Kids ice hockey is the hardest youth sport to break into. Here's what every hockey parent needs to know before puck drop.

On this episode of Dad Livin', Doug and Mike Deutman — a youth hockey coach and referee for the Meramec Sharks — break down everything a first-time hockey parent needs to know about getting a kid into ice hockey: the gear, the cost, the ice time, and why they still think hockey is the greatest youth sport ever built.

What we cover:
🏒 Why kids ice hockey demands more than any other youth sport — skating, stick skill, finesse, and toughness combined (yes, we get into the PK Subban take that started this whole conversation)
⛸️ The #1 rule for new youth hockey parents: skating skills come before stick skills, every time
😤 The frustration curve every hockey family goes through — and the exact moment it "clicks" (real stories about our own kids, Gus and Shane)
🏒 Why putting a stick in your kid's hands too early can backfire, and what to do in the garage instead
⏰ Is 10, 11, or 12 too late to start playing hockey? (Spoiler: no — and we explain why)
🥅 Our own first hockey memories — skating lessons with grandma, early morning drives to Herculaneum, and what those car rides actually taught us about connecting with our kids
🏆 Growing up on street hockey in St. Louis, mailing away for Mario Lemieux and Eric Lindros autographs, and what it was like watching the Stanley Cup come through town
🚀 Why a young Mario Lemieux or Eric Lindros wouldn't stand a chance against Connor McDavid today — and what that says about how far youth training has come
⚽ Why we still tell our kids to play other sports, even though we think hockey is the best one out there

0:00 The Dad Living Philosophy
0:30 Varsity Squad Takes the Mic
2:04 The Ice Hockey Deep Dive
3:39 From D1 Dreams to Officiating
7:05 Why Hockey Reigns Supreme
10:53 Childhood Memories and Cul-de-sac Dreams
20:10 Guiding Your Child Through the Rink
27:39 Breaking Down the Cost of Play

If you're a parent thinking about signing your kid up for youth hockey — or you're already in it and wondering if it's worth the 6am practices — this episode is for you.

Drop a comment: What's your kid's sport, and what's the one thing you wish someone told you before you started?

🔔 Subscribe to Dad Livin' for honest conversations about fatherhood, youth sports, and figuring it all out.

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#DadLivin #DadPodcast #YouthHockey #HockeyDad #KidsSports #Fatherhood #HockeyParents #DadLife

Summer dad guilt hits hard when work is busy, kids are home, and you feel like you’re missing the moments that matter — that’s what today’s Coffee Talk is all about.

Welcome back to Dad Livin’, coming to you from an early Saturday morning coffee session in St. Louis, no garage beers this time, just coffee and real talk.

In this episode we dig into:

• The reality of summer dad guilt and working dad schedules — from “Dad, I miss you” phone calls to kids saying “I just want you” while you’re trying to work from home.
• How we’re juggling late movie nights, summer camps, pool days and Brenner (breakfast for dinner) while trying not to feel like we’re failing as dads.
• What we actually let the kids watch: Indiana Jones, Superman, Marvel, Lord of the Rings, and the awkward parenting moments when PG-13 trailers go way too far.
• Why routines and workouts fall apart in the summer — ballpark food, frozen custard runs, and kids calling out our dad bods — plus how we’re trying to reset without the shame spiral.onlinemediamasters
• The small wins that make the chaos worth it: Jordan Walker’s Home Run Derby run, FIFA World Cup family watch parties, golf camp progress, and Sandlot-style baseball pool parties.

If you’re a dad working full-time, wrestling with dad guilt, and trying to stay present in the middle of summer schedules, this Coffee Talk episode will feel way too familiar.

Drop a comment:- What’s the most dad thing you did this week?- What’s one kid quote that absolutely wrecked you?

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Visit us online at www.dadlivin.com for all episodes and fun content!

#DadLivin #DadPodcast #Fatherhood #DadGuilt #WorkingDad #SummerDad #Parenting #CoffeeTalk

As dads get busier, friendships shrink. We dig into why male friendship over 35 is so hard — and what you can do about it.

In this episode of the Dad Livin' Podcast, recorded live at a Memorial Day garage party, the crew gets real about what happens to male friendships once kids, work, and life take over. Stats say the average dad has just four close friends — and only one in ten stays close to them. We break down why that happens and how to fight back.

What we cover:

🍺 Why dad friendships naturally shrink after kids arrive

📱 The text-and-forget problem (you know who you are)

📊 Stats: Dads in the 90s had 6+ close friends — what changed?

🔵 How work culture, club sports, and social media are closing your circle

🤝 The "glue friend" — why every group needs one

🏡 How to find your people if you've lost touch (neighbors, leagues, old friends)

💬 Mel Robbins' "Let Them" and why it changes how you handle drifting friendships

👮 Why one of our guys — a cop — chose NOT to only hang out with fellow cops

🎉 Memorial Day vibes + real talk from guys who've stayed tight for 20+ years

Whether you're a dad who's feeling the loneliness creep in, or you've got a tight circle and want to keep it that way — this episode is for you.

🔔 Subscribe to Dad Livin' for honest conversations about fatherhood, friendship, and figuring it all out.

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Drop a comment: How do YOU stay connected with your friends as a busy dad?

#DadLivin #DadPodcast #MaleFriendship #FatherhoodPodcast #DadsOver35

Planning Father’s Day and not sure what to do or buy? This Father’s Day episode of Dad Livin’ is your behind‑the‑scenes look into what real dads actually want on their day: less pressure, more simple fun, and memories that don’t require a Pinterest board.

Filmed in the garage with the whole crew, we talk about:

• Why Father’s Day always feels a little overshadowed by Mother’s Day
• Simple Father’s Day ideas that don’t require a big budget or fancy reservations
• Gift ideas dads really appreciate (and the ones we can skip)
• How to plan a low‑stress day that lets dad relax and still feel appreciated
• Creative, from‑the‑heart gifts kids can make that dad will actually keep

If you’re a wife or partner looking for Father’s Day ideas, you’ll walk away with realistic, dad‑approved ways to make the day special without burning yourself out. If you’re part of the dad gang, kick back with us in the garage as we laugh about past Father’s Days, share what we secretly wish would happen, and give you some ammo to “accidentally” send this episode to your family.

We also shout out Garage Beer and talk New Heights with Jason and Travis Kelce, keeping it all family‑friendly, real, and fun—just like a good Father’s Day should be.

More Dad Livin’:Website: https://www.dadlivin.com
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Garage Beer:https://drinkgaragebeer.com/

00:00 The Overlooked Holiday: Father’s Day vs. Mother’s Day
00:58 Ideal Father’s Day: Simplicity and Relaxation
03:58 Gifts: What Dads Really Want
04:12 The Do’s and Don’ts of Father’s Day Celebrations
07:28 The Importance of Family Time
10:07 Creative Gifts from Kids
12:01 The Role of Simplicity in Father’s Day Celebrations
14:52 Wrapping Up: Celebrating Father’s Day on Your Own Terms
25:21 Dad Livin’ Outro

#FathersDay #FathersDayIdeas #DadPodcast #DadLife #DadLivin #GarageHang #DadGifts #GirlDad #BoyDad #ParentingPodcast #FamilyTime #HusbandLife #MomsOfYouTube #DadHumor #DadGang #DadSquad #GarageBeers #DoingDadStuff #SuburbanDads #WeekendVibes #DadJokes

The conversation delves into the complex world of youth sports, highlighting the industrialization of youth sports, the balance between competitiveness and development, and the pressure faced by young athletes. It explores the impact of the youth sports system on children and the challenges faced by parents and coaches in navigating this landscape. The conversation covers the significant costs associated with youth sports and the importance of fun in sports for children. It delves into the financial burden of youth sports, the impact of costs on participation, and the need to prioritize fun and engagement for young athletes.

Takeaways

• Youth sports industrial complex
• Balancing competitiveness and development
• Pressure on young athletes Youth Sports Costs
• Importance of Fun in Sports

Chapters

• 00:00 The Youth Sports Industrial Complex
• 10:47 Balancing Competitiveness and Development
• 23:14 Pressure on Young Athletes
• 29:59 Youth Sports Costs
• 53:45 Importance of Fun in Sports

After 2 months away, we're finally back with the truth about dad burnout, spring sports chaos, and why we nearly quit podcasting. Doug and Johnny get real about work-life balance, parenting tweens with attitude problems, and the awkward birds-and-bees talk nobody prepares you for.

WHAT WE COVER:

• Why we disappeared: The real story behind our 2-month hiatus
• Spring sports madness and surviving the busiest parenting season
• Navigating attitude adjustments when kids hit puberty
• The birds and bees talk (and the hilarious follow-up questions)
• Work burnout and learning to set boundaries
• Mother's Day appreciation and supporting our wives

TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - Intro & Setup
3:02 - Welcome Back! We're Back After 2 Months
3:41 - Why We Disappeared - Burnout & Busy Season
6:08 - Spring Sports Chaos & Baseball Season
8:29 - Soaking in Every Moment with Your Kids
10:56 - Podcast Burnout - When It Feels Like a Job
13:23 - Work Stress & Setting Priorities as a Dad
15:47 - Finding Your Fire Again
21:13 - What's Next for Dad Livin Podcast
22:30 - Parenting Tweens - Attitude Adjustments
25:22 - Teaching Kids About Respect & Consequences
31:03 - The Birds and Bees Talk (This Got Awkward)
34:49 - Follow-Up Questions You're NOT Ready For
37:12 - Shout Out to Our Wives & Mother's Day
39:18 - Work-Life Balance Struggles
41:25 - Paying Someone to Mow - Getting Time Back
45:16 - Keeping Kids Safe - Important Safety Talk
48:47 - Mother's Day Plans & Appreciating Moms
52:32 - Coming Up: Youth Sports, Phones & Social Media

Dad Livin is a podcast for every guy navigating the chaos of modern fatherhood. Hosted by Doug (Yoko) and Johnny (BJ), lifelong friends raising kids in the midwest. We're not experts—just dads trying to figure it out, one episode at a time. Expect honest conversations about sports parenting, work stress, marriage, friendship after 35, and everything that comes with raising kids while trying not to lose your mind.

CONNECT WITH US:
Instagram: @dadlivin
Facebook: Dad Livin
Email: hello@dadliving.com

Subscribe on your favorite platform:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube

#DadBurnout #Parenting #WorkLifeBalance #YouthSports #DadLife #ParentingPodcast #ModernFatherhood #DadFriends #BaseballDad #ParentingTweens

Dad Livin’ goes full bracket mode to crown the greatest TV dad of all time. From legendary sitcom fathers to animated icons and movie heavyweights, we draft, debate, and battle through a 64‑dad bracket until only one champion is left standing.

In this episode, we talk about:

• Why TV dads across eras—strict, silly, soft‑hearted, and everything in between—hit us so differently.
• How our own experiences as dads shape who we root for in the bracket.
• Big arguments over classic dads (and some hot takes you’ll probably disagree with).

Fill out your own bracket
Think we crowned the wrong champion? Prove it. Build and submit your bracket here: https://bracket.dadlivin.com/

Then screenshot your final four and champion and drop it in the comments so we can see your picks.

New here?
Dad Livin’ is a podcast about real dad life—marriage, kids, careers, friendships, and all the messy, funny stuff in between.

Stay connected

• Website & newsletter: https://www.dadlivin.com/
• All episodes and more dad stories: https://www.dadlivin.com/episodes

Listen on your favorite app
Find “Dad Livin” on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major podcast platforms.

Join the conversation

• Comment with your “Best TV Dad” pick and why.
• Share your bracket results and tag the friends who need to settle this debate.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Ultimate Dad Draft
02:02 Exploring the Legendary Dads Bracket
03:28 Round One: The Battle of Dads
11:11 Diving Deeper into Dad Characters
14:11 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up
14:39 Iconic Dads in Film and TV
20:03 The Complexity of Fatherhood
26:07 The Battle of Bad Dads
30:12 The Ultimate Dad Showdown
35:50 Final Thoughts on Father Figures
38:00 DadLivin – Outro

#DadLivin #BestTVDads #TVDadsBracket #DadPodcast #Fatherhood #Parenting #Nostalgia #SitcomDads #MovieDads #AnimatedDads

The stuff dads don’t say out loud is usually the realest. In this Dad Livin’ episode, we crack open the quiet fears, dad guilt, and pressure to provide that most fathers feel but rarely talk about.​

If you’ve ever felt like you’re not doing enough, terrified of failing your family, or secretly counting down the minutes until you can get a break from the chaos at home, you’re not alone. We talk about tying your identity to protection and provision, the invisible pressure to stay steady, and the anxiety spike that hits after your kids are born.​

We get into:​

• The quiet fear every new dad feels bringing a baby into a crazy world
• How dads silently carry worry about school safety, money, and the future
• Feeling replaced after kids are born and keeping your marriage from becoming roommates
• What it means when you don’t love every minute of fatherhood
• Missing your old spontaneity, guy trips, and doing anything without coordinating a circus
• Why acknowledging fear can turn anxiety into purpose and legacy

You’ll hear real stories about first drives home from the hospital, emotions hitting out of nowhere, and trying to raise kids in a world that feels less safe but is actually more connected than ever. We also look back at the stuff we miss from our own childhoods—sleepovers, streetlights as curfew, riding bikes all day—and how different it feels raising kids now.​

If you’re a dad in your 30s or 40s juggling work, marriage, and kids, this is your spot for honest, unfiltered dad talk with guys who get it. No perfect dad myth, no fake highlight reel—just real conversations to remind you that you’re not crazy and you’re not alone.​

🔔 Hit subscribe for more episodes on: dad mental health, marriage after kids, money stress, work–life balance, and what modern fatherhood really looks like.

👇 Join the Dad Livin’ community​​

• Website: dadlivin.com (Dad Livin L I V I N)
• YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram: @DadLivin
• Streaming on 10+ platforms (including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Deezer and more)

💬 Question for you: What’s one thing you never say out loud as a dad—but think about all the time? Drop it in the comments so we can hit it in a future episode.​

#dadlife #fatherhood #dads #newdad #girldad #boydad #dadguilt #dadmentalhealth #marriageafterkids #parentingpodcast #dadpodcast