AJ Rich on Becoming the Dad You W...

AJ Rich on Becoming the Dad You Want to Be in an Anxious World

Gap to Gig – Working Dads' Guide to Fatherhood, Meaningful W... por Michael Jacobs - Working Dads & Fatherhood Expert
E9
6 ene 2026
44:08

Notas del episodio

What does it actually take to feel grounded, confident, and present as a dad when anxiety is rising, expectations are shifting, and the world feels louder than ever?

AJ Rich is a licensed marriage and family therapist, practice owner, and doctoral candidate who works almost exclusively with men. After nearly 20 years in corporate leadership, AJ transitioned into clinical work and now helps dads navigate identity, emotional intelligence, anxiety, and growth without losing themselves or their families in the process.

In this conversation, AJ shares how men can move beyond coping and toward real psychological wellbeing, even while juggling work pressure, parenting, and constant change.

You will hear AJ break down how to:

• Understand anxiety as a signal, not a failure

• Build emotional intelligence without losing strength or credibility

• Develop the language to describe what you are actually feeling

• Shift from survival mode into sustainable growth

• Redefine success beyond titles, income, or external validation

• Identify what is holding you back when you feel stuck

Dig Deeper

Feelings wheel

Brené Brown

Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart on HBO Max

Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown (book)

PERMA Theory of Well-Being

Doc McStuffins

Sofia the First

Subway Sandwich Artist

Food Avenue in Target

This is How We Do It by Montell Jordan

Follow AJ

AJ Family Therapy, Inc.

Email AJ

Follow Gap to Gig

On Instagram

On TikTok

On X

On Threads

On YouTube

On your podcast player of choice

Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter

Follow Michael

On LinkedIn

Palabras clave

working dads podcast
dads
career change
work life balance
fatherhood
family
family first
mental performance
therapy
mental health