The "Dad Look"

BEASTDAD returns with a look at Money - a foundational consideration for all dads.  Most people know that having kids isn't cheap, so in this episode we explore the biggest "cost centers" that go through re-evaluation along with a growing family, including housing, transportation, the grocery bill, and leisure.  

We offer no financial advice, but hope that understanding some of the bigger costs that accompany fatherhood can be helpful - especially in a time of economic uncertainty.  Reach out to us at beastdadmode@gmail.com, or @beastdadmode on "The instagram!" 

In BEASTDAD #21, Mike and Nick explore "the new abnormal" and working from home in this career-focused episode.  While working from home definitely has its perks, there are lots of new situations that must be grappled with.  These include navigating online meetings, being a leader among teams who are isolated and stressed, and the ever-vanishing separation between home and work.  We also spend a fair bit of time anticipating "the future of work" - especially its effects on things like sales, employee performance, workplace quality of life, and the newly displaced workforce that is reeling from the economic impact of the covid pandemic.  This might be one of the most lighthearted yet serious conversations on the internet, so join us as we anticipate the future of work, with a healthy mix of humour, decadent optimism, and gritty realism. Connect with us at beastdadmode@gmail.com, or @beastdadmode on "the instagram"!  

You can’t have a comeback if you don’t leave first! In Beastdad #20, Mike & Nick return after a break to debrief on the impact of COVID-19 on their health, goals, and experiences.  For many of us, the social and psychological impact of COVID-19 has been severe - even if we didn’t get it.  The impact to our careers, social life, mental health, and  general way of life can’t be understated.  When all the daily essentials and simple pleasures of life are suddenly taken away - what is to be done? In this episode, we laboured to find the positive aspects of COVID - and might have found a few.  Shout at us at beastdadmode@gmail.com, or @beastdadmode on “the instagram”!

In BEASTDAD 19, Mike and Nick analyze the “dad look”.  In this episode, we look at grooming and dress in the context of career, play, and fitness. 

Should you wear that sleeveless Metallica T-Shirt to the company BBQ?  Should you join a start-up so you can wear a hoodie at work?  Should you shave?  What is moisturizer and how is it different from hand sanitizer?

Most people have an idea of what a “dad” looks like - and this episode is all about breaking down barriers and addressing stigma for dads who have not transitioned to wearing white new balances, flannel “yard” shirts, and dressy cardigans.  We also take aim at the more frustrating elements of being presentable, including shopping at stores, sizing volatility, non-non-iron clothing, and non-compliant facial hair.  We also advocate self-presentation at the intersection of intentionality, comfort, and authenticity.  Look like the thing you are!  

Reach out to us at beastdadmode@gmail.com, or follow @beastdadmode on “The Instagram"!  We also love reviews.  Even cheeky ones.  Peace!

YES CHEF.  Dads have become more involved in the kitchen than ever before.  In BEASTDAD 18, Mike and Nick discuss their very different approaches to buying and preparing food for their families.  Mike’s is pragmatic and spartan, while Nick’s is technical and extravagant.  New dads often play the part of hunter AND gatherer, so this episode focuses on transitioning from restaurants to home cooking, dietary needs, food spending, saving time in the kitchen, and essential kitchen tools to make cooking easier/better/faster.  And steak.  Lots of steak.  And some whiskey. Shout at us at beastdadmode@gmail.com, or follow us @beastdadmode on “the instagram”!  

Friendship can be complicated.  In BEASTDAD 17, we try to simplify it - simple men that we are.  Friendships and relationships obviously change over time, but becoming a dad will generally mark a major change in your social life.  Aside from the obvious (e.g. partying all night becomes less frequent - hopefully), many new dads are surprised by how suddenly and dramatically relationships can change when a baby first arrives on the scene. Things can be particularly tough if you're the first dad in your social group, and your buddies don't know how to react.  What do you mean you can't go to Vegas this weekend?

In this episode, Mike and Nick reach deep into the psychological and philosophical texts on friendship to outline the 3 Main types: Utility, Pleasure, and "Perfected".  Thanks Aristotle!

If you're a dad (or any dude, really), its helpful to take an honest inventory of your social relationships so you can set expectations for yourself, and not get bummed out when your social relationships evolve, dissolve, or fail to involve.  Sudden social changes can be positive or negative - especially during major life changes.  We hope this episode helps identify the positive, and minimize the negative impact of sudden social change.  Never fear - many people in your life will pleasantly surprise you.

Connect with us: beastdadmode@gmail.com, or @beastdadmode on "The Instagram"!

In Episode 16 of the BEASTDAD Podcast, Mike and Nick take the “Big 5” Personality test to explore personality and fatherhood, using Dr. Jordan Peterson’s online assessment tool - available at understandmyself.com. 

"C.A.N.O.E" represents the Big 5 personality traits: Conscientiousness, Agreeability, Neuroticism, Openness, and Extroversion.  It is considered to be one of the best self-assessment tools, and is really useful for understanding individual strengths and development areas - which can be a major asset in goal development and execution. 

Want to take the test yourself? please use our promo code “BEASTDAD” at understandmyself.com to save 20%.  The test is a simple and thought provoking, and it does NOT ask for any personal information.  Your answers will be synthesized onto a really robust and insightful report.  

Connect with us @beastdadmode on “the Instagram” and leave us a review on your podcast app if you can!

In BEASTDAD podcast episode 15 we welcome our guest, Coach Steve Roy (@thefitdadnation).

Steve is the founder of FIT DAD NATION and is an absolute BEAST.  A father of 2, Steve is a successful fitness coach to thousands of dads in his online community (www.fitdadnation.com/community) and through his personal fitness coaching.  In our discussion, Steve speaks candidly about his early struggles as a father working in finance before starting over as a fitness coach in his early forties.  Since then, Steve has built a thriving online community for dads and a successful podcast.  His authentic and direct approach to "functional fitness" stands out in a world of quick fixes, pseudo-science, and “Instagram coaches”.  In addition to Steve’s great story of resilience, we discuss strategies for steady improvements, being connected with the right people, fad diets, functional strength, and much more.  We had a great time talking with Steve, and hope you enjoy the conversation!

You can connect with Steve and join his brotherhood of dads at: www.Fitdadnation.com/community, and follow him at @thefitdadnation on Instagram.

You can also connect with the BEASTDAD podcast @beastdadmode on “the Instagram” or at beastdadmode@gmail.com.  

Outro Credit: Slayer “Raining Blood”.  Listen on Spotify, or grab a copy of their classic album Reign in Blood!

Season 2 of BEASTDAD starts with an examination of life with your new roommate!

In "Newborn Knowledge" Mike and Nick explore the first few months as a new dad, with emphasis on the tactics that most people don't tell you about - probably because they were too sleep-deprived to document them!  

Starting with the delirium of childbirth, we discuss "blob to biped", guest management and pushy visitors, logistics (parking, the driving nerves, public transportation), your living environment, the climate, feedings, sleep training, and much more - all the stuff we wish we knew in the beginning.

We also explore being "Newborns" as parents.  Like it or not, you're both different people - so there's THREE NEW PEOPLE LIVING TOGETHER. Survive the first 100 days together with these hard-learned tactics!

New year, new decade, same beast!

In the Season Finale of BEASTDAD, Mike and Nick explore goals, refinements, successes, and the ever-perfecting process that is the Beastdad project.

As dads who want it all - or, at least SOME of it all - we explore what worked (and what didn't) since launching the podcast.  In many ways, we also launched ourselves - hopefully we all don't burn up on reentry to the atmosphere! 

In Goals, Milestones, & Beasthood, we discuss the pitfalls of new year's resolutions, overcoming introversion, pulling more than you push, choosing between chocolate and scotch, and more.  Spoiler alert: Scotch wins.  

Lots more great conversations lined up for Season 2, including guests and new episode formats.  Thanks to all our listeners for your time and patronage, and ALL THE BEAST TO YOU for the new decade! Restart the counter!