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

AJ Rich on Becoming the Dad You Want to Be in an Anxious World
JAN 6, 2026
AJ Rich on Becoming the Dad You Want to Be in an Anxious World
<p>What does it actually take to feel grounded, confident, and present as a dad when anxiety is rising, expectations are shifting, and the world feels louder than ever?</p><p>AJ Rich is a licensed marriage and family therapist, practice owner, and doctoral candidate who works almost exclusively with men. After nearly 20 years in corporate leadership, AJ transitioned into clinical work and now helps dads navigate identity, emotional intelligence, anxiety, and growth without losing themselves or their families in the process.</p><p>In this conversation, AJ shares how men can move beyond coping and toward real psychological wellbeing, even while juggling work pressure, parenting, and constant change.</p><p>You will hear AJ break down how to:</p><p> • Understand anxiety as a signal, not a failure</p><p> • Build emotional intelligence without losing strength or credibility</p><p> • Develop the language to describe what you are actually feeling</p><p> • Shift from survival mode into sustainable growth</p><p> • Redefine success beyond titles, income, or external validation</p><p> • Identify what is holding you back when you feel stuck</p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://feelingswheel.com/">Feelings wheel</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://brenebrown.com/">Brené Brown</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.hbomax.com/shows/brene-brown-atlas-of-the-heart/dfad262e-b764-4b92-ae63-72886f8a0d81">Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart on HBO Max</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/48VuP1b">Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown (book)</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://ppc.sas.upenn.edu/learn-more/perma-theory-well-being-and-perma-workshops">PERMA Theory of Well-Being</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://disneynow.com/show/4b10dfb6-0545-4d2f-9342-bdc9ad1766a9">Doc McStuffins</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://disneynow.com/show/0300df0e-abd0-4cc6-9a68-1ffad0f3f5c6">Sofia the First</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://mysubwaycareer.com/careers-us-en">Subway Sandwich Artist</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.thetakeout.com/1851859/what-happened-target-food-courts/">Food Avenue in Target</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/kNAZa-ORLIU?si=bP-w9n5ZymmkS9Ve">This is How We Do It by Montell Jordan</a></p><p><strong>Follow AJ</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.ajrichtherapy.com">AJ Family Therapy, Inc.</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:[email protected]">Email AJ</a></p><p><strong>Follow Gap to Gig</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/gaptogig">On Instagram</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@gaptogig">On TikTok</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.x.com/gaptogig">On X</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.threads.com/@gaptogig">On Threads</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg">On YouTube</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/">On your podcast player of choice</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.gaptogig.com">Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter</a></p><p>Follow Michael</p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/">On LinkedIn</a></p>
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44 MIN
Paul Terrell on Grit, Recovery, and Rebuilding Life as a Dad
DEC 30, 2025
Paul Terrell on Grit, Recovery, and Rebuilding Life as a Dad
<p>How do you rebuild your life when everything breaks at once and you still have kids who need you every minute of the day?</p><p></p><p>After a devastating spinal injury and years of recovery, Paul Terrell became a stay at home dad who had to relearn how to walk, talk, type, and parent with new physical limitations. Later he returned to work and eventually became a top performing enterprise account executive in PropTech and FinTech. His story is one of grit, patience, perseverance, and a deep commitment to family.</p><p></p><p>Paul shares how to:</p><p> • Relearn everyday life while caring for two young kids</p><p> • Parent with physical limitations and find creative ways to adapt</p><p> • Build mental toughness when progress feels painfully slow</p><p> • Return to the workforce with confidence after years away</p><p> • Use AI, systems, and prep work to compete at a high level again</p><p> • Navigate the emotional shift from being the primary caregiver to traveling constantly for work</p><p> • Strengthen a marriage through shared effort, support, and role changes</p><p> • Turn stay at home parenting into quantifiable wins on a resume</p><p> • Carry lessons from parenting into sales, negotiation, and leadership</p><p> • Protect health, energy, and family time in a metrics driven role</p><p> • Help kids understand work, money, teamwork, and responsibility</p><p> • Break big goals into smaller ones and use data to track personal progress</p><p></p><p>Paul’s story is honest, inspiring, and packed with practical wisdom for any dad rebuilding after a tough season or trying to figure out what comes next.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.yardi.com">Yardi</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Real_estate_investment_trust">REIT</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.plaud.ai">Plaud</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ">Bohemian Rhapsody</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GliyDgAGQI">Nuthin' but a "G" Thang</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Follow Paul</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-terrell-55935b24/">Paul Terrell on LinkedIn</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/crabcakesandsteaks/">Paul Terrell on Instagram</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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44 MIN
Sean Waldron on Creativity, Healing, and the Work That Starts at Home
DEC 23, 2025
Sean Waldron on Creativity, Healing, and the Work That Starts at Home
<p>What happens when you realize the real work of your life is happening at home, not at your job?</p><p></p><p>Sean Waldron returns for a deeper conversation about creativity, fatherhood, and the stories that shape us. He shares how filming with his son became a doorway into connection, why every dad has creative gifts even if they do not see themselves as creative, and how bringing your work skills into your home can strengthen the bond with your kids.</p><p></p><p>Sean opens up about:</p><p>• Entering his child’s world and why validation matters so much</p><p>• How creativity shows up in everyday parenting</p><p>• Using the skills you practice at work to build connection at home</p><p>• The danger of tying your worth to your job</p><p>• Why every dad carries a creative spark</p><p>• How good is built in small moments inside your home</p><p>• Growing up with fractured support and transforming that pain into purpose</p><p>• The heart behind ROAR and the documentary Silly Cannonballs</p><p>• The healing conversation he needed to have with his father before he could tell this story</p><p>• Building habits and protecting your morning to stay grounded</p><p>• Navigating perfection, mastery, and the pursuit of honesty</p><p></p><p>This conversation goes deeper into purpose, identity, generational patterns, and the kind of dad you want to become. It is raw, thoughtful, and full of clarity about what truly matters.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.roardads.com">ROAR Dads</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.roardads.com/silly">Silly Cannonballs</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://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGyver">MacGyver</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://johnmayer.com">John Mayer</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://woodworkersinstitute.com/profile-mastering-japanese-joinery/">Japanese Joinery</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/f3aVKvS-76Q">Gap to Gig Episode 6: Sean Waldron on Purpose, Creativity, and Becoming a Present Dad</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Follow Sean</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanwaldroncreative/">Sean Waldron on LinkedIn</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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56 MIN
Sean Waldron on Purpose, Creativity, and Becoming a Present Dad
DEC 16, 2025
Sean Waldron on Purpose, Creativity, and Becoming a Present Dad
<p>How do you hold onto your creative identity while trying to be the parent you want to be?</p><p>Sean Waldron has built a life around creativity from music to video production to brand storytelling. He has freelanced, gone in-house, flipped houses, and wrestled with the tension between purpose and practical responsibilities. Becoming a dad pushed him to rethink all of it.</p><p>Sean shares how to:</p><ul><li>Blend creative skills with fatherhood in a way that builds connection</li><li>Separate who you are from what you do after layoffs, pivots, or burnout</li><li>Navigate the pull between purpose, mastery, and paying the bills</li><li>Pursue creative work without letting perfectionism take over</li><li>Find meaning in seasons of uncertainty</li><li>Recognize early signs that you are on the right path even without results</li><li>Carry ambition into parenthood without letting it overshadow your home life</li><li>Create simple moments of delight using the skills that light you up</li><li>Explore the stories you learned growing up and how they shape the dad you want to become</li></ul><p>If you have ever felt torn between your creative passions, your responsibilities, and the desire to show up well for your kids, this conversation offers clarity, grounding, and a reminder that purpose is built one small moment at a time.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.roardads.com">ROAR Dads</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.roardads.com">Silly Cannonballs</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.girlabove.com">Girl Above</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://setyourmindcounseling.com">Set Your Mind</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/47JLLaw">Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture by David Murray</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://amzn.to/4hNTRU0">Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy</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://redhotandblue.com/">Red Hot and Blue Pit Barbecue</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://jasonmraz.com/">Jason Mraz</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/iEe_eraFWWs">My Humps</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/X53ZSxkQ3Ho?si=C9AXzAgNsVBIf2rr">Baby Got Back</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.therooststand.com/">The Roost Stand</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Follow Sean</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanwaldroncreative/">Sean Waldron on LinkedIn</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Follow Gap to Gig</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://instagram.com/gaptogig">On Instagram</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://tiktok.com/@gaptogig">On TikTok</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://x.com/gaptogig">On X</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg">On YouTube</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/">On your podcast player of choice</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://gaptogig.com">Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter</a></p><p></p><p><strong>Follow Michael</strong></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/">On LinkedIn</a></p>
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64 MIN
Kristian Leavell on Finding Calm and Becoming the Dad You Want to Be
DEC 9, 2025
Kristian Leavell on Finding Calm and Becoming the Dad You Want to Be
<p>What does it really take to be present as a dad while juggling work, pressure, and your own mental health?</p><p>Kristian Leavell, a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and dad, brings both clinical insight and lived experience to this honest conversation about the weight many fathers carry and how to navigate it with clarity and compassion.</p><p>Kristian shares how to:</p><p>• Be truthful about what you feel and what you need</p><p>• Understand the voice behind internal pressure and self doubt</p><p>• Redefine what it means to provide for your family</p><p>• Manage guilt around work, parenting, and expectations</p><p>• Let go of perfectionism and the anxiety under it</p><p>• Reset when you feel disconnected from yourself or your family</p><p>• Build routines that protect your mental health</p><p>• Model emotional honesty for your kids while keeping boundaries</p><p>• Build real community even when adult friendships feel difficult</p><p>• Cross the swamp of discomfort to become the parent you want to be</p><p>If you feel stretched thin, quietly anxious, or simply trying to show up better for yourself and your family, this episode offers grounded guidance and a way forward.</p><p></p><p><strong>Dig Deeper</strong></p><p>Kristian’s video about being a girl dad <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DQLDoqfDnHH">Instagram</a> | <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZP8DoLst6/">TikTok</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/8WEtxJ4-sh4">Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls by TLC</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lisa_Lopes">Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://youtu.be/fregObNcHC8">The Man Who Sold the World by Nirvana</a></p><p><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.txst.edu">Texas State</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://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><p></p>
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54 MIN