📕 DAD WISDOM 

Trust the Process

Arthur Brooks and Simon Sinek recently chatted about how AI is stripping away “the process.” Not the output. Not the result. The work. The part that actually makes us who we are.

That landed hard as a dad.

Because kids aren’t keen on shortcuts yet. They don’t want the efficiency version of life. They want the full thing: the slow, hands-on version of life. The version where you’re right there with them.

It’s wild how kids drag us back into the process. They make you read the bedtime book instead of queuing the audiobook. They ask questions that force you to explain, not gloss over. They watch how you handle the tiny stuff and model every move.

Sometimes it really does feel like an annoyance. But wow… talk about the work and the process. That’s it. That’s where the reps are. That’s where patience grows. That’s where the dad you want to be actually gets built.

So don’t rush the finish line. Lean into the little steps they need to see you take. The process is the point. Let’s not lose it.

RAD DAD 

Jack Johnson

Jack Johnson: musician, surfer, filmmaker, and all-around mellow human brings the same calm, grounded energy to fatherhood that he brings to his music.

He and his wife Kim, his college sweetheart, are raising three kids on the North Shore of Oahu, where family time, surfing, and simple living set the tone.

His parenting philosophy is rooted in the example his own dad set: “Lead by example… be kind, do the right thing. That’s what I’m trying to do for my kids.” 

And whether he’s referencing family in his lyrics or talking about time outdoors, the heartbeat is always the same: love, presence, and balance. “Every time I get a chance to be out in the ocean, it’s like hitting a reset button… perfect balance.”

Jack Johnson reminds us that the good stuff is simple: be present, be kind, and enjoy the moments in between.

^{Quotes via YouTube, Communikait, and Goodreads}

DAD TOYS 

Solo Stove Propane Fire Pit

The new Solo Stove Infinity Flame is the fire pit for campfire vibes without smelling like a burnt marshmallow.

Propane, zero smoke, twist-and-go ignition, aka backyard luxury. The integrated tabletop makes it a hangout magnet for 5–8 people.

Bottom line: all flame, no fuss.

Get it here. 

DAD BOD 

What’s the Deal With Red Light?

You’ve probably seen red light trending somewhere lately. Panels, masks, influencers glowing like a rotisserie chicken… so what’s the deal?

Red light therapy is basically cell-charging for humans. Low-level red light hits your skin, nudges your mitochondria to wake up, and (in theory) boosts energy production while lowering inflammation.

Why people use it:

• Calmer nerves + reduced inflammation

• Better-looking skin

• Faster recovery when something feels tweaked

• Possible boosts in sleep and mood

It’s not magic. But as a recovery tool? Think of it like sunlight’s nerdy cousin. 

THE MOVE 

Give them a job that matters.

This week’s focus: Let your kid help with something real: cooking, yard work, fixing stuff. Let ‘em feel proud.

JUNK DRAWER 

DAD HUMOR