Episode thirteen, recorded just ahead of Ben’s very first Father’s Day as a dad. Six weeks into life with a newborn, he’s got real, fresh advice for anyone in the thick of it right now, plus an update on Dad Day’s most personal Go West film yet.

What This Episode’s About

Adam and Ben catch up ahead of Father’s Day (Ben’s first one). Ben, six weeks into fatherhood, shares what he’s actually learned so far: mostly that everyone online will tell you something different, and the only advice that matters is what works for you and your wife. They also cover the new Go West episode on Mike Medved (whose son Simon has cerebral palsy) and a shoutout from Huckberry.

The Big Takeaways

  • Tune out the noise, find your own system. Ben’s biggest lesson from six weeks in: “You can go to the internet, you can go to a bunch of different things, but it’s kind of like what you and your wife decide on is the most important.”
  • The internet will contradict itself constantly. That’s fine. Ben again: “We’ve had family over suggesting things, we’ve seen things online, we’ve ChatGPT’d things, and everything is different. The best thing was just setting a time that works for us rather than worrying about what everybody else is saying.”
  • Protect your own hour. Both Adam and Ben make time to work out solo while the other covers the baby. Ben: “Give yourself that hour, that hour and a half where you can feel human and not strapped down to the baby.”
  • Be picky about whose advice you take. Adam’s line on parenting forums and social media: “The internet is just an ocean dumpster fire. I would say pick and choose the people you want to take advice from.” The Dad Day Slack exists specifically as an alternative to that.
  • Alligator skin helps with unsolicited advice. Ben on family and friends meaning well but getting the timing wrong: “They’re probably not trying to offend you, but trying to help. Sometimes that advice is just poor timing.”

Best Quote of the Episode

“You’re gonna hear it from every single person on how you should be doing things. Take a pause. You don’t need to listen to everyone. You need to figure out what works for you and your partner.” — Adam, paraphrasing a Conan O’Brien podcast clip that stuck with him

Listen to Episode 13
Spotify | Apple

Related Reading

Love Is the Glue — Guys Being Dads Ep. 14
Watch: Go West Featuring Mike Medved
Why We Built the Dad Day Slack Community

Join the Conversation
First Father’s Day coming up, or been through a few now? Drop your best “what actually worked for us” tip in the Dad Day Slack, or call it in to 833-DAD-SHOW. We might play it on the next episode.