Holiday weekend mode: engaged.
We’re a little late today because being outnumbered by 3 kids is the real deal. Have an awesome holiday weekend. We’re taking Monday off, and we’ll see ya Wednesday.
PS: If you’re new here, we mix it up on Fridays with a quick recap from the week and a few extra gems to head into the weekend right.
"Every act of conscious learning requires the willingness to suffer an injury to one's self-esteem. That is why young children, before they are aware of their own self-importance, learn so easily; and why older persons, especially if vain or important, cannot learn at all."
Thomas Szasz
THE DIGEST
Wisdom of the Week: Stuff usually isn’t taught through one big moment or speech. It happens in everyday things. The comments we make around the dinner table. The way we talk about strangers. The example we set when nobody’s really paying attention.
Most Clicked: Eric Church’s Graduation Speech
Gear of the Week: Tecovas Slip-Ons
A Dad Box Worth Checking: We featured Ethos on Monday, and ya, life insurance isn’t exactly holiday weekend material. But if you’re a dad, it’s important as hell: no medical exam, just a few health questions online, and you can get a number in minutes. For a healthy 40-year-old, $1M in coverage runs around $54/month. Take a few minutes this weekend and get your number here.
📕 Read: Consider the Lobster: And Other Essays
📺 Watch: Why Bear Grylls' Morning Routine Hasn't Changed in Decades
🍔 Eat/Drink: The 3 Sides That Steal Every Memorial Day Cookout
🎧 Listen: A New Dad Reality Check (we just dropped a new podcast episode)
IN THE TRENCHES
Topic: The Village (Or Lack Of One)
Over 300 dads weighed in on whether they have family nearby to help with the kids.
Interestingly, the majority said they do have family close by…and most admitted they rely on them heavily. Grandparents 15 minutes away. Siblings who can step in. Last-minute babysitting help. More than one dad called it “priceless.”
But there was also a huge group doing this without much help at all.
Different state. Different country. Military moves. Work relocations. Just trying to build a life far away from where they started.
One thing that stood out: even dads without family nearby kept talking about building their own version of a village. Friends. Neighbors. Parents from school. People showing up when it mattered most.
And honestly, some of the strongest responses came from the dads doing it solo. A lot of guys said it’s forced them and their spouse to become an even tighter team.
One dad wrote: “Quitting on each other has never been an option.”
That one stuck with us.
GARAGE
Send us what you’re working on…
A legit basement pub. Thanks for sharing!
We want to see your projects. Send ‘em our way! Just reply to this email.
WEEKEND BURNER
"Murph" is a legendary CrossFit "Hero WOD" performed to honor Navy SEAL Lieutenant Michael P. Murphy.
The Workout:
1-mile run
100 pull-ups
200 push-ups
300 air squats
1-mile run
Traditionally done while wearing a 20-lb weighted vest. Scale accordingly, y’all.
ONE LAST THING
🛒 Dad Economy:
$7 coffee: “absolutely not.”
$38 beef jerky at the gas station: “we ride at dawn.”
📼 Core Memory:
Your kids have absolutely no idea how hard you’re trying. Which is probably a good thing. They just think dad always knows how to fix the bike, carry them upstairs, and make pancakes on Saturday.
🎧 On Repeat
Some fresh jams dropped in our Dad Day Playlist.
→ Listen
dad shower thoughts: Kind of wild that figure skaters don’t wear helmets.