The Side-Hustle Dad

Bryan Steele
  • 5.0 (15)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP

We are helping dads find financial freedom without sacrificing their families in the process. You want to provide more for your kids and create a legacy of wealth, but the thought of starting a business feels overwhelming. You’re afraid that chasing financial freedom means missing out on bedtime stories, soccer games, and quality time with your wife. The Side-Hustle Dad is here to show you a different way. Hosted by Bryan Steele—entrepreneur and founder of Forge Podcast Co.—this show is a masterclass in building a profitable side-hustle without sacrificing the relationships that matter most. Each week, we cover the mindset, strategies and tactics needed to create a thriving side-hustle. Whether you want to get out of debt, save for your children’s college, or build enough passive income to choose how you spend your days, this podcast provides the blueprint. Subscribe to The Side-Hustle Dad and start building your extra income stream today.

Episodes

  1. EPISODE 1

    Build A Side-Hustle, Without Sacrificing Your Family

    Want to build financial freedom and legacy for your family? Join us every episode as we explore the mindset, strategy and tactics of a profitable side-hustle. Build your business without sacrificing your family.

    1 min

  2. 5D AGO

    Avoid Tax Season Chaos: Set Up Business Finances for Success

    What if the one thing standing between you and tax season chaos is something you could set up in 10 minutes for free? Running a side hustle without a dedicated bank account is like trying to run a business out of your back pocket — everything gets tangled, confusing, and expensive come April. The single non-negotiable for every business, no matter how small, is a separate checking account just for your business. It doesn't matter if you're a sole proprietor making a few hundred dollars a month or scaling toward something bigger — this one move brings clarity, protects your personal finances, and shifts your mindset from "person with a hobby" to business owner. HIGHLIGHTS Every business — from a tiny side hustle to a large enterprise — needs its own dedicated bank accountYou do NOT need an LLC, an EIN, or a fancy business account to get started — a second personal checking account works perfectlyKeeping business and personal expenses separate creates a "firewall" that makes tax season dramatically simplerRouting all payments (PayPal, Venmo, Stripe, etc.) to one account keeps your financial picture clean and easy to auditNever spend personal money directly from your business account — always transfer to your personal account first, then spendA separate account creates a mental shift: you stop treating your business like a hobby and start acting like an ownerIt should cost you nothing — look for a free account that fits your needsComplexity is the enemy of execution: keep it simple and get started now CHAPTERS 0:00 – Introduction: There Is One Absolute in Business 0:19 – Welcome & Why This Episode Is Different 1:08 – Tax Season Receipt Chaos 1:52 – The One Must-Have: A Separate Business Account 2:27 – Mindset Shift: From Hobbyist to Owner 3:26 – Easy Setup — No LLC Needed 4:43 – Creating a Firewall for Clarity and Taxes 6:26 – How to Open the Account 7:35 – Route All Payments to One Place 8:52 – Pay Yourself the Right Way 9:45 – Stop Overthinking — Just Start 10:44 – Wrap Up & Listener Requests RESOURCES MENTIONED PayPal Venmo Stripe  Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

    12 min

  3. MAR 27

    The "Fraud" in the Mirror

    That voice in your head that says you're not qualified enough, not experienced enough, or not successful enough to put yourself out there? It has a name: imposter syndrome. And it shows up for almost everyone — even the most seasoned CEOs. A 2024 Korn Ferry study found that 71% of CEOs report feeling like an imposter. If it's happening at the top, it's definitely happening to the rest of us. The good news? There are practical strategies to push back against it and keep moving forward. From reframing what it means to be an "expert," to building a file of your wins, to getting around the right people — you have more than enough to work with. You don't have to wait until you've "arrived." Highlights 71% of CEOs report experiencing imposter syndrome (Korn Ferry, 2024)You don't have to be the best in the world — you just have to be two steps ahead of the person you're helpingThe "barrel of monkeys" framework: your job is to get someone to the next step, not pull them all the way to the topReal talk from helping a local musician who later appeared on The VoiceBuild an evidence folder: screenshots, reviews, emails, and testimonials to revisit when doubt creeps inCommunity is a secret weapon — surrounding yourself with other entrepreneurs pours courage into youYou are the average of the five people you spend the most time with — choose your circle intentionally Chapters 0:00 – Introduction & Story Setup 1:19 – The Doubt Shows Up 2:15 – Imposter Syndrome Stats 3:15 – Redefine the Expert 4:44 – Two Steps Ahead Story 7:03 – Keep an Evidence Folder 9:28 – Power of Community 10:00 – Program Acceptance Lesson 12:50 – Three Tips Recap 13:36 – Final Encouragement & Share Resources Mentioned Korn Ferry 2024 CEO Imposter Syndrome Study — Research finding that 71% of CEOs report feeling like an imposterBe sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

    15 min

  4. MAR 20

    Prove Your Worth: Building a Solid Portfolio

    How do you go from brand new business to getting where strangers are willing to hire you? The answer is a portfolio — and building one doesn't mean working for free. This week we're tackling one of the biggest hurdles for anyone launching a service-based side hustle: how do you prove you can deliver results when you haven't had a single client yet? We walk through a step-by-step approach to finding your first beta clients, delivering like a pro, protecting yourself from scope creep, and collecting the testimonials and case studies that will do your selling for you. Highlights Why "free work" is the wrong mindset — and what to call it insteadHow to think about your first clients as beta testers, not charity casesThe right way to find people who actually match your ideal customerA real story about approaching a stranger at a food truck rally to land a music production clientThe "cost of materials only" rule for service businesses that involve physical productsWhy you must define a clear scope of work before you start — and how to handle scope creepThe three things you must collect at the end of every beta project: brutal feedback, a testimonial, and before/after documentationHow to ask for referrals at exactly the right momentWhat a minimum viable product looks like for a service businessChapters 0:00 — The Service Hustle Problem 1:22 — Portfolio, Not Free Work 2:23 — Beta Clients & the Value Swap 3:59 — Deliver Like a Pro 5:25 — How to Pick Your Ideal Beta Clients 6:41 — A Bold Outreach Story 9:24 — The Materials-Only Offer 10:54 — Setting Scope Boundaries 13:45 — How to Collect Feedback & Proof 17:50 — Permission, Referrals & the MVP 20:23 — Homework & Wrap-Up Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

    22 min

  5. MAR 13

    Finding Your Path: Defining the Side Hustle with Ikigai

    Struggling to figure out what your side hustle should actually be? You're not alone. Sometimes the hardest part isn't finding the time or motivation—it's identifying the right business opportunity that fits your unique situation. Today, I'm giving you a proven framework to discover your ideal side hustle using the Japanese concept of Ikigai. This four-circle Venn diagram helps you find where what you love, what you're good at, what the world needs, and what people will pay for all intersect. I'll walk you through each circle, share real examples from my own journey, and help you decide whether a service-based or product-based business is the right starting point. By the end, you'll have a clear path to identifying what you're going to build. Highlights: • Why imperfect action beats perfect planning every time—and how to course-correct if you've already started • The power of blocking time on your calendar (not just "finding" time) to protect your hustle hours from Netflix and doom scrolling • Why gig economy jobs like Uber and DoorDash aren't building real assets—and what you should focus on instead • The Ikigai framework: Four circles that reveal your ideal side hustle (love, skills, market needs, and monetization) • A real example from my own journey: How I turned my love of music and technical mind into a recording business • Service vs. product businesses: The benefits and drawbacks of each, plus which one gets you paid faster • How to identify if you should start with services (quick money, higher margins) or products (scalable, but longer runway) Chapters: [0:00] Reset and Refocus [2:18] Schedule Your Hustle Time [3:36] Avoid the Second Job Trap [5:50] Ikigai Framework Overview [6:47] Circle One: What You Love [8:42] Circle Two: What You're Good At [10:18] Circles Three and Four: Market and Money [12:21] Find the Overlap: Story Example [17:16] Service vs Product Businesses [23:38] Weekly Action Plan and Wrap Up Resources Mentioned • Time Study Spreadsheet (Google Sheet): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18NEeqC7ktsuqRxG2rI4aOifsrbYp_ZoSHBD8tcIpNMs/ Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

    26 min

  6. MAR 6

    Finding Time: Unlocking the Margins

    Ever wondered how you can possibly fit a side hustle into your already packed schedule without sacrificing family time? The truth is, you probably have more available time than you realize—you just haven't captured it yet. As dads, we tend to think our schedules are maxed out, but when we take an honest look at where our time actually goes, opportunities start to emerge. The margins are there, hidden between the bedtime chaos and when you actually go to sleep, scattered throughout your lunch breaks, and yes, even tucked into those doom scrolling sessions. Finding sustainable time for your business isn't about working yourself to exhaustion or neglecting your family—it's about intentionally reclaiming small pockets of time that already exist in your week. With the right approach and a practical time study, you can identify your first five hours per week to start building something meaningful without turning your life upside down. Highlights • Most podcasts release mid-week, but this one comes out on Fridays—the day when dads typically have the most control over their schedule heading into the weekend • A time study spreadsheet broken into 15-minute blocks helps you see what you actually do with your time, not just what's on your calendar • Honesty is essential—track everything including phone usage, doom scrolling, and "nothing box" time without guilt or judgment • Log two weeks of activity to normalize your schedule and account for the variations that happen week to week • The goal is to identify your "first five"—five hours per week you can dedicate to your side hustle without negatively impacting your family • Communicate your plan with your spouse once you've identified those time margins to ensure you have their support • Small steps lead to sustainable businesses—starting with just a few hours per week can eventually lead to significant results Chapters 00:00 Why Friday Releases01:48 Finding Time Margins03:07 Time Study Spreadsheet04:14 Be Honest, No Guilt05:45 How to Log Two Weeks08:30 Spot Hidden Gaps10:03 Find Your First Five10:57 Communicate With Spouse12:37 Turn Time Into Action13:51 Challenge and Wrap Up Resources Mentioned • Time Study Spreadsheet (Google Sheet): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/18NEeqC7ktsuqRxG2rI4aOifsrbYp_ZoSHBD8tcIpNMs/ Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

    16 min

  7. MAR 6

    Getting Your Biggest Champion On Board

    What's the number one reason side hustles fail before they even start? Your partner isn't on board. You can have the clearest vision, the best business plan, and unstoppable motivation—but without your spouse's support, you're building on sand. This episode walks you through exactly how to get your partner excited about your side hustle instead of resistant to it. You'll learn how to present your vision in a way that addresses their legitimate concerns about time, money, and commitment, while turning them into your biggest champion. Whether you're facing skepticism or just haven't had the conversation yet, this is your roadmap to bringing your partner along for the journey. Highlights Why partner resistance isn't about doubting you—it's about protecting the familyThe three universal objections every spouse has (and how to address each one)How to start the conversation without sounding defensive or confrontationalThe "stop loss" strategy that gives your partner confidence and controlWhy you need to give your spouse an "emergency brake" for the businessThe 90-day trial period that proves you're serious about follow-throughHow Bryan's wife became his champion during a moment of doubtSpecial guidance for single fathers building a side hustle Chapters [00:00] Why Partner Support Matters [01:26] Story Recording Studio Lessons [04:03] Lead With Your Why [07:07] Three Common Objections [11:53] Objection One Time Scarcity [14:31] Objection Two Money Risk [16:55] Objection Three Shiny Objects [17:38] How To Start The Talk [21:49] Safety Nets And Emergency Brake [24:50] Single Dads And Accountability [26:52] Homework 20 Minute Chat [28:19] Final Story And Wrap Up Resources Mentioned The $100 Startup (book)Kickstarter (crowdfunding platform)ChatGPT (business planning tool)Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review! For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

    32 min

  8. MAR 6

    Starting Your Side-Hustle Begins with One Question

    Why are so many dads struggling to balance ambition with family presence? If you're feeling the pull between providing an amazing life for your family and actually being there to enjoy it with them, this episode is your starting point. I'm sharing why I created this podcast specifically for dads who want to build something of their own without sacrificing what matters most. We're cutting through the noise of generic side hustle advice to focus on what actually works when you're juggling business dreams and bedtime stories. Today, we're tackling the most critical question you need to answer before launching anything: What's your why? Without a clear answer, your side hustle can quickly take on a life of its own and pull you away from the very reasons you started. I'll walk you through the three core categories of "why" and show you how defining yours will become your compass for every decision ahead. Highlights • Why this podcast exists specifically for dads (not just another generic side hustle show) • The most critical question to answer before starting any business: What's your why? • The three categories of "why": financial, relational, and personal • Why your side hustle needs a specific "job" to do • How knowing your why helps you make better decisions and know when to pivot or quit • Why honesty (not altruism) is what matters when defining your why Chapters 00:19 - Welcome & Introduction to The Side Hustle Dad 00:49 - Why This Podcast Exists for Dads 01:12 - The Importance of Balance: Business & Presence 02:56 - Starting with Your "Why" 03:49 - My Personal Why: Debt & Financial Freedom 04:41 - The Three Categories of Why 05:01 - Category 1: Financial Reasons 05:44 - Category 2: Relational Reasons 06:57 - Examples of Relational Why (T-shirt Store Failure) 07:22 - Category 3: Personal Reasons 08:57 - Why Your Side Hustle Needs a Job 09:51 - Making Informed Decisions Based on Your Why 10:38 - Your Action Step: Write Down Your Why 11:07 - Subscribe & Find Resources Be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!  For more information about The Side-Hustle Dad, visit our website at https://thesidehustle.dad Remember, build the business, but be the dad! This show is part of the ICT Podcast Network, for more information, visit ictpod.net.

    13 min

Trailer

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About

We are helping dads find financial freedom without sacrificing their families in the process. You want to provide more for your kids and create a legacy of wealth, but the thought of starting a business feels overwhelming. You’re afraid that chasing financial freedom means missing out on bedtime stories, soccer games, and quality time with your wife. The Side-Hustle Dad is here to show you a different way. Hosted by Bryan Steele—entrepreneur and founder of Forge Podcast Co.—this show is a masterclass in building a profitable side-hustle without sacrificing the relationships that matter most. Each week, we cover the mindset, strategies and tactics needed to create a thriving side-hustle. Whether you want to get out of debt, save for your children’s college, or build enough passive income to choose how you spend your days, this podcast provides the blueprint. Subscribe to The Side-Hustle Dad and start building your extra income stream today.

Information

  • Creator
    Bryan Steele
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (c) 2026 Bryan Steele
  • Show Website
    The Side-Hustle Dad

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