Gap to Gig – Working Dads' Guide to Fatherhood, Meaningful Work, & Finding Balance in Life

Michael Jacobs - Working Dads & Fatherhood Expert

Gap to Gig explores the life in between who we are, what we do, and the life we want to build as working dads. Through honest conversations with dads, experts, leaders, and people who have navigated their own twists and turns, host Michael Jacobs explores fatherhood, work-life balance, meaningful work, parenting, identity, ambition, relationships, and what actually matters most in modern life. Most of life's biggest decisions don't belong exclusively to work or family. They live somewhere in between, where the challenge isn't simply succeeding at work or showing up at home, but figuring out how all the pieces fit together. How do you build a meaningful career without losing yourself in it? How do you stay ambitious while remaining present for the people who matter most? How do you navigate career changes, setbacks, uncertainty, and new opportunities while still showing up for your family? How do you know if you're spending your time on the right things? This show is for working dads who feel pulled between responsibility and fulfillment, ambition and presence, work and the rest of life. The dads who don't want to wake up ten years from now wondering where the time went. Every conversation is designed to help you make more intentional choices about your work, your relationships, and the life you're building before the years have a chance to pass you by. Along the way, you'll find practical ideas, fresh perspective, and the confidence that comes from knowing you're not the only dad asking these questions.

  1. Faisal Ensaun on Taking Ownership of Your Life and Redefining Success as a Dad

    vor 1 Tag

    Faisal Ensaun on Taking Ownership of Your Life and Redefining Success as a Dad

    What if the life you’re building is the very thing draining you? Faisal Ensaun’s journey spans survival, addiction, reinvention, and ultimately building a life rooted in purpose, ownership, and alignment. From immigrating out of a war-torn country to hitting personal rock bottom, he rebuilt his life by asking harder questions than most people are willing to face. Today, as a coach, entrepreneur, and father, Faisal works with high performers who look successful on the outside but feel disconnected underneath. Faisal’s perspective is intense, honest, and grounded in lived experience. Especially for dads trying to navigate fatherhood, meaningful work, and the pressure to provide without losing themselves in the process. Dig Deeper Gabor Maté Naraka Pink Panther Tom and Jerry Wonderland Scare Away the Dark by Passenger Follow Faisal On his website: https://www.faisalensaun.com/ On his podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IhYB1waklQjJWPkDKeU66 On X: https://x.com/faisalensaun On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faisalensaun/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faisalensaun1 On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@faisalensaun On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@faisalensaun On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faisalensaun/ Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

    58 Min.
  2. Anthony Kuo on Escaping the Success Trap and Building a Career That Actually Fits

    26. Mai

    Anthony Kuo on Escaping the Success Trap and Building a Career That Actually Fits

    What happens when you do everything right on paper… and still feel like something is off? Anthony Kuo knows that feeling firsthand. From performing at Carnegie Hall at 17 to climbing the corporate ladder after graduating from NYU Stern, he checked every box most people chase. But underneath the external success, something never quite clicked. Now a career satisfaction coach and founder of Untamed Career, Anthony helps high achievers untangle the gap between success and satisfaction and build careers that actually align with who they are. This conversation explores what many working dads quietly wrestle with. The tension between providing and feeling fulfilled. The pressure to keep going even when something feels misaligned. And the challenge of figuring out what you actually want when the answer is not obvious. Anthony shares how to: Understand the difference between success and satisfaction and why both matterRecognize when your work is draining energy instead of fueling itBreak down the overwhelming question of “what do I want?” into something actionableAvoid burnout by paying attention to the process, not just the outcomeNavigate career changes without blowing up your life or risking stabilityUnderstand how your career choices impact your presence as a parentDig Deeper NYU Stern School of Business Carnegie Hall ADHD The Song That Never Ends from Lamb Chop Follow Anthony On his website: https://untamedcareer.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untamedcareer/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.c.kuo On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@untamedcareer On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/untamedcareer/ Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

    52 Min.
  3. Shaun Dawson on Fatherhood, Identity, and Redefining Work-Life Balance for Dads

    19. Mai

    Shaun Dawson on Fatherhood, Identity, and Redefining Work-Life Balance for Dads

    What does it really mean to succeed as a dad when work, ambition, and identity are all pulling in different directions? Shaun Dawson, tech leader, father of two, and host of the Raising Men podcast, challenges the idea that success is defined by output alone. He shares a more grounded perspective on fatherhood, work life balance, and what working dads often get wrong when they focus too heavily on providing financially while overlooking emotional presence. Shaun shares how to: Redefine success beyond income and external achievementBuild emotional security for your kids, not just financial securitySeparate identity from output and rethink what actually gives your life meaningRecognize when ego is shaping your parenting decisionsStay present during everyday moments that are easy to overlook but impossible to get backNavigate the tension between guiding your kids and letting them become who they areThis is a thoughtful and honest conversation for working dads trying to build a life that balances fatherhood, meaningful work, and a deeper sense of identity. Dig Deeper Conan the Barbarian Raising Men by Eric Davis Bluey Dairy Queen Piano Man Follow Shaun On his website and podcast: https://raising.men/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisingmen_podcast/ On Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/raisingmen_podcast/ On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RaisingMen_Podcast On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/raising-men/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raisingmenpodcast Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

    55 Min.
  4. Paul Comfort on Finding Meaningful Work and Work-Life Balance as a Dad

    12. Mai

    Paul Comfort on Finding Meaningful Work and Work-Life Balance as a Dad

    What if the reason work feels off is not the job itself, but a lack of clarity about what you are actually built to do? Paul Comfort has spent decades helping people identify their strengths, align their careers with purpose, and build lives that feel both successful and meaningful. His work centers on the idea that most people never take the time to understand what they are uniquely wired to do. For dads trying to navigate fatherhood, career decisions, meaningful work, and work-life balance, lack of clarity can lead to frustration, burnout, and a constant feeling of being pulled in too many directions. Paul shares how to: Identify your natural strengths and use them to guide career decisionsRecognize when you are in the wrong role versus the wrong seasonAlign your work with your values, personality, and long-term goalsMake better decisions about transitions, promotions, and opportunitiesHelp your kids think about their own strengths and future pathsDig Deeper Command & Conquer PEG Channel DiSC Profile Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Barney Free Fallin’ Follow Paul On LinkedIn On Instagram On his show, Transit Unplugged TV On his podcast, Transit Unplugged Check out his book, Find Your X Factor, and take the assessment Pre-order his book from B&N Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

    54 Min.
  5. Antwaun Thompson on Raising Confident Kids Through Better Parenting and Coaching

    5. Mai

    Antwaun Thompson on Raising Confident Kids Through Better Parenting and Coaching

    What if the way you show up after the game matters more than the game itself? After more than three decades coaching and mentoring young people, Antwaun Thompson has seen a clear shift. Kids today are facing more pressure, less confidence, and more noise than ever before. And for many parents, especially working dads trying to navigate fatherhood and work-life balance, it's not always clear how to support them the right way. This conversation focuses on what kids actually need from their parents, not just in youth sports, but in everyday life. Antwaun shares how to: Build confidence in your kids through connection instead of constant correctionGive feedback that helps growth instead of creating pressureUnderstand the hidden pressure kids feel from parents, coaches, teammates, and themselvesInvolve your kids in decisions so they build ownership and responsibilityCreate an environment where kids contribute instead of just participateDig Deeper Dean Smith The Flintstones Let’s Stay Together by Al Green Follow Antwaun On his non-profit, JLT Fieldhouse On his website On Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders with Coach T On TeenSpeak - Empowering Today’s Youth On Instagram On Facebook On YouTube On TikTok On LinkedIn Check out his book, S.E.A. of Success Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

    55 Min.
  6. David Shar on Passion, Burnout, and Work-Life Balance for Working Dads

    28. Apr.

    David Shar on Passion, Burnout, and Work-Life Balance for Working Dads

    Why does work that once energized you start to feel like something you can’t turn off? Dr. David Shar studies what happens when people fall out of love with their work and why that shift often happens long before anyone notices. His research shows that for working dads, the challenge is not just workload. It is how work connects to identity, purpose, and the life you are trying to build at home. This conversation reframes passion in a way most people never consider. Not all passion is healthy. Some of it quietly creates burnout, tension, and distance from the people who matter most. David shares how to: • Understand the difference between healthy passion and the kind that leads to burnout • Recognize when guilt at home or at work is a signal of misalignment  • Identify when your work is integrated into your identity versus competing with it • Shift from obsessive work habits to a more sustainable, balanced approach • Influence culture and energy at work even without a leadership title • Align your impact at work with who you are as a parent • Create meaningful work without sacrificing presence at home We talk about fatherhood, identity, and work-life balance that actually holds up under real pressure. Not less ambition, but better alignment between who you are, how you work, and how you show up at home. Dig Deeper University of Maryland Cold Stone Creamery The Crips and Bloods Safeway ChatGPT Wicked Marvel Cinematic Universe Dinosaur Train The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Follow David On his website: http://www.davidshar.com On LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidshar Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

    54 Min.
  7. Alan Lazaros on Meaningful Work, Work-Life Balance, and Living from the Inside Out

    21. Apr.

    Alan Lazaros on Meaningful Work, Work-Life Balance, and Living from the Inside Out

    What if the biggest gap between your work and your life is not your schedule, but how you define success? Alan Lazaros built what most people would call a successful life. High income, fast growth, and clear upward momentum. But after a near-fatal car accident at 26, he was forced to confront a harder question. Was any of it actually meaningful? For working dads trying to balance ambition, work-life balance, and presence at home, this conversation reframes what meaningful work really means and how easily success can drift away from what matters most. Alan shares how to: • Shift from chasing external success to building a life from the inside out • Recognize when your goals are driven by validation instead of values • Avoid building a life that looks successful but feels empty • Focus on long-term growth instead of short-term approval • Close the gap between your intentions and your daily actions • Redefine meaningful work in a way that actually fits your life This conversation is not about abandoning ambition. It's about aiming it in the right direction so your work, your values, and your life are moving together instead of pulling you apart. Dig Deeper Agfa Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Adverse Childhood Experiences Score Pride Rock Hey Arnold Ice Ice Baby Follow Alan On his website: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com On Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alazaros88 On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc On his podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelUniversity Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

    40 Min.
  8. David Marcus on Fatherhood, Emotional Presence, and Raising Kids in a Stressed World

    14. Apr.

    David Marcus on Fatherhood, Emotional Presence, and Raising Kids in a Stressed World

    Why do so many working dads feel disconnected from their kids even when they are physically present? Modern fatherhood comes with pressures that did not exist a generation ago. Constant work demands, two-income households, packed schedules, and technology that never turns off have pushed many families into reactive mode. And when stress builds, connection is often the first thing to break. Dr. David Marcus, a clinical psychologist with over 40 years of experience working with families under stress, explains what is really happening beneath those moments of disconnection and how dads can show up differently. David shares how to: • Become a calming, steady presence when your child is overwhelmed • Understand why kids fear their emotions will push parents away  • Avoid reactive parenting patterns that get passed down unconsciously • Help children develop an emotional language instead of acting out • Respond in a way that allows your child to open up rather than shut down • Handle conflict without damaging trust or connection • Repair moments when you lose your temper and rebuild respect • Stay emotionally present even when work stress is high • Recognize when you are “filled up” and shifting into reaction mode • Create a home environment where kids feel safe expressing themselves This conversation is for working dads trying to balance fatherhood, work, and emotional presence in a world that rarely slows down. Dig Deeper My Big Fat Greek Wedding: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259446/ Michael Jordan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan The Waltons: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068149/ Cats in the Cradle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u-KWa3tL-0 Father & Son: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6zaCV4niKk Sunrise, Sunset: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBJeF_Lav2o Follow David On his website: https://parentrx.org Email: dsmarcusphd@parentrx.org Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

    54 Min.

Bewertungen und Rezensionen

Info

Gap to Gig explores the life in between who we are, what we do, and the life we want to build as working dads. Through honest conversations with dads, experts, leaders, and people who have navigated their own twists and turns, host Michael Jacobs explores fatherhood, work-life balance, meaningful work, parenting, identity, ambition, relationships, and what actually matters most in modern life. Most of life's biggest decisions don't belong exclusively to work or family. They live somewhere in between, where the challenge isn't simply succeeding at work or showing up at home, but figuring out how all the pieces fit together. How do you build a meaningful career without losing yourself in it? How do you stay ambitious while remaining present for the people who matter most? How do you navigate career changes, setbacks, uncertainty, and new opportunities while still showing up for your family? How do you know if you're spending your time on the right things? This show is for working dads who feel pulled between responsibility and fulfillment, ambition and presence, work and the rest of life. The dads who don't want to wake up ten years from now wondering where the time went. Every conversation is designed to help you make more intentional choices about your work, your relationships, and the life you're building before the years have a chance to pass you by. Along the way, you'll find practical ideas, fresh perspective, and the confidence that comes from knowing you're not the only dad asking these questions.