PODCAST · leisure
New Dad Gaming
by Trevor Alexander & Jeff Smalley
Each week the New Dads walk through their experiences both as fathers and gamers. With precious limited time for gaming, the Dads talk about what games they’re playing and what fatherhood has thrown at them this week.
Episodes
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Ep 403 - NBA 2K25 is Stealing Your Game & Life Without Screen Time
What happens when you actually pull the plug on your kids' gaming privileges? This week, Jeff shares the surprising results of a digital detox, and Trevor braces for a similar battle with his youngest. We dive into why modern "endless" games like Roblox and Fortnite make it harder for kids to...
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Ep. 402: My Kid Lost the Computer, Roblox Is the New Hangout & the State of VR for Dads
Good old-fashioned discipline, gaming dads. Two weeks into grade 8, Jeff checked Google Classroom against his 13-year-old's version of events and the two didn't match: homework not done, projects not done, a story and a half about where it all was. The kid had been "doing homework" on the laptop...
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Ep. 401: Game Pass Down, PS Plus Up & Dad's 7-Game Backlog Challenge
Trevor's youngest saved up half a PS5, dad covered the other half, and the household is now a PS5 household one year before the PS6. That kicked off a subscription rethink. The PS Plus games Trevor collected for years vanished the moment he stopped subscribing, Game Pass Ultimate's streaming…
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Ep. 400: We Have a GTA 6 Winner & Trevor Finally Buys a PS5
Four hundred episodes. Trevor started this show with one infant and now has an 11 and a 9 year old; Jeff is staring down two teenagers. We open with a poem for everyone who got us here, look back at the consoles that came and went along the way (RIP PSVR, no regrets), and announce the winner of…
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GTA 6 Ultimate Edition Giveaway! Plus Zelda: Ocarina of Time Remake & Minecraft Dad-Wins | Ep. 399
We are officially on the road to Episode 400, and we are celebrating with our biggest giveaway yet: GTA 6 Ultimate Edition! Listen in for the secret word and full instructions on how to enter before September 15th. This week, we're diving into the newly announced Zelda: Ocarina of Time remake and...
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Ep. 398: The Dumb Phone Wishlist & Gran Turismo Driving School
This week on New Dad Gaming, we dive into the murky waters of gifting a 9-year-old. Discover the genius "dumb phone" mall scavenger hunt hack, and the moral dilemma of going half-sies on a new PlayStation 5 with your kid. Then, Jeff pitches an idea for his newly 16-year-old driver: can Gran…
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Ep. 397 - GTA 6 Giveaway! Switch Swashbuckling and Dastardly Deeds
Announcing our GTA 6 Giveaway to celebrate our upcoming 400th episode! To enter, you'll need to have a photo proof that you follow the podcast and that you've left a comment or rating. Simply enter your info here: https://www.newdadgaming.com/gta6 Besides the giveaway, we discuss the recent GTA 6...
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Ep. 396 - PlayStation Pours One Out for Discs & The Rules for Breaking the Rules
Physical media is officially on the clock: PlayStation has announced it will stop supporting discs (January 2028), and we have thoughts. Paying extra for a disc drive that's about to be a paperweight, digital games that never got cheaper, movie libraries deleted overnight, the used market…
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Ep. 395: The State of New Dad Gaming (11 Years Later)
We are officially entering our 11th year, making New Dad Gaming the longest-running fatherhood gaming podcast on the internet! To celebrate, we’re skipping the usual intro poem and taking a deep dive into the current "State of Dad Gaming." How do your gaming habits change when your kids shift…
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Ep. 394: Steam Machine Sticker Shock & A Fortnite Victory Royale
The internet is on fire over the official pricing for the new Steam Machine, and we have thoughts. Is the $1,500+ price tag a symptom of the hardware apocalypse, or a massive misstep by Valve? We break down the specs, compare the costs to building a PC, and predict where the console market is...
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Ep. 393 - The Ocarina of Time Remake That Could Sell a Switch 2 (+ When Your Kid Lets You Win)
Nintendo just did the unthinkable: a full remake of Ocarina of Time - the game so many call "perfect" - and it's coming exclusively to the Switch 2. Trevor and Jeff unpack the announcement, the Final Fantasy VII "permission slip" theory behind it, and whether one game is really enough to make a...
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Ep. 392: iPods for Dad Uber, and Rise of Steamdeck (price)
Clear the dust off if you have an iPod, Final Fantasy could sometimes use an extra clothing mod. Who knew that a Steam Deck was an asset to invest, And streaming games turns into the great friendship test. - Just because you became a dad, doesn't mean it's game over. - Connect with New Dad…
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Ep. 391: Bedtime Monopoly Massacre, Console Dust, & FFXIV Free Trials
Welcome to New Dad Gaming, where the adult beverages are poured, the kids are (mostly) asleep, and we’re figuring out our gaming lives! This week, Trevor and Jeff read an amazing email from a fellow "Rad Dad" and Less Than Jake fan, proving that passing down your musical taste to your kids is a...
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Ep. 390: Your Kid's First MP3, Pragmata's Dad Energy & Roller Coasters Are Trying to Kill Me
What music do you put on your kid's FIRST MP3 player? Trevor lost sleep over the answer. This week opens with the universal dad experience: "watch this, Dad!" — followed by the kid's setup that NEVER works on the first try. Trevor and Jeff swap stories of standing patiently as 8-year-olds reset...
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Ep. 389: Old Dad Sayings, Infinite Craft Gone Wrong & Your Kid's First Instagram
Can your kids finish the classic parent threats? Jeff and Trevor find out — and the answers are heartwarming. This week starts with a social media trend we couldn't resist: parents asking their kids to finish old-school sayings like "as long as you live under my roof..." and "I'll give you...
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Ep. 388: Bandwidth Wars, Secret Consoles & the GTA 6 Talk Every Dad Dreads
Jeff's mid-combat in Kingdom Come Deliverance when everything goes blocky. A quick router check reveals his teen is downloading 100 gigs and pulling 10x the bandwidth. Then comes the plot twist: Trevor secretly set the router to prioritize gaming traffic — meaning his kid's download got VIP...
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Ep. 387: Poems, Plagues, Pokémon Pokopia & the Backlog Paradox
Jeff survived the family plague (barely), and this week we're recording live — poems and all. This episode kicks off with a live poem creation featuring the Steam Deck and Skate 3. From there, Jeff shares how the Steam Deck was his lifeline while sick on the couch: full Steam library plus PS5...
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Switch 2 vs Quest 3 for Kids? + Crimson Desert Hype & Pokemon TCG | New Dad Gaming Ep. 386
The New Dads dive into a great listener email covering why it's time to kick Roblox to the curb, the magic of the Steam Deck on snow days, and fan-made Pokémon ROM hacks. We also debate the perfect birthday gift for an 8-year-old (Switch 2 vs. Meta Quest 3), discuss whether the Pokémon TCG Mobile...
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Pokemon Red for $30 & Smurfing in Marvel Snap | Ep. 385
Welcome back to New Dad Gaming! This week, Trevor and Jeff are surviving the wild energy of their kids—who are currently acting like Red Bull-fueled boars at a banquet. With the family adjusting to life down in Medellín, the guys discuss bribing the kids with $100 to learn Spanish on Duolingo and...
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Dad as an Uber, Getting Kids on Skyrim, and Cheating for the memories | New Dad Gaming Ep. 384
This week, Jeff is hustling as an Uber driver for his kids and subtly suggests they buy Skyrim VR, Trevor finished Hades 2 and is caught between endgame content and some retro fun with Pokemon Fire Red, and Trevor pulls a fast one as the dealer during a game of Flip 7 for a good cause. Subscribe…
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Surviving Valheim Chaos With Kids & Sneaking Balatro into School | New Dad Gaming Ep. 383
What happens when your teenager gets caught playing a bootleg version of Balatro on school computers? Do you ground them, or are you secretly a little proud? 😂 Plus, Trevor is moving his family to Colombia for the winter and had to make some heartbreaking choices about what gaming gear makes the...
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Skyrim in 2026, Valheim's "Beautiful Ugly," and Letting Games Breath | New Dad Gaming Ep. 382 | Ep. 282
We are back for 2026! After a year-long challenge of purchasing zero new video games in 2025, Trevor and Jeff break down the aftermath. Did we survive the FOMO? What is the first game we bought in 2026? In this episode, we dive into the "Dad Dust" of getting back behind the mic, the joy of…
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We Can Finally Buy Games Again: The 2026 Shopping List | New Dad Gaming Ep. 381
Welcome to Episode 381 of New Dad Gaming! The 2025 "No New Games" challenge is finally complete, and the floodgates are open. In this 2026 kickoff special, Trevor and Jeff break down the massive list of games they denied themselves last year and the upcoming titles they can't wait to pre-order.…
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We Bought ZERO Games for an Entire Year (Here’s What Happened) | New Dad Gaming Ep. 380
In this final episode of 2025, Trevor and Jeff wrap up their year-long experiment: The "No New Games" Challenge. We break down whether we succeeded in clearing our backlogs or if we just stopped playing altogether. We also dive into the chaos of Christmas morning—from the quantity vs. quality…
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Why I’m Banning Roblox This Christmas (And The "Digital Gift" Problem) | New Dad Gaming Ep. 379
Are digital currencies like Robux and V-Bucks ruining the magic of Christmas morning? In this episode of New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff discuss the struggle of buying gifts for kids who only want digital skins, the sadness of not having physical games to unwrap, and the controversial reason Jeff...
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Game Award Nominees 2025 - We Played Nothing | New Dad Gaming Ep. 378
The New Dads review this years nominees for Game of The Year - a fun experience given they've played none during their year of no games. However, if nothing else it helps fill out their wish list once their self imposed exile is over. 🎧 Subscribe to New Dad Gaming on your favorite podcast app…
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Steam Machine Hype, VR Temptations & No-Game Punishments | New Dad Gaming Ep. 377
It’s full-on dad mode: both households hand out no-game punishments after kids try to sneak Roblox and skip chores, sparking a conversation about clear consequences, consistency, and what it means when your kids don’t even argue the punishment - because they know the rules. On the gaming front,...
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Arc Raiders Hype, AI in Games & Teaching Kids Magic: The Gathering | New Dad Gaming Ep. 376
Arc Raiders is the hot new extraction shooter everyone’s talking about… and the community is actually nice?! 😅 This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff crack open the last of the pumpkin beers, dive into the surprise hype around Arc Raiders, and unpack the controversy around AI voice acting...
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Expensive Fortnite Skins, Future Gaming Dreams, Watching Breaking Bad | New Dad Gaming Ep. 375
This week the dads discuss expensive Fortnite skins, introducing Breaking Bad to an eldest, and dream a little dream of games they will have. This week features some solid pumpkin beer to boot! 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes on fatherhood, gaming, and the chaos in between. 📝 Apple Podcasts:...
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Listener letters, Saving for a Playstation, Kid Jobs | New Dad Gaming Ep. 374
The Dads are back with pumpkin in their beer, With notes from listeners they definitely hold dear. Breaking the bank with a skin from Fortnite, And will a kid save for a Playstation? He just might. 👉 Subscribe for weekly episodes on fatherhood, gaming, and the chaos in between. 📝 Apple…
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Pumpkin Beer Regret, Hades II Bliss, Hollow Knight Sleepover, & FF8 Cheats (Dad Mode!) | New Dad Gaming Ep. 373
Trevor and Jeff kick off October with a live taste test of a 10% pumpkin ale (it goes… badly), celebrate the pure joy of Hades II (with “God Mode” as the ultimate dad setting), recap a wholesome Hollow Knight all-night kids’ sleepover, and confess to using Final Fantasy VIII cheats to finally...
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In-Person Chaos! Hades II Hype, Teens Buying Games, & Couch-Co-Op Headaches | New Dad Gaming Ep 372
We did it: our once-a-year in-person episode! Trevor and Jeff awkwardly remember how to record without Zoom, swap Toronto trip stories, and dive into dad-mode gaming topics: Hades II’s launch, whether it breaks our “no new games” pact, accessibility/difficulty debates (Hollow Knight: Silksong,...
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Broken Controllers, No Man’s Sky Comeback & The Silk Song Struggle – New Dad Gaming Ep. 371
Welcome to New Dad Gaming, the show where Trevor and Jeff prove that becoming a dad doesn’t mean game over. 🎮👨👧👦 This week, the dads dive into: Broken controllers & kid chaos – how one “dad-only” controller didn’t survive. No Man’s Sky resurgence – the dads revisit the galaxy…
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Kids Back in School, Dads Back in Space: No Man’s Sky “Voyagers,” Kingdom Come 2 Hype & a Fortnite Confession | New Dad Gaming - Ep. 370
Kids back in school, dads back in space. This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff swap school drop-off war stories, crack seasonal beers, dive into No Man’s Sky “Voyagers” (ship interiors! group missions! biomes!), pine for Kingdom Come: Deliverance II, and—dad confession—Trevor actually buys…
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Parenting as Shepherds, Not Engineers | Gaming Dads, Metal Detecting, & Elite Dangerous Adventures - Ep. 369
Being a dad isn’t about engineering your kids’ every move—it’s about shepherding them through life’s adventures. In this episode of New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff dive into Dr. Russell Barkley’s powerful advice on parenting: guiding your kids like a shepherd instead of trying to engineer who...
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Brewing Beer, Splitting Consoles, Roblox Controversy & Donkey Kong Bonanza – New Dad Gaming Ep. 368
This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff cover the highs and lows of fatherhood and gaming life. From fan mail about homebrewing beer, to kids pitching in for a PS5, to the latest controversy with Roblox knockoffs, it’s another hilarious and heartfelt episode for gaming dads everywhere.…
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Party Dad IPAs, Grow-a-Garden Addiction & Roblox Rage - New Dad Gaming Ep. 367
Dogs, digital gardens, and dopamine loops—oh my! In this jam-packed episode of New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff dive into: 🐶 Puppy problems and the very real debate: Do we get a dog or keep our freedom? 🍺 Dad beers of the week, including Party Dad IPA and an Irish red ale from Smithwick’s. 🌱…
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Microbrews, One Piece Cards, and a Not-So-Lost Gaming Challenge – New Dad Gaming Ep. 366
Summer vibes, card battles, and dad dilemmas collide! In this episode of New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff pour a couple of beverages (from microbreweries and grocery store seltzers), reflect on their infamous “No New Games” challenge, and dive deep into the growing obsession with trading card…
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D&D and Dads and Drones | New Dad Gaming Ep. 365
To dungeons, to dragons, one family does tread, While another dad decides to the sky he will head. This week both dads drop back into VR, And Death Stranding was beaten, via hoof bike and car. #GamingDad #ParentingAndGaming #DeathStranding #Quest3 #FatherhoodPodcast #NewDadGaming #DadPoems...
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Gaming Dad Corners, Switch Lite Joy & Death Stranding Returns | New Dad Gaming Ep. 364
This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor shares his new dad gaming cubby setup, complete with a Switch Lite gifted by his nephews and an ingenious use of the Quest 3 as a giant PS4 screen. Jeff returns to Death Stranding to prep for its sequel, and the dads compare small cozy games vs. massive...
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DLC Bribes, Switch Repairs & Magic Cards | New Dad Gaming Ep. 363
What happens when exams meet DLC drops? This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff discuss using video games as parenting bribes—and whether it’s genius or dangerous. Jeff negotiates with his teen over a Hunter: Call of the Wild DLC, while Trevor deals with non-activated V-Bucks chaos after a...
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Switch 2 Temptation & Console Tragedies | New Dad Gaming Ep. 362
A surprise Switch 2 drop, a blue screen of death, and Father’s Day gift loopholes - this episode has it all. Trevor barely escapes the clutches of buying a brand-new Switch 2… but just barely. Meanwhile, Jeff’s aging Switch kicks the bucket in spectacular fashion, sparking a desperate race…
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Night Rain Temptations & Switch 2 FOMO | New Dad Gaming Ep. 361
This week, Trevor and Jeff face their greatest challenge yet: resisting the urge to break their no-new-games vow. With the Elden Ring Nightreign expansion stealing the spotlight and rumors of a Nintendo Switch 2 release buzzing, the temptation is real. Meanwhile, one dad's teen dives headfirst…
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Temptation Denied, Goat Madness, and Magic The Gathering Costs
After a brief break (no disasters—just dad life), Trevor and Jeff are back to talk about holding strong in their no new games challenge—sort of. Jeff’s been tearing up the zombie roads in Days Gone, teaching his kids how to shop smart with Goat Simulator 3, and even… dabbling in Magic: The...
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Dad Court: Minecraft Mayhem, Backlog Betrayals, and the Temptation of Oblivion | New Dad Gaming Ep. 359
This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff hold a special session of Dad Court to determine if their backlog challenge has been broken—or if there’s still hope for their gaming honor. Spoiler: Jeff may have withheld some crucial evidence… Jeff confesses to a near-miss after buying (and…
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Minecraft Movie Madness, Missed Projects, and Surprise Nerf Birthdays | New Dad Gaming Ep. 358
This week on New Dad Gaming, Jeff and Trevor trade parenting war stories as they navigate teenage moods, missed school projects, and the absolute chaos of Minecraft movie culture. From last-minute movie plans to self-imposed consequences, the dads explore how to discipline with empathy—and hold…
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The Switch 2 Switch-Up, Mario Kart Open World, and a Surprise Elden Ring Successor | New Dad Gaming Ep. 357
This week on New Dad Gaming, it’s all about the Nintendo Switch 2. Trevor and Jeff dive into Nintendo’s massive announcement, breaking down the upgraded hardware, surprising launch titles, and some truly unexpected exclusives—including Dusk Blood, a spiritual successor to Elden Ring that’s only...
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AI Game Coaches, Elden Ring Redemption, and Letting Go of Teen Independence | New Dad Gaming Ep. 356
This week on New Dad Gaming, the dads are back in the saddle after a run of sickness, vacation, and dad exhaustion. Trevor returns to Elden Ring—this time without cheats—and finds himself rediscovering the magic of adventure, danger, and dumb deaths in FromSoftware’s punishing open world. But…
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Gaming Through the Plague, Steam Deck Saves the Day, and League of Legends Dad Challenge | New Dad Gaming Ep. 355
This week on New Dad Gaming, Jeff barely makes it back from the brink after being taken down by the dreaded dad plague—but thanks to the Steam Deck, he managed to game his way through recovery. Trevor and Jeff discuss how portable gaming is perfect for sick days, and why handheld gaming may be...
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Steam Deck Joins the Family, V-Bucks Bribery, and League of Legends Challenge | New Dad Gaming Ep. 354
This week on New Dad Gaming, Trevor and Jeff welcome a new gaming dad into the Steam Deck Brigade! A listener writes in about choosing between a gaming PC and a Steam Deck—did they make the right choice? Jeff shares his insights on why the Steam Deck continues to be a fantastic option for dads on...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Each week the New Dads walk through their experiences both as fathers and gamers. With precious limited time for gaming, the Dads talk about what games they’re playing and what fatherhood has thrown at them this week.
HOSTED BY
Trevor Alexander & Jeff Smalley
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does New Dad Gaming have?
New Dad Gaming currently has 385 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is New Dad Gaming about?
Each week the New Dads walk through their experiences both as fathers and gamers. With precious limited time for gaming, the Dads talk about what games they’re playing and what fatherhood has thrown at them this week.
How often does New Dad Gaming release new episodes?
New Dad Gaming publishes regularly with 385 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to New Dad Gaming?
You can listen to New Dad Gaming on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts New Dad Gaming?
New Dad Gaming is created and hosted by Trevor Alexander & Jeff Smalley.
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