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

di Michael Jacobs - Working Dads & Fatherhood Expert
CarriereRelazioni genitoriali

Carol Enneking on Why Work Life Balance Feels So Hard

For many working dads, the challenge isn’t a lack of ambition. It’s the feeling that no matter how hard they work, there’s always another responsibility competing for their time, attention, and energy. After decades in leadership roles, including serving as a Global VP of Talent and Leadership, Carol Enneking noticed a pattern: many of the most successful people she worked with were also some of the most exhausted. Carol shares how to: Recognize the difference between a demanding season and a misaligned life Create margin for the unexpected instead of operating at full capacity Think about sequencing goals instead of stacking everything at once Build stronger relationships through presence and attention Carol offers practical wisdom for working dads trying to navigate fatherhood, meaningful work, and the tension between professional ambition and personal priorities. Dig Deeper Stephen Covey Sharpen the Saw Insperity The Brady Bunch Barney My Best Friend’s Girl Follow Carol On her website: https://carolenneking.com/ In her community: https://carolenneking.com/join-community/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolenneking On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carol.enneking On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CarolEnnekingSpeaker On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caroltenneking/ Get her book, The Rebalancing Act: https://carolenneking.com/book/ Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig 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/
E38
28 lug 2026
52:39

Chris Woods on Overcoming Fear as a Working Dad

What would your life look like if fear stopped making your decisions? Chris Woods spent decades building a successful career, including leadership roles at Google. From the outside, everything looked like it was working. But underneath the success was a constant fear of failure, loss, and not measuring up. Everything changed when Chris flatlined in a hospital bed at age 40. The experience forced him to take a hard look at what was driving his choices and whether the life he was building was actually connected to what mattered most. Chris shares how to: Recognize when fear is driving your decisions at work and at home Stop catastrophizing worst-case scenarios Build confidence by bringing fears into the open instead of avoiding them Use gratitude to become more present in everyday life Chris offers a practical perspective for working dads trying to balance fatherhood, career growth and the pressure that comes with providing for a family. You don’t need a life-altering event to start asking better questions about your work, your priorities, and the life you want to build. Dig Deeper Cardiac Lyme disease Enneagram Peter Crone Clifton StrengthFinders The Brady Bunch Follow Chris On his website: https://chriswoodscoach.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswoodsleadership On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chriswoodscoach On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chriswoodsleadership On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriswoods His book, Balls & Brains: https://amzn.to/4x7kzhD Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig 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
E37
21 lug 2026
52:30

Mylena Sutton on the Conversations Working Dads Keep Avoiding

What happens when the conversations working dads avoid at home start affecting every other part of their lives? Mylena Sutton believes leadership is not something you turn on at work and leave behind at home. The way you handle conflict, stress, shame, communication, and emotional pressure follows you everywhere. For working dads trying to balance career demands, parenting, relationships, and personal identity, that truth can be uncomfortable, but necessary. This conversation explores how emotional avoidance, resentment, shame, and overwork quietly shape fatherhood, parenting, relationships, and work life balance. Mylena shares how to: Handle difficult conversations before they explode into conflict Build healthier communication patterns inside relationships and parenting Create alignment between career, family, and personal values Stop using work as an escape from unresolved problems at home Address shame honestly instead of carrying it silently Create healthier boundaries that support long term work life balance Stay grounded in your values during stressful seasons of fatherhood and work Mylena’s perspective is direct, thoughtful, and deeply practical. She challenges the idea that dads should simply carry everything silently and instead encourages more honesty, more intentionality, and more alignment between the life you want and the life you are actively building. This conversation offers meaningful insight for working dads navigating parenting, leadership, relationships, and the emotional realities that often go unspoken. Dig Deeper Uno Pink Panther Federal Aviation Administration Rock Steady by Aretha Franklin Follow Mylena On her website: mylenasutton.com/invitations On Instagram: instagram.com/mylenasutton On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mylenasutton On her podcast, The Leadership Drives: theleadershipdrives.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 On your podcast player of choice: rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
E36
14 lug 2026
50:31

Jason VanDevere on Building Generational Habits Through Fatherhood and Entrepreneurship

What if success is not about building generational wealth, but building generational habits? Jason VanDevere walked away from a future most people would never leave behind. Instead of taking over his family’s successful auto dealership business, he chose to build his own path through entrepreneurship, real estate investing, and coaching. Becoming a father changed how he thinks about ambition, work life balance, and what success is actually supposed to lead to. Jason shares how to: Define success based on lifestyle and values instead of status or income Build work life balance by creating intentional constraints and boundaries Stop letting work expand endlessly into family time Create businesses that support your life instead of consuming it Build generational habits that shape your family long after money is gone For dads trying to balance fatherhood, entrepreneurship, and the desire to build a meaningful life for the next generation, this conversation offers both clarity and actionable perspective. Dig Deeper Ice Bath https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria_ Barney The Lion King Stacy’s Mom Follow Jason On his website: https://goalcrazy.com/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goal.crazy Goal Crazy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4v8Lo3w Read his book, Dream Driven: https://amzn.to/4dK7lPj Grab the Idea to Profit Blueprint: https://www.goalcrazy.com/blueprint Check out his podcast Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig 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/
E35
7 lug 2026
45:40

Colin C. Thompson on Mental Fitness for Working Dads

How do you stay calm, present, and emotionally available when life keeps pulling you in every direction at once? Colin C. Thompson believes the answer starts with mental fitness. As a coach, speaker, and certified Positive Intelligence practitioner, Colin works with people who feel stuck between pressure, responsibility, and the constant demands of work and family life. His approach focuses on helping dads recognize the thought patterns, habits, and emotional reactions that quietly shape how they show up every day. This conversation explores how working dads can build mental fitness instead of constantly operating in survival mode. Colin breaks down the mental habits that create more presence, patience, emotional control, and healthier work life balance at home and at work. Colin shares how to: Create healthier boundaries between work mode and family mode Transition intentionally from work stress into parenting time Recognize self-sabotaging thoughts before they spiral Stop carrying workplace pressure into family interactions Respond to stressful parenting moments with more calm and less reactivity Model emotional openness and healthy behavior for your kids Reduce comparison and external pressure as a working dad For working dads trying to balance fatherhood, meaningful work, and the emotional pressure that comes with both, this conversation offers practical ways to build stronger mental fitness, healthier boundaries, and more intentional relationships at home. Dig Deeper Kung Fu Theater Rally’s 24K Magic by Bruno Mars Elmo the President Follow Colin On his websites: https://www.oligye.com and https://www.colincthompson.com On Facebook: https://facebook.com/colin.c.thompson On LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/colincthompson/ Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig 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/
E34
30 giu 2026
44:08

Matt Campbell on Rebuilding Energy, Presence, and Work Life Balance in Fatherhood

Why do so many working dads feel exhausted even when they’re doing everything "right"? Dr. Matt Campbell believes the problem is not that most people are broken. It’s that they’re depleted. Matt is a clinical psychologist and creator of the Primal Five Framework, which focuses on five foundational areas that shape how we show up every day: sleep, sunlight, movement, connection, and consumption. His work explores how modern life quietly pulls us away from the things our minds and bodies were built for and how that depletion affects everything from patience and anxiety to parenting and meaningful work. Matt shares how to: Recognize when exhaustion is really a capacity problem instead of a time problem Improve work life balance without trying to overhaul your entire life overnight Build routines that reduce decision fatigue and make healthy habits easier Find practical ways to incorporate movement into an already busy schedule Create meaningful connection instead of surface-level social interaction Break cycles of depletion, irritability, anxiety, and overwhelm Matt brings a thoughtful and deeply practical perspective to fatherhood, parenting, and the reality of trying to stay healthy while balancing work, family, and daily responsibilities. Dig Deeper Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation Scooby-Doo Theme Song Thunder Road You Never Even Called Me by My Name Follow Matt On his website: https://www.ourprimal5.com/ On his newsletter: https://our-primal-5.kit.com/9b41ee5325 On Instagram: https://instagram.com/ourprimal5 On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-campbell-a5b22910/ Get the Our Primal 5 Workbook: https://amzn.to/48Qoe9h Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig 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/
E33
23 giu 2026
1:00:33

Mike Weyandt on Presence, Identity, and Navigating Fatherhood Through Uncertainty

What happens when your life changes faster than you can process it? For Mike Weyandt, the shift into fatherhood came all at once. A long, uncertain adoption process suddenly turned into bringing home a newborn in a matter of weeks. At the same time, his career path was in flux, and shortly after, the world shut down. What followed was a season filled with constant change, new responsibilities, and very little time to step back and make sense of it all. Mike brings a rare combination of perspectives. As a former opera performer, he understands what it means to be fully present when it matters most. As a talent leader and executive coach, he has helped others navigate uncertainty in their careers. And as a dad, he has lived through the reality of balancing meaningful work, identity shifts, and the everyday demands of parenting. Mike shares how to: Recognize and interrupt reactive patterns in both work and parenting Build awareness around the thoughts that drive stress and overwhelm Stay present when everything around you feels uncertain Balance ambition with the realities of fatherhood and daily life Move from constant reaction to more intentional decision-making Let go of “should” thinking and challenge inherited assumptions Handle career uncertainty without defaulting to ineffective busy work Accept that growth as a parent and professional is an ongoing practice Mike’s perspective is thoughtful, honest, and deeply practical. Especially for working dads trying to figure out work life balance while navigating change, pressure, and the desire to be more present at home. It’s a reminder that not every season needs to be solved immediately. Sometimes the real work is learning how to stay grounded while everything is still unfolding. Dig Deeper ADHD Never Eat Alone Bluey Crazy by Patsy Cline Follow Mike On his website: analogpractice.work On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mweyandt/ Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig 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/
E32
16 giu 2026
1:03:12

Rob Capili on Rebuilding Life After Divorce and Raising Resilient Kids

What does it actually look like to rebuild your life after everything falls apart? Rob Capili has lived through it. Divorce, career pivots, identity shifts, and the long process of starting over while still showing up as a father. His path has never been linear. From tech to filmmaking to music to entrepreneurship, he has followed curiosity, taken risks, and learned the hard way what matters and what doesn’t. But some of his most important lessons didn't come from success. They came from failure, from relationships that didn't work, and from the responsibility of raising kids through difficult transitions. This conversation is raw, honest, and grounded in real experience. Especially for working dads trying to navigate fatherhood, work life balance, and the pressure to get it right while figuring it out in real time. Rob shares how to: Rebuild your identity and direction after divorce Balance honesty with protecting your children during difficult seasons Let go of perfection and focus on being present as a parent Give kids the space to make their own decisions while still guiding them Shift from outcome-based thinking to focusing on effort and process Recognize what you will and will not tolerate in relationships moving forward Use failure, setbacks, and painful experiences as fuel for growth Follow curiosity and creativity while still carrying real responsibility Rob’s perspective is direct, thoughtful, and often unexpectedly funny. A reminder that even in the hardest seasons, there is a path forward. Dig Deeper Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Barney Back That Azz Up by Juvenile Follow Rob On his website: robcapili.com Lovers Quarrel: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/robcapili/lovers-quarrel-a-graphic-novel Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig 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/
E31
9 giu 2026
50:54

Faisal Ensaun on Taking Ownership of Your Life and Redefining Success as a Dad

What if the life you’re building is the very thing draining you? Faisal Ensaun’s journey spans survival, addiction, reinvention, and ultimately building a life rooted in purpose, ownership, and alignment. From immigrating out of a war-torn country to hitting personal rock bottom, he rebuilt his life by asking harder questions than most people are willing to face. Today, as a coach, entrepreneur, and father, Faisal works with high performers who look successful on the outside but feel disconnected underneath. Faisal’s perspective is intense, honest, and grounded in lived experience. Especially for dads trying to navigate fatherhood, meaningful work, and the pressure to provide without losing themselves in the process. Dig Deeper Gabor Maté Naraka Pink Panther Tom and Jerry Wonderland Scare Away the Dark by Passenger Follow Faisal On his website: https://www.faisalensaun.com/ On his podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IhYB1waklQjJWPkDKeU66 On X: https://x.com/faisalensaun On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faisalensaun/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faisalensaun1 On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@faisalensaun On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@faisalensaun On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faisalensaun/ Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig 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/
E30
2 giu 2026
58:25

Anthony Kuo on Escaping the Success Trap and Building a Career That Actually Fits

What happens when you do everything right on paper… and still feel like something is off? Anthony Kuo knows that feeling firsthand. From performing at Carnegie Hall at 17 to climbing the corporate ladder after graduating from NYU Stern, he checked every box most people chase. But underneath the external success, something never quite clicked. Now a career satisfaction coach and founder of Untamed Career, Anthony helps high achievers untangle the gap between success and satisfaction and build careers that actually align with who they are. This conversation explores what many working dads quietly wrestle with. The tension between providing and feeling fulfilled. The pressure to keep going even when something feels misaligned. And the challenge of figuring out what you actually want when the answer is not obvious. Anthony shares how to: Understand the difference between success and satisfaction and why both matter Recognize when your work is draining energy instead of fueling it Break down the overwhelming question of “what do I want?” into something actionable Avoid burnout by paying attention to the process, not just the outcome Navigate career changes without blowing up your life or risking stability Understand how your career choices impact your presence as a parent Dig Deeper NYU Stern School of Business Carnegie Hall ADHD The Song That Never Ends from Lamb Chop Follow Anthony On his website: https://untamedcareer.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/untamedcareer/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.c.kuo On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@untamedcareer On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/untamedcareer/ 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/
E29
26 mag 2026
51:34
2 di 5