Startup Dad

Adam Fishman
  • 5.0 (22)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Adam Fishman (author of a top business newsletter on Substack with 11K+ subscribers) interviews executives, entrepreneurs, and company leaders in technology companies who are also fathers. They discuss the tough aspects of work, parenting, family, the mistakes made and lessons learned along the way. All episodes at www.startupdadpod.com.

  1. This Working Mom and Stay-At-Home Dad Flipped The Script on Parenting | Amy and Chris Winther (Parents of 3, Square, Stay-at-home Dad)

    22H AGO

    This Working Mom and Stay-At-Home Dad Flipped The Script on Parenting | Amy and Chris Winther (Parents of 3, Square, Stay-at-home Dad)

    Amy Winther is the Head of Product Design for Core Products at Square and the writer behind Motherboard, a Substack sharing honest stories about senior women in big tech. Chris Winther is a former financial planner turned stay-at-home dad and the primary parent for their three kids. They’ve built a family setup that flips the traditional script. Amy’s the full-time working parent and Chris runs the home. And what’s wild is how fast it came together. One brutal childcare moment, their third nanny situation falling apart, and they made the call in basically an hour. We discussed: Childcare chaos that forced a fast decision: The nanny and scheduling breaking point that made them change their whole setup in basically an hour.Flipping the traditional script: Why Amy stayed in her career and Chris became the primary parent, and what surprised them about how it felt in real life.Money, power, and partnership: How “what’s mine is yours” removed tension early, and how they split ownership across work and home without resentment.Being the only dad in kid spaces: The awkwardness at playgrounds and playdates, the “creepy guy” fear, and how Chris found his footing and community.Schools and doctors calling mom first: The practical playbook for getting institutions to recognize the primary parent, even when defaults are outdated.Their annual family meeting system: The repeatable way they plan goals, calendars, health, and money so life doesn’t just “happen” to them. Where to find Amy Winther LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amywinther/IG: https://www.instagram.com/winnie_gram/Where to find Chris Winther https://www.instagram.com/cdubbonline/ Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanafIn this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcome Amy Winther, Head of Product Design at Square, and Chris Winther, Stay-At-Home Dad (03:21) The childcare breaking point that flipped their roles (08:49) Why Amy thought she’d be the one to stay home (12:00) Chris on the identity shift from career to primary parent (13:29) Money and power dynamics and why shared finances matter (16:38) Stay-at-home dad social life and finding your people (21:06) The assumptions, the mental load, and the stuff no one says out loud (27:22) Rewiring the default mom call at schools and doctors (29:26) Time is the real budget and how they protect it (32:58) The annual family planning meeting that keeps them aligned (38:43) Working backwards from the life they actually want (40:08) Renovation bootcamp year while raising kids (43:38) You and me versus the baby mindset (45:13) Advice for couples considering a role swap (55:09) Lightning round: SlumberPod wins, dishwasher rules, and the minivan debate Resources From This Episode: Square: http://squareup.com/    Mother Board: https://amywinther.substack.com/p/welcome-to-mother-board v0.app: https://v0.app/    SlumberPod: https://www.slumberpod.com/   Cocomelon (TV Show): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12427840/  Paw Patrol (TV Show): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3121722/  Paddington (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1109624/  Jurassic Park (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107290/  Toy Story (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107290/  VW ID. Buzz (Minivan): https://www.vw.com/en/models/id-buzz.html  — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

    1h 5m
  2. Startups Are BETTER for Parents Than Big Tech | Jacob Bank (Dad of 3, Founder at Relay.app, ex-Google)

    MAR 5

    Startups Are BETTER for Parents Than Big Tech | Jacob Bank (Dad of 3, Founder at Relay.app, ex-Google)

    Jacob Bank is the Founder and CEO of Relay.app, a profitable, fast-growing startup that helps teams build AI agents to automate their work. Previously, Jacob founded Timeful, which was acquired by Google, where he spent six years before leaving to start Relay when his first daughter was just six months old. He and his wife Sonia, a pediatrician at UCSF, now have three young kids and have intentionally designed both their company and their family life around flexibility, autonomy, and depth over scale. We discussed: Leaving Google with a baby at home: The three-part framework Jacob used to decide when it was financially and professionally the right time to start again.Why startups can be better for parents: How small, async teams with high trust can offer more flexibility than big companies.Double-dipping as a dad: Turning errands, chores, and workouts into bonding moments with his kids.“Imagine if I Did That”: The parenting framework Jacob uses to teach emotional regulation and responsibility.Patience through repetition: How each additional child made him calmer, more flexible, and less reactive.Raising AI native kids: Helping children develop intuition and depth while still embracing powerful new tools. Where to find Jacob Bank LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacobbank/ X: https://x.com/jebankWhere to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanafIn this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcoming Jacob Bank! (02:30) Parenting with a pediatrician spouse: the blessing and the anxiety tax (04:45) The 3-part decision framework: bills, growth, and daily fit (08:32) Big company vs startup “risk”: what’s actually safe in a modern career (11:13) Founder paternity leave: the phased approach that made it workable (15:22) Why small teams can be best for parents: async culture, no meetings, high trust (20:40) Logistics and support systems: daycare, nanny, family, and parent carpools (27:33) Daycare vs nanny: why kid three changed everything (32:12) Double dipping: turning chores and errands into quality time (36:19) Kids and work talk: bringing them into problems and building curiosity (41:19) How three kids changes you: patience, flexibility, and letting go of control (46:58) “Imagine if I Did That”: Jacob’s tantrum and behavior framework (49:56) Redefining founder success: staying small, profitable, and intentional (54:11) Negotiating parenting styles: physical risk and the playground debate (55:27) AI at home: curiosity threads, voice mode, and raising AI-native kids (59:44) Lightning round: CocoMelon trauma, minivans, and dad grocery store dominance Resources From This Episode: Relay.app: https://www.relay.app/  Rider Safe Travel Vest: https://ridesafertravelvest.com/ Little House on the Prairie (Audiobook): https://www.audible.com/pd/Little-House-on-the-Prairie-Audiobook/B01N12SFSC Leo (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5755238/  Bluey (TV Show): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7678620/  — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

    1h 8m
  3. Move the Ball Forward: A COO Dad's Framework | Amit Shah (Dad of 2, Virta Health)

    FEB 26

    Move the Ball Forward: A COO Dad's Framework | Amit Shah (Dad of 2, Virta Health)

    Amit Shah is the COO of Virta Health, a company on a mission to reverse Type 2 diabetes, and a dad to two young children. As a high-level executive and father, Amit has navigated the challenge of balancing his demanding career with raising a family. In this conversation, he shares his approach to intentional parenting, the value of shared family principles, and how he prioritizes both work and home life in his fast-paced world. We discussed: The power of partnership: How Amit and his wife, Bijal, support each other in their careers while raising two young kids.Balancing career and family: The conscious decisions Amit and Bijal made to ensure their careers and family life could thrive together, despite the challenges.Shared values in parenting: Amit’s approach to instilling values like kindness, curiosity, and persistence in his children and how he aligns with his wife on these principles.Parenting through trade-offs: The sacrifices Amit has made to maintain work-life alignment, including how they manage time, travel, and childcare logistics.Raising resilient kids: Amit’s thoughts on teaching his kids resilience through boundaries and handling disappointment.The importance of structure: How Amit uses his love for operations and structure to maintain balance and ensure his family’s needs are met. Where to find Amit Shah LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amitrshah1/  Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/  In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Welcome Amit Shah, COO at Virta Health (03:49) The decision to start a family: career executives navigating parenthood (06:11) Shared values and partnership: aligning family and career priorities (07:59) Logistics and support systems: the power of the one calendar rule (29:35) Advice for career-focused executives considering parenthood (32:46) Facing the inevitable trade-offs: making parenting and career work together (33:16) Aligning family and career priorities: finding balance in a busy life (34:07) Parallels between work and family: applying business skills to parenting (34:49) Supportive work environment: the impact of a family-friendly workplace (36:01) Favorite books to read to kids: Amit’s go-to parenting reads (45:00) Balancing nutrition and health for kids: Amit’s approach to healthy eating (49:34) Negotiating parenting styles: challenges and compromises in raising kids (50:46) Fun and challenges of parenting: Amit’s personal parenting philosophy(54:49) Lightning round: the diaper genie, minivans, and other parenting hacks Resources From This Episode: Virta Health: https://www.virtahealth.com/ Diaper Genie: https://www.diapergenie.com/ Minivans (Toyota Sienna): https://www.toyota.com/sienna/ Giraffes Can’t Dance (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Giraffes-Cant-Dance-Giles-Andreae/dp/0545392551  Wonderbly (Personalized Books): https://www.wonderbly.com/ Cat & Jack (Target Clothing Brand): https://www.target.com/b/cat-jack/-/N-qqqgm  Khan Academy Kids (App): https://learn.khanacademy.org/khan-academy-kids/ — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

    59 min
  4. Being a Dad at Two Hypergrowth AI Startups | Lee Robinson (Dad of 1, Cursor)

    FEB 19

    Being a Dad at Two Hypergrowth AI Startups | Lee Robinson (Dad of 1, Cursor)

    Lee Robinson is the VP of Developer Education at Cursor, one of the fastest-growing AI developer tools in the world. Before Cursor, he spent five years at Vercel helping define how modern developers learn and build on the web. He’s also a husband and a dad to a young daughter, with a second daughter on the way. When I first invited Lee on the show, he had a five-month-old baby and felt like he was deep in the trenches of new parenthood. Nearly a year later, we finally sat down to talk about what that first year of fatherhood was really like. In this episode, Lee shares how becoming a dad changed his perspective on work, ambition, empathy, and priorities. He talks about parenting while working inside hypergrowth startups, navigating family planning with an intense career, setting boundaries, sharing the load at home, and how Lee thinks about AI, education, and raising kids in a rapidly changing world. We discussed: Becoming a dad inside hypergrowth startups: What it was like navigating new parenthood while working at two of the fastest-growing companies in tech.Questioning readiness for fatherhood: How uncertainty, self-doubt, and honest conversations with his wife shaped the decision to start a family.Miscarriage and pregnancy anxiety: The emotional challenges that came before their first daughter and how it changed Lee’s perspective on control and fear.Setting boundaries without losing ambition: Why prioritizing health and family actually made Lee better at his job, not worse.Sharing the load at home: How Lee and his wife divide responsibilities, protect evening routines, and make remote work actually work for their family.Raising kids in an AI-powered world: Lee’s thoughts on education, curiosity, and why he wants his daughters to believe they can build and shape the future. Where to find Lee Robinson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeerob/ X: https://x.com/leerobYT: https://www.youtube.com/@leerobWebsite: www.leerob.comWhere to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/  In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Welcome Lee Robinson, VP of Developer Education at Cursor (01:05) The first year of fatherhood: how becoming a dad changed everything (03:06) Building inside two hypergrowth startups while raising a young family (06:17) Deciding to have kids: timing, doubt, and tough conversations (09:31) Parenting with an intense career: fears vs reality (15:10) Deciding to start a family: timing, anxiety, and hard conversations (20:12) What becoming a dad changed that Lee didn’t expect (28:16) Sharing the load at home: dividing responsibilities with intention (32:07) Protecting family time without sacrificing ambition (35:13) Seeing my wife become an incredible mom (37:34) Parenting challenges we’re still figuring out (39:47) Empathy after becoming a dad: seeing the world differently (43:46) AI and education: how Lee thinks about raising kids in a new era (53:07) Looking ahead to 2026: family, work, and optimism (54:02) Lightning round: parenting products, minivans, and dad life Resources From This Episode: Cursor: https://cursor.com/  Vercel: https://vercel.com/  ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com/  Baby bottle washer: https://a.co/d/aGUSOwn  Toy Story (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114709/  Finding Nemo (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0266543/   — Support Startup DadFor sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

    1 hr
  5. Stop Being A Boring Dad | Pranav Piyush (Dad of 2, Paramark)

    FEB 12

    Stop Being A Boring Dad | Pranav Piyush (Dad of 2, Paramark)

    Pranav Piyush is the co-founder and CEO of Paramark, a marketing analytics company, and a dad to two young children. On his entrepreneurial journey, Pranav has faced health challenges, raised kids without a local support network, and balanced family life with the demands of running a startup. In this conversation, he shared his parenting philosophy alongside his founder wisdom. We discussed: The hero at home: How Pranav’s wife, Charu, has played a key role in supporting his entrepreneurial journey and balancing family life.Startup struggles and family life: The challenges Pranav faced starting a company with two young kids and without a local support system.The balance of 9-9-6: Pranav’s personal take on balancing work and parenting by dedicating quality time to his kids, especially on weekends.Parenting through health challenges: How a major health scare for one of his daughters shaped his perspective on family and resilience.Challenging kids to think: Pranav’s approach to fostering curiosity and critical thinking in his children, including using trivia and custom GPT tools.Building responsibility and agency: Why Pranav believes it’s crucial to instill a sense of personal accountability and how he applies this in his parenting. Where to find Pranav Piyush LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pranavp/ X: https://x.com/pranavpiyushWhere to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/  In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Welcome Pranav Piyush, Co-Founder and CEO at Paramark (02:10) The hero at home: how Pranav’s wife supports his entrepreneurial dreams (06:02) Raising a family as immigrants: the challenges and rewards (22:03) Parenting principles: joining your kids in fun activities and creating memories (25:38) Challenging your kids: encouraging curiosity and critical thinking (30:24) Enjoying the small moments: family time, digital detox, and connecting (32:52) Education: why pranav believes it’s broken and needs change (33:20) Boredom in school: how it reflects a systematic issue (34:52) Solutions beyond school: the search for engaging education (35:49) The role of AI in education: will technology revolutionize learning? (36:30) Why college still matters: the importance of traditional education (41:25) Teaching personal accountability: how pranav instills responsibility in his kids (45:11) Technology and kids: setting boundaries and encouraging real-world experiences (47:16) Exciting family plans: what’s next for Pranav and his kids (49:57) Lightning round: the SNOO, unlimited iPad time, and other parenting hacks Resources From This Episode: Paramark: https://paramark.com/  SNOO (and other Happiestbaby products): https://www.happiestbaby.com/  Zootopia 2 (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5042066/  Back to the Future (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/ Taylor Swift (Artist/Music): https://www.taylorswift.com/ The Warriors (Basketball Team): https://www.nba.com/warriors/ CocoMelon (TV Show): https://www.cocomelon.com/ Toyota Sienna (Car Model): https://www.toyota.com/sienna/  Honda Odyssey (Car Model): https://www.honda.com/odyssey  GTMN (Podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gtmn/id1845001203   Brandformance (Podcast): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brandformance/id1746064786   — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

    58 min
  6. Building Meaningful Connections | Jason Smith (Dad of 2, Klue)

    FEB 5

    Building Meaningful Connections | Jason Smith (Dad of 2, Klue)

    Jason Smith is the Co-Founder and CEO of Klue, an AI-powered competitive intelligence platform. He’s a five-time startup founder, Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, and a father of two daughters. But his most transformative experience wasn’t raising capital or scaling companies. It was stepping away from it all to travel the world with his wife and kids. When his daughters were just 8 and 9, Jason and his wife quit their jobs, pulled the kids out of school, and spent a full year traveling across 11 countries. We discussed: Leaving work to reconnect: What prompted Jason to walk away from startup life and plan a year-long trip around the world with his wife and two daughters.When things go wrong: Why Jason believes travel disasters make the best family memories and how they used setbacks to teach adaptability and problem-solving.Building deep connections off-grid: How spending 24/7 together changed their family dynamic, from independent dinners to hard conversations.Teaching self-reliance through discomfort: Jason shares his philosophy on preparing kids for the real world and why he sees challenge as essential, not optional.From startup grind to dad mode: The binary approach Jason takes to work and parenting, and why he believes being all-in matters more than balance.How his daughters see him now: Why watching their dad work hard, and then totally disconnect, influenced how his kids think about careers, failure, and ambition. Where to find Jason Smith LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/onemoresmith/   Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/  In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Welcoming Jason Smith, Co-Founder and CEO at Klue (01:09) What sparked a year-long trip around the world (02:21) How planning the journey went from 6 weeks to 12 months (05:08) The wild story of renting their house before quitting their jobs (06:33) Early travel struggles and breakthrough moments (09:54) Teaching kids on the road and bringing learning to life (12:48) Volunteering in Peru and breaking the privilege bubble (17:03) Favorite travel memories and embracing the unexpected (24:51) Why real connection takes getting off the grid (36:17) How his daughters see startups and business now (39:35) Navigating AI and the new rules of work (41:15) Building resilience by leaning into hard things (46:27) United front parenting and avoiding the ‘ask mom, ask dad’ trap (48:26) How the parent-child relationship evolves over 20 years (51:44) Teaching work ethic and financial independence (01:00:49) Lightning round: parenting quirks, movie picks, and minivan takes Resources From This Episode: Klue: https://klue.com/  Jason’s Travel Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1vMnTDHe6c  One More Smith (Jason’s Blog): https://onemoresmith.com/  Jolly Jumper: https://jollyjumper.com/  The Matrix (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0133093/  Frozen (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2294629/  Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

    1h 6m
  7. Finding Peace in the Dopamine Desert | Dr. Emilio Galán (Dad of 2, Founder turned Stay-At-Home-Dad)

    JAN 29

    Finding Peace in the Dopamine Desert | Dr. Emilio Galán (Dad of 2, Founder turned Stay-At-Home-Dad)

    Dr. Emilio Galán is a former medical student, entrepreneur, and now a full-time stay-at-home dad. He took a drastic turn in his career, moving from building a successful AI-driven company to focusing on family life after stepping away from the startup world. Dr. Galán shares how he navigated autoimmune health challenges, the difficult decision to leave his medical career behind, and the challenges of being a stay-at-home parent to his young children. We discussed: The pivot from entrepreneurship to fatherhood: Dr. Emilio Galán’s decision to leave his startup career behind and become a stay-at-home dad after stepping away from his company.Balancing health challenges with career demands: How Dr. Galán manages four autoimmune conditions and the toll his previous career took on his body.Building a family-first life: The struggles and rewards of becoming a full-time parent to two young children and how this shift allowed him to reconnect with his family.The philosophy of “Wipe the Butt”: Dr. Galán explains his approach to parenting, teaching responsibility, and maintaining boundaries while staying emotionally available to his kids.Finding contentment in the "dopamine desert": How Dr. Galán adjusted to life without the constant hustle of the startup world and learned to find joy in small, everyday moments.Self-care as a priority: How Dr. Galán incorporates practices like flexibility exercises and the Happy Body method to manage his physical and mental well-being while raising his kids. Where to find Dr. Emilio Galán LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emiliogalan/ X: https://x.com/emilio_galanWhere to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/  In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Welcome Dr. Emilio Galán, former co-founder of Robin Healthcare, now a stay at home dad (03:03) Early life and aspirations of becoming a doctor (06:12) The struggles and realities of medical school (09:04) Founding Robin: the start of his entrepreneurial journey (12:51) Transitioning from startup life to stay-at-home dad (17:26) Finding balance: self-care, family, and health (21:16) Navigating parenthood, resentment, and expectations (31:51) Advice for founders who are parents (37:43) The long-awaited family project: creating meaningful work (38:49) Understanding emotions, needs, and communication (39:34) Creative expression and setting requests in parenting (42:21) Celebrating personal growth and change as a dad (43:55) Contrarian take: why shyness doesn’t exist (47:08) Contrarian take: the “Wipe the Butt” philosophy (50:51) The taco episode: a parenting breakdown moment (58:21) Lightning round: parenting insights and funny dad moments Resources From This Episode: The Happy Body Method: https://thehappybody.com/the-happy-body-program/  Jordan Peterson: https://www.jordanbpeterson.com/ Brene Brown: https://brenebrown.com/ Gabor Maté: https://drgabormate.com/ Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy: https://www.selfleadership.org/ Nonviolent Communication: https://www.cnvc.org/ Alexa: https://alexa.amazon.com/ Google Home: https://store.google.com/us/product/google_home  Land Before Time (Fil): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0100507/ Jumanji (1995) (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113497/ Dead Poets Society (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097165/ Patch Adams (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0129290/ Frida Baby (Butt Frida): https://www.fridababy.com/products/windi-the-wind-reliever  Frida Baby (Nose Frida): https://www.fridababy.com/products/nosefrida-the-snot-sucker  — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

    1h 6m
  8. Homeschooling My Kids Across 21 Countries | Michael Goodbody (Dad of 2, Robinhood)

    JAN 22

    Homeschooling My Kids Across 21 Countries | Michael Goodbody (Dad of 2, Robinhood)

    Michael Goodbody is the former Global Head of Marketing & Communications at Robinhood, CMO at Dave, and VP Marketing  at Credit Karma. A year ago, he resigned from his executive job at Robinhood to homeschool his children while traveling to 21 countries in just nine months. Michael, a British expat married to a German partner, shares what it was like stepping away from a demanding executive career to prioritize global experiences with his family and a deep connection with his kids. We discussed: Ditching routine for the unknown: What drove Michael and his wife to finally say yes to a long-held dream of traveling the world with their kids.Homeschooling while abroad: How they navigated state regulations, picked a suitable curriculum, and stayed on track academically from Tanzania to China.Teaching math in paradise: Michael shares what it was like to turn a beach in French Polynesia into a classroom and how he helped his daughter jump two grade levels in math.Genetic testing and pregnancy stress: The emotional rollercoaster of discovering a rare genetic match mid-pregnancy and what they learned from it.Redefining success: Why Michael believes happiness matters more than grades or accolades, and how he’s shaping his parenting philosophy around presence over pressure.Parenting far from family: The pros and cons of raising kids without extended family nearby and why Michael and his wife chose to stay in the US. Where to find Michael Goodbody LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgoodbody/ Twitter: https://x.com/mcgunome Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/  In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introducing Michael Goodbody, former Global Head of Marketing & Communications at Robinhood (01:06) Leaving a top exec job to homeschool and travel (02:36) Quitting Robinhood and chasing a dream (05:04) Homeschooling logistics across 21 countries (07:35) How they planned financially for a year off (09:46) Learning through travel: science, history, and volcanoes (22:50) Safari in Tanzania and chasing pandas in China (26:28) What it’s like coming home after the journey (29:28) A genetic testing scare during pregnancy (33:50) Why fatherhood surprised Michael in a good way (36:42) What he’d tell his pre-dad self (40:05) Two principles that guide Michael’s parenting (44:31) A/B testing parenting styles with two kids (47:57) Redefining success for your kids (52:02) Using AI to win parenting arguments (58:20) Lightning round: parenting quirks, travel hacks, and dad skills Resources From This Episode: Robinhood: https://robinhood.com/  Generation Genius: https://www.generationgenius.com/  Waldorf Education: https://www.waldorfeducation.org/  Alexa: https://alexa.amazon.com/  Curious Kid (Podcast): https://www.curiouskidpodcast.com/  Greeking Out (Podcast): https://www.nationalgeographic.com/podcasts/greeking-out  Million Bazillion (Podcast): https://www.marketplace.org/shows/million-bazillion  Crystal Palace F.C.: https://www.cpfc.co.uk/  Short Circuit (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091949/  Raiders of the Lost Ark (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082971/  — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

    1h 8m
See All (133)

5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Adam Fishman (author of a top business newsletter on Substack with 11K+ subscribers) interviews executives, entrepreneurs, and company leaders in technology companies who are also fathers. They discuss the tough aspects of work, parenting, family, the mistakes made and lessons learned along the way. All episodes at www.startupdadpod.com.

Information

  • Creator
    Adam Fishman
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Adam Fishman
  • Show Website
    Startup Dad

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