Happy Hump Day, gents. If you're a Panthers fan, congrats—back-to-back Stanley Cups is no small feat.

Quick favor before we dive in: if you’ve been enjoying these emails, it’d mean a lot if you passed them along to a fellow dad or two. Word of mouth goes a long way.

Here’s what’s on tap today:

• Chaos vs. chaos

• Matt Hranek, vintage dad goals

• Shower anywhere

• How many situps is too many?

Let’s get into it.

📕 DAD WISDOM 

Don’t Match Chaos With Chaos

We featured something similar a few weeks ago, and it’s really shifted my perspective lately: Kids, even teenagers, aren’t tiny adults. They’re tiny humans with still-developing brains. I have a 3-year-old who tests this theory every single day.

When the tantrums hit, it’s easy to get caught up and snap back. But I’ve been trying to remind myself: they’re not giving me a hard time, they’re having a hard time.

They’re overwhelmed. Processing emotions they don’t fully understand. Matching that chaos with more chaos doesn’t help.

So I’ve been working on slowing down, breathing through it, and being the calm in their storm. Not perfect at it, but it’s made a huge difference. Give it a try next time

RAD DAD 

Matt Hranek

Before he was sipping Negronis in vintage Land Rovers and launching WM Brown, Matt Hranek was a magazine lifer; shooting, editing, and storytelling his way through the fashion and lifestyle world.

He’s now the founder of WM Brown Magazine, a quarterly publication that blends old-school masculinity with timeless taste: think cigars, watches, firewood, and fatherhood; all photographed like an Italian film set.

Matt splits his time between Brooklyn and upstate New York with his wife and daughter. And while his aesthetic is pure throwback cool, his approach to parenting is refreshingly grounded.

“Being a good father, in a way, is like being a good host,” he said. “You need to be available, you need to listen, and you have to be aware of how people are feeling.”

Whether he’s mixing cocktails or stacking firewood, Matt’s story is a reminder that style and substance don’t have to live apart and that showing up for your kids never goes out of fashion.

Give Matt a follow here.

DAD TOYS 

Rinse Kit

Just picked up one of these bad boys from RinseKit and it’s a game changer.

Sandy beach days, muddy kids, camping, muggy workouts, or post-surf rinse-offs, this thing handles it all without needing to be pressurized or plugged in.

Portable shower, pressure washer, dad hack… whatever you want to call it, it’s well worth it IMO.

Currently 10% off here.

DAD BOD 

How Many Situps Per Day?

Still chasing that Rocky-style six-pack with endless situps? Might be time to rethink the strategy.

According to trainers, 40 quality situps a day is plenty—if you’re doing them slow and controlled. More isn’t always better. In fact, trying to crank out 100 sloppy reps can mess with your form and lead to injuries.

Focus on form, not volume. Slow on the way down, core engaged, and stop chasing situp world records. Your back (and your abs) will thank you.

Dive deeper here. 

JUNK DRAWER 

DAD HUMOR