Podcast
Why, Dad?
Hosted by Andrew Stolpestad, Paul Wandrey · EN
Andrew, an aspiring dad, and Paul, a dad of two, dig deep to find out what it means to be/become the best dad possible, why it matters, and how to do so.
29episodes
Episodes
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Excellence, Accountability & Financial Health with Chad Hufford
Feb 2400:50:40Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Why Dad Podcast, hosts Paul Wandrey and Andrew Stolpestad engage in a profound conversation with Chad Hufford, a father of six and founder of Veritas Wealth Management. The discussion revolves around the importance of intentionality in parenting, particularly in financial stewardship. Chad emphasizes that financial health, much like physical health, requires active attention and effort. He shares personal anecdotes about his journey as a father, highlighting the significance of vulnerability and excellence over perfection in parenting. The conversation also touches on the necessity of having a clear vision for the future and the role of accountability in achieving personal and familial goals. Chad's insights encourage fathers to be proactive in their financial education and to model healthy financial habits for their children. He stresses that someone will inevitably teach kids about money, and it’s crucial for fathers to take on that role. The episode concludes with practical advice for aspiring dads, urging them to surround themselves with mentors and to define what they want their lives to look like in the future. This episode serves as a reminder that being a good dad involves intentional actions, open communication, and a commitment to personal growth
Transcribe →Are You Living Together… or Building Together?
Feb 1700:51:21Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Why, Dad? Podcast, Paul Wandrey and Andrew Stolpestad dive into teamwork and partnership in marriage and family life. Paul reflects on a week of solo parenting, the highs and lows of patience, and how stress can either divide or refine you.Together, they unpack the shift from living as a “lone wolf” to building a shared life with a spouse. They challenge the 50/50 myth, explore why communication is the foundation of strong partnership, and share practical tools like weekly family business meetings and intentional connection time.They also discuss the importance of not projecting your own standards onto your spouse, the difference between managing and leading a family, and how modeling healthy teamwork shapes your kids’ understanding of relationships.If you want a marriage that feels like a mission, not a roommate arrangement, this one’s for you.📌 Episode NotesIn This Episode:• Why 50/50 is a myth in marriage• From “lone wolf” to shared mission• The danger of unspoken expectations• “Don’t expect you from anybody else”• The difference between managing and leading your family• Reducing friction to increase connection• How to hold each other to a higher standard without becoming a dictator• Modeling teamwork for your kidsPractical Tools Discussed:• Weekly “Family Business Meeting”• Friday connection time before picking up the kids• Monthly date night goal• Shared calendars and visibility• Creating safe space for feedback• Kids vs. Dad competitions instead of sibling rivalryReflection Questions:• Are you operating like roommates or teammates?• Where are you creating unnecessary friction?• When was the last time you laughed with your wife?• What systems could reduce stress in your home this week?
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The Importance of Presence in Parenting with Oscar Peña
Feb 1000:45:29Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Why Dad? podcast, we sit down with Oscar Peña, host of the Daughtered podcast, for an honest conversation about fatherhood and raising daughters.Oscar shares his personal evolution as a dad, shaped by missed presence, hard self-reflection, and the wake-up call of being home during COVID. Together, they unpack what daughters truly need from their fathers: presence over perfection, dependability over independence, and intention instead of autopilot. The conversation explores the difference between kindness and niceness, why self-care is not selfish for dads, and how family values create capable, grounded children.This episode offers practical wisdom for current and aspiring fathers who want to show up more fully, lead with humility, and build trust-based relationships with their kids, especially their daughters.Guest InfoOscar PeñaHost of the Daughtered Podcast and father of three daughters. Oscar focuses on presence, humility, and growth — sharing his own mistakes and lessons to help dads raise confident, capable girls.🔗 Website: https://daughteredpodcast.com📸 Instagram (Podcast): @daughteredpodcast📸 Instagram (Personal): @a_growinggirldad
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If You Want a Better Country, Start at Home
Feb 300:33:33Tap to summarizeThe world feels fractured, polarized, and increasingly disconnected. For dads, that raises a hard question: how do we raise kids with strong values, resilience, and empathy in the middle of all this?In this episode of Why Dad?, Paul and Andrew sit down with Chip Webster, father, entrepreneur, and founder of the nonprofit Unity in Service. Chip shares lessons from raising two sons, decades of leadership experience, and his work rebuilding trust and unity through service.They talk about why unity starts in the home, how attention and intentionality shape kids more than words ever will, and why service is one of the most powerful tools for building character and connection. From phones at the dinner table to volunteering as a family, this conversation challenges dads to move from outrage to responsibility.If you’ve ever wondered how to raise kids who don’t just survive this world but help heal it, this episode is for you.Guest: Chip WebsterFather, entrepreneur, and founder of Unity in ServiceIn this episode, we discuss:Why raising the next generation is our most important responsibilityThe role of time, attention, and intentionality in fatherhoodPhones, technology, and what kids are really learning from usWhy unity at the national level begins with families and communitiesHow service builds trust, character, and connectionSimple ways dads can involve their kids in serviceDiscipline, love, and being a role model even when it’s hardResources & Links:🌐 Unity in Service: https://unityinservice.org📘 Book: Unity in Service: Pathway to Responsible Citizenship📖 Books mentioned:The Anxious Generation – Jonathan HaidtThe Coddling of the American Mind – Jonathan HaidtThe Road Less Traveled – M. Scott Peck
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Love Your Kids. Don’t Be a Dick. (with Rob Unger)
Jan 2700:35:43Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Why Dad podcast, hosts Paul and Andrew welcome Rob Unger, a father and community leader, to discuss the realities of fatherhood. Rob shares his experiences of parenting two daughters, the importance of honesty in building connections, and the challenges many dads face, including depression and co-parenting. The conversation emphasizes the significance of communication, the lessons learned from children, and the need for support among fathers. Rob offers practical advice for future dads and discusses how to break cycles of neglect in family dynamics. The episode concludes with insights on embracing imperfection in parenting and the importance of showing up for children.TakeawaysFatherhood is about showing up and doing the work.Many dads face challenges like depression and co-parenting.Building connections through honesty fosters community.Communication is key to understanding children's needs.It's important to take yourself less seriously as a parent.Dads should focus on being present for their children.Navigating co-parenting requires patience and understanding.Children teach us valuable lessons about communication.Future dads should prioritize their interests while preparing for parenthood.Breaking cycles of neglect starts with showing up and caring.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Fatherhood and Community00:50 The Realities of Being a Dad04:05 Embracing Imperfection in Parenting07:29 Challenges Faced by Dads09:36 Supporting Other Dads13:25 Navigating Divorce and Co-Parenting14:55 Lessons Learned from Co-Parenting18:14 Navigating Fatherhood Challenges19:39 Lessons from Our Children22:17 Building Communication Foundations24:33 The Importance of Showing Up27:23 Embracing Imperfection in Parenting31:23 Rapid-Fire Insights on FatherhoodFind RobInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/seepybeepers/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-unger-b91a2a8/Dadgood Community: https://dadgood.co/
Transcribe →To Dad or Not to Dad: A Deep Dive
Jan 2000:48:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Why, Dad? podcast, hosts Paul Wandrey and Andrew Stolpestad explore the profound question of whether to have children. They delve into the societal and personal implications of parenthood, discussing the joys and challenges of raising a family. The conversation touches on the importance of understanding one's motivations and the impact of children on personal growth and relationships. Through personal anecdotes and philosophical reflections, they aim to provide listeners with insights into the decision-making process surrounding parenthood.In this episode, we cover:Why “should you have kids?” might be the wrong questionNot feeling equipped and why that’s more normal than you thinkFear of screwing kids up and what actually matters insteadFreedom, travel, and how priorities shift across life seasonsWhy love alone isn’t enough without intentionPurpose, responsibility, and choosing fatherhood consciouslyWho this episode is for:Men on the fence about becoming dadsAspiring fathers thinking about the futureCurrent dads reflecting on their whyAnyone wrestling with purpose, commitment, and responsibilityMentioned in this episode:The idea that reflection matters more than certaintyThe role of intention over perfectionHow community, uncles, mentors, and parents all shape kids
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The Road to Mediocre Fatherhood is Paved with Good Intentions with Larry Hagner
Jan 1300:53:52Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Why Dad podcast, hosts Paul Wandrey and Andrew Stolpestad engage in a deep conversation with Larry Hagner, founder of the Dad Edge and author of The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood. Larry shares his personal journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a dedicated father of four boys. The discussion emphasizes the importance of connection, community, and the pursuit of meaningful relationships in fatherhood. Larry provides practical advice for new dads, highlighting the significance of prioritizing marriage and fostering psychological safety in conversations with children. The episode concludes with insights on building a legacy of love and leadership for future generations.What we cover:Larry’s fatherhood origin story and turning pointWhy good intentions aren’t enoughFatherhood as a learnable skillThe importance of men’s communityPsychological safety for kidsWhy strong marriages create safe homesLeading your family instead of driftingFind Larry Hagner:Website: https://thedadedge.comPodcast: The Dad Edge PodcastInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedadedgeMastermind: https://thedadedge.com/mastermindBook: The Pursuit of Legendary Fatherhood
Transcribe →How the Partner You Choose Shapes Your Legacy
Jan 600:38:50Tap to summarizeWho you choose to build a life with shapes far more than your present. It shapes your legacy.In this episode, Paul and Andrew have an honest, wide-ranging conversation about how choosing a partner influences the kind of family, values, and future you leave behind. They talk about commitment, alignment, communication, growth, and what it really means to build a legacy of love that extends beyond your own lifetime.From marriage and dating to parenting and long-term vision, this episode challenges dads and aspiring dads to think beyond chemistry and convenience and ask a deeper question. Are we building something together that’s worth passing on?If you’ve ever wondered how your relationship choices affect your kids, your future, and the kind of man you’re becoming, this one’s for you.In this episode, we discuss:How the partner you choose influences your legacyWhy alignment of values matters more than perfectionCommitment as a daily choice, not just a feelingGrowing together instead of drifting apartCommunication as the foundation of long-term connectionLegacy as love, growth, and continuity, not just a nameWhat single men and aspiring dads should be thinking about nowHow couples can intentionally shape the future of their familyWhether you’re married, dating, or thinking about the future, this episode invites you to reflect on what kind of legacy you’re building and who you’re building it with.
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Brotherhood, Discipline, Legacy: The Warrior Dad Formula with Jeff Wickersham
Dec 3000:42:28Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we sit down with Jeff Wickersham, dad of two, creator of the Warrior Dad Experience, and author of Warrior Dad: Love Your Children, Lead Your Family, Leave Your Legacy. Jeff shares the moments that shaped his mission, including the loss of his mom and the heartbreaking wake up call that pushed him to serve fathers.We talk about what’s really happening to dads today: isolation, overwhelm, ego, and the “librarian of the mind” problem where we consume nonstop but rarely take action. Jeff breaks down how to build momentum through simple habits, why consistency beats intensity, and why “work life balance” is a trap. If you want to lead your family with strength, presence, and purpose, this one will hit home.Guest: Jeff WickershamJeff is a father of two, performance coach, creator of the Warrior Dad Experience, and author of Warrior Dad: Love Your Children, Lead Your Family, Leave Your Legacy.What we coverJeff’s origin story and the mission behind Warrior DadThe biggest challenges dads face right now (isolation, ego, overwhelm)The “librarian of the mind” trap: consuming content without implementing itHow to build consistency with habits that are simple and sustainableWhy “work life balance” isn’t the goal and what to aim for insteadWhy brotherhood and community are accelerators for growthPractical ways to take action immediately on what you learnJeff’s definition of being a good dad: answer the “bids” for attention, lead with standards + love, be their biggest fanFind Jeff WickershamWebsite: https://thethewarriordad.comBook on Amazon (search): Warrior Dad: Love Your Children, Lead Your Family, Leave Your LegacyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeff_wickersham/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-wickersham/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jeffrey.wickershm
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