Girl Dad: The Podcast

Madeline Anderson
  • 5.0 (20)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

Girl Dad: The Podcast with Madeline Anderson is dedicated to helping dads build stronger, more meaningful relationships with their daughters. Madeline interviews both dads and daughters and shares heartwarming stories, actionable parenting tips, and insightful conversations to guide dads in raising confident, resilient, and happy young women. Whether you're a new dad striving to build a great relationship with your daughter, a dad who needs advice on parenting teenage girls, or a seasoned dad simply looking to improve your relationship with your daughter, this podcast is for you.

  1. 3d ago

    Losing His Daughter, Turning Grief into Fuel, & Choosing Presence Over Work - Ft. Trap Gambino

    What would you do with one more day? Trap Gambino knows that question better than most. After losing his daughter to illness, he's turned his grief into a mission: helping fathers slow down, show up, and love their daughters out loud while they still can. In this deeply moving conversation, Trap opens up about the regrets that come with loss, why men need permission to take the mask off and actually feel, and how pain became the fuel behind his purpose. He also shares practical tools every girl dad can use now, from creating family codes and shared values to handling conflict, validating your daughter's emotions, and choosing quality time over the endless pull of work. Whether you're navigating your own loss or simply want to be more present, this episode is a powerful reminder that the time is now. In this episode, we discuss: Trap's story of losing his daughter and wife to illnessWhy emotional expression and vulnerability matter for fathersBalancing work and family to protect quality timeHow the words we say shape our daughtersCreating family codes and shared values for stronger bondsHandling conflict and building family unityProcessing grief and trauma in a healthy wayHow societal pressure keeps men from expressing emotionThe power of in-person community and connectionPractical ways to support kids through difficult emotions Key Moments:💬 "You wish you could go back and spend more time with her."💬 "It's okay to wear a mask and also to take it off and feel."💬 "Pain is one of the biggest motivators and fuels that I use." Chapters:00:00 - Meet Trap Gambino: A Story of Loss and Love01:02 - Why Family Must Come Before Work07:18 - Loss and Wishing for More Time18:01 - The Power of In-Person Connection and Community19:16 - Acknowledging Your Daughter and Building Emotional Bonds23:48 - How Your Words and Emotions Shape Your Daughter32:41 - Handling Conflict and Creating Family Unity36:29 - Navigating Grief and Building Emotional Resilience40:50 - Why Dads Need to Feel and Express Emotions45:26 - Turning Pain into Fuel for Growth and Purpose48:26 - Connect with Trap Gambino and Final Thoughts 🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson: Website: www.girldadnetwork.comInstagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ

  2. Sep 24

    The Power of Words, Raising Confident Daughters, & Mindful Screen Time - Ft. J.R. Kenna

    What you say to your daughter becomes the voice she hears in her own head. In this episode of Girl Dad: The Podcast, J.R. Kenna, a Pittsburgh dad, softball coach, and work-from-home father, shares how intentional words, goal setting, and everyday habits shape confident, resilient daughters. J.R. talks about coaching his daughter's softball team, having healthy conversations about body image and strength, keeping treats in moderation, managing screen time, and protecting date nights and family traditions, all while balancing a career from home. If you want practical, real-world tools for raising a confident girl, this conversation is full of them. In this episode, we cover: - How your words and thoughts shape your daughter's reality - Why writing goals down works, and the science behind positive thinking - Using youth sports to teach confidence, resilience, and fun - Talking to daughters about body image, strength, and healthy habits - Handling food, treats, and moderation with kids - Why date nights and intentional family time matter - Managing technology and screen time at home - Balancing work from home with family life - J.R.'s #1 piece of advice for girl dads 💬 Key Moments: "Your thoughts become your reality." "The key word is yet. Emphasizing that future outcome." "It's that act of optimism versus delusional optimism." ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Meet J.R. Kenna 01:13 Family and work life in Pittsburgh 02:47 Why writing things down and goal setting matter 05:28 The power of words and thoughts in shaping reality 08:48 The science behind manifestation and positive thinking 11:13 Coaching his daughter's softball team 15:00 Fun, confidence, and resilience in sports 19:15 Body image, strength, and healthy habits 21:28 Creating lifelong memories through shared activities 24:59 Food, treats, and moderation with kids 29:59 Date nights and intentional family time 34:58 Managing technology and screen time 40:00 How words and actions shape children's development 45:00 Balancing work from home and family life 47:06 Final advice for girl dads: be authentic and have fun 🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson: Website: www.girldadnetwork.com Instagram: @girldadnetwork YouTube: @girldadnetwork Get a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ

  3. Sep 17

    Deep Dive on The Right Way to Praise Your Daughter

    This episode explores the impact of praise on your daughter's motivation and self-esteem, emphasizing the importance of effort-based praise over outcome and navigating appearance praise. Madeline Anderson shares research insights and practical tips for parents to foster a growth mindset and healthy self-image in their daughters. In this episode: The effects of outcome praise versus effort praiseResearch by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck on motivationThe risks of appearance-based praise and self-objectificationStrategies for praising character and effortHow praise influences a child's risk-taking and resilience Sound bites:🎙️ "Praise effort, not just outcome."🎙️ "Effort-based praise inspires a growth mindset."🎙️ "Confidence based on external praise is fragile." Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to the importance of praise in child development01:22 - Research findings on praise and motivation from Carol Dweck's studies02:45 - The dangers of outcome-based praise and fixed mindset04:35 - The impact of appearance-based praise and self-objectification08:34 - The risks of frequent body-focused comments and their effects11:27 - Practical alternatives to common praise phrases13:23 - Summary: mindful praise and fostering a growth mindset 🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson: Website: ⁠www.girldadnetwork.com⁠Instagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ⁠

  4. Sep 10

    Protecting Your Daughter from Violence, Teaching Healthy Boundaries, & Red Flags to Look Out For - Ft. Liz Ortenberger

    Liz Ortenberger, CEO of SafeNest, joins the show to help fathers navigate one of the hardest jobs in parenting a daughter: keeping her safe without keeping her sheltered. From modeling respectful behavior at home to spotting the early red flags of people who are more likely to be violent, Liz breaks down what actually protects daughters and it starts long before the "big talk." This conversation covers consent and bodily autonomy, the impact of social media and pornography on how kids understand relationships, and how dads can build the kind of trust that makes daughters come to them first, not last. In this episode: Why daughters learn more from what fathers do than what they sayHow to spot love bombing and other early red flagsTalking to teens about consent and bodily autonomy, without the awkward silenceThe real impact of social media and porn on how kids see relationshipsBuilding an environment where daughters actually come to you with problemsTeaching daughters to trust their own intuition 🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson: Website: ⁠www.girldadnetwork.com⁠Instagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ⁠

  5. Sep 3

    Turning Work into Teachable Moments, Instilling Resilience and Empathy, & Reconnecting with Childhood Hobbies - Ft. Josh Rothstein

    What does it actually take to build a demanding career and show up as a present, intentional dad? In this episode, commercial real estate professional Josh Rothstein shares how he blends the two, from waking up early to protect quality time, to bringing his daughter into his work world so she can see him in action. Josh opens up about the emotional milestones of parenting, how he uses everyday work experiences to teach his daughter resilience and patience, and why effort-based praise matters more than outcomes when building a child's confidence. He also shares how honest conversations have shaped his daughter's empathy, and the shared hobbies that keep their bond strong. Whether you're a busy parent trying to find balance or just looking for practical ways to be more present, this conversation is full of real, actionable takeaways. In this episode: Work-life balance strategies for busy dadsInvolving your kids in your professional life to build connectionTeaching resilience and patience through real-life examplesThe role of empathy and understanding in parentingActivities that build confidence and bondingWhy early mornings can be a game-changer for presence and productivityUsing teachable moments to talk about diversity and disabilitiesThe impact of effort-based praise on kids' confidenceBalancing career success with meaningful family time 🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson: Website: www.girldadnetwork.comInstagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ

  6. Aug 27

    Deep Dive on Personal Fulfillment & Fatherhood

    Your daughter wants you to be happy. It might sound selfish, but it's actually one of the most important things you'll ever give her. Most dads were handed a myth: being a good father means disappearing — your needs go to the bottom of the list, permanently, and if you still want things for yourself, that's selfish. In this solo episode, I'm breaking that myth apart. I'll show you why over-sacrificing without ever putting your own oxygen mask on first quietly drains you, and why that flatness doesn't stay contained to you. It moves through your whole house. Then we discuss emotional contagion, modeling, and the blueprint your daughter is silently building right now for what love, happiness, and adulthood are supposed to look like, built entirely from watching you. This episode closes with real, practical steps to start living a fuller life this week, without an ounce of guilt. What You'll Learn: The myth about "good dads" that's quietly draining fathers everywhereThe oxygen mask principle, and why "if there's time left over" never actually worksWhat emotional contagion is, and why your mood moves through your entire householdHow your daughter is building her blueprint for partnership just by watching youThe real difference between fulfillment and self-indulgence (most dads get this wrong)One thing you can do today to start reclaiming a life that's actually yours 🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson: Website: www.girldadnetwork.comInstagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ

  7. Aug 20

    Why Men Win at Work and Quietly Lose at Home, Getting a PHD in Your Wife, & Why Dads Should Audit Their Time- Ft. Kevin Davis

    Most high-performing dads have built something impressive, like a career, a business, a reputation. But somewhere along the way, the thing that matters most quietly started slipping. Kevin Davis knows that story from the inside. In this episode, the author of How I Lost My Left Nut and Other Life Lessons and founder of Maxed Out Man joins us to talk about what it really takes to win at home, not just at work. This conversation is honest, practical, and full of the kind of wisdom that only comes from a man who has lived it. What You'll Learn: Why so many high-performing men are winning at work and quietly losing at home — and how to catch it before it's too lateWhy Kevin believes your marriage has to come before your kids — and why daughters actually thrive because of itWhat it means to get a "PhD in your wife" — and why it changes everythingHow to transition intentionally from work mode to family mode so your presence is actually feltThe calendar audit that reveals whether your priorities match your actionsHow the way you love your wife shapes what your daughter believes she deservesWhat it means to be the man your daughter would want to marry Resources Mentioned: Website: https://www.maxedoutman.comBook: How I Lost My Left Nut and Other Life Lessons https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Left-Other-Life-Lessons/dp/B0GZKMPMHYMarriage Toolkit: https://toolkit.maxedoutman.com Connect with Kevin Davis: Instagram: @maxed.out.manWebsite: www.maxedoutman.com 🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson: Website: www.girldadnetwork.comInstagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ

  8. Aug 13

    Preparing Your Daughter for Life’s Sharp Edges, Prioritizing Family Time in Nature, & the Joys and Challenges of Fatherhood - Ft. Chris Collard

    What does it actually look like to raise a daughter with intention in today's digital world? Chris Collard joins us for an honest, thoughtful, and genuinely joyful conversation. Chris is an Austin-based girl dad to Elle, and this episode is full of the kind of wisdom that only comes from living it. We talk about intentional parenting, the transformative power of nature, navigating technology and social media with your daughter, and what it means to empower her to be independent, brave, and unafraid of the sharp edges of the world. What You'll Learn: Why intentional parenting makes all the difference and what it actually looks like day to dayHow nature can be one of the most powerful tools a dad has for connection and growthHow to empower your daughter to be independent and brave without letting go too soonPractical ways to navigate technology and social media in your homeWhy joy is the foundation of a healthy family and how to protect itHow the parent-child relationship has to evolve as she grows upWhy community and chosen family matter more than most dads realize Chapters: 00:00 - Navigating Today's Chaos: A Young Woman's Perspective01:25 - Family Dynamics and Intentional Parenting07:44 - The Transformative Power of Nature15:22 - Empowering Independence in Daughters20:55 - Navigating Technology and Social Pressures27:11 - The Evolving Parent-Child Relationship30:16 - Lessons Learned: The Wisdom of Daughters35:52 - Building Community and Family Connections38:10 - Final Thoughts: Advice for Dads and Daughters 🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson: Website: www.girldadnetwork.comInstagram: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ

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5
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Girl Dad: The Podcast with Madeline Anderson is dedicated to helping dads build stronger, more meaningful relationships with their daughters. Madeline interviews both dads and daughters and shares heartwarming stories, actionable parenting tips, and insightful conversations to guide dads in raising confident, resilient, and happy young women. Whether you're a new dad striving to build a great relationship with your daughter, a dad who needs advice on parenting teenage girls, or a seasoned dad simply looking to improve your relationship with your daughter, this podcast is for you.

Information

  • Creator
    Madeline Anderson
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    67
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Madeline Anderson
  • Show Website
    Girl Dad: The Podcast

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