Podcast
Dad Up Podcast
Hosted by Bryan Ward · EN
Podcast show for dads about dads being dads.
The show features incredible guests ranging from celebrities to pro-athletes to entrepreneurs. On the show we discuss their experiences in parenting and how they have managed raising kids all while being successful in their careers.
We not only get into the nuts and bolts on parenting with tips, tools and strategies they have used, but they share personal stories that they have experienced as parents.
Each episode is packed with nuggets that you won’t want to miss. Please check it out! You won’t be disappointed. Let’s go Dad Up!
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep. 327 - Why Trauma Is Misunderstood | Veronica Thompson and Bryan Ward
4w ago00:38:08Tap to summarize🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!🟫 Why Trauma Is Misunderstood | Veronica Thompson & Bryan Ward | Ep. 327👉 In this episode of the Dad Up Podcast, Bryan Ward sits down with Veronica Thompson.👉 Veronica Thompson, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Trauma Therapist, committed Christian, and survivor of childhood sexual abuse. 👉 For more than two decades, she has dedicated her life to helping children, teens, adults, and families navigate the devastating effects of sexual abuse and trauma while finding a path toward healing and restoration.👉 Veronica uniquely combines Biblical truth with trauma-informed clinical care, helping Christians better understand trauma, PTSD, abuse, and recovery, without spiritualizing pain or minimizing Scripture.👉 Her compassionate and evidence-based approach creates space for healing that honors both the nervous system and the Word of God.👉 Throughout her career, Veronica has equipped churches, leaders, families, and individuals to respond to suffering with discernment, courage, truth, and compassion.👉 She is passionate about helping faith communities become safe, informed, and healing-centered spaces where survivors can truly be seen, heard, and supported.👉 Veronica earned her Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University in New York, where she also minored in Law.👉 She received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, Connecticut.👉 With wisdom, grace, and deep professional insight, Veronica offers faith-based clinical tools for healing while helping families recognize, prevent, and respond to childhood sexual abuse.👉 Follow the Dad Up Podcast for more conversations on fatherhood, leadership, and becoming the man your family needs.👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!Dad Up!Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.📞 Contact with Bryan Ward: ✅ Dad Up Instagram:https://instagram.com/daduppodcast✅ Dad Up YouTube:https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562✅ Dad Up LinkTree:https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe📞 Contact with Veronica Thompson: ✅ Veronica Thompson’s Website:http://veronicathompson.com✅ Veronica Thompson’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/veronicathompsonlcsw/
Transcribe →Ep. 326 - Dad Can You Not? | Chip Leighton and Bryan Ward
Apr 500:42:20Tap to summarize🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!🟫 Dad Can You Not? | Chip Leighton & Bryan Ward | Ep. 326👉 In this episode of the Dad Up Podcast, Bryan Ward sits down with Chip Leighton a powerful voice known for his bold humor, real-life storytelling, and unapologetic take on personal growth. 👉 Chip has built a platform that cuts through the noise, using both comedy and truth to challenge men to take ownership of their lives, their mindset, and their role as fathers.👉 We dive deep into what it really means to break generational cycles and step into the responsibility of leadership within your home.👉 Chip shares his perspective on discipline, identity, and the importance of showing up consistently, even when it’s hard, inconvenient, or uncomfortable.👉 This conversation isn’t about perfection, it’s about progress, accountability, and becoming the man your family needs you to be.👉 We also unpack the power of humor as a tool for connection, how to navigate adversity without losing yourself, and why so many men stay stuck and how to break out of it.👉 Chip brings both energy and authenticity to this episode, offering practical insights and mindset shifts that every dad can apply immediately.👉 If you’re serious about leveling up, leading with intention, and building a legacy your kids will be proud of, this episode will hit home.👉 Follow the Dad Up Podcast for more conversations on fatherhood, leadership, and becoming the man your family needs.👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!Dad Up!Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.📞 Contact with Bryan Ward: ✅ Dad Up Instagram:https://instagram.com/daduppodcast✅ Dad Up YouTube:https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562✅ Dad Up LinkTree:https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe📞 Contact with Chip Leighton: ✅ Chip Leighton’s Book: https://theleightonshow.com/book/✅ Chip Leighton’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/the_leighton_show✅ Chip Leighton’s YouTube:https://youtube.com/@leightonshow✅ Chip Leighton’s Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/theleightonshow
Transcribe →Ep. 325 - When Fathers Lead | Jeff Hamilton and Bryan Ward
Mar 1500:38:28Tap to summarize🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!🟫 When Fathers Lead | Jeff Hamilton & Bryan Ward | Ep. 325👉 In this episode of the Dad Up Podcast, Bryan Ward sits down with Jeff Hamilton, pastor, championship coach, father, and founder of Dad Academy, to talk about what it truly means to lead as a man in today’s world.👉 Jeff shares powerful insights on faith-driven fatherhood, leadership in the home, raising resilient kids, and why the greatest championship a man can win is inside his own family.👉 As both a pastor at Hills Church OC and a championship-level coach, Jeff has spent decades mentoring young men and fathers to live with purpose, discipline, and faith.👉 Through his platform Dad Academy, Jeff helps men grow into stronger fathers by focusing on faith, discipline, and intentional leadership in the home.👉 His message centers on one simple belief: the most important championship a man will ever win is the one inside his own family.👉 Jeff’s work continues to impact fathers, coaches, and leaders who want to build stronger families and raise the next generation with character, resilience, and faith.👉 If you’re a dad who wants to break cycles, build legacy, and become the father your kids truly need, this episode will challenge and inspire you.👉 Follow the Dad Up Podcast for more conversations on fatherhood, leadership, and becoming the man your family needs.👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!👉 Comment below: What did leading as a father means to you?Dad Up!Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.📞 Contact with Bryan Ward: ✅ Dad Up Instagram:https://instagram.com/daduppodcast✅ Dad Up YouTube:https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562✅ Dad Up LinkTree:https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe📞 Contact with Jeff Hamilton: ✅ Jeff Hamilton’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/hamilton_jeff✅ Jeff Hamilton’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/hamilton_jeff✅ Jeff Hamilton’s Dad Academy:Parenting | Dad Academy | United States
Transcribe →Ep. 324 - Leading As A Father Without Losing Yourself | Kenyada Meadows and Bryan Ward
Mar 1500:40:39Tap to summarize🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!🟫 Leading As A Father Without Losing Yourself | Kenyada Meadows & Bryan Ward | Ep. 324👉 In this episode of the Dad Up Podcast, I sit down with Kenya Meadows,👉 Kenyada Meadows believes the old model of dominance, control, and self-sacrifice is broken and it’s costing men their families, their health, and their humanity.👉 Kenyada is a financial services executive, governance expert, board member, and leadership coach with over 25 years leading audit, risk, and compliance across some of the world’s most demanding Wall Street institutions. 👉 He’s a Harvard Business School alumnus, author, and Master Certified Executive Coach, holding CPA, CIA, and CFE credentials.👉 Kenyada mastered the traditional playbook, outworking, outlasting, outperforming, until life forced a reckoning.👉 As senior leadership responsibilities collided with fatherhood and caring for an ailing parent, he confronted the hidden cost of success and questioned whether well-being could survive on the margins.👉 That turning point led him to develop The New Alpha, a powerful framework built on three pillars: Home, Work, and Self. 👉 This approach redefines leadership through balance, emotional integrity, and presence, where vulnerability becomes strength and wholeness becomes the true measure of success.👉 Today, we’re talking about how men can lead with purpose, show up fully at home, and succeed at work, without losing themselves in the process.👉 Follow the Dad Up Podcast for more conversations on fatherhood, leadership, and becoming the man your family needs.👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!👉 Comment below: What did leading as a father mean to you?Dad Up!Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.📞 Contact with Bryan Ward: ✅ Dad Up Instagram:https://instagram.com/daduppodcast✅ Dad Up YouTube:https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562✅ Dad Up LinkTree:https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe📞 Contact with Kenyada Meadows: ✅ Kenyada Meadows’s Website: Executive Parent Company✅ Kenyada Meadows’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/100bookeverything✅ Kenyada Meadows’s LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenyadameadows
Transcribe →Ep. 323 - Raising Kids Beyond The Scoreboard | Harvey Araton and Bryan Ward
Dec 2800:42:46Tap to summarize🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!🟫 Raising Kids Beyond The Scoreboard | Harvey Araton & Bryan Ward | Ep. 323👉 In this episode of the Dad Up Podcast, I sit down with Harvey Araton, New York Times best-selling author, award-winning sports journalist, and co-producer of the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary “When The Garden Was Eden.”👉 With over 25 years writing for The New York Times and ten powerful books behind him, Harvey brings unmatched insight to sports, life, and legacy.👉 Now, Harvey is speaking directly to young readers and families with his upcoming middle-grade novel, “The Goal of the Game,” releasing December 2025 through Koehler Books.👉 We dive into how storytelling impacts youth, what sports can teach parents today, and how resilience shows up on and off the field.👉 If you’re a dad, coach, athlete, sports fan, or parent wanting to raise resilient kids, this conversation is packed with perspective you won’t want to miss.👉 Follow the Dad Up Podcast for more conversations on fatherhood, leadership, and becoming the man your family needs.👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!Dad Up!Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.📞 Contact with Bryan Ward: ✅ Dad Up Instagram:https://instagram.com/daduppodcast✅ Dad Up YouTube:https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562✅ Dad Up LinkTree:https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe📞 Contact with Harvey Araton: ✅ Harvey Araton’s Website: Harvey Araton - Home✅ Harvey Araton’s Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/harveyjaraton✅ Harvey Araton’s Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/harvey.araton
Transcribe →Ep. 322 - The Mozy Story | Charlie Sherts and Bryan Ward
Dec 2100:27:37Tap to summarize🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!🟫 The Mozy Story | Charlie Sherts & Bryan Ward | Ep. 322👉 In this episode of the Dad Up Podcast, I’m joined by Charlie Sherts, a seasoned medical device engineer and inventor with over 20 years of experience bringing innovative products to market.👉 But Charlie’s most meaningful invention didn’t start in a lab, it started on the sidelines of his kids’ outdoor sports games, watching his own mother shiver through cold, windy afternoons just to support her grandkids.👉 That moment sparked the creation of Mozy, a patented, weatherproof thermal wrap that uses the laws of heat transfer and thermodynamics to keep you up to 500% warmer than traditional blankets, without batteries, cords, or external heat sources.👉 Drawing from his deep background in medical device engineering, Charlie designed Mozy to be: Safe (no external power or electronics) Reliable (durable and weatherproof) Intuitive (30-second setup) Simple (powered by your own body heat)👉 Mozy has since been featured in Rolling Stone, Outside Magazine, and Today Show, proving that some of the most impactful innovations are born from deeply personal family moments.👉 This conversation dives into fatherhood, problem-solving, empathy, and what happens when dads use their skills not just to build products, but to build legacies.👉 Follow the Dad Up Podcast for more conversations on fatherhood, leadership, and becoming the man your family needs.👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!Dad Up!Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.📞 Contact with Bryan Ward: ✅ Dad Up Instagram:https://instagram.com/daduppodcast✅ Dad Up YouTube:https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562✅ Dad Up LinkTree:https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe📞 Contact with Charlie Sherts: ✅ Charlie Shert’s Website: https://getthemozy.com/blogs/news/from-the-brrr-ainchild-how-i-use-my-own-mozy✅ Charlie Shert’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/get_the_mozy?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==✅ Charlie Shert’s Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/getthemozy?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr
Transcribe →Ep. 321 - The Warrior’s Way | Thomas Blottenberger and Bryan Ward
Dec 1400:44:58Tap to summarize👉 What happens when you achieve everything you were told would make you happy and still feel empty?👉 In this powerful episode of the Dad Up Podcast, I sit down with Thomas Blottenberger, founder of The Risk Reward Agency, to unpack why so many outwardly successful men feel inwardly stuck, disconnected, and unfulfilled.👉 After a 15-year career as a financial advisor, Thomas realized something most men never slow down enough to confront: money doesn’t fix fractured marriages, unprocessed trauma, or a loss of identity. Success can hide the problem, but it can’t heal it.👉 We dive deep into: • Why financial success often masks emotional disconnection • The hidden cost of validation-driven leadership • How unprocessed trauma shows up in marriage and fatherhood • Radical honesty, responsibility, and emotional mastery • What it truly means to lead yourself before leading your family • The difference between achievement and alignment • Why men must rise emotionally not just professionally👉 Blending insights from neuroscience, the Warrior’s Way, and his own story of emotional and spiritual rebirth, Thomas shares how men can reconnect, rebuild trust, and lead their homes with clarity and purpose.👉 This conversation is real, raw, and deeply necessary for any man who wants more than surface-level success, especially husbands and fathers committed to breaking cycles and building legacies.👉 Follow the Dad Up Podcast for more conversations on fatherhood, leadership, and becoming the man your family needs.👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!Dad Up!Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.📞 Contact with Bryan Ward: ✅ Dad Up Instagram:https://instagram.com/daduppodcast✅ Dad Up YouTube:https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562✅ Dad Up LinkTree:https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe📞 Contact with Thomas Blottenberger: ✅ Thomas Blottenberger’s Website: Welcome To The Paradigm Shift✅ Thomas Blottenberger’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mr.blottenberger✅ Thomas Blottenberger’s LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasblottenberger
Transcribe →Ep. 320 - The GOAT Series | Steve Clair and Bryan Ward
Dec 700:39:05Tap to summarize🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!🟫 The GOAT Series | Steve Clair & Bryan Ward | Ep. 320👉 Today on the Dad Up Podcast, I’m joined by a guy who embodies what it means to chase excellence in every arena of life. 👉 Steve Clair is a powerhouse real estate broker with nearly two decades of experience navigating two of the most competitive markets in the world, New York and Miami.👉 Known for his creative marketing and relentless drive, Steve has built a reputation for not just closing deals, but elevating the entire experience for his clients.👉 Whether it’s luxury homes or smart investment opportunities, he’s the guy people turn to when they want results.👉 But Steve’s impact stretches far beyond the world of real estate.👉 He’s also the visionary behind The G.O.A.T. Series, a children’s book franchise dedicated to celebrating the legendary athletes who inspire generations.👉 Through these stories, Steve brings the magic of greatness down to a level kids can connect with, fueling imagination, resilience, and big dreams.👉 He’s also the host of Self Starters, a podcast where founders, creators, and industry leaders pull back the curtain on their journeys to success.👉 Steve has a gift for drawing out the real lessons behind the headlines, the grit, the creativity, the setbacks, and the unwavering belief that pushes people forward.👉 But at the core of everything he does, Steve is a family man first.👉 A devoted husband and father who approaches life with gratitude and intention.👉 He’s navigating the same challenges, hopes, and joys that so many dads in this community experience, and he brings a refreshing honesty to that journey.👉 Today, we’re diving into fatherhood, ambition, leadership, creativity, and what it really means to build a life that matters, both personally and professionally.👉 This is an episode full of insight, inspiration, and heart.👉 Let’s welcome Steve Clair to the Dad Up Podcast.👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!Dad Up!Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.📞 Contact with Bryan Ward: ✅ Dad Up Instagram:https://instagram.com/daduppodcast✅ Dad Up YouTube:https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562✅ Dad Up LinkTree:https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe📞 Contact with Steve Clair: ✅ Steve Clair’s Website: Steve Clair✅ Steve Clair’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/steveclair.me✅ The GOAT Series Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegoatseries.kids
Transcribe →Ep. 319 - 90% Of Men Are Metabolically Broken | Clifford Stephan and Bryan Ward
Nov 3000:30:25Tap to summarize🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!🟫 90% Of Men Are Metabolically Broken | Clifford Stephan & Bryan Ward | Ep. 319👉 Today’s guest is Clifford Stephan, Founder and Chief Vacation Officer of Booze Vacation, a movement helping men rethink their relationship with alcohol, reclaim their health, and unlock elite levels of energy and clarity.👉 By his mid-40s, Clifford realized his “normal” drinking habits were quietly steering him toward more doctors, more prescriptions, and a future of declining performance.👉 Instead of accepting mediocrity, he took a bold step: a full year off from alcohol, a reset he called his booze vacation.👉 That one decision changed everything, his health, his mindset, and his mission. 👉 Now, Clifford helps men step away from destructive patterns, rewrite their habits, and show up stronger for their families, careers, and long-term legacy.👉 He’s also the founder of OneCompensation, holds a degree in Nutritional Science from Cal Poly SLO, and has completed over a dozen long-course triathlons.👉 Clifford is a powerhouse of discipline, self-awareness, and longevity, committed to kicking ass well into his 80s and helping other men do the same.👉 This is an episode every dad needs to hear, especially if you’ve ever felt the quiet pull of unhealthy habits interfering with your purpose, performance, or family leadership.👉 Let’s jump into this powerful conversation with Clifford Stephan.👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!Dad Up!Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.📞 Contact with Bryan Ward: ✅ Dad Up Instagram:https://instagram.com/daduppodcast✅ Dad Up YouTube:https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562✅ Dad Up LinkTree:https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe📞 Contact with Clifford Stephan: Website: Booze VacationInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/boozevacationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cliffordstephanTake The Quiz: https://boozevacation.scoreapp.com/
Transcribe →Ep. 318 - How Brain Health Shapes Parenting | Dr. Rebecca Jackson & Bryan Ward
Nov 2300:39:41Tap to summarize🎙️ Welcome to a new episode of the Dad Up Podcast!🟫 How Brain Health Shapes Parenting | Dr. Rebecca Jackson & Bryan Ward | Ep. 318👉 In this powerful episode of the Dad Up Podcast, host Bryan Ward sits down with Dr. Rebecca Jackson — a Board Certified Cognitive Specialist, Doctor of Chiropractic, author, speaker, and one of the leading experts in brain health and human performance.👉 With over 15 years of experience, more than 1,000 clients served, and her current role as Chief Program Officer for Brain Balance, Dr. Jackson brings deep insight into how the brain develops, adapts, heals, and thrives. expert on improving brain health, development, and cognition.👉 Dr. Jackson’s work has appeared in Mayo Clinic Press, Forbes, Psych Central, Business Insider, and more. She has also appeared on such shows as The Doctor’s Show, NBC’s Nightly News, and more.👉 Dr. Rebecca Jackson has extensive post-graduate training in: neurodevelopment disorders, clinical translational research, functional neurology, nutrition, and cognitive optimization.👉 Her passion for helping others maximize their human potential comes from years of clinical work, hands-on experience with thousands of children and adults, and her own journey as a mom.👉 Dr. Jackson is also the author of Back on Track and a frequent expert guest featured in: Mayo Clinic Press, Forbes, Psych Central, Business Insider, NBC Nightly News, The Doctors, and many more👉 Together, we unpack the tools, strategies, and science-backed principles that help kids AND adults enhance their cognition, emotional regulation, focus, and overall well-being.👉 If you’re a parent who wants to help your child succeed…a dad trying to perform better at work and at home… or someone who wants to better understand your own brain.👉 This episode will open your eyes to what’s truly possible.👉 Like this episode? Be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star review, and share it with your friends and families you know that may be trying to successfully coparent.👉 Links are in my bio or in the show notes!Dad Up!Where Fathers Break Cycles & Build Legacies.📞 Contact with Bryan Ward: ✅ Dad Up Instagram:https://instagram.com/daduppodcast✅ Dad Up YouTube:https://youtube.com/c/DadUpPodcast✅ Dad Up Apple Podcast:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dad-up-podcast/id1486764562✅ Dad Up LinkTree:https://linktr.ee/Daduptribe📞 Contact with Dr. Rebecca Jackson: ✅ Book: amazon.com/Back.../dp/B0BQMDS85D/ref=sr_1_1✅ Website: https://www.brainbalance.com✅ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drrebeccajackson✅ LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/drrebeccajackson
Transcribe →