The Dads are Talking

This podcast is a collection of insightful, engaging, vibrant conversations with talented, passionate everyday dads. Host and dad Jeff Achen invites his fellow dads into conversations that will enlighten and entertain you with episodes focused on topics all fathers need to engage their children.

BONUS EPISODE: Tackling technology boundaries and navigating life with nuerodivergant kids 01/18/2024

BONUS EPISODE: Tackling technology boundaries and navigating life with nuerodivergant kids Guest Ben Ricther is a technology para in the Bloomington School District and father of 2 nuerodivergant boys. In this episode we discuss our mutual love of technology and how Ben navigates the struggle with screen time and more with his kids. Ben also shares his own journey with neurodiveristy and how he approaches life and decision making about his boys, who are neurodivergant. /episode/index/show/0ac9d15a-2e31-4eb5-a242-313c2f7c8dfe/id/29545013

Social media, setting boundaries and finding ways to connect with our kids with Arik Hanson 11/03/2023

Social media, setting boundaries and finding ways to connect with our kids with Arik Hanson Social media is an ongoing challenge to parents everywhere. It's changing every day and our kids experience in a vast range of ways, some good, but many harmful. My guest Arik Hanson is a dad and a social media consultant, so we had a great discussion about it's use, setting boundaries and helping ensure we stay more connected to our kids than the internet. /episode/index/show/0ac9d15a-2e31-4eb5-a242-313c2f7c8dfe/id/28493930

Positive psychology, patriotism, and service with Niels Gott 10/27/2023

Positive psychology, patriotism, and service with Niels Gott Today's guest has always found new ways to earn my respect and admiration, whether it was his humilty, widsom and humor, or his years of military service. Today it's his positivity, which we discuss at length in the show. My guest and friend Niels Gott has over 20 years of experience in leadership development, coaching, and agile methodologies. He honed these skills during his 22 year career as a communication officer in the Minnesota National Guard. Today's he's an Executive Coach with Silicon Valley Change Executive Coaching. He's also started his own company, Awesomer where he's the Chief Awesome Officer. Informtion about Abigail Blyler's AI research: /episode/index/show/0ac9d15a-2e31-4eb5-a242-313c2f7c8dfe/id/28445285

Road trippin', growing up as an adopted child, and emergency preparedness with Josh Anderson 10/20/2023

Road trippin', growing up as an adopted child, and emergency preparedness with Josh Anderson We're all over the map in this conversation! That's right, it's an episode about road trips; emergency preparedness; adoption; and teaching our kids to honor their commitments and navigate the tricky topic of quitting. My guest is Josh Anderson and you don't want to miss this episode! Learn more about Josh's company Uncharted Supply Co. at /episode/index/show/0ac9d15a-2e31-4eb5-a242-313c2f7c8dfe/id/28379546

Our kids and the media they consume with Minnesota Public Radio President Duchesne Drew 10/16/2023

Our kids and the media they consume with Minnesota Public Radio President Duchesne Drew In this divided and often hostile world of social networks, partisan news media and instant gratification, Minnesota Public Radio President and father Duchesne Drew sits down with me to discuss his experience raisng two wonderful kids. His insights on helping his kids navigate and evaluate the firehose of information they are bombared with are worth the listen. /episode/index/show/0ac9d15a-2e31-4eb5-a242-313c2f7c8dfe/id/28251416

The Awesome Responsibility of Fatherhood with Pastor Jeff Kerr 10/16/2023

The Awesome Responsibility of Fatherhood with Pastor Jeff Kerr If you didn't catch the double meaning there, let's be clear: fatherhood is awesome AND an awesome responsiblity. In this episode Pastor Jeff Kerr shares his journey through fatherhood, some of the scarier moments of his journey and the lessons learned through it all. In typical fashion, he shares his advice with humilty, laughter and a deep and abiding faith in God that it will all work out as it should. This uplifting conversation about fatherhood is one I am proud to share. /episode/index/show/0ac9d15a-2e31-4eb5-a242-313c2f7c8dfe/id/27888669

Learning to live and love others; navigating a cancer diagnosis; and dealing with middle schoolers with Dave Berger 10/15/2023

Learning to live and love others; navigating a cancer diagnosis; and dealing with middle schoolers with Dave Berger How would you handle a cancer diagnosis? How would your family? In this week's episode, my guest Dave Berger and I discuss ideas around dealing with adversity, staying "joyfully busy" and helping our kids navigate times of challenge and change. /episode/index/show/0ac9d15a-2e31-4eb5-a242-313c2f7c8dfe/id/28321538

Songwriting, creativity, faith and fatherhood with Danami Champion 09/22/2023

Songwriting, creativity, faith and fatherhood with Danami Champion In this episode I sit down with my dear friend in faith, a mentor to me, and a super cool father Danami Champion. We discuss his own upbringing, his unique perspective and faith journey, and how he approaches fathering his daughter with joy and thoughtfulness, epecially through rap and hip hop. I can promise you all my conversations with Danami are deep, thought-provoking and joyful, and this is no different. Enjoy. /episode/index/show/0ac9d15a-2e31-4eb5-a242-313c2f7c8dfe/id/27888648

Ancestral knowledge, regenerative agriculture and pouring into our kids with Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin 09/15/2023

Ancestral knowledge, regenerative agriculture and pouring into our kids with Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin Founder of Peace Coffee and regenerative agriculture expert Reginaldo Haslett-Marroquin shares some deep pearls of fatherly wisdom, which were passed to him from his own father in Guatimala. A concept he explains as ancstral knowledge. In this episode, I learn about his journey as an immigrant, innovator and father, all while recognizing the role the natural world plays in shaping us. This is a special episode and I know you'll learn a lot. Enjoy! /episode/index/show/0ac9d15a-2e31-4eb5-a242-313c2f7c8dfe/id/27888612

Health, wellness and nurturing our kids with Dr. Eric Rice 09/08/2023

Health, wellness and nurturing our kids with Dr. Eric Rice In my conversation with friend and Doctor of Chiropractic Care Eric Rice, I learn about the his journey as a father as well as his best advice and practical knowledge of health, wellness, and prevention. Eric is open and honest about his love for his children and the lessons he's learned as a parent to two young boys. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Learn more about Healthpro Chiropractic at /episode/index/show/0ac9d15a-2e31-4eb5-a242-313c2f7c8dfe/id/27888564

Politics, Parenting and Community with Don Samuels 09/01/2023

Politics, Parenting and Community with Don Samuels It was my great pleasure this week to sit and learn from Don Samuels about his remarkable journey through fatherhood. From his early years as an musician and immigrant from Jamaca to his careers in music, toy designing, local politics and nonprofits, Don delivers a master class in the joys and perils of navigating his own identity and his parenting with faith and humility. I think you're going to love this conversation as much as I did. /episode/index/show/0ac9d15a-2e31-4eb5-a242-313c2f7c8dfe/id/27888528

Music and Kids with Billy Hartong 08/30/2023

Music and Kids with Billy Hartong Our very first episode features a conversation with quintessential happy day, Founder of The Jolly Pops Billy Hartong. We discuss his journey through fatherhood, his love of music and how he uses music to engage his kids. Learn more about The Jolly Pops at: . Check out The Jolly Pops music videos we've collaborated on here: /episode/index/show/0ac9d15a-2e31-4eb5-a242-313c2f7c8dfe/id/27804528

Humor and therapy with Levi Weinhagen 08/25/2023

Humor and therapy with Levi Weinhagen In our second episode Jeff sits down with Levi Weinhagen, an actor, consultant and all-around great dad to discuss humor, therapy and navigating fatherhood with grace and joy. Learn more about Levi at @thatlevi or his business at /episode/index/show/0ac9d15a-2e31-4eb5-a242-313c2f7c8dfe/id/27804555

The Dads are Talking

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