Dear Old Dads
Hey kids, get ON our lawn! Dear old Dads is a podcast examining and deconstructing all things Dad. From parenting to patriarchy; manning the grill to manning up; Dear Old Dads asks – what even is a dad anyway? What does it mean to be a good man in today's world? What should it mean? Listen along as we definitely find the correct, concise answers to all these questions and more! Featuring Eli Bosnick, Thomas Smith, and Tom Curry!
DOD225: How Much Should Parents Let Their Kids Be Weird?
(apologies for the late post, the Smiths had a travel nightmare!)
We've got a three bears situation over here today! Are parents responsible for addressing their kids' "weird" attitudes and behavior? And if so, how do we distinguish between what might be "weird" but flexible and what traits may be an innate facet of the person?
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DOD224: Knowing When to Walk Away
A listener writes in looking for advice on approaching their relationship with a parent when the parent won't accept them for who they are. After exploring if the listener could have offered more in helping their parent understand, the dads reflect on a tough question - how do we know when it's time to let go of relationships that are hurting us? Then, in the patron-only story, Eli shares a heartwarming and grateful observation.
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DOD223: Divorced Dad Diving into Dating
The dads receive a question from a listener who has gone through a divorce and is ready to jump back into the dating scene, but they don't know what to do, where to turn, or maybe even...how to flirt. Are you Team Coffee or Team Dinner Date?
Then, ONLY patrons get to hear a funny Lydia story about dating and the apps (Lydia approves its inclusion).
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DOD222: Back to School! Here’s a Dozen Poorly Made Apps for Ya
Tom needs some more "old man yells at clouds" time to go off about the first few days of school for his kids. The dads get into it and talk school apps, communication, miscommunication, and various other logistics that seem to be purposely set up to be more complicated than they have to be.
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DOD221: F*** Around and Find Out Parenting
Tom kicks the show off with a pretty major sleep update that no one saw coming! Then, the dads chat about a parenting style that has been dubbed "F*** Around and Find Out" (FAFO) parenting. What makes this style unique, or is this just a rebranding of another approach? What kind of crazy hot take is Eli going to come in with this time?
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DOD220: Are You Mad at Me?
The dads reflect on insecurity in relationships through their formative years and the impact it has had on future romantic relationships, friendships, and others. How do you navigate relationships in a healthy way, and break those internal expectations, if you grew up always wondering if your parents were mad at you, or if they'll be there to support you when you've made a mistake?
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DOD219: Should We Let Our Kids Hang Out With the Older Kids?
Tom's got a kid kunundrum to talk about. What if our kids want to hang out with their older sibling's friend group? Is that totally cool or just an opportunity for trouble?
DOD218: A Mathematical Formula for Mom's Libido?
This episode has two of the wildest takes two of the Dads have ever heard from the third. About what, you ask? You may have seen a viral "libido equation" make its rounds on the internet, explaining how new moms might evaluate if they're up for engaging in sexual activities with their partner. The dudes break it all down, and I really don't want to say much else and potentially spoil any piece of this. Here we go!
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DOD217: Meet My AI Girlfriend
After a discussion about simulation theory for some reason, Tom talks about having listened to a podcast about people falling in love with AI bots. What's the deal there? Is that a real relationship? Is the AI coming for our kids?
Then for patrons only, instead of a parenting story, the dads discuss whether or not having an AI girlfriend would be cheating.
DOD216: What if Mental Illness Is Making You a Bad Parent?
Buckle up and secure those tray tables in the upright and locked position. We get the Plane-ageddon scoop from Eli to kick off today's episode, and then the dads dig into an email from a listener struggling with balancing their mental health treatment and showing up as a parent in the way they expect. And then, how can we embrace the understanding that parenting will always inherently be imperfect and alleviate the guilt we carry when we aren't the kind of parent we've decided we should be?
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DOD215: What If Your Partner Won't Enable Location Sharing
After an extended introduction exploring at what age kids should be allowed unsupervised time in crowded locations and some of the tools that might help ease parent anxiety in those scenarios, the dads shift focus to discuss the act of location sharing with significant others. Is there ever a reason to not do that? I mean, that isn't cheating?
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DOD214: Just Trying to Help
On this episode, the dads tackle a complicated listener quandary...so complicated in fact that Thomas can't keep the people or their relationships straight. What do we owe our parents and other adults in our lives to help them navigate challenging situations with our brothers and sisters?
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DOD213: You Need This Tactical Podcast, Now In Camo
Hurry! You don't want to be the only dad on the block without our Kevlar-coated tongs for barbecue season! Stick those babies in your military-grade holster and be the ULTIMATE Man of the Grill. Available only in onyx black or camo.
The dads discuss the tactical/survivalist goods industry. How are they marketed and, more importantly, does it work on any of them?
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DOD212: This TikTok Accountability Formula Is... Good? Maybe?
WELL LOOK WHO DECIDED TO SHOW UP TO WORK.
The dads take on a discussion about accountability and Eli has a TikTok video of a way to frame how we decide whether or not someone should be accountable for the actions they've done that hurt us.
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DOD211: Throuple to Couple to Throuple
Tom continues to be a failure as a podcast host and father, so the non-monogamous dads of the group decided it was the perfect time to answer a couple of listener questions about polyamory. And it wouldn't be a proper poly episode without taking this Couple to a Throuple: Lydia's here, too!
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DOD210: Father's Day Tom(less)foolery
Two of the three dads are here - quick, make a guess before you press play! They're joined by a guest for some podcast potpourri: some current kid challenges, Father's Day, and an irritating character that has taken over one of the households.
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DOD209: My Kids Stopped Talking To Me for NO Reason
Thomas stumbled on an article called "The Missing Missing Reasons." It explores Estranged Parents online forums and points out a strikingly consistent theme, and it is as hilarious as it is infuriating.
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DOD208: H.A.G.S.! KIT.!
The school year is officially over, but will the Dads Have A Great Summer? Is this a Three Bears (TM) situation?
Then, in the story JUST FOR PATRONS, Eli recounts Max's absolutely adorable preschool graduation ceremony. Will there be a 4-year old valedictorian who isn't afraid of calling out racial injustice like at Finn's high school graduation? How far away did Eli have to park? Only patrons can seek these answers.
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DOD207: THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN
We've got a very focused topic today because our dear Tom has some huge non-neck related news to share! It's like the 2nd or 3rd good news Tom has ever had!
Then in the patron only story, Eli shares an emotional story about Max's birthday party.
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DOD206: Is Parenting Joyful?
Oh boy, this is a big and important conversation all sparked by a listener email. That's right - you can launch incredible conversations like this one by sending your questions to our email (see below)! Today, the dads talk joy/lack of joy in parenting, and understanding that "just" loving our kids is not usually enough to fix when our kids go through something tough. Lots of real talk in this one; don't miss it!
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DOD205: Why Do Men Think They Can Fight Every Wild Animal?!
Another day, another wild animal that men think they can beat up. The dads discuss the latest trending animal fight - man v. gorilla...and spend a lot of time making monkey noises. Be sure and stay to hear all of those outtakes at the end!
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DOD204: A Poopy Pants Mother's Day
Attention all poopy pants boys, it was Mother's Day somewhat recently and the dads have stories to tell. Also Eli had another dad snuggle trip but this time it was more intimate. Maybe too intimate.
DOD203: Tom Is Gen X but His Neck Is From the Lost Generation
We all know Tom is old as shit. But did we know just how old? No. He's so old we're not sure they have a generation name for him. How does the generation we were born into shape our lives and perceptions?
DOD202: Does Society Tell Boys They're Bad?
A viral tweet made its way into the Dads Facebook group, so the dudes bring it onto the show to discuss. How hard is it to be a boy these days, and are folks like Andrew Tate successful just because they're swooping in to offer a different message than "boys are bad"?
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DOD201: Would You Let Your Kid Be a YouTuber?
The dads answer a listener email - what should you do if your kid's friends have a YouTube channel and you're worried they might put your kid in some of their videos?
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DOD200: We Absolutely Did Not Realize It Was Episode 200! WOOOO!
The dads discuss dieting with or without your partner. Is it ok to eat bad crap in front of them? Also GLP-1s.
Oh also sorry this was late, the Smith household got COVID and it suuuuuucks
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DOD199: The Smiths Take Manhattan
Thomas has returned from a family "vacation" to New York City, which was simultaneously wonderful and insane. Also, Eli aka Mary Poppins aka Mrs. Doubtfire aka Pilsbury Doughboy (???) watched ALL of the Smith children one night and has stories to share.
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DOD198: The (Worst) Humans of New York
A shocking Humans of New York profile sparked today's episode. Don't want to say much more and spoil it. Each sentence was more insane than the last. These people walk among us and, indeed, outnumber us.
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DOD197: Loyalty Testers - Are the Monoggos ok?
All of the dads are back to chat about a concept called loyalty testers, what that means for the relationships that are being "tested", and what it says about the partner that employs the tester, the partner that is being tested, and the individual that does the testing. There's apparently an entire industry around this really terrible idea.
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This c...
DOD196: Breaking the Pattern
We're a dad down this episode, but that doesn't stop us from having a really thoughtful discussion sparked by a listener email. The dad duo touch on learning to parent better than how they were parented, and share vulnerabilities about how they still might be messing up.
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DOD195: Representation Matters
The dads (yes, all of them - Eli FINALLY got his act together to join for an episode) got an interesting listener email about representation in media, and how it has come a long way but also has far to go. They discuss the successes and missteps in specific shows, and discover some surprising media consumption facts about several of the hosts!
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DOD194: Men Should Be Dangerous, According to Noted Badass Jordan Peterson
Eli is out this week, but the Toms discuss a clip from Jordan Peterson with John Stossel, opining on the importance of men being...dangerous?! What in the world is he talking about?! Stossel should just stick with the mustaches.
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DOD193: A Thirst Trap Trap
The dads tackle a couple of listener questions about sharing bad or weird behavior of a loved one's partner, and managing taking care of yourself and your relationship while being full-time parents and full-time employees with barely enough hours leftover in the day to sleep. But first - some ranting about Elon Musk and how much he SUCKS.
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DOD192: Funding Your Kid's "Lifestyle"
Tom brings a story from someone at work with adult children who...stilly really rely on their parents. The dads discuss their upbringing in this respect, and how they're approaching that support structure - housing, finances, etc. - with their kiddos. But first! A vasectomy update!
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DOD191: This Is Your Parents on Drugs
After probably the WILDEST intro in Dear Old Dads' history, the dudes answer a listener email about recreational drug usage after becoming a dad, and provide advice to another listener wanting to provide for their partner more financial and social independence.
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DOD190: Anatomy of a Not Cash Money Experience
Content Note: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault and issues of consent in intimate experiences.
Thomas's friend recently had a "not cash money" experience with a date, and the dads discuss consent when someone changes their mind over the course of the evening, the societal failure to support vulnerability when reflecting on your own missteps in those "gray" situations, and whether or not it's tough to evaluate enthusiasm with a potential intimate partner.
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DOD189: Pushing for a Push Present
We've got an Am I the Asshole (AITH) post this week that made the dads (and the whole internet) laugh a hearty chuckle. It's more like a This Guy Is The Asshole (TGITA). But then, two of the dads are revealed to be poopy pantses. Only one dad's pants are clean. But whose? Find out.
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DOD188: Mind the Age Gap
We got a listener email that Eli wants Tom to read us on the air for the first time. There's a detail in it that completely isn't the point, but is absolutely the point.
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DOD187: Sleepovers!
Phoebe had her first sleepover. The dads talk about that, what their rules are around sleepovers, and at what age they let their kids go on them. Spoiler: for Tom it's the age of 93!
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DOD186: Who Can Fix the Men?
Content Note: This episode includes some discussion of the treatment of marginalized communities under the Trump administration.
After reading a post from Reddit, the dads dive into a deep discussion on how men can change men's minds (and if we should even bother) regarding masculinity, the patriarchy, feminism, and politics. Have we already lost to the red-pilled man-o-sphere, or can we still reach people? I think we might have a three bears situation on our hands!
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