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

For many working dads, being present gets harder when work demands more time, attention, and energy. Thomas Perkins spent much of his career in environments where being physically available was not always possible, which forced him to think differently about what presence actually looks like. Thomas is a retired U.S. Navy Master Diver, Bronze Star recipient, father, author, and former corporate leader whose career included combat zones, deep-sea operations, and high-stakes leadership. Through all of those transitions, fatherhood remained the constant that shaped how he thought about purpose, attention, and the responsibility to make his kids feel heard and valued. Thomas shares how to: Stay connected with your kids even when work pulls you away Make limited time together feel focused and meaningful Help your kids feel heard, valued, and important Use preparation and repetition to build confidence and resilience Create routines that help kids handle unexpected challenges Recognize when your children need something different from you Redefine success around the life your kids want to build for themselves Thomas offers a thoughtful perspective on fatherhood, meaningful work, presence at home, work life balance, and the challenges working dads face when responsibility pulls them in different directions. His approach shows that presence is less about always being physically available and more about making sure your kids know they have your attention when it matters. Dig Deeper Civil Air Patrol Bronze Star Motocross Barney Denny’s What I Like About You Follow Thomas On his website On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn Get his book, A Life Not Worth Living Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram On TikTok On X On YouTube On your podcast player of choice Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter Follow Michael On LinkedIn

For many working dads, ambition can create an uncomfortable tension. You may believe you’re working hard for your family while the people at home experience that same work as something pulling you away from them. Jay Bourgana has spent more than 25 years building, operating, and acquiring businesses, including helping scale a real estate services platform to roughly $350 million in revenue. After exiting, he found himself confronting a different question: what makes a life meaningful once achievement alone is no longer enough? Jay shares how to: Pursue ambition without losing connection at home Create rituals that protect presence at home Help your kids understand why your work matters Communicate through busy seasons instead of leaving your family to interpret your absence Apply strong leadership principles to fatherhood and family life Raise kids with greater responsibility, resilience, and agency Move from achievement driven by status toward meaningful work built around growth and contribution Jay offers a thoughtful perspective on fatherhood, work life balance, parenting and ambition, meaningful work, and the challenges working dads face when success begins competing with connection. Dig Deeper Tony Robbins Drive by Daniel Pink Garfield Odie Losing My Religion Follow Jay At Kids Business School On his website On Instagram On Facebook On TikTok On X On YouTube On LinkedIn Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram On TikTok On X On YouTube On your podcast player of choice Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter Follow Michael On LinkedIn

Working dads spend a lot of time planning for later. We work toward the next milestone, try to create more stability, and assume there will eventually be more room for the people and experiences that matter most. Allan Glanfield reached a point where he started questioning that assumption and asking what he might miss by waiting. Allan is an entrepreneur and father of two who decided to make a major change while his kids were still young. He and his family rented out their home, began traveling full-time, and built a version of daily life that gave them more time together while he continued growing Chuck, his family-friendly beef stick brand. Allan shares how to: Stop postponing the life you want to live Recognize when ambition starts competing with the season you are in Build work around family priorities instead of always doing the reverse Protect presence at home while still pursuing meaningful work Accept slower growth when the tradeoff gives you more time with your kids Involve your children in your work and expose them to new possibilities Take calculated risks instead of waiting for the perfect moment Allan offers a practical perspective on fatherhood, work life balance, parenting and ambition, meaningful work, and the choices working dads make about how they spend their limited time. His story is a reminder that someday can become an easy place to hide, and that some seasons are worth choosing while they are still here. Dig Deeper 3PL Power Rangers Canadian Tire Don’t Stop Believin’ Follow Allan On his website On Instagram Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram On TikTok On X On YouTube On your podcast player of choice Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter Follow Michael On LinkedIn

Paul Moore’s path to meaningful work took him from more than a decade in China to commercial fishing in Alaska, single fatherhood, and eventually building Smily Mia into a global baby products brand. Along the way, he learned how much timing, experience, relationships, and simply being willing to act can shape what comes next. Paul shares how to: Turn past experience into new opportunities Stop waiting for the perfect time to pursue an idea Keep moving when an idea doesn’t work immediately Build a business while staying present as a dad Recognize when work is taking too much from family life Pursue meaningful work without losing sight of why you are doing it Paul offers a unique perspective on fatherhood, working dads, meaningful work, and the choices that shape work life balance. His story shows what can happen when you stay open to opportunity, keep testing your ideas, and build work around the life you actually want. Dig Deeper Platinum Silicone Happy Feet Dommy Nick Faldo Gummi Bears ThunderCats My Heart Will Go On New York, New York Follow Paul On his website On TikTok On Instagram On Facebook On YouTube On Amazon Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram On TikTok On X On YouTube On your podcast player of choice Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter Follow Michael On LinkedIn

For working dads, being present doesn't always require finding more time. Some of the best opportunities to create the kind of childhood your kids will look back on with gratitude are already built into the routines you share every day. Craig Parks is the founder of Parenting Harmony, a father of two, musician, educator, and longtime camp director who has spent more than 30 years working with children and families. His own experience as a dad, including raising a son on the autism spectrum, helped shape his approach to creating stronger relationships through intention, creativity, play, and presence. Craig shares how to: Turn ordinary routines into moments your kids are more likely to remember Decide intentionally what kind of dad you want to be Create rituals that build connection without adding more to your schedule Become more present during the everyday moments of parenting Help your kids feel heard without having to agree with everything they say Repair the relationship when you make mistakes as a parent Build the trust that helps kids keep coming back to you as they grow Craig offers a practical perspective on fatherhood, parenting, presence at home, work life balance, and the small choices that shape our relationships with our kids over time. The goal isn't perfect parenting. It's building enough connection, trust, and meaningful memories that your kids can look back on their childhood with gratitude, and you can look back knowing you were there for it. Dig Deeper Wonder Pets Stairway to Heaven Capo Follow Craig On his website On Instagram On TikTok On YouTube Get the Parenting A to E From Stress to Smiles, Turning the Mundane into the Memorable course Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram On TikTok On X On YouTube On your podcast player of choice Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter Follow Michael On LinkedIn