Life of Dad

Episode #23 of Life of Dad welcomes comedian Tim Convy from The Consumers podcast and the band Ludo as he joins Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James to talk about raising two young boys, becoming a dad in his 40s, and the little luxuries that help him recharge. They compare notes on parenting at different ages, watching their own parents become grandparents, and how much their priorities have changed since having kids.The guys also get into the things they still like having to themselves, from morning coffee and listening to records to working in the yard and building LEGO sets. Mike brings his LEGO hobby on the road, while Lee has big dreams for a garage fridge stocked with drinks. Keeping anything nice in a house full of kids is another story, and everyone has had to make a few adjustments.Tim also looks back on finding success with Ludo, starting over in stand-up, and learning to appreciate the experiences he once rushed past. That same appreciation runs through the conversation about life at home, where time for music or a favorite hobby takes a little more planning. These days, the guys’ idea of luxury might fit in a coffee mug or a carry-on, but they’re still willing to make room for it.

Episode #21 of Life of Dad welcomes comedian Jay Flake as he joins Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James for a conversation about raising three daughters, youth sports, and realizing you might not be quite as tough as you used to be. Jay shares what life is like in a house full of girls, sitting through all-day cheer competitions, and how being a dad has changed him over the years.The guys also get into the wild world of youth sports, from over-the-top parents and coaching kids to Jay's years as a referee and official. They swap stories about bad calls, getting yelled at from the sidelines, watching your own kids compete, and how quickly parents can convince themselves their kid is headed for the pros. The conversation also takes plenty of unexpected turns as Jay talks about his family, his path into stand-up, and the experiences that have shaped him as both a comedian and a dad.After raising three daughters and spending years on the other side of the whistle, Jay has seen fatherhood from just about every angle. Episode #21 is about learning to roll with the changes that come with raising kids—and finding out that getting a little softer along the way might not be such a bad thing.

This week on Life of Dad, Tom, Lee, and Mike are joined by entrepreneur, creator, and FamilyMade co-founder Andrew East. Andrew talks about raising three kids with his wife, Shawn Johnson East, what he’s learned from being a girl dad and a boy dad, and why his kids seem determined to find increasingly dangerous hobbies. The guys also get into getting cut from sports, learning how to handle failure, and Andrew’s ability to stay positive and find something useful even when things don’t go according to plan.Andrew also shares some of the ideas behind his and Shawn’s book, Courage to Commit, including what his NFL career taught him about perseverance, why waiting for the “perfect” opportunity can keep you from moving forward, and the value of choosing something worthwhile and continuing to show up for it. They talk about commitment in marriage, knowing when it actually is time to move on, teaching kids to work through frustration and failure, and how the highs and lows can both shape you for the better.Episode #19 is a reminder that sometimes getting cut, failing, or ending up somewhere you didn’t plan can turn out to be exactly what you needed. And through all of it, the million little moments with your kids are usually the ones that stick.

Episode #7 of Life of Dad welcomes the show’s first guest, Stephen Bargatze, as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James take a trip down memory lane and compare what growing up looked like then versus now. From driving farm trucks as kids and disappearing for hours without anyone knowing where you were to the everyday responsibilities children used to have, the group shares stories that would be almost impossible to imagine today.The conversation also explores how parenting, grandparenting, and family life have changed over the years. Stephen reflects on lessons learned raising a family, while the guys compare childhood experiences across generations and laugh about the things that were once considered completely normal. Along the way, they swap stories about road trips, family memories, growing up in smaller communities, and the different expectations placed on kids then and now.Funny, nostalgic, and full of the kinds of stories families tell around the dinner table, Episode #7 is a reminder that while the world keeps changing, the memories that shape us—and the lessons we pass on—have a way of sticking around.

Episode #5 of Life of Dad continues the conversation about fatherhood with hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James as they talk about money, responsibility, and the many strange ways dads try to justify their purchases. From sleepless nights with a baby and life on the road to family movie nights, school drop-off autopilot, and old high school nicknames, the guys share more stories about the everyday chaos that comes with being a dad.The episode also features more comments and stories from the growing Life of Dad community, including diaper disasters, dad jingles, ridiculous “practical” purchases, and money-saving hacks that may or may not actually save any money. Along the way, the guys get sidetracked into Pierce Brosnan’s toaster, bidets, Chia Pets, flamethrowers, expired spices, and the difference between providing for your family and simply being present with them. Funny, honest, and heartfelt, Episode #5 ends with a powerful Dad of the Week story about Tim Frost and his son Odin, reminding us that fatherhood is about showing up, finding joy, and loving your family through whatever life brings.

Episode #3 of Life of Dad continues the conversation about the early days of fatherhood as hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James dive into the fog of bringing a newborn home for the first time. From sleepless nights and 3 a.m. fears to figuring out shifts with your spouse and realizing “this baby is really ours now,” the guys share honest stories about the emotional blur of those first few days with a new baby.The episode also features updates from life at home, including Lee celebrating his daughter finally saying “Dada,” conversations about youth sports, parenting encouragement, and the moments dads remember years later. Along the way, the guys get sidetracked into Michael Jordan debates, late-night newborn paranoia, marriage growing stronger through parenting, and the strange mix of exhaustion, fear, and joy that comes with becoming a dad. Funny, heartfelt, and relatable, Episode #3 feels like the kind of conversation dads have after finally surviving the first few nights home with a baby.a

Episode #1 of Life of Dad kicks off with hosts Tom Riles, Lee Kimbrell, and Mike James diving into the moment life changes forever: becoming a dad. From sleepless nights with newborns and surprise pregnancies to dad fashion, Costco runs, and learning how quickly kids grow up, the guys share hilarious and heartfelt stories from every stage of fatherhood. The episode also features community voicemails from dads and moms around the country, plus an emotional story from Tom about his daughter Barbara’s miraculous survival after a life-threatening diagnosis before birth. Equal parts funny, honest, and encouraging, this debut episode sets the tone for a podcast built around family, friendship, and the wild ride of being a dad.Don't forget to Subscribe and Like to see more - https://bit.ly/NateYTSubscribeHosts: - Tom Riles (https://www.instagram.com/lifeofdad/)- Mike James (https://www.instagram.com/funnymanmikejames/)- Lee Kimbrell (https://www.instagram.com/leekimbrellcomedy/)Podcast produced by Nateland EntertainmentRecording & Editing by Nateland Entertainmenthttps://www.nateland.com------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------https://www.lifeofdad.com