Driven Dads Podcast

About Driven Dads Podcast

Short, direct reads of the Driven Dads Sunday letter, built to help you lead from the mirror out. One voice, one idea, and one challenge to help you move. willschmidt.substack.com (https://willschmidt.substack.com/s/driven-dads-podcast?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Short episodes. Strong punches. Built for dads who want to move, not just think.

Category

health & fitness · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

22 Feb 2025

Latest episode

7 Sept 2025

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   7 Sept 2025

   A Slow Death

   Will Schmidt explores how modern life kills hobbies, urging listeners to reclaim joy through imperfect engagement.

2. 

   25 May 2025

   The One Question Every Dad Needs to Ask This Week

   Will Schmidt encourages fathers to actively shape their lives and set a purposeful example for their children by choosing their own adventures instead of passively drifting through life.

3. 

   18 May 2025

   Why Most Dads Get This Totally Wrong

   Earlier this week, my wife texted me this: “A caring man is better than a handsome man, but I lucked out and got both.” I know, I melted too. That’s her in a nutshell: kind, expressive, and effortlessly affirming. While messages like that are common from her, they’re not exactly the standard in most relationships. Between spouses, parents and kids, and bosses and employees, we’ve all gotten entirely too good at spotting what’s missing, but not so great at naming what’s working. Back when I was a principal, we aimed for a 4:1 ratio of positive to corrective interactions with students. Why? Because it worked. We knew heavily weighting praise over correction boosted student confidence and self-esteem, made students feel valued and appreciated, increased the likelihood of students making choices that would benefit themselves and others, and strengthened bonds between students and adults. Now go back and reread that paragraph, replacing ‘student’ with ‘spouse’. You see that the strategy doesn’t stop at the classroom door. At home, maybe even especially for us as dads, it’s easy to fall into correction mode. Messy rooms. Missed chores. Forgotten curfews. It feels like “doing our job.” But if the only feedback our kids hear is where they’re falling short, we’re not building them up. We’re wearing them down. That goes for spouses too. I saw a video recently that illustrated this perfectly. In one version, a man walks in the door and his wife barely looks up. In the second version, she lights up, smiles, walks over and wraps him a hug. The difference? Night and day. A simple shift, but it completely changes the dynamics. Same couple. Completely different tone for the night. It made me push on this idea even further: We’re carrying too much. Jobs, bills, pressures from multiple directions. It’s easy to see why one defaults to ‘easy’ and begins to go through the motions. But what if we didn’t? What if we looked up more? What if we just noticed more of what’s going right? Five ways to practice: Notice the Small Wins: The backpack hung up without a reminder? The sibling disagreement your kids handled with active listening and kind words? The moment your wife paused her work (again) to take care of something else? Name it. It matters. Run the Numbers: If you find yourself constantly correcting, it’s time for a gut check. Are you anywhere close to 4:1, or are you just pointing out the gaps? Awareness is the first step to a comeback. Be Specific: “Good job” is like the a like button. It doesn’t cost anything and it’s easy. Try, “I appreciate how you listened calmly to your brother earlier. That’s leadership.” That lands. While we’re on the topic, I will accept generic praise from you with a ‘like’ on this post. For bonus points, share it with a buddy. Lighten Up: Not every moment needs to be a lesson. (Guilty!) Sometimes a dumb joke (who are we kidding… they’re all gold), a shared meme, or a simple “remember when” builds more connection than a 10-minute lecture ever will. Lead with Warmth: When your loved ones walk through the door, look up. Smile. Show them they matter more than your inbox. It doesn’t take long. And it lasts. When we start naming the good, we don’t just build others up… we change the culture of our homes, our teams, our lives. My challenge to you is to build upon the wonderful connections you already have. Recognize those you love by naming all the beautiful things you see them doing. Watch what happens when they feel seen. As you begin your climb to a 4:1 ratio, remember: Your words shape your home. Choose the ones that build it. Cheers, Will This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com (https://willschmidt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

4. 

   11 May 2025

   Don’t Let the Old Man In

   My kids got me a picker-upper. You know, one of those long claw things that helps you snag socks or twigs without bending over. It’s a lot of power for one man and is a fine gift for someone whose best days are supposedly behind them. When I pulled it out of the gift bag, they burst out laughing. It was a coordinated strike, one they’d been planning for weeks. My youngest even threw in something about it coming in handy whenever I start groaning every time I stand up. Or wake up. Something like that. Message received. It’s easy to look at your old man, the guy who used to crush you in backyard basketball and start thinking of him as a step slower, a little softer, a guy who’s maybe a couple of years away from a fanny pack and orthopedic sneakers. Fact is though, I’m not just keeping up. I’m still pushing them. Still in the game. Because I refuse to let the old man in. Somewhere along the way, my kids picked up a limiting belief: that getting older means automatically slowing down. That Dad is supposed to be the guy who groans when he stands up, avoids the pickup game, and talks about the good old days like his best work is in the rearview. And if I’m honest, I’ve had to fight that same thought myself. It can creep in. However, if I let that belief take root, it doesn’t just slow me down. It sets the tone for my family. Our kids absorb our outlook on life. They pick up on the way we talk about our bodies, our work, our time, and our goals. If we start acting like the best years are behind us, they’ll start believing that too. A few years ago, I ran into an old buddy at the gym. He was a beast, the kind of dude who could rep a small car and still win a 10K. But that day, he was just going through the motions. The kind of thing you do when you’re trying to convince yourself that you’re still technically exercising. I walked over and asked if he wanted to jump in on a set. He shook his head and said something about being too old. I get it. Bodies change. Joints get cranky. But he was still young. He had just decided, without much evidence, that his best days were behind him. Those limiting beliefs are slow-acting poison. They sound like: * “I’m too old to get back in shape.” * “I’m too busy to try something new.” * “It’s too late to change careers.” * “I don’t have time for myself anymore.” And just like that, we’re walking around with a picker-upper mentality, reaching for shortcuts, leaning on excuses, and setting a low bar for our kids to follow. I’ve seen it firsthand. Since I started this newsletter, since I doubled down on setting the bar high and living with intention, I’ve noticed my kids stepping up, too. My 18-year-old? He’s out there making moves, saving up for a Vespa (https://willschmidt.substack.com/p/you-cant-steer-a-parked-vespa?r=58n6n7), showing me that he’s willing to work for what he wants. My 16-year-old? She’s choosing intention over distraction, finding small ways to create and focus. And just a few days ago, my youngest brought me a piece of his own writing from school, unprompted, something he took pride in. Slight deviation on our flight plan… I promised him I’d share his work so we would be a published author. Here are the first two lines of his fictional story: “I am bigger, stronger, and more powerful than anyone can imagine. I lurk in the darkness and it’s time to tell the world who I am.” Note: Yeah, I’m that author’s biggest fan. My kid’s approach of moving without hesitation, making things happen, and creating instead of just consuming is a direct reflection of what they’ve seen me finally doing. They’ve watched me push this newsletter out into the world, take imperfect action, and commit to something bigger. Dads, it’s a reminder that the stakes are high. That our kids don’t just hear our words. They see our actions. So if you ever find yourself tempted to slow down, to back off, to settle for comfort, remember that your kids are taking their cues from you. Are they going to let the old man in? Or are they going to raise the bar? Cheers, Will Not yet subscribed? That’s like skipping leg day, again. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com (https://willschmidt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

5. 

   4 May 2025

   You Can’t Steer a Parked Vespa

   A few months ago, my son decided he wanted a Vespa. Cool, right? Maybe a little too cool for Omaha, Nebraska, but hey, let the dude dream. What sticks with me wasn’t that he wanted one. It was how he went after it. He didn’t waste time overthinking it. No endless Safari tabs. No Pinterest board titled “Scooter Life Vibes.” He just made a plan and got to work. He priced them out. Looked up what was available (spoiler: slim pickings locally). Then he found ways to earn the extra money, and before long, he was riding like he owned the road. Simple. Direct. No drama. And it worked. Meanwhile, I was over here with one clear goal: to start a newsletter. Instead of writing, I started building “perfect plans.” I compared platforms. Substack? Kit? Something cooler I hadn’t heard of yet? I designed a landing page. Then redesigned it. Then quietly scrapped the whole thing. I brainstormed 33 different names for my newsletter, as if the right title would magically unlock my courage. All that tinkering gave me a decent name (you’re reading it, thanks), an unfinished WordPress site, and a lingering sense that I was stalling. Eventually, I had to be honest with myself. I wasn’t building. I was hiding. So I finally did what my son did. I picked something and hit the gas. Nineteen Sundays later, here we are. That Vespa moment reminded me somehing I’ve had to relearn over and over:Planning feels productive, but without action, it’s just a polished form of procrastination. Planning is safe. Planning gets applause. Nobody critiques the plan that never gets tested. But deep down, we all know the truth: You don’t need more readiness. You need more movement. That “just one more thing” mentality feels responsible, but it’s often just fear in disguise. We tell ourselves we’re being strategic. But we’re really just avoiding the moment we step out and risk being seen. You can’t steer a parked Vespa. And perfect plans don’t change lives. Starting does. And your kids? They’re watching. Not just what you say about goals and effort, but how you handle the hard stuff. The inevitable uncertainty. The setbacks. The temptation to pause instead of push. They’ll remember your motion more than your methods. Dads, when you come alive, it gives your loved ones the permission and passion to do the same. That’s the legacy. Not the file full of ideas you never acted on. So start. Not when your inbox is clear. Not when you finally “feel ready.” Not when the air smells like productivity. Start now. Because when you do, you shift the atmosphere around you. That’s leadership. And that’s why starting this week, Wednesdays become Whiteboarding with Will. It’s where I break down each weekly idea in a way that sticks, probably with a dad joke and definitely with a whiteboard. You’ll also get a resource each week through what I’m calling The 1424 Project… tools that take less than 15 minutes to complete. (14 minutes and 24 seconds to be exact, which is only 1% of your day.) This week’s tool is called The 14:24 Launch Pad. It will help you stop stalling and start building. * A few minutes to dream a little bigger * A few minutes to map your smallest next step * And finish with taking a few seconds to actually lock it into your calendar Simple. Fast. Built for dads who just need a little nudge. See you Wednesday. Until then, look in the mirror. Lead that guy well. Cheers, Will This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com (https://willschmidt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

6. 

   27 Apr 2025

   Things Don’t Just Break. They Drift.

   Last weekend I took my boys to my mom’s farm. We fixed fences, cruised around on the four-wheeler, got muddy enough to have to order more stain remover, and invented a few new games. On the way home, we stopped at what we now call the world’s only farm-to-table McDonald’s. Still don’t know why the Big Mac tastes better out there. But what stuck with me most? A fence post. It was the one by the bridge, right where we switch from wood to steel in the creek bed. Last year, it had a little lean. This year, it was rotting at the base. Just hanging there like it quietly gave up. That fence post? It’s marriage. It’s parenting. It’s leadership. What you ignore doesn’t stay the same. It quietly breaks down. That teammate who’s off lately? That thing in your marriage you’re brushing past? That habit you’re explaining away? It’s all the same pattern. You can either speak up when it’s awkward, or deal with the fallout when it’s urgent. Every leader, partner, and parent has leaning fence posts in their life. Stuff that’s “probably fine.” But the farm boy in me knows that ‘probably fine’ is often pre-decay. In the Mirror Before you lead anybody else, you’ve got to lead the man in the mirror. That’s the hardest one. Because you can fake it at work and play the part at home, but you know when you’ve been cutting corners. You know when you’re phoning it in. That guy in the mirror? He sees the drift before anyone else. He knows when the words don’t match the effort. Leadership isn’t just for meetings and team huddles. It’s in the small, sometimes stupid choices when no one’s watching. It’s when you shut the garage door and sit there for a second longer, asking, “Is this really the kind of man I want to be?” Marriage My wife has so many superpowers. One of them is how she names things before they break. Even when she’s tired. Especially when she’s tired. I’ve seen her pause mid-laundry fold, look at me sideways, and say, “We need to talk about that thing.” And I never want to. But I’m always glad we did. Because marriages don’t all of a sudden blow up. They dissolve. Quietly. Until one day, you realize you’re just roommates with matching calendars. Kids Not long ago, one of my kids started going quiet. Kind of like the volume got turned down just a bit. It would’ve been easy to chalk it up to life. Tired. Adolescent. Puberty. Sports. But that’s how you miss it. That’s how drift becomes distance. So we talked in the car. Shoulder to shoulder with a windshield to stare through. Eventually it came out. They weren’t waiting for a lecture. They were waiting for me to notice. See, our children don’t always raise their hand when they’re hurting. Sometimes they just hope you’re paying attention. Work Disengagement doesn’t show up with a red flag. It shows up with a fake smile and the seemingly obligatory “I’m good.” It’s the teammate who used to toss out ideas… now just nods. The one who used to push back… now just clocks in. And because they’re not causing problems, we assume they’re fine. But fine is often the first stage of gone. I’ve seen teams lose their heartbeat not through conflict, but through quiet. Leadership means noticing the silence, and having the courage to ask, “You still in this with us?” before it’s too late. Fix it Before it Breaks Fence posts don’t fix themselves. And silence is not a leadership strategy. It’s passive neglect. If it’s leaning, name it. If the wire is drooping, tighten it. If something feels off, walk the line. Not out of fear, but instead, out of care. Because real leadership isn’t reacting to what breaks. It’s noticing what’s drifting. A Question Worth Asking Where am I pretending it’s fine, just because I don’t want to deal with it? Write it down. Answer it in the quiet. Then go fix the post. Cheers, Will This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com (https://willschmidt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

7. 

   20 Apr 2025

   The Day the Dog Wouldn’t Move

   We got a new dog. Bonus points if you reread the first sentence to the classic by Huey Lewis & The News. Margot is thirteen weeks old. 50% adorable. 50% chaos. 100% already in charge. She’s just starting to grasp the concept of a leash. Which, for her at the beginning, meant planting all four paws into the earth in an act of defiance. No tugs or treats could convince her to budge. But the stairs? The stairs were her Everest. Going up? No problem. Coming down? Cue the crisis. She planted herself (anyone else sensing a pattern?) like she was at the edge of a cliff only she could see. Front paw hovers… she trembles… and retreats. And in those tiny moments of fear, I saw something familiar. The Parenting Parallel I’ve seen that look before. Just not on something with fur and one of my socks in her mouth. I’ve seen it in my kids: * My youngest before his first swim lesson. * My middle as she stood outside a friend’s door, not sure if she should knock. * My oldest staring at the soccer field from the sidelines, unsure if he belonged. That flicker of hesitation. That silent question: Can I really do this? Truth be told, I’ve rushed those moments. Pulled too hard on the metaphorical leash. Filled the silence with too many words. Tried to fix the fear before they were ready. But Margo reminded me: Patience is leadership. Patience is parenting. The kind that says: I see you. I believe in you. I’m right here. The kind that lets someone catch their breath and take the next step when they’re ready, not when we are. Every Step Counts (Even the Wobbly Ones) Eventually, Margot found her courage. One step. Then another. Then she collapsed like, that’s enough heroism for one day. Through this experience, I’ve been reminded that progress isn’t linear and confidence doesn’t arrive fully installed. Rather, we make progress and build confidence through tiny, shaky updates to our internal operating systems. Whether it’s leash training or life lessons, we lead best when we honor the pace of growth instead of our fantasy of it. Challenge of the Week: Use the Driven Dads F.A.S.T. Framework When your kid freezes at the top of the stairs, on the field, or before texting that friend back, remember: F.A.S.T.Focus: Help them lock in on the next small move.And Start: Encourage one tiny action. That’s it.Tweak: Celebrate the heck out of their progress and help them tweak their approach. We can’t be the sole builders of confidence for our children. Instead, our best path is to create the space where they can build it themselves. Because sometimes, our quiet presence is the staircase rail they didn’t know they needed. Cheers, Will P.S. Yes, I carried Margot down the last three steps. No shame. Thanks for reading Driven Dads! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com (https://willschmidt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

8. 

   13 Apr 2025

   The Night the Wi-Fi Died

   Thursday night. That weird night of the week where everyone’s drained but still pretending to be productive. Dinner was done. Dishes were semi-handled. And like satellites breaking into separate orbit, we all drifted to our screens. * I was texting with one eye and watching the game with the other. * My boys were in another battle on Xbox. * My daughter was in the middle of recording a TikTok, keeping up-to-date on the latest trends. * My wife was locked into some true crime docuseries that probably involved a husband with a secret basement. The house was quiet. Not peaceful quiet, more like “we’re all here but miles apart on different screens” quiet. And then it happened.A blink. A pause. An interruption.The Wi-Fi died. Cue the Chaos “DAD! It kicked me out!”“Is the internet down??”“I was about to find out why he killed her!!” In mere seconds, my living room became a tech support line and a mildly hostile therapy office. A Moment of Pause I approached the router like a priest at the altar, whispering silent prayers to the bandwidth gods. And then, just like the trusty signal, I paused. Not because I fixed it (I didn’t), but because something shifted. My youngest wandered into the kitchen and started drawing. My teenage daughter flopped onto the couch and, brace yourself, started talking. To me. My wife lit a candle and opened a book. And I… I exhaled. The silence wasn’t empty. It was full.Full of crayons, candlelight, and the sound of our own voices. For the first time in a while, the house was still enough for me to hear my own thoughts and they weren’t crazy. Not fully, anyway. It felt like someone had unplugged the noise inside me too. The Things We Miss I started wondering what we miss when the hum of screens fills every space. Not just the big things: milestones, long talks, surprise laughter… but the small stuff. * The sideways glance that turns into a grin. * The story your kid tells that starts nowhere and ends with “and then we saw a lizard. * The shared silence that says, I’m good just sitting here with you. It’s not that screens are evil. They’re just easy.And when life’s busy, “easy” becomes the default. An Accidental Gift We didn’t plan it. We didn’t schedule a “tech-free night.” But we’d stumbled into one. And honestly? It was extraordinary. Hours later, while the Wi-Fi rebooted and the world resumed its usual buzz, I kept thinking about what happened. The Pause PrincipleThere’s a leadership idea called The Pause Principle. It’s simple: In a world addicted to speed, sometimes the smartest thing you can do is pause. Pause long enough to notice. To hear. To choose something other than the default. That night, we didn’t power through. We paused. And in that pause, something rare happened: we connected even more. Not through effort, but through absence. Try It You don’t have to wait for your internet to fail. Pick a night. Flip the script. Power everything down. Light a candle. Burn the popcorn. Let someone cheat at Monopoly and pretend not to notice. Sit in the quiet and see what shows up when the noise disappears. It might just be the sound of connection coming back online. Cheers, Will PS: If you liked this letter, you may like Dad Mode In Hard Mode (https://willschmidt.substack.com/p/dad-mode-in-hard-mode?r=58n6n7) and Team DJ. (https://willschmidt.substack.com/p/team-dj?r=58n6n7) Thanks for reading Driven Dads! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com (https://willschmidt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

9. 

   6 Apr 2025

   When Motivation Ghosts You

   You’ve heard this story before: “I didn’t feel like working out… but I did it anyway.” This isn’t that story. This is the one where I wake up sore, the dog’s stealing the covers, and my entire body feels like a broken folding chair. I didn’t want to work out.Again. But I did.Again. Not because of motivation.Not because of some pump-up reel.And definitely not because I whispered affirmations into the mirror. I did it because it was 6:00am.And 6:00am means go. Motivation ghosts you. Discipline doesn’t. The Lie We Believe:“If I just felt more motivated, I’d be more consistent.” Nope. Motivation is basically a flaky friend who says “we should hang out soon” and then ghosts you for three months.Motivation is vibes.Discipline is logistics. And logistics work. Enter: The B.O.R.E. FrameworkDiscipline is a boring superpower. Here’s how to actually build it. BaselinePick a consistent time and place. Nothing magical. Just reliable.Mine is 6:00am, basement, hoodie optional.Don’t overthink it. Just make it repeatable. Obstacle-proofReduce friction like your sanity depends on it.Clothes out. Playlist queued. Pre-workout not buried behind baby bottles and broken promises.Eliminate decisions. Make it stupid easy to start. Reps, Not ResultsOne workout won’t fix your dad bod or your soul.Or your burnout.Or your brain fog.But twenty in a row?Now you’ve got a pattern.And a shot at jeans that fit. Emotionless ExecutionStop waiting to feel like it.Show up anyway.Discipline is doing the thing when you feel nothing.It’s mechanical. Robotic. Boring. Beautiful. Parenting Parallel (Because Of Course)Same thing with fatherhood.You don’t feel like playing catch every day.Or mediating sibling warfare.Or packing another lunch. But you do it.Because you said you would.Because they matter.Because it’s 6:00am, and how you lead starts with how you show up. Challenge of the Week: B.O.R.E. Yourself Into ProgressPick one area in your life: fitness, parenting, marriage, mindset… and run it through the B.O.R.E. lens: • What’s your Baseline?• What Obstacles can you remove?• How will you track Reps, not just outcomes?• Can you commit to Emotionless Execution for a week? If your toddler can eat the same exact lunch for 3 years straight, you can do push-ups without needing a vision board. You don’t need a hype video.You need a time slot and shoes you don’t hate. No Applause NeededTurns out, boring is brave.Ordinary is underrated.And doing the thing is its own kind of uncommon power. No one’s clapping, but they don’t need to be.Everything you need is right there at home… and your kids are watching. Wishing you the best. Keep stacking those wins. Cheers,Will P.S.The dog is still under the blanket. She didn’t get her workout in.And, if frameworks like B.O.R.E. help, you’ll love what’s in store for next week. It might just help you survive both leg day and bedtime meltdowns. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com (https://willschmidt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

10. 

    30 Mar 2025

    Team DJ

    Season Starts. Lessons Begin. Baseball season just started. For the next 4+ months, I’ll be spending most evenings and weekends at the ballpark with my youngest son. It’s one of those few places where time feels slower in the best possible way. The sunflower seeds are already stocked, the dust is back on our shoes, and the parents are exchanging that familiar look, the one that says, “Here we go again.” This week, I want to share what the experience is teaching me about fatherhood, focus, and how we show up for the people we love. Whether you’re in the thick of sports season or just trying to juggle life’s curveballs, there’s something here for all of us. The DJ Booth (a.k.a. the bleachers) Last year, I became the Team DJ. No official title. No salary. Just vibes, baby. It started with a Bluetooth speaker, some choppy walk-up songs, and a halfway-decent playlist. Now? We’ve got a go-to ‘dinger’ song that blasts every time a kid goes yard. The playlist is a living, breathing thing, shaped by requests from the players, their parents, and our coaches. Every game is a ride. One inning might call for Bone Thugs-N-Harmony or The White Stripes. When the energy dips, Earth, Wind & Fire may be just what the doctor ordered. Fitz and The Tantrums. Prince. Queen. Lupe Fiasco. Tom Petty. Billy Ocean. Blues Traveler. The Pointer Sisters. New Radicals. Simple Minds. Outkast and Oasis (for a good dude and a good coach) are always ready to go. I told you it was a ride. There’s a victory anthem for the big wins. And that same song plays after tough losses too, because the lessons go way beyond baseball. I’ve seen shy kids light up when a good song hits. I’ve watched tired parents suddenly lean in. The dugout shifts. Smiles spread. And just like that, a ballgame becomes a memory. It’s fun. It’s meaningful. And it all started with one simple question: What could I do to add a little joy? Here’s what I didn’t expect: This whole playlist thing has become a quiet way to say,“I see you. You matter. You belong.” For the kids, a familiar song can feel like home base. For the parents, it's a reminder that we’re not just managing logistics. We’re building culture, and memories. These aren’t just walk-up songs. They’re a chance to give someone the spotlight. Even if it’s just for a few seconds. Even if no one claps. Even if it’s just a grin exchanged between a dad and his kid. That little moment says, “I’m glad you’re here. Let’s make this fun.” For the parents, it’s a break from the checklist. A cue to loosen the grip. To laugh. To connect. To remember that we don’t just get to watch the season. We get to feel it too. There’s a kind of invisible leadership in being the one who brings the speaker. You’re not the coach. You’re not calling the pitches. But you are shaping the experience. And whether you’re at the ballpark or at the dinner table, that role matters more than we think. What’s Playing in the Background of Your Home? Dads, we’re all DJs for our family’s daily life. We might not have speakers or playlists, but we set the tone. Our presence, our attitude, our energy… it’s playing in the background of every moment. Long practice? Late dinner? Another chaotic carpool run? You can treat it like a grind, or you can turn it into a groove. It’s not about faking excitement or forcing fun. It’s about noticing the moment and choosing how you show up in it. Sometimes that means lightening the mood with a joke. Sometimes it’s keeping your cool when things go sideways. And sometimes, it’s just being fully there… even if the song playing is more “Dad, I forgot my glove” than “We are the Champions.” Right Here. Right Now. With You. My challenge to you this week is to pick one ordinary moment… and make it fun. * Blast a throwback playlist in the car. * Make up a ridiculous family chant before dinner. * Let your kid pick the “walk-up” song for unloading the dishwasher. Doesn’t matter what it is. What matters is that you are intentional and chose to shape the vibe. Bottom line: your family’s not waiting for a perfect vacation or a major milestone. They’re living in this moment. With you. And every ordinary moment is a chance to make a memory. So yeah, I’ll be at the ballpark. Seeds, speaker and Spotify. And I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Cheers, Will P.S. If you had walk-up music…what would your song be?Seriously, hit reply. I need to keep building the playlist. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com (https://willschmidt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

11. 

    23 Mar 2025

    Dad Mode On Hard Mode

    You wouldn’t play a video game without grabbing power-ups…so why are so many dads avoiding power ups in real life? In this episode, I unpack how everyday habits like skipping sleep, avoiding hard conversations, and bottling up stress are keeping dads stuck…and what to do instead. You’ll learn the simple Driven Dads F.a.S.T. framework (Focus and Start, Tweak) plus three practical power-ups you can activate today. No reset button needed. Just a willingness to press start. Keep stacking these wins. Keep driving forward. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com (https://willschmidt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

12. 

    16 Mar 2025

    The Three P’s of a Great Vacation

    Ever planned the perfect family vacation only to have it completely fall apart? Flights get delayed, kids melt down, and suddenly, your relaxing getaway turns into an Olympic-level endurance event. Great vacations (just like great lives) aren’t about luck, they’re about how you approach them. In this episode, we’re diving into the three P’s of a great vacation and a great life:Planning – Setting yourself up for successPresence – Being where your feet arePerspective – Choosing how you see the moment Because whether you’re stuck in traffic, dealing with a toddler who refuses to wear shoes, or navigating fatherhood, how you handle it makes all the difference. Tune in for real-life travel stories, dad-life wisdom, and practical takeaways to help you enjoy the ride—both on vacation and at home. Keep stacking wins and stay driven. Cheers, Will This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com (https://willschmidt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

13. 

    9 Mar 2025

    From Car Seats to Car Keys

    In this episode, I reflect on a major milestone: my daughter turning 16. It feels like just yesterday I was buckling her into a car seat, making sure she had her favorite stuffed animal. Now, she’s grabbing her own car keys, with a Starbucks in hand, ready to take on the road ahead. Through the years, I’ve learned some hard-hitting lessons about fatherhood, and today, I’m sharing the five biggest takeaways that have shaped me as a dad. Whether your child is 6 months or 16 years old, these lessons will challenge and encourage you to be more intentional with your time. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: You Think You’re Teaching, But You’re Actually Learning: How kids reshape us as much as we shape them.You Can’t Parent Yesterday’s Child: Why adapting to your child’s growth is the key to staying connected.Presence Beats Perfection: What your kids actually remember (hint: it’s not the “big moments”).Your Words Become Their Inner Voice: How what we say today shapes their confidence tomorrow.Let Them See You Try: The power of apologizing and showing your kids what real leadership looks like. 3 Key Quotes: * "Your parenting has to evolve with them. You can’t hold onto the version of them you miss. You have to love the version of them that’s right in front of you." * "Our kids don’t need perfect dads. They need present dads." * "One day, she won’t have me whispering these words to her. She’ll have to say them to herself. And I want her to have the right ones." Support & Stay Connected: * Subscribe to the Driven Dads Newsletter (https://substack.com/@drivendadsofficial) * Follow me on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/drivendadsofficial/) for daily dad wisdom Keep stacking these wins. Keep driving forward. Cheers, Will This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com (https://willschmidt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

14. 

    2 Mar 2025

    Talking to Teens

    Parenting teens is a long game. Sometimes, it feels like every piece of advice you give goes in one ear and out the other. But trust this: your voice is there, in the background, shaping them in ways you can’t always see. In this episode, we talk about the power of consistency, patience, and being the steady presence in your teen’s life—even when it seems like they aren’t listening. Because one day, maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but one day, those words will come right back to you. Takeaways:✔ Why your words matter—even when it feels like they don’t.✔ How to stay consistent and model the values you want to see in your teen.✔ Encouragement for parents to keep showing up, even when it’s tough. Join the Conversation:Have a win, a challenge, or a wild parenting story? I’d love to hear it! Reach out and let’s connect. And if this episode hit home for you, share it with another dad or parent who needs to hear it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com (https://willschmidt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

15. 

    22 Feb 2025

    No Complaints, No Limits

    Complaining is easy. Leadership is hard. In this episode, we’re breaking down why dads complain, how it impacts our mindset, and the hidden cost most of us don’t realize we’re paying. More importantly, I share practical strategies to help you stop the habit, shift your perspective, and create a more positive home. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit willschmidt.substack.com (https://willschmidt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1)

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

225

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Podcast Authority Score: 20 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

14

Social presence

0

YouTube

66

Engagement

0

Contact Driven Dads Podcast

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

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