All Pro Dad Podcast

Is your kid afraid to go an aisle away at the grocery store? Perform on stage in front of peers? Get their driver’s license? When do we push them to do things that are good for them? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about encouraging growth in kids by pushing them out of their comfort zones.
Why This Matters
When kids stay in their comfort zones, they delay growth.
Key Takeaways
·      Kids crave comfort: For a lot of kids, it’s easier to stick with what is familiar than embrace what is new and unknown.
·      Watch your approach: Pushing kids must be done in love. Encourage more than you challenge.

Practical Tips for Dads
1. Push kids only in manageable areas.
2. Remind them that failure is acceptable. 
3. Always encourage before, during, and after a push. 
4. Push then debrief. 

Important Episode Timestamps
00:02:42 – 04:10 | When Parents Are Too Involved in Their Kids’ Lives
04:10 – 05:55 | Why Employers Don’t Want Parents Involved
05:55 – 06:35 | Feeling Incompetent Is Part of Growing Up
06:35 – 07:28 | Freedom Requires Responsibility and Risk
07:28 – 08:26 | Helping Kids Face Fear After Failure
10:33 – 11:55 | How Parents Gradually Get Out of the Way
15:35 – 16:44 | Asking Kids What They Want Out of Life
16:44 – 18:35 | Teaching Teens How to Be Uncomfortable Without Phones
18:59 – 19:18 | Rewarding Kids for Facing Discomfort
21:02 – End | When Pushing Too Hard Can Backfire
APD Pro Move:
Ask your kid, “What is your biggest challenge right now?” Then help them make a plan to overcome that challenge.

All Pro Dad Resources
Episode 59 – How Do We Inspire Motivation in Our Kids?
Episode 86 – Kathleen Edelman: Learn and Leverage Your Kids’ Natural Wiring
Mark Merrill: How To Be Your Child’s Biggest Fan
Dan Orlovsky: 3 Inspiring Ways to Motivate Your Kids

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Do you put pressure on yourself to be perfect? Not only is that impossible, but it’s a dangerous goal for dads. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the myth of perfection, navigating our flaws, and being our best for our family.  
Why This Matters
You don’t have to be perfect to be the perfect dad for your kids. 
What Do Dads Struggle With The Most? 
Wanting their kids to have a good life
Aiming to overcome mistakes
Recognizing that being a dad is a serious job
Who Feels The Pressure?
In 2018, the American Psychological Association found that “Perfectionism among (college students) significantly increased since the 1980s.” Nearly a decade later, those students are now adults and likely parents. 
This was 8 years ago… which means those same young people who craved perfection in 2018 are likely now parents. Are they striving to be perfect parents, too?
What Makes a Perfect Father?
Someone who is active, present, and cares about his kids
Someone who understands being “perfect” adds incredible pressure. 
Someone committed to doing their best for his kids. 
Important Episode Timestamps
00:00 – 03:24 | Why Dads Feel Pressure to Be Perfect
03:24 – 05:31 | What Our Own Dads Modeled for Us
05:31 – 07:19 | Perfectionism Is Increasing—And Parents Are Feeling It
07:19 – 09:50 | Social Media Makes Dads Feel Like Failures
09:50 – 11:36 | Every Dad Brings Something Different to the Table
11:36 – 13:53 | How Dad Pressure Becomes Kid Pressure.
13:53 – 15:31 | Your Kids Don’t Want Perfect—They Want Present
15:31 – 17:20 | Why Perfectionism Makes Dads Defensive
17:20 – 23:51 | The Emotional Cost of Perfectionism in Parenting
23:51 – End | Consistency Beats Perfection Every Time
APD Pro Move:
Make a list of the times you’ve failed as a dad. Give yourself grace for those moments and stop putting so much pressure on yourself as a dad.
All Pro Dad Resources
Episode 107 – What Do I Do When I’ve Messed Up As A Dad?
13 Ps All Dads Must Be

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Connect with Us:
Ted Lowe on LinkedIn
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BJ Foster on LinkedIn
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This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com.

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Get great content for moms at iMOM.com

Child grooming is a serious issue and much more common than most dads realize. About 90% of victims are groomed by someone they know. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about how to protect your kids from child grooming. 
Why This Matters
Grooming can feel like an “it will never happen to me” thing, but it’s much more common than most dads know. 
Key Takeaways
·      Grooming happens primarily online: According to the Child Crime Prevention and Safety Center, there are an estimated 500,000 predators online every day.
·      Groomers play the long game: Predators often invest years in grooming victims.
·      Groomers use tools: The most common are online anonymity, establishing trust, pushing isolation, and finding leverage. They then attempt to push physical boundaries.
Signs of Grooming Dads Should Know
1. LOOK FOR when your child receives a lot of attention from a person.
2. LOOK FOR when your child becomes isolated.
3. LOOK FOR when your child exhibits unusual behavior.
4. LOOK FOR when your child becomes more desensitized to crude humor and content.
5. LOOK FOR when your child has an aversion to a certain person.
Important Episode Timestamps
00:00 – 01:09 | What Is Grooming? A Clear Definition for Parents
01:09 – 02:46 | The Larry Nassar Case and Why It Still Matters to Dads
02:46 – 05:08 | Grooming Doesn’t Look Like a Stranger in a Van
05:08 – 10:39 | Online Grooming and the Danger of Anonymity
10:39 – 12:21 | To Catch a Predator Was Just the Beginning
12:21 – 15:14 | Real-Life Grooming Stories from Trusted Adults
15:14 – 16:36 | Isolation Is the Biggest Red Flag
16:36 – 17:57 | Behavioral Changes That Signal Possible Grooming
17:57 – End | Teaching Kids Boundaries, Consent, and Trusting Their Instincts
APD Pro Move:
Talk to your kids about these tactics so they know what’s appropriate and what’s not.
All Pro Dad Resources
Episode 66 – How To Talk To Your Kids About Sex
5 Lies Teen Boys Believe About Sex

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!
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

Kids’ fears grow up with them. Babies fear loud noises and separation, young kids battle monsters in the dark, and older kids worry about fitting in at school. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about our kids’ fears and how dads can help guide them through it all.  
Why This Matters
When kids are afraid, they need help processing their feelings.
Key Takeaways
·      Fear and worry are different: Fear is a present problem while worry is a future problem. 
·      Bullying is #1: Pew Research conducted between 2020–25 showed virtually all kids fear being bullied.
·      Failure is terrifying: As kids age, the idea they won’t succeed becomes a major fear for many kids.
Practical Tips for Dads
When your kids are fearful, try these action steps:
1. Acknowledge Their Fear.
2. Ask Why This Scares Them.
3. Consider Your Words.
Important Episode Timestamps
00:00 – 02:33 | Childhood Fears That Stick With Us
02:33 – 05:36 | Fear of Losing Parents as a Kid
05:36 – 07:11 | Common Fears Kids Have Today
07:11 – 09:01 | When Childhood Fear Turns Serious
09:01 – 11:54 | Fear vs. Courage: What Dads Should Teach Kids
11:54 – 13:36 | How Fear of Failure Starts Early
13:36 – 15:32 | How to Talk to Kids About Fear
15:32 – 17:20 | How Parents Accidentally Create Anxiety
17:20 – 21:22 | Why Overprotecting Kids Backfires
21:22 – End | Helping Kids Build Courage and Resilience
APD Pro Move:
The next time your kids say they’re afraid, tell them about a time you were afraid. Tell them how you showed bravery in the moment and encourage them to do the same.
All Pro Dad Resources
Episode 2: How Can I Help My Anxious Kid?
4 Responses That Turn Scared Kids Into Brave Kids
5 Ways to Raise A Son Who’ll Overcome His Fears
5 Fears We Pass On To Our Kids
The 9 Most Common Childhood Fears Explained

We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!
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

Finances. Job performance. Relationship strife. All of those things impact your stress. Do you know how to handle it? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about the plague of dad stress and how vital it is for men to manage it well. 
Why This Matters
When you’re stressed out, you’re not at your best for your kids.

Key Takeaways
·      There’s no single culprit: Finances, their jobs, and relationships are consistently listed as the top three stressors for men.
·      There are 3 kinds of stress: Acute, episodic, and chronic. All three impact dads differently. 
·      There are ways to deal with it: Methods like slow breathing and pausing help men manage their stress. 
·      Short-term stress can be good: It helps your immune system fight. 

Stress Relief for Dads: Simple Mental Health Tips That Actually Work
1. When you’re stressed, breathe.
2. Name your stress.
3. Talk about it.
4. Pour into yourself

Important Episode Timestamps
00:00 – 02:40 | Stressed-Out Dads and Teenage Reactions
02:40 – 05:42 | “I’m More Stressed Than I Realize”
05:42 – 07:03 | What Stress Really Is
07:03 – 10:10 | The Top 3 Stressors for Men
10:10 – 11:38 | The Work–Life Balance Spiral
11:38 – 14:11 | When Your Stress Spills Onto Your Family
14:11 – 16:48 | Kids Know When Dad Is Stressed—Even If He Doesn’t
16:48 – 20:26 | You’re Modeling Stress Management
20:26 – 23:50 | Real, Scientific Breathing
23:50 – End | Becoming a Calmer Dad
APD Pro Move:
1) Practice breathing. Inhale twice and exhale slowly. 
2) Find a trusted person you can lean on to talk about your stress.
All Pro Dad Resources:
Episode 31 – Tony Dungy: Is Work-Life Balance Even Possible?
5 Things You Don’t Need to Stress About as a Dad
How to Reduce the Stress Level in Your Life
iMOM Feel Wheel
We love feedback, but can't reply without your email address. Message us your thoughts and contact info!
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