The most underrated flex
Plus – a 12-minute gut check
November 12, 2025 | Read Online
📕 DAD WISDOM
The Speed Trap
I saw a quote that said, “We’re so busy watching out for what’s just ahead of us that we don’t take time to enjoy where we are.”
Hard to read that and not nod.
Everything feels like it’s moving at double-speed right now: new tech, new apps, new reasons to feel behind before breakfast. It’s like there’s this invisible pressure to keep up, to scroll faster, to optimize every minute.
And as dads, we’re always chasing. The next raise, the next milestone, the next quiet moment we swear we’ll enjoy when things “slow down.” But they never really do.
Here’s the problem: the faster we go, the less we notice. And the things worth noticing, like our kid’s laugh, our partner’s story, the hobby that used to clear our head, end up living on leftovers.
Maybe the point isn’t to move faster. Maybe it’s just to look up before it’s all a blur.
RAD DAD
Jon DeVore
Captain of the Red Bull Air Force. Skydiver. Stuntman. Dad of 2. Jon DeVore lives where risk, adventure, and parenting collide.
He’s spent his career pushing limits in the air, but fatherhood brought a new kind of gravity.
“The biggest thing I’m trying to pass on to my kids is that I’ve found a way to turn my passion into my profession, and I’ve watched 98 percent of the world not do that.”
DeVore doesn’t keep his world separate. He takes his kids to wind tunnels so they can safely feel the thrill of flight and see the discipline behind it.
“I want them to see the effort, the teamwork, the preparation… to understand that adventure is about discipline as much as thrill.”
For him, being a dad hasn’t meant slowing down. It means passing on passion. Follow Jon here.
Quotes via Fatherly
DAD TOYS
The Getaway Bag by No Reception Club
Third kid on the way, which means my wife and I are back in baby gear mode. The boys are 7 and 4, and we gave away everything; classic rookie move.
I recently found No Reception Club; gear made by parents who actually get it.
Their Getaway Bag feels more like a legit travel pack than a diaper bag. Smart layout, easy access, and a pocket for when things inevitably go sideways.
Finally, a diaper bag that doesn’t look like one.
🛒 WHAT ELSE WE’RE EYING UP
» Flint & Tinder Waxed Parka
» Color Changing Outdoor Spotlights
» Seager Flapjacket Hat
DAD BOD
Grip Strength: The Most Underrated Flex
The quiet king of real-world strength is your grip. Lifting, carrying, wrestling the kids. Strong hands = strong dad.
It’s also linked to longevity and overall health. Wild, right?
Easy ways to build it:
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Farmer’s carries: heavy weights, slow walk.
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Dead hangs: 30–60 seconds from a pull-up bar.
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Towel pull-ups: brutal but effective.
Grip strength is like respect; you don’t notice how much it matters until it’s gone.
Dad Lab is our free series where experts and fellow dads share practical skills to help us level up: fitness, mindset, parenting, all the good stuff.
On December 11th at 12pm ET, join us on Google Meet as Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm, walks us through 5 Quick Ways to Survive Holiday Meltdowns With Kids.
A quick, 30-minute no-BS session to help you head into the holidays with a little more calm.
Wanna join us on December 11th?
✅ Heck yeah, send me the invite
🤔 Not sure yet
👋 Can’t make this one
JUNK DRAWER
» Your Kids Are Going To Be Who They Are
» The 12-Minute Gut Check Every Dad Should Take
» How to Get the Stench Out of Your Workout Gear
DAD HUMOR
Not dishwasher safe
Plus – what’s the standard?
November 10, 2025 | Read Online
Happy Monday, guys. Hope your weekend went better than my Steelers’ performance last night.
Quick stat for you: Thanksgiving’s in 17 days. Christmas in 45. Clock’s ticking. Let’s get into it.
📕 DAD WISDOM
The Good Stress of Socializing
I was listening to a recent Art of Manliness podcast over the weekend, all about how socializing is a good kind of stress. It mentioned that dads are spending more time than ever with their kids (awesome), but less time with their friends (not so awesome).
After kiddo bedtime, a lot of us default to “just be alone.” It feels earned, peace after the storm.
But do it night after night, and that recovery mode turns into isolation. We think we’re recharging… but we’re actually disconnecting.
And yet, every time you do show up: grab a beer, go for a run, catch up with a buddy, it’s good for the soul. You laugh. You vent. You remember you’re more than just Dad. It fills your tank in a way that solo time doesn’t.
Our kids see that too. They learn what adult friendship looks like from us. When they see Dad showing up for his people, they learn connection isn’t optional, it’s part of being well.
So yeah, reach out to a buddy this week. Shoot ’em a text. Try to get together.
RAD DAD
Noah Ohlsen
Noah Ohlsen has spent the last decade competing at the highest level of CrossFit, earning multiple top finishes at the Games and a reputation as one of the sport’s most consistent athletes.
Now, the Miami native is facing a whole new kind of challenge: fatherhood.
After a tough delivery and a week in the NICU, Noah and his wife are settling into life with their 3-month-old son, Oliver. The nights are long, but the smiles make it worth it.
“Seeing my wife and son laugh together melts my heart,” he says. “I want to make sure I’m smiling as often as I can so that’s in his nature too.”
For Noah, training isn’t just a career, it’s therapy.
“Getting in a workout keeps me mentally and physically healthy,” he says. “But disconnecting from my phone and spending real, quality time with mama and baby, that’s the reset I need most.”
That balance between effort and ease, hustle and heart, defines this next chapter.
Follow his journey → @nohlsen and read our Q&A with Noah here.
DAD TOYS
Board: The Tabletop Console Built for Family Time
If a board game and a video game had a baby, it’d be Board: a 24” digital tabletop that blends screen magic with old-school, face-to-face play.
Twelve exclusive games. Real pieces that the console recognizes. Perfect for Christmas – the kind of thing that keeps everyone at the table a little longer.
🛒 WHAT ELSE WE’RE EYING UP
» Book: Deep Work in a Distracted World
» Nespresso Maker for the Afternoon Slump (30% off)
» 7-Pack of Essential Tees for $100 bucks
DAD BOD
Stretching for People Who Hate Stretching
A lot of us skip stretching because it feels pointless: no sweat, no burn, no payoff.
But here’s the thing: it’s the easiest way to feel younger. A quick stretch routine keeps your back loose, posture solid, and mornings way less creaky.
The trick? Tie it to something you already do.
Two minutes while the coffee brews or the kids brush their teeth. No mat, no timer, just a quick stretch.
THE MOVE
Reach out for real. Text a buddy this week. Ask how he’s doing. No agenda. Just check in.
JUNK DRAWER
» Seven Years In: What Fatherhood Has Really Taught Me
» Aaron Paul on Ditching the Phone When He’s With His Kid
» Background Music: NYC Soul HipHop Mix
DAD HUMOR
It seems like everyone and their grandmother talks about beer like they’re an expert — just because they drink it.
But most true beer experts are shocked by the stupidity of comments they overhear. Some chime in to correct you, and others just text their girlfriend about it.
Don’t let that be you. Here’s a guide to talk about beer.
Bookmark this and read this before bed until you’ve locked this down.
How Beer is Made
The hard and fast: Malt + yeast + hops = beer.
- Malt contains sugars.
- Yeast eat sugars and fart out alcohol.
- Hops add bitterness, and additional flavors (depending on hop variety), and keep the product from going bad.
You’ve probably heard the story of India Pale Ale. Beers hopped to the heavens (for the time) to last the journey from England to India.
It can get a lot more complicated, but start here.
There Are Only Two Types of Beer
From the high-level, there are only two primary beer “types” defined by the yeast in primary fermentation: Ale and Lager.
In the beginning, however, there was only one: Ale Yeast.
Beer’s history stretches thousands of years. Back then, they thought it was magic that a bucket of malt water turned into a fermented elixir. What was really happening was spontaneous yeast drifted through the air and grappled onto that bucket of water to consume the sugars.
Over time, they began to understand that like fresh produce, yes, beer could go bad. To combat this they began storing their beer in cold caverns, cellars, and caves.
Then Came Lager Yeast
Like any resilient micro-organism, the ale yeast in cold conditions adapted and formed a new, complete strain: Lager yeast.
Ale vs Yeast
Ale
- Is top fermenting (in the tank of beer)
- Can ferment at warmer temperatures
- Turns around faster
- Produces fruit-like flavors during fermentation, which is why they’re obviously perfect for Pale Ales
Lager
- Is bottom fermenting
- Has to ferment at lower temperatures
- Takes more time to work
- Produces cleaner flavor notes, which is why lagers are “clean”
Not All Beers are Clearly Identified
Based on historic origins, sometimes the labeled beer style can be a little misleading.
Here are some curve balls and ones to keep in mind:
- Baltic Porter: Lager
- Malt liquor: technically Lager
- Anything with the word “Bock:” Lager
- Kölsch: Ale
- Hefeweizen: Ale
- Saison: Ale
- Porter (not Baltic Porter): Ale
- Stout: Ale
- Gose: Ale
See a longer style reference guide at the bottom.
How to Talk About the Beer
Packaging
Believe it or not, the best package to get beer in is: cans.
Bottles can be fine under certain circumstances, but generally they let in more air (bad) and can get light struck.
Those famous light green bottles let in a lot of UV light which makes the beer “taste skunky.”
Dark bottles are better, but still can be susceptible to skunkyness from light pollution – especially if stored exposed on fluorescent light stores.
Storage
Unless you’re cellar aging a beer, beer should be kept cold in a dark place.
That means don’t keep it in the trunk of your classic Camaro for a few months in the Carolina sun.
Appearance
Don’t be the dweeb who calls everything “amber” colored.
In beer, color is defined by a term called Standard Reference Method (SRM).
What dictates color? In most cases, the actual color of the malt used in brewing.
When there are other additives — like fruit — it will change the color and augment it beyond the standards below.
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SRM 2 — Pale Straw
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SRM 3 — Straw
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SRM 4 — Pale Gold
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SRM 6 — Deep Gold
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SRM 8 — Light Amber
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SRM 10 — Amber
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SRM 13 — Deep Amber
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SRM 16 — Copper
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SRM 20 — Light Brown
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SRM 24 — Brown
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SRM 30 — Dark Brown
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SRM 35 — Very Dark Brown
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SRM 40 — Black
Flavor
“Beer” flavored only works for describing light lagers.
The human palate is complex and different for everyone based on unique lived experiences. Sometimes you’re a natural, and sometimes it just takes drinking beer with vocabulary in mind to make the connections.
For me personally, it was a labor of fun love to pick beers. Drink them. And really ponder what I was getting.
- Don’t say “Tastes like beer” → Say “Clean malt backbone with light hop bitterness”
- Don’t say “Strong” → Say “High-ABV with warming alcohol character”
- Don’t say “Bitter” → Say “Assertive hop bitterness with notes of pine and resin”
- Don’t say “Sweet” → Say “Malty sweetness with hints of caramel and toffee”
- Don’t say “Fruity” → Say “Tropical esters of mango and passionfruit”
- Don’t say “Citrusy” → Say “Bright grapefruit zest and orange peel from late-hop additions”
- Don’t say “Spicy” → Say “Peppery phenolics from Belgian yeast”
- Don’t say “Smoky” → Say “Delicate beechwood smoke with bacon undertones”
- Don’t say “Flat” → Say “Low carbonation, soft mouthfeel”
- Don’t say “Watery” → Say “Light body with crisp, clean finish”
- Don’t say “Weird aftertaste” → Say “Lingering phenolic note reminiscent of clove or bubblegum”
- Don’t say “Chocolatey” → Say “Dark malt character with cocoa and roasted coffee notes”
- Don’t say “Bready” → Say “Freshly baked bread crust and biscuit malt aroma”
- Don’t say “Sour” → Say “Tart acidity with lemon and green apple brightness”
- Don’t say “Funky” → Say “Barnyard Brett character with earthy complexity”
- Don’t say “Burnt” → Say “Roasted barley bitterness with espresso intensity”
- Don’t say “Tastes like juice” → Say “Hazy New England IPA bursting with tropical fruit aromatics”
- Don’t say “Heavy” → Say “Full-bodied with chewy malt texture”
- Don’t say “Light” → Say “Sessionable with a crisp, dry finish”
- Don’t say “Good” → Say “Balanced profile with pleasant hop-to-malt ratio”
Off Flavors
This can get complicated, so let’s keep it simple.
Here are flavors that you don’t want:
- Buttered popcorn → bad. Means the yeast was stressed.
- Green apple (unless it’s literally in the beer) → bad. Means the yeast was stressed.
- Skunk → bad. As discussed caused by green bottles and light.
- Printer paper → bad. Means the beer is oxidized from poor temperature control, age, or both.
- Bandaid → very bad. Means the beer is infected, stop drinking and throw it away.
Longer Style Reference Guide
This by no means covers everything, but it’s a good start.
Lagers
- Pilsner
- Pils
- Baltic Porter
- Rauchbier
- Malt Liquor
- Helles
- Dunkel
- Bock
- Doppelbock
- Eisbock
- Schwarzbier
- Maibock
- Märzen
- Zwickelbier (Kellerbier)
Ales
- Altbier
- Any sour (unless specifically noted as lager fermentation)
- Lambic
- Berliner Weisse
- Barleywine
- California Common / Steam Beer
- Cream Ale
- ESB / English Bitter
- Grisette
- Gose
- Hefeweizen
- IPA / DIPA /TIPA
- Irish Red Ale
- Kölsch
- Mild Ale
- Old Ale
- Porter
- Roggenbier
- Saison / Farmhouse
- Scottish Ale / Wee Heavy
- Stout
- TIPA
- Belgian Strong: Tripel / Dubbel / Quad
- Witbier (Belgian Wheat)
That’s a lot to start with. Be sure to follow along for the next post in our series where we’ll go even deeper.
And as always, enjoy responsibly.
When the baby can’t wait
PLUS – an awesome shed to office conversion
November 07, 2025 | Read Online
Happy Friday, gents. Yeah, the early sunsets sting, but the weekend’s here. Recharge, get outside, and we’ll see you Monday.
PS: If you’re new here, we mix it up on Fridays with a quick recap from the week and a few extra gems to head into the weekend right.
“Becoming a father increases your capacity for love and your level of patience. It opens up another door in a person—a door which you may not even have known was there.”
-Kyle MacLachlan
THE DIGEST
-
Most Clicked: Why Guinness is the Ultimate Dad Beer (and how to pour it)
-
Best Community Reply: Build your child’s confidence by making your home their safest place.
-
Wisdom of the Week: You can’t eliminate chaos. But you can get honest about what’s worth the chaos. That’s the real essentialism of fatherhood: deciding what deserves your limited energy. Some things will slip. Some things should.
-
Product of the Week: Pendleton x Costco Throw Blanket Collab
📕 Read: The Power of Habit – Jim Duhigg
🎧 Listen: How Extreme Winners Think & Win – Tim Ferriss Show
📺 Watch: Exclusive Look Inside Red Wing’s American Boot Factory
🍔 Eat/Drink: 3 Epic Dinners You Can Make With the Air Fryer
🩳 Style: Relwen Quilted Flannel Jacket
FROM THE TRENCHES
Topic: When the Baby Can’t Wait
One dad shared a story in Slack this week that was just too wild not to share. His wife had been having light contractions all day, but nothing serious. Around midnight, things started picking up. Still inconsistent, though, so the plan was to drop their 3-year-old at his sister’s and head to the hospital after.
Fifteen minutes later, he got the call: his wife had delivered their baby at home, alone. He raced back, called 911, and met paramedics as they arrived. Mom and baby were taken to the hospital, and both are doing great.
He came home later to a scene that can only be described as chaos, but mostly just felt awe and respect for his wife, who somehow stayed calm through it all.
The general consensus? Certified badass move. Everyone’s healthy, everyone’s safe. That’s one tough mama.
Join the conversation on Slack here.
GARAGE
Send us what you’re working on
“Sharing my before/after storage shed to home office reno project! Did this to free up an extra room in the house for my son, but mainly for fewer constant distractions from the kiddos when working from home. Now they just walk to the backyard every 5 minutes to ask me questions 🤦🏼♂️ no regrets!” Nico G. – St Pete, Florida
Thanks for sharing, Nico. This looks awesome. Well done! 👊
We want to see your house projects. Send ‘em our way! Just reply to this email.
WEEKEND BURNER
Weekend Burner: The Hardest Mile
If you’re feeling wild this weekend, here ya go. Not for the faint of heart. You’ll absolutely want to scale this to your fitness level.
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Lap 1: 400m burpee broad jumps
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Lap 2: 400m walking lunges
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Lap 3: 400m bear crawls
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Lap 4: 400m run
One mile. Four movements. Pure grind.
Click for Spotify Playlist
dad shower thoughts: The grill isn’t just for cooking, it’s where dads go to think.
📕 DAD WISDOM
Do Less, Be More
I just started reading Essentialism, and it’s hitting some nerves (in a good way).
The book’s whole idea is about cutting the nonessential. Saying ‘no’ more. Doing less, but better.
But here’s the reality: dads don’t get to “opt out.” The list keeps growing. Work deadlines, home projects, kid stuff, trying to stay in shape, pretending you still have hobbies. The list goes on.
You can’t eliminate chaos. But you can get honest about what’s worth the chaos.
That’s the real essentialism of fatherhood: deciding what deserves your limited energy. Some things will slip. Some things should.
Because being a good dad isn’t about perfect balance. It’s about choosing your tradeoffs on purpose, instead of getting buried by them.
RAD DAD
Sean Nguyen
Always cool featuring folks I get to connect with in real life, like Sean Nguyen.
Sean’s the guy behind After Work Fish Club, a community that started with a few buddies chasing redfish after hours and turned into something bigger – a reminder that you don’t need to quit your day job to live fully.
By day, he runs commercial flooring projects. By night, he’s building a tribe of doers who swap screens for tides and find peace between casts.
Sean’s secret sauce isn’t hustle, it’s intent. He ditched the finish-line mentality for something simpler: being where his feet are.
“Life moves fast,” he says. “Success used to mean chasing more. Now it’s about being in the moment, not just moving through it.”
He’s raising two kids, running a business, and proving that balance isn’t found, it’s built. One tide at a time.
Read more on Sean here. He doesn’t know it yet, but he’s gonna lead the first Dad Day fishing trip.
Follow his journey → @afterworkfishclub / @vin_nguyen
DAD TOYS
The North Face x Bialetti Coffee Set
The North Face teamed up with Italian coffee legend Bialetti to drop a limited-edition coffee kit built for the wild or your backyard deck at sunrise.
Yeah, it’s a bit of a flex on price, but this is heirloom gear, the kind of setup your kids will fight over when they’re packing for their own adventures.
🛒 WHAT ELSE WE’RE EYING UP
» Pendelton x Costco Throw Blanket
» 7ft Artificial Christmas Tree (on sale)
» 14 Piece Car Washing Kit
DAD BOD
Walk While You Work
Turns out the under-desk walking pad isn’t just TikTok fluff, it actually works. Studies from the Mayo Clinic and Cleveland Clinic show walking while you work burns about 100 extra calories an hour and keeps energy levels up without killing productivity.
Start slow (1–1.5 mph), walk in 20-minute chunks, and skip the flip-flops.
It’s not a workout replacement, but it could be a hack for fighting desk slouch, and yeah, it feels pretty good to close your laptop knowing you’ve already logged a few thousand steps.
STYLE
Campfire Approved
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Relwen Quilted Flannel Jacket
-
Marine Layer Pacific Stretch Twill Shirt
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Rhodes Work Wedge Chelsea Boot
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Faherty Stretch Terry 5-Pocket Pant
JUNK DRAWER
» Why Guinness Might Be the Ultimate Dad Beer
» Help Your Kids Find Their Passion
» 40-Minute Full Body Dumbbell Workout
DAD HUMOR
If you’re in the “Oh, Guinness is too dark and heavy” camp then it’s time to rethink your position.
Here’s why. Plus: don’t forget to scroll to the bottom to learn to pour Guinness like a pro for your next party trick.
1. A 12oz Serving of Guinness is 125 Calories. A “Full” 14.9oz Can is ~150 Calories.
For perspective, a 12oz can of Bud Light is 100 calories.
If you’re not at the age where calories matter, then you might be too young to be a dad.
For me, when I’m drinking beer, I like to sling a couple or so. Worrying about how a 500 calorie IPA is going to ruin my body isn’t enjoyable.
This is truly a light beer that doesn’t taste like piss.
2. It’s 4.2% ABV
Bud Light — again for comparison — is 4.2% ABV. You can have a couple without causing another feud at your next family event.
3. It’s Easier on your Stomach
Believe it or not, because Guinness is Nitrogenated (as opposed to carbonated with CO2) it’s easier on your stomach.
Less gas. Less bloating. Less heartburn.
Yeah, I’ll have another.
4. It’s Tasty
Don’t let its appearance fool you. It’s not overly “dark” tasting — like that Imperial Stout that ruined your bachelor party — and it’s not “heavy.” It kills me when people call it “heavy.”
It’s an easy drink.
Expect roasted barley, fresh coffee grounds, and dark chocolate, with faint hints of biscuit, smoke, and toffee. But don’t over think it.
5. It’s Historic and Revolutionary
Guinness is nearly 265 years old — the same age as your dad jokes.
It used to be served from a cask (beer in a wood barrel naturally carbonated). The invention of Nitrogenation replicated the “cask ale” experience, while keeping the beer fresh.
To send that beer worldwide they invented a nitro widget can, which fun fact, was named the best invention in the world in the 90’s. Beating the invention of internet.
6. It’s Reliable
You can get it anywhere.
It works with every occasion. Pocket beers while Trick or Treating, a backyard brawl, or a fancy dinner.
7. The Merch Rocks
Guinness has owned the beer merch game. Their online store never fails to deliver, and they’re regularly partnering with cool brands for one-offs.
I’ve worn out my dad hat and rugby jersey from them.
Pour Like a Pro
45 degrees, at your mom’s house. No. No … everyone’s wrong.
Here’s how you actually pour a Guinness.
Buy the cans, and with the standard, 14.9oz nitro can:
- Crack it and listen for the nitro widget to release
- Wait a second.
- Grab a 16oz glass or larger. I prefer a 20oz Imperial Nonic Pint glass.
- Put the glass on top of the can, all the way.
- Flip and put the glass on the table and slowly move your can of Guinness up until it’s all in the glass
If you’re doing it right, you can do it with one hand while holding your kid or chiming in on a Zoom call.
A Quick Demo
Sorry for the crudity of this video. Everything else on the internet sucks.
This does two things:
- Helps the nitrogen cascade and create that famous velvety texture.
- And looks cool as hell.
And by the way, please drink responsibly.
Happy Monday, fellas. Hope the weekend treated you right. You didn’t need to be a baseball guy to feel that Game 7. Brutal one for Jays fans.
Appreciate all the love on the new site. We’ve got some cool stuff cooking on the community side. Stay tuned.
📕 DAD WISDOM
The Whiplash Weekend
It was one of those weekends.
Halloween elation one minute: my boys laughing, running wild, pure magic. By Saturday morning: meltdowns and non-stop bickering.
By last night, I was cooked. Every nerve shot. Every ounce of patience gone.
After the kids were settled in bed, I pulled up a running list of quotes on fatherhood I keep for moments like this.
One from Paul Auster jumped out at me:
“Becoming a father is not about what you give up, but what you gain — the astonishment of being needed so completely.”
That one stuck. Because parenting isn’t hard because something’s wrong. It’s hard because we care so damn much. The same love that gives us the highs makes the lows hit harder.
Maybe that’s the deal. You don’t get one without the other. You just learn to ride the wave, from the joy to the exhaustion, and remind yourself this is what all in feels like.
I think it’s OK to give ourselves a pass, because truth be told, being a good dad isn’t about holding it all together.
It’s about showing up again Monday morning, coffee in hand, maybe still tired, but ready to do it all over again. That’s the job. And honestly? That’s the gift.
RAD DAD
Clayton Kershaw
Photo via NBC
Clayton Kershaw. Dodgers ace, future Hall of Famer, and proud dad of four (soon to be five) just capped off his career by announcing his retirement after winning a third World Series title. But even after two decades of dominance, he’ll tell you the best part of life isn’t on the mound.
“Being a dad is the greatest thing that has ever happened to me,” he says. “My children have changed my life for the better in so many ways.”
For Kershaw, fatherhood reshaped everything. “At some point I just realized that the time I spend with these little creatures that we made is just the best thing ever—that I don’t want to do anything that could tarnish that time.”
He and his high school sweetheart, Ellen, raise their kids in a home built on faith, humility, and service. When he’s not coaching youth teams or running family charity work, you’ll find him at home soaking in the chaos that makes parenting great.
Kershaw puts it simply:
“Baseball is what I do, not who I am. Being a dad: that’s who I am.”
DAD TOYS
The Anywhere Screen
Nobody needs another screen. But the LG StanbyME kind of earns it.
It’s wireless, rolls anywhere, and the built-in battery lasts about 3 hours. Just enough for a game, a workout, or a movie while you “organize the garage.”
No cords. No wall mount. Just plug, play, and pretend you’re being productive.
🛒 WHAT ELSE WE’RE EYING UP
» Book: A Practical Guide to Resilient Parenting
» 55in Veken Standing Desk (41% off)
» Japanese Rib Knit Beanie (Winter is coming)
DAD BOD
Coffee Hack
Per Arnold’s Pump Club, your caffeine habit might be fighting your biology.
That 2 p.m. crash? It’s not just your coffee wearing off, it’s your circadian rhythm dipping right as your morning caffeine fades. Double whammy.
The fix: don’t front-load it. Split it.
Try 8 oz at 8 a.m., another 8 oz around 11. You’ll get steadier energy, less tolerance, and better sleep as long as you stop 8–10 hours before bed.
Small tweak. Big upgrade. ☕️
THE MOVE
Invite them into your world. The project, the errand, the workout. Whatever it is.
This week’s focus: Involve them in something you’d normally do solo. Let them see how you move.
JUNK DRAWER
» Clayton Kershaw’s Kids Love Letter to Dad
» The Best Protein Bar: He Ate ‘Em So You Don’t Have To
» Getting Your Kids Out of Their Comfort Zone
DAD HUMOR
Click to Play
Hey guys. Happy Halloween. Hope you all had a solid week.
Big day for us yesterday: we finally launched the new website. Still ironing out a few kinks, but damn, we’re proud of how it’s shaping up.
On a personal note, I’ve been able to connect with a bunch of you from the community this week, and honestly, it fired me up. Exciting to see this thing grow beyond the newsletter.
PS: If you’re new here, we mix it up on Fridays with a quick recap from the week and a few extra gems to head into the weekend right.
“My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person: he believed in me.”
-Jim Valvano
THE DIGEST
-
Most Clicked: The Most Regretted College Degrees
-
Best Community Reply: Show how to turn mistakes into lessons, not regrets.
-
Wisdom of the Week: Parenting is like hiking…and quitting isn’t an option, you’re the guide. The trail doesn’t flatten out just because you’re tired. You hike because that’s the job. Some days it’s all uphill, some days it’s a view worth the grind.
-
Product of the Week: Sueded Rugby Polo
📕 Read: Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less – Greg McKeown
🎧 Listen: Why You Need the Good Stress of Socializing: Art of Manliness
📺 Watch: How One Dad Turned His Garage into a Neighborhood Legend
🍔 Eat/Drink: Award Winning Chef’s Secret to the BEST Burger
🩳 Style: Faherty Donegal Crew Sweater
FROM THE TRENCHES
Topic: When Your Baby’s Neck Favors One Side
One dad noticed his 2-month-old was constantly looking to her right—she could turn left, just rarely did. The Slack crew jumped in fast, with plenty of reassurance and firsthand advice.
Turns out, it’s a common issue (often mild torticollis) that usually works itself out with a little intention. Most dads mentioned that gentle stretching, extra tummy time, and adjusting how the baby sleeps can help loosen tight muscles. A few went the physical therapy route for peace of mind—and said it cleared up quickly.
The general consensus? Catch it early, be proactive, and don’t panic. Oh, and as one dad joked, “Yeah, we had torticollis. Which sounds delicious.”
Join the conversation on Slack here.
GARAGE
Send us what you’re working on
Corey C. with the trim work in the converted guest room. Nice job, Corey. Thanks for sharing.
We want to see your house projects. Send ‘em our way! Just reply to this email.
WEEKEND BURNER
Weekend Burner: Earn Those Beers
3 Rounds for Time:
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400m run (or 90-second sprint)
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20 push-ups
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20 goblet squats (hold a dumbbell, kettlebell, or kid)
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15 burpees
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30-second plank hold
Rest 60 seconds between rounds.
Click for Spotify Playlist
dad shower thoughts: Half of parenting is pretending to know where things are.
Sup fellas. Hope the week’s treating you right. Big one for us: after 4 months of early mornings and late nights, our new site goes live tomorrow. Still looking for some dads to share their thoughts. If you’ve got stories, lessons, or hot takes, drop ’em here.
📕 DAD WISDOM
Sandlot Wisdom for Dads
This morning, I saw Ham AKA Patrick Renna from The Sandlot post a photo with his son on Instagram. It took me from being a 12-year-old watching that movie… to a dad standing in my kitchen, coffee in hand, seeing it with new eyes.
Two lessons that land harder now:
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Build the Sandlot:
The magic wasn’t the perfect field; it was showing up. Unscheduled time, a beat-up ball, and a crew. A dad’s job isn’t to plan every moment. It’s to make space for play. Say yes to messy afternoons, invite the neighbor kid, be the quiet safety net while they figure it out. -
Be Benny:
The whole story changes because Benny hands Smalls a glove. That’s leadership. Model courage, extend the invite to the outsider, and go first over the fence when it’s scary. One “you’re in” can reroute a childhood.
The Sandlot wasn’t about baseball. It was about those small, ordinary days that end up meaning everything.
RAD DAD
Jerry Seinfeld
Jerry Seinfeld, comedy legend, car enthusiast, and king of observational humor, has a surprisingly grounded take on fatherhood. True to form, it’s part stand-up routine, part philosophy lesson, and all heart.
For Seinfeld, the magic of being a dad isn’t found in picture-perfect family moments or fancy “quality time.” It’s in what he calls the “garbage time.” The random car rides. The late-night snacks. The talking-about-nothing moments that somehow mean everything.
“I don’t want quality time,” he says. “I want the garbage time. The garbage — that’s what I love.”
He admits the job isn’t always pretty.
“Being a dad is the greatest pain in the ass in the world you could possibly be involved in,” he once said. “That is the ultimate dad-ness.”
But he also calls fatherhood a transformation, something that rewires your brain in ways you can’t explain until you’re in it. Seinfeld doesn’t try to make parenting profound.
He just sees it for what it is: funny, messy, chaotic, and deeply human.
Quotes from Huffpost & NBC
DAD TOYS
20LB Weighted Vest
Rucking’s all the rage these days. Basically walking, but slap some weight on your back.
I’m all for dropping cash on quality gear, but this bad boy has survived miles of weighted runs, garage workouts, and sweaty backyard laps without falling apart.
Right now it’s 20% off – $33 bucks. Perfect way to see if rucking’s your jam before you go full Special Forces.
🛒 WHAT ELSE WE’RE EYING UP
» 100 Hikes of a Lifetime
» Lomo MC-A 35 mm Film Camera Silver
» Portable Projector
DAD BOD
Beyond the Scale
The mirror lies. The scale lies. A DEXA scan doesn’t. It’s basically an X-ray for your body showing exactly how much of you is muscle, fat, and bone. No guessing. Just data.
Why it matters:
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See the truth. The scale says 200, DEXA shows what kind of 200.
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Track real progress. Know if you’re gaining muscle or just water weight.
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Catch hidden fat. Even “fit” dads can have visceral fat hanging around.
Takes 10 minutes, costs about $75 bones, and gives you more insight than six months of mirror selfies. Because you can’t fix what you don’t measure. Just Google ‘Dexa scan’ in your area.
STYLE
Rugby Throwback
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Marine Layer Rugby Polo
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Flint and Tinder Corduroy Pant
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Taylor Stitch Cotton Hemp Tee
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Khaki Field Mechanical Bronze 38mm Watch
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New Balance T500s
JUNK DRAWER
» The Most Regretted College Degrees
» The Case For Letting Kids Be Kids on Halloween
» A Guide to Drinking in Disney
DAD HUMOR
Every dad should have a signature dish. Not a “whatever’s in the fridge” scramble. Not something from a meal kit. A real, go-to recipe that you can cook from memory, plate with pride, and hand down one day.
It’s not about being a chef. It’s about being that dad, the one whose burgers are legendary, whose pancakes hit right, or whose Sunday pasta sauce smells like home before you even walk in the door.
The Power of One
Having a signature dish is about more than food. It’s identity. It’s the move you make when guests come over. It’s the dinner you pull off on a bad day when everything else went sideways. It’s the thing your kids ask for on birthdays because it tastes like comfort and consistency.
In a world full of takeout apps, mastering one thing by hand matters. It teaches patience, skill, and a little pride in craft — three things kids pick up faster than you think.
How to Find Your Dish
You don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Just pick one thing and own it.
Start with what you already love to eat.
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If you’re a grill guy, make it the perfect steak or smash burger.
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If you love breakfast, go all-in on pancakes, French toast, or omelets.
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If you prefer comfort food, think chili, roast chicken, or homemade pizza.
Once you’ve got a direction, dig in.
Here’s where to look:
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Search YouTube for your dish and add “basics” or “tutorial” (e.g. “cast iron steak basics”). You’ll find solid how-tos from people who actually cook for a living.
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Browse Serious Eats, America’s Test Kitchen, or Bon Appétit for well-tested recipes.
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Or, go old-school: ask a parent or grandparent for their version. Those handwritten cards are gold.
Then start cooking. Make it again and again until you stop checking the recipe. Until you know exactly when to flip, stir, or pull it from the oven by feel. That’s when it becomes yours.
The Confidence It Builds
There’s something deeply satisfying about cooking one thing really well. You learn timing, temperature, and taste. You start trusting your instincts. And that confidence spills over into other parts of life.
Kids notice it too. They see you focused, calm, and capable — all while turning raw ingredients into something everyone enjoys. That’s a quiet lesson in leadership, right at the dinner table.
Pass It On
Every family remembers a dish that defines “dad.” It becomes a ritual, a story, a smell that sticks. Maybe your kid will learn to make it one day. Maybe they’ll tell their friends, “My dad makes the best ribs you’ve ever had.” That’s legacy in a skillet.
So pick your dish. Learn it. Master it. Then make it for the people you love until they know it by heart too.
The Dad Day Takeaway
You don’t need to cook everything. You just need to cook one thing well. Because at the end of the day, being a dad isn’t about doing it all. It’s about doing the important stuff with care. And that starts with dinner.