<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>