Self Made Dad
Brian Lee Shields
Self Made Dads are people who are navigating fatherhood without having had our fathers to guide us by example.
We built ourselves by being scrappy. We learned from TV, our friends' parents, or brutal trial and error. And we are still standing here today, trying to fashion ourselves into the best possible dad who will break the cycle.
This is a place where dads can open up safely, challenge their ideas about fatherhood, and vent/laugh off the hard stuff.
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Top 10 Self Made Dad Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Self Made Dad episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Self Made Dad for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Self Made Dad episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
Raising a Son to be a Man
Self Made Dad
10/12/23 • 19 min
I love to say that my wife is the kind of woman I would be proud for my daughter to grow up to be just like. But am I the kind of man I want my son to grow up to be just like?
In this episode, we explore what it means to be a man, what kind of principles Brian believes boys (and girls) of today should be raised with, and how to teach your kids to earn what you get in life.
1 Listener
Dad, You Need to Have More Fun
Self Made Dad
11/09/23 • 25 min
My father used to tell me that men don't have time to have fun. He had high blood pressure and was constantly angry at his day to day life. He never had fun.
But why can't we have fun? Fun & play is great for kids to learn, and should be part of our adulthood. I could tell you that research shows fun and laughter lowers blood pressure and lengthens your life span. There are a ton of reasons to reconnect with your fun, but I think the most important reason you should have some fun is because YOU DESERVE IT.
Listen in to hear why we don't allow ourselves to have fun and what we can do about it!
1 Listener
Traveling with Kids SUCKS...
Self Made Dad
12/21/23 • 13 min
I did a cross country trip with my 2 kids, and am officially over it. We have holiday travel & international plans for 2024, but I'm now rethinking all that.
Do you know how I can travel better?
Listen in and DM me suggestions @brianleeshields on IG!
Real Dads Dont Make Their Kids Cry
Self Made Dad
10/13/23 • 29 min
Why do we push our kids so hard? Spoiler: Our egos...
I want the best for my kids, I really do. But sometimes the reason for that desire isn't the healthiest, and manifests in unproductive parenting techniques that may land my kid in unsustainable patterns down the road (or in therapy complaining about my parenting style). I am willing to bet some of you do this too.
Fathers need to take stock of what's going on inside of them, in order to truly get the best out of their kids. That may not always look like how the father wants it, but in the end, every father wants their kid to be stable, happy and independent MORE than they want their kids to be exactly the way they want them to be.
Give a listen and look within.
Are You Man Enough to Raise Your Daughter?
Self Made Dad
10/12/23 • 30 min
I used to say that I wanted to have a wife Id be proud of my daughter to grow up to be like. But that is only half the equation. Ideally there are 2 parents in the mix, and I need to be every bit as worth as my wife.
It's not just about being a role model for our child but also acknowledging the significance of co-parenting. Ideal parenting involves two equal halves—my wife and I, both striving to embody the values and qualities we wish to instill in our daughter. Together, we craft a loving foundation that she will take into the world. And I have to learn from my wife the things about growing up a girl that I didn't learn from my upbringing.
I Resent Bad Dads...so I'm Working to Not Be One
Self Made Dad
10/12/23 • 8 min
I resent bad dads. Sometimes I feel like my dad was one...
Growing up, I had to figure a lot out on my own. My dad wasn't really active in my day-to-day life, and while that fostered a lot of self-reliance and independence, I've realized lately that I have a lot of frustration about it. Especially now, seeing how important it is to be in my own kids' daily lives.
Now I’m asking myself, “Is the identity I self-constructed in order to survive worth passing on to my kids?”
Where I deem it not worthy, I’m willing to tinker and whittle it into something that is. This show is going to be about exploring my own baggage around manhood & fatherhood, and leveling up where needed.
I want this to feel like a place where dads can open up safely, challenge their ideas about fatherhood, and vent/laugh off the hard stuff. So, I welcome your comments, messages, and input! Honestly, I thrive on it.
10/26/23 • 34 min
"I didn't want to tell you, I wasn't sure how you'd react". Sound familiar?
Whether it's our wives, kids or friends, how we listen impacts their willingness to open up to us. Many of us are listening judgmentally without even knowing it, and that is a sure fire way to close off your loved ones to you. It's how my dad closed me off to sharing anything with him. He only knew a small fraction of my life...
If you want your kids and loved ones to be open with you and share the details of their problems (and successes) for the rest of their lives, you need to practice Safe Haven listening, which I discuss in today's show.
Self Made Dad, Wed & Fri @ 12p PT / 7p GMT on IG Live (@brianleeshields)
What's been on YOUR mind...
Self Made Dad
11/02/23 • 23 min
I've really appreciated hearing from you all. I cover topics that you all have brought up in questions or DMs here, and share thoughts.
Topics include:
- Masculinity and how it impacts us as fathers positively and negatively
- Why dads telling their kids how they feel matter
- What are you doing to deserve to be your kids' hero?
- When should you take your child to therapy?
- "Because I said so" is so outdated...
- How admitting fault makes your decisions better
- Divorce & your responsibility to your kids (and yourself)
- Managing sudden losses
And a bunch of other topics!
Got questions or thoughts for the mailbag? DM me @brianleeshields on IG for more convos, or join the live Call In show Fridays at 12p PT / 7p GMT on IG Live!
11/17/23 • 28 min
If you are trying to be the best at getting your kids to work hard and push themselves, this episode is for you...
I have been really critical of my kid lately, and it’s been ineffective. I thought telling her the truth would help her develop her skills. But it’s not, I'm failing her
In this episode, a couple of dads call in and get me right. I needed help, and other dads answered the call.
Listen in to see how it went.
What Moms Need to Know About Dads
Self Made Dad
11/30/23 • 29 min
I asked dads what they wish they could tell their wives/partners, but often don't. Use this as a conversation starter - I know you need it.
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FAQ
How many episodes does Self Made Dad have?
Self Made Dad currently has 16 episodes available.
What topics does Self Made Dad cover?
The podcast is about Self Improvement, Parenting, Kids & Family, Fatherhood, Community, Therapy and Podcasts.
What is the most popular episode on Self Made Dad?
The episode title 'Raising a Son to be a Man' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Self Made Dad?
The average episode length on Self Made Dad is 24 minutes.
How often are episodes of Self Made Dad released?
Episodes of Self Made Dad are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of Self Made Dad?
The first episode of Self Made Dad was released on Oct 12, 2023.
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