What I Wish I Knew in Year One as a New Dad

It is our final pod of the year and we are looking back at a wild first year of fatherhood. John and Michael share favorite moments, travel wins and fails, and three big lessons that changed how we show up at home. Presence beats performance. Grace is not optional. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Expect real stories, honest laughs, and practical ideas you can use tonight. We talk baby milestones and the walking phase, Costco runs with double carts, bottle stations that take over the kitchen, and a few stats from our Dad Wrapped that will make you smile and maybe gag. We also preview what is coming in 2026 including Dad Prep Week, the Dad Reset, and coaching options for dads who want community and accountability. If you are a new dad or a dad to be, this episode will help you feel seen and ready for the next season. In this episode • Presence over performance and why moments beat metrics • Grace for yourself and your partner when expectations miss • Filling your cup without disappearing from the family • First laughs, first steps, and why this stage is magic • Travel tips with babies including help at security and customs • Bottle washing sanity, laundry loads, and diaper realities • Community for dads and how to find mentors and peers • What is coming in 2026 free guides, group coaching, and more If you have ever searched how to be a present dad how to give my spouse grace new dad tips for the first year baby travel checklist and airport rules how to balance work and family as a dad fatherhood podcast for first time dads community for dads and mentors This episode is for you. Callouts: • Grab Dad Prep Week on our site for a simple seven day reset • Try the Dad Reset three day series if you feel stuck or short fused • Join the Spit Up Society for weekly prompts, dad hacks, and community     new dad, first year of fatherhood, dad wrapped, presence over performance, grace in marriage, dad mental health, baby travel tips, bottle washing, diapers, walking milestone, community for dads, fatherhood podcast, new dad tips, work life balance dads, dad prep week, dad reset