We used to be the remote. Now, if something takes effort, we skip it. In this episode, Bret and Josh unpack how technology—while making life more convenient—might be robbing us of something essential: our edge.

Physically, we move less. Mentally, we outsource thinking. Socially, we avoid discomfort. But the truth is: we need friction. Struggle builds strength. Challenge sharpens focus. Discomfort deepens connection.

So this Fourth of July, as we celebrate independence, we’re flipping the question:

Is convenience making helping us stay free and meet our full potential?

This week, Bret and Josh wrestle with a key dad identity crisis: Are we fun dads… or just walking rulebooks with snacks? From letting your kids skip chores to realizing you sound exactly like your own father, they break down the tension between structure and spontaneity—and what “fun” even looks like in 2025 dad life.

Spoiler: letting your kid stay up late while doing bedtime math in your head still counts.

Troy Ita joins Bret and Josh in the Treefort to talk Florida roots, raising kids with patience, and embracing the Gen X art of chilling out. From sounding like his own dad when laying down life lessons, to helping his kids learn real social skills in a tech-heavy world, Troy brings laughs and laid-back wisdom.

Plus, a Princess Bride moment reminds us all: parenting is mostly just trying not to lose your mind while staying mostly dead inside. Sort of.

For more wisdom, laughs and awesomeness from Troy, check out his viral posts on IG under "thedogfathertx"

At what point did concerts, group dinners, and staying out past 9pm become a hard no? Bret and Josh explore the great midlife trade-off: doing less, and loving it.

From avoiding plans that sound exhausting to skipping things we once lived for, this episode asks—are we actually getting wiser… or just chronically tired?

If it doesn’t involve stretch pants, easy parking, or the ability to bail last-minute, we’re probably not interested. And honestly? That feels like growth.

Why is every 20-something with a ring light suddenly a life coach? Bret asks the question, and Josh—bitter, skeptical, and fully Gen X—has thoughts.

This episode dives into the rise of young “experts,” the influencer-to-guru pipeline, and whether social media clout has replaced actual experience. Does experience really matter? YES!!!!

But here’s the twist: did we help create this? By shielding kids from failure, did we accidentally build a generation convinced they’re ready to teach life… before they’ve even lived it?

It’s a masterclass in sarcasm, skepticism, and confronting the monster we may have raised.

Josh and Bret tackle the misunderstood art of Resting Dad Face—why Gen X always looks mildly annoyed, even when we’re just thinking about what to make for dinner.

In a world where kids are encouraged to name every emotion, color-code their feelings, and express themselves constantly, we’re over here trying to teach emotional intelligence without turning every car ride into a therapy session.

We talk about how we were raised to suppress, eye-roll, and “walk it off,” why we still flinch at the phrase “safe space,” and whether our kids are emotionally healthier—or just more dramatic. Also: how we’ve learned (or not) to model emotional balance as dads without becoming walking affirmation posters.

This one’s for every dad who’s ever been asked, “Are you mad?” when they were just squinting at the thermostat across the room or contemplating rafts on the Colorado.

Josh and Bret dig into a big question: What does it even mean to be cool anymore? Is it still a leather jacket and cool-dude attitude… or is it now a curated Instagram aesthetic and hipster energy?

We’re talking about how Gen X defined cool--think Starter Jackets, Grunge Dr Marten, Track Suits (were they ever cool), and not trying too hard, and how the definition has totally shifted. Is “cool” now just algorithm-approved relatability? Do dads get to be cool—or are we just here to embarrass our kids in cargo shorts?

And most importantly—have we finally aged out of cool, or is Gen X quietly still holding the crown because we just don’t care?

And for the record, neither Josh nor Bret wear cargo shorts thanks to our wives who keep us dressed appropriately.

Being a dad in today’s world means navigating way more than just bedtime routines and forgotten science projects—it means explaining headlines, answering impossible questions, and trying not to scream during PTA meetings or political ads.

In this episode, Josh, Sean and Bret dig into the wild intersection of fatherhood and politics—from the dinner table debates we never planned for to the tightrope walk of teaching values without raising little extremists. What do you say when your kid asks, “Are we Blue or Red?”

We talk about what it means to be a modern dad in a divided world, why staying silent isn’t always an option, and how to model respect, accountability, and being curious about other points of view.

This one’s for the dads who are trying to raise decent humans without losing their minds—or their group chat privileges.