Dadicated Joe

Joe Carr
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  • PARENTING
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There's no manual for becoming a dad—but there should be. Dadicated Joe is a new dad's guide to navigating the wild ride of early fatherhood. From the moment you hear "we're pregnant" through those sleepless, life-altering early months, host Joe Carr (dad, husband, and co-founder of Serenity Kids) brings real talk, helpful tips, and shared experiences to the mic. This journey can be overwhelming—you shouldn't have to do it alone. New episodes every Tuesday.

  1. 5D AGO

    46 The Mistake That Destroys Fathers ft. Kenneth Braswell

    Fatherhood isn't just about parenting. It's about the kind of man I become. In this DadicatedJoe episode with Kenneth Braswell, we explore a deeper idea that has challenged how I think about fatherhood. Kenneth argues that many efforts to "fix fatherhood" miss the real issue. The problem isn't that men don't know how to parent. It's that many men do not know how to be men. Most of us were never taught the life skills that help us become grounded, responsible, powerful men we were meant to be, and our children and partners need.  We talk about growing up without a father, the patterns that lead men to disengage from their families, and why treating dads like boys often pushes them further away. We discuss how fatherhood is as much a community issue as it is a personal issue, so we can stop blaming men for not knowing how to be great husbands and fathers and instead build a society that encourages and supports men to become their best self. Kenneth also challenges one of the most common stereotypes about Black fathers and shares research showing that African American dads are often among the most engaged in day-to-day parenting. 👉 Get 15% off your first Serenity Kids order with code: DADICATED15 https://myserenitykids.com/ Being Dadicated isn't about having all the answers. It's about showing up. It's about committing to the kind of dad—and man—you want to be, even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard. Joe Carr is a dad to Della, husband to Serenity, co-founder of Serenity Kids baby food, and the voice behind Dadicated Joe. Follow Joe Carr on social media  Instagram: @dadicatedjoe  TikTok: @dadicatedjoe  YouTube @dadicatedjoe About Kenneth Braswell Kenneth Braswell is the CEO of Fathers Incorporated and Director of the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse. He's touched millions of dads in over three and a half decades of national leadership, he has delivered more than 900 speaking and training engagements across 34 states and five countries, reaching over one million individuals. His work includes authoring books, hosting the I Am Dad Podcast, and leading innovative fatherhood campaigns. Honored by Oprah Winfrey on the OWN Network and recipient of the 2024 Leaphart Fatherhood Award from Morehouse College, Braswell is a powerful voice for Black fathers and families. He resides in Atlanta with his wife, Tracy, and their loving family. Website: https://fathersincorporated.com/ceo/ Listen to the I Am Dad Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-am-dad/id1638594601  Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kennethbraswell/?hl=en

    1h 17m

  2. MAR 23

    45. When Natural Consequences Don't Work, Use Smart Discipline

    We try not to use punishment or reward as ways to motivate our child's actions because it diminishes their intrinsic motivation and harms the parent/child relationship. See my episode on how we use an evidence-based approach that utilizes natural consequences.  But there are times when natural consequences alone don't work. Like if she refuses to get in the car and I say, "OK, well then we're not going to the store." She says, "Fine, I don't wanna go to the store anyway." And then what? I don't want to yell, threaten, or bribe her, but I still need her to do the thing.  Enter, Smart Discipline. It quickly transformed those daily power struggles through a system that allows her to choose to comply and teach herself accountability from an early age. I teach you the basics in this episode, and there's a link to the book at the bottom.  I also discuss the emotional side of discipline. Kids are still going to have feelings when they face consequences, and part of the job is holding space for those feelings while still maintaining the boundary. Key Topics Discussed • The Smart Discipline system for encouraging cooperation • How house agreements create clear expectations for kids • The X chart that lets children choose between compliance or a consequence • Why discipline works better when kids feel ownership of the decision • Supporting kids' emotions while still enforcing boundaries • Why calm delivery and consistency from parents matter Resources Mentioned Book: Smart Discipline: Fast, Lasting Solutions for Your Peace of Mind and Your Child's Self-Esteem https://www.amazon.com/dp/0066212391?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_KMHF53J6SAFYXWHZN0KM  Get a copy of our Smart Discipline Chart System:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/17UCfohJ9Wz32B8lFaziwf3Mv4mSfX1eU/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108707302923123148655&rtpof=true&sd=true Watch: Why We Don't Punish or Reward Our Daughter? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAF35tAQxh4&list=PLV-0dTh77R_nI1i3WZ7kYeagM51WeC2-h  Watch: The Parenting Mistake That Makes Tantrums Worse https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7dE_MOlwXk&list=PLV-0dTh77R_nI1i3WZ7kYeagM51WeC2-h&index=28 👉 Get 15% off your first Serenity Kids order with code: DADICATED15 https://myserenitykids.com/ Being Dadicated isn't about having all the answers. It's about showing up. It's about committing to the kind of dad—and man—you want to be, even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard. Joe Carr is a dad to Della, husband to Serenity, co-founder of Serenity Kids baby food, and the voice behind Dadicated Joe. Follow Joe Carr on social media  Instagram: @dadicatedjoe  TikTok: @dadicatedjoe  YouTube @dadicatedjoe

    17 min

  3. MAR 16

    44.How Kids' Shoes Can Damage Long-Term Health with Barak "the Barefoot Guy"

    Most parents focus on the obvious stuff: food, sleep, discipline, and school. But there's another factor that shapes how our kids' bodies develop that almost nobody talks about: their feet. The shoes we put on our kids can affect how their entire body functions for the rest of their life. I tracked down a foot health expert Barak Argov, " the barefoot guy" to learn more about this. He said the best way to talk about foot development was on a hike, so we walked and talked about our foot-health journeys. I also got to test the amazing minimalist shoes Barak designed himself, that he sells at the first-ever barefoot shoe store in Austin, Always Barefoot. Barak has a degree in Physical Education from Wingate College in Israel and has been in barefoot shoes since 2011 (way before it was cool). He spent years studying natural movement and how modern shoes change the way our feet function. He explains why the foot is the foundation of the body, how shoe ridgitty, raised heels and narrow toe boxes interfere with natural development, and why those changes impede optimal performance and often can show up later as bunions, joint pain, back pain, and many other issues. For parents with babies and toddlers, learning about this is a powerful way you can help impact their health and development for life!  Questions This Episode Answers How do modern shoes affect children's foot development? Can bad shoes lead to long-term pain or posture problems? what kinds of issues might be caused by unhealthy footwear?  What kind of shoes should young kids actually wear? How do I find the right shoes for my kid?  Why do narrow shoes and lifted heels change how the body moves? What should parents know about foot health before age four 👉 Get 15% off your first Serenity Kids order with code: DADICATED15 https://myserenitykids.com/ Being Dadicated isn't about having all the answers. It's about showing up. It's about committing to the kind of dad—and man—you want to be, even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard. Joe Carr is a dad to Della, husband to Serenity, co-founder of Serenity Kids baby food, and the voice behind Dadicated Joe. Follow Joe Carr on social media  Instagram: @dadicatedjoe  TikTok: @dadicatedjoe  YouTube @dadicatedjoe      About Barak Argov        Website: www.allwaysbarefoot.com        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/allwaysbarefoot/        Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allways_barefoot/

    58 min

  4. MAR 9

    43. Why We Don't Punish or Reward Our Daughter

    I was punished constantly as a kid. I was undiagnosed as autistic and literally incapable of following a lot of the strict rules at school and at home. What punishment taught me wasn't responsibility. It taught me to fear authority, to lie when I needed to, and to focus enormously on pleasing others to avoid getting in trouble. And left me with a deep sense of shame when I constantly fell short, which has taken years of therapy to heal.  In this episode, I explain why we chose not to use punishment or rewards with our daughter. If kids only behave because they're afraid of you, they'll only behave when you're watching. And if they're doing the right thing for a treat, you'll eventually need a bigger treat. That's not character. That's control. And not only does it not work very well, it's also actually a lot harder on us!  Instead, we use an evidence-based that focuses on natural consequences. So if they're using a toy dangerously, we take away the toy. If they make a mess, they clean it up. The point isn't to cause suffering or prove a lesson through pain, it's to help her understand cause and effect and build intrinsic motivation. I don't want a compliant kid who behaves because she's afraid of me. I want a daughter who tells the truth when she messes up because she trusts me. 👇 In this episode, we explore: • What punishment actually teaches kids • Why fear-based discipline fails long-term • How natural consequences build independence • Why rewards damage intrinsic motivation • How to discipline without shame Resources mentioned:  If you're deep in toddler behavior right now, go watch the Toddler Tantrums episode. It'll give you more context on what's actually happening under the surface.  Also there are times when natural consequences don't work, so checkout my upcoming episode on "Smart Discipline" to see what to do for those moments.  Watch on YouTube The Parenting Mistake That Makes Tantrums Worse: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7dE_MOlwXk&list=PLV-0dTh77R_nI1i3WZ7kYeagM51WeC2-h&index=23  And if you want to go deeper into shame-free discipline, check out Janet Lansbury's No Bad Kids and the work from Big Little Feelings. Both are great foundations for raising kids without fear-based control. 👉 Get 15% off your first Serenity Kids order with code: DADICATED15 https://myserenitykids.com/ Being Dadicated isn't about having all the answers. It's about showing up. It's about committing to the kind of dad—and man—you want to be, even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard. Joe Carr is a dad to Della, husband to Serenity, co-founder of Serenity Kids baby food, and the voice behind Dadicated Joe. Follow Joe Carr on social media  Instagram: @dadicatedjoe  TikTok: @dadicatedjoe  YouTube @dadicatedjoe

    16 min

  5. MAR 2

    42. How Much Screen Time Should Kids Have with Dr. Susan Linn

    "You are talking about a seven-year-old being addicted to something that was designed to manipulate her." That's uncomfortable to hear. It's also what this week's DadicatedJoe guest, Dr. Susan Linn, said to me. Screen addiction starts earlier than many parents are aware of, and at the same time, we have to acknowledge the real pressure families face. Because screens are everywhere, work demands are high, exhaustion is real, and drawing firm boundaries often feels harder than ever. Excessive screen time is linked to attention issues, poor school performance, sleep disruption, and emotional regulation challenges, which is why I wanted to speak with an expert. Dr. Susan Linn has spent decades studying how media and Big Tech shape children's behavior, attention, and values, and advocating for change. As a psychologist, writer, researcher, and Harvard lecturer, she explains how digital culture is designed to pull children into consumerism and brand loyalty, and how games and devices are built to create dependence for stimulation and soothing. In this eye-opening episode, we unpack the truth behind educational claims, why ad-free does not automatically mean harmless, and how using screens as rewards can quietly increase their power. We also talk about practical screen time boundaries, what health guidelines actually recommend for babies and toddlers, and how parents can reduce screen dependence without constant battles. 👇 In this episode, we explore: How does excessive screen time affect a child's brain development? What are the official screen time guidelines for babies and toddlers? Is screen addiction real in young children? Do educational apps actually help kids learn? How can parents set healthy screen time boundaries in a tech-saturated world? If screen time is already becoming a battle in your house, go watch my episode with Tucker Max on Raising Kids Without Screens. It'll give you a very different lens on what's actually possible. Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zweLLC9wkm8&list=PLV-0dTh77R_nI1i3WZ7kYeagM51WeC2-h&index=21  About Dr. Susan Lin  Susan Linn, a psychologist, an author, and an award-winning ventriloquist, is a world-renowned expert on creative play, and the impact of tech and commercial marketing on children. She is Research Associate at Boston Children's Hospital, and Lecturer on Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.   A passionate advocate for children, Dr. Linn was Founding Director of Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (now called Fairplay) from 2000-2015. She has lectured on the importance of creative play, the impact of tech, media, and marketing on children, and on puppetry as a therapeutic tool, Dr. Linn's books have been praised in publications as diverse as The Wall Street Journal and Mother Jones. Her most recent book, Who's Raising the Kids? Big Tech, Big Business and the Lives of Children received a rave review from The New York Times, which called it "engrossing and insightful." Check out Dr. Susan Linn's latest book, Who's Raising the Kids?: Big Tech, Big Business and the Lives of Children. And to learn more about Susan's incredible work, visit her website https://www.consumingkids.com/

    55 min

  6. FEB 23

    41. Why Meat is CRUCIAL for Baby's First Foods

    When can babies eat meat? As soon as they're eating solid foods, which is around six months old. Meat is a CRITICAL first food, and here are three major reasons why. My wife and I became experts on this topic before starting Serenity Kids Baby Food, and we've heard the same question again and again: Do babies really need meat? Why not start with rice cereal or fruit? In this episode, I walk through the three core reasons meat is the ideal first food. Babies' brains and spines develop rapidly in their first year. They need dense nutrition, fat, and highly absorbable heme iron to support that growth. I also talk about why early exposure to savory foods during the six to eighteen-month flavor window can shape long-term eating habits — and why I recommend meat first, vegetables second, and waiting on grains and sugars. 👇 In this episode, we explore: • When can babies start eating meat? • Why is meat easier to digest than other foods? • How much fat do babies actually need each day? • What is heme iron and why is it important for infants? • Does starting with fruit increase sugar preference later? Resources mentioned:  How to Make Liver Bone Broth: https://myserenitykids.com/blogs/news/how-to-make-liver-bone-broth?srsltid=AfmBOoqCrQ25Q mW4wkmC3JprXZRfXHSGz821UT4vYmjr_V0T3u8TnNhk  If you're introducing solids soon, don't miss my full Dad's Guide to Starting Solids where I walk through timing, foods, and what to avoid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qtgMhJtIQw&list=PLV-0dTh77R_nI1i3WZ7kYeagM51WeC2-h&index=14  👉 Get 15% off your first Serenity Kids order with code: DADICATED15 https://myserenitykids.com/  Being Dadicated isn't about having all the answers. It's about showing up. It's about committing to the kind of dad—and man—you want to be, even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard. Joe Carr is a dad to Della, husband to Serenity, co-founder of Serenity Kids baby food, and the voice behind Dadicated Joe. Follow Joe Carr on social media  Instagram: @dadicatedjoe  TikTok: @dadicatedjoe  YouTube @dadicatedjoe

    12 min

  7. FEB 16

    40. Are you a Girl Dad or a Dad with a Daughter? With Madeline Anderson

    Father-daughter relationships are shaped long before kids have the words to explain what they feel, and I've learned that firsthand with my daughter, Della. The moments that seem small, the ones we rush through or don't think twice about, can often be the moments that teach our kids what they're worth and how they should expect to be treated. Madeline Anderson, author of Girl Dad, brings a daughter's perspective to what actually shapes father-daughter relationships beneath the surface. We talk about how attention communicates worth and what it looks like to set boundaries around work and life without making our daughters feel rejected. 👉 Get 15% off your first Serenity Kids order with code: DADICATED15 https://myserenitykids.com/ Being Dadicated isn't about having all the answers. It's about showing up. It's about committing to the kind of dad—and man—you want to be, even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard. Joe Carr is a dad to Della, husband to Serenity, co-founder of Serenity Kids baby food, and the voice behind Dadicated Joe. Follow Joe Carr on social media  Instagram: @dadicatedjoe  TikTok: @dadicatedjoe  YouTube @dadicatedjoe

    1h 3m

  8. FEB 9

    39. Talking to Kids About Sex Starts in Toddlerhood with Megan Brinkerhoff

    Sex education can still be such a taboo topic that by the time we talk to our kids about it we may avoid, freeze, or fumble, and even accidentally pass down the same shame we grew up with. In this episode, I sit down with Megan Brinkerhoff, a mother of two, to talk about what actually helps kids feel safe, informed, and confident in their bodies. We get into why naming body parts early matters more than people realize, how whispering sends signals we don't intend, and why boundaries and consent start in toddlerhood. This conversation isn't about having one perfect sex talk. It's about building an ongoing, shame free foundation that grows with your child. We also talk honestly about why so many parents feel stuck. Poor sex education, fear based messaging, and cultural silence leave adults feeling unprepared. Megan shares how parents can reclaim their role, stay involved as kids grow, and create homes where questions are welcomed instead of avoided. If you want to help your kids navigate bodies, boundaries, and relationships without fear or secrecy, this episode will give you a grounded place to start. 👇 In this episode, we explore: How do you talk to kids about sex without creating shame? When should parents start sex education conversations? Why naming body parts early supports safety and autonomy How parents can teach boundaries and consent at different ages starting in toddlerhood What to do when your own sex education makes this uncomfortable 👉 Get 15% off your first Serenity Kids order with code: DADICATED15 https://myserenitykids.com/ Being Dadicated isn't about having all the answers. It's about showing up. It's about committing to the kind of dad—and man—you want to be, even when it's hard. Especially when it's hard. Joe Carr is a dad to Della, husband to Serenity, co-founder of Serenity Kids baby food, and the voice behind Dadicated Joe. Follow Joe Carr on social media  Instagram: @dadicatedjoe  TikTok: @dadicatedjoe  YouTube @dadicatedjoe About Megan Brinkerhoff Megan Brinkerhoff is a Mother, Artist, Educator and Sacred Sexuality Practitioner. Her current work is developing a fresh approach to sex education for children, one that addresses both sex and relating and is rooted in the relationship to oneself. This work educates both children and their parents in tandem with the goal of empowering parents to be the stewards of their children's sexual and relational development and create space for meaningful conversations about sex and relating within the family. Megan lives in Austin, TX with her two hilarious, ridiculous and glorious kids, Marigny (6) and Rory (3).

    1h 16m
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About

There's no manual for becoming a dad—but there should be. Dadicated Joe is a new dad's guide to navigating the wild ride of early fatherhood. From the moment you hear "we're pregnant" through those sleepless, life-altering early months, host Joe Carr (dad, husband, and co-founder of Serenity Kids) brings real talk, helpful tips, and shared experiences to the mic. This journey can be overwhelming—you shouldn't have to do it alone. New episodes every Tuesday.

Information

  • Creator
    Joe Carr
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    Dadicated Joe