Welcome back to The Dad Chapter, where the chicken nuggets are slightly burnt, the kids are louder than your inner peace, and three grown men are still trying to figure out how to make it through the week without losing their minds (or their toddlers).

This week, TJ Boyd (dad of one), Kendrick Keough (dad of two), and our favorite unpaid intern/future dad Kevin Hough get real about the identity shift that sucker-punches every guy the second they step into dad life.

Episode 1 was all about surviving those first terrifying days. This one’s about what happens after — when the chaos becomes constant, the sleep is a distant memory, and suddenly you’re Googling “how to get smashed peas out of hair” instead of “best golf courses near me.”

We kick things off with a little “apple cup” showdown and some post-game trash talk from Kevin, the dog dad who dominated the dads. (Turns out lifting a 60-pound golden daily does give you an advantage in backyard competitions.) But the fun quickly turns into some deep, unfiltered conversation about how being a dad — or even thinking about becoming one — starts to shift everything: your friendships, your time, and most importantly, your sense of self.

In this episode, we dive into:

• The Dad Identity Crisis: Kendrick shares how fatherhood made him feel like he found his calling, while Kevin admits he’s still wrapping his head around the idea that loving someone more than yourself might just redefine everything.

• Friendship Fallout & Realignment: TJ breaks down the hard truth — that 80/20 split where your kid gets your best, and your friends get… what’s left. But also how some friendships get stronger when you’re surviving the same chaos.

• Literal Hand-Offs and Car Seat Ballet: From driveway parenting swaps to nap patrol on the backroads, the guys share the behind-the-scenes logistics of balancing babies, Zoom calls, and whatever’s left of your mental energy.

• Dad Fails & Flying Babies: TJ recounts the night his son fell off the dresser (spoiler: a life-size elephant saved the day), and Kendrick confesses to the time he drop-kicked a block tower in a moment of sleep-deprived rage.

• The Screen Time Struggle Is Real: We said we’d never do it. And then… we did it. Sometimes a tablet is the only thing standing between you and a hot meal.

• Me Time Is a Myth (Sort Of): Remember video games? The gym? Showers longer than 90 seconds? Yeah. Us neither. Welcome to cardio by toddler chase.

• Partnership Pressure: TJ and Kendrick don’t sugarcoat the toll parenting can take on your relationship. From losing touch with date nights to feeling more like co-managers than spouses, they break down how to hold the team together when everyone’s on edge.

• Dad Hacks & Rookie Moves: Kevin wants the blueprint. TJ and Kendrick hand him the real playbook: diaper indicators, car naps, and keeping the pediatrician’s number on speed dial.

• The Moment It All Hits: That day you leave for work and hear “Dada” at the window. That diaper change where everything goes wrong. That quiet second when you realize… you wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Through it all, Kevin — our loyal intern and rookie on deck — keeps the rookie questions coming. How many diapers really per day? Can you still have a morning routine as a dad? (Answer: lol, no.) And when, exactly, do you stop feeling like you’re just winging it? (Answer: TBD.)

And just when things get emotional — cue the teacher tributes. Kendrick gets hit with heartfelt messages from former students and parents about the impact he’s had on their lives. Yeah, this one might make you tear up a little. Don’t worry. We’re right there with you.

At the heart of it all is a reminder that fatherhood isn’t just about survival — it’s about growth. About being present. About embracing the mess, laughing at the madness, and learning to become a dad.

Thanks for hanging with us today. You’re officially part of The Dad Chapter crew now. Buckle up — it’s beautiful, it’s chaotic, and we’re only two episodes in.

In this first episode, Kendrick Keough (dad of two), TJ Boyd (dad of one), and Kevin Hough (future dad and current intern working for coffee and survival tips) sit down and get real about what it's like before, during, and after you step into fatherhood. Spoiler: nothing — we mean nothing — can actually prepare you.

We’re not handing out certificates. We’re not your therapist. We’re just three guys figuring it out like everybody else — and laughing through the madness before it sends us to an early grave or a Jersey diner at 2AM wondering what just happened to our lives.

This first episode, we rewind to where it all started — a random birthday text that somehow turned into a podcast. We dive into how fast your life flips the second you realize that kid is coming home with you — no nurses, no manuals, no "tap outs" when it gets real. Just you, a car seat you barely figured out, and a brand-new definition of chaos.

Kendrick talks about the moment his daughter’s head crowned and the reality check that followed. TJ breaks down that first night home when it hit him — hard — that you’re now in charge of keeping a tiny human alive. And Kevin, our unpaid intern still trying to earn his official Dad Card, fires off all the rookie questions: When does it actually feel real? How do you deal with the madness? Is it normal to wonder what the hell you just signed up for?

We cover everything nobody warned us about: the pure shock of sleep deprivation, the crushing loss of “me time,” and the harsh reality that once you're home, you're officially the on-call janitor, chef, and personal assistant to a seven-pound dictator.

There's a lot of talk about embracing the chaos. Because here's the truth: you can fight it, or you can own it. Trust us, surrendering is a lot less painful. Kendrick shares how giving in to the madness became his superpower. TJ talks about learning to close his eyes at 3AM, think about being 60, and realizing he’s gonna miss these days when they're gone. Kevin — well, he’s still trying to figure out how to install the car seat without losing a thumb.

We also get into some top-tier dad fails. Like Kendrick almost torching his house over a tray of "healthy" chicken nuggets (solid idea, terrible execution), and TJ confessing that he once told his wife he was tired during labor. Yeah. Tired. During labor. He’s lucky we even let him back on the mic.

We don’t sugarcoat the sacrifices either. Gym memberships? Canceled. Video games? Gathering dust. PB&J crusts for dinner? Absolutely. Getting peed on at 2AM and considering it a regular Thursday? Welcome to the club. It’s not glamorous, but somehow, it’s still the best thing that’s ever happened to us.

We also break down what it means to be a dad today. This isn’t the 1950s anymore. Being a dad now means showing up — exhausted, broke, frustrated — but showing up anyway. You’re Batman. She’s Batman. The kid’s probably Batman too. There are no days off.

If you’re already a dad, about to become one, or just a guy who knows he’s got a storm coming, this one's for you. We’re not here to preach. We’re here to shoot it straight, swap some war stories, and maybe make your first diaper explosion a little less terrifying.

Because at the end of the day, if we can help even one new dad feel a little less lost (or at least laugh while he's getting peed on at 3AM), then we’re doing something right.

Thanks for hanging with us today. You're officially part of The Dad Chapter crew now. Buckle up — it’s chaos, it’s beautiful, and it’s only just getting started.

Follow us on Instagram @thedadchapter for behind-the-scenes moments, updates, and whatever else we can scrape together between diaper changes. If you’re feeling generous, hit that subscribe button, leave a comment, and tell us your definition of chaos. Bonus points if it involves a chicken nugget or a rogue diaper.