The Girl Dad Show: A Professional Parenting Podcast

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Raphael Rajan, co-founder of EZee Assist, an AI platform built for franchising, to unpack the path from industrial engineering to strategy consulting to founding a company, why franchising turned out to be the right problem to go after, and how the first customers came in. Raphael explains what the product actually does giving franchisees and support teams immediate answers and coaching insight instead of leaving them to hunt through documentation and where he thinks AI is heading in work and education. The conversation also gets personal. Raphael...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with John Francis, better known as Johnny Franchise, founder of Next Level Franchise and of Father's Eve, to unpack how a nickname turned into a business, what running and then selling a family company taught him, and why he now measures success in freedom of time rather than anything on a balance sheet. John explains where the name actually came from and what a personal brand people remember is genuinely worth. He's also direct about the stretch that reshaped everything: losing his father when he was 26 and his...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Danessa Itaya, president of Maid Brigade and a franchise leader with more than three decades in the industry, to unpack the climb from accounting clerk to brand president, leading a team you rarely see in person, and what it took to stop needing everyone to agree with her. Danessa learned franchising from the ground up and now serves as Vice Chair of the International Franchise Association's Women's Franchise Committee. She's candid about the hardest thing she's had to overcome — a people-pleasing instinct that made her good at re...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Mike Harvey, founder of SkyeVantage, powered by The Roof Resource, to unpack walking away from corporate America, rebuilding one of the least transparent corners of home services, and what it means to commit with no backup plan. Mike traces his path from a corporate career to launching the company in 2020 as a local concept, then growing it into a national licensing platform serving homeowners, insurance professionals, and real estate partners across multiple states. He shares the thinking behind a hybrid model that pairs technology with service, why...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with TJ Schier, founder and CEO of SmashSwing, to unpack building a new category in golf entertainment, validating an idea against real customers instead of your own conviction, and what eighteen years at Chuck E. Cheese's taught him about designing experiences. TJ traces his path from Chuck E. Cheese's, where he left as VP of Field Support, through two decades as a speaker and consultant in franchising and competitive socializing, to COO of BigShots Golf, and now founding SmashSwing. He shares why he insists the product is something...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Rob LoCascio, founder of LivePerson and now Uare.ai, to unpack building AI that serves people instead of replacing them, surviving the failures that come with three decades of running a company, and raising kids who can stand on their own. Rob traces his path from founding LivePerson and taking it public on NASDAQ, through nearly thirty years as its CEO, to launching Uare.ai and KID Company — ventures built on the idea that an AI model should be trained on a real person's life story rather th...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Jessica Yarmey, president of Squeeze Massage and seasoned franchise leader, to unpack building brands, trusting teams during acquisitions, and balancing career with parenthood. Jessica traces her path from global brand roles to founding and scaling KickHouse Fitness, then leading Club Pilates marketing, and now accelerating Squeeze’s national expansion. She shares how passion kept her going after a career setback, the playbook for rebuilding franchise systems, and why relationship trust is the core of successful acquisitions. The conversation also gets personal. Jessica reflects on commuting through her ch...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han talks with Drew Chalfant, VP of Legal & Compliance at HomeFront Brands and co‑owner of HAWKs Charlotte–Lake Norman, about work‑life integration, franchise ownership, and parenting with purpose. Drew shares the risk that reshaped his family life, the discipline behind choosing the right hard things, and how unstructured outdoor play is helping his kids become confident leaders. Expect practical lessons on building systems for business, nurturing entrepreneurial kids, and creating community through meaningful work. Key takeaways include that work and life are interconnected and true balance is integration, choosing your h...

n this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Vijay Rajendran—executive coach, entrepreneur, investor, startup advisor, UC Berkeley instructor, and author of The Funding Framework: Secure Startup Funding with Confidence. Drawing from more than 20 years of experience helping founders grow into effective CEOs, Vijay shares valuable insights on entrepreneurship, leadership, raising capital, and balancing the demands of family life. From supporting startups in over 80 countries to coaching leaders through pivotal moments, Vijay offers a unique perspective on what it takes to build successful businesses while remaining present at home. Young and Vijay discuss why leadership is...

In this solo episode Young Han reflects on a recent family trip to Hawaii and a clear epiphany he had when he gave himself permission to be bored with his kids. Without scheduled activities or constant optimization, Young noticed how unstructured time reveals creativity, problem solving, emotional growth, and who his children are becoming. He explains why efficiency and overplanning can block connection, how small moments of downtime produce the most honest conversations, and practical ways leaders can protect time to be present. Young shares what it felt like to stop working while on vacation, to sit on the beach...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han talks with Brian Samson, founder of Plugg Technologies, about building repeatable businesses, the strategic advantages of nearshoring Latin American talent, and his family journey from fostering to adopting a baby girl. Brian has spent a decade focused on nearshoring, lived as an expat in Argentina, and grown three separate companies from $0 to $4M ARR each. He also served as VP of talent for multiple San Francisco tech companies through an IPO and an acquisition and holds an MBA from UCLA. This conversation mixes tactical hiring and scaling advice with deeply...

This solo episode kicks off Season 6 of The Girl Dad Show. Young Han reflects on six years of the show and how fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and intentionality have evolved together. He covers moving from San Francisco to Texas, the five year sprint and its impact on family, the shift from playful parenting to deliberate guidance, and why honesty and role modeling matter more than perfection. Expect practical takeaways on showing up consistently, curating your child’s influences, and building a life that teaches by example. Key takeaways: → Your kids are more resilient than you think and good intentions matter more than perf...

In this rerun episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Pete and Ryan, owners of Alpha Roofing, for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and what it takes to build a legacy-driven business while staying grounded as parents. Pete and Ryan share how their childhoods, early exposure to hard work, and experiences in sports shaped their discipline, resilience, and leadership styles. Ryan reflects on growing up in the roofing industry from a young age, while Pete discusses the importance of truly understanding insurance and advocating for homeowners. Together, they open up about the challenges of...

In this rerun episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Stephen Mellott, CEO of EPTI and President of HSI, for a grounded conversation about leadership, family, and what it really takes to build a meaningful legacy. Stephen operates a manufacturing business serving refineries and power generation systems, but his story starts far from boardrooms. He was raised in the middle of nowhere on a working ranch, the only boy among three sisters, with a father who was often away for work. That upbringing shaped how he parents today: understanding, but firm, and deeply intentional about presence. ...

In this rerun episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Joel Flory, Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of VSCO (Visual Supply Company). Joel shares his journey from professional photographer to tech founder, and how his approach to leadership has evolved alongside his role as a father of two teenage daughters. From stepping down as CEO to embrace a new chapter as executive chairman, Joel reflects on what it means to lead with humility, balance ambition with family, and stay grounded in purpose. The conversation explores the lessons of fatherhood, the importance of listening, and how community...

This is Part 2 of my five-year sprint series, and I'm getting even more vulnerable about the reality of building a portfolio of 17 service businesses while trying to balance family, health, and financial goals. If you thought Part 1 was raw, this episode dives deeper into the challenges, failures, and hard-won lessons that nobody talks about in the entrepreneurship space. What You'll Learn: • The harsh reality of service business cash flow timelines (spoiler: it's longer than you think) • How I'm building an incubator ecosystem to scale beyond individual businesses • The demanding nature of work-life integration when you're building at this pace • Why I believ...

In this special solo episode, I'm breaking down my entire five-year journey of building multiple businesses, taking strategic risks, and completely redefining what success looks like beyond the traditional retirement playbook. This isn't your typical entrepreneurship story - it's a deep dive into the mindset shifts, strategic decisions, and calculated risks that transformed my entire approach to business and life. What You'll Discover: • Why I chose to sprint for 5 years instead of living a mediocre life for 25 • How moving to Austin completely shifted my perspective on business and life • The consulting revelation that 75% of business fundamentals are universal • My approach to build...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han talks with Christine Tsai, CEO and founding partner of 500 Global, about her journey from early product work at Google to scaling one of the world’s most active venture firms. Christine shares how she helped grow 500 Global to over $2B in AUM with investments in more than 3,000 companies across 80 plus countries, and what it takes to build and manage a global portfolio. Christine traces the influence of her immigrant family and an early love of technology, including how her mother’s engineering career shaped her perspective. We discuss her product mark...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Trisha Stetzel — U.S. Navy veteran, international bestselling author, business strategist, and executive coach at ResultsXtreme Business Solutions (powered by Focal Point of South Texas) — for a candid conversation about military service, transition to civilian life, leadership for women veterans, and building multi-generational family legacy. Trisha shares how service shaped her leadership, the practical habits that sustain resilience, and what it looks like to design a life aligned with values, family, and community. We talk coaching female veterans, cultural experiences from postings in Japan and Hawaii, navi...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Jim Brown, founder of OrgHealth, bestselling author, and leader of the Imperfect Leadership Movement, for a powerful conversation on leadership, parenting, and building organizations where people and performance thrive. With more than 30 years of experience advising CEOs, executive teams, and boards, Jim has seen firsthand what works and what doesn’t when it comes to leadership. His approach challenges the traditional idea of the “perfect leader” and instead encourages leaders to embrace imperfection, lead with humility, and take ownership with courage. In this conversation, Jim shares how pa...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Steve Bennet, founder and managing director of Bodega Partners, longtime startup CFO, investor, professor, and father and grandfather, for a powerful conversation on entrepreneurship, mentorship, and life after decades in Silicon Valley. With over 30 years of experience and involvement in more than 150 technology startups, Steve has seen the full spectrum of success and failure. From companies acquired by IBM, Comcast, and Citrix to ventures that didn’t make it, he brings a rare perspective on what actually drives long-term success in business and in life. But th...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Andrew Pudalov, founder of Rush Bowls, a fast-growing, health-focused franchise built around fresh, nutritious bowls and smoothies. Andrew’s journey didn’t start in food. He spent 15 years climbing the ranks in New York City’s competitive finance world before making a bold decision to pursue a more purpose-driven path. In 2004, he opened Boulder, Colorado’s first all-natural bowl and smoothie bar, combining his passion for health, performance, and great-tasting food. More than two decades later, that single idea has grown into Rush Bowls, a nationwide brand wi...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Martin Zych, founder of xPanda.ai, an AI-powered financial analyst platform helping businesses automate financial insights and decision-making. Martin shares his journey from working in finance and accounting at high-growth tech companies to becoming an entrepreneur building tools that leverage artificial intelligence to improve how companies understand their numbers. Before founding xPanda.ai, Martin also built Jirav, a financial planning and analysis platform used by thousands of companies and accounting firms to automate reporting and forecasting. Beyond business, this conversation dives into Martin’s approach to fa...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Jack Nelson, CEO of Skimmer, a private equity–backed technology company powering pool service businesses across the country. Jack shares his journey from practicing law to leading a fast-growing technology company serving thousands of pool professionals nationwide.
 

Jack opens up about how his background in law and business shaped his decision-making style, why he values being deliberate in both leadership and parenting, and what it takes to scale a company in a traditional industry that’s rapidly evolving through technology.

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In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Miguel Alexander Centeno, founder and managing partner of Tax Hack (now Centurion Firm), veteran tax strategist, and father of three, for a powerful conversation about entrepreneurship, parenting, and building a meaningful life. Miguel shares his journey from Big 4 tax manager at PwC to leading one of the fastest-growing private firms in America, recently named to the INC.5000 list. Along the way, he has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives, been quoted by The Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, and Fox Business, and built a respected...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Pete and Ryan, owners of Alpha Roofing, for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, fatherhood, and what it takes to build a legacy-driven business while staying grounded as parents. Pete and Ryan share how their childhoods, early exposure to hard work, and experiences in sports shaped their discipline, resilience, and leadership styles. Ryan reflects on growing up in the roofing industry from a young age, while Pete discusses the importance of truly understanding insurance and advocating for homeowners. Together, they open up about the challenges of modern...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Red Boswell, President of the International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG), longtime franchise executive, and father of three, for a wide-ranging conversation on entrepreneurship, parenting, and building a life rooted in growth and strong relationships. Red brings more than 30 years of executive leadership across franchising, marketing, and entrepreneurship. As President of IFPG, he has helped grow the organization into the #1 franchise broker network, recognized by Entrepreneur Magazine for seven consecutive years. Prior to IFPG, Red founded and scaled a 148-unit pet-service franchise system, launched a franchise and...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Dave Hansen, CEO of ClientTether, longtime sales leader, and father of four, for an honest conversation about parenting, leadership, and building meaningful relationships in both business and family life. Dave shares his unconventional path from tech into franchising, what he’s learned from leading sales teams for over 20 years, and how coaching franchise systems has shaped his view on people, growth, and accountability. But at the heart of this conversation is fatherhood. Dave opens up about becoming a young parent, navigating one of his son’s leuk...

This week on The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Eric Dresdale, co-founder and president of Entropy Labs, for a powerful conversation that spans quantum security, entrepreneurship, recovery, and parenting. Eric’s journey is anything but linear. Raised in a medical family, he struggled early with traditional academics and identity before finding his footing through entrepreneurship. Along the way, he built and scaled multiple fintech and cybersecurity companies, including founding Next Step Network, a platform serving families navigating addiction and mental health, which was later acquired. Today, his work focuses on cryptographic infrastructure and quantum security, an area he...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Trace Miller, Founder and CEO of Konala, a fast-growing healthy fast food concept built around one simple idea: make nutritious food delicious, convenient, and accessible. Trace’s story starts long before Konala. As a child, nutrition played a critical role in helping him overcome serious health challenges, shaping how he thinks about food, discipline, and long-term well-being. That perspective eventually led him from running a food truck to building Konala, a drive-thru protein bowl concept designed for people who want to eat better without slowing down their li...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Stephen Mellott, CEO of EPTI and President of HSI, for a grounded conversation about leadership, family, and what it really takes to build a meaningful legacy. Stephen operates a manufacturing business serving refineries and power generation systems, but his story starts far from boardrooms. He was raised in the middle of nowhere on a working ranch, the only boy among three sisters, with a father who was often away for work. That upbringing shaped how he parents today: understanding, but firm, and deeply intentional about presence. As...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Derek Notman and Adam Holt, co-founders of REBL Dads, for an honest conversation about the collision of fatherhood and entrepreneurship. Derek shares his journey growing up in a broken household, becoming a young father himself, and navigating entrepreneurship without the support system he needed most. He opens up about the moment he realized that being a dad is hard, being an entrepreneur is hard, and trying to do both without community can feel overwhelming and isolating. Together, Derek and Adam talk about why existing communities often focus...

We’re back from the break with a brand new episode of The Girl Dad Show. In this solo reflection, Young Han looks back on the lessons, challenges, and growth that shaped 2025, both personally and professionally. From the evolution of the podcast to navigating leadership bottlenecks in his businesses, Young shares what worked, what didn’t, and what ultimately forced him to grow. He opens up about how his views on financial freedom have changed, especially as they relate to parenting, time, and long-term security for his family. The conversation dives into the cost of constant context switching, why leadership mode...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, host Young Han sits down with Adi Prakash, Founder & CEO of Sentient Ventures and former Amazon executive. Adi shares his journey from leading strategy at Amazon Web Services to launching his own AI-native firm, designed to help companies scale smarter, faster, and more sustainably. The conversation dives deep into the realities of transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship, the role of family support during big career shifts, and the lessons Adi has learned as a parent. From modeling behavior for children to embracing work-life integration over the elusive “balance,” Adi offers actionable insi...

This episode is a discussion on the rising topic of iPad usage among kids with guests, Eric Liu and Nis Frome. The conversation explores the advantages of educational tools and tech literacy while discussing the downsides, like excessive screen time and dependency on digital devices. The discussion ranges from personal parenting experiences with technology to broader implications on children's development, focusing on how parents can strike a balance between tech exposure and healthy, active lifestyles. The guests also reflect on the importance of moderation and mindful screen use in today’s tech-saturated world. About Our Guests: Nis Frome is a se...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Scott Doty, founder and CEO of BrainStorm Tutoring & Arts and a devoted father of two, for a thoughtful conversation on parenting, purpose, and building a life aligned with your values. Scott Doty grew up in Ramsey, New Jersey, where he balanced sports, music, and academics before attending Tufts University and earning his Master’s degree from the University of Melbourne in Australia. Along the way, he became a National Merit Finalist, a Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholar, and a member of Mensa. In 2006, Scott and his wife Ashley fo...

In this episode, Young sits down with brothers Brian and Scott Moran, the founders of SamCart, as they take us through their entrepreneurial journey. The idea for SamCart arose from their own business needs, driving them to develop a solution to overcome the challenges they faced. Brian reflects on the importance of family and how he prioritizes it above all else, making his wife and children his top priority. Scott shares his experiences as a parent, navigating the hardships of loss and finding the strength to be the best father possible. Throughout the conversation, they delve into the importance of...

In this episode, Young interviews Neil Kucera, a seasoned entrepreneur and devoted father of two. Nick shares his entrepreneurial journey, including his unique business venture, Trash Caddies, and the significance of recurring revenue models. He also offers valuable insights on maintaining a strong marriage while being a dedicated parent and navigating the complexities of teaching kids about money. From cherishing quality family time to providing advice for both soon-to-be parents and entrepreneurial parents, this conversation is brimming with parenting wisdom. Takeaways:  The concept behind Trash Caddies and recurring revenue. Prioritizing being a good spouse to be a better parent. Practical t...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Eric Liu. Eric is a dynamic entrepreneur, investor, and thought leader, known for his deep insights into the evolving landscape of business and personal development. With a keen interest in the intersection of technology, innovation, and human behavior, Eric brings a unique perspective to every conversation. Young and Eric explore the complexities of divorce and its profound impacts on personal growth and relationships. Through personal anecdotes and deep reflections, they discuss navigating life's transformations and maintaining personal integrity amidst relationship challenges.  ✨ All episodes of The Girl Dad Sho...

In this episode of The Girl Dad Show, Young Han sits down with Brian Schwartz — founder of SIZE, an advisory group of former C-suite operators supporting 60+ late-stage technology and consumer companies. Brian shares his global career journey across Expedia Group, DreamWorks Animation, and international markets, and opens up about how becoming a father reshaped his priorities, routines, and long-term plans. Brian reflects on raising a young daughter while building a high-performance career, the role of travel in expanding his children’s worldview, and why financial readiness, stability, and aligned values mattered deeply in his family-planning decisions. He also explores the real...