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

by Michael Jacobs - Working Dads & Fatherhood Expert
CareersParenting

Shaun Dawson on Fatherhood, Identity, and Redefining Work-Life Balance for Dads

What does it really mean to succeed as a dad when work, ambition, and identity are all pulling in different directions? Shaun Dawson, tech leader, father of two, and host of the Raising Men podcast, challenges the idea that success is defined by output alone. He shares a more grounded perspective on fatherhood, work life balance, and what working dads often get wrong when they focus too heavily on providing financially while overlooking emotional presence. Shaun shares how to: Redefine success beyond income and external achievement Build emotional security for your kids, not just financial security Separate identity from output and rethink what actually gives your life meaning Recognize when ego is shaping your parenting decisions Stay present during everyday moments that are easy to overlook but impossible to get back Navigate the tension between guiding your kids and letting them become who they are This is a thoughtful and honest conversation for working dads trying to build a life that balances fatherhood, meaningful work, and a deeper sense of identity. Dig Deeper Conan the Barbarian Raising Men by Eric Davis Bluey Dairy Queen Piano Man Follow Shaun On his website and podcast: https://raising.men/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raisingmen_podcast/ On Facebook: https://www.instagram.com/raisingmen_podcast/ On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RaisingMen_Podcast On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/raising-men/ On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@raisingmenpodcast 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/
E28
May 19, 2026
54:50

Paul Comfort on Finding Meaningful Work and Work-Life Balance as a Dad

What if the reason work feels off is not the job itself, but a lack of clarity about what you are actually built to do? Paul Comfort has spent decades helping people identify their strengths, align their careers with purpose, and build lives that feel both successful and meaningful. His work centers on the idea that most people never take the time to understand what they are uniquely wired to do. For dads trying to navigate fatherhood, career decisions, meaningful work, and work-life balance, lack of clarity can lead to frustration, burnout, and a constant feeling of being pulled in too many directions. Paul shares how to: Identify your natural strengths and use them to guide career decisions Recognize when you are in the wrong role versus the wrong season Align your work with your values, personality, and long-term goals Make better decisions about transitions, promotions, and opportunities Help your kids think about their own strengths and future paths Dig Deeper Command & Conquer PEG Channel DiSC Profile Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Barney Free Fallin’ Follow Paul On LinkedIn On Instagram On his show, Transit Unplugged TV On his podcast, Transit Unplugged Check out his book, Find Your X Factor, and take the assessment Pre-order his book from B&N 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/
E27
May 12, 2026
53:45

Antwaun Thompson on Raising Confident Kids Through Better Parenting and Coaching

What if the way you show up after the game matters more than the game itself? After more than three decades coaching and mentoring young people, Antwaun Thompson has seen a clear shift. Kids today are facing more pressure, less confidence, and more noise than ever before. And for many parents, especially working dads trying to navigate fatherhood and work-life balance, it's not always clear how to support them the right way. This conversation focuses on what kids actually need from their parents, not just in youth sports, but in everyday life. Antwaun shares how to: Build confidence in your kids through connection instead of constant correction Give feedback that helps growth instead of creating pressure Understand the hidden pressure kids feel from parents, coaches, teammates, and themselves Involve your kids in decisions so they build ownership and responsibility Create an environment where kids contribute instead of just participate Dig Deeper Dean Smith The Flintstones Let’s Stay Together by Al Green Follow Antwaun On his non-profit, JLT Fieldhouse On his website On Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders with Coach T On TeenSpeak - Empowering Today’s Youth On Instagram On Facebook On YouTube On TikTok On LinkedIn Check out his book, S.E.A. of Success 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/
E26
May 5, 2026
54:53

David Shar on Passion, Burnout, and Work-Life Balance for Working Dads

Why does work that once energized you start to feel like something you can’t turn off? Dr. David Shar studies what happens when people fall out of love with their work and why that shift often happens long before anyone notices. His research shows that for working dads, the challenge is not just workload. It is how work connects to identity, purpose, and the life you are trying to build at home. This conversation reframes passion in a way most people never consider. Not all passion is healthy. Some of it quietly creates burnout, tension, and distance from the people who matter most. David shares how to: • Understand the difference between healthy passion and the kind that leads to burnout • Recognize when guilt at home or at work is a signal of misalignment  • Identify when your work is integrated into your identity versus competing with it • Shift from obsessive work habits to a more sustainable, balanced approach • Influence culture and energy at work even without a leadership title • Align your impact at work with who you are as a parent • Create meaningful work without sacrificing presence at home We talk about fatherhood, identity, and work-life balance that actually holds up under real pressure. Not less ambition, but better alignment between who you are, how you work, and how you show up at home. Dig Deeper University of Maryland Cold Stone Creamery The Crips and Bloods Safeway ChatGPT Wicked Marvel Cinematic Universe Dinosaur Train The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Follow David On his website: http://www.davidshar.com On LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidshar 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/
E25
Apr 28, 2026
53:30

Alan Lazaros on Meaningful Work, Work-Life Balance, and Living from the Inside Out

What if the biggest gap between your work and your life is not your schedule, but how you define success? Alan Lazaros built what most people would call a successful life. High income, fast growth, and clear upward momentum. But after a near-fatal car accident at 26, he was forced to confront a harder question. Was any of it actually meaningful? For working dads trying to balance ambition, work-life balance, and presence at home, this conversation reframes what meaningful work really means and how easily success can drift away from what matters most. Alan shares how to: • Shift from chasing external success to building a life from the inside out • Recognize when your goals are driven by validation instead of values • Avoid building a life that looks successful but feels empty • Focus on long-term growth instead of short-term approval • Close the gap between your intentions and your daily actions • Redefine meaningful work in a way that actually fits your life This conversation is not about abandoning ambition. It's about aiming it in the right direction so your work, your values, and your life are moving together instead of pulling you apart. Dig Deeper Agfa Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) Adverse Childhood Experiences Score Pride Rock Hey Arnold Ice Ice Baby Follow Alan On his website: https://www.nextleveluniverse.com On Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/alazaros88 On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc On his podcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelUniversity 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/
E24
Apr 21, 2026
39:50

David Marcus on Fatherhood, Emotional Presence, and Raising Kids in a Stressed World

Why do so many working dads feel disconnected from their kids even when they are physically present? Modern fatherhood comes with pressures that did not exist a generation ago. Constant work demands, two-income households, packed schedules, and technology that never turns off have pushed many families into reactive mode. And when stress builds, connection is often the first thing to break. Dr. David Marcus, a clinical psychologist with over 40 years of experience working with families under stress, explains what is really happening beneath those moments of disconnection and how dads can show up differently. David shares how to: • Become a calming, steady presence when your child is overwhelmed • Understand why kids fear their emotions will push parents away  • Avoid reactive parenting patterns that get passed down unconsciously • Help children develop an emotional language instead of acting out • Respond in a way that allows your child to open up rather than shut down • Handle conflict without damaging trust or connection • Repair moments when you lose your temper and rebuild respect • Stay emotionally present even when work stress is high • Recognize when you are “filled up” and shifting into reaction mode • Create a home environment where kids feel safe expressing themselves This conversation is for working dads trying to balance fatherhood, work, and emotional presence in a world that rarely slows down. Dig Deeper My Big Fat Greek Wedding: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259446/ Michael Jordan: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan The Waltons: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068149/ Cats in the Cradle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u-KWa3tL-0 Father & Son: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6zaCV4niKk Sunrise, Sunset: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBJeF_Lav2o Follow David On his website: https://parentrx.org Email: dsmarcusphd@parentrx.org 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/
E23
Apr 14, 2026
53:59

Scott Maderer on Aligning Work, Fatherhood, and What Matters Most

What happens when you realize the career you built doesn’t actually align with the life you want? Scott Maderer built a successful career in finance, checked the right boxes, and did the things ambitious professionals are supposed to do. But eventually he realized something important was missing. The work that once looked impressive on paper no longer felt connected to his values, his purpose, or the kind of impact he wanted to make. That realization led Scott to step away from corporate finance and build a new path helping leaders and entrepreneurs align their work with what truly matters. Scott shares how to: Recognize when external success no longer matches internal fulfillment Navigate the uncertainty that comes with major career shifts Design work that supports family, relationships, and long term priorities Avoid chasing titles, money, or status that don't bring real satisfaction Dig Deeper Barney Sears Sweet Caroline Brodie the Goldendoodle Follow Scott On his website: inspiredstewardship.com/gaptogig On his podcast: https://inspiredstewardship.com/podcast/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stewardcoach/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/InspiredStewardship On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Inspired_Stewardship On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/csmaderer/ Read his book, Inspired Living: https://amzn.to/472IjZ7 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/
E22
Apr 7, 2026
51:30

Loren Silverman on Reclaiming Your Identity Beyond Productivity

What happens when your self-worth quietly becomes tied to your output? After nearly two decades leading digital transformation work for major brands, Loren Silverman realized that success on paper didn’t equal fulfillment in real life. The titles, the grind, the constant responsibility all looked right from the outside. But underneath, something felt off. That realization didn’t lead to a dramatic overnight reinvention. It led to something much simpler and far more powerful: pause, awareness, and small, repeatable shifts. Today, Loren helps high-responsibility professionals untangle identity from productivity, align actions with values, and build healthier boundaries without losing ambition. Loren shares how to: • Recognize when your reaction is bigger than the moment • Separate your identity from your professional output • Align daily actions with personal values • Protect energy, not just time • Use small, consistent changes instead of heroic life overhauls • Practice active listening to improve presence at home • Create boundaries that actually hold under pressure • Reframe slowing down as strength rather than weakness • Catch burnout before it becomes depletion • Pause long enough to make better decisions This conversation is thoughtful, grounded, and practical for any dad who feels stretched between responsibility and presence, and wants a steadier, more intentional way forward. Dig Deeper S.M.A.R.T. Tasks Baskin-Robbins House of the Rising Sun by The Animals The Doors Follow Loren On his website: https://www.silvermancoach.com On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loren.silverman/ On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/loren.silverman On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorensilverman/ 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/
E21
Mar 31, 2026
43:31

Julia Toothacre on Redefining Meaningful Work Through Life’s Seasons

What does meaningful work actually look like once you become a parent? For many professionals, the answer changes. Priorities shift. Energy changes. The things that once felt exciting or important can suddenly feel disconnected from the life you want to build. Career strategist Julia Toothacre works with high-performing professionals who look successful on paper but quietly feel stuck, burned out, or misaligned. Her work focuses on helping people take ownership of their careers while navigating the pressures of family, ambition, and changing priorities. Julia explains why meaningful work is often misunderstood and why the answer usually isn’t a dramatic career overhaul. More often, it comes from understanding the season of life you are in and aligning your choices with what matters most right now. Julia shares how to: • Understand why meaningful work means different things to different people • Recognize when feeling “stuck” is coming from internal pressure rather than external reality • Think about career risk differently once kids enter the picture • Identify when a job is temporarily demanding versus fundamentally misaligned • Manage career transitions without making emotional or reactive decisions • Spot the early warning signs of burnout before they escalate Dig Deeper Bluey Champagne Supernova by Oasis Follow Julia On her website: ridethetidecollective.com On her podcast, Control Your Career: https://ridethetidecollective.com/podcast/ On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridethetidecollective On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RideTheTideCollective On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ridethetidecollective On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ridethetidecol On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliakrussell 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/
E20
Mar 24, 2026
50:29

Alex Tuck on Timeboxing Your Way to Meaningful Work and Present Fatherhood

What if the key to balance is not working less, but working with intention? Alex Tuck runs a remote-first consulting firm from a farm in Vermont while raising four young kids with his wife. His approach is simple but disciplined: block the time, protect the priorities, and design work to fit life, not the other way around. From quarterly OKRs to daily timeboxing, Alex has built both a company and a family rhythm around clarity and structure. But beneath the systems is something deeper. A belief that work matters. Health matters. Relationships matter. And none of them should consume the others. Alex shares how to: • Use timeboxing to reduce overwhelm and increase focus • Break big goals into daily commitments that actually get done • Protect personal time with the same intensity as client work • Build a remote culture that values flexibility over utilization • Model boundaries so your team feels safe taking time off • Create phone free zones that increase connection at home • Adjust work rhythms when kids, travel, or life get chaotic • Invite your kids into decision making so they feel ownership • Replace guilt with intentional tradeoffs • Design meaningful work that supports, not competes with, family This conversation is practical, honest, and full of real world examples for dads trying to build something worthwhile without losing the people they are building it for. Dig Deeper Timeboxing Timeboxing: The Power of Doing One Thing at a Time by Marc Zao-Sanders One Thing at a Time newsletter by Marc Zao-Sanders Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Journey Follow Alex On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alextuck On his website: https://www.tuckconsultinggroup.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/
E19
Mar 17, 2026
51:53
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