Dad on Pills (Part 2) | Chris Gethard on Parenting and Mental Illness

What do bugs, sandwiches, skateboarding, comics, Saved By The Bell, mural painting, a chicken coop... and DADHOOD all have in common? Well, they have author and artist Brady Smith in common. (Duh.) Brady returns to the podcast to chat about many of the seemingly random things listed above... but most of all, how much he and his wife Tiffani Thiessen love being Harper and Holt's parents. After, Adam shares a straight-forward but delightfully odd Did I Just Say That Out Loud?

Despite being a rather epic milestone, Episode 100 of Modern Dadhood starts off like most other episodes, with a quick catch-up between the guys. Marc shares about his twin boys' epic Star Wars themed 6th birthday party (complete with home-made games) before they welcome author, artist, and friend to the show Brady Smith back for a second appearance. Brady shares what's new in his fatherhood journey (Spoiler alert: lots of skateboarding & Sephora), how he and Tiffani work hard to raise creative, kind, and empathetic kids, and he shares a teaser of his newest book "Bug Sandwich." Topics include:

•  The feeling of celebrating your partner's 50th birthday
•  Getting comfortable being the "dorky" skateboarding dad
•  The freedom of self-employment
•  The unexpected challenges of painting a mural
•  The first time Brady's daughter watched "Saved By The Bell"
•  Involving Brady's kids in his work
•  And more!

After, Adam discloses an odd dinnertime exclamation in an installment of "Did I Just Say That Out Loud?"

Episode art photography by Rebecca Sanabria

LINKS
Brady Smith (official website)
Brady Smith (Instagram)
Bug Sandwich (Powell's books)
Random Acts of Drawness!
You're Missing It!
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal
Modern Dadhood (website)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (TikTok)

A Day-Glo orange splatter of paint. A geyser of green slime. A seductive forearm tattoo named Petunia. If this doesn't conjure up some serious nostalgia, you either weren't a kid in the 90s, or your mom banned you from watching Nickelodeon. We invited Nick veteran and new dad Danny Tamberelli to the podcast to chat about growing up in the spotlight and how fatherhood is treating him 19 months into his journey. Tune in to find out whether Danny and Adam have actually been cosmically linked ever since one fateful day in 1997 at Universal Studios. Also, Marc exclaims profanities as he is doused with bodily fluids.
 

Episode 35 of Modern Dadhood opens with a brief conversation about milk, and speculation on why Adam's daughters both decided that they no longer care for it. The guys briefly address their guest selection process before introducing Danny Tamberelli into the conversation. Danny is best known for playing little Pete on Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Pete and Pete in the 90s, though he continued with the network for over a decade, appearing in seasons of All That and the game show Figure It Out. Additionally, Danny appeared in films such as Igby Goes Down and The Mighty Ducks, acting alongside former Nickelodeon pal Kenan Thompson, and has voiced many animated characters for television and video games. Danny discusses the events that led to him landing prominent acting roles as a child, as well as his own experience as a new dad to 19 month old Alfie. Topics include:

•  The joy of being the fun uncle
•  An examination of Sandra Boynton's catalog
•  Old fashioned names coming back into style
•  Being a child actor
•  Weezer's Blue album
•  How creativity can evolve when you become a father

The episode culminates with a rather "shitty" installment of Did I Just Say That Out Loud?
 

[Episode Transcript]
 

LINKS:
Danny Tamberelli (official website)
Tuesdays With Alfie (Instagram)
The Adventures of Danny and Mike
Jounce
Nostalgia Personified
Man Boobs Comedy
The Undone Sweaters
The Adventures of Pete And Pete (YouTube)
Danny + Katelyn's books
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal
Modern Dadhood (website)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (TikTok)

When you hear the phrase "Lead Dad," what does it make you think? A "stay at home" dad? A dad who prides himself on being the more involved parent? To Paul Sullivan, Founder of The Company of Dads, being a "Lead Dad" is much different... and many of us naturally fall into the category. Hear Paul discuss The Company of Dads' mission to inspire more men to be Lead Dads, and inspire families to experience their full potential. At the end, Marc shares a curious installment of "Did I Just Say That Out Loud?"
 

Modern Dadhood Episode 98 opens with a brief catch-up between the guys before Adam shares about a video that recently crossed his feed about a group of dads who meet at a local elementary school to greet kids as they arrive for their school day. The video was shared by Paul Sullivan, Founder of the Company of Dads and father of three daughters between 6 and 14. Paul joins us to chat about his organization, its mission, and what it means to be a "Lead Dad." Topics of conversation include:

•  How did The Company of Dads come to be?
•  What is a Lead Dad?
•  By labeling oneself a Lead Dad, is it taking credit from the mom?
•  Average maternity & paternity leaves in the USA
•  Resources available to Lead Dads
•  And more!

Stay tuned for an installment of Did I Just Say That Out Loud? featuring the newly 6-year-old Checket twins.

LINKS:
The Company of Dads
The Company of Dads (Instagram)
Paul Sullivan (LinkedIn)
Red Vault Audio
Spencer Albee
Caspar Babypants
Stuffed Animal
Modern Dadhood (website)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (TikTok)

What fresh hell is this episode all about? Well, it's a collaboration with our new friends Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables, hosts of the popular momhood podcast What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood. The four parenting podcasters waste no time digging into why there are so many more motherhood podcasts than fatherhood podcasts, the value of gaining new perspectives, and how the role of the father has dramatically shifted over the decades... and could stand to continue evolving!

Episode 97 of Modern Dadhood kicks off with Adam ribbing Marc for neglecting to call or text him on his birthday which he shares with both his dad and his daughter. Marc clearly feels no guilt, and Adam proceeds to inhale a helium balloon to introduce the show. The guys quickly welcome Margaret Ables and Amy Wilson, hosts of the podcast What Fresh Hell: Laughing in the Face of Motherhood into the conversation to discuss the "WHY" behind each podcast, the moms' take on the current state of fatherhood, and more. Topics include:

•  The story behind the name (and phrase) "What Fresh Hell"
•  How topics are chosen for their motherhood podcast
•  The benefits of having access to experts and people we admire
•   How "Modern Dadhood" is different than "Modern Fatherhood"
•  How women and men often prioritize the role of "parent" differently
•  Shifting gender roles
•  And more!

After the interview, the guys share a roller-coaster-of-a Kisses & Disses segment.


LINKS:
What Fresh Hell (Podcast)
What Fresh Hell (Website)
WFH (Instagram)
WFH (TikTok)
Red Vault Audio
Spencer Albee
Caspar Babypants
Stuffed Animal
Modern Dadhood (website)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (TikTok)

Being a single parent may result from an unplanned pregnancy, the relationship between two partners evolving or ending, or a purposeful decision. No matter the reason, it's fair to assert that single parents will navigate some unique challenges when raising a kid. George Basil (HBO's Crashing, Netflix's Flaked) joins us to reflect on raising his teenage daughter as a working actor and improv comedian, and how their relationship, in many ways, is a true partnership. George hangs around for a round of Confessions!

The guys kick off Episode 96 of Modern Dadhood with a quick discussion on dinnertime conversations with our kids and the types of questions which can inspire them to open up and share about their school day. The guys waste no time introducing actor and improv comic George Basil who listeners might know as Lief from HBO's "Crashing" starring comedian Pete Holmes, Cooler from Netflix's "Flaked" acting opposite Will Arnett, or the clothing shop proprietor in the Barbie movie. George is a proud parent to his teenage daughter Lula, and he joins us to share his story of bringing her up as a single dad and working actor in LA. Topics include:

•  George's self-described partnership with his daughter.
•  The joy of traveling abroad with his kid
•  Acting with, and directing his daughter
•  The benefit of introducing new partners to your child
•  The importance of inspiring a love for creativity in our kids
•  Getting the call to be cast in Barbie
•  And more!

At the end of the chat, George sticks around for a gut-busting Confessions session.
 

LINKS:
Crashing (HBO/Max)
Flaked (Netflix)
Six Pack (Short Film)
Peanut (Short Film)
Red Vault Audio
Spencer Albee
Caspar Babypants
Stuffed Animal

2023 has come to and end and Adam & Marc reflect on the guests, topics, and great conversations from the past year. The guys each present their Top 3 clips from the various episodes, and Marc closes out the episode with an utterly explicit edition of "So That's a Thing Now." 

The guys open Episode 95 of Modern Dadhood by catching up briefly on health, fatherhood, and Christmas before jumping right into their "Top 3" lists of their favorite soundbytes from 2023 episodes. The episodes referenced in the top 3 lists are:

Ep 081 - Interabled Parents-To-Be | Shane Burcaw
Ep 083 - The Brick Wall That Is Fatherhood | Chris Gethard
Ep 084 - Being Cool With Not Being Cool Anymore | Chris Gethard
Ep 087 - Raising Privacy-Conscious Kids in the Digital Age | Marc Groman
Ep 091 - The Art of Explaining Farewells | Victor M. Sweeney
Ep 093 - Reviving Empathy Through Images of Real Leadership | Pete Souza

LINKS:
Modern Dadhood Instagram
Modern Dadhood Facebook
Modern Dadhood TikTok
Modern Dadhood YouTube
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal Music

In our holiday 2023 episode, we landed an interview with Father Christmas himself, Santa Claus. This episode is designed for parents and kids to enjoy together, as we ask Santa some hard-hitting questions which are on the minds of children around the world... and Santa delivers! Happy Holidays from our families to yours. We are grateful for you!

Episode 94 of Modern Dadhood is a unique one-- it's meant to be enjoyed by both parents and kids, as the guys got VERY lucky and booked an interview with Father Christmas himself, Santa Claus. Adam asks Santa a number of questions which many young people wonder about in hopes of shining a bit of light on some of the bigger mysteries of Santa's superhuman capabilities.

After the interview, Marc shares about an illness he's been dealing with and how his wife Jamie has risen to the occasion to make the holiday season special for the boys even though Marc's been unable to contribute.

Adam closes out the episode by sharing a preview of his almost 10-year-old's progress playing the recorder. (Spoiler alert, she's gotten very good very quickly!)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS from our families to yours. Thank you for listening. We appreciate you and wish you a happy, healthy, entertaining, and prosperous 2024.
 

LINKS:
NORAD Santa Tracker
Modern Dadhood Instagram
Modern Dadhood Facebook
Modern Dadhood TikTok
Modern Dadhood YouTube
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal Music

There are certain qualities, like leadership, empathy, kindness, respect, and compassion, that we all aspire for our children to embody as they grow. In this episode, Adam and Marc get a bit deep with Pulitzer Prize winner and Official White House photographer for two presidential terms, Pete Souza, who had the remarkable opportunity to capture these qualities in iconic moments throughout the Obama presidency. The guys chat with Pete about dangerous situations, split-second decisions, and the tremendous responsibility of working in the highest office in the land, documenting the values we wish to see in our leaders and our children.

Episode 93 of Modern Dadhood opens with a conversation about storytelling and what features make for a strong spoken word story. The guys waste no time welcoming Pete Souza into the chat. Pete's credits an accolades include International Photography Hall of Fame Inductee, Pulitzer Prize winner, documentary film subject, and Chief Official White House Photographer for both terms of Barack Obama's presidency. He has taken some of the most iconic photos in history over his decades-long career, and while he still stays very busy putting out books, public speaking, and teaching photography workshops, his main photography subject matter... has become his grandkids.

Pete opens up about his method for capturing authentic moments with a leader who exemplifies traits that all parents hope to see in their children. Topics include:

•  Pete and his wife Patti's marriage and children
•  How Pete's "always on" work schedule impacted his personal life
•  The choice to work under physically dangerous circumstances
•  The shift from film to digital photography
•  The qualities that make a photo "authentic"
•  And more!

LINKS:
Pete Souza (official)
Pete Souza (Instagram)
Pete Souza (Twitter/X)
The Way I See It (Documentary on Amazon Prime Video)
Red Vault Audio
Spencer Albee
Caspar Babypants
Stuffed Animal

PETE'S BOOKS  (please buy locally if you can!)

Obama: An Intimate Portrait
Shade: A Tale of Two Presidents
Dream Big Dreams Photographs from Barack Obama's Inspiring & Historic Presidency Young Readers
Rise Of Barack Obama
The West Wing and Beyond: What I Saw Inside the Presidency

Is there a "right" way to reach our children to be independent and self-reliant? If we always do everything for them, they may never learn to own their responsibilities. But it can be emotionally trying (and short-term inconvenient) to allow them to fail and learn from their mistakes. B Kim joins us to discuss his family's approach to instilling a sense of personal responsibility in their two teenage kids, allowing them to fail safely, and preparing them for adulthood. Don't miss a "squeaky" new installment of So That's a Thing Now! at the end of the episode.

In Episode 92 of Modern Dadhood, Adam and Marc open with a discussion of Marc's idyllic, spontaneous neighborhood gathering which resulted in Marc being moderately "lubricated" for our episode. The guys chat about the first month of school for their kids, including their morning routines, and how each family navigates moving things along in the morning to ensure that everything gets done before their kids are off to school for the day. They welcome in Bunthol "B" Kim, and the conversation pivots from "what happens if they miss the bus?" to "what happens if they run out of money?" B shares his family's approach to instilling a sense of personal responsibility, ways in which he has allowed his kids to "fail safely," and times that his kids have pleasantly surprised him with their self-reliance.

Listen to the end where Adam shares about his fourth grader's current music class lesson that will bring back memories for most listeners!

Links:
Creatives Not Robots (B's creative social gathering)
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal Music

There are a million idioms about death: It's "the only certainty in life." It's "the end of the road." It's "the great equalizer." But even as adults, death can be impossibly difficult to understand and process, let alone to know the best way to explain death to our kids. Mortician Victor M. Sweeney joins the conversation to share his wisdom on how to answer our kids' questions, and why it's important to include them and be honest with them rather than try to shield them or protect them from grief. Stick to the end for a segment on good and bad death scenes in children's movies!

Episode 91 of Modern Dadhood gets right down to business with Adam and Marc chatting about discussions they've had with their kids around the concept of death. They share about their own experiences with attending funerals, and how they've broached the subject when their kid have brought it up. They introduce Victor M. Sweeney into the conversation. Victor is a dad of 4 who has worked in the funeral industry for the last 15 years, earning the reputation of a sought-after funeral director and mortician. Victor opens up about his career, the relationship between his line of work and his family, and some ideas on how to include young people in the death process.

Post interview, Marc names a number of death-related scenes in kids movies and the guys rate them on a "helpful or hurtful" scale, debating whether the scenes could support a kid's understanding of death, or simply traumatize them.

Links:
Wired Segment 1
Wired Segment 2
Wired Segment 3
Wired Segment 4
Victor M. Sweeney (Instagram)
Red Vault Audio
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal