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All Pro Dad Podcast

All Pro Dad Podcast

By: All Pro Dad
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On average, men switch jobs every four years, but one role guys will never outgrow, is dad. It’s a serious responsibility that lasts a lifetime and comes with highs, lows, and a ton of questions. It’s okay not to have all the answers… but the most committed dads are always chasing them.

The All Pro Dad podcast helps men navigate their toughest parenting problems. Experienced dads tackle tough topics, share what's worked for them, and discuss how to love your kids well. We do it all with a combination of humor and humility. If you have more questions than answers, this is the place to be. Today’s the perfect day to become an All Pro Dad.

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Episodes
  • 5 Unhealthy Behaviors Kids Are Doing Today

    5 Unhealthy Behaviors Kids Are Doing Today
    Oct 26 2026
    We would love to hear from you, follow this link to send us a message directly. Include a voice message and you might even be featured in a future episode! Every generation has had its unhealthy trends. We had smoking, hitchhiking, not wearing seatbelts—and plenty of other things we probably wouldn’t let our kids do today. But our kids have their own challenges. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about some of the unhealthy behaviors they’re seeing and talk through ways dads can help their kids.WHY THIS MATTERSDads need to help kids understand why some things are unhealthy and point them toward better behaviors. KEY TAKEAWAYS-Every generation has unhealthy trends. This isn't about dumping on today's kids. Our generations had plenty of unhealthy behaviors too.-Some modern trends are driven by influence and comparison. Influencer culture and looksmaxxing can cause kids to imitate unhealthy behaviors or become overly focused on appearance.-Avoidance doesn't make kids stronger. Cancel culture, avoidance, and ghosting can teach kids to escape uncomfortable people, ideas, and conversations instead of learning how to navigate them.-Kids need healthier alternatives. Instead of simply taking something away, dads can point their kids toward meaningful activities, real-life role models, character development, and healthy relationships.-Kids need to learn how to handle discomfort. Difficult conversations, disagreement, awkwardness, and failure are part of life. Learning to navigate them builds resilience.PRACTICAL TIPS FOR DADSTalk with your kids, not at them. Ask what they're seeing among their peers and online. Find out what they think about these behaviors before immediately telling them what to think.Help them find something worth committing to. Instead of resume stacking, encourage kids to find one or two activities they genuinely care about and stick with them over time.Point them toward real-life role models. Instead of allowing influencers and celebrities to become their primary examples, talk about people you know personally who demonstrate character, integrity, kindness, and other qualities you admire.Focus on character instead of appearance. Instead of obsessing over looks, help kids grow in knowledge, character, social skills, and their ability to take an interest in other people.Teach kids how to disagree. They don't have to agree with everyone. But learning to sit with someone who sees the world differently—and have a respectful conversation—is an important life skill.Don't let avoidance become the default. When your child faces an awkward or difficult social situation, help them work through it instead of immediately escaping it. Share your own stories of social failures and uncomfortable conversations.Let kids experience some discomfort. Empathize with your kids when they're struggling, but don't always rush in to remove the discomfort. A child who knows what it feels like to be left out may become more aware of someone else who is standing alone.IMPORTANT EPISODE TIMESTAMPS[00:00] What Are Some Unhealthy Things Kids Are Doing Today?The dads acknowledge that every generation has done unhealthy things. The goal with our kids is to help them, not criticize them.[01:11] Resume Stacking: When Impressive on Paper Means Burned Out in Real LifeTed explains how kids are loading up on extracurriculars to boost college applications, and BJ points out that colleges can spot it quickly and value long-term commitment over a long list.[03:16] Influencer Culture and Why Kids Treat Famous People Like ExpertsBobby makes the case that kids assume someone famous must be brilliant on every topic, while BJ reflects on how many influencers are younger and still learning about the world.[07:15] Looksmaxxing: When Self-Improvement Turns DangerousBJ breaks down the trend of young men going to extreme lengths to maximize their appearance and the dangers that presents.[09:18] The 15-Year-Old Who Said “If I Have a Heart Attack at 30, Oh Well”Bobby shares the CBS News story of a teen taking steroids to look good now and contrasts it with his own college protein shake mistakes.[11:14] Cancel Culture: Teaching Kids That Disagreement Isn’t a Reason to Cut Someone OffTed explains how canceling has moved from the internet into kids’ real relationships.[13:35] Why Friction Makes Us Sharper: Moving From “Safe” to “Curious”BJ says kids need to shift from needing to feel safe to being curious, making the case that we get sharper through friction and not through avoiding it.[14:37] Avoidance and Ghosting: Why Kids Are Skipping Hard ConversationsBobby introduces ghosting as a pattern that raises anxiety, and Ted explains how texting helped an entire generation avoid difficult face-to-face conversations.[16:52] What Dads Can Do Instead: Replace Each Unhealthy Habit With Something BetterThe dads walk through healthier alternatives for kids.[21:...
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    23 mins
  • How Can Dads Help Their Kids Build Friendships?

    How Can Dads Help Their Kids Build Friendships?
    Oct 19 2026
    We would love to hear from you, follow this link to send us a message directly. Include a voice message and you might even be featured in a future episode! For some kids, friendships seem to happen naturally. For others, making friends can be incredibly difficult—and heartbreaking for parents to watch. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, host Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster and Bobby Lewis to talk about why friendships matter, why some kids struggle to make them, and what dads can actually do to help.WHY THIS MATTERSFriendships are an important part of growing up. They teach kids how to communicate, navigate disagreements, and work through awkward and difficult moments.KEY TAKEAWAYS-Kids don't need dozens of friends. A few deep, healthy friendships can be far more valuable than a large social circle.-Dads can create opportunities for friendship by making their homes welcoming places for kids to gather.-Phones and excessive specialization can become barriers to the in-person interaction where friendships develop.-Kids need to see their dads modeling healthy friendships—not just hear lectures about how to be a good friend.-Not every friendship lasts forever. Kids need to learn that relationships change as they grow through different stages of life.PRACTICAL TIPS FOR DADS1. Be THAT house.Make your home a place where kids want to spend time by inviting people over, stocking the pantry with snacks, and making your house as welcoming as possible.2. Aim for 3 friends, not 30.The goal isn't to have the biggest social circle. Teach your kids to look for quality rather than quantity.3. Take the phones away.Phones can sometimes be a conduit for friendship, but they can also become a barrier to real connection. 4. Discourage specialization.Encourage your kids to have multiple interests and participate in different activities. Variety gives kids more opportunities.5. Model good friendships.Your kids need to see you having friends, too. Don't just tell your kids what a good friend looks like. Show them.6. Help them understand that friendships change.Not every person will remain a close friend forever. Kids will go through different seasons and not everyone stays close through change. IMPORTANT EPISODE TIMESTAMPS[00:00] How Do We Help Our Kids Make Friends?Ted shares that nearly 1 in 5 parents say their child has no friends or not enough and sets up a conversation about what dads can actually do to help.[00:32] What Does Friendship Actually Look Like at Different Stages?Bobby defines a friend as someone you enjoy being around and have chosen to share parts of your life with, while the guys reflect on how friendship looks different throughout childhood. [04:08] Why Friendship Matters So MuchFriendship is essential to kids’ development. It’s where they learn forgiveness, empathy, and how to navigate conflict. [05:52] The Real Reasons Kids Struggle to Make FriendsUniversity of Michigan research identifies the most common barriers to friendship — shyness, lack of time, established peer groups, too few places to gather, and peers who are simply mean.[09:16] When Dad Becomes the FriendTed shares how his wife recognized their daughter needed them to step into the friend role during her isolated senior year and how that friendship is still thriving.[15:55] Make Your House THE HouseBobby reveals his parents made deliberate investments to make their home a cool gathering place where real friendships could grow. [18:15] Kids Don’t Need 30 Friends, They Need 3 Good OnesPew data shows most adults have 1 to 4 close friends. Ted makes the case that helping kids identify who sticks around through the hard seasons is one of the most valuable friendship lessons a dad can teach.[20:32] What to Look For in a Good FriendBobby explains how to guide kids toward friends who celebrate their wins, handle disagreements with maturity, and stay loyal through difficulty, while BJ shares a touching story about a young man grieving a lost friendship because he had hoped he’d found “his BJ.”[23:14] Discourage Friend SpecializationTed and Bobby make the case for keeping kids from putting all their social eggs in one basket — sports teams, church groups, theater, etc.[29:22] APD Pro Move:Ask your kids what qualities make up a good friend. Praise them for the ones they are currently displaying. Try to set up a time for your kids to spend time with others this week. Sponsor:The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.All Pro Dad Resources5 Ways to Vet Your Kids’ Friends 5 Signs Your Child’s Friends Are the WorstConnect with Us:Ted Lowe on LinkedInBobby Lewis on LinkedInBJ Foster on LinkedInSubscribe on Apple PodcastsGet All Pro Dad merch!EXTRAS:Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day. Get daily ...
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    31 mins
  • Do You Have a Vision for Your Family?

    Do You Have a Vision for Your Family?
    Oct 12 2026
    We would love to hear from you, follow this link to send us a message directly. Include a voice message and you might even be featured in a future episode! Does your family have a clear vision? Knowing where you're going helps you move with confidence. In this episode of the All Pro Dad Podcast, Ted Lowe is joined by BJ Foster, and Bobby Lewis to talk about why benefit from a family vision and how dads can create one.WHY THIS MATTERSHaving a vision helps dads make decisions based on what matters most rather than whatever feels urgent in the moment.KEY TAKEAWAYS-Vision starts with deciding where you want to go. Without direction, even a busy family can drift.-Dads need vision not only for their families but also for the people they and their kids are becoming.-A family vision should shape relationships, purpose, values, and everyday decisions.-The goal isn't controlling who your kids become. It's helping them think intentionally about character, virtues, purpose, and the kind of people they want to be.-Vision isn't just something you write down. It should influence the decisions you make every day.PRACTICAL TIPS FOR DADS1. Create a vision for yourself.Write down the attributes and virtues you want your life to be about and put them somewhere you can see them regularly.2. Create a vision for your family.Involve your family in the vision building so they can help shape and own it.3. Help your kids think about the people they want to become.Get kids thinking about character and purpose rather than simply accomplishments and careers.4. Create a vision for your relationships.Think intentionally about the relationships you want to have—with your spouse, kids, friends, and others.5. Create a vision for your purpose.Help your kids recognize their gifts, talents, interests, and ways they can contribute to the world and serve others.IMPORTANT EPISODE TIMESTAMPS[00:00] How Can We Create a Vision for Our Families?Ted challenges dads to think beyond daily life and ask where their family is actually headed.[00:33] Why Families Without Vision Get LostBJ tells a story of an NFL player who swam nine miles to safety because he knew which direction to go.[04:31] Step One: Start With a Vision for Who You Want to BecomeThe dads challenges listeners to ask themselves what kind of man they want to be in five years and then start living toward it daily.[05:41] What Do You Want People to Say at Your Funeral?Bobby explains that the best filter for any decision is asking whether it will matter in four minutes, four weeks, four months, or forever.[07:01] Your Kids Don't Care What You Do — They Care Who You AreTed reflects on his own experience with ADHD-driven ambition, crediting a mentor who helped him see that his kids just want him — not his accomplishments.[09:12] Step Two: Cast a Vision for Who You Want Your Kids to BecomeCasting a vision for your kids isn't about controlling them or mapping out their careers — it's about intentionally instilling character qualities like honesty, gratitude, and faithfulness that will shape who they are long after they leave home.[12:44] What It Looks Like When the Vision Actually WorksBobby and BJ share recent moments when their kids showed character traits they'd been quietly modeling for years.[17:25] Step Three: Have a Vision for the Relationships Around Your FamilyTed makes an impassioned case for prioritizing friendship and modeling healthy relationships, explaining that men who don't invest in community are modeling isolation for their kids.[20:48] Step Four: Know Your PurposeBobby challenges dads to move beyond career and money to ask what they're genuinely wired to do.[26:13] Boil It Down to One Sentence and Invite Your Family Into the VisionDistill your family vision into a single sentence they can actually measure against. APD PRO MOVE:Have a discussion with your family about your vision for your family.Sponsor:The All Pro Dad Podcast is proudly brought to you by Family First, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping parents with resources to strengthen their families. Learn more at FamilyFirst.net.All Pro Dad ResourcesEpisode 109: Should Kids Be Social Media Influencers?5 Things Dads Need to Have a Vision For4 Questions to Answer When Creating a Family Vision StatementConnect with Us:Ted Lowe on LinkedInBobby Lewis on LinkedInBJ Foster on LinkedInSubscribe on Apple PodcastsGet All Pro Dad merch!EXTRAS:Follow us: Instagram | Facebook | X (Twitter)Join 200,000+ other dads by subscribing to the All Pro Dad Play of the Day. Get daily fatherhood ideas, insight, and inspiration straight to your inbox.This episode's blog can also be viewed here on AllProDad.com. Like the All Pro Dad gear and mugs? Get your own in the All Pro Dad store.Get great content for moms at iMOM.com
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    30 mins
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