The Daily Dad
Episodes
It's A Lie And An Excuse
27 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A little fellow follows you, remember that. The decision to shut down emotionally doesn’t just impact you. The decision to overcommit. The decision ...
Give Them A Minute!
26 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You missed them while they were away at school. You want to hang out with them. You want to be an attentive, interested parent. You want to make sure ...
The Block Doesn’t Always Chip
25 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We want such big things for and from our kids. Because we know what they’re capable of. Because we have worked so hard to provide a better childhood...
Does It Have To Be Hard To Be Your Kid?
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Think about the life of Randolph Churchill, who we have talked about. Think about the life of Claudia Williams, the daughter of Ted Williams, who we’...
It's Always Been Like This
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Out in the street, the kids are playing and screaming. They’re throwing balls and sharing toys. It’s noisy and insane, sweet and overwhelming. It’...
Daily Dad On Making The Most Of Your Time With Your Kids
21 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this weekend of episode of the Daily Dad, Ryan shares a compilation of emails that help parents understand the importance of our time with our kids...
You Must Learn To Measure Life On Different Terms
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Douglas MacArthur seemed relatively accepting of his quiet, sensitive boy. It was undoubtedly MacArthur’s dream to see his son graduate from West Po...
Here's What Happens If You're Selfish
19 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Each of us has dreams and demons, goals and baggage. Sometimes in equal measure, sometimes not–and not always in favor of the good stuff. We have tr...
Ask Them This Question Every Day
18 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We’re always asking our kids questions. How was school? How did baseball practice go? Did you stay out of trouble? What did your teacher say about y...
If Not Them, Who?
17 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We do our best to be good citizens. Good colleagues. Good people. We don’t freak out like some demonic Karen in a viral video when something goes wr...
It's Invisible Work
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It would be nice if the work we did at home was as clear as the work we do at, well, work. At the office, the number of hours matters. At the office, ...
Daily Dad On Demonstrating Valuable Lessons While On Vacation
15 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this weekend episode of the Daily Dad, Ryan shares a story from his Family trip to Hawaii over the holidays! Through this experience Ryan draws a l...
What Schools Are Your Kids Attending?
13 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What schools are your kids attending? No, not what college or prep school. This is more of a “school of life” question. Charis Denison, a relation...
Why You Can’t Compare Yourself To These People
12 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
These apps are designed to make you feel vulnerable, hook you, and sell you stuff. While that is great for the social media platforms, it’s not so g...
It's Afternoon Now
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Don’t be sad. Don’t be delusional. Adjust. Accept. Appreciate. Because, as Lindbergh perfectly puts it, “in our breathless attempts we…miss th...
Have Them To Teach Them
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If we want kids who know their own space, know what’s appropriate and what isn’t, what will hurt other people and what brings a smile to someone’...
Why Not Get Better Here?
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
If the Stoics have taught us anything it is that we should focus only on the things we can control. We can control what kind of parents we are. We can...
Karen Duffy on Parenting With The Hand Your Dealt
07 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
On this weekend episode of the Daily Dad Podcast, Ryan sits down with former actress and stoic Karen Duffy to discuss her latest book stoic inspired p...
Remind Yourself What Love Is
06 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
There are few scenes in literature that capture love and loss and the terrifying but also inspiring moment of becoming a father quite like the end of ...
Let Them Write Their Own Script
05 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It seems like it would be easy but as we have found out in the course of our own lives, it’s one of the hardest things in the world: Figuring out wh...
Put Your Focus Here
04 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You’re at the store and you see a parent talking rudely to their kids. Or letting them run around like it’s their house. You read some news story ...
This Is What You'll Remember
03 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
It won’t be the recitals. Or the graduations. Or the expensive trips to theme parks. Or the birthdays or the Christmas mornings. When you think back...
Is This Really Something To Be Proud Of?
02 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Some people’s houses look like they don’t even have kids. You see it on the Instagram accounts of the picture-perfect influencers. Or you go to a ...
Daily Dad On Maintaining Your Kids Presence
31 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this weekend episode of the Daily Dad, Ryan sits down with writing partner Nils to talk about how parents can get things wrong when it comes to mai...
Your Kids Can Have A More Grateful Outlook
30 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s important that you teach your kids about gratitude. Because it’s so easy to take life, to take the gifts we have been given, for granted. Esp...
Everyone Needs This
29 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Regardless of what some people say, it never hurts to give your kids a positive word, or to tell them that you love them and are proud of them. In fac...
How Much Do You Want It
28 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Every parent knows that kids make a great excuse. When people ask us to do something we’d rather not do, if we need a way to get out of a commitment...
Demand The Best Of Yourself For Them
27 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is that weird time of year where we start to think about how we want the following year to go. We start thinking about what we call “resolution...
They're Not Trying To Give You A Hard Time
26 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It can sometimes feel like everything is falling apart. No one is behaving. No one is listening. Everyone is yelling. Causing problems. Making messes....
This Is A Gift You Can Give Yourself (And Your Family)
25 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here on Christmas, and throughout this holiday season, take some time to think about what it will take to have that. Think about the choices you’re ...
Daily Dad On How To Form Good Habits For The New Year
24 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this weekend episode of the Daily Dad Podcast Ryan shares a compilation of his best thoughts on how to form the best habits from this past year. Ra...
Those Impactful Moments Can Come Any Time
23 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When we think teacher, we think classroom. When we think leader, we think the corner office or the lectern or a general in front of their troops. But ...
We Are All The Same
22 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Nobody wants to be like their parents…or like the adults they remember growing up. The ones who were clueless…or uncool. The ones who seemed to fo...
This Is Criminal
21 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You weren’t the parent you wanted to be in 2022. You weren’t the person you wanted to be in 2022. Almost no one was. And anyone who thinks or says...
This is Why They’re A Mess
20 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Nobody’s listening. Everyone is grouchy. Grades are slipping. Siblings are fighting. What is happening, one spouse says to another. Why are the kids...
Don't Merge Like This
19 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We encourage our children. We want to set them up to succeed. But we can’t merge their glory into our own. We can’t let them think they have to im...
How Past Grievances Affects Parenting With Susan Cain
17 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this weekend episode of the Daily Dad, Ryan speaks with Susan Cain about parental relationships, not just with their children but their own parents...
This Is The Best Competition
16 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Way too many parents are competitive. They see the car their neighbor is driving and they want to get a better one. They hear that a friend’s kid go...
Show Them How To Be Beautiful
15 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Epictetus said that the root of beauty was beautiful choices. “If your choices are beautiful,” he said, “so too will you be.”It’s simple and...
Where Did They Learn It From?
14 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’re rightfully disappointed when we hear about a kid getting caught cheating. Whether it’s on a test or a violation of some NCAA policy, it’s ...
Everyone Has Something Going On?
13 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We all know how hard our home life is, we know how it affects us–weighing on us, distracting us, making us act out. Well, we can safely assume that ...
Soon It Will Be Gone
12 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a haunting thought that, in the busyness and day-to-dayness of parenting, we can so easily forget the little things. The chubby hands of our to...
Managing Screen Time and Getting Kids Outside With Steven Rinella
11 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this weekend episode of the Daily Dad Podcast, Ryan talks to Steven Rinella about his new book Outdoor Kids in an Inside World: Getting Your Family...
They Deserve To Know Before It's Too Late
09 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a story as old as fatherhood itself. The son or daughter kills themselves to win the approval of their dad, which never seems to come. There is...
Be Careful Of Telling Them To Be Careful
08 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You’re just trying to keep them safe. You’re just trying to help them. You’re just trying to look out for them. So you say or scream or text.Be ...
These Are Wonderful Sounds
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
One thing that hits you from the very first moments of being a parent is the noise. Your children come out screaming and they don’t stop. It makes y...
Don't Be A Ghost
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You work hard. It keeps you busy. You are trying to provide for a family after all–to keep them safe and secure, so they never have to want or go wi...
This Will Make Your Life (And Kids) Better
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s not easy, this thing we’re trying to do. You’d think it would be: Billions of people have done it through history and the survival of our g...
5 Parenting Don'ts
03 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this weekend episode of the Daily Dad Ryan compiles advice from his Daily Dad newsletter, podcasts, and interviews to share a highlight reel of 5...
Why Don't You Put That Energy Here?
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Stoics remind us not only to focus on what’s in our control, but specifically in regards to aggravating people, they tell us that the best reven...
How To Be The Greatest Ever
01 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve said before: kids do well when they can. When you give them the opportunity, kids generally do the right thing. You don’t have to scream. Yo...
Aren't You A Little Old For That?
30 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
When our kids mess up we say: Aren’t you a little old for that? And we have all sorts of rules of thumb for what things are age appropriate or not—...
What's More Important?
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s strange. The things we’re upset about–with our spouses, with our children, with our siblings. They feel like they matter so much in the mom...
You Gotta Be Delicate About These Things
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s the moment we dread. Our son is dating someone we know is bad for them. Our daughter is about to change college majors and throw away years of ...
Knowing When To Take A Break
26 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this weekend episode of The Daily Dad Ryan talks about being an "activity addict" and how he and his wife balance knowing when it's time to just re...
How To Raise Generous Kids
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You want to raise kids who aren’t entitled. Who are self-sufficient. Who are decent and kind, part of the solutions not the problems of the world an...
Why We Should Always Be Grateful
24 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today and always we should be grateful. To choose resentment or envy, bitterness or fear, anxiety or anger–because your flight was delayed? Because ...
What Values Are You Rewarding?
23 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pretty much every parent wants to raise kids who turn out to be good people. So it's important to show them that moral excellence is what matters. Tha...
You Don't Have To Be Perfect
22 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We sweat so much. Whether we’re on our phone too much, when we could (and should) be playing with our kids. Whether their lunch yesterday was perfec...
You're Lying To Yourself If You Think This Works
21 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Your son failed a test. He hit his brother. Your daughter forgot to do her homework. She scratched your car and lied about it. They are acting insane ...
How to Adjust to Growing Pains
19 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this weekend episode of The Daily Dad Ryan riffs about how he handled his kids outgrowing their stroller and his clever way to get them excited abo...
You Can't Form A Picture
18 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As it happens, this is good advice for fathers as well. It’s easy to go into it thinking that you know. Because you’ve read the books. Because you...
Your Little Guy and Gals
17 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Across cultures, across generations, across politics and moments in time, this having kids thing–it just cuts through everything. You probably know ...
Wait and See
16 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You’re pretty sure you know what’s best for your kids. You’re sure something they are considering is a bad idea. You’re sure they shouldn’t ...
Always Look For This
15 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It can feel like there is never enough time as a parent. And it’s true, there isn’t…yet part of this is our fault. As Seneca would say, it’s n...
You’ll Want To Know You Were Here
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We’ve said before that parenting is a grind. It’s exhausting. It can all seem so humdrum, even a burden. Staying up with an overtired toddler. Sta...
Surprising Lessons From A Trip To Disneyland
12 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this weekend episode of the Daily Dad, Ryan recaps his trip to Disneyland with his family and how he was able to teach his kids about the importanc...
Are You Helping Them Build Their Reading Muscles
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s interesting to think about the steady decline in expectations for our kids when it comes to reading. Sure, we want them to be able to read ear...
Teach Them The Ideals Of A Rare Spirit
10 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You wouldn’t think of Meditations by Marcus Aurelius as a parenting book.The former Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao said all entrepreneurs, econom...
You're Lucky They're Born Now
09 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This seems like such a fraught moment in time. There was a pandemic. There’s been civil unrest. It feels like institutions are falling apart. Natura...
Are You Doing This For Them?
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today is Election Day in America (and countries all over the world will have theirs sometime soon). If you don’t vote, if you can’t be bothered to...
It’s Easy Until It Happens To You
07 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Each of us goes into this with opinions–so many opinions. Not just about parenting but about other parents. Parents who let their kids have lots of ...
Daily Dad on How Life Can Pull You Away From What Truly Matters
05 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ryan talks about a recent chaotic travel week when he was reminded about how easily life can take you away from what actually matters.✉️ Sign up f...
Fatherhood Is Not Babysitting
04 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You’re not a babysitter. You’re not some lesser figure in your kids’ lives. When you are with them—and when you are not with them—you’re t...
How To Shape Yourself and Your Kids
03 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The famous screenwriter’s maxim is “show don’t tell.” Marcus Aurelius said it’s a waste of time to speculate or argue about what makes a goo...
Don't Let Them Steal This
02 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Not every parent is a public figure, but each of us are constrained by the same amount of finite energy. And it could be argued that in a world of soc...
It Takes A Team
01 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It’s impossible to do this all, isn’t it? We have all the tasks, responsibilities, and aspirations we’ve always had–eating and sleeping and wo...
Teach Them About This Choice
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Lewis tells the story of a coach named Jack Kenney who changed his life. One morning at an overnight tennis camp, all the campers stormed the ...
Managing Opposing Parenting Opinions and Expectations
29 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this weekend's episode of Daily Dad Ryan chats with his writing partner Nils Parker about different parenting topics and how to respond to outsider...
It’s The Work That Matters
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The great physicist Richard Feynman had a father who instilled his brilliant son with an interesting perspective about the world. Sitting down, he wou...
It’s Ok To Have Conditions
27 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Your job is to be a fan of your kids. We’ve said this before. Your job is to help them become who they are. We’ve said that too. Your job is to he...
You Have to See This
26 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We talked recently about this choice we have as parents–about what we choose to see. Just like everyone has the choice to see the cup as half full o...
That They Scared You Is Not An Excuse
25 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Any parent can tell you, the maddest they ever got at your kids is not because they did something to pissed you off or hurt your feelings. It was beca...
Rare Doesn’t Mean It Doesn’t Happen
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We must take two seemingly contradictory facts seriously at the same time. The first is that many parents are way too risk averse, overwhelmed by anxi...
Kids Don't Care About Your Accomplishments
22 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On this weekend's episode Ryan shares his youngest son's reaction to his book making the New York Times Best Seller list, diving into what kids truly ...
What is Your Ego Distracting You From?
21 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We live in a world awash with ego. We see it every day. We can see the ego of our boss, and how it has turned the office against them. We can see ego ...
Never Blame Your Kids
20 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In 2021, in the midst of a terrible storm that not only killed hundreds of Texans but left millions without power, U.S. Senator Ted Cruz fled the stat...
Everybody Has Something
19 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We would love for our kids to be perfect. To not just be born with ten fingers and ten toes, but flawless genetics and impeccable luck so nothing bad ...
Which Type Will You Be?
18 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The story of George Washington and the cherry tree is not a true one. It is also, as we’ve written here before, not a story whose moral is about lyi...
What Will You See?
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There’s so much we don’t control as parents. We don’t control what’s happening in the world. We don’t control what our kids are going throug...
Daily Dad on Staying Present with the Kids When Traveling for Work
15 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Daily Dad on Staying Present with the Kids When Traveling for WorkRyan talks to his friend and writing partner Nils Parker about the impact traveling ...
It’s Never Too Late to Be a Good Father
14 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ted Williams was not a good father—at least not for most of his life. He was a great baseball player, but for a long time, he was a really selfish a...
The Little Things You Have To Do (That They Won’t Even Notice)
13 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
📕 Ryan Holiday's new book "Discipline Is Destiny" is out now! We’ve extended the pre-order bonuses for the next week—among them is a signed and...
Is This What You Want Them To Say?
12 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
By now you might have already seen the viral obituary that a son published in Jacksonville, FL earlier this summer. “Lawrence H Pfaff Sr. was born i...
Questions Deserve Answers
11 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Kids are curious. Most adults aren’t. How does that happen? Most kids stop being curious because the adults around them weren’t curious. The trait...
The Most Wonderful Things in the Most Wonderful Time
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, it is terribly difficult. And stressful. And expensive. And overwhelming–physically, emotionally, even sonically. Noises. Demands. Unfixable pr...
The Best Way To Lead Your Kids I Robert Greene Parenting Advice
08 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
On today’s episode of the podcast best selling author Robert Greene explains the importance of setting a good example for your kids. 📕Pre-order ...
Be Proud of What You Created
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Who among us is not insecure? We look around and see people who make more money. Who have bigger houses. Who have accomplished more than we have. This...
Teach Them To Go Find It
06 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A young Kwame Onwuachi was cooking with his mother in their apartment in The Bronx when suddenly the apartment was overwhelmed by a strange smell. As ...
See It This Way Now
05 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
All good things come to an end. The same goes for some things you might not think of as good. Your kids waking up in the middle of the night. The figh...