The Dad Manual

Tony Cooper
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  • PARENTING

The Dad Manual is a fatherhood podcast hosted by Tony Cooper, featuring honest conversations with dads about the real, unfiltered journey of parenthood. This parenting podcast for dads explores everything from the excitement of being a first time dad to navigating the teenage years. As one of the best podcasts for expecting dads and experienced fathers alike, we dive deep into what it actually means to be a modern dad—the struggles, the growth, the mistakes, and the moments that change you forever. Whether you're looking for a new dad podcast or seasoned parenting wisdom, this family podcast delivers the honest guidance you won't find in books.

Episodes

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    Being a Girl Dad: Modeling Manhood When Daughters Are Watching

    Tony Cooper sits down with friend and fellow dad Aaron Pava for a deeply personal conversation about the fatherhood he inherited and the father he's working to become. From growing up between a strict stepfather and a hands-off biological dad — with no clear middle way — to proudly identifying as a girl dad, Tony reflects with honesty and vulnerability on the patterns that shaped him and the practices that continue to sharpen him. This is The Dad Manual getting real about the man behind the mic. Key Takeaways: Growing up with two extreme parenting models — one overly strict, one completely hands-off — can leave you without a template for the middle way.Being a girl dad carries a specific responsibility: modeling what integrity and uprightness look like for young women navigating the world.Anger in parenting often has deep roots — knowing where it comes from is the first step toward managing it.Men's groups that do real, honest, challenging work are one of the most powerful tools available to fathers seeking to grow.The family dinner table, when it's consistent, becomes one of the most underrated rituals in a child's sense of security.Kids don't always need your attention on them — watching parents work together toward something meaningful is its own powerful form of modeling.Regret can be reframed: time spent building something alongside your children, even when the focus isn't on them, has lasting value.Direct, vulnerable conversations with your kids about how your behavior affects them are rare and important — and often overdue.Personal growth work — workshops, transformational courses, self-reflection — compounds directly into better parenting over time.The patterns we inherit aren't destiny. Awareness, community, and consistent small rituals are how we write new ones.If you enjoyed The Dad Manual, leave us a rating on your podcast app! If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to dadmanualpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/

    41 min
  2. Break the Bad, Pass on the Good: Second Chances at Fatherhood with Paul Crawford

    10 FEB

    Break the Bad, Pass on the Good: Second Chances at Fatherhood with Paul Crawford

    Breaking cycles and building bonds across two families and thirty years. Paul Crawford raised four children across two marriages and now brings grandfather wisdom to modern parenting challenges. From becoming a father at 29 while in grad school to navigating divorce, strained relationships, and ultimately reconnecting with his adult children, Paul shares raw insights about intergenerational trauma and conscious healing. This parenting podcast explores attachment theory, the critical importance of unconditional love, and how sometimes the best thing you can do for your kids is work on your relationship with your partner. Whether you're a new dad or navigating complex family dynamics, Paul's journey offers perspective on breaking bad patterns and passing on the good. Key Takeaways: Intergenerational trauma works itself out through you as a parentThe first two years establish whether children trust their caregiversWorking on your partnership is one of the best things you can do for your kidsGrandparenting offers a second chance to apply hard-won wisdomBreaking cycles requires awareness of both good and bad impulsesAllowing kids to fail teaches resilience and problem-solvingReconnection with estranged children is possible through patienceManaging emotions during conflict creates better outcomes than winning argumentsThe biological bond with grandchildren is powerful and immediateNew fathers should embrace good impulses while staying aware of inherited traumaIf you enjoyed The Dad Manual, leave us a rating on your podcast app! If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to dadmanualpodcast@gmail.com Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/ (00:00) - Introduction and Paul's background (02:07) - Becoming a dad at 29 (03:38) - Divorce and co-parenting challenges (06:12) - When his son moved back in (12:38) - Getting remarried and blending families (18:25) - Tension between old and new families (22:14) - Letting kids fail builds resilience (28:42) - Managing conflict without winning (34:16) - Working on your partnership first (38:50) - Why the first two years matter (42:20) - Becoming a grandfather to twins (46:53) - Attachment theory and unconditional love (52:08) - Advice for brand new fathers (57:01) - Breaking cycles and passing on wisdom

    59 min
  3. Fatherhood Through Cancer, Grief, and a Child's Transition

    27 JAN

    Fatherhood Through Cancer, Grief, and a Child's Transition

    Parenting doesn't follow a script, and sometimes life throws you every curveball imaginable. Danny Cooper shares his raw, honest journey of raising his child Sari while navigating his wife Emily's decade-long battle with breast cancer that began when Sari was just three months old. From aggressive chemotherapy and stem cell transplants to ultimately losing Emily when Sari was 10, Danny had to step into both parental roles while dealing with his own grief. Years later, Sari came out as transgender, transitioning from female to male at age 26. Danny opens up about the emotional complexity of celebrating his child's happiness while grieving the daughter he thought he had, and what it means to reprogram yourself as a father when your child's identity shifts. This conversation explores resilience, unconditional love, and showing up for your kids no matter what life brings. Key Takeaways: How to be present for your child during a partner's terminal illnessBalancing work demands with being there for critical family momentsTeaching kids self-reliance while providing unwavering supportProcessing grief as a parent while keeping your child stableSupporting a child through gender transition as an adultThe psychological process of accepting your child's new identityCreating safety and unconditional love in single parentingInstilling values like empathy, work ethic, and kindness through adversityWhy being hands-on from birth matters for long-term connectionChoosing your child over work when it truly mattersIf you enjoyed The Dad Manual, leave us a rating on your podcast app! If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to dadmanualpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/   (00:00) - - Introduction (01:35) - - Meeting Sari and early parenthood (03:45) - - Emily's breast cancer diagnosis (07:20) - - Aggressive treatments and survival (11:45) - - Being a dad during medical crisis (15:30) - - Emily's passing when Sari was 10 (19:15) - - Single fatherhood and stepping up (23:40) - - Sari's gender transition at 26 (27:50) - - Grieving the daughter you thought you had (32:10) - - Becoming a boy dad unexpectedly (36:25) - - Values and principles for raising kids (40:15) - - Hopes and dreams for Sari's future (43:50) - - Advice for brand new fathers

    49 min
  4. Sports, Character, and Growing Up: A Father's Journey with His Son

    13 JAN

    Sports, Character, and Growing Up: A Father's Journey with His Son

    When your teenager starts reflecting your own traits back at you, parenting gets real Michael Guidotti shares his journey raising 13-year-old Donovan, a remarkable young man who chooses family time over friends and stands firm when his character gets attacked. From sports bonding and travel adventures to navigating split households and teenage development, Michael reveals how authentic parenting means paving your own path while staying open to feedback. This fatherhood podcast explores the beautiful complexity of watching your child develop their identity while seeing yourself reflected in their choices. Key Takeaways:  Start becoming a parent before the baby arrivesKids mirror our behaviors more than we realizeCharacter matters more than popularity to some teensFamily-oriented values can emerge naturally in childrenTeenage identity development requires support, not controlSports create powerful bonding opportunities between fathers and sonsSplit households can still raise well-adjusted, family-focused kidsConfidence in your parenting path is essentialMistakes are inevitable and valuable in the parenting journeyCharacter attacks hurt deeply when integrity matters to your childIf you enjoyed The Dad Manual, leave us a rating on your podcast app! If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to dadmanualpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/

    45 min
  5. Co-Parenting with Intention: Building a Better Legacy for Sons

    30/12/2025

    Co-Parenting with Intention: Building a Better Legacy for Sons

    When one positive pregnancy test changes everything, transformation becomes inevitable. Diego Kuri's life shifted the moment he discovered he was becoming a father. From addressing his relationship with alcohol to breaking cycles of rage and anxiety, Diego shares how fatherhood pushed him toward becoming his best self. Now co-parenting two strong-willed boys in Miami, he's navigating the balance between nature and nurture, breaking generational patterns, and creating a legacy of presence and unconditional love. This conversation explores the inner work required to show up authentically for your children. Key Takeaways: Discovering fatherhood can trigger immediate personal transformationLeading by example is the most powerful parenting toolBreaking generational trauma is the greatest legacy we can leaveCo-parenting requires flexibility, communication, and shared valuesStrong personalities in children reflect opportunities for self-awarenessInner work before crisis prevents future disconnection with kidsNature shapes who children are, but values guide how they navigate lifePresence and unconditional love matter more than perfectionSmall moments of joy often become the most treasured memoriesStarting therapy or self-work early creates healthier parent-child relationshipsIf you enjoyed The Dad Manual, leave us a rating on your podcast app! If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to dadmanualpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/

    52 min
  6. Aggression and Masculinity in Parenting with Circling Founder Guy Sengstock

    16/12/2025

    Aggression and Masculinity in Parenting with Circling Founder Guy Sengstock

    What happens when a master of human connection realizes he's barely talked about his most important role? Guy Sengstock, co-founder of Circling and dialogical practices expert, joins me to explore the implicit nature of fatherhood. With a 22-year-old son and a 4-year-old, Guy shares raw insights on the wonder of witnessing consciousness emerge, the profound regret of signing away proximity to his eldest, and why aggression needs socialization, not suppression. We discuss how fathers teach most powerfully when they're not trying, the cosmological significance of rough-and-tumble play, and what it means to midwife young beings into self-awareness. Key Takeaways: Why parenting happens most powerfully in implicit, unplanned momentsThe respect and otherness experienced during childbirthHow physical play socializes healthy masculine aggressionThe deep regret of allowing distance from your childWhat it means to be present with wonder as a fatherHow perspective becomes a father's greatest giftWhy ending generational trauma matters more than legacyThe importance of being fully present at birth and beyondIf you enjoyed The Dad Manual, leave us a rating on your podcast app! If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to dadmanualpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/

    56 min
  7. Everything I Learned as a Girl Dad - Raising Daughters with Tony Elliott

    02/12/2025

    Everything I Learned as a Girl Dad - Raising Daughters with Tony Elliott

    Tony Elliott shares his journey raising two daughters through the lens of game styles, Love & Logic principles, and real-world trial and error. From tea parties to state championships, discover how understanding biological styles under pressure transforms parenting. Tony opens up about being harder on daughters versus sons, navigating different game styles between siblings, and why supporting the mother is the single most important job for any new dad. Whether you're a new dad podcast listener or raising teenagers, this conversation offers wisdom earned through decades of fatherhood. Key Takeaways: How Love & Logic consequences with empathy shaped parenting decisionsUnderstanding your child's biological game style reduces conflictGirl dads experience unexpected fulfillment in father-daughter relationshipsSupporting the mother is the primary job for new fathersYou don't need all the answers right now—solve one problem at a timeBeing present at every event matters more than you realizeDifferent game styles require different parenting approachesSleep deprivation is the first problem to solve togetherYour job transitions from provider to supporter as kids growThe joy in their accomplishments surpasses any personal achievementIf you enjoyed The Dad Manual, leave us a rating on your podcast app! If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to dadmanualpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/

    49 min
  8. Parenting Through Teasing, Trust, and One Thousand Tiny Conversations

    18/11/2025

    Parenting Through Teasing, Trust, and One Thousand Tiny Conversations

    This week on The Dad Manual, I’ve invited my friend Adam Hibble, father to 16-year-old Maya, to share his unconventional approach to modern fatherhood that began before pregnancy: a vision statement that evolved through playful teasing, open-ended questions, and countless short conversations. Adam reveals how his parenting style emerged from his own father's listening-first approach and the community of men around him. He opens up about the mistakes he made—including inadvertently limiting his daughter's emotional expression—and how he's worked to heal his own childhood wounds to break generational cycles. This parenting podcast explores the balance between fun and boundaries, the importance of apologizing when jokes don't land, and why being a dad means constantly learning on the job. Maya's confidence and emotional intelligence stand as testament to the power of being present, patient, and willing to do the hard work of self-reflection. Key Takeaways: Create a parenting vision statement with your partner before your child arrivesModel the ability to apologize when your attempts at humor or discipline don't land wellAsk yourself "What would I have wanted at this age?" to guide your parenting decisionsFocus on 1,000 short conversations rather than a few long, heavy talksHeal your own childhood wounds before trying to instill values you don't embody yourselfUse playful teasing strategically to build resilience and humor in your childrenPractice listening more than talking and asking open-ended questionsAllow children to express emotions without needing to categorize or justify themTake care of yourself first so you can better care for your familyRemember that parenting is learn-as-you-go; you don't need all the answers upfrontIf you enjoyed The Dad Manual, leave us a rating on your podcast app! If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to thedadmanual@gmail.com. Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/

    51 min
  9. They're Not As Fragile As You Think: Real Talk About Modern Fatherhood

    04/11/2025

    They're Not As Fragile As You Think: Real Talk About Modern Fatherhood

    Parenthood isn't about perfection—it's about showing up, opening up, and caring deeply. Rodrigo Lagos shares his transformation into a sports dad and how driving his 16-year-old daughter Willow to volleyball created unexpected moments of connection. He discusses navigating the teenage years with authenticity, supporting his son Drake's passion for archery and robotics, and why vulnerability strengthens father-child relationships. This parenting podcast explores the power of family rituals, from their annual Lago Summer Kickoff Event to holiday cooking traditions, and offers wisdom on building resilience through consistent care. Key Takeaways: Sports involvement creates natural conversation opportunities with teenagersKids are more resilient than we think when we show up for themFamily rituals evolve as children grow and contribute their own ideasVulnerability and apologizing to your kids builds deeper trustOpening up to your children happens earlier than most fathers expectScreen-free time in the car offers valuable connection windowsPhysical exhaustion after sports helps kids be more presentLetting kids participate fully in family life teaches ownershipIf you enjoyed The Dad Manual, please like and subscribe. If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to dadmanualpodcast@gmail.com. Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/

    1h 5m

  10. EPISODE 1

    Welcome to The Dad Manual

    The Dad Manual

    2 min

Trailer

About

The Dad Manual is a fatherhood podcast hosted by Tony Cooper, featuring honest conversations with dads about the real, unfiltered journey of parenthood. This parenting podcast for dads explores everything from the excitement of being a first time dad to navigating the teenage years. As one of the best podcasts for expecting dads and experienced fathers alike, we dive deep into what it actually means to be a modern dad—the struggles, the growth, the mistakes, and the moments that change you forever. Whether you're looking for a new dad podcast or seasoned parenting wisdom, this family podcast delivers the honest guidance you won't find in books.

Information

  • Creator
    Tony Cooper
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Tony Cooper