All Pro Dad Podcast

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We've all said something we thought would be helpful only to later regret the harm we caused. We had good intentions, but still messed up. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to discuss the lasting impact a father's words can have on his children. They unpack common phrases dads often say without realizing the damage they can cause and offer healthier, more encouraging alternatives that build confidence in kids. 
Why This Matters
A father's words often become a child's inner voice, making it critical to speak truth, encouragement, and love with intention.
Key Takeaways
·       Avoid labels, comparisons, and discouraging statements that attack your child's identity instead of addressing their behavior.
·       Encourage effort, growth, and resilience without offering false praise or unrealistic promises.
·       Sometimes the most powerful message isn't a perfect speech—it's consistently reminding your children they're loved, believed in, and never alone.

Practical Tips for Dads
1.    Replace criticism of your child's identity with coaching about their choices or behavior.
2.    Follow through when you promise your child your time, showing them they are a priority.
3.    Make encouragement a daily habit by telling your children you believe in them, you're proud of their effort, and you love them unconditionally.
Important Episode Timestamps
[00:00] What Should Dads Stop Saying to Their Kids?
[00:50] The Night BJ's Son Wrote His Article for Him
[03:50] “Why Can’t You Be More Like Your Brother?”
[05:49] "I Don't Have Time Right Now.”
[09:03] "I Don't Think You Can Do It.”
[12:04] "You're Such a Disappointment.”
[15:08] "Don't Be Such a Wimp.”
[16:47] The Danger of Labels — Even the Ones Said as a Joke
[18:19] "You Can't Do Anything Right.”
[19:40] “Why Didn’t You ____?”
[22:12] Nothing.
[23:28] This Week's Pro Move:
Ask your kids, “Have I ever said anything that hurt you?” Listen to their response and own it. 
Quotable:
“I don’t think dads have bad hearts. I think we have bad habits.” - Ted
Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.
All Pro Dad Resources:
Episode 8 – What Are 7 Things A Son Needs From His Dad?
 Episode 9 – What Are 7 Things A Daughter Needs From Her Dad?
Connect with Us:
Ted Lowe on LinkedIn
Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn
BJ Foster on LinkedIn
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
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EXTRAS:
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We would love to hear from you, follow this link to send us a message directly. Include a voice message and you might even be featured in a future episode!
In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to discuss whether dads should trust AI for difficult parenting questions. They explore where AI can be helpful, where it can mislead parents, and why wisdom from experienced people still matters most when raising kids.
Why This Matters
AI can provide information, but it can never replace the wisdom, discernment, and personal knowledge that great parenting requires.

Key Takeaways
AI is a helpful research tool, but it shouldn't become your primary parenting advisor.
Your child is unique, and no AI can understand your family's history, personality, or circumstances the way you can.
The best parenting advice comes from trusted relationships, experienced parents, qualified professionals, and proven research, not algorithms alone.

Practical Tips for Dads
1.    Before asking AI, talk with someone who knows you and your family personally.
2.    When AI gives advice, verify the original research and sources before acting on it.
3.    Build a circle of trusted mentors, experienced parents, and professionals you can turn to for life's biggest parenting questions.

Important Episode Timestamps
[00:00] Is It Wise for Parents to Turn to AI for Tough Parenting Questions?
[00:49] How Confident Are Dads in AI-Generated Answers — and Should They Be?
[02:47] Why Bobby Doesn't Trust AI — and Why That's Actually a Smart Instinct
[04:21] The Hallucination Problem: When AI Gets It Wrong With Total Confidence
[06:16] AI Doesn't Know Your Kid — and That's a Bigger Problem Than Most Dads Realize
[07:47] The Sycophancy Problem: AI Is Designed to Tell You What You Want to Hear
[09:15] The CEO and the Intern: Why Dads Shouldn't Let a Machine Run Their Family
[13:21] Where Dads Should Actually Go for Parenting Advice
[16:46] Why Trusted Friends and Real Counselors Will Always Outperform Any Algorithm
[19:17] This Week's Pro Move: Before asking AI your next big parenting question, ask one trusted parent or mentor who knows you and your child personally. Compare the two answers—and let wisdom from someone who truly cares carry the most weight.
Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.
All Pro Dad Resources:
12 Ways Dads Can Lead Their Children
3 Character Traits to Affirm in Your Kids
5 Reasons Dads Should Be Ready for Teachable Moments
Connect with Us:
Ted Lowe on LinkedIn
Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn
BJ Foster on LinkedIn
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get All Pro Dad merch!
EXTRAS:
Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com

We would love to hear from you, follow this link to send us a message directly. Include a voice message and you might even be featured in a future episode!
Is your daughter struggling to tie her shoes? Did your son strike out to end the game? Did they fail the big driver’s test? Kids are going to fail throughout life. What will you say in the moment? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to discuss why failure is an essential part of childhood. They explore why dads naturally want to protect their kids from failure, how failure builds resilience and wisdom, and offer practical ways to help children grow stronger through disappointment instead of rescuing them from it.
Why This Matters
Every child will fail. The question isn't whether it will happen—it's what happens after it does. Learning from failure is the first step to embracing it. 
Key Takeaways
Normalize failure. Failure isn't a reflection of your child's worth—it's evidence they're learning, growing, and taking healthy risks.
Encourage healthy risk-taking. Kids develop resilience when dads create safe environments where trying, failing, and trying again are celebrated.
Respond better than you rescue. The goal isn't to remove failure but to walk with your child through it, affirming their value while helping them reflect and grow.
Practical Tips for Dads
1.    Separate identity from performance. Remind your kids they're loved regardless of success or failure.
2.    Praise effort, courage, and character. Celebrate the willingness to try more than the outcome itself.
3.    Process failure together. Listen first, acknowledge emotions, ask thoughtful questions, and help your child discover what they learned before moving on.
Important Episode Timestamps
[00:00] How Do We Help Our Kids Learn From and Embrace Failure?
[00:46] Striking Out and Running and Wrong Way
[04:04] What J.K. Rowling's Story Teaches Dads About Failure and Success
[05:30] How Do Your Kids Actually Handle Failure and Where Did They Learn That?
[11:38] The Danger of Failure Becoming an Identity Instead of an Experience
[13:38] Why Dads Should Read the Room After Failure
[17:02] Remove the Stigma: Failure Is a Byproduct of Ambition
[18:07] Encourage Failure on Purpose — Give Kids Low-Stakes Chances to Fail
[21:37] Affirm Their Worth, Applaud Their Effort, and Redefine Success
[26:54] This Week's Pro Move:
This week, ask your child, "What did you fail at today?" Then tell them about one of your own failures and what it taught you. 
Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.
All Pro Dad Resources: 
Episode 36 – Mike Norvell: How Do I Help My Kids Through Success and Failure? 
Episode 32 – Dan Orlovsky: How Should Dads Behave in the Bleachers?
10 Things to Teach Your Kids About Failure
7 A’s to Help Your Kids Overcome Failure
Giving Your Teenager the Freedom to Fail
Instagram: @thetedshed
Connect with Us:
Ted Lowe on LinkedIn
Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn
BJ Foster on LinkedIn
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get All Pro Dad merch!
EXTRAS:
Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com

We would love to hear from you, follow this link to send us a message directly. Include a voice message and you might even be featured in a future episode!
It’s very easy for dads to start correcting and slip into controlling. It almost always backfires. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to wrestle with the harsh truth that dads like to control things, and that could be harming our kids. 
Why This Matters
While control may produce short-term compliance, it often leads to long-term resistance or dependence. 
Key Takeaways
Control often grows out of fear. Fear of embarrassment, failure, disrespect, or what a child's behavior might become years down the road can cause dads to overcorrect in the moment.
You can influence your children, but you cannot control them. Boundaries, consequences, and guidance matter, but manipulation, intimidation, and guilt ultimately undermine growth.
Influence is more powerful than force. Force may change behavior temporarily, but influence shapes character and maturity over time.
Practical Tips for Dads
1.    Identify your parenting triggers. Know the situations that consistently cause you to overreact and prepare healthier responses ahead of time.
2.    Replace control with choices. Give clear options and clear consequences rather than relying on threats, pressure, or raising your voice.
3.    Choose your battles wisely. Focus your energy on issues that truly matter, such as character and respect, while allowing room for age-appropriate mistakes and independence.
Important Episode Timestamps
[00:00] Why Control Backfires With Your Kids and What Actually Works Long Term
[00:23] You Can't Make a Kid Do Anything
[04:39] The Line Between Teaching and Controlling
[06:45] Fear Is What's Really Driving Controlling Behavior in Dads
[09:18] When Dads Perform for Others Instead of Parenting Their Kids
[11:16] You Can Influence Your Kids But You Can't Control Who They Become
[13:46] Knowing and Responding to Your Triggers
[18:58] Be More Realistic — You Can't Expect Kids to Know What You Never Taught Them
[19:42] Choices, Consequences, and Slowing Down
[22:11] This Week's Pro Move
The next time you're tempted to control your child's behavior, pause and offer a clear choice with a clear consequence instead. Then calmly follow through and let responsibility do the teaching.
Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.
All Pro Dad Resources:
4 Kinds of Parental Control Dads Use 
Episode 100 – What Phrases Should Dads Stop Using?
Episode 34 – How Can I Stop Being So Controlling?
Connect with Us:
Ted Lowe on LinkedIn
Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn
BJ Foster on LinkedIn
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get All Pro Dad merch!
EXTRAS:
Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com

We would love to hear from you, follow this link to send us a message directly. Include a voice message and you might even be featured in a future episode!
Staying up late, eating junk food, and hanging out with friends. Sleepovers are the source of so many good memories for many people. But they aren’t danger-free. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to ask if sleepovers are good for kids, if the upsides outweigh the risks, and what dads need to know about overnight stays.
Why This Matters
Today’s parents are thinking about sleepover safety more than ever. Dads are considering supervision, peer influence, pornography exposure, and emotional readiness before automatically saying yes to sleepovers.
Key Takeaways
• Just because sleepovers are common doesn’t mean they are automatically wise for every family. 
• Sleepover can be fun, but also offer prime environments for sexual assault, pornography exposure, and pressure to use drugs or alcohol.
• There are healthy alternatives to traditional sleepovers, like “late overs” instead of overnight stays.
Practical Tips for Dads
1.    Ask intentional questions before sending your child to a sleepover.
Ask the host family about supervision, the presence of older siblings, phone access, house rules, and whether you have common values. 
2.    Prepare your kids ahead of time.
Talk openly about unsafe situations, pornography exposure, inappropriate behavior, and create a code word or phrase they can use if they want to come home immediately.
3.    If you host sleepovers, set clear boundaries.
Keep kids in common areas, establish a smartphone curfew, secure firearms, and check in throughout the night.

Important Episode Timestamps 
[00:00] Are Sleepovers Good for Kids?
Ted frames a conversation about approaching sleepovers not from fear but from wisdom, helping dads make intentional decisions for their own families.
[00:51] Sleepover Stories From the Guys — From Innocent to Eye-Opening
The dads share their own childhood sleepover memories, ranging from sleeping bags at the Jersey Shore to an unexpected discovery in an older brother's room.
[03:44] Sleepover Regrets 
Ted reflects honestly on how his own middle school sleepovers introduced him to alcohol, pornography, and tobacco.
[07:28] Real Benefits of Sleepovers That Make Them Worth Considering 
The dads walk through the genuine upsides of sleepovers — deeper friendships, independence, shared memories, unstructured fun, and the social inclusion kids naturally crave — and why most parents still view them positively.
[10:32] Why More Parents Are Starting to Question Sleepovers 
Bobby shares YouGov research showing a growing shift in parental concern over sleepovers, with worries about lack of supervision, bullying, gun access, and exposure to drugs and alcohol driving a more cautious approach.
[11:24] Sobering Statistics Every Dad Should Know Before Saying Yes 
Research shows that 90% of child sexual abuse is committed by someone the child already knows, and that a significant portion of abuse involving children is actually carried out by other juveniles. The dads discuss sleepover safety concerns.
[15:47] The Most Important Thing To Do Before Letting Your Kid Sleep Over 
BJ makes the case that preparation matters more than prohibition. Dads should have ongoing, honest conversations with their kids about what's appropriate, what to do if they feel unsafe, and what they might be exposed to.
[19:22] The Code Word Strategy That Gives Kids a Safe Exit Without Losing Face 
Bobby and Ted explain the code word system they both use with their kids.
[22:00] Smart Alternatives to Traditional Sleepovers and Tips for Hosting Safely 
Bobby walks through practical alternatives like the "late-over" or "sleep-under" concept and shares specific child sleepover safety guidelines.
[26:04] This Week's Pro Move
Make a pros and cons list for your family about sleepovers and create clear rules for any future overnight stays.
Sponsor:
The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.
All Pro Dad Resources:
7 Ways to Host an Awesome Sleepover
iMOM: The Pros and Cons of Sleepovers. Should You Say Yes?
For a mom's perspective on this topic, check out Episode 76 of the iMOM Podcast: Sleepovers: Yes or No?
Connect with Us:
Ted Lowe on LinkedIn
Bobby Lewis on LinkedIn
BJ Foster on LinkedIn
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
Get All Pro Dad merch!
EXTRAS:
Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)

Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day.
Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.

This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.

Get great content for moms at iMOM.com