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

Paul Terrell on Grit, Recovery, and Rebuilding Life as a Dad

How do you rebuild your life when everything breaks at once and you still have kids who need you every minute of the day? After a devastating spinal injury and years of recovery, Paul Terrell became a stay at home dad who had to relearn how to walk, talk, type, and parent with new physical limitations. Later he returned to work and eventually became a top performing enterprise account executive in PropTech and FinTech. His story is one of grit, patience, perseverance, and a deep commitment to family. Paul shares how to: • Relearn everyday life while caring for two young kids • Parent with physical limitations and find creative ways to adapt • Build mental toughness when progress feels painfully slow • Return to the workforce with confidence after years away • Use AI, systems, and prep work to compete at a high level again • Navigate the emotional shift from being the primary caregiver to traveling constantly for work • Strengthen a marriage through shared effort, support, and role changes • Turn stay at home parenting into quantifiable wins on a resume • Carry lessons from parenting into sales, negotiation, and leadership • Protect health, energy, and family time in a metrics driven role • Help kids understand work, money, teamwork, and responsibility • Break big goals into smaller ones and use data to track personal progress Paul’s story is honest, inspiring, and packed with practical wisdom for any dad rebuilding after a tough season or trying to figure out what comes next. Dig Deeper Yardi REIT Plaud Bohemian Rhapsody Nuthin' but a "G" Thang Follow Paul Paul Terrell on LinkedIn Paul Terrell on Instagram 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/

Sean Waldron on Creativity, Healing, and the Work That Starts at Home

What happens when you realize the real work of your life is happening at home, not at your job? Sean Waldron returns for a deeper conversation about creativity, fatherhood, and the stories that shape us. He shares how filming with his son became a doorway into connection, why every dad has creative gifts even if they do not see themselves as creative, and how bringing your work skills into your home can strengthen the bond with your kids. Sean opens up about: • Entering his child’s world and why validation matters so much • How creativity shows up in everyday parenting • Using the skills you practice at work to build connection at home • The danger of tying your worth to your job • Why every dad carries a creative spark • How good is built in small moments inside your home • Growing up with fractured support and transforming that pain into purpose • The heart behind ROAR and the documentary Silly Cannonballs • The healing conversation he needed to have with his father before he could tell this story • Building habits and protecting your morning to stay grounded • Navigating perfection, mastery, and the pursuit of honesty This conversation goes deeper into purpose, identity, generational patterns, and the kind of dad you want to become. It is raw, thoughtful, and full of clarity about what truly matters. Dig Deeper ROAR Dads Silly Cannonballs The Jetsons MacGyver John Mayer Japanese Joinery Gap to Gig Episode 6: Sean Waldron on Purpose, Creativity, and Becoming a Present Dad Follow Sean Sean Waldron on LinkedIn 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/

Sean Waldron on Purpose, Creativity, and Becoming a Present Dad

How do you hold onto your creative identity while trying to be the parent you want to be? Sean Waldron has built a life around creativity from music to video production to brand storytelling. He has freelanced, gone in-house, flipped houses, and wrestled with the tension between purpose and practical responsibilities. Becoming a dad pushed him to rethink all of it. Sean shares how to: Blend creative skills with fatherhood in a way that builds connection Separate who you are from what you do after layoffs, pivots, or burnout Navigate the pull between purpose, mastery, and paying the bills Pursue creative work without letting perfectionism take over Find meaning in seasons of uncertainty Recognize early signs that you are on the right path even without results Carry ambition into parenthood without letting it overshadow your home life Create simple moments of delight using the skills that light you up Explore the stories you learned growing up and how they shape the dad you want to become If you have ever felt torn between your creative passions, your responsibilities, and the desire to show up well for your kids, this conversation offers clarity, grounding, and a reminder that purpose is built one small moment at a time. Dig Deeper ROAR Dads Silly Cannonballs Girl Above Set Your Mind Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture by David Murray Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy Bluey Red Hot and Blue Pit Barbecue Jason Mraz My Humps Baby Got Back The Roost Stand Follow Sean Sean Waldron on LinkedIn Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram On TikTok On X On YouTube On your podcast player of choice Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter Follow Michael On LinkedIn

Kristian Leavell on Finding Calm and Becoming the Dad You Want to Be

What does it really take to be present as a dad while juggling work, pressure, and your own mental health? Kristian Leavell, a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and dad, brings both clinical insight and lived experience to this honest conversation about the weight many fathers carry and how to navigate it with clarity and compassion. Kristian shares how to: • Be truthful about what you feel and what you need • Understand the voice behind internal pressure and self doubt • Redefine what it means to provide for your family • Manage guilt around work, parenting, and expectations • Let go of perfectionism and the anxiety under it • Reset when you feel disconnected from yourself or your family • Build routines that protect your mental health • Model emotional honesty for your kids while keeping boundaries • Build real community even when adult friendships feel difficult • Cross the swamp of discomfort to become the parent you want to be If you feel stretched thin, quietly anxious, or simply trying to show up better for yourself and your family, this episode offers grounded guidance and a way forward. Dig Deeper Kristian’s video about being a girl dad Instagram | TikTok Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls by TLC Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes The Man Who Sold the World by Nirvana Texas State Follow Kristian TherapyTokWithKris on TikTok TherapyTalkWithKris on Instagram 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/

Erin Aldrich Shean on Redefining Success for the Season You’re In

What happens when the chapter you spent years chasing finally ends and you’re left asking what comes next? In this episode of Gap to Gig, host Michael Jacobs talks with Erin Aldrich Shean, a former Olympic and professional athlete who has reinvented herself multiple times across sports, corporate strategy, and now career coaching. Erin helps people navigate life and work transitions using her LAND method, a framework built around learning, alignment, networking, and delivery. Erin shares how to: Redefine success when life shifts and old identities fall away Find clarity before rushing into the next job or direction Ask for support instead of trying to figure everything out alone Balance ambition with the life you want at home Navigate seasons of grind and seasons of rest Align your values with the work you choose Keep your network warm and active after you land Take care of yourself so you can show up fully for your family Whether you’re returning to work, pivoting into something new, or simply trying to make sense of the season you’re in, this conversation offers perspective, honesty, and practical ways to move forward with more clarity and less pressure. Dig Deeper LAND Method Ikigai Ascension Coaching and Consulting Ascension Coaching and Consulting on LinkedIn I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor 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/

Jacob Stone on Reentering the Workforce and Bringing Your Whole Self to Work

What really happens behind the scenes in hiring and how can dads returning to work stand out? In this episode of Gap to Gig, host Michael Jacobs talks with Jacob Stone, HR consultant and founder of WorqTap, who’s spent over a decade helping companies hire smarter and helping people land roles that actually fit their lives. Jacob shares what most job seekers never hear: • What’s really going on inside hiring teams (and how to stand out). • Why soft skills like adaptability and communication matter more than technical ones. • How parenting builds the exact qualities employers need. • How to reframe career gaps with confidence. • Why networking, not algorithms, gets you hired. Whether you’re reentering the workforce, changing careers, or just trying to build meaningful work around family life, this episode will help you bring your full story to the table. Dig Deeper WorqTap Paul Revere by Beastie Boys 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/

Jesse Holmes on Building Momentum in 10 Minutes a Day

In this episode of Gap to Gig, host Michael Jacobs talks with Jesse Holmes, a performance coach who helps entrepreneurs and parents make measurable progress in just 10 minutes a day. Jesse shares how to: • Build clarity and confidence through small, consistent actions. • Find your focus when life feels chaotic. • Apply “deep work” principles to parenting, relationships, and self-care. • Turn daily 10-minute wins into lasting momentum. • Balance business growth with family life — without burning out. Whether you’re rebuilding your career, starting something new, or simply trying to stay present at home, this conversation will help you take the next step toward growth that feels sustainable. Dig Deeper Jesse’s Breakout Planner Fergalicious by Fergie Follow Jesse Jesse Holmes on Facebook 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/

John Tarnoff on Finding Your Next Chapter

What happens when your career suddenly stops fitting your life? In this episode of Gap to Gig, host Michael Jacobs talks with John Tarnoff, an executive coach who rebuilt his career after the tech bubble burst and now helps mid-career professionals rediscover purpose and confidence. John shares how to: • Navigate uncertainty and rebuild resilience. • Reframe “returning to work” as moving forward, not backward. • Turn personal experiences — even parenting — into professional strengths. • Rebuild confidence by acting before you feel ready. • Create community instead of just “networking.” If you’re a dad redefining success, shifting careers, or searching for meaningful work that fits real life, this episode will help you take the next step with clarity and confidence. Dig Deeper Pema Chödrön https://pemachodronfoundation.org Gampo Abbey https://gampoabbey.org/ Comfortable with Uncertainty https://amzn.to/4oNRCTc Julia Cameron https://juliacameronlive.com/ The Artist’s Way https://amzn.to/4hClP5h Ikigai https://www.japan.go.jp/kizuna/2022/03/ikigai\_japanese\_secret\_to\_a\_joyful\_life.html Ikigai Venn diagram https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai#/media/File:Diagramo\_de\_Ikigajo\_-en.svg You’ve Got a Friend by Carole King https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAR\_Ff5A8Rk Follow John John Tarnoff on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntarnoff/ Mid-Career Lab community https://midcareerlab.com/ John Tarnoff website https://johntarnoff.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/

Welcome to Gap to Gig: For Dads Redefining Work and Family

What if the goal isn’t just finding work, but finding work that fits your life? Gap to Gig is the podcast for dads balancing career, family, and purpose. Hosted by entrepreneur and dad Michael Jacobs, each week features real conversations with fathers, founders, and experts who are redefining success and creating careers that fit real life. If you’re navigating career change, exploring freelance or flexible work, or looking for meaningful work without missing the moments that matter most, this show is for you. In this trailer, hear what’s coming: honest stories, practical strategies, and a few laughs along the way. Follow or subscribe to Gap to Gig on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your podcast player of choice to start building a life that feels like yours, not someone else’s version of success. Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.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 Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

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