If your son has a TikTok or Instagram account, he’s likely aware of the manosphere. Even if he’s off social media, his friends probably aren’t. The world of hyper masculine, misogynistic, anti-feminist content is becoming increasingly popular with young men, but why? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the dangerous content of the manosphere and how it’s resonating with boys and young men.Why This MattersThere’s nothing beneficial about the manosphere, so we should learn how to help our family avoid its poison. What Do Most Boys Want?Kids, especially boys, are asking themselves these questions:1. “Who am I?”Boys are looking for identity.2. “Where do I belong?”Boys want to fit in.3. “How do I influence the world?”Boys are looking to leave their mark. Important Episode Timestamps00:00 – 02:03 | What Is the Manosphere?The hosts define key terms and unpack how online communities shape men’s beliefs about masculinity.02:03 – 04:11 | The Good, the Bad, and the ConfusingThe dads tackle the mixed messages the manosphere sends.04:11 – 06:32 | When Men Feel UnseenMany men turn to the manosphere when they feel misunderstood by culture.06:32 – 09:15 | Influencers and Echo ChambersCertain voices online gain power by amplifying anger and oversimplifying manhood.09:15 – 12:05 | Real Strength vs. Online PosturingAuthentic masculinity is marked by service and humility.12:05 – 15:12 | Why Young Men Are VulnerableLoneliness, fatherlessness, and social media pull teens into toxic content.15:12 – 18:37 | Calling Dads to EngageFathers must teach boys what real manhood looks like.18:37 – 22:43 | Modeling Healthy MasculinityThe dads share stories and practical ways to show strength through gentleness and integrity.22:43 – End | Pro Move: “Ask your son who he is following on social media. Ask him if he’s heard of the manosphere, incels, and “red pills” and find out what he thinks about it.”All Pro Dad Resources5 Ways We Want Our Sons to Rethink Manhood5 Destructive Messages We Send Our SonsWe love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Connect with Us: Ted Lowe on LinkedIn Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn BJ Foster on LinkedIn Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Get All Pro Dad merch! EXTRAS: Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day. Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com. Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.Get great content for moms at iMOM.com
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33:08
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33:08
Dr. Chinwé Williams: How to Build Resilience in Children
The rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm have been steadily increasing for the last decade. The COVID-19 pandemic did nothing to slow it down. If anything, it made it worse. How are dads to deal with their kids’ mental health? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by Dr. Chinwé Williams to talk about how to raise emotionally resilient kids.Why This MattersEmpathy is powerful, but a lot of us are bad at it. Learning to be a more empathetic father makes us a better father. Key Takeaways· Our kids need help.· Anxiety is the No. 1 mental health issue.· Cyberbullying and harassment are common.Practical Tools for DadsIf you’re feeling overwhelmed or wondering how to help your kids build emotional resilience, start with these steps:1. Know the red flags.Sleep disturbances, changes in food intake, mood shifts, and avoidance of friends are all signs dads can look for that indicate kids may be struggling with their mental health. 2. Stay calm-ish. “You actually don’t have to feel calm to be calm.” – Dr. Williams3. Initiate a pause or break. Pausing for 10–90 seconds gives you a long enough break to make a wise decision, have calm-ish reactions, and keep you from saying things you may regret with your kids. 4. Emotional connection matters. If we want emotionally resilient kids, we must be emotionally present with them. “It sounds squishy or soft… but it really is powerful.” – Dr. Williams. Important Episode Timestamps00:00 – 01:13 | Introducing Dr. Chinwé Williams01:13 – 02:17 | A Personal Story of Panic Attacks02:17 – 03:55 | The Power of Empathy03:55 – 05:04 | Why Resilience Matters05:04 – 09:04 | What’s Behind Rising Anxiety09:04 – 12:31 | The Role of Social Media and Global Stressors12:31 – 15:30 | Spotting Behavioral Red Flags15:30 – 19:41 | Calm-ish Parenting and the Power of Pause19:41 – 26:47 | Emotional Connection Over Perfection26:47 – End | Pro Move: Ask your child, “What would be your best day ever?” Then start thinking of ways to make that happen and put it on the calendar.All Pro Dad Resources:Episode 86 – Kathleen Edelman: Learn and Leverage Your Kids’ Natural WiringWe love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Connect with Us: Ted Lowe on LinkedIn Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn BJ Foster on LinkedIn Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Get All Pro Dad merch! EXTRAS: Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day. Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com. Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.Get great content for moms at iMOM.com
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34:35
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34:35
What's the Best Part About Being a Girl Dad?
Search “songs about daughters” on Spotify. There’s no shortage of lyrics about a dads’ love for his little girls. That bond is worth singing about! In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the responsibility of being a girl dad and all the fun, challenges, and joys that come with it.Why This MattersThrough their behavior and intention, dads demonstrate to daughters how they should be treated, valued, and loved. Key Takeaways· National Institute for Health: “Girls report higher levels of self-esteem when they perceive their dads as active and helpful.”· Institute for Family Studies: “Well-fathered daughters are less likely to get pregnant as teenagers.”Truths about Dads and Daughters1. Girls will see Dad as the male standard2. Girls tend to be sweeter than boys 3. They open up a new world4. Being the protector and comforter 5. Girls make you a better man6. It’s fun to be their cheerleaderImportant Episode Timestamps00:00 – 00:43 | Butterfly Kisses and Dad Emotions00:43 – 02:21 | Music, Memories, and Growing Up02:21 – 04:44 | Little Moments That Hit Hard04:44 – 06:20 | Daddy-Daughter Dance Memories06:20 – 09:11 | Our Daughters’ First Love09:11 – 11:42 | Setting the Standard for Relationships11:42 – 13:49 | Protector and Comforter13:49 – 16:24 | Sensitivity and Emotional Intelligence16:24 – 19:05 | Daughters Change Dads19:05 – End | Pro Move of the Week:Set aside 1-on-1 time this week with each of your daughters. Let them set the agenda and just enjoy being with your girl.Sponsor:The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.All Pro Dad Resources:How to Have An Adventure With Your Daughter7 Father–Daughter Bonding ActivitiesDaddy–DWe love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Connect with Us: Ted Lowe on LinkedIn Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn BJ Foster on LinkedIn Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Get All Pro Dad merch! EXTRAS: Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day. Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com. Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.Get great content for moms at iMOM.com
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22:16
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22:16
What Happens When Dads Go Silent?
We’ve all heard the old saying, “Silence is golden.” And sometimes, it absolutely is. But when Dad doesn’t know what to say or do, how does that impact his kids? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about dads being distracted, dumbfounded, and disengaged. Why This MattersSilent dads are distant dads, and kids don’t need distance. They thrive on connection. 3 Kinds of Dad Silence1. Distracted Dad This happens when dads are physically present but mentally absent. 2. Dumbfounded Dad This happens when dads get totally stumped or confused by something their kid does. 3. Disengaged DadThis dad might take care of the essentials, but he’s usually not invested in his kids’ daily life. Action Steps for Each DadIf you’re prone to silence, follow these steps:For the Distracted Dad:1. Put down the device2. Make eye contact3. Repeat back what they said4. Schedule "connection time"For the Dumbfounded Dad:1. Embrace "I don't know"For the Disengaged Dad:1. Acknowledge your state2. Ask open-ended questions3. Use "I" statements for feelingsImportant Episode Timestamps00:19 – 02:26 | Was Your Dad Talkative or Quiet?02:26 – 03:21 | The Problem of Dad Silence03:21 – 04:59 | Everyday Distractions05:00 – 06:36 | The Distracted Dad06:36 – 08:07 | The Fallout of Distraction08:07 – 13:25 | The Dumbfounded Dad13:25 – 16:12 | The Power of Saying ‘I Don’t Know’16:12 – 17:30 | The Disengaged Dad17:50 – 22:41 | Action Steps for Each Dad Type23:00 – End | Pro Move of the WeekAll Pro Dad Resources:7 Ways to Instantly Improve Your Relationship With Your Kids 5 Dangers of Distracted ParentingThe Secret Wish of Every Teenager3 Reasons You Need to Be the Calmest Person in the RoomWe love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Connect with Us: Ted Lowe on LinkedIn Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn BJ Foster on LinkedIn Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Get All Pro Dad merch! EXTRAS: Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day. Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com. Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.Get great content for moms at iMOM.com
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24:04
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24:04
What Challenges Is Generation Alpha Facing?
Kids these days, right? Each new generation is presented with challenges. Generation Alpha is facing some big ones, and dads need to understand them all. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about how we can support our kids and grandkids through all their battles. Why This MattersThe better we understand this generation, the better we can love them. Who Is Generation Alpha? · These kids were born between 2010 and 2024· They are largely the children of millennials· They are the most diverse generation in U.S. history· One of the biggest differences between Gen Z and Gen Alpha is the emergence of AI as an everyday factor of life· 58% of Generation Alpha gets a smartphone before age 10Issues Gen Alpha is Facing1. Lack of Coping Skills2. Rise of Subjective Truth3. An Increasingly Complex World4. Isolation5. Negative Effects of ScreensAction Steps for Dads1. Give more freedom where appropriate.2. Teach your kids that we cannot trust our own hearts.3. Take inventory of what information they ingest.4. Encourage face-to-face interaction.5. Set boundaries around screen time.Important Episode Timestamps00:00 – 02:25 | Meet Gen Alpha02:25 – 02:51 | Big Question of the Day07:24 – 09:04 | Teaching Truth in a Confusing World12:14 – 13:43 | The Dating Homework Assignment14:31 – 16:36 | Growing Up on Screens17:40 – 19:25 | The Pocket Knife Lesson21:37 – 22:10 | “Follow Your Heart” Isn’t Enough23:12 – 25:40 | Setting Boundaries Around Screens26:00 – End | Pro Move: Pick one person in your kids’ life and set up an in-person hang out with them. All Pro Dad Resources:Episode 44 – How is Your Phone Use Affecting Your Kid?Episode 39 – Is My Kid Addicted to Screen Time?5 Challenges We Need to Help Generation Alpha Face4 Warning Bells as AI Continues to Influence the WorldWe love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!Connect with Us: Ted Lowe on LinkedIn Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn BJ Foster on LinkedIn Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Get All Pro Dad merch! EXTRAS: Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day. Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com. Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.Get great content for moms at iMOM.com
On average, men switch jobs every four years, but one role guys will never outgrow, is dad. It’s a serious responsibility that lasts a lifetime and comes with highs, lows, and a ton of questions. It’s okay not to have all the answers… but the most committed dads are always chasing them. The All Pro Dad podcast helps men navigate their toughest parenting problems. Experienced dads discuss what has worked for them, tackle scary topics, and learn to love their kids well. We do it all with a combination of humor and humility. If you have more questions than answers, this is the place to be. Today’s the perfect day to become an All Pro Dad.
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