Startup Dad

Jamie Kaler is a former Naval Officer turned actor, stand-up comedian and stay-at-home dad. He is best known for his role on TBS's "My Boys" and decades of work across television and commercials, from Friends and Will & Grace to How I Met Your Mother and The Family Stone. He spent five years as a U.S. Navy officer before moving to LA at 30 with no connections to pursue acting, eventually becoming one of those guys everyone vaguely recognizes but can't quite place.
He's also the father of two daughters, ages 11 and almost 13. When "My Boys" wrapped and his wife's career took off, Jamie stepped back from the road to become the primary caregiver, cooking, driving, coaching soccer, and homeschooling two kids on iPads for 18 months during the pandemic. That experience became the foundation of his stand-up comeback, his viral Soccer Dad persona on Instagram and TikTok, and a whole new chapter in his career at 60. We discussed:
Becoming a stay-at-home dad at 50: How Jamie walked away from touring after "My Boys" wrapped and became the primary caregiver for two daughters.
Applying military structure to parenting: Why Jamie runs his household like a ship, schedules, reveille at 6:30, and uniforms during pandemic Zoom school.
Going viral as Soccer Dad: How a spontaneous sideline rant at his daughter's first club game launched a brand, a T-shirt army, and a touring stand-up act at 60.
Why sideline parents have lost the plot: Jamie's take on delusional sports parents, the reclassing phenomenon, and why he got red-carded as a coach.
Stand-up as therapy: How Jamie uses comedy to process fatherhood, and why he now asks his daughters' permission before telling stories about them on stage.
Raising kids who can talk to people: Why Jamie runs improv and public speaking drills at home, and why he believes verbal communication will be the most valuable skill of the next generation.

Where to find Jamie Kaler
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-kaler-b6143452/ 
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamiekaler/ 
Web: https://jamiekaler.com/ 
Who Needs Podcast: https://jamiekaler.com/who-needs/ 

Where to find Adam Fishman
FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ 
X: https://x.com/fishmanaf

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Welcoming Jamie Kaler, Actor and Standup Comedian
(02:50) Breaking down Jamie's wild resume: Navy, bartender, improv, and Hollywood
(03:07) Why he pivoted from naval officer to stand-up comedy
(09:22) Moving to LA at 30 with no connections to become an actor
(10:13) What his military family thought about leaving the Navy
(11:27) Becoming famous as "that guy you vaguely recognize"
(15:38) Transitioning from red carpets to stay-at-home dad at 50
(20:04) How he became a stay-at-home dad
(24:23) The most lost he's felt as a dad and his "survive and advance" philosophy
(26:54) The origin story of Soccer Dad going viral
(38:16) Why parents on the sidelines are delusional and the re-classing phenomenon
(38:21) Getting red-carded as a coach and the walk of shame
(42:05) What pulled him back to stand-up and touring again
(01:00:33) Rewatching "My Boys" 20 years later what he remembers (nothing)
(01:04:29) Advice for new dads: accept that you don't know everything
(01:08:28) Lightning round: dishwashers, dad wardrobes, minivans, and Full House

Resources From This Episode:

Who Needs (Podcast by Jamie Kaler & Mike Bunin rewatching "My Boys"): https://jamiekaler.com/who-needs/ 
Flappers Comedy Club (Burbank, CA): https://www.flapperscomedy.com/
Punch Line San Francisco: https://www.punchlinecomedyclub.com/
Homeschooled (Album by Jamie Kaler): https://music.apple.com/us/album/homeschooled/1582539985
Bringing Up Bébé (Book by Pamela Druckerman): https://www.amazon.com/Bringing-Up-Bebe-Pamela-Druckerman/dp/0143122967
Dad Is Fat (Book by Jim Gaffigan): https://www.amazon.com/Dad-Is-Fat-Jim-Gaffigan/dp/1451669747
My Boys (TBS Series): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0758745/
The Family Stone (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0356618/
Full House (Series): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092359/
American Housewife (Series): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5578850/
Tacoma FD (Series): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8242858/
Robot Chicken (Series): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437745/
The Loud House (Series): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4847782/
Olukai Slippers: https://www.olukai.com/

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Support Startup Dad
For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Davis Smith is the Founder and Chairman of Cotopaxi, an outdoor gear brand built around fighting poverty and doing good in the world. Before stepping back as CEO after a decade of leading the company, Davis grew Cotopaxi at 85% CAGR into one of the most purpose-driven brands in the outdoor industry. He left and moved with his wife and four kids to be a mission president for his church in Brazil, leading nearly 500 young missionaries from 24 countries over three years.
He's a dad of four, married to his wife who studied family science and served as a court-appointed special advocate for foster children, and together they've raised their kids across Latin America, Brazil, and the United States with a family culture built around service, faith, intellect, travel, and hard work. We discussed:
Leaving a dream job to serve others: Why Davis walked away from the CEO role at Cotopaxi at the peak of its growth to lead 500 young missionaries in Brazil for three years.
Building intentional family culture: How Davis and his wife created five core values tied to the letters S-M-I-T-H, complete with rituals, traditions, and a weekly family meeting.
Values as a compass, not a club: Why family values should guide behavior rather than be used as a weapon when kids fall short.
Unconditional positive regard: How loving your kids and missionaries no matter what gets better results than demands, disappointment, or conditional approval.
Raising kids with financial discipline: The Bank of Smith Savings, the 50/40/10 rule, and why Davis matches whatever his kids save by age 16 for a car.
Letting kids go through hard things: What Davis learned watching his daughter struggle through a mission in the Philippines and why he believes difficulty is essential for growth.

Where to find Davis Smith
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davismsmith/ 

Where to find Adam Fishman
FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ 
X: https://x.com/fishmanaf

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Welcoming Davis Smith, Founder & Chairman at Cotopaxi
(02:37) Why Davis walked away from his dream job as CEO
(05:12) Moving the whole family to Brazil for three years
(07:23) What almost broke him in the first year
(09:36) Why stepping away from comfort at a young age is transformative
(13:53) Survival trips with his daughters and the origin story
(16:18) How Davis built intentional family culture at home
(21:03) Breaking down the SMITH family values
(24:08) Unconditional positive regard and how to lead with love
(28:19) The Bank of Smith Savings and the 50/40/10 rule
(32:06) The most surprising things he's discovered as a dad
(33:32) What the teen years and adult kids have taught him
(38:59) Advice for parents who are building companies
(41:04) Frog Mouse bedtime stories and using AI as a dad
(43:18) Lightning round: smoothies, Back to the Future, and minivans

Resources From This Episode:

Cotopaxi: https://www.cotopaxi.com/
H2O: Just Add Water (TV Series): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0814976/
Back to the Future (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/
Peace Corps: https://www.peacecorps.gov/
Brigham Young University (BYU): https://www.byu.edu/

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Support Startup Dad
For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Matt Pasternack is the co-founder and CEO of Once, a science of reading-based software that teaches children ages three to seven how to read. He built the company after watching his wife teach their daughter to read in just 15 minutes a day during the pandemic, and realizing every parent could do the same.
He's also a father of three, with kids ages six, eight, and ten. His parenting journey has included launching a startup while raising young children alongside his wife Becca, an OB-GYN, navigating the demands of her residency with a newborn at home, and developing a deeply intentional approach to raising independent, curious kids. We discussed:
Building a reading company as a parent: How Matt launched Once during the pandemic while homeschooling his daughter and became his own proof of concept.
Fixing a broken system from the inside: How years of classroom teaching shaped Matt's belief that schools alone can't solve the reading crisis.
Keeping startup stress in perspective: Why Matt believes that teaching a child to read matters more than any company milestone he'll ever hit.
Taking an evidence-based approach at home: How Matt and his wife Becca stay aligned on parenting decisions, from sleep training to screen limits to raising independent kids.
Letting kids own their own lives: Why Matt believes in giving children real responsibility early, from making their own lunches to managing their own social calendars.
Choosing books over screens in a distracted world: Why Matt limits devices, teaches reading as a daily ritual, and believes literacy is the greatest gift of independence a parent can give.

Where to find Matt Pasternack
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpasternack/ 
X: https://x.com/mattpasternack
Web: https://tryonce.com/

Where to find Adam Fishman
FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ 
X: https://x.com/fishmanaf

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Welcoming Matt Pasternack, Co-founder/CEO of Once
(02:17) What Once is and how it teaches kids to read
(03:00) Is having a doctor spouse a blessing or a curse
(04:14) The three parenting books every new parent needs
(04:49) The Happiest Baby on the Block and the five S’s
(05:31) The Good Sleeper and teaching babies to sleep
(06:10) Oh Crap Potty Training and the one-day method
(08:02) Raising autonomous kids and the Montessori mindset
(12:45) Why where you live is your biggest parenting decision
(18:31) What is the science of reading
(25:46) Why every parent can teach their child to read
(34:00) The US reading crisis and why it hasn’t moved in 50 years
(49:30) Advice for founders starting a family
(52:16) Finding the screen time sweet spot for kids
(01:02:57) Lightning round: diapers, the SNOO, and Magic Tree House
Resources From This Episode:
Once (Reading App): https://tryonce.com/
The Happiest Baby on the Block (Book/Video): https://www.happiestbaby.com/blogs/baby/happiest-baby-on-the-block
The Good Sleeper (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Good-Sleeper-Essential-Guide-Healthy/dp/0761177582
Oh Crap! Potty Training (Book): https://www.amazon.com/Oh-Crap-Potty-Training-Everything/dp/1501122983
SNOO Smart Bassinet: https://www.happiestbaby.com/products/snoo-smart-bassinet
Tin Can Phone (Toy): https://tincan.kids/ 
Tin Can Founder on Startup Dad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MmdPkMhqe8
Skylight Calendar: https://www.skylightframe.com/
Sold a Story (Podcast): https://features.apmreports.org/sold-a-story/
The Magic Tree House (Book Series): https://www.magictreehouse.com/
Ramona (Book Series): https://www.amazon.com/Ramona-Complete-Collection-Beverly-Cleary/dp/0062228641
Batteries Not Included (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092494/

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Support Startup Dad
For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

David Reich is the Founder and CEO of Fambot, an AI-powered assistant built to help parents manage the overwhelming admin work that comes with modern family life. Previously, David was President at UnitedMasters, a Director at Uber, and the founder of Assured Labor, a marketplace for blue collar jobs across Latin America.
He’s also a dad of three, married to an executive at Airbnb, and together they’re raising their kids in San Francisco after family chapters in New York and Mexico City. We discussed:
AI for overwhelmed parents: How AI helps parents cut through the chaos of emails, calendars, newsletters, and family logistics.
Becoming a parent while building companies: Why David believes you should build life around family instead of waiting for the “perfect” time.
Making work more human: How bringing kids into the office can build empathy across teams and help children understand their parents’ work.
Raising kids across cultures: What David learned from parenting in New York, Mexico City, and San Francisco.
Optimizing for presence: The systems David and his wife use to manage three kids, two demanding careers, and very  limited time.
Raising tech-ready kids: Why David wants his kids to use technology as a tool while still building independence, empathy, and critical thinking.

Where to find David Reich
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidreich1/ 
X: https://x.com/David_Reich

Where to find Adam Fishman
FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ 
X: https://x.com/fishmanaf

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Welcoming David Reich, Founder/CEO of Fambot
(02:28) Why David built Fambot
(03:07) How parenting became an admin job
(05:48) Why AI needs to be proactive for parents
(08:23) Solving the two parent inbox problem
(09:39) The chaos of school newsletters
(13:20) What AI still cannot solve for families
(15:11) The future of carpools and community coordination
(17:37) Why life comes before work
(21:21) Becoming a parent while building a company
(25:23) Why kids should spend more time at work
(28:09) Raising kids in New York, Mexico City, and San Francisco
(34:56) Teaching kids global empathy
(38:48) The systems that keep family life moving
(01:04:45) Lightning round: coffee, dad jokes, SpongeBob, and minivans
Resources From This Episode:

Fambot: https://fambot.com/ 
Fambot on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fambotai/ 
Coffee Maker: https://a.co/d/0ia6XGaO 
SpongeBob SquarePants (TV Series): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206512/ 
Star Wars: A New Hope (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076759/ 
Percy Jackson & The Olympians (Book Series): https://rickriordan.com/series/percy-jackson-and-the-olympians/ 
The Lightning Thief (Audiobook): https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Lightning-Thief-Audiobook/B002V0JZOO 

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Support Startup Dad
For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com

Richard Petts is a Professor of Sociology and Associate Dean of the College of Sciences and Humanities at Ball State University. He’s also the author of Father Involvement and Gender Equality in the United States, a book that explores how fatherhood is viewed today, why dads still aren’t more involved at home, and what it will take to change that.
He’s a husband and father of two kids, ages 13 and 12. Richard’s research has been shaped deeply by his own experience as a dad, including a traumatic month-long NICU stay with his daughter that revealed just how little support exists for fathers during medical crises. We discussed:
The new fatherhood ideal: Why dads are expected to be more nurturing than previous generations, but still face a very low bar for what “involved” actually means.
Why dads still default to breadwinning: How cultural expectations keep men focused on work first, even when they want to be more present at home.
The importance of paternity leave: Why the earliest days of parenting matter so much, and how leave helps dads build competence, confidence, and stronger family bonds.
What startup founders should know about leave: Why paid parental leave needs to be real, supported by culture, and designed so dads actually feel permission to take it.
Mental load and cognitive labor: What happens when fathers share more of the planning, managing, and invisible work that keeps a family running.
Gatekeeping and trust at home: How couples can start small when handing off responsibilities and why delegation is not the same as truly sharing the load.

Where to find Richard Petts
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-j-petts/ 
X: https://x.com/pettsric
Website: https://www.richardpetts.com/ 

Where to find Adam Fishman
FishmanAF Newsletter: www.FishmanAFNewsletter.com 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamjfishman/ 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/startupdadpod/ 
X: https://x.com/fishmanaf

In this episode, we cover:
(00:00) Welcoming Richard Petts, Associate Dean at Ball State University
(02:47) Why father involvement became personal for Adam
(07:14) The NICU crisis that shaped Richard’s research
(10:21) Why dads are often overlooked in healthcare settings
(15:26) What the new fatherhood ideal actually means
(19:40) Why dads still struggle to be more involved at home
(22:53) Why paternity leave is where parenting really starts
(25:03) How paternity leave strengthens relationships
(27:41) Why dads still fear taking leave
(31:05) How startups should design better parental leave policies
(39:20) Why sharing cognitive labor helps everyone
(42:00) How Richard and Amy split the mental load
(43:24) How couples can fix gatekeeping at home
(50:21) How religion can support father involvement
(01:07:12) Lightning round: sound machines, dishwasher rules, Caillou, and minivans
Resources From This Episode:
Father Involvement and Gender Equality in the United States (Book by Richard Petts): https://www.richardpetts.com/book.html 
Dad Brain: The New Science of Fatherhood and How It Shapes Men's Lives (Book by Darby Saxbe): https://a.co/d/07Vd3ih2 
Fatherly: https://www.fatherly.com/
Sound Machine: https://a.co/d/04is55O1 
Indiana Jones (Raiders of The Lost Ark) (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0082971/ 
Back to the Future (Film): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0088763/ 
Caillou’s New Adventures (TV Series): https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0262153/ 

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Support Startup Dad
For sponsorship inquiries, email: podcast@fishmana.com
For Startup Dad Merch: www.startupdadshop.com