What happens when a gay dad, mental health therapist, and certified sex therapist sits down to talk about fatherhood, relationships, and raising two daughters?

In Episode 29 of the Rise & Dad Podcast, Kevin sits down with Jamie, a father of two who, alongside his husband Tom, built their family through surrogacy.

Jamie shares his journey from growing up knowing he wanted to be a father, even when that future wasn't always easy to imagine, to navigating surrogacy, raising two young daughters, and building a family with two dads.

As a therapist who has worked with couples and families, Jamie offers an honest perspective on intentional fatherhood, emotional accountability, sex after having children, and why maintaining intimacy with your partner matters just as much after becoming parents.

🚀 In this episode, Jamie opens up about:

✅ Growing up gay and always knowing he wanted to become a dad

✅ The emotional, financial, and logistical journey of surrogacy

✅ What raising two daughters in a two-dad household actually looks like

✅ Why fathers should apologize to their children and model accountability

✅ How to raise kind, emotionally aware, and confident kids

✅ Why being a present father should be the expectation, not the exception

✅ How parenting changes your relationship with your partner

✅ Why a sex therapist actually recommends scheduling sex

✅ Keeping intimacy alive while raising young children

✅ The sacrifices, challenges, and unexpected joys of fatherhood From two dads navigating everyday parenting to a sex therapist sharing relationship advice, this episode is a reminder that families can look different while sharing the same desire to raise happy, loved, and supported children.

Whether you're a new dad, a girl dad, an LGBTQ+ parent, or simply trying to become a more intentional father and partner, there's something in this conversation for you.

Dad, entrepreneur, producer, and former restaurant owner Michael Halter has spent years building businesses and creative projects, but one of his most important roles has been being a stay-at-home dad to his two kids, now 17 and 13. In this episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast, Michael opens up about what happens when the little kids you've spent years raising suddenly become teenagers with lives of their own.

Michael sits down with Host, Kevin Del Ro, and talks about the emotional shift from being at the center of your children's world to slowly taking a backseat as they gain independence, start dating, drive, spend more time with friends, and begin becoming adults. He shares why he believes parents should give their kids room to experience life, make mistakes, and learn—while making sure the foundation and communication at home are always there. Beyond fatherhood, Michael discusses balancing family with entrepreneurship and creative projects, including his production work and co-founding Birdie Juice.

🚀 In this episode Michael opens up about:

✅ Life as a stay-at-home dad raising teenagers

✅ The emotional transition from raising kids to watching them become adults

✅ Raising a 17-year-old daughter and navigating dating, independence, and trust

✅ Parenting teenagers in the age of smartphones and social media

✅ Becoming the kind of father his own dad was to him

🔥 If this episode resonated, LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE — share with a dad raising teenagers or preparing for those years.

Dad content creator and marathon runner Kyle Bradshaw has built a following by sharing honest reminders about fatherhood while running the streets of Florida. In this episode of the Rise and Dad Podcast, Kyle shares why some of the most meaningful parts of being a dad happen in the ordinary, everyday moments. Kyle opens up about raising a six-year-old son and two-year-old daughter, adjusting to the kindergarten years, balancing work and family, and the constant challenge of being the present and intentional dad he wants to be. From leaving the dishes in the sink to play Spider-Man and Venom with his son, to letting his kids crawl into bed in the middle of the night, Kyle talks about recognizing that these stages of fatherhood don't last forever—and why sometimes the things that feel inconvenient today are the moments we'll miss the most. 🚀 In this episode Kyle opens up about:

✅ Why being present can be one of the hardest parts of fatherhood

✅ Choosing playtime with your kids over the never-ending to-do list

✅ Raising a son and daughter through different stages of childhood

✅ How running gives him time to reflect on becoming a better dad

✅ Teaching kids hard work by letting them see you struggle and persevere

✅ Why ordinary days with your kids can become the most meaningful ones

✅ The challenge of becoming the dad you want to be

✅ Why showing up every day matters more than being a perfect father