Podcast
Daring to Dad
Hosted by Ryan Walton · EN
Daring to Dad holds conversations at the intersections of fatherhood, faith and masculinity. Join us as we engage in candid conversations with fathers from all walks of life, sharing stories, challenges, and insights that inspire and resonate. Whether you’re a new dad navigating parenting, someone curious about the intersection of masculinity and spirituality, or just looking to connect with relatable experiences, ”Daring to Dad” offers a space to learn, reflect, and grow together. Tune in and be part of a community daring to rethink what it means to be a dad.
16episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
From Dudes to Dads: Finding Your Place in Modern Fatherhood
Jan 600:53:49Tap to summarizeWhat does it actually mean to become a father in a world where expectations have changed, but support hasn’t always caught up? In this episode of Daring to Dad, Ryan sits down with therapist, writer, and father Eli Weinstein for an honest, wide-ranging conversation about modern fatherhood, masculinity, and the emotional realities men often carry quietly. Together, they explore why dads so often feel invisible in parenting conversations, how anxiety and panic can show up in early fatherhood, and what helps men move from survival mode into intentional, connected parenting. This conversation goes beyond advice and into lived experience. They talk about the importance of preparation before the baby arrives, how couples can set clearer expectations, why community matters so deeply for men, and how fatherhood can become a powerful invitation to redefine masculinity, worth, and belonging. Whether you’re a new dad, preparing for fatherhood, co-parenting, or supporting men in this season of life, this episode offers language, insight, and permission to show up more fully. Episode Highlights & Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction Why fatherhood still leaves so many men feeling unseen 03:30 – From Dudes to Dads Why fathers are often missing from emotional parenting conversations 07:45 – Expectations vs. Reality How unspoken assumptions create tension after the baby arrives 11:40 – Preparing Men for Fatherhood Why dads need space to reflect before becoming fathers 15:10 – Importing and Exporting Family Patterns Deciding what to carry forward and what to leave behind from your upbringing 18:30 – “This Isn’t Who You Used to Be” Navigating growth when your partner isn’t used to the new version of you 21:30 – Active vs. Passive Fatherhood How modern parenting is shifting from gender roles to skill-based partnership 25:45 – Daily Check-Ins That Actually Work Simple conversations that prevent resentment from building 29:00 – Men, Anxiety, and Early Fatherhood Panic attacks, overwhelm, and what men don’t always say out loud 33:00 – Why Community Matters for Dads Finding support outside your partner without disconnecting from your home 37:30 – Eldership and Mentorship Learning from those who have gone before you 41:30 – Raising Boys Into Worth What it means to guide boys toward value, purpose, and self-respect 46:00 – Finding Your Place as a Father Letting go of comparison and leaning into your strengths 49:00 – Closing Reflections Why no one has ever raised your child before, and why that matters Connect with Eli Weinstein and check out his new book: https://www.eliweinsteinlcsw.com/book Give him a follow on Instagram
Transcribe →Unpacking Church Camp with Cara Meredith
May 14, 202500:58:31Tap to summarizeThis one’s personal. In this special episode of Daring to Dad, Ryan reconnects with longtime friend and author Cara Meredith to talk about a place that shaped—and complicated—both of their lives: church camp. They dive deep into Cara’s new book Church Camp, exploring the tension between beauty and harm in white evangelical youth culture. Together, they unpack formative experiences like Cry Night, purity culture, “don’t make purple” rules, emotional manipulation, and the racial and gendered norms embedded in camp life. They reflect on what it means to hold grace for younger versions of ourselves, how shame gets passed down through spiritual systems, and what raising kids with a grounded sense of love and identity can look like—without recreating the patterns they’re still unlearning. Cara also shares how her theology and parenting have evolved, why she still loves camp, and the power of asking questions even when you’re afraid of the answers. About Cara: Cara Meredith is the author of The Color of Life and Church Camp. She lives in Oakland, CA, where she works in development by day and writes by night. Follow her on Substack at carameredith.substack.com or on Instagram @carameredithwrites.
Transcribe →Postpartum Care is for Dads Too with Tisheila Justice
Apr 8, 202500:53:39Tap to summarizeIn this powerful episode of Daring to Dad, Ryan sits down with licensed clinical social worker Tisheila Justice to unpack the silent struggles of men in the postpartum period. From hormonal changes in fathers to the emotional toll of feeling like the “B parent,” Tisheila shares clinical insights and personal wisdom on why dads need just as much support as moms after birth. They talk openly about miscarriage, depression, identity shifts, and the ways men often grieve in silence—along with what we can do to change that. This is the conversation about fatherhood, masculinity, and emotional health you didn’t know you needed. Follow Tisheila at @growthandwellnessmhc and check out her site at growthandwellnessmhc.com 🧠 Topics Covered: Postpartum depression in men Hormonal shifts after birth How society dismisses paternal pain Miscarriage and grief Building emotional support for fathers Connect with the show at @daringtodad 🎧 Subscribe and leave a review!
Transcribe →Who Am I Without the Job? with John Shearer
Mar 25, 202500:50:42Tap to summarizeWhat happens when the title, the paycheck, or the role you’ve always played no longer feels like enough? In this episode of Daring to Dad, I sit down with therapist John Shearer, founder of Kickstart Men’s Therapy in Ontario. John shares his powerful story of leaving behind a successful corporate career to find something more real, more honest—and more connected to who he truly is. We talk about the pressure men feel to constantly prove themselves, why so many guys give up on therapy, and what it means to show up as a man, a father, and a human being—without all the masks. If you’ve ever felt stuck, burned out, or unsure of who you are beyond your job or your role—this conversation is for you. Topics Covered: ✔️ Why so few men become therapists (and why we need more) ✔️ The real reason men drop out of therapy ✔️ How identity and self-worth get tangled up in work and status ✔️ What women often don’t understand about the male experience ✔️ How to reconnect with purpose, family, and self Follow & Connect: 🎧 Subscribe to Daring to Dad for more conversations on fatherhood, masculinity, and personal growth. 📲 Follow Ryan on Instagram at @daringtodad. 📲 Learn more about John Shearer and Kickstart Men’s Therapy at kickstartmenstherapy.ca and @kickstartmenstherapy If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it!
Transcribe →Finding Purpose, Connection & Fatherhood with Ryan Olufson
Mar 19, 202500:56:36Tap to summarizeWhat’s really holding men back from living the life they want? And how can we start to break free from feeling stuck? In this episode of Daring to Dad, I sit down with Ryan Olufson, a certified Primal Question coach who helps men uncover the deep, often hidden questions that shape their identity, relationships, and decisions. We talk about how childhood experiences influence our search for purpose, why isolation is one of the biggest threats to modern masculinity, and how fatherhood forces us to confront our own past in unexpected ways. Ryan shares practical tools for breaking free from limiting beliefs, finding meaningful community, and learning to work from a place of rest—rather than exhaustion. If you’re feeling stuck, disconnected, or just searching for something more in your life, this conversation is for you. Topics Covered: ✔️ The Primal Question—and how it shapes your life choices ✔️ Why so many men struggle with friendships and community ✔️ The hidden impact of father wounds and how to heal them ✔️ The difference between therapy and coaching—and why both matter ✔️ How to show up fully for your kids (even when life is overwhelming) Follow & Connect: 🎧 Subscribe to Daring to Dad for more conversations on fatherhood, masculinity, and personal growth. 📲 Follow Ryan Walton on Instagram at @daringtodad and online at datingtodad.com 📲 Connect with Ryan Olufson and explore his coaching work at GrowthTakesCourage.com. If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it!
Transcribe →Breaking Free from Hypermasculinity with Patch McCormick
Mar 5, 202500:53:59Tap to summarizeWhy do so many men struggle to connect with their emotions? And what does it really take to break free from the pressures of hypermasculinity? In this episode of Daring to Dad, I sit down with therapist Patch McCormick to explore the journey from emotional disconnection to deeper self-awareness and relational strength. Patch shares how his high-stakes career in advertising led him to a personal crisis and ultimately, to the world of men's mental health. We unpack the stigma around therapy, the appeal of hypermasculinity, and practical steps for men looking to build healthier relationships with themselves and others. If you're curious about how to navigate masculinity in a way that feels powerful, grounded, and real—this conversation is for you. Topics Covered: ✔️ Why men avoid therapy (and how to change that) ✔️ The impact of hypermasculinity on relationships ✔️ How to build emotional resilience without losing your edge ✔️ The difference between therapy and coaching—and how to choose what’s right for you Follow & Connect: 🎧 Subscribe to Daring to Dad for more conversations on fatherhood, masculinity, and personal growth. 📲 Follow Ryan on Instagram @DaringToDad. 📲 Follow Patch McCormick on Instagram @TalkToPatch If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share it with someone who needs to hear it!
Transcribe →Why Men’s Mental Health Needs a New Approach with Dr. Audra Horney
Feb 26, 202500:51:05Tap to summarizeMen’s mental health is often overlooked, misunderstood, and full of misconceptions. Why do so many men hesitate to seek therapy? And how can we create spaces where they actually feel supported? In this episode of Daring to Dad, I sit down with Dr. Audra Horney, a licensed psychologist who specializes in therapy for men. We break down the real barriers keeping men from getting the help they deserve. We discuss why therapy is often unintentionally feminized, how language impacts mental health support, and why shaming men into therapy isn’t the answer. Dr. Horney also shares practical steps for supporting the men in your life, the role of social media in mental health advocacy, and what therapists and society at large can do to create real change. If you’ve ever wondered how we can do better for men’s mental health, this episode is for you. 🔹 Topics Covered: ✔️ The biggest myths about men and therapy ✔️ Why therapy has been feminized and how that affects men ✔️ How to encourage men to seek help without shaming them ✔️ The power of language in mental health treatment ✔️ What workplaces and communities can do to support men ✔️ How men’s healing benefits everyone 🎧 Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 📲 Connect with Dr. Audra Horney: Instagram & TikTok: @Dr.Audra.Horney 📢 Share this episode! Tag me on social @DaringToDad and let’s keep this conversation going.
Transcribe →Rethinking Masculinity, Fatherhood & Growth with Ludo Gabriele
Feb 20, 202500:47:01Tap to summarizeWhat does it truly mean to be a man today? In this episode of Daring to Dad, I sit down with Ludo Gabriele, writer, thought leader, and founder of WokeDaddy.com, to explore the complexities of masculinity, fatherhood, and personal growth. Ludo shares his deeply personal journey and how missing his son’s first steps led him to question everything, why fatherhood changed the way he saw himself, and how his views on masculinity have evolved over the years. We dive into the challenges men face today, from societal expectations to the impact of social media, and why the conversation about men needs to move beyond extreme narratives. This episode is raw, thought-provoking, and filled with insights that will challenge the way you think about masculinity, identity, and the power of change. Whether you're a father, a son, or someone curious about the shifting landscape of gender roles, this conversation is for you. Topics We Cover: ✔️ The moment that changed everything for Ludo as a father ✔️ Why allowing yourself to evolve is a strength, not a weakness ✔️ Raising boys vs. raising girls—how the challenges differ ✔️ How social media shapes (and distorts) conversations about men ✔️ Moving beyond the extremes and why we need a more balanced discussion on masculinity 🎧 Tune in now and join the conversation! Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and leave a review—it helps more people find the show. 📲 Follow Ludo Gabriele: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ludogabriele/ 📲 Follow [Your Name] & [Podcast Name]: 🔗 Instagram: @daringtodad 🔗 TikTok: daring.to.dad 🔗 Website: www.daringtodad.com
Transcribe →Redefining Masculinity, Trauma, and Spiritual Growth with Zack Alexander
Jan 27, 202500:51:20Tap to summarizeWelcome back to season 2 of the Daring to Dad podcast! I'm kicking of the season with Zack Alexander, a spiritual and leadership mentor whose transformative journey is reshaping conversations around trauma, masculinity, and personal growth. From leaving a full scholarship at a top law school to diving deep into the worlds of trauma integration and grounded spirituality, Zack shares how he’s helping individuals—and especially men—connect with their healthiest, most authentic selves. Together, Zack and I explore: The societal barriers men face in embracing their emotions and spirituality The complex interplay between trauma, self-discovery, and healing The rise of social media in shaping wellness conversations—for better or worse The importance of authenticity in an era of influencer culture Whether you’re seeking inspiration, a fresh perspective on personal growth, or actionable insights into navigating life’s challenges, this conversation will leave you thinking deeply about how to connect with yourself and the world around you. Don’t miss this compelling discussion packed with wisdom, vulnerability, and transformative ideas. Follow Zack Alexander: Instagram: @iamzackalexander
Transcribe →Navigating Change: Manhood, Parenting, and Purpose Beyond Belief with Joshua Harris
Nov 11, 202400:58:25Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Daring to Dad, Ryan sits down with Joshua Harris to explore the profound journey of personal transformation and self-discovery. Many will recognize Josh from his years as a prominent voice within a certain faith community, but today, he is forging a new path as a seeker, creative, and advocate for personal growth. Josh shares his story of stepping away from a rigid, fear-based religious framework and embracing a life filled with exploration, creativity, and connection. Together, Ryan and Josh dive into the complexities of life transitions and the courage it takes to redefine one’s identity. They explore the ways in which our beliefs—especially around manhood, parenting, and community—evolve over time and how that evolution is essential to personal growth. Josh reflects on the impact of public persona and the challenges he’s faced navigating life after leaving a faith-based environment, highlighting the importance of fostering genuine community and compassion. This conversation emphasizes the need to understand generational differences, the role of curiosity and empathy in building strong relationships, and the significance of staying open to change, both in ourselves and in those around us. Josh’s insights offer listeners a fresh perspective on navigating the ever-evolving journey of identity and purpose. Whether you’re questioning long-held beliefs or simply seeking inspiration on personal growth, this episode with Joshua Harris is a thought-provoking listen that sheds light on the value of connection, curiosity, and the freedom to grow.
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