Deliberate Dad

About Deliberate Dad

This isn’t another parenting podcast. Each week, you’ll get practical tools, honest reflections, and sharp conversations to help you stop spending time by default and start living deliberately across work, family and self. If you're a high-agency dad who wants to hit who knows there’s more in them and want to build a life that proves it, this is for you. Solo riffs. High-signal guests. Zero fluff. Because default is easy. Deliberate is better.

Publisher

Steve Cardwell

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

24 Jun 2025

Latest episode

26 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

16 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   26 Sept 2025

   #15 John Stacey | Being a Present Dad: The Hard Truth Most Men Won't Admit

   Most dads won't say this stuff out loud. John does. The guilt. The mental load. The tension between presence and pressure. The joy and the rage sometimes in the same bloody moment. If you've ever thought "I love my kids... but this is really hard" this one's for you. What You'll Learn: → The difference between being busy and being deliberate (and why most dads get it wrong) → Why "being there" doesn't mean you're actually present → How John creates micro-moments that matter (even on mental days) → What "repairing the rupture" means — and why it beats getting it right first time → How talking to your partner shapes the dad you become → Why you don't need to "do it all" (and what to do instead) → Simple ways to create powerful moments when you're absolutely knackered → Why being normal is your superpower Get your FREE Deliberate Dad Report — Your personal toolkit to save 10+ hours this week: https://tinyurl.com/deliberatedad Subscribe for new episodes every week. #DeliberateDad #WorkingDad #DadLife

2. 

   19 Sept 2025

   #14 | How to Break Bad Habits (without Willpower)

   Most bad habits aren’t about discipline. They’re about design. You don’t scroll because you're weak you scroll because the system makes it easy. This episode flips that. You'll learn how to build friction into the stuff that’s stealing your presence, time, and energy. What you’ll learn: -Why willpower isn’t the answer -A simple shift to break habits without guilt -How to design systems that block distraction -The kitchen cupboard phone trick that works every time -Why bad habits die fastest when the environment changes Grab The Deliberate Dad Report → https://deliberatedad.kit.com/0aee93b4fe Subscribe for new episodes every week. #DeliberateDad #BreakBadHabits #FounderDiscipline #DadPresence

3. 

   12 Sept 2025

   #13 | Are you Happening To Life, Or Is Life Happening To You?

   You’re not broken. Your default mode is.High agency isn’t a slogan. It’s the switch from autopilot to ownership. If you want alignment at home and at work, this is where it starts. Be deliberate.What You’ll Learn-How to move from default to deliberate without burning your life down-The high agency mindset: you happen to life, not the other way around-Extreme personal responsibility that actually works for founder-dads-When to fight for something vs when to drop it-“Water your own grass”: extending your circle of control before jumping ship-Practical ways to apply personal responsibility to marriage, parenting and business-Default vs deliberate systems you can use today-Time management for dads who run companies-How to build aligned goals and take the next right actionGet your FREE Deliberate Dad Report where you'll get your own bespoke toolkit to save 10+ hours of time, effort and energy this week: https://tinyurl.com/deliberatedadSubscribe for new episodes every week.

4. 

   5 Sept 2025

   #12 Paul Evans | From Breakdown in the Car to Confident Leader

   Ever sat in your car after work, shut the laptop, and thought: I can’t do this anymore? That was Paul, Finance Director. New promotion. Drowning fast. This is the real shift from firefighting to deliberate leadership. What You’ll Learn: -How to stop imposter syndrome from wrecking your confidence -The exact system Paul used to go from breakdown to calm control -Why hiring the “right number two” changes everything -The difference between being the star player and becoming the manager -How to focus on what matters and ignore the noise -Default vs Deliberate leadership in high-pressure roles Practical ways to delegate without guilt and free up headspace Simple mindset shifts that made Paul more effective at work and at home 👉 Get your FREE Deliberate Dad Report where you'll get your own bespoke toolkit to save 10+ hours of time, effort and energy this week: https://tinyurl.com/deliberatedad Subscribe for new episodes every week. #DeliberateDad #TimeFreedom #FounderLife

5. 

   29 Aug 2025

   #11 Work Life Balance is Impossible. Set Your Season Instead.

   You’re not failing, you’re just chasing an impossible goal. The ground keeps shifting. Kids off school. Clients kicking off. Sick parents. Then you blame yourself. Here’s the fix: stop chasing balance. Work in seasons. What You’ll Learn How to ditch “work–life balance” and run your life in seasons that actually match reality A simple way to audit your current season across work, kids, self and relationships How to set proportionate goals so you stop overcommitting and stop feeling guilty The exact shift from firefighting to leadership using seasonal focus, boundaries and standards Practical examples for founders with young kids: summer holidays, childcare changes, rocky cashflow How to protect energy, choose trade‑offs on purpose, and still move forward every week Get your FREE Deliberate Dad Report where you'll get your own bespoke toolkit to save 10+ hours of time, effort and energy this week. https://tinyurl.com/deliberatedad (https://tinyurl.com/deliberatedad) Get your FREE Season Setter GPT: https://deliberatedad.kit.com/standards (https://deliberatedad.kit.com/standards) Subscribe for new episodes every week. #DeliberateDad #TimeFreedom #FounderLife #Productivity

6. 

   22 Aug 2025

   #10 | You Don’t Need More Time. You Need to Take more Deliberate Action.

   This episode cuts through the noise. It’s not about doing more it’s about doing what matters, deliberately. You’re not stuck. You’re just operating on default. What you’ll learn:-Why waiting for “more time” keeps you in a loop-The mindset shift from reactive to deliberate-How to build momentum with micro-moves-Why action beats anxiety every time-A call to stop drifting and take the wheelJoin The Deliberate Dad Diaries → https://deliberatedad.kit.com/0aee93b4fe Subscribe for weekly hits of clarity, structure, and presence.#deliberatedad #takeactionnow #highagencyfatherhood #clarityoverchaos

7. 

   15 Aug 2025

   #9 Sam Karim | How Sam Stopped Reacting and Starting Building a Business Around His Life

   Sam Built a Business That Actually Works for His Life Sam didn’t want to scale chaos. He wanted a business and a life that actually worked. This episode is a blueprint for building with intention. No more reacting. No more default. Just systems, clarity, and ownership. What you’ll learn:-Why most “growth” leads to burnout-How Sam designed his business to serve his life-The weekly rhythm that made everything click-What deliberate success actually looks like-How to lead with structure not stress Join The Deliberate Dad Diaries → https://deliberatedad.kit.com/0aee93b4fe Subscribe for more real stories of fathers building with clarity.#deliberatedad #buildwithintention #fatherswholead #deliberatebusiness

8. 

   8 Aug 2025

   #8 Phil Airson | The Real Work of Being a Dad (No One Talks About This)

   You’re not lazy. You’re overloaded.You’re not broken. You’re just stuck in default mode.This episode cuts through the noise and gets honest about what deliberate fatherhood really looks like. What you’ll learn: Presence is crucial in parenting, especially during challenging moments. Being a guide rather than a blueprint allows children to explore their own paths. Failure is a part of the journey; recommitment is key. Providing context for actions helps children understand adult emotions. Listening is often more valuable than fixing in conversations. Taking action creates knowledge and confidence. Personal responsibility is essential for growth and change. Group support can provide validation and shared experiences. Creating comfortable environments encourages open communication among men. Ego can hinder personal growth, but awareness can help dissolve it. Get your FREE Deliberate Dad Report -> https://tinyurl.com/deliberatedad (https://tinyurl.com/deliberatedad) Subscribe for new episodes every week. #DeliberateDad #IntentionalFatherhood #MenWhoLead

9. 

   1 Aug 2025

   #7 Craig Carey | Train Your Mind like a Muscle

   Craig Carey joins me for a raw chat on choosing health, setting boundaries, and why being deliberately selfish isn’t selfish at all. It’s necessary. Craig Carey is an ex personal trainer turned life coach who aids both individuals and businesses in performing to their highest ability both in work and in their personal lives. What you’ll learn: - Why “trying” is keeping you stuck - How to train your mindset like a muscle - The identity shift most dads need to make - Why your reactions aren’t the problem your system is - What to cut to make room for what matters Get your free Deliberate Dad Report. In 2 mins, get your Dad type and a free tailored toolkit with worksheets and custom GPTs to upgrade your time, energy and presence this week. https://tinyurl.com/deliberatedad (https://tinyurl.com/deliberatedad) Follow Craig Here: https://shorturl.at/ZC7Qp Subscribe for new episodes every week. #DeliberateDad #HighAgencyFatherhood #SelfLeadership

10. 

    24 Jul 2025

    #6 Chris Britton | You’re Allowed to Want More Than ‘Dad Mode’

    Today we’re having a brilliant conversation with Chris Britton: People Experience Director, National Football League Referee, volunteer for Sussex police department and best selling author. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Why “deliberately selfish” is actually the most generous move - How Chris rebuilt his identity without losing himself to dad mode - The real cost of not having a “shield of purpose” - What most dads get wrong about bonding - A tiny action that can ripple through your entire network Get your free Deliberate Dad Report and Action plan: https://shorturl.at/I2EXb (https://shorturl.at/I2EXb) Get Chris’s new book ‘Behind the I'm Fine: The truth about modern day masculinity’ https://shorturl.at/4w8Qh (https://shorturl.at/4w8Qh) And find out more about him here: https://chris-britton.com/ (https://chris-britton.com/) Subscribe for new episodes every week!

11. 

    17 Jul 2025

    #5: Why Being Deliberately Selfish Makes You a Better Dad

    You don’t need another productivity hack. You need permission to choose yourself. In this episode, I break down the uncomfortable truth: being deliberately selfish is the most generous thing you can do as a dad, founder, and man. Here’s what that actually looks like. What you'll learn: Why most "selflessness" is just fear in disguise The real cost of being always available How to rebuild energy, presence, and power without guilt A simple reframe to protect your time and identity Use the CHARGER framework to apply this in real life Join The Deliberate Dad Diaries → https://deliberatedad.kit.com/0aee93b4fe Charger Framework Worksheet: https://deliberatedad.kit.com/b227f98c42 Subscribe for more straight-up tools for high-agency fatherhood. #DadLife #FounderLife #TimeOwnership #DeliberateDad

12. 

    4 Jul 2025

    #4: The Cost of Inaction

    You’re not lazy. You’re not unmotivated. You’re just stuck in survival mode defaulting to comfort and delaying the hard things until “later.", until things 'calm down'. But as you know, it's not going to be easier later In this episode, I break down the real cost of doing nothing, how waiting quietly erodes your progress, your energy, and your potential. You’ll learn: Why your mind resists adding anything “new” The concept of time spent vs time invested What “double bottom line” time really looks like The invisible toll of kicking things down the road I’ll also share the story of my garden (and what two years of delay cost me) + a practical way to identify what you’ve been putting off and how to finally take action. Free tool: The Default Detox Blueprint Takes 30 minutes. Saves you hours. → https://deliberatedad.kit.com/b682e4d1a6 💬 Want my help fixing it? Book your Time Investment Blueprint Call → https://calendly.com/stevecardwell/primetime?month=2025-07 If this hits home, please share and subscribe it helps more dads like you start living deliberately.

13. 

    25 Jun 2025

    #3: Default vs Deliberate: The Wake-Up Call That Changed My Life

    I didn’t realise I was living by default until my 32nd birthday, when I found myself sobbing into a scotch egg. No, seriously. In this episode, I tell the full story: the years of drifting, the businesses I started without intention, the toll it took on my health, my marriage, and eventually my sense of self. And then, the moment it all shifted. This is for anyone who's ever felt stuck in a life they didn’t quite choose. It’s not about perfection. It’s about waking up, taking ownership, and starting to live deliberately on your terms. –– 👣 Explore free tools and next steps here (deliberate.dad) 💬 Message me on Instagram: @deliberate.dad_ 🧠 Subscribe for weekly deep dives into clarity, consistency, and mental resilience.

14. 

    25 Jun 2025

    Welcome to the Deliberate Dad

    Not another parenting podcast, this one’s about you Dads! Welcome to the Deliberate Dad: a podcast for ambitious dads who want to lead at home, in business, and in themselves without sacrificing what matters most. I’m Steve: dad of two, and I've coached dozens of Dads to live a more Deliberate life. Each week, you’ll get practical tools, systems, mindsets and conversations to help you reclaim time, reduce overwhelm, and build a life that’s actually aligned with the man and Dad you want to be. No fluff, no celebrity parents with a dozen nannies. Just honest conversations and frameworks that work in the real world. Subscribe now and let’s build your deliberate life. FOR TOOLS, TIPS AND FRAMEWORKS CLICK HERE (https://deliberate.dad/)

15. 

    24 Jun 2025

    #2: Declan Holmes | Overwhelmed Dad to Deliberate Leader

    In this episode, I sit down with Declan in real life to share his incredible journey of personal and professional growth over the past two years! From a chance meeting on a BA flight to launching a successful collaboration, Declan opens up about the pivotal changes and milestones that transformed his life. He discusses managing businesses in the hospitality and events sector, navigating the challenges of fatherhood, and health and relationships. Through deliberate choices, structured planning, and high agency, Declan has increased his revenue by 400%, improved his health dramatically, and is nailing the alignment  of work and family life. Tune in for insights on how mindset shifts, open communication, and lots of deliberate action can lead to serious growth and fulfilment. 👣 Explore free tools and next steps ⁠here⁠ (deliberate.dad)💬 Message me on Instagram: @deliberate.dad_ 🧠 Subscribe for weekly deep dives into clarity, consistency, and mental resilience.

16. 

    24 Jun 2025

    #1: The Real Reason You Feel Like You’re Never Doing Enough. And What To Do.

    Ever catch yourself thinking, “Am I even doing enough?” If you’re a dad running a business or just trying to keep all the balls in the air, you’re definitely not alone. In this one, I’m breaking down why you’ve got to figure out what enough actually means for you—across work, family, health, and relationships so you stop feeling like you’re constantly falling behind. I’ll share my Standard Setter Tool FKA as the Clarity Cap which is basically a way to get clear on how much time and effort you really need to put into what matters, without the usual overwhelm and guilt. If you’re done with the endless hustle and ready to take control and live with some real intention, give this a watch. Links:👉 Grab the Standard Setter Tool here: https://deliberatedad.kit.com/standards (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbUNmX1IxNG56bmNuMV9SMkpQX2hHcDAtN0p0d3xBQ3Jtc0trN084R2VjeHJTajhqSU5ZX0NFX0ZaSkFFNHp2amNmZ3ZtT0lmalhteGNFWUNTa3JjYjM1TWUwU2ZOMzFPUXducGloNElVNHFpZU4wRTYtZkN2NDJROV9mVHllVW02RDhuR2NYOVc4dVN3bk5ZTUhxNA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fdeliberatedad.kit.com%2Fstandards&v=-7XWnJotfLM) 👉 Follow me on Instagram for daily dad hacks and mindset tips:   / deliberatedad_   (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbWtocDJyd0ZXOEZlRUZQMHVxXzNnRkpsUGprQXxBQ3Jtc0tsZnI1b08yWXVhUzk3WFRFTENOaERCcktkZlNEMkttcmphMWZaYnhrWXgwT3BMRlVSSXhvX2tfcUxreHZMb3JHWXFpUkVmc1ZWNThES3pfUnNZc0xCdzRZcHp0clZvQ0Q2LWw0YmVST2JzQ2xCZFRFSQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fdeliberatedad_%2F&v=-7XWnJotfLM) 👉 Join the crew of dads building a life that actually works: https://calendly.com/stevecardwell/pr... (https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa0dZN0lTY25Pa0c0YzRJUVNQR1JsamI5X2lNZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuSzVYQ3N6WVlENURCSDZZeDRPbzFpSEJJM3dfNlFGel93UVlYQ3ZrOUJyNEsyZE9hZGVzUFluU1FZSWFDZ3l3SHFXYUdkQUk4dEVxVlZFUDd5QzFxVW50elJ5SnhTSjVrVUc0UXNKWHUzeXVZUUtmUQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fcalendly.com%2Fstevecardwell%2Fprimetime%3Fmonth%3D2025-06&v=-7XWnJotfLM) 00:00 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7XWnJotfLM) Introduction: The Struggle of Doing Enough 00:11 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7XWnJotfLM&t=11s) Balancing Fatherhood and High-Pressure Careers 01:46 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7XWnJotfLM&t=106s) Defining Personal Standards and Expectations 03:01 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7XWnJotfLM&t=181s) The Four Buckets of Life 03:37 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7XWnJotfLM&t=217s) Adapting to Life's Seasons 04:33 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7XWnJotfLM&t=273s) Setting Realistic Goals and Expectations 05:01 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7XWnJotfLM&t=301s) The Clarity Cap: A Tool for Balance 08:15 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7XWnJotfLM&t=495s) Living Deliberately and Defining 'Enough' 09:04 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7XWnJotfLM&t=544s) Conclusion and Next Steps

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Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.