New Dad Gaming

Trevor Alexander & Jeff Smalley
  • 5.0 (17)
  • VIDEO GAMES
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A show about Gaming, Fatherhood, and New Fathers figuring out their gaming lives

  1. 2D AGO

    Dad as an Uber, Getting Kids on Skyrim, and Cheating for the memories | New Dad Gaming Ep. 384

    This week, Jeff is hustling as an Uber driver for his kids and subtly suggests they buy Skyrim VR, Trevor finished Hades 2 and is caught between endgame content and some retro fun with Pokemon Fire Red, and Trevor pulls a fast one as the dealer during a game of Flip 7 for a good cause. Subscribe to the Podcast!   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw Others on Our Website: https://newdadgaming.com/ #podcast #podcaster #podcasting #fatherhood #gaming #dadgaming

    35 min

  2. FEB 9

    Surviving Valheim Chaos With Kids & Sneaking Balatro into School | New Dad Gaming Ep. 383

    What happens when your teenager gets caught playing a bootleg version of Balatro on school computers? Do you ground them, or are you secretly a little proud? 😂 Plus, Trevor is moving his family to Colombia for the winter and had to make some heartbreaking choices about what gaming gear makes the cut! Welcome back to New Dad Gaming! In Episode 383, Trevor and Jeff are breaking down the ultimate travel gaming setup for dads on the move—why the Xbox Series S and Switch made the trip, but the PS5 and gaming PC had to stay behind. We also dive into the absolute chaos of playing Valheim with our kids (spoiler: do not let your teenager lead a troll horde back to your newly built cabin),and our struggles with giant gaming backlogs as we try to make time for Expedition 33, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, and Hades 2.   👇 WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU! 👇 Have you ever had to make a painful sacrifice with your gaming setup for a big move? Or do you have a hilarious story of playing co-op games with your kids? Let us know in the comments below! 🔔 Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for weekly episodes on fatherhood, gaming, and finding balance:  🎧 LISTEN TO THE PODCAST ON THE GO: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts Everywhere Else: https://newdadgaming.com ⏱️ CHAPTERS / TIMESTAMPS: Use these to jump straight to your favorite topics! [00:00:00] - Intro: Twitch Live Streams & Podcast Updates [00:03:54] - The Big Move: Trevor Takes His Family to Colombia![00:05:26] - The Ultimate Travel Gaming Setup (What made the cut?) [00:10:10] - The Hardest Choice: Heavy Gaming PC vs.MacBook Air [00:19:20] - Expedition 33, Kingdom Come, and the Backlog Struggle [00:24:59] - My 15-Year-Old Got Caught Playing Balatro in Class![00:31:32] - Valheim With the Kids: Pure Co-Op Survival Chaos [00:36:10] - Outro & How to Support the Show 📱 CONNECT WITH US: Website: https://newdadgaming.com Twitter / X: https://x.com/NewDadGaming #DadGaming #Valheim #Balatro #XboxSeriesS #TravelGaming #Fatherhood #Podcast #NewDadGaming

    37 min

  3. JAN 27

    Skyrim in 2026, Valheim's "Beautiful Ugly," and Letting Games Breath | New Dad Gaming Ep. 382 | Ep. 282

    We are back for 2026! After a year-long challenge of purchasing zero new video games in 2025, Trevor and Jeff break down the aftermath. Did we survive the FOMO? What is the first game we bought in 2026? In this episode, we dive into the "Dad Dust" of getting back behind the mic, the joy of finally playing Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 and Hades 2, and the promising horizon of 2026 releases like Fable and potential Witcher 3 DLC. We also discuss the state of gaming in our households: from successfully banning Roblox, to our kids discovering Skyrim with heavy mods, to the hilarious realization our children had while playing WWE 2K24—that you used to be able to unlock characters just by playing the game. Finally, Jeff shares his newfound obsession with Valheim on the Steam Deck and why its "beautiful ugly" aesthetic is perfect for gaming dads. Timestamps: 00:00 – Dusting off the mics: We are back for 2026! 00:03 – The "No New Games in 2025" Challenge: The Verdict 00:06 – Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 & The Freedom of 2026 00:08 – The 2026 Gaming Horizon: Fable & Witcher 3 rumors 00:09 – The Great Roblox Ban & What the kids are playing now 00:10 – Review: Clone Drone in the Danger Zone (Voxel Roguelike) 00:14 – WWE 2K24: Kids are shocked by "Free" character unlocks 00:17 – Skyrim in 2026: Mods, Special Editions, and Family Sharing 00:22 – Valheim Review: The "Beautiful Ugly" on Steam Deck Links & Resources: Join the conversation: newdadgaming.com Connect with us on social: @NewDadGaming About the Show: Welcome to New Dad Gaming, a show about fatherhood, gaming, and new fathers figuring out their gaming lives. Hosted by Trevor and Jeff, we prove each week that just because you became a dad, does not mean it's Game Over.

    29 min

  4. JAN 1

    We Can Finally Buy Games Again: The 2026 Shopping List | New Dad Gaming Ep. 381

    Welcome to Episode 381 of New Dad Gaming! The 2025 "No New Games" challenge is finally complete, and the floodgates are open. In this 2026 kickoff special, Trevor and Jeff break down the massive list of games they denied themselves last year and the upcoming titles they can't wait to pre-order. We discuss the shifting landscape of 2026, including the looming release of GTA 6, the slump in console sales, and why we are both pivoting toward handhelds like the PlayStation Portal and Steam Deck to fit gaming into dad life. We also do a live "Google Search" deep dive into the top PC games coming this year, debating everything from Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 to cozy farming sims like Fantasy Life. Plus, we discuss what a household looks like after a Roblox Ban and whether Fortnite or Star Wars Jedi will take its place. Topics Covered: The Floodgates Open: How it feels to finally be allowed to buy games again. Hardware Shift: Why we are ignoring the PS6 rumors to focus on Portable Gaming (Steam Deck & PS Portal). The 2026 Shopping List: Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Death Stranding 2, and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. Backlog Catch-Up: Why Space Marine 2 is the first "old" game we are buying. Dad Life: Embracing "Mobile Gaming" (Red Dead on iPad) and why we are hoping for a Final Fantasy 7 Part 3demo. The Kids' Rotation: Life after banning Roblox and the move to Star Wars Jedi: Survivor. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: Welcome to 2026! 2:15 - The State of Gaming: GTA 6 & The Steam Deck Juggernaut 5:00 - Jeff’s Wishlist: Final Fantasy 7 Part 3 & The PS Portal 8:30 - Trevor’s Wishlist: Retro Handhelds & Red Dead on iPad 13:10 - Kids' Gaming Forecast: Can we keep Roblox out of the house? 17:45 - The "Immediate Buy" List: KCD2, Expedition 33, & Space Marine 2 22:00 - Live Reaction: Googling the "Top PC Games of 2026" (Arc Raiders & Donkey Kong?) 27:30 - Final Thoughts & Call for New Challenges Connect with New Dad Gaming: 🎧 Subscribe to New Dad Gaming on your favorite podcast app: 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/ Remember: Just because you became a dad, doesn't mean it's game over.

    32 min

  5. 12/27/2025

    We Bought ZERO Games for an Entire Year (Here’s What Happened) | New Dad Gaming Ep. 380

    In this final episode of 2025, Trevor and Jeff wrap up their year-long experiment: The "No New Games" Challenge. We break down whether we succeeded in clearing our backlogs or if we just stopped playing altogether. We also dive into the chaos of Christmas morning—from the quantity vs. quality gift debate to why one dad opted for a retro handheld emulator over a PS5. Plus, we discuss the "dark side" of kids' gaming in 2025, including why Robloxfinally got banned in the household, the surprising rise of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) among teenagers, and why Chess is making a comeback. Whether you are a dad trying to manage screen time or a gamer staring at an intimidating Steam backlog, this episode is for you. Topics Covered: The Christmas Haul: Why we bought retro handhelds and "dumb" smartwatches instead of current-gen consoles. The Cookie Experiment: Why kids prefer 10 small gifts over one expensive one (Funko Pops vs. PS5). Kids Gaming Trends: The rise of Fortnite, the fall of Roblox, and the wholesome return of D&D and Chess. The Challenge Results: How replaying Elden Ring, Kingdom Come: Deliverance, and Hades 2 changed our gaming habits. Gaming Fatigue: Why having "no new games" was actually a relief for our anxiety. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro: Raising a glass to 2025 0:45 - The Steam Christmas Sale temptation 2:30 - What did the kids get? (Retro Consoles vs. Funko Pops) 6:10 - The "Quantity vs. Quality" Gift Dilemma 10:15 - Kids Gaming Recap: The rise of D&D & Hollow Knight 14:50 - The Roblox Ban: Why it didn't work for us 18:30 - The Dads' Recap: Surviving the "No New Games" Challenge 23:00 - Trevor’s "Lost Year" of Gaming 28:45 - Looking ahead and Final Thoughts Connect with New Dad Gaming: Website: newdadgaming.com Email: newdadgaming [at] gmail [dot] com Remember: Just because you became a dad, doesn't mean it's game over. 🎧 Subscribe to New Dad Gaming on your favorite podcast app: 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/

    41 min

  6. 12/15/2025

    Why I’m Banning Roblox This Christmas (And The "Digital Gift" Problem) | New Dad Gaming Ep. 379

    Are digital currencies like Robux and V-Bucks ruining the magic of Christmas morning? In this episode of New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff discuss the struggle of buying gifts for kids who only want digital skins, the sadness of not having physical games to unwrap, and the controversial reason Jeff is considering banning Roblox from his house entirely. Plus, Trevor is moving his family to Colombia for the winter! We break down the logistics of traveling with gaming gear. Is it better to pack a PS5, an Xbox Series S, or just buy a Steam Deck? We also touch on handling bad grades during the holidays—do you ground your kids from gaming over Christmas break?   🎧 Subscribe to New Dad Gaming on your favorite podcast app: 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/   In this episode: The "Unwrapping" Dilemma: Why giving gift cards feels empty compared to the nostalgia of unwrapping Final Fantasy X. The Roblox Controversy: We discuss the new AI face-scanning requirements for age verification and why it’s a privacy nightmare for parents. Gaming Grounding: Trevor’s son lost gaming privileges due to report cards—how do you handle punishment during the "happiest time of the year"? Travel Gaming Loadout: The debate on which console fits best in a carry-on for a 6-month trip. Mobile Tech: A look at Red Dead Redemption running natively on iOS via Netflix Games. CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Intro & The "No Dad Poem" 02:20 - The struggle of Christmas Gifts in 2025 (Robux vs. Real Games) 06:50 - Nostalgia: Unwrapping Final Fantasy X vs. Digital Codes 10:00 - When Bad Grades Ruin Christmas Gaming (The Grounding Debate) 13:30 - Why We Might Ban Roblox: The Face Scan Controversy 20:25 - Moving to Colombia: Traveling with a PS5 vs. Xbox Series S 25:15 - The Steam Deck Regret 28:00 - Red Dead Redemption on iPhone (Netflix Games) 30:50 - Wrap Up & Community Questions JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Are you banning Roblox? How do you handle gaming punishments during the holidays? Let us know at [YourWebsiteLink] or in the comments below! #NewDadGaming #ParentingGamers #RobloxBan #GamingPodcast

    32 min

  7. 12/01/2025

    Game Award Nominees 2025 - We Played Nothing | New Dad Gaming Ep. 378

    The New Dads review this years nominees for Game of The Year - a fun experience given they've played none during their year of no games. However, if nothing else it helps fill out their wish list once their self imposed exile is over. 🎧 Subscribe to New Dad Gaming on your favorite podcast app: 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/

    49 min

  8. 11/18/2025

    Steam Machine Hype, VR Temptations & No-Game Punishments | New Dad Gaming Ep. 377

    It’s full-on dad mode: both households hand out no-game punishments after kids try to sneak Roblox and skip chores, sparking a conversation about clear consequences, consistency, and what it means when your kids don’t even argue the punishment - because they know the rules.   On the gaming front, Steam drops a bomb with three new hardware announcements:   A redesigned Steam Controller built from Steam Deck learnings The tiny Steam “Machine” console promising 4K living room gaming and killer value versus PS5/Switch The Steam Frame VR headset, aiming to shake up Meta’s dominance and revive PC VR excitement     Jeff breaks down why the new controller’s trackpads are a quiet superpower for strategy and mouse-heavy games, how the Steam Machine could finally make PC libraries living-room friendly for dads, and whether the Steam Frame has enough going for it to tempt lapsed VR users. Plus: Jeff’s patience on Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 pays off in a big “all DLC included” edition, and the guys argue over which of these toys is actually for the kids… and which are clearly future dad presents.   If you’re a gaming father trying to balance kid punishments, chore charts, shrinking free time, and a dangerous interest in new hardware, this one’s for you.   👨‍👧‍👦 Got a story? Send in your own “no games for a week” tales, Steam hardware hot takes, or dad-mode reviews at newdadgaming.com and we might feature it on a future episode.   🎧 Subscribe to New Dad Gaming on your favorite podcast app: 📝 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-dad-gaming/id1107330772 🎧 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/434cj9ksKBnX6aY2aBZ6Uw 🎧 Other Platforms: https://newdadgaming.com/

    41 min
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

A show about Gaming, Fatherhood, and New Fathers figuring out their gaming lives

Information

  • Creator
    Trevor Alexander & Jeff Smalley
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    366
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    New Dad Gaming