The Dad Edge Podcast

To kick off 2026, I sit down with Dr. Paul Leonardi, author of the bestselling book Digital Exhaustion, for a conversation that felt incredibly timely—and personal. If you've been feeling distracted, mentally drained, short-tempered, or like your family is getting the leftovers of your energy, this episode puts clear language around what's happening inside your brain.   We dive deep into how constant app switching, nonstop notifications, and digital overload are quietly exhausting our attention, memory, marriages, and relationships with our kids. Paul breaks down the science behind digital exhaustion in a practical, grounded way, and I share a powerful moment when my 12-year-old voluntarily handed back his phone because he didn't like how it made him feel. This episode isn't about rejecting technology—it's about learning how to use it without letting it use us.     Timeline Summary: [0:00] Introduction [1:02] Welcoming listeners to 2026 and the 11th year of The Dad Edge Podcast. [1:40] Introducing Dr. Paul Leonardi and the concept of digital exhaustion. [2:22] How digital overload impacts attention, memory, marriage, and family life. [3:05] Parenting in a world our brains were never designed for. [4:12] Raising kids with devices and navigating unfamiliar territory. [6:07] Independence, social media, and emotional complexity in today's kids. [7:35] How online trends shape kids' identity and self-image. [9:58] What's actually happening in the brain during prolonged digital use. [11:16] The hidden "taxes" we pay for constant connectivity. [12:26] Driver #1: attention and constant context switching. [13:31] Driver #2: inference and filling in the blanks online. [15:26] Driver #3: amplified emotions—both positive and negative. [16:31] Why multitasking burns massive mental energy. [17:20] The impact of digital overload on memory and mental residue. [18:41] Outsourcing memory to devices and what it costs us. [21:15] When kids are actually ready for devices—and when they're not. [23:42] Why screen time isn't the real issue—interruptions and content are. [26:35] The emotional cost of likes, validation, and online comparison. [28:39] Larry shares the story of his son giving up his phone voluntarily. [31:11] Why kids struggle to articulate digital overwhelm. [32:06] The Facebook outage study and the surprising relief people felt. [35:10] Introducing the Roommates to Soulmates live course. [37:54] Digital exhaustion inside marriage and miscommunication over text. [38:58] "Make the match" — choosing the right communication medium. [43:12] "Be here, not elsewhere" and the power of undistracted presence. [46:09] How distraction has become socially normalized. [49:21] Why work interruptions at home send the wrong message. [51:39] Modeling priorities for kids through availability and presence. [56:21] Where to find Paul, his book, and additional resources.     Five Key Takeaways Digital exhaustion comes from attention switching, inference-making, and emotional overload, not just screen time alone. Multitasking is a myth—the brain burns massive energy switching contexts, leaving us mentally drained. Kids often feel overwhelmed by devices before they can explain it, which shows up as stress or behavior changes. Choosing the right communication tool matters, especially in marriage and parenting. Presence beats duration—ten fully focused minutes matter more than hours of distracted time.     Links & Resources Paul Leonardi — Digital Exhaustion Book: https://paulleonardi.com/digital-exhaustion-book/ Paul Leonardi on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-leonardi-45b67321/ Dad Edge Mastermind & Alliance: https://thedadedge.com/mastermind Roommates to Soulmates Course: https://thedadedge.com/soulmates Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1422     Closing Remark If this episode made you rethink how you're using your phone, your attention, or your presence at home, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. The way we show up—focused, intentional, and available—shapes not just our kids' childhoods, but the adults they become.

In the final episode of 2025, I take time to reflect, express deep gratitude, and share what's coming next for The Dad Edge as we head into 2026. This episode is about honoring what this community has built together over the past ten years, celebrating the wins, and casting a clear vision for what's ahead for men who want to lead their families with intention.   I walk you through several major announcements—from the return of Wednesday Q&A with Uncle Joe, to our brand-new Dad Edge Alliance membership platform, upcoming marriage and health initiatives, and powerful in-person experiences like Men's Forge. This episode is both a thank-you and a rallying cry for men who are ready to step into the next year with clarity, purpose, and brotherhood.     Timeline Summary: [0:00] Welcoming listeners and reflecting on the final episode of 2025. [1:23] Celebrating 10 full years of podcasting and the growth of The Dad Edge. [1:41] Gratitude for listeners, downloads, and being ranked #1 again. [2:22] Why fatherhood, marriage, and family are the most important work we do. [2:56] A heartfelt thank-you to the community for showing up all year. [3:13] Announcement: Wednesday Q&A episodes return with Uncle Joe in 2026. [3:49] How to submit your questions for the Q&A episodes via email. [4:06] Introducing the brand-new Dad Edge Alliance membership site. [4:49] Why moving away from Facebook, Slack, and WhatsApp changed everything. [5:24] Weekly call teams and global time-zone support for members. [5:47] January focus inside the Alliance: marriage, parenting, vitality, and money. [6:26] February marriage training focused on intimacy, passion, and connection. [6:44] Partnership with 1st Phorm and upcoming health initiatives. [7:18] Announcement of the 8-week transformation challenge starting February 1. [7:55] Coaching, accountability, and community inside the challenge. [8:54] Information call for the Roommates to Soulmates live course. [9:14] What the Roommates to Soulmates course will teach men about marriage. [10:02] Larry shares his personal experience with marriage disconnection. [10:39] Men's Forge announcement with Ryan Michler and Order of Man. [11:01] Event dates, speakers, and why nearly everyone returned from last year. [11:56] "Bring a Brother" and "Bring a Son" ticket options. [12:12] Why exposing teenage sons to intentional masculinity matters. [13:10] Announcing the December Dad Edge 1st Phorm Man of the Month. [13:55] Recognizing Shay Chase for leadership and health coaching impact. [14:39] Directing listeners to the full show notes and resources. [15:01] Final thank-you and encouragement heading into 2026.     Five Key Takeaways: Intentional fatherhood creates generational impact, and this community exists to raise the standard for men.  Brotherhood and accountability matter, especially when men are navigating marriage, parenting, health, and finances.  Marriage requires skill-building and leadership, not passive hope that things will improve.  Physical health fuels leadership at home, and structured challenges create momentum and consistency.  The next year can look different if men commit to standards, community, and intentional action.      Links & Resources Dad Edge Alliance Membership: http://thedadedge.com/alliance Roommates to Soulmates Course: https://thedadedge.com/soulmates 1st Phorm Partnership: https://1stphorm.com/dadedge Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1421 https://themensforge.com/   Closing Remark Gentlemen, thank you for an incredible 2025. Thank you for showing up, doing the work, and choosing to lead your families with intention. My hope is that we bring even more men to this table in 2026 so we can continue to change lives, marriages, and families for the better. Go out and live legendary.

What do you do when life changes in ways you didn't choose—and didn't see coming? In this deeply emotional and intellectually grounding conversation, I sit down with Dr. Maya Shankar, cognitive scientist, former White House advisor, and host of the podcast A Slight Change of Plans, to talk about change, identity, grief, and uncertainty.   Maya shares her powerful personal story of being accepted into Juilliard at a young age, only to have her violin career abruptly end due to a devastating injury. From there, we explore how unexpected change threatens our identity, why the human brain craves certainty, and how men, husbands, and fathers can navigate seasons where the future they imagined suddenly disappears. This conversation hit me personally as I opened up about my son preparing to leave for college, and Maya offers language, tools, and clarity for anyone navigating major life transitions.     Timeline Summary: [0:00] What happens when life changes and you don't get a vote. [1:28] Introducing Dr. Maya Shankar and the theme of unexpected change. [2:10] Being accepted into Juilliard at age nine and pursuing music at the highest level. [3:05] A career-ending violin injury and the grief that followed. [4:05] How loss threatens not just what we do—but who we are. [7:44] Learning violin by ear and developing passion without perfection. [9:03] A mother's fearlessness and the power of bold action. [11:06] Cold emailing, courage, and creating unexpected opportunities. [13:39] Being bullied as a child and finding safety in family and music. [15:16] Larry reflects on marriage drift and identity shifts. [18:06] Pivoting from academia to public policy and working at the White House. [21:51] The power of defaults and how behavioral science changed public outcomes. [25:17] Why uncertainty is harder on the brain than certainty—even bad certainty. [27:05] The illusion of control and how change shatters it. [27:31] Anchoring identity to why you do things, not just what you do. [29:45] Navigating infertility, loss, and redefining self-worth. [33:11] Why we resist change even when it's necessary for growth. [36:00] Marriage, evolution, and the "end of history illusion." [39:32] How hardship can lead to unexpected personal growth. [45:43] Gratitude as a tool for identity resilience. [48:25] Helping kids navigate change while managing your own emotions. [50:28] The grief of kids leaving home—even when it's a good thing. [54:26] Why we are more resilient than we think. [56:15] The importance of community during seasons of change. [59:19] Maya shares her book, podcast, and where to connect.     Five Key Takeaways Change threatens identity as much as circumstance, which is why it feels so destabilizing.  The brain prefers certainty—even negative certainty—over uncertainty, making transitions especially stressful.  Anchoring identity to your values and motivations creates resilience when roles and plans fall away.  We underestimate our ability to adapt and overestimate how painful change will be long-term.  Connection, community, and self-reflection are essential tools for navigating major life transitions.      Links & Resources Dr. Maya Shankar's Book: https://a.co/d/3u87zps Dr. Maya Shankar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drmayashankar/?hl=en Roommates to Soulmates Course: https://thedadedge.com/soulmates Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1420     Closing Remark If this episode gave you language for a season of change you're navigating right now, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. You're not alone in the uncertainty—and you're far more resilient than you think.

In today's episode, I sit down with Eric Kennedy, founder of Recovery Vow and author of Marriage After Addiction, for one of the most raw and redemptive conversations we've ever had on this show. Eric spent 15 years deep in addiction—alcohol, cocaine, crack, jail time, suicide attempts, losing his marriage, and losing himself. This isn't a story of high-functioning addiction. This is rock bottom in every sense of the word.   Eric opens up about growing up with emotional neglect, how unresolved trauma fueled his addiction, and the moments that finally forced him to choose life. We talk about the long road to sobriety, rebuilding trust with his kids, walking through divorce and remarriage, and what radical ownership really looks like when you're trying to rebuild a marriage after years of destruction. Whether you've battled addiction yourself or you're carrying unspoken wounds from your past, this episode is a powerful reminder that healing, redemption, and generational change are possible.     Timeline Summary: [0:00] Introduction [1:02] Why addiction isn't the real problem—trauma, disconnection, and silence are. [1:40] Introducing Eric Kennedy and the depth of his addiction story. [2:08] Addiction beginning with alcohol and escalating to cocaine and crack. [5:14] Using substances to bury trauma, anxiety, and depression. [7:13] Growing up with an emotionally unavailable father. [11:23] Seeing his father drunk as a child and the lasting impact. [15:00] Addiction escalating alongside marriage and fatherhood. [22:44] A suicide attempt and waking up in an ambulance. [25:05] Driving to get drugs with his kids in the car. [29:29] Arrest, jail time, and asking for help again. [30:10] Entering a 30-day treatment program in Florida. [33:14] Gaining custody of his sons while newly sober. [35:32] Finding faith, community, and structure in recovery. [37:02] Meeting his wife Kristin and rebuilding a healthy marriage. [42:44] Radical ownership and rebuilding trust through action. [51:48] Being fully honest with his sons about his past. [53:31] Choosing life, sobriety, and fatherhood every day.     Five Key Takeaways Addiction is often rooted in unresolved trauma and emotional disconnection, not just substance abuse.  Recovery requires radical ownership and healthy selfishness so you can show up for your kids and relationships.  Trust is rebuilt through consistent actions over time, not promises or apologies.  Honesty with your kids can break generational cycles and rebuild connection.  Redemption is always possible, but it requires humility, structure, and daily commitment.      Links & Resources Eric Kennedy's Book — Marriage After Addiction: https://a.co/d/4uYCpvT Recovery Vow: https://recoveryvow.com MicroFactor (1st Phorm): https://1stphorm.com/products/micro-factor/?a_aid=dadedge Opti-Greens 50 (1st Phorm): https://1stphorm.com/products/opti-greens-50-stick-packs/?a_aid=dadedge Roommates to Soulmates Course: https://thedadedge.com/soulmates Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1417     Closing Remark   If today's episode gave you hope or reminded you that it's never too late to change, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. Your support helps us reach men who need to hear that recovery, redemption, and reconnection are possible.

In this Christmas Eve solo episode, I shift gears from our recent focus on online safety and talk about one of the most common—and painful—issues I see in long-term marriages: roommate syndrome. That quiet drift where intimacy fades, connection feels awkward, and marriage starts to feel more like co-parenting logistics than a romantic partnership. If you've ever laid in bed next to your wife feeling disconnected, unwanted, or unsure how things got this way, this episode is for you.   I share my own experience falling into roommate syndrome after years of marriage, kids, exhaustion, and unmet expectations. We talk about resentment, covert contracts, why nagging is often a cry for connection, and how most men were never taught how attraction actually works in marriage. I also explain why marriage—like jiu-jitsu or any skill—requires training, intentional effort, and doing what most men aren't willing to do if you want a relationship that's truly on fire.     Timeline Summary: [0:00] What roommate syndrome feels like when intimacy has faded. [1:39] Why so many marriages slowly slip into "friend zone" dynamics. [2:02] The statistic that 57% of married couples experience this season. [2:28] How resentment, logistics, and exhaustion kill connection. [3:07] Closing out the online safety series and shifting topics. [3:50] Why Larry chose to release this episode on Christmas Eve. [4:26] Introducing roommate syndrome as a core marriage issue. [5:03] Larry's 22-year marriage and personal experience with disconnection. [6:17] How kids, work, and busyness slowly erode intimacy. [6:53] When sex starts to feel transactional or obligatory. [7:13] Why "nagging" is often a bid for attention and being seen. [7:33] Sitting on opposite ends of the couch scrolling instead of connecting. [7:56] Covert contracts and resentment in marriage. [8:17] Why solving instead of listening makes wives feel unseen. [8:56] Awkward date nights and avoiding real conversations about intimacy. [9:18] A client story that began with signed divorce papers. [9:41] How real change happens when a man does the work. [10:15] Why becoming the man you're meant to be changes everything. [10:57] Marriage requires training just like work or martial arts. [11:14] Understanding attraction and speaking the right "currency" in marriage. [11:51] Loving your spouse the way they receive love. [12:11] Introducing the Roommates to Soulmates live course. [12:56] Creating confidence, attraction, and intimacy without neediness. [13:17] Why uncommon marriages require uncommon effort. [13:38] The reality that only 10–12% of marriages feel "on fire." [14:03] Rejecting the belief that passion naturally dies over time. [14:32] Marriage as a skill set that can be learned and mastered. [15:05] Course details, limited spots, and next steps. [15:25] Christmas message and encouragement to live legendary.     Five Key Takeaways: Roommate syndrome doesn't happen overnight—it's the result of neglecting connection, intimacy, and intentional effort.  Resentment grows when expectations go unspoken and needs are assumed instead of communicated.  Attraction in marriage is a learned skill, not something that automatically sustains itself over time.  Men must lead attraction with confidence, not needy or transactional energy.  Exceptional marriages are uncommon because they require uncommon effort, training, and intentional action.      Links & Resources: Roommates to Soulmates Course: https://thedadedge.com/soulmates 1st Phorm (Dad Edge Partner): https://1stphorm.com/dadedge Episode Show Notes & Resources: https://thedadedge.com/1418     Closing Remark   If this episode hit home and reminded you that marriage doesn't have to settle into mediocrity, please rate, review, follow, and share the podcast. You weren't meant to be roommates—you were meant to build a marriage on fire. From my heart to yours, have a Merry Christmas and continue to live legendary.