Gap to Gig – Working Dads' Guide to Fatherhood, Meaningful Work, & Finding Balance in Life
Gap to Gig – Working Dads' Guide to Fatherhood, Meaningful Work, & Finding Balance in Life

Gap to Gig – Working Dads' Guide to Fatherhood, Meaningful Work, & Finding Balance in Life

Michael Jacobs - Working Dads & Fatherhood Expert

Overview
Episodes

Details

Build the life you’re working for.Gap to Gig is the podcast for dads who want to crush it at work and still show up at home.Each week, host Michael Jacobs talks with dads, founders, career experts, and creators about what it really takes to balance meaningful work and active fatherhood. From navigating career transitions and side hustles to staying present for hockey games and bedtime stories, Gap to Gig helps you create a life that feels steady, fulfilling, and built to last.Whether you’re a stay-at-home dad reentering the workforce, a working dad craving more purpose, or a creator building your own path, you’ll find stories and systems to help you move forward with confidence.Expect honest conversations about:Work-life balance that actually lastsCareer change and meaningful work without losing yourselfParenting and productivity that fit real lifeFatherhood, identity, and growth in the modern worldMindset and systems that keep both business and family running smoothlyNo fluff. No hustle-culture noise. Just real stories, practical tools, and genuine conversations about being a dad who wants both: meaningful work and a meaningful life.If you’ve ever felt pulled between your career ambitions and your kids’ soccer schedules, you’re not alone. Each episode offers ideas you can apply right away, whether that’s a way to structure your week, handle burnout, or rethink what success really means for you and your family.The show blends personal storytelling, expert insights, and actionable takeaways from guests who are building careers, companies, and creative projects that fit their lives, not the other way around.Recent episodes feature:Entrepreneurs who’ve built businesses around their familiesCareer coaches helping dads find work that fits their valuesCreatives balancing passion projects with parentingProductivity pros teaching how to reclaim time and focusEveryday dads sharing their journeys from burnout to balanceIf you’re ready to rethink success, build balance that lasts, and create space for what matters most, this podcast is for you.Gap to Gig: Helping dads build the life they’re working for.New episodes weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen.

Recent Episodes

Merry Korn on Turning Professional Loss into Purpose-Driven Work
MAR 10, 2026
Merry Korn on Turning Professional Loss into Purpose-Driven Work
<p>What happens when the job you thought would carry you to the finish line disappears overnight?</p><p>Two months into what she believed would be her final role, Merry Korn was let go. She was a single parent with two teenagers, college tuition looming, and no clear path forward. The fear was real. The pressure was immediate. Staying in bed was not an option.</p><p>What followed was not an overnight success story. It was a series of hard conversations, informational interviews, small courageous steps, and a refusal to surrender. From those early survival decisions, Merry went on to found and scale a for-profit social enterprise that employed more than 1,300 people across 30 states, prioritizing jobs for people with severe disabilities, disabled veterans, and individuals living in the most impoverished communities.</p><p>Merry shares how to:</p><ul><li>Move forward when fear feels paralyzing</li><li>Use informational interviews as a career and business growth strategy</li><li>Align work with purpose instead of contorting yourself to fit the wrong environment</li><li>Build a mission-driven company that attracts high-quality talent</li><li>Create simple rituals that protect presence at home</li><li>Lead with values when rebuilding after a professional setback</li><li>Turn survival mode into meaningful, scalable impact</li></ul><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://pinsourcing.com">Pearl Interactive Network</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/bergen-belsen">Bergen-Belsen</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108052/">Schindler's List</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oeiO19qaDmQ">Barney</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXWCaQPXE_0">Crazy by Patsy Cline</a></p><p><strong>Follow Merry</strong></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrykorn">https://www.linkedin.com/in/merrykorn</a></p><p>On X: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://X.com/korn_merry45334">https://X.com/korn_merry45334</a></p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/mpearlkorn">https://instagram.com/mpearlkorn</a></p><p>On Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://facebook.com/firedtoinspired">https://facebook.com/firedtoinspired</a></p><p>On her website, Fired to Inspired: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://firedtoinspired.com">https://firedtoinspired.com</a></p><p><strong>Follow Gap to Gig</strong></p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://instagram.com/gaptogig">instagram.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On TikTok: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://tiktok.com/@gaptogig">tiktok.com/@gaptogig</a></p><p>On X: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://x.com/gaptogig">x.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg">youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg</a></p><p>On your podcast player of choice: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/">https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/</a></p><p>Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://gaptogig.com">gaptogig.com</a></p><p><strong>Follow Michael</strong></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/</a></p>
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46 MIN
Tony Berardo on Redefining Success Around Time, Health, and Fatherhood
MAR 3, 2026
Tony Berardo on Redefining Success Around Time, Health, and Fatherhood
<p>What happens when health scares, job loss, and family tragedy collide all at once?</p><p>After having part of his lung removed, being laid off during the pandemic, and losing his father-in-law the same day he was discharged from the hospital, Tony Berardo was forced to confront a hard truth: work was taking up too much of the wrong space in his life.</p><p>Instead of chasing security, status, and a bigger paycheck, Tony rebuilt his life around something far more valuable: time.</p><p>Today, he’s the founder of Human Dad, a content creator, and an entrepreneur who prioritizes presence over prestige. He makes less money than he once did, but he has more clarity, more intention, and more time with his daughter.</p><p>Tony shares how to:</p><p>• Reevaluate success after health scares and job loss</p><p>• Shift from “work-life balance” to protecting time as your most valuable asset</p><p>• Build a side hustle before making the leap into entrepreneurship</p><p>• Lower financial stress by living below your means</p><p>• Model discipline, boundaries, and healthy habits for your kids</p><p>• Choose presence over prestige</p><p>Tony’s perspective is raw, direct, and deeply practical. For any dad questioning whether the grind is worth it, this conversation offers a clear reminder: your time is the real currency.</p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/in-vitro-fertilization/about/pac-20384716">IVF</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/grwm?lang=en">Get Ready With Me</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5hk6O61heulo6Ld-ZNP6WA">Ridiculousness</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3521164/">Moana</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.regmovies.com">Regal Cinemas</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrlaVYKWeLU">Polly by Nirvana</a></p><p><strong>Follow Tony</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.theberardo.com">Website</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/humanityandhashtags">Humanity and Hashtags Podcast</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/theberardo">Instagram</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtube.com/@theberardo">YouTube</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://tiktok.com/@theberardo">TikTok</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://humandad.com/">Human Dad</a></p><p><strong>Follow Gap to Gig</strong></p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://instagram.com/gaptogig">instagram.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On TikTok: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://tiktok.com/@gaptogig">tiktok.com/@gaptogig</a></p><p>On X: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://x.com/gaptogig">x.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg">youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg</a></p><p>On your podcast player of choice: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/">https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/</a></p><p>Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://gaptogig.com">gaptogig.com</a></p><p><strong>Follow Michael</strong></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/</a></p>
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63 MIN
Brad Leeman on Leading at Home Through Presence, Play, and Preparation
FEB 24, 2026
Brad Leeman on Leading at Home Through Presence, Play, and Preparation
<p>What does leadership look like when the mission is your family and the stakes are emotional, not tactical?</p><p>Brad Leeman is a retired U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel, combat aviator, and F-35 test pilot who spent nearly two decades leading in environments where preparation, clarity, and execution were non-negotiable. After transitioning out of the military, Brad became an entrepreneur and founder of SwingSesh, a company built around a simple belief: parents should not be spectators in their kids’ lives.</p><p>This conversation explores how elite performance principles translate and sometimes fail to translate into fatherhood. Brad shares why presence matters, how small daily rituals create connection, and why modeling behavior shapes a child’s inner voice far more than lectures ever could.</p><p>Brad walks through how he and his wife intentionally design family rhythms, why play is a serious leadership skill, and how dads can rethink fitness, work, and ambition.</p><p>Brad shares how to:</p><ul><li>Build daily rituals that anchor presence and connection with kids</li><li>Use play as a tool for bonding, modeling health, and emotional regulation</li><li>Shape a child’s inner monologue through actions, not instructions</li><li>Recognize when to lead and when to follow inside a partnership</li><li>Rethink comfort, resilience, and decision making during hard seasons</li></ul><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/f-35.html">F-35</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.marines.com">U.S. Marine Corps</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bsu.edu">Ball State University</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gsd.harvard.edu">Harvard Graduate School of Design</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84dYijIpWjQ">How to Build Extreme Willpower | David Goggins &amp; Dr. Andrew Huberman</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.hoodsgardens.com/">Hood’s Gardens</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/rKFx0MMqb48">Picture by Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock</a></p><p><strong>Follow Brad</strong></p><p>On his website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.swingsesh.com">https://www.swingsesh.com</a></p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/teamswingsesh/">https://www.instagram.com/teamswingsesh/</a></p><p>On Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/SwingSesh/">https://www.facebook.com/SwingSesh/</a></p><p><strong>Follow Gap to Gig</strong></p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://instagram.com/gaptogig">instagram.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On TikTok: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://tiktok.com/@gaptogig">tiktok.com/@gaptogig</a></p><p>On X: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://x.com/gaptogig">x.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg">youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg</a></p><p>On your podcast player of choice: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/">https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/</a></p><p>Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://gaptogig.com">gaptogig.com</a></p><p><strong>Follow Michael</strong></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/</a></p>
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63 MIN
Danny Brassell on Becoming a Better Communicator at Work and at Home
FEB 17, 2026
Danny Brassell on Becoming a Better Communicator at Work and at Home
<p>How do you communicate in a way that builds trust, connection, and confidence with your kids, your partner, and the people you work with every day?</p><p>Danny Brassell has spent decades teaching, coaching, and speaking around the world about storytelling, reading, and communication. This conversation explores how communication is not about polish or performance, but about meeting people where they are and staying present in the moments that matter most.</p><p>Danny shares how to: </p><ul><li>Use storytelling to build trust instead of trying to impress</li><li>Become a stronger communicator by focusing on failures, not just wins</li><li>Create daily habits that strengthen presence at home</li><li>Help kids love reading without turning it into a battle</li><li>Model curiosity, learning, and humility for your children</li></ul><p>Danny’s insights are practical, honest, and immediately usable for dads who want to communicate more clearly, lead more effectively, and show up better for the people who matter most.</p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/4r9OQbP">Do What Matters Most</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/4t03AMf">Becoming Your Best</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/4t0b95H">The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lyon</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.realdadsread.org">Real Dads Read</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/3NUx8uF">Total Recall: My Unbelievably True Life Story</a></p><p><strong>Follow Danny</strong></p><p>On his website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.wellcraftedstoryworkshop.com">https://www.wellcraftedstoryworkshop.com</a></p><p>On X: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.x.com/DannyBrassell">https://www.x.com/DannyBrassell</a></p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/realDannyBrassell">https://www.instagram.com/realDannyBrassell</a></p><p>On Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/DannyBrassell">https://www.facebook.com/DannyBrassell</a></p><p>On YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtube.com/DannyBrassell">https://youtube.com/DannyBrassell</a> </p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/DannyBrassell">https://www.linkedin.com/in/DannyBrassell</a></p><p>Get your free well crafted story blueprint:  <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.freestoryguide.com">www.freestoryguide.com</a></p><p><strong>Follow Gap to Gig</strong></p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://instagram.com/gaptogig">instagram.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On TikTok: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://tiktok.com/@gaptogig">tiktok.com/@gaptogig</a></p><p>On X: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://x.com/gaptogig">x.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg">youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg</a></p><p>On your podcast player of choice: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/">https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/</a></p><p>Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://gaptogig.com">gaptogig.com</a></p><p><strong>Follow Michael</strong></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/</a></p>
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57 MIN
Jon Merlin on Building Creative Work Without Sacrificing Family Time
FEB 10, 2026
Jon Merlin on Building Creative Work Without Sacrificing Family Time
<p>Jon Merlin is a longtime designer who left agency life to start his own creative studio while raising two young daughters. Instead of letting work bleed into every hour, Jon drew a hard line around family time and rebuilt his business around clarity, intention, and values.</p><p>This conversation explores what it really looks like to pursue entrepreneurship without losing presence at home, and how letting go of perfection can unlock both better work and better parenting.</p><p>Jon shares how to: </p><ul><li>Protect daily family time without derailing client work</li><li>Set non-negotiables in seasons where work pressure is real</li><li>Build a focused business by saying no to the wrong projects</li><li>Navigate the anxiety and ambiguity of starting something new</li><li>Replace perfection with progress at work and at home</li><li>Use small moments with kids to stay connected during busy days</li><li>Model emotional regulation, repair, and growth for children</li><li>Choose work that aligns with values, not just revenue</li><li>Reframe career gaps as runways instead of setbacks</li><li>Define success through legacy, not titles or output</li></ul><p>Jon’s perspective is thoughtful, grounded, and deeply practical for dads who want to build something meaningful without missing what matters most.</p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.oneclubsandiego.org">One Club for Creatives (San Diego)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://creativemornings.com">Creative Mornings</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41O_MydqxTU">Lava Chicken</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXKFtu7KfC0">Dookie by Green Day</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUTGr5t3MoY">Basket Case by Green Day</a></p><p><strong>Follow Jon</strong></p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://jonmerlin.com/">https://jonmerlin.com/</a></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonmerlin/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonmerlin/</a></p><p><strong>Follow Gap to Gig</strong></p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://instagram.com/gaptogig">instagram.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On TikTok: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://tiktok.com/@gaptogig">tiktok.com/@gaptogig</a></p><p>On X: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://x.com/gaptogig">x.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg">youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg</a></p><p>On your podcast player of choice: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/">https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/</a></p><p>Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://gaptogig.com">gaptogig.com</a></p><p><strong>Follow Michael</strong></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/</a></p>
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44 MIN