Fewer Days That Suck: Real Talk About Stress, Mindset, and Getting Out of Your Own Way
No sitting on the sideline dad
Release Date: 04/21/2025
The Future of Work: Trades, Mentors, and the Skills We Need
No sitting on the sideline dad
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...
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Why You Feel Everything: Understanding Highly Sensitive People with Todd Smith
No sitting on the sideline dad
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...
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Uncomplicating Wellness: Why Willpower Is a Myth & What Your Body Is Really Telling You (with Jen Trepeck)
No sitting on the sideline dad
Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting health advice? You're not alone. Only 12% of Americans are metabolically healthy, and the wellness industry is designed to keep you confused. In this episode, health coach and author Jen Trepeck breaks down why the "eat less, move more" approach fails, what your body is actually trying to tell you, and how to cut through the noise to reclaim your health. You'll discover why willpower isn't the problem, what GLP-1 medications really do, and the six fundamentals that matter more than any supplement or biohack. If you're tired of feeling like you're failing at...
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Living Large and Slowing Down with Barbara Stone
No sitting on the sideline dad
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...
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How Dr. Kenneth Cooper Helped NASA Astronauts and World Cup Champions Stay Fit
No sitting on the sideline dad
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. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The groundbreaking story behind Dr. Cooper’s 1968 book Aerobics and how it launched a global fitness...
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From Prison to Possibility: Why Words Matter
No sitting on the sideline dad
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...
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Surviving Narcissistic Abuse: From Hidden Journals to Healing with Dana S. Diaz
No sitting on the sideline dad
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...
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Rewiring the Brain: Parenting, Tech, and the Fight for Focus
No sitting on the sideline dad
Rewiring the Brain: Parenting, Tech, and the Fight for Focus Guest: Dr. Carl Marci Are smartphones making it harder to be present with your family—or even with yourself? In this episode, I sit down with Harvard-trained psychiatrist and author Dr. Carl Marci to talk about how technology is reshaping our brains, our attention spans, and our relationships—especially when it comes to parenting in a digital world. We dig into: The impact of screens on kids' brain development Why multitasking is a myth (and what it’s really doing to your brain) The connection between screen time and...
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21 Ways to Weather the Loss of Your Pet with Jean Alfieri
No sitting on the sideline dad
Losing a beloved pet is one of the most emotional experiences a family can go through—especially when you’re trying to support your kids while grieving yourself. In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by Jean Alfieri, certified grief coach for pet loss and author of 21 Ways to Weather the Loss of Your Pet. Jean shares practical ideas, tender stories, and thoughtful advice on how families can process grief and honor the pets that meant so much. We explore: The emotional weight of pet loss (and why it’s often underestimated) How to talk to kids about death in an age-appropriate,...
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The Healing Power of a Wish: Dr. Jen Pratt on Hope, Childhood Cancer, and the Make-A-Wish Impact
No sitting on the sideline dad
What if one wish could change the course of a child’s recovery? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Jen Pratt, a pediatrician, childhood cancer survivor, and Make-A-Wish recipient turned advocate. At just 11 years old, Jen was diagnosed with bone cancer—a life-changing moment that launched her into a world of hospitals, chemo, and uncertainty. But her journey also included something magical: a wish. Jen shares her deeply personal story of receiving a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation and how that experience not only helped her cope during treatment but also inspired her path...
info_outlineIn Episode 157 of the No Sitting on the Sideline Dad podcast, host Joe Foley sits down with author and mindset coach Deborah Mallow to talk about something we all face—but rarely slow down to deal with: burnout, negative thought patterns, and parenting under pressure.
Deborah shares her journey from being a top sales rep on the edge of burnout to creating a simple, effective framework for living with more intention and less overwhelm. Her book, Six Steps to Fewer Days That Suck, isn’t your typical self-help read—it’s packed with short reflections, mantras, and actionable steps that helped her—and now others—retrain their mindset and take back control of their days.
This conversation is a raw, honest, and hopeful look at how small changes can have a big impact—especially when stress starts to bleed into parenting and everyday life.
Topics covered in this episode:
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What burnout looks like and how it sneaks up on high-performers
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Understanding negativity bias and how to break it
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The connection between adult stress and a child’s self-esteem
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Learning how to pause before reacting in the heat of the moment
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Practical ways to build better mental habits (without adding pressure)
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The power of self-kindness, daily rituals, and meaningful affirmations
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How to raise resilient kids by modeling resilience ourselves
One of Deborah’s key takeaways:
“Nothing is going to change… unless I change.”
Listeners can learn more about Deborah’s work—and grab her free downloadable worksheets on happiness and motivation—by visiting TheDailyDecisions.com/inspire. Her book is also available on Amazon in ebook, paperback, and hardcover.
Links and Resources:
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Episode page: nosittingonthesideline.com/156
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Website: nosittingonthesideline.com
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Follow Joe on Instagram: @NoSittingPodcast
If this episode resonates, listeners are encouraged to subscribe, leave a review, and share the episode with someone who might need it.