Sh*t My Dad Taught Me

Episode 15 - Moustafa Hassan

Probably our most educated guest yet. In this episode, we sit down with Moustafa Hassan, a licensed therapist and founder of EMClinic, to talk about personal transformation, purpose, and mental health. He has studied in the United States, Russia and the UK over the span of many years. In this conversation we talk about what it means to live with intention, how mental and physical health are connected, and why therapy can be one of the most powerful tools for lasting change. There is a heavy focus on therapy that helps people deal with childhood traumas. Topics Discussed in This Episode: What is the meaning of life Childhood trauma and unfinished business What is happiness 5 necessities a child needs from their parents The link between physical and emotional health Links: https://em-clinic.ca

Episode 14 - Chris Sandre

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Sandre, Senior National Manager at the Mark Anthony Group, to talk about brand-building, sports, and fatherhood. Chris shares his journey from studying sports management at the University of Florida to helping lead many new product launches at the Mark Anthony Group, the group behind the creation of Mike Hard lemonade, White Claw and Mas+ by Messi. 
Beyond his corporate achievements, Chris opens up about his love for sports—not just as a pastime, but as a powerful way to teach kids about discipline, teamwork, and life. From the field to the boardroom, this conversation dives into how sports shape character and how branding can influence culture.
Topics Discussed in This Episode:
Chris' experience studying sports management at the University of Florida
Alcohol consumption behaviours between generations
The story of White Claw’s launch in Canada
Bringing Mas+ (Messi’s drink) to the Canadian market
How sports are a great tool to teach kids about life
The importance of sports and how they build core life memories

Episode 13 - Matt Stevenson

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Stevenson to talk about loss, healing, and fatherhood. Matt opens up about the death of his father by suicide—a moment that changed everything. He shares what it was like navigating grief, the guilt he carried, and how he eventually found a way forward through therapy and inner work.
But this isn’t just a story about pain. It’s about resilience. Matt talks about the promises he’s made to himself, how he’s chosen to show up differently for his own kids, and the importance of being a present, supportive father. His story is raw, honest, and full of wisdom for anyone who’s ever faced loss and wanted to break the cycle.
Topics Discussed in This Episode:
How Matt became a narrator for the Toronto Blue Jays
Reflections on fatherhood, divorce, and showing up for your kids
Losing his father to suicide and learning to heal
How Reiki, therapy, and mindset work helped him rebuild
Stories from his days as a national canoe racing champion
Matt’s journey into music, voice acting, and public speaking
Lessons on wealth, legacy, and preparing your family for the future
Building community through the Burlington Dads and charity events

Episode 12 - Scott Fox

Episode Description:
In this episode, we sit down with Scott Fox, a longtime Canadian radio host and now the voice behind the hit podcast Scott Fox After 9. With over two decades in radio—most notably at Z103.5 and Energy 95.3—Scott shares how he transitioned from live FM broadcasts to building a national podcast audience.
We explore Scott’s passion for news, politics, and current events, his thoughts on mental health and fatherhood, and how he balances his role as a step-parent. He also shares the journey to getting your own radio show and how he transitioned to having his own podcast show.
Topics Discussed in This Episode:
The evolution of Scott’s career from DJ to morning host
Why he left FM radio to launch Scott Fox After 9
The importance of unbiased and thoroughly explained content in today’s media landscape
The public's attitude on Canada's political situation
Navigating mental health and vulnerability as a man and father
Being a step-parent and supporting kids through modern challenges
Behind the scenes with the Toronto Rock and local sports broadcasting

Episode 11 - Dave Knight

In this episode, we sat down with Dave Knight, a police officer, real estate investor, and financial strategist who is helping first responders build lasting wealth. As the founder of 911 Wealth Network and First Responders Wealth Network, Dave combines his first-hand experience in law enforcement with his deep knowledge of real estate investing and financial planning to help others secure their future. Dave has a hands-on approach to real estate investing, from single-family homes to duplex conversions and larger multi-unit properties. In this episode, we dive deep into how to force equity, smart investment strategies, and where he believes the market is headed—insights that are valuable for anyone looking to grow their portfolio.
Topics Discussed in This Episode:
How Dave balances a full-time police career with real estate investing
The evolution of his investing strategy—from student rentals to multi-family development
Why he shifted from conversions in Hamilton to ground-up builds in Barrie
The importance of pivoting in changing market conditions
The concept of the “missing middle” in housing and why it matters
Mental health, mindset, and maintaining balance as a first responder
Why investing in yourself is the first step for new real estate investors

Episode 10 - Jim Germanakos

Episode Description:
Jim Germanakos is a man with many stories. His dad said that Jim had done more things by the age of 21 than he had done in his entire life. He has been a NYPD officer, 9/11 first responder, actor, and Super Bowl commercial star. He served as a police officer in New York during the 9/11 attacks. He shares a detail that was missed by many during that time. After years in law enforcement, Jim made the leap into acting, landing roles in major productions like Amazon’s hit series Reacher and appearing in various Super Bowl commercials.
 
Topics Discussed in This Episode:
 
The story of how he would drive from NYC to Burlington to see his wife.
Serving as an NYPD officer during 9/11
How his experience differed from being a cop to being cast as a cop
Dirty cops in Coney Island
Making the most of every opportunity

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."