Dads in Real Life Podcast

Robert & Travis
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Weekly

Ready for real talk from two dads who get it? One’s a SoCal entrepreneur juggling life with older kids; the other is a seasoned work-from-home dad with a crew of toddlers. Separated by a decade in age but united by their parenting journeys, these dads bring hilarious, heartfelt stories, lessons learned, and raw honesty to topics every parent can relate to—whether it’s diapers or dream projects. Born out of a mentorship-turned friendship, this podcast is your invitation to laugh, learn, and lounge with two dads who prove that there’s no one right way to navigate dad life. Subscribe to Dads in Real Life—because parenting’s better with a little perspective (and a lot of laughs).

  1. May 21

    From Garage Hustle to Business Owner | Coffee, Tattoos & Fatherhood

    Today, Travis and Robert welcome special guest Jon Kelly to the podcast for a conversation about fatherhood, entrepreneurship, coffee, tattoos, and building a life from the ground up. Jon shares the journey from: ☕ Roasting coffee in his backyard 🎨 Tattooing friends in his garage ➡️ To eventually owning both a coffee roasting company and a tattoo shop while raising a daughter. What seem like two completely different businesses actually share a similar foundation: 🔥 passion 🤝 community 🛠️ craftsmanship 📈 and taking risks on yourself In this episode, they talk about: How Jon first got into coffee roasting What separates a good cup of coffee from a bad one His path into tattoo artistry and eventually owning a shop The realities of entrepreneurship as a father Balancing creativity, business ownership, and family life One of the biggest themes of the episode: 👨‍👧 How becoming a dad made Jon a better businessman… and how running businesses helped shape him into a better father.   This episode is packed with stories, lessons learned, and insight for anyone interested in: ☕ coffee culture 🎨 tattoo artistry 📈 entrepreneurship 👨‍👩‍👧 and balancing ambition with family life. ------------ Shout-outs: Olde Tyme Tattoo (Instagram: @oldetymetattoo ) Fullerton Raosters (Instagram: @fullertonroasters) Music produced by Trevor Gregory Follow @savten from @look.cypher

    1h 23m

  2. May 14

    Why Kids Don’t Play Outside Anymore

    Today’s episode starts with a challenge from Travis: 🚨 If the YouTube channel gains 100 more subscribers… he’ll tear open his kitchen wall on camera. 🚨 Why? A few episodes ago, Travis mentioned a mysterious sound coming from inside the wall, and he’s been waiting for the right moment to investigate. So now the question is: 👀 What’s inside the wall? Send this episode to a friend, and let’s see if Travis actually follows through. Before jumping into today’s topic, Travis reminds everyone that we have a special guest episode next week, so don’t forget to turn on notifications. Appetisers for today's episode: 🛠️ A shout-out to @bigcolecole and his legendary wall of broken tools 📚 Why libraries are underrated for dads and families Then the conversation shifts into today’s main topic: 🌳 Why Kids Need More Outside Time Robert reflects on growing up in a time when kids stayed outside until the street lights came on—because there simply weren’t endless indoor entertainment options. Today? 📱 iPads 🎮 Screens 🍿 Constant comfort & instant dopamine Robert and Travis talk about: The struggle parents face getting kids outside How technology competes with real-world play Why community and outdoor time matter more than ever The fight against isolation and overstimulation Travis also shouts out Ginny Yurich and her book Until the Street Lights Come On, sharing insights from the “1000 Hours Outside” movement and how modern kids are struggling with things as simple as eye contact and conversation. They also discuss how homework and busy schedules have changed childhood: 📝 More work after school ⚽ Less unstructured play ☀️ Less time outside just being a kid A reflective and practical conversation about parenting, childhood, technology, and reclaiming outdoor time in a screen-filled world.   ------- Shout-outs: @1000hoursoutside @bigcolecole Music produced by Trevor Gregory Follow @savten from @look.cypher

    32 min

  3. May 7

    Mother’s Day Looks Different as a Dad

    On today’s episode, Travis kicks things off with a game of “Where Did That Word Come From?” as he shares the origin story behind a word celebrating its 100-year anniversary. From there, the conversation shifts into today’s main topic: Mother’s Day ❤️ Travis asks Robert to share a favorite memory of his mom, which leads both dads into reflecting on early childhood memories and the impact their mothers had on their lives growing up. Then they dive into what it looks like to celebrate Mother’s Day as husbands and fathers. Robert reflects on celebrating his wife through 14 Mother’s Days, sharing how his perspective has changed over the years: 💐 The pressure to make everything perfect in the early years 👶 Learning how hard those first years of motherhood really are 🎯 And how celebration has shifted from “doing more” to being more intentional and aware Travis shares stories from his own Mother’s Day experiences and talks about what he has planned this year. The biggest takeaway from today’s episode: It’s not about getting Mother’s Day perfect. It’s about showing up with awareness, gratitude, and intention for the moms who do so much every single day. A thoughtful and honest conversation about parenting, partnership, and celebrating the season of motherhood. ------------------------------- Music in this Video: Music produced by Trevor Gregory Follow @savten from @look.cypher

    50 min

  4. Apr 25

    Parenting in Public: How Much Freedom Is Too Much?

    Today’s episode starts off with a simple observation from Travis… Why are there no crickets in Northern California? 🦗 Before they can even unpack that, a technical difficulty takes over—and after a 15-minute battle with his mic, Travis finally gets back on track… only to jump straight into a topic every dad knows all too well: 💥 Getting hit in the privates. From toddler meltdowns at the perfect height to shopping cart incidents at Costco, Travis and Robert share some painfully relatable dad moments. Then the conversation shifts to the main topic: 👨‍👧‍👦 How far do you let your kids roam in public? After a recent trip to the park, Travis noticed something surprising—a lot of kids… but not a lot of parents nearby. That raises the question: Where do you draw the line between freedom and supervision? They discuss: 🏞️ How far is “too far” when kids are playing in public 👀 Different parenting styles when it comes to supervision 🤝 The unspoken understanding between parents in shared spaces 🛝 Why it often feels like we’re all looking out for each other’s kids They wrap up with stories of parents stepping in to help when needed—and give a shoutout to the dads who not only watch their own kids, but keep an eye on the bigger picture. This episode is a mix of humor, pain (literally), and thoughtful conversation about what it means to parent in public spaces today. ------------------------------- Music in this Podcast: Music produced by Trevor Gregory Follow @savten from @look.cypher

    45 min

  5. Apr 16

    Are we too distracted to feel awe anymore?

    We’re back after a quick spring break—and as always, Travis kicks things off with a Trader Joe’s review, this time featuring Beer Bread 🍺🍞. From there, it’s straight into real-life dad talk: Why holidays sometimes feel like more work than school days A random (but surprisingly useful) Chrome household pro-tip And the chaos of getting back into routine after time off Then the conversation shifts to something bigger… 🚀 Space, Awe, and What’s Changed Travis shares his excitement around Artemis II and the idea of traveling to the moon and back. But that leads to a deeper question: Why doesn’t it feel as mind-blowing as it should? Robert reflects on growing up during a time when moments like the moon landing captured everyone’s attention—when there was less noise, more anticipation, and real awe. Today? 📱 Endless content ⚡ Instant access ⏳ No waiting, no boredom They unpack: How information overload has changed the way we experience big moments Why kids today may never feel the same anticipation and wonder The loss of delayed gratification And what it means for us as parents trying to raise kids in this environment They wrap up by looking ahead—because despite it all, the idea of space travel becoming accessible is still something worth being excited about.

    40 min

  6. Apr 3

    My Wife Works, I Stay Home | Here's What We Learned

    In today’s episode, Travis kicks things off with a mix of questions, stories, and real-life updates from his world as a dad. They start by talking about productivity: ⏱️ What’s your most productive hour of the day? Rob breaks it down into creative work vs. busy work, while Travis shares why mornings—and a surprising late-morning window—are his go-to times to get things done. From there, it’s classic dad-life: 🛝 Moving a trampoline… only to discover a nest full of eggs (and now no one can use it) 🛒 A quick Trader Joe’s product review 📽️ Researching a home projector setup (and realizing it’s not cheap) The tone shifts as Travis reflects on the one-year anniversary of his family’s miscarriage, and Robert shares his\perspective on supporting loved ones through difficult seasons. Then they move into the main topic: What happens when roles at home change? Travis shares his experience as a full-time dad at home while his wife works full-time—and how different it looks from what they originally expected in marriage. They unpack: 🔄 The reality of role reversals in parenting and marriage 🧠 Why changing roles is like starting a new job 🤝 The importance of grace, patience, and communication during the transition 🏠 Practical ways to adjust responsibilities so it works for both partners This episode is a mix of humor, honesty, and perspective—highlighting that as life changes, so do the roles we play… and learning to adapt together is what makes it work.

    1 hr

  7. Mar 26

    Time vs Money as a Dad (What’s Actually Worth It?)

    Today’s episode is a bit of a smorgasbord—and it starts exactly where you’d expect… the dentist. Travis and Robert share some good (and not so good) stories, from living room dental setups to wisdom teeth experiences you won’t forget anytime soon. Then things take a turn as Travis debates a very real dad dilemma: Do you cut into your drywall to chase potential treasure… or ask your wife first? From there, the conversation shifts into the main topic: Time vs. Money as a Dad With limited time and growing responsibilities, how do you decide what’s worth doing yourself—and what’s worth paying for? They break down: ⏱️ Products and services that are worth their weight in gold because they save time 🛠️ When it makes sense to DIY vs. outsource 🧠 A simple principle Robert uses to make better decisions ⚖️ How dads can think more clearly about time, energy, and priorities This episode blends humor with real-life decision-making—because sometimes the biggest wins as a dad come down to how you spend your time, not just your money.

    1h 7m

  8. Mar 20

    Stressed Out as a Dad? Here’s How We Actually Handle It

    On today’s episode, Travis and Robert talk about something every dad experiences—but doesn’t always talk about: stress. Before diving in, Travis points out that it’s been one year since their stress and breathwork episode, so they revisit their original opening game… and let’s just say, it doesn’t go quite the same this time around. From there, the conversation gets real. Travis asks Robert: “How do you know when you’re stressed?” Robert shares the key signs he looks for—including how falling back into bad habits is one of his biggest indicators. Travis opens up about his own experience, where procrastination becomes his biggest red flag. They also explore: 🚨 The idea of “flares” (early warning signs that stress is building) 📊 How to measure your stress level and know when it’s too much ⚖️ The difference between healthy stress vs. overwhelming stress 🔄 Why managing stress is more effective than trying to avoid it 🔋 How to balance stress with recovery and daily recharge habits Travis also shares what it looked like during a season of 10/10 stress—and what helped him get through it. They wrap up with practical tools and systems they use to manage stress as busy dads juggling family, work, and everything in between. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or running on empty—this episode will help you recognize the signs early and take back control.

    48 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Ready for real talk from two dads who get it? One’s a SoCal entrepreneur juggling life with older kids; the other is a seasoned work-from-home dad with a crew of toddlers. Separated by a decade in age but united by their parenting journeys, these dads bring hilarious, heartfelt stories, lessons learned, and raw honesty to topics every parent can relate to—whether it’s diapers or dream projects. Born out of a mentorship-turned friendship, this podcast is your invitation to laugh, learn, and lounge with two dads who prove that there’s no one right way to navigate dad life. Subscribe to Dads in Real Life—because parenting’s better with a little perspective (and a lot of laughs).

Information

  • Creator
    Robert & Travis
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    66
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Dads in Real Life Podcast