The Dudela Podcast | Fatherhood Real Talk for New Dads

Episodes

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  Decide Who You're Going to Let Down 13.10.2026 34m

  You can’t be everything to everyone. So who are you willing to let down? John and Michael talk about the pressure dads face balancing work, marriage, parenting, friendships, and personal time. From setting boundaries and managing dad burnout to avoiding resentment in marriage, this episode is about making intentional choices, protecting your priorities, and becoming the father you actually want to be.
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  Baby Tech & Fatherhood with Babysense CEO Elad Erdan 29.09.2026 51m

  What does the CEO of Babysense think parents actually need at 3 AM? John and Michael sit down with Babysense CEO and dad of two Elad Erdan to talk baby monitors, sleep, parenting anxiety, marriage, career, and the Dad Renaissance. Elad explains WiFi versus non WiFi monitors, why more data is not always better, and why becoming a dad changed the direction of his life.
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  Run it back - The Dudela Family is Growing 14.09.2026 46m

  Baby girl number two is coming. Michael shares what pregnancy looks like the second time around, what he learned from baby number one, and what he is doing differently to support Abigail and prepare their family. Plus, what every expecting dad should know as pregnancy reaches the halfway point.
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  Our Wives Get Honest About Pregnancy, Postpartum & Us 01.09.2026 59m

  We gave our wives the microphones. Vivian and Abigail join John and Michael for an honest conversation about pregnancy, postpartum, motherhood, marriage, careers, and what dads can actually do to support their wives. Plus, Michael and Abigail share some big news: baby number two is on the way.
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  Trying should be the fun part, right? 18.08.2026 34m

  Trying should be the fun part, right? Trying for a baby is supposed to be the fun part. Then the ovulation strips show up, the fertile window turns into a deadline, and sex starts feeling like something you're clocking into. Nobody really preps dads for that. In this episode, John and Michael sit down outside in Dillon, Colorado (concert crowd noise included) to talk honestly about trying to conceive: John and Viv's five months, Michael and Abigail's six to eight, and every emotion that showed up in between. They get into the stuff most guys never say out loud. The pressure of being "the star of the show" — if you don't perform, there's no baby. The mindset shift of scheduled sex, and how to actually make it fun instead of clinical. What it felt like when a pregnancy test came back negative and not realizing until that night how much the moment meant to his wife. The golf trip Michael was on when Abigail got a negative test the morning of his sister's baby shower, and what he learned about not being emotionally present for it. They also cover the practical side: tracking ovulation, timing morning sex around testosterone levels, why hot tubs are a fertility myth worth knowing about, and when it's worth getting your own levels checked. And the mental side almost nobody addresses — the eight inches between your ears that start asking "is this ever going to work" after a few negative tests in a row. But the bigger point isn't the biology. It's that the trying season, hard as it is, is a chance to build the communication and partnership that carries you into parenthood. John's twins were conceived on Leap Day, an accident neither of them expected, after months of turning a stressful window into something they looked forward to together. If you've been trying for one month or two years, this is a reminder you're not the only one white-knuckling the two-week wait, and you don't have to carry it alone. 🍼 In This Episode What trying to conceive actually feels like for dads, not just moms Why the fertile window creates pressure most men don't talk about Scheduled sex: how to keep intimacy fun instead of clinical The "star of the show" pressure and how to handle an off night What to do when a pregnancy test comes back negative, and how to actually support your wife in that moment Tracking ovulation, morning timing, and other practical strategies Why hot tubs, diet, and drinking habits are worth a second look while trying The mental side of trying to conceive that men rarely admit to How comparison creeps in when friends start having kids Turning the trying season into a foundation for your relationship, not just a means to an end 🎯 If You've Ever Searched trying for a baby, trying to conceive, how to get pregnant, fertile window, ovulation tracking, trying to conceive tips for men, male fertility and pregnancy, scheduled sex trying to conceive, negative pregnancy test, how to support my wife while trying to conceive, husband support while trying to get pregnant, emotional support while trying to conceive, sex while trying to conceive, how long does it take to get pregnant, preparing to become a dad, first time dad advice, pregnancy podcast for dads, fatherhood podcast, new dad podcast This episode is for you.   🧡 Resources for Dads Free Dad Prep Guide - https://www.thedudelaco.com/guideIf you're preparing for your first baby, start here. Our free guide covers the things we wish someone had told us before becoming dads and gives you practical ways to start preparing now. Dudela Prep Kit - https://www.thedudelaco.com/kitWant to go deeper? The Dudela Prep Kit is our complete preparation framework for dads, $37, covering pregnancy, birth, postpartum, your relationship, emotions, finances, newborn life, and the transition into fatherhood. 🎙️ Ask Another DadGoing through something you want to talk about? Maybe you're trying for a baby. Maybe pregnancy is kicking your ass. Maybe your newborn won't sleep. Maybe you just need anothe
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  Every Dad Has Strengths and Weaknesses 28.07.2026 36m

  Nobody becomes a great dad by accident. John and Michael share the strengths they lean on, the weaknesses they’re still working through, and practical ways to become a more intentional, steady father one day at a time.
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  Why Every Parent Needs Time Away Together 14.07.2026 32m

  Your marriage matters just as much after kids as it did before. John and Michael share what happened during their first kid free trips, why every couple needs time away together, and practical advice for reconnecting as husband and wife while building a healthy family.
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  How Much is This Baby Really Going to Cost Me? 01.07.2026 42m

  Nobody tells you the real number. John and Michael break down what a baby actually costs, from diapers and insurance out-of-pocket maxes to hospital bills, nursery setup, gear, and the first year of life. Real numbers, real surprises, and how to get aligned with your wife before the bills hit.
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  The Emotional Side of Fatherhood Nobody Talks About 16.06.2026 30m

  Everyone asks how mom and baby are doing. Almost nobody asks how dad is doing. John and Michael unpack the emotional side of fatherhood, why dads bottle things up, and practical ways to become a steady dad without ignoring your own needs.
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  Why We Started Dudela (And What's Next for New Dads) 02.06.2026 23m

  Most parenting resources focus on moms. Most dads are told to figure it out. In this special rewind episode, John and Michael share the story behind Dudela, the lessons they’ve learned through pregnancy, NICU stays, emergency C sections, and the first years of fatherhood, and why they’re more passionate than ever about helping dads feel prepared. They also introduce the new Dudela Prep Kit, a practical guide built from real experiences, expert conversations, and the questions dads ask most often. Whether you’re expecting your first baby or already in the trenches of fatherhood, this episode is packed with encouragement, perspective, and practical next steps. Topics include: • The origin story of Dudela • Emergency C sections and NICU experiences • What new dads actually need to know • Building confidence as a father • The power of community and support • The Dudela Prep Kit and what’s coming next If you know an expecting dad, send him this episode.
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  Family Matters: Designing Your Family on Purpose Part 1 13.05.2026 37m

  You do not get to pick the family you are born into, but you do get to build the family you lead. John and Michael talk the me to we shift, core values, traditions, dinner table rhythms, and how to design family culture on purpose before life designs it for you.
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  BONUS: We Built Something for You 13.05.2026 2m

  Solo episode from John. Just two minutes. We built the thing we wish we'd had in the third trimester and I want to tell you about it. If your partner is anywhere between week 28 and 40 and you've been feeling like you're missing something you can't quite name, this one's for you.   Get the Dudela Prep Kit here   Or if that link does't work, type this url into your browser: https://dudelaco.gumroad.com/l/dudela-prep-kit
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  Family Matters Part 3: Rhythms, Mission, & Building your family with John Mackey 13.05.2026 45m

  Your kids are becoming you whether you are ready or not. Josh Mackey helps you build a family culture worth passing down.
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  Becoming the Dad You Never Had 12.05.2026 40m

  Howie Hutchinson shares how growing up with a distant dad shaped his drive to be present, heal generational brokenness, and build a strong family unit. Practical advice on pressure, parenting a daughter and son, and small habits that create lifelong connection.
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  Family Matters: Parents, In Laws, and Protecting Your New Family 28.04.2026 48m

  Grandparents are a gift, but expectations matter. John and Michael talk hospital visits, meal trains, babysitters, and the hard truth that you hold the keys to the grandparent role. Practical boundaries, clear communication, and how to protect your family values without unnecessary conflict.
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  When to Prioritize Yourself as a Dad 24.03.2026 32m

  A dad to be asked a question we all feel but rarely say out loud. Mom and baby are healthy, but am I. John and Michael break down how to prioritize yourself without guilt, build a new routine that fits this season, and communicate needs so both parents stay steady.
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  Traveling Dad: Work Trips, Dad Guilt, and Growth 24.02.2026 29m

  Work trip alone time hits different once you are a dad. John shares his first trip away from the girls and the emotional whiplash that comes with it. Freedom, guilt, FaceTime tears, and the simple prep that keeps your partner supported while you are gone.
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  How to Balance Work and a Newborn Without Losing Your Mind 03.02.2026 30m

  Working parents in real life. John and Michael share simple systems for daycare prep, shared calendars, weeknight meals, and phone limits so you can show up at work and at home without burning out.
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  What I Wish I Knew in Year One as a New Dad 30.12.2025 40m

  Our first year as dads in honest highlights. Travel with babies, bottle stations, first steps, and three takeaways that made home life calmer and closer.
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  Surviving Twins: What the First Year Actually Looks Like 15.12.2025 39m

  The real twin story from high risk pregnancy to NICU to coming home and finding a rhythm. Practical help for first time dads and twin parents with honest laughs, hard won lessons, and simple steps you can use tonight.