Gap to Gig

Michael Jacobs

Build the life you’re working for. Gap to Gig is the podcast for dads who want to crush it at work and still show up at home. Each week, host Michael Jacobs talks with dads, founders, career experts, and creators about what it really takes to balance meaningful work and active fatherhood. From navigating career transitions and side hustles to staying present for hockey games and bedtime stories, Gap to Gig helps you create a life that feels steady, fulfilling, and built to last. Whether you’re a stay-at-home dad reentering the workforce, a working dad craving more purpose, or a creator building your own path, you’ll find stories and systems to help you move forward with confidence. Expect honest conversations about: Work-life balance that actually lastsCareer change and meaningful work without losing yourselfParenting and productivity that fit real lifeFatherhood, identity, and growth in the modern worldMindset and systems that keep both business and family running smoothly No fluff. No hustle-culture noise. Just real stories, practical tools, and genuine conversations about being a dad who wants both: meaningful work and a meaningful life. If you’ve ever felt pulled between your career ambitions and your kids’ soccer schedules, you’re not alone. Each episode offers ideas you can apply right away, whether that’s a way to structure your week, handle burnout, or rethink what success really means for you and your family. The show blends personal storytelling, expert insights, and actionable takeaways from guests who are building careers, companies, and creative projects that fit their lives, not the other way around. Recent episodes feature: Entrepreneurs who’ve built businesses around their familiesCareer coaches helping dads find work that fits their valuesCreatives balancing passion projects with parentingProductivity pros teaching how to reclaim time and focusEveryday dads sharing their journeys from burnout to balance If you’re ready to rethink success, build balance that lasts, and create space for what matters most, this podcast is for you. Gap to Gig: Helping dads build the life they’re working for. New episodes weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen.

  1. Jon Merlin on Building Creative Work Without Sacrificing Family Time

    4 GG FA

    Jon Merlin on Building Creative Work Without Sacrificing Family Time

    Jon Merlin is a longtime designer who left agency life to start his own creative studio while raising two young daughters. Instead of letting work bleed into every hour, Jon drew a hard line around family time and rebuilt his business around clarity, intention, and values. This conversation explores what it really looks like to pursue entrepreneurship without losing presence at home, and how letting go of perfection can unlock both better work and better parenting. Jon shares how to: Protect daily family time without derailing client workSet non-negotiables in seasons where work pressure is realBuild a focused business by saying no to the wrong projectsNavigate the anxiety and ambiguity of starting something newReplace perfection with progress at work and at homeUse small moments with kids to stay connected during busy daysModel emotional regulation, repair, and growth for childrenChoose work that aligns with values, not just revenueReframe career gaps as runways instead of setbacksDefine success through legacy, not titles or outputJon’s perspective is thoughtful, grounded, and deeply practical for dads who want to build something meaningful without missing what matters most. Dig Deeper One Club for Creatives (San Diego) Creative Mornings Lava Chicken Dookie by Green Day Basket Case by Green Day Follow Jon Website: https://jonmerlin.com/ On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonmerlin/ 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/

    44 min
  2. Doug Fleener on Making Better Work and Life Choices Without Burning Out

    3 FEB

    Doug Fleener on Making Better Work and Life Choices Without Burning Out

    Why does work keep crowding out family time even when no one is explicitly asking it to? Doug Fleener is an author, coach, and former corporate executive who has lived both sides of the work equation. After years of leadership roles and constant pressure, he intentionally redesigned his work around presence, health, and family. As a dad to grown daughters and a teenager, Doug brings rare perspective on how seasons of fatherhood change what presence really looks like. Doug shares how to: Shift from chasing balance to making clear work and life choices Recognize when work is crowding out presence without anyone noticing Build daily intention through future focused journaling Use physical cues like closing a laptop or putting down a phone to signal presence Pause before reacting when pressure spills into family moments Find meaningful connection in small, ordinary momentsDig Deeper Bose Corporation Day One Start With What If by Doug Fleener Draft Day Arthur theme song Turn Style Piano Man Follow Doug Website: https://www.dougfleener.com On TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@dougfleener On Instagram: https://instagram.com/dougfleener On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554942906442 On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doug-fleener On LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dougfleener 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. Stephanie Cordes on Finding Clarity When Success No Longer Feels Right

    27 GEN

    Stephanie Cordes on Finding Clarity When Success No Longer Feels Right

    What do you do when your career looks successful on paper, but something quietly feels off? Stephanie Cordes is a career ownership coach who works with people at the exact moment when professional success and the life they want to live stop pointing in the same direction. She knows this moment personally. After building a successful corporate career, Stephanie realized that checking all the boxes did not automatically mean she was building the right life. Stephanie shares how to: • Recognize quiet misalignment before it turns into burnout • Reevaluate work and life goals as seasons and family needs change • Think beyond job titles and focus on lifestyle, income, and long term direction • Create a personal North Star that guides decisions without locking you into one path • Let go of the belief that every career change means failure • Explore new options while keeping stability for your family • Involve your partner in career decisions as a true team effort • Redefine what providing really means beyond a paycheck Dig Deeper Ring Camera Jamie Siminoff, Founder of Ring Camera Kim Possible Picture by Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock Aquaphor Follow Stephanie Website: https://stephahead.com On X: https://x.com/stephcordesTES On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniecordesTES On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093172011381 On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemcordes/ On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/stephcordestes.bsky.social 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/

    39 min
  4. Kristian Leavell on Navigating Anxiety, Depression, and the Long Winter Season

    20 GEN

    Kristian Leavell on Navigating Anxiety, Depression, and the Long Winter Season

    Why do anxiety and depression feel heavier during the long winter season, even when nothing is technically “wrong”? Kristian Leavell, licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and dad, returns to talk about the emotional weight winter can bring, especially for fathers carrying responsibility at work and at home. The focus here is awareness, regulation, and small, realistic ways to stay steady when energy is low and motivation fades. Kristian shares how to: • Notice early signs of anxiety and depression by watching patterns, not isolated moments • Treat emotions as useful signals rather than problems to eliminate • Separate thoughts from facts and step out of spirals • Use small, practical actions to interrupt anxiety before it builds • Apply opposite action when motivation disappears • Practice mindfulness in real life, not perfect conditions • Talk with kids about emotions in ways that create trust and safety • Redefine strength as presence, not endurance • Check in on other dads without feeling the need to fix them Dig Deeper ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) Cognitive Fusion DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) The Jetsons How to turn crayons into candles Crash the Gates by Yellowcard Follow Kristian TherapyTokWithKris on TikTok TherapyTalkWithKris on Instagram TherapyTalkWithKris on YouTube DistinctApproachCounseling.com Email Kris 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
  5. Eddie Torba on Building a Career That Lets You Show Up for Your Kids

    13 GEN

    Eddie Torba on Building a Career That Lets You Show Up for Your Kids

    What does it mean to succeed at work without missing the moments you never get back? Eddie Torba has spent decades in retail execution and operations, helping major brands adapt, rebuild, and evolve through massive industry change. Along the way, he made intentional career decisions to stay present for his family, from working nights and weekends early on, to shifting into remote corporate roles, to building a small consulting practice on the side. Eddie shares how to: • Design a career around family instead of fitting family into leftover time • Choose flexibility and stability without treating them as opposites • Build trust at work by delivering results, not logging hours • Protect family dinners, school events, and everyday moments that matter • Set boundaries that prevent burnout and protect mental energy • Create morning and weekly routines that support focus and balance • Explore a side path without overwhelming yourself or your family • Be honest about capacity before taking on extra work • Help kids understand the human effort behind convenience and consumption • Teach responsibility, work ethic, and perspective by example • Measure success by presence, not titles or constant availability Eddie’s story is a reminder that careers evolve, seasons change, and showing up consistently for your family is a choice you make again and again. His approach is practical, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in the belief that work should support life, not replace it. Dig Deeper Ad Populum EWS Consulting Party City Duck Tales Duck Tales theme song Knee Deep by Zach Brown Band Jimmy Buffett Follow Eddie Email Eddie Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On Threads: threads.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/

    37 min
  6. AJ Rich on Becoming the Dad You Want to Be in an Anxious World

    6 GEN

    AJ Rich on Becoming the Dad You Want to Be in an Anxious World

    What does it actually take to feel grounded, confident, and present as a dad when anxiety is rising, expectations are shifting, and the world feels louder than ever? AJ Rich is a licensed marriage and family therapist, practice owner, and doctoral candidate who works almost exclusively with men. After nearly 20 years in corporate leadership, AJ transitioned into clinical work and now helps dads navigate identity, emotional intelligence, anxiety, and growth without losing themselves or their families in the process. In this conversation, AJ shares how men can move beyond coping and toward real psychological wellbeing, even while juggling work pressure, parenting, and constant change. You will hear AJ break down how to: • Understand anxiety as a signal, not a failure • Build emotional intelligence without losing strength or credibility • Develop the language to describe what you are actually feeling • Shift from survival mode into sustainable growth • Redefine success beyond titles, income, or external validation • Identify what is holding you back when you feel stuck Dig Deeper Feelings wheel Brené Brown Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart on HBO Max Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown (book) PERMA Theory of Well-Being Doc McStuffins Sofia the First Subway Sandwich Artist Food Avenue in Target This is How We Do It by Montell Jordan Follow AJ AJ Family Therapy, Inc. Email AJ Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram On TikTok On X On Threads On YouTube On your podcast player of choice Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter Follow Michael On LinkedIn

    44 min
  7. Paul Terrell on Grit, Recovery, and Rebuilding Life as a Dad

    30/12/2025

    Paul Terrell on Grit, Recovery, and Rebuilding Life as a Dad

    How do you rebuild your life when everything breaks at once and you still have kids who need you every minute of the day? After a devastating spinal injury and years of recovery, Paul Terrell became a stay at home dad who had to relearn how to walk, talk, type, and parent with new physical limitations. Later he returned to work and eventually became a top performing enterprise account executive in PropTech and FinTech. His story is one of grit, patience, perseverance, and a deep commitment to family. Paul shares how to: • Relearn everyday life while caring for two young kids • Parent with physical limitations and find creative ways to adapt • Build mental toughness when progress feels painfully slow • Return to the workforce with confidence after years away • Use AI, systems, and prep work to compete at a high level again • Navigate the emotional shift from being the primary caregiver to traveling constantly for work • Strengthen a marriage through shared effort, support, and role changes • Turn stay at home parenting into quantifiable wins on a resume • Carry lessons from parenting into sales, negotiation, and leadership • Protect health, energy, and family time in a metrics driven role • Help kids understand work, money, teamwork, and responsibility • Break big goals into smaller ones and use data to track personal progress Paul’s story is honest, inspiring, and packed with practical wisdom for any dad rebuilding after a tough season or trying to figure out what comes next. Dig Deeper Yardi REIT Plaud Bohemian Rhapsody Nuthin' but a "G" Thang Follow Paul Paul Terrell on LinkedIn Paul Terrell on Instagram 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/

    44 min
  8. Sean Waldron on Creativity, Healing, and the Work That Starts at Home

    23/12/2025

    Sean Waldron on Creativity, Healing, and the Work That Starts at Home

    What happens when you realize the real work of your life is happening at home, not at your job? Sean Waldron returns for a deeper conversation about creativity, fatherhood, and the stories that shape us. He shares how filming with his son became a doorway into connection, why every dad has creative gifts even if they do not see themselves as creative, and how bringing your work skills into your home can strengthen the bond with your kids. Sean opens up about: • Entering his child’s world and why validation matters so much • How creativity shows up in everyday parenting • Using the skills you practice at work to build connection at home • The danger of tying your worth to your job • Why every dad carries a creative spark • How good is built in small moments inside your home • Growing up with fractured support and transforming that pain into purpose • The heart behind ROAR and the documentary Silly Cannonballs • The healing conversation he needed to have with his father before he could tell this story • Building habits and protecting your morning to stay grounded • Navigating perfection, mastery, and the pursuit of honesty This conversation goes deeper into purpose, identity, generational patterns, and the kind of dad you want to become. It is raw, thoughtful, and full of clarity about what truly matters. Dig Deeper ROAR Dads Silly Cannonballs The Jetsons MacGyver John Mayer Japanese Joinery Gap to Gig Episode 6: Sean Waldron on Purpose, Creativity, and Becoming a Present Dad Follow Sean Sean Waldron on LinkedIn 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/

    57 min

Descrizione

Build the life you’re working for. Gap to Gig is the podcast for dads who want to crush it at work and still show up at home. Each week, host Michael Jacobs talks with dads, founders, career experts, and creators about what it really takes to balance meaningful work and active fatherhood. From navigating career transitions and side hustles to staying present for hockey games and bedtime stories, Gap to Gig helps you create a life that feels steady, fulfilling, and built to last. Whether you’re a stay-at-home dad reentering the workforce, a working dad craving more purpose, or a creator building your own path, you’ll find stories and systems to help you move forward with confidence. Expect honest conversations about: Work-life balance that actually lastsCareer change and meaningful work without losing yourselfParenting and productivity that fit real lifeFatherhood, identity, and growth in the modern worldMindset and systems that keep both business and family running smoothly No fluff. No hustle-culture noise. Just real stories, practical tools, and genuine conversations about being a dad who wants both: meaningful work and a meaningful life. If you’ve ever felt pulled between your career ambitions and your kids’ soccer schedules, you’re not alone. Each episode offers ideas you can apply right away, whether that’s a way to structure your week, handle burnout, or rethink what success really means for you and your family. The show blends personal storytelling, expert insights, and actionable takeaways from guests who are building careers, companies, and creative projects that fit their lives, not the other way around. Recent episodes feature: Entrepreneurs who’ve built businesses around their familiesCareer coaches helping dads find work that fits their valuesCreatives balancing passion projects with parentingProductivity pros teaching how to reclaim time and focusEveryday dads sharing their journeys from burnout to balance If you’re ready to rethink success, build balance that lasts, and create space for what matters most, this podcast is for you. Gap to Gig: Helping dads build the life they’re working for. New episodes weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen.