What a Hell of a Way to Dad

Francis and his ensemble talk about being in your 40s. Previously a podcast about being in your 30s. Parenting, Author interviews, movies and TV shows. We cover it all

The Hobbit (1977) with Eric from Soundtracker Podcast 08/17/2026

The Hobbit (1977) with Eric from Soundtracker Podcast Sign up for the patreon at This week on the show Eric joins Francis once again to talk about the Rankin/Bass version of The Hobbit from 1977. The incredible music, animation, and giant dwarf noses, all shown in under 90 minutes. Get more from Eric, including many episodes with Francis at Follow Eric for more movie insights Sign up today to get more episodes just like this, and join our weekly livestream - Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates See our favorite books and explore some of the authors featured on the show - BlueSky - Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/42459255

Twin Peaks: Season 2 premier -Preview- 08/11/2026

Twin Peaks: Season 2 premier -Preview- This is a preview episode. To get the whole episode sign up at or buy the whole collection and get access to every Twin Peaks episode Jack and Francis are back for Season 2 of Twin Peaks. Who is the giant dream man? How many more people are going to die in this hospital? Does Jack still have his Log Lady costume? None of these questions are answered, but speculation abounds. Join Jack, a die hard Twin Peaks fan and Francis, a guy who has only experienced Twin Peaks through online memes as we dissect the show episode by episode Sign up today to get more episodes just like this, and join our weekly livestream - Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates See our favorite books and explore some of the authors featured on the show - BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/whatahellofawaytodad.com Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/42373985

DadChat: Not now sweetie, daddy's on Zillow 08/03/2026

DadChat: Not now sweetie, daddy's on Zillow This week Francis and Jack talk about their various travels through Wisconsin, Ohio, and a little hole-in-the-wall town called New York City. Sign up today to get more episodes just like this, and join our weekly livestream - Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates See our favorite books and explore some of the authors featured on the show - BlueSky - Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/42290470

Hallmark Christmas in July - Preview- 07/27/2026

Hallmark Christmas in July - Preview- This is a preview of our latest Patreon episode. Get this and more at And you thought the stores were putting out Halloween candy early. This month Francis and Beth ignore the heatwave and watch the new Christmas in July movies released on Hallmark. First up is Christmas under construction, featuring a reality show couple who fix your home and your relationship. Next is O Little Christmas Market where the talented architect and the midrange diorama builder save the Christmas market. Finally we watch Snowbound for the Holidays to save the run down ski lodge from the evil developers next door. Our favorites, our most disliked, and our recommendations are waiting for you. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates See our favorite books and explore some of the authors featured on the show - BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/whatahellofawaytodad.com Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/42220140

1000 ways to Die with Josh Boerman 07/20/2026

1000 ways to Die with Josh Boerman This week Josh Boerman joins Francis for another Spike TV blast from the past as they watch the TV show 1000 ways to Die. We've got rednecks getting bit by snakes, late night electrocutions, and Germans being German Follow Josh and listen to Worst of all Possible Worlds Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates BlueSky - Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/42150240

Twin Peaks - Season 1 finale PREVIEW 07/13/2026

Twin Peaks - Season 1 finale PREVIEW It's the final episode of Season 1 Twin Peaks. Do we discover the killer? Will Bobby stop giving us the crazy eyes? This week we talk about TV tropes and the importance of good police work. This is a Preview episode. To listen to this and all other Twin Peaks episodes sign up Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/42055900

DadChat: Costco Fashionistas 07/06/2026

DadChat: Costco Fashionistas This week Francis and Jack take a trip to Costo to expand their wardrobe, discuss min/maxing your everyday carry, and answer questions If you like this and want more, sign up for the bonus content at where we have weekly live streams, sales, and extra episodes Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/41974750

MASHCast: A Requiem for Henry Blake -Preview- 06/29/2026

MASHCast: A Requiem for Henry Blake -Preview- This is a Preview of this week's bonus episode. To get full access sign up at the $5 level here - This week Francis and Carey finish off Season three of MASH. We say goodbye to Trapper John and Henry Blake and close out this first arc of MASH and discuss the incoming personnel. We'll be taking a break in between episodes to watch the ill fated pilot episode of WALTER, the MASH Spinoff featuring Radar as a St. Louis police officer. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/41861465

Travel Log: Underground at Meramec Caverns 06/22/2026

Travel Log: Underground at Meramec Caverns This week Miss Elizabeth joins Francis to talk about a birthday trip to one of the oldest stops on Route 66. We have been visiting this underground cavern for years and been witness to the many changes over the years, as well as the scenes that have endured. From the pendulum that doesn't work, the asbestos tiling in the largest inner chamber, and of course the many, many roadside billboards directing you to the world famous Jesse James hideout Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/41723065

Twin Peaks: The Bookhouse Boys -Preview- 06/16/2026

Twin Peaks: The Bookhouse Boys -Preview- We're closing in on the end of Season 1 and I'm told it only gets weirder from here. Listen today to hear a Twin Peaks superfan (Jack) walk me through this mental trip of a show with newbie (Francis) This is a preview. You can get access to this episode on out Patreon by signing up at $5 a month, purchasing the collection, or picking up individual episodes Get access here - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/41664925

Getting arrested with Gothdad (Feat. Dusty Gannon) 06/08/2026

Getting arrested with Gothdad (Feat. Dusty Gannon) Dusty Gannon of the Goth wave band Agonal Gasps joins Francis to discuss being in the military, changing your personal brand, and how to prepare for an arrest Listen to the Agonal Gasps here - Get your Goth Dad fix on TikTop - Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/41571185

Travel Log: Route 66 Centennial - Preview 06/01/2026

Travel Log: Route 66 Centennial - Preview This week Francis and Beth go to Chicago for a dance competition and stop at some roadside towns to take in the midwest culture. We stop off in Atlanta Illinois on the way up to visit some giant fiberglass friends, and Pontiac Illinois on the way home to visit their Route 66 museum complex. This is a preview episode. To access the full episode sign up at the $5 or more level today on Patreon - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/41491500

God Forgives, Brothers Don't w/ Jasper Craven 05/26/2026

God Forgives, Brothers Don't w/ Jasper Craven This week Jasper Craven joins Francis to discuss his latest book "God Forgives, Brothers Don't". Pick up Jasper's book here in either Hard Cover or Audiobook format - When investigative reporter Jasper Craven first dug into Valley Forge Military Academy five years ago, he uncovered an acrid strain of masculinity that was raw, violent, fiercely hierarchical, and quickly mutating out of control. Initially, he had assumed that military education was a dying, outmoded brand. But as he looked deeper, he found a sprawling, well-funded network featuring dozens of military schools, like Valley Forge and West Point, plus thousands of ROTC programs in public colleges and high schools that allowed the Pentagon to wield outsized power on education. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/41424070

Deadliest Warrior: Waffen SS vs Viet Cong -Preview- 05/19/2026

Deadliest Warrior: Waffen SS vs Viet Cong -Preview- Nick Slayton joins Francis to dive back in Deadliest Warrior, and we're picking one of the most confusing and potentially offensive episode for the big comeback. We'll dip in and out of Deadliest Warrior in the coming months as there's a whole well of Spike TV for us to plumb for psychic damage. This is a Preview episode. You can get this episode and more on Patreon at Follow Nick on Bluesky and read his work at Task and Purpose - Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/41348655

Twin Peaks: Invitation to Love -Preview- 05/11/2026

Twin Peaks: Invitation to Love -Preview- This week Jack and Francis discuss episodes four and five of Twin Peaks, wherein we go to an awkward funeral, learn about the evil woods, and take fashion advice from Dr. Jacoby This is a preview episode of our bonus content. If you want to hear more, sign up at the $5 level at Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/41253625

WifeChat: We're on a boat 05/07/2026

WifeChat: We're on a boat This week Beth joins me once again to talk about cruising. The kind you do on a boat, not the kind you do at a truck stop bathroom. Check out Nate's album "Find a Way to Hate it" - If you like this and want more, consider giving to the Patreon. Five dollars a month gets you bonus episodes every month, and entry into our monthly giveaway. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/41204585

DadChat: STL style 04/30/2026

DadChat: STL style This week Jack is on to talk about his trip to St. Louis. We took him to the City museum and stuffed him full of Provel afterwards and somehow he survived. If you like this and want more, consider giving to the Patreon. Five dollars a month gets you bonus episodes every month, and entry into our monthly giveaway. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/41065130

MASHCast: Chow time 04/23/2026

MASHCast: Chow time This month Francis and Carey talk about two food centric episodes in Season 3: Private Lamb and Adam's Ribs Opening intro by Manic Street Preachers If you like this and want more, consider giving to the Patreon. Five dollars a month gets you bonus episodes every month, and entry into our monthly giveaway. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/40915375

WifeChat: First prize at the state fair 04/16/2026

WifeChat: First prize at the state fair This week Beth and Francis talk about winning the blue ribbon at the State Fair, the books we're reading, and the movies those books turned into. If you like this and want more, consider giving to the Patreon. Five dollars a month gets you bonus episodes every month, and entry into our monthly giveaway. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/40901470

Twin Peaks: Into the mind of Agent Cooper -Preview- 04/13/2026

Twin Peaks: Into the mind of Agent Cooper -Preview- This month Jack takes Francis watch Episodes two and three of season one. We are diving into the mind of Agent Cooper as Francis begins to regret the decision to watch this show all the way through. I'm sure it only get more normal from here. This is a preview episode. You can get this and many more back episodes on Patreon - https://www.patreon.com/posts/155517135 /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/40832420

DadChat: Tooth Fairy 04/10/2026

DadChat: Tooth Fairy This week Francis and Nate talk about losing baby teeth, childhood injuries, and the joy of wearing sweatpants If you like this and want more, consider giving to the Patreon. Five dollars a month gets you bonus episodes every month, and entry into our monthly giveaway. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/40799840

The Neverending Story -Preview- 04/07/2026

The Neverending Story -Preview- This week Francis and Nate break down the 1984 classic kids movie The Neverending story. We follow Bastion as he plays hooky to read a book in the attic of his school, transporting him to a magical land full of Rock monsters, depression swamps and sphinxes with huge cans. This is a bonus episode. You can get this and ten years of back log bonus content here for just $5 a month - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/40756615

DadChat: Thrift Store cookout 04/02/2026

DadChat: Thrift Store cookout This week Francis and Jack hit up the thrift store to expand our cooking options, brag about shopping efficiency, and go to the No Kings protests. If you like this and want more, consider giving to the Patreon. Five dollars a month gets you bonus episodes every month, and entry into our monthly giveaway. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/40710675

The Highlands Burn with Joe Kassabian 03/26/2026

The Highlands Burn with Joe Kassabian Friend of the show and Lions Led by Donkeys host Joe Kassabian talks to Francis about his latest book The Highlands Burn. Joe is diving into Gunpowder Fantasy as he tells the story of Sayat and the Foundling Brigade. This book has revolvers that shoot sorcery, descriptions of how much it sucks to live through a siege, and the time honored favorite: corrupt military police. Preorder today If you're in London, get tickets to the May 29th Live show here: If you're not in London, you can still get tickets and watch the live stream: If you like this and want more, consider giving to the Patreon. Five dollars a month gets you bonus episodes every month, and entry into our monthly giveaway. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/40624670

DadChat: Twin Peaks pilot episode 03/19/2026

DadChat: Twin Peaks pilot episode This week, and for many weeks in the future, Jack joins Francis to watch through Twin Peaks. Why is it different from every other millennial podcasters who have already done this? Because Francis knows nothing about it, and Jack is a rabid fan of the series. For this episode we talk about our relationships with David Lynch movies, and dig into the opening episode of the series that inspired everything that came after. Future episodes will be available at the 3$ level of the Patreon. And I promise we're gonna do it all, through the weird and the bad. If you like this and want more, consider giving to the Patreon. Five dollars a month gets you bonus episodes every month, and entry into our monthly giveaway. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/40418000

DadChat: Airport hangout 03/12/2026

DadChat: Airport hangout This week Francis and Nate stuff insulation into their walls as the mercury fluctuates, childhood peer pressure, our mustard collections, and waxing nostalgic about hanging out at the airport. If you like this and want more, consider giving to the Patreon. Five dollars a month gets you bonus episodes every month, and entry into our monthly giveaway. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - Bluesky - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/40417785

Clerks (1994): We're not even supposed to be here today! -Preview- 03/09/2026

Clerks (1994): We're not even supposed to be here today! -Preview- This week to better understand the GenX mind, Francis and Nate watch Kevin Smith's directorial debut Clerks. A movie about nothing and everything at the same time. Does it hold up? Is it as good as you remember when you were 17 and watching for the first time? Find out at the $5 and up tier today! This is a preview of our monthly bonus episode. For full access sign up at the $5 and up level here - Instagram - Facebook - Bluesky - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/40368630

WifeChat: Culturally Catholic 03/06/2026

WifeChat: Culturally Catholic This week Francis is joined by his wife to discuss our favorite trinket based religion. Both raised in the St. Louis Catholic Church, we talk about the perversion of the religion by converts, the loss of yet another third space, and how to tell if you're at a good Fish Fry. If you like this and want more, consider giving to the Patreon. Five dollars a month gets you bonus episodes every month, and entry into our monthly giveaway. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates Instagram - Facebook - Bluesky - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/40342040

Seven Brides for Seven Kidnappers -Preview- 03/03/2026

Seven Brides for Seven Kidnappers -Preview- This is a preview of our bonus episode. To hear the full episode, sign up today at This week Eric Peacock from SoundTracker joins Francis one again to take in some Musical Theater. From the Golden Age of Musicals, we watch Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954). Seven mountain man brothers need wives and when courtin' fails they resort to kidnappin'. Filmed in beautiful cinemascope and filled with acrobatic dance fights (and quite a few brawls), this movie manages to be fun and entertaining seventy years later, if just slightly problematic. Keep up with Eric and the return of SoundTracker here - Follow Eric here - /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/40290630

DadChat: Hoosier Bourgeoisie 02/27/2026

DadChat: Hoosier Bourgeoisie This week on DadChat, Francis and Nate talk about the coming Spring weather, Hair Metal, the increase of the Golf Cart Class, and Canadian TV. If you like this and want more, consider giving to the Patreon. Five dollars a month gets you bonus episodes every month, and entry into our monthly giveaway. Check out the store, and sign up for our twice a month email updates /episode/index/show/hellofawaytodie/id/40251845

What a Hell of a Way to Dad

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