Startup Dad - The importance of role models, raising a child with special needs, advocating for your kids | Adam Grenier (father of 3, Eventbrite, Masterclass, Uber)

The importance of role models, raising a child with special needs, advocating for your kids | Adam Grenier (father of 3, Eventbrite, Masterclass, Uber)

06/20/23 • 52 min

1 Listener

Adam Grenier is VP of Growth at Eventbrite, a ticketing company that is bringing the world together through live experiences. Prior to that he led growth for Masterclass and Lambda School, was an EIR at Reforge and was Head of Growth Marketing at Uber. He's also a loving husband and the father of 3 kids, including an autistic son. In this episode we discuss:

Adam's humble upbringing in the Midwest

How he got into improv and made his way to California

Poop (of course)

Raising a child with special needs

How to communicate your capacity to your spouse

Advocating for your children

Some of the shame around parenting

Setting up family guardrails and balance

—

Where to find Adam Grenier

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AKGrenier

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akgrenier

Where to find Adam Fishman:

Newsletter: https://www.fishmanafnewsletter.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fishmanaf

—

In this episode, we cover:

[1:23] Introductions

[2:11] Adam’s Background

[7:12] Parents

[9:26] Discussing Role Models

[11:19] Arriving in California, Adam’s wife and kids

[20:08] Talk about Poop

[21:45] What it’s like with a special needs child

[24:15] Discussing capacity and Brene Brown

[26:06] How to advocate for your child

[31:55] Shame around parenting

[33:38] New parent support group anecdote

[34:06] Family guard rails

[37:12] Parenting disagreements

[39:03] How to balance work and family

[45:25] Rapid fire round

[51:21] Parting advice

—

Links we reference:

Second City
https://www.secondcity.com/

SNL
https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live

Brene Brown
https://brenebrown.com/

Butt Cream
https://www.forbes.com/health/family/best-diaper-rash-cream/

—

Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/

Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com

Adam's humble upbringing in the Midwest

How he got into improv and made his way to California

Poop (of course)

Raising a child with special needs

How to communicate your capacity to your spouse

Advocating for your children

Some of the shame around parenting

Setting up family guardrails and balance

—

Where to find Adam Grenier

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AKGrenier

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akgrenier

Where to find Adam Fishman:

Newsletter: https://www.fishmanafnewsletter.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fishmanaf

—

In this episode, we cover:

[1:23] Introductions

[2:11] Adam’s Background

[7:12] Parents

[9:26] Discussing Role Models

[11:19] Arriving in California, Adam’s wife and kids

[20:08] Talk about Poop

[21:45] What it’s like with a special needs child

[24:15] Discussing capacity and Brene Brown

[26:06] How to advocate for your child

[31:55] Shame around parenting

[33:38] New parent support group anecdote

[34:06] Family guard rails

[37:12] Parenting disagreements

[39:03] How to balance work and family

[45:25] Rapid fire round

[51:21] Parting advice

—

Links we reference:

Second City
https://www.secondcity.com/

SNL
https://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live

Brene Brown
https://brenebrown.com/

Butt Cream
https://www.forbes.com/health/family/best-diaper-rash-cream/

—

Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/

Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com

Previous Episode

undefined - Building a company and family, the responsibility cloak, mistakes and setting irrevocable guidelines | Nick Soman (father of 2, Decent, Gusto, Amazon)

Building a company and family, the responsibility cloak, mistakes and setting irrevocable guidelines | Nick Soman (father of 2, Decent, Gusto, Amazon)

Nick Soman is the founder and CEO of Decent, a healthcare company that helps small businesses band together to get more affordable health insurance for their employees. Prior to that he led growth for Gusto, was a product manager on the Kindle at Amazon, and started a company that he sold to Napster! In this episode we discuss:

How Nick's parents influenced his own parenting

The challenging early times as a Dad and startup leader

Discoveries he's had as a Dad

The importance of partnership in your marriage and how to navigate conflict

His "irrevocable guidelines" around family

Silicon Valley hustle culture and incompatibility with family life

Bringing his own values into his company

Many mistakes he's made as a father and what they've taught him

—

Where to find Nick Soman:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicksoman

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicksoman/

Where to find Adam:

Newsletter: https://www.fishmanafnewsletter.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/fishmanaf

—

In this episode, we cover:

[1:50] Introductions

[2:36] Nick and Decent Health

[4:28] Nick’s background

[7:08] His Parents

[8:58] Family life and Starting a family

[12:27] Challenging early times as a Dad

[16:00] Responsibility cape/choice vs. obligation

[17:12] Masculine energy/Nature vs. Nurture

[20:44] Dad discoveries/Do as I say, not as I do.

[24:41] Dissonance between partners

[25:32] Importance of partnership/conflict

[28:00] Marriage advice

[30:22] How do you and your wife recharge?

[32:46] “Irrevocable guidelines” around my family

[33:27] Silicon Valley “hustle culture”

[34:19] A trap he fell into/a walkabout

[37:44] Bringing values into his company

[40:46] Mistake he’s made as a father

[44:28] Rapid fire round

—

Links we reference:

Rivian
https://rivian.com/

“Hold Me Tight,” Dr. Sue Johnson
https://www.amazon.com/Hold-Me-Tight-Conversations-Lifetime/dp/B084G9QFZY/ref=sr_1_2?crid=194BNQXYUKRWA&keywords=hold+me+tight+sue+johnson&qid=1680733560&sprefix=hold+me+tight+sue+%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-2

Nick's company, Decent
https://www.decent.com/

Andy Johns - How to Know When to Stop
https://www.lennysnewsletter.com/p/how-to-know-when-to-stop

—

Production support for Startup Dad is provided by Tommy Harron at http://www.armaziproductions.com/

Episode art designed by Matt Sutherland at https://www.mspnw.com/

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit startupdadpod.substack.com

Next Episode

undefined - Raising kids without a support network, surprising aspects of being a new dad, frameworks for parenting | Alex Cohen (father of 2, Carbon Health, Spendoso, Angel Investor)

Raising kids without a support network, surprising aspects of being a new dad, frameworks for parenting | Alex Cohen (father of 2, Carbon Health, Spendoso, Angel Investor)

Alex Cohen is Sr. Director of Product at Carbon Health, a modern health clinic that provides urgent and primary care for easier everyday health. He is also a serial entrepreneur, investor, and one of the most prolific "shitposters" on Twitter. He's a loving husband and the father of 1 kid, born during the peak of the pandemic. In this episode we discuss:

Getting fired from Office Depot

Marrying his high school sweetheart and prom date

Being the youngest parent in your neighborhood

His wife's take on his internet celebrity

How "shitposting" has made her choice to not work outside the home easier

The difficulties of parenting without community, family, or friends

Bringing home a baby during the peak of the pandemic

—

Where to find Alex Cohen

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/anothercohen

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexander-cohen/

Where to find Adam Fishman: