This is a show about parenting, featuring not only one of my all-time favorite authors but also one of the best parents I’ve ever watched in action. When he wants to learn about, or write about something meaningful to him, he becomes quite literally obsessed, and at this stage in his life, it’s all about becoming the best father he can possibly be. Neil Strauss’s books are not only educational, hilarious, emotionally touching, but also quite addictive. Over the many years I’ve been reading them, they’ve made me laugh, cry, and change my life for the better – and no matter what he writes about, I can’t put his books down until I’ve greedily inhaled every single word. Neil co-wrote some of the best biographies of our time, but he’s best known for The Game, which follows his journey infiltrating the pickup artist subculture and learning how to be one. This segued into teaching other guys pickup artistry, which had its ups and its downs, ultimately culminating in a sequel of sorts called The Truth: An Uncomfortable Book About Relationships. At the time, The Truth seemed like a conclusive end to Neil’s hero’s journey, in which he lost his love and then won it back. But now, a few years later, we can see that the story isn’t over. Our complex relationships with relationships can’t be neatly wrapped up in a Campbellian journey, and this is a truth that I think we all come to realize eventually. So today, Neil shares what this next step of his journey looks like: the end of a marriage, the beginning of a non-romantic relationship with the mother of his child, the new paradigm of conscious parenting, and dating while he navigates the complexities of it all. Since Neil has yet to write a book on parenting, I was thrilled to be able to sit down and have him share all he has learned so far about being the best dad he can be. Topics Discussed In This Episode: Why the key to changing the world is healthy parenting Maintaining a great relationship with the other parent of your child, even when the romantic relationships ends A big myth about relationships Why “staying together for the kids” is a backwards plan that doesn’t produce healthy, loving role models Developing a mature relationship with monogamy How The Truth changed Luke’s life A sure way to kill any romantic relationship: turning your partner into a parent The mistakes that most parents make – and the ones that we can avoid The moment Neil learned that he was going to have a kid (also the first time he ever hoped a pregnancy test would come back positive) The books and experts that have taught Neil the most about parenting Why Neil keeps a diary for his son How a parent can create boundaries and not get enmeshed with their child, while still being loving and intimate with them You’re not always going to be your kid’s friend – and that’s okay! How to avoid teaching your children to medicate their emotions The Continuum Concept & parenting The roles that people take on in dysfunctional families Why conscious parenting is the most important thing you can do in your life Neil’s new podcast, To Live and Die in LA, about the disappearance of aspiring actress Adea Shabani...

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