Guests: Derek Jackson and Jeff Gottfurcht, Co-Founders of CyberDive

Every parent knows the feeling.

Your kid has a phone.

You know the internet never sleeps.

And you are pretty sure the rules you grew up with no longer apply.

In this episode, Joe sits down with two dads who came at the problem from opposite worlds and built a real solution together.

• Derek Jackson, a former U.S. Army Intelligence Officer who tracked extremist activity online

• Jeff Gottfurcht, a finance professional whose life changed after learning about a tragic case of online exploitation

This is not a panic episode.

It is not a tech lecture.

It is a grounded, honest conversation about digital safety, trust, transparency, and parenting in a connected world.

• Why banning phones and apps often backfires with kids

• How online bullying has changed now that kids can never "go home" from it

• The real dangers parents underestimate on social platforms

• Why shame-based parenting fails in digital spaces

• How algorithms shape behavior, tone, and identity in kids

• The difference between privacy and safety for children

• Why involvement beats restriction every time

• How transparency can actually improve parent-child conversations

• The true story behind online sextortion and why it matters

• What parents should look for before giving a child their first phone

Your child does not need fear.

They do not need silence.

They do not need you pretending the internet is not there.

They need a connection.

They need guidance.

They need you involved early, not reacting late.

Joe and his guests discuss the Aqua One Phone by CyberDive, a device designed specifically for families that want visibility without constant confrontation.

Key features discussed include:

• Full-screen activity transparency for parents

• Instant Replay to review on-screen activity

• Built-in nudity prevention to stop sextortion before it starts

• No blind spots across apps, texts, or encrypted platforms

• Designed to encourage conversations instead of punishment

• Learn more about CyberDive and the Aqua One Phone: https://cyberdive.co

• More episodes and resources: https://nosittingonthesideline.com

This conversation goes beyond apps and settings.

It is about how parents show up in a world their kids already live in.

If you are raising a child today, this episode is not optional listening.

Terry Iverson has spent more than 40 years in manufacturing, carrying on a family legacy built on precision, craftsmanship, and mentoring. In this conversation, Terry talks about the future of skilled work, why trades matter, and how young people can build meaningful careers without drowning in debt.

terry2

We cover the shift away from hands-on skills, the importance of soft skills and critical thinking, and how mentorship shapes confidence and opportunity. Terry also shares why manufacturing is still a strong path, how AI is changing work, and how parents can help their kids explore real-world skills early.

This episode is about purpose, opportunity, and the power of showing someone what they're capable of.

• Terry's path into a 100-year family manufacturing legacy

• The truth about work ethic, balance, and younger generations

• Why trades and manufacturing still create strong careers

• How AI and automation are shaping the future of work

• The value of soft skills and critical thinking

• How mentorship changes lives

• Why college isn't the only path to a great career

• Terry's "Camp Champ" program and how it inspires students

• How parents can guide kids toward purpose, skills, and confidence

ChampionNow.org
YouTube: Champion Now
Books: Finding America's Greatest Champions and Inspiring Champions in Advanced Manufacturing

nosittingonthesideline.com

Some people feel the world in a deeper way.

You might walk into a room and notice tension right away.

You might catch a shift in someone's voice before they even admit something is wrong.

You might replay moments for days because your mind doesn't let them go.

If this sounds familiar, this episode will help you make sense of it.

I sat down with Todd Smith, host of the podcast Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People. Todd has spent years helping people understand why sensitivity isn't weakness. It's a real trait that shows up in about 15 to 20 percent of the population.

What it really means to be a compassionate person.

Todd explains the DOES model, which breaks sensitivity into four parts: depth of processing, overwhelm, emotion, and sensitivity to subtle cues.

Why stress hits deeper for some people.

We explore how stress can turn small problems into significant reactions and how sensitivity increases when life gets loud.

How Byron Katie's Work Can Calm Your Mind.

Todd walks through a simple method that helps you question stressful thoughts and see situations with more clarity.

Parenting and sensitivity.

We talk about what it's like raising a child when you already feel a lot, and how to stay steady when your kid isn't giving you much to work with.

Caregiving and family stress.

Todd shares his experience caring for a family member with dementia and how sensitivity plays a role in the pressure, the frustration, and the emotional weight.

Why boundaries matter.

We discuss why it's so hard for sensitive people to say no, and how to protect your energy without guilt.

This episode is for you if you:

• Feel drained by crowds or noise

• Pick up on other people's moods fast

• Replay conversations for days

• Struggle with conflict

• Need more quiet than the people around you

• Want tools to lower stress and shift your reactions

Todd Smith is a coach who helps highly sensitive people manage stress and understand their wiring.

He is the creator of True Inner Freedom and the host of the podcast Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People.

Learn more about Todd Smith:

Website: trueinnerfreedom.com

Podcast: Search "Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People" on your favorite podcast app

You can find everything mentioned in this episode at: nosittingonthesideline.com/170

What can we learn about presence, gratitude, and courage from our dogs? In this heartfelt episode, Joe sits down with Barbara Stone, a leadership coach, author, and TEDx speaker, to discuss her book, So Much to Drool About: Dog-Inspired Wisdom for Living Large.

Barbara shares how her Great Danes taught her to slow down, live with curiosity, and embrace life with full presence. Together, they explore topics like:

• How dogs model authenticity and emotional awareness

• The importance of play and curiosity as adults

• Why gratitude changes how we experience the world

• Leadership lessons from both corporate life and canine companionship

• The power of time, relationships, and learning to "live large"

Barbara also opens up about her journey from corporate executive to coach, the courage it took to deliver her TEDx Talk Perfection Is Overrated, and how she helps others rediscover joy and purpose through self-compassion and curiosity.

If you've ever looked at your dog and thought, "They seem to have it all figured out," this conversation will hit home.

Guest Links:

• Website: barbstone.me

• Book: So Much to Drool About: Dog-Inspired Wisdom for Living Large

• TEDx Talk: Perfection Is Overrated

Episode Highlights:

• (00:03:00) The wisdom behind So Much to Drool About

• (00:06:00) Lessons from Great Danes: presence and confidence

• (00:10:00) The gift of time and slowing down

• (00:17:00) Barbara's journey from corporate to coaching

• (00:20:00) What Great Danes teach about simplicity and choice

• (00:24:00) Curiosity as a superpower in leadership and life

• (00:26:00) Relationships and the metaphor of the "bus of life"

• (00:30:00) How courage led to her TEDx Talk

• (00:39:00) Leadership lessons at home and in the workplace

• (00:40:00) One mindset shift to reconnect and find peace

Connect with Joe:

• Website: nosittingonthesideline.com

• YouTube: @nosittingonthesideline

Tags:
fatherhood, leadership, parenting, gratitude, presence, coaching, Great Danes, resilience, emotional intelligence, personal growth, curiosity, TEDx, life lessons, dogs, mindfulness, slowing down, corporate burnout, positive psychology, relationships, time, purpose, awareness, No Sitting on the Sideline

At 94 years old, Dr. Kenneth Cooper is still proving that health isn't about adding years—it's about adding good years. Known worldwide as the "Father of Aerobics," Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper changed how people think about exercise, prevention, and longevity. In this episode, he shares how decades of research show that regular movement can add a full decade of quality life—and why no drug can match the power of an active lifestyle.

• The groundbreaking story behind Dr. Cooper's 1968 book Aerobics and how it launched a global fitness revolution

• How his research with NASA astronauts and world-class athletes revealed that exercise is true preventive medicine

• Practical steps for growing healthier as you grow older, including his eight key lifestyle habits

• The surprising link between fitness and preventing dementia, heart disease, and even certain cancers

• Why your health is ultimately your responsibility—and how small daily choices can transform your future

Dr. Cooper's life is living proof that it's never too late to build strength, protect your brain, and enjoy more vibrant years. His advice is simple, science-backed, and immediately actionable.

Listen now and discover how to take charge of your health and rewrite the way you age.

📚 Resources & Links

• Full show notes and resources: nosittingonthesideline.com/167

• Dr. Kenneth Cooper's latest book, Grow Healthier as You Grow Older, is available on Amazon

Take a walk, press play, and get inspired to move toward a longer, healthier life.

What if the key to second chances was as simple—and as powerful—as learning how to communicate better? In this episode, Joe sits down with Dr. Kim Nugent, leadership coach, author of From Prison to Possibility, and mentor to incarcerated men and women. Together, they explore how the words we use can build bridges, rebuild trust, and even change the course of someone's life.

From prison mentorship programs to everyday parenting conversations, Dr. Nugent shares practical strategies for listening deeply, asking better questions, and choosing words that invite connection instead of conflict. You'll learn how small shifts—like replacing "why" with "what" or "how"—can completely transform a conversation.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why communication is the foundation for healthy relationships.
• How mentorship inside prisons reduces recidivism and builds respect.
• The surprising power of emotional intelligence and listening.
• Words to avoid (and what to use instead) when speaking to kids or coworkers.
• Real-life stories of reconciliation, forgiveness, and second chances.

Guest Links:

• Dr. Kim Nugent's book From Prison to Possibility: Find on Amazon
• Learn more at Dr. Nugent's website: drnugentspeaks.com

Connect with Joe:

• Website: No Sitting on the Sideline
• YouTube: @nosittingonthesidelline

Subscribe & Review:

If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe on Apple Podcasts and leave a review. It helps other listeners discover the show and join the conversation.

In this raw and revealing conversation, Dana S. Diaz—author of Gasping for Air: The Stranglehold of Narcissistic Abuse—opens up about surviving a lifetime of narcissistic relationships, from a painful childhood to a dangerous marriage.

Dana shares how a hidden journal became her lifeline and later, her book. We dive into what narcissistic abuse really looks like (it's not just vanity), the toll it takes on health and self-esteem, and how healing is possible—even when it seems like the darkness won't lift.

Whether you've experienced emotional manipulation, co-parenting challenges, or the lingering effects of childhood trauma, this conversation offers both clarity and hope. Dana reminds us that the past doesn't define us—and that true healing starts with one powerful step: choosing ourselves.

• What is a malignant narcissist?

• The difference between toxic charm and emotional abuse

• Why isolation is a tool of control

• How childhood trauma primes us for later abuse

• The health crisis that became Dana's wake-up call

• Healing methods that actually work (and why talk therapy alone isn't enough)

• Co-parenting with a narcissist and protecting your kids

• Self-talk, Stuart Smalley, and the power of re-parenting yourself

Dana S. Diaz is a journalist, speaker, and survivor-advocate whose books shine a light on narcissistic abuse. Her honest storytelling and deep insight help others recognize red flags, understand trauma bonds, and start their own healing journey. Learn more at danasdiaz.com.

Visit nosittingonthesideline.com/165 for full show notes, resources, and links mentioned in the episode.