

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

9 snips
Mar 3, 2026 • 2min
Let Them Miss a Day
A reminder to relax about rigid schedules and let kids miss a day without panic. A case for valuing shared memories over perfect attendance. A discussion on how reasonable exceptions can teach responsibility through example.

Mar 2, 2026 • 2min
You’ll Think This Later; Might As Well Feel It Now
A reflection on noticing fleeting family moments and feeling gratitude in the middle of burnout. A conversation about treating all time as quality time and leaning into small, meaningful rituals. Practical prompts to recognize joy during exhausting parenting seasons.

33 snips
Feb 28, 2026 • 22min
The Most Expensive Parenting Habit | Ryan and Sam Holiday
They unpack how constant worry shapes family choices, from school attendance to travel plans. Airport anxiety and its hidden costs get a funny, honest look. They share travel near-misses, relationship tensions on the road, and small fixes that cut stress. Stories about pets, lost AirPods, and parenting pranks add levity to serious tradeoffs.

Feb 27, 2026 • 3min
This is a Violent River
A meditation on time as a rushing, uncontrollable river that sweeps childhood and life along. Reflections on mortality, sudden adversity, and the limits of control. Advice to observe time, respect its force, and adjust parenting and daily choices to honor fleeting moments.

Feb 26, 2026 • 2min
Interest is Interest. Take It.
A short pep talk about accepting and celebrating whatever sparks a child’s curiosity. Advice on saying yes to small moments to build lasting connection. A reminder that chances to bond are abundant and worth taking. A brief behind-the-scenes commercial vignette closes the conversation.

10 snips
Feb 25, 2026 • 3min
It’s Not a Goal to Be Impressed By
A conversation about why we push fame and power onto kids and whether that ambition is worthy. A look at Marcus Aurelius as an example of someone who feared power and prized humility. A discussion on raising children toward modest, fulfilling lives and using Stoic stories to teach those values.

Feb 24, 2026 • 3min
Show Them How to Be Bigger
A childhood insult sparks a deeper conversation about choosing kindness over retaliation. A mother reframes shame into reassurance to teach resilience and worth. The story explores how one response can shape lifelong nonviolence and the lessons passed to the next generation.

Feb 23, 2026 • 2min
You’ve Gotta Be On the Same Timeline
A short pep talk about staying emotionally present and aligned with your child's daily rhythm. Practical reminders for keeping track of family time even when life feels chaotic. Encouragement to prioritize connection over excuses and maintain consistent routines.

27 snips
Feb 21, 2026 • 15min
The Secret to Raising Kids Who Don’t Lose Hope | Sharon McMahon
Sharon McMahon, former high-school government teacher and creator of @SharonSaysSo, talks about teaching kids grounded hope as a deliberate choice. She discusses right-sizing problems so children feel agency. They highlight simple family actions, exposing kids to relatable role models, and practicing “choose the next right thing” as a civic habit.

6 snips
Feb 20, 2026 • 4min
You’ll Miss This If You Take It For Granted
A reflection on how everyday choices like overworking or checking out of a marriage lead to lasting consequences. A story about missed connections and the loneliness that follows life decisions. A call to notice what matters and take steps to repair relationships before it is too late.


