Jamie Lee is the Founder of JME Labs, a consulting business supporting startups and small businesses. Her husband, Jeff Okita, is the VP of Product at Tilt, a leave management platform. Together, they’re raising their 14-month-old daughter while managing demanding careers and a shared vision of parenting. We talked about:

• Building a strong support system: How Jamie and Jeff rely on an extended team of experts, family, and tools to make daily life manageable.
• Creating structure through rituals and check-ins: The methods they use to stay coordinated, including weekly planning and monthly reviews.
• Designing life around core values: Why they prioritize individual and shared time to stay connected to who they were before becoming parents.
• Traveling with a baby across continents: What 15 flights and two international trips have taught them about adaptability and preparation.
• Reevaluating the role of work: How becoming parents led both of them to rethink what success and fulfillment mean in their careers.
• Connection as a two-way street: Jeff’s take on bonding as a non-birthing parent and the moments that helped him feel truly needed.
• Challenging traditional roles in parenting: The decisions they’ve made to balance the mental, physical, and emotional load of raising a child.
• Preparing for an AI-powered future: Their early thoughts on how to raise a child in a world shaped by fast-moving technology.

Where to find Jamie Lee

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieannlee/
• JME Labs: https://www.jamiealee.com/

Where to find Jeff Okita

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffokita/
• Tilt: https://hellotilt.com/

Where to find Adam Fishman

• FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/
• Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introducing Jamie and Jeff

(02:20) What is the “extended team” in their household

(04:35) Emergency childcare plans and calendar blow-ups

(05:08) The four C’s of parenting: Coordination, Communication, Compromise, Creativity

(06:06) Running, nursing, errands, and multitasking hacks

(07:27) Rituals for communication and monthly check-ins

(08:38) Me, Me, and We Nights

(11:09) Where their parenting systems came from

(13:33) Hiring a postpartum doula and learning on the fly

(14:22) 15 flights with a baby and international travel strategies

(17:39) Potato, plant, and puppy phases of babyhood

(20:14) Blowouts on the road and travel horror stories

(24:34) Not losing yourself post-baby

(28:59) Rethinking the role of work after having a child

(34:07) Building connection with your baby and rejecting the parenting default

(54:57) Lightning Round: parenting quirks, pre-baby routines, and toddler travel wins

Resources from this episode:
ChatGPT.com

Die With Zero: Getting All You Can from Your Money and Your Life by Bill Perkins: https://bndl.co/3XlKH6e

Blank Check: https://imdb.to/3Vjc3T5

Planet Earth: https://imdb.to/3XlYoTo

—

Want to sponsor this podcast? Email podcast@fishmana.com
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Alex Medick is the Director of Marketing at TensorWave, an AI infrastructure company. Prior to this role, he served as the President and Chief Marketing Officer of Inside.com.

He’s also a single dad to two kids, a son and a daughter, navigating the challenges of parenting while leading in the startup world.

We discussed:
- Balancing parenting with startup demands: How Alex manages being the primary parent while navigating the challenges of working at a fast-paced startup.
- Communicating with kids during a separation: The approach Alex took to talk to his young children about his separation and how it affected them.
- Unexpected fulfillment from fatherhood: How becoming a dad has brought a deeper sense of fulfillment and perspective to Alex’s life.
- Giving yourself grace as a parent: Why Alex’s motto is to give yourself grace, especially during the hectic and overwhelming times.
- The “sucky” moments that create lasting memories: Alex shares how saying yes to the challenging moments, like chaotic travel and events, leads to some of the most memorable experiences.
- Old school parenting in modern times: Alex talks about his approach to parenting, influenced by older generations, and why he believes kids need more structure and less coddling.

Where to find Alex Medick
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajmedick/
X: https://x.com/ajmedick
TensorWave: https://tensorwave.com/

Where to find Adam Fishman
FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/
Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Introducing Alex Medick
(02:10) Balancing parenting with startup life
(03:15) Talking to kids about separation
(08:15) Unexpected fulfillment from fatherhood
(10:06) Giving yourself grace and embracing imperfection
(16:20) Old school parenting in modern times
(19:31) Hospital quarantine story and new perspective
(22:28) Travel chaos, flight disasters, and survival tips
(33:29) Raising kids with tech: balance needed
(36:03) Empathy and life principles guiding Alex
(39:50) Lightning round: must-haves and parenting quirks

Show references:
YouTube Kids: https://www.youtubekids.com/
iPad: https://www.apple.com/
Perplexity.ai: https://www.perplexity.ai/
Khan Academy: https://www.khanacademy.org/
Sound Machine: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A2JBMRE?th=1
Table top changing pad: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08KHD615K

Unspeakable: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwIWAbIeu0xI0ReKWOcw3eg
Blippi: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5PYHgAzJ1wLEidB58SK6Xw
Moana: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521164/
Ghostbusters: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087332/
Porsche: https://www.porsche.com/usa/
—
For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Sol Kennedyi is the founder of BestInterest which helps co-parents navigate the messiness of that complex relationship. He is a serial founder who has built and sold multiple companies and has been the head of product at Dropcam, a PM at Google and an angel investor in companies like Coinbase, Gitlab and Instacart. In addition to being a serial entrepreneur he’s also a single, half-time dad of two kids and a co-parent. We discussed:

* Navigating divorce and co-parenting

* Important lessons he’s learned from his co-parenting role

* The adversarial system that exists in family court and treats parents like criminals

* The emotional rollercoaster of half-time parenting as a single Dad

* His experience taking an extended time off to be a full-time Dad when his daughter was young

* Mistakes he’s made as a parent that have helped him grow into the Dad he is today.

* How your kids help you heal your own relationship with your parents

* The importance of patience and slowness when raising kids

Where to find Sal Kennedy

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/solkennedy/

* BestInterest App: bestinterestapp.com

* Sol’s Podcast: https://podcast.coparentingbeyondconflict.com/

Where to find Adam Fishman

* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

* Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

_

In this episode, we cover:

[1:55] Welcome

[2:11] Professional background

[3:53] Kids & divorce

[6:17] Co-parenting

[10:34] Advice for those going though this/co- parenting

[13:26] Being a half-time dad

[17:35] Strategies for setting boundaries with kids

[20:33] Decision to be a full-time dad and then back into work-force

[25:49] Does his own family use Best Interest?

[26:07] Most surprising things you’ve discovered as a dad?

[29:04] how having kids helped heal his relationship with his own parents

[32:08] Advice to younger Sol

[34:10] Transition from 1 to 2 kids

[36:48] Frameworks for parenting

[40:22] Kid’s relationship with tech

[44:48] Mistake as a dad

[49:05] Follow along

[49:59] Lightning round

[1:00:07] Thank you

—

Show references:

Coinbase: https://www.coinbase.com/

GitLab: https://about.gitlab.com/

Instacart: https://www.instacart.com/

Bug catcher: https://www.amazon.com/toys-Battat-Bungalow-Insect-Catching/dp/B01M0V474Y

Baby sock monitor (Owlet): https://owletcare.com/products/owlet-dream-sock

Pixar: https://www.pixar.com/

Star Wars: https://www.starwars.com/

Mini Cooper: https://www.miniusa.com/

—

For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.

For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at

http://www.armaziproductions.com/

Nikunj Kothari is a former investor with Khosla Ventures and a product and growth leader from companies like Opendoor, Shyp, and LinkedIn. He’s now out on his own advising, investing and spending time as a husband and a father of two, including a brand new son! We discussed:

* The false dichotomy between ambition and parenting and the support structures needed to achieve it

* The work it takes to prioritize your partner after the arrival of a new baby

* How execution as a Dad is only part of the problem set

* Big mistakes he’s made as a Dad

* How the relationship with his own parents changed since becoming a father

* Top tips for international flights with young kids

Where to find Nikunj Kothari

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikunjk/

* X: https://x.com/nikunj

* Website: https://www.nikunjk.com/

Where to find Adam Fishman

* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

* Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

—

In this episode, we cover:

[2:00] Welcome

[2:17] What Nikunj is up to these days

[3:08] Four generations in the home/dad feedback

[3:58] Childhood

[5:25] Family now

[8:33] Decision to start a family

[10:35] Ambition and parent dichotomy

[13:22] Would you rewind the clock?

[17:33] Who needs help in the newborn stage

[21:36] Paying attention to invisible labor

[23:45] Mistakes as a dad/prioritize making time for partner

[26:39] Funny story of his daughter sleeping through the night

[30:07] Traveling with young children

[34:26] Relationship to own parents in fatherhood

[38:20] How parenting changed from kid to kid

[40:28] Go-to activity

[41:46] Aligning with partner

[45;05] Kid’s relationship with tech

[49:34] Favorite books to read to kids

[50:44] Follow along

[51:37] Lightning round

[58:03] Thank you

—

Show references:

Khosla Ventures: https://www.khoslaventures.com/

Opendoor: https://www.opendoor.com/

SIDS: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sudden-infant-death-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20352800

Children’s Creativity Museum: https://creativity.org/

Ms. Rachel: https://www.youtube.com/@msrachel

Coco Melon: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbCmjCuTUZos6Inko4u57UQ

Spring is here (Bear and Mole Series) by Will Hillenbrand: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spring-is-here-will-hillenbrand/1103442878

Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit: https://www.magicsleepsuit.com/

Home Alone: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099785/

Home Alone: 2: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104431/

Dunston Checks In: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116151/

Moana: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521164/

Kal Ho Naa Ho:

Blow up flight bed: https://www.flyawaydesigns.com/products/flyaway-kids-bed

—

For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.

For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at

http://www.armaziproductions.com/

Brian Holt is Staff Product Manager at Neon and has been a VP of Product and product leader at companies like SQLite Cloud, Snowflake, Stripe and Microsoft. He was also an engineer at both Netflix and Reddit where he was one of the earliest employees. He’s a husband and the father of one son and brand new daughter. We discussed:

* Preparing for the arrival of your 2nd kid

* The importance of being a “whole person” and why that makes you a better parent and partner

* Living a nomadic lifestyle with a toddler and the importance of routine

* The overwhelming amount of conflicting parenting advice

* The “third person” support system

* His deep and unending love for the Snoo

* The magic of magnetic snap baby clothes

—

Where to find Brian Holt

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/btholt/

* X: https://x.com/holtbt

Where to find Adam Fishman

* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

* Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

—

In this episode, we cover:

[2:05] Welcome

[2:41] Brian’s Professional background

[3:42] Childhood

[7:08] Family now

[8:05] Advice to those choosing travel or having children

[9:42] Preparing older children for new siblings

[15:07] Nomadic living

[20:52] Most surprising things as a dad

[22:49] Advice to younger Brian and what to ignore

[26:55] Balance

[30:49] Anything Brian gave up to have kids

[33:05] Favorite book to read to his son

[34:12] Partnership

[37:05] Kid’s relationship with tech

[41:40] Mistake as a dad

[42:51] Repressed memories

[45:12] Recharge batteries

[49:20] Follow along

[49:59] Lightning round

[1:02:45] Thank you

—

Show references:

Neon: https://neon.tech/

SQLite Cloud: https://sqlitecloud.io/

Snowflake: https://www.snowflake.com/en/

Stripe: https://stripe.com/

Microsoft: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/

Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/?rdt=54182

Snoo: https://www.happiestbaby.com/products/snoo-smart-bassinet

Magnetic Me: https://magneticme.com/

Helena, Montana: https://www.helenamt.gov/Home

Salt Lake City, Utah: https://www.visitsaltlake.com/

Disneyland: https://disneyland.disney.go.com

Home Alone: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099785/

Ikon Pass: https://www.ikonpass.com/

Kit Fisto: https://starwars.fandom.com/wiki/Kit_FistoStar Wars Phantom Menace: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120915/

ChatGPT: chatgpt.com

ABCs of Star Wars: https://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-ABC-Scholastic/dp/0545227380

Star Wars colors: https://www.amazon.com/Star-Wars-Colors-Board-Books/dp/0545609194

1 - 2 -3 - Magic: https://www.123magic.com/

Gameboy:https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Hardware/Nintendo-History/Game-Boy/Game-Boy-627031.html

Nintendo 64: https://www.nintendo.com/us/store/products/nintendo-64-nintendo-switch-online-switch/

IBM: https://www.ibm.com

Sacramento A’s: https://www.mlb.com/athletics/sacramento

iPad: https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-ipad

Utah Jazz: https://www.nba.com/jazz

Kings: https://www.nba.com/kings

Paw Patrol Show: https://www.pawpatrollive.com

Owlet: https://owletcare.com

AirPod: https://www.apple.com/airpods

Barney: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0144701

Paw Patrol: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3121722

YouTube Kids: https://www.youtubekids.com

Sonic The Hedgehog: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3794354

Super Mario: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6718170

Tron Legacy: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1104001

Tommy Boy: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114694

Happy Gilmore: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116483

—

For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.

For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at

http://www.armaziproductions.com/

Robert Wolfe is the co-founder of Zeck a company designed to make managing board meetings easier for everyone. He’s also founded and sold both Crowdrise (to GoFundMe) and Moosejaw Mountaineering (to Wal-Mart). He’s a husband and the father of 2 sons. We discussed:

* The journey from founding Moosejaw to today

* Founding multiple companies with a celebrity and your brother

* Raising a family while building those companies

* The modern-day process for helping your kids apply to college

* How kids can find the right college fit

* Stories about building his companies and raising his families

* What the heck a “fighting room” is used for and why you need one

* How to work really hard without taking yourself too seriously

Where to find Robert Wolfe

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-w-0abaaa273/

Where to find Adam Fishman

* FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com

* LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

* Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/

_

In this episode, we cover:

[1:57] Welcome

[2:41] Zeck

[4:16] The “Fighting room”

[5:48] Moosejaw

[11:24] Ed Norton co-founder

[14:55] Childhood/relationship with brother

[16:22] Met wife

[17:58] Kids

[18:47] Decision to start a family

[19:38] Carving out time to be at his kid’s events

[20:53] University of Michigan

[22:34] College admission process

[26:51] Advice to younger Robert

[28:03] Advice to ignore

[29:44] Empty nester

[30:36] Kid’s relationship to tech/social media

[34:01] Advice to kids/entrepreneurship

[33:52] Follow along

[36:28] Lightning round

—

Show references:

Dazed and Confused: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0106677/

Zeck: zeck.app

GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/

Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/

University of Michigan: https://umich.edu/

Edward Norton: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001570/

North Face: https://www.thenorthface.com/en-us

Patagonia: https://www.patagonia.com/home/

Keego Harbor, Michigan: https://www.keegoharbor.org/

Fight Club: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0137523/

Shauna Robertson: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0732024/

Apatow Productions: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apatow_Productions

Judd Apatow: https://www.juddapatow.com/

Elf: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0319343/

40 Year Old Virgin: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0405422/

Anchorman: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0357413/

Seth Rogan: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0736622/

Jonah Hill: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1706767/

Steve Carell: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0136797/

Will Ferrell: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0002071/

Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/

UNICEF: https://www.unicefusa.org/

American Cancer Society: https://donate.cancer.org/

Michigan State: https://msu.edu/

Panda Express: https://www.pandaexpress.com/

James Earl Jones: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000469/

Be Mighty: https://bemighty.com/

Nvidia: https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/

Jaws: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0073195/

Avatar: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499549/

Star Wars: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/

Monsters INC: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0198781/

Godfather: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068646/

Tyus Edney (UCLA guard): https://uclabruins.com/honors/hall-of-fame/tyus-edney/107

_

For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.

For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at

http://www.armaziproductions.com/