Ambitious Dads

Fatherhood cracked me open in ways I never expected — and showed me how unprepared most of us are for the emotional work it demands. After learning I couldn’t be a biological father, I wrestled early with the fear that I might screw up my kids before they even existed — a feeling every dad, in one way or another, eventually comes to know. The Ambitious Dads Podcast is where we stop winging it and start talking — about balancing endless competing priorities like work, kids, partners (sex — yeah, right!), self-care, and finances; about the emotions that hit daily — guilt, stress, fear, fatigue, love — and about the quiet doubts that keep us up at night. We’ll get vulnerable. We’ll get honest. And yes, we’ll end every episode with a ridiculous poop story, because if fatherhood teaches you anything, it’s how to laugh while cleaning up disasters.Ranked in the Top 10% of all podcasts globally. Hosted by Jeff Hittner. Email Jeff with ideas for future episodes: jwhittner@gmail.com

Ambitious Dads is a arts podcast hosted by Jeff Hittner, with 38 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Jeff Hittner hosts Ambitious Dads, a arts show with 38 episodes published.

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  Ambitious Dads

  From Nashville to Japan: Building a Family Business While Navigating Cross-Cultural Parenting

  Jul 29, 202644 min

  Serial entrepreneur Quinton Sanicola shares his journey of raising two young boys (7 months and 3 years old) while building multiple businesses across continents. From managing food allergies to balancing American and Japanese parenting philosophies, Quinton offers honest insights on intentional parenting, the challenges of entrepreneurial fatherhood, and why "you're never going to have enough money" shouldn't stop you from starting a family. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: [00:01:27] - Life in "The Tunnel" with Two Young Kids Discussion of the Spanish expression about having kids under 3 - "you're in the tunnel" How everything shifts when you become a parent - perspective, priorities, and daily decisions Key quote: "Everything is a different world. The way you look at life, the perspective that you have on why you're doing your day-to-day tasks... everything shifts." [00:04:53] - Timing and Starting a Family The importance of recognizing when it's time to have children Avoiding external pressures to rush or delay starting a family Key quote: "Don't delay when you've reached that season and that phase that you think you should start... because it's just the most unbelievable experience possible." [00:08:29] - Intentional Parenting in a Digital Age Being deliberate about screen time, education choices, and cultural decisions Navigating East-meets-West parenting with Japanese and American influences Key quote: "I think this is a time where you have to be more intentional than ever before... you are not alone in your home anymore." [00:16:27] - Focusing on Yourself to Serve Your Family How self-care and personal development ultimately benefit the family The concept that working on yourself is working for them Key quote: "When I focus on me for a clear mind, clear body, I'm doing this because when I perform, I create better. I create a better life." [00:20:42] - The Challenge of Being Present Kids as "BS detectors" who know when you're not fully present The struggle between building for the future and being present today Key quote: "Those kids, they're BS detectors and they know. So when it's time to work, it's time to work. And when it's time to step away from work and be with family, it's time to be with family." [00:25:32] - Paternity Leave as an Entrepreneur Contrasting experiences: zero time off with first child vs. seven intentional days with second Managing business crises during major life moments Key quote: "It is not about the amount of time. It is about the quality of time. It is about the intentionality." [00:34:34] - What Keeps Him Up at Night Concerns about the world his children will inherit Building a family business for the next generation Key quote: "What I want to build, I want to bring my son into. And then I want to have a family business... if my business isn't ready for him when he's ready, in my mind, that's a big problem." [00:36:21] - Food Allergies and Quality Concerns Discovering his son's allergies disappear in Japan but return in the US Being willing to relocate for family health needs Key quote: "It is inevitable that it is the quality of our food in America... it's not about me. It's about my family." [00:42:09] - Final Advice on Starting a Family You'll never have "enough" money, so don't let that stop you Recognizing the calling when it's time Key quote: "You're never going to have enough money, period, full stop... A tickle fight with a three-year-old of your own can't be expressed. The amount of joy that comes with that... is unbelievable." Sign Up for the Ambitious Dads Newsletter: https://www.ambitiousdads.com Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ambitious-dads/id1815863328 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xCHG30Ms9wcGRJmDqHcW8?si=46654ba2a0654099 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmbitiousDads

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  Ambitious Dads

  The Death of Ego: Redefining Love and Fatherhood After Loss: Dion Jensen

  Jun 26, 202643 min

  When Dion Elliott Jensen lost his job and came out to his wife, he was forced to confront who he was beyond his professional identity. In this deeply personal conversation, the Australian father of five shares how losing everything led him to discover unconditional love, redefine success, and transform his approach to fatherhood. A powerful discussion about vulnerability, presence, and the courage to love without expectation of return. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: [00:02:13] - The Death of Professional Identity Discussion of how modern society defines people by their jobs rather than who they are Key quote: "We become what we do for a job, it begins to define us... when I was fired, you really then have the mask torn off you to have to say, well, who am I when I'm not in this role?" [00:04:56] - Defining Authentic Self Dion's journey to discover his true identity beyond professional roles Key quote: "I would always say that I'm a proud work in progress because who I was yesterday or last week or last year has shaped who I am today, but doesn't define who I am today" [00:06:45] - Coming Out and Family Transformation The decision to come out while dealing with job loss and its impact on family relationships Key quote: "I thought losing my job, it's a pretty seismic change to go through, but I thought I might as well double down and just get all the change out of the way all at once" [00:08:49] - Unconditional Love as a One-Way Street Revolutionary perspective on love not requiring reciprocation Key quote: "The strongest, most pure form of love is the love that you give outward and just don't expect anything in return" [00:15:05] - Redefining Fatherhood Beyond Provision Shifting from provider-focused to presence-focused parenting Key quote: "Your contribution as a father is more than just providing for your child... being present is a really important way of providing" [00:16:53] - Sacred Time and Presence The importance of quality over quantity in father-child interactions Key quote: "You may not have a lot of time, but what you can control is how present you are with the time that you have" [00:21:20] - Truth-Telling with Children Balancing protection with honest communication about life's challenges Key quote: "We kind of wrap our kids up in cotton wool a bit and try and shield them from everything... it's actually more of a teachable moment" [00:30:46] - Understanding and Using Fear Reframing fear as either protective or limiting Key quote: "Fear is projecting a memory which has happened in the past and then applying it to something that we think may happen in the future" [00:33:38] - Parenting for Purpose in Uncertain Times Helping children find their purpose in a challenging world Key quote: "My biggest goal for the kids is that they can find and understand what their purpose is and live a rich life that's purposeful and purpose-based" Sign Up for the Ambitious Dads Newsletter: https://www.ambitiousdads.com Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ambitious-dads/id1815863328 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xCHG30Ms9wcGRJmDqHcW8?si=46654ba2a0654099 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmbitiousDads

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  Ambitious Dads

  From Shame to Strength: A Dad's Journey to Breaking Generational Cycles: Larry Hagner

  Jun 24, 202644 min

  Larry Hagner, founder of The Dad Edge, shares his raw and transformative journey from childhood abandonment to becoming a father of four boys. After a moment of rage with his 4-year-old that broke his own promise never to hurt his children, Larry embarked on a 15-year mission to learn the skills of intentional fatherhood. This conversation explores shame, vulnerability, and the power of choosing growth over perfection in parenting. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: [00:01:48] - Childhood Abandonment and Father Wounds Larry shares his story of being abandoned by his biological father at 9 months old and again at age 12 Key quote: "Are you going to be my dad? As I'm looking up at him, shaking his hand beaming" [00:04:18] - Toxic Father Figures and Abuse Discussion of physical abuse from adoptive father and multiple toxic relationships his mother had Key quote: "After the first year, things got really horrific. So he drank a lot. My mom drank a lot. There was a lot of fighting, there was a lot of abuse" [00:06:43] - Miraculous Reunion at Age 12 The serendipitous meeting with his biological father's wife at the YMCA Key quote: "I think you might be married to my dad. And then you just saw the look on her face. She knew exactly who I was" [00:12:50] - The Breaking Point: A Father's Worst Moment Larry's vulnerable account of spanking his 4-year-old son in anger and the child's fearful response Key quote: "Many years ago, I became the monster that I swore to protect my kids against" [00:16:12] - The Birth of The Dad Edge How shame and a Facebook page became the catalyst for learning and community building Key quote: "When you're ashamed of something or you don't want to think about something, what do people do? They go on social media and they just scroll" [00:18:42] - Shame Dies in Safe Spaces The importance of vulnerability and community for fathers Key quote: "Shame dies when you share things on your heart in safe spaces" [00:21:38] - Why Men Struggle to Seek Help Cultural barriers preventing fathers from learning parenting and relationship skills Key quote: "If you need help with anything, you're weak. You're less than" [00:28:25] - The Power of Repair and Forgiveness Larry's son publicly forgiving him during a speaking event Key quote: "I forgive you. And I was like, what? And he's like, I forgive you" [00:30:39] - Current Parenting Challenge: Letting Go Preparing for his first child to leave for college in 73 days Key quote: "I'm trying to literally capture every single moment that I can with him before he leaves" [00:33:52] - Entering Your Child's World The 70/30 rule: 70% entering their world, 30% bringing them into yours Key quote: "Whatever you're interested in, we will do it" [00:37:04] - Raising Four Boys: Family Dynamics Strategies for managing multiple boys and creating family unity Key quote: "My wife and I have each other's back. No matter what in front of the kids" [00:41:26] - Family Rituals and Connection The importance of dinner together and roses/thorns conversations Key quote: "We create environments of psychological safety, so we're always first to validate what it is that they're feeling versus fix it" Sign Up for the Ambitious Dads Newsletter: https://www.ambitiousdads.com Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ambitious-dads/id1815863328 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xCHG30Ms9wcGRJmDqHcW8?si=46654ba2a0654099 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmbitiousDads

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  Ambitious Dads

  From Serial Entrepreneur to Present Father: Dominic Rubino on Selling Success to Save Family Time

  Jun 17, 202631 min

  Serial entrepreneur and podcast host Dom Rubino shares how he sold a 250-location global franchise business to be more present for his children. In this candid conversation, he discusses the challenges of raising teenagers, the protective instincts that come with parenting a daughter, and why "Cats in the Cradle" should be required listening for every ambitious dad. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: [00:01:43] - Parenting Through Fear and Protection Discussion of daughter's solo European travel at age 20 Key quote: "Part of me is like crazy... I'm scared. Yeah, I'm scared." [00:04:18] - Different Standards for Sons vs. Daughters Dom's honest admission about treating his children differently Key quote: "If my son falls down, I'm like, good. Do it again. My daughter falls down. I'm like, oh my God, we got to shave down the concrete in that part of the sidewalk." [00:06:17] - The Power of Sports in Child Development How competitive swimming and lacrosse shaped his children's friend groups and character Key quote: "Hanging out in sports is where you meet other kids who hang out in sports... Everybody's trying to get better. They understand coaching. They'll take feedback. They know what it means to lose." [00:11:51] - The Business Decision That Changed Everything The moment Dom realized his travel schedule was hurting his family Key quote: "I looked at him and I thought, Rubino, what the beep are you doing?... I'll go start another one, but I get one family." [00:15:13] - The Song That Defines Fatherhood Dom's recommendation for career-driven fathers Key quote: "Go listen to the cats and the cradle... that song will tell you the kind of dad you want to be." [00:18:02] - Trust But Verify Parenting Applying business leadership principles to parenting Key quote: "I trust my kids, but I verify... If you lie to me, we're going to talk about that as well. And we're going to talk for a very long time." [00:23:58] - Family Values in Action How the Rubino family handles difficult times Key quote: "We never withhold love. We probably double down at the hardest times. I'll bet you we double down on love." [00:27:05] - Sacred Family Dinner Time The importance of consistent family meals Key quote: "Having dinner together is a foundation. We don't even think about it... for us, that is sacred." Sign Up for the Ambitious Dads Newsletter: https://www.ambitiousdads.com Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ambitious-dads/id1815863328 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xCHG30Ms9wcGRJmDqHcW8?si=46654ba2a0654099 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmbitiousDads

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  Ambitious Dads

  From Government Service to Stay-at-Home: Redefining Provider Roles and Fatherhood: Corey Holmes

  Jun 8, 202644 min

  Dr. Corey Holmes , former State Department affairs officer and author, shares his journey of raising a 5-year-old son in the Dominican Republic while building his writing career. This honest conversation explores the challenges of expat parenting, different disciplinary approaches between spouses, and how golf principles apply to fatherhood - patience, presence, and showing up consistently even on the bad days. EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS: [00:01:32] - Expat Parenting Challenges Discussion of language barriers and school transitions for their 5-year-old son Key quote: "I want to go home. I miss our house... I want to see my red door." [00:06:59] - Parental Anxiety vs. Child Resilience How parents often have more anxiety about new situations than their children Key quote: "Sometimes you just have to push them, let them go out there and stand back and force yourself to just stand there and just observe." [00:09:31] - Golf as a Metaphor for Fatherhood Connection between golf's lessons of patience and being present with parenting Key quote: "Golf can't be rushed and neither can fatherhood." [00:11:33] - Different Disciplinary Approaches Navigating different parenting styles between spouses Key quote: "I'm not here to be his friend. I'm here to be his father... kids actually want discipline. They want structure." [00:17:25] - Leading by Example The importance of modeling behavior you want to see in children Key quote: "You can't ask your child to do some stuff that you don't do specifically when you're talking about organization and being clean and tidy." [00:24:23] - Redefining Ambitious Fatherhood How to maintain professional ambitions while being present as a father Key quote: "Being an ambitious dad means that you can still be thriving in your sector of choice, but you don't have to negate the presence of your children." [00:30:59] - Unexpected Joys of Fatherhood Discovering therapeutic aspects of cooking and Saturday morning pancake rituals Key quote: "Cooking has been very therapeutic... by seven 30 we're making pancakes." [00:33:47] - Managing Parental Exhaustion How fatigue affects parenting and the importance of self-care Key quote: "I have to be my best self for him. If I'm not my best self, if I'm running on empty, I have nothing to give." On June 17th, I’m hosting a free, live workshop, Become a Better Leader By Becoming a Better Dad , for fathers who are tired of living a divided life. We’ll explore how “Default Dad” shows up when you’re tired, overloaded, or distracted, and how those same patterns affect your leadership at home and at work. Register here: https://www.ambitiousdads.com/better-dad-better-leader Sign Up for the Ambitious Dads Newsletter: https://www.ambitiousdads.com Connect with Jeff Hittner: https://jeffhittner.com Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ambitious-dads/id1815863328 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4xCHG30Ms9wcGRJmDqHcW8?si=46654ba2a0654099 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AmbitiousDads

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