Happy Friday, guys. Here’s some good news…
Earliest sunset? Already happened. Evenings get brighter from here…barely, but we’ll take it. It happens before the solstice because the sun keeps its own weird schedule, not our 24-hour one.
Have a solid weekend. See ya Monday.
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.
“Do not think that you will act in a great way when you reach a different environment; act in a great way where you are now.”
THE DIGEST
Most Clicked: Your 2026 Playbook Starts Now
Best Community Reply: Your kids copy your habits, not your speeches.
Wisdom of the Week: Our kids don’t need some future, more organized, less-stressed version of us. They need the dad we are today. Not perfect. Not polished. Not magically put together. That’s the assignment.
Deal of the Week: 40% Off Guardian Bikes. Dad-founded. Built for safety.
📕 Read: Don’t Believe Everything You Think
🎧 Listen: Masculinity as Confident Competence
📺 Watch: Huckberry Dirt: Tasting Switzerland's Mountain Culture
🍔 Eat/Drink: Easy Homemade Bagels
🩳 Style: Seiko Prospex Automatic Diver Watch
FROM THE TRENCHES
Topic: Set the Tone
Yesterday, we had Kirk Martin from the Calm Parenting Podcast join us for Dad Lab. The guy has nearly a million followers on Instagram for a reason. He dropped a ton of note-worthy advice. We’ll share the full recording next week, but here’s one worth carrying into the weekend.
Kirk talked about self-control using a few simple analogies that hit home. He said parents should aim to be the calm quarterback in the huddle when the team is down two touchdowns. Or the ER doctor who stays steady while everyone else is panicking. In other words, we set the tone.
His point was that our kids’ big emotions aren’t supposed to lead us. We lead them. Discipline isn’t about punishing. It’s about teaching, modeling, and guiding.
And the mindset shift he encouraged was this: stop expecting kids to behave so that you can behave. They’re still developing. They’re going through life for the first time. They’re learning how to regulate by watching how we regulate.
Simple idea. Huge impact.
Be the steady one, even when the room gets loud.
GARAGE
Send us what you’re working on…
Tyler from Colorado, working on a home office shed. Love to see it. Thanks for sharing, Tyler.
We want to see your house projects. Send ‘em our way! Just reply to this email.
WEEKEND BURNER
40-30-20 calorie row or fan bike
10-8-6 devil press (pick a weight that keeps you moving)
15-15-15 knees to elbows
Extra Credit: Five 100m Sprints. Rest 1 minute between sets.
What’s Going On This Weekend?
Phoenix, AZ: Chris Reed is getting after it with a 5k run. All paces welcome. Barrier Free Nature Trail. Coffee to follow. RSVP here.
Charleston, SC: Track workout @Stoney Field. Dec 20 at 8am.
Start a Crew in 2026: We’re building Guys Being Dads with intention. Real IRL community, not just internet talk. If you want to rally a group in your town for 2026, we’re looking for a few motivated dads to lead the charge. Just reply to this email, and we’ll hop on a chat.
dad shower thoughts: The grill isn’t just for cooking…it’s where dads go to think.
