefitdadnation).Steve is the founder of FIT DAD NATION and is an absolute BEAST. A father of 2, Steve is a successful fitness coach to thousands of dads in his online community (www.fitdadnation.com/community) and through his personal fitness coaching. In our discussion, Steve speaks candidly about his early struggles as a father working in finance before starting over as a fitness coach in his early forties.&...

Season 2 of BEASTDAD starts with an examination of life with your new roommate! In "Newborn Knowledge" Mike and Nick explore the first few months as a new dad, with emphasis on the tactics that most people don't tell you about - probably because they were too sleep-deprived to document them! Starting with the delirium of childbirth, we discuss "blob to biped", guest management and pushy visitors, logistics (parking, the driving nerves, public transportation), your living environment, th...

New year, new decade, same beast! In the Season Finale of BEASTDAD, Mike and Nick explore goals, refinements, successes, and the ever-perfecting process that is the Beastdad project. As dads who want it all - or, at least SOME of it all - we explore what worked (and what didn't) since launching the podcast. In many ways, we also launched ourselves - hopefully we all don't burn up on reentry to the atmosphere! In Goals, Milestones, & Beasthood, we discuss the pitfalls of new ye...

When we’re not working on ourselves or looking after our families, we’re probably enjoying ART:music, books, movies, etc. In “Old New Art”, Mike & Nick explore the evolution of their openness to new forms of creative expression, observing new tastes, interests, and inspirations as they progress through fatherhood. Sharing art with children is also explored, along with discovering new art, and revisiting old influences. New artistic influences drive and revive creat...

In Beastdad 11, it’s another solo episode! Mike outlines his experiences in Returning to Work following parental leave. If you’re a dude thinking about parental leave, there’s a lot more to consider than just the finances - that’s for sure. Even though more men are taking parental leave, there’s a lot to navigate. Changes in your work portfolio, changes in your working relationships, changes in your home life. Man - there’s a lot to consider. Some parents ...

Merry Beastmas! In BEASTDAD 10, Mike and Nick explore the most blunderful time of the year. The stresses of the holiday season can be hard on dads and the families they support. Increased demands on time will impact workouts, increased social obligations mean increased junk food, increased vacation time means increased pressure to get your increased duties done at an increased rate (increased everything!). In our first "Christmas Special" we throw routine out winter's window...

Sports! In BEASTDAD 9, Mike and Nick discuss the influence and importance of sports in health, social life, career, family time, and children’s development. Through their experiences as participants and observers, Mike and Nick explore being older than everyone in the NFL, athletes setting examples, sportsmanship, and the value of always knowing what happens on Sunday. Check us out at beastdad.com and @beastdadmode on "the instagram"!

Career vs. Childcare! In BEASTDAD 8, Mike and Nick discuss the end of parental leave, and the major childcare options: Stay-at-home parent ("Homemaker"), Daycare, and "Hybrid".For a lot of new dads, the cost of childcare can come as a shock - so assessing options, finances, and lifestyle is important. With special emphasis on career, this episode explores: "getting on the list" for daycare, becoming a trophy husband, and combining childcare with a home business (not as easy as it sounds...

In BEASTDAD 6, Mike and Nick explore "Dad Strength" and strategies to achieve and maintain it in the face of increasing time pressures. Babies have a lot of equipment, and it usually your job to carry it. Recognizing that multiple trips to the car is a sucker deal, this episode focuses on physical strength building in the context of exercise or die (incentive), gravity is free (home workouts), earning your beer (accountability), and working with your family to prioritize physical ...

Episode 2: Beast goals! In this episode of BEASTDAD, Mike and Nick explore their goals within the Beastdad Pillars (health, career, growth, social, and experiences). Using the “SMART” strategy for goal development, Mike and Nick discuss earning your beers, no-cost workouts, babies on a plane, the death of “someday” and more. Check us out at beastdad.com and @beastdadmode on instagram!

Episode 3: Authenticity!  In the third BEASTDAD episode, Mike and Nick grapple with modeling authenticity for their kids, friends, colleagues, and selves, discussing authenticity in the context of careers, social life, and personal goals.  Join them as they explore fighting your friends, new “safe spaces”, the value of screwing up on a goal, and more.  Check us out at beastdad.com and @beastdadmode on ‘the instagram’!

Episode 1! In the first episode of BEASTDAD, dads Mike (rookie) and Nick (veteran) outline their motivation for starting the Beastdad podcast, creating a forum for real talk about men's lifestyle post-fatherhood.  In this episode, Mike and Nick recount their pre-fatherhood anxieties, and their commitment to the Beastdad Pillars: Fitness, New Experiences, Career, Social life, and Personal Growth.  Connect with us on beastdad.com and @beastdadmode on instagram.