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★★★★★

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Build the life you’re working for. Gap to Gig is the podcast for dads who want to crush it at work and still show up at home. Each week, host Michael Jacobs talks with dads, founders, career experts, and creators about what it really takes to balance meaningful work and active fatherhood. From navigating career transitions and side hustles to staying present for hockey games and bedtime stories, Gap to Gig helps you create a life that feels steady, fulfilling, and built to last. Whether you’re a stay-at-home dad reentering the workforce, a working dad craving more purpose, or a creator building your own path, you’ll find stories and systems to help you move forward with confidence. Expect honest conversations about: Work-life balance that actually lastsCareer change and meaningful work without losing yourselfParenting and productivity that fit real lifeFatherhood, identity, and growth in the modern worldMindset and systems that keep both business and family running smoothly No fluff. No hustle-culture noise. Just real stories, practical tools, and genuine conversations about being a dad who wants both: meaningful work and a meaningful life. If you’ve ever felt pulled between your career ambitions and your kids’ soccer schedules, you’re not alone. Each episode offers ideas you can apply right away, whether that’s a way to structure your week, handle burnout, or rethink what success really means for you and your family. The show blends personal storytelling, expert insights, and actionable takeaways from guests who are building careers, companies, and creative projects that fit their lives, not the other way around. Recent episodes feature: Entrepreneurs who’ve built businesses around their familiesCareer coaches helping dads find work that fits their valuesCreatives balancing passion projects with parentingProductivity pros teaching how to reclaim time and focusEveryday dads sharing their journeys from burnout to balance If you’re ready to rethink success, build balance that lasts, and create space for what matters most, this podcast is for you. Gap to Gig: Helping dads build the life they’re working for. New episodes weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you listen.

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Doug Fleener on Making Better Work and Life Choices Without Burning Out

2026/02/03

Why does work keep crowding out family time even when no one is explicitly asking it to? Doug Fleener is an author, coach, and former corporate executive who has lived both sides of the work equation. After years of leadership roles and constant pressure, he intentionally redesigned his work around presence, health, and family. As a dad to grown daughters and a teenager, Doug brings rare perspective on how seasons of fatherhood change what presence really looks like. Doug shares how to: Shift from chasing balance to making clear work and life choices Recognize when work is crowding out presence without anyone noticing Build daily intention through future focused journaling Use physical cues like closing a laptop or putting down a phone to signal presence Pause before reacting when pressure spills into family moments Find meaningful connection in small, ordinary momentsDig Deeper Bose Corporation Day One Start With What If by Doug Fleener Draft Day Arthur theme song Turn Style Piano Man Follow Doug Website: https://www.dougfleener.com On TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@dougfleener On Instagram: https://instagram.com/dougfleener On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61554942906442 On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@doug-fleener On LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/dougfleener Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Stephanie Cordes on Finding Clarity When Success No Longer Feels Right

2026/01/27

What do you do when your career looks successful on paper, but something quietly feels off? Stephanie Cordes is a career ownership coach who works with people at the exact moment when professional success and the life they want to live stop pointing in the same direction. She knows this moment personally. After building a successful corporate career, Stephanie realized that checking all the boxes did not automatically mean she was building the right life. Stephanie shares how to: • Recognize quiet misalignment before it turns into burnout • Reevaluate work and life goals as seasons and family needs change • Think beyond job titles and focus on lifestyle, income, and long term direction • Create a personal North Star that guides decisions without locking you into one path • Let go of the belief that every career change means failure • Explore new options while keeping stability for your family • Involve your partner in career decisions as a true team effort • Redefine what providing really means beyond a paycheck Dig Deeper Ring Camera Jamie Siminoff, Founder of Ring Camera Kim Possible Picture by Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock Aquaphor Follow Stephanie Website: https://stephahead.com On X: https://x.com/stephcordesTES On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephaniecordesTES On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093172011381 On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemcordes/ On Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/stephcordestes.bsky.social Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Kristian Leavell on Navigating Anxiety, Depression, and the Long Winter Season

2026/01/20

Why do anxiety and depression feel heavier during the long winter season, even when nothing is technically “wrong”? Kristian Leavell, licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and dad, returns to talk about the emotional weight winter can bring, especially for fathers carrying responsibility at work and at home. The focus here is awareness, regulation, and small, realistic ways to stay steady when energy is low and motivation fades. Kristian shares how to: • Notice early signs of anxiety and depression by watching patterns, not isolated moments • Treat emotions as useful signals rather than problems to eliminate • Separate thoughts from facts and step out of spirals • Use small, practical actions to interrupt anxiety before it builds • Apply opposite action when motivation disappears • Practice mindfulness in real life, not perfect conditions • Talk with kids about emotions in ways that create trust and safety • Redefine strength as presence, not endurance • Check in on other dads without feeling the need to fix them Dig Deeper ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) Cognitive Fusion DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) The Jetsons How to turn crayons into candles Crash the Gates by Yellowcard Follow Kristian TherapyTokWithKris on TikTok TherapyTalkWithKris on Instagram TherapyTalkWithKris on YouTube DistinctApproachCounseling.com Email Kris Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Eddie Torba on Building a Career That Lets You Show Up for Your Kids

2026/01/13

What does it mean to succeed at work without missing the moments you never get back? Eddie Torba has spent decades in retail execution and operations, helping major brands adapt, rebuild, and evolve through massive industry change. Along the way, he made intentional career decisions to stay present for his family, from working nights and weekends early on, to shifting into remote corporate roles, to building a small consulting practice on the side. Eddie shares how to: • Design a career around family instead of fitting family into leftover time • Choose flexibility and stability without treating them as opposites • Build trust at work by delivering results, not logging hours • Protect family dinners, school events, and everyday moments that matter • Set boundaries that prevent burnout and protect mental energy • Create morning and weekly routines that support focus and balance • Explore a side path without overwhelming yourself or your family • Be honest about capacity before taking on extra work • Help kids understand the human effort behind convenience and consumption • Teach responsibility, work ethic, and perspective by example • Measure success by presence, not titles or constant availability Eddie’s story is a reminder that careers evolve, seasons change, and showing up consistently for your family is a choice you make again and again. His approach is practical, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in the belief that work should support life, not replace it. Dig Deeper Ad Populum EWS Consulting Party City Duck Tales Duck Tales theme song Knee Deep by Zach Brown Band Jimmy Buffett Follow Eddie Email Eddie Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On Threads: threads.com/@gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

AJ Rich on Becoming the Dad You Want to Be in an Anxious World

2026/01/06

What does it actually take to feel grounded, confident, and present as a dad when anxiety is rising, expectations are shifting, and the world feels louder than ever? AJ Rich is a licensed marriage and family therapist, practice owner, and doctoral candidate who works almost exclusively with men. After nearly 20 years in corporate leadership, AJ transitioned into clinical work and now helps dads navigate identity, emotional intelligence, anxiety, and growth without losing themselves or their families in the process. In this conversation, AJ shares how men can move beyond coping and toward real psychological wellbeing, even while juggling work pressure, parenting, and constant change. You will hear AJ break down how to: • Understand anxiety as a signal, not a failure • Build emotional intelligence without losing strength or credibility • Develop the language to describe what you are actually feeling • Shift from survival mode into sustainable growth • Redefine success beyond titles, income, or external validation • Identify what is holding you back when you feel stuck Dig Deeper Feelings wheel Brené Brown Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart on HBO Max Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown (book) PERMA Theory of Well-Being Doc McStuffins Sofia the First Subway Sandwich Artist Food Avenue in Target This is How We Do It by Montell Jordan Follow AJ AJ Family Therapy, Inc. Email AJ Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram On TikTok On X On Threads On YouTube On your podcast player of choice Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter Follow Michael On LinkedIn

Paul Terrell on Grit, Recovery, and Rebuilding Life as a Dad

2025/12/30

How do you rebuild your life when everything breaks at once and you still have kids who need you every minute of the day? After a devastating spinal injury and years of recovery, Paul Terrell became a stay at home dad who had to relearn how to walk, talk, type, and parent with new physical limitations. Later he returned to work and eventually became a top performing enterprise account executive in PropTech and FinTech. His story is one of grit, patience, perseverance, and a deep commitment to family. Paul shares how to: • Relearn everyday life while caring for two young kids • Parent with physical limitations and find creative ways to adapt • Build mental toughness when progress feels painfully slow • Return to the workforce with confidence after years away • Use AI, systems, and prep work to compete at a high level again • Navigate the emotional shift from being the primary caregiver to traveling constantly for work • Strengthen a marriage through shared effort, support, and role changes • Turn stay at home parenting into quantifiable wins on a resume • Carry lessons from parenting into sales, negotiation, and leadership • Protect health, energy, and family time in a metrics driven role • Help kids understand work, money, teamwork, and responsibility • Break big goals into smaller ones and use data to track personal progress Paul’s story is honest, inspiring, and packed with practical wisdom for any dad rebuilding after a tough season or trying to figure out what comes next. Dig Deeper Yardi REIT Plaud Bohemian Rhapsody Nuthin' but a "G" Thang Follow Paul Paul Terrell on LinkedIn Paul Terrell on Instagram Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Sean Waldron on Creativity, Healing, and the Work That Starts at Home

2025/12/23

What happens when you realize the real work of your life is happening at home, not at your job? Sean Waldron returns for a deeper conversation about creativity, fatherhood, and the stories that shape us. He shares how filming with his son became a doorway into connection, why every dad has creative gifts even if they do not see themselves as creative, and how bringing your work skills into your home can strengthen the bond with your kids. Sean opens up about: • Entering his child’s world and why validation matters so much • How creativity shows up in everyday parenting • Using the skills you practice at work to build connection at home • The danger of tying your worth to your job • Why every dad carries a creative spark • How good is built in small moments inside your home • Growing up with fractured support and transforming that pain into purpose • The heart behind ROAR and the documentary Silly Cannonballs • The healing conversation he needed to have with his father before he could tell this story • Building habits and protecting your morning to stay grounded • Navigating perfection, mastery, and the pursuit of honesty This conversation goes deeper into purpose, identity, generational patterns, and the kind of dad you want to become. It is raw, thoughtful, and full of clarity about what truly matters. Dig Deeper ROAR Dads Silly Cannonballs The Jetsons MacGyver John Mayer Japanese Joinery Gap to Gig Episode 6: Sean Waldron on Purpose, Creativity, and Becoming a Present Dad Follow Sean Sean Waldron on LinkedIn Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Sean Waldron on Purpose, Creativity, and Becoming a Present Dad

2025/12/16

How do you hold onto your creative identity while trying to be the parent you want to be? Sean Waldron has built a life around creativity from music to video production to brand storytelling. He has freelanced, gone in-house, flipped houses, and wrestled with the tension between purpose and practical responsibilities. Becoming a dad pushed him to rethink all of it. Sean shares how to: Blend creative skills with fatherhood in a way that builds connectionSeparate who you are from what you do after layoffs, pivots, or burnoutNavigate the pull between purpose, mastery, and paying the billsPursue creative work without letting perfectionism take overFind meaning in seasons of uncertaintyRecognize early signs that you are on the right path even without resultsCarry ambition into parenthood without letting it overshadow your home lifeCreate simple moments of delight using the skills that light you upExplore the stories you learned growing up and how they shape the dad you want to becomeIf you have ever felt torn between your creative passions, your responsibilities, and the desire to show up well for your kids, this conversation offers clarity, grounding, and a reminder that purpose is built one small moment at a time. Dig Deeper ROAR Dads Silly Cannonballs Girl Above Set Your Mind Reset: Living a Grace-Paced Life in a Burnout Culture by David Murray Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy Bluey Red Hot and Blue Pit Barbecue Jason Mraz My Humps Baby Got Back The Roost Stand Follow Sean Sean Waldron on LinkedIn 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

Kristian Leavell on Finding Calm and Becoming the Dad You Want to Be

2025/12/09

What does it really take to be present as a dad while juggling work, pressure, and your own mental health? Kristian Leavell, a licensed clinical social worker, therapist, and dad, brings both clinical insight and lived experience to this honest conversation about the weight many fathers carry and how to navigate it with clarity and compassion. Kristian shares how to: • Be truthful about what you feel and what you need • Understand the voice behind internal pressure and self doubt • Redefine what it means to provide for your family • Manage guilt around work, parenting, and expectations • Let go of perfectionism and the anxiety under it • Reset when you feel disconnected from yourself or your family • Build routines that protect your mental health • Model emotional honesty for your kids while keeping boundaries • Build real community even when adult friendships feel difficult • Cross the swamp of discomfort to become the parent you want to be If you feel stretched thin, quietly anxious, or simply trying to show up better for yourself and your family, this episode offers grounded guidance and a way forward. Dig Deeper Kristian’s video about being a girl dad Instagram | TikTok Don't Go Chasing Waterfalls by TLC Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes The Man Who Sold the World by Nirvana Texas State Follow Kristian TherapyTokWithKris on TikTok TherapyTalkWithKris on Instagram DistinctApproachCounseling.com Email Kris Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Erin Aldrich Shean on Redefining Success for the Season You’re In

2025/12/02

What happens when the chapter you spent years chasing finally ends and you’re left asking what comes next? In this episode of Gap to Gig, host Michael Jacobs talks with Erin Aldrich Shean, a former Olympic and professional athlete who has reinvented herself multiple times across sports, corporate strategy, and now career coaching. Erin helps people navigate life and work transitions using her LAND method, a framework built around learning, alignment, networking, and delivery. Erin shares how to: Redefine success when life shifts and old identities fall away Find clarity before rushing into the next job or direction Ask for support instead of trying to figure everything out alone Balance ambition with the life you want at home Navigate seasons of grind and seasons of rest Align your values with the work you choose Keep your network warm and active after you land Take care of yourself so you can show up fully for your family Whether you’re returning to work, pivoting into something new, or simply trying to make sense of the season you’re in, this conversation offers perspective, honesty, and practical ways to move forward with more clarity and less pressure. Dig Deeper LAND Method Ikigai Ascension Coaching and Consulting Ascension Coaching and Consulting on LinkedIn I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Jacob Stone on Reentering the Workforce and Bringing Your Whole Self to Work

2025/11/25

What really happens behind the scenes in hiring and how can dads returning to work stand out? In this episode of Gap to Gig, host Michael Jacobs talks with Jacob Stone, HR consultant and founder of WorqTap, who’s spent over a decade helping companies hire smarter and helping people land roles that actually fit their lives. Jacob shares what most job seekers never hear: • What’s really going on inside hiring teams (and how to stand out). • Why soft skills like adaptability and communication matter more than technical ones. • How parenting builds the exact qualities employers need. • How to reframe career gaps with confidence. • Why networking, not algorithms, gets you hired. Whether you’re reentering the workforce, changing careers, or just trying to build meaningful work around family life, this episode will help you bring your full story to the table. Dig Deeper WorqTap Paul Revere by Beastie Boys Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Jesse Holmes on Building Momentum in 10 Minutes a Day

2025/11/18

In this episode of Gap to Gig, host Michael Jacobs talks with Jesse Holmes, a performance coach who helps entrepreneurs and parents make measurable progress in just 10 minutes a day. Jesse shares how to: • Build clarity and confidence through small, consistent actions. • Find your focus when life feels chaotic. • Apply “deep work” principles to parenting, relationships, and self-care. • Turn daily 10-minute wins into lasting momentum. • Balance business growth with family life — without burning out. Whether you’re rebuilding your career, starting something new, or simply trying to stay present at home, this conversation will help you take the next step toward growth that feels sustainable. Dig Deeper Jesse’s Breakout Planner Fergalicious by Fergie Follow Jesse Jesse Holmes on Facebook Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig/ Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

John Tarnoff on Finding Your Next Chapter

2025/11/11

What happens when your career suddenly stops fitting your life? In this episode of Gap to Gig, host Michael Jacobs talks with John Tarnoff, an executive coach who rebuilt his career after the tech bubble burst and now helps mid-career professionals rediscover purpose and confidence. John shares how to: • Navigate uncertainty and rebuild resilience. • Reframe “returning to work” as moving forward, not backward. • Turn personal experiences — even parenting — into professional strengths. • Rebuild confidence by acting before you feel ready. • Create community instead of just “networking.” If you’re a dad redefining success, shifting careers, or searching for meaningful work that fits real life, this episode will help you take the next step with clarity and confidence. Dig Deeper Pema Chödrön https://pemachodronfoundation.org Gampo Abbey https://gampoabbey.org/ Comfortable with Uncertainty https://amzn.to/4oNRCTc Julia Cameron https://juliacameronlive.com/ The Artist’s Way https://amzn.to/4hClP5h Ikigai https://www.japan.go.jp/kizuna/2022/03/ikigai\_japanese\_secret\_to\_a\_joyful\_life.html Ikigai Venn diagram https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ikigai#/media/File:Diagramo\_de\_Ikigajo\_-en.svg You’ve Got a Friend by Carole King https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAR\_Ff5A8Rk Follow John John Tarnoff on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/johntarnoff/ Mid-Career Lab community https://midcareerlab.com/ John Tarnoff website https://johntarnoff.com/ Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/@gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg On your podcast player of choice: https://rss.com/podcasts/gaptogig Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Welcome to Gap to Gig: For Dads Redefining Work and Family

2025/11/03

What if the goal isn’t just finding work, but finding work that fits your life? Gap to Gig is the podcast for dads balancing career, family, and purpose. Hosted by entrepreneur and dad Michael Jacobs, each week features real conversations with fathers, founders, and experts who are redefining success and creating careers that fit real life. If you’re navigating career change, exploring freelance or flexible work, or looking for meaningful work without missing the moments that matter most, this show is for you. In this trailer, hear what’s coming: honest stories, practical strategies, and a few laughs along the way. Follow or subscribe to Gap to Gig on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your podcast player of choice to start building a life that feels like yours, not someone else’s version of success. Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter: gaptogig.com Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram: instagram.com/gaptogig On TikTok: tiktok.com/gaptogig On X: x.com/gaptogig On YouTube: youtube.com/@gaptogig-gtg Follow Michael On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/themichaeljacobs/

Podcast reviews

Read Gap to Gig podcast reviews

5 out of 5

4 reviews

★★★★★

kittylistens 2026/01/30

Redefining Success with Honesty & Purpose

Gap to Gig offers a thoughtful, grounded take on career transitions and redefining success—especially for dads navigating work, family, and identity. ...

★★★★★

Speaking247 2026/01/15

Loaded with Great Ideas!

What an outstanding podcast! Michael is an excellent host in that he finds diverse guests and manages to mine gems of advice for fathers in their pers...

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