Girl Dad: The Podcast

About Girl Dad: The Podcast

Girl Dad: The Podcast with Madeline Anderson is dedicated to helping dads build stronger, more meaningful relationships with their daughters. Madeline interviews both dads and daughters and shares heartwarming stories, actionable parenting tips, and insightful conversations to guide dads in raising confident, resilient, and happy young women. Whether you're a new dad striving to build a great relationship with your daughter, a dad who needs advice on parenting teenage girls, or a seasoned dad simply looking to improve your relationship with your daughter, this podcast is for you.

Publisher

Madeline Anderson

Category

kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

4 Jun 2025

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

68 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Oct 2026

   Deep Dive on Shotgun Sunday: A Simple Way to Make Memories with Your Daughter

   What if one simple jar could change how your family spends time together? In this solo episode, Madeline Anderson shares the story behind Shotgun Sunday, the family tradition built around an activity jar, a little mystery, and a lot of quality time. She walks through exactly how it works, the categories that keep it fresh, and why trying new things together is one of the fastest ways to bond with your daughter. Madeline also tells the personal story of how Shotgun Sunday led to her own marriage proposal, and challenges every girl dad to start a version of this tradition at home. In this episode: Where Shotgun Sunday came from and why it works How to build your own family activity jar, step by step Activity ideas across three categories: fun, physical, and wellness Why anticipation is half the fun How new shared experiences strengthen the father-daughter bond Modeling resilience by doing hard things together The power of a phone-free day How Shotgun Sunday led to a proposal Tips for customizing the jar for your family Sound bites: "Anticipation is half the fun of family activities." "Doing hard things builds resilience and confidence." "Shotgun Sunday led to my engagement and marriage." Chapters: (00:00) What Is Shotgun Sunday? (01:11) The Origin Story (02:02) Building the Activity Jar (03:42) Fun Activities and Favorite Memories (08:07) Physical Challenges and Wellness Activities (10:23) No-Technology Days (11:46) Why New Experiences Build Stronger Bonds (14:19) Doing Hard Things Together (15:02) Creating a Phone-Free Family Day (16:36) How Shotgun Sunday Led to a Proposal (20:24) Your Challenge: Start Your Own Tradition 🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson: Website: www.girldadnetwork.com (http://www.girldadnetwork.com) Instagram: @girldadnetwork YouTube: @girldadnetwork Get a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ (https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ) #girldad

2. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Losing His Daughter, Turning Grief into Fuel, & Choosing Presence Over Work - Ft. Trap Gambino

   What would you do with one more day? Trap Gambino knows that question better than most. After losing his daughter to illness, he's turned his grief into a mission: helping fathers slow down, show up, and love their daughters out loud while they still can. In this deeply moving conversation, Trap opens up about the regrets that come with loss, why men need permission to take the mask off and actually feel, and how pain became the fuel behind his purpose. He also shares practical tools every girl dad can use now, from creating family codes and shared values to handling conflict, validating your daughter's emotions, and choosing quality time over the endless pull of work. Whether you're navigating your own loss or simply want to be more present, this episode is a powerful reminder that the time is now. In this episode, we discuss: Trap's story of losing his daughter and wife to illness Why emotional expression and vulnerability matter for fathers Balancing work and family to protect quality time How the words we say shape our daughters Creating family codes and shared values for stronger bonds Handling conflict and building family unity Processing grief and trauma in a healthy way How societal pressure keeps men from expressing emotion The power of in-person community and connection Practical ways to support kids through difficult emotions Key Moments: 💬 "You wish you could go back and spend more time with her." 💬 "It's okay to wear a mask and also to take it off and feel." 💬 "Pain is one of the biggest motivators and fuels that I use." Chapters: 00:00 - Meet Trap Gambino: A Story of Loss and Love 01:02 - Why Family Must Come Before Work 07:18 - Loss and Wishing for More Time 18:01 - The Power of In-Person Connection and Community 19:16 - Acknowledging Your Daughter and Building Emotional Bonds 23:48 - How Your Words and Emotions Shape Your Daughter 32:41 - Handling Conflict and Creating Family Unity 36:29 - Navigating Grief and Building Emotional Resilience 40:50 - Why Dads Need to Feel and Express Emotions 45:26 - Turning Pain into Fuel for Growth and Purpose 48:26 - Connect with Trap Gambino and Final Thoughts 🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson: Website: www.girldadnetwork.com (http://www.girldadnetwork.com) Instagram: @girldadnetwork YouTube: @girldadnetwork Get a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ (https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ)

3. 

   24 Sept 2026

   The Power of Words, Raising Confident Daughters, & Mindful Screen Time - Ft. J.R. Kenna

   What you say to your daughter becomes the voice she hears in her own head. In this episode of Girl Dad: The Podcast, J.R. Kenna, a Pittsburgh dad, softball coach, and work-from-home father, shares how intentional words, goal setting, and everyday habits shape confident, resilient daughters. J.R. talks about coaching his daughter's softball team, having healthy conversations about body image and strength, keeping treats in moderation, managing screen time, and protecting date nights and family traditions, all while balancing a career from home. If you want practical, real-world tools for raising a confident girl, this conversation is full of them. In this episode, we cover: - How your words and thoughts shape your daughter's reality - Why writing goals down works, and the science behind positive thinking - Using youth sports to teach confidence, resilience, and fun - Talking to daughters about body image, strength, and healthy habits - Handling food, treats, and moderation with kids - Why date nights and intentional family time matter - Managing technology and screen time at home - Balancing work from home with family life - J.R.'s #1 piece of advice for girl dads 💬 Key Moments: "Your thoughts become your reality." "The key word is yet. Emphasizing that future outcome." "It's that act of optimism versus delusional optimism." ⏱️ Chapters: 00:00 Meet J.R. Kenna 01:13 Family and work life in Pittsburgh 02:47 Why writing things down and goal setting matter 05:28 The power of words and thoughts in shaping reality 08:48 The science behind manifestation and positive thinking 11:13 Coaching his daughter's softball team 15:00 Fun, confidence, and resilience in sports 19:15 Body image, strength, and healthy habits 21:28 Creating lifelong memories through shared activities 24:59 Food, treats, and moderation with kids 29:59 Date nights and intentional family time 34:58 Managing technology and screen time 40:00 How words and actions shape children's development 45:00 Balancing work from home and family life 47:06 Final advice for girl dads: be authentic and have fun 🔗 Connect with Madeline Anderson: Website: www.girldadnetwork.com Instagram: @girldadnetwork YouTube: @girldadnetwork Get a Copy of Girl Dad: https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Dad-Stories-Lessons-Daughters/dp/B0BNTXPRWQ

Who has been a guest on Girl Dad: The Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Kevin Davis
• Chris Collard
• Amber Caudle
• Cassidy Meyer
• Jen Elledge

Reach and audience

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

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

20 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

14 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 47 / 100

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

Quality

73

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

51

Contact Girl Dad: The Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

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

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