Finding Awesome Goodness with 'Internet Dad' Rob Kenney

04/02/25 • 41 min

In this conversation, Mary Schaub interviews Rob Kenney, the creator of the popular YouTube channel 'Dad How Do I'. Rob shares his journey from being an introverted sales professional to becoming an internet dad figure for millions. He discusses his childhood experiences, the challenges of mental health in his family, and the impact of bullying on his self-worth. Rob emphasizes the importance of finding purpose, the role of faith and forgiveness in his life, and how he aims to empower others through teaching essential life skills. The conversation also touches on the influence of Mr. Rogers, the challenges of online criticism, and the legacy he hopes to leave behind.

Key Takeaways

💡Rob started his channel to help people with practical life skills but unexpectedly reached millions, becoming known as the "Internet Dad."

💡His childhood experiences of abandonment shaped his commitment to being present for others.

💡Rob emphasizes forgiveness as essential for personal healing, not just reconciliation with others.

💡He believes in the importance of authentic connection in a digital world focused on quick entertainment.

💡Rob shares both practical skills and wisdom, recognizing that fatherhood involves teaching both.

💡His approach to faith is embodied through service rather than preaching.

💡His L.I.F.E. acronym summarizes his philosophy: Learn, Individual gifts, Forgiveness, Embrace the journey.

Compelling Quotes

🎤"I think we long for a wholesome meal, but we settle for fast food because it's easy."

🎤"Forgiveness is setting a prisoner free and realizing the prisoner was you."

🎤"A dad is more than just Mr. Fix-it. Share your heart with your kids."

🎤"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

🎤"I'd like to be remembered as a man after God's own heart."

🎤"Life is what happens while we're making other plans."

Keywords

✅Internet Dad ✅Rob Kenney ✅Dad How Do I ✅YouTube parenting

✅practical life skills ✅forgiveness ✅digital connection ✅fatherhood advice

✅healing ✅faith and service ✅authentic parenting ✅life wisdom

✅viral YouTube success

Hashtags

#InternetDad #DadHowDoI #DigitalParenting #LifeSkills #Forgiveness #AuthenticConnection #FatherhoodJourney #PracticalWisdom #ServiceToOthers #FindingPurpose #HealingJourney #FaithInAction

Links

🌟Dad, how do I YouTube channel

🌟Dad, how do I book

🙏 -Thanks to Rob Kenney 💜

Disclaimer:

***The information, opinions, and recommendations presented in this Podcast are for general information only and any reliance on the information provided in this Podcast is done at your own risk. This Podcast should not be considered professional advice.***

Credits: Written, produced and hosted by: Mary Schaub. Theme song written by: Mary Schaub. Mixing Engineer: Dylan Yauch

Contact: Tell us how your transformation is going. Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(631) 371-3240‬ and we may play it on a future episode.

Website: M. Schaub Advisory (MSA)

** Shobukai Shift is a MSA Production **

Key Takeaways

💡Rob started his channel to help people with practical life skills but unexpectedly reached millions, becoming known as the "Internet Dad."

💡His childhood experiences of abandonment shaped his commitment to being present for others.

💡Rob emphasizes forgiveness as essential for personal healing, not just reconciliation with others.

💡He believes in the importance of authentic connection in a digital world focused on quick entertainment.

💡Rob shares both practical skills and wisdom, recognizing that fatherhood involves teaching both.

💡His approach to faith is embodied through service rather than preaching.

💡His L.I.F.E. acronym summarizes his philosophy: Learn, Individual gifts, Forgiveness, Embrace the journey.

Compelling Quotes

🎤"I think we long for a wholesome meal, but we settle for fast food because it's easy."

🎤"Forgiveness is setting a prisoner free and realizing the prisoner was you."

🎤"A dad is more than just Mr. Fix-it. Share your heart with your kids."

🎤"People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."

🎤"I'd like to be remembered as a man after God's own heart."

🎤"Life is what happens while we're making other plans."

Keywords

✅Internet Dad ✅Rob Kenney ✅Dad How Do I ✅YouTube parenting

✅practical life skills ✅forgiveness ✅digital connection ✅fatherhood advice

✅healing ✅faith and service ✅authentic parenting ✅life wisdom

✅viral YouTube success

Hashtags

#InternetDad #DadHowDoI #DigitalParenting #LifeSkills #Forgiveness #AuthenticConnection #FatherhoodJourney #PracticalWisdom #ServiceToOthers #FindingPurpose #HealingJourney #FaithInAction

Links

🌟Dad, how do I YouTube channel

🌟Dad, how do I book

🙏 -Thanks to Rob Kenney 💜

Disclaimer:

Credits: Written, produced and hosted by: Mary Schaub. Theme song written by: Mary Schaub. Mixing Engineer: Dylan Yauch

Contact: Tell us how your transformation is going. Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(631) 371-3240‬ and we may play it on a future episode.

Website: M. Schaub Advisory (MSA)

** Shobukai Shift is a MSA Production **

Previous Episode

Embracing Uncertainty: Why It's Hard & How to Navigate It

In this conversation, Mary Schaub explores the theme of uncertainty in today's world, emphasizing the importance of self-discovery and inner work. She discusses the challenges of navigating change and the necessity of embracing equanimity to foster personal growth. Through personal anecdotes and philosophical insights, she encourages listeners to reflect on their own experiences with uncertainty and to prioritize their inner well-being as a means to contribute positively to society.

Key Takeaways:

💡Uncertainty is inevitable. The world has always been unpredictable, and resisting change only makes it harder.

💡Our aversion to change is deeply rooted. From societal norms to neurological wiring, humans are primed to prefer stability.

💡Control is an illusion. The need for control often stems from past experiences, anxiety, or fear of failure.

💡Equanimity is the answer. Developing inner stability helps us navigate change with resilience.

💡You are the protagonist of your story. Embracing self-awareness and intentionality shapes a meaningful life.

Compelling Quotes:

🎤“We may be in distress, but we’re not damsels. No one is coming to rescue us.”

🎤“Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer cell.” – Edward Abbey

🎤“When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, and others build windmills.” – Chinese Proverb

🎤“Only when you can be extremely pliable and soft, can you be extremely hard and strong.” – Zen Proverb

🎤“You are the protagonist of the story you are writing for yourself.”

Keywords:

✅Dealing with uncertainty

✅Fear of change

✅How to embrace change

✅Why change is hard

✅Letting go of control

✅Psychological resistance to change

✅Stoicism and change

✅Growth mindset and transformation

✅Navigating uncertainty in life

Hashtags:

#ShobukaiShift #ChangeManagement #EmbracingUncertainty #FearOfChange #PersonalGrowth #MindsetShift #Stoicism #SelfDiscovery #LettingGo #Equanimity #NavigatingChange

This should make your episode discoverable while keeping it compelling for listeners.

Disclaimer:

Credits: Written, produced and hosted by: Mary Schaub. Theme song written by: Mary Schaub. Mixing Engineer: Dylan Yauch

Contact: Tell us how your transformation is going. Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(631) 371-3240‬ and we may play it on a future episode.

Website: M. Schaub Advisory (MSA)

** Shobukai Shift is a MSA Production **

Next Episode

Listeners Share How Past Experiences Impact Adaptability

In this episode of Shobukai Shift, listeners write in to tell their personal stories about why they struggle to deal with even small unexpected changes. In this introspective episode, host Mary Schaub delves into the deep-rooted origins of our emotional responses and the importance of self-reflection in personal transformation.

The episode explores how our past experiences, particularly from childhood, create "hardwired" emotional responses to unexpected changes. Through listener stories, Mary illustrates how individuals can recognize these patterns and work towards more mindful, adaptive behaviors.

Takeaways:

💡 Our reactions to unexpected changes often stem from past experiences and childhood conditioning

💡Self-awareness is crucial in understanding and evolving our emotional patterns

💡Personal growth is a continuous process of learning and adapting

💡Childhood experiences significantly shape our current behavioral responses

💡Being gentle with ourselves during the process of self-discovery is essential

Compelling Quotes:

🎤"We're all the authors and the main characters of the book we're writing about our lives."

🎤"No matter who you are or where you come from, we all have one thing in common. We're all going to be on this earth for a relatively short period of time."

🎤"Life is the process of figuring out the story you want to live, but we're all also figuring out who our main character is."

🎤"The live wire can be retired. It's not needed anymore."

Show Links:

🔥History of the World in 10 minutes (@melodysheep)🔥

🌟Timeline of World History (@UsefulCharts) 🌟

💜Scientists find heightened attention to surprise in veterans with PTSD - Virgina Tech - Dr. Chiu study 💜

Keywords:

✅ personal growth ✅life purpose ✅emotional resilience ✅childhood trauma

✅self-discovery ✅unexpected changes ✅mental health

✅personal transformation ✅psychological patterns

✅emotional intelligence

#PersonalGrowth #SelfDiscovery #MentalHealth #Transformation #Resilience #Mindfulness #EmotionalIntelligence #Healing #PersonalDevelopment #LifePurpose

Disclaimer:

Credits: Written, produced and hosted by: Mary Schaub. Theme song written by: Mary Schaub. Mixing Engineer: Dylan Yauch

Contact: Tell us how your transformation is going. Email us at [email protected] or leave us a voicemail at ‪(631) 371-3240‬ and we may play it on a future episode.

Website: M. Schaub Advisory (MSA)

** Shobukai Shift is a MSA Production **

Shobukai Shift - Finding Awesome Goodness with 'Internet Dad' Rob Kenney

Transcript

Mary Schaub (00:11)

I am so excited today because I'm talking to internet dad, Rob Kenny. He's the creative mind and loving spirit behind the popular YouTube channel, Dad How Do I, which has over 5 million subscribers. His videos have been viewed more than 25 million times by Rob's loyal, adoring online kids, many of whom cite Rob as having had an emotionally profound impact on their lives.

Rob, it's an honor and privilege to talk to you. Thank you for being generous with your tim