All Pro Dad Podcast

Hunting lions. Camping outdoors alone. Whatever happened to rites of passage? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about why creating milestone moments matters for kids as they mature into adulthood. 
Why This Matters
Modern kids may be missing out on meaningful transitions into adulthood.
Key Takeaways
• Rites of passage help kids develop identity, courage, responsibility, and belonging.
• Modern milestones often happen passively, but meaningful growth usually requires challenge and intentionality.
• Kids build confidence when they overcome hard things and are recognized for their growth and maturity.
Practical Tips for Dads
1.    Ask yourself what kind of adult you want your child to become when they leave your home.
2.    Create intentional experiences, challenges, or ceremonies that help shape courage, resilience, and responsibility.
3.    Celebrate growth and maturity when your child overcomes something difficult or reaches a new stage of life.
Important Episode Timestamps 
[00:00] Should Dads Be Intentional About Rites of Passage for Their Kids?
[00:38] The Most Extreme Rites of Passage Around the World
[07:47] Why American Kids Have Lost Their Rites of Passage
[08:05] What a Real Rite of Passage Looks Like — and Why It Has to Be Personal
[11:43] The Emotional Cost of Never Being Told You've Become a Man
[15:46] What a Navy SEAL Taught Us About Why Rites of Passage
[19:45] Ushering Kids Into Adulthood: Doing It With Them vs. For Them
[21:40] The 3 Things Every Meaningful Rite of Passage Should Include
[25:39] How to Start Building a Rite of Passage for Your Kid Right Now
[26:20] This Week's Pro Move:
Think about a rite of passage you can create for your child and take a step toward making it happen. 
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:
Crafting a Rite of Passage For Your Son
Susan Merrill: Sons’ Rites of Passage 
Mark Merrill: The Blessing
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

He thinks he’s helping. She feels like she’s carrying everything. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster to unpack why so many couples miss each other when it comes to initiative—and what dads can do to step up in ways that actually build connection.
Why This Matters
When dads take initiative at home, it strengthens partnership, reduces stress, and builds deeper connection with both their spouse and kids.
Key Takeaways
• The real issue isn’t just physical tasks—it’s the unseen mental and emotional load many wives carry.
• Initiative isn’t about doing more—it’s about communicating presence, awareness, and partnership.
• Small, consistent actions—like emotional check-ins and owning responsibilities—can transform the tone of a home.
Practical Tips for Dads
1.    Check in intentionally: Slow down, ask meaningful questions, and listen without trying to fix everything.
2.    Own a lane: Take full responsibility for a part of family life—don’t just “help,” lead it.
3.    Go first in repair: After conflict, take initiative to reconnect and reset the relationship.
Important Episode Timestamps
[00:00] What Does It Look Like to Take Initiative With Your Wife and Kids?
[00:51] Why Good Intentions Without Initiative Leave Your Wife Feeling Alone
[02:27] Why So Many Marriages Fall Apart After the Kids Leave Home
[04:04] The Power of Emotional Check-Ins
[05:17] Taking Initiative With Date Nights, Vacations, and the Decisions Your Wife Is Tired of Making
[06:44] Pick a Lane: How Owning Household and Kid Logistics Changes Everything
[09:49] Stop "Babysitting" Your Own Kids: What Real Parenting Initiative Looks Like
[12:42] How Taking Initiative With Your Kids Relieves Stress and Strengthens Your Marriage
[13:48] Repair and Reconnection: Why the Stronger Person Always Goes First
[15:56] This Week's Pro Move
Pick one area at home and take full ownership—don’t announce it, just do it consistently and let your actions speak.
Quotable:
“Good intentions with low initiative makes her feel really alone.” –BJ
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 106 – What is a Passenger Parent and Am I One?
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

Posting photos of your kids feels harmless—but what if there’s more at stake than we realize? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about “sharenting,” why we do it, and how to know if we’ve gone too far.
Why This Matters
How dads share their kids’ lives online shapes their children’s privacy, identity, and future relationship with social media.
Key Takeaways
• “Sharenting” is common—most parents do it—but few stop to consider their true motivation.
• Sharing can build connection and preserve memories, but it can also risk privacy, safety, and future embarrassment.
• Kids are watching how we post, and our habits will shape how they use social media someday.
Practical Tips for Dads
1.    Pause before posting and ask: “Why am I sharing this—and who is it really for?”
2.    Protect your child’s privacy by limiting identifiable details like location, school, or routines.
3.    Involve your kids in conversations about what should and shouldn’t be shared online.
Important Episode Timestamps
[00:00] What Is Sharenting and Are You Doing It? 
[00:48] How Much Do Dads Actually Share About Their Kids Online? 
[06:21] What Is Sharenting? The Origin of the Term and Why It Matters 
[09:11] Why Parents Share Their Kids Online — and When the Reasons Are Good 
[11:23] The 5 Reasons Parents Overshare About Their Kids on Social Media
[13:06] The Privacy Problem: What Happens When Everything About Your Kid Is Public? 
[15:47] The Real Privacy Risks of Posting Your Kids Online 
[19:58] Are Your Kids Your Content? Questions Every Dad Should Ask Before Posting 
[25:35] How to Share More Safely: Practical Tips for Protecting Your Kids Online 
[30:58] This Week's Pro Move: Have a conversation with your kids about sharing information online—then decide together who you want your family to be online.
All Pro Dad Resources:
Episode 95 – What Challenges is Generation Alpha Facing?
Episode 110 – Should Kids Be Social Media Influencer?
Episode 119 –
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

Are we raising resilient kids—or accidentally making life harder for them later? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about whether today’s parenting trends are helping kids thrive or quietly coddling them.
Why This Matters
Dads play a critical role in preparing kids to handle real-world challenges with confidence, resilience, and independence.
Key Takeaways
• Kids today experience connection, independence, and challenges very differently than previous generations.
• Overprotecting and over-helping can unintentionally weaken a child’s ability to handle adversity.
• Building resilience requires letting kids face discomfort, failure, and responsibility.
Practical Tips for Dads
1.    Create space for independence—let your kids solve problems, make decisions, and even fail.
2.    Resist the urge to step in too quickly—coach instead of control.
3.    Introduce responsibility early and consistently hold your kids accountable.
Important Episode Timestamps
[00:00] Are We Coddling Our Kids? What Dads Need to Know About Raising Resilient Children 
[00:38] How Kids Today Experience Childhood Differently Than Their Dads Did 
[04:01] What Social Psychologist Jonathan Haidt Says About Coddling
[05:30] When Labels Like "Triggers" and "Trauma" Help and Hurt Kids
[09:17] What the Dead Poets Society Reaction Reveals About Generation Z 
[11:39] How to Spot Coddling in Your Own Home 
[16:42] The 4 Ways Dads Coddle Without Realizing It 
[20:31] How to Coach Your Kids Up and Then Let Them Go 
[23:59] Why Free Play and Boredom Are Actually Good for Kids
[27:19] This Week's Pro Move"
Give your child at least one responsibility this week that they can fully own—then step back and let them handle it.
Quotable:
"If they can do it, let them do it, and they can probably do more than we think that they could." - Ted
All Pro Dad Resources:
Episode 98 – How to Build Resilient Children
4 Ways to Raise Resilient Kids
Dan Orlovsky: 5 Ways to Teach a Daugh
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

Most dads focus on what they say—but what if the real impact comes from how they respond? In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to explore what AI surprisingly gets right about responding—and how dads can use those insights to build stronger, more connected relationships at home.
Why This Matters
The way a dad responds in everyday moments sets the tone for connection, trust, and emotional safety in his home.
Key Takeaways
• Slowing down your response communicates value and builds stronger relationships.
• Not taking things personally helps you stay steady and keeps the door open with your kids.
• Small shifts—like staying present, not escalating, and adjusting over time—can transform connection. 
5 Dad Habits That Hurt Connection
1.    We rush.
2.    We take things personally.
3.    We hijack the moment.
4.    We escalate.
5.    We don’t adjust. 
Practical Tips for Dads
1.    Pause before responding: Even a few seconds can shift you from reacting to connecting.
2.    Stay in their moment: Resist the urge to fix, teach, or redirect too quickly.
3.    Adjust as they grow: Stay curious about who your child is today, not who they used to be.
Important Episode Timestamps
[00:00] How to Respond Better to Your Kids Every Day 
[00:48] What AI Gets Right About Responding That Dads Often Get Wrong 
[01:38] Poor Habit #1: We Rush 
[05:14] Poor Habit #2: We Take Things Personally 
[06:17] Poor Habit #3: We Hijack the Moment
[12:53] Poor Habit #4: We Escalate
[16:11] Why Staying Steady as a Dad Is a Skill
[17:38] Poor Habit #5: We Don’t Adjust
[20:31] This Week's Pro Move
Before you respond this week, silently ask: “Is this building connection—or just proving a point?”
All Pro Dad Resources:
Episode 87 – How Can I Connect With My Kids?
How To Be A Better Listener to Your Kids
5 Thing To Do When You're Struggling to Connect With Your Kid
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