EP 10 Herpes Mics, Car Chases & Parenting Fails — Who Do Kids Really Need: Mom or Dad?

04/28/25 • 66 min

Join us this week on The Dad Compass Podcast for a wild, unscripted ride through fatherhood, discipline debates, mother vs father parenting moments, and the craziest news stories you've ever heard.

🤣 From a rogue woodpecker vandalizing cars during mating season, to karaoke microphones giving out herpes (yes, seriously), to a Florida man offering vodka spritzers to cops mid-chase — we cover it all while reflecting on real fatherhood wins and fails.

💬 We also tackle a deep listener question: When do kids need mom vs when do they need dad? Expect raw honesty, relatable dad struggles, and unfiltered humor as we discuss discipline, emotional support, and life lessons we’re still figuring out.

🎯 Topics include:

Why kids act differently with moms vs dads
Teaching kids to lose gracefully (without losing your mind)
Who's really doing the "heavy lifting" in parenting?
Bucket list dreams: crossing Russia & NFL stadium tours

🔥 New Segment: Weird Sh*t Weekly — where the most ridiculous, hilarious news takes center stage!

🎧 Listen, laugh, and leave your hot takes in the comments:🟡 How do YOU handle mom vs dad moments?🟡 What's #1 on your bucket list?🟡 Team Dad or Team Mom when it comes to discipline?

📣 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more raw, hilarious, and heartfelt dad conversations.

🎙️ Listen on Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3QcOmPqj4coSwoUvxQ4sEr?si=_0bEjCLORFm0MwVyTvEj9Q⁠🎙️ Full episodes on Buzzsprout: ⁠https://thedadcompasspodcast.buzzsprout.com⁠

#DadCompassPodcast #ParentingPodcast #FatherhoodJourney #PodcastClip #DadLifeUnfiltered

⏰ Chapter Markers (Timestamps):

00:00 - Comedic Butchered Intro and Technical Failures01:30 - Weird Sh*t Weekly: Woodpecker Destroys Cars04:05 - Karaoke Herpes: Microphone Mayhem07:00 - Vodka Spritzer Offered to Police During Car Chase08:30 - BONUS: 100,000 Eggs Stolen & Car Theft Stupidity10:00 - Fatherhood Unscripted Moments: Game Night Lessons16:00 - Teaching Kids to Lose and Win Gracefully20:00 - Parenting Roles: Who Does What — Mom vs Dad30:00 - Emotional Support vs Discipline: Breaking it Down38:00 - Real Life Discipline: The Cereal Bag Incident45:00 - Homework Battles and the New Math Rant55:00 - Dad Life: Tech Troubles, Car Talks & Emotional Gaps58:00 - Bucket Lists: Racing Across Russia and NFL Dreams1:05:00 - Kid Screams About Dad’s Chinese Girlfriend!? 🤣1:06:30 - Closing Thoughts and Final Call to Action

🎯 Topics include:

Why kids act differently with moms vs dads
Teaching kids to lose gracefully (without losing your mind)
Who's really doing the "heavy lifting" in parenting?
Bucket list dreams: crossing Russia & NFL stadium tours

🔥 New Segment: Weird Sh*t Weekly — where the most ridiculous, hilarious news takes center stage!

🎧 Listen, laugh, and leave your hot takes in the comments:🟡 How do YOU handle mom vs dad moments?🟡 What's #1 on your bucket list?🟡 Team Dad or Team Mom when it comes to discipline?

📣 Don't forget to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE for more raw, hilarious, and heartfelt dad conversations.

🎙️ Listen on Spotify: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/3QcOmPqj4coSwoUvxQ4sEr?si=_0bEjCLORFm0MwVyTvEj9Q⁠🎙️ Full episodes on Buzzsprout: ⁠https://thedadcompasspodcast.buzzsprout.com⁠

#DadCompassPodcast #ParentingPodcast #FatherhoodJourney #PodcastClip #DadLifeUnfiltered

⏰ Chapter Markers (Timestamps):

Previous Episode

Ep 9 Why Faith, Family & Fatherhood Hit Different at Easter

In this heartfelt episode of The Dad Compass Podcast, we open up about our experiences with fatherhood, navigating Easter traditions, and what faith and spirituality mean to us as dads. From childhood memories to teaching our kids the value of being good people — no matter their beliefs — this is a real, unscripted conversation about life, love, and the messiness in between.

We dive into what it's like growing up with different views on religion, the importance of family gatherings during the holidays, and how we’re learning to parent with compassion, curiosity, and honesty. Whether you're deep in your faith, questioning everything, or just here for the Easter eggs and dad jokes — you’re in good company.

👨‍👧‍👦 We Talk About:

Personal beliefs around religion and parenting
The beauty (and chaos) of family during the holidays
Being good role models without needing all the answers
Teaching values through connection, not just rules
How one-on-one moments with our kids change everything
The real talk on being good dads in a complicated world

🎧 Audio gear: Shure SM7B + Riverside.fm + Rode Caster Pro 1 for clean, professional podcast sound.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Fatherhood and Family Dynamics
03:03 Reflections on Parenting and Role Models
05:52 Easter Traditions and Family Gatherings
12:01 Exploring Beliefs and Religion
19:58 Personal Values and Parenting Philosophy
29:14 Exploring Personal Beliefs and Religion
29:58 The Impact of Family Background on Faith
31:58 The Struggle with Understanding Evil
33:02 Personal Stories of Loss and Faith
38:57 Traditions and Family Gatherings During Holidays
42:07 The Journey Towards Religious Understanding
50:00 Finding Personal Meaning in Religion
55:04 Reflections on Role Models and Influence

Next Episode

EP 11 Return of the Dad: Burnout, Therapy & the Mental Load We Carry The Dad Compass Podcast

May the mental health force be with you.
In this special May Mental Health Awareness Month episode of The Dad Compass, we dive into the heavy and the hilarious. From exploring men’s mental health and burnout to a bizarre news segment involving dildos in Hereford, it’s equal parts therapy and comic relief.
We talk depression, therapy, emotional suppression, fatherhood struggles, and the hidden toll of being a man in a world that expects silence. This is for the dads, the dudes, the depressed, and those just trying to keep it together.
Whether you’re new to therapy, stuck in burnout, or just looking for real talk with real laughs — join us.
🎙️ Catch the full podcast on Spotify & Buzzsprout:
🎧 Spotify -
https://open.spotify.com/show/3QcOmPqj4coSwoUvxQ4sEr?si=108f8e6a2f9b4e07
🌐 Buzzsprout
https://thedadcompasspodcast.buzzsprout.com
Timestamps
00:00 Mental Health Awareness Month and Its Importance
03:04 Fatherhood Moments and Bonding Experiences
06:02 The Impact of Prank Calls and Parenting Lessons
08:57 Navigating Challenges in Fatherhood
11:59 The NFL Draft and Family Dynamics
14:47 Weird Shit Weekly: Unusual News Stories
22:23 The Unusual Dildo Purchases of Hereford
26:52 Exploring Mental Health and Fatherhood
27:11 The Struggles of Depression and Addiction
32:22 The Journey to Therapy and Self-Discovery
37:44 Understanding Emotional Suppression
44:26 The Impact of Mental Health on Relationships
56:59 Breaking the Stigma Around Mental Health
01:01:03 The Importance of Seeking Help
01:02:42 The Commitment to Change
01:03:57 The Value of Connection and Memories
01:04:55 Therapeutic Conversations
01:06:50 The Weight of Parental Burnout
01:07:34 The Internal Battle of Self-Acceptance
01:10:52 Navigating Honesty in Relationships
01:15:05 The Art of Bluntness vs. Compassion
01:22:11 Recap and Reflection on Mental Health
01:30:38 Closing Thoughts and Encouragement
🔖 #MentalHealthAwareness #MensMentalHealth #FatherhoodMatters #DadLife #DepressionSupport #ParentalBurnout #YouAreEnough #TherapyForMen #TheDadCompass #BreakTheStigma #Burnout #SelfCare #EmotionalSuppression