From depositions to dough tosses, this week we’re joined by Ric “Showbiz” Gruber — former attorney turned CEO of Billy Bricks Pizza. He’s a dad, a delegator, and a guy who thinks cold pizza and black coffee is a legit breakfast (questionable… but we’re listening).

In this episode, we dive into:

How fatherhood reshaped Ric’s entrepreneurial path

What it takes to leave law for the pizza biz

Why your car might be your best therapy office

How Ric stays fit, focused, and fired up as a dad and business owner

The F3 fitness movement and what gets him up before the sun

Plus, we hit:
Dad Hack of the Week
Deal or Dumbbell (Pineapple on pizza? You already know…)
Quill’s Corner health tips for hands-on dads
Real talk on balancing business and parenting without burning out

Get in touch with us:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575481144492
https://www.instagram.com/dadsdealsanddumbbells/?hl=en
dadsdealsanddumbbells@gmail.com

Check out Billy Bricks! https://www.billybrickshq.com/
Get in touch with Ric Gruber: @ricgruber on all platforms and for work it’s @billybrickshq

#DadLife #EntrepreneurDad #PizzaCEO #FitnessDad #DadsDealsDumbbells #ParentingPodcast #BusinessPodcast #F3Nation #RicGruber #BillyBricksPizza

Dads, Deals & Doing Good: The Christmas Mission with Lee Bush, Jr. | Dads, Deals & Dumbbells: The Podcast

In this heartwarming holiday episode, we sit down with Lee Bush, Jr., the powerhouse dad behind Operation Christmas Bolingbrook — a grassroots mission bringing toys, hope, and community cheer to families in need.

Joe and Dr. Quill dive into:

What sparked Lee’s journey to start a local giving movement

How he balances keeping food on the table with volunteering so much of his time

The chaos (and beauty) of organizing toy drives at scale

How he balances fatherhood, marriage, and mission work

Why teaching your kids to serve might be the ultimate dad win

Of course, we still deliver our signature segments:
“Deal or Dumbbell” goes full holiday mode — from Elf on the Shelf to Secret Santa drama
“Joe’s Judgment” tackles legal risks of eggnog-fueled company parties

“Quill’s Corner” shares tips on staying healthy without skipping the Christmas cookies

This episode is a reminder that being a great dad goes beyond your front door. If you’ve ever wondered how to give back without burning out, or how to get your family involved in something bigger than themselves — this one’s for you.

Learn more or donate at: https://operationchristmasbolingbrook.org

Get in touch with us:
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dadsdealsanddumbbells@gmail.com

Like, share, and drop your favorite holiday tradition in the comments!
#DadLife #HolidayGiving #EntrepreneurDad #FitnessAndFatherhood #OperationChristmas #Podcast

Welcome to Dads, Deals & Dumbbells — where fatherhood meets entrepreneurship, fitness, and figuring it all out in real-time.

We’re Joe (a lawyer) and Dr. Quill (a chiropractor), two dads balancing kids, clients, and the constant pursuit of progress. Whether you're side-hustling for freedom, creativity, or just diaper money — you're in good company.

In This Episode:

We’re talking side hustles — the good, the bad, and the hilarious. You’ll hear:

Why more dads are building businesses after bedtime

Side-hustle horror stories (think: melted Cricut machines and sugarless cookies)

How to pick a hustle that fits your life (and doesn’t ruin it)

And why not every hobby needs to become a “brand”

Recurring Bits You’ll Love:

Big Takeaways:

Start small. Validate fast. Don’t chase trends.

Your side hustle should energize you — not exhaust you.

Talk to your partner. Hustle affects the whole household.

Build your business, but don’t break your body.

Don’t forget to subscribe and share this with a dad who's grinding just like you.

Get in touch with us:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575481144492
https://www.instagram.com/dadsdealsanddumbbells/?hl=en
dadsdealsanddumbbells@gmail.com

#DadLife #SideHustle #EntrepreneurDad #FitnessAndFatherhood #WorkLifeBalance #DadsDealsDumbbells

Parenting just got an upgrade — thanks to AI.

In this episode of Dads, Deals & Dumbbells: The Podcast, Joe and Dr. Quill break down how artificial intelligence is quietly becoming every dad’s secret weapon. From creating custom bedtime stories to meal planning, homework help, family scheduling, and even coaching you through tough parenting conversations — AI isn’t sci-fi anymore, it’s dad-tech.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

How parents are actually using AI (with fresh stats)

Real dad-friendly use cases: bedtime stories, chore charts, meal planning & more

Tips for non-techy dads to get started with AI today

Quill’s Corner: Why you should stop Googling your kid’s rash at 3 a.m.

Big takeaways: AI won’t parent for you — but it can save you time, energy, and sanity

Whether you’re juggling bedtime chaos, work emails, or just trying to keep your head above dad life, this episode shows how to make AI your unpaid assistant.

Got your own AI dad hacks (or fails)? Drop them in the comments, or DM us!
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575481144492
https://www.instagram.com/dadsdealsanddumbbells/?hl=en
dadsdealsanddumbbells@gmail.com

Listen in, subscribe, and join us as we talk dad life, business wins, and barbell struggles — all in one place.

#AIforParents #ParentingHacks2025 #ArtificialIntelligenceParenting #DadTechTips #AIandFamilyLife #AIforDads #SmartParentingTools #ModernDadLife #AIforBusyParents #ParentingWithTechnology #DadsDealsAndDumbbells #EntrepreneurDadPodcast #FitnessAndFatherhood #JoeAndDrQuill #DadLifePodcast #BusinessAndParentingPodcast #ChatGPTforParents #AITools2025 #BedtimeStoryGenerator #MealPlanningWithAI #F3DadHacks #TimeManagementForDads #ProductivityForParents #FamilySchedulingApps #WorkingDadsTips #ParentingAndMentalHealth

In this episode, we sit down with longtime banker, father, and part-time grill master George Santiago. With over 30 years in commercial lending, George drops serious knowledge on building better banking relationships, securing business funding, and staying financially fit — all while training for a 5K and sneaking sausage under the cheese to win at dinner time.

What You’ll Hear In This Episode:

The truth about small business lending (and the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make)

How George balances legacy, lending, and lap time with his grandkids

The infamous “swimming trunks” dad fail

A financial fire round of “Deal or Dumbbell”

Quill’s tips for couch surfers trying to get moving again

Joe’s legal breakdown on personal guarantees and LLC myths

Like, Subscribe & Drop a Comment
Tell us your favorite takeaway — or your own dad fail. Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review. It helps more dads, entrepreneurs, and lifters like you find the show.

Get in touch with us:
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dadsdealsanddumbbells@gmail.com

#dadlife #entrepreneurship #smallbusiness #bankingadvice #fatherhood #fitnessover40 #dadsdealsdumbbells #georgesantiago #businessloans #menshealth #podcast

In this episode of Dads, Deals & Dumbbells: The Podcast, Joe and Dr. Quill sit down with Coach Craig Kaufman (aka Coach CK, aka “Grass Dad”) — a dad of three, entrepreneur, fighter, and founder of Unshakable Fathers. From MMA cages to CrossFit boxes to raising kids who compete at elite levels, Craig shares what it takes to raise badasses without losing your mind.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

Fatherhood: Coaching vs. parenting, raising athletes, and hilarious dad fails.

Business & Entrepreneurship: Building a gym with your spouse, faith-powered leadership, and what it means to be a true connector.

Fitness & Health: Daily routines (ACV, prayer, perfect aminos), staying competitive in your 40s, and why faith + fitness form the foundation for everything.

Dad Hack of the Week: Craig’s “Core 4” system — God, plan, move, fuel.

Deal or Dumbbell: Boarding school, cold plunges, dad bods, CrossFit after 40 — Craig calls them as he sees them.

Takeaways: Don’t drift. Lead with purpose. Build your body, your business, and your family.

If you’re a dad trying to juggle faith, family, fitness, and finances, this one will light a fire under you.

Got a dad hack, fail, or fitness win to share? DM us or email dadsdealsanddumbbells@gmail.com

Subscribe, drop a review, and share this with the dads in your circle who are building families — and biceps — with purpose.
Got a question, story, or fail to share? Email us at: dadsdealsanddumbbells@gmail.com

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Legacy Over Likes | Coach Joe on Leading Men, Grilling Wisdom & Playing the Long Game

This week on Dads, Deals & Dumbbells, we’re joined by the one and only Coach Joe Johnson — a father of six, grandfather of seven, military vet, serial entrepreneur, and founder of the Ice and Fire Leadership Academy.

From raising a blended family and surviving DCFS coat drama to building a legacy over social likes, Coach Joe drops decades of hard-earned wisdom on fatherhood, faith, leadership, fitness, and what it really means to show up for your people.

In this episode:

Parenting wins and fails that’ll make you laugh (or cry)

The power of presence across generations

Leading your kids and your business with integrity

The story behind Ice and Fire Leadership Academy

Discipline, faith, and fitness over 40

“Deal or Dumbbell” — rapid-fire hot takes with Coach Joe

Why community spaces matter for raising up the next generation

Whether you're a dad in the grind, an entrepreneur chasing purpose, or just here for some grilled grandpa wisdom — this episode delivers.

Subscribe for more real talk on dad life, business, and barbell wisdom.

Got a question, story, or fail to share? Email us at: dadsdealsanddumbbells@gmail.com

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dadsdealsanddumbbells@gmail.com

What do you get when you mix a compliance manager, youth sports coach, CrossFit junkie, and founder of a local dad group? You get Coach Chad—and he’s bringing the heat (and humor) to this episode of Dads, Deals & Dumbbells.

Chad Vargo joins us to talk about what it means to show up fully—as a dad, a leader, and a man trying to stay fit after 30. From coaching 9-year-olds to running the Naperville Dad Network, Chad opens up about his wins, fails, and how to build true community as a father in today’s world.

In this episode:

Why every dad has a“washing machine fail” story

How to start your own community-based dad group

Top lessons learned from coaching youth sports

CrossFit tips for busy dads who want to get back in shape

How structure at work can help (or hurt) at home

Plus:

Dad Hack of the Week - be the "coupon king"

Deal or Dumbbell (Would you hand a stranger a 20% off coupon?)

Quill’s Corner: CrossFit safety tips every dad should know

If you’re a dad trying to juggle spreadsheets, squats, and snack time—this one’s for you.

If you laughed, learned something, or decided to finally sign up for CPR training, hit subscribe and share this with another dad who’s juggling work, workouts, and raising the next generation.

Want to get in contact with Chad or check out the Naperville Dad Network, click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/498735030482357

Get in touch with us:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575481144492
https://www.instagram.com/dadsdealsanddumbbells/?hl=en
dadsdealsanddumbbells@gmail.com