The Just Call Dad Podcast

Sean Patrick | Joe Bush
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

**The Just Call Dad Podcast** A podcast by dads, for dads. Just Call Dad exists to help dads become the kind of men their families, teams, and communities can count on. Through honest conversations and practical insights, we explore fatherhood, leadership, mental health, personal growth, coaching, teaching, and the everyday challenges of being present in the lives that matter most. 📖 Sean Patrick's book, Emotional Shoes https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Shoes-Designed-Compete/dp/B0F7Y95ZNW 📸 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justcalldadpodcast

  1. 13h ago

    73 | DAD SPACE

    Finding Your Dad Space: Embracing the Journey Exploring the challenges and joys of fatherhood in today’s world. Sometimes, the best encouragement comes from the stories of others—not just their successes, but their struggles as well. This week, Sean Patrick dives into the often chaotic yet rewarding journey of fatherhood, sharing his own experiences and insights on finding balance in the dad space. The Importance of Connection Sean reflects on a conversation with his friend Ben Barker, who reminded him of the value in sharing not just achievements but also setbacks. This candidness can create a sense of normalcy for fathers navigating their own challenges. Sean wants to create a community where men can connect over their experiences, recognizing that being a dad is a crucial part of their identities. The Evolution of Dad Content Since Sean started this podcast in 2024, he has seen a significant rise in content geared towards dads. While some of this content is genuinely helpful, the saturation can also lead to confusion about what truly matters in the dad space. He emphasizes that the focus should not be on marketing or selling products but rather on fostering genuine connections among fathers. Three Steps Towards Clarity In today’s episode, Sean shares three personal steps he is taking to find clarity in his dad space: 1. Limit Podcast Consumption Reducing the number of podcasts he listens to daily has helped Sean focus on quality over quantity. Finding a few key voices to follow has made his listening experience more meaningful. 2. Identify Personal Needs Instead of trying to meet external expectations, Sean encourages dads to reflect on their own needs. Writing down daily necessities has helped him align his actions with his personal goals, whether it’s nourishing his body or ensuring he carves out time for reading. 3. Create Quiet Space Amidst the chaos of parenting, Sean emphasizes the importance of finding quiet moments for oneself. He acknowledges the challenge of establishing this space but believes it’s crucial for mental clarity and recovery. A Call to Reflection As Sean wraps up, he invites listeners to consider their own journeys in the dad space. It’s not about following every piece of advice or purchasing the latest products; it’s about finding what works for you and creating a supportive environment for yourself and your family. The dad years may be demanding, but with intention and community, they can also be incredibly fulfilling. Remember, it’s all about being the best version of yourself—today and every day. For more insights and stories, tune into the full episode!

  2. Sep 12

    72 | EDUCATORS

    What happens when structure becomes control—and teachers lose the freedom to truly teach? In this episode, Sean Patrick and Joe have an honest conversation about autonomy, creativity, collaboration, and perfectionism in education. They explore the tension between following a scripted curriculum and trusting teachers to use their experience, personality, and understanding of their students. Sean and Joe discuss why every classroom interprets learning differently, how fresh perspectives can reveal potential others may have missed, and why collaboration matters more than uniformity. Sean also shares a personal story about his daughter’s classroom experience and the pressure often placed on well-behaved students to lead, help, and hold everything together. As Sean explains, “You can’t see the picture when you’re standing inside the frame.” The conversation also moves beyond the classroom into parenting, leadership, and the importance of community. Both Sean and Joe reflect on releasing perfectionism, accepting that educators do not need to have every answer, and creating environments where teachers and students can bring their full selves to the work. This episode is for teachers, coaches, parents, and leaders trying to balance high expectations with creativity, compassion, and joy.

  3. Sep 7

    71 | RECHARGED

    71 | RECHARGED Recharge Your Battery: Finding Joy in Fatherhood Explore how to keep your energy up as a dad and find joy in everyday moments. In today’s episode, Sean Patrick shares his journey toward transforming the podcast into a platform for meaningful conversations rather than just content creation. This shift is aimed at fostering genuine connections, especially among fathers navigating the challenges of parenting. From Content to Conversations Sean reflects on the pressures of performing for an audience and highlights the importance of engaging in authentic dialogues. He emphasizes that the podcast will focus on keeping joy alive in various aspects of life, including parenting, work, and personal hobbies. The Importance of Recharging The central theme of this episode is about recharging our personal "batteries." Sean candidly discusses his experiences with fitness, particularly his struggles with aerobic capacity after a break from training. He draws parallels between physical and emotional energy, urging listeners to reflect on what recharges them in their daily lives. "I am the Ryobi mower, the battery. I forget to charge it. I think you know what? I don’t need a hobby or I don’t need the free time or I don’t need this. I’ll be fine. And then all of a sudden I’m like the Ryobi mower and I’m just done." What Charges You? He encourages listeners to identify their sources of energy. Is it podcasting, training, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee? Sean shares that while conversations energize him, they can also drain him, depending on the context. Finding Your Own Recharge Sean advises against adopting someone else’s method of recharging. Instead, he suggests being mindful and communicative about one’s own needs. He shares various activities that help him recharge, from podcasting to engaging in creative projects like music. Simple Takeaways - Engage in activities that genuinely recharge you. Whether it's exercising, spending time with family, or pursuing hobbies, recognize what lifts your spirits. - Don’t let recharging become another performance. Enjoy the process for its own sake, rather than feeling pressured to meet external expectations. - Try new things. Whether it's a fitness program or a creative project, explore what works for you without the stress of competition. As Sean wraps up the episode, he reminds listeners that recharging doesn’t always mean taking a break; sometimes it’s about engaging in fulfilling activities. Reflecting on the journey ahead, he is committed to bringing more guests onto the podcast and fostering conversations that enrich our experiences as dads. Thanks for tuning in to this new chapter of the Just Call Dad podcast. Let’s keep the joy in our lives and recharge together!

  4. Sep 1

    70 | The Smell of September — Strive Lighter

    September 1st. There was something different in the air. Sitting outside early in the morning, I caught that familiar smell of fall—the kind that brings back memories and reminds you that seasons change whether you're ready for them or not. And it made me realize something: maybe the goal isn't to stop striving. Maybe it's to learn how to strive lighter. For the last two and a half years, Just Call Dad has been about making the call, starting conversations, and reminding dads that they don't have to figure everything out alone. But eventually, after you make the call, you have to get back to living. In this final episode of Just Call Dad, I reflect on Ecclesiastes, finding joy in the work, slowing down enough to notice what's already around us, my faith, fatherhood, and why chasing more isn't necessarily the answer. Sometimes we spend our lives chasing the next accomplishment, dollar, view, connection, or opportunity—striving after the wind—when some of the things that matter most are already sitting right in front of us. So this isn't really an ending. It's the next step. Just Call Dad taught me to make the call. Now it's time to take everything I've learned and Strive Light(er). Slow down, son. See the sunrise. Then get back to work.

  5. Aug 30

    69 | SIMPLE SUPERPOWERS

    summary Sean Patrick shares personal insights on perseverance, identity, and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right support to overcome life's challenges. keywords motivation, perseverance, identity, support system, self-improvement, resilience, personal growth, mental toughness key topics The importance of perseverance and effort The role of self-identity in personal growth The significance of a supportive community Lessons learned from sports and life The concept of 'carry water' and doing small things well takeaways Persistence is key, even when outcomes are not immediately visible Your core identity is more than your achievements or failures Surround yourself with positive influences and a supportive crew Small consistent actions lead to meaningful progress Embrace challenges as opportunities to discover your superpower sound bites "Your core identity is more than your achievements" "Do the small things really well" "Surround yourself with the right crew" Chapters 00:00 The feeling of not being good enough after training 02:04 The importance of self-identity beyond achievements 03:54 The resilience of winners and the importance of persistence 05:04 The concept of 'carry water' and doing small things well 06:07 The power of surrounding yourself with the right people 07:05 Encouragement to rely on your support system and stay positive

  6. Aug 26

    68 | FIND YOUR CREW ft. Evan Bush

    68 | Find your crew ft. Evan Bush Evan Bush — More Than the Game What does professional sports teach you about being a dad? In this episode, I sit down with Columbus Crew goalkeeper Evan Bush to talk about much more than soccer. We talk about longevity, adversity, family, identity, leadership, and what happens when the game you’ve spent your life playing becomes something your kids get to watch you do. Evan’s career has taken him from Ohio to the University of Akron and through more than a decade of professional soccer. Along the way, he’s become a husband, a father, a veteran teammate, and someone younger players can look to for guidance. This conversation is about staying the course. It’s about learning that your value isn’t always determined by whether you’re the one getting the start. It’s about coming back when life knocks you down. And it’s about figuring out who you want your kids to see when they look past the uniform. In this conversation: • Fatherhood and professional sports • Separating performance from identity • Staying committed when the path gets difficult • Coming back from injury and adversity • Leadership when you’re not in the spotlight • Being a veteran and mentoring the next generation • What our kids learn from watching how we handle success and failure • Defining success beyond wins, statistics, and accomplishments Learn more about Evan: Columbus Crew — Evan Bush University of Akron — In Their Own Words: Evan Bush Columbus Crew — Evan’s return from injury A question worth thinking about after this episode: When the accomplishments, job titles, wins, and losses are stripped away — who do your kids know you to be? Because eventually the game ends. Being Dad doesn’t.

  7. Aug 25

    67 | NOTES & PLANS

    67 | NOTES & PLANS Would You Take Your Own Advice? As dads, we give a lot of advice. Keep going. Be kind. Tell the truth. Put the phone down. Don’t worry about what everyone else thinks. Take care of yourself. Have courage. Say you’re sorry. Be present. But here’s the harder question: Are we listening to our own advice? In this episode, we talk about the gap between the things we tell our kids and the way we actually live. Not from a place of perfection—but from the realization that our kids are learning from what they see in us every day. Maybe being a dad isn’t about having all the answers. Maybe sometimes it’s about finally taking some of the advice we’ve been giving everyone else. Questions to think about: • What advice do I give my kids most often? • Where am I struggling to follow it myself? • What are my kids learning from watching me? • When I mess up, do they see me own it and make it right? • If my kids followed my example instead of my advice, where would it lead them? Dig deeper: American Psychological Association — Dads as positive role models: Dads can be positive role models Harvard Center on the Developing Child — responsive relationships and the importance of everyday back-and-forth connection: A Guide to Serve & Return Harvard’s Brain Architects episode on building relationships through everyday interaction: Listen: Serve and Return — Supporting the Foundation This week’s challenge: Think of one piece of advice you regularly give your kids. Then live it yourself. Your best conversation might be the one you need to have with yourself.

  8. Jul 14

    66 | Nick DeMarinis 

    66 | Nick DeMarinis  Episode Title: Chasing Greatness Without Losing Yourself | Nick DeMarinis on Fatherhood, Anxiety & Competing with Purpose Episode Description What does it look like to chase excellence without sacrificing what matters most? In this episode of the Just Call Dad Podcast, Coach Sean Patrick sits down with Nicholas DeMarinis (Nicky Buckets)—father of twin boys, corporate executive, Guinness World Record holder, and one of the top Pop-A-Shot competitors in the country. From leading through pressure in the corporate world to competing on ESPN's The Ocho, Nick shares what he's learned about balancing ambition, fatherhood, anxiety, and the importance of having fun along the way. This conversation is a reminder that being a great dad isn't about having all the answers—it's about continuing to grow, asking for help, and showing your kids what it looks like to pursue meaningful things. Why conversations matter more than advice Balancing fatherhood, work, and personal passions The story behind competing in the Pop-A-Shot National Championship Breaking a Guinness World Record Managing anxiety while pursuing excellence Learning to take care of yourself before serving others Why healthy competition makes better dads Showing your kids it's never too late to chase a dream Lessons from failure, pressure, and perseverance Why vulnerability is one of a father's greatest strengths The power of knowing who to call when life gets hard Your identity should start with being a dad—not your career. Excellence and joy can exist together. Anxiety doesn't disappear; you learn how to manage it. Your hobbies matter because your children are watching what brings you life. Small conversations often lead to life-changing relationships. Don't try to carry everything alone. The strongest men know when to ask for help. Nick DeMarinis  LinkedIn: Nicholas DeMarinis Instagram: @nickybucketz  Follow Nick's journey as he competes nationally in Pop-A-Shot, shares life as a dad, and proves you're never too old to chase something fun. If this episode encouraged you, share it with another dad who needs to hear it. Remember: Advice is cheap. Connection changes lives. Because no one dad has all the answers. We just need to know who to call. Call to Action If this conversation meant something to you, send one text or make one phone call today. Someone in your life may need it more than you know. It just takes ONE call. In This EpisodeKey TakeawaysConnect with Today's GuestConnect with Just Call Dad

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

**The Just Call Dad Podcast** A podcast by dads, for dads. Just Call Dad exists to help dads become the kind of men their families, teams, and communities can count on. Through honest conversations and practical insights, we explore fatherhood, leadership, mental health, personal growth, coaching, teaching, and the everyday challenges of being present in the lives that matter most. 📖 Sean Patrick's book, Emotional Shoes https://www.amazon.com/Emotional-Shoes-Designed-Compete/dp/B0F7Y95ZNW 📸 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/justcalldadpodcast

Information

  • Creator
    Sean Patrick | Joe Bush
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    72
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Sean Patrick | Joe Bush
  • Show Website
    The Just Call Dad Podcast