Life of Dad

This week on Life of Dad, Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James welcome comedian Brad Upton! With two grown kids of his own, Brad shares what he's learned from raising a family, why every age has been his favorite, and how his relationship with his kids has changed now that they're adults.

The guys swap stories about embarrassing their kids, surviving the middle school years, and the things dads can get away with telling their children. Tom shares the story of his father-in-law convincing his entire family that he killed Moby Dick, Lee recalls a childhood...

It's Halloween on Life of Dad! Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James are getting into the Halloween spirit with costumes, childhood memories, and some questionable bathroom habits. Tom breaks out his trusty Where's Waldo costume, Lee transforms into Ms. Rachel, and Mike puts his own spin on Freddy Krueger.

The guys look back on their trick-or-treating days, from homemade costumes and elaborate decorations to deciding when they were too old for Halloween. They also get into the realities of taking kids trick-or-treating, managing bathroom breaks, and figuring out which candy is actually worth keeping. Along the...

Episode #23 of Life of Dad welcomes comedian Tim Convy from The Consumers podcast and the band Ludo as he joins Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James to talk about raising two young boys, becoming a dad in his 40s, and the little luxuries that help him recharge. They compare notes on parenting at different ages, watching their own parents become grandparents, and how much their priorities have changed since having kids.

The guys also get into the things they still like having to themselves, from morning coffee and listening to records to working in the yard...

This week on Life of Dad, Tom, Lee, and Mike take inspiration from James Bond Day to tackle a very important question: are they still cool? With Pierce Brosnan’s toaster proudly on display, the guys debate what makes a dad cool, how their kids would rate them, and whether caring less about what people think is the whole secret. Tom remembers his exact peak of coolness, Lee reveals his freshly painted toenails, and Mike finds out that wearing socks can apparently ruin an outfit.

The guys also get into garage sale disagreements, hunting for grocery deals, an...

Episode #21 of Life of Dad welcomes comedian Jay Flake as he joins Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James for a conversation about raising three daughters, youth sports, and realizing you might not be quite as tough as you used to be. Jay shares what life is like in a house full of girls, sitting through all-day cheer competitions, and how being a dad has changed him over the years.

The guys also get into the wild world of youth sports, from over-the-top parents and coaching kids to Jay's years as a referee and official. They swap...

This week it's back to Tom, Lee and Mike catching up on school routines, kids growing up, and why a quiet house can leave you wondering what to do with yourself. From teaching their sons to drive and shave to figuring out how to be both the fun dad and the disciplinarian, the guys compare notes—including Frankie laughing at Lee’s serious voice and the day Tom actually followed through on throwing away the pancakes.

The back-to-school conversation takes them through questionable haircuts, playground chaos, and the music that shaped their younger years, including Mike barking like...

This week on Life of Dad, Tom, Lee, and Mike are joined by entrepreneur, creator, and FamilyMade co-founder Andrew East. Andrew talks about raising three kids with his wife, Shawn Johnson East, what he’s learned from being a girl dad and a boy dad, and why his kids seem determined to find increasingly dangerous hobbies. The guys also get into getting cut from sports, learning how to handle failure, and Andrew’s ability to stay positive and find something useful even when things don’t go according to plan.

Andrew also shares some of the ideas behind...

Episode #18 of Life of Dad welcomes comedian Derrick Stroup as he joins Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James for a conversation about first-time fatherhood, family life, and the unexpected ways becoming a dad changes your perspective. From preparing for a new baby and learning as you go to reflecting on childhood, marriage, and the instinct to protect the people you love, the guys share stories that are equal parts heartfelt and hilarious.

The episode also features plenty of laughs as the conversation wanders through summer heat, football, travel, fantasy leagues, jiu-jitsu, unforgettable massage stories, and the...

Episode #17 of Life of Dad welcomes comedian Connor Larsen as he joins Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James for a conversation about preparing for fatherhood and the life changes that come with becoming a dad. From the anticipation of welcoming a first child to reflecting on early adulthood, first apartments, and the experiences that shape us, the guys share stories about growing up, marriage, and the unexpected lessons that come with each new season of life.

The episode also features plenty of laughs as the conversation takes its usual unexpected turns, including unforgettable massage stories, travel...

Episode #16 of Life of Dad is all about the DIY spirit that seems to come with being a dad. Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James swap stories about home projects, duct tape fixes, garage adventures, and the moments when confidence outweighs actual expertise. Along the way, they also share the realities of becoming the family chauffeur, navigating school drop-offs, road rage, and the funny routines that come with raising kids.
The episode also features stories and questions from the growing Life of Dad community, including legendary duct tape fixes that somehow worked, plus conversations about family road trips...

Episode #15 of Life of Dad is full of the everyday conversations that somehow only dads can turn into an hour of laughs. Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James talk about the emotions that come with kids getting older, back-to-school season, and the moments that unexpectedly remind you just how much time with your kids really matters. The conversation also takes plenty of detours, including travel food habits, Tom's commitment to bringing hard-boiled eggs everywhere he goes, the proper way to eat a sandwich, and the strange routines we all develop as we get older.
The episode also features...

Episode #14 of Life of Dad brings a fourth chair to the studio as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James (who just opened for Nate Bargatze on tour) welcome world-renowned comedian and impressionist Frank Caliendo.

Frank leads a laugh-filled conversation covering fatherhood, his start doing impressions, his high-profile comedy career while raising kids, his favorite kids' shows, and much more. Get ready for hilarious impressions including Morgan Freeman, John Madden, Adam Sandler, and multiple U.S. presidents!

Along the way, the guys read through listener comments including one emailer who has strong opinions about...

Episode #13 of Life of Dad takes a trip to everyone's favorite warehouse store as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James dive into the world of Costco. From family shopping trips and bulk buying to executive memberships, impulse purchases, food court favorites, and the things that somehow always end up in the cart, the guys share the funny realities of shopping for a growing family.

Along the way, they swap stories about the surprisingly practical things dads convince themselves to buy, debate whether Costco's biggest deals are actually worth it, and laugh through conversations about everything...

Comedian Brian Bates joins the guys this week to celebrate his brand-new Nateland comedy special, Worried (watch here: https://youtu.be/-LfFqaVj3uQ), before the conversation naturally turns into everything from becoming an older dad and the "resting worried face" of parenthood to teaching teenagers to drive, disastrous family photos, and why growing older changes the way you think about raising kids.

They also swap stories about life on the road, whether 16 is too young to drive, the future of self-driving cars, the great Wendy's vs. McDonald's fries debate, butter storage, and plenty of the unexpected rabbit...

Episode #11 of Life of Dad finds hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James talking about the unexpected things that somehow become important as life and fatherhood move along. From mowing shoes, lawn care, and backyard projects to gardening, camping, and the little quirks that slowly become part of everyday life, the guys swap stories about the hobbies, habits, and routines they never saw coming.

The episode also features stories and questions from the growing Life of Dad community, along with conversations about raising kids, family milestones, outdoor adventures, and the moments that remind you how quickly...

Episode #10 of Life of Dad celebrates everything that comes with summertime as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James swap stories about family vacations, pool days, backyard adventures, beating the heat, and the unforgettable moments that seem to happen every summer. From the running joke of “Hot Dad Summer” to the little traditions that kids remember for years, the guys reflect on why this season feels different once you become a parent.

The episode also features stories and questions from the growing Life of Dad community, along with conversations about summer travel, childhood memories, family routines, and...

Episode #9 of Life of Dad welcomes its first live studio audience as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James tackle one of the most relatable questions dads have ever submitted: What’s something you just can’t bring yourself to throw away? From boxes of old cables and random keepsakes to sentimental collections and “just in case” items, the guys share their own stories and hear plenty of hilarious responses from the Life of Dad community.

The conversation also wanders into family traditions, parenting moments, growing kids, summer memories, and the everyday experiences that somehow turn into unf...

Episode #8 of Life of Dad continues the conversation about one topic many dads tend to avoid: their own health. Hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James talk about everything from routine checkups and mental health to exercise, diet, sleep, and the challenge of taking care of yourself while trying to take care of everyone else.

The episode also features stories and questions from the growing Life of Dad community, including dads who ignore injuries, put off doctor visits, and eventually realize that staying healthy isn’t just about them—it’s about being there for their famili...

Episode #7 of Life of Dad welcomes the show’s first guest, Stephen Bargatze, as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James take a trip down memory lane and compare what growing up looked like then versus now. From driving farm trucks as kids and disappearing for hours without anyone knowing where you were to the everyday responsibilities children used to have, the group shares stories that would be almost impossible to imagine today.

The conversation also explores how parenting, grandparenting, and family life have changed over the years. Stephen reflects on lessons learned raising a family, wh...

Episode #6 of Life of Dad continues the conversation about the journey to fatherhood as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James focus on the final stretch before a baby arrives. From labor-inducing pizzas and Costco hot dogs to power walks, castor oil, and every other piece of advice expectant parents receive, the guys share stories about the strange lengths people will go to when they’re ready to meet their baby.

The episode also features stories from the Life of Dad community about labor, delivery, and the moments parents knew it was finally time to head to...

Episode #5 of Life of Dad continues the conversation about fatherhood with hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James as they talk about money, responsibility, and the many strange ways dads try to justify their purchases. From sleepless nights with a baby and life on the road to family movie nights, school drop-off autopilot, and old high school nicknames, the guys share more stories about the everyday chaos that comes with being a dad.

The episode also features more comments and stories from the growing Life of Dad community, including diaper disasters, dad jingles, ridiculous “practical” purchases, and...

Episode #4 of Life of Dad continues the conversation about navigating fatherhood as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James settle into the second trimester and discuss the surprising confidence that can come with it. As the early panic and uncertainty begin to fade, the guys talk about how easy it is for new parents to feel like they’ve finally figured things out—just in time for parenthood to remind them otherwise.

The episode also features stories from life on the road, traveling with a baby, leaning on grandparents, and the lessons learned from accidentally using a ca...

Episode #3 of Life of Dad continues the conversation about the early days of fatherhood as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James dive into the fog of bringing a newborn home for the first time. From sleepless nights and 3 a.m. fears to figuring out shifts with your spouse and realizing “this baby is really ours now,” the guys share honest stories about the emotional blur of those first few days with a new baby.
The episode also features updates from life at home, including Lee celebrating his daughter finally saying “Dada,” conversations about youth sports, parenting encouragement, and the...

Episode #2 of Life of Dad continues the conversation about the early stages of fatherhood with hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James as they focus on the first trimester and everything that comes with it. Building off last week’s conversations about sleepless nights, newborn life, and adjusting to parenthood, the guys share more stories about pregnancy nerves, hiding the news early on, Mother’s Day as a new dad, and the mental games of marriage once kids enter the picture. The episode also features continued listener comments and voicemails from the growing Life of Dad community, including reac...

Episode #1 of Life of Dad kicks off with hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James diving into the moment life changes forever: becoming a dad. From sleepless nights with newborns and surprise pregnancies to dad fashion, Costco runs, and learning how quickly kids grow up, the guys share hilarious and heartfelt stories from every stage of fatherhood. The episode also features community voicemails from dads and moms around the country, plus an emotional story from Tom about his daughter Barbara’s miraculous survival after a life-threatening diagnosis before birth. Equal parts funny, honest, and encouraging, this debut episode se...