Dad Pod - A Dad Guild Podcast

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  Sun Safety [Episode 32] 21.08.2026 31min

  Dan Castrigano discusses sun safety with Dr. Santana VanDyke, UVM Health Dermatologist and Assistant Professor at the Larner College of Medicine. Dan and Dr. VanDyke talk about sunscreen, sun protective clothing, "base tans," U.S. regulation of sunscreen ingredients, the UV index, signs of skin cancer, and much more. Thank you to members of the Dad Guild community who submitted questions and ideas for this podcast, including Alex Melville, David Runge, Sky Sandoval, Hyrum Erdman, David Pozo, Sarah Caliendo, Kate McClusky, Tony Liberatore, Bruno Ghersi Chavez, Nate Billings, Thomas DeSisto, and others.
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  Caring for Aging Loved Ones [Episode 31] 11.08.2026 30min

  Dan Castrigano discusses taking care of aging loved ones with Age Well Caregiver Support Specialists Lauren Hemond and Jennifer Harbison. Lauren and Jennifer share tips for initiating conversations with our aging loved ones, describe the signs of dementia and Alzheimer's, and outline important paperwork that helps families navigate caregiving. To contact your Area Agency on Aging in Vermont, call (800) 642-5119.   Resources: Age Well Website Interactive Map - Residents Age 60 Years and Over (Source: U.S. Census Bureau) The 8 A's of Dementia Fact Sheet (Source: Alzheimer's Society of Timmins-Porcupine District) Vermont Advance Directives Information (Source: Vermont Ethics Network) Appointment of a Health Care Agent Form (Source: Vermont Ethics Network) Vermont Advance Directive for Health Care - Short Form (Source: Vermont Ethics Network) Vermont Advance Directive for Health Care - Long Form (Source: Vermont Ethics Network) Clinician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (COLST) Information (Source: Vermont Ethics Network) Power of Attorney Information (Source: Vermont Legal Aid) Power of Attorney Form (Source: Vermont Legal Aid)
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  Water Safety [Episode 30] 17.07.2026 30min

  Dan Castrigano chats about water safety with Jess Lukas, Director of Aquatics at The Greater Burlington YMCA. Dan and Jess discuss water safety statistics, racial disparities in drownings, best practices for water safety with children, different flotation devices, and much more. Thank you to members of the Dad Guild community who submitted questions and ideas that helped guide this episode, including Connor Ballantyne, David Runge, Thomas DeSisto, and Jordan Black-Deegan. Jess recommends The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee and Contested Waters: A Social History of Swimming Pools in America by Jeff Wiltse to learn more about racism, segregation, and swimming in the United States.
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  Reflections from New Dad Cohort VI [Episode 29] 19.06.2026 11min

  Members of Dad Guild's sixth New Dad Cohort reflect on their experience participating in New Dad Cohort VI, which ran from January to June 2026. New Dad Cohorts provide an opportunity for new dads to get together, support each other, and share the successes and challenges of being a new dad. Each cohort meets monthly for six months. Dad Guild started running these groups in 2023, and a new cohort now begins every three months. Upcoming cohorts include New Dad Cohort VIII (beginning July 2026) and New Dad Cohort IX (beginning October 2026). Thank you to James Robertson, Ryan DiNapoli, Anurag Allena, Griff Keating, Sam Dillner, Ben Bonaccio, Raphael Sacks, Michael Giguere, and Henry Epp for participating in the cohort and recording testimonials for this podcast.
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  Parenting the ADHD Brain [Episode 28] 09.06.2026 29min

  Dan Castrigano speaks with ADHD Coach Rebecca De Ornelas about parenting children with ADHD. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common mental disorders affecting children. Symptoms of ADHD include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. (American Psychiatric Association) Dan and Rebecca discuss a host of topics, including different presentations of ADHD, rejection sensitive dysphoria, masking, and the positive and negative messaging about ADHD. Rebecca also shares three helpful tools for parents and caregivers: previewing, the 1% rule, and unpacking the ask. Finally, Rebecca discusses the importance of self-compassion in navigating the challenges and joys when parenting your child with ADHD. To learn more about Rebecca and her work, visit boldistheword.com. If you'd like to join Dad Guild's ADHD support group on WhatsApp, send a message to dan@dadguild.org so Dan can send you the link.
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  Voices from Dad Trek I [Episode 27] 02.06.2026 24min

  Dad Guild hosted its inaugural Dad Trek Fundraiser on Saturday, May 30th! Trekkers walked 10 miles from Red Rocks Park in South Burlington to Airport Park in Colchester, taking turns pulling each other in three rickshaws. (Dads supporting dads, get it?!) Thank you to the 23 trekkers who participated and all those who supported Dad Guild. Special thanks to those who contributed to the podcast, including David Runge, Thomas Carlson, Sam Lipschutz, David Pozo, Collin O'Leary, Michael Giguere, Dan Brett, Sam Dillner, Michael Chaucer, Steve Hill, Corey Woloschin, Matt Kobzik, Corey Tillson, Dave Greiner, Alex Melville, Marlon Fisher, Sarah Caliendo, Javi Kadry, Griff Keating, and Keegan Albaugh. We are already looking forward to Dad Trek II!
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  Infertility and Fatherhood [Episode 26] 21.05.2026 29min

  Dan Castrigano chats with local stand-up comedian and dad Alex Duval about his experience with infertility and his journey to fatherhood. Alex discusses his journey navigating infertility, his experience with IUI and IVF, and what it felt like to hold his son Robin for the first time. Alex also shares his experience participating in Dad Guild's New Dad Cohort IV, a monthly peer support group for first-time fathers. If you are struggling with infertility, know that you are not alone. We love you. Alex's Substack: https://alexcduval.substack.com/ Alex's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexcduval/
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  Mental Health Urgent Care [Episode 25] 14.05.2026 29min

  Marlon Fisher and Dan Castrigano chat with Tim Durney, Director of Mental Health Urgent Care in Burlington. Mental Health Urgent Care is a program of the Howard Center in collaboration with the University of Vermont Medical Center, Community Health Centers, and Pathways Vermont. Tim discusses services provided at Mental Health Urgent Care, the intentional design of the space, and how it differs from other medical providers. Marlon and Dan also share their stories about accessing services at Mental Health Urgent Care while they were struggling with their mental health. As Tim says in the episode: "Asking for help is a strength." Mental Health Urgent Care Website: https://howardcenter.org/mhuc/
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  Sick Day with Dad [Episode 24] 09.04.2026 28min

  Marlon Fisher's sons Percy and Malachai were recently sick, so they stayed home from school with their dad. Having some time on their hands, Marlon brought out the podcasting gear and recorded this episode with his boys. The trio discuss how to take care of each other when someone is sick and how Marlon "cooks" on the basketball court at Dad Guild basketball on Tuesday nights. Percy and Malachi also share about their favorite Dad Guild activities, including the Toast and Jams concert series and going camping in the summer. Enjoy this glimpse into fatherhood around the kitchen table.
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  Info for Caregivers about OPCs [Episode 23] 11.03.2026 28min

  Dan Castrigano chats about Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs) with Bella Fearn. Bella is a member of the Vermont Harm Reduction Advocates and a community organizer with the BTV Clean Up Crew. Dan and Bella discuss the current status of an Overdose Prevention Center in Vermont, services provided by OPCs, and the community impacts of OPCs. Dan and Bella also share age-appropriate language that Dads and all caregivers can use when talking about this topic with their children. For more information and a full list of sources, check out this slideshow.
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  Equal Partners (with Kate Mangino) [Episode 22] 18.02.2026 31min

  Dan Castrigano and Keegan Albaugh speak with Kate Mangino about equal partnership in the household. The conversation includes the concepts of physical, cognitive, and emotional labor; the difference between King of the Castle, Hands-on Husband, and Equal Partner; weaponized incompetence and the "buffoon husband"; gatekeeping; and benevolent sexism. We are so grateful to Kate for visiting Vermont and sharing her wisdom with us. Kate Mangino is a social scientist and expert in gender equality, healthy masculinity, and gender norms. Kate holds a Ph.D. in Human Rights and Social Development and is the author of the book Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home. Kate also hosts the podcast Equal-ish with her co-host Rachel Collins. You can learn more about Kate and her work on her website.
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  Raising Boys (with Kate Mangino) [Episode 21] 12.02.2026 30min

  Dan Castrigano and Keegan Albaugh speak with Kate Mangino about raising boys. The conversation includes the concept of "performing masculinity," how algorithms on social media specifically target boys, what it means to be a man, and how young men are not regularly accessing health care. We are so grateful to Kate for visiting Vermont and sharing her wisdom with us. Kate Mangino is a social scientist and expert in gender equality, healthy masculinity, and gender norms. Kate holds a Ph.D. in Human Rights and Social Development and is the author of the book Equal Partners: Improving Gender Equality at Home. Kate also hosts the podcast Equal-ish with her co-host Rachel Collins. You can learn more about Kate and her work on her website.
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  Chatting With Dave Greiner [Episode 20] 28.01.2026 19min

  Dan chats with Dave Greiner about moving to Vermont, finding Dad Guild, and working as Dad Guild's Franklin County Dad Fellow. Dan and Dave also discuss parenting tips for long road trips, Dave's Dungeons and Dragons character, and the best Dad Guild events out there. Dave Greiner is the Franklin County Dad Fellow for Dad Guild. In his role, Dave organizes and facilitates Dad Guild events throughout Franklin County. Thank you Dave!
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  Teaching Consent [Episode 19] 16.12.2025 31min

  Dan speaks with preschool teachers Eden Hubert and Beck Morrow about consent and bodily autonomy. Their conversation includes the importance of teaching consent, strategies for introducing consent to toddlers and preschoolers, and how this work dismantles systems of harm and oppression in our society. Eden Hubert (she/her) and Beck Morrow (they/them) are preschool teachers at The Schoolhouse Learning Center in South Burlington, VT.
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  What Does Dad Guild Mean to You? [Episode 18] 18.11.2025 28min

  In this episode, members of the Dad Guild community respond to the question: "What does Dad Guild mean to you?" Dan Castrigano collected these testimonials between October 26th and November 18th, 2025. Recordings were made at a UVM women's hockey game, at Guild Hall during Fam Jams, at the Burlington fire station, and in many other places. Note that there is some occasional background noise throughout the episode. Thank you to the 39 people who contributed to this episode. We appreciate you! Enjoy! List of Contributors and Timestamps: Matt Cropp (1:48) Dave Greiner (2:23) Sarah Caliendo (2:59) Keegan Albaugh (3:39) Sky Sandoval (4:41) Matt Kobzik (5:18) Thomas Carlson (5:50) Anthony Liberatore (6:31) Nola Parker (7:07) Dan Castrigano (7:33) Marlon Fisher (8:14) Patrick Lucey (8:56) Nick Dika (9:37) Emily Eley (10:13) Alex Melville (10:50) Dave Steinmetz (11:37) Michael Marzullo (12:04) Alex Baron (12:47) Tim Sharek (13:16) Jon Chadurjian (13:59) Luke Purvis (15:07) Brian Hines (15:41) Corey Woloschin (16:13) Kevin Lumpkin (16:45) Karl Larson (17:28) Stefan Didrichsen (18:12) Chris Wells (19:01) Alex Venet (19:41) Chris Broughton (20:06) Ian Treu (21:21) Megan Butterfield (23:10) Ben Glassman (23:34) Hollis Easter (24:02) Nicholas Kramer (24:25) Wayne Billado (25:05) Andrew Martinez (25:44) Luis Rosario (26:23) Dan Batten (26:55) Scott Staniewicz (27:36)  
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  Gordon's a New Dad! [Episode 17] 12.10.2025 29min

  Dan connects with Gordon Dragoon, a new father to an eight-week-old son. Gordon shares his experience over the past eight weeks, including figuring out a name, navigating the birth experience, managing night shift responsibilities, finding day care, and returning to work. Gordon also shares his advice for new Dads: "Do not—at least for the first few months—do not look at the Internet too much...comparison is the thief of joy." Welcome to fatherhood, Gordon!
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  We've All Got Big Feelings! [Episode 16] 14.09.2025 30min

  Patrick talks about big feelings with educator and author Alex Shevrin Venet. Alex is an expert on emotional dysregulation, a state of imbalance in one's emotions. Patrick and Alex chat about hyperarousal vs. hypoarousal, the "window of tolerance," patterns of dysregulation, and how to "lend your calmness" to an elevated situation. As Patrick mentions in the episode: "Dysregulation is information, and I'm a detective. It's a mystery case to be solved."   Biography for Alex Shevrin Venet Alex Shevrin Venet is an educator, author, and professional development facilitator based in Vermont. She teaches graduate teacher education at Vermont State University. Previously, she was a teacher and leader at an alternative therapeutic school, community college instructor, and after school teacher in the upper elementary grades. Alex works with educators around the country to strengthen their trauma-informed education practices, with a focus on empowering teachers to create systemic change. She is the author of the bestselling book Equity-Centered Trauma-Informed Education, which has been integrated into teacher education programs in several states and has been cited in education research more than 250 times. Her follow-up book, Becoming an Everyday Changemaker: Justice and Healing at School, provides teachers the tools to implement trauma-informed practices starting where they are.
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  Let's Talk About Sex (Part 2) [Episode 15] 24.08.2025 36min

  Keegan discusses sex, relationships, and parenting with Olivia Sanders, licensed counselor and sex therapist. Keegan and Olivia continue their discussion, covering topics such as patriarchy, erections, sex initiation, and sexual trauma. Then Olivia answers questions from members of the community, including topics related to body image, pleasure, and rejection. This is part two of a two-part series. If you'd like to get in touch with Olivia, you can find her at oliviasanderscounseling.com.
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  Let's Talk About Sex (Part 1) [Episode 14] 17.08.2025 30min

  Keegan discusses sex, relationships, and parenting with Olivia Sanders, licensed counselor and sex therapist. Topics covered include desire discrepancy, responsive vs. spontaneous desire, sexual expectations, and emotional intimacy. This is part one of a two-part series. If you'd like to get in touch with Olivia, you can find her at oliviasanderscounseling.com.
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  Navigating Screen Time [Episode 13] 15.08.2025 35min

  Patrick Lucey discusses screen time with Sarah Domoff, assistant professor of psychology and licensed psychologist at University at Albany, SUNY who researches media use in childhood. They discuss how context and content of screen time are what caregivers need to keep in mind, less a set daily time limit. Sarah also explains the benefits of parents watching programming together with their children. Resources mentioned in the episode include: Commonsensemedia.org - an independent source for media recommendations and advice for families American Association of Pediatrics' Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health - a national clearinghouse that provides context and expert advice for parents around youth media use