The Dad Edit

Andrew

The Dad Edit is a podcast for modern fathers navigating the real challenges of dad life, parenting, relationships, and personal growth. Hosted by three dads at different stages of fatherhood, The Dad Edit features honest conversations about raising kids, being a better husband and partner, managing stress, building strong families, and figuring out what it means to be a good dad today. Whether you are a new dad learning as you go, a father raising teenagers, or somewhere in between, this podcast explores the everyday realities of fatherhood without pretending anyone has it all figured out. Each episode explores topics such as: • Parenting challenges that dads actually face • Mental health and emotional struggles for fathers • Marriage and relationships after children • Raising boys and daughters in today’s world • Balancing work, family, and personal growth • The pressures modern dads feel but rarely talk about Through real stories, lessons learned, and conversations that mix humor with honesty, The Dad Edit creates a space where fathers can reflect, grow, and feel less alone in the journey of being a dad. If you are looking for a podcast about fatherhood that is relatable, thoughtful, and grounded in real life, The Dad Edit is for you. Because no dad gets it perfect. We are all just editing as we go.

  1. Episode 33: Mental Health for Dads – When Anxiety & Depression Don’t Look Like Sadness

    MAR 30

    Episode 33: Mental Health for Dads – When Anxiety & Depression Don’t Look Like Sadness

    Episode 33: Mental Health for Dads – When Anxiety & Depression Don’t Look Like Sadness Dads don’t always look “depressed.” We show up. We work. We provide. We keep moving. But what happens when anxiety and depression don’t look like sadness…  and instead show up as anger, silence, irritability, or constant distraction? In this episode of The Dad Edit, we break down a reality most fathers quietly live through: mental health struggles that don’t look the way people expect. Because for many men, it doesn’t look like crying in bed. It looks like shutting down. It looks like snapping at your kids. It looks like staying busy so you never have to slow down. We get real about: How depression and anxiety actually show up in fathersWhy so many men don’t recognize the signs in themselvesThe connection between emotional exhaustion and angerHow isolation, stress, and pressure build without being noticedPractical ways to start recognizing and addressing what’s going on internally This isn’t about weakness.It’s about awareness. Because if you can’t recognize it… you can’t fix it. We also talk about the habits that help: Building awareness of your emotional signalsCreating space for reflection (even when it feels uncomfortable)Using tools like the gym, journaling, and communityWhy brotherhood and conversations matter more than we think If you’re a father feeling “off,” short-tempered, distant, or just not yourself… this episode is for you. You’re not broken. If you're in the London, Ontario area, join us for our monthly Dad Walk real conversations, no pressure, just dads connecting. We’re building a community where fathers don’t have to carry everything alone.

    42 min
  2. Episode 31: The Mentor Era for Dads - How to Influence Teens Without Controlling Them

    MAR 16

    Episode 31: The Mentor Era for Dads - How to Influence Teens Without Controlling Them

    Episode 31: The Mentor Era for Dads - How to Influence Teens Without Controlling Them In this episode of The Dad Edit, we talk about the shift that happens when kids enter the teenage years when fatherhood moves from control to influence. Many dads aren’t ready for this moment. The instinct is to double down on authority. Lay down the rules. Protect the boundaries. But sometimes the more you tighten the grip, the more your kids pull away. We explore what it really looks like to move from boss to mentor as a father. We talk about:• Why the teenage years force dads to evolve• The moment authority stops working the way it used to• How mentorship and coaching replace control• The ego hit dads feel when they’re no longer “the guy” their kids look up to• Teaching independence without abandoning protection• How trust is built when kids start testing freedom• Why adapting your parenting style might be the difference between connection and rebellion This stage of fatherhood can feel uncomfortable. Humbling. Even a little scary. But it’s also where some of the most important relationships with our kids are built. Because eventually the rules disappear. What stays is respect, influence, and the voice they still hear in their head when they make decisions. If you're raising teenagers, approaching the teen years, or realizing your kids are starting to push for independence this conversation is for you. Because fatherhood isn’t about controlling our kids forever. It’s about preparing them to stand on their own. And learning when it’s time to shift from authority to mentor.

    36 min
  3. Episode 30: Appreciation for Dads — Why Chasing It Is the Wrong Goal

    MAR 10

    Episode 30: Appreciation for Dads — Why Chasing It Is the Wrong Goal

    Episode 30: Appreciation for Dads — Why Chasing It Is the Wrong Goal Why do so many fathers feel unappreciated and why might chasing appreciation actually make fatherhood harder? In this episode of The Dad Edit, we dive into one of the most common but rarely discussed struggles in fatherhood: the feeling of not being seen, thanked, or acknowledged for everything dads carry.  After asking a simple question online “What’s one hard thing about fatherhood that no one warned you about?” the overwhelming response from dads was clear: a lack of appreciation. But what if the real issue isn’t appreciation itself… but our expectation of it? We explore the idea that when appreciation becomes the goal of fatherhood, resentment can quietly take its place. Fatherhood isn’t about applause or recognition — it’s about responsibility, love, and the long-term investment we make in our families. In this conversation, we talk about: Why many dads feel unseen or underappreciatedThe hidden ways appreciation actually shows up in family lifeHow misplaced validation can lead to resentmentWhy external validation is a dangerous metric for fatherhoodThe importance of communication with your partner and kidsHow appreciation often appears through actions, not wordsWhy fatherhood is a long game with delayed rewardsHow to avoid bitterness and model strength for your family We also discuss the reality that children aren’t responsible for validating your sacrifices, and that true fulfillment in fatherhood often comes from the stability, safety, and values you build in your home over time. If you’ve ever felt unappreciated as a dad, this episode will challenge your perspective and hopefully give you a healthier way to think about purpose, responsibility, and recognition in fatherhood. Because the truth is: You don’t need applause to be doing something meaningful. Fatherhood expectations, appreciation for dads, feeling unappreciated as a father, parenting mindset, communication in marriage, emotional intelligence for dads, raising kids, family leadership, self-reflection for fathers, modern fatherhood. If this episode helped you think more clearly about fatherhood, consider following the podcast and leaving a review. It helps us reach more dads navigating the same journey. Instagram: @thedadeditpodcast Remember: We is all we got.

    35 min
  4. Episode 27: Partnership for Dads - When Love Turns Into Logistics

    FEB 16

    Episode 27: Partnership for Dads - When Love Turns Into Logistics

    Episode 27: Partnership for Dads - When Love Turns Into Logistics Is your marriage strong… but starting to feel like a business partnership? In this honest fatherhood conversation, we unpack what happens when love slowly shifts into logistics when your relationship becomes schedules, groceries, daycare pickups, bills, and bedtime routines. You’re not fighting. You’re not broken. You’re just tired. Busy. In survival mode. This episode of The Dad Edit dives deep into: Why intimacy fades during early parenthoodHow routine replaces connection in marriageThe danger of “keeping score” in relationshipsHow resentment quietly builds when communication stopsThe power of micro-moments in rebuilding emotional intimacyWhy phones are sabotaging modern relationshipsHow to reconnect with your partner without grand gesturesWhat healthy love actually looks like for your childrenWhether you’re a new dad navigating the newborn phase or a seasoned father 20 years into marriage, this conversation is about longevity. It’s about choosing your partner daily. It’s about small, intentional actions the morning kiss, shared laughter, eye contact at dinner, putting the phone down, that keep love alive. We also explore a powerful question:If your child watched your marriage for 30 days, what would they learn about love? If you’ve ever felt unseen in your relationship… If you’ve defaulted to autopilot… If you’re craving reconnection but don’t know where to start… This episode is for you. You don’t need a new relationship. You need to return to the one you built with fresh eyes and an open heart.

    41 min

About

The Dad Edit is a podcast for modern fathers navigating the real challenges of dad life, parenting, relationships, and personal growth. Hosted by three dads at different stages of fatherhood, The Dad Edit features honest conversations about raising kids, being a better husband and partner, managing stress, building strong families, and figuring out what it means to be a good dad today. Whether you are a new dad learning as you go, a father raising teenagers, or somewhere in between, this podcast explores the everyday realities of fatherhood without pretending anyone has it all figured out. Each episode explores topics such as: • Parenting challenges that dads actually face • Mental health and emotional struggles for fathers • Marriage and relationships after children • Raising boys and daughters in today’s world • Balancing work, family, and personal growth • The pressures modern dads feel but rarely talk about Through real stories, lessons learned, and conversations that mix humor with honesty, The Dad Edit creates a space where fathers can reflect, grow, and feel less alone in the journey of being a dad. If you are looking for a podcast about fatherhood that is relatable, thoughtful, and grounded in real life, The Dad Edit is for you. Because no dad gets it perfect. We are all just editing as we go.