Dadville with Dave Barnes and Jon McLaughlin

Today, we’re hanging out with our friend Erin Napier, who is busy saving Laurel, Mississippi, one 25,000-square-foot hotel at a time. We dive into the "unfortunate" (that’s code for ugly) projects and the heart behind her latest restoration, The Heirloom, which survived a "devastating" fire just weeks before opening. Erin spills the tea on her first year as a homeschooling mom—turns out it only takes two hours a day, leaving plenty of time for her daughter to job-shadow a vet. We also discuss her strict "no-weekend-work" policy and why Ben is a nearly perfect husband, despite his chaotic habit of leaving every single cabinet door open. From air-conditioned mattresses to dodging a massive Great Pyrenees puppy at the breakfast table, Erin reminds us that—no matter what the world says—not everything is an emergency. Come for the design tips, stay for the wisdom on building a life, not just a brand. Follow Erin: https://erinandben.co/ Quince - Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/dadville⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Cove - Check out Cove at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://covesmart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code DAD for an additional 10% off your first order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Momville! In this episode, we’re hanging out with the legendary Lori McKenna, a three-time Grammy winner who somehow balanced raising five kids with a world-class songwriting career. We dive into her "internal rhythm" of 74 BPM and the hilarious reality of her early days showing up to open mics with a minivan and actual peanut butter on her guitar. Lori gets real about her 30-year marriage to Gene, their legendary four-degree thermostat war, and her self-described "underwhelming" mom status. From failing at selling Tupperware to writing hits for Taylor Swift, she shares how she won the lottery without ever buying a ticket. Whether you're obsessed with an empty kitchen sink or currently orbiting your adult children, join us for some funny thoughts and deep talks. Visit Lori: https://www.lorimckenna.com Join us: http://dadville.substack.com Thanks to Our Sponsors! Quince - Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/dadville⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Cove - Check out Cove at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://covesmart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code DAD for an additional 10% off your first order! Shopify - Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://shopify.com/dadville This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp: Our listeners get 10% off their first month at ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://betterhelp.com/dadville⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Thomas, therapist and co-author of Capable, and Sissy Goff, clinical therapist and author on child and family mental health, join to unpack raising resilient kids. They discuss how the pandemic cocooned children, why parents must tolerate discomfort, the power of rupture-and-repair, and swapping protection for preparation. Expect practical nudges like small curveballs and handing over real responsibilities.

A candid chat about radical honesty and the 3% practice of sharing the shame-filled truth. They explore how vulnerability deepens male friendships and the rituals that keep connection alive. Conversation turns to how children trade authenticity for attachment and how parental apologies break the facade of perfection. Practical ideas for sustaining closeness in busy fatherhood round out the discussion.

Ben Rector, singer-songwriter known for earnest pop/folk and sharp storytelling, shares parenting tradeoffs and career choices. He talks about slowing touring to be present for his kids, fearing fame’s pull, and choosing depth over scale. He also recounts funny dad rituals like his legendary sock shootout and beard experiment.

How quickly could you get a horse to downtown Boston? Well, today's guest McKittrick Simmons posed that very question to Dave and it really framed their 20+ friendship in a new way. After meeting his new friend, Jon McLaughlin, McKittrick breaks down the "neutron bomb" of intentional friendship and why "no theologians allowed" Bible studies are the secret to growth. Whether navigating the "beta test" of parenting, escaping the "shadow world," or bearing witness to friends, this deep dive is for you. Join us: http://substack.dadville.com Thanks to our sponsors! Quince - Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/dadville⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Cove - Check out Cove at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://covesmart.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code DAD for an additional 10% off your first order! Shopify - Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://shopify.com/dadville This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp: Our listeners get 10% off their first month at ⁠⁠⁠http://betterhelp.com/dadville⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Andy Roddick, former world No. 1 and 2003 US Open champion turned broadcaster and founder, shares candid stories and sharp humor. He recalls his rivalry with Roger Federer and how it shaped a decade. He talks about retiring young, building life after tennis, and his parenting philosophy about letting kids fail to grow.

Jamie Winship, a former DC cop and federal agent turned global peacemaker and co-founder of Identity Exchange. He tells wild reconciliation stories and the moment he felt a divine prompt to 'de-arrest.' He explains the Identity Method for hearing God amid inner noise, naming false 'I am' beliefs, and practical steps for confession, repentance, and living from true identity.

Whether you are currently on spring break or just trying not to be "spring broke," the struggle of dad guilt is a universal experience. The fellas dive into the work-versus-presence conundrum, exploring how early "husband guilt" evolves into a paternal fear of missing out on key milestones. Then, they get honest about the triggers of feeling like a "warm body" while zoning out on soccer scores and the "comparison trap" sparked by other dads’ elaborate chore charts or "Spanish Wednesdays". From using a "brick" to battle phone distraction to the realization that most parenting is "caught, not taught," this conversation offers much-needed grace. Join us: http://dadville.substack.com Thanks to our sponsors! Quince - Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/dadville⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Cove - Check out Cove at ⁠⁠⁠http://covesmart.com⁠⁠⁠ and use code DAD for an additional 10% off your first order! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Buckle up, Dadville, because Matt Maher is in the house, and he’s bringing more than just hit worship songs. Ever wondered what happens when you walk into a college radio station, pretend to be Dave Barnes, and realize mid-song that your XLR cables aren't even plugged in?. Or how to survive "The Talk" with a 10-year-old using only tacos and a very necessary, panicked swig of Topo Chico?. We’re diving into Matt’s Newfoundland roots—where the ocean is actively trying to kill you—and why he spent seven years as a "professional college student". From "Star Wars cantina" radio vibes to the "golden carrot" of the music industry, Matt breaks down why restructuring life around family is the real win. Plus, we tackle the baffling physics of girls' volleyball uniforms and why his daughter is basically a "method actor" for softball. It’s a masterclass in joy, resistance, and the visceral terror of letting go of your kid's bike for the first time. Catch up with Matt: https://mattmahermusic.com/ Join Us: http://dadville.substack.com Thanks to our sponsors! Quince - Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/dadville⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 365-day returns, plus free shipping on your order! Cove - Check out Cove at ⁠⁠http://covesmart.com⁠⁠ and use code DAD for an additional 10% off your first order! Shopify - Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial and start selling today at ⁠⁠⁠http://shopify.com/dadville Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices