{"podcast":{"title":"The Dad Manual","slug":"the-dad-manual-7554137","podcast_index_feed_id":7554137,"rss_url":"https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-dad-manual","website_url":null,"image_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/PcJcfVx2Sw5jO2OtWhkgYMldD7j3a6caz7IkVMF6G0k/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS8zMWVh/NTk0NDViNmUyYWZl/Zjk4NDk3NWVjMWEy/NWYxYi5wbmc.jpg","author":"Andy Milad","episode_count":30,"summary":"The Dad Manual is a fatherhood podcast hosted by Tony Cooper, featuring honest conversations with dads about the real, unfiltered journey of parenthood. This parenting podcast for dads explores everything from the excitement of being a first time dad to navigating the teenage years. As one of the best podcasts for expecting dads and experienced fathers alike, we dive deep into what it actually means to be a modern dad—the struggles, the growth, the mistakes, and the moments that change you forever. Whether you're looking for a new dad podcast or seasoned parenting wisdom, this family podcast delivers the honest guidance you won't find in books.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-14T22:17:03.182957+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dad-manual-7554137"},"episode":{"title":"Ep 18: Breaking the Pattern - How One Dad Rewired His Approach to Raising Kids","slug":"ep-18-breaking-the-pattern-how-one-dad-rewired-his-approach-to-raising-kids","published_at":"2026-04-28T11:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dad-manual-7554137/ep-18-breaking-the-pattern-how-one-dad-rewired-his-approach-to-raising-kids","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dad-manual-7554137","url":"https://share.transistor.fm/s/a44ea983","audio_url":"https://media.transistor.fm/a44ea983/80122ebd.mp3","summary":"Two decades in, Kevin Button is still learning — and that's exactly what makes him a great dad. Kevin Button is a father of three spanning 21 years in age, and one of Tony Cooper's closest friends in fatherhood. In this conversation, Kevin gets brutally honest about who he was as a young father — ego-driven, reactive, and repeating patterns he never consciously chose — and how a quiet moment with his 3-year-old son completely broke him open. Kevin and Tony dig into the long game of raising kids: what changes between your first and third child, why the ego is the enemy of good fathering, and how becoming the dad you want to be is a daily, conscious act. They also talk about the rare gift of a trusted fatherhood community, the role of sports in building character, and why presence is the single greatest thing you can give a child. This is the kind of real, unfiltered fatherhood podcast conversation that sticks with you — whether you're 10 minutes into the dad journey or 20 years deep. Key Takeaways: Your first child takes the brunt of who you were before you did the work — and that's a call to action, not a reason for guilt. Emotion is a compass. When something doesn't feel right in how you're parenting, that discomfort is pointing you somewhere important. The ego is one of the biggest obstacles to becoming a great father. Learning to put it down is a skill. Children love unconditionally — and watching that play out in real time can be the most powerful catalyst for change. Presence isn't passive. It's a disciplined, conscious effort — and it's worth more than any material thing you can give a child. Parenting evolves across your kids. Who you were raising your first child is rarely who you are by the third. Your kids are watching everything: how you carry yourself in pu…","meta_description":"Two decades in, Kevin Button is still learning — and that's exactly what makes him a great dad. Kevin Button is a father of three spanning 21 years in age…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":2888,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-dad-manual-7554137/episodes/ep-18-breaking-the-pattern-how-one-dad-rewired-his-approach-to-raising-kids/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-dad-manual-7554137/ep-18-breaking-the-pattern-how-one-dad-rewired-his-approach-to-raising-kids.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}