David Shar on Passion, Burnout, and Work-Life Balance for Working Dads

David Shar on Passion, Burnout, and Work-Life Balance for Working Dads

April 28, 2026 · 54 min · Episode 25

About this episode

Dr. David Shar discusses the complexities of passion, burnout, and work-life balance for working dads.

Why does work that once energized you start to feel like something you can’t turn off? Dr. David Shar studies what happens when people fall out of love with their work and why that shift often happens long before anyone notices. His research shows that for working dads, the challenge is not just workload. It is how work connects to identity, purpose, and the life you are trying to build at home. This conversation reframes passion in a way most people never consider. Not all passion is healthy. Some of it quietly creates burnout, tension, and distance from the people who matter most. David shares how to: • Understand the difference between healthy passion and the kind that leads to burnout • Recognize when guilt at home or at work is a signal of misalignment  • Identify when your work is integrated into your identity versus competing with it • Shift from obsessive work habits to a more sustainable, balanced approach • Influence culture and energy at work even without a leadership title • Align your impact at work with who you are as a parent • Create meaningful work without sacrificing presence at home We talk about fatherhood, identity, and work-life balance that actually holds…

More episodes of Gap to Gig – Working Dads' Guide to Fatherhood, Meaningful Work, & Finding Balance in Life

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Gap to Gig – Working Dads' Guide to Fatherhood, Meaningful Work, & Finding Balance in Life podcast page.