Ep. 96: The Modern Dad: Balancing Ambition, Presence, & Playful Parenting with Jeff Hittner

In this episode of The Art of Playful Parenting, Jill welcomes her first dad guest, Jeff Hittner, executive coach, founder of Ambitious Dads, and father of two boys. Together, they explore what it means to redefine fatherhood, balance ambition with presence, and build meaningful connections through play. Jeff shares his personal journey to fatherhood, the lessons he's learned about leadership at home, and why showing up with intention matters more than striving for perfection. They discuss practical strategies for connecting with your child, even when play doesn't come naturally or your play style looks very different from theirs. Whether you're a mom, dad, or caregiver, this conversation offers thoughtful insights into raising connected, resilient kids and creating stronger family relationships. Learn more about Jeff's work and join the Ambitious Dads community: Website: https://www.ambitiousdads.com Substack: https://ambitiousdads.substack.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffhittner Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ambitiousdads Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ambitiousdads Want to work with Jill privately? Book a discovery call to get started! The Playful Parenting Membership is HERE! You'll learn about foundational developmental concepts and age-appropriate play fundamentals , how to create simple, engaging, meaningful play experiences your child will WANT to explore, feel less burnt out and overwhelmed and feel more joy and connection. Click here to join! Ready to see more independent play? This totally free resource that will help you get more time back for yourself while your child is learning and playing independently. Grab my free guide to independent play at any age!