The Real Dad Podcast

The Real Dad Podcast
  • 5.0 (6)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Welcome to "The Real Dad Podcast," the hilarious and heartfelt podcast that dives into the ups and downs of fatherhood. Join HGTV Personalities Dave Kenny and Joey Fletchler, alongside their two best friends, Brian and Mark, as they share their candid and vulnerable experiences as dads. Each week, these four fathers cover a wide range of "Dad" related topics, from the joys of watching your child grow up to the challenges of balancing work and family life. With their unique blend of humor and authenticity, Dave, Joey, Brian, and Mark provide a refreshing perspective on what it means to be a dad in today's world. Tune in for the laughs, stay for the heartfelt conversations about the struggles and triumphs of parenting. Whether you're a seasoned dad or a soon-to-be father, "The Real Dad Podcast" is the perfect place to connect with other dads and get the support you need. Join us on this journey of fatherhood, and subscribe to "The Real Dad Podcast" today!

  1. JAN 28

    Backyard Boundaries, Teen Freedom

    What if the most powerful parenting tool is just five words: “I’m so glad you told me”? We put that idea to the test as four dads trade first-drunk stories, secrecy, and guilt for a more honest approach to risk and responsibility. The conversation begins where real life happens—smokers, kitchen wins and fails, Friday night rituals—and then heads straight into the messy middle: teens will test limits, so do we clamp down or coach up? We talk about why prohibition often backfires and how education—clear info, safe plans, and a standing “call me” policy—keeps kids safer than silence. The script “I’m so glad you told me” becomes our anchor through every stage: broken mugs, tough friendships, serious concerns like eating disorders, and those late-night calls from college. We unpack how it shifts us from judges to guides, reduces shame, and keeps the relationship strong when it matters most. No one plays expert here; when we don’t know, we model curiosity, ask what our kids think, and use prompts like “What would you tell a friend?” to match depth to readiness. Then we share a big life moment: after a rollercoaster of appraisals, lenders, and last-minute doubt, the cottage dream finally lands. That first winter weekend brings ice-skating, tree-dodging toboggans, and a surprising kind of healing—the kind you feel when kids rediscover boredom as a superpower and the woods become their playground. It’s equal parts practical and personal: set safe edges, honor small bids for attention, and keep the door open for the big stuff with those five words. If you’re navigating teen curiosity, craving better scripts, or just need a reminder that trust grows in small moments, you’ll feel at home here. If this resonated, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review—it helps more parents find conversations that matter.

    59 min

  2. JAN 26

    Dad Wins, Burnt Grilled Cheese, Big Feelings

    A single grilled cheese can tell you a lot about family life. Between butter-versus-mayo debates, broiled-versus-pan loyalties, and the panic of realizing you’re out of bread mid-sizzle, we found the comedy and stress that live in every kitchen. We also followed a high-stakes trip to the butcher that ended in wide eyes at the register and a crash course in cooking a pricey beef tenderloin on a tight timeline. Spoiler: a bourbon-tent save turned chaos into a win—and taught us more about prep, timing, and recovery than any recipe ever could. Beyond food, we opened up about the stuff that hits deeper. A listener’s NICU journey sparked thoughtful support and real advice from parents who’ve been there. At home, a raw wood table and white chairs met paint, crumbs, and ketchup rituals, forcing a hard look at form versus function when kids rule the room. Health concerns popped up too: a broken finger discovered late, a kid nervous about tonsil surgery, and how to steady emotions when everyone’s tired and the snow days won’t quit. We talked about breaking all-or-nothing thinking with “75 light,” claiming the identity of reader, and designing routines that fit actual lives. Sports and shared projects pulled it together. Coaching youth hockey turned out more rewarding than expected, and kids stepping into the kitchen—pancakes, pot pie, and more—gave families both skills and pride. It’s a messy, honest snapshot of modern dad life: small milestones that feel huge, expensive lessons that stick, and a community that makes the load lighter. If you’ve ever burned lunch but saved dinner, argued about buns, or stared down a bill you weren’t ready for, you’ll feel seen. Enjoyed the ride? Follow and subscribe for more real-talk parenting, share this episode with a friend who needs a laugh and a nudge, and leave a quick review—your notes help us keep the conversation going.

    54 min

  3. 11/18/2025

    What Dads Should Expect When They’re Expecting, Revisited

    Expecting a baby doesn’t hand you a script; it asks you to improvise with heart. We went back to our most-downloaded topic and pushed further into what new dads actually face: the dizzying pivot from being self-focused to being genuinely needed, the way plans crumble in the delivery room, and the small, steady moves that matter more than grand gestures. We talk candidly about fear—watching your partner labor, trusting a midwife or nurse when you feel helpless, and staying grounded when NICU stays, stalled latches, or conflicting advice pile on. You’ll hear real tactics that lower the temperature: stocking bedside snacks and water, bringing your own pillow and blanket to the hospital, ordering dinner on the nights no one can think, and asking the magic question, How can I support you right now? We also dig into boundaries and expectations—who’s in the room, which visitors help or harm, and how to handle family dynamics without making your partner manage your side. If you feel shut out or second-guessed, we’ve been there. The move is quiet competence: change the diaper, reset the room, prep the next feed, and stop keeping score. Bonding doesn’t always land on day one, so create rituals that invite it—witching-hour walks, skin-to-skin, narrating your day, and finding your unique dad sleep routine for each child. Your scenario is yours; filter advice, keep what fits, and choose the path that protects your partner’s wellbeing and your family’s bond, whether that’s nursing, pumping, or formula. Come for the humor, stay for the hard-earned calm. If you’re a new or soon-to-be dad looking for grounded guidance, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs a steady voice, and leave a review with the best tip you wish you’d heard sooner.

    1h 17m

  4. 11/06/2025

    Where Everyday Mess Becomes A Masterclass In Modern Fatherhood

    A kitchen confession about moldy Tupperware turns into a surprisingly tender map of modern fatherhood. We open with the small stuff—waffle settings, pizza box etiquette, hot dog head tilts, and why no one should make eye contact mid-bite—and find the values hidden inside the jokes: boundaries, bandwidth, and the daily tradeoffs that keep a home moving. Then we head outside, from a back-friendly sock trick to a smoky, brined turkey win that earns a new household badge of honor, fueled by neighbor wisdom and internet recipes. The heart of the story lives on the court. One of us prepped a son for bench minutes with honesty and care, absorbed the sting of the first game, and watched him light up in the next—first basket, better positioning, and an open mind for coaching. Later that night came a second breakthrough: stepping into a voice chat to call out friend-group chirps that had crossed into bullying. Risky? Yes. Worth it? Absolutely. The hug and the trust that followed say everything about when to let kids figure it out and when to show up, loud and clear. We don’t skip the hard parts. Triggers around lying, tone that lands too sharp, and the worry of a strong-willed peer rubbing off on your kid—they’re all here. So are the wins that knit a family together: sibling seat negotiations, Halloween costume chaos, and a home team run that becomes a core memory. It’s messy, funny, and real, the way parenting actually feels at 8 p.m. on a Tuesday. If this sounds like your house, pull up a chair. Subscribe, share this with a dad who needs a laugh and a lift, and leave a review to help more parents find the show.

    1h 1m

  5. 11/03/2025

    Shepherds, Not Engineers: Letting Kids Choose, Learning When to Step Back

    The hardest part of parenting isn’t the calendar or the carpools—it’s knowing when to cheer louder and when to get out of the way. We sit down, shorts weather and all, to unpack the thin line between healthy encouragement and the kind of blind confidence that leaves a kid declaring they’re “the best at hockey” after crying through evaluations. From the glass at a rink to the bleachers at gymnastics, we explore what it actually looks like to let kids struggle, self-correct, and choose their own path. Our conversation ranges from back-to-school overload and the hidden cost of over-scheduling to the surprisingly tender lessons inside a messy morning meltdown—including a drywall repair and a real apology. We talk honestly about coaching your own kid versus stepping back so they can hear another voice, the difference between praise that builds grit and praise that inflates ego, and how to set consequences that teach priorities without shaming effort. You’ll hear why “shepherds, not engineers” has become our north star, plus practical ways to handle siblings who disrupt cherished rituals, like a peaceful fishing trip that goes gloriously sideways. Whether your child is trading team hockey for solo gymnastics, begging for new basketball shoes without logging reps, or insisting they’re “fine” for tests they didn’t study for, you’ll get tools to navigate motivation, resilience, and repair. Expect candid stories, hard-won strategies, and a reminder that your voice doesn’t have to be the loudest to lead. If you’re trying to raise grounded, confident kids who can handle feedback and find their drive, press play and join the conversation. If this resonated, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review—what’s one place you’re ready to step back so your kid can step up?

    1h 7m

  6. 09/18/2025

    The Art of Resilience in Sports and Parenting

    What does it mean to truly support your child in developing resilience? In this heartfelt episode, we navigate the complex terrain of youth sports, parenting challenges, and teaching our children to bounce back from disappointment. Dave shares his experience taking his 11-year-old daughter shopping for her first hockey equipment, revealing both excitement and anxiety about how she'll handle the inevitable frustration of not being immediately good at something new. The conversation explores the substantial investment parents make in youth sports – not just financially, but emotionally – as we wonder if our children will connect with the activities we introduce them to. A breakthrough moment comes when Joey reveals his son, who typically avoids activities he's not immediately good at, unexpectedly signed up for cross-country running at school. This sparks a deeper discussion about how we can foster resilience in our children while acknowledging we're still working on it ourselves. The most powerful revelation emerges when we realize the qualities we desperately want our children to develop – discipline, resilience, confidence – are often the very same qualities we struggle with in our own lives. "If you want your kids to have these qualities," Joey observes, "what's stopping you from developing them in yourself?" This question hits home, challenging us to consider that perhaps the most effective parenting happens not through our words but through our example. We also celebrate listener milestones, from welcoming newborns to supporting premature babies through extended hospital stays, offering encouragement and perspective to parents on different parts of the journey.  What lessons are your children learning from watching you, not from listening to you? Join us for this honest exploration of parenthood, resilience, and the power of leading by example.

    1h 3m

  7. 09/11/2025

    Back to School Blues and Playground Memories

    Remember the butterflies of your first day back to school? That mixture of excitement and anxiety doesn't just fade away when you become a parent—it transforms into something different yet familiar as you watch your children navigate their own school journeys. In this deeply reflective episode, we journey through the emotional landscape of parenting during back-to-school season. We share our children's reactions to new teachers, classroom assignments, and the social dynamics that make school simultaneously thrilling and challenging. One dad's daughter went from dreading her teacher assignment to excitement when discovering her friends would join her class, while another's son is navigating the newfound responsibility of being an "SK" helping younger kindergarteners. The conversation takes a nostalgic turn as we reminisce about our own school experiences—from favorite teachers who made lasting impressions to challenging classroom relationships that shaped us in unexpected ways. We laugh about the communication teacher who gifted a darkroom enlarger years after graduation and the improv class that sparked creativity. These memories highlight how profoundly educational experiences shape our development and emphasize why we care so deeply about our children's school experiences. We don't shy away from the practical challenges either. The morning chaos of preparing lunches, organizing backpacks, and managing breakfast for multiple children leaves us longing for summer's more relaxed pace. We share strategies we've implemented—preparing outfits the night before, switching to water-only school beverages, and creating structured routines that work for our families. Perhaps the most profound moments come when we explore how our children have challenged our perspectives on life's biggest questions. From an eight-year-old's existential inquiries to a young boy's surprising statements about faith, our kids push us to articulate and examine our beliefs in ways we never anticipated. These conversations reveal parenting's deeper dimension—the continuous growth and reflection it demands from us as adults. Have you struggled with being your partner's cheerleader? Our vulnerable discussion about giving and receiving affirmation might resonate deeply. We connect these difficulties to childhood experiences and self-worth, emphasizing how intentional encouragement transforms both romantic partnerships and parent-child relationships. Join us for this heartfelt conversation that captures the essence of modern fatherhood—a journey of growth, reflection, and connection through life's everyday moments and profound questions.

    1h 26m

  8. 08/28/2025

    The Dance of Household Duties

    Ever wonder how other parents manage to juggle it all without dropping the ball? You're not alone. This candid conversation peels back the curtain on the messy reality of sharing household duties while raising kids. We kick things off exploring family game nights—from the joy of "Hurry Up Chicken Butt" to the frustration of kids making up their own rules. ("No, you can't just take the shortcut without landing on the golden spot!") These moments of connection become vital anchors in family life, though we all agree: learn the game before teaching your kids, or prepare for chaos. The conversation shifts to one of parenting's biggest challenges: introducing a new baby to existing children. We share personal stories of how our older kids met their siblings, with one crucial piece of advice standing out—always give attention to the older child first when bringing home a baby, as they're the ones who'll remember that moment. Most revealing is our deep dive into household responsibilities. We examine how mental load affects relationships, why reminders become contentious ("If I have to remind you, I'm still carrying the mental load"), and how work schedules inevitably dictate who handles which tasks. There's a raw honesty when we discuss therapy insights about the impossibility of giving 100% in all areas of life simultaneously. Whether you're drowning in laundry, forgetting garbage day, or trying to decode your partner's needs, this episode offers both comfort and practical wisdom for navigating the beautiful mess of family life.

    1h 11m
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5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to "The Real Dad Podcast," the hilarious and heartfelt podcast that dives into the ups and downs of fatherhood. Join HGTV Personalities Dave Kenny and Joey Fletchler, alongside their two best friends, Brian and Mark, as they share their candid and vulnerable experiences as dads. Each week, these four fathers cover a wide range of "Dad" related topics, from the joys of watching your child grow up to the challenges of balancing work and family life. With their unique blend of humor and authenticity, Dave, Joey, Brian, and Mark provide a refreshing perspective on what it means to be a dad in today's world. Tune in for the laughs, stay for the heartfelt conversations about the struggles and triumphs of parenting. Whether you're a seasoned dad or a soon-to-be father, "The Real Dad Podcast" is the perfect place to connect with other dads and get the support you need. Join us on this journey of fatherhood, and subscribe to "The Real Dad Podcast" today!

Information

  • Creator
    The Real Dad Podcast
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    169
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Real Dad Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Real Dad Podcast