Have you ever considered why the experience of being a dad can look radically different across cultures and communities? In our 2025 holiday episode, we’re honored to welcome Dr. Alvin Thomas—associate professor, mentor, thought leader, award-winning podcast host, and an internationally respected researcher in human development and family studies. Dr. Thomas has devoted his career to supporting Black fathers, families, and children, and advancing anti-racism efforts, and in our conversation he opens up about anti-racism, modern masculinity, and our responsibility as parents to raise empathetic, informed, and resilient kids.

Topics include:
• Exploring the broad definition of fatherhood—including mentorship, community care, and “cosmic children”—beyond biological ties.
• Dr. Thomas’s anti-racism work and what it means to create spaces for Black children and families to thrive authentically.
• The challenges and responsibilities of teaching kids about racism, empathy, and dualities in the world, especially as white parents in predominantly white communities.
• Storytelling, mentorship, and the creation of The Black Fathers' Pulse podcast as tools for sharing research, building community, and supporting fathers.
• Modern masculinity, vulnerability, and the evolving expectations of men and fathers in society—and how culture and the internet can impact those roles.
• The importance of supportive spaces for men, breaking generational cycles, and building resilient, healthy family ecosystems.
• And more!

LINKS
Dr. Alvin Thomas (homepage)
Dr Alvin Thomas (LinkedIn)
Dr. Alvin Thomas (YouTube)
Dr. Alvin Thomas (Instagram)
Dr. Alvin Thomas (X)
The Black Fathers' Pulse Podcast (Apple)
Caspar Babypants
Spencer Albee
Modern Dadhood (website)
AdamFlaherty.tv
Stuffed Animal (Marc's kids' music)
MD (Instagram)
MD (Facebook)
MD (YouTube)
MD (TikTok)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, Modern Dadhood listeners! We are so grateful for you.
-Adam & Marc

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

The holidays are here, and so is that energy—frantic, magical, and a tad overwhelming. But for children’s book author and illustrator Matt Tavares, it’s also the season of book signings and creative endeavors. Matt is an award-winning author and illustrator of nearly 30 books, among them the beloved Dasher series and its latest installment, Dasher and the Polar Bear. Matt joins us fresh off his book tour and right in the midst of holiday hustle to chat about raising two young adult daughters, and how storytelling and art keep the spirit of the season alive year after year. Don't miss Adam's Instant Regret which found him in an uncomfortable predicament!

Topics Include:
• The journey to becoming a children's author and illustrator, even before having kids
• The creative process behind beloved holiday books like Dasher, including the origins and expansion of the series
• Navigating the collaboration and feedback loop with publishers, editors, and even family
• Exploring new genres such as graphic novels, and the role of children's reading habits in creative evolution
• The upcoming Dasher animated Christmas special for Disney+
• And more!

Links:
Matt Tavares (homepage)
Matt Tavares (Facebook)
Matt Tavares (Instagram)
Matt's Illustrated Prints
Dasher
Hoops
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

Feel like working from home with kids is a constant juggling act, and you’re dropping balls left and right? More dads than ever are navigating the chaos of Zoom calls interrupted by tiny voices, endless snack requests, and the struggle to be present both at work AND at home at all times. Thankfully, in this episode we're joined by social media strategist Thom Gibson, founder of Work From Home Dads, and proud father of two young kids. After a decade spent teaching middle school math and robotics, Thom made the leap—leaving the classroom to build new businesses (and memories) from his home office. His story is packed with insights on boosting productivity, improving daily and weekly routines, and mastering the real work-life blend for dads. Stick around to the end for a gut-busting installment of Did I Just Say That Out Loud? and a rock and roll blast from the past from Marc's kid-music-side-project, Stuffed Animal.

Topics include:

• Tips and Advice for Work-from-Home Parents
• Combating Isolation as a Remote Working Parent
• Tom's 6-hr Workday Playbook
• Realistic Approaches to Remote Work Productivity
• And more!

LINKS
Work From Home Dads
6-hr Workday Playbook (free)
Work From Home Dads (Instagram)
Work From Home Dads (X)
Thom Gibson (homepage)
Thom Gibson (LinkedIn)
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

Ever find yourself losing your cool when your kid melts down, or scratching your head as they refuse to clean up their room (again)? Turns out, there’s a surprising science behind keeping calm amid the chaos of parenthood. We're joined by Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm and host of the immensely popular Calm Parenting podcast. Kirk is the proud dad of one grown son, Casey, and “America’s Calm Coach” to thousands of families around the world. Kirk shares his journey from career military upbringings to a unique problem-solving approach that’s helped countless parents reframe their reactions and connect deeply with their kids. Whether you’re raising a strong-willed, high energy kid, or just want to inspire more harmony at home, Kirk’s insights offer practical, uplifting wisdom for every dad (and mom!)

Topics Include:

• Navigating meltdowns and emotional outbursts in kids and understanding what's really going on beneath the surface.
• Shifting parenting habits from authoritarian styles to problem-solving and connection-based approaches.
• The importance of parents regulating their own emotions to positively impact children's behavior.
• Recognizing and working with individual differences in children, even among siblings and twins.
• Practical strategies for tackling persistent challenges like messy rooms, homework battles, and resistance.
• The significance of affirming and bonding with children, especially in moments of weakness or conflict.
• Normalizing triggers for both parents and kids, and using tools like a “trigger board” to foster open communication.
• And more!

LINKS
Celebrate Calm (website)
Calm Parenting Podcast
Calm Parenting (Instagram)
Calm Parenting (Facebook)
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

Not everyone instinctively knows when they’ve reached the point in life where they’re ready for kids. For Nick Hexum, the self-proclaimed “dad” of his band 311, that moment came when he realized his wild days were behind him and he was ready to step into family life as a husband and father. Nearly two decades later, he’s a proud dad of three daughters, ages 5 to 16. We caught up with him for a rare in-person conversation during a tour stop in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Nick opens up about the challenges and rewards of raising kids while touring, the jaw-dropping story of delivering his own daughter during a home birth, how fatherhood reshaped his songwriting, and the powerful influence his own upbringing has had on the way he parents today.

Episode 130 of Modern Dadhood finds the guys recording in person, outside, over a frosty fall beverage. The guys chat briefly about finding positivity in a world that can feel particularly dark at present, and why the autumn has a certain exciting energy. They catch up with Nick Hexum, lead singer and songwriter for 311, before a gig promoting his 3 new americana/bluegrass EPs (compiled on a full length album called Phases of Hope and Hollow). Nick candidly shares stories about his family and his career as a touring musician, reflecting on how becoming a dad has impacted his work and put his life into perspective. Topics include:

• Touring as a musician dad: balancing life on the road with being present for important family milestones.
• How becoming a father transformed Nick's creative process, songwriting inspiration, and outlook on life.
• Nick's incredible (and dramatic) story of delivering his daughter at home
• The evolving relationship between Nick’s children and music, including their early involvement in creating songs and videos.
• The influence of Nick’s own upbringing, especially his positive relationship with his father, on his parenting style.
• Navigating social media, privacy, and the shifting dynamics as his kids grow into their teen years.
• Maintaining a positive worldview amid challenging news cycles, and fostering open, vulnerable communication with his kids.
• And more!

LINKS
Nick Hexum (website)
Nick Hexum (Instagram)
Nick Hexum (TikTok)
311 (official)
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

We've been teasing it for months; a new podcast that we are producing in conjunction with Wavland which is hosted by former Modern Dadhood guest, Victor M. Sweeney. And now the time has come to make the official announcement and share the trailer. And we couldn't think of a better way to do that, than to couple it with a Rewind episode of our original chat with the Internet's famous mortician himself. Stay to the end for some death-themed movie trivia... And please subscribe to the new podcast using the links below!

LINKS
Victor M. Sweeney (YouTube)
Victor M. Sweeney (Instagram)
Death And (Apple Podcasts)
Death And (Spotify)
Now Departing (Victor's 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

Does the idea of a whole summer one on one with your kid sound idyllic... or intimidating? If you’ve ever been the primary parent for a whole season, you've likely experienced both of those extremes. In this episode, we’re joined by Joel Costigan, a longtime educator, soccer coach, and dad to a 7-year-old daughter named Ruby. Joel recently made a major career move, trading a lucrative healthcare job for an Ed Tech position, which brought him back to his roots and awarded him an entire summer to spend with Ruby. Joel shares what he learned navigating a busy, adventure-filled season as both planner and playmate, his biggest parenting fears, and the surprising joys (and challenges) of being a hands-on “girl dad." After the chat, stick around for Marc’s family vacation story, complete his boys’ accidental new signature move: "Peen pinching."

Episode 128 of Modern Dadhood opens with a brief catch-up between the guys about the back-to-school season, and they discuss their plans to see friend-of-the-show Pete Holmes. Marc shares about an epic family vacation to Bar Harbor before they replay a recent conversation between Adam and longtime friend Joel Costigan. Joel is a husband, a father of one, and an Ed Tech at a public high school in Maine. His recent job change awarded him a full summer to spend with his 7-year-old daughter Ruby.

LINKS
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

Navigating the legal maze of child support and custody can feel impossible... especially when the system seems stacked against you. Picasso Cognizance learned this the hard way when his partner's family took his son away from him at the age of two. Picasso spent the next nearly two decades paying child support, immersing himself in the world of parental rights, and being ping-ponged between agencies who made no effort to help him. Picasso opens up about the emotional and legal challenges he faced when trying to regain access to his son, and shares why he started Resolute Fathers, an organization dedicated to educating other parents about how to navigate these complicated systems.

Topics include:
Challenges of Child Support and Custody: Picasso Cognizance shares his personal experience navigating the legal and emotional difficulties of losing custody and paying child support.

The Importance of Knowing Parental Rights: Emphasis is placed on the need for parents to understand their rights, state laws, and how the system works in order to protect themselves and their relationship with their children.

Emotional Toll and Resilience: The conversation highlights the emotional hardships, feelings of frustration, and the need for perseverance and hope when facing a complex family court system.

Advocacy and Support: Picasso discusses his work with Resolute Fathers, aiming to educate and support parents (particularly fathers) going through similar struggles.

Encouragement for Constructive Co-Parenting: The value of cooperative co-parenting without unnecessary legal intervention is underscored as a path to healthier family dynamics.

After the interview, Marc shares a tender (and hilarious) story of a 7 year old with big feelings.

LINKS
Resolute Fathers (Instagram)
Who's The Daddy? (Amazon)
Victor M. Sweeney on Modern Dadhood
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