Halloween’s not just for kids...or is it? Neil and Ali get into it: cabbage night crimes, the end of childhood, and why middle school might be the real horror movie. They compare notes on trick-or-treating, revisit ‘90s Halloween glory (The Mask, Point Break, The Great Pumpkin), and debate whether Jimmy Kimmel deserves to be canceled… again. The guys wade into the great candy corn debate, revisit the classic Halloween film Hocus Pocus, unpack the economics of pumpkin patches, and discuss the trauma of store-bought costumes. Neil recounts dressing his baby in 31 different outfits, Ali relives the glory of his Reagan-era costume win, and the guys explore how Halloween went from one night to a month-long consumer spectacle. Somewhere between spooky and sentimental, this one’s a classic.

Neil and Ali go deep, and sometimes off the rails, in the Parenting Trends 2025 episode. From luxe skincare for kids to Type C parenting to tradwives on TikTok, six-day Halloweens to inchstone parties, and more, they tackle the weird, funny, and revealing ways modern parents are trying to “get it right.” Along the way, Neil shares a surprisingly moving story about reconnecting with his Jewish roots in Paris, Ali admits to driving a motorized grocery cart, and they debate everything from designer babies to sleep maxing. It’s heartfelt, ridiculous, and very, very real. This episode’s got it all! Nostalgia, moral debates, and fish-sauce marinated pork chops. Some are calling it one of the funniest, most wide-ranging World’s Greatest Dad episodes yet. Who are "some"? Well you've got to listen to find out.

Comedian and “friendship expert” Matt Ritter (host of Man of the Year and author of The Buddy System) joins Neil and Ali, where the conversation veers from toddler knife-throwing and double-stroller disasters to the art of making and maintaining adult friendships. From building out his “Dilfs of Larchmont” crew to rethinking how men sustain social fitness, Matt brings laughter, honesty, and practical wisdom to the messy world of modern dadhood.

The guys dive into the challenges of making friends as a dad, why “content associates” don’t count, and how to stop treating friendship like a luxury. Along the way, Matt shares his epic solo-parenting fail, what Pearl Jam means to him, and why every dad needs a neighborhood crew.

You don't want to miss Matt's rundown on “social fitness,” and the loneliness epidemic. Plus: dad lightning round, navigating friend breakups, and why chocolate chip pancakes win every time.

Filmmaker Tommy Avallone has built a career telling quirky, deeply human stories from I Am Santa Claus to The Bill Murray Stories to the recent I Love You, You Hate Me about Barney the Dinosaur. But behind the camera, Tommy is also a dad navigating fatherhood with honesty, humor, and heart. In this conversation, we cover everything from his son’s “No Haircut Summer” to monster truck shows, Disney trips, and what it means when Blink-182 is suddenly considered “dad rock.” Tommy also shares stories about Gilbert Gottfried, the strange magic of Fuddruckers, and how his kids benefit from Dad’s unusual connections like getting personal letters from Santa Claus himself. But this episode also dives into the fragile side of fatherhood: Tommy opens up about losing his first daughter Clementine, raising an autistic son, and the complicated ways parenting reshapes your identity. Equal parts hilarious, nostalgic, and deeply moving, this episode is a snapshot of what it means to live creatively, love your kids fiercely, and still try to figure out who you are along the way.

In this episode of World’s Greatest Dad, we sit down with speaker and performance coach Kyle Rodgers for a powerful conversation about what it truly means to choose fatherhood. Kyle shares how his own dad broke the cycle of emotional absence by committing to being present, and how that decision shaped the way Kyle now parents his own two young kids. He opens up about the weight of responsibility he felt the moment he became a father, and why consistency is the greatest gift he hopes to leave his children. We dive into his real-life dad fails, the moments he tags in his wife, and how apologizing to his kids has become a cornerstone of his parenting. Kyle reflects on discipline across generations, from spankings in his childhood to gentle parenting today, always stressing the importance of explaining the “why.” He talks about sacrifice, from working extra jobs to taking FaceTime calls before keynote speeches, and how presence matters more than perfection. And even though faith plays a grounding role in his own journey, Kyle teaches that every dad can anchor themselves in strong values regardless of religious affiliation. We explore the role of community, the power of mentors, and the village it takes to raise healthy kids. Plus, Kyle shares what golf has taught him about patience, joy, and handling life’s misses. Check out this can't miss episode where we lay down the facts that fatherhood isn’t a side hustle, it’s a legacy in motion.

Adam Sandler, sitcom jingles, and barbecue ribs aren’t the only things on Neil and Ali’s minds this week. In this jam-packed solo episode of World’s Greatest Dad, the guys dive into the wild Reddit story of a father who shut down his wife’s “period party” for their daughter and what it says about respecting kids’ boundaries. They tackle the Wall Street Journal’s piece on “FAFO” parenting (aka f** around and find out*) and weigh it against gentle-parenting wisdom: when do consequences become retaliation? Listener letters spark more laughs and lessons: a teen crusading against Monopoly and smartphones, and a dad who secretly fed his son food from a banned Thai restaurant. Along the way, they trade their personal memories of Happy Gilmore, Full House, and other ‘90s TV classics, plus a detour through Fuddruckers, dog-parent culture, and the eternal debate over dicks dot com. Ali shares his new obsession with “hot-and-fast” Texas barbecue ribs, proving dad life is as much about the grill as it is about guidance. But despite the many detours, the conversation always circles back to the real work of fatherhood: balancing empathy, limits, and our own nostalgia for simpler times. If you’ve ever wondered how to set boundaries without crushing your kid’s spirit...or just need a laugh about the absurdity of modern parenting, this one’s for you. Equal parts wisdom, comedy, and cultural time travel, it’s proof that dads can care deeply and still joke about everything. Grab a plate of ribs and settle in: this episode is peak dad, from start to finish.

Join us as we sit down with Oliver Gee, host of The Earful Tower, for a heartfelt chat about life in Paris, raising kids across three cultures, and why wandering off-plan might be the best way to see the City of Light. Oliver shares how he swapped a newsroom career for podcasting, building a show that celebrates the stories hiding behind Paris’s cobblestone streets and 800-year-old walls. We talk about parenting in a French–Swedish–Australian household, teaching kids three languages, and finding balance between work, curiosity, and family life. From tips on kid-friendly cafés and spontaneous picnics to reflections on staying present through sleepless nights, this episode is packed with warmth and insight. Whether you’re a parent, traveler, or simply someone who loves good stories, you’ll find inspiration in Oliver’s thoughtful approach to adventure and fatherhood.Tune in for a conversation that reminds us to explore, connect, and enjoy the magic of everyday moments.

In this back-to-school parenting episode of World’s Greatest Dad, Ali and Neil share real-life stories about fatherhood, kids, and family life. Neil dives into the first day of French immersion kindergarten in New York City, his daughter starting second grade, and planning a creative board game birthday party, while Ali talks about raising an 8th grader in Austin, navigating middle school parenting, volleyball camps, and the milestone of giving his son his very first iPhone. Together, they discuss kids and technology, how parental controls really work, and what it means to let children explore texting and digital friendships. They also swap family travel stories from Paris and Mallorca to Japan and beyond, offering tips for traveling with kids, plus a surprising review of the Dave & Buster’s season pass. Along the way, the dads riff on pop culture from Breaking Bad and The Hunting Wives to K-Pop Demon Hunters and even the bizarre 1970s puppet show The Letter People. It’s a funny, relatable parenting podcast episode full of nostalgia, practical advice, and reminders to savor the little milestones whether it’s skee-ball, lasagna dinners, or late-night show binges.