What do happiness hacks, magic mushrooms at Bonnaroo, and suburban dadding have in common? Comedian Pete Holmes, that's what. Pete (You Made It Weird podcast, HBO's Crashing) has been a "pie in the sky" guest for since the wee beginnings of Modern Dadhood, and the conversation didn't disappoint. Pete opens up about being a vulnerable dad, the importance of emotional transparency, working six-year-old Lila into his jokes, and more. Listen to the end for an Instant Regret which left Marc feeling like a dink.

Episode 112 of Modern Dadhood opens with the fastest catch-up in the history of the show, so the guys can get straight into their conversation with comedian Pete Holmes, who has been on the Modern Dadhood bucket list since the show was conceived. Pete brought the goods, and the dudes had an in-depth conversation about what it means to be a dad. The conversation took many twists and turns, and includes topics such as:

Listen to the end to hear about Marc's recent Instant Regret!
• How to balance being a friend and a parent to your kid
• The emotional extremes of parenting
• The value of teaching your kids that you are a human
• Modeling behaviors we want to see our kids embody
• Embracing vulnerability to foster a stronger relationship with your kid
• And more!

LINKS
Pete Holmes (official)
You Made It Weird (Apple Podcasts)
I Am Not For Everyone (Netflix)
Faces And Sounds (HBO)
Crashing (HBO)
Comedy Sex God (book)
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Modern Dadhood (website)
AdamFlaherty.tv
Stuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (YouTube)
MD (TikTok)

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is a stressful, emotional path to becoming a parent. Adding a surrogate to the equation introduces a new set of risks and stressors. For Ryan O'Connell and his wife, when the stars aligned and their healthy, perfect baby was born, it was nothing short of a miracle... and then they hit the lottery a second time. During our conversation, Ryan opens up about the deeply personal and intricate process of having children via surrogacy, shedding light on the highs and lows that come with it. We explore the emotional challenges, legal complexities, and moments of triumph that the O'Connells faced along the way. Listen to the end for an ego-deflating installment of Kisses and Disses.

Episode 111 of Modern Dadhood opens with a quick catch-up with the guys about the back-to-school process and the crazy, overwhelming nature of parent life. The guys waste no time getting into Adam's conversation with fellow girl-dad Ryan O'Connell, an event manager and prolific blogger. Ryan lives in New Jersey with his family, including his two daughters, nine and four.

Ryan opens up about the highs and lows of dad life, navigating the world of surrogacy, and the emotional rollercoaster involved in starting a family. We discuss the challenges and triumphs he and his wife faced on their path to parenthood, including their experiences with surrogates and the intricate medical and emotional processes involved. Topics include:

• The process of finding a surrogate
• What attributes make a couple and potential surrogate click?
• A brief overview of IVF
• The potential risks and setbacks of working with a surrogate
• The emotional and physical toll of miscarriages
• The legal and financial side of surrogacy
• And more!

Listen to the end for an ego-deflating installment of Kisses and Disses.

LINKS
Giddy Up America (Ryan's blog)
Ryan O'Connell (LinkedIn)
Reproductive Possibilities (surrogacy agency)
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Modern Dadhood (website)
AdamFlaherty.tv
Stuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (YouTube)
MD (TikTok)

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Do you feel perpetually behind? Or so stressed each day that it’s debilitating? Well, it turns out you’re not alone. (Far from it, actually.) The US Surgeon General reports that 48% of parents say that most days, their stress is “completely overwhelming.” How do we know this? Because the Nation's Doctor told us himself. US Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, joins us to discuss his new advisory report “Parents Under Pressure,” which explores why so many parents are struggling, and what we as a country can do to begin to reverse this trend.

In Episode 110 of Modern Dadhood, the guys catch up briefly on the beginning of the school year, and offer a quick explanation for why the episode release schedule has been a little slow lately. They reflect on interviewing Dr. Vivek Murthy, US Surgeon General and dad of two, about his new Advisory, "Parents Under Pressure," including what inspired him to write it, how his own fatherhood experience informed the topic, and what he sees as solutions to reducing stress and improving the well-being off parents. Topics include:

• What factors are causing so much stress in parents?
• Parenting should be seen as a team effort, not an individual pursuit
• The lack of support available to dads specifically
• High levels of loneliness, especially among single parents
• How do technology and social media play a role?
• Societal capability to make significant changes
• Dr. Murthy's thoughts on solutions / interventions
• And more

LINKS
Read The Advisory "Parents Under Pressure"
US Surgeon General (official)
Dr. Vivek Murthy (Instagram)
Surgeon General (Twitter/X)
Surgeon General (Facebook)
"House Calls" Podcast
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Modern Dadhood (website)
AdamFlaherty.tv
Stuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (YouTube)
MD (TikTok)

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast