Girl Dad: The Podcast

How do you raise a daughter who can handle hard things without crushing her confidence along the way? And when is she actually ready for a phone?This week, Madeline sits down with Dr. Jim Bob Haggerton, a chiropractor-turned-entrepreneur and father of six. He grew up on a remote 10,000-acre farm, where no one was coming to save you when something broke. That upbringing shaped how he and his wife now raise their kids. He explains why he focuses on protecting his 15-year-old daughter’s heart rather than every part of her environment, why he calls sports “artificial struggle,” and how his family made deliberate choices about smartphones, social media, and gaming.They also cover health for both dads and teen girls. Dr. Haggerton walks through his framework of “move well, eat well, think well.” The conversation ends with a candid discussion of how dads can support their daughters through their menstrual cycles with empathy, and how to tell when symptoms need a doctor’s attention.In this episode, we cover:Growing up on a farm and the self-sufficiency, integrity, and work ethic it taught himThe “asset or liability” mindset: helping kids contribute at homeWhy sports are “artificial struggle” and how they build resilienceProtecting a daughter’s identity and self-talk instead of removing every challengeHow to question a child’s anxious assumptions about what others thinkWhy trust has to be built while kids are youngDelaying smartphones and social media: Light Phones, Yoto players, and supervised accountsBooks that shaped the family’s tech rules: iGen, The Shallows, and The Anxious GenerationHow strangers reach kids through social media and games like MinecraftThe opportunity cost of gaming and endless scrollingModeling the tech habits you expect from your kidsMen’s health basics: protein, strength training, sleep, and emotional wellbeingTeen girls’ health: nutrition, activity, and setting goals without shamingHow a dad’s role shifts to guide and consultant once she’s 12 or 13Supporting your daughter through her cycle, and when symptoms need attentionKey Sound Bites:“No one was gonna come save you when stuff broke.”“Are you an asset or a liability?”“I think more about protecting her heart more than protecting her environment.”“The time to build trust with them is when they were little.”“You’re a guide and you’re more of a consultant.”“Slow down and really take time with each of your daughters.”Chapters:00:00 - Meet Dr. Jim Bob Haggerton, father and health educator04:54 - Raising kids to contribute as family assets09:12 - Sports as “artificial struggle” for kids10:42 - Protecting a daughter’s heart, not every environment14:38 - Countering negative self-talk and assumptions18:25 - Build trust early so teens will come to you21:15 - Setting age-aware boundaries for phones and social media24:26 - Books and family rules shaping their tech decisions27:17 - No gaming, screen limits, and screen-free alternatives28:32 - Basic phones and the case for slower communication30:42 - Setting phone limits and making screen use a conversation32:07 - Online strangers can reach kids through social media and games34:11 - The opportunity cost of gaming and endless scrolling35:04 - Parents model habits and create offline alternatives37:29 - The health foundations Haggerton emphasizes for dads43:02 - Teen girls, nutrition, activity, and changing the parenting role47:20 - Setting boundaries with a daughter while preserving trust49:25 - Reading the signals and supporting daughters through their cycles56:11 - Recognizing when menstrual symptoms may need attention58:11 - Haggerton’s advice: slow down and spend intentional time🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson:Website: www.girldadnetwork.comInstagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ

What if the most comforting thing you can say to your daughter after a loss, “It’s not your fault,” is the thing holding her back?In this episode, Madeline Anderson sits down with Margot Machol Bisnow, author of Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams, who interviewed more than 70 successful founders, creators, and innovators to find out what their parents did right. The patterns were clear, and they apply to every child, not just future entrepreneurs.Margot breaks down her five parenting principles: supporting a passion your child chooses (even when it doesn’t look “practical”), letting kids experience both winning and losing, letting go of straight A’s and prestige as the measure of success, finding mentors who see your child’s talent, and building confidence by praising effort over outcomes. She also shares the story of her son Elliot, from grinding through tennis losses to a national ranking to leaving college and launching Summit Series.If you’re a Girl Dad who wants to raise a daughter who’s confident, resilient, and unafraid to take risks, this conversation gives you a practical roadmap.In this episode, we cover:The shared upbringing patterns behind 70+ successful founders and creatorsWhy the interests that worry parents most can become a child’s greatest strengthHow to respond to setbacks without scolding or making excusesThe two questions every parent should ask after a lossWhy a prestigious college isn’t the right path for every childHow Margot’s son Elliot left college and built Summit SeriesWhat makes a mentor truly transformativeWhy praising effort, not results, builds lasting confidenceKey Sound Bites:“If you raise kids who are afraid to fail, you raise kids who are afraid to take risk.”“What did you learn from this? And what would you do differently next time?”“You just have to see what works for your child and there’s not one right answer.”“Let’s figure out a school that really wants you, where you can thrive.”Chapters:00:00 - Why “It’s not your fault” may undermine learning04:07 - The shared upbringing patterns in 70+ founder stories04:36 - Rule 1: Support a passion the child chooses08:03 - Why parents may misjudge what counts as practical15:53 - Rule 2: Let children learn to win and lose22:17 - How tennis losses taught Elliot persistence28:08 - Rule 3: Don’t make straight A’s the goal34:28 - College, dropping out, and the beginnings of Summit39:31 - Rule 4: Find mentors who recognize a child’s talent43:03 - Rule 5: Build confidence by praising effortGet Margot's Book: Amazon.com: Raising an Entrepreneur: How to Help Your Children Achieve Their Dreams - 99 Stories from Families Who Did eBook : Machol Bisnow, Margot, Bisnow🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson:Website: www.girldadnetwork.comInstagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ

Why should your daughter play sports? In this solo deep dive, Madeline Anderson makes the case for girls’ athletics. She draws on research and on her own years playing golf and tennis to show how sports build confidence, resilience, and real-world life skills.Madeline explains how sports help girls see their bodies as strong and capable rather than as something to be judged. She covers how concrete wins, like scoring a goal or sinking a free throw, become proof of what they can do. She also explains why learning to lose might be one of the most valuable lessons your daughter ever gets. She’s honest about the risks too, including body-image pressure, harmful coaching, and toxic team environments, and what dads should watch for.Most importantly, she breaks down exactly how fathers can show up in ways that tell their daughters: “I’m worth showing up for.”In this episode:What research says about girls in sports and their leadership, education, career, and healthHow sports shift a girl’s focus from appearance to capabilityBody-image risks, coaching, and why environment mattersLearning to lose, recover, and build resilienceHealthy competition, teamwork, and trust among girlsTime management, coachability, commitment, and finding her voicePractical ways dads can support their daughters in sportsKey Sound Bites:💬 “It’s okay to want to win.”💬 “Her voice matters.”💬 “I’m worth showing up for.”Chapters:00:00 - Why Madeline is making the case for girls’ sports01:17 - Research on sports, education, work, and health02:46 - How sports build confidence and body appreciation06:30 - Body-image risks, coaches, and the importance of environment08:00 - Learning to lose, recover, and build resilience10:55 - Coping through practice and reflecting with your daughter11:53 - Competition, teamwork, trust, and other lessons13:20 - Time management, coachability, commitment, and voice15:06 - How dads can support their daughters in sports18:07 - Play together and create lasting memories🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson:Website: www.girldadnetwork.comInstagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ

What if one of the most powerful parenting tools you have is your own nervous system? In this episode, somatic science expert and co-author of Manifestation for Dummies Brian Trzaskos explains how the body, mind, and beliefs work together, and why that matters for your health, your relationships, and the way you show up for your daughter. Brian moved from physical therapy into the science of manifestation. He breaks down the neuroscience behind changing your beliefs, the link between stress, tension, and chronic pain, and how a parent’s nervous system shapes a child’s.You’ll leave with practical tools you can use today, including self-massage, movement, breathwork, sound frequencies, and drumming. You’ll also hear Brian’s personal story of becoming a girl dad and what it taught him about honesty, capacity, and love.In this episode, we cover:How to recognize the signs of a dysregulated nervous systemSomatic practices for stress and pain reliefThe neuroscience behind manifestation and belief changeHow emotional health shows up as physical painSimple regulation tools for busy dadsHow vibration and entrainment create harmony at homeBrian’s real stories of healing and fatherhoodKey moments:💬 “Be honest about your own capacity and love.”💬 “Practice not taking your daughter’s experiences personally.”💬 “Honesty about your struggles builds trust and connection.”Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Brian Trzaskos and his work02:09 - Brian’s journey from physical therapy to manifestation science04:58 - The holistic nature of humans: body, mind, and spirit09:03 - The neuroscience and physical science behind manifestation13:57 - Changing beliefs to create new realities20:07 - Case stories of healing through somatic practices23:00 - The connection between stress, tension, and pain27:58 - Tools for nervous system regulation: self-massage, movement, and breath34:57 - How a parent’s nervous system affects children39:46 - Practical tools for dads: sound frequencies, drumming, and regulation exercises41:55 - Becoming a girl dad and lessons learned🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson:Website: www.girldadnetwork.comInstagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ🔗 Free Resources:https://somaticcoachingacademy.com/girl-dad

What if school taught kids to start a business instead of just studying one? In this episode, Patrick Wood, founder of Foundry Education, explains why most classrooms haven’t changed in 50 or 60 years, and what dads can do at home to give their daughters the real-world skills, money smarts, and confidence they won’t always get in school.Patrick walks through his “Learn it, Build it, Defend it” framework, makes the case for candid money conversations with kids, and gets honest about helicopter parenting: how to protect your daughter without taking away the chances to struggle, fail, and grow stronger.If you want to raise a daughter who’s financially capable, independent, and confident chasing her own ideas, this conversation gives you a practical place to start.In this episode, we cover:Why traditional education needs a modern overhaulHow Foundry Education teaches entrepreneurship through real-world experienceThe “Learn it, Build it, Defend it” framework for kidsWhere college falls short on practical skillsHow to nurture your daughter’s entrepreneurial spiritTeaching financial literacy, money management, and frugalityBalancing protection and independence (and avoiding helicopter parenting)Why failure builds resilienceBuilding confidence through passions and activitiesKey Quotes:💬 “Most education hasn’t changed in 50 or 60 years.”💬 “Start something, build it, and defend it.”💬 “Fathers should have candid discussions about money.”Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Patrick Wood and Foundry Education01:55 - The state of traditional education and the need for change03:56 - Foundry Education’s approach to experiential learning05:55 - The “Learn it, Build it, Defend it” framework explained07:59 - Real-world experience in teaching finance and entrepreneurship10:58 - Preparing students for real business challenges13:06 - Where college falls short on practical skills15:53 - Advice for dads on nurturing entrepreneurial daughters18:59 - Financial literacy and teaching money management23:57 - Balancing protection and independence in parenting26:55 - The value of failure and resilience29:57 - Encouraging passions and building confidence33:11 - Final advice for fatherly support and encouragement🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson:Website: ⁠www.girldadnetwork.com⁠Instagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ⁠

What if one simple jar could change how your family spends time together? In this solo episode, Madeline Anderson shares the story behind Shotgun Sunday, the family tradition built around an activity jar, a little mystery, and a lot of quality time. She walks through exactly how it works, the categories that keep it fresh, and why trying new things together is one of the fastest ways to bond with your daughter.Madeline also tells the personal story of how Shotgun Sunday led to her own marriage proposal, and challenges every girl dad to start a version of this tradition at home.In this episode:Where Shotgun Sunday came from and why it worksHow to build your own family activity jar, step by stepActivity ideas across three categories: fun, physical, and wellnessWhy anticipation is half the funHow new shared experiences strengthen the father-daughter bondModeling resilience by doing hard things togetherThe power of a phone-free dayHow Shotgun Sunday led to a proposalTips for customizing the jar for your familySound bites:"Anticipation is half the fun of family activities.""Doing hard things builds resilience and confidence.""Shotgun Sunday led to my engagement and marriage."Chapters:(00:00) What Is Shotgun Sunday?(01:11) The Origin Story(02:02) Building the Activity Jar(03:42) Fun Activities and Favorite Memories(08:07) Physical Challenges and Wellness Activities(10:23) No-Technology Days(11:46) Why New Experiences Build Stronger Bonds(14:19) Doing Hard Things Together(15:02) Creating a Phone-Free Family Day(16:36) How Shotgun Sunday Led to a Proposal(20:24) Your Challenge: Start Your Own Tradition🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson:Website: www.girldadnetwork.comInstagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ#girldad

What would you do with one more day? Trap Gambino knows that question better than most. After losing his daughter to illness, he's turned his grief into a mission: helping fathers slow down, show up, and love their daughters out loud while they still can.In this deeply moving conversation, Trap opens up about the regrets that come with loss, why men need permission to take the mask off and actually feel, and how pain became the fuel behind his purpose. He also shares practical tools every girl dad can use now, from creating family codes and shared values to handling conflict, validating your daughter's emotions, and choosing quality time over the endless pull of work.Whether you're navigating your own loss or simply want to be more present, this episode is a powerful reminder that the time is now.In this episode, we discuss:Trap's story of losing his daughter and wife to illnessWhy emotional expression and vulnerability matter for fathersBalancing work and family to protect quality timeHow the words we say shape our daughtersCreating family codes and shared values for stronger bondsHandling conflict and building family unityProcessing grief and trauma in a healthy wayHow societal pressure keeps men from expressing emotionThe power of in-person community and connectionPractical ways to support kids through difficult emotionsKey Moments:💬 "You wish you could go back and spend more time with her."💬 "It's okay to wear a mask and also to take it off and feel."💬 "Pain is one of the biggest motivators and fuels that I use."Chapters:00:00 - Meet Trap Gambino: A Story of Loss and Love01:02 - Why Family Must Come Before Work07:18 - Loss and Wishing for More Time18:01 - The Power of In-Person Connection and Community19:16 - Acknowledging Your Daughter and Building Emotional Bonds23:48 - How Your Words and Emotions Shape Your Daughter32:41 - Handling Conflict and Creating Family Unity36:29 - Navigating Grief and Building Emotional Resilience40:50 - Why Dads Need to Feel and Express Emotions45:26 - Turning Pain into Fuel for Growth and Purpose48:26 - Connect with Trap Gambino and Final Thoughts🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson:Website: www.girldadnetwork.comInstagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ

What you say to your daughter becomes the voice she hears in her own head.In this episode of Girl Dad: The Podcast, J.R. Kenna, a Pittsburgh dad, softball coach, and work-from-home father, shares how intentional words, goal setting, and everyday habits shape confident, resilient daughters. J.R. talks about coaching his daughter's softball team, having healthy conversations about body image and strength, keeping treats in moderation, managing screen time, and protecting date nights and family traditions, all while balancing a career from home.If you want practical, real-world tools for raising a confident girl, this conversation is full of them.In this episode, we cover:- How your words and thoughts shape your daughter's reality- Why writing goals down works, and the science behind positive thinking- Using youth sports to teach confidence, resilience, and fun- Talking to daughters about body image, strength, and healthy habits- Handling food, treats, and moderation with kids- Why date nights and intentional family time matter- Managing technology and screen time at home- Balancing work from home with family life- J.R.'s #1 piece of advice for girl dads💬 Key Moments:"Your thoughts become your reality.""The key word is yet. Emphasizing that future outcome.""It's that act of optimism versus delusional optimism."⏱️ Chapters:00:00 Meet J.R. Kenna01:13 Family and work life in Pittsburgh02:47 Why writing things down and goal setting matter05:28 The power of words and thoughts in shaping reality08:48 The science behind manifestation and positive thinking11:13 Coaching his daughter's softball team15:00 Fun, confidence, and resilience in sports19:15 Body image, strength, and healthy habits21:28 Creating lifelong memories through shared activities24:59 Food, treats, and moderation with kids29:59 Date nights and intentional family time34:58 Managing technology and screen time40:00 How words and actions shape children's development45:00 Balancing work from home and family life47:06 Final advice for girl dads: be authentic and have fun🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson:Website: www.girldadnetwork.comInstagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ

This episode explores the impact of praise on your daughter's motivation and self-esteem, emphasizing the importance of effort-based praise over outcome and navigating appearance praise. Madeline Anderson shares research insights and practical tips for parents to foster a growth mindset and healthy self-image in their daughters.In this episode:The effects of outcome praise versus effort praiseResearch by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck on motivationThe risks of appearance-based praise and self-objectificationStrategies for praising character and effortHow praise influences a child's risk-taking and resilienceSound bites:🎙️ "Praise effort, not just outcome."🎙️ "Effort-based praise inspires a growth mindset."🎙️ "Confidence based on external praise is fragile."Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to the importance of praise in child development01:22 - Research findings on praise and motivation from Carol Dweck's studies02:45 - The dangers of outcome-based praise and fixed mindset04:35 - The impact of appearance-based praise and self-objectification08:34 - The risks of frequent body-focused comments and their effects11:27 - Practical alternatives to common praise phrases13:23 - Summary: mindful praise and fostering a growth mindset🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson:Website: ⁠www.girldadnetwork.com⁠Instagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ⁠

Liz Ortenberger, CEO of SafeNest, joins the show to help fathers navigate one of the hardest jobs in parenting a daughter: keeping her safe without keeping her sheltered. From modeling respectful behavior at home to spotting the early red flags of people who are more likely to be violent, Liz breaks down what actually protects daughters and it starts long before the "big talk."This conversation covers consent and bodily autonomy, the impact of social media and pornography on how kids understand relationships, and how dads can build the kind of trust that makes daughters come to them first, not last.In this episode:Why daughters learn more from what fathers do than what they sayHow to spot love bombing and other early red flagsTalking to teens about consent and bodily autonomy, without the awkward silenceThe real impact of social media and porn on how kids see relationshipsBuilding an environment where daughters actually come to you with problemsTeaching daughters to trust their own intuition🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson:Website: ⁠www.girldadnetwork.com⁠Instagram: @girldadnetworkYouTube: @girldadnetworkGet a Copy of Girl Dad: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ⁠