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

Shaun Dawson on Fatherhood, Identity, and Redefining Work-Life Balance for Dads
MAY 19, 2026
Shaun Dawson on Fatherhood, Identity, and Redefining Work-Life Balance for Dads
<p>What does it really mean to succeed as a dad when work, ambition, and identity are all pulling in different directions?</p><p>Shaun Dawson, tech leader, father of two, and host of the Raising Men podcast, challenges the idea that success is defined by output alone. He shares a more grounded perspective on fatherhood, work life balance, and what working dads often get wrong when they focus too heavily on providing financially while overlooking emotional presence.</p><p>Shaun shares how to:</p><ul><li>Redefine success beyond income and external achievement</li><li>Build emotional security for your kids, not just financial security</li><li>Separate identity from output and rethink what actually gives your life meaning</li><li>Recognize when ego is shaping your parenting decisions</li><li>Stay present during everyday moments that are easy to overlook but impossible to get back</li><li>Navigate the tension between guiding your kids and letting them become who they are</li></ul><p>This is a thoughtful and honest conversation for working dads trying to build a life that balances fatherhood, meaningful work, and a deeper sense of identity.</p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conan_the_Barbarian">Conan the Barbarian</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/3OaHLu4">Raising Men by Eric Davis</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.bluey.tv/">Bluey</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.dairyqueen.com/">Dairy Queen</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 Shaun</strong></p><p>On his website and podcast: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://raising.men/">https://raising.men/</a> </p><p>On Instagram: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/raisingmen_podcast/">https://www.instagram.com/raisingmen_podcast/</a></p><p>On Facebook: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/raisingmen_podcast/">https://www.instagram.com/raisingmen_podcast/</a></p><p>On YouTube: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@RaisingMen_Podcast">https://www.youtube.com/@RaisingMen_Podcast</a></p><p>On LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/raising-men/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/raising-men/</a></p><p>On TikTok: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@raisingmenpodcast">https://www.tiktok.com/@raisingmenpodcast</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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54 MIN
Paul Comfort on Finding Meaningful Work and Work-Life Balance as a Dad
MAY 12, 2026
Paul Comfort on Finding Meaningful Work and Work-Life Balance as a Dad
<p>What if the reason work feels off is not the job itself, but a lack of clarity about what you are actually built to do?</p><p>Paul Comfort has spent decades helping people identify their strengths, align their careers with purpose, and build lives that feel both successful and meaningful. His work centers on the idea that most people never take the time to understand what they are uniquely wired to do.</p><p>For dads trying to navigate fatherhood, career decisions, meaningful work, and work-life balance, lack of clarity can lead to frustration, burnout, and a constant feeling of being pulled in too many directions.</p><p>Paul shares how to:</p><ul><li>Identify your natural strengths and use them to guide career decisions</li><li>Recognize when you are in the wrong role versus the wrong season</li><li>Align your work with your values, personality, and long-term goals</li><li>Make better decisions about transitions, promotions, and opportunities</li><li>Help your kids think about their own strengths and future paths</li></ul><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ea.com/games/command-and-conquer">Command &amp; Conquer</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.fcc.gov/media/public-educational-and-governmental-access-channels-peg-channels">PEG Channel</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.discprofile.com/what-is-disc">DiSC Profile</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%2527s_hierarchy_of_needs_">Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs</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=1lWJXDG2i0A">Free Fallin’</a></p><p><strong>Follow Paul</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulcomfort">On LinkedIn</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/paulwcomfort">On Instagram</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/c/TransitUnpluggedTV">On his show, Transit Unplugged TV</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://transitunplugged.com/transit-unplugged-podcast/">On his podcast, Transit Unplugged</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://findyourxfactor.ai/">Check out his book, Find Your X Factor, and take the assessment</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/find-your-x-factor-paul-comfort/1148750775">Pre-order his book from B&amp;N</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
Antwaun Thompson on Raising Confident Kids Through Better Parenting and Coaching
MAY 5, 2026
Antwaun Thompson on Raising Confident Kids Through Better Parenting and Coaching
<p>What if the way you show up after the game matters more than the game itself?</p><p>After more than three decades coaching and mentoring young people, Antwaun Thompson has seen a clear shift. Kids today are facing more pressure, less confidence, and more noise than ever before. And for many parents, especially working dads trying to navigate fatherhood and work-life balance, it's not always clear how to support them the right way.</p><p>This conversation focuses on what kids actually need from their parents, not just in youth sports, but in everyday life.</p><p>Antwaun shares how to:</p><ul><li>Build confidence in your kids through connection instead of constant correction</li><li>Give feedback that helps growth instead of creating pressure</li><li>Understand the hidden pressure kids feel from parents, coaches, teammates, and themselves</li><li>Involve your kids in decisions so they build ownership and responsibility</li><li>Create an environment where kids contribute instead of just participate</li></ul><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dean_Smith">Dean Smith</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s13X66BFd8">The Flintstones</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXx6RDzR6eM">Let’s Stay Together by Al Green</a></p><p><strong>Follow Antwaun</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.jltfieldhouse.org/">On his non-profit, JLT Fieldhouse</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://coachtscorner.com/">On his website</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2EGAhBcyKyoSdwAgTv7OmH">On Developing Tomorrow’s Leaders with Coach T</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3vzYlYjNAKsoWjpKJObObH">On TeenSpeak - Empowering Today’s Youth</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/coachts_corner">On Instagram</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.facebook.com/coachtscorner">On Facebook</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPjJRsI6602F1mGKR3NZtog">On YouTube</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/coachtscorner">On TikTok</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/antwaunt/">On LinkedIn</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/3Ogextu">Check out his book, S.E.A. of Success</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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54 MIN
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