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Startup Dad

Startup Dad

Von: Adam Fishman
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 Adam Fishman (author of a top business newsletter on Substack with 11K+ subscribers) interviews executives, entrepreneurs, and company leaders in technology companies who are also fathers. They discuss the tough aspects of work, parenting, family, the mistakes made and lessons learned along the way. All episodes at www.startupdadpod.com.Adam Fishman Beziehungen Elternschaft & Familienleben
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  • He Brought His Potty to My Client Meeting | Mike Malloy (Dad of 1, Malloy Industries)

    He Brought His Potty to My Client Meeting | Mike Malloy (Dad of 1, Malloy Industries)
    Aug 21 2025
    Mike Malloy is the founder of Malloy Industries, a firm that connects scaling entrepreneurs with vetted fractional executives. He's also a Georgetown professor, a husband, and the father of Max, the company's self-declared Chief Cuteness Officer. Mike’s life is an intersection of serious business systems and silly dad jokes, all woven together by an intentional approach to work-life integration.In this episode, Mike shares how building a business around his family values helped him show up better both as a parent and as a professional. We discussed:Parenting in public: From potty training during a client call to his son interrupting meetings to demand frisbee time, Mike embraces the chaos of parenting while working from home, and sometimes those interruptions help close deals.The transition to camp and growing independence: Mike opens up about the emotional milestone of sending his son to camp for the first time after three years of full-time care. Designing a business with family in mind: Mike started Malloy Industries not just to serve founders, but to reclaim his own time. After losing his mom and learning he was about to become a dad, he redesigned his business to run without relying solely on him, and has since built a network of 400+ fractional executives.Time-blocking and nightly maps: Mike walks us through his framework for managing energy and focus throughout the week, including why he blocks off Wednesday mornings for uninterrupted dad adventures.Dad jokes, magnet tiles, and parenting hacks: Whether he’s swapping jokes at the library or bringing a second monitor to Panera for a “crush-it day,” Mike brings levity and intentionality to every corner of life as a founder and a father.Where to find Mike MalloyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mwmalloy/ X: https://x.com/mwmalloyInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mwmalloy/Website: https://malloyindustries.com/ Where to find Adam FishmanFishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introducing Mike Malloy(02:35) Max the deal-closer and executive artist(04:50) First day of camp and emotional milestones(07:17) Starting Malloy Industries and the fractional future(10:07) Grieving his mom and preparing for fatherhood(14:28) The "who not how" mindset shift(15:35) Be where your feet are and present parenting(19:35) The great cheese stick negotiation(23:28) Pro dad hacks for books and lullabies(24:36) Time blocking and scheduling around energy(29:16) Monthly “crush it” days and managing flow(30:54) Nightly maps and intentional daily planning(34:37) The wooden box and tech boundaries(38:08) Chef Jacques and using AI to plan meals(41:18) Modeling tech habits and setting rules(43:56) Advice to his pre-dad self during nap traps(46:23) Lightning round: parenting quirks and dad jokesResources From This Episode:Daddy and Me: https://www.amazon.com/Daddy-Me-Tiya-Hall/dp/1680524526Never Touch a Porcupine: https://www.amazon.com/Never-Touch-Porcupine-Believe-Ideas/dp/1788439856A Crack in the Track (Thomas and Friends): https://www.amazon.com/Crack-Track-Thomas-Friends/dp/0375827552Fox is Coming!: https://www.amazon.com/Fox-Coming-James-Patterson/dp/0316572837Like a Boss Play Kit: https://shopping.mattel.com/en-gb/products/fisher-price-2-in-1-like-a-boss-activity-center-hbm26-en-gbLewis Library Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/lewisulibrary/Zootopia: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2948356/Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0784896/Cars: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0317219/Blank Check: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109287/Empire Records: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112950/Santa Clause: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0111070/ Cal Newport: https://calnewport.com/Georgetown U: https://www.georgetown.edu/Who Not How: The Formula to Achieve Bigger Goals Through Accelerating Teamworkby Dan Sullivan, Benjamin Hardy: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/who-not-how-dan-sullivan/1136703973The Daily Dad: 366 Meditations on Parenting, Love, and Raising Great Kidsby Ryan Holiday: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-daily-dad-ryan-holiday/1141941652Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Beby Becky Kennedy: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/good-inside-becky-kennedy/1140501121Nir Eyal’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqogSRDhzeUNotion: https://www.notion.com/Door knob safety cover: https://www.amazon.com/Door-Knob-Covers-Child-Safety/dp/B071GWJX4DMuppet Babies: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086764/Super Wings: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3600266/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0_tt_8_nm_0_in_0_q_suoper%2520wingsToy Story: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114709/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_1_tt_7_nm_0_in_0_q_toy%2520storyGoofy Movie: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113198/?ref_=fn_all_ttl_1Mini Magnatiles: https://magnatiles.com/products/micromags-travel-set?srsltid=...
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    55 Min.
  • Create Your Parent Advisory Board | Mike Leibovich (Dad of 1, Adobe)

    Create Your Parent Advisory Board | Mike Leibovich (Dad of 1, Adobe)
    Aug 14 2025
    Michael Leibovich is the Head of Growth at Adobe, but at home, he’s dad to a curious two-and-a-half-year-old and husband to a full-time working partner. With a previous career as a touring musician and a current career in creative tech leadership at companies like Vimeo and Abstract, Michael brings an emotionally grounded, inventive lens to fatherhood.In this episode, Michael shares how parenting has reshaped his worldview from his leadership style at work to his daily routines at home. Patience in parenting and work: Michael reflects on the contrast between startup urgency and toddler-paced mornings. Learning to slow down and “trust the process” has become a guiding principle both at home and professionally.Changing the channel: One of Michael’s favorite frameworks for toddler meltdowns is simple: change the channel. Whether it’s bath-time resistance or cereal drama, he shares how quick pivots can shift the energy and restore peace.Tech meets parenting: Michael talks about building a custom AI-powered meal-planning app called Picky Eater to handle his daughter’s shifting food preferences, and how it's just one example of tech meeting real-life parenting.Parenting without Google: Instead of doomscrolling for answers, Michael and his wife formed a text thread with parents they admire. It’s a real-time advisory board filled with insight, lived experience, and calm advice.Music, creativity, and messy art: A former touring musician, Michael is intentional about nurturing creativity at home. From drum time to digitizing toddler scribbles, he shares how he’s creating space for curiosity.Where to find Mike LeibovichLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelleibovich/ Where to find Adam FishmanFishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introducing Michael Leibovich(02:02) The patience of parenting a toddler(03:41) Balancing work and family life(05:13) Navigating toddler tantrums(07:44) Caring for aging parents(11:09) Nurturing creativity in children(14:41) The torrent of preschool artwork(16:38) Michael's musical journey(19:47) Transition from music to tech(20:38) Unique parenting advice approach(28:43) Emergency c-section and complications(31:55) First moments with daughter(34:40) Advice for expecting parents(42:23) Balancing parenting approaches(46:03) Technology and parenting(48:07) AI Solution for picky eaters(51:26) Advice to younger self(54:43) Lightning Round: Parenting products and hacksResources From This Episode:Fidget Spinner Suction Cup: https://www.amazon.com/Suction-Spinner-Sensory-Popping-Auditory/dp/B0BVGZGN3QNoseFrida: https://frida.com/products/nosefrida The Goonies: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089218/Back to the Future: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/Adobe: https://www.adobe.com/Behance: https://www.behance.net/AppFolio: https://www.appfolio.com/Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/Abstract: https://www.abstract.us/Ben Erez Episode: youtube.com/watch?v=st2qxaybgw8Severance: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11280740/Adobe Fresco: https://www.adobe.com/products/fresco.htmlPure Volume: https://www.purevolume.com/Napster: https://www.napster.com/us/Limewire: https://limewire.com/Cal Poly: https://www.calpoly.edu/Myspace Records: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MySpace_RecordsHanson: https://hanson.net/homeGin Blossoms: https://www.ginblossoms.net/Jimmy Eat World: https://www.jimmyeatworld.com/The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0421715/The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-giving-tree-shel-silverstein/1100830900Lovable: https://lovable.dev/Bolt: https://bolt.new/https://open.spotify.com/Crocs: https://www.crocs.com/—Support this podcast:For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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    1 Std. und 1 Min.
  • Parenting is our Founder Superpower | Neil Vidyarthi & Lauren Dugan (Parents of 2, Feel Good Games)

    Parenting is our Founder Superpower | Neil Vidyarthi & Lauren Dugan (Parents of 2, Feel Good Games)
    Aug 7 2025
    Lauren Dugan and Neil Vidyarthi are the husband-and-wife co-founders of Feel Good Games, creators of Little Magic Stories, an AI storytelling platform designed to spark creativity and independence in kids. They’re also parents of two boys (ages 3 and 8), longtime partners in both life and work, and startup veterans bringing a playful, grounded perspective to the founder-parent journey.In this episode, Neil and Lauren talk about how parenting fuels their creativity, how they’ve evolved their marriage while running a company together, and why their son insists he’s the real CEO. We discussed:From bedtime stories to startup idea: How their son’s early-morning storytelling sessions inspired the vision for Little Magic Stories, and why they included him as “co-creators” from day one.Building a company with your spouse: What Neil and Lauren have learned about navigating startup stress, creative tension, and parenting chaos as co-founders and partners and the systems they use to stay grounded.Parenting with freedom and play: Why they embrace a “gardener not engineer” model of parenting, how they balance screen time and independence, and the moments that made them rethink control and creativity.The case for structured chaos: From timeboxing and project boards to flexible rituals and tag-team parenting, Neil and Lauren share the habits that help them stay focused while juggling business, marriage, and raising two kids.Redefining success as parent-founders: Why they believe having children has made them more ambitious, not less, and how they’ve reshaped their values around creativity, joy, and freedom.Where to find Lauren DuganLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurendugan/ X: https://x.com/lauren_dugan?lang=enhttps://www.instagram.com/laurencdugan/Where to find Neil VidyarthiLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilv/X: https://x.com/neilvidyarthiInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neilv9999/Where to find Adam FishmanFishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ Instagram: https://ww.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ In this episode, we cover:(00:00) Introducing Neil Vidyarthi and Lauren Dugan(02:56) The dynamics of working with family(05:29) Balancing work and family life(13:52) Inspiration behind Feel Good Games(18:30) Advice for founders and parents(33:30) Parenting challenges and social media(34:20) Ash's CEO video(36:09) Parenting philosophies and boundaries(39:20) Kids and technology(43:12) Creative uses of AI in parenting(44:50) Parenting mistakes and lessons(47:59) Connecting with Feel Good Games(49:43) Lightning round: routines, quirks, and family timeShow references:Yoto: https://eu.yotoplay.com/Wipes Warmer: https://urbanessentials.com.ph/products/prince-lionheart-ultimate-wipes-warmer-dispenserGreat Wolf Lodge: https://www.greatwolf.com/Super Mario Brothers: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6718170/My Neighbor Totoro: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096283/The Karate Kid: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087538/Beetlejuice: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094721/Todoist: https://www.todoist.com/Polygon: https://www.polygon.com/Avail: https://www.avail.co/landlords/featuresFeel Good Games: https://www.feelgoodgames.xyz/Little Magic Stories: https://www.littlemagicstories.com/Robert Wolfe’s Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bsi-iOjodMPokemon: https://www.pokemon.com/usPomodoro: https://pomofocus.io/Time Boxing: https://clockify.me/timeboxingThe Freedom App: https://freedom.to/Jay Vidyarthi - Reclaim Your Mind: https://www.jayvidyarthi.com/Game of Thrones: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0944947/Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/Reed Hastings: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reed_HastingsArachnaphobia: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099052/The Tao of Parenting The Ageless Wisdom of Taoism and the Art of Raising Children By Greta K. Nagel: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/331083/the-tao-of-parenting-by-greta-k-nagel/Cry Babies: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt11067738/—For sponsorship inquiries email: podcast@fishmana.com.For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com
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    59 Min.
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