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In Episode 47 of The Dad Compass Podcast, we break down a powerful section from Life’s Little Instruction Book by H. Jackson Brown Jr. called “A Father’s Instructions for Life.”

This episode turned into a real reflection on fatherhood, leadership, and the standards we model at home.

We talk about:

Are we raising tough kids or honorable kids?

Are we building character… or just managing behavior?

Why admitting mistakes as dads matters

The difference between rules and standards

Teaching money habits, self-control, and delayed gratification

Anger, discipline, communication, and leading by example

The legacy we’re actually leaving behind

This one is honest, practical, and full of real-life parenting moments — from bedtime negotiations to money lessons to how we handle conflict, stress, and growth as fathers.

👇 Question for the comments:
If you had to write your own Father’s Code, what are 5 rules/standards you’d put on it?

🎙️ The Dad Compass Podcast
Real conversations about fatherhood, growth, discipline, family, and life.

Chapters
00:00 Intro – A Father’s Instructions for Life
01:24 Character Over Comfort (Never cheat, admit mistakes, don’t gossip)
01:49 Tough Kids vs Honorable Kids
04:39 Never Cheat / Accountability as Parents
05:04 Admitting Mistakes (Extreme Ownership in parenting)
10:17 Don’t Gossip (and what that really means)
12:05 Losing Small Battles to Win the War
15:51 Financial Wisdom & Self-Control
16:04 Live Beneath Your Means
20:09 Credit Cards: Convenience vs Debt
22:59 Delayed Gratification & Modeling Discipline
25:34 Presence, Leadership, and Faith
27:19 Learn to Listen (really listen)
29:09 Never Take Action When You’re Angry
35:05 Enter a Room with Purpose and Confidence

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Are you parenting based on what feels right for your family… or based on what other people expect?

In this episode of The Dad Compass Podcast, Patrick O and Dmitry dig into the “Keeping Up With The Joneses” trap in modern parenting—how neighbors, family, school culture, and social media can quietly turn parenting into a performance.

We get real about:

Parenting for results vs compliments

Spanking vs beating (and the guilt + context nobody wants to talk about)

Kids swearing, “respect,” and the public vs private parent dilemma

Handling judgment in public (including parenting with autism in the mix)

The stat that hits hard: most of your time with your kids happens before 18

The modern struggle: putting the phone down and actually being present

If you’re a dad trying to lead your home with conviction instead of chasing approval—this one’s for you.

👇 COMMENT THIS:
Do you parent more for your kids… or for other people’s opinions?

👍 Like, Subscribe, and share this with a parent who needs the reality check.

#fatherhood #parenting #dadlife #discipline #podcast

Chapters -
00:00 Parenting for you or for them? (Episode question)
00:25 “It’s both” — when opinions twist your parenting
00:50 Social media & spanking: what’s “bad parenting” now?
01:15 Spanking, guilt, and why kids aren’t “learning”
02:02 Spanking vs beating + why some parents stop
03:34 Swearing around kids: rules, respect, and judgment
04:11 “I don’t want people looking at me…” (the real reason)
05:08 Teacher call nightmare + “respect” in the real world
06:41 Kids comparing you to other parents (Joneses trap)
07:29 Honest convos: money, limits, and what’s realistic
09:00 Would you feel weird doing the “kid stuff” in public?
09:50 The stat that hits: 90% of time is before 18
10:29 You learn late… then you’re grandparents (perspective shift)

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Fatherhood can turn a calm moment into a blow-up in seconds. If you’ve ever gone from fine to nuclear, this episode is for you.

In this solo episode of The Dad Compass Podcast, Dmitry breaks down the real reason dads get explosive: stress response + identity threat + overload—and the exact tools to stop reacting and start leading with control.

We cover the hidden triggers behind dad rage, why anger isn’t leadership, and how to use the 10-second gap to reset before you say something you can’t take back. You’ll also get a simple repair script (what to say after you yell) and a 7-day challenge to change the emotional temperature in your home.

If you want to be a stronger, calmer, more respected father—without becoming soft—this is the episode.

Comment your #1 dad trigger (the thing that flips your switch) and I’ll read a few in the next episode and break down real solutions.

#fatherhood #dadlife #parenting #anger #mensmentalhealth

Chapters -

00:00 Why Dads Snap: The Explosive Dad Problem
05:51 Reactivity Is a Stress Response (Dad Anger Explained)
11:26 Why Fatherhood Feels Overwhelming (5 Triggers That Set Dads Off)
16:00 The 10-Second Gap Method (How to Stop Yelling Fast)
21:55 Repair After Yelling (How to Apologize Like a Strong Dad)
26:47 7-Day Challenge to Stop Reacting (Lead Calm, Stay Respected)

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Parenting for prosperity is not about raising rich kids. It’s about raising capable kids.
In this episode of The Dad Compass Podcast, “Parenting for Prosperity: Are You Raising Good Kids or Capable Kids?” we ask the wild question: if your kid ran a brand new country tomorrow, would they thrive or collapse in 48 hours?

We break down the real “country-building” skills kids need: resilience, money habits, clear house rules, family culture, communication, and leadership by example.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN
- Good kids vs capable kids: what’s the difference?
- How kids build resilience when life punches back
- Teaching financial independence without raising entitled kids
- Why clear house rules matter (and how lecturing backfires)
- Real responsibility: chores, laundry, cooking, and life skills
- Culture at home: what you praise, what you tolerate, what you ignore
- Leadership at home: honesty, discipline, resilience, communication

COMMENT QUESTION
If your kid had to run their own country tomorrow, would they survive? Why or why not?

CHAPTERS
00:00 If your kid ran a country tomorrow…
00:54 Good kids vs capable kids
02:33 Parenting for prosperity (resilience + adaptability)
08:30 Money habits and kids spending fast food money
12:09 Trades, work ethic, and building a future
14:53 House rules: why kids “make their own laws”
17:09 Real responsibility (meals, chores, leadership lessons)
20:47 “Your checkbook is an app” (modern money reality)
23:16 Financial independence and avoiding dependency
25:01 Seasonal work and saving for the slow season
29:50 Value creates opportunity (and money)
31:22 Avoiding problems vs facing hard phone calls
32:34 Bankruptcy lessons and how debt traps happen
37:48 Infrastructure habits: finishing what you start
41:02 Stress, mental health, and positivity under pressure
45:17 Family culture: what’s tolerated becomes the culture
50:30 Leadership at home: lead by example and transparency
52:00 Transparency with kids and trust
56:46 Ideal leader qualities: honesty, integrity, resilience
59:53 Would your kids’ countries survive without you?
01:07:11 Fatherhood Unscripted (Logan visit)
01:08:10 Unscripted question of the week
01:12:44 Final question: would your kid’s country survive?

LISTEN / FOLLOW
Buzzsprout: https://thedadcompasspodcast.buzzsprout.com
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3QcOmPqj4coSwoUvxQ4sEr?si=_0bEjCLORFm0MwVyTvEj9Q
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheDadCompass
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575183145418
TikTok: @thedadcompasspodcast

#Parenting #Fatherhood #DadPodcast #RaisingKids #ParentingAdvice #FinancialLiteracy #LifeSkills

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New Year’s Resolutions for Dads don’t fail because dads are lazy — they fail because the plan is unrealistic.
In this episode, "New Year’s Resolutions for Dads: The Weekly Reset System That Actually Sticks," we break down the simple framework that helps you stay consistent when motivation fades and life gets loud.

If you’ve ever said "I’ll start next week" or "I’ll get serious in January," this is the dad goal system that holds up when you’re stressed, tired, and overwhelmed.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

• Why most New Year’s resolutions feel like a 30-day fad
  
  
• The difference between discipline vs. a broken plan
  
  
• The "never miss twice" reset that keeps you moving
  
  
• How to build fail-safes (if/then cheat codes + obstacles)
  
  
• The Weekly Dad Reset: a 15-minute check-in that builds real consistency
  
  

THE RESOLUTION COMPASS (COPY THIS)
1) Choose ONE mission (keystone goal)
2) Write your WHY (1 sentence)
3) Create 2 If/Then cheat codes (implementation intention)
4) WOOP method: Wish, Outcome, Obstacle, Plan
5) Minimum viable habit (tiny win you can’t fail)
6) Hard-day rule (the bare minimum that still counts)
7) Daily scorecard (quick check)
8) Weekly Dad Reset (15 min)
9) Add accountability (a sponsor / comments / partner)

COMMENT FOR ACCOUNTABILITY
Drop your goal below (weekly + monthly + yearly) and we’ll be your check-in.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Today is a gift (dad mindset intro)
01:00 New Year’s resolutions for dads (episode theme)
03:28 Why resolutions fade (the "gym in January" effect)
05:50 "If your goal can’t survive sleep..." + obstacles
11:31 Stress defaults: scrolling, snacking, procrastination
16:10 Discipline vs. unrealistic plans
19:27 Habit truth: it’s closer to 66 days
21:21 Reset mindset: "never miss twice"
32:39 The Weekly Goals / "Resolution Compass" idea
35:53 Decompressing before you walk in the door
39:43 Accountability: a "sponsor" for your goals
42:01 Fatherhood Unscripted (Christmas reset)
44:03 Lightsaber core memory (be present over perfect)
46:00 Weekly vs. daily goals (weight loss example)
49:26 The 9-step setup (mission, why, if/then, WOOP)
51:46 Patrick’s real example: losing weight + work donuts
01:07:21 Minimum habits + hard-day rule
01:10:53 Channel direction: more structure, more value
01:15:32 Final question + fatherhood priorities

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In this week’s Dad Compass episode we dive deep into the parenting battlefield—balancing gentle-parenting ideals with real-world consequences. From a smashed TV (true story) to autism-friendly discipline hacks, we tackle the messy, hilarious, and heartfelt moments every parent knows too well.

Key Takeaways

• Why communication > punishment in gentle parenting
• How to turn accidents into powerful lessons (without shaming)
• Discipline strategies tailored for autistic kiddos
• Public discipline: when to step in…and when to step back
• Co-parenting playbook: align rules, avoid mixed messages
• Mastering emotional intelligence so you actually follow through

Timestamps / Chapters00:00 Intro – Parenting styles face-off

01:15 The Broken TV Incident (ouch)

05:28 Discipline by Age: toddlers ➜ teens

08:23 Accidents, Autism & adaptive strategies

11:52 ⚡ Rapid-Fire Parenting Questions

23:14 Spanking, spanking…or something smarter?

25:53 Banter Break – lighten the load

26:06 Unscripted parenting adventures

28:40 Dad-Daughter concert bonding

29:25 Communication hacks & co-parenting

30:20 Real-life discipline challenges

33:11 Step-parenting dynamics decoded

35:26 Consequences that stick37:55 Negotiation & natural consequences

43:15 Final reflections & emotional control

Connect & Resources🎧 Listen on every platform: [Spotify] | [Apple] | [Google]

👉 Like, subscribe & smash that bell so you never miss a raw, unscripted dad chat!💬 Got a parenting win—or fail—you want featured? Drop it in the comments 🔽

#GentleParenting #Discipline #AutismParenting #CoParenting #ParentingPodcast #DadCompass #EmotionalIntelligence #ParentingStyles #ChildBehavior

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🎄 Dad Compass Christmas Special — Christmas is in four days and we’re in full holiday chaos: last-minute shopping, online gift fails, blended family Christmas logistics, and the Christmas movie debates that start arguments at the dinner table.

In this episode we cover:
✅ Our Christmas routines (travel vs chill day) + blended family “two Christmas mornings”
✅ The online gift fail: when you order something amazing and get the knockoff version
✅ The worst Christmas gifts people keep buying (and why they backfire)
✅ Gift card vs cash vs “practical gifts” debate
✅ “Top trending gifts” list (some are useful… some are just weird)
✅ Our top Christmas movie picks (and why some classics are overrated)
✅ The big question: Would Jesus change Christmas if he saw what it’s become?

💬 Question for the comments:
What’s the worst gift you’ve ever received (or the worst gift you ever bought someone)?

👍 If you enjoyed the episode, hit Like, Subscribe, and turn on notifications.
🎧 Listen on audio platforms: (add links)
📲 Follow us: (add links)

#DadCompassPodcast #ChristmasSpecial #ChristmasMovies #WorstGifts #HolidayShopping #Fatherhood #Parenting

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Parenting isn’t clean, easy, or comfortable — and this episode proves it.

In this episode of The Dad Compass Podcast, Dmitry and Patrick dive headfirst into the uncomfortable, hilarious, and brutally honest questions every dad thinks about but rarely says out loud.

Would you turn your kid in for a crime?
Would you help them hide it?
At what age can your kid tell you to go f*** yourself?
Would you cash in if your child went viral for something embarrassing?

This episode blends dark humor, real fatherhood philosophy, and unscripted conversation about discipline, boundaries, morality, and what it really means to raise good humans in a chaotic world.

If you’re a dad, future dad, or someone who appreciates raw conversations about parenting, responsibility, and the long game of fatherhood — this one’s for you.

🎙️ No scripts. No filters. Just real dads talking real life.