Explore every episode of the podcast The Dad Chapter

What does “ready” even mean?

In Episode 4 of The Dad Chapter, Kendrick Keough, TJ Boyd, and future dad/intern Kevin Hough tackle the age-old, nerve-wracking question: Are you ever actually ready to become a parent? Spoiler alert — no. No, you’re not.

From accidentally setting the oven on fire trying to make "healthy" chicken nuggets (Kendrick… bro…) to calling 911 on the Easter Bunny (Kevin. It happened. He swears it made sense at the time), this episode delivers the real, raw, and ridiculous truths about gearing up for parenthood — or just realizing you’ll never actually be “geared up.”

We break down the emotional haymaker that hits the moment you see those two pink lines, how “trying” for a baby is a hilarious minefield of timing apps and let’s-see-what-happens optimism, and why even the best-laid plans go out the window the second your baby decides to arrive early, late, or while you’re mid-pants.

You’ll laugh, you’ll cringe, you’ll Google “what does two pink lines mean?”

And of course, we bring it home with some dad jokes (still very much under construction), an argument over cargo shorts, and whether the dad uniform should just be one outfit on repeat forever.

This episode isn’t just about becoming a parent — it’s about evolving into a different version of yourself. The pre-dad you get left at the door, along with your free time and uninterrupted meals. But what do you get in return? A new kind of chaos. A beautiful, loud, exhausting, hilarious, life-changing chaos.

So, are you ready? Probably not. But here they come anyway.

LISTEN & SUBSCRIBE We’re not dads with degrees. We’re dads with diapers. And we’re just winging it — one wipe, one meltdown, one beautiful disaster at a time.

Hit SUBSCRIBE, drop a LIKE, and leave a COMMENT sharing your funniest “we’re pregnant” moment — or your wildest dad fails. Bonus points if it involves chicken nuggets, suspicious pregnancy timing, or rogue fire extinguishers.

FOLLOW US @thedadchapter Catch behind-the-scenes chaos, dad memes, and real moments on Instagram — because we’re definitely not filtering the mess.

Brought to you by Flexwork Studios Massive love to the crew behind the camera, the mics, and the magic.

If you’ve ever panicked, doubted, or laughed your way through parenthood, you’re one of us.

Welcome to The Dad Chapter.

Happy Father’s Day? Not quite. We’re flipping the script.

In this very special episode of The Dad Chapter, we’re turning the spotlight where it truly belongs: on the moms.

Our Better Half isn’t about us. It’s a love letter, a confession, a laugh-so-we-don’t-cry moment dedicated to the women who actually make this whole parenting thing work. The ones who knew we’d be dads before we did. The ones who believed in us, carried the load (literally and figuratively), and who somehow manage to juggle full-time jobs, diaper disasters, and emotional breakdowns—without breaking down themselves.

Kendrick, TJ, and Kevin sit down on Father’s Day to get real about the real MVPs. From the early days of pregnancy to those blurry-eyed midnight feedings, they each reflect on the exact moment they realized: “Oh. She’s going to be a phenomenal mom.”

We hear about Shannon’s middle school baby project disaster (don’t worry, it was just a doll) and how she somehow evolved into the calm-in-the-storm rock Kendrick leans on today. TJ tells the story of how his dog Enzo earned him his first date—and how Emma, now a full-time work-from-home mom, manages a toddler and a laptop like some kind of wizard. Kevin, still earning his Dad Card, marvels at Taylor’s sixth sense for dog ear infections and her supernatural ability to not lose her mind… even when everything else is on fire.

Speaking of fire, Kendrick shares a full-blown dad fail involving homemade chicken nuggets, a preheated oven, and a house that almost didn’t make it. And TJ? He relives the time he told his wife he was tired. During labor. (We’re amazed he’s still alive.)

But this episode isn’t just gratitude and laughs—it’s also brutally honest.

We unpack:

• What gets overlooked: The invisible labor, the mental load, the decision fatigue, the “she just does it” magic.
  

• How fatherhood shifts your perspective: Watching your partner become a parent changes your love forever.
  

• The breaking points: From block tower tantrums to sick baby meltdowns, we talk about the moments we snapped—and what we learned when we did.
  

• How to actually show appreciation: (Hint: It’s not just “thank you.” Sometimes it’s a text. A note. Or just doing the damn dishes before she gets to them.)
  

There’s vulnerability here, too. TJ opens up about trying to console a sick son at 2AM and reaching a breaking point that ended with a kicked chair and some real shame. Kendrick confesses to pretending a “storm” knocked over his daughter’s block tower—because he lost his temper and kicked it. Kevin asks the question many dads won’t say out loud: How do they do it? And what happens when we fall apart?

Motherhood isn’t just a role. It’s a superpower. One that includes multitasking at Olympic levels, smiling through sleep deprivation, and being the glue that holds a family together while also wiping noses, balancing a spreadsheet, and remembering where we put the baby Tylenol.

We explore how these women keep it all together—even when we don’t deserve it. And how, watching them parent, makes us love them in entirely new ways.

For Kevin, it’s seeing Taylor care for their dogs with a love so big it spills over into everything she touches. For TJ, it’s witnessing Emma work a full day while caring for their son and still thinking she’s not doing enough. For Kendrick, it’s watching Shannon become the rock—patient, calm, and somehow always one step ahead.

This isn’t just an episode—it’s a thank you note. A soul check. A reminder that none of this works without them.

We close with a challenge for every dad listening: What are you doing—daily—to make her life easier? Not once a year. Not on her birthday. Every single day.

Because being a dad today means showing up. Listening. Learning. Screwing up. Owning it. Apologizing. Trying again. And doing better—for our kids, and for our better halves.

So this Father’s Day? We’re standing up, stepping aside, and handing the mic to the moms. You deserve every damn flower.

Welcome back to The Dad Chapter, where the chicken nuggets are slightly burnt, the kids are louder than your inner peace, and three grown men are still trying to figure out how to make it through the week without losing their minds (or their toddlers).

This week, TJ Boyd (dad of one), Kendrick Keough (dad of two), and our favorite unpaid intern/future dad Kevin Hough get real about the identity shift that sucker-punches every guy the second they step into dad life.

Episode 1 was all about surviving those first terrifying days. This one’s about what happens after — when the chaos becomes constant, the sleep is a distant memory, and suddenly you’re Googling “how to get smashed peas out of hair” instead of “best golf courses near me.”

We kick things off with a little “apple cup” showdown and some post-game trash talk from Kevin, the dog dad who dominated the dads. (Turns out lifting a 60-pound golden daily does give you an advantage in backyard competitions.) But the fun quickly turns into some deep, unfiltered conversation about how being a dad — or even thinking about becoming one — starts to shift everything: your friendships, your time, and most importantly, your sense of self.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Dad Identity Crisis: Kendrick shares how fatherhood made him feel like he found his calling, while Kevin admits he’s still wrapping his head around the idea that loving someone more than yourself might just redefine everything.

• Friendship Fallout & Realignment: TJ breaks down the hard truth — that 80/20 split where your kid gets your best, and your friends get… what’s left. But also how some friendships get stronger when you’re surviving the same chaos.

• Literal Hand-Offs and Car Seat Ballet: From driveway parenting swaps to nap patrol on the backroads, the guys share the behind-the-scenes logistics of balancing babies, Zoom calls, and whatever’s left of your mental energy.

• Dad Fails & Flying Babies: TJ recounts the night his son fell off the dresser (spoiler: a life-size elephant saved the day), and Kendrick confesses to the time he drop-kicked a block tower in a moment of sleep-deprived rage.

• The Screen Time Struggle Is Real: We said we’d never do it. And then… we did it. Sometimes a tablet is the only thing standing between you and a hot meal.

• Me Time Is a Myth (Sort Of): Remember video games? The gym? Showers longer than 90 seconds? Yeah. Us neither. Welcome to cardio by toddler chase.

• Partnership Pressure: TJ and Kendrick don’t sugarcoat the toll parenting can take on your relationship. From losing touch with date nights to feeling more like co-managers than spouses, they break down how to hold the team together when everyone’s on edge.

• Dad Hacks & Rookie Moves: Kevin wants the blueprint. TJ and Kendrick hand him the real playbook: diaper indicators, car naps, and keeping the pediatrician’s number on speed dial.

• The Moment It All Hits: That day you leave for work and hear “Dada” at the window. That diaper change where everything goes wrong. That quiet second when you realize… you wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Through it all, Kevin — our loyal intern and rookie on deck — keeps the rookie questions coming. How many diapers really per day? Can you still have a morning routine as a dad? (Answer: lol, no.) And when, exactly, do you stop feeling like you’re just winging it? (Answer: TBD.)

And just when things get emotional — cue the teacher tributes. Kendrick gets hit with heartfelt messages from former students and parents about the impact he’s had on their lives. Yeah, this one might make you tear up a little. Don’t worry. We’re right there with you.

At the heart of it all is a reminder that fatherhood isn’t just about survival — it’s about growth. About being present. About embracing the mess, laughing at the madness, and learning to become a dad.

Thanks for hanging with us today. You’re officially part of The Dad Chapter crew now. Buckle up — it’s beautiful, it’s chaotic, and we’re only two episodes in.

In this first episode, Kendrick Keough (dad of two), TJ Boyd (dad of one), and Kevin Hough (future dad and current intern working for coffee and survival tips) sit down and get real about what it's like before, during, and after you step into fatherhood. Spoiler: nothing — we mean nothing — can actually prepare you.

We’re not handing out certificates. We’re not your therapist. We’re just three guys figuring it out like everybody else — and laughing through the madness before it sends us to an early grave or a Jersey diner at 2AM wondering what just happened to our lives.

This first episode, we rewind to where it all started — a random birthday text that somehow turned into a podcast. We dive into how fast your life flips the second you realize that kid is coming home with you — no nurses, no manuals, no "tap outs" when it gets real. Just you, a car seat you barely figured out, and a brand-new definition of chaos.

Kendrick talks about the moment his daughter’s head crowned and the reality check that followed. TJ breaks down that first night home when it hit him — hard — that you’re now in charge of keeping a tiny human alive. And Kevin, our unpaid intern still trying to earn his official Dad Card, fires off all the rookie questions: When does it actually feel real? How do you deal with the madness? Is it normal to wonder what the hell you just signed up for?

We cover everything nobody warned us about: the pure shock of sleep deprivation, the crushing loss of “me time,” and the harsh reality that once you're home, you're officially the on-call janitor, chef, and personal assistant to a seven-pound dictator.

There's a lot of talk about embracing the chaos. Because here's the truth: you can fight it, or you can own it. Trust us, surrendering is a lot less painful. Kendrick shares how giving in to the madness became his superpower. TJ talks about learning to close his eyes at 3AM, think about being 60, and realizing he’s gonna miss these days when they're gone. Kevin — well, he’s still trying to figure out how to install the car seat without losing a thumb.

We also get into some top-tier dad fails. Like Kendrick almost torching his house over a tray of "healthy" chicken nuggets (solid idea, terrible execution), and TJ confessing that he once told his wife he was tired during labor. Yeah. Tired. During labor. He’s lucky we even let him back on the mic.

We don’t sugarcoat the sacrifices either. Gym memberships? Canceled. Video games? Gathering dust. PB&J crusts for dinner? Absolutely. Getting peed on at 2AM and considering it a regular Thursday? Welcome to the club. It’s not glamorous, but somehow, it’s still the best thing that’s ever happened to us.

We also break down what it means to be a dad today. This isn’t the 1950s anymore. Being a dad now means showing up — exhausted, broke, frustrated — but showing up anyway. You’re Batman. She’s Batman. The kid’s probably Batman too. There are no days off.

If you’re already a dad, about to become one, or just a guy who knows he’s got a storm coming, this one's for you. We’re not here to preach. We’re here to shoot it straight, swap some war stories, and maybe make your first diaper explosion a little less terrifying.

Because at the end of the day, if we can help even one new dad feel a little less lost (or at least laugh while he's getting peed on at 3AM), then we’re doing something right.

Thanks for hanging with us today. You're officially part of The Dad Chapter crew now. Buckle up — it’s chaos, it’s beautiful, and it’s only just getting started.

Follow us on Instagram @thedadchapter for behind-the-scenes moments, updates, and whatever else we can scrape together between diaper changes. If you’re feeling generous, hit that subscribe button, leave a comment, and tell us your definition of chaos. Bonus points if it involves a chicken nugget or a rogue diaper.