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51 episodes
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Startup Dad Adam Fishman
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- Kids & Family
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5.0 • 13 Ratings
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Adam Fishman (author of a top business newsletter on Substack with 10K+ subscribers) interviews executives, entrepreneurs, and company leaders in technology companies who are also fathers. They discuss the tough aspects of work, parenting, family, the mistakes made and lessons learned along the way.
startupdadpod.substack.com
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Creativity, Artificial Intelligence and Time | Scott Belsky (Dad of 3, Chief Strategy Officer and EVP Emerging Products at Adobe)
Scott Belsky is the Chief Strategy Officer and EVP of Design and Emerging Products at Adobe. He took on this role after being Chief Product Officer for their flagship Creative Cloud products. In 2006 Scott founded a company for creative professionals called Behance which he later sold to Adobe. He is also an active angel investor having invested in companies like Pinterest, Uber, Carta, Warby Parker, Ramp, Airtable and more. He’s a loving husband and the father of three kids. In today's conversation we discussed:
* How his perspective on building now incorporates his family
* Advice to founders who are starting a family
* Supporting his wife as a co-founder
* Fostering creativity in kids and observing where creativity comes from
* Support systems necessary for maintaining busy lives
* How AI has already changed the world for kids
* What AI is going to do for education
* The philosophy behind his wife’s company, Good Inside
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Where to find Scott Belsky
* Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottbelsky/
* X: https://twitter.com/scottbelsky
* Scott’s newsletter: https://www.implications.com
Where to find Adam Fishman
* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/
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In this episode, we cover:
[1:48] Welcome
[2:14] Has your business perspective changed since having a family?
[3:51] Advice to founders starting a family
[5:16] Family
[6:04] Wife’s co-founder role
[8:15] Decision to start a family
[10:05] Fostering creativity in kids
[12:00] Favorite picture
[13:18] Most surprising thing as a dad
[14:35] Support systems in busy lives
[17:12] How has AI changed the world for kids?
[19:26] What is AI going to do for Education?
[22:20] Advice for pre-kid Scott about becoming a dad
[24:28] Advice to ignore
[26:49] Good Inside philosophy
[28:36] Mistake you mad as a dad?
[29:41] Where do him and wife not align?
[30:38] Follow along
[32:16] Rapid fire
[34:56] Thank you
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Show references:
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/
Uber: https://www.uber.com/
Carta: https://carta.com/
Warby Parker: https://www.warbyparker.com/
Ramp: https://ramp.com/
Airtable: https://www.airtable.com/
Adobe: https://www.adobe.com/
Behance: https://www.behance.net/
Columbia: https://www.columbia.edu/
Good Inside: https://www.goodinside.com/
Harriet Tubman: https://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/harriet-tubman
Michael’s: https://www.michaels.com/
North Fork River, CO: https://northforkranchguideservice.com/north-fork-of-the-south-platte-river/
Frida Baby: https://frida.com/collections/baby
Crib camera: https://www.amazon.com/Monitor-5Display-Pan-Tilt-Zoom-Temperature-Lullabies/dp/B09GM8JZM9/
Emirates: https://www.emirates.com
Blues Clues: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0163929/
Forrest Gump: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109830/
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For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com -
Managing Weekends as a Founder & Dad and 'First Team' Parenting | Patrick Thompson (Dad of 1, co-founder of Clarify)
Patrick Thompson is a three-time founder, starting a company right after college and then founding and selling his second company, Iteratively, to Amplitude in 2019. He stayed on as a Director of Product until leaving recently to co-found his third company, Clarify, a next generation CRM platform. He’s a loving husband and the father of one kid. In today's conversation we discussed:
* How to manage a young family with starting a company
* The differences between his last startup when he wasn’t yet a parent and this one
* Having the conversation with your partner about getting back to building
* Investing in your relationship with your partner
* The concept of “first team” and applying that at work and home
* Rituals for quality time with your kids
* Recharging his batteries as both a parent and founder
* Top tips for airplane travel with an infant
* A potty training disaster story
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Where to find Patrick Thompson
* Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickt010/
* X: https://twitter.com/patrickt010
Where to find Adam Fishman
* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/
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In this episode, we cover:
[1:36] Welcome
[1:48] Shout out to his co-founder Austin
[2:18] Why start a company while having a toddler?
[3:26] How has being a dad changed your company-building approach?
[5:11] Childhood
[7:44] Athletics compared to startups
[10:16] How did you meet your wife?
[11:40] Decision to start a family
[12:52] Decision to leave Amplitude and start a company
[16:45] Investing in your relationship with your partner
[18:58] Applying “first team” at home
[20:05] Taking an 18 month old on an airplane and top toddler travel tips
[22:42] Earliest memory of becoming a dad
[24:48] Most surprising aspect of fatherhood
[25:55] Mistake you made as a dad
[28:30] Advice for pre-kid era Patrick
[30:15] Advice to ignore
[31:32] Rituals in a busy life
[33:19] How to manage weekends as a founder
[34:20] Frameworks for parenting
[36:34] An area Patrick and his wife don’t agree on in parenting
[38:46] Relationship Patrick wants his son to have with technology
[40:51] What he’s given up to become a dad
[42:18] How to recharge your batteries
[43:32] Family favorite trip
[44:59] Follow along Patrick’s journey
[45:45] Rapid Fire
[51:41] Thank you
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Show references:
Amplitude: https://amplitude.com/
Clarify: https://www.clarify.io/
Boy Scouts: https://www.scouting.org/
Atlassian: https://www.atlassian.com/
Siqi Chen’s on Startup Dad: youtube.com/watch?v=I2Nm5Mkj0s0
Immad Akhund’s on Startup Dad: youtube.com/watch?v=FR2ws9UKJ2k
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For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com -
Finding Fun in the Mundane Aspects of Parenting | Ethan Austin (Father of 3, Founder, Outside VC)
Ethan Austin is the founder of OutsideVC, where he invests in founders building a more equitable and just financial system. He was the Chief Strategy Officer of Gig Wag, Managing Director of Techstars Denver, and was co-founder and president of GiveForward which was acquired by GoFundMe. He’s a loving husband and the father of three kids. In today's conversation we discussed:
* The time he picked up his oldest kid from school in a taco costume
* His life with a newborn
* Teaching kids values
* Modeling behaviors with your kids
* Finding fun in the mundane
* How partners can take turns supporting one another
* Why every parent is just winging it most of the time
* Three important parenting frameworks he’s developed
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Where to find Ethan Austin
* Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fintech-investor/
* Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/ethanaustin
Where to find Adam Fishman
* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/
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In this episode, we cover:
[1:24] Welcome
[1:40] Professional background
[2:27] Childhood
[3:35] Parent’s career/losing father at a young age
[6:06] Family now
[7:52] What kind of values do you live by/teach your kids?
[10:28] How do you model adventure for your kids
[14:13] Tell me about your wife’s career - how do you compartmentalize?
[16:00] Decision to start a family
[18:16] Parental leave
[20:13] Experience of third child vs. others
[23:29] Finding the fun in mundane
[27:16] Surprising things about being a dad
[29:20] Advice to ignore?
[31:28] Advice for younger Ethan
[33:27] Frameworks
[35:51] Partners taking turns supporting each other
[37:52] Where partners don’t align
[39:21] kids relationship to technology
[42:10] Recharge batteries
[43:38] Getting kids to hike
[45:55] Follow along
[46:20] Rapid fire
[53:52] Thank you
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Show references:
Techstars: https://www.techstars.com/
GiveForward: https://www.giveforward.com/
Outside VC: https://outside-vc.com/
Boy Scouts: https://www.scouting.org/
NoseFrida: https://www.amazon.com/stores/page/F6682FCC-F1F9-44FE-9D89-173058B06AEF
The Happy Sleeper: The Science-Backed Guide to Helping Your Baby Get a Good Night's Sleep-Newborn to School Age by Heather Turgeon MFT: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Sleeper-Science-Backed-Helping-Sleep-Newborn/dp/0399166025
Paw Patrol:https://www.pawpatrol.com/
Scarface:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086250/
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For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com -
Does Parenting Have To Be So High Stakes? | Lane Shackleton (father of 3, CPO at Coda)
Lane Shackleton is the Chief Product Officer of Coda, where he has worked for over 8 years. Prior to that he had a 9+ year career at Google and Youtube as a product manager and leader. He’s a loving husband and the father of three kids. In today's conversation we discussed:
* How to motivate and teach lessons to your kids through “quests”
* Lowering the pressure on high-stakes parenting
* Two actions that can solve most of the challenges you’ll experience with your kids
* The difference in feeling overwhelmed between a parent and a professional
* Why parenting overwhelm can be so much harder to work through
* Leveraging technology as a builder vs. a passive consumer
* Balancing being a startup executive with coaching a baseball team full of 9 year olds — and which one is harder
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Where to find Lane Shackleton
* Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laneshackleton/
* Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/lshackleton
Where to find Adam Fishman
* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/
—
In this episode, we cover
[1:53] Welcome
[2:23] Wine & software
[4:57] Quests with your kids
[10:30] Childhood
[11:45] How did your son get into baseball?
[13:54] Family now
[15:24] Decision to start a family?
[16:18] Earliest memory of becoming a dad
[18:00] Feeling of overwhelm
[20:58] Most surprising thing about becoming a dad
[24:47] Not everything is high stakes
[28:59] Solving problems with kids
[32:35] Favorite book to read to kids
[33:58] Frameworks
[36:46] Has parenting changed your management style?
[40:17] Where do Lane and his partner not align
[41:39] Kid’s relationship to tech
[45:28] What did you give up to become a dad?
[47:07] How do you recharge your batteries?
[49:10] Startup hustle culture
[52:08] Rapid fire
[58:18] Thank you
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Show references:
Bruce Bolt batting gloves:https://brucebolt.us/
Napa: https://www.cityofnapa.org/
Coda: https://coda.io/
YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/
Google: google.com
Atlanta, GA: https://www.atlantaga.gov/
CPMC: https://www.sutterhealth.org/cpmc
Field of Dreams:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097351/
Llama Llama: https://llamallamabook.com/books/
You Can Play Sports Board book by Nicole Stoltenberg: https://www.amazon.com/Play-Sports-Nicole-Todd-Stoltenberg/dp/0578878224
Lorax: https://www.amazon.com/Lorax-Classic-Seuss-Dr/dp/0394823370
Luca: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12801262/
Stripe: https://stripe.com/
Sound Machine: https://www.amazon.com/Magicteam-Machine-Looping-Soothing-Function/dp/B07RWRJ4XW/ref=zg_bs_g_18746767011_d_sccl_1/143-4646178-9363038?psc=1
Cascade Falls: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/california/cascade-falls
Cocomelon: https://cocomelon.com/
—
For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com -
Teaching Dads How To Cook | David Haddad (father of 1, founder of Mr. Branzino)
David Haddad is a health-tech founder and product manager turned creator. He's now on a mission to teach Dads how to cook with his new company Mister Branzino and the Meal Machine operating system. He runs a newsletter and the Dad Cook Crew community. He's a loving husband and the father of 1 son. In today's conversation we discussed:
* How David developed his passion for cooking
* Why Dads often let this important skill go by the wayside
* The PPSCE system for building a weekly meal plan
* Maximizing meals with minimal time
* How to get more Dads comfortable in the kitchen and building confidence
* Sample meal plans that you can get started with right away
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Where to find David Haddad
* Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhhaddad/
* Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/haddadda
* The Meal Machine OS: https://misterbranzino.gumroad.com/l/mealmachine
Where to find Adam Fishman
* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/
—
In this episode, we cover
[1:44] Welcome
[1:55] Mr. Branzino mission
[4:10] Ethnicity
[7:20] Met partner/tell about son
[8:13] Epic meal for partner
[9:43] Decision to start a family
[10:17] Weaponized incompetence
[16:43] Most surprising thing about becoming a dad
[17:58] Best practice for modeling behavior
[19:13] Advice to past David
[25:09] Approach to food w/son
[30:32] What Mr. Branzino meals does son love?
[34:24] What makes dads uncomfortable in the kitchen?
[37:13] System to teach a dad how to cook
[42:13] PPSCE
[44:30] Mr. Branzino meal plan
[49:29] Where should dads get inspiration?
[54:00] Disastrous recipe
[55:43] Follow along
[56:51] Rapid fire round
[59:52] Thank you
—
Show references:
Mister Branzino Recipe Swipe File: https://www.pinterest.com/misterbranzino/recipe-swipe-file/
Mrs. Doubtfire:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107614/
Dumb & Dumber: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109686/
Chef John/ Food Wishes:https://foodwishes.blogspot.com/
Ny Times Cooking: https://cooking.nytimes.com/
Blue Apron Cooking: Blueapron.com/cookbook
Thich Nhat Hanh: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Th%C3%ADch_Nh%E1%BA%A5t_H%E1%BA%A1nh
Counter stool: https://www.amazon.com/Guidecraft-Classic-Kitchen-Helper-Stool/dp/B00C18NV8C
Instacart: https://www.instacart.com/
Amazon Fresh: https://www.amazon.com/fmc/storefront?almBrandId=QW1hem9uIEZyZXNo
Ted Lasso: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ted_Lasso
Coffee Meets Bagel: https://coffeemeetsbagel.com/
Top Chef: https://www.bravotv.com/top-chef
In n Out: https://www.in-n-out.com/menu
Chick Fil A: https://www.chick-fil-a.com/
Barack Obama: https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/barack-obama/
Dr. Brazelton’s Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/T.-Berry-Brazelton/author/B001I9TV4S
Neli deGrasse Tyson: https://neildegrassetyson.com/
Solid Starts: https://solidstarts.com/
Coco: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2380307/
Cocomelon: https://cocomelon.com/
Mental & Emotional Load Articles:
https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210518-the-hidden-load-how-thinking-of-everything-holds-mums-back
https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/parents/mental-load
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/mom-mental-load_l_63f7a67ee4b0616708e04d9a
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/love-sex/relationships/a23469721/emotional-labour-mental-load/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evidence-based-living/202111/women-carry-most-the-mental-load-running-household
—
For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at
http://www.armaziproductions.com/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com -
Having Your First Kid At 22 And A Portfolio Management Approach To Parenting | Matt Wensing (father of 4, founder/CEO Summit)
Matt Wensing is the founder and CEO of Summit, a no-code platform for building tools and workflow automation. For nearly 20 years he has been a founder and CEO--starting with a company called Riskpulse which became Everstream Analytics and was acquired in January 2020. He is a loving husband and the father of four teenagers! In today's conversation we discussed:
* Getting married and having kids in your early 20's
* How little you know when you're that young
* How amazing it is to be a young Dad with children now in their teens
* How to eliminate the excess from your life if you want to prioritize work and family
* A points allocation metaphor for prioritizing what's important
* Helping teens navigate a tech-first world
* The growing awareness of the impacts of social media on teenage girls
* How losing one of your parents unlocks new truths in your life
—
Where to find Matt Wensing
* Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wensing/
* Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/mattwensing
Where to find Adam Fishman
* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/
* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/
—
In this episode, we cover
[1:44] Welcome
[1:57] Summit
[3:36] Childhood
[5:19] Siblings?
[6:50] Where did you meet your partner?
[8:08] How old were you when you had your first kid?
[9:10] Decision to get married?
[11:27] Decision to start a family?
[12:58] Reflections on being a young dad
[19:03] Early 20’s parent emotions
[23:16] Advice to others
[26:56] Points allocation
[29:41] Advice to ignore
[36:52] Has being a parent made you a better CEO?
[43:33] Where you and partner don’t align?
[50:52] Teenagers relationship w/tech
[1:01:01] Losing a parent
[1:07:10] Follow along
[1:08:00] Rapid Fire
[1:16:43] Thank you
—
Show references:
Summit: https://usesummit.com/
The Matrix: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097958
Toyota Sienna: https://www.toyota.com/sienna/
Jurassic Park: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107290/
Led Zeppelin: https://ledzeppelin.com/
SoundGarden:https://www.soundgardenworld.com/
Pearl Jam: https://pearljam.com/
Stone Temple Pilots:https://stonetemplepilots.com/
Whistler:https://www.whistlerblackcomb.com/
Sleepless in Seattle: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108160/
Ergo:https://ergobaby.com/
Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kindle
Madden 2004:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madden_NFL_2004
Jokic - NBA:https://www.nba.com/player/203999/nikola-jokic
Master and Commander:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311113/
Goonies:https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089218/
The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness by Jonathan Haidt: https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036
Snapchat: https://www.snapchat.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/en/
How To Train Your Dragon: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0892769/
—
For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com
Customer Reviews
Not a startup dad but love the show!
Even though I’m not a startup dad, I love that this show provides so many concrete insights and tips for ambitious parents (or future parents). As host, Adam provides the perfect blend of humor, empathy, and business savvy.
Meaningful conversations
Adam is entertaining, of course. Even better, he's a natural interviewer who's able to set the context for some real, meaningful conversations that make this podcast something I keep coming back to. I've recommended it to people who aren't dads, and dads who aren't in startups. Keep it coming, Adam!
I look forward to these great conversations!
I’m a bit bias in that I’m a long time product person and a fairly new dad (I have a 2 and 4 year old), but this podcast feels like it is just for me. I resonate with so many things covered on each episode. Adam’s style is also refreshing and he has away to ask the perfect questions at the right time in the coversations.