Sh*t My Dad Taught Me

Episode 9 - Richard Fast

In this episode of Shit My Dad Taught Me, we sit down with Richard Fast, the creator of the hit game MindTrap and a best-selling author. Richard shares how a $17 million loss from his failed video game venture led to one of the most successful games in history. He also dives into insights from his books, discussing misconceptions about obesity and how to approach difficult decisions.
Topics Discussed in This Episode:
- Navigating a failed video game venture and the aftermath
- The story behind the creation of MindTrap
- Why failure can be the best teacher in business and life
- Insights from Richard’s books on obesity misconceptions
- How to approach difficult decisions with confidence
- What makes a product go from idea to bestseller
- Lessons on staying resilient and adapting after failure

Episode 8 - Ryan Gallagher

Episode 8: Ryan Gallagher on Addiction, Mental Health, and Resilience As An Endurance Athlete 
In this episode, we sit down with Ryan Gallagher, a firefighter, mental health advocate, and endurance athlete, to discuss his journey through addiction recovery, overcoming grief, and building resilience. Ryan opens up about the loss of his father at 16, how it shaped his career, and his struggles with alcohol before becoming 558 days sober. He shares how running became a tool for mental clarity and how he's now using it to give back—by running 21 half-marathons in 21 days to raise $21,000 for youth mental health.
Topics Discussed in This Episode:
How losing his father led Ryan to firefighting
The struggles of addiction and the path to sobriety
The impact of mental health in first responder careers
How running became a powerful tool for healing
The importance of finding your support system and true friends
Ryan’s 21-day running challenge for youth mental health

Episode 7 - Andrew Irving (Audio Only.MP3)

Episode 7: Andrew Irving on Childhood Alcohol Addiction and Overcoming the Challenges of a Rockstar Career Path.
In this powerful episode of Shit My Dad Taught Me, musician Andrew Irving shares his raw and emotional journey through addiction, redemption, and self-discovery. As an adopted child, Andrew struggled with identity and belonging, which contributed to his early battles with drugs and alcohol. He opens up about the life-changing moment when his son gave him an ultimatum, how music became his saving grace, and the lessons he learned from his grandmother and father. From his early days in church performances to touring the world as a musician, Andrew reflects on the highs and lows of his career and the personal growth that shaped him. This episode is filled with deep insights, hard truths, and inspiring messages about resilience, family, and finding purpose.
Topics Discussed in This Episode:
How addiction nearly cost Andrew his family—and how he turned his life around
The moment his son told him to stop drinking or lose him forever
The lessons grandmother taught him about resilience and grace
His journey from church performances to international music tours
Why music became his purpose and how he uses it to help others
The emotional struggles of being adopted and how it shaped his life
The importance of leading with grace and pushing past self-doubt

Episode 6 - Nathan Kennedy (Audio Only.mp3)

Episode Title: How Nate Kennedy Built a Million-Dollar Personal Finance Brand & Quit His 9-5
Episode Summary:
In this episode of Shit My Dad Taught Me, we sit down with Nathan Kennedy, aka New Money Nate, a personal finance content creator with over a million followers. Nate shares how he went from working at Pepsi to building a wildly successful online brand that helps people master financial literacy, negotiate raises, and invest smarter. We dive into the highs and lows of quitting a 9-5, the realities of entrepreneurship, and why taking a calculated bet on yourself is sometimes the best investment you can make.
Whether you're thinking about starting a side hustle, asking for a raise, or just want to level up your financial game, this episode is packed with no-BS money talk, real-life lessons, and a ton of laughs.
Topics Discussed in This Episode:
How Nate Kennedy went from a corporate job to full-time content creator
The importance of financial literacy and early investing
Why quitting your 9-5 isn’t for everyone (and when it actually makes sense)
How to negotiate like a pro—from raises to equity in a company
The biggest mistakes people make with money and business growth
Why surrounding yourself with the right people is key to success
Funny Quotes:
💰 "Nate's a big fing deal. Yeah, he's a big fing deal."😂 "Yeah, you f**ing wrote that, didn’t you? Just scraped my LinkedIn."*😆 "Dude, like, I don’t know, I liquidated my parents’ place."
Emotional Quotes:
🔥 "Who gives a s**, bro? I could go back to Pepsi or Coke or wherever, but what if I don’t take that bet?"*💭 "Man, like, what is this crazy opportunity that I’m giving up right now?"⏳ "I should have done it earlier."
Fun Quotes:
💸 "I was up 200 bucks. Back then, that was like 200,000."🏡 "Man, I was saving up for a rental property, then I realized—this content thing might be a bigger opportunity."🗺️ "I was gonna buy a property in some buttf** nowhere town in Ontario."*
Interesting Quotes:
💡 "You make endless amounts of money doing endless amounts of things."📈 "There’s a lot of people on TikTok who are making big career moves—VP positions, negotiating equity."🔑 "The best business owners are the ones who can tell you what they’re terrible at."
Miscellaneous Quotes:
🚤 "I don’t need that 52-foot boat, but if you want it, I want you to have it."🏠 "Some guys think they need to have the biggest house, the biggest car, the biggest boat—but I want all my friends to have the boat too."🔊 "You gotta change the noise. Don’t just ignore it—completely remove yourself from it."

Episode 5 - Dr. Shahab Tabesh (Audio Only.mp3)

Episode Title: From War Zones to Dentistry: Dr. Shahab Tabesh on Resilience, Family, and Success
Episode Summary:In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Shahab Tabesh, a dedicated family dentist and co-owner of Romic N. Tabesh Family Dentistry. Born in the middle of a war in Iran, Dr. Tabesh shares his incredible journey—from escaping conflict to building a thriving dental practice in Canada. We dive into the lessons his parents taught him, dental advice, and the mental health challenges faced by medical professionals. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a parent, or just someone looking for inspiration, this conversation is packed with wisdom, humor, and powerful insights.
Topics Discussed in This Episode:
The immigrant experience: From war-torn Iran to Canada
Lessons in resilience and hard work from his parents
The hidden mental health struggles of dentists and doctors
The real reason Dr. Tabesh became a dentist (hint: it wasn’t passion)
Why Burlington, Ontario is the perfect place to raise a family
Practical tips for parents to protect their kids’ dental health
The myths and realities of the dental industry
What success truly means across generations
Tune in for an engaging conversation filled with humor, heart, and valuable life lessons.
 
Funny Quotes
"No, because we're not real doctors, we're just dentists, man."
"If your dentist is driving a Lambo, you probably need a new dentist."
"I didn’t become a dentist for passion—I just wanted to hang out with a pretty girl."
Emotional Quotes
"My parents gave up everything for us. We better not waste this opportunity."
"We didn’t just move—we escaped."
"The loneliest people are often the ones who seem to have it all."
Fun Quotes
"I thought I was the smartest in class—until I found out the pretty girl was also the smart one."
"I was born in the middle of a war…which is kinda cool."
"I did all my best traveling before I was eight years old."
Interesting Quotes
"Dentistry isn’t expensive—neglect is."
"The secret to a happy marriage? A common story."
"The biggest problem in dentistry isn’t cavities—it’s isolation."
Miscellaneous Quotes
"Floss the teeth you want to keep."
"We weren’t computer savvy, but computers were becoming a thing."
"You don’t need a toothbrush—just wipe your kid’s teeth with a cloth."

Episode 4 - Nelson Borges (Audio Only.mp3)

*We dedicate this episode to the memory of Jose Adriano Borges, who passed away on January 31st, 2025, between the recording and airing of this episode. Our deepest love and thoughts go out to the Borges family and everyone celebrating Jose's remarkable life.
Breaking the Silence: Men's Mental Health, Anxiety, and Fatherhood with Nelson Borges
Episode Summary:In this episode, we sit down with Nelson Borges, founder of Capillary Wave, to discuss men’s mental health, anxiety, fatherhood, and personal growth. Nelson shares his powerful story of overcoming a mental health crisis, the challenges of raising a blended family, and the mission behind his nonprofit, which provides support for men struggling with anxiety, depression, and life transitions. This conversation breaks the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and highlights the importance of connection, vulnerability, and self-care.
Topics Discussed in This Episode:
What triggered Nelson’s first major panic attack and how he recovered
The backpack analogy—why emotional burdens pile up over time
How Capillary Wave is changing the conversation around men’s mental health
Why connection is the #1 factor in mental well-being
Parenting lessons from raising a blended family with four kids
The importance of purpose and how to build a meaningful life
How men can seek help without fear of judgment
Listen now to hear Nelson’s incredible journey and gain insights into mental health, resilience, and fatherhood.
Funny Quotes
"We took all their clothes away… and made them earn them back!"
"My dad’s medical advice? Whiskey and warm lemon water."
"Nobody’s here for free—so I made my daughter’s boyfriend cut the lawn!"
Emotional Quotes
"I let her love me so I didn’t stay in bed all day."
"This can’t be the rest of my life. This sucks."
"My dad told me, ‘We’re not friends, but I’m your best friend.’"
Fun Quotes
"My dream daily driver? A ’77 Pontiac Trans Am—T-tops off, back to high school!"
"Give me crab, lobster, or my mom’s octopus stew—seafood all day!"
"We made pottery, built wine holders—none of us are Picassos, but it was awesome!"
Interesting Quotes
"When we don’t have purpose, we seek pleasure."
"We plan a wedding, we plan a divorce—but we don’t plan being divorced parents."
"My panic attack felt like a heart attack—then it lasted for months."
Miscellaneous Quotes
"I became my dad—and I didn’t even realize it."
"If you chase butterflies, they fly away—but if you build a garden, they come to you."
"70% of men don’t seek help. 70% of suicides? Adult men."

Episode 3 - Lance Slack (Audio Only.mp3)

Episode Summary:
In this episode, we sit down with Lance Slack to discuss fatherhood, resilience, and personal growth. Lance shares his experiences growing up in a tough environment, raising children—including one with autism—and navigating major life transitions. He also talks about his latest venture, Storyay, a creative storytelling platform designed to inspire literacy in kids. With a mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and valuable life lessons, this conversation is a must-listen for parents, entrepreneurs, and anyone looking for inspiration on overcoming life’s obstacles.
Topics Discussed in This Episode:
Growing up in a tough environment and learning resilience
Lessons from fatherhood, including raising a child with autism
Balancing personal and professional life through major transitions
The power of storytelling and how it shapes childhood literacy
Creating meaningful impact through entrepreneurship with Storyay
Funny Quotes
"That's a new—that's a first. Lance romance just now on this—that’s amazing. Must be ChatGPT."
"I just thought, fine. I don’t care. I’ll take the thousand bucks. I’ll spend it on cocaine... I didn’t."
"Colors are dependent upon the mood. They’re dependent upon what they’re used for. My favorite color is pizza."
Emotional Quotes
"My father made a choice to not have me in his life. And so therefore, he missed out. Too bad for him."
"There was this moment of grief, like mourning. Like, my daughter is gone now. That was f*ing weird."**
"All I want is for my kids to be happy. At the end of the day, that’s it."
Fun Quotes
"Find a big guy, let him beat me up, laugh about it, and then we were best friends. That was my move every school year."
"My kid loved the Slap Chop. We got him a Slap Chop and a Grady for his birthday, and he was so excited."
"Anything with a hot tub. I don’t care. It can be a building with wheels. It’s fun."
Interesting Quotes
"My mom worked 16 hours a day, and the rest of the time she was reading. She wasn’t a TV person. She just read everything."
"Kids today are more empathetic than we were. They actually listen to how others feel. Maybe that’s what made them ‘soft.’"
"The message matters more than the medium. Without a good message, nothing else ends up mattering as much."
Miscellaneous Quotes
"You need to be polite, you need to not be an asshole, and try to give something back to the world. I don’t care what it is."
"You could walk away at any time, as my father did. But once you say, ‘I’m gonna do this,’ then you have to do it."
"I remember putting iceberg lettuce on my bologna sandwich because I thought, well, that’s some vegetable."

Episode 2 - Mike Yates (Audio Only.mp3)

In this episode of *Sh*t My Dad Taught Me*, we sit down with Mike Yates, president of Sunrise Construction & SmartWall Solutions, to talk about his journey as an entrepreneur, father, and community leader. Mike shares valuable lessons on running a successful business, balancing work and family, and overcoming personal struggles, including his experience with mental health. From hilarious dad moments to deep reflections on life, this conversation is packed with insights, humor, and wisdom.  
**Topics Discussed in This Episode:**  
- How Mike Yates built a thriving construction business from the ground up  
- The biggest lessons Mike learned from his father and how they shaped his approach to parenting  
- The importance of mental health and how Mike overcame anxiety to become a better leader and dad  
- Hilarious dad moments, including “the secret seat” and family traditions  
- The story behind Mike’s connection with Nelk and his Muskoka cottage rental  
- Why 2025 is all about prioritizing family, health, and energy for Mike  
Listen now for an inspiring and entertaining conversation filled with real-life lessons and dad wisdom!
Funny Quotes
"Listening, Mike just took his pants off."​
"You talk about a sippy cup right now, bro?"​
"Say the alphabet backwards. Go ahead. Not a chance."​
Emotional Quotes
"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with a team."​
"My wife, she wears her heart on her sleeve—you can't design a better person than that."​
"He accomplished that. He is my role model."​
Fun Quotes
"We call it a burby and a rummy… and see, we got this!"​
"I just want a truck with a secret seat!"​
"Let's get those boys renting his place again. Spend the money, bro!"​
Interesting Quotes
"Use your brains, not your muscles."​
"There's no party sippers. Why is that a thing?"​
"You never know what a kid’s gonna remember."​
Miscellaneous Quotes
"If my kids want a second story, they’re getting a second story."​
"I could feel the cable heating up… and stretching. This is bad."​
"Life’s short. Pick up the phone and call."​
I rent my cottage and they happened to be one of the guests at our cottage (NELK)
In 2025, I’m shutting down that voice that says, ‘You’re tired.’ My kids come first—no excuses

Episode 1 - Rachel Morgan (Audio Only.mp3)

Episode Summary:In this episode of Shit My Dad Taught Me, we sit down with real estate pro Rachel Morgan to discuss life lessons, fatherhood, and the impact of family values. From racing alongside her dad to navigating loss, Rachel shares heartfelt stories, powerful insights, and a few laughs along the way. We dive into the importance of self-care, mental health, and the wisdom passed down from generations. Whether you're a parent, entrepreneur, or someone looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with takeaways you won’t want to miss.
Topics Discussed in This Episode:
The life-changing lessons Rachel’s dad taught her about passion and hard work
How grief can fuel personal and professional growth
The unexpected way Rachel and her dad bonded over racing
Mental health and the importance of normalizing vulnerability
What it’s really like growing up in a family business
The impact of small traditions and how they keep loved ones’ memories alive
Listen now and gain a new perspective on family, success, and the legacies we leave behind.
Emotional Quotes
I’m gonna get emotional… what I would do without him." (A heartfelt moment about love and support.)​
"2015 is gonna be my best year in real estate. I’m gonna take this grief and turn it into something powerful." (Turning pain into purpose.)​
"Even though he's been gone for 10 years, he's still in my head every day." (A tribute to an unforgettable legacy.)​
Fun Quotes
"Our Crocs are in sport mode, and our socks are pulled all the way up." (Peak dad energy right here.)​
Interesting Quotes
"My dad got his racing license with me when I was 18." (A father-daughter duo that lived life in the fast lane.)​
"The reason they tell you to put your oxygen mask on first is because you’re no good to anybody until you take care of yourself." (A powerful perspective on self-care.)​
"If they had done a full-body scan, he’d probably still be alive today." (An eye-opening conversation on health awareness.)​
Miscellaneous Quotes
"Stop hitting on me, just get your triple mix." (The struggles of being a young woman in a male-dominated industry.)​