In this episode, we have an engaging, thoughtful, and heartfelt conversation with our guest, Manish, a stay-at-home dad. Manish shares his journey from working in tech in Silicon Valley to becoming a full-time parent, highlighting the gifts of being more present in his children's lives and the personal growth that he has experienced because of that. We explore the dynamics of being the stay-at-home parent, the inherentchallenges and rewards, and the societal perceptions surrounding non-traditional parenting roles. Our conversation also touches on the emotional aspects of parenting as a father, the value of community support, and the lessons learned from his own dad that he now consciously applies.

Keywords: parenting, stay-at-home dad, parenting roles, non-traditional parenting, fatherhood, parenting challenges, emotional growth, community support, family dynamics, work-life balance

In this episode Donal and Matthew reflect on the first year of the Extraordinary Dads podcast. Is it doing what they expected? How is it different than planned? What are we asking of the dads listening? (Spoilers: Get yourself in community. Have more conversations about dadding with your community. Improve a little, bit by bit, wherever and whenever you find the inspiration.)

In this conversation, Steve, owner of the Santa Cruz Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Martial Arts School, shares insights into his life as a father and martial arts instructor. He discusses balancing parenting and self-care, education choices for his sons, and the lessons learned from Jiu-Jitsu that apply to life and fatherhood. Steve reflects on his own upbringing, the death of his mother, his absentee father, and how that motivates him to strive to be a better dad for his children. He also talks about the complicated evolution of his relationship with his dad in adulthood and how forgiveness and redemption are playing a part in the ongoing healing of that relationship.

More information on Santa Cruz Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Martial Arts School: www.graciesantacruz.com

Keywords: parenting, jiu-jitsu, education, homeschooling, bullying, self-defense, personal growth, self-care, absentee father, forgiveness, redemption, entrepreneurship