Welcome into the Young Dad Podcast — whether you’re outside grilling, mowing the lawn, changing dirty diapers, or maybe you got a moment to sit back and relax — thanks for being here and thanks for tuning in.

Today, I’m joined by Randall Strain — Air Force veteran, father of two, children’s author, and the founder of Neil Marie Publishing. By day he’s a traveling salesman; by night, he’s a storyteller on a mission to help parents stay connected through the power of bedtime stories. His journey from writing goofy tales in hotel rooms to publishing books for families — and his mission to get them into foster homes — is one you won’t want to miss.

Grab your juice box, grab a snack, and let’s jump in.

Randall, thank you so much for joining us today — your story is an incredible reminder of how small acts of connection can make a big difference.

Listeners — you can check out Randall’s work and his mission at: 👉 Instagram: @neilmariepublishing 👉 Facebook: Neil Marie Publishing

Visit the website for interactive activity guides and everything YDP- ⁠⁠www.youngdadpod.com
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Lastly,consider making a monetary donation to support the Pod, https://buymeacoffee.com/youngdadpod.For more info, Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Bedtime Stories and Publishing

01:12 The Journey of Writing and Publishing

03:43 The Mission to Help Foster Kids

09:07 The Importance of Storytelling in Parenting

11:55 Creativity and the Role of Fathers

23:20 Impact of Military Experience on Parenting

26:33 The Evolution of Fatherhood

38:32 Statistics on Father Absence

45:22 The Importance of Connection and Support

50:40 Advice for New Dads