
Facing Your Demons and Chasing Your Dreams with Jack Cohen
04/12/25 • 45 min
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Episode154: Facing Your Demons and Chasing Your Dreams with Jack Cohen
Are your fears holding you back more than you realize? In this powerful episode of No Sitting on the Sideline Dad, I sit down with Jack Cohen — entrepreneur, author, and believer in the power of self-investment — to unpack the hidden fears and family patterns that keep so many of us stuck.
Jack shares stories about facing his self-doubt, battling imposter syndrome, and building what he calls his "utility belt" of frameworks for personal growth and freedom. We talk about the weight of expectations, the power of changing your mindset, and why life feels less like a ladder and more like a jungle gym.
If you’ve ever wrestled with fear of failure, felt trapped by other people’s expectations, or just wanted permission to dream bigger, this conversation is for you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to recognize the "demons" you carry and how to stop passing them down
- Why fear is just "false expectations appearing real"
- The difference between chasing goals and building a life of meaning
- How to start investing in yourself today — and why it's the best decision you'll make
Guest Links: 🔗 Visit Jack Cohen at darkknightventures.net
Connect with me: ➡️ nosittingonthesideline.com — join the community, catch up on past episodes, and reach out!
Enjoyed the show?
- Follow, rate, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts
- Share this episode with a friend who could use a little encouragement today
Remember: Hug your kids, tell 'em you love 'em, take care of yourself, and God bless. See ya!
Episode154: Facing Your Demons and Chasing Your Dreams with Jack Cohen
Are your fears holding you back more than you realize? In this powerful episode of No Sitting on the Sideline Dad, I sit down with Jack Cohen — entrepreneur, author, and believer in the power of self-investment — to unpack the hidden fears and family patterns that keep so many of us stuck.
Jack shares stories about facing his self-doubt, battling imposter syndrome, and building what he calls his "utility belt" of frameworks for personal growth and freedom. We talk about the weight of expectations, the power of changing your mindset, and why life feels less like a ladder and more like a jungle gym.
If you’ve ever wrestled with fear of failure, felt trapped by other people’s expectations, or just wanted permission to dream bigger, this conversation is for you.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- How to recognize the "demons" you carry and how to stop passing them down
- Why fear is just "false expectations appearing real"
- The difference between chasing goals and building a life of meaning
- How to start investing in yourself today — and why it's the best decision you'll make
Guest Links: 🔗 Visit Jack Cohen at darkknightventures.net
Connect with me: ➡️ nosittingonthesideline.com — join the community, catch up on past episodes, and reach out!
Enjoyed the show?
- Follow, rate, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts
- Share this episode with a friend who could use a little encouragement today
Remember: Hug your kids, tell 'em you love 'em, take care of yourself, and God bless. See ya!
Previous Episode

Bold Ideas to Solve Today’s Challenges: Insights from Mitch Francis
In this episode, I sit down with Mitch Francis, a successful businessman and problem solver, to discuss his bold, nonpartisan solutions for some of society's biggest challenges. From gun violence to climate change, Mitch outlines how his 40+ years of business experience have shaped his perspective on tackling major issues. We explore key topics from his book, Badass Solutions, including actionable ideas to address the rising sea levels, education reform.
Key Discussion Points:
- Problem-Solving Philosophy: Mitch shares how business problem-solving techniques can be applied to societal issues.
- Inspiration Behind the Book: A personal tragedy during the Highland Park Fourth of July shooting motivated Mitch to take action.
- Gun Violence: Why Mitch believes assault rifles should be banned and how mental health plays a critical role in addressing this crisis.
- Education Reform: Radical solutions to bridge the gap between public and private schooling, ensuring equal opportunities for all children.
- Climate Change: Innovative ideas to combat rising sea levels and redistribute freshwater to arid regions, inspired by the Central Arizona Project.
- Other Solutions: Topics like immigration, homelessness, restructuring the Federal Reserve, and paying off the national deficit.
Notable Quotes:
- "When the people lead, the leaders will follow." – Mahatma Gandhi (a favorite of Mitch’s).
- "We need bold solutions for big problems, and that’s what this book is about."
Guest Bio: Mitch Francis is a seasoned businessman and author with over four decades of experience in real estate development and managing publicly traded companies. His book, Badass Solutions, offers audacious, practical ideas to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues.
Resources Mentioned:
- Mitch’s Website: bad-asssolutions.com
- Badass Solutions on Amazon: Amazon Link
Call to Action: Liked what you heard? Share this episode with a friend who’s passionate about finding solutions to today’s challenges. Don’t forget to rate and review on Apple Podcasts to help us grow!
Follow Us:
- Website: nosittingonthesideline.com
- Twitter: nsosdadpodcast
- Instagram: nosittingonthesideline_dad_pod
All links and resources are in the show notes. Thank you for tuning in!
Next Episode

The Power of Gratitude, Journaling, and Lessons from Rescue Pugs with Jean Alfieri
In this episode of the No Sitting on the Sideline Dad podcast,I sit down with the author, positivity coach, and dog lover Jean Alfieri to explore the simple yet powerful practice of gratitude.
From daily journaling habits to dinnertime conversations with family, Jean shares her insights on how focusing on what you’re thankful for can transform your day — even during life’s toughest moments.
They also dive into how small acts of appreciation can shift workplace culture, spark better communication at home, and help us all stay grounded in a fast-paced world. Plus, you’ll hear some heartwarming stories about rescue dogs (yes, including Ziggy the Pug!) and the surprising life lessons our pets teach us about joy, resilience, and connection.
Whether you're a busy parent, looking for simple ways to add positivity to your day, or just love a good conversation about life and gratitude, this episode is for you.
🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:- How practicing daily gratitude can reshape your mindset
- The role of journaling in managing stress and improving mental health
- Simple family traditions that build connection and open communication
- How to use gratitude in the workplace to boost morale and teamwork
- What our pets can teach us about resilience, play, and unconditional love
- Connect with Jean Alfieri: dogauthor.com
- Find Jean's books on Amazon: Jean Alfieri Amazon Page
- Full episode notes and more: No Sitting on the Sideline Dad Podcast
What’s one thing you’re grateful for today? Send me your answer at nosittingonthesideline.com or message me on your favorite social platform!
⭐ Enjoying the show?Leave a review on Apple Podcasts! It helps more dads and parents like you discover the show. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.
📱 Stay Connected:- Visit the website: No Sitting on the Sideline Dad
- Subscribe to the newsletter for updates and behind-the-scenes stories
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