Extraordinary Dads

Donal Murphy and Matthew Marichiba
  • 3.7 (3)
  • PARENTING

We’re two ordinary dads with an avid interest in what makes fatherhood extraordinary. Each episode, we sit down with another dad to explore the full spectrum of parenting: from the brightest highs to the toughest lows. We dig into unsung stories of care, love, frustration, joy, disappointment, and everything in between. This podcast is about modern dads navigating the evolving landscape of parenting. Together, we learn and celebrate the practical habits and hard-earned insights that help us feel more successful as parents. Real talk. Honest reflection. Occasional swearing.

Episodes

  1. JAN 25

    What is the sound of two dads flapping? Part 2: The XOD 1 Year Anniversary!

    In this episode Donal and Matthew reflect on the first year of the Extraordinary Dads podcast. Is it doing what they expected? How is it different than planned? What are we asking of the dads listening? (Spoilers: Get yourself in community. Have more conversations about dadding with your community. Improve a little, bit by bit, wherever and whenever you find the inspiration.)

    43 min

  2. 11/26/2025

    "I'm the Dad he wishes he was." Steve, Martial Arts School Owner

    In this conversation, Steve, owner of the Santa Cruz GracieJiu-Jitsu Martial Arts School, shares insights into his life as a father and martial arts instructor. He discusses balancing parenting and self-care, education choices for his sons, and the lessons learned from Jiu-Jitsu that apply to life and fatherhood. Steve reflects on his own upbringing, the death of his mother, his absentee father, and how that motivates him to strive to be a better dad for his children. He also talks about the complicated evolution of his relationship with his dad in adulthood and how forgiveness and redemption are playing a part in the ongoing healing of that relationship. More information on Santa Cruz Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Martial ArtsSchool: www.graciesantacruz.com Keywords: parenting, jiu-jitsu, education, homeschooling, bullying, self-defense, personal growth, self-care, absentee father, forgiveness, redemption, entrepreneurship

    55 min

  3. 10/19/2025

    "It's shaping me. I also get to change and grow." - Jeremy, Music Producer Dad

    In this conversation, Jeremy (a DIFFERENT Jeremy than last time!), a music producer and entrepreneur shares his experiences as a single dad with joint custody. He dwells on the importance of patience, presence, and creativity in his parenting approach. Jeremy reflects on the influence of his parents and heritage, and shares his viewpoint as a Black father in a predominantly white community. Jeremy’s conversation highlights the growth, learning and awesomeness  that comes with being a dad. Check out Jeremy's production studio Sonivore at www.sonivores.com, or follow his Instagam @sonivore. Apologies for the creaky chair noise throughout this episode, folks! We kinda botched the studio setup for this recording, and the mic captured a bunch of ambient noise. We learn and we move on! Keywords: parenting, joint custody, patience, creativity, emotional intelligence, cultural identity, music, family dynamics, black fatherhood, personal growth

    1 hr

  4. 09/09/2025

    "Froggy Baby Daddy!" - Jeremy, New Dad

    In this engaging episode of the Extraordinary Dads podcast, we sit down with Jeremy, a new dad navigating the joys and challenges of parenting an 18-month-old. Jeremy shares his experiences of balancing work and family life, the unexpected realities of fatherhood, the importance of patience and presence, and the pressures and expectations that come with striving for perfection. He reflects on the influence of his own upbringing and the support of his family, offering insights into the evolving journey of being a dad. Join us for this heartfelt conversation about the trials and triumphs of early parenthood. Keywords: parenting, fatherhood, labor, work-life-balance, perfectionism, mindfulness, presence, hybrid work, working from home, self-care, screen time, devices, grandparents, family support, job search, community support, summer camps.

    1h 8m

  5. 08/13/2025

    "If you've met one person on the spectrum, you've met one person on the spectrum." - Chad, Autism Dad

    In this episode Chad, an “Autism dad,” shares his journey of parenting a neurodivergent child, and how it has shaped his marriage and family life. Chad discusses how his own diagnosis has brought insight and empathy into his approach to parenting his child. This episode offers a candid look at the unique joys and struggles of raising a neurodivergent child, emphasizing the importance of understanding, patience, partnership and love in fostering a supportive family environment. Donal and Matthew continue their conversation about non-religious rites of passage and spiritual development for kids. All this, plus lost chickens and Freemasons! Keywords: Parenting, Fatherhood, Teenager, Neurodivergence, Autism Spectrum, Perspective, Marriage, Family, Personal Growth, Celebrate the Small Victories, Kindness to Self, Rites of Passage, Bar Mitzvah, Confirmation References: The Virtues Guide, published 1991 - no longer in print, but copies can be found on ebay or other used book sellers.

    55 min

  6. 07/06/2025

    "Dada Car!" - Max, Firefighter Dad

    In this conversation, Max, a “fire killer,” shares his experiences navigating the challenges of parenthood while managing a demanding job. He discusses the unique schedule of a firefighter, the importance of communication and partnership with his wife, and the ups and downs of parenting a young child with a challenging sleep schedule. Max reflects on lessons learned from his own upbringing, the sacrifices his dad made, and the value of community support. The discussion also touches on the role of grandparents and the unique challenges faced by parents raising kids far from immediate family. And the cutest moment of the interview, when Max reveals that whenever his son sees a fire truck, he calls it a Dada Car. Keywords: fatherhood, parenting, firefighter, work-life balance, sleep schedule, communication, challenges, proud moments, mental health, community support, family dynamics

    1h 2m

  7. 05/31/2025

    "Being there. Being present. Being available and not turning kids down." - Larry, Dad of Dads!

    In this episode Donal and Matthew welcome Matthew's own dad, Larry. We had the pleasure of interviewing him while he visited recently, and he shared his continuing experience of being a dad to grown kids, as well as being a grandparent. Larry reflects on "old school" parenting, proud moments, regrets, and how the expectations of dads and family has changed over the decades. Keywords: grandfather, grandparents, fatherhood, parenting, family dynamics, changing expectations for dads, military father, generational influence, emotional intelligence, family values, communication

    48 min

  8. 05/16/2025

    "Money as a means to family experiences." - Tom, financial advisor

    In this episode, we chat with Tom who shares his experiences and insights as a father, discussing the joys and challenges of parenting twins, his approach to teaching them values, and the importance of being present in their lives. He reflects on lessons learned from his own upbringing, emphasizing the significance of work-life balance, and instilling a healthy relationship with money in his children. Keywords parenting, fatherhood, self-care, family values, financial advice, money management, work-life balance, personal growth

    55 min

  9. 05/09/2025

    "Grow where you're planted" - Dan, Old Dad

    In this episode we meet Dan, a 68 year-old father of an 8 year old. Dan talks to us about his experience dadding past 60, about how age has shaped his approach to parenting. Dan works as a Catholic chaplain who ventures into indigenous and shamanic traditions, and we get to hear how he makes space for spiritual development in his daughter's life. Keywords fatherhood, parenting, spirituality, emotional intelligence, older dads, family dynamics, communication, boundaries

    50 min

  10. 05/08/2025

    "Logic and reasoning!" - Erik, Young Dad

    In this episode we talk with 30 year-old dad Erik, the father of three children between 4 to 12 years old. He gives us an inside peek into the life and evolution of a young dad. Erik gives us the low-down on his application and adaptations of Gentle Parenting, mistakes and corrections over the years, getting support from family as an 18 year-old with a baby on the way, reflections on the death of his own father, and more. We cover a lot of territory, so buckle up! Keywords young dad, emotional awareness, family dynamics, gentle parenting, support systems for young parents, losing a father

    1h 2m

  11. 05/07/2025

    "What is the sound of two dads flapping?" - Matthew & Donal kick things off

    Annnnnnd here we go! This is our first full episode following our format for conversations: Dads on mics. Drinks in hand. Running down three questions for each episode: What's working for you right now? What's challenging for you recently? What's a recent occurrence in your parenting that you're proud of? No guest this time! Just the two of us. We went all over the place! Bedtime routines, instilling reading habits, homeschooling, finding what ignites kids' passion, the need for self-care and downtime. There's a little bit of everything in here from our recent adventures in dadding. Grab yourself a drink and get cozy with us, dads. Keywords bedtime routine, reading habits, dads groups, parenting, education, supportive learning environment, parenting challenges, self-care, downtime, supporting children

    58 min

  12. 05/04/2025

    Origin Story

    Every podcast has a first episode, and this is ours! In this inaugural episode we discuss the genesis of this project and where we'd like it to go. The format for our conversation follows the format we use at our monthly dads group: Each person shares a recent proud moment, a recent challenge, and a practical nugget that is working in their family right now. This recording almost wasn't! We got a fancy recorder. We set it up. Were were feelin' pro and ready to go. And then... The recorder got set to Pause mode for the entire recording. Thankfully we captured it with a simple Memo app too, and we were able to punch-up the quality a bit, but it's far from perfect. Sorry about the muddy sound quality! We are ordinary dads who have an avid interest in connecting and sharing experiences with other dads about the extraordinary act of parenting. This podcast explores the brightest highs and darkest lows in the lives of every-day dads, revealing unsung stories of caring, resolve, love, disappointment, and everything in between. We’re here to learn and celebrate practical habits that regular dads have discovered to feel more successful as a parent, while also acknowledging the challenges and short-comings that happen along the way. Keywords: parenting, dadding, fatherhood, dads group, parenting challenges, support for dads, travel with kids, authentic, playful, relatable, reflective, optimistic, vulnerable

    39 min
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

We’re two ordinary dads with an avid interest in what makes fatherhood extraordinary. Each episode, we sit down with another dad to explore the full spectrum of parenting: from the brightest highs to the toughest lows. We dig into unsung stories of care, love, frustration, joy, disappointment, and everything in between. This podcast is about modern dads navigating the evolving landscape of parenting. Together, we learn and celebrate the practical habits and hard-earned insights that help us feel more successful as parents. Real talk. Honest reflection. Occasional swearing.

Information

  • Creator
    Donal Murphy and Matthew Marichiba
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Donal Murphy and Matthew Marichiba
  • Show Website
    Extraordinary Dads