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

David Shar on Passion, Burnout, and Work-Life Balance for Working Dads
APR 28, 2026
David Shar on Passion, Burnout, and Work-Life Balance for Working Dads
<p>Why does work that once energized you start to feel like something you can’t turn off?</p><p>Dr. David Shar studies what happens when people fall out of love with their work and why that shift often happens long before anyone notices. His research shows that for working dads, the challenge is not just workload. It is how work connects to identity, purpose, and the life you are trying to build at home.</p><p>This conversation reframes passion in a way most people never consider. Not all passion is healthy. Some of it quietly creates burnout, tension, and distance from the people who matter most.</p><p>David shares how to:</p><p>• Understand the difference between healthy passion and the kind that leads to burnout</p><p>• Recognize when guilt at home or at work is a signal of misalignment </p><p>• Identify when your work is integrated into your identity versus competing with it</p><p>• Shift from obsessive work habits to a more sustainable, balanced approach</p><p>• Influence culture and energy at work even without a leadership title</p><p>• Align your impact at work with who you are as a parent</p><p>• Create meaningful work without sacrificing presence at home</p><p>We talk about fatherhood, identity, and work-life balance that actually holds up under real pressure. Not less ambition, but better alignment between who you are, how you work, and how you show up at home.</p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://umd.edu">University of Maryland</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.coldstonecreamery.com">Cold Stone Creamery</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crips%25E2%2580%2593Bloods_gang_war">The Crips and Bloods</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.safeway.com/">Safeway</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://chatgpt.com">ChatGPT</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262426/">Wicked</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Cinematic_Universe">Marvel Cinematic Universe</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkMCYae7ua4">Dinosaur Train</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nCqRmx3Dnw">The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air</a></p><p><strong>Follow David</strong></p><p>On his website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.davidshar.com">http://www.davidshar.com</a></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidshar">http://www.linkedin.com/in/davidshar</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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53 MIN
Alan Lazaros on Meaningful Work, Work-Life Balance, and Living from the Inside Out
APR 21, 2026
Alan Lazaros on Meaningful Work, Work-Life Balance, and Living from the Inside Out
<p>What if the biggest gap between your work and your life is not your schedule, but how you define success?</p><p>Alan Lazaros built what most people would call a successful life. High income, fast growth, and clear upward momentum. But after a near-fatal car accident at 26, he was forced to confront a harder question. Was any of it actually meaningful?</p><p>For working dads trying to balance ambition, work-life balance, and presence at home, this conversation reframes what meaningful work really means and how easily success can drift away from what matters most.</p><p>Alan shares how to:</p><p>• Shift from chasing external success to building a life from the inside out</p><p>• Recognize when your goals are driven by validation instead of values</p><p>• Avoid building a life that looks successful but feels empty</p><p>• Focus on long-term growth instead of short-term approval</p><p>• Close the gap between your intentions and your daily actions</p><p>• Redefine meaningful work in a way that actually fits your life</p><p>This conversation is not about abandoning ambition. It's about aiming it in the right direction so your work, your values, and your life are moving together instead of pulling you apart.</p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.agfa.com/corporate/">Agfa</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.wpi.edu">Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://americanspcc.org/take-the-aces-quiz/">Adverse Childhood Experiences Score</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://lionking.fandom.com/wiki/Pride_Rock">Pride Rock</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2EotmVUdDE">Hey Arnold</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rog8ou-ZepE">Ice Ice Baby</a></p><p><strong>Follow Alan</strong></p><p>On his website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.nextleveluniverse.com">https://www.nextleveluniverse.com</a> </p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.instagram.com/alazaros88">http://www.instagram.com/alazaros88</a></p><p>On Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros">http://www.facebook.com/alan.lazaros</a></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc">https://www.linkedin.com/in/alanlazarosllc</a></p><p>On his podcast on YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelUniversity">https://www.youtube.com/@NextLevelUniversity</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
David Marcus on Fatherhood, Emotional Presence, and Raising Kids in a Stressed World
APR 14, 2026
David Marcus on Fatherhood, Emotional Presence, and Raising Kids in a Stressed World
<p>Why do so many working dads feel disconnected from their kids even when they are physically present?</p><p>Modern fatherhood comes with pressures that did not exist a generation ago. Constant work demands, two-income households, packed schedules, and technology that never turns off have pushed many families into reactive mode. And when stress builds, connection is often the first thing to break.</p><p>Dr. David Marcus, a clinical psychologist with over 40 years of experience working with families under stress, explains what is really happening beneath those moments of disconnection and how dads can show up differently.</p><p>David shares how to:</p><p>• Become a calming, steady presence when your child is overwhelmed</p><p>• Understand why kids fear their emotions will push parents away </p><p>• Avoid reactive parenting patterns that get passed down unconsciously</p><p>• Help children develop an emotional language instead of acting out</p><p>• Respond in a way that allows your child to open up rather than shut down</p><p>• Handle conflict without damaging trust or connection</p><p>• Repair moments when you lose your temper and rebuild respect</p><p>• Stay emotionally present even when work stress is high</p><p>• Recognize when you are “filled up” and shifting into reaction mode</p><p>• Create a home environment where kids feel safe expressing themselves</p><p>This conversation is for working dads trying to balance fatherhood, work, and emotional presence in a world that rarely slows down.</p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p>My Big Fat Greek Wedding: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259446/">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0259446/</a></p><p>Michael Jordan: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan</a></p><p>The Waltons: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068149/">https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068149/</a></p><p>Cats in the Cradle: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u-KWa3tL-0">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u-KWa3tL-0</a></p><p>Father &amp; Son: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6zaCV4niKk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6zaCV4niKk</a></p><p>Sunrise, Sunset: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBJeF_Lav2o">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBJeF_Lav2o</a></p><p><strong>Follow David</strong></p><p>On his website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://parentrx.org">https://parentrx.org</a></p><p>Email: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</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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53 MIN
Scott Maderer on Aligning Work, Fatherhood, and What Matters Most
APR 7, 2026
Scott Maderer on Aligning Work, Fatherhood, and What Matters Most
<p>What happens when you realize the career you built doesn’t actually align with the life you want?</p><p>Scott Maderer built a successful career in finance, checked the right boxes, and did the things ambitious professionals are supposed to do. But eventually he realized something important was missing. The work that once looked impressive on paper no longer felt connected to his values, his purpose, or the kind of impact he wanted to make.</p><p>That realization led Scott to step away from corporate finance and build a new path helping leaders and entrepreneurs align their work with what truly matters.</p><p>Scott shares how to:</p><ul><li>Recognize when external success no longer matches internal fulfillment</li><li>Navigate the uncertainty that comes with major career shifts</li><li>Design work that supports family, relationships, and long term priorities</li><li>Avoid chasing titles, money, or status that don't bring real satisfaction</li></ul><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sears">Sears</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F_RCWVoL4s">Sweet Caroline</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/brodiethatdood/?hl=en">Brodie the Goldendoodle</a></p><p><strong>Follow Scott</strong></p><p>On his website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://inspiredstewardship.com/gaptogig">inspiredstewardship.com/gaptogig</a></p><p>On his podcast: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://inspiredstewardship.com/podcast/">https://inspiredstewardship.com/podcast/</a></p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/stewardcoach/">https://www.instagram.com/stewardcoach/</a></p><p>On Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/InspiredStewardship">https://www.facebook.com/InspiredStewardship</a></p><p>On YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@Inspired_Stewardship">https://www.youtube.com/@Inspired_Stewardship</a></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/csmaderer/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/csmaderer/</a></p><p>Read his book, Inspired Living: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/472IjZ7">https://amzn.to/472IjZ7</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
Loren Silverman on Reclaiming Your Identity Beyond Productivity
MAR 31, 2026
Loren Silverman on Reclaiming Your Identity Beyond Productivity
<p>What happens when your self-worth quietly becomes tied to your output?</p><p>After nearly two decades leading digital transformation work for major brands, Loren Silverman realized that success on paper didn’t equal fulfillment in real life. The titles, the grind, the constant responsibility all looked right from the outside. But underneath, something felt off.</p><p>That realization didn’t lead to a dramatic overnight reinvention. It led to something much simpler and far more powerful: pause, awareness, and small, repeatable shifts.</p><p>Today, Loren helps high-responsibility professionals untangle identity from productivity, align actions with values, and build healthier boundaries without losing ambition.</p><p>Loren shares how to:</p><p>• Recognize when your reaction is bigger than the moment</p><p>• Separate your identity from your professional output</p><p>• Align daily actions with personal values</p><p>• Protect energy, not just time</p><p>• Use small, consistent changes instead of heroic life overhauls</p><p>• Practice active listening to improve presence at home</p><p>• Create boundaries that actually hold under pressure</p><p>• Reframe slowing down as strength rather than weakness</p><p>• Catch burnout before it becomes depletion</p><p>• Pause long enough to make better decisions</p><p>This conversation is thoughtful, grounded, and practical for any dad who feels stretched between responsibility and presence, and wants a steadier, more intentional way forward.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMART_criteria">S.M.A.R.T. Tasks</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.baskinrobbins.com/en">Baskin-Robbins</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4bFqW_eu2I">House of the Rising Sun by The Animals</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://thedoors.com">The Doors</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Follow Loren</strong></p><p>On his website: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.silvermancoach.com">https://www.silvermancoach.com</a></p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/loren.silverman/">https://www.instagram.com/loren.silverman/</a></p><p>On Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/loren.silverman">https://www.facebook.com/loren.silverman</a></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorensilverman/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorensilverman/</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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43 MIN