Dad Space Podcast - for Dads by Dads

Daniel Pink's Act 3 - The Motivated Dad - Finding the source of what keeps us going as a Dad

Episode 247 - Act 3 - The Motivated Dad - Finding the source of what keeps us going as a DadIn this third act of a four-part series inspired by Daniel Pink's insightful video on planning for 2026 (link in show notes), host Dave dives into motivation and becoming a more intentional dad this year. Drawing from Pink's framework, Dave reframes it specifically for fathers, urging us to adjust our inner operating system and embrace discomfort as a path to growth.Dave highlights the "85% rule": aim for goals where you succeed eight or nine times out of ten—not too easy, but with room for challenge and learning. Pick just one priority for 2026 instead of overwhelming yourself with dozens. Redefine discomfort—like the uncertainties of fatherhood—as on-the-job learning opportunities. He shares his own stretch: committing to 365 daily episodes on The How To Podcast Series, including a grueling 24-hour marathon recording on February 13-14.Practical tips include designing friction wisely (e.g., delete a distracting app to reclaim time), making public promises to one accountable person (avoid over-sharing on social to prevent backlash), and tracking small wins with victory laps to build momentum. Like a river finding the path of least resistance, streamline your life to create space for what matters.Dave emphasizes sustainable growth over grand gestures. Big year-end goals often lead to burnout; tiny, consistent actions create rhythm and forward momentum for your family and self.Key Takeaway: Invest in yourself as a dad this year—be a little selfish with your growth. Watch Daniel Pink's video multiple times, grab his free workbook, and pick one intentional goal. Small systems beat big dreams every time.Design Your Best Year Ever: A Science-Backed System for 2026https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q10H5RA3eCADaniel's free workbook - https://www.danpink.com/workbook Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC2syoh-4I8L-mOMkJ_kNJgZgHB3G3sFZ https://www.danpink.com/___https://dadspace.camusic provided by Blue Dot SessionsSong: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270

Daniel Pink's Act 2 - The Structured Dad - Some effective tools to structure your year

Episode 246 - Act 2 - The Structured Dad - Some effective tools to structure your yearIn this episode of Dad Space, host Dave dives into Act 2 of Daniel Pink's insightful 2026 video on preparing for a great new year, adapting its lessons specifically for dads. Even though we're into February, Dave stresses it's never too late to implement changes that reclaim time and intention as fathers. He urges listeners to watch the 26-minute video (link in show notes) first, then return to apply these tools through a dad's lens, moving beyond vague resolutions to practical structure.Dave spotlights protecting the first hour of your day when your brain is most impressionable, setting the tone for everything else. Instead of defaulting to work emails, dedicate this sacred time to what matters most, like journaling, reading, meditating, praying, exercising, or walking, stacking up 365 hours of priority investment by year's end. He introduces the two-minute rule: tackle any task taking two minutes or less immediately, from washing a dish to picking up toys or clearing mail, preventing small clutters from snowballing into overwhelm and freeing mental space.For work-life boundaries, Dave advocates a deliberate week-ending shutdown ritual by Friday afternoon (or whenever your workweek closes), giving your brain permission to rest and making Mondays a fresh launch rather than a shock. Pair this with a 15-minute Sunday reset: review your calendar, prioritize essentials, shift non-urgents, and note goals to shift from reactive chaos to intentional leadership, especially vital for unpredictable dad life.Drawing parallels to a chef's organized kitchen or a dentist's seamless tool handoff, he encourages prepping the night before, like laying out gym clothes or clearing your desk, creating paths of least resistance toward your goals. Daily walks emerge as a simple mood reset, clearing mental fog and sparking creativity.Dave warns against rigid over-structuring that stresses when life deviates, but for most dads lacking any framework, these tools combat tail-chasing overwhelm that leads to giving up. Watch Pink's video multiple times, extract dad-applicable gems, and tune in next for Act 3.Key takeaway: Structure isn't about perfection; it's reclaiming control so you show up intentionally for your family, turning 2026 into a year of real change.Design Your Best Year Ever: A Science-Backed System for 2026https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q10H5RA3eCADaniel's free workbook - https://www.danpink.com/workbook Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC2syoh-4I8L-mOMkJ_kNJgZgHB3G3sFZ https://www.danpink.com/___https://dadspace.camusic provided by Blue Dot SessionsSong: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270

Daniel Pink's Act 1 - Clarity in 2026 - Premortems, Themes & 90-Day Dad Sprints

Episode 245 - Daniel Pink's Act 1 Clarity in 2026 - Premortems, Themes & 90-Day Dad SprintsIn this episode of the Dad Space Podcast, host Dave dives into Daniel Pink's powerful video on designing your best year ever, adapting its insights specifically for fathers aiming to crush 2026. Drawing from Pink's 25 years of motivation research, Dave shifts the focus from fleeting inspiration to rock-solid structure, warning that vague New Year's lists often fizzle by February, like abandoned gym memberships or stalled podcasts. He kicks off a four-part series with Act 1: Build Clarity, unpacking four practical tools to fuel intentional fatherhood and prevent aimless drifting.Dave starts with the regret review: Set a 10-minute timer to identify your single biggest 2025 fumble as a dad, write it on one paper, then flip to a second for the lesson learned and a simple January action plan to avoid repeats. He stresses physically crumpling the regret page while keeping the forward-focused one, turning past stings into fuel without self-beating. Next comes the premortem, psychologist Gary Klein's pre-failure autopsy: Imagine December 31, 2026, with your top dad goal tanked, list why (like poor scheduling), and reverse-engineer blocks now, such as accountability check-ins.He shares his personal 2026 theme word, "connection," to anchor every area, from wife dates to kid bonds and podcast outreach, acting as a snap-back cue amid chaos. Finally, Dave champions 90-day seasons, chunking the year into four focused sprints like Canada's natural cycles, with mini-resets to reflect, pivot, and measure progress in bite-sized wins rather than waiting 365 days.Dave urges listeners to watch Pink's full 26-minute YouTube video (link in notes), grab the free workbook, and comment there, while teasing Act 2 next. He wraps with calls to follow on Spotify for auto-delivered episodes, leave comments, buy a coffee, or chat virtually, emphasizing sharing with fellow dads.Key Takeaway:Dads, ditch inspiration lists for clarity tools: Regret review for fuel, premortem for prevention, one-word theme for focus, 90-day sprints for momentum. Watch Pink's video, do Act 1 today, and lead your family with purpose in 2026. (1987 characters)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q10H5RA3eCADaniel's free workbook - https://www.danpink.com/workbook Playlist Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLC2syoh-4I8L-mOMkJ_kNJgZgHB3G3sFZ https://www.danpink.com/___https://dadspace.camusic provided by Blue Dot SessionsSong: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270

Level Up as a Dad - Premortems, Themes, and Micro-Sabbaths

Episode 244 - Level Up as a Dad - Premortems, Themes, and Micro-SabbathsUnlock 2026: Your 4-Part System for the Best Year EverDads, imagine 2026 as the year you finally crush it—not just at work, but as the husband, father, and man your family deserves. No more January resolutions that fizzle by February. This isn't fluffy motivation; it's a battle-tested, science-backed framework from 25 years of studying peak performers. We're breaking it into four epic episodes on the Dad Space Podcast, diving deep so you can build a life of structure, momentum, and unbreakable drive.In this intro, get the blueprint: Four Acts to design your breakthrough year. Act 1 builds clarity (regret reviews, premortems, themes, 90-day seasons). Act 2 creates structure (first-hour protection, 2-minute rule, shutdown rituals). Act 3 fuels motivation (85% rule, friction design, small wins). Act 4 drives renewal (challenge networks, to-don't lists, gratitude). Pick 2-3 tactics per act, stack them, and watch everything change. Free workbook in show notes—grab it now.Over the next 4 episodes we will unpack:Episode 1: Act 1 - ClarityEpisode 2: Act 2 - StructureEpisode 3: Act 3 - MotivationEpisode 4: Act 4 - RenewalQuestions This Series Answers for DadsHere are the questions that we will be unpacking for Dad Space listeners—real-talk queries every father wrestles with:How do I turn 2025 regrets into 2026 rocket fuel without beating myself up?What's a premortem, and how does imagining failure now guarantee family wins later?Why should I pick one word as my yearly theme, and how does it keep me focused amid dad chaos?How do 90-day seasons beat vague New Year's goals for consistent progress?Why protect your first morning hour like Fort Knox, and what deep work crushes dad distractions?What's the 2-minute rule, and how does it clear mental fog for better parenting?How does a Friday shutdown ritual free your weekends for real family time?Why run a Sunday reset to make Mondays a launchpad, not a dread-fest?How does mise en place (prep like a chef) make dad habits automatic?Why walk 15 minutes daily, and how did it spark geniuses like Steve Jobs?What's the 85% rule for goals, and how does it build unbreakable dad grit?How do I rewire my brain to see discomfort as growth, not failure?Friction hacks: Make bad habits (doom-scrolling) harder, good ones (workouts) easier—top 3 for dads?Public promises: Who’s your one accountability bro, and why skip social media blasts?Small wins ritual: Log 3 daily progresses—how it snowballs motivation for busy fathers?Challenge network: Build 2-3 truth-tellers who call out your blind spots weekly.Curate your circle: Dad trio of challenger, cheerleader, coach—who are yours?To-don't list: Cut one energy vampire quarterly—what's yours for Q1 2026?Micro-Sabbaths: 15 minutes of stillness—how it restores your dad brain daily?26 thank-you notes: One every two weeks—why it boosts happiness and family bonds?Key Takeaway: Dads don't wait for perfect conditions. Build this 4-Act system now—clarity first, then structure, fuel, and renewal. Your family's future self thanks you. Video link: If you want 2026 to be the best year of your life, please watch this video…https://youtu.be/Q10H5RA3eCA?si=dwhjRHtPGuOiXXtbDownload Daniel's 2026 workbook for free: https://www.danpink.com/workbook___https://dadspace.camusic provided by Blue Dot SessionsSong: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270

Lonely Dads, When Family, Friends and Your Spouse Just Don't Seem to Be Enough in the Moment

Episode 243 - Lonely Dads, When Family, Friends and Your Spouse Just Don't Seem to Be Enough in the MomentDave opens up a conversation about one of the most invisible struggles many fathers face: loneliness. With humor, warmth, and honesty, he explores how dads can feel disconnected even while surrounded by the people they love most. In a world where we’re more connected than ever, many dads still find themselves emotionally isolated, carrying the burden of being “the rock” for everyone else while quietly crumbling inside.The episode begins with a powerful viral message about male loneliness, framing the idea that men are often told to be strong but rarely given permission to be human. From there, Dave reflects on the silent expectations placed on dads—to be stable, reliable, and selfless—and how those expectations can leave no space for vulnerability. He challenges listeners to rethink what real strength means, reminding dads that “strength isn’t silence; it’s honesty.”Dave dives into five core reflections that touch every father’s experience. He talks about the hidden weight of being the rock, how family love, while deep and genuine, doesn’t always meet every emotional need, and how friendships often fade as fatherhood takes center stage. Rebuilding those friendships, he suggests, starts with simple, intentional steps—sending a text, making a call, or showing up to reconnect. He likens it to kids needing a playdate: dads do too.The episode also explores the delicate balance between emotional independence and intimacy within marriage. Dave encourages dads to communicate openly about their loneliness without guilt or blame. He reminds listeners that spouses aren’t meant to fix loneliness, but can help support the journey toward healing and wholeness when invited into the conversation with honesty and care.The final message centers on finding purpose through service. Loneliness, Dave explains, often fades when you build meaning outside yourself—by helping others, volunteering, mentoring, or simply being the guy people can count on. Purpose creates belonging, and being known for your contributions is one of the best antidotes to isolation. For Dave, combating loneliness begins not with self-pity but with action: stepping out of the comfort zone, reconnecting with community, and remembering that vulnerability can be an act of leadership.Key takeaway: Loneliness doesn’t mean you’re failing as a dad. It means you’re human. Healing begins with honesty—with reaching out, rebuilding old connections, and rediscovering new purpose. Real strength isn’t carrying the weight alone; it’s choosing to be known, supported, and connected again.___https://dadspace.camusic provided by Blue Dot SessionsSong: The Big Ten https://app.sessions.blue/browse/track/258270