Tony Cooper

Tony Elliott shares his journey raising two daughters through the lens of game styles, Love & Logic principles, and real-world trial and error. From tea parties to state championships, discover how understanding biological styles under pressure transforms parenting. Tony opens up about being harder on daughters versus sons, navigating different game styles between siblings, and why supporting the mother is the single most important job for any new dad. Whether you're a new dad podcast listener or raising teenagers, this conversation offers wisdom earned through decades of fatherhood.Key Takeaways:How Love & Logic consequences with empathy shaped parenting decisionsUnderstanding your child's biological game style reduces conflictGirl dads experience unexpected fulfillment in father-daughter relationshipsSupporting the mother is the primary job for new fathersYou don't need all the answers right now—solve one problem at a timeBeing present at every event matters more than you realizeDifferent game styles require different parenting approachesSleep deprivation is the first problem to solve togetherYour job transitions from provider to supporter as kids growThe joy in their accomplishments surpasses any personal achievementIf you enjoyed The Dad Manual, leave us a rating on your podcast app! If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to dadmanualpodcast@gmail.com.Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/

This week on The Dad Manual, I’ve invited my friend Adam Hibble, father to 16-year-old Maya, to share his unconventional approach to modern fatherhood that began before pregnancy: a vision statement that evolved through playful teasing, open-ended questions, and countless short conversations. Adam reveals how his parenting style emerged from his own father's listening-first approach and the community of men around him. He opens up about the mistakes he made—including inadvertently limiting his daughter's emotional expression—and how he's worked to heal his own childhood wounds to break generational cycles. This parenting podcast explores the balance between fun and boundaries, the importance of apologizing when jokes don't land, and why being a dad means constantly learning on the job. Maya's confidence and emotional intelligence stand as testament to the power of being present, patient, and willing to do the hard work of self-reflection.Key Takeaways:Create a parenting vision statement with your partner before your child arrivesModel the ability to apologize when your attempts at humor or discipline don't land wellAsk yourself "What would I have wanted at this age?" to guide your parenting decisionsFocus on 1,000 short conversations rather than a few long, heavy talksHeal your own childhood wounds before trying to instill values you don't embody yourselfUse playful teasing strategically to build resilience and humor in your childrenPractice listening more than talking and asking open-ended questionsAllow children to express emotions without needing to categorize or justify themTake care of yourself first so you can better care for your familyRemember that parenting is learn-as-you-go; you don't need all the answers upfrontIf you enjoyed The Dad Manual, leave us a rating on your podcast app! If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to thedadmanual@gmail.com.Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/

Parenthood isn't about perfection—it's about showing up, opening up, and caring deeply.Rodrigo Lagos shares his transformation into a sports dad and how driving his 16-year-old daughter Willow to volleyball created unexpected moments of connection. He discusses navigating the teenage years with authenticity, supporting his son Drake's passion for archery and robotics, and why vulnerability strengthens father-child relationships. This parenting podcast explores the power of family rituals, from their annual Lago Summer Kickoff Event to holiday cooking traditions, and offers wisdom on building resilience through consistent care.Key Takeaways:Sports involvement creates natural conversation opportunities with teenagersKids are more resilient than we think when we show up for themFamily rituals evolve as children grow and contribute their own ideasVulnerability and apologizing to your kids builds deeper trustOpening up to your children happens earlier than most fathers expectScreen-free time in the car offers valuable connection windowsPhysical exhaustion after sports helps kids be more presentLetting kids participate fully in family life teaches ownershipIf you enjoyed The Dad Manual, please like and subscribe. If you loved it, share this episode with a Dad! Send your questions to dadmanualpodcast@gmail.com.Connect with Tony Cooper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thetonycooper/