• Matt Campbell on Rebuilding Energy, Presence, and Work Life Balance in Fatherhood
    Jun 23 2026

    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/

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • Mike Weyandt on Presence, Identity, and Navigating Fatherhood Through Uncertainty
    Jun 16 2026

    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/

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Rob Capili on Rebuilding Life After Divorce and Raising Resilient Kids
    Jun 9 2026

    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/

    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
  • Faisal Ensaun on Taking Ownership of Your Life and Redefining Success as a Dad
    Jun 2 2026
    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 DeeperGabor MatéNarakaPink PantherTom and JerryWonderlandScare Away the Dark by PassengerFollow FaisalOn his website: https://www.faisalensaun.com/On his podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IhYB1waklQjJWPkDKeU66On X: https://x.com/faisalensaunOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faisalensaun/On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/faisalensaun1On TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@faisalensaunOn YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@faisalensaunOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faisalensaun/Follow Gap to GigOn Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogigOn TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogigOn X: x.com/gaptogigOn YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogigOn your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.comFollow MichaelOn LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/
    Show More Show Less
    58 mins
  • Anthony Kuo on Escaping the Success Trap and Building a Career That Actually Fits
    May 26 2026

    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/

    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • Shaun Dawson on Fatherhood, Identity, and Redefining Work-Life Balance for Dads
    May 19 2026

    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/

    Show More Show Less
    55 mins
  • Paul Comfort on Finding Meaningful Work and Work-Life Balance as a Dad
    May 12 2026

    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/

    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • Antwaun Thompson on Raising Confident Kids Through Better Parenting and Coaching
    May 5 2026

    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/

    Show More Show Less
    55 mins