Gap to Gig – Working Dads' Guide to Fatherhood, Meaningful Work, & Finding Balance in Life

Gap to Gig – Working Dads' Guide to Fatherhood, Meaningful Work, & Finding Balance in Life

por Michael Jacobs - Working Dads & Fatherhood Expert

Carreras Paternidad

Merry Korn on Turning Professional Loss into Purpose-Driven Work

What happens when the job you thought would carry you to the finish line disappears overnight? Two months into what she believed would be her final role, Merry Korn was let go. She was a single parent with two teenagers, college tuition looming, and no clear path forward. The fear was real. The pressure was immediate. Staying in bed was not an option. What followed was not an overnight success story. It was a series of hard conversations, informational interviews, small courageous steps, and a refusal to surrender. From those early survival decisions, Merry went on to found and scale a for-profit social enterprise that employed more than 1,300 people across 30 states, prioritizing jobs for people with severe disabilities, disabled veterans, and individuals living in the most impoverished communities. Merry shares how to: Move forward when fear feels paralyzing Use informational interviews as a career and business growth strategy Align work with purpose instead of contorting yourself to fit the wrong environment Build a mission-driven company that attracts high-quality talent Create simple rituals that protect presence at home Lead with values when rebuilding after a professional setback Turn survival mode into meaningful, scalable impact Dig Deeper Pearl Interactive Network Bergen-Belsen Schindler's List Barney Crazy by Patsy Cline Follow Merry On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrykorn On X: https://X.com/korn_merry45334 On Instagram: https://instagram.com/mpearlkorn On Facebook: https://facebook.com/firedtoinspired On her website, Fired to Inspired: https://firedtoinspired.com Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Tony Berardo on Redefining Success Around Time, Health, and Fatherhood

What happens when health scares, job loss, and family tragedy collide all at once? After having part of his lung removed, being laid off during the pandemic, and losing his father-in-law the same day he was discharged from the hospital, Tony Berardo was forced to confront a hard truth: work was taking up too much of the wrong space in his life. Instead of chasing security, status, and a bigger paycheck, Tony rebuilt his life around something far more valuable: time. Today, he’s the founder of Human Dad, a content creator, and an entrepreneur who prioritizes presence over prestige. He makes less money than he once did, but he has more clarity, more intention, and more time with his daughter. Tony shares how to: • Reevaluate success after health scares and job loss • Shift from “work-life balance” to protecting time as your most valuable asset • Build a side hustle before making the leap into entrepreneurship • Lower financial stress by living below your means • Model discipline, boundaries, and healthy habits for your kids • Choose presence over prestige Tony’s perspective is raw, direct, and deeply practical. For any dad questioning whether the grind is worth it, this conversation offers a clear reminder: your time is the real currency. Dig Deeper IVF Get Ready With Me Ridiculousness Moana Regal Cinemas Polly by Nirvana Follow Tony Website Humanity and Hashtags Podcast Instagram YouTube TikTok Human Dad Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Brad Leeman on Leading at Home Through Presence, Play, and Preparation

What does leadership look like when the mission is your family and the stakes are emotional, not tactical? Brad Leeman is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, combat aviator, and F-35 test pilot who spent nearly two decades leading in environments where preparation, clarity, and execution were non-negotiable. After transitioning out of the military, Brad became an entrepreneur and founder of SwingSesh, a company built around a simple belief: parents should not be spectators in their kids’ lives. This conversation explores how elite performance principles translate and sometimes fail to translate into fatherhood. Brad shares why presence matters, how small daily rituals create connection, and why modeling behavior shapes a child’s inner voice far more than lectures ever could. Brad walks through how he and his wife intentionally design family rhythms, why play is a serious leadership skill, and how dads can rethink fitness, work, and ambition. Brad shares how to: Build daily rituals that anchor presence and connection with kids Use play as a tool for bonding, modeling health, and emotional regulation Shape a child’s inner monologue through actions, not instructions Recognize when to lead and when to follow inside a partnership Rethink comfort, resilience, and decision making during hard seasons Dig Deeper F-35 U.S. Marine Corps Ball State University Harvard Graduate School of Design How to Build Extreme Willpower | David Goggins & Dr. Andrew Huberman Hood’s Gardens Picture by Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock Follow Brad On his website: https://www.swingsesh.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teamswingsesh/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SwingSesh/ Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Danny Brassell on Becoming a Better Communicator at Work and at Home

How do you communicate in a way that builds trust, connection, and confidence with your kids, your partner, and the people you work with every day? Danny Brassell has spent decades teaching, coaching, and speaking around the world about storytelling, reading, and communication. This conversation explores how communication is not about polish or performance, but about meeting people where they are and staying present in the moments that matter most. Danny shares how to: Use storytelling to build trust instead of trying to impress Become a stronger communicator by focusing on failures, not just wins Create daily habits that strengthen presence at home Help kids love reading without turning it into a battle Model curiosity, learning, and humility for your children Danny’s insights are practical, honest, and immediately usable for dads who want to communicate more clearly, lead more effectively, and show up better for the people who matter most. Dig Deeper Do What Matters Most Becoming Your Best The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lyon Real Dads Read Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story Follow Danny On his website: https://www.wellcraftedstoryworkshop.com On X: https://www.x.com/DannyBrassell On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realDannyBrassell On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DannyBrassell On YouTube: https://youtube.com/DannyBrassell On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/DannyBrassell Get your free well crafted story blueprint: www.freestoryguide.com Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Jon Merlin on Building Creative Work Without Sacrificing Family Time

Jon Merlin is a longtime designer who left agency life to start his own creative studio while raising two young daughters. Instead of letting work bleed into every hour, Jon drew a hard line around family time and rebuilt his business around clarity, intention, and values. This conversation explores what it really looks like to pursue entrepreneurship without losing presence at home, and how letting go of perfection can unlock both better work and better parenting. Jon shares how to: Protect daily family time without derailing client work Set non-negotiables in seasons where work pressure is real Build a focused business by saying no to the wrong projects Navigate the anxiety and ambiguity of starting something new Replace perfection with progress at work and at home Use small moments with kids to stay connected during busy days Model emotional regulation, repair, and growth for children Choose work that aligns with values, not just revenue Reframe career gaps as runways instead of setbacks Define success through legacy, not titles or output Jon’s perspective is thoughtful, grounded, and deeply practical for dads who want to build something meaningful without missing what matters most. Dig Deeper One Club for Creatives (San Diego) Creative Mornings Lava Chicken Dookie by Green Day Basket Case by Green Day Follow Jon Website: https://jonmerlin.com/ On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonmerlin/ Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Doug Fleener on Making Better Work and Life Choices Without Burning Out

Why does work keep crowding out family time even when no one is explicitly asking it to? Doug Fleener is an author, coach, and former corporate executive who has lived both sides of the work equation. After years of leadership roles and constant pressure, he intentionally redesigned his work around presence, health, and family. As a dad to grown daughters and a teenager, Doug brings rare perspective on how seasons of fatherhood change what presence really looks like. Doug shares how to: Shift from chasing balance to making clear work and life choices Recognize when work is crowding out presence without anyone noticing Build daily intention through future focused journaling Use physical cues like closing a laptop or putting down a phone to signal presence Pause before reacting when pressure spills into family moments Find meaningful connection in small, ordinary moments Dig Deeper Bose Corporation Day One Start With What If by Doug Fleener Draft Day Arthur theme song Turn Style Piano Man Follow Doug Website: https://www.dougfleener.com On TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@dougfleener On Instagram: https://instagram.com/dougfleener On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554942906442 On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doug-fleener On LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dougfleener Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Stephanie Cordes on Finding Clarity When Success No Longer Feels Right

What do you do when your career looks successful on paper, but something quietly feels off? Stephanie Cordes is a career ownership coach who works with people at the exact moment when professional success and the life they want to live stop pointing in the same direction. She knows this moment personally. After building a successful corporate career, Stephanie realized that checking all the boxes did not automatically mean she was building the right life. Stephanie shares how to: • Recognize quiet misalignment before it turns into burnout • Reevaluate work and life goals as seasons and family needs change • Think beyond job titles and focus on lifestyle, income, and long term direction • Create a personal North Star that guides decisions without locking you into one path • Let go of the belief that every career change means failure • Explore new options while keeping stability for your family • Involve your partner in career decisions as a true team effort • Redefine what providing really means beyond a paycheck Dig Deeper Ring Camera Jamie Siminoff, Founder of Ring Camera Kim Possible Picture by Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock Aquaphor Follow Stephanie Website: https://stephahead.com On X: https://x.com/stephcordesTES On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniecordesTES On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093172011381 On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemcordes/ On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/stephcordestes.bsky.social Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Kristian Leavell on Navigating Anxiety, Depression, and the Long Winter Season

Why do anxiety and depression feel heavier during the long winter season, even when nothing is technically “wrong”? Kristian Leavell, licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and dad, returns to talk about the emotional weight winter can bring, especially for fathers carrying responsibility at work and at home. The focus here is awareness, regulation, and small, realistic ways to stay steady when energy is low and motivation fades. Kristian shares how to: • Notice early signs of anxiety and depression by watching patterns, not isolated moments • Treat emotions as useful signals rather than problems to eliminate • Separate thoughts from facts and step out of spirals • Use small, practical actions to interrupt anxiety before it builds • Apply opposite action when motivation disappears • Practice mindfulness in real life, not perfect conditions • Talk with kids about emotions in ways that create trust and safety • Redefine strength as presence, not endurance • Check in on other dads without feeling the need to fix them Dig Deeper ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) Cognitive Fusion DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) The Jetsons How to turn crayons into candles Crash the Gates by Yellowcard Follow Kristian TherapyTokWithKris on TikTok TherapyTalkWithKris on Instagram TherapyTalkWithKris on YouTube DistinctApproachCounseling.com Email Kris Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Eddie Torba on Building a Career That Lets You Show Up for Your Kids

What does it mean to succeed at work without missing the moments you never get back? Eddie Torba has spent decades in retail execution and operations, helping major brands adapt, rebuild, and evolve through massive industry change. Along the way, he made intentional career decisions to stay present for his family, from working nights and weekends early on, to shifting into remote corporate roles, to building a small consulting practice on the side. Eddie shares how to: • Design a career around family instead of fitting family into leftover time • Choose flexibility and stability without treating them as opposites • Build trust at work by delivering results, not logging hours • Protect family dinners, school events, and everyday moments that matter • Set boundaries that prevent burnout and protect mental energy • Create morning and weekly routines that support focus and balance • Explore a side path without overwhelming yourself or your family • Be honest about capacity before taking on extra work • Help kids understand the human effort behind convenience and consumption • Teach responsibility, work ethic, and perspective by example • Measure success by presence, not titles or constant availability Eddie’s story is a reminder that careers evolve, seasons change, and showing up consistently for your family is a choice you make again and again. His approach is practical, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in the belief that work should support life, not replace it. Dig Deeper Ad Populum EWS Consulting Party City Duck Tales Duck Tales theme song Knee Deep by Zach Brown Band Jimmy Buffett Follow Eddie Email Eddie Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On Threads: threads.com/@gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

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

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

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