Zad Bod

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu is upon us, and the Disney Machine has aimed its superlaser at this Star Wars-agnostic podcast host and convinced me to watch the show, "Andor". Then I watched Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. And then I wanted to watch Episode IV: A new Hope (aka "Star Wars"), and Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back, and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, and I decided to watch them with my 4 year old! Watching these movies through his eyes has been a revelation, as was watching these movies again for the first time since I became a father! I talk about all that, as well as the fact that, upon this re-watch, Darth Vader is a pathetic loser, so listen up and I'll tell you why!

We’re coming up on the end of my 4 year old’s tee ball (or is it t-ball?) season, and the end of my time as their coach, so it’s a good time to think back on how far we’ve all come. These kids have improved tremendously, and I’ve learned a thing or two myself. So I recap all their madcap adventures, make my case for why baseball is the best youth sport, and share the great secret I have learned regarding how to coach kids as young as 4. All that and more. Give it a listen!

A couple weeks ago I complained about how messy it is to let my baby teach himself how to eat solid food. Then last week I let that baby make too big a mess, and told you about other big messes I have made in the past. And when it rains it pours, I guess, because now baby is scooting around the floor and pulling things off of shelves. my 4 year old is tracking dirt into the house and drawing tattoos on himself in marker, and I feel like all I'm doing is cleaning up messes. Attitude Era professional wrestling! Pee and poop stories! All that and more, so listen up and enjoy!

Building on last week's episode, I apply what I'm now calling "The 50% Rule" to teaching my kids things that are currently skills they're trying to learn, but will soon become routine things they do every day for the rest of their lives. How do I teach my 4 year old how to tie his shoes when the only time he practices is two minutes before we have to leave? How do I let my baby learn how to feed himself without fretting about the rising cost of all the food he's wasting? All that and more on this week's episode. Thanks for listening. Enjoy!

No new Zad Bod pod this week, unfortunately, as I got derailed by the 1-2 punch of another sick kid AND visiting parents! But, as my way of saying sorry, I am offering up an old episode of a podcast I used to make called Easy Golf, in which I describe why the game is so appealing to golf sickos like myself. If you’re a golfer, you may get a kick out of hearing my version of something that exists within you too, and if you’re not a golfer, this is not a sales pitch. I’m not here to tell you why golf is better than you think it is. I’m here to say golf is worse than you think it is, but somehow that’s actually the fun of it!

On this episode, one anonymous artist (me) (but who is that?) shares his thoughts on the doxxing of formerly anonymous artist, Banksy, and then somehow I shift gears and talk about the start of my son's tee ball season and my early experiences and observations trying to coach these kids. Individually, every one of these kids has a lot to offer, but we are very far away from looking like a team. Step 1: Get teammates to stop fighting each other for ground ballsStep 2: ??? Step 3: ProfitThanks for listening. I hope you enjoy!

It's a Bod Pod! People talk about living their best life, and it's usually in reference to something like eating a block of cheese in their underwear, but I think I am actually living my best life! I have finally managed to strike a balance between exercise, appetite, golf, and the time and energy it takes to be a husband, father, and productive member of society. I'm getting stronger, losing weight, and playing golf all at the same time, and I plan on enjoying this while it lasts because it seems too good to be true, but it is true and on this episode I describe how I managed to achieve it!

On this episode, I talk about the Winter Olympics! Hockey games going to overtime, a cheating scandal in curling, and a collection of the world’s proudest parents! I also talk about how I’ve felt like a bad dad lately (not because my kids aren’t Olympians), and what I chose to do about it. Bonus topic: Does listening to an audiobook count as reading? What do you think I think? Here’s a hint: I answer, here on an episode of my own audio content. Thanks for listening. Enjoy the show!

Weird flex, but...both of my kids have experienced huge advances lately. And not gradual changes, either. Big, sudden improvements, all at once. My baby's babbling suddenly got more defined, and my 4 year old has seemingly taken giant physical, mental, and emotional leaps, all in the last week! And as proud as I am, I think there is something larger at play here. Could it be that households full of small kids are experiencing something similar all around the world? Listen up and find out why I think so!

On today's show, I provide an early check-in as to how it's going so far coaching my 4 year old son's basketball team, as well as present my Grand Unifying Theory of how to coach small kids in anything, especially if you yourself didn't play the sport in question growing up. I also mull uninviting my 4 year old from his baby brother's 1st birthday party. All that and more. Thanks for listening. You're gonna love it!

My baby is starting daycare! He's gonna do great and have a wonderful time, but his parents are a bit broken up about it. So, on this episode, I take stock of how he is, who he is, what's going on with him at this pivotal moment in his life in which he steps out into the world. Consider it a before picture, because from now on the changes we see in him won't just be our doing. This one is for all the parents that have felt the pride and pain of sending their kids to daycare and out into the world!

SPOILER ALERT! The finale to season 1 of Apple TV’s Plur1bus drops tomorrow, and families are sitting together, some of whom are watching the show and want to see how it ends, while others haven’t seen it. What to do? I say, everyone watch it together! On this episode, I spoil the first eight episodes of the season and catch anyone up who hasn’t seen it but is currently holidaying with people who have. If you haven’t seen the show, listen in! If you have seen it, share this episode with someone who hasn’t!PROGRAMMING NOTE: At the time of recording, I mistakenly thought that the finale drops on its usual Friday, but it actually premiers on Wednesday, December 24th, aka Christmas Eve. Please excuse the error, and make sure to listen to this episode ASAP!#plur1bus #pluribus

I have decided to coach my son's basketball team in the new year, and on this episode I explain why I would rather coach a sport that's new to me than one I have experience playing, how eager sports dads like me can start laying the groundwork now so that we are NOT the problem with youth sports later, and how dads who aren't into sports can let their kids play them without compromising their values -- even though their values are bad and they should feel bad, because sports are the best. Anyway, thanks for listening, and enjoy!