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

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

For many working dads, taking care of work and family can gradually leave less room for friendships, personal interests, and the relationships that help them feel connected and supported. Jason Lange has spent two decades helping men build deeper connections and better understand the role relationships and community play in their lives. He believes dads need support beyond their immediate families, both for their own well-being and to become more present partners and parents. Jason shares how to: Recognize when responsibility has started crowding out relationships and experiences that make you feel alive Expand the idea of providing beyond financial security to include emotional presence Move past the instinct to handle every challenge on your own Make restorative time part of your life Model healthier relationships, connection, and self-care for your kids Jason offers a thoughtful perspective on fatherhood, work life balance, presence at home, and the importance of maintaining meaningful relationships while managing the demands of work and family. Dig Deeper Washington Post article Vasopressin Oxytocin G.I. Joe A Real American Hero White Wedding Rebel Yell Losing My Religion Follow Jason On his website On his podcast On Instagram On Facebook On YouTube On LinkedIn Take the quiz 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, becoming a father changes what matters long before their career catches up. Work that once felt meaningful or ambitious can start competing with the kind of parent, partner, and person they want to become. Dave Albrechta spent nearly a decade as a litigator, building the law practice he and his wife had envisioned after law school. The constant pressure of litigation, interrupted vacations, and the inability to fully leave work behind became harder to ignore after becoming a dad. Eventually, he realized his career was no longer aligned with the life or values he wanted to model for his kids. Dave shares how to: Recognize when your career no longer fits the life you want to build Navigate a career transition without abandoning the skills and experience you already have Identify which parts of your work still feel meaningful and which need to change Create space to understand what you actually want before making a major move Align the values you model through parenting with the way you spend your working life Make career and family decisions alongside your partner Show your kids that changing direction can be a sign of intention rather than failure Dave offers a personal perspective on career transitions for fathers, meaningful work, work life balance, dad identity, and the challenge of creating greater alignment between what you value and how you actually spend your days. His story also makes an important distinction for many dads: changing your career doesn't necessarily mean starting over. Dave ultimately reshaped his legal career around mediation and healing rather than throwing away everything he had spent years learning. Dig Deeper Lawyers as Peacemakers Inspector Gadget Free Fallin’ Follow Dave On his website On LInkedIn Check out his podcast, Lawyers as Healers 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, what matters most doesn't stay the same forever. Careers change, kids grow up, responsibilities shift, and the way we define ourselves has to evolve along with them. Executive coach and author Chip Scholz helps leaders navigate transition, growth, and change. As a dad of three grown daughters, he has also experienced how fatherhood changes across different seasons of life. Chip believes the small decisions we make every day can ultimately shape our lives far more than the occasional big decision. Chip shares how to: Recognize the small decisions that can create meaningful change over time Think about work life balance in terms of seasons rather than perfect equilibrium Separate meaningful work from simply staying busy Move from being performative to being useful at work and at home Practice patience and presence instead of trying to control every outcome Adapt your parenting as your kids grow and become more independent Let go of identities and roles that no longer fit the season you're entering Chip offers a grounded perspective on fatherhood, work life balance, meaningful work, dad identity, presence at home, and the challenge of deciding what deserves your attention during different seasons of life. Dig Deeper Imposter Syndrome Callum Robinson Ingrained Gumby Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff Andy Griffith Show The Eye by Brandi Carlile Follow Chip On his website On Instagram On YouTube On LinkedIn Email Chip Check out his books 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