Gap to Gig
Gap to Gig

Gap to Gig

Michael Jacobs

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

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
Doug Fleener on Making Better Work and Life Choices Without Burning Out
FEB 3, 2026
Doug Fleener on Making Better Work and Life Choices Without Burning Out
<p>Why does work keep crowding out family time even when no one is explicitly asking it to?</p><p>Doug Fleener is an author, coach, and former corporate executive who has lived both sides of the work equation. After years of leadership roles and constant pressure, he intentionally redesigned his work around presence, health, and family. As a dad to grown daughters and a teenager, Doug brings rare perspective on how seasons of fatherhood change what presence really looks like.</p><p>Doug shares how to: </p><ul><li>Shift from chasing balance to making clear work and life choices </li><li>Recognize when work is crowding out presence without anyone noticing </li><li>Build daily intention through future focused journaling </li><li>Use physical cues like closing a laptop or putting down a phone to signal presence </li><li>Pause before reacting when pressure spills into family moments </li><li>Find meaningful connection in small, ordinary moments</li></ul><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bose.com/">Bose Corporation</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://dayoneapp.com">Day One</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.startwithwhatif.com">Start With What If by Doug Fleener</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2223990/">Draft Day</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIXbQLwAor4">Arthur theme song</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turn_Style">Turn Style</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxEPV4kolz0">Piano Man</a></p><p><strong>Follow Doug</strong></p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.dougfleener.com">https://www.dougfleener.com</a></p><p>On TikTok: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://tiktok.com/@dougfleener">http://tiktok.com/@dougfleener</a></p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/dougfleener">https://instagram.com/dougfleener</a></p><p>On Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554942906442">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554942906442</a></p><p>On YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@doug-fleener">https://www.youtube.com/@doug-fleener</a></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/dougfleener">http://www.linkedin.com/in/dougfleener</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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51 MIN
Stephanie Cordes on Finding Clarity When Success No Longer Feels Right
JAN 27, 2026
Stephanie Cordes on Finding Clarity When Success No Longer Feels Right
<p>What do you do when your career looks successful on paper, but something quietly feels off?</p><p>Stephanie Cordes is a career ownership coach who works with people at the exact moment when professional success and the life they want to live stop pointing in the same direction. She knows this moment personally. After building a successful corporate career, Stephanie realized that checking all the boxes did not automatically mean she was building the right life.</p><p>Stephanie shares how to:</p><p>• Recognize quiet misalignment before it turns into burnout</p><p>• Reevaluate work and life goals as seasons and family needs change</p><p>• Think beyond job titles and focus on lifestyle, income, and long term direction</p><p>• Create a personal North Star that guides decisions without locking you into one path</p><p>• Let go of the belief that every career change means failure</p><p>• Explore new options while keeping stability for your family</p><p>• Involve your partner in career decisions as a true team effort</p><p>• Redefine what providing really means beyond a paycheck</p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ring.com">Ring Camera</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-siminoff-aaa44238a">Jamie Siminoff, Founder of Ring Camera</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-c154896b-0b76-46ae-be0c-6ed9ae3223c7">Kim Possible</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><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.aquaphorus.com">Aquaphor</a></p><p><strong>Follow Stephanie</strong></p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://stephahead.com">https://stephahead.com</a></p><p>On X: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/stephcordesTES">https://x.com/stephcordesTES</a></p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/stephaniecordesTES">https://www.instagram.com/stephaniecordesTES</a></p><p>On Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093172011381">https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093172011381</a></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemcordes/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemcordes/</a></p><p>On Bluesky: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://bsky.app/profile/stephcordestes.bsky.social">https://bsky.app/profile/stephcordestes.bsky.social</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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39 MIN
Kristian Leavell on Navigating Anxiety, Depression, and the Long Winter Season
JAN 20, 2026
Kristian Leavell on Navigating Anxiety, Depression, and the Long Winter Season
<p>Why do anxiety and depression feel heavier during the long winter season, even when nothing is technically “wrong”?</p><p>Kristian Leavell, licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and dad, returns to talk about the emotional weight winter can bring, especially for fathers carrying responsibility at work and at home. The focus here is awareness, regulation, and small, realistic ways to stay steady when energy is low and motivation fades.</p><p>Kristian shares how to:</p><p>• Notice early signs of anxiety and depression by watching patterns, not isolated moments</p><p>• Treat emotions as useful signals rather than problems to eliminate</p><p>• Separate thoughts from facts and step out of spirals</p><p>• Use small, practical actions to interrupt anxiety before it builds</p><p>• Apply opposite action when motivation disappears</p><p>• Practice mindfulness in real life, not perfect conditions</p><p>• Talk with kids about emotions in ways that create trust and safety</p><p>• Redefine strength as presence, not endurance</p><p>• Check in on other dads without feeling the need to fix them</p><p></p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapy-types/acceptance-and-commitment-therapy">ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://cogbtherapy.com/cbt-blog/cognitive-defusion-techniques-and-exercises">Cognitive Fusion</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22838-dialectical-behavior-therapy-dbt">DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Jetsons">The Jetsons</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.marthastewart.com/diy-emergency-candles-11809143">How to turn crayons into candles</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/_ywKerDSjLc">Crash the Gates by Yellowcard</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Follow Kristian</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@therapytokwithkris">TherapyTokWithKris on TikTok</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/therapytalkwithkris">TherapyTalkWithKris on Instagram</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@therapytalkwithkris">TherapyTalkWithKris on YouTube</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://DistinctApproachCounseling.com">DistinctApproachCounseling.com</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">Email Kris</a></p><p></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></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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55 MIN