Modern Dadhood | Unpacking Fatherhood + Parenting for Dads (and Moms!) - Working Toward A Better Man | Michael Ian Black on Fatherhood, Empty Nesting, Ironic Detachment

Working Toward A Better Man | Michael Ian Black on Fatherhood, Empty Nesting, Ironic Detachment

Explicit content warning

05/06/22 • 33 min

Modern Dadhood | Unpacking Fatherhood + Parenting for Dads (and Moms!)

Episode 65 of Modern Dadhood opens with a brief discussion about being run down and defeated by our children. The guys gab for a bit before introducing comedian Michael Ian Black into the conversation. Michael is a father of two college-age children, Elijah and Ruthie, and is best known for his roles in Wet Hot American Summer, The State, and the comedy troupe Stella. Additionally, he hosts the podcasts "Obscure," "How To Be Amazing", and Topics (with Stella cohort Michael Showalter). Michael has written books for grown-ups and kids, and his 2020 book A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son, which balances the exploration of topics like "toxic masculinity" and gender inequality with personal anecdotes from his childhood and career in comedy. Conversation topics include:
• Becoming empty nesters
• How your relationship with your kids changes as they grow
• Kitchen appliance trends
• Sarcasm vs sincerity as a dad
• Ironic Detachment
• What is "strength," really?
• And more!
This is part one of a two part conversation. Subscribe now to be alerted when part two drops!

LINKS:
Michael Ian Black (official)
Michael Ian Black (Instagram)
A Better Man (book)
Obscure (podcast)
Stella
Michael & Michael Have Issues
Caspar Babypants
Red Vault Audio
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Previous Episode

She / Her / DAD | Tessa White on Trans Fatherhood

What does it mean to be a dad? Does it require a certain degree of commitment to loving, protecting, and raising your offspring to bestow the title of dad? Or at its most basic, are you a dad if you've used your penis to procreate with a woman? In episode 64, Tessa White, a transgender woman and parent of 5, joins the Modern Dadhood conversation to declare proudly that you don't even have to be a MAN to be a DAD. Have a different opinion? Go pound sand.

Episode 64 of Modern Dadhood opens with an ASMR exercise from Marc, as he takes immense pleasure in destroying a half-deflated foil birthday balloon. Your brain will tickle as the knife enters the now pathetic remnant of a bygone celebration and the weak mostly-just-air-helium from Dollar General encounters the otherwise clean air of Marc's home studio. The guys move on to a discussion about guest conversations which take them out of their comfort zones (in a good way!) before they introduce Tessa White, the episode's guest. Tessa owns an HVAC company in Oklahoma City, is a transgender woman and proud LGBTQ+ advocate and activist, and is a parent to 5 children (including two sets of twins) who call her DAD. The powerful conversation touches on topics including:

• The meaning of the phrase "She/Her/DAD" found on a pin by Dads Hug Too
• Navigating the world as a trans woman and a parent
• The debate over transgender athletes
• Trans discrimination, and the effects on Tessa's kids
• Giving kids some space and distance to accept who their father is
• Pronouns, including nonbinary pronouns

Links:
Dads Hug Too
PFlag Oklahoma City
OKC Pride
Diversity Center of Oklahoma
Caspar Babypants
Red Vault Audio
Spencer Albee
Stuffed Animal

#moderndadhood #fatherhood #parenthood #parenting #parentingpodcast #dadding #dadpodcast

Next Episode

Searching For Answers on Masculinity | Michael Ian Black on Manhood, Strength, Vulnerability

The concept of masculinity is straight-up intimidating to even begin to comprehend. There’s no real cut-and-dry definition. Like so many big concepts, it’s far easier to throw your hands up and say, “it’s too complicated!” rather than commit to understanding the topic more deeply. Luckily for us, comedian Michael Ian Black has spent countless hours exploring masculinity. In his book A Better Man, he approaches what it means to be masculine through an open letter to his teenage son. His musings pave a clear path for any father, son, mother, daughter (or, incidentally, saber-tooth tiger) to approach the subject with an open mind and heart.

Episode 66 of Modern Dadhood open with Marc reflecting on his recent experience with Covid, and a belated Happy Mother's Day wish to all of the moms, before the guys throw it to the second half of the chat with Michael Ian Black. Michael is a father of two college-age children, Elijah and Ruthie, and is best known for his roles in Wet Hot American Summer, The State, and the comedy troupe Stella. Additionally, he hosts the podcasts "Obscure," "How To Be Amazing", and Topics (with Stella cohort Michael Showalter). Michael has written books for grown-ups and kids, and his 2020 book A Better Man: A (Mostly Serious) Letter to My Son, which balances the exploration of topics like "toxic masculinity" and gender inequality with personal anecdotes from his childhood and career in comedy. Conversation topics include:
• Emotional strength and vulnerability
• The value of men expressing when they need help
• Why the concept of masculinity is hard to define
• Various ways to approach thinking about masculinity
• The cultural importance of A Better Man
• The importance of demonstrating healthy masculinity to our children
• And more!
This is part two of a two part conversation.