

The Daily Dad
Daily Dad
The audio companion to DailyDad.com’s daily email meditations on fatherhood, read by Ryan Holiday. Each daily reading will help you find the wisdom, inner strength, and good humor you need in order to be a great dad. Learn from historical figures and contemporary fathers how to do your most important job. Find more at dailydad.com.
Episodes
Mentioned books

4 snips
Dec 16, 2025 • 4min
They’ll Need Your Encouragement
Explore the challenges of learning new skills and how many give up too soon. Discover the fascinating concept of the Plateau of Latent Potential, where growth is often invisible before success hits. Understand why children need encouragement during their own plateaus and how fathers play a crucial role in recognizing their small achievements. Learn when it's appropriate for kids to quit and how to guide them through tough moments. This insightful discussion offers valuable parenting tools and a sense of community.

Dec 15, 2025 • 4min
You Have to Grow Up
The discussion centers around the transformative journey of parenting and the need for personal growth. Ryan Holiday emphasizes that becoming a parent is not just about responsibilities but a call to maturity. Prioritizing family needs becomes essential as one navigates this new role. The podcast also encourages listeners to embrace community and seek out supportive parenting tools, offering resources for this exciting yet challenging phase of life.

22 snips
Dec 13, 2025 • 14min
Pete Holmes Has a Message for Every Parent
Comedian Pete Holmes, known for his work on HBO's Crashing and the podcast You Made It Weird, dives into the often-unspoken truths about work and family. He challenges the popular excuse of ‘doing it for family,’ suggesting it can mask personal ambition. With a clever Mark Wahlberg analogy, Pete emphasizes the importance of honesty regarding our motivations. The discussion covers balancing career dreams with family needs, highlighting the trade-offs and sacrifices that define modern parenthood.

Dec 12, 2025 • 4min
There’s Nothing Average About Your Family
Ryan Holiday tackles the unsettling statistics about parenting, urging listeners to focus on their proactive role rather than average risks. He highlights how personal commitment and involvement can transform family dynamics, setting them apart from dismal data. The discussion emphasizes that while challenges exist, taking concrete actions to protect your loved ones is key. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their preparedness and strive for excellence in their family life.

Dec 11, 2025 • 4min
It Keeps Things Really Simple
Navigating the chaos of life can be overwhelming, especially for parents. Discover how having children streamlines your priorities and clarifies your purpose. Focusing on essentials like love, health, and education is key to effective parenting. Optional activities take a back seat, emphasizing that doing the basics well leads to the most significant benefits for kids. Embrace simplicity to enhance your parenting journey!

19 snips
Dec 10, 2025 • 5min
Your Kids Deserve This Version of You
Parenting demands personal growth, and embracing change is key to becoming the role model your kids need. The discussion highlights a New Year challenge featuring 21 actionable stoic practices aimed at self-improvement. Procrastination holds parents back from modeling the growth they wish to instill in their children. Listeners are encouraged to take the plunge and sign up for this transformative experience. Change begins with you, and this is the perfect moment to kickstart your journey!

6 snips
Dec 9, 2025 • 4min
This is How We Keep Them Close
Explore the surprising ways we might unintentionally push our kids away. Discover how criticism and strict rules can create distance in parent-child relationships. Learn valuable parenting tools and the importance of community support. Reflect on how to nurture closer bonds and create a more enriching environment for your children. It’s a deep dive into the dynamics of parenting that every caregiver can benefit from!

4 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 4min
Would They Want to Be Your Kid?
Are parents more critical at home than in public? Examining this disparity, Ryan highlights how expectations and convenience shape our parenting. He also draws intriguing comparisons from history, showcasing figures like Gandhi and Queen Elizabeth II, who showed kindness outside yet were harsh at home. The discussion encourages reflection on whether our children receive the best of us, prompting a vital look at our parenting practices.

19 snips
Dec 6, 2025 • 15min
You Think You Want the Chaos to End… Until It Ends | Ryan and Sam Holiday
Time can be a sneaky thief, and parents often underestimate how quickly childhood flies by. Ryan and Sam explore the bittersweet reality of watching their kids grow up and the chaotic messes of family life. They share practical tips for staying present, like embracing slow mornings and living in the moment. As they reflect on hitting the halfway point of parenting, they navigate the evolving dynamics with their kids and the struggle to balance projects with quality family time. It’s a heartfelt reminder to savor every fleeting moment.

4 snips
Dec 5, 2025 • 4min
They Are Why You Do This
Delve into the profound reasons behind our hard work and daily struggles. Discover how children serve as our ultimate motivators, giving life its true meaning. The discussion highlights parenthood as a chance to instill values and responsibility, urging fathers to 'carry the fire' for their children's future. Touching on philosophy and psychology, the podcast provides valuable insights into the essence of parenting and the purpose it brings.


