World's Greatest Dad with Ali & Neil

The mailbag is overflowing, and Neil and Ali have some thoughts. This week we're tackling three big parenting dilemmas: Should you entertain your kids all summer or let them be bored? How much screen time is too much? And how do you help a kid stay true to themselves when other children start making fun of them?

Along the way, Neil shares the screen-time rules that transformed his household, Ali explains why chores are the ultimate boredom cure, and both dads discuss the importance of letting kids express themselves without judgment.

Then things take a...

Would you ever admit that you love your spouse more than your kids? Should you lie to your children to protect another family in your community? And is staying together "for the kids" actually doing more harm than good?

It's MAILBAG TIME on World's Greatest Dad, and Neil and Ali are tackling some of the most awkward, uncomfortable, and downright bizarre parenting dilemmas we've ever been sent in the old WGD mailbag.

This week, we're talking about a family that wants an entire town to lie about their dead dog, a father considering taking out...

What the hell is happening to men? This week on World's Greatest Dad, Neil and Ali dive headfirst into the bizarre world of looksmaxxing, Clavicular, Andrew Tate, the manosphere, and a guy who literally had his legs broken to become 6'4". Along the way, they confront an uncomfortable parenting question: when teenage boys are getting their life advice from internet grifters, who's offering them something better? Plus, a crash course in Yiddish insults, Neil's first viewing of Point Break, and Bryan Cranston demonstrating what being a good dad actually looks like. Forget looksmaxxing. We're soulmaxxing, baby.

Trick or treat? Neil and Ali celebrate Halloween by tackling some of the holiday's trickiest parenting dilemmas. Is it ever okay to take more than one piece of candy? What happens when your kid refuses to wear the $80 costume they begged you to buy? Should you lie so your child can ditch their friends for the cool kids? And how much emotional trauma is worth a nonrefundable haunted house ticket?

The dads also rank their favorite Halloween candies, share some practical parenting hacks, and debate whether trick-or-treating is secretly communism.

Plus: Neil's dad falls in...

The Cornell 7 case has sparked national outrage. Seven fraternity members accused of sexual assault, disturbing allegations involving a group chat, and serious questions about how Cornell University and law enforcement responded.

But as two fathers, we have a different question: Where were the parents?

In Episode 90 of World's Greatest Dad, Neil Padover and Ali Khan confront one of the hardest questions in parenting: What does it actually mean to raise a good man?

Getting your kid into an Ivy League university is one thing. Raising a son who understands consent, respects women, and...

Pitmaster and entrepreneur Brendan Lamb has lived a few different lives. He played college football, chased acting in Los Angeles, worked the pits at some of Texas’ biggest barbecue spots, launched businesses and eventually became a dad to two young kids. But becoming a father forced Brendan to think differently about the way he was raised and the kind of dad he wants to be. In this episode, Brendan gets candid about growing up in a hard-nosed West Texas environment, balancing toughness with emotional openness, and learning when to hold a boundary and when to soften his approach. We ta...

Todd Weiser didn't expect to talk about donor conception when he sat down with us. But that's exactly where the conversation went.

After struggling with infertility and undergoing two surgeries, Todd and his wife ultimately used donor sperm to have their two children. Their kids have known their story since they were little, and today Todd doesn't spend much time thinking about the fact that they don't share his DNA. He's simply Dad.

But it raises a fascinating question: What actually makes us our children's parents? How much is nature? How much is nurture? And...

What happens when a Michelin-trained chef becomes the dad of a picky eater?

Chef Andy Knudson has spent more than 20 years in professional kitchens, working in Michelin-starred restaurants, cooking alongside some of the biggest names in food, and eventually entering the wild world of private chefs for ultra-wealthy clients. But none of that prepared him for his toughest customer yet: his 3½-year-old daughter.

Andy joins Ali Khan and Neil Padover to talk about raising two young kids, the reality of picky eating, why dinosaur nuggets and string cheese sometimes beat Dad’s cooking, and how bec...

Are private equity firms coming for your bagels? And when did a bagel with lox become a $20 meal?This week on World’s Greatest Dad, Ali Khan and Neil Padover dive into the great American bagel debate: New York vs. everywhere else, what makes a great bagel, the rising cost of eating out, homemade lox, and why investors are suddenly betting big on premium bagel shops.

Then it’s time for the Dad Mailbag. Ali and Neil tackle some very real parenting questions: What do you do when your child wants to quit a sport you love? How...

What if being a great dad isn't about spending more time with your kids but about noticing the behind the scenes work you've never seen? This week we're joined by parenting coach, writer, and father of three Alex Trippier for one of our most eye-opening conversations yet.

We talk about:

Whether you're a new dad...

Allan Shedlin is back! Our first returning guest joins us as his Daddying Film Festival and Forum heads into its sixth year in Washington, DC. Allan tells us how a movie about a fractured father son relationship inspired him to create a festival dedicated to using film to start conversations about fatherhood and why he believes some of the most powerful stories aren't about perfect dads, but ordinary fathers simply trying to show up.

We talk about the incredible films that have come through the festival, including one made by a 17-year-old girl reconnecting with the father...

Derek Mitti never planned to become one of the internet’s most beloved dads but a career pivot from banking to full-time fatherhood changed everything. In this episode, he shares how documenting life with his daughter Tallulah (aka the “internet’s nice girl”) led to viral success. Derek opens up about growing up in Zambia, his complicated relationship with his own father, and how it shaped the dad he is today. Plus he shares the emotional story of becoming a father, navigating fertility challenges, and intentionally creating a different childhood than the one he experienced. We also dive into the real...

Little Kids, Big Questions: How to Talk to Your Kids About Death

Death is one of the most difficult topics parents will ever have to discuss and one of the most inevitable. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a pet, or a question that comes unexpectedly during an ordinary day, children eventually confront the concept of mortality. For many parents, those moments bring anxiety, uncertainty, and a deep fear of saying the wrong thing.

In this episode, we explore how children understand death at different developmental stages and why their questions are of...

Money is one of those topics that gets complicated fast because before you can teach your kids about it, you have to reckon with your own baggage around it. In this episode, Neil and Ali get personal about their own relationships with money, from allowances and video game regret to the anxiety of being surrounded by families who have more, and what all of that quietly teaches our kids without us ever saying a word.

The conversation covers what the research actually shows: that kids start forming beliefs about fairness, status, and value way earlier than most...

Little Kids, Big Questions: How to Talk to Your Kids About Body Image

Body image is one of the most personal, and loaded topics a parent can face, partly because most of us are still carrying our own baggage. In this episode, Neil and Ali get real about growing up in the 80s and 90s, an era of diet culture, locker room taunts, and clean-your-plate rules rooted in real scarcity, and how those messages quietly shaped the way they feel about their bodies today.

The conversation explores what kids actually hear (from parents, peers, and...

Little Kids, Big Questions: How to Talk to Your Kids About Homelessness, Inequality & Poverty

Children notice inequality earlier than many adults realize. Seeing someone experiencing homelessness, noticing differences between neighborhoods, or asking why some people have more than others can lead to difficult questions that parents aren’t always prepared to answer.

In this episode, we explore how to talk about poverty and inequality in ways that build empathy without shame or fear. We discuss the difference between individual circumstances and systemic factors, how family values and cultural experiences shape perspectives, and how parents can he...

Little Kids, Big Questions: How to Talk to Your Kids About Drugs & Alcohol

At some point, kids notice substances...whether it’s alcohol at home, marijuana in public, or references in media and peer conversations. Many parents feel unsure how to address the topic without sounding alarmist, hypocritical, or overly strict.

In this episode, we explore how to approach conversations about drugs and alcohol with honesty, nuance, and credibility. We discuss the difference between fear-based messaging and education, how parental modeling influences kids’ decisions, and why curiosity and open dialogue are more protective than lectures. We a...

Little Kids, Big Questions: How to Talk to Your Kids About Mental Health

Mental health conversations are becoming more common but they can still feel intimidating for parents. Kids experience anxiety, sadness, stress, and emotional challenges, and many parents aren’t sure how to recognize when something is normal versus when support is needed.

In this episode, we explore how to talk about emotions, mental health, and coping in ways that normalize feelings without minimizing them. We discuss emotional vocabulary, modeling regulation, the impact of stress and environment, and how to create a home where ki...

Every four years, billions of people stop everything to watch the World Cup...but why?

In this episode of World's Greatest Dad, Ali tries to convince Neil that soccer isn't just a sport, it's one of the greatest shared cultural experiences on Earth.

Along the way they talk about:

• Why the World Cup means so much to countries around the globe • Why Americans often struggle to connect with soccer • The emotional stories behind international teams • Messi, Pelé, Christian Pulisic, and soccer's biggest legends • Why a 0-0 match can actually be thrilling • Growing up with sports v...

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding may go down as one of the biggest celebrity events ever and Neil Padover and Ali Khan have a lot to say about it.

In this episode of World's Greatest Dad, we break down everything surrounding Taylor Swift's wedding, including:

Little Kids, Big Questions: How to Talk to Your Kids About Divorce

Divorce can feel overwhelming for families not only because of the relationship changes between adults, but because of the emotional impact on children. Parents often worry they are damaging their kids or fear they’ll say something wrong that creates lasting harm.

In this episode, we explore what children actually need when families change structure and why parental behavior after a divorce matters more than the divorce itself. We discuss guilt, loyalty conflicts, routines, co-parenting communication, and how to reassure kids that they do...

In this July 4th special edition of World’s Greatest Dad, Neil Padover and Ali Khan tackle the big question hanging over America’s 250th birthday: has the USA already peaked? What starts with fireworks, hot dogs, and patriotic movies quickly spirals into debates about history, parenting, politics, and whether dads deserve their own Declaration of Independence. The guys unpack what America means to them as fathers raising kids in a complicated, divided, and ever-changing country. Along the way, they rank the most American foods, songs, and traditions, while asking what the Founding Fathers would make of AI, food deli...

How to Talk to Your Kids About Friendship & Exclusion

Few things hurt more than watching your child struggle socially, being left out, rejected, or unsure where they belong. Friendship challenges begin early and evolve as kids grow, and parents often feel caught between wanting to protect their child and wanting them to develop resilience.

In this episode, we unpack the emotional reality of friendship and exclusion, including how social pain affects kids and why these experiences are actually part of healthy development. We discuss when parents should step in and when they should step back...

Family physician Dr. Amir Herman joins World’s Greatest Dad for an honest conversation about parenting, healthcare, and raising independent kids in today’s world. From surviving residency on almost no money (yogurt dinners were clutch) to running a thriving medical practice on Long Island, Dr. Herman shares how becoming a father changed the way he approached both medicine and life. We talk about why so many parents struggle during the middle school years and how dads can build trust with teenagers without controlling their every decision. We also pick Dr. Herman's brain on vaccine hesitancy, Dr. Google, modern heal...

Little Kids, Big Questions: How to Talk to Your Kids About War & Violence

Today’s kids are growing up in a world where news about war, shootings, and violence is unavoidable. Whether it’s headlines on television, conversations at school, or safety drills, children are exposed to frightening realities earlier than ever and parents are often left wondering how much to say and how much to shield.

In this episode, we talk about how to approach conversations about violence in ways that are honest but reassuring. We explore the emotional impact these topics have on pare...

What do kids actually want from their dads? In this powerful episode of World’s Greatest Dad, fatherhood expert Allan Shedlin shares lessons from interviewing more than 205 fathers across 20 countries and leading fatherhood initiatives for over three decades. Allan shares his story about growing up with an emotionally absent father, advising the Obama White House on father engagement, and creating the internationally recognized Daddying Film Festival.

The conversation is as expansive as fatherhood itself as we cover aging, emotional presence, AI parenting, family legacy, and why modern dads are redefining masculinity and caregiving. Allan also reveals the fi...

Little Kids, Big Questions: How to Talk to Your Kids About God & Religion

Questions about God, faith, and belief often arrive earlier than parents expect and they can feel surprisingly loaded. Whether you’re deeply religious, spiritually curious, culturally connected to faith traditions, or unsure what you believe yourself, kids notice differences between families and want to understand what’s true.

In this episode, we explore how to talk with children about religion without fear, pressure, or the need to have all the answers. We discuss how belief intersects with identity, culture, and family values, and...

Three months ago Neil couldn't tell you much about the Knicks. Today he's breaking down playoff officiating, celebrity row, and Jalen Brunson highlights with the passion of a lifelong fan. And yes, Fat Joe makes multiple appearances.In this episode, Neil shares how his five-year-old son's Knicks fandom pulled him into one of the most exciting playoff runs in decades. From Madison Square Garden celebrities to Jalen Brunson's relationship with his father, the conversation turns into a deeper exploration of ambition, coaching, and family. It's a conversation with two dads (Ali & Neil) all about fatherhood disguised as a Knicks...

Joseph Kibler was born with HIV and told he wouldn’t live past four years old but today, he’s thriving as a dad, husband, and performer. In this powerful episode, Joseph shares his journey through disability, stigma, and survival, and how becoming a father transformed his understanding of love and trauma. He opens up about growing up with HIV, navigating relationships, and breaking generational cycles of pain. This conversation dives deep into fatherhood, healing, and what it really means to show up for your child. If you’re interested in parenting, resilience, or overcoming adversity, this episode is a must...

John Berman joins us to talk about why modern fatherhood feels more difficult and less defined than ever. We dive into dad guilt, work-life balance, and the constant pressure to be present, successful, and emotionally available all at once. John explains why many dads feel like they’re failing even when they’re doing their best. We also dive into the lack of a clear definition of what a “good dad” actually is today. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing enough as a father, this conversation will hit home.

This episode is a chaotic, hilarious, and unexpectedly thoughtful dive into modern dad life, internet culture, and everything in between. From “Peter Pan dads” at the playground to the rise of “yap videos,” the guys unpack how social media has turned everyone into a broadcaster. They get surprisingly real about grief, memory, and how music ties us to life’s hardest moments. Along the way, they debate cancel culture, redemption, and whether anyone actually deserves a comeback. Neil also breaks down the reality TV drama of Bravo's Summer House, parenting fails, and a serious question: why haven’t we gone back to...

Elliot Nathan grew up in Minneapolis, lasted about a year and a half in New York, and eventually put down roots in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where he works as a social media manager, coaches youth soccer, and somehow found time to build one of the most genuine voices in the dad content space. On Instagram and TikTok, his platform The Husband Dad has quietly grown a loyal audience, mostly moms, which Elliot takes as a compliment and a challenge. In this episode, we get into what drove him to start creating content, why he thinks consistency beats everything...

Ernest Servantes has cooked for hundreds, won grand champion titles across Texas, and built Burnt Bean Company into the number one barbecue spot in the state. But when Neil and Ali get him on the podcast between a 300-person catering job and a full day at the pits, all he wants to talk about is being a dad. Ernest became a father at 19, in college, in a fraternity, with no money and no culinary career yet and somehow it all turned out okay. He breaks down his parenting philosophy the same way he runs his kitchens: structured, fair, no...

Fresh off spring break, the dads break down two very different family travel experiences: Arizona sunshine vs. Los Angeles chaos. From TSA stress and solo parenting on flights to Disney strategy and wedding logistics, this episode is packed with real-life parenting moments. The WGDs dive into the emotional shift of kids growing up, the changing nature of family vacations, and the unexpected nostalgia that comes with it. Plus, a hilarious mailbag question about snooping, attraction, and getting back in shape. It’s equal parts relatable, chaotic, and thoughtful. If you’ve ever traveled with kids, this one hits home.

Dylan McInerney spent five years on Capitol Hill, built a career in public policy and strategic communications, and now writes the Substack newsletter The Fatherhood Framework, where he explores modern fatherhood through the lens of culture and policy. He also has a two-year-old who has completely wrecked his assumptions about himself. In this episode, Neil and Ali sit down with Dylan to talk about what parenthood actually does to the way you think, not just as a parent, but as a citizen. They get into the real cost of childcare (spoiler: it's up to $1,400 a month in Austin and...

Neil and Ali are officially declaring it: there are cheat codes in life, and this week they have the receipts. In a wide-ranging episode inspired by the Adam Sandler film Click, the guys break down the parenting hacks they actually use to survive modern fatherhood. Neil walks through an entire curriculum of real-world tips: the museum membership hack that gives you unlimited free outings, the Home Depot Saturday woodshop most parents have never heard of, and a three-step survival guide for taking your kids to Target (dollar bin, cake pop, scanner, in that order). There is also a full...

Christian Alquiza: chef, culinary producer at First We Feast, host of Hot Kitchen, and creative force behind some of the internet’s boldest food content, joins World’s Greatest Dad for a candid conversation about food, fatherhood, and finding balance after life on the line.Christian opens up about his 17 years in professional kitchens, his Filipino-American roots, and how becoming a dad forced him to rethink success, pressure, and presence. From stepping away from restaurant life to working in food media, launching his own sauce brand, and raising two young kids, Christian shares hard-earned lessons on patience, identity, masculinity, and...

Scott Galloway recently went viral for saying that dads are basically useless when kids are babies. In this episode of World’s Greatest Dad, we break down that claim and the bigger conversation around masculinity, emotional labor, and what society expects from fathers. Are dads really just providers? Or does modern fatherhood require something deeper?

We talk about parental leave, the controversy surrounding the idea of a “default parent,” and the difference between simply being there and actually being present. Plus, we share personal stories about parenting, work, and the moments that remind us why we believe father...

Neil just got back from a family trip to Mexico and immediately has a story: a “90-minute” timeshare presentation that somehow turned into a four hour sales marathon. What starts as a simple vacation perk quickly becomes a psychological negotiation involving multiple salespeople, disappearing prices, and a whole lot of pressure. The dads break down how these timeshare presentations actually work and why they exist in the first place. Along the way they talk about all-inclusive resort culture, the weird abundance of vacation buffets, and the strange social dynamics of meeting other parents while traveling.Then it’s time for th...

Dr. Michael Milobsky has spent more than 20 years caring for children and families as a pediatrician but his most important role may be the one he plays at home: father of seven.

In this wide-ranging and deeply thoughtful conversation, Dr. Milobsky joins The World’s Greatest Dad Podcast to talk about what it really takes to raise healthy, resilient kids in 2026. From the mental health crisis affecting teens to the impact of smartphones and social media, he offers both clinical insight and hard-earned wisdom from decades of parenting.

We explore the difference between boys’ and girl...