Startup Dad

Adam Fishman

Adam Fishman (author of a top business newsletter on Substack with 11K+ subscribers) interviews executives, entrepreneurs, and company leaders in technology companies who are also fathers. They discuss the tough aspects of work, parenting, family, the mistakes made and lessons learned along the way. All episodes at www.startupdadpod.com.

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June 18 · 1 hr 11 min
The Bar for 'Involved Dads' Is Embarrassingly Low | Richard Petts (Dad of 2, Associate Dean at Ball State University)
Richard Petts is a Professor of Sociology and Associate Dean of the College of Sciences and Humanities at Ball State University. He’s also the author of Father Involvement and Gender Equality in the United States, a book that explores how fatherhood is viewed today, why dads still aren’t more involved at home, and what it will take to change that. He’s a husband and father of two kids, ages 13 and 12. Richard’s research has been shaped deeply by his own experience as a dad, including a traumatic month-long NICU stay with his daughter that revealed just how little support exists for fathers during medical crises. We discussed: The new fatherhood ideal: Why dads are expected to be more nurturing than previous generations, but still face a very low bar for what “involved” actually means. Why dads still default to breadwinning: How cultural expectations keep men focused on work first, even when they want to be more present at home. The importance of paternity leave: Why the earliest days of parenting matter so much, and how leave helps dads build competence, confidence, and stronger family bonds. What startup founders should know about leave: Why paid parental leave needs to be real, supported by culture, and designed so dads actually feel permission to take it. Mental load and cognitive labor: What happens when fathers share more of the planning, managing, and invisible work that keeps a family running. Gatekeeping and trust at home: How couples can start small when handing off responsibilities and why delegation is not the same as truly sharing the load. Where to find Richard Petts LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-j-petts/ X: https://x.com/pettsric Website: https://www.richardpetts.com/ Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanaf In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcoming Richard Petts, Associate Dean at Ball State University (02:47) Why father involvement became personal for Adam (07:14) The NICU crisis that shaped Richard’s research (10:21) Why dads are often overlooked in healthcare settings (15:26) What the new fatherhood ideal actually means (19:40) Why dads still struggle to be more involved at home (22:53) Why paternity leave is where parenting really starts (25:03) How paternity leave strengthens relationships (27:41) Why dads still fear taking leave (31:05) How startups should design better parental leave policies (39:20) Why sharing cognitive labor helps everyone (42:00) How Richard and Amy split the mental load (43:24) How couples can fix gatekeeping at home (50:21) How religion can support father involvement (01:07:12) Lightning round: sound machines, dishwasher rules, Caillou, and minivans Resources From This Episode: Father Involvement and Gender Equality in the United States (Book by Richard Petts): https://www.richardpetts.com/book.html Dad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men's Lives (Book by Darby Saxbe): https://a.co/d/07Vd3ih2 Fatherly: https://www.fatherly.com/ Sound Machine: https://a.co/d/04is55O1 Indiana Jones (Raiders of The Lost Ark) (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082971/ Back to the Future (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/ Caillou’s New Adventures (TV Series): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0262153/ — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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June 11 · 55 min
Everything Is Trivial After Infant CPR | Ben Norment (Dad of 3, Founder/CEO of Stork Exchange)
Ben Norment is the Founder and CEO of Stork Exchange, a company helping parents access high quality baby gear at more affordable prices by working with retailers and manufacturers to resell returned products. He started building the company right as he and his wife, Cyndal, were expecting their first child. He’s also a father of three, with kids ages five, four, and seven months. His parenting journey has included the chaos of launching a startup while becoming a dad, moving states, and navigating an incredibly difficult NICU experience with his second child. We discussed: Starting a parenting company as a new dad: How Ben launched Stork Exchange while expecting his first child and became his own target customer. Surviving a traumatic NICU experience: How Ben’s second son’s medical complications and hospital stay changed his view of parenting. Keeping startup stress in perspective: Why performing CPR on his infant son made company problems feel more manageable. Taking a team first approach at home: How Ben and his wife stay aligned, support each other, and avoid being pitted against each other. Letting kids be bored: Why Ben believes boredom builds creativity, independence, and imagination. Choosing analog parenting in a tech heavy world: Why Ben limits screens, avoids outsourcing parenting to AI, and wants childhood to stay hands-on. Where to find Ben Norment LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-norment-83425b50/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stork_exchange Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanaf In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcoming Ben Norment, Founder/CEO of Stork Exchange (02:57) How Stork Exchange helps parents save on baby gear (06:04) Starting a company while expecting his first child (10:19) Why nothing fully prepares you for dad life (11:43) Surviving the NICU and infant CPR (16:46) How trauma changed his view of parenting and startups (20:44) Advice for founders starting families (23:46) Why kids need to be bored (25:39) Letting go of perfect parenting frameworks (28:54) Why every parenting season eventually passes (32:38) How Ben and Cindel tag team hard moments (34:07) Building a unified front in marriage (36:52) Why kids need to see parents as people (39:06) Letting kids be kids instead of chasing achievement (48:50) Lightning round: BabyBjörn, Toy Story, rocks, and minivans Resources From This Episode: Stork Exchange: https://storkexchange.co/ SNOO: https://www.happiestbaby.com/products/snoo-smart-bassinet BabyBjörn Bouncer: https://www.babybjorn.com/products/baby-bouncers/ UPPAbaby Vista V3: https://uppababy.com/strollers/full-size/vista-v3/ Doona: https://www.doona.com/car-seat-stroller/discover-doona Toy Story (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114709/ Home Alone (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099785/ — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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June 4 · 1 hr 30 min
Dad Bods, Brains and Testosterone | Darby Saxbe (Mom of 2, Author and Professor at USC)
Darby Saxbe is a clinical psychologist, professor at USC, and one of the few researchers in the world studying how men’s brains change when they become fathers. She is also the author of Dad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men’s Lives, a book that explores the neuroscience, hormones, mental health, relationships, and social shifts that come with becoming a dad. She’s also a mom of two teenagers and a returning guest on Startup Dad. We discussed: Understanding how fatherhood changes the brain: Why Darby believes becoming a parent is a major window of brain plasticity, similar to adolescence. Writing Dad Brain from both science and personal experience: How Darby’s own father, stepfather, husband, and kids shaped the story behind the book. Rethinking testosterone and masculinity: Why testosterone often drops in new dads and how that can support bonding, patience, and caregiving. Recognizing dad mental health risks: How depression and anxiety can show up differently in fathers and why dads are often invisible in postpartum care. Building confidence through hands-on parenting: Why dads need reps, trust, and real responsibility instead of being treated like backup caregivers. Making fatherhood more supported at work and at home: How better leave policies, dad communities, and cultural expectations can help men become more engaged parents. Where to find Darby Saxbe LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darbysaxbe Website: https://www.darbysaxbe.com/ Natalgazing Substack: https://darbysaxbe.substack.com/ X: https://x.com/darbysaxbe Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanaf In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcoming Darby Saxbe, Author and Professor at University of Southern California (02:19) Celebrating the launch of Dad Brain (05:17) How Darby’s dad shaped the book (11:19) Writing about stepfathers, grief, and family complexity (13:52) Why parenthood rewires the adult brain (18:17) The U-shaped curve of dad brain changes (22:07) Why fatherhood is both costly and rewarding (30:04) What testosterone changes reveal about fatherhood (38:50) Why the manosphere gets masculinity wrong (43:56) Rethinking oxytocin, cortisol, and hormone myths (47:14) Why dads’ postpartum depression gets missed (51:26) Why the NICU can feel like a no man’s land (53:48) Why the dad bod is real (57:10) Why bedtime dads help the whole family sleep (01:00:36) How rough and tumble play helps kids grow (01:02:48) Why dad brain belongs at work (01:14:43) Why paternity leave needs a better design (01:23:48) Lightning round: sea horses, Homer Simpson, sushi, and tiny cars Resources From This Episode: Pre-order Darby’s Book, Dad Brain: https://bookshop.org/p/books/dad-brain-the-new-science-of-fatherhood-and-how-it-shapes-men-s-lives-darby-saxbe-phd/0dec68c3d890e5a7 Darby’s Substack, Natal Gazing: https://darbysaxbe.substack.com/ Darby’s previous episode on Startup Dad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBvgqimMv6E What’s On Her Mind by Allison Daminger: https://www.allisondaminger.com/book Father Nature by James Rilling: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262048934/father-nature/ — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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May 28 · 1 hr 1 min
I Use Hostage Negotiation Tactics With My Daughter | Walter Velazquez Taboada (Dad of 2, Architect at Winning by Design)
Walter Velazquez Taboada is a consultant and former operations leader at Winning by Design, where he helps executive teams navigate complex decisions and organizational change. Originally from Cuba, Walter has lived across Spain, Mexico, and China, bringing a global perspective to both work and family life. He’s also a father of two, navigating parenting with an 8-year-old daughter and a seven-month-old son while balancing differing parenting styles, cultural perspectives, and the realities of modern technology. We discussed: Parenting without a playbook: Why Walter and his wife skipped the parenting books and learned by adapting in real time instead of following rigid frameworks. Having kids eight years apart: How becoming a dad again later in life completely changed Walter’s perspective on stress, presence, and enjoying the newborn stage. Letting kids find their own path: Why Walter believes children aren’t blank canvases and how he tries to guide his daughter without forcing his own ambitions onto her. Using FBI negotiation tactics in parenting: How Chris Voss’ “Black Swan” framework helped Walter uncover what his daughter was really feeling. Navigating parenting disagreements with your partner: How Walter and his wife work through different views on screen time, hygiene, and risk tolerance. Helping kids navigate technology and AI: Why Walter is delaying full internet access and thinking carefully about screens, AI, and digital habits. Where to find Walter Velazquez Taboada LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-velazquez-taboada-87244529 Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanaf In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcoming Walter Velazquez Taboada, Architect at Winning by Design (02:32) The Disney rollercoaster story that traumatized his daughter (04:56) Growing up across Cuba, Spain, and Mexico (07:32) Starting a family young and figuring it out as they went (08:33) Having kids eight years apart changes everything (13:44) Parenting without a playbook or parenting books (17:31) Screen time, hygiene, and parenting disagreements (19:43) Why Walter doesn’t believe in a perfectly unified parenting front (22:53) The crocodile soccer ball rescue mission (27:50) Why kids mirror everything their parents do (30:28) Letting kids find their own path in life (35:55) Using FBI negotiation tactics to understand his daughter (41:42) How fatherhood changed Walter’s leadership style (46:30) Helping kids navigate screens, AI, and the digital world (53:55) Lightning round: diaper genies, minivans, and terrifying Halloween costumes Resources From This Episode: Winning by Design: https://winningbydesign.com/ Never Split the Difference (Book by Chris Voss): https://a.co/d/0hv2cKv1 Diaper Genie: https://diapergenie.com/ Inside Out (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2096673/ Alien: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0078748/ Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (Book): https://a.co/d/0iZ25Y78 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0067992/ Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (2005) (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0367594/ Wonka (2023) (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6166392/ Electric Screwdriver: https://a.co/d/0881w1k7 — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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May 21 · 53 min
What 7 Kids Taught Me About Letting Go | Nate Quigley (Dad of 7, Co-founder/CEO of Chatbooks)
Nate Quigley is the co-founder of Chatbooks, the photo book company that helps families preserve their memories from Instagram photos. He started the company after a wave of nostalgia hit as his oldest child approached leaving home, only to spend years building a product nobody wanted. Then his wife Vanessa stepped in, suggested they simply print Instagram, and became the accidental co-founder who helped turn the company around. He’s also a father of seven, a grandfather of two, and officially the first Startup Dad guest to also be a Startup Granddad. Nate brings a rare perspective on what it means to build a company while raising a big family and then watching those kids grow into adults with lives of their own. He shares how parenting has taught him to release control, stay curious, and create family rituals that give kids a place to come back to. We discussed: Co-founding with your spouse: How Vanessa’s intervention saved Chatbooks and what it’s been like building a company together for more than a decade. Treating the company like a family farm: Farm families don't talk about work-life balance because work and life are the same thing. Parenting seven very different kids: How Nate’s approach changed from child one to child seven and why one parenting playbook never works for every child. Learning to let go: Why Nate believes the hardest parts of parenting and leadership come from guiding people without trying to control every outcome. Creating family rituals that stick: The traditions that helped Nate keep a household of nine connected. Helping kids navigate technology: How Nate thinks about phones, social media, AI, and using tools that create better conversations instead of just tighter controls. Where to find Nate Quigley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natequigley/ Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanaf In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcoming Nate Quigley, Co-Founder and CEO of Chatbooks (02:23) Raising seven kids and becoming an empty nester (04:13) How Vanessa became the accidental co-founder (05:39) The simple pivot that saved Chatbooks (10:05) Treating the startup like the family farm (12:47) How parenting changed from kid one to kid seven (14:39) Learning to let go as a dad and leader (17:36) Birding, curiosity, and observing your kids (21:51) Advice for founders who want to become dads (25:06) Family night and the Quigley Creed (28:50) Creating family rituals that actually stick (30:53) The 15-year-old adventure tradition (32:53) Why letting kids grow up is so hard (37:01) Parenting through phones, social media, and screen time (48:15) Lightning round: fly fishing, minivans, and dishwasher rules Resources From This Episode: Chatbooks: https://chatbooks.com/ Chatbooks’ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chatbooks/ Bark: https://www.bark.us/ Analog: https://goanalog.co/ Brick: https://getbrick.com/ A River Runs Through It (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0105265/ — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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May 14 · 52 min
“Kids Expose Wasted Motion” | Gabe Larsen (Dad of 5, CRO of Atonom)
Gabe Larsen is the CRO of Atonom, an AI company building always-on AI agents. He has spent his career leading go-to-market teams at high-growth companies, including Kustomer, Meta, and InsideSales.com. He’s also a father of five boys, ranging from six months to 14 years old, along with his wife Carolyn. In this conversation, Gabe shares why he believes fatherhood doesn’t slow down ambition, it sharpens it. We talked about how raising kids has made him more focused, more empathetic, and more direct as a leader, and why the same skills that matter at home - prioritization, hard conversations, and presence - show up every day at work. We discussed: Fatherhood as leadership training: Why Gabe believes becoming a Dad can make you more focused, empathetic, and effective at work. Kids expose wasted motion fast: How parenting forced Gabe to cut through busy work and get clearer about what actually matters. Building a family operating system: The family mission, values, and quarterly goals Gabe uses to help his five boys grow. Monthly one-on-ones with each son: Why Gabe creates structured time for hard conversations, check-ins, and connections. Work-life integration: How Gabe thinks about ambition, presence, travel, marriage, and making the moments at home count. Raising AI-native kids: Why Gabe is cautious about phones and social media, but wants his kids to learn how to use AI productively. Where to find Gabe Larsen LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabelarsen/ Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanaf In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcoming Gabe Larsen, CRO of Atonom (02:37) Why kids can make you a better leader (03:48) How family sharpens ambition and focus (04:57) The brief, mission, debrief rhythm (06:23) Why kids expose wasted motion fast (07:43) Building a family mission and quarterly goals (10:29) Having hard conversations at home and at work (14:17) How fatherhood shifted Gabe’s emotional center (16:53) Letting go of balance and finding integration (19:54) Gabe’s advice for founder parents (22:17) How Gabe and Carolyn made a career shift work (28:04) Marriage, pressure, and playing to your strengths (31:30) Choosing presence when your phone pulls you away (43:07) Lightning round with binkies, dad robes, Dora, and minivans Resources From This Episode: Atonom: https://atonom.ai/ Dora The Explorer (TV Series): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0235917/ The Karate Kid (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087538/ Back To The Future (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/ Remember The Titans (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0210945/ — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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May 7 · 52 min
My Mom Interviews Famous People; Dad Coaches Baseball | Jonathan Stull (Dad of 4, COO of Handshake)
Jonathan Stull is the President and COO of Handshake, the career platform connecting students and recent grads with employers that recently made a massive pivot into scaling an AI product. He’s spent the last decade helping build the company from a seed stage startup working out of a house in Palo Alto into a massive platform serving millions of students, universities, and employers. He’s also a husband to Emmy-winning journalist Emily Chang and a dad of four kids, ages 13, 11, 9, and 6. At home, he’s juggling the beautiful chaos of school drop-offs, carpools, Little League, robotics, math enrichment, ski trips, and four very different schedules. In our conversation, we talked about how Jonathan and Emily rely on their nanny, grandparents, neighbors, and community to make it all work, the challenge of being present when work is still running in the background, why kids need agency and resilience more than ever, and how becoming a dad has made him a more direct and caring leader. We discussed: Building a life with four kids: How Jonathan and his wife manage the beautiful chaos of school, sports, activities, and constant logistics. Relying on your village: Why their nanny, grandparents, carpools, neighbors, and community are essential to making family life work. Staying present when startup life is intense: The challenge of being physically at a kid’s game while mentally pulled into Slack, AI agents, and company decisions. Raising kids with agency in the AI era: Why Jonathan believes resilience, adaptability, self-starting, and passion matter more than ever. Parenting through direct feedback: How being a dad helped Jonathan become a clearer, more direct, and more caring leader at work. Embracing adventure before the years disappear: Why Jonathan tries to say yes to family trips, backyard games, and small moments of connection. Where to find Jonathan Stull LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonstull/ Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanaf In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcome Jonathan Stull, President and COO of Handshake (and baseball coach) (02:14) Why Jonathan and Emily decided to have four kids (03:53) Managing the beautiful chaos of four schedules (05:51) Building the village that keeps family life moving (09:46) The first moment fatherhood really hit (10:42) Growing Handshake while learning to stay present at home (16:25) Why parents should not wait for the perfect time (19:36) What kids teach you about resilience (22:11) Showing up, saying yes, and protecting family time (24:35) How parenting made Jonathan a more direct leader (27:09) Navigating enrichment, ambition, and different parenting instincts (30:00) Raising kids to be ready for an AI shaped future (31:20) Why agency matters more than following a playbook (34:10) Using AI to plan trips, pranks, and Little League schedules (39:12) Lightning round: white noise, limericks, dad pranks, and minivans Resources From This Episode: Handshake: https://joinhandshake.com/ SNOO Smart Sleeper Bassinet: https://www.happiestbaby.com/products/snoo-smart-bassinet Bluey (TV Series): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7678620/ The Lion King (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110357/ Billy Madison (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112508/ Braveheart (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112573/ Glory (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097441/ Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0357413/ Old School (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0302886/ Wedding Crashers (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0396269/ Chevrolet Suburban (Car): https://www.chevrolet.com/suvs/suburban Chrysler Pacifica (Car): https://www.chrysler.com/pacifica.html — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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April 30 · 46 min
“Stop Making Kids Your Trophy” | Ashish Kundra (Dad of 1, CEO of Conceptual)
Ashish Kundra is the CEO of Conceptual, a growth agency that helps companies like Cursor, Perplexity, Superhuman, Fenty Beauty, GPTZero, and dozens more. Prior to that, he led growth at DuckDuckGo and founded two other companies. He’s also a husband and the father of a four-year-old son. In this episode, Ashish shares why starting a company when his son was one made sense for his family, how being married to a pediatrician shapes their parenting, and why he believes small falls prevent big falls. We discussed: Being married to a pediatrician and how that shapes parenting: Why Ashish sees it as a major advantage in handling health, nutrition, and everyday parenting decisions. Starting a company when his son was one: Why Ashish felt that early parenthood was still the right time to build something of his own. Avoiding over-parenting: How he gives his son more agency and lets natural consequences do some of the teaching. Why small falls prevent big falls: How Ashish thinks about struggle, discomfort, and building resilience early. Tracking happiness and contentment: Why he journals regularly and what he’s learned about sleep, exercise, and stress. Why your child is not your trophy: How he thinks about ambition, identity, and raising a son without ego. Where to find Ashish Kundra LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-kundra-5a9b784/ X: https://x.com/akundra Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanaf In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcome Ashish Kundra, CEO of Conceptual (02:57) What it is really like being married to a pediatrician (05:15) Nutrition, hydration, and diet hacks that actually help (08:31) Why he started a company when his son was a baby (12:38) Avoiding over-parenting and giving kids more agency (16:41) Why small falls can prevent bigger ones later (20:01) Tracking happiness, sleep, and stress in real time (24:13) The weekly one-on-one that keeps their marriage aligned (25:47) How he and his wife divide life at home (27:44) Grandparents, family planning, and designing life on purpose (29:34) Embracing imperfection as a parent and partner (31:15) Raising a kid without turning him into a trophy (34:33) The mistake he wishes he could redo as a dad (35:53) Navigating startup pressure and family time (37:59) Lightning round: strollers, quesadillas, Cocomelon, and minivans Resources From This Episode: Conceptual: https://conceptualhq.com/ Baby stroller: https://a.co/d/0aRvEiDH The Sound of Music (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0059742/ The Lion King (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110357/ Mrs. Doubtfire (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0107614/ — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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April 23 · 1 hr 1 min
AI Is Failing Kids and This Founder Will Fix It | Robert Whitney (Dad of 1, Co-founder/CTO of Stickerbox)
Robert Whitney is the Co-Founder and CTO of Hapiko, the company that invented Stickerbox, an AI powered product helping kids create and play in more imaginative ways. Before starting Stickerbox, he helped scale New York Times Games, Grailed and spent time at Anthropic thinking deeply about the future of AI and how it will shape the next generation. He’s also a co-parent to a four-and-a-half-year-old son in New York City. In this conversation, Robert shares how fatherhood changed the way he approaches work, decision-making, discipline, and presence. We also talk about co-parenting as a founder, his shift away from a hard-partying New York lifestyle, the parenting principles he’s developed, and why he believes most AI products are failing kids. We discussed: Why parenting is the ultimate life experience: How becoming a dad made Robert more grounded and less reactive. Co-parenting while building a startup: What it looks like to split time as a founder and a parent, and how Robert thinks about being fully present in each mode. Leaving behind a hard-partying New York lifestyle: Why Robert made a major life change years before becoming a dad, and how sobriety reshaped his priorities, energy, and sense of self. How loss changed his perspective on fatherhood: What losing his mom shortly after becoming a parent taught him about time and presence. What most AI products get wrong for kids: Why Robert believes kids need safer, simpler, more thoughtful tools. How Stickerbox started with his son: The rainy-day moment that turned into a company built around play and creativity. Where to find Robert Whitney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robertjwhitney/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robertjwhitney/ Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanaf In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcoming Robert Whitney, Co-Founder/CTO of Stickerbox (02:12) Why parenting is the ultimate life experience (06:11) Co-parenting while building a startup (09:46) Leaving behind his hard-partying New York lifestyle (13:56) The career shift that forced deeper self-reflection (16:09) Losing his mom and learning to value presence (18:18) Why he got pulled into AI for kids (22:13) The biggest AI risks facing children (27:16) Why safety matters more than being on the bleeding edge (32:20) Parenting principles that help him let most things go (34:38) Why he makes his son help with everything (38:27) Why slowing down and sleeping on things matters (43:07) Why discipline matters more than motivation (48:12) How Stickerbox was created with his son (52:58) Lightning round: Yoto wins, bowling obsession, and manual minivans Resources From This Episode: Stickerbox: https://stickerbox.com/ Hapiko: https://hapiko.com/ Yoto: https://www.yotoplay.com/ Moana (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521164/ My Neighbor Totoro (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096283/ Dodge Caravan (Car): https://www.dodge.com/grand-caravan.html — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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April 16 · 1 hr 2 min
Either the Kids Suck or the Parents Suck | Caleb Avery (Dad of 3, Founder of Tilled)
Caleb Avery is the Founder and CEO of Tilled. He started his first company at 19 and has spent the last seven years building Tilled while raising three kids with his wife, Kelsey. In this episode, Caleb shares what it really looks like to build a startup and a family at the same time. We talk about the trade-offs founders need to be honest about, his regrets around paternity leave with his first child, and why bedtime became his most important non-negotiable as a dad. We also get into the little-discussed challenge of making parent friends, what coaching his son’s T-ball team taught him, how he and his wife think about screen time and technology, and why he believes work-life balance is less useful than clear boundaries. We discussed: Starting a company while raising young kids: How Caleb thought about the trade-offs of building a startup and growing a family at the same time. Paternity leave regrets and what changed: Why Caleb still thinks about working from the hospital after his first child was born, and what changed with his second child. Why bedtime is his top parenting priority: How Caleb built his schedule around being home for bedtime and why it became his most important non-negotiable as a dad. Boundaries over balance: Why Caleb does not chase perfect work-life balance and focuses on a few clear non-negotiables instead. The little-discussed challenge of making parent friends: Why it is so hard to find families where both the kids and the parents actually click. Honest advice for founders thinking about kids: Caleb explains why aspiring startup parents need to be brutally honest about the trade-offs before signing up for both. Where to find Caleb Avery LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caleb-avery/ Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanaf In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcoming Caleb Avery, Founder/CEO of Tilled (02:50) Starting Tilled while raising young kids (05:12) The time and energy trade-offs of startups and parenting (07:53) Paternity leave regrets after his first child (10:53) How COVID unexpectedly gave him the leave he wanted (14:19) Why it is so hard to make parent friends (17:43) What fatherhood taught Caleb about nature versus nurture (19:19) Becoming an accidental T-ball coach (28:03) His advice to founders thinking about having kids (30:23) How becoming a dad made him a better CEO (32:22) Why bedtime is Caleb’s top parenting priority (35:04) Family time boundaries and being fully present (37:41) Redefining work-life balance as a startup dad (40:36) Kids, iPads, and setting screen time boundaries (48:15) Lightning round: Snoo wins, dishwasher rules, and a toy assembly nightmare Resources From This Episode: Tilled: https://www.tilled.com/ The Snoo: https://www.happiestbaby.com/products/snoo-smart-bassinet The Sandlot (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108037/ Diehard (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0095016/ Golf Cart for Kids: https://a.co/d/0hVZwx85 iPad: https://www.apple.com/ph/ipad/ Lincoln Navigator (Car): https://www.lincoln.com/luxury-suvs/navigator/ — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com. For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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April 9 · 53 min
How to Not Raise Entitled Kids | Sam Yagan (Dad of 3, OkCupid & Match Group)
Sam Yagan is the founder of OKCupid and former CEO of Match Group. He’s also an investor, board member, married to a CEO, and a dad of three kids ages 12 to 18. In this episode, Sam shares how he and his wife think about raising kind, grounded kids while navigating success, wealth, and ambition. We talk about family values, philanthropy, work-life integration, the pressure kids can feel from high-achieving parents, and why Sam believes “normal” is overrated. We also get into the systems that shape their household, from weekly family meetings and value shout-outs to annual family reviews and intentionally making their home the place where all the kids want to hang out. We discussed: Raising grounded kids in a high-achievement household: How Sam and his wife work to keep their kids kind, self-aware, and unentitled despite growing up around success and wealth. Building family values into everyday life: How Sam’s family uses weekly meetings, value shout-outs, and annual reviews to make generosity, kindness, and self-awareness part of daily life. Introducing philanthropy before personal wealth: Why Sam wants his kids’ first understanding of money to center on giving, impact, and responsibility. Choosing the right partner for the long game: Why Sam believes ambitious founders need a spouse who shares their values and vision for family life. Creating a home that pulls people in: How Sam and his wife built a family environment where kids and friends naturally gather, creating more connection and shared memories. Bringing a founder mindset into parenting: Why Sam believes decisiveness, experimentation, flexibility, and comfort with failure matter at home too. Where to find Sam Yagan LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samyagan/ X: https://x.com/samyagan Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanaf In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcome Sam Yagan, Former Founder/CEO of OKCupid & Match Group (02:44) Raising kind kids in a world of privilege (04:59) Family values meetings that actually work (06:23) When your kids start asking about net worth (12:10) Why philanthropy comes before wealth (14:57) Work-life integration during the startup years (18:29) The tradeoffs that come with constant travel (20:59) The pressure kids feel from successful parents (22:27) Teaching a “fail forward” mindset at home (26:58) Why normal is boring (29:24) Why choosing the right partner matters (32:53) Putting your family values on the wall (36:27) The annual family review (38:47) Making your home the hangout house (48:01) Lightning round: Parenting products, dishwasher rules, and Sam’s hard no on minivans Resources From This Episode: OKCupid: https://www.okcupid.com/ Match Group: https://mtch.com/ Playing cards: https://a.co/d/05A9UUbF Basketball: https://a.co/d/0erx9ow0 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0241527/ A Few Good Men (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104257/ Toyota Highlander (Car): https://www.toyota.com/highlander/ — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com. For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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April 2 · 48 min
New Dads: Stop Fighting The Change | Rex Gelb (Dad of 1, Summit Chase)
Rex Gelb is the Founder/CEO of Summit Chase, a paid media agency serving B2B, SaaS, and professional services companies. Before starting Summit Chase, Rex spent more than 11 years at HubSpot, where he became the company’s Head of Paid Media. He’s also a husband and dad to a daughter who recently turned one. In this episode, Rex shares what it was like for both him and his wife to quit their jobs within 24 hours of each other right after parental leave, why that leap made sense for their family, and how becoming a dad has changed the way he thinks about ambition, hard work, and presence. We discussed: Leaving stable jobs right after parental leave: How Rex and his wife both quit their jobs within 24 hours of each other and why that felt like the right move for their family. The sooner you give up, the better: Why Rex believes fatherhood gets easier when you stop clinging to your old life and allow yourself to evolve into a new season. Fighting the “should gremlins”: How Rex thinks about the pressure to show up perfectly at work, at home, and for himself, and why letting go of impossible standards matters. Household systems that reduce friction: The shared notes, walking one-on-ones, and email threads Rex and his wife use to stay aligned and keep family life running smoothly. Using AI as a parenting tool: How Rex and his wife use monthly “leap alerts” with Gemini to stay on top of milestones, safety considerations, and what’s coming next for their daughter. Never deprive them of a struggle: Why Rex is already thinking about how to let his daughter work through challenges on her own so he can build confidence instead of accidentally undermining it. Where to find Rex Gelb LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rex-gelb-43445b1b/ Summit Chase: https://www.summitchase.co/ Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanaf In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcome Rex Gelb, Founder/CEO of Summit Chase (07:54) Why this was the right time to start a company (08:45) The sooner you give up, the better (11:05) Fighting the should gremlins (14:13) Work, family, and the balance trap (17:14) The newborn phase is not what you think (19:34) The “No 2AM Fight” rule (22:18) You do not need to master every phase (24:37) The household systems that keep things moving (27:43) Monthly leap alerts and using AI as a parent (30:31) Time hacks for dads building startups (35:43) Never deprive your kid of a struggle (39:37) Using AI for baby health questions (41:34) Raising a kid in the age of AI (43:23) Lightning round: Parenting philosophy, family rhythms, and raising an AI native kid Resources From This Episode: Summit Chase: https://www.summitchase.co/ Huckleberry (App): https://huckleberrycare.com/ Baby Shusher (App): https://babyshusher.com/pages/baby-shusher-app The Incredibles (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317705/ The Sandlot (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108037/ — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com. For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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March 26 · 1 hr 2 min
Family First Is Harder Than It Sounds | Jesse Randall (Dad of 5, Sweater Ventures)
Jesse Randall is the founder and CEO of Sweater, a company making venture investing accessible to anyone with a smartphone. He is also a husband and father of five kids, ranging from 7 to 17 years old. In this conversation, Jesse shares how he thinks about balancing ambition, marriage, and fatherhood without losing sight of what matters most. He talks about moving his family to Puerto Rico, why putting career above everything else can leave you miserable, and why dads need to be strong, caring, and fully engaged at home. Jesse also opens up about his parenting philosophy, including why he believes fathers should be authoritative first and friends second, how he and his wife use a no hint dropping rule to communicate better, and why both parents need something outside of work and family that is just for them. We also get into one of the most fascinating parts of the conversation, how Jesse is using AI to rethink his kids’ education and teach them how to think critically in a world where information is everywhere. We discussed: Moving a family to Puerto Rico: How Jesse approached a major family transition and helped his kids adapt to a completely new environment. The cost of putting career first: Why Jesse believes chasing professional success at the expense of family can leave you deeply unfulfilled. What strong fatherhood really looks like: Why dads need to be caring, present, emotionally grounded, and willing to lead at home. Better communication in marriage: The “no hint dropping” rule Jesse and his wife use to avoid passive-aggressive communication and say what they actually mean. Why parents need a third pillar: Jesse shares why both partners need something outside of work and family that helps them stay grounded and fulfilled. Rethinking education with AI: How Jesse is using AI to redesign his kids’ learning and teach them to think critically in a world full of instant information. Where to find Jesse Randall LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sweaterceo/ Sweater: https://www.sweaterventures.com/ Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanaf In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcoming Jesse Randall, founder and CEO of Sweater! (01:39) Why Jesse moved his family to Puerto Rico (03:09) Helping five kids adjust to a massive family move (05:16) Why putting career first can leave you miserable (09:41) The family and faith values that shaped Jesse (13:53) Preparing kids for a world changed by AI (16:31) What it means to be a strong and present dad (24:21) Why every parent needs something outside work and family (28:32) Endurance sports, headspace, and staying grounded (32:17) Why dads should be authoritative first and friends second (35:43) The “No hint-dropping” rule that changed their marriage (39:54) Why clear communication matters with kids too (43:29) How Jesse is rethinking education with AI (53:30) The biggest surprise after 17 years of fatherhood (57:46) Lightning round: Parenting philosophy, family rhythms, and what matters most Resources From This Episode: Sweater Ventures: https://www.sweaterventures.com/ Ball Floater (Toy): https://a.co/d/04uaYZ3C The Emperor's New Groove: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120917/ Dumb and Dumber: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109686/ Ford Expedition: https://www.ford.com/suvs/expedition/ — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com. For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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March 19 · 1 hr 9 min
Parenting Through Projectile Vomit | Mike Rome (Dad of 3, moonwater)
Mike Rome is the founder of moonwater, a performance marketing studio that helps startups grow, and a longtime operator in growth stage tech where he previously served as a CMO and growth leader. Before starting his own firm, he spent a decade inside venture-backed companies building teams and learning the craft of marketing. Mike and his wife Kate are parents of three boys and built their life around entrepreneurship, resilience, and perspective after navigating their son’s heart condition while launching his company. We discussed: Starting a company later in life: Why Mike believes the advice to launch startups young is a myth, and how having kids can sharpen focus and urgency. The myth of founder flexibility: Why running your own business doesn’t automatically mean more family time and the intentional tradeoffs required to design it. An accidental path to entrepreneurship: How quitting a new job after six weeks pushed Mike to start advising, which unexpectedly became his company. Building a company through crisis: What it was like launching a business while navigating his son’s rare heart condition and repeated hospital stays. The parenting power law: Applying startup frameworks like ICE and power laws to focus on the parenting moments that matter most. Presence over proximity: The mistake Mike made early as a founder-dad: confusing simply being around with actually being present. Where to find Mike Rome LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-rome/ Moonwater website: https://moonwater.co/ Where to find Adam Fishman FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ X: https://x.com/fishmanaf In this episode, we cover: (00:00) Welcome Mike Rome! (02:35) The myth of starting startups young: why kids can sharpen focus (10:19) Starting a business with a family: turning an experiment into a company (15:08) Burning the boats: why real commitment matters when going solo (17:15) Gavin’s heart condition: navigating a family health crisis while building a company (23:19) When life hits hard: perspective, expectations, and resilience (39:39) The fishing realization: discovering the difference of shared time and shared interests (40:09) Bring kids into your passions: why parents should lead some adventures (40:54) Ignore the highlight reel: the danger of social media comparisons (42:57) Redefining success: gratitude, ambition, and moving goalposts (45:15) Presence over proximity: why simply being around isn’t enough (47:14) The dinner disaster: a dad weekend story that didn’t go as planned (52:59) The messy years: why chaos with young kids is something you’ll eventually miss (54:11) The Letter to Nirvana: a lesson on craft, conviction, and authenticity (59:40) Lightning round: dad hacks, dishwasher debates, and minivan takes Resources From This Episode: Steve Albini’s Letter to Nirvana: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/steve-albini-letter-to-nirvana/ Impact, Confidence, Effort (ICE) Framework: https://www.productplan.com/glossary/ice-scoring-model/ Reforge (Growth Programs Mentioned in Discussion): https://www.reforge.com/ Feherty (Clothing Store): https://fahertybrand.com/ The Sandlot (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108037/ The Goonies (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089218/ Luca (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt12801262/ Home Alone (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099785/ iPad: https://www.apple.com/ipad/ Kia Telluride (SUV): https://www.kia.com/us/en/telluride — Support Startup Dad For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com. For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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