The Daily Dad - podcast cover

The Daily Dad

Daily Dadart19.com
The audio companion to DailyDad.com’s daily email meditations on fatherhood, read by Ryan Holiday. Each daily reading will help you find the wisdom, inner strength, and good humor you need in order to be a great dad. Learn from historical figures and contemporary fathers how to do your most important job. Find more at dailydad.com.

Episodes

Daily Dad’s 6 Father’s Day Lessons

On today’s special Father’s Day episode, Ryan talks about 6 lessons that have helped him on his journey as a parent. The lessons are: 1. Tame your temper 2. Hunger and schedule is essential 3. Take walks together 4. All time is quality time 5. Life should be good but not easy 6. tell them how much they mean to you. Happy fathers day from Daily Dad! Gravity Blankets make the only blanket proven to improve sleep quality, with 78% of people reporting a better night’s sleep when using gravity. Just ...

Jun 20, 202120 minEp. 143

Daily Dad on Lessons Learned Traveling With Young Kids

On today’s episode of the podcast, Ryan talks about the RV trip that he and his family took out to West Texas, and the lessons that he took from the experience. Ritual is a multivitamin that delivers high quality nutrients, including Vitamin D3, in just 2 daily pills. Your multivitamins are delivered to your door every month with free shipping, always. You can start, snooze, or cancel your subscription anytime. Get key nutrients without the B.S. - Ritual is offering listeners 10% off during your...

Jun 19, 202116 minEp. 142

This is 90% of Being A Dad

“What’s the key to being a great dad?”Jay asks at the beginning of the second episode of the show Modern Family.” Ryan discusses what the key to being a great dad is, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people listen to the podcast, the more we can invest into it and make it even better. Sign up for the Daily Dad email: DailyDad.com Follow Daily Dad: Twitter: https:...

Jun 18, 20213 minEp. 141

This Is What They Want (But This Is What They Need)

“They just bit their brother. They failed their math test. They scratched the car. They did something wrong, and you’re upset. And now they’re lying to you. Or throwing a tantrum. Or acting completely belligerent.” Ryan explains why you have to always make things right, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people listen to the podcast, the more we can invest into it ...

Jun 17, 20212 minEp. 140

How You See It Matters

“There’s stuff that happens that nobody wants to have happen—especially to their kids. Whether it’s breaking an arm or being bullied, life visits things upon us. Things that frustrate, things that hurt, things that cause problems.” Ryan explains why your perspective is everything, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people listen to the podcast, the more we can inve...

Jun 16, 20213 minEp. 139

Why Are You Rushing This?

“Bedtime can be stressful when you’re convinced it has to happen by a certain time. The evening walk becomes less fun because you keep telling them to hurry up. Dinner becomes less satisfying because there’s less time to taste the food. In fact, from a kid’s perspective, speeding things along starts to feel like it’s the most important thing in the world to us.” Ryan explains why you should run towards life not away from it, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, w...

Jun 15, 20213 minEp. 138

Is It Nature or Nurture?

“How much of this is nature and how much is nurture? Nobody really has a great answer to that question. What we know for certain, though, is that the debate as a whole is a waste of time. Because if it was only nature, there’d be no reason for any of us to do anything or even ponder how we can make our kids’ lives better.” Ryan explains the difference between what is natural and what is learned, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a re...

Jun 14, 20213 minEp. 137

Sebastian Junger on the Wonder of Existence and the Complexity of Freedom

On today’s episode of the podcast Ryan talks to author and filmmaker Sebastian Junger about his new book Freedom which details his 400 mile journey along the railroad lines of the American East Coast, how the experience of having children challenges your notions of freedom, how the fragility of life reveals a wonderment at existence, and more. Sebastian Junger is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of The Perfect Storm , War , and Tribe . As an award-winning journalist, a contributing edito...

Jun 12, 20211 hr 12 minEp. 136

This Is The Secret

“When you look at successful people with kids—be they CEOs or athletes or artists—it can be easy to marvel: How do they do it? How do they get it all done? How do they get it all done and still stay in shape?” Ryan explains how you can get more done while staying connected with your children, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. Magic Spoon is an adult version of what you loved as a kid—without the sugar, carbs, or guilt. Go to magicspoon.com/DAILYDAD to grab a variety pack and try it today. Use our pr...

Jun 11, 20214 minEp. 135

What Are You Even Fighting About?

“There is no family immune to conflict. Whether it’s about shoes left out or tattoos or politics, families fight. Siblings argue. Parents punish rule breaking...kids rebel. Spouses disagree, fail to communicate, and struggle under stress.” Ryan explains why you’ve got to remember how little these things matter, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people listen to th...

Jun 10, 20213 minEp. 134

You Must Adjust Accordingly

“It doesn’t matter how old you are, you grew up in a society and a culture that was less inclusive and less diverse than the one we’re in now. Certainly one that was less sensitive too.” Ryan explains why you must always question and re-evaluate your views, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people listen to the podcast, the more we can invest into it and make it e...

Jun 09, 20213 minEp. 133

This is What You Wanted

“Any parent who has had young kids takes a minute to remind younger parents with babies of this. Yes, you want them to start crawling, but as soon as they do, you’ll miss being able to set them down and not having to worry they’ll move.” Ryan discusses the fleeting moments that you will wish you could relive, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people listen to the ...

Jun 08, 20213 minEp. 132

It's Ok For Your Kid To Be Affected

“There is perhaps no remark responsible for more banal evil than this one: I don’t want my kid to be negatively affected. This is what parents say—and have said for generations—in objection to just about any change, whether it was integrating schools or equal playing time in youth sports.” Ryan explains why you can’t over protect your kids, and launches the new premium leather edition of The Obstacle Is The Way , on today’s Daily Dad podcast. The first production run has only a limited quantity,...

Jun 07, 20213 minEp. 131

Charlie Mackesy on the Importance and the Power of Kindness

On today’s episode, Ryan talks to author Charlie Mackesy about his #1 New York Times bestselling book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse , the process of writing and creating the book, how beautiful and rare it is to find contentment, and more. Charlie Mackesy is the author of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse. The book has sold over 1.4 million copies and spent 55 weeks on the Sunday Times Bestsellers List top ten. He co-runs Mama Buci, which is a honey social enterprise in Zambia....

Jun 05, 20211 hr 1 minEp. 130

Who Should Make Who Proud?

“We say it casually. We mean well. “Make me proud out there, kiddo,” we say as they trot out onto the soccer field. “Make your parents proud,” we say as they head off to college. And when they do great stuff, we reward them by letting them know that they have made us proud. We want this to motivate them. We use it, oftentimes unconsciously, to hold them accountable.” Ryan explains why you should make this a priority in your life, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podca...

Jun 04, 20213 minEp. 129

Don't Miss The Reminders

“Every time you pick them up to trim their nails. Every time you take them to get their haircut. Every time you have to take a load of clothes to Goodwill or to a friend’s house. Every time you have to buy them a new pair of socks or shoes, be sure to take a moment to take notice.” Ryan discusses how important the little things are and why they remind you of what matters most, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podca...

Jun 03, 20213 minEp. 128

Is It Really As Bad As You Say?

“There is a type of parent who is constantly worried about their kids. They’re worried that the teacher isn’t giving their daughter enough attention. They’re worried that their son is falling behind. They fight and claw for every advantage...and resist every possible disadvantage with equal ferocity. More than anything, they want their kids to “succeed”—and they will not let anything get in the way of that.” Ryan rationalizes the worry and nervousness that comes with raising kids in a system tha...

Jun 02, 20214 minEp. 127

Where Do They Learn To Judge?

“You didn’t mean anything by it. It was a comment under your breath about your brother’s spending habits. It was a joke about a celebrity’s weight. It was a complaint about the way your neighbor parks in their driveway. It was the conversation between you and your spouse over dinner, about what’s wrong with the other side, about them.” Ryan discusses how much of an impact what you say has on your kids, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to lea...

Jun 01, 20213 minEp. 126

This Makes It Harder

“You got frustrated. Because they were being annoying. Because you already told them. Because they know they’re not supposed to hurt their brother like that.” Ryan explains why the best place to be is in the present moment, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people listen to the podcast, the more we can invest into it and make it even better. Sign up for the Daily ...

May 31, 20212 minEp. 125

Jessica Lahey on Self-Efficacy and Genetic Predisposition to Addiction

Ryan talks to Jessica Lahey about her new book The Addiction Inoculation: Raising Healthy Kids in a Culture of Dependence , protecting your kids against addiction and finding the right information to guide them to success, teaching your kids about self-efficacy, and more. Jessica Lahey is the New York Times bestselling author of The Gift of Failure: How the Best Parents Learn to Let Go So Their Children Can Succeed . She has written for The New York Times and The Atlantic and has taught middle a...

May 29, 20211 hr 10 minEp. 124

Always Think About Why

“It’s not easy to do when they’re hitting or biting or waking up ten times a night. When they’re failing classes they’re more than capable of passing. When they get caught sneaking out. When they’re acting like a jerk.” Ryan explains that there’s usually a reason behind everything your kids do, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people listen to the podcast, the mo...

May 28, 20212 minEp. 124

What We Do Ripples Through

“In the beautiful children’s book, Each Kindness, Jacqueline Woodson tells the story of a young girl named Chloe who, in the casual way that kids often do, treats a classmate cruelly. She is moved to change one day when her teacher demonstrates the way that water ripples when a stone is dropped in it.” Ryan explains why your actions impact what your children do, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps w...

May 27, 20213 minEp. 123

They Can't Understand

“Look, there’s just no way your kids can understand. It’s impossible for a person that young, that free of responsibilities, to comprehend what it feels like to be a parent—to have your heart running around outside your body.” Ryan explains why you have to take on the burden of concern, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people listen to the podcast, the more we ca...

May 26, 20213 minEp. 122

You Need To Take This Time

“Certainly, someone would have needed him for something. His wife, one of his thirteen kids, a courtier, the pressing business of state. But for a few minutes to an hour—sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the evening—Marcus Aurelius was unreachable. This was too important.” Ryan explains why you must take your time seriously, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more ...

May 25, 20213 minEp. 121

Don't Despair, Just Wait

“Your kids can drive you nuts. They’re crazy. They’re struggling. They can be ungrateful. They can test and frustrate you like nothing else. But before you complain or despair...” Ryan explains why time is one of our most useful assets, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people listen to the podcast, the more we can invest into it and make it even better. Sign up f...

May 24, 20212 minEp. 120

Daily Dad and Nils Parker on Breaking the Cycle of Dysfunction

On today’s episode Ryan talks to his friend and writing partner Nils Parker about why setting expectations is crucial for kids fulfilling their potential, how to deal with the problems that your parents let fall on your shoulders, the importance of breaking the cycle of dysfunction, and more. Gravity Blankets make the only blanket proven to improve sleep quality, with 78% of people reporting a better night’s sleep when using gravity. promotes a deeper, more restorative sleep while decreasing you...

May 22, 202137 minEp. 119

What if You Treated Everyone This Way?

“You know that your kids are monsters when they’re tired. You know they don’t make good decisions when they’re hungry. You know that they have emotions and urges and drives operating inside them that they don’t understand. Hormones, ignorance, fear, energy they can’t control.” Ryan explains why we should treat everyone with the same level of respect, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visi...

May 21, 20212 minEp. 118

Every Kid Needs This From At Least One Person

“All kids have had a hard time this last year. Of course, for many less privileged children the last twelve months were just an introduction to the daily struggle their parents have experienced since the day they were born. Broken systems. Lurking danger. Shrinking options. Pivotal moments lost that will never come back.” Ryan talks about the one thing that your kids need from you, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple ...

May 20, 20213 minEp. 117

Don't Start This For Them

“Maybe you do it because you’re in a hurry. Maybe you do it because you hate to see them struggle. Maybe it’s just a sweet gesture. Maybe you remember your parents doing it for you. Whatever the reason, you should stop.” Ryan explains why you should teach your kids to be self-sufficient, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more people listen to the podcast, the more we c...

May 19, 20213 minEp. 116

Let Them Be Who They Are

“We should always try to learn from parents who have had it harder than us, who have really been through the ringer. If you haven’t watched Brandon Boulware’s deeply moving testimony about his struggles with his transgender daughter, you should really take the time to see it.” Ryan explains how you should nurture your kids spirit, on today’s Daily Dad podcast. *** If you enjoyed this week’s podcast, we’d love for you to leave a review on Apple Podcasts. It helps with our visibility, and the more...

May 18, 20213 minEp. 115